UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D/A

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 5)*

 

 

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

(Name of Issuer)

 

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

292554102

(CUSIP Number)

Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC

Attn: Willem Mesdag

10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 925

Los Angeles, California 90067

Telephone (310) 432-0200

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

November 2, 2011

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box. ¨

 

 

Note. Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

 

 

*	The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 2 OF 13 PAGES

 

 

1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)   Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC                                              73-1726370
2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  x        (b)  ¨
3		SEC USE ONLY
4		SOURCE OF FUNDS                                                                     AF    (See Item 3)
5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION   Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH				7		SOLE VOTING POWER   2,377,835 shares    (See Item 5)
				8		SHARED VOTING POWER   None    (See Item 5)
				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   2,377,835 shares    (See Item 5)
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   None    (See Item 5)
11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   2,377,835 shares    (See Item 5)
12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES    x     (See Item 2)
13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   9.7%    (See Item 5)
14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   OO – Limited Liability Company

 

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 3 OF 13 PAGES

 

 

1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)   Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P.                                          20-4117535
2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  x        (b)  ¨
3		SEC USE ONLY
4		SOURCE OF FUNDS                                                                     WC    (See Item 3)
5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION   Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH				7		SOLE VOTING POWER   517,791 shares    (See Item 5)
				8		SHARED VOTING POWER   None    (See Item 5)
				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   517,791 shares    (See Item 5)
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   None    (See Item 5)
11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   517,791 shares    (See Item 5)
12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES    x     (See Item 2)
13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   2.1%    (See Item 5)
14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   PN – Limited Partnership

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 4 OF 13 PAGES

 

 

1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)   Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P.                                20-5329858
2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  x        (b)  ¨
3		SEC USE ONLY
4		SOURCE OF FUNDS                                                                     WC    (See Item 3)
5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION   Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH				7		SOLE VOTING POWER   1,860,044 shares    (See Item 5)
				8		SHARED VOTING POWER   None    (See Item 5)
				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   1,860,044 shares    (See Item 5)
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   None    (See Item 5)
11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   1,860,044 shares    (See Item 5)
12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES     x (See Item 2)
13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   7.6%    (See Item 5)
14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   PN– Limited Partnership

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 5 OF 13 PAGES

 

 

1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)   RMCP GP LLC                                                                                       20-4442412
2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  x        (b)  ¨
3		SEC USE ONLY
4		SOURCE OF FUNDS                                                                     AF    (See Item 3)
5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION   Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH				7		SOLE VOTING POWER   2,377,835 shares    (See Item 5)
				8		SHARED VOTING POWER   None    (See Item 5)
				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   2,377,835 shares    (See Item 5)
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   None    (See Item 5)
11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   2,377,835 shares    (See Item 5)
12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES    x     (See Item 2)
13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   9.7%    (See Item 5)
14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   OO – Limited Liability Company

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 6 OF 13 PAGES

 

 

1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)   Red Mountain Capital Management, Inc.                                13-4057186
2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  ¨        (b)  x
3		SEC USE ONLY
4		SOURCE OF FUNDS                                                                     AF    (See Item 3)
5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION   Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH				7		SOLE VOTING POWER   2,377,835 shares    (See Item 5)
				8		SHARED VOTING POWER   None    (See Item 5)
				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   2,377,835 shares    (See Item 5)
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   None    (See Item 5)
11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   2,377,835 shares    (See Item 5)
12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES    x     (See Item 2)
13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   9.7%    (See Item 5)
14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   CO – Corporation

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 7 OF 13 PAGES

 

 

1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)   Willem Mesdag
2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  ¨        (b)  x
3		SEC USE ONLY
4		SOURCE OF FUNDS                                                                     AF    (See Item 3)
5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION   U.S. Citizen
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH				7		SOLE VOTING POWER   2,400,465 shares    (See Item 5)
				8		SHARED VOTING POWER   None    (See Item 5)
				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   2,400,465 shares    (See Item 5)
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   None    (See Item 5)
11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   2,400,465 shares    (See Item 5)
12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES    x     (See Item 2)
13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   9.8%    (See Item 5)
14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   IN – Individual

