Document:

EX-4.1

 Exhibit 4.1 

FISCAL AND PAYING AGENCY AGREEMENT 

Between 
 DISCOVER BANK

 Issuer 

and 
 U.S. BANK NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION 
 Fiscal and Paying Agent 
  

 
 Dated as of
July 27, 2016 
  
  

3.450% Notes Due 2026 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

							
	 	  	 	  	Page	 
		
	 ARTICLE 1 APPOINTMENT
	  	 	1	  
			
	 Section 1.1.
	  	Appointment of Fiscal and Paying Agent	  	 	1	  
		
	 ARTICLE 2 THE NOTES
	  	 	1	  
			
	 Section 2.1.
	  	Form of Notes	  	 	1	  
	 Section 2.2.
	  	Certifications of Authorized Representatives of the Bank	  	 	2	  
	 Section 2.3.
	  	Authentication and Delivery	  	 	2	  
	 Section 2.4.
	  	Denominations; Issuance of Certificated Securities	  	 	3	  
	 Section 2.5.
	  	Principal Amount; Reopening	  	 	4	  
	 Section 2.6.
	  	Security Register; Registration of Transfer and Exchange	  	 	4	  
	 Section 2.7.
	  	Persons Deemed Owners	  	 	5	  
	 Section 2.8.
	  	Cancellation of Unissued Global Notes	  	 	5	  
	 Section 2.9.
	  	Mutilated, Stolen or Destroyed Notes	  	 	5	  
	 Section 2.10.
	  	Redemption	  	 	5	  
		
	 ARTICLE 3 THE FISCAL AND PAYING AGENT
	  	 	6	  
			
	 Section 3.1.
	  	Payment of Notes	  	 	6	  
	 Section 3.2.
	  	Information Regarding Amounts Payable	  	 	6	  
	 Section 3.3.
	  	Deposit of Funds	  	 	6	  
	 Section 3.4.
	  	Disposition of Funds Held for Payment of Notes	  	 	7	  
	 Section 3.5.
	  	Receipt and Delivery of Notices	  	 	7	  
	 Section 3.6.
	  	Additional Responsibilities	  	 	7	  
	 Section 3.7.
	  	Miscellaneous	  	 	7	  
		
	 ARTICLE 4 LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
	  	 	8	  
			
	 Section 4.1.
	  	Liability	  	 	8	  
	 Section 4.2.
	  	Indemnification	  	 	9	  
	 Section 4.3.
	  	Agents and Advisors	  	 	9	  
		
	 ARTICLE 5 RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF FISCAL AND PAYING AGENT; SUCCESSION
	  	 	9	  
			
	 Section 5.1.
	  	Resignation or Removal	  	 	9	  
	 Section 5.2.
	  	Successor Fiscal and Paying Agent	  	 	9	  
	 Section 5.3.
	  	Successor by Merger, Etc.	  	 	10	  
		
	 ARTICLE 6 MISCELLANEOUS
	  	 	10	  
			
	 Section 6.1.
	  	Compensation of the Fiscal and Paying Agent	  	 	10	  
	 Section 6.2.
	  	Reliance on Opinions of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate	  	 	10	  

  
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	 	  	 	  	Page	 
			
	 Section 6.3.
	  	Notes Held by Fiscal and Paying Agent	  	 	11	  
	 Section 6.4.
	  	Notices	  	 	11	  
	 Section 6.5.
	  	Parties	  	 	12	  
	 Section 6.6.
	  	Governing Law	  	 	12	  
	 Section 6.7.
	  	Separability	  	 	12	  
	 Section 6.8.
	  	Effect of Headings	  	 	12	  
	 Section 6.9.
	  	Amendments	  	 	12	  
	 Section 6.10.
	  	Events of Default; Rescission	  	 	13	  
	 Section 6.11.
	  	Actions Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays	  	 	13	  
	 Section 6.12.
	  	Agreement to Pay Attorneys’ Fees and Other Expenses	  	 	14	  
	 Section 6.13.
	  	Survival	  	 	14	  
	 Section 6.14.
	  	No Implied Waivers	  	 	14	  
	 Section 6.15.
	  	Counterparts	  	 	14	  
	 Section 6.16.
	  	Term	  	 	14	  
	 Section 6.17.
	  	Complete Agreement	  	 	14	  

  
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 This FISCAL AND PAYING AGENCY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of
July 27, 2016 by and between Discover Bank, as Issuer (the “Bank”), and U.S. Bank National Association as Fiscal and Paying Agent (the “Fiscal and Paying Agent”). 

W I T N E S S E T H: 

WHEREAS, the Bank proposes to issue and sell $1,000,000,000 of its 3.450% Notes Due 2026 (the “Notes”) in minimum denominations of
$250,000 to certain institutional accredited investors in an offering that is exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and 

WHEREAS, the Bank desires to appoint the Fiscal and Paying Agent as fiscal and paying agent of the Bank with respect to the preparation,
authentication, delivery, registration and payment of the Notes; 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants,
conditions and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows: 
 ARTICLE 1 

APPOINTMENT 

Section 1.1. Appointment of Fiscal and Paying Agent. The Fiscal and Paying Agent is hereby appointed as
fiscal and paying agent for the Notes on the terms and conditions specified in this Agreement and in the Notes, and the Fiscal and Paying Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Bank hereby appoints the Fiscal and Paying Agent as registrar for
the Notes. 
 ARTICLE 2 

THE NOTES 

Section 2.1. Form of Notes. The Notes will be represented by one or more global certificates, each such
certificate hereinafter called a “Global Note.” All Global Notes shall be registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), as depository, or its nominee or a successor depository or nominee. All Global Notes shall
be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and may have such appropriate insertions, omissions, variations or substitutions as are required or permitted by, and not inconsistent with, this Agreement, and may also have such
letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any applicable rules or regulations made pursuant thereto or with the rules or regulations
of any securities exchange or governmental agency or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers of the Bank executing such Global Notes, as evidenced by their execution thereof. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be
shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee and its participants. 

 Section 2.2. Certifications of Authorized Representatives of the
Bank. 
 (a) Any instruction given by the Bank to the Fiscal and Paying Agent under this Agreement shall be in the
form of an Officer’s Certificate. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Authorized Representative (defined below) and delivered to the Fiscal and Paying Agent. 

(b) On or before the original issue date, the Bank shall furnish the Fiscal and Paying Agent with an Officer’s Certificate of the Bank
certifying the incumbency and specimen signatures of the representatives of the Bank who are authorized to instruct the Fiscal and Paying Agent regarding the completion and delivery of the Global Notes and take other actions hereunder (each an
“Authorized Representative”). The Bank shall notify the Fiscal and Paying Agent promptly in writing if any of such persons ceases to be so authorized or if any additional person becomes so authorized together, in the case of an additional
authorized person, with evidence satisfactory to the Fiscal and Paying Agent that such person has been so authorized and any such change shall become effective on the Business Day (as hereinafter defined) on which the Fiscal and Paying Agent
receives notice thereof. 
 Section 2.3. Authentication and Delivery. 

(a) All Notes shall be issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Global Notes and the Letter of Representations
from the Bank to DTC dated November 11, 2009. All instructions regarding the completion and delivery of Notes shall be given in writing by an Authorized Representative by telex, telecopy, electronic transmission or other means acceptable to the
Fiscal and Paying Agent. Upon receipt of such written instructions as described in the preceding sentence, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall: 

(i) manually authenticate such Global Note or Global Notes by any one of the officers of the Fiscal and Paying Agent duly authorized and
designated by it for such purpose; and 
 (ii) deliver such Global Note or Global Notes to DTC or its nominees or retain and hold such
Global Note or Global Notes as custodian for DTC pursuant to DTC’s instructions. 
 (b) Each Note shall bear an original issue date
which shall remain the same for all Notes subsequently issued upon transfer, exchange or substitution of such original Note regardless of the date of issuance of any such subsequently issued Note. 

(c) All instructions given by the Bank pursuant to this Section 2.3 must be received by the Fiscal and Paying Agent by
11 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day (except as indicated in Sections 3.1(b) and 6.11) preceding the original issue date for the Global Notes. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Business
Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday and that, in The City of New York, New York, is not a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to be closed. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall not be
required to perform any duties on any day that is not a Business Day. 

  
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 (d) The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall have no responsibility to the Bank to determine by whom a
facsimile signature of the Bank shall be affixed on the Global Notes, or whether a signature of an Authorized Representative is genuine, if such signature resembles the specimen signature of such Authorized Representative on the Officer’s
Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(b). The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall incur no liability to the Bank in acting or refraining from taking any action hereunder upon instructions contemplated hereby which the recipient thereof
believed in good faith to have been given by an Authorized Representative. In the event a discrepancy exists between the instructions as originally received by the Fiscal and Paying Agent and any subsequent instruction relating to the same subject
matter, the original instructions will be deemed controlling if action has already been taken in reliance thereon. The Fiscal and Paying Agent agrees to give notice to the Bank of such discrepancy reasonably promptly upon the discovery by the Fiscal
and Paying Agent of such discrepancy. 
 (e) Each instruction given to the Fiscal and Paying Agent in accordance with this
Section 2.3 shall constitute a representation and warranty to the Fiscal and Paying Agent by the Bank that (i) the issuance and delivery of the Global Notes to which the instruction relates have been duly and validly authorized by
the Bank, (ii) such Global Notes, when completed, authenticated and delivered pursuant hereto, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Bank and (iii) the Fiscal and Paying Agent’s appointment to act for the Bank
hereunder has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Bank. 
 (f) The Bank further represents and warrants to the
Fiscal and Paying Agent that the Bank is free to enter into this Agreement and to perform the terms hereof. 

