NASDAQ: CRMT

Optimizing the Dealership Footprint. The Company is continuing to evaluate its dealership footprint in order to reduce operating costs and concentrate resources in its strongest markets, balancing those savings against the risk of impairing collections performance. During fiscal year 2026, the Company closed 60 dealerships as part of this evaluation and transitioned servicing and collection of the associated customer accounts to nearby dealerships or the Company's centralized collections department. Because the centralized collections model is still in the early stages of implementation and its effectiveness over a full collections cycle has not yet been demonstrated, the Company intends to pace any additional dealership closures and consolidations so as not to outrun the model's proven capacity to maximize collections dollars. The Company expects to continue this evaluation and may close or consolidate additional dealerships going forward.

Obtaining and Managing Financing. On October 30, 2025, the Company closed a five-year, $300.0 million senior secured term loan (the "Term Loan") with funds managed by Silver Point Capital, L.P., and used a portion of the proceeds to repay and retire its revolving line of credit. Subsequent to fiscal year-end, the Company obtained a series of short-term waivers from its lenders and, on June 19, 2026, entered into an amendment to the Term Loan providing covenant relief for a limited period, subject to the Company’s satisfaction of specified milestones and conditions. The Company is in discussions with its lenders regarding a new financing agreement to support its operations.

Addressing Going Concern. As described under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, conditions affecting the Company's liquidity and capital structure raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans to address these conditions include satisfying the milestones and conditions under the June 19, 2026 amendment to the Term Loan and extending the related covenant relief period; completing the Special Committee's review of strategic and financing alternatives, which may include operational and collections-focused initiatives to improve performance in addition to potential financing, recapitalization, restructuring, or other strategic transactions; establishing a new revolving warehouse facility and continuing to complete asset-backed securitization transactions; and obtaining additional capital, which may include the issuance of equity or other securities, additional debt financing, or the sale of assets.

The Company's management and Board of Directors are committed to these near-term objectives. Once these near-term objectives have been achieved and the Company's liquidity position has stabilized, the Company intends to return its focus to executing its long-term business strategy described below. The Company cannot assure, however, that it will be able to satisfy the milestones and conditions under the Term Loan amendment and extend its current covenant relief or obtain the additional financing needed to stabilize the Company’s liquidity position and support the Company’s long-term operations on terms favorable to the Company or at all.

Long-Term Priorities

Upon stabilization of the Company's financial condition, it is the Company's objective to continue to expand its business using the same business model that has been developed and used by Car-Mart for over 40 years with enhancements to our technology and core products to better serve our customers. This business strategy focuses on:

Collecting and Servicing Customer Accounts. Collecting customer accounts is perhaps the single most important aspect of operating an Integrated Auto Sales and Finance used car business and is a daily focal point for both dealership-level and corporate office personnel. The Company measures and monitors the collection results of its dealerships using internally developed standards for delinquency, cash collected, and account losses, and a significant portion of dealership management and account representatives' incentive compensation is tied, directly or indirectly, to collection results.

The Company services accounts through both centralized corporate teams and decentralized dealership-based teams. The centralized collections department services a subset of accounts associated with previously closed stores and performs specialized servicing functions, including title management, bankruptcy and deficiency accounts as well as credit reporting. The decentralized teams are located within the dealerships and service all accounts assigned to their respective dealership. Corporate support and field leadership teams work alongside collections operators to improve collection results, monitor efficiencies, and evaluate the effectiveness of account representatives as they work to improve customer success rates. As part of its servicing and collections efforts, the Company offers contract modifications, primarily involving term extensions.

Over the last five fiscal years, the Company’s annual provision for credit losses as a percentage of sales has ranged from a low of 22.9% in fiscal 2022 to a high of 40.8% in fiscal 2026, with an average of 32.4% over the period. During fiscal 2026, credit losses increased to 40.8% resulting from a reduction in finance receivable originations during the year—which lowered the sales base, along with changes in macroeconomic conditions affecting the Company's customer base. In the fourth quarter, originations declined as a result of management's measures to preserve liquidity, which reduced sales volume and resulted in the provision for credit losses representing a higher percentage of sales.

Standardized Operations with Local Empowerment and Customer Engagement. The Company’s dealerships operate within a consistent framework of standardized processes that ensure quality, compliance, and operational efficiency across all locations. These processes guide key functions such as vehicle quality assurance, sales lead generation, credit decision-making through our loan origination system, and contract collections. While these standards provide a cohesive operational foundation, dealership managers are empowered to make decisions that best serve their customers. This localized leadership fosters responsiveness to customer needs and strengthens community ties. Approximately 43%, 46%, and 50% of customers made their payments in person at a dealership during fiscal 2026, 2025, and 2024, respectively, enabling regular face-to-face interactions that build trust, encourage timely payments, and provide immediate support for service or payment concerns. This blend of structured operations and community-level empowerment supports a customer-centric culture that drives engagement and satisfaction.

