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The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to the shares has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell the shares and it is not soliciting an offer to buy the shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration Statement No. 333-258178

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 17, 2021

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated August 12, 2021)

Performant Financial Corporation

Common Stock

We are offering shares of common stock. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “PFMT.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on August 16, 2021 was $4.46 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Per Share

Total

Public offering price

Underwriting discount(1)

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

(1)

See “Underwriting” on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding underwriter compensation.

We have granted the underwriters the right to purchase, exercisable within a 30-day period, up to additional shares of our common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discount.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock against payment to investors on or about , 2021

Craig-HallumColliers Securities LLC

The date of this prospectus supplement is August , 2021

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. If there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference, on the other hand, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control.

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the date of the accompanying prospectus, and the information in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or of any sale of shares of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. It is important for you to read and consider all information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, before investing in shares of our common stock.

References in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” or “Performant” or other similar terms mean Performant Financial Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with this offering include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or others. Performant Financial Corporation, Performant, and our logo referenced in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are our trademarks or service marks or registered trademarks or service marks. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

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INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, that are incorporated herein by reference include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this prospectus supplement, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, strategy and plans, and our expectations for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “design,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors.” In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus supplement may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

•

the impact of COVID-19 on our business and operations, opportunities and expectations for the markets in which we operate;

•

anticipated trends and challenges in our business and competition in the markets in which we operate; our client relationships and our ability to maintain such client relationships;

•

our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to fund our ongoing operations and other liquidity needs;

•

our ability to maintain compliance with the covenants in our debt agreements;

•

our ability to generate revenue following long implementation periods associated with new customer contracts;

•

the adaptability of our technology platform to new markets and processes; our ability to invest in and utilize our data and analytics capabilities to expand our capabilities;

•

our growth strategy of expanding in our existing markets and considering strategic alliances or acquisitions;

•

maintaining, protecting and enhancing our intellectual property;

•

our expectations regarding future expenses;

•

expected future financial performance; and

•

our ability to comply with and adapt to industry regulations and compliance demands.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. In addition, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus also contain statistical data and estimates, including those relating to market size and growth rates of the markets in which we participate, that we obtained from government and industry publications. These publications typically indicate that they have obtained their information from sources they believe to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of their information. Although we have assessed the information in the publications and found it to be reasonable and believe the publications are reliable, we have not independently verified their data.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This prospectus supplement summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

Company Overview

We are a leading provider of technology-enabled audit, recovery, and analytics services in the United States with a focus in the healthcare payment integrity services industry. We work with healthcare payers through claims auditing and eligibility-based (also known as coordination-of-benefits) services to identify improper payments. We engage clients in both government and commercial markets. We also have a call center which serves clients with complex consumer engagement needs. Our clients typically operate in complex and highly regulated environments and contract for their payment integrity needs in order to reduce losses on improper healthcare payments.

Our revenue model is generally success-based as we earn fees based on a percentage of the aggregate correct audits and/or amount of funds that we enable our clients to recover. Our services do not require any significant upfront investments by our clients and offer our clients the opportunity to recover significant funds otherwise lost. Because our model is based upon the success of our efforts, our business objectives are aligned with those of our clients and we are generally not reliant on their spending budgets.

COVID-19 Pandemic Update

We continue to face uncertainty around the breadth and duration of business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its impact on the U.S. economy, the ongoing business operations of our clients, and the results of our operations and financial condition. While our management team continues to actively monitor the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the impact of recent coronavirus variants, such as the highly-contagious Delta variant, and may take further actions to our business operations that we determine are in the best interests of our employees and clients, or as required by federal, state, or local authorities, the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity for fiscal year 2021 and beyond cannot be estimated at this point.

Company Information

We began operations in 1976 under the corporate name Diversified Collection Services, Inc. We were incorporated in Delaware on October 8, 2003 under the name DCS Holdings, Inc. and subsequently changed our name to Performant Financial Corporation in 2005.

Our principal executive offices are located at 333 North Canyons Pkwy, Suite 100, Livermore, CA 94551, our telephone number is (925) 960-4800 and our web site is www.performantcorp.com. The information contained in our web site is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

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THE OFFERING

Issuer

Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Shares of Common Stock Offered

Shares of Common Stock to be Outstanding After This Offering

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the proceeds from this offering will be approximately $ million (or $ million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering of common stock for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of outstanding indebtedness. See “Use of Proceeds.”

NASDAQ Global Select Market Symbol

PFMT

The number of shares of common stock that will be outstanding after this offering as reflected in the table above is based on the number of shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021, and excludes:

•

1,711,336 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of June 30, 2021, at a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $10.37 per share;

•

2,550,597 shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units and performance stock units outstanding as of June 30, 2021;

•

6,310,100 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2021, at a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $1.55 per share; and

•

5,708,125 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan as of June 30, 2021.

Unless expressly indicated or the context otherwise requires, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their right to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, and no exercise of options or warrants or vesting of stock units outstanding as of June 30, 2021.

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before purchasing shares of our common stock you should carefully consider the following risks regarding our common stock and this offering, as well as other information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the risks described in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q with the SEC and in any other documents incorporated into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference. The risk factors set forth herein and therein may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. Each of the risks described in these sections and documents could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could result in a complete loss of your investment.