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 8 OF 13 PAGES

 

This Amendment No. 5 amends and supplements the Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 16, 2007, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed with the SEC on April 23, 2007, Amendment No. 2 thereto, filed with the SEC on May 18, 2007, Amendment No. 3 thereto, filed with the SEC on October 19, 2007, and Amendment No. 4 thereto, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2011 (together, this “Schedule 13D”), by (i) Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“RMCP LLC”), (ii) Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“RMCP II”), (iii) Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“RMCP III”), (iv) RMCP GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“RMCP GP”), (v) Red Mountain Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“RMCM”), and (vi) Willem Mesdag, a natural person and citizen of the United States of America, with respect to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Encore Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Encore”). RMCP LLC, RMCP II, RMCP III and RMCP GP are sometimes collectively referred to herein as “Red Mountain.” Red Mountain, RMCM and Mr. Mesdag are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Reporting Persons.” The filing of any amendment to this Schedule 13D (including the filing of this Amendment No. 4) shall not be construed to be an admission by the Reporting Persons that a material change has occurred in the facts set forth in this Schedule 13D or that such amendment is required under Rule 13d-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

ITEM 2.

IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.

Items 2(a), 2(c), and 2(f) are hereby amended to include the following information:

Mark Genender (and his principal occupation) is Partner of Red Mountain. Mr. Genender does not control any Reporting Person. Information regarding Mr. Genender is being included in this Schedule 13D only for purposes of complying with General Instruction C to Schedule 13D. Mr. Genender is a U.S. citizen.

Item 2(b) is hereby amended to include the following information:

The principal business address of Mr. Genender is 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 925, Los Angeles, California 90067.

Items 2(d) and 2(e) are hereby amended to include the following information:

During the last five years, Mr. Genender has not been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which such person was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

 

ITEM 4.

PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.

Item 4 of this Schedule 13D is hereby amended to include the following information:

Pursuant to a Lock-Up Letter entered into with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), dated as of November 2, 2011 (the “Lock-Up Letter”), each of RMCP II and RMCP III has agreed to not, subject to certain exceptions, during the period beginning November 2, 2011 and ending 90 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to a proposed public offering by Morgan Stanley of certain Common Stock currently held by JCF FPK I LP, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley: (a) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) by it or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock; or (b) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in the foregoing (a) or (b) is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; or (c) exercise any right with

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 9 OF 13 PAGES

 

respect to, the registration of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock. The foregoing summary of the provisions of the Lock-Up Letter is qualified by reference to the actual text of the actual Lock-Up Letter. A copy of the Lock-Up Letter is filed as Exhibit 8 hereto and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in response to this Item 2.

JCF FPK I LP (together with its affiliates, “JCF FPK”), RMCP II and RMCP III entered into a Termination Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2011 (the “Termination Agreement”), which terminated the Shareholders’ Agreement dated as of October 19, 2007, among JCF FPK I LP, RMCP II and RMCP III. The foregoing summary of the provisions of the Termination Agreement is qualified by reference to the actual text of the Termination Agreement. A copy of the Termination Agreement is filed as Exhibit 9 hereto and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in response to this Item 2.

As a result of the Termination Agreement, the Reporting Persons and JCF FPK may be no longer be deemed to be a group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, and may no longer be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all of the shares of Common Stock owned by each of them. The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership of all securities held by JCF FPK.

 

ITEM 5.

INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

Items 5(a) and 5(b) of this Schedule 13D are hereby amended and restated as follows:

 

(a)-(b)

RMCP II beneficially owns, in the aggregate, 517,791 shares of Common Stock, which represent approximately 2.1% of the outstanding Common Stock. (1) RMCP II has the sole power to vote or direct the vote, and the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition, of all such 517,791 shares of Common Stock.