Expansion Through Disciplined Organic Growth and Strategic Acquisitions. The Company seeks to improve its operating results primarily by enhancing the performance and productivity of its existing dealership locations, including through its footprint optimization strategy of consolidating underperforming dealerships into nearby, more productive locations, concentrating resources in its highest-performing markets, and investing in operational infrastructure to support its customer base. Historically, organic growth from existing operations has represented the primary driver of the Company’s expansion. To support this strategy, the Company has invested in infrastructure improvements designed to enhance dealership performance and facilitate the growth of its customer base.

The Company has historically expanded its dealership footprint through selective acquisition opportunities and may continue to pursue such opportunities in the future where they are expected to strengthen the Company's brand and support long-term shareholder returns. The Company did not complete any acquisitions during fiscal year 2026. The

identification, pursuit, and completion of any future acquisitions will depend on a number of factors, including the Company's liquidity position, the availability and terms of financing, restrictions under the Company's existing credit agreement or any future credit agreement, and prevailing market and competitive conditions. There can be no assurance that the Company will identify or complete any acquisitions in the future, and prior acquisition activity should not be considered indicative of future activity.

Selling Basic Transportation. The Company focuses on selling basic and affordable transportation to its customers. The Company’s average retail sales price was $20,064 per unit in fiscal 2026, compared to $19,398 in fiscal 2025. Used vehicle pricing continued to increase due to the high demand and tight supply of used vehicles. In general, the demand for quality, used vehicles has increased due to a shortage of new vehicles leading to inventory constraints in both the new and used vehicle markets. Management expects continued pressure on the supply and price of used vehicles for the near term. The Company focuses on providing a quality vehicle with affordable payment terms while maintaining relatively shorter-term lengths compared to others in the industry on its installment sales contracts (overall portfolio weighted average of 49.0 months).

Operating in Smaller Communities. As of April 30, 2026, approximately 64% of the Company’s dealerships were located in communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer. The Company believes that focusing on these smaller markets fosters stronger personal relationships with customers, which supports improved collection performance. Additionally, operating costs—including salaries, rent, and advertising—tend to be lower in these areas compared to major metropolitan markets. However, subject to the Company's efforts to further build out its infrastructure and centralize certain operational functions, it may selectively expand into larger urban markets where strategically appropriate.

Enhanced Management Talent and Experience. The Company seeks to hire honest and hardworking individuals to fill entry-level positions, nurture and develop these associates, and promote them to managerial positions from within the Company. By promoting from within, the Company believes it is able to train its associates in the Car-Mart way of doing business, maintain the Company’s unique culture and develop the loyalty of its associates by providing opportunities for advancement. Our associates are core to our ability to serve the needs of our customers in a manner that is consistent with our mission and values. As the Company continues to execute its strategic initiatives, it has increasingly recruited talent from outside the organization to bring additional skills, experiences, and capabilities that complement the existing workforce. Management expects to continue selectively adding external talent to support organizational effectiveness, capability building, and future business objectives, while maintaining alignment with the Company's values and culture. The Company’s operating success and the effectiveness of its recruiting team have supported management’s talent acquisition efforts. Management expects to continue attracting qualified candidates by leveraging the Company’s values-driven culture, employment opportunities, and commitment to development, while navigating an evolving labor market environment.

Cultivating Customer Relationships. The Company believes that maintaining and nurturing a strong relationship with its customers is critical to the success of the Company. A large percentage of sales at mature dealerships are made to repeat customers, and additional sales result from customer referrals. By developing a personal relationship with its customers, the Company believes it is in a better position to assist a customer, and the customer is more likely to cooperate with the Company should the customer experience financial difficulty during the term of their installment contract. The Company is able to cultivate these relationships primarily through phone contact and digital communication channels such as texting and email as well as emerging technologies such as our customer relationship management software. The Company's dealerships also facilitate face-to-face interactions when customers make in-person payments or have vehicle servicing needs.

Business Strengths

The Company believes it possesses a number of strengths or advantages that distinguish it from most of its competitors. These business strengths include:

Experienced Management Team. The Company is led by a senior management team with significant experience in the automotive industry and specific expertise in serving subprime customers. Management has demonstrated the ability to adapt to changes in market conditions, implement operational improvements, and evaluate growth opportunities, including the integration of new technologies and business processes. The team’s industry knowledge and customer focus support the Company’s efforts to enhance operational efficiency, align its offerings with customer needs, and pursue long-term growth initiatives. Management’s experience and leadership are key contributors to the Company’s strategic execution and competitive positioning within the used vehicle market.