Section 2.4. Denominations; Issuance of Certificated Securities. 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 2.4, the Notes shall be issuable only in book-entry form, without coupons, in denominations of $250,000 and any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000. 

(b) If at any time (i) DTC notifies the Bank in writing that it is unwilling or unable to act as depository for the Notes or if DTC
ceases to be a clearing agency registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a successor depository is not appointed by the Bank within 90 days after the effective date of DTC’s ceasing to
act as depository for the Notes, (ii) the Bank, at its option, notifies the Fiscal and Paying Agent in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Notes in definitive form or (iii) any event shall have happened and be continuing which,
after notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default as defined in the Notes, the Bank will execute, and the Fiscal and Paying Agent will, upon the execution of the then standard form of the Fiscal and Paying Agent’s
agreement for certificated securities and upon receipt of instructions in writing from the Bank, authenticate and deliver Notes of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global
Notes then outstanding in exchange for such Global Notes. Any such certificated Notes will be issued in fully registered form to the persons identified by DTC as the beneficial owners thereof, without coupons, in denominations of $250,000 or any
amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000. Such certificated Notes may not subsequently be exchanged by a holder for Notes in denominations of less than $250,000. If Notes are issued in definitive form hereunder, payment and
other terms related to such Notes will be as set forth on the face thereof. 

  
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 Section 2.5. Principal Amount; Reopening. The aggregate
principal amount of the Notes that may be authenticated and issued under this Agreement is initially limited to $1,000,000,000, except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other
Notes pursuant to Sections 2.4, 2.6 or 2.9; provided, however, that the Bank may, so long as no Event of Default (as defined in the Notes) has occurred and is continuing, reopen the Notes to issue additional Notes on the
same terms and conditions (except for issue date and offering price), with the same CUSIP number as the Notes and which shall form a single series with the originally issued Notes, without the consent of the holders of the Notes;
provided, however, that such additional Notes must be fungible with the originally issued Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As used herein, the term “Notes” includes any such additional
Notes. 
 Section 2.6. Security Register; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

 (a) The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall, so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, maintain records in accordance with its
customary practices, including all forms of transfer for the Notes and shall: (i) keep at its corporate trust office or the office of its affiliate in New York City, a register (the “Security Register”) in such form as the Fiscal and
Paying Agent may determine, in which, subject to such reasonable requirements as it may prescribe, it shall provide for the registration of the Global Notes and of any exchanges or transfers thereof and (ii) maintain records showing for each
outstanding Note issued in definitive form under Section 2.4(b), the principal amount, maturity date, interest rate and other terms thereof, the date of original issue and all subsequent transfers and consolidations or exchanges. 

(b) All Notes presented for transfer shall be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer with such evidence of due
authorization and guarantee of signature as may reasonably be required by the Fiscal and Paying Agent. Upon receipt by the Bank of a Note submitted for transfer, the Bank will execute, and the Fiscal and Paying Agent will authenticate, one or more
new Notes of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Note presented for transfer in accordance with the transfer instructions accompanying same. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall date its signature
on the date it signs such Notes. No service charge (other than any cost of delivery) shall be imposed by the Fiscal or Paying Agent for any exchange or registration of transfer of a Note but the Bank or Fiscal and Paying Agent may require the
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith or presentation of evidence that such tax or charge has been paid. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
herein, no registration or transfer shall be made on or after the fifteenth day immediately preceding the Maturity Date (as defined in the Note). 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, unless Notes are issued in definitive form under Section 2.4(b)
hereof, beneficial ownership of the Notes will only be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC, its nominees or its participants (as defined in the offering circular dated July 21, 2016 relating
to the offering of the Notes). The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall have no responsibility 

  
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or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records
relating to such beneficial ownership interests, and it shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting on any such information provided by DTC with respect thereto. 

Section 2.7. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Note for registration or transfer, the
Bank, the Fiscal and Paying Agent and any agent of the Bank or the Fiscal and Paying Agent may treat the person in whose name such Note is registered as the owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payments of principal and interest, if any,
and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note be overdue, and neither the Bank nor the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. 

Section 2.8. Cancellation of Unissued Global Notes. Promptly upon the written request of the Bank, the Fiscal
and Paying Agent shall cancel and return to the Bank all unissued Global Notes in its possession. 

Section 2.9. Mutilated, Stolen or Destroyed Notes. In case a Note shall at any time become mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen and such Note or evidence satisfactory to the Bank or the Fiscal and Paying Agent of the loss, theft, or destruction thereof (together with indemnity satisfactory to the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent and such other
documents of proof as may be required by them) shall be delivered to the Bank, a new Note of like tenor will be issued by the Bank in exchange for the Note so mutilated, or in lieu of the Note so destroyed or lost or stolen. The Fiscal and Paying
Agent will authenticate any such substituted Note and deliver the same on the written request or authorization of an Authorized Representative. All expenses and reasonable charges associated with procuring the indemnity referred to above and with
the preparation, authentication and delivery of a new Note shall be borne by the holder of the Note so mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen. If any Note which has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the
Bank may, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note) upon compliance by the holder thereof with the provisions of this Section 2.9
(including delivery of an indemnity satisfactory to the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent and such other documents of proof as may be required by them). 

Section 2.10. Redemption. 

(a) No sinking fund will be provided for the Notes. 

(b) The Notes are subject to redemption at the option of the Bank, at any time on or after April 27, 2026, in whole or in part on no less
than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice delivered to the Holders. The Notes will be redeemable at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If fewer than all of
the Notes are to be redeemed, the Fiscal and Paying Agent will select the Notes for redemption on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method in accordance with the Depository’s procedures. The Notes will be redeemed in denominations of
$250,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. If any Notes are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Notes will state the portion of the Notes to be redeemed. Unless the Bank defaults in payment of
the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of the Notes called for redemption. 

  
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 ARTICLE 3 

THE FISCAL AND PAYING AGENT 

Section 3.1. Payment of Notes. 

(a) Payments of principal and interest payable at the Maturity Date will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the bank
accounts in the United States designated by the holders of the Notes, provided that the Notes are presented to the Fiscal and Paying Agent in time for the Fiscal and Paying Agent to make such payments in such funds in accordance with its normal
procedures and subject to Section 3.3 hereof. 
 (b) Payments of interest (other than interest payable at Maturity Date) will be
made on January 27 and July 27 of each year, commencing on January 27, 2017 to the holders of the Notes entitled thereto as of the close of business on the January 15 or July 15, as the case may be (whether or not such day
is a Business Day) (each such date, a “Regular Record Date”) immediately preceding the interest payment date, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank accounts in the United States designated by such holders in a written
notice received by the Fiscal and Paying Agent not later than the applicable Regular Record Date and subject to Section 3.3 hereof. 

(c) The Fiscal and Paying Agent is authorized and, subject to its prior receipt of funds in respect thereof, will pay amounts falling due in
respect of any Note duly presented for payment as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section 3.1 as long as the Global Note representing such Note has been authenticated by one of the Fiscal and Paying Agent’s officers who was
duly designated and authorized for such purpose at the time of such authentication, notwithstanding that said officer is no longer so designated or the authority of said officer has been terminated between the time of execution and the time of
payment. 
 (d) The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall have no obligation to use its own funds for any payment of principal or interest on the
Notes or for any other purpose pursuant to this Agreement. 
 Section 3.2. Information Regarding Amounts
Payable. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall, as soon as practicable after each record date for the payment of interest on the Notes (other than interest payable on the Maturity Date), but not later than five days preceding the related
interest payment date, notify the Bank of the amount of interest to be paid on the Notes on the related interest payment date. 

Section 3.3. Deposit of Funds. The Bank shall deposit with the Fiscal and Paying Agent by 10 a.m., New
York City time (i) on each interest payment date (other than the Maturity Date) an amount in immediately available funds sufficient to pay the interest due on the Notes on such date and (ii) on the Maturity Date an amount in immediately
available funds sufficient to pay the full principal amount of the Notes and all unpaid interest accrued thereon to the Maturity Date. 

  
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 Section 3.4. Disposition of Funds Held for Payment of Notes.