 

RMCP III beneficially owns, in the aggregate, 1,860,044 shares of Common Stock, which represent approximately 7.6% of the outstanding Common Stock. RMCP III has the sole power to vote or direct the vote, and the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition, of all such 1,860,044 shares of Common Stock.

 

The shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by RMCP II and RMCP III, when aggregated together, total 2,377,835 shares, which represent approximately 9.7% of the outstanding Common Stock.

 

Mr. Mesdag also holds 22,630 fully vested deferred issuance restricted stock units (“RSUs”) which were issued to Mr. Mesdag as director compensation for board service. Mr. Teets holds 23,123 RSUs which were issued to Mr. Teets as director compensation for board service.

 

Because each of RMCP GP, RMCP LLC, RMCM and Mr. Mesdag may be deemed to control RMCP II and RMCP III, each of RMCP GP, RMCP LLC, RMCM and Mr. Mesdag may be deemed to beneficially own, and to have the power to vote or direct the vote, or dispose or direct the disposition of, all of the Common Stock beneficially owned by RMCP II and RMCP III. Each of RMCP II, RMCP III, RMCP GP, RMCP LLC and RMCM disclaim beneficial ownership of any securities held directly by Mr. Mesdag.

 

Other than shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by RMCP II or RMCP III, and the RSUs held by Mr. Mesdag and Mr. Teets, none of the Reporting Persons, Mr. Teets, or Mr. Genender may be deemed to beneficially own any shares of Common Stock.

 

 

⁽¹⁾ All calculations of percentage ownership in this Schedule 13D are based on approximately 24,507,190 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 28, 2011, as reported in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement filed by Encore with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2011.

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 10 OF 13 PAGES

 

 

Each of RMCP LLC, RMCP II, RMCP III and RMCP GP affirms membership in a group with each other but disclaims membership in a group with RMCM or Mr. Mesdag. Each of RMCM and Mr. Mesdag disclaims membership in a group with any person.

 

The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that any Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of any of the shares of Common Stock that such Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own. Without limiting the foregoing sentence, each of RMCM and Mr. Mesdag disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares of Common Stock reported in this Schedule 13D. In addition, the filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that any partner, member, director, officer or affiliate of any Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of any of the shares of Common Stock that such partner, member, director, officer or affiliate may be deemed to beneficially own. Without limiting the foregoing sentence, Mr. Teets and Mr. Genender disclaim beneficial ownership of all shares of Common Stock reported in this Schedule 13D.

Item 5(c) of this Schedule 13D is hereby amended to add the following information:

 

(c)

The information set forth in Item 2 above is hereby incorporated by reference in response to this Item 5(c).

 

ITEM 6.

CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

Item 6 of this Schedule 13D is hereby amended to include the following information:

The information set forth in Item 2 above is hereby incorporated by reference in response to this Item 6.

 

ITEM 7.

MATERIALS TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

Item 7 of this Schedule 13D is hereby amended to include the following information:

 

Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit
8		Lock-Up Letter, dated as of November 2, 2011, by and among Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P. and Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P. (filed herewith).
9		Termination Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2011, by and among JCF FPK I LP, Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P. and Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P. (filed herewith).