Proven Business Practices. The Company’s operations are highly structured. While dealerships operate largely on a decentralized basis, the Company has established policies, procedures, and business practices for virtually every aspect of a dealership’s operations. Detailed online operating manuals are available to assist the dealership manager and office, sales and collections personnel in performing their daily tasks. As a result, each dealership is operated in a uniform manner. Further, corporate office personnel monitor the dealerships’ operations through weekly reviews, daily, weekly and monthly communications and reports, and periodic in-person visits.

Cost-Efficient Operating Model. The Company has designed its dealership and corporate operations to maintain a disciplined focus on minimizing operating costs. Staffing levels at each dealership are aligned with the number of active customer accounts serviced, ensuring operational scalability. Associate compensation is standardized by position and adjusted to reflect regional market conditions. Other operating expenses are rigorously monitored and controlled to maintain cost efficiency. The Company leverages technology to enhance operational productivity; continued investments in our loan origination system and enterprise resource planning (ERP) system continue to be instrumental in driving efficiencies and providing greater operational flexibility to support growth. The Company regularly tracks operating costs as a percentage of revenues and on a per-customer basis, striving to deliver high-quality service while maintaining a cost-efficient structure.

Significant Expansion Opportunities. The Company historically targets smaller communities in which to locate its dealerships (i.e., populations from 20,000 to 50,000), but has operations in larger cities such as Austin, Texas; Lexington, Kentucky; Springfield, Missouri; Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee; and Little Rock, Arkansas. The Company believes there are numerous suitable communities to expand our physical footprint within the twelve states in which the Company currently operates and other contiguous states to satisfy anticipated dealership growth for the next several years.

Business Segment Information

The Company operates in a single reportable segment which represents our core business of offering integrated automotive sales and financing solutions for customers with limited financial resources regardless of credit history. For more information regarding our one reportable segment, see Note P to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Operations

Operating Segment. The Company operates with its consolidated results regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in an effort to make decisions about resources to be allocated and to assess performance. The Company operates in the Integrated Auto Sales and Finance segment of the used car market. In this industry, the nature of the sale and the financing of the transaction, financing processes, the type of customer and the methods used to distribute the Company’s products and services, including the actual servicing of the contracts as well as the regulatory environment in which the Company operates, all have similar characteristics. Given the Company's single segment structure, there is no need for segment aggregation.

Dealership Organization. The Company’s dealerships operate with operational autonomy within the framework of standardized policies, procedures, and business practices established by the corporate office. Each dealership is responsible for vehicle sales, credit decision-making (subject to parameters established within the Company’s loan origination system), and the servicing and collection of installment contracts originated at or assigned to the location, with support from the corporate office. Monthly financial statements for each dealership are prepared by the corporate office and reviewed by multiple levels of management to ensure oversight and accountability. The size of the workforce at each dealership varies based on the number of active customer accounts, ranging from as few as four to as many as forty-five full-time associates. Larger dealerships typically employ personnel in roles such as general manager, assistant manager(s), office manager, office clerks, service manager, collections staff, sales staff, inventory associates (detailers), and on-call drivers. Dealerships generally operate Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Dealership Locations and Facilities. Below is a summary of dealerships operating during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2026, 2025, and 2024:

Years Ended April 30,

2026 2025 2024

Dealerships at beginning of year 154 154 156

Dealerships opened or acquired — 2 1

Dealerships closed (60) (2) (3)

Dealerships at end of year 94 154 154

Below is a summary of dealership locations by state as of April 30, 2026, 2025, and 2024:

Years Ended April 30,

Dealerships by State 2026 2025 2024

Arkansas 25 37 37

Oklahoma 14 29 29

Missouri 13 18 18

Texas 10 16 14

Alabama 6 16 16

Kentucky 6 12 12

Tennessee 6 9 9

Mississippi 5 5 5

Georgia 4 7 9

Illinois 3 3 3

Indiana 1 1 1

Iowa 1 1 1

Total 94 154 154

Dealerships are located on leased or owned property between one and four acres in size. When opening a new dealership, the Company will either remodel an existing structure on the property to conduct business or construct a new facility. Dealership facilities typically range in size from 1,500 to 5,000 square feet.

Vehicle Procurement. The Company acquires vehicles primarily from wholesalers, new car dealers, rental and fleet companies, auctions, and the general public. Vehicle purchasing is primarily conducted by corporate buyers, with additional support from purchasing agents located in the Company’s local markets. Additionally, dealership managers are authorized to procure vehicles as needed to meet local demand. The Company establishes centralized purchasing guidelines and actively monitors the quantity and quality of vehicles acquired, holding responsible parties accountable for adherence to these standards. In evaluating inventory purchases, the Company focuses on three primary criteria:

•Compliance with Company standards, including an internal condition report;

•Costs and physical characteristics of the vehicle, based on market values; and

•Vehicle reliability and historical performance, based on market conditions.