Risks Related to This Offering

If you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of your investment.

The price of our common stock to be sold in this offering is substantially higher than the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock. Therefore, if you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering. Based on the public offering price of $ per share, you will experience immediate dilution of $ per share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering and the public offering price. To the extent outstanding options are exercised or restricted stock unit awards vest, you may incur further dilution. For additional information on the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see the section titled “Dilution.”

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings or other issuances of our shares of common stock.

In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to those of existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors in this offering.

We may invest or spend the proceeds of this offering in ways with which you may not agree or in ways that may not yield a significant return to our stockholders.

Although we currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering in the manner described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement, we will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering, and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of these net proceeds. We may use the net proceeds for purposes that do not yield a significant return or any return at all for our stockholders. In addition, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering in ways that enhance stockholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.

The price of our common stock could be volatile, and you may not be able to sell your shares at or above the public offering price.

Since our initial public offering in August 2012, the price of our common stock, as reported by NASDAQ Global Select Market, has ranged from a low sales price of $0.54 on June 1, 2020 to a high sales price of $14.09 on March 4, 2013. The trading price of our common stock may be significantly affected by various factors, including: quarterly fluctuations in our operating results; the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in those projections or our failure to meet those projections; changes in

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investors’ and analysts’ perception of the business risks and conditions of our business; our ability to meet the earnings estimates and other performance expectations of financial analysts or investors; unfavorable commentary or downgrades of our stock by equity research analysts; changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of debt or equity securities; our success or failure to obtain new contract awards; lawsuits threatened or filed against us; strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings; new legislation or regulatory actions; changes in our relationship with any of our significant clients; fluctuations in the stock prices of our peer companies or in stock markets in general; and general economic conditions.

If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they publish negative evaluations of our stock, the price of our stock could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will rely, in part, on the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us or our business. There can be no assurance that existing analysts will continue to cover us or that new analysts will begin to cover us. There is also no assurance that any covering analyst will provide favorable coverage. A lack of research coverage or adverse coverage may negatively impact the market price of our common stock. In addition, if one or more of the analysts covering our business downgrade their evaluations of our stock or the stock of other companies in our industry, the price of our stock could decline. If one or more of our analysts cease to cover our stock, we could lose additional visibility in the market for our stock, which in turn could cause our stock price to decline further.

We have never paid dividends on our capital stock and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have never paid dividends on any of our capital stock and currently intend to retain any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. As a result, stockholders must look solely to appreciation of our common stock to realize a gain on their investment. This appreciation may not occur. Investors seeking cash dividends should not invest in our common stock. Furthermore, we may in the future become subject to contractual restrictions on, or prohibitions against, the payment of dividends.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2021:

•

on an actual basis; and

•

on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the sale and issuance of shares our common stock pursuant to this offering after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

You should read this information together with our financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. For more details on how you can obtain our SEC reports and other information, you should read the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

	As of June 30, 2021
	Actual			As Adjusted
	(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	9,949		$
Debt:
Short term (gross before unamortized issuance costs of $1,002)		$	9,151		$
Long term (gross before unamortized issuance costs of $4,819)			44,062
Total Debt (principal amount)		$	53,213		$
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value. 500,000 shares authorized, 56,401 shares issued and outstanding.			6
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding.			—			—
Additional paid-in capital			89,784
Accumulated deficit			(46,919)
Total stockholders’ equity			42,871
Total capitalization (deficit)		$	(393)		$

The foregoing table and calculations are based on 56,401,000 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and excludes:

•

1,711,336 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of June 30, 2021, at a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $10.37 per share;

•

2,550,597 shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units and performance stock units outstanding as of June 30, 2021;

•

6,310,100 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2021, at a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $1.55 per share; and

•

5,708,125 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan as of June 30, 2021.

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DILUTION

If you purchase our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible assets (tangible assets less total liabilities) by the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

Our net tangible book value deficiency at June 30, 2021 was $14,118,000, or $0.25 per share, based on 56,401,000 shares of our common stock outstanding as of that date.

After giving effect to this offering, and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2021, would have been $ , or $ per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of $ per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $ per share to investors in this offering, as illustrated by the following table:

Public offering price per share			$
Net tangible book value (deficiency) per share as of June 30, 2021	$	(0.25)
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to investors participating in this offering	$
As adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering			$
Dilution per share to investors in this offering			$

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares from us, the as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering would be $ per share, the increase in net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be $ per share and the dilution to new investors purchasing shares in this offering would be $ per share.

The number of shares of common stock outstanding after this offering as reflected in the table above is based on the actual number of shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021, which was 56,401,000 and does not include, as of that date:

•

1,711,336 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of June 30, 2021, at a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $10.37 per share;

•

2,550,597 shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units and performance stock units outstanding as of June 30, 2021;

•

6,310,100 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2021, at a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $1.55 per share; and

•

5,708,125 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan as of June 30, 2021.