 (a) In acting under this Agreement and in connection with the Notes, the Fiscal and Paying Agent is acting solely as agent of the
Bank and does not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with the holders of the Notes or the beneficial owners of the Global Notes, except that, subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 3.4, all
money deposited with the Fiscal and Paying Agent pursuant to Section 3.3 shall be held by it on behalf of the holders of the Notes and the beneficial holders of the Global Notes entitled thereto until such money is disbursed to the
holders of the Notes (subject to escheat and other unclaimed property laws) in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Agreement. Money deposited with the Fiscal and Paying Agent need not be segregated from other funds of the Fiscal and
Paying Agent, except to the extent required by law. The Fiscal and Paying Agent agrees that it shall not exercise any right of set-off, lien or similar claim in respect of such money deposited with the Fiscal
and Paying Agent. 
 (b) Any money deposited with the Fiscal and Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on any Note
that remains unclaimed or unpaid for two years after such principal or interest has become due and payable or if sooner, at the effectiveness of the resignation or removal of the Fiscal and Paying Agent, shall be remitted by the Fiscal and Paying
Agent to the Bank and the holders of the Notes entitled thereto shall thereafter, as unsecured general creditors, look only to the Bank for payment thereof as successor fiscal and paying agent, and all liability of the Fiscal and Paying Agent with
respect to such money shall thereupon cease. 
 Section 3.5. Receipt and Delivery of Notices.

 (a) Forthwith upon the receipt by the Fiscal and Paying Agent of a demand or notice from any holder of a Note in accordance with
the provisions hereof, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall promptly forward a copy thereof to the Bank. 
 (b) On behalf of and at the request
and expense of the Bank, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall cause to be delivered to the holders of the Notes all notices required to be given by the Bank to such holders in accordance with the provisions hereof. 

Section 3.6. Additional Responsibilities. If the Bank shall ask the Fiscal and Paying Agent to perform any
duties not specifically set forth in this Agreement as duties of the Fiscal and Paying Agent (the “Additional Responsibilities”) and the Fiscal and Paying Agent chooses to perform such Additional Responsibilities, the Fiscal and Paying
Agent shall be held to the same standard of care and shall be entitled to all the protective provisions (including, but not limited to, indemnification) set forth herein with respect to such Additional Responsibilities unless the Fiscal and Paying
Agent has entered into a separate written agreement which specifically addresses the standard of care with respect to such Additional Responsibilities. 

Section 3.7. Miscellaneous. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein: 

(a) in paying principal and interest on the Notes hereunder, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall be acting as a conduit and shall not be paying
such principal or interest for its own account. In the absence of written notice from the Bank to the contrary, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall be entitled to assume that any Note presented to it, or deemed presented to it, for payment, is
entitled to be so paid; 

  
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 (b) the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall not be required to invest any moneys delivered to it
pursuant to this Agreement and shall have no liability for interest on any moneys received or held by it hereunder; 
 (c) the Fiscal and
Paying Agent shall not be responsible for the accuracy of any recital of any party (other than the Fiscal and Paying Agent) that is stated herein or in the Notes or in any offering materials relating thereto and makes no representations as to the
validity or enforceability of the Notes and shall incur no responsibility in respect thereto; 
 (d) the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall be
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any notice, order, requisition, request, consent, certificate, order, opinion (including an opinion of counsel, Officer’s Certificate or both), affidavit, letter, telegram or other paper or
document deemed by it in good faith to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons; and 
 (e)
any action taken by the Fiscal and Paying Agent pursuant to this Agreement upon the request or authority or consent of any person who at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent is the holder of a Note shall be conclusive
and binding upon (i) all future holders of the same Note and any Note issued in exchange therefor or in place thereof, (ii) all beneficial owners of the same Note and (iii) all holders of the same Note issued in definitive form
pursuant to Section 2.4(b) hereof. 
 ARTICLE 4 

LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION 

Section 4.1. Liability. 

(a) The duties and obligations of the Fiscal and Paying Agent are ministerial in nature and such duties and obligations shall be determined
solely by the express provisions of this Agreement. The Fiscal and Paying Agent will not have any fiduciary duties. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall not be liable to the Bank, the holders of Notes or the beneficial owners of the Global Notes except
for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth herein and no implied covenants shall be read into this Agreement against it. 

(b) The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall not be required to ascertain whether any action taken by the Bank hereunder, including (i) the
offering and sale of Notes, (ii) the issuance of such Notes or (iii) any amendment or termination of this Agreement, has been duly authorized by the Bank or is in compliance with any other agreement to which the Bank is a party (whether or
not the Fiscal and Paying Agent is also a party to such other agreements) or any law or governmental regulation to which the Bank is subject. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall have no responsibility in the case of any default by the Bank in the
performance of the Notes. 

  
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 (c) The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall not have any liability hereunder except in the case of its
gross negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or failure to perform in accordance with this Agreement (which failure constitutes gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct). NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, IN NO EVENT
SHALL THE FISCAL AND PAYING AGENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES. THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY WILL APPLY REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, BREACH OF THIS CONTRACT OR TORT. 

Section 4.2. Indemnification. The Bank agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fiscal and Paying Agent, its
officers, directors, employees and agents (each an “Indemnified Party”) from and against all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, damages, costs and expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable
legal fees and expenses) relating to or arising out of the performance of its duties under this Agreement, except to the extent they are caused by the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party or failure of such
Indemnified Party to perform in accordance with this Agreement. In the event of resignation or removal of the Fiscal and Paying Agent, any successor to the performance of the obligations of the Fiscal and Paying Agent as specified in this Agreement
shall be entitled to rely upon this indemnity. These indemnification obligations shall survive the termination of this Agreement, including any termination pursuant to any applicable federal or state bankruptcy law, to the extent enforceable under
applicable law, and shall survive the resignation or removal of the Fiscal and Paying Agent while remaining applicable to any action taken or omitted by the Fiscal and Paying Agent while acting pursuant to this Agreement. 

Section 4.3. Agents and Advisors. The Fiscal and Paying Agent may execute any of the powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or advisors selected by it in good faith as it may reasonably require and will not be responsible for any negligence or misconduct on the part of any of them so selected by the
Fiscal and Paying Agent in good faith and without negligence. 
 ARTICLE 5 

RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF FISCAL AND PAYING AGENT; SUCCESSION 

Section 5.1. Resignation or Removal. The Fiscal and Paying Agent may at any time resign from its duties
hereunder by giving written notice of resignation to the Bank specifying the date on which such resignation shall become effective; provided, however, that such date shall not be less than 60 Business Days after such notice is given to the Bank. The
Bank may at any time remove the Fiscal and Paying Agent by giving written notice of removal to the Fiscal and Paying Agent specifying the date on which such removal shall be effective; provided, however, that such date shall not be less than 30
Business Days after such notice is given to the Fiscal and Paying Agent. Any termination or resignation hereunder shall not affect the Fiscal and Paying Agent’s right to the payment of fees earned or charges incurred through the effective date
of such termination or resignation, as the case may be. 
 Section 5.2. Successor Fiscal and Paying
Agent. Upon the effective date of such resignation or removal, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall deliver any money then held by it  

  
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pursuant to Section 3.4(a) to the successor appointed by the Bank to serve as fiscal and paying agent for the Notes and all liability of the Fiscal and Paying Agent with respect to
such money shall thereupon cease. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall also provide such successor with a copy of its records relating to the Notes as such successor shall reasonably request. However, the Fiscal and Paying Agent may retain copies of
any records turned over for archival purposes. If such successor has not been appointed by the effective date of such resignation or removal, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall pay such money and deliver such records to the Bank with the same effect
as though such payment were made pursuant to Section 3.4(b); it being understood and agreed that the Bank may undertake to perform any of the functions of the Fiscal and Paying Agent. The delivery, transfer and assignment of such moneys
and records by the Fiscal and Paying Agent to its successor or the Bank, as the case may be, shall be sufficient, without the requirement of any additional act or the requirement of any indemnity to be given by the Fiscal and Paying Agent, to
relieve the Fiscal and Paying Agent of all further responsibility for the exercise of the rights or the performance of the obligations vested in the Fiscal and Paying Agent pursuant to this Agreement. The Bank shall notify, or cause the Fiscal and
Paying Agent to notify, each holder of Global Notes of the appointment of any successor Fiscal and Paying Agent or the undertaking of the Bank to perform the functions of the Fiscal and Paying Agent. 

Section 5.3. Successor by Merger, Etc. Any corporation or association into which the Fiscal and Paying Agent may be
converted or merged, or with which it may be consolidated, or to which it may sell or transfer its corporate trust and agency business as a whole, or any corporation or association resulting from any such conversion, sale, merger, consolidation or
transfer to which it is a party, shall be and become successor Fiscal and Paying Agent hereunder and shall be invested with all of the rights, powers, trusts, duties and obligations of the Fiscal and Paying Agent hereunder, without the execution or
filing of any instrument or any further act. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall provide notice to the Bank of any such conversion, merger, consolidation, sale or transfer as soon as practicable after the Fiscal and Paying Agent obtains knowledge that
such event will occur or has occurred. 
 ARTICLE 6 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Section 6.1. Compensation of the Fiscal and Paying Agent. The Bank agrees to pay the Fiscal and Paying Agent
compensation for all services rendered by the Fiscal and Paying Agent hereunder in such amounts as set forth on the Fee Schedule attached hereto and payable at such times as the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent may agree to and to promptly
reimburse the Fiscal and Paying Agent for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), disbursements and advances incurred or made
by the Fiscal and Paying Agent in the performance of its duties hereunder. The obligation of the Bank pursuant to this Section 6.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, including any termination pursuant to any federal or
state bankruptcy law, to the extent enforceable under applicable law. 
 Section 6.2. Reliance on Opinions of
Counsel or Officer’s Certificate. 
 (a) The Fiscal and Paying Agent may, at any time, request and receive an
opinion of counsel (including its in-house counsel) concerning its duties hereunder. The Fiscal 

  
 10 

 
and Paying Agent shall be free to act upon the advice contained in such opinion and shall have no liability to the Bank, the holders of the Notes or the beneficial owners of the Global Notes in
respect of an action taken or omitted by the Fiscal and Paying Agent in good faith in reliance on a written opinion of such counsel (including its in-house counsel). 

