EMPLOYEE HARDSHIP LOAN POLICY

In the event of an unusual financial hardship, and when all other options have been exhausted, regular full-time employees (who have completed at least six (6) months of employment), may request an interest-free loan up to a maximum of $1,000.00. The loan will be paid back through payroll deductions at the greater amount of $50 or 10% of the loan total per pay period.

1. A financial hardship is defined as an unplanned expense such as, but not limited to:

• A medical emergency not covered by medical insurance
• An unanticipated family emergency
• Domestic emergency
• Personal emergency transportation repairs

2. Employees must have a clean work and absenteeism record; i.e., no written advisories, warnings or suspension in their personnel file which have been written within the past 6 months.

3. Employees may not request a loan while they are on any type of leave of absence.

4. Employees may request only one loan per rolling 12 month period, and will be limited to one loan per household.

PROCEDURE

1. An employee applying for a company loan will complete the Promissory Note (attached) and provide supporting documentation for the hardship. This could include things such as medical bills, car repair estimates, eviction notices or invoices, etc.
2. Manager will verify the employee meets the eligibility requirements as defined within this document and will authorize the application with their signature.
3. Second-level approval is required for all employee loans.
4. Only loans for personal and financial emergencies will be approved. Loans for material purchases and extravagances will not be approved.
5. In the event a loan is not paid in full prior to the employee leaving the company, the balance of the loan will be collected with the final paycheck.

LOAN APPROVAL AND FUNDING

1. Once approved, the Promissory Note will be forwarded to the HR department.
2. HR will submit a request to the Accounts Payable department for completion. Note: Payments are processed on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, if requests are received before end of business on Monday and Wednesday.

This employee loan program is designed to help those employees who have exhibited good work practices and are having financial emergencies. Any inquiries regarding the employee hardship loan process, including the approval/disapproval process and results, may not be discussed with other Advantus employees, except the immediate supervisor and Human Resources. This program will not be abused and may be terminated at any time. Individual abuse, including misrepresentation or discussion of the hardship loan program, will result in banishment from future hardship loan applications and may induce disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

PROMISSORY NOTE

For said value received, ___________________________________,

promises to pay to order of ADVANTUS CORP, the sum of

________________________________________________________dollars

($_________.____) to be paid as an advance against wages earned.

______________________________________ dollars ($________.____)

will be deducted each pay period until balance is paid in full.

Principal and interest is due on demand. These funds can only be used for the intended purpose of . Advantus Corporation reserves the right to verify the expense by requesting receipts and other documentation.

______________________________ ______________________

Employee Signature Date

______________________________ ______________________

Manager Approval Date

______________________________ ______________________

2^nd Level Manager Approval Date