To the extent that options or warrants as of June 30, 2021 have been or are exercised, or other shares are issued, investors purchasing shares in this offering could experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

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CERTAIN MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS

The following discussion summarizes certain material United States federal income consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock by certain non-United States holders (as defined below). This discussion only applies to non-United States holders who purchase our common stock in this offering and hold our common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally property held for investment). This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-United States holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances.

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-United States holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock that for United States federal income tax purposes is not a partnership or a disregarded entity and is not any of the following:

•

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

•

a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

•

an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

•

a trust (1) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and that has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

This discussion is based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. These authorities may change, perhaps retroactively, which could result in United States federal income and estate tax consequences different from those summarized below. This discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income and estate taxes that may be relevant to non-United States holders in light of their particular circumstances. In addition, this discussion does not describe the United States federal income and estate tax consequences applicable to a non-United States holder who is subject to special treatment under United States federal tax laws (including, without limitation, certain former citizens and former long-term residents, a “controlled foreign corporation,” a “passive foreign investment company,” a corporation that accumulates earnings to avoid United States federal income tax, a partnership or other “pass through” entity or an investor in any such entity, a tax-exempt organization, a bank or other financial institution, a broker, dealer or trader in securities, commodities or currencies, a person holding our common stock as part of a hedging, conversion, straddle, constructive sale or other risk reduction transaction or an insurance company). Further, we do not address the United States federal generation-skipping and gift, Medicare contribution tax consequences or alternative minimum tax consequences, or any state, local, foreign or other nonfederal tax consequences, of the purchase, ownership or disposition of our common stock. We cannot assure you that a change in law will not significantly alter the tax considerations that we describe in this discussion.

The tax treatment of a partnership and each partner thereof will generally depend upon the status and activities of the partnership and such partner. A holder that is treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes or a partner in such partnership should consult its own tax advisor regarding the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to it and its partners of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS UNITED STATES FEDERAL ESTATE, GENERATION-SKIPPING AND GIFT TAX LAWS, AND ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

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Distributions on Common Stock

In general, if distributions are made with respect to our common stock, such distributions will be treated as dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, and will be subject to withholding as discussed below. Any portion of a distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be applied to reduce the non-United States holder’s basis in the common stock, but not below zero, and, to the extent such portion exceeds the non-United States holder’s basis, the excess will be treated as gain from the disposition of the common stock, the tax treatment of which is discussed below under “Dispositions of Common Stock.”

Dividends paid to a non-United States holder generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the non-United States holder within the United States (and, where an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-United States holder in the United States) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular income tax rates generally applicable to United States persons as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

A non-United States holder who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty for dividends will be required to provide us with a valid Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) and certify under penalties of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits. If our Common stock is held through a foreign partnership or foreign intermediary, the foreign partnership or foreign intermediary will also be required to comply with additional certification requirements under applicable Treasury regulations.

A non-United States holder eligible for a reduced rate of United States withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.

Dispositions of Common Stock

Subject to the discussions below regarding backup withholding and FATCA withholding, any gain realized by a non-United States holder on the disposition of our common stock generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax unless:

•

the gain is effectively connected with the non-United States holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-United States holder in the United States);

•

the non-United States holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the calendar year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

•

we are or have been a United States real property holding corporation, as such term is defined in section 897(c) of the Code, during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or your holding period of our common stock.

Gain described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates. A non-United States holder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30%, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items. An individual non-United States holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be required to pay (subject to applicable income tax treaties) a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by United States source capital losses, even though the

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individual is not considered a resident of the United States. If our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, within the meaning of section 897(c)(3) of the Code, the rules described in the third bullet point above will apply to you only if you actually or constructively hold more than five percent of such regularly traded common stock at any time during the applicable period that is specified in the Code (the “regularly traded stock exception”). We believe we are not and do not expect to become a United States real property holding corporation. If, however, it turns out that we are or become a United States Real Property holding corporation, a non-United States holder for whom the regularly traded stock exception is not applicable or who is not otherwise exempt will be required to pay United States federal income tax under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates with respect to the gain recognized.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each non-United States holder the amount of distributions paid to such non-United States holder on our common stock (whether or not the distribution represents a taxable dividend income or is subject to United States federal withholding tax) and the tax withheld with respect to such distributions, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such distributions and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-United States holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or tax information exchange agreement.

Payments of dividends in respect of, or proceeds on the disposition within the United States (or conducted through certain U.S. related intermediaries) of, our common stock made to a non-United States holder will be subject to additional information reporting and backup withholding unless such non-United States holder establishes an exemption, for example by properly certifying that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code on an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E or another appropriate version of Form W-8 (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such non-United States holder is a United States person as defined under the Code).

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will reduce the non-United States holder’s United States federal income tax liability. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may generally be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Foreign Accounts

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (commonly referred to as FATCA) impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments to a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined by applicable rules) unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners). FATCA also generally imposes a federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with either a certification that it does not have any substantial direct or indirect U.S. owners or provides information regarding substantial direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify those requirements. The withholding tax described above will not apply if the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from the rules.