(b) The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall have no liability to the Bank, the holders of the Notes or the beneficial owners of the Global Notes in
respect of an action taken or omitted by the Fiscal and Paying Agent in good faith in reliance on an Officer’s Certificate. 

Section 6.3. Notes Held by Fiscal and Paying Agent. The Fiscal and Paying Agent, in its individual or other
capacity, may become a purchaser, holder, transferor, pledgee or may otherwise own, hold or transfer any beneficial interest in any Notes and may commence or join in any action which a beneficial owner of a Note is entitled to take without any
conflict with its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement. 
 Section 6.4. Notices. Notices and other
communications hereunder shall (except to the extent otherwise expressly provided) be in writing or given via electronic media and shall be addressed as follows, or to such other addresses as the parties hereto shall specify from time to time. 

 

			
	If to the Bank:	  	 Discover Bank
 12 Read’s Way

New Castle, Delaware 19720
 Attention:
    Michael F. Rickert
 Telephone:   (302) 323-7184

Telecopy:     (302) 323-7393
 Email:
mikerickert@discover.com

		
	With a copy to:	  	 Discover Financial Services
 2500 Lake Cook
Road
 Riverwoods, Illinois 60015
 Attention:
    D. Christopher Greene
 Telephone:   (224) 405-0330

Telecopy:     (224) 405-4073
 Email:
christophergreene@discover.com

		
	 If to the Fiscal
 And Paying Agent
	  	 U.S. Bank National Association
 100 Wall Street
– Suite 1600
 New York, NY 10005
 Attention:
    Corporate Trust Services
 Telephone:   212-951-8561

Telecopy:     212-509-3384

  
 11 

 All notices shall be deemed given when received. All notices required to be given to the holders of Notes shall
be in writing and sent by first-class mail to such holders at their respective addresses shown in the Security Register. 

Section 6.5. Parties. Except for rights arising under Section 3.4(a), this Agreement is solely for the benefit
of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, shall grant any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement to any other person including, without limitation, any
holder of a Note or any beneficial owner of a Global Note. 
 Section 6.6. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT
AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Section 6.7. Separability. In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. 

Section 6.8. Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein are for convenience of reference
only and shall not affect the construction hereof. 
 Section 6.9. Amendments. 

(a) Without the consent of the holders of the Notes, the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent, at any time and from time to time, may amend
the terms of this Agreement and the Notes, including amendments to the terms of the Notes designed to cure ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies; except, however, that the consent of all holders of Notes is required in order to: 

(i) change the Maturity Date of any Note, extend the time of payment on any overdue principal amount, change the coin or currency in which
any Note or the interest thereon is payable, change the definition of interest payment date contained in the Notes, reduce the principal amount of or the rate of interest on any Note, change the method of payment specified in the Notes to other than
wire transfer in immediately available funds, or impair the right of a holder of the Notes to institute suit for the enforcement of any payments of principal of or interest or other amounts on such Notes; 

(ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Notes outstanding, the consent of whose holders is required for any such amendment to this
Agreement or the Notes; or 
 (iii) modify any of the provisions of this Section 6.9, except to increase any such percentage or
to provide that certain other provisions of this Agreement or the Notes cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Note. 

If the consent of the holders of the Notes is required hereunder, the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall request such consent and the
Fiscal and Paying Agent will deliver to each 

  
 12 

 
holder of Notes an explanation provided to it by (or on behalf of) the Bank of such amendment and the terms thereof. It shall not be necessary under this Section 6.9 for the holders
of the Notes to approve the precise form of any proposed amendment. 
 (b) Upon the execution of any amendment to this Agreement under this
Section 6.9 by the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent, this Agreement shall be modified in accordance therewith, such amendment shall form a part of this Agreement for all purposes and each holder of Notes theretofore or thereafter
authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby. The Fiscal and Paying Agent, on behalf of the Bank, shall promptly transmit by mail to each holder of Notes a notice setting forth the general terms of any amendment to this Agreement
executed under this Section 6.9. 
 (c) Before entering into any amendment to this Agreement, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall
receive and be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an opinion from counsel to the Bank that such amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Bank and that all conditions precedent in connection
with the execution of such amendment have been satisfied. 
 Section 6.10. Events of Default; Rescission.

 (a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Notes) or the curing of an Event of Default, the Bank will promptly
notify in writing the Fiscal and Paying Agent thereof, and the Fiscal and Paying Agent will promptly notify, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, the holders of the Notes thereof. If an Event of Default shall
occur and be continuing, the holder of a Note, upon written notice to the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent, may, at its option, declare such Note to be, and, on the day such declaration shall have been delivered to the Bank and the Fiscal and
Paying Agent, unless the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall have received notice from the Bank that all Events of Default have been cured by the Bank prior to receipt by the Fiscal and Paying Agent of such declaration, such Note shall become, immediately
due and payable at its principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of payment. 
 (b) At any time after
the delivery to the Fiscal and Paying Agent of a declaration of an Event of Default and acceleration pursuant to the provisions of a Note, the holder of a Note, by written notice evidencing its ownership interest to the Bank and the Fiscal and
Paying Agent, may rescind and annul such declaration of an Event of Default and its consequences with respect to such Note. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto. 

(c) The holder of a Note may waive any past Event of Default and its consequences with respect to such Note. No such waiver shall affect any
subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto. 
 Section 6.11. Actions Due on Saturdays,
Sundays and Holidays. If any date on which a payment, notice or other action required by this Agreement falls is other than a Business Day, then that action or payment need not be taken or made on such date, but may be taken or made on the
next succeeding Business Day on which the Fiscal and Paying Agent is open for business with the same force and effect as if made on such date. 

  
 13 

 Section 6.12. Agreement to Pay Attorneys’ Fees and Other Expenses.
In the event the Bank shall default under any of the provisions of this Agreement and the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall employ outside attorneys or incur other expenses for the enforcement of performance or observance or any such obligation
or agreement, the Bank agrees that it will on demand pay to the Fiscal and Paying Agent the reasonable fees and expenses of such attorneys and such other reasonable expenses incurred by the Fiscal and Paying Agent. 

Section 6.13. Survival. The Fiscal and Paying Agent’s rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification shall
survive the termination of this Agreement, including any termination pursuant to any federal or state bankruptcy law, to the extent enforceable under applicable law. 

Section 6.14. No Implied Waivers. The right of any party under any provision of this Agreement shall not be
affected by its prior failure to require the performance by any other party under such provision or any other provision of this Agreement, nor shall the waiver by any party of a breach of any provision hereof constitute a waiver of any succeeding
breach of the same or any other provision or constitute a waiver of the provision itself or any other provision. 

Section 6.15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original but both or all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one instrument, and shall become effective when copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the parties hereto, shall be
delivered to each of the parties hereto. 
 Section 6.16. Term. This Agreement shall remain in full force
and effect until the earlier to occur of (i) such time as the principal of and interest on all the Notes shall have been paid, (ii) the effective date of the resignation or removal of the Fiscal and Paying Agent or (iii) the payment
of funds to the Bank in accordance with Section 3.4(b). 
 Section 6.17. Complete Agreement.
This Agreement and any appendix hereto contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject hereof (except for any separate confidentiality agreement between the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent), and no waiver,
alteration or modification of any of the provisions hereof, shall be binding unless in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of all parties hereto. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Fiscal and Paying Agent, like all
financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account
with the Fiscal and Paying Agent. The parties to this Agreement agree that they will provide the Fiscal and Paying Agent with such information as it may request in order for the Fiscal and Paying Agent to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A.
Patriot Act. 

  
 14 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above. 

 

			
	 DISCOVER BANK,
 as Issuer of the
Notes

		
	By:	 	 /s/ Tod J. Gordon

	Name: Tod J. Gordon
	Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer
	
	 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
 as
Fiscal and Paying Agent

		
	By:	 	 /s/ K. Wendy Kumar

	Name: K. Wendy Kumar
	Title: Vice President

  
 15 

 EXHIBIT A 

FORM OF GLOBAL NOTE 
 THIS NOTE IS NOT
REQUIRED TO BE, AND IS NOT, REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). 
 THIS OBLIGATION IS NOT A DEPOSIT
AND IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (THE “FDIC”) OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY AND IS SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISK, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL. THE OBLIGATIONS OF
DISCOVER BANK (THE “BANK”) EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE ARE UNSECURED AND UNSUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS OF THE BANK AND RANK PARI PASSU AMONG THEMSELVES AND OTHER UNSECURED AND UNSUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS OF THE BANK BUT THEY ARE SUBORDINATE AND
JUNIOR IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO THE BANK’S OBLIGATIONS TO ITS DEPOSITORS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS ENTITLED TO ANY PRIORITIES OR PREFERENCES, ARE INELIGIBLE AS COLLATERAL FOR A LOAN BY THE BANK AND ARE NOT SECURED.  

