8-K

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): March 29, 2022

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

5501 South Broadband Lane, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57108

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (877) 497-7497

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

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 8.01    Other Events.

As previously reported, Meta Financial Group, Inc. (“Meta Financial”), on behalf of itself and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including MetaBank, National Association (“MetaBank,” together with Meta Financial, the “Company”), executed a Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) on December 7, 2021 pursuant to which the Company sold the Meta names and trademarks, including MetaBank and Meta Financial Group, and related assets such as Meta and Meta-formative domain names and social media accounts and associated goodwill, subject to a one year transition period.

In connection with the Agreement, on March 29, 2022, MetaBank announced that it will be changing its name to “Pathward, National Association” and that Meta Financial will be changing its name to “Pathward Financial, Inc.” (the “Name Change”). The full transition to the new names is expected to be completed by the end of this calendar year.

Meta Financial’s common stock will remain traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “CASH.”

A copy of the Company’s press release announcing the Name Change and certain matters related to the Name Change is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

SIGNATURE

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.

Document

Exhibit 99.1

MetaBank Announces Name Change to Pathward

The Pathward name represents the company's commitment to helping individuals and small and medium sized businesses access financial services that promote economic mobility

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., March 29, 2022 - MetaBank®, N.A., an industry leading financial empowerment company, today announced it is changing its name to Pathward, N.A. To unite the company under a single identity following a series of strategic acquisitions, MetaBank initiated a brand strategy review last year. The new name, Pathward, is born out of the company’s purpose to power financial inclusion for all and its commitment to providing a path forward to people and businesses so they can reach the next stage of their financial journey.

The company will make certain changes immediately and fully transition to Pathward by the end of this calendar year, including the launch of a new brand identity and website. The company will continue to serve its customers under existing brand names during the transition.

“Expanding financial access is too complex and important to be a part-time activity, which is why we’ve made financial inclusion for all the heart of everything we do,” said Brett Pharr, CEO of MetaBank. “Pathward signals our commitment to removing barriers that prevent millions of Americans from achieving access to the financial system. Our new name serves as a constant reminder of the importance of creating a path forward for the unbanked, underbanked, and underserved to help them achieve economic mobility.”

Meta Financial Group, Inc., MetaBank’s public holding company, will also be changing its name to Pathward Financial, Inc. by the end of this calendar year.

A leader in banking-as-a-service, the company works to advance financial inclusion by disrupting traditional banking norms. Through its national bank charter, coordination with regulators, and understanding of risk mitigation and compliance, the company guides its partners and delivers financial products, services and funding to the people and businesses who need them most.

For more information, please visit www.metabank.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events, including those relating to the timing of the name changes of Meta Financial and Meta Bank. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would,” “annualized” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various risks, uncertainties and other factors. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect our future results and financial condition, see our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Meta Financial expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of Meta Financial or its subsidiaries, whether as a result of new information, changed circumstances or future events, or for any other reason.

About MetaBank®

MetaBank®, N.A., a national bank, is a subsidiary of Meta Financial Group, Inc.® (Nasdaq: CASH). MetaBank is a U.S.-based financial empowerment company driven by its purpose to power financial inclusion for all®. MetaBank strives to increase financial availability, choice, and opportunity across its strategic service lines including Payments, Commercial Finance, and Consumer Solutions, which is comprised of tax services and consumer lending. These solutions are seamlessly integrated to provide the end-to-end support to the individuals and businesses who are powering the everyone economy.

Media Relations Contact

Courtney Heidelberg

mediarelations@metabank.com