FATCA withholding currently applies to payments of dividends, if any, on our common stock and, subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations described in this paragraph, generally also would apply to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock. The U.S. Treasury Department released proposed regulations which, if finalized in their present form, would eliminate the federal withholding tax of 30% applicable to the gross proceeds of a disposition of our common stock. In its preamble to such proposed regulations, the U.S. Treasury Department stated that taxpayers may generally rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued. Non-U.S. holders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our common stock.

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UNDERWRITING

We are offering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus through the underwriters listed below. Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC is acting as the lead bookrunner of this offering. The underwriters named below have agreed to buy, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement, the number of shares of common stock listed opposite its name below. The underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for all of the shares if any are purchased, other than those shares covered by the over-allotment option described below.

Underwriter			Number of Shares
Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC
Colliers Securities LLC
Total

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of common stock to the public at a price of $ per share. The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock to certain dealers at the same price less a concession of not more than $ per share. After the offering, these figures may be changed by the underwriters.

The shares sold in this offering are expected to be ready for delivery on or about , 2021, against payment in immediately available funds. The underwriters may reject all or part of any order.

We have granted to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock from us at the same price to the public, and with the same underwriting discount, as set forth in the table below. The underwriters may exercise this option any time during the -day period after the date of this prospectus supplement, but only to cover over-allotments, if any. To the extent the underwriters exercises the option, the underwriters will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase the shares for which they exercise the option.

The table below summarizes the underwriting discounts that we will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the over-allotment option. In addition to the underwriting discount, we have agreed to pay up to $125,000 of the fees and expenses of the underwriters, which may include the fees and expenses of counsel to the underwriters. The fees and expenses of the underwriters that we have agreed to reimburse are not included in the underwriting discounts set forth in the table below. The underwriting discount and reimbursable expenses the underwriters will receive were determined through arms’ length negotiations between us and the underwriters.

Per Share

Total with no
Over-Allotment

Total with
Over-Allotment

Underwriting discount to be paid by us

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, excluding underwriting discounts, will be $ . This includes $ of the fees and expenses of the underwriters. These expenses are payable by us.

We also have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We, each of our directors and officers and certain of our stockholders have agreed not to offer, sell, agree to sell, directly or indirectly, or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock without the prior written consent of Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. These lock-up agreements provide limited exceptions and their restrictions may be waived at any time by the underwriters.

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Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

To facilitate this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock during and after the offering. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot or otherwise create a short position in our common stock for its own account by selling more shares of common stock than we have sold to the underwriters. The underwriters may close out any short position by either exercising its option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market.

In addition, the underwriters may stabilize or maintain the price of our common stock by bidding for or purchasing shares in the open market and may impose penalty bids. If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to broker-dealers participating in this offering are reclaimed if shares previously distributed in this offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of our common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid may also affect the price of our common stock to the extent that it discourages resales of our common stock. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters and selling group members may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Passive market making consists of displaying bids on the Nasdaq Global Select Market limited by the prices of independent market makers and effecting purchases limited by those prices in response to order flow. Rule 103 of Regulation M promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission limits the amount of net purchases that each passive market maker may make and the displayed size of each bid. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of our common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that any transaction, if commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Affiliations

The underwriters and their affiliates is a full service financial institution engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters may in the future engage in investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. The underwriters may in the future receive customary fees and commissions for these transactions.

In the ordinary course of its various business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of its customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the issuer. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution

In connection with this offering, the underwriters or certain of the securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail. In addition, the underwriters may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of its Internet subscription customers. The underwriters may allocate a limited number of shares for sale to its online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus is available on the Internet websites maintained by any such underwriters. Other than the prospectus in electronic format,

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the information on the websites of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “PFMT.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

Selling Restrictions

Canada. The securities may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

European Economic Area. In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) an offer to the public of any shares of our common stock may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any shares of our common stock may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

•

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

•

to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

•

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of shares of our common stock shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any shares of our common stock in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares of our common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any shares of our common stock, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State, and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

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United Kingdom. The underwriters have represented and agreed that:

•

they have only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received in connection with the issue or sale of the shares of our common stock in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

•

they have complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done in relation to the shares of our common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Switzerland. The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (the “SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, or the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). Accordingly, no public distribution, offering or advertising, as defined in CISA, its implementing ordinances and notices, and no distribution to any non-qualified investor, as defined in CISA, its implementing ordinances and notices, shall be undertaken in or from Switzerland, and the investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.

Australia. No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering.

This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes and incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits. We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies, such as ours, that file documents electronically with the SEC. The address of that site on the world wide web is http://www.sec.gov. The information on the SEC’s web site is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and any references to this web site or any other web site are inactive textual references only.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date those documents are filed. We have filed with the SEC, and incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus:

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on March 22, 2021;

•

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on May 17, 2021 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021 filed with the SEC on August 12, 2021;

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2021, March 29, 2021, May 28, 2021, and June 14, 2021; and

•

the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 8, 2012, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference each of the documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our Current Reports on Form 8-K after the date of this prospectus supplement unless, and except to the extent, specified in such Current Reports.