THIS NOTE IS AN OBLIGATION SOLELY OF THE BANK AND WILL NOT BE AN OBLIGATION OF, OR OTHERWISE GUARANTEED BY, DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES OR ANY OF THE
BANK’S OTHER AFFILIATES. 
 THIS NOTE IS ISSUABLE ONLY IN FULLY REGISTERED FORM IN MINIMUM DENOMINATIONS OF $250,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000
IN EXCESS THEREOF. EACH OWNER OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THIS NOTE MUST BE AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR WHO IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND IS REQUIRED TO HOLD A
BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A $250,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OR ANY INTEGRAL MULTIPLE OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF OF THIS NOTE AT ALL TIMES. 

Registered Principal Amount: 

No.: 
 CUSIP No.:
25466A AJ0 
 ISIN No.: US25466AAJ07 

Common Code: 146082106 

  
 A-1 

 DISCOVER BANK 

3.450% Note Due 2026 
 This 3.450% Note Due 2026
(the “Security”) is registered in the name of CEDE & CO., the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depository”), 55 Water Street, New York, New York, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the nominee
of the Depository to another nominee of the Depository or to the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository unless and until this Security is exchanged in whole or in part
for Securities in definitive form. Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of the Depository to the Corporate Trust Department of U.S. Bank National Association, as Fiscal and Paying Agent or any duly appointed successor
Fiscal and Paying Agent (the “Fiscal and Paying Agent”), and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as is requested in writing by an authorized representative of the Depository (and any
payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested in writing by an authorized representative of the Depository), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, inasmuch as
the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein. 
 The Bank, for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or
registered assigns, the principal amount of             ($            ) on July 27, 2026 (the “Maturity
Date”) and to pay interest from July 27, 2016, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, at the rate of 3.450% per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months), on the unpaid principal hereof until said principal amount has been paid in full or duly made available for payment, semiannually in
arrears on January 27 and July 27 of each year, commencing January 27, 2017 and on the Maturity Date (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Payments will include interest accrued to (but excluding) the relevant Interest Payment
Date. All payments on this Security shall be applied first to accrued interest and the balance, if any, to principal. 
 If the Maturity Date or any other
Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day (as defined below), the related payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the day such payment was due, and no interest
shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Maturity Date or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be. The term “Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday and that is not a day on which
banking institutions are generally authorized or required to be closed in The City of New York, New York. 
 Reference is made to the further provisions of
this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place. 

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Fiscal and Paying Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories,
this Security shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose. 

  
 A-2 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Bank has caused this Security to be duly executed and its corporate seal to be hereunto
affixed and attested. 
  

							
		 	DISCOVER BANK
			
	(CORPORATE SEAL)	 	By:	 	  

			
	Attest:	 		 	
				
	By:	 	  
	 		 	
	Name:	 	  
	 		 	
	Title:	 	  
	 		 	

  

					
	 This is one of the Securities referred to

in the within-mentioned Fiscal and

Paying Agency Agreement:
	 	
		
	U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,	 	
	as Fiscal and Paying Agent	 	
			
	By:	 	  
	 	
		
	Dated: July 27, 2016	 	

  
 A-3 

 Form of Reverse Side of Note 

1. This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Bank, designated as its “3.450% Notes Due 2026” (the
“Securities”), initially limited in aggregate principal to $1,000,000,000. The Bank may, so long as no Event of Default (as defined below) has occurred and is continuing and without the consent of the Holders (as defined below) hereof,
issue additional Securities and thereby increase such aggregate principal amount in the future, on the same terms and conditions (except for issue date and offering price) and with the same CUSIP number as this Security; provided, however,
that such additional Securities shall be consolidated and form a single series with this Security only if such additional Securities are fungible with this Security for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Bank, for the benefit of the registered
holders from time to time of the Securities (collectively, the “Holders”), has entered into a Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2016 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the “Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”), between the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent. Reference is hereby made to the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement (copies of which are on file and available for inspection during normal
business hours at the offices of the Fiscal and Paying Agent at U.S. Bank National Association, 100 Wall Street – Suite 1600, New York, NY 10005, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or at such other place or places as the Fiscal and
Paying Agent shall designate by notice to the Holder in whose name this Security is registered on the Security Register (as defined in Section 3 of this Security)), for a statement of the further rights of the Holders and the further rights,
limitations of rights, duties and indemnities thereunder of the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. 

Payment of the principal and interest payable on the Maturity Date will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank
account in the United States designated by the Holder, upon presentation and surrender of this Security at the office of the Fiscal and Paying Agent or its affiliate in New York City or at such other place or places as the Fiscal and Paying Agent
shall designate by notice to the Holder, provided that this Security is presented to the Fiscal and Paying Agent in time for the Fiscal and Paying Agent to make such payments in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures and subject to the
deposit by the Bank of sufficient funds to enable the Fiscal and Paying Agent to make such payments. Payments of interest (other than interest payable on the Maturity Date) shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank
account in the United States designated by the Holder in a written notice received by the Fiscal and Paying Agent not later than the applicable Record Date (as defined below). Interest payable on any Interest Payment Date (other than the Maturity
Date) shall be payable to the Holder in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on the January 15 or July 15, as the case may be (whether or not a Business Day), immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date (each
such date being referred to herein as a “Regular Record Date”), notwithstanding the cancellation of this Security after such Regular Record Date and prior to or on such Interest Payment Date. Any interest so payable, but not punctually
paid or made available for payment, on any Interest Payment Date will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and such defaulted interest will be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the
close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such defaulted interest to be fixed by the Bank (a “Special Record Date”), notice of which shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than 10 days prior to such
Special 

  
 A-4 

 
Record Date (the Regular Record Date and Special Record Date are referred to herein collectively as “Record Dates”). Interest payable on this Security on the Maturity Date will be
payable to the Holder to whom the principal of this Note is payable on such date. To the extent permitted by applicable law, interest shall accrue, at the rate at which interest accrues on the principal of this Security, on any amount of principal
of or interest on this Security not paid when due. All payments on this Security shall be applied first to accrued interest and the balance, if any, to principal. 

2. Payments of principal of and interest on this Security shall be made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the
time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. Until the date on which all of the Securities shall have been surrendered or delivered to the Fiscal and Paying Agent for cancellation or destruction, or become due
and payable and a sum sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on all of the Securities shall have been made available for payment and either paid or returned to the Bank as provided herein and in the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the
Fiscal and Paying Agent or its affiliate shall at all times maintain an office or agency in New York City, where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment; provided that, any successor Fiscal and Paying Agent appointed by the Bank as
permitted by Section 10 of this Security, or the Bank upon undertaking the performance of the functions of Fiscal and Paying Agent, shall not be required to maintain an office in New York City but shall be required to maintain an office or
agency the location of which shall be communicated promptly to the Holder of this Security. 
 3. Except as otherwise provided on the face
of this Security, this Security is transferable in whole or in part, and may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of other authorized denominations, by the Holder in person, or by his, her or its attorney duly authorized
in writing, at the office of the Fiscal and Paying Agent or its affiliate in New York City. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall maintain a register providing for the registration of the Securities and any exchange or transfer thereof (the
“Security Register”). Upon surrender or presentation of this Security for exchange or registration of transfer, the Bank shall execute and the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a Security or
Securities, each in a denomination of $250,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000 which has or have an aggregate denomination equal to the denomination of this Security and is or are registered in such name or
names requested by the Holder. Any Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Fiscal and Paying Agent) be duly endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer with such
evidence of due authorization and guarantee of signature as may reasonably be required by the Fiscal and Paying Agent in form satisfactory to the Fiscal and Paying Agent, duly executed by the Holder or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in
writing, and with such tax identification number or other information for each person in whose name a Security is to be issued as the Fiscal and Paying Agent may reasonably request to comply with applicable law. No exchange or registration of
transfer of this Security shall be made on or after the fifteenth day immediately preceding the Maturity Date. 
 No service charge (other
than any cost of delivery) shall be imposed for any exchange or registration of transfer of this Security, but the Bank or Fiscal and Paying Agent may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or governmental charge
that may be imposed in connection therewith (or presentation of evidence that such tax or charge has been paid). 

  
 A-5 

 Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Bank, the Fiscal and
Paying Agent and their respective agents may treat the Holder in whose name this Security is registered in the Security Register as the absolute owner of this Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of and interest on this
Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not this Security be overdue, and the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary. 

4. This Security is not subject to repayment at the option of the Holder prior to the Maturity Date and is not subject to any sinking fund.

 5. This Security is subject to redemption at the option of the Bank, at any time on or after April 27, 2026, in whole or in part on
no less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice delivered to the Holders. This Security will be redeemable at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of this Security to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If
fewer than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Fiscal and Paying Agent will select the Securities for redemption on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method in accordance with the Depository’s procedures. This Security will be
redeemed in denominations of $250,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. If any Securities are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Securities will state the portion of such Securities to be
redeemed. Unless the Bank defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on such Securities or the portions of such Securities called for redemption. 