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CUSIP No. 292554102		SCHEDULE 13D/A		PAGE 11 OF 13 PAGES

 

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: November 8, 2011

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit
1		Joint Filing Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2007, by and among the Reporting Persons (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons with the SEC on April 16, 2007).
2		Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2007, by and among Second Curve Opportunity Fund, LP, Second Curve Opportunity Fund International, Ltd. and Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons with the SEC on April 16, 2007).
3		Letter, dated April 20, 2007, from JCF FPK I LP to, and as accepted and agreed by, Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons with the SEC on April 23, 2007).
4		Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2007, by and among JCF FPK I LP, Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P. and Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons with the SEC on October 19, 2007).
5		Underwriting Agreement, dated March 1, 2011, by and among JMP Securities LLC, Encore Capital Group, Inc., Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P., Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P. and JCF FPK I LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Encore with the SEC on March 1, 2011).
6		Letter, dated February 22, 2011, by Willem Mesdag in favor of JMP Securities LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6 to Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons with the SEC on March 8, 2011).
7		Letter, dated February 22, 2011, by J. Christopher Teets in favor of JMP Securities LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 7 to Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons with the SEC on March 8, 2011).
8		Lock-Up Letter, dated as of November 2, 2011, by and among Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P. and Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P. (filed herewith).
9		Termination Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2011, by and among JCF FPK I LP, Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P. and Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P. (filed herewith).

EXHIBIT 8

LOCK-UP LETTER

November 2, 2011

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

1585 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned understands that Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) proposes to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Encore Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and JCF FPK I LP (the “Selling Shareholder”), providing for the public offering (the “Public Offering”) by Morgan Stanley (the “Underwriter”), of 3,610,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”).

To induce the Underwriter that may participate in the Public Offering to continue its efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 90 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), by the undersigned or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a) transactions relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the Public Offering, provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of Common Stock or other securities acquired in such open market transactions, (b) transfers by the undersigned of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into Common Stock as a bona fide gift, or (c) distributions by the undersigned of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into Common Stock to limited partners or stockholders of the undersigned, (d) transfers of Common Stock by the undersigned (1) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets, in any such case not undertaken for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this agreement or (2) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity so long as the transferee is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the undersigned and such transfer is not for value; provided that in

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the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (b), (c) or (d), (i) each donee, distribute or transferee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter and (ii) no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the restricted period referred to in the foregoing sentence, or (e) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Common Stock, provided that such trading plan does not provide for the transfer of Common Stock during the restricted period referenced above and no public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act regarding the establishment of such plan shall be required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the undersigned or the Company. In addition, the undersigned agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriter are relying upon this agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company and the Underwriter. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if (a) the Company notifies you in writing that it does not intend to proceed with the Public Offering, (b) the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective by November 30, 2011, (c) the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Shares to be sold thereunder, or (d) the Public Offering has not been completed by the 90^th day following the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this agreement.

[Signature page follows]

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EXHIBIT 9

TERMINATION AGREEMENT

This Termination Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2011 (this “Agreement”), is entered into among JCF FPK I LP, an Alberta limited partnership (“JCF FPK”), Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“RMCP II”), and Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“RMCP III” and, together with RMCP II and JCF FPK, the “Shareholders”), in relation to their respective investments in the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Encore Capital Group, Inc. (the “Company”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Shareholders have entered into that certain Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2007, concerning certain matters in relation to their respective investments in Common Stock (the “Prior Agreement”);

WHEREAS, JCF FPK has agreed to sell up to 3,971,315 shares of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”), such amount representing its entire investment in the Company; and

WHEREAS, the Shareholders mutually wish to terminate the Prior Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Termination. The Prior Agreement is hereby terminated in its entirety and of no further force or effect, and each of the Shareholders will have no further rights or obligations thereunder.

2. Permitted Transfer. Red Mountain hereby consents to all transfers by JCF FPK of Common Stock pursuant to that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2011, among JCF FPK, the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC relating to the Offering, and acknowledges and agrees that such transfers are “Permitted Transfers” (as defined in the Prior Agreement) under the Prior Agreement.

3. Cooperation. For the avoidance of doubt, the Shareholders will reasonably cooperate with each other to the extent necessary in relation to amending their respective filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Schedule 13D to reflect the signing of this Agreement and the Offering.

4. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the whole agreement among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, both oral and written, among all of the parties hereto and thereto relating to the subject matter hereof.

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5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

[Signature pages follow.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Agreement or caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

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