World Acceptance names John Calmes CEO at $600K

World Acceptance names long‑time finance leader John L. Calmes Jr. as CEO and sets a new employment package including salary, bonus opportunity, and equity incentives.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) announced that its Board appointed John L. Calmes Jr. as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 21, 2026. He also becomes the company’s Principal Executive Officer for SEC reporting purposes, succeeding Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer J. Tobin Turner in that reporting role.

Calmes has served in senior finance roles at the company since 2013, most recently as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer, and Treasurer. Scott McIntyre, currently Senior Vice President of Accounting, is designated as Principal Financial Officer for SEC reporting purposes, with no changes to his compensation. In connection with the CEO appointment, Calmes entered into a new employment agreement providing a $600,000 base salary, an annual bonus opportunity up to 100% of base salary with a guaranteed $300,000 bonus for fiscal 2027, and an additional $500,000 long-term equity incentive grant, along with severance, change‑in‑control protections, and restrictive covenants.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 5.02, 9.01

2 items

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

CEO base salary: $600,000 Annual bonus opportunity: Up to 100% of base salary Guaranteed bonus fiscal 2027: $300,000 +4 more

7 metrics

CEO base salary $600,000 Base salary for John L. Calmes Jr. under the September 21, 2026 employment agreement

Annual bonus opportunity Up to 100% of base salary Target annual incentive bonus opportunity for the CEO

Guaranteed bonus fiscal 2027 $300,000 Guaranteed incentive bonus for John L. Calmes Jr. for fiscal 2027

Additional long-term equity incentive grant $500,000 Value of additional long-term equity incentive for the CEO tied to the new agreement

Company branches More than 1,000 Number of World Finance branches operated across 16 states

Customers served annually Over 1,000,000 Approximate number of customers served each year with personal installment loan and tax services

Year founded 1962 Founding year of World Acceptance Corporation

Key Terms

Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, change-in-control, non-competition, +2 more

6 terms

Principal Executive Officer regulatory

"designated to serve as the Company’s Principal Executive Officer for SEC reporting"

The principal executive officer is the highest-ranking manager who leads a company’s overall strategy, operations and public communication—often acting like the captain of a ship who sets direction and makes final calls. Investors watch this person because their decisions, credibility and ability to deliver results shape company performance, risk and market confidence, and changes in that role can directly affect stock value and corporate accountability.

Principal Financial Officer regulatory

"designated to succeed Mr. Calmes in serving as the Company’s Principal Financial Officer"

The principal financial officer is the senior executive who runs a company's financial operations: preparing and certifying financial reports, managing accounting controls, budgets and cash flow, and advising on financial strategy. Investors care about this role because its competence affects how trustworthy the company’s numbers are, how well it manages risk and capital needs, and the credibility of forecasts—like the chief navigator steering a firm's financial course.

change-in-control financial

"severance and change-in-control provisions, and participation in other Company benefit programs"

A change-in-control is a transaction or event that shifts who ultimately owns or runs a company—such as a sale, merger, or transfer of a majority of voting shares—and often triggers contractual protections, payoffs or rule changes. Investors care because it can instantly alter a company’s leadership, strategy, cash flows and the value or timing of stock payouts, much like handing a house’s keys to a new owner who may change the rules and distribute proceeds differently.

non-competition regulatory

"customary restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation provisions"

A non-competition is a contractual restriction that prevents a person or business from starting or working in a competing business within a specified time and geographic area after leaving a job or completing a transaction. It matters to investors because it acts like a temporary fence around customers, trade secrets and know‑how, helping protect future revenue and company value; weak or unenforceable restrictions can increase the risk of customer loss and competitive erosion.

forward-looking statements regulatory

"This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of"

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

Risk Factors regulatory

"Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report"

Risk factors are elements or conditions that could cause an investment's value to decrease or lead to potential losses. They are like warning signs or obstacles that can affect the success of an investment, making it uncertain or more unpredictable. Recognizing risk factors helps investors understand the possible challenges and make more informed decisions.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What executive leadership change did WRLD announce on September 21, 2026?

World Acceptance Corporation appointed John L. Calmes Jr. as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 21, 2026, and designated him as the company’s Principal Executive Officer for SEC reporting purposes, succeeding Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer J. Tobin Turner in that reporting role.

What is the new CEO’s compensation package at WRLD?

Under his new employment agreement, John L. Calmes Jr. receives a $600,000 base salary, an annual incentive bonus opportunity up to 100% of base salary, a guaranteed $300,000 bonus for fiscal 2027, and an additional $500,000 long‑term equity incentive grant, plus severance and change‑in‑control provisions.

Who is the new Principal Financial Officer of WRLD?

Effective September 21, 2026, Scott McIntyre is designated as Principal Financial Officer for SEC reporting purposes. He continues as Senior Vice President of Accounting, a role he has held since October 2018, and the filing states there were no changes to his compensation in connection with this designation.

Does WRLD disclose any related‑party or family relationships for the new executives?

The company states that there are no arrangements or understandings with other persons regarding the appointments of John L. Calmes Jr. or Scott McIntyre, no family relationships with any director or executive officer, and no transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S‑K.

What prior experience does WRLD’s new CEO bring to the role?

John L. Calmes Jr. joined World Acceptance in 2013 and most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer, and Treasurer. Previously, he was Director of Finance — Corporate and Investment Banking at Bank of Tokyo‑Mitsubishi UFJ and a Senior Manager at PwC serving banking and capital markets clients.

Did WRLD comment on current business performance in connection with the CEO appointment?

In the press release, John L. Calmes Jr. stated that through two and a half months of the second fiscal quarter, the business is producing strong results similar to what was reported in the first quarter, characterizing performance during that portion of the current quarter.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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false 0000108385 0000108385 2026-09-17 2026-09-17

UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K 

CURRENT REPORT 
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 17, 2026

WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

South Carolina	000-19599	57-0425114
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

104 S. Main Street, Greenville, South Carolina	29601
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (864) 298-9800

n/a

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, No Par Value	WRLD	The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company	☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.	☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(c) Appointment of Certain Officers.

On September 17, 2026, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of World Acceptance Corporation (the "Company") appointed John L. Calmes Jr., age 46, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective September 21, 2026 (the "Appointment").

Mr. Calmes joined the Company in December 2013 in the roles of Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and most recently held the titles of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer, and Treasurer since October 2018. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Calmes served as Director of Finance — Corporate and Investment Banking at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, and prior to that as a Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he specialized in serving publicly listed banking and capital markets clients. Mr. Calmes holds a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and a Master of Accountancy, both from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Calmes and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer. There are no family relationships between Mr. Calmes and any director or executive officer of the Company, and there are no transactions involving Mr. Calmes that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Effective September 21, 2026, Mr. Calmes has been designated to serve as the Company’s Principal Executive Officer for SEC reporting purposes, replacing Mr. J. Tobin Turner, the Company’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, in that role. Also, effective September 21, 2026, Mr. Scott McIntyre, age 50, has been designated to succeed Mr. Calmes in serving as the Company’s Principal Financial Officer for SEC Reporting Purposes. Mr. McIntyre will continue in his role as the Company’s Senior Vice President of Accounting in which he has served since October 2018. Prior to that, Mr. McIntyre served as the Company’s Vice President of Accounting-US from June 2013 to October 2018 and as Controller-US from June 2011 to June 2013.

There were no changes to Mr. McIntyre’s compensation in connection with this designation and no arrangements or understandings between Mr. McIntyre and any other person pursuant to which Mr. McIntyre was so designated. There are no family relationships between Mr. McIntyre and any of the Company’s directors or executive officers, and Mr. McIntyre has no direct or indirect material interest in any existing or currently proposed transaction that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Compensatory Arrangements.

In connection with the Appointment, the Company and Mr. Calmes entered into a new employment agreement dated September 21, 2026 (the “Employment Agreement”). The Employment Agreement provides for base salary of $600,000; annual incentive bonus opportunity of up to 100% of base salary, with a guaranteed bonus of $300,000 for fiscal 2027; an additional long-term equity incentive grant valued at $500,000; severance and change-in-control provisions, and participation in other Company benefit programs, consistent with the Company's practices for its senior executive officers; and customary restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation provisions.

The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

A copy of the press release announcing the Appointment is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
10.1	Employment Agreement, dated September 21, 2026, by and between World Acceptance Corporation and John L. Calmes Jr.
99.1	Press Release dated September 21, 2026
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
Date: September 21, 2026	By:	/s/ Luke J. Umstetter
		Luke J. Umstetter
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Exhibit 99.1

Contact: Luke Umstetter

Senior VP, General Counsel and Secretary

(864) 298-9800

World Acceptance Corporation Names John L. Calmes Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer

GREENVILLE, S.C. (September 21, 2026) — World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ: WRLD) ("World Acceptance" or "the Company") today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed John L. Calmes Jr. as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 21, 2026. Mr. Calmes most recently served as the Company's Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer, and Treasurer.

"John has a deep understanding of our business and is largely responsible for the financial discipline we have maintained and our strong balance sheet," said Board Chairman Ken Bramlett Jr. "He has the respect of the organization and will hit the ground running.  The Board is confident that John is the right person to serve as our CEO and believes that he and his team can create value for our shareholders and the customers we serve."

"I'm honored by the Board's confidence and excited to lead World Acceptance into its next chapter," said Mr. Calmes. "For more than 60 years, this Company has been committed to helping our customers achieve their financial goals, and I look forward to building on that legacy alongside our talented team. I’m optimistic about the future and the opportunities ahead as we continue to build on our solid foundation and deliver positive results for our stakeholders. Through two and a half months of the second fiscal quarter, our business is producing strong results similar to what we reported in the first quarter."

In his most recent role with the Company, Mr. Calmes oversaw financial strategy, capital markets activities and corporate strategy initiatives. Prior to joining World Acceptance, he served as Director of Finance — Corporate and Investment Banking at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and previously as a Senior Manager at PwC, where he specialized in serving publicly listed banking and capital markets clients. Mr. Calmes holds a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and a Master of Accountancy from the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business.

About World Acceptance Corporation

Founded in 1962, World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ: WRLD) is a people-focused finance company that provides personal installment loan solutions and personal tax preparation and filing services to over one million customers each year. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, the Company operates more than 1,000 community-based World Finance branches across 16 states. The Company primarily serves a segment of the population that does not have ready access to credit; however, unlike many other lenders in this segment, the Company strives to work with its customers to understand their broader financial situations, ensure they have the ability and stability to make payments, and help them achieve their financial goals. For more information, visit www.loansbyworld.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expectations related to appointment of Mr. Calmes. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

Statements other than those of historical fact, as well as those identified by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “project,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “probable,” and any variation of the foregoing and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and you should not place undue reliance on them. Important factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include, among others, any changes in plans of Mr. Calmes and the Company’s ability to attract or retain key personnel. These and other factors are discussed in greater detail in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, as filed with the SEC, and in the Company’s other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC from time to time.

World Acceptance Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, except as required by law. The Company is not responsible for changes made to this document by wire or Internet services.

-END-

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

6 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 10.0 KB

Agreements & Contracts

• EX-10.1 EXHIBIT 10.1 91.8 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE 11.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 15.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 11.3 KB