6. The indebtedness of the Bank evidenced by this Security, including the principal and interest, is unsecured and unsubordinated but it is
subordinate and junior in right of payment to the Bank’s obligations to its depositors and other obligations that are entitled to any priorities or preferences, such as its obligations under bankers’ acceptances and letters of credit and
its obligations to any Federal Reserve Bank or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and to any rights acquired by the FDIC as a result of loans made by the FDIC to the Bank or the purchase or guarantee of any of its assets by
the FDIC pursuant to the provisions of 12 U.S.C. Section 1823(c), (d) or (e), in each case whether outstanding at the date of this Security or hereafter incurred (except any such obligations which rank on a parity with or junior to
this Security). In the case of any insolvency proceedings, receivership, conservatorship, reorganization, readjustment of debt, marshalling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings or any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Bank, whether voluntary or involuntary, all such obligations, except obligations that expressly rank on a parity with or junior to this Security, shall be entitled to be paid in full before any
payment shall be made on account of the principal of, or interest on, this Security. In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in full of all sums owing with respect to such prior obligations, the Holder of this Security, together with the
holders of any other obligations of the Bank ranking on a parity with this Security, shall be entitled to be paid from the remaining assets of the Bank, the unpaid principal of, and the unpaid interest on, this Security or such other obligations
before any payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property or otherwise, shall be made on account of any capital stock or any obligations of the Bank ranking junior to this Security. Nothing herein shall impair the obligation of the Bank,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any interest on this Security in accordance with its terms. 

  
 A-6 

 7. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Security, including specifically those set forth
in the sections relating to events of default and covenants of the Bank, it is expressly understood and agreed that the FDIC or any other receiver or conservator of the Bank shall have the right in the performance of his or her legal duties, and as
part of any transaction or plan of reorganization or liquidation designed to protect or further the continued existence of the Bank or the rights of any parties or agencies with an interest in, or claim against, the Bank or its assets, to transfer
or direct the transfer of the obligations of this Security to any national banking association, state bank or bank holding company selected by him or her which shall expressly assume the obligation of the due and punctual payment of the unpaid
principal and interest on this Security and the due and punctual performance of all covenants and conditions hereof; and that the completion of such transfer and assumption shall serve to supersede and void any default, acceleration or subordination
which may have occurred, or which may occur due or related to such transaction, plan, transfer or assumption, pursuant to the provisions of this Security, and shall serve to return the Holder to the same position, other than for substitution of the
obligor, it would have occupied had no default, acceleration or subordination occurred; except that any interest and principal previously due, other than by reason of acceleration, and not paid shall, in the absence of a contrary agreement by the
Holder of this Security, be deemed to be immediately due and payable as of the date of such transfer and assumption, together with the interest from its original due date at the rate provided for herein. 

8. Any depository institution, as that term is defined in Section 3(c)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, which holds this Security
(or beneficial interest herein) shall be deemed to have agreed by acquiring this Security (or beneficial interest herein) that any rights of such institution to offset all or any portion of the indebtedness represented by this Security (or
beneficial interest herein) against any indebtedness or other obligations of such institution to the Bank are waived by such institution. 

9. All notices to the Bank under this Security shall be in writing and addressed to the Bank at Discover Bank, 12 Read’s Way, New Castle,
Delaware 19720, Attention: Michael F. Rickert, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Treasurer, with a copy to Discover Financial Services, 2500 Lake Cook Road, Riverwoods, IL 60015, Attention: D. Christopher Greene, Deputy General
Counsel and Secretary, or to such other address as the Bank may notify to the Holder. All notices to the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall be in writing and addressed to the Fiscal and Paying Agent at the office of the Fiscal and Paying Agent at U.S.
Bank National Association, 100 Wall Street—Suite 1600, New York, NY 10005, Attention: Corporate Trust Operations. All notices to the Holder shall be in writing and sent by first-class mail to the Holder
at his or its address as set forth in the Security Register. 
 10. In acting under the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the Fiscal and
Paying Agent is acting solely as the agent of the Bank and does not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with the Holder except money deposited with the Fiscal and Paying Agent will be held on behalf of the Holders until
disbursed to the Holders, except as provided in the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement. Under the terms of the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the Bank may remove any Fiscal and Paying Agent and appoint a new

  
 A-7 

 
Fiscal and Paying Agent in respect of the Securities, or may remove any Fiscal and Paying Agent and undertake to perform at the Bank any or all of the functions of the Fiscal and Paying Agent
under the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement. The Bank shall notify, or cause the Fiscal and Paying Agent to notify, the Holder of this Security of the appointment of any successor Fiscal and Paying Agent or the undertaking of the Bank to perform at
the Bank the functions of the Fiscal and Paying Agent. 
 11. The Securities are issuable only as fully registered Securities without
interest coupons in denominations of $250,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000. 
 12. The term
“Event of Default,” as used in this Security, means any of the following events (whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or
order of any court or any decree, order, rule or regulation of any governmental agency or body): 
  

	 	(i)	default in the payment of any interest with respect to the Securities when due, which continues for 30 calendar days; 

  

	 	(ii)	default in the payment of any principal of the Securities when due; 

  

	 	(iii)	the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of: 

  

	 	a.	a decree or order for relief in respect of the Bank in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable United States federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law; or

  

	 	b.	a decree or order appointing a conservator, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or any other similar official of the Bank, or of substantially all of the property of the Bank, or ordering the winding
up or liquidation of the affairs of the Bank; 

 and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other
decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; 
  

	 	(iv)	the commencement by the Bank of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable United States federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be
adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by the Bank to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable United States federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding, or the filing by the Bank of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable United States federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar law, or the consent by the Bank to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, conservator, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official
of the Bank or of substantially all of the property of the Bank, or the making by the Bank of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the taking of corporate action by the Bank in furtherance of any such action. 

  
 A-8 

 The Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement provides that the Bank will promptly notify the Fiscal and
Paying Agent, and the Fiscal and Paying Agent will promptly notify by first-class mail, postage prepaid, the Holders of the Securities, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default. 

13. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Holder may, at its option, by written notice to the Bank and the Fiscal and
Paying Agent, declare this Security to be, and on the day of such declaration shall have been delivered to the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent, unless the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall have received notice from the Bank that all Events of
Default have been cured by the Bank prior to receipt by the Fiscal and Paying Agent of such declaration, such Security shall become, immediately due and payable at its principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date
of payment. 
 The Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement provides that the Holder of this Security may rescind a declaration of an Event of
Default and acceleration with respect to this Security under certain circumstances and may waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. 

14. Subject to Section 7 hereof, the Bank shall not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless the person formed by such consolidation or into which the Bank is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of
the Bank substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume the due
and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on this Security and the performance or observance of every provision of this Security on the part of the Bank to be performed or observed. 

15. The Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement provides that the Bank and the Fiscal and Paying Agent may amend the Fiscal and Paying Agency
Agreement and the Securities, including amendments to the terms of the Securities designed to cure ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, except that the consent of all Holders of Securities is
required in order to change the Maturity Date of any Security, to extend the time of payment on any overdue principal amount, to change the coin or currency in which any Security or the interest thereon is payable, to change the definition of
Interest Payment Date, to reduce the principal amount of or rate of interest on any Security, to change the method of payment to other than wire transfer in immediately available funds, to impair the right of the Holder of this Security to institute
suit for the enforcement of payments of principal of or interest or other amounts on the Securities, to reduce the percentage in principal amount of Securities outstanding the consent of whose Holders is required to amend the Fiscal and Paying
Agency Agreement or the Securities or to modify the provisions of the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement governing the amendment thereof and of the Securities. If the consent of the Holders of Securities is required, the Bank and the Fiscal and
Paying Agent shall request such consent and will deliver to each Holder of Securities an explanation of such amendment and the terms thereof. It shall not be necessary for the Holders of Securities to approve the precise form of any proposed
amendment. 

  
 A-9 

 Any consent or waiver given by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon
such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

 16. No reference herein to the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and no provision of this Security shall alter or impair the obligation
of the Bank, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed. No failure or delay on the part of the Holder in exercising any
right under this Security shall operate as a waiver of, or impair, any such right. No waiver of any such rights shall be effective unless given in writing. 

17. No recourse shall be had for the payment of principal of or interest on this Security for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect
hereof, against any shareholder, employee, agent, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Bank or of any successor organization, either directly or through the Bank or any successor organization, whether by virtue of any
constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released. 

18. This Security is a debt of the Bank only and is not an obligation of Discover Financial Services or any of its affiliates other than the
Bank. 
 19. THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND,
WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

  
 A-10 

 FEE SCHEDULE 

  
 Fee ScheduleExhibit

Exhibit 10.3

PERFORMANCE PHANTOM STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
PIONEER ENERGY SERVICES CORP.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2007 INCENTIVE PLAN

THIS PERFORMANCE PHANTOM STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of <<Date>>, by and between Pioneer Energy Services Corp. (the “Company”) and <<Name>> (the “Employee”) pursuant to the Pioneer Energy Services Corp. Amended and Restated 2007 Incentive Plan (Effective <<Date>>) (the “Plan”).  Capitalized terms are defined in the Plan if not defined herein.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Committee”) desires to benefit the Company by increasing motivation on the part of the Employee, who is materially important to the Company, by creating an incentive to remain as an employee of the Company and to work to the very best of the Employee’s abilities.