Generally, the Company acquires vehicles that are between five and twelve years old, with mileage ranging from approximately 70,000 to 140,000 miles, and pays between $7,000 and $15,000 per vehicle, with an average purchase price of approximately $9,500. The Company’s primary focus is providing reliable, basic transportation to its customers. The vehicle inventory primarily consists of sport utility vehicles, trucks, and sedans, while the Company typically does not acquire sports cars or luxury vehicles. Prior to sale, a member of dealership management inspects and test-drives each vehicle to ensure quality standards are met. Given the Company’s limited capacity for vehicle repair and reconditioning, it strives to purchase vehicles requiring minimal repairs. To support this strategy and maintain access to quality, affordable

inventory, the Company has established relationships with third-party reconditioning firms. These partnerships leverage volume to negotiate favorable labor rates and consistent condition reporting, particularly for repossessed and traded vehicles, thereby expanding the Company’s access to a broader selection of lower-cost vehicles.

The Company’s ability to procure vehicles is significantly impacted by both external market conditions and the Company’s available liquidity. Reduced volumes of new vehicle sales in recent years—particularly of domestic brands—have limited the supply of quality used vehicles, while sustained demand for affordable transportation and tariffs imposed on the automotive industry have increased wholesale acquisition costs. At the same time, the Company’s constrained access to available capital to originate vehicle installment sales contracts has required the Company in recent months to curtail inventory purchases, limiting the volume of vehicles it could acquire, finance, and carry in inventory. The Company continually monitors available liquidity and used-vehicle supply, demand, and related acquisition costs at industry-wide and local market levels to adjust its vehicle procurement practices based on market conditions, the Company's capital position, customer demand and other factors.

Selling, Marketing, and Advertising. Dealerships typically maintain an inventory ranging from 20 to 90 vehicles, depending on the size, maturity, and seasonal factors affecting the location. Inventory turnover occurs approximately seven times annually. Vehicle sales are primarily conducted by dealership managers, assistant managers, or sales associates. Sales associates receive a commission in addition to an hourly wage.

Sales are completed on an “as is” basis; however, customers have the option to purchase a service contract covering certain vehicle components and assemblies. For covered repairs, the Company coordinates service through third-party service centers with which it has negotiated favorable labor rates. A substantial majority of customers elect to purchase such service contracts at the time of sale.

Additionally, the Company offers an Accident Protection Plan (“APP”) to customers who finance their purchases. This product contractually obligates the Company to cancel the outstanding balance on the financing contract if the vehicle is declared a total loss or is stolen, as defined under the terms of the APP agreement. The APP product is available in most states where the Company operates, and the vast majority of financed customers elect to purchase it.

The Company maintains a seven-day vehicle exchange policy. Customers dissatisfied with their purchase may exchange the vehicle for one of comparable value within seven days of purchase or before the vehicle accrues 500 miles, whichever occurs first.

The Company’s objective is to provide customers with reliable basic transportation at a fair price while fostering positive customer experiences to encourage repeat business. The Company seeks to establish and maintain a strong reputation within each community it serves, generating new business through customer referrals. For mature dealerships, repeat customers represent a significant portion of total sales.

The Company employs a comprehensive marketing strategy, leveraging both traditional and digital channels across owned, paid, and earned media platforms. The Company employs promotional sales campaigns to drive demand and boost application volumes. The Company has taken steps to leverage its online presence, including an intuitive website, online inventory browsing, and seamless online application process, to improve the buying experience and support customer traffic to its dealerships. To support and refine its brand strategy, the Company engages an external marketing firm that provides specialized expertise and scalability.

Underwriting and Finance. The Company provides financing to substantially all customers who purchase vehicles at its dealerships. Financing is offered exclusively for the purchase of the Company’s vehicles and selected ancillary products; the Company does not extend financing to non-customers. As of April 30, 2026, the Company’s installment sales contracts typically include down payments ranging from 0% to 20%, with an average down payment of 5.1%. Contract terms range from 11 months to 70 months, averaging 49.0 months, with a fixed annual interest rate ranging from 6.0% to 20.3% based primarily on the customer's credit score and applicable state usury limits. The portfolio weighted average interest rate is 17.7%.

Payment schedules are designed to align with customers’ pay periods and may be weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly, with approximately 78% of payments due on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Once preliminary financing terms are agreed upon, the Company obtains a credit application from the customer, which includes information on employment, residence, credit history, and personal references. This information is entered into the Company’s loan origination system and subject to verification by Company personnel. Following verification, the dealership manager

reviews and either accepts, rejects, or modifies the proposed transaction, potentially requiring a higher down payment or recommending a lower-priced vehicle.