We will provide you with a copy of any of these filings (other than an exhibit to these filings, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into the filing requested) at no cost, if you submit a request to us by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Performant Financial Corporation
Attn: Investor Relations
333 North Canyons Parkway
Livermore, CA 94551
(925) 960-4800

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PROSPECTUS

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Rights

We may, from time to time, offer and sell the securities identified above in one or more offerings. The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold under this prospectus will not exceed $100,000,000.

This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the manner in which these securities will be offered and may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read carefully this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement before you invest.

We may offer and sell these securities separately or together in any combination for sale directly to investors or through underwriters, dealers or agents. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of these securities, we will set forth their names and describe their compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “PFMT.” On August 11, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market was $4.88 per share.

Investing in our securities involves risks. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in or incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is August 12, 2021

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	Page
About This Prospectus		2
Risk Factors		2
Performant Financial Corporation		2
Forward-Looking Statements		3
Use of Proceeds		3
Description of Debt Securities		3
Description of Capital Stock		9
Description of Depositary Shares		12
Description of Warrants		13
Description of Rights		14
Forms of Securities		15
Plan of Distribution		17
Legal Matters		18
Experts		18
Where You Can Find More Information		18

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, or incorporated by reference, is accurate only as of the dates of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration, or continuous offering, process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and sell separately or together in any combination the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $100,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the offered securities. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. The registration statement we filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more detail of the matters discussed in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the related exhibits filed with the SEC and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making your investment decision.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “Performant,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Performant Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering will contain or incorporate by reference a discussion of risks applicable to an investment in the securities offered. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” included in or incorporated by reference into the applicable prospectus supplement together with all of the other information contained in the prospectus supplement or appearing in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

We provide technology-enabled audit, recovery, outsource customer services, and related analytics services in the United States. Our services help identify improper payments, and in some markets, restructure and recover delinquent or defaulted assets and improper payments for both government and private clients in a broad range of markets. Our clients typically operate in complex and regulated environments and outsource their audit and recovery needs in order to reduce losses on billions of dollars of improper healthcare payments, delinquent state and federal receivables, defaulted student loans, and other receivables. We also provide complex outsource customer services for clients across our various markets, where we handle many or all aspects of our clients’ recovery processes.

We commenced our operations in 1976 under the corporate name Diversified Collection Services, Inc., or DCS. We were incorporated in Delaware on October 8, 2003 under the name DCS Holdings, Inc. and subsequently changed our name to Performant Financial Corporation.. Our principal executive offices are located at 333 North Canyons Parkway, Livermore, CA, 94551 and our telephone number is (925) 960-4800. Our website address is /www.performantcorp.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this prospectus, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “may,” “could,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or otherwise implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We will discuss many of these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in any prospectus supplement under the heading “Risk Factors.” Additional cautionary statements or discussions of risks and uncertainties that could affect our results or the achievement of the expectations described in forward-looking statements may also be contained in the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. You should, however, review additional disclosures we make in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include additions to working capital, financing of capital expenditures, repayment or redemption of existing indebtedness, repurchases of stock, and future acquisitions and strategic investment opportunities. Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, pending the application of net proceeds, we expect to invest the net proceeds in investment grade, interest-bearing securities.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following is a summary of the general terms of the debt securities. We will file a prospectus supplement that may contain additional terms when we issue debt securities. The terms presented here, together with the terms in a related prospectus supplement, together with any pricing supplement or term sheet, will be a description of the material terms of the debt securities.

We may issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series. These debt securities that we may issue include senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities, subordinated debt securities, convertible debt securities and exchangeable debt securities. The debt securities we offer will be issued under an indenture between us and the trustee named in the indenture. The following is a summary of the material provisions of the form of indenture filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. For each series of debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement for the series may change and supplement the summary below.

As used in this section only, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Performant Financial Corporation excluding our subsidiaries, unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

General Terms of the Indenture

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities for any series of debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us. For each series of debt securities, any restrictive covenants for those debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for those debt securities.

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We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may, for United States federal income tax purposes, be treated as if they were issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, because of interest payment and other characteristics. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities for a description of the following terms of the debt securities offered by that prospectus supplement and by this prospectus:

•

the title of those debt securities;

•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of that series of debt securities;

•

the date or dates on which principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities of that series is payable;

•

the interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) or the method used to determine the rate or rates, and the date or dates from which interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series will accrue, and the dates when interest is payable and related record dates;

•

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions;

•

if the amount of payments of principal or interest is to be determined by reference to an index or formula, or based on a coin or currency other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which these amounts are determined and the calculation agent, if any, with respect thereto;

•

the place or places where and the manner in which principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series will be payable and the place or places where those debt securities may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion or exchange;

•

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and other terms and conditions upon which those debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or the option of a holder of those securities, if we or a holder is to have that option;

•

our obligation or right, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase those debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder of those securities, and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;

•

the terms, if any, on which the debt securities of that series will be subordinate in right and priority of payment to our other debt;

•

the denominations in which those debt securities will be issuable;

•

if other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities when issued, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of maturity as a result of a default on our obligations;

•

whether any securities of that series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the depositary for those global securities;