To further this purpose, the Company desires to make an award (the “Award”) of phantom stock units (the “Phantom Stock Units”) to the Employee under the terms of the Plan.

Pursuant to official action of the Committee on <<Date>> (the “Date of Award”), the Company undertook to grant the Award contemplated by this Agreement to the Employee.

1.    Grant of Phantom Stock Units.  Subject to the vesting and other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Employee is hereby awarded a target number of <<Number>> Phantom Stock Units; provided, that, the number of Phantom Stock Units that the Employee may earn pursuant to this Award shall range from 0% to 200% of the target number Phantom Stock Units depending on the Company’s performance during the performance period that begins <<Performance Period>> (the “Performance Period”), as determined by the Committee in accordance with the performance conditions set forth in Exhibit A. Any Phantom Stock Units that are not earned in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence or Section 4(b) will terminate and be cancelled effective as of the last day of the Performance Period.

2.    Nature of Phantom Stock Units.  Each earned Phantom Stock Unit represents an unfunded, unsecured right to receive upon vesting an amount (the “Settlement Amount”) determined as follows:

(a)    If the Phantom Stock Unit vests pursuant to Section 4(a), the Settlement Amount shall be the lesser of (i) the average for the last fourteen (<<Number>>) trading days in <<Date>> of the Fair Market Value of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.10 per share (“Common Stock”) or (b) <<Share Price>>; and

(b)    If the Phantom Stock Unit vests pursuant to Section 4(b), the Settlement Amount shall be the lesser of (i) the average for the fourteen (14) trading days immediately preceding the 

date on which the Phantom Stock Unit vests of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, or (b) <<Share Price>>.

3.    Settlement of Earned Phantom Stock Units.  Payment of the Settlement Amount for earned Phantom Stock Units that vest pursuant to Section 4(a) shall be made to the Employee in < Settlement Date> (the “Settlement Date”).  Payment of the Settlement Amount for Phantom Stock Units that vest pursuant to Section 4(b) shall be made to the Employee as soon as practicable following vesting.  In the Committee’s discretion, payment of the Settlement Amount shall be made (a) in the form of a lump sum cash payment, (b) by issuing, in the Employee’s name, a number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the Vesting Date (defined below) equal to the Settlement Amount, or (c) a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.  Payment shall be subject to withholding for taxes in accordance with Section 11.

4.    Vesting.

(a)    Performance-Based Vesting. Subject to Section 4(b) below, the earned Phantom Stock Units shall vest on the date immediately preceding the Settlement Date (the “Vesting Date”).  

(b)    Accelerated Vesting Upon Certain Events. 

(i)    Change in Control.  If either (A) the Employee remains continuously employed by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company through the date on which such Change in Control occurs or (B) the Employee’s employment or other service with the Company and its subsidiaries is involuntarily terminated without Cause on or after the thirtieth (30th) day prior to the date on which such Change in Control occurs, the Employee shall, upon the occurrence of the Change in Control, automatically earn and vest in the maximum potential number of Phantom Stock Units set forth in Section 1.

(ii)    If the Employee’s employment or other service with the Company and its subsidiaries terminates as a result of the Employee’s death or Disability, the Employee shall, upon such event, automatically earn and vest in the target number of Phantom Stock Units set forth in Section 1.  Any Phantom Stock Units that are not earned and vested after giving effect to the foregoing shall immediately terminate and be cancelled.  

5.    Effect of Termination of Employment.  The Phantom Stock Units (as well as the related Dividend Equivalent Rights) shall terminate to the extent such Phantom Stock Units have not become earned and vested in accordance with Section 4 prior to the first date the Employee is no longer employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries, except where the Employee’s termination of employment is as a result of the Employee’s death or Disability. 

6.    Limitations on Rights Associated with Phantom Stock Units.  The Employee shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company, no dividend rights and no voting rights with respect to the any shares of Common Stock underlying the Phantom Stock Units unless and until such shares of Common Stock are actually issued to and held of record by the Employee. 

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7.    Provisions of the Plan Control.  The Award is made pursuant to the Plan and is subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan and this Agreement. The terms and provisions of the Plan are incorporated into this Agreement and will govern to the extent that the terms and provisions in this Agreement conflict with the terms and provisions of the Plan. The Employee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan prior to executing this Agreement.

8.    Limitations on the Employee’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust.  Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets.  The Employee shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and payable, if any, with respect to the Phantom Stock Units and associated Dividend Equivalent Rights, as and when payable hereunder.

9.    Adjustments Upon Specified Events.  Upon the occurrence of certain events relating to the Company’s Common Stock contemplated by Section 12 of the Plan (including, without limitation, declaration of an extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock or other property), stock split or reverse stock split), the Committee shall make adjustments in accordance with such section in the number of Phantom Stock Units then outstanding. For avoidance of doubt, no such adjustment shall be made with respect to any ordinary cash dividend. 

10.    Compliance with Section 409A.  It is intended that the terms of the Award will not result in the imposition of any accelerated taxation or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code.  This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent.

11.    Responsibility for Taxes; Withholding. 

(a)    The Employee acknowledges that the ultimate liability for any and all income tax (including U.S. federal, state and local tax or non-U.S. tax) arising in connection with the grant, vesting and/or settlement of this Award is and remains the Employee’s responsibility.  The Employee further acknowledges that the Company (i) makes no representations or undertakings regarding the tax treatment of any aspect of the Award and (ii) does not commit to and is under no obligation to structure any aspect of the Award to reduce or eliminate the Employee’s tax liability or achieve any particular tax result.  

(b)    The grant and settlement of this Award shall be subject to the satisfaction of all applicable federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding requirements (the “Required Withholding”).  In this regard, the Employee authorizes the Company, at its discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, to satisfy the Required Withholding by one or a combination of the following:  (i) withholding from any wages or other cash compensation payable to the Employee by the Company or a subsidiary; (ii) withholding from the Settlement Amount otherwise payable to the Employee (whether such Settlement Amount is payable in the form of cash or shares of Common Stock); (iii) withholding from any Dividend Equivalent Rights payable upon vesting or settlement of the Award; or (iv) arranging for the sale of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable to the Employee in settlement of the Award (on 

3

the Employee’s behalf and at the Employee’s direction pursuant to this authorization) and withholding the Required Withholding from the proceeds of such sale of shares of Common Stock.  By execution of this Agreement, the Employee shall be deemed to have authorized the satisfaction of the Required Withholding by the Company as provided herein, and agrees to pay to the Company any portion of the Required Withholding that cannot be satisfied by the foregoing means.

12.    No Service Rights. This Agreement is not a services or employment agreement and nothing contained in the Plan or this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed to confer upon the Employee any right with respect to the continuation of the Employee’s employment or other service with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company at any time to terminate such relationship.

13.    Recoupment of Incentive Compensation Policy. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Phantom Stock Units, any cash or shares of Common Stock issued in settlement of the Phantom Stock Units, and any amount received with respect to any sale of any such shares of Common Stock, shall be subject to potential cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback or other action in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Recoupment of Incentive Compensation Policy, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Policy”). The Employee agrees and consents to the Company’s application, implementation and enforcement of (a) the Policy and (b) any provision of applicable law relating to cancellation, rescission, payback or recoupment of compensation, and expressly agrees that the Company may take such actions as are necessary to effectuate the Policy or applicable law without further consent or action being required by the Employee. To the extent that the terms of this Agreement and the Policy conflict, then the terms of the Policy shall prevail.

14.    Non-transferability. The Employee’s rights under this Agreement may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, encumbered or transferred, except (a) to the Company or (b) upon the Employee’s death to a beneficiary designated by the Employee (subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan) or if no beneficiary has been duly designated or no duly designated beneficiary survives the Employee, pursuant to the Employee’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempted sale, assignment, pledge, exchange, hypothecation, disposition, encumbrance or transfer in violation of this Agreement shall be void and the Company and its Affiliates will not be bound thereby.

15.    Severability. If any portion of this Agreement is determined to be in violation of any statute or public policy, then only the portion(s) of this Agreement that have been found to violate such statute or public policy shall be deleted and all portions of this Agreement that have not been found to violate any statute or public policy will continue in full force and effect. Furthermore, it is the parties’ intent that any order that requires deletion of any portion of this Agreement should modify the deleted portion of the Agreement as narrowly as possible to give as much effect as possible to the intentions of the parties hereto.

16.    Limitation of Liability. Under no circumstances will the Company or any Affiliate be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including lost profits) of any form incurred by any Person, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the form of the act in which such a claim may be brought, with respect to this Agreement, the Award or the Plan.

4

17.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflicts of law provisions.