Recent refinements to underwriting guidelines within the origination system have enhanced dealership managers’ ability to evaluate applicants’ stability and creditworthiness. The dealership manager who approves the credit decision is ultimately responsible for contract collections, with compensation directly tied to the collection performance of the dealership. Centralized support is provided to dealership managers through underwriting assistance, training, and regular reporting to monitor customer accounts on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

Servicing and Collections. The Company services all retail installment contracts through personnel located either at the dealership level or at our corporate office.

Customer accounts are monitored using the Company’s receivables and collections software, which stratifies past due accounts by days delinquent. Senior operations personnel, including vice presidents and area operations managers, regularly review collection performance to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures. The Company believes timely engagement with past due accounts is critical to successful collections.

The Company has established delinquency standards for accounts one and two weeks past due, 15 or more days past due, and 30 or more days past due, as well as loss standards related to repossessions and charge-offs. The Company actively works to maintain low delinquency rates and minimize repossessions. Customers who are one to three days late on payments receive telephone or text message reminders, with all contact notes recorded electronically. The Company also utilizes centralized text messaging notifications, allowing customers to opt in for payment reminders and late notices via text.

To facilitate convenience, the Company offers multiple payment options, including mail payments, in-person debit or cash payments, debit or ACH auto drafts, mobile and online payments, phone system payments, and payments at select retailers using personalized barcodes. Approximately 43%, 46%, and 50% of customers made payments in person at a dealership during fiscal 2026, 2025, and 2024, respectively.

As a part of servicing the customer accounts, the Company regularly offers contract modifications to customers experiencing financial difficulty. Approximately half of the Company’s installment sale contracts on average require one or more modifications to accommodate changes in the customer’s financial circumstances over the life of the contract. Modifications typically involve adjustments to payment terms, such as modest extensions to the overall contract term to lower the installment payment amount, provided that such modifications are expected to increase recoveries and the likelihood of repayment. The Company expects to collect all amounts due, including accrued interest at the contractual rate, during any modification period. When a customer’s contract is modified, the outstanding balance generally remains unchanged. Extension periods are limited to twelve months beyond the initial payment term and can be used in one or more modifications over the life of the contract. The Company’s use of contract term extensions and other modifications helps the Company mitigate credit loss and potential repossession of the underlying vehicle.

In addition to routine contract modifications, a limited subset of the Company’s installment sale contracts—representing approximately 1.3%, 1.1%, and 1.1% of total finance receivables as of April 30, 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively—require modification due to customers entering bankruptcy protection. These modifications typically include a reduction in the contractual interest rate and/or an extension of the contract term as part of the customer’s court-approved bankruptcy plan. Under these circumstances, the bankruptcy trustee assumes responsibility for distributing payments to creditors on behalf of the bankruptcy court, including the Company, as allocated under the bankruptcy plan. If the customer’s bankruptcy proceeding is dismissed, the Company's collection process reverts back to the existing terms of the installment sales contract.

The Company prioritizes amicable resolution of payment delinquencies prior to vehicle repossession. In cases of severe delinquency where management determines that future timely payments are unlikely, the Company initiates repossession proceedings. For repossessed vehicles, a significant portion are voluntarily returned or surrendered by customers. Remaining repossessions are conducted by Company personnel or third-party agents. Depending on condition, repossessed vehicles are either retailed through Company dealerships or sold wholesale, primarily via physical or online auctions.

Dealership Acquisitions. Since 2020, the Company has pursued a deliberate strategy of seeking to acquire established dealerships to expand its geographic footprint, enhance operational scale, and strengthen its position within the

used vehicle market. During fiscal years 2020 through 2025, the Company acquired a total of ten used car dealerships, most recently two dealerships in the Austin, Texas area during fiscal year 2025. The Company did not acquire any dealerships during fiscal year 2026.

Subject to sufficient available capital resources, the acquisition of established dealerships provides the Company with the ability to expand its market presence and serve a broader customer base by leveraging the existing infrastructure, personnel, and customer relationships of the acquired entities. These acquisitions have enhanced the Company’s operational efficiency and enabled greater brand reach while providing immediate access to experienced management teams and established local market knowledge.

Corporate Office Oversight and Management. The Company’s corporate headquarters, located in Rogers, Arkansas, provides centralized oversight of dealership operations. It includes senior management and personnel supporting functions such as regional operations, inventory, sales, collections, compliance, human resources, accounting, and information systems.

The corporate office monitors dealership performance through daily, weekly, monthly, and annual reviews of financial and operational data, including cash receipts, inventory levels, receivables aging, and sales performance. This information is used to prepare company-wide reports and manage field operations.