•

if the principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities of that series is to be payable, or is to be payable at our election or the election of a holder of those securities, in securities or other property, the type and amount of those securities or other property, or the manner of determining that amount, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made;

•

the events of default and covenants relating to the debt securities that are in addition to, modify or delete those described in this prospectus;

•

conversion or exchange provisions, if any, including conversion or exchange prices or rates and adjustments thereto;

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•

whether and upon what terms the debt securities may be defeased, if different from the provisions set forth in the indenture;

•

the nature and terms of any security for any secured debt securities;

•

the terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount from their stated principal amount; and

•

any other specific terms of any debt securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement will present material United States federal income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are to be listed or quoted.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our equity securities or other securities. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:

•

the conversion or exchange price;

•

the conversion or exchange period;

•

provisions regarding our ability or the ability of any holder to convert or exchange the debt securities;

•

events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price; and

•

provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

We cannot consolidate with or merge with or into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets to, any person, unless we are the surviving corporation or the successor person is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture. In addition, we cannot complete such a transaction unless immediately after completing the transaction, no event of default under the indenture, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under the indenture, has occurred and is continuing. When the successor person has assumed our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, we will be discharged from all our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture except in limited circumstances.

This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of control affecting us or a highly leveraged transaction, unless the transaction or change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets.

Events of Default

The indenture provides that the following will be “events of default” with respect to any series of debt securities:

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failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable;

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failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security when due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise and, in the case of technical or administrative difficulties, only if such default persists for a period of more than three business days;

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failure to make sinking fund payments when due and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

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failure to perform other covenants for 60 days after notice that performance was required;

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certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us; or

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any other event of default provided in the applicable officer’s certificate, resolution of our board of directors or the supplemental indenture under which we issue a series of debt securities.

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An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture. For each series of debt securities, any modifications to the above events of default will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for those debt securities.

The indenture provides that if an event of default specified in the first, second, third, fourth or sixth bullets above occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all those debt securities (or, in the case of discount securities or indexed securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the fifth bullet above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all those debt securities (or, in the case of discount securities or indexed securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) will be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder. In certain cases, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of holders of all those debt securities, rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration.

The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us. Except for actions for payment of overdue principal or interest, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:

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the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of default and continuance of such default;

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the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series have requested that the trustee institute the action;

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the requesting holders have offered the trustee indemnity for the reasonable expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the action;

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the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request and offer of indemnity; and

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the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series.

We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by one of our officers, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We can discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as stated below.

We may discharge obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that have either become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable, or are scheduled for redemption, within one year. We may effect a discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or government obligations denominated in the currency of the debt securities, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund payments.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may also discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities at any time, which we refer to as defeasance. We may also be released from the obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt securities and provisions of the indenture, and we may omit to comply with those covenants without creating an event of default under the trust declaration, which we refer to as covenant defeasance. We may effect defeasance and covenant defeasance only if, among other things:

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we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or government obligations denominated in the currency of the debt securities, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay at maturity, or upon

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redemption, the principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of, and any premium and interest on, all outstanding debt securities of the series; and

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we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel from a nationally recognized law firm to the effect that the holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance and that defeasance or covenant defeasance will not otherwise alter the holders’ U.S. federal income tax treatment of principal, and any premium and interest payments on, the series of debt securities.

In the case of a defeasance by us, the opinion we deliver must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service issued, or a change in U.S. federal income tax law occurring, after the date of the indenture, since such a result would not occur under the U.S. federal income tax laws in effect on that date.

Although we may discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as described in the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other things, our duty to register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt securities.

Modification of the Indenture

The indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to, among other things:

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evidence the assumption by a successor entity of our obligations;

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add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of debt securities, or to surrender any rights or power conferred upon us;

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add any additional events of default;

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add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture in a manner that will become effective only when there is no outstanding debt security which is entitled to the benefit of the provision as to which the modification would apply;

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add guarantees with respect to or secure any debt securities;

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establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series;

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evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee and add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as is necessary for the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee;

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cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency or defect in the indenture;

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modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or under any similar federal statute later enacted, and to add to the indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required by the Trust Indenture Act; and

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make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture that will not be inconsistent with any provision of the indenture as long as the new provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any outstanding debt securities of any series created prior to the modification.

The indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of each series of debt securities affected by such supplemental indenture then outstanding, add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or any supplemental indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

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extend the final maturity of any debt security;

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reduce the principal amount or premium, if any;

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reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest;

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reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security issued with an original issue discount that is payable upon acceleration;

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change the currency in which the principal, and any premium or interest, is payable;

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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due;

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if applicable, adversely affect the right of a holder to convert or exchange a debt security; or

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reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of any series whose consent is required for any modification of the indenture or for waivers of compliance with or defaults under the indenture with respect to debt securities of that series.

The indenture provides that the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series, by notice to the relevant trustee, may on behalf of the holders of the debt securities of that series waive any default and its consequences under the indenture except:

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a default in the payment of, any premium and any interest on, or principal of, any such debt security held by a nonconsenting holder; or

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a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of each series affected.