18.    Amendment and Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Plan, this Agreement may be amended, modified or superseded only by written instrument executed by the Company and the Employee. Only a written instrument executed and delivered by the party waiving compliance hereof shall make any waiver of the terms or conditions effective. Any waiver granted by the Company shall be effective only if executed and delivered by a duly authorized executive officer of the Company. The failure of any party at any time or times to require performance of any provisions hereof shall in no manner affect the right to enforce the same. No waiver by any party of any term or condition, or of any breach of any term or condition, contained in this Agreement, in one or more instances, shall be construed as a continuing waiver of any such condition or breach, a waiver of any other term or condition, or a waiver of any breach of any other term or condition.

19.    Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, including any successor to the Company as the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving all or substantially all of the Company’s business or assets. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

20.    Certain Definitions.  

(a)    The term “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

(b)    The term “Associate” means, with reference to any Person, (i) any corporation, firm, partnership, association, unincorporated organization or other entity (other than the Company or any of its Affiliates) of which that Person is an officer or general partner (or officer or general partner of a general partner) or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class of its equity securities, (ii) any trust or other estate in which that Person has a substantial beneficial interest or for or of which that Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity and (iii) any relative or spouse of that Person, or any relative of that spouse, who has the same home as that Person.

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

(d)    The term “Cause” means, with reference to the Employee, (i) the commission by the Employee of (A) any felony or (B) any other crime or offense involving moral turpitude or dishonesty or involving money or other property of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; (ii) the Employee’s participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; (iii) the Employee’s willful breach of the policies of the Company or of any Affiliate of the Company; (iv) the Employee’s intentional damage to the property of the Company or of any 

5

Affiliate of the Company; (v) any material breach by the Employee of any agreement between the Employee and the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; (vi) any unauthorized use or disclosure by the Employee of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or its Affiliates; (vii) the Employee’s refusal or willful failure to substantially perform his or her employment duties; (viii) the Employee’s receipt of any bribe or kickback in connection with the Company’s or its Affiliates’ business; or (ix) the Employee’s willful engagement in material misconduct that results in damage to the Company or to its Affiliates or results in adverse publicity, public contempt or public ridicule of the Employee or the Company or its Affiliates. The determination by the Board or the Committee as to whether Cause exists shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Employee.

(e)    The term “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Date of Award:

(i)    any Person (other than an Exempt Person) is or becomes the beneficial owner of Voting Stock (not including any securities acquired directly from the Company after the date the Plan first became effective) representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding; provided, however, that a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur under this clause (i) if a Person becomes the beneficial owner of Voting Stock representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding solely as a result of a reduction in the number of shares of Voting Stock outstanding which results from the Company’s repurchase of Voting Stock, unless and until such time as that Person or any Affiliate or Associate of that Person purchases or otherwise becomes the beneficial owner of additional shares of Voting Stock constituting 1% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding, or any other Person (or Persons) who is (or collectively are) the beneficial owner of shares of Voting Stock constituting 1% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding becomes an Affiliate or Associate of that Person, unless, in either such case, that Person, together with all its Affiliates and Associates, is not then the beneficial owner of Voting Stock representing 40% or more of the Voting Stock then outstanding; or

(ii)    the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Directors then serving on the Company’s Board: (1) individuals who on the date the Plan first became effective constitute the Board; and (2) any new Director (other than a Director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of Directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors on the date the Plan first became effective or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or

(iii)    there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any parent or direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with or into any other corporation, other than: (A) a merger or consolidation which results in the Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity 

6

or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the securities which entitle the holder thereof to vote generally in the election of members of the Board or similar governing body of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person (other than an Exempt Person) is or becomes the beneficial owner of Voting Stock (not including, for purposes of this determination, any Voting Stock acquired directly from the Company or its subsidiaries after the date the Plan first became effective other than in connection with the acquisition by the Company or one of its subsidiaries of a business) representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding; or

(iv)    the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, unless (A) the sale is to an entity of which at least 50% of the combined voting power of the securities which entitle the holder thereof to vote generally in the election of members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such entity (“New Entity Securities”) are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Voting Stock immediately prior to such sale; (B) no Person other than the Company and any employee benefit plan or related trust of the Company or of such corporation then beneficially owns 40% or more of the New Entity Securities; and (C) at least a majority of the directors of such corporation were members of the incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action providing for such disposition.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required to avoid accelerated taxation or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the settlement of the Award only if a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in effective control of the corporation” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code shall also be deemed to have occurred.

(f)    The term “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

(g)    The term “Disability” means the absence of the Employee from the Employee’s duties with the Company or any of its Affiliates on a full-time basis for at least 180 consecutive days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness or injury which is determined by the Committee in its sole discretion to be permanent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required to avoid accelerated taxation or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, a “Disability” shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Agreement only if the Employee is also “disabled” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(C) of the Code.

(h)    The term “Exempt Person” means: (i) the Company; (ii) any Affiliate of the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate and any Person organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or for the purpose of funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for employees of 

7

the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; or (iv) any corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of capital stock of the Company.

(i)    The “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock means, as of a particular date, (i) if shares of Common Stock are listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price per share of Common Stock on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the principal national securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are listed on that date, or, if there shall have been no such sales reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported, (ii) if the Common Stock is not so listed, the mean between the closing bid and asked price on that date, or, if there are no such prices available for such date, on the last preceding date on which such prices shall be available, as reported by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated, or (iii) if shares of Common Stock are not publicly traded, the most recent value determined by an independent appraiser appointed by the Company for such purpose.

(j)    The term “Person” has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.

(k)    The term “Voting Stock” means the Common Stock and any other securities issued by the Company that entitle the holder thereof to vote generally in the election of members of the Board.

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Phantom Stock Unit Agreement to be duly executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, and the Employee has executed this Agreement, all effective as of the date first above written.

PIONEER ENERGY SERVICES CORP.:

By:     
Name:  <<Company Officer>>
Title:  <<Title>>

EMPLOYEE:

    
Name: <<Name>>
Address: <<Address>>
    

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO PHANTOM STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT]

Performance Phantom Stock Unit Agreement

Exhibit A

Performance Vesting Requirements

EXHIBIT A - EMPLOYEE NAME
Performance Period:        <<Performance Period>>
Grant Date Phantom Share Value:        <<Share Value>>
Grant Dates Phantom Share Units:        «PBPhantom_Shares»
The Awarded Phantom Share Units (APSU) will equal the Grant Date Phantom Share Units (GDPSU) set forth above multiplied by the Award Percentage (AP) corresponding to the achievement of the Performance Goals set forth below.  In other words:  APSU = GDPSU x AP.
Performance Goals:  The performance of the Company during the Performance Period will be compared against a peer group of companies in the following three metrics:
		
	1.
	EBITDA growth: Measure the change of the ending EBITDA at <<Date>> vs. the ending EBITDA on <<End Date>>.

		
	2.
	EBITDA return on capital employed:   ROCE computation is Quarterly Annualized EBITDA / (Average Equity + Average Debt); Note: Average Equity plus Avg. Debt For the Quarter.  Computation of Cum. Average ROCE: Final computation will consist of a simple average of << Number>> quarters (Q<<Number>> <<Year>> through Q<<Number>> <<Year>>).

		
	3.
	Total Shareholder Return (TSR):  Measure the TSR (including dividends) using the change of the stock price at the beginning of the Performance Period as determined by the average of the first <<Number>> consecutive trading days in <<Month>>, <<Year>> vs. the stock price at the end of the Performance Period as determined by the average of the last <<Number>> consecutive trading days in <<Month>>,<<Year>> for each member of the peer group.

The peer group:  <<Peer Group>>
The results for TSR shall be weighted at <<Metric Weighting>> and the other two metrics at <<Metric Weighting>> each.  Each member of the peer group will be ranked based on the results of those metrics.  The award will be determined on the ranking of those measurements paid as follows on a sliding scale:

	
		
	Company Ranking
	Metric Percentage

	<25th Percentile:
	0%

	25th Percentile:
	25%

	50th Percentile:
	100%

	90th Percentile:
	200%

The Metric Percentage for any ranking achieved between 25th and 50th percentiles and between 50th and 90th percentiles will be proportional to the percentile achieved.  For example, achievement of the 37.5th percentile would result in a 62.5% Metric Percentage, achievement of the 43.75th percentile would result in a 83.3% Metric Percentage and achievement of the 70th percentile would result in a 150% Metric Percentage.
The Award Percentage (AP) will be calculated as the weighted average of the three Metric Percentages.
Phantom share units award quantity and value is determined at the end of the performance period <<Ending Date>> and vests 100% <<Vesting Date>>, subject to Employee’s continuous employment through such vesting date.  Performance-based phantom share unit quantities will be calculated after receipt of public filings of peer group on or about <<Qtr>> <<Year>>.  Ending phantom share unit value (EPSUV) shall be the average closing price of PES for the last <<Number>> trading days in <<Month>>,<<Year>> and be capped at a maximum of <<Number>>X Grant Date Phantom Share Value (i.e., <<Share Price>>).  
Subject to the EPSUV cap mentioned above the award value shall be determined as: APSU = GDPSU x AP

Awarded value = EPSUV x APSU

11

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