Senior management, area operations managers, compliance auditors, and loss prevention staff periodically visit dealerships and perform remote audits to assess operations and ensure adherence to policies. The corporate office also develops and coordinates training programs, with a focus on managerial development and staff training.

Dealership performance is evaluated based on profitability, sales, delinquency and account loss performance, cash collections and other key performance indicators. The corporate office manages written-off accounts, allowing dealerships to focus on current collections. Monthly meetings with dealership managers provide a platform for training, performance recognition, and goal setting.

The corporate office is responsible for policy development, compliance audits, dealership openings or closings, and the Company’s strategic direction.

Industry

Used Car Sales. The market for used car sales in the United States is significant. Used car retail sales typically occur through franchised new car dealerships that sell used cars or independent used car dealerships. The Company operates in the Integrated Auto Sales and Finance segment of the independent used car sales and finance market. Integrated Auto Sales and Finance dealers sell and finance used cars to individuals that often have limited credit histories or past credit problems. Integrated Auto Sales and Finance dealers typically offer their customers certain advantages over more traditional financing sources, such as less restrictive underwriting guidelines, flexible payment terms (including scheduling payments on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to coincide with a customer’s payday), and the flexibility to assist the customer with varied programs for account success such as repair management and late-payment arrangements.

Used Car Financing. The used automobile financing industry is served by traditional lending sources such as banks, savings and loans, and captive finance subsidiaries of automobile manufacturers, as well as by independent finance companies and Integrated Auto Sales and Finance dealers. Many loans that flow through the more traditional sources have historically ended up packaged in the securitization markets. Despite significant opportunities, many of the traditional lending sources have not historically been consistent in providing financing to individuals with limited credit histories or past credit problems. Management believes traditional lenders have historically avoided this market because of its high credit risk and the associated collections efforts. In addition, as a result of the recent inflationary environment, increased funding costs, and increased insurance costs, credit availability for used vehicle financing across the market has tightened from the financing availability levels experienced during the past decade. Management expects the current conditions to continue for the foreseeable future and believes the reduced availability of used vehicle financing elsewhere will provide the Company an opportunity to gain market share and better serve an increasing customer base.

Competition

The used automotive retail industry is fragmented and highly competitive. The Company competes principally with other independent Integrated Auto Sales and Finance dealers, as well as with (i) the used vehicle retail operations of

franchised automobile dealerships, (ii) independent used vehicle dealers, and (iii) individuals who sell used vehicles in private transactions. The Company competes for both the purchase and resale of used vehicles. The tight supply of used vehicles in our market has led to higher purchase and retail prices which have been the primary contributors to the Company’s decision to allow longer term lengths and slightly lower down payments in connection with our customer financing contracts.

Management believes the principal competitive factors in the sale of its used vehicles include (i) the availability of financing to consumers with limited credit histories or past credit problems, (ii) the breadth and quality of vehicle selection, (iii) pricing, (iv) the convenience of a dealership’s location, (v) the option to purchase a service contract and an accident protection plan, and (vi) customer service. Management believes that its dealerships are not only competitive in each of these areas, but have some distinct advantages, specifically related to the provision of strong customer service for a credit challenged consumer. The Company’s local presence combined with centralized support through digital and phone allows it to serve customers at a higher level by forming strong and consistent personal relationships.

Seasonality

Historically, the Company’s third fiscal quarter (November through January) has been the slowest period for vehicle sales. Conversely, the Company’s first and fourth fiscal quarters (May through July and February through April) have historically been the busiest times for vehicle sales. Therefore, the Company generally realizes a higher proportion of its revenue and operating profit during the first and fourth fiscal quarters.

If conditions arise that impair vehicle sales during the first or fourth fiscal quarters, the adverse effect on the Company's revenues and operating results for the year could be disproportionately large. Due to capital constraints and limited inventory purchases, the Company experienced weaker sales volumes in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, which had a material adverse impact on the Company's total revenues for the fiscal year. The Company expects the ongoing capital and inventory constraints to continue to adversely affect its revenues and operating results during the first quarter of fiscal 2027 and, unless and until the Company's liquidity position improves and inventory purchases and contract originations return to normalized levels, during subsequent periods as well.

Regulation and Licensing

The Company is committed to a culture of compliance by promoting and supporting efforts to design, implement, manage, and maintain compliance initiatives. The Company’s operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to the sale and financing of vehicles. Under various state laws, the Company’s dealerships must obtain a license in order to operate or relocate. These laws also regulate advertising and sales practices. The Company’s financing activities are subject to federal laws such as truth-in-lending and equal credit opportunity laws and regulations as well as state and local motor vehicle finance laws, installment finance laws, usury laws and other installment sales laws. Among other things, these laws require that the Company limit or prescribe terms of the contracts it originates, require specified disclosures to customers, restrict collections practices, limit the Company’s right to repossess and sell collateral, and prohibit discrimination against customers on the basis of certain characteristics including age, race, gender and marital status.