Concerning the Trustee

The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each for one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under that indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only on the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed from one or more series of debt securities. All payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee for that series at an office designated by the trustee in New York, New York.

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee will exercise those rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

If the trustee becomes a creditor of ours, the indenture places limitations on the right of the trustee to obtain payment of claims or to realize on property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties concerning the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.

No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors

The indenture provides that no past, present or future director, officer, stockholder or employee of ours, any of our affiliates, or any successor corporation, in their capacity as such, shall have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or the indenture.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. This description is only a summary. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws have been filed as exhibits to our periodic reports filed with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws for additional information before you buy any of our common stock, preferred stock or other securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Common Stock

We are authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of common stock. As of July 23, 2021, there were 56,401,154 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. We have not provided for cumulative voting for the election of directors in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This means that the holders of a majority of the shares voted can elect all of the directors then standing for election. Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine from time to time. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of all liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

We are authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of July 23, 2021, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. We may issue preferred stock, in series, with such designations, powers, preferences and other rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as our board of directors may authorize, without further action by our stockholders, including:

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the distinctive designation of each series and the number of shares that will constitute the series;

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the voting rights, if any, of shares of the series and the terms and conditions of the voting rights;

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the dividend rate on the shares of the series, the dates on which dividends are payable, any restriction, limitation or condition upon the payment of dividends, whether dividends will be cumulative, and the dates from and after which dividends shall accumulate;

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the prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be redeemed, if the shares are redeemable;

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the terms and conditions of a sinking or purchase fund for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series, if such a fund is provided;

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any preferential amount payable upon shares of the series in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or upon the distribution of any of our assets; and

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the prices or rates of conversion or exchange at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be converted or exchanged into other securities, if the shares are convertible or exchangeable.

The particular terms of any series of preferred stock, and the transfer agent and registrar for that series, will be described in a prospectus supplement. Any material United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations with respect to any preferred stock offered under this prospectus will also be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of our common stock or adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company, which could depress the market price of our common stock.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Our Amended and Restated Bylaws

Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us. These provisions, which are summarized below, could discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals, including proposals that are priced above the then-current market value of our common stock, because, among other reasons, the negotiation of such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

These provisions include:

Classified Board

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors shall be divided into three classes of directors, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors is elected each year. We believe that the classification of our board of directors facilitates the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies. However, our classified board could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors.

Number of Directors; Removal of Directors and Filling of Vacancies

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors has the authority to determine the number of directors within a range of between five and 15 directors. It also provides that (i) vacancies in our board of directors, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall be filled solely by a majority vote of the directors then in office, and (ii) directors or the entire board may be removed only for cause.

Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and cannot be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws also provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders can only be called pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors or at the request of holders of 50% or more of our outstanding shares. Except as described above, stockholders are not permitted to call a special meeting or to require the board of directors to call a special meeting.

Advance Notice Procedures

Our amended and restated bylaws require an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the board of directors. Stockholders at an annual meeting are only able to consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given our Secretary timely written notice, in proper form, of the stockholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting. Although our amended and restated bylaws do not give the board of directors the power to approve or disapprove stockholder nominations

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of candidates or proposals regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting, our amended and restated bylaws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company.

Super Majority Approval Requirements

The Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, generally provides that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless either a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws require a greater percentage. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total votes eligible to be cast in the election of directors will be required to amend, alter, change or repeal our amended and restated bylaws or specified provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This requirement of a super majority vote to approve amendments to our amended and restated bylaws and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation could enable a minority of our stockholders to exercise veto power over any such amendments.

Authorized but Unissued Shares

Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. In addition, preferred stock could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of a majority of our common stock by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders

We have elected in our certificate of incorporation not to be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with a person or group owning 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Accordingly, we are not subject to any anti-takeover effects of Section 203. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that have the same effect as Section 203, except that they provide that Parthenon Capital Partners is not deemed to be an “interested stockholder,” regardless of the percentage of our voting stock owned by it and accordingly is not subject to such restrictions.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description of the depositary shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the relevant deposit agreement and the depositary receipts with respect to the depositary shares relating to any particular series of preferred stock. You should read these documents as they, and not this description, will define your rights as a holder of depositary shares. Forms of these documents will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of depositary shares.

General

If we elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent fractional interests of preferred stock. We will deposit the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The bank or trust company must have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. The depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement.

The deposit agreement will contain terms applicable to the holders of depositary shares in addition to the terms stated in the depositary receipts. Each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in the underlying shares of preferred stock. The depositary will issue the depositary receipts to individuals purchasing the fractional interests in shares of the related preferred stock according to the terms of the offering described in a prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received for the preferred stock to the entitled record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares that the holder owns on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent. The depositary will add the undistributed balance to and treat it as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to holders of depositary shares.

If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines, after consultation with us, that it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders. The deposit agreement also will contain provisions relating to how any subscription or similar rights that we may offer to holders of the preferred stock will be available to the holders of the depositary shares.

Conversion, Exchange, Redemption and Liquidation

If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares may be converted or exchanged, each record holder of depositary receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares represented by the depositary receipts.

