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): September 6, 2016

________________

Meta Financial Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_______________

Delaware	0-22140	42-1406262
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

5501 South Broadband Lane, Sioux Falls, SD 57108

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (605) 782-1767

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

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

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

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

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

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

Effective September 9, 2016, Meta Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) will appoint Cynthia M. “Cindy” Smith as Executive Vice President (“EVP”) and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Ms. Smith, 57, currently serves as EVP and Head of Technology and Operations at the Company and will continue to be responsible for operations, product development, and technology and information management.

There are no arrangements among Ms. Smith and any other persons pursuant to which she was appointed to the offices described above, and she does not have any relationships or related party transactions with the Company required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Effective September 9, 2016, Ira D. Frericks, who currently serves as EVP and Chief Operating Officer, and reports to Ms. Smith, will resign to pursue other opportunities. In connection with Mr. Frerick’s resignation, the Company and MetaBank expect to enter into a separation agreement with Mr. Frericks.

For additional information regarding the appointment of Ms. Smith and the resignation by Mr. Frericks, please see the Company’s press release, dated September 6, 2016, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01           Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press release dated September 6, 2016.

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SIGNATURES

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

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
By:	/s/ Glen W. Herrick
	Glen W. Herrick
	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
	Officer and Secretary

Dated: September 6, 2016

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EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

For Immediate Release

Meta Financial Group, Inc.^® Announces Cindy Smith to be Appointed to Additional Position of Chief Operating Officer

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (9/6/16) – Meta Financial Group, Inc.^® (NASDAQ: CASH – NEWS) and MetaBank (“Meta”) announced today that Cynthia M. “Cindy” Smith will be appointed Executive Vice President (“EVP”) and Chief Operating Officer effective September 9th. Ms. Smith who is currently EVP and Head of Technology and Operations at Meta will continue to be responsible for operations, product development, and technology and information management across Meta in this new role. "Cindy has been instrumental in Meta’s recent growth and we are fortunate to have her on our leadership team," said J. Tyler Haahr, Chairman and CEO.

Prior to joining Meta in 2015, Smith held several executive positions, most recently at Zions Bancorporation where she was EVP, Director of Client Contact Services and Channel Management. She also held the position of EVP, Director of BankCard Product and Services at Zions Bancorporation. Smith was also named in 2008 by American Banker as one of the "Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking". Smith started her payments career while at US Bank, pioneering Purchasing Cards in the corporate market.

Ira Frericks, who currently serves as EVP and Chief Operating Officer, and reported to Smith, has agreed to resign his employment effective September 9th to pursue other opportunities. Frericks joined Meta in 2008 as Chief Accounting Officer and over his long career has served in important roles in accounting, finance and operations for a number of financial institutions. “Ira served Meta with distinction for more than eight years, helping the company navigate through a period of tremendous growth and change and we thank him for his service”said J. Tyler Haahr, Chairman and CEO.

About Meta Financial Group

Meta Financial Group, Inc. (MFG)is the holding company for MetaBank^®, a federally chartered savings bank. MFG shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market^® under the symbol CASH. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD, MetaBank operates in both the Banking and Payments industries through: MetaBank, its traditional retail banking operation; Meta Payment Systems, its electronic payments division; AFS/IBEX, its insurance premium financing division; and Refund Advantage, its tax refund-transfer software division.

Media Contact:

Katie LeBrun

Corporate Communications Director

605.362.5140

klebrun@metabank.com