The Company’s consumer financing and collection activities are also subject to oversight by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), which has broad regulatory powers over consumer credit products and services such as those offered by the Company. Under applicable CFPB rules, the Company’s finance subsidiary, Colonial, is deemed a “larger participant” in the automobile financing market and is therefore subject to examination and supervision by the CFPB.

The states in which the Company operates impose limits on interest rates the Company can charge on its installment contracts. These limits have generally been based on either (i) a specified margin above the federal primary credit rate, (ii) the age of the vehicle, or (iii) a fixed rate.

The Company is also subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws and regulations that pertain to the environment, including compliance with regulations concerning the use, handling and disposal of hazardous substances and waste.

Management believes the Company is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations; however, the adoption of additional laws, changes in the interpretation of existing

laws, or the Company’s entrance into jurisdictions with more stringent regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s used vehicle sales and finance business.

Human Capital Resources

At America's Car-Mart, Inc., our associates are the heart of our business. Our associates are committed to making a difference for customers, their communities and each other. As of April 30, 2026, the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, employed a diverse associate base of approximately 1,500 full-time associates. In connection with the consolidation of 60 dealership locations under the Company's footprint optimization initiative and related cost-reduction efforts, the Company reduced its workforce during fiscal 2026, primarily at the closed dealership locations. The Company may implement additional workforce reductions in connection with any future dealership closures or cost-reduction initiatives. None of the Company's employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company is committed to an environment where associates feel respected, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Equity and Inclusion

The Company’s culture is one that values equity and inclusion and fosters engagement. We view inclusion as an important factor in reflecting the values and cultures of all our associates. Each of our dealerships is a locally operated business, and our associates must represent the communities we serve.

Fostering an open-door culture based on compassion, respect, and open communications is essential for driving long-term success of the Company’s culture. Car-Mart conducts engagement surveys and exit surveys which allow the Company to gain insight into associate sentiment and address workforce priorities.

Employee Safety and Well-being

Ensuring the safety of all associates is a critical priority for the Company. Associates are expected to stay informed about safety initiatives and to report unsafe conditions immediately. All vendors must comply with all applicable laws and regulations while also satisfying the Company’s due diligence processes and related vendor requirements. The Company’s annual and continuing safety goals are to eliminate all preventable work-related injuries, illnesses and property damage and achieve 100% compliance with all established safety procedures. Internally, we track workplace injuries among associates, as well as injuries among customers and other third parties that occur at our facilities. With our comprehensive safety and education program and attention to proper procedures at our dealerships, the number of incidents is below industry standards for all retail locations.

Our Legal and Compliance departments are responsible for safety education, training, OSHA compliance and reporting, and regular reviews of indicators and areas where risks and injuries can occur, helping to eliminate hazards. General Managers at each dealership are responsible for safety at their location on a daily basis, and members of the safety committee at our corporate office are trained on CPR and other emergency procedures and regularly conduct drills for events such as a fire or tornado.

The Company is committed to supporting the overall well-being of its associates by promoting physical, mental, social, environmental, and financial health. Associates and their immediate family members are provided access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program at no additional cost, which offers resources such as financial planning, legal consultation, mental health support, and other professional services. In addition, the Company provides access through health care offerings to preventive health resources, including vaccinations, health screenings, and other wellness initiatives designed to support healthy lifestyles and enhance overall well-being.

Talent Management, Compensation, and Development

The Company is dedicated to fostering a work environment and organizational culture that attracts, develops, and retains highly motivated associates. We aim to provide our associates with challenging opportunities, an environment conducive to entrepreneurial thinking, and the resources necessary for career development. Our success relies on our ability to consistently attract, hire, and retain top-tier talent at all levels of the organization.

The Company’s talent management strategy encompasses targeted recruitment efforts through prominent online job platforms, complemented by internal career advancement opportunities to support the ongoing development of our

associate pipeline. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits program designed to promote both personal and professional growth, while ensuring our associates acquire the skills and experience necessary to secure a financially stable retirement.

The Company provides a comprehensive compensation package tailored to the specific role each associate holds. Our compensation philosophy emphasizes performance, both on an individual and company-wide basis. Many associates have the opportunity to earn additional compensation through commissions, performance-based salary adjustments, and bonuses. All associates are compensated at levels exceeding both state and federal minimum wage requirements. Additionally, a broad selection of benefit options is made available to our associates to accommodate their unique needs.

The Company is committed to the continuous development of its associates through various training, mentoring, and career advancement programs. All associates are required to complete orientation courses on Company culture, safety, sexual harassment and discrimination awareness, and other compliance-related topics. Associates also have access to online training resources focused on enhancing job-specific skills, leadership competencies, and advanced subjects such as data literacy.

The Company maintains a continuous learning and development approach that provides associates with training across key areas of dealership operations, including inventory management, facility operations, collections, customer service, and leadership skills. Through a combination of instructor-led training, on-the-job development, and blended learning opportunities, associates are equipped to enhance their operational knowledge and leadership capabilities throughout their careers. These ongoing development efforts support succession planning and help prepare qualified associates for advancement into management and other leadership positions.

We believe that these initiatives underscore the Company’s commitment to the long-term growth, motivation, and success of our associates.

Available Information

The Company’s website is located at www.car-mart.com. The Company makes available on this website, free of charge, access to its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports, as well as proxy statements and other information the Company files with, or furnishes to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically submits this material to the SEC. The information contained on the website or available by hyperlink from the website is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or other documents the Company files with, or furnishes to, the SEC.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table provides information regarding the executive officers of the Company as of July 14, 2026:

Name Age Position with the Company

Douglas W. Campbell 50 Chief Executive Officer and President

Jonathan M. Collins (1)
54
Chief Financial Officer

Vickie D. Judy 60
Chief Accounting Officer

Jamie Fischer
47
Chief Operating Officer

(1) As previously reported, on June 23, 2026, Mr. Collins notified the Company of his decision to resign from the Company effective July 31, 2026, to pursue another opportunity. The Board of Directors has appointed Marie E. Persichetti to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective August 1, 2026. Ms. Persichetti, age 60, has served as the Company’s Senior Vice President of Capital Markets since May 2025 and has over 20 years of experience in finance, treasury, accounting, credit risk, operational risk, corporate insurance, and related disciplines. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Persichetti served as Chief Financial Officer of Bayside Credit from February 2024 to May 2025 and as Chief Financial Officer at AutoNation Finance from 2015 to 2023. Her prior roles include Capital Markets Director at Santander Consumer USA and Vice President of Product Business Development for Systems and Services Technologies at JP Morgan Chase, among others.

Douglas W. Campbell became Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of the Company in October 2023, after serving as President of the Company for the prior year. Before joining the Company, Mr. Campbell was Senior Vice President, Head of Fleet Services for the Americas, at Avis Budget Group (“Avis”) since June 2022, previously serving in roles as Head of Fleet Services for the Americas since June 2021 and Vice President, Remarketing for the Americas, at Avis from March 2018 to June 2021. Prior to joining Avis, Mr. Campbell held management positions at AutoNation from September 2014 to March 2018 serving as Used Vehicle Director, Eastern Region, in AutoNation’s corporate office and later as General Manager of its Honda Dulles dealership. Preceding AutoNation, Mr. Campbell served fifteen years with Coral Springs Auto Mall, most recently serving as Executive General Manager.

Jonathan M. Collins became Chief Financial Officer of the Company on May 12, 2025. Before joining the Company, Mr. Collins served as the Chief Financial Officer for Walmart Africa from 2023 until 2025. Prior to his role with Walmart Africa, Mr. Collins served as the Chief Accounting Officer for Flipkart Group, an e-commerce platform based in India, from 2020 to 2023. He also previously served as Controller for Walmart Canada from 2019 to 2020 and worked for 13 years in CFO advisory services for KPMG. Mr. Collins started his career as a software developer and eventually chief architect of the enterprise resource planning product for Alltel Information Systems.

Vickie D. Judy currently serves as Chief Accounting Officer and served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company from January 2018 to May 2025. Before becoming Chief Financial Officer in January 2018, Ms. Judy served as Principal Accounting Officer since March 2016 and Vice President of Accounting since August 2015. Since joining the Company in May 2010, Ms. Judy has also served as Controller and Director of Financial Reporting. Ms. Judy is a Certified Public Accountant and prior to joining the Company her experience included approximately five years in public accounting with Arthur Andersen & Co. and approximately 17 years at National Home Centers, Inc., a home improvement product and building materials retailer, most recently as Vice President of Financial Reporting.

Jamie Fischer has served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company since September 2024. Before becoming Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Fischer served as Head of Operations at DriveTime Automotive Group, Inc. (“DriveTime”) since 2021. She previously served as Senior Managing Director of Retail and Inventory Operations for DriveTime from 2018 until 2021 and held various leadership positions in operations and human resources management for DriveTime and its affiliated automotive warranty company, SilverRock, Inc., from 2012 to 2018. Prior to joining DriveTime, Ms. Fischer gained nearly a decade of experience in the auto retail industry, where she focused on operations and leadership development.