The terms on which the depositary shares relating to the preferred stock of any series may be redeemed, and any amounts distributable upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Voting

When the depositary receives notice of a meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the particulars of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date may instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will try, if practical,

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to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares according to the instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action requested by the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed.

Amendments

We and the depositary may agree to amend the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares. Any amendment that (a) imposes or increases certain fees, taxes or other charges payable by the holders of the depositary shares as described in the deposit agreement or that (b) otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of holders of depositary shares, will not take effect until 30 days after the depositary has mailed notice of the amendment to the record holders of depositary shares. Any holder of depositary shares that continues to hold its shares at the end of the 30-day period will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment.

Termination

We may direct the depositary to terminate the deposit agreement by mailing a notice of termination to holders of depositary shares at least 30 days prior to termination. In addition, a deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

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the depositary has redeemed all related outstanding depositary shares, or

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we have liquidated, terminated or wound up our business and the depositary has distributed the preferred stock of the relevant series to the holders of the related depositary shares.

Payment of Fees and Expenses

We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the depositary, including the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are stated in the deposit agreement for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

At any time, the depositary may resign by delivering notice to us, and we may remove the depositary. Resignations or removals will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.

Reports

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required by law, the rules of an applicable securities exchange or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement limits our obligations and the depositary’s obligations to performance in good faith of the duties stated in the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding connected with any depositary shares or preferred stock unless the holders of depositary shares requesting us to do so furnish us with satisfactory indemnity. In performing our obligations, we and the depositary may rely upon the written advice of our counsel or accountants, on any information that competent people provide to us and on documents that we believe are genuine.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, or any combination thereof. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from the other offered securities. Each series of warrants may be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into by us with a

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warrant agent. The applicable warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of the warrants, including, as applicable, the following:

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the title of the warrants;

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the aggregate number of the warrants;

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the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

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the designation, terms and number of shares of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

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the designation and terms of the offered securities, if any, with which the warrants are issued and the number of the warrants issued with each offered security;

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the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

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the price at which each share of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which that right shall expire;

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the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

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a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations; and

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any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

We and the applicable warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions for each right. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the rights as described in this prospectus.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions of the issue of rights being offered, the rights agreement relating to the rights and the rights certificates representing the rights, including, as applicable:

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the title of the rights;

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the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;

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the title, aggregate number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

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the exercise price;

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the aggregate number of rights issued;

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the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be separately transferable;

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the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire; and

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any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights.

Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock or preferred stock at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.

Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

FORMS OF SECURITIES

Each debt security, depositary share, warrant and right will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, certificated securities will be issued in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or rights represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

Registered Global Securities

We may issue the registered debt securities, depositary shares, warrants and rights in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.

If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through,

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records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or rights agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:

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will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names;

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will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form; and

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will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or rights agreement.

Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or rights agreement.

We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or rights agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

We will make payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to depositary shares, warrants or rights, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of us, the trustees, the depositaries for depositary shares, the warrant agents, the rights agents or any other agent of ours, agent of the trustees, agent of such depositaries, agent of the warrant agents or agent of the rights agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.” We also expect that any of these payments will be the responsibility of those participants.

If the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs.

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It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus to one or more underwriters or dealers for public offering and sale by them or to investors directly or through agents. The accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering and the method of distribution and will identify any firms acting as underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering, including:

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the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

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the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the sale;

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any underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents;

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any public offering price;

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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

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any securities exchange or market on which the securities offered in the prospectus supplement may be listed.

Only those underwriters identified in such prospectus supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities offered in the prospectus supplement.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at prices determined as the applicable prospectus supplement specifies. The securities may be sold through an at the market offering, a rights offering, forward contracts or similar arrangements. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and also may receive commissions from securities purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any underwriting discounts or other compensation that we pay to underwriters or agents in connection with the securities offering, and any discounts, concessions or commissions that underwriters allow to dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the securities distribution may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts, commissions or concessions they receive and any profit they realize on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward specific civil liabilities, including liabilities

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under the Securities Act. Some of the underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the securities distribution may engage in other transactions with, and perform other services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

Our common stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, but any other securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of any securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Performant Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of Baker Tilly US, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus is part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes and incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies, such as ours, that file documents electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov. The information on the SEC’s website is not part of this prospectus, and any references to this website or any other website are inactive textual references only.

The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus. Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus from the date those documents are filed. We have filed with the SEC, and incorporate by reference in this prospectus:

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020;

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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021;

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2021,March 29, 2021, May 28, 2021, and June 14, 2021; and

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the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 8, 2012, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

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We also incorporate by reference all additional documents that we file with the SEC under the terms of Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are made after the initial filing date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and the effectiveness of the registration statement, as well as between the date of this prospectus and the termination of any offering of securities offered by this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating, in each case, any documents or information that we are deemed to furnish and not file in accordance with SEC rules.

You may request a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference but not delivered with this prospectus, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and number:

Performant Financial Corporation
Attn: Investor Relations
333 North Canyons Parkway,
Suite 100,
Livermore, California 94551
(925) 960-4800

We will not, however, send exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents.