Bill Armstrong's questions to FirstCash Holdings (FCFS) leadership • Q1 2016
Question
Bill Armstrong of C.L. King & Associates inquired if synergy plans included closing one of the two corporate headquarters. He also asked about the potential for store closures due to overlap, particularly in Texas, and the rationale for the significant increase in the combined company's dividend.
Answer
Chairman and CEO Rick Wessel and Cash America CEO Brent Stuart confirmed the combined company will use Cash America's owned building in Fort Worth as its headquarters. Brent Stuart reiterated that the merger is complementary with minimal store overlap, so no closures are anticipated. Executive Chairman Dan Feehan explained the higher dividend reflects the combined entity's financial strength and robust cash flows, with Latin American operations funding their own growth and U.S. operations supporting shareholder returns.