In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
vFinance, Inc.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
LEONARD J. SOKOLOW, DIRECTOR,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT
Date: April 15, 2002
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Signature Capacity Date
--------- -------- ----
/s/ Leonard J. Sokolow Director, Chief Executive Officer and
-------------------------------- President (Principal Executive Officer) April 15, 2002
Leonard J. Sokolow
/s/ Robert F. Williamson, Jr. Chief Financial Officer and (Principal April 15, 2002
-------------------------------- Financial and Accounting Officer)
Robert F. Williamson, Jr.
/s/ Timothy E. Mahoney Director, Chairman of the Board and April 15, 2002
-------------------------------- Chief Operating Officer
Timothy E. Mahoney
Director April 15, 2002
--------------------------------
Wong Sin Just
- 89 -
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
of Exhibit Exhibit Description
---------- -------------------
2.1 Share Exchange Agreement among the Company, vFinance Holdings,
Inc., certain shareholders of vFinance Holdings, Inc. and
Union Atlantic LC, dated November 8, 1999 (incorporated by
reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on November 8, 1999).
2.2 Amendment to Share Exchange Agreement dated November 29, 1999
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 30, 2000).
2.3 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 22, 2000,
by and among the Company, NW Holdings, Inc., and Alvin S.
Mirman, Ilene Mirman, Marc N. Siegel, Richard L. Galterio,
Vincent W. Labarbara, Eric M. Rand, and Mario Marsillo, Jr.
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 17, 2001).
2.4 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 3, 2001, by
and among the Company, Colonial Acquisition Corp., Colonial
Direct Financial Group, Inc., and Michael Golden and Ben
Lichtenberg (incorporated by reference to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 17,
2001).
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation as filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State on February 12, 1992 (incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-18
filed with the SEC on July 24, 1992).
3.2 Certificate of Renewal and Revival of Certificate of
Incorporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on
March 15, 1996 (incorporated by reference to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 30,
2000).
3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 28,
1999 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 30, 2000).
3.4 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation as
filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 13, 2000
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 30, 2000).
3.5 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation as
filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 28,
2001.
3.6 Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock of the Company as filed with the Delaware Secretary of
State on January 3, 2001 (incorporated by reference to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
January 17, 2001).
3.7 Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred
Stock of the Company as filed with the Delaware Secretary of
State on January 3, 2001 (incorporated by reference to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
January 17, 2001).
3.8 Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-18 filed with the
SEC on July 24, 1992).
3.9 Unanimous Written Consent of the Company's Board of Directors
dated January 24, 1994, amending the Bylaws (incorporated by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed
with the SEC on March 30, 2000).
3.10 Unanimous Written Consent of the Company's Board of Directors,
effective as of January 24, 1994, amending the Bylaws
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 30, 2000).
10.1 Purchase Agreement between the Company and Steven Jacobs and
Mauricio Borgonovo, dated December 24, 1999, for the purchase
of Pinnacle Capital Group, LLC (incorporated by reference to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC
on March 30, 2000).
10.2 Asset Purchase Agreement among the Company, Steven Jacobs and
Mauricio Borgonovo dated January 3, 2000 (incorporated by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed
with the SEC on March 30, 2000).
10.3 Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and River Rapids
Ltd., dated September 27, 1999 (incorporated by reference to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC
on March 30, 2000).
10.4 Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and
River Rapids Ltd. dated December 22, 1999 (incorporated by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed
with the SEC on March 30, 2000).
10.5 Common Stock and Warrants Purchase Agreement among the
Company, AMRO International, S.A., CALP II Limited
Partnership, a Bermuda limited partnership, Celeste Trust Reg,
Balmore SA, Sallee Investments LLLP, worldVentures Fund I, LLC
and RBB Bank Aktiengesellschaft, dated March 31, 2000
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 13, 2000).
10.6 Registration Rights Agreement among the Company, AMRO
International, S.A., CALP II Limited Partnership, a Bermuda
limited partnership, Celeste Trust Reg, Balmore SA, Sallee
Investments LLLP, worldVentures Fund I, LLC, RBB Bank
Aktiengesellschaft and Thomas Kernaghan & Co., Ltd., dated
March 31, 2000 (incorporated by reference to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 13,
2000).
10.7 Form of Warrant issued to AMRO International, S.A. (to
purchase 100,000 shares), CALP II Limited Partnership, a
Bermuda limited partnership (to purchase 350,000 shares),
Celeste Trust Reg (to purchase 35,000 shares), Balmore SA (to
purchase 35,000 shares), Sallee Investments LLLP (to purchase
25,000 shares), worldVentures Fund I, LLC (to purchase 25,000
shares), RBB Bank Aktiengesellschaft (to purchase 130,000
shares) and Thomas Kernaghan & Co., Ltd. (to purchase 58,333
shares) (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 13, 2000).
10.8 Escrow Agreement among the Company, AMRO International, S.A.,
CALP II Limited Partnership, a Bermuda limited partnership,
Celeste Trust Reg, Balmore SA, Sallee Investments LLLP,
worldVentures Fund I, LLC, RBB Bank Aktiengesellschaft and
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., dated March 31, 2000
(incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed with the SEC on July
14, 2000).
10.9 Amended and Restated Employment Letter Agreement dated
December 18, 2000, between the Company and David Spector.
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 20, 2001).
10.10 Employment Agreement dated as of January 5, 2001, between the
Company and Leonard J. Sokolow (incorporated by reference to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC
on March 20, 2001).
10.11 Employment Agreement dated as of January 5, 2001, between the
Company and Timothy Mahoney (incorporated by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on
March 20, 2001).
10.12 Options Cancellation Agreement dated January 1, 2001 by
Leonard J. Sokolow (incorporated by reference to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 20,
2001).
10.13 Options Cancellation Agreement dated January 1, 2001 by
Timothy Mahoney (incorporated by reference to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 20,
2001).
10.14 Securities Exchange Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2001,
among Kathleen Wallman, Steven Wallman, Joseph Daniel and
vFinance.com, Inc. (n/k/a vFinance, Inc.) (incorporated by
reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB
filed on August 14, 2001).
10.15 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2001,
among Kathleen Wallman, Joseph Daniel and vFinance.com, Inc.
(n/k/a vFinance, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on August 14,
2001).
10.16 Stock Purchase Warrant, dated August 15, 2001, issued to
Kathleen Wallman to purchase 400,000 shares of common stock of
vFinance, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on August 14, 2001).
10.17 Letter Agreement, dated August 15, 2001, from vFinance.com,
Inc. to Joseph Daniel re employment of Joseph Daniel by
vFinance.com, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on August 14, 2001).
10.18 Note Purchase Agreement by and between vFinance.com, Inc.
d/b/a vFinance, Inc. (n/k/a vFinance, Inc.) and Best Finance
Investments Limited (n/k/a SBI Investments (USA), Inc.) dated
November 28, 2001.
10.19 Letter Agreement dated November 30, 2001 amending Note
Purchase Agreement.
10.20 Letter Agreement dated December 14, 2001 amending Note
Purchase Agreement.
10.21 Letter Agreement dated December 28, 2001 amending Note
Purchase Agreement.
10.22 Letter Agreement dated February 13, 2002 amending Note
Purchase Agreement.
10.23 Letter Agreement dated March 4, 2002 amending Note Purchase
Agreement.
10.24 Credit Facility by and between vFinance, Inc. and UBS
Americas, Inc. dated as of January 25, 2002.
10.25 Subordination Agreement by and among vFinance, Inc., UBS
Americas, Inc., and SBI Investments (USA), Inc. dated as of
January 25, 2002.
10.26 Cancellation Agreement/Conditional Right to Option Grant
dated April 2, 2001 by Leonard J. Sokolow.
10.27 Employment Agreement Amendment dated as of July 2, 2001 by and
between vFinance.com, Inc. and Leonard J. Sokolow.
10.28 Stock Option Agreement dated as of July 6, 2001 by and
between Leonard J. Sokolow and vFinance.com, Inc.
10.29 Employment Agreement Amendment No. 3 dated as of January 7,
2002 by and between vFinance, Inc. and Leonard J. Sokolow.
10.30 Cancellation Agreement/Conditional Right to Option Grant
dated April 2, 2001 by Timothy Mahoney
10.31 Employment Agreement Amendment dated as of July 2, 2001 by and
between vFinance.com, Inc. and Timothy Mahoney.
10.32 Stock Option Agreement dated as of July 6, 2001 by and between
Timothy Mahoney and vFinance.com, Inc.
10.33 Employment Agreement Amendment No. 3 dated as of January 7,
2002 by and between vFinance, Inc. and Timothy Mahoney.
10.34 Consulting Agreement effective as of August 20, 2001 by and
between vFinance.com, Inc. and Insight Capital Consultants
Corporation.
10.35 Letter Agreement dated February 5, 2002 executed by vFinance,
Inc. and Robert F. Williamson, Jr. containing terms and
conditions of Mr. Williamson's employment.
10.36 Amendment to Credit Agreement dated April 12, 2002 by and
between vFinance, Inc. and UBS Americas Inc.
21 List of Subsidiaries.
Exhibit 3.5
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
VFINANCE.COM, INC.
vFinance.com, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a corporation organized and
existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted a
resolution proposing and declaring advisable an Amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation changing the name of the Corporation to
"vFinance, Inc.".
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of vFinance.com, Inc.
be amended by changing Article I thereof, so that, as amended, said
Article I shall be and read as follows:
"The name of the Corporation is "vFinance, Inc."
SECOND: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted a
resolution proposing and declaring advisable an Amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation increasing the authorized number of shares of
Common Stock from 25,000,000 shares to 75,000,000 shares.
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of vFinance.com, Inc.
be amended by deleting Article IV in its entirety and in lieu thereof
inserting a new Article IV to reflect the increased number of
authorized shares of Common Stock of the Corporation that shall
incorporate the following language:
"The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the
Corporation shall have the authority to issue is Seventy Seven Million
Five Hundred Thousand (77,500,000) shares consisting of the following:
(A) COMMON STOCK. The common stock of the Corporation shall consist of
Seventy Five Million (75,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share. The holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to
one vote for each share on all matters required or permitted to be
voted on by stockholders of the Corporation, and
(B) PREFERRED STOCK. There may be authorized up to Two Million Five
Hundred Thousand (2,500,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $.01
per share, which may be created and issued from time to time, with such
designations, preferences, conversion rights, cumulative, relative,
participating, optional or other rights, including voting rights,
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be stated
and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the
creation and issuance of such preferred stock as adopted by the Board
of Directors pursuant to the authority in this paragraph given."
THIRD: That in lieu of a meeting and vote of stockholders, the holders
of outstanding shares of Common Stock having not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at
which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted have given
their written consent to said amendment in accordance with the provisions of
Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
FOURTH: That the aforesaid amendments were duly adopted in accordance
with the applicable provisions of Section 242 and Section 228 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be
signed by Leonard J. Sokolow, its President, this 27th day of November 2001.
VFINANCE.COM, INC.
(Corporate Seal) By: Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Leonard J. Sokolow, Director,
Chief Executive Officer and President
Exhibit 10.18
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
By and Between
Best Finance Investments Limited
as the Purchaser
and
vFinance.com, Inc. d/b/a vFinance, Inc.
as the Company
Dated:
November 28, 2001
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is made as of November
28, 2001 by and between vFinance.com, Inc. d/b/a vFinance, Inc. (the "Company")
and Best Finance Investments Limited (the "Buyer").
RECITALS
A. The Buyer desires to purchase from the Company, and the Company
desires to issue to the Buyer, a note in the principal amount of $1,500,000 (the
"Note") convertible into shares (the "Note Shares") of the Company's issued and
outstanding common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock");
B. In partial consideration of the Buyer purchasing the Note, the
Company has agreed to issue an option (the "Option") in favor of the Buyer or
its designee to purchase up to that number of shares (the "Option Shares") of
Common Stock equal to 1,500,000 divided by the average closing bid and ask price
of the Common Stock for the twenty consecutive trading days prior to the date(s)
of the applicable option exercise but in no event shall such number be more than
$.336 or less than $.23. The Option may be exercised from time to time up to
June 30, 2002 and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached
hereto;
C. The Company and the Buyer are executing and delivering this
Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded
by the provisions of Regulation D ("Regulation D") or Regulation S ("Regulation
S") as promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); and
D. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the parties hereto are executing and delivering a (a) Registration Rights
Agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") substantially in the form of
Exhibit B attached hereto pursuant to which the Company has agreed to provide
certain registration rights under the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder and applicable state securities laws with
respect to the Note Shares and Option Shares (collectively, the "Shares"); and
(b) an Investor's Rights Agreement (the "Investor Rights Agreement"),
substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto pursuant to which the
Buyer (i) will have the right to designate one member to the Company's Board of
Directors, (ii) is granted certain preemptive rights, and (iii) is granted
certain approval rights with respect to corporate action to be taken by the
Company. This Agreement, the Note, the Option, the Registration Rights Agreement
and the Investor Rights Agreement are sometimes hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Transaction Documents."
AGREEMENTS
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their respective promises contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged by the parties, the Company and the Buyer hereby
agree as follows:
1. ISSUANCE SALE AND DELIVERY OF SECURITIES.
a. ISSUANCE OF NOTE. Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties
contained herein, the Company agrees to issue and sell to Buyer, and Buyer
hereby agrees to purchase from the Company the Note. Concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement, the Buyer shall deposit into escrow by wire
transfer $1,500,000. The escrow shall be with the law firm of Loeb & Loeb LLP,
counsel to the Buyer. The Note shall be (a) for a term of 48 months, with no
interest and no amortization payable during the term, (b) convertible in whole
or in part into Note Shares at a conversion price of $0.285 per Option Share,
(c) subject to the right of the Company to redeem the Note for $1,750,000 at any
time prior to the third anniversary of the Closing, and (d) substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit D. The purchase and issuance of the Note shall
be effected at a Closing (the "Closing"). In the event that the Closing does not
occur by December 31, 2001, for any reason, the Buyer may instruct Loeb & Loeb
LLP to pay over the escrow funds to the Buyer. In such event, the Note and the
Option shall be returned to the Company and this Agreement shall be deemed
terminated. At the Closing, the Company shall deliver the Note and the Option to
the Buyer and the Buyer shall pay $1,500,000 to the Company by instructing Loeb
& Loeb LLP to remit such amount in good funds to the Company for credit to the
Company's account on the date of the Closing.
2. BUYER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Buyer understands, agrees with, and represents and warrants to the
Company with respect to its purchase hereunder, that:
a. INVESTMENT PURPOSES; COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES ACT. The
Buyer is purchasing the Note and the Option and, upon conversion of the Note or
the exercise of the Option, the Shares for its own account for investment only
and not with a view towards, or in connection with, the public sale or
distribution thereof, except pursuant to sales registered under or exempt from
the Securities Act.
b. ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS. The Buyer is an "accredited
investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501 (a) of Regulation D. The Buyer is
a sophisticated investor and has such knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an
investment made pursuant to this Agreement. The Buyer is aware that it may be
required to bear the economic risk of an investment made pursuant to this
Agreement for an indefinite period of time, and is able to bear such risk for an
indefinite period.
c. OFFSHORE TRANSACTION. No offer of the Note, the Option or
the Shares was made to the Buyer in the United States. At the time the offer of
the Note, the Option or the Shares was made, the Buyer was located outside of
the United States.
d. RELIANCE ON EXEMPTIONS. The Buyer understands the Note and
the Option and, upon conversion of the Note or the exercise of the Option, the
Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from
the registration requirements of the applicable United States federal and state
securities laws and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of,
and the Buyer's compliance with, the representations, warranties,
1
acknowledgments, understandings, agreements and covenants of the Buyer set forth
herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the
eligibility of the Buyer to acquire the Note the Option and the Shares.
e. INFORMATION. The Buyer and its advisors, if any, have been
furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations
of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Note, the
Option and the Shares that have been requested by the Buyer. The Buyer and its
advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask all such questions
of the Company as they have in their discretion deemed advisable. The Buyer
understands that its investment in the Note, the Option and the Shares involves
a high degree of risk. The Buyer has sought such accounting, legal and tax
advice as it has considered necessary to an informed investment decision with
respect to the investment made pursuant to this Agreement.
f. NO GOVERNMENT REVIEW. The Buyer understands that no United
States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency
has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Note, the Option
and the Shares or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Note, the
Option and the Shares, nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the
merits of the offering of the Note, the Option and the Shares.
g. TRANSFER OR RESALE. The Buyer understands that: (i) except
as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Note, the Option, the Note
Shares and the Option Shares (collectively the "Securities") have not been and
are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws,
and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless either (a)
subsequently registered thereunder or (b) the Buyer shall have delivered to the
Company an opinion by counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, in form,
scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that
the Securities to be sold, assigned or transferred may be sold, assigned or
transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration, (ii) any sale of
such Securities made in reliance on Rule 144 (as hereafter defined) may be made
only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if Rule 144 is not
applicable, any resale of such Securities under circumstances in which the
Company (or the person though whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an
underwriter (as that term is defined in the Securities Act) may require
compliance with some other exemption under the Securities Act or the rules and
regulations of the SEC thereunder, and (iii) neither the Company nor any other
person is under any obligation to register such Securities under the Securities
Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of
any exemption thereunder (in each case, other than pursuant to this Agreement or
the Registration Rights Agreement).
h. NO SHORT SALES OF THE OPTION SHARES AND THE NOTE SHARES. So
long as the Buyer beneficially owns all or any portion of the Option Shares or
Note Shares, the Buyer and its "affiliates" shall not engage in any short sales
or third party short sales of such Shares, in violation of Regulation M as
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or hold a
similar "put equivalent" with respect to such Shares. For purposes of this
Agreement, "affiliate" shall mean, with respect to the Buyer, any other person
or entity that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Buyer.
"Control" (including the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
2
and "under common control with", with respect to the relationship between or
among two or more persons or entities, shall mean the possession, directly or
indirectly or as trustee or executor, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the affairs or management of any entity, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or
otherwise, including, without limitation, the ownership, directly or indirectly,
of securities having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or
similar body governing the affairs of such entity.
i. LEGEND. The Buyer understands that until such time as the
Option Shares and/or the Note Shares, (if any), have been registered under the
Securities Act as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise
may be resold by the Buyer pursuant to Rule 144 (as amended, or any applicable
rule which operates to replace said Rule) promulgated under the Securities Act
("Rule 144"), the stock certificates representing the Securities will bear a
restrictive legend (the "Legend") in substantially the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS
(COLLECTIVELY, THE "LAWS"). THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND
MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF
EITHER (I) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE
LAWS, OR (II) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL (REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER)
PROVIDED TO THE ISSUER IN FORM, SUBSTANCE AND SCOPE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE
ISSUER TO THE EFFECT THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE LAWS DUE TO AN
AVAILABLE EXCEPTION TO OR EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
LAWS.
The Legend shall be removed and the Company will issue certificates
without the Legend to the holder of the applicable Option Shares and/or Note
Shares upon which the Legend is stamped, in accordance with Section 5(b).
j. AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEMENT. This Agreement, the Investor
Rights Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement have been duly and
validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Buyer and are each and
collectively valid and binding agreements of the Buyer enforceable in accordance
with their terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity
and to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, and other similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
k. BROKERS. The Buyer has taken no action that would give rise
to any claim by any person for brokerage commissions, finder's fees or similar
payments relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company understands, agrees with, and represents and warrants to
the Buyer that:
a. ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. The Company and its
subsidiaries are duly organized and existing in good standing under the laws of
the respective jurisdictions
3
in which they are incorporated and have the requisite corporate power to own
their properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted. Each of
the Company and its subsidiary is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do
business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the nature of
the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary and where the
failure so to qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect. "Material Adverse
Effect" as used herein means any material adverse effect on the operations,
properties or financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole. The Common Stock is eligible to trade and is listed for trading on the
Over the Counter Bulletin Board ("OTCBB"). The Company has received no notice,
either written or oral, with respect to the continued eligibility of the Common
Stock for such listing, and the Company has maintained all requirements for the
continuation of such listing, and the Company does not reasonably anticipate
that the Common Stock will be delisted from the OTCBB for the foreseeable
future. The Company shall use its best efforts to continue to have its stock
eligible to trade on the OTCBB or a comparable national securities market or
exchange. The Company has complied with all requirements of the SEC, the
National Association of Securities Dealers applicable blue sky laws and the
OTCBB with respect to the issuance of the Securities.
b. AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEMENT. Subject to the Company amending
its Certificate of Incorporation in accordance with Section 4(d) hereof, (i) the
Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and
perform this Agreement, the Investor Rights Agreement, and the Registration
Rights Agreement, to issue and sell the Note, the Option, the Option Shares and
the Note Shares in accordance with the terms hereof, and to perform its
obligations under the Notes in accordance with the requirements of the same,
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement the Investor
Rights Agreement, the Option, the Note and the Registration Rights Agreement by
the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby have been duly authorized by the Company's Board of Directors and no
further consent or authorization of the Company, its Board of Directors, or its
shareholders is required, (iii) this Agreement, the Investor Rights Agreement,
the Option, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Note, have been duly and
validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and (iv) this
Agreement, the Note, the Investor Rights Agreement, the Option and the
Registration Rights Agreement constitute the valid and binding obligations of
the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to,
or affecting, generally, the enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies or by
other equitable principles of general application.
c. CAPITALIZATION. As of the date hereof, the authorized
capital stock of the Company consists of 25,000,000 shares of Common Stock of
which 20,933,021 shares were issued and outstanding; and 2,500,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $0.01, of which 122,500 shares of Series A preferred
stock and 50,000 shares of Series B preferred stock are issued and outstanding.
All of such outstanding shares have been validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable. No shares of Common Stock are subject to preemptive rights or any
other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3(c) attached, as of the effective date of this Agreement, (i) there
are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or
commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights
convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries,
4
or arrangements by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may become
bound to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, (ii) there are no outstanding debt securities, and (iii) there are
no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is obligated to register the sale of any of its or their securities under the
Securities Act (except as disclosed in Schedule 3(c) attached and as provided
herein and in the Registration Rights Agreement).
d. ACKNOWLEDGMENT REGARDING BUYER'S PURCHASE OF THE
SECURITIES. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Buyer is not acting as
financial advisor to or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity
with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby), that
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and the relationship
between the Buyer and the Company, are and will be considered "arms-length"
notwithstanding any other or prior agreements or nexus between the Buyer and the
Company, whether or not disclosed, and that any statement made by the Buyer, or
any of its representatives or agents, in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby is not advice or a recommendation, is merely
incidental to the Buyer's purchase of the Securities and has not been relied
upon in any way by the Company, its officers or directors. The Company further
represents to the Buyer that the Company's decision to enter into this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby have been based solely upon an
independent evaluation by the Company, its officers and directors.
e. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is subject to regulation under The Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.
f. NO INTEGRATED OFFERING. Neither the Company, nor any of its
affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has directly or
indirectly made any offers or sales of any Securities or solicited any offers to
buy any Securities under circumstances which would prevent the parties hereto
from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby pursuant to an exemption
from registration under the Securities Act and specifically in accordance with
the provisions of Regulation D or Regulation S, as the case may be. The
transactions contemplated hereby are exempt from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act and all state securities laws, assuming the accuracy of
the representations and warranties contained herein of the Buyer.
g. NO CONFLICTS. Subject to the Company amending its
Certificate of Incorporation in accordance with Section 4(d) hereof, the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i)
result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or (ii)
conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse
of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement,
indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a
party, or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations) applicable
to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or affected (except for such
conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations and
violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect).
5
h. CONSENTS. Except as set forth in Schedule 3(h) and the
filing of a Form D with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,
the Company is not required to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or
make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency in order
for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under this
Agreement, the Investor Rights Agreement, the Note, the Option, and the
Registration Rights Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.
i. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Company has delivered to the
Buyer as requested by the Buyer true and complete copies of the Company's
audited financial statements. As of their respective dates, the financial
statements of the Company complied as to form in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of
the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied,
during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such
financial statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited
interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed
or summary statements) and present in all material respects the financial
position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). No other written
information provided by or on behalf of the Company to the Buyer contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstance under which they are or were made, not misleading. Except as set
forth in the financial statements of the Company or set forth in the Schedule
3(i) to this Agreement, the Company has no liabilities, contingent or otherwise,
other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business
subsequent to the date of such financial statements and (ii) obligations under
contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business and not
required under generally accepted accounting principles to be reflected in such
financial statements, in each case of clause (i) and (ii) next above which,
individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the financial condition,
business, operations, properties, operating results or prospects of the Company.
j. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as disclosed in Schedule
3(j), since the date of the financial statements, there has been no material
adverse change and no material adverse development in the business, properties,
operation, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the
Company. The Company has not taken any steps, and does not currently have any
reasonable expectation of taking any steps, to seek protection pursuant to any
bankruptcy law nor does the Company have any knowledge that its creditors intend
to initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings.
k. ABSENCE OF LITIGATION. Except as set forth in Schedule 3(k)
and in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation
before or by any court, public board or body pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, wherein an unfavorable
decision, ruling or finding would have a Material Adverse Effect or which would
adversely affect the validity or enforceability of, or the authority or ability
of the Company to perform its obligations under, this Agreement or any of the
documents contemplated herein.
6
l. BROKERS; NO GENERAL SOLICITATION. The Company has taken no
action that would give rise to any claim by any person for brokerage
commissions, finder's fees or similar payments relating to this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby and other than fees to be paid by the
Company to the persons identified in Schedule 3(l) attached hereto. Neither the
Company nor any distributor participating on the Company's behalf in the
transactions contemplated hereby nor any person acting for the Company, or any
such distributor, has conducted any "general solicitation," as described in Rule
502(c) under Regulation D, with respect to the securities being offered hereby.
m. NON-DISCLOSURE OF NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION.
(a) The Company shall in no event disclose non-public
information to the Buyer, advisors to or representatives of the Buyer unless
prior to such disclosure of information the Company marks such information as
"non-public information - confidential" and provides the Buyer, such advisors
and representatives with the opportunity to accept or refuse to accept such
non-public information for review. The Company may, as a condition to disclosing
any non-public information hereunder, require the Buyer, its advisors and
representatives to enter into a confidentiality agreement in form reasonably
satisfactory to the Company and the Buyer.
(b) Nothing herein shall require the Company to
disclose non-public information to the Buyer, its advisors or representatives,
and the Company represents that it does not disseminate non-public information
to investors who purchase stock in the Company in a public offering, to money
managers or to securities analysts; provided, however, that notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the Company will, as hereinabove provided,
immediately notify the advisors and representatives of the Buyer and, if any,
underwriters, of any event or the existence of any circumstance (without any
obligation to disclose the specific event or circumstance) of which it becomes
aware, constituting non-public information (whether or not requested of the
Company specifically or generally during the course of due diligence by such
persons or entities), which, if not disclosed in the prospectus included in the
registration statement to be filed pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement, would cause such prospectus to include a material misstatement or to
omit a material fact required to be stated therein in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading. Nothing herein shall be construed to mean that such persons or
entities other than the Buyer (without the written consent of the Buyer prior to
disclosure of such information) may not obtain non-public information in the
course of conducting due diligence in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and nothing herein shall prevent any such persons or entities from
notifying the Company of their opinion that, based upon such due diligence by
such persons or entities, that the registration statement contains an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits a material fact required to be stated in
such registration statement or necessary to make the statements contained
therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
n. SECURITIES FILINGS. The Company's securities filings as at
the respective dates of such filings did not make any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made not misleading.
7
4. COVENANTS.
a. BEST EFFORTS. Each party shall use its best efforts timely
to satisfy each of the conditions to be satisfied by it as provided in Sections
6 and 7 of this Agreement.
b. SECURITIES LAWS. The Company agrees to timely file all
reports and other documents required to be filed with the SEC, specifically, a
Form D (or equivalent form required by applicable state law) with respect to the
Securities if and as required under Regulation D and applicable state securities
laws and to provide a copy thereof to the Buyer promptly after such filing.
c. COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. On or before the Closing, the
Company shall amend its charter documents if necessary so that the size of its
Board of Directors will be changed from two to three.
d. AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL SHARES. As soon as reasonably
practicable after the date hereof, the Company shall amend its Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock
to at least 50,000,000.
e. REPORTING STATUS. As of the date of this Agreement, the
Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). So long as the
Buyer beneficially owns any of the Shares, the Company shall file all reports
required to be filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act,
and the Company shall not terminate its status as an issuer required to file
reports under the Exchange Act even if the Exchange Act or the rules and
regulations hereunder would permit such termination.
f. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company shall use the proceeds from
the issuance of the Note for working capital in accordance with Schedule 4(f).
g. COORDINATION OF INVESTMENT BANKING SERVICES.
Contemporaneously with the Closing, (i) the employees ("Employees of SBI E2
Capital") of SBI E2 (USA) Capital ("SBI") listed in Schedule 4(g) shall become
employees of the Company or one of its affiliates, except that the employment of
Shelly Singhal shall be subject to the execution of an employment agreement
acceptable to Mr. Singhal which will provide, inter alia, that until June 30,
2002, Mr. Singhal shall be permitted to continue to work for SBI as specified in
such agreement, (ii) the Company will assume all of the operational obligations
of SBI listed on Schedule 4(g), (iii) the Company shall grant SBI the right of
first refusal, which right shall expire on June 30, 2002, to review deals
undertaken by the Company's corporate finance group and determine whether or not
to make such SBI deals ("SBI Deals"). Such right of first refusal shall only
apply to Initial Public Offerings and registered secondary offerings, (iv) a
management fee of ten percent (10%) will be paid to SBI for each SBI Deal. This
fee shall be paid whether or not the deal is sourced by SBI, (v) for each deal
sourced by SBI or any of its affiliates, SBI shall receive additional
compensation at a rate of ten percent (10%) of the management fees paid. It is
assumed that for all deals sourced by SBI or its affiliates the SBI name will
appear on the cover of any such prospectus, and (vi) for all deals distributed
by SBI or its affiliates SBI shall receive sales commissions in addition to
investment banking fees, if any. Additionally, prior to the Closing,
8
the parties shall negotiate in good faith for an agreement pertaining to the
future allocation and coordination of investment banking services and fees
between the Company and its affiliates and the Buyer and its affiliates.
h. LISTING. The Company shall at all times comply in all
respects with the Company's reporting, filing and other obligations under the
by-laws or rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers and the OTCBB
(or if applicable NASDAQ or such national securities exchange on which the
Common Stock may be listed, as applicable).
i. EXPENSES. Except as set forth in Section 8(n) below, each
party shall pay their own respective expenses in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement.
5. LEGEND AND TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS.
a. TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS. The Company shall instruct its
transfer agent to issue certificates, registered in the name of the Buyer or its
nominee, for the Shares in such amounts as specified by the Buyer to the
Company, prior to the conversion of the Note or the exercise of the Option. All
such certificates shall bear the restrictive legend specified in Section 2(g) of
this Agreement only to the extent required by applicable law and as specified in
the Transaction Documents. The Company warrants that no instruction other than
such instructions referred to in this Section 5 will be given by the Company to
its transfer agent and that the Shares shall otherwise be freely transferable on
the books and records of the Company as and to the extent permitted by
applicable law and provided by this Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement. Nothing in this Section shall affect in any way the Buyer's
obligations and agreement to comply with all applicable securities laws upon
resale of the Shares. If the Buyer (x) provides the Company with an opinion of
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that registration by the Buyer of
the Shares is not required under the Securities Act, or (y) transfers Securities
to an affiliate which is an accredited investor (in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement) or in compliance with Rule 144, then in either
instance the Company shall permit the said transfer, and if applicable promptly
(and in all events within two (2) trading days) instruct its transfer agent to
issue one or more certificates in such name and in such denominations as
specified by the Buyer.
b. REMOVAL OF LEGENDS. The Legend shall be removed and the
Company shall issue a certificate without such Legend to the holder of any Share
upon which it is stamped, and a certificate for a Share shall be originally
issued without the Legend, if, unless otherwise required by state securities
laws, (x) the sale of such Share is registered under the Securities Act, or (y)
such holder provides the Company with an opinion by counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, that is in form, substance and scope reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that a public sale or transfer of
such Share may be made without registration under the Securities Act or (z) such
holder provides the Company with assurances reasonably satisfactory to the
Company and its counsel, that such Share can be sold pursuant to Rule 144. The
Buyer agrees that its sale of all Securities, including those represented by a
certificate(s) from which the Legend has been removed, or which were originally
issued without the Legend, shall be made only pursuant to an effective
registration statement (and to deliver a prospectus in connection with such
sale) or in compliance with an exemption from the
9
registration requirements of the Securities Act. In the event the Legend is
removed from any Share or any Share is issued without the Legend and thereafter
the effectiveness of a registration statement covering the sales of such Share
is suspended or the Company determines that a supplement or amendment thereto is
required by applicable securities laws, then upon reasonable advance notice to
the holder of such Share, the Company shall be entitled to require that the
Legend be placed upon any such Share which cannot then be sold pursuant to an
effective registration statement or Rule 144 or with respect to which the
opinion referred to in clause (y) next above has not been rendered, which Legend
shall be removed when such Share may be sold pursuant to an effective
registration statement or Rule 144 (or such holder provides the opinion with
respect thereto described in clause (y) next above.
c. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF FOR BREACH. The Company acknowledges that
the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under Sections 5(a) and 5(b)
above will cause irreparable harm to the Buyer by vitiating the intent and
purpose of the transactions contemplated hereby. Accordingly the Company agrees
that the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under such Sections would
be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the
Company of the provisions of such Sections, the Buyer shall be entitled, in
addition to all other remedies at law or in equity, to an injunction restraining
any breach and requiring immediate issuance and transfer, without the necessity
of showing economic loss and without any bond or other Share being required.
6. CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO SELL.
The obligations of the Company hereunder are subject to the
satisfaction, on or before the Closing, unless otherwise specified, of each of
the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for the Company's
sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole
discretion:
a. The parties shall have executed this Agreement, the
Investor Rights Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
b. The representations and warranties of the Buyer shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of the date made and as of each
Closing Date as though made at that time (except for representations and
warranties that speak as of a specific date). The Buyer shall have performed,
satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements
and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied
with by the Buyer at or prior to each Closing.
c. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree,
ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed
by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self
regulatory organization having authority over the matters contemplated hereby
which restricts or prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated herein.
7. CONDITIONS TO THE BUYER'S OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE.
The obligations of the Buyer are subject to the satisfaction, on or
before the Closing, unless otherwise specified, of each of the following
conditions, provided that these conditions
10
are for the sole benefit of the Buyer and may be waived by the Buyer at any time
in its sole discretion:
a. The Company shall have executed this Agreement, the
Investor Rights Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and shall have
issued and delivered the Note and the Option.
b. The representations and warranties of the Company shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of the date made and as of each
Closing as though made at that time (except for representations and warranties
that speak as of a specific date). The Company shall have performed, satisfied
and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and
conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied
with by the Company at or prior to each Closing. The Buyer may require a
certificate, executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated as of
each Closing, to the foregoing effect and as to such other matters as may be
reasonably requested by the Buyer.
c. The Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the SEC
or other relevant regulatory agency.
d. The Company shall not have received, as of the Closing
Date, from the National Association of Securities Dealers, any written or oral
communication as to its actual or potential ineligibility for continued listing
of the Common Stock on the OTCBB.
e. Company's counsel shall have delivered to the Buyer the
legal opinion attached hereto as Exhibit E.
f. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree,
ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed
by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self
regulatory organization having authority over the matters contemplated hereby
which restricts or prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated herein.
g. All consents, approval, authorizations and orders required
to be obtained and all registrations, filings and notices required to be made
with or given to any regulatory authority or person as provided herein shall
have been made.
h. On the Closing, the Employees of SBI E2 (USA) Capital
specified on Schedule 4(g) shall become employees of the Company or one of its
affiliates.
i. Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Company shall have
maintained or increased, as applicable, the size of the Board of Directors at or
to three members and have appointed one designee of the Buyer (reasonably
acceptable to the Company) to the Board of Directors.
j. The Credit Agreement between the Company and UBS Americas
Inc. substantially in the form heretofore delivered to the Buyer shall have
closed.
11
8. GOVERNING LAW; MISCELLANEOUS.
a. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. This Agreement shall be governed
by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California
without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. In the event of any
litigation regarding the interpretation or application of this Agreement, the
parties irrevocably consent to jurisdiction in any of the state or federal
courts located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California and waive their
rights to object to venue in any such court, regardless of the convenience or
inconvenience thereof to any party. Service of process in any civil action
relating to or arising out of this Agreement (including also all Exhibits or
Schedules hereto) or the transaction(s) contemplated herein may be accomplished
in any manner provided by law. The parties hereto agree that a final,
non-appealable judgment in any such suit or proceeding shall be conclusive and
may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on such judgment or in any other
lawful manner.
b. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each
party and signature pages from such counterparts have been delivered.
c. HEADINGS; GENDER, ETC. The headings of this Agreement are
for convenience of reference and shall not form a part of, or affect the
interpretation of this Agreement. As used herein, the masculine shall refer to
the feminine and neuter, the feminine to the masculine and neuter, and the
neuter to the masculine and feminine, as the context may require. As used
herein, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the words "herein,"
"hereunder" and "hereby," shall refer to this entire Agreement and not only to
the Section or paragraph in which such word appears. If any date specified
herein falls upon a Saturday, Sunday or public or legal holidays, the date shall
be construed to mean the next business day following such Saturday, Sunday or
public or legal holiday. For purposes of this Agreement, a "business day" is any
day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public or legal holiday.
d. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or
enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
e. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS. This Agreement and the
instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties
with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as
specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor the Buyer
makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such
matters. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by
an instrument in writing signed by the party to be charged with enforcement.
f. NOTICES. Any notices required or permitted to be given
under the terms of this Agreement shall be sent by U.S. Mail or delivered
personally or by courier or via facsimile (if via facsimile, to be followed
within three (3) business days by an original of the notice document via U.S.
Mail or courier) and shall be effective five (5) days after being placed in the
mail, if mailed, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or upon
receipt, if
12
delivered personally or by courier or by facsimile, in each case
properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company: vFinance.com, Inc.
3010 North Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Telephone: (561) 981-100
Facsimile: (561)
Attention: Leonard J. Sokolow, CEO and President
If to the Buyer, at the address on the signature page of this Agreement. Each
party shall provide written notice to the other party of any change in address.
g. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and
assigns. Neither the Company nor the Buyer shall assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), and in any event any
assignee of the Buyer shall be an accredited investor (as defined in Regulation
D), in the written opinion of counsel who is reasonably satisfactory to Company
and in form, substance and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Buyer may pledge the Securities
as collateral for a bona fide loan pursuant to a Share agreement with a third
party lender, and such pledge shall not be considered an assignment in violation
of this Agreement so long as it is made in compliance with all applicable law.
h. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is intended
for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors
and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be
enforced by, any other person.
i. SURVIVAL. Unless this Agreement is terminated under Section
8(1), the representations and warranties of the Company and the Buyer contained
in Sections 2 and 3 and the agreements and covenants set forth in Sections 4, 5
and 8 shall survive the final Closing of the purchase and sale of Securities
purchased and sold hereby.
j. PUBLICITY. The Company and the Buyer shall have the right
to review before issuance by the other, any press releases or any other public
statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby; provided,
however, that the Company shall be entitled, without prior consultation with or
approval of the Buyer, to make any press release or other public disclosure with
respect to such transactions as is required by applicable law and regulations.
k. FURTHER ASSURANCE. Each party shall do and perform, or
cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall
execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and
documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the
intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
13
l. TERMINATION. Neither party may unilaterally terminate this
Agreement after the Closing for any reason other than a material breach of this
Agreement by the non-terminating party. Such termination shall not be the sole
remedy for a breach of this Agreement by the non-terminating party, and each
party shall retain all of its rights hereunder at law or in equity.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a party whose breach of a
covenant or representation and warranty or failure to satisfy a condition
prevented the Closing shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement.
m. REMEDIES. No provision of this Agreement providing for any
specific remedy to a party shall be construed to limit such party to the
specific remedy described, and any other remedy that would otherwise be
available to such party at law or in equity shall be so available. Nothing in
this Agreement shall limit any rights a party may have with any applicable
federal or state securities laws with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby.
n. BUYER'S LEGAL FEES. At the Closing, the Buyer shall be
entitled to deduct from the amount advanced to the Company at the Closing the
amount of legal fees and expenses incurred by the Buyer's legal counsel in
connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement and the other
collateral documents and the transactions provided for herein up to $35,000.
[This balance of this page is intentionally left blank.]
14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Buyer and the Company have caused this
Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written
above.
COMPANY:
VFINANCE.COM, INC., d/b/a VFINANCE, INC.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: CEO and President
BUYER:
BEST FINANCE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
By: /s/ Wong Sin Just
-------------------------------------
Name: Wong Sin Just
Title: Director
BUYER'S ADDRESS:
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
15
EXHIBIT A
THIS OPTION AND THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS OPTION
HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THIS
OPTION AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS OPTION MAY NOT BE
SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS OPTION UNDER SAID ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO VFINANCE.COM, INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT
REQUIRED.
OPTION AGREEMENT
This Agreement dated as of ______, 2001 (the "Agreement") is made by
and between vFinance.com, Inc. d/b/a vFinance, Inc. (the "Company") and Best
Finance Investments Limited (the "Optionee") with reference to the following:
A. Pursuant to that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated as of
November 28, 2001 (the "Purchase Agreement"), concurrently herewith, Optionee
has advanced to the Company the principal amount of $1,500,000 (the "Loan").
B. As a condition to the Loan, the Company is granting to Optionee an
option (the "Option") to purchase shares of the Common Stock of the Company on
the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION. Subject to and upon the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Company hereby grants to the Optionee the
Option to purchase all or a portion of that number of shares (the "Option
Shares") of Common Stock equal to the difference between (A) 1,500,000 divided
by the following amount (the "Per Share Amount"): the average closing bid and
ask price of the Common Stock for the twenty consecutive trading days prior to
the date(s) that the applicable Notice Exercise is delivered to the Company but
in no event shall the Per Share Amount be more than .336 or less than .23, and
(B) the number of Option Shares previously issued by the Company to Optionee
hereunder. The Optionee may exercise the Option and thereby purchase the Shares
during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on June 30, 2002. The
period that the Option may be exercised as so provided is referred to herein as
the Option Period. The per share exercise price of the Option shall be the
applicable Per Share Amount at the time of exercise. The consideration for the
Option is the agreement by the Optionee to make the Loan. The Optionee shall
have the right to offset against any amounts due the Company hereunder the
amount owing to Optionee under the Loan.
2. EXERCISE OF THE OPTION. During the Option Period, from time
to time, the Optionee may exercise the Option or portion thereof by delivering
to the Company a duly exercised Notice of Exercise (the "Notice") substantially
in the form of Exhibit A hereto. Such Notice shall constitute an irrevocable
commitment to purchase the amount of Option Shares specified in the Notice.
Concurrently with the execution of the Notice, the Optionee shall wire
transfer the aggregate exercise price for the Option Shares being purchased to
the Company, and the Company shall deliver to the Company the certificate(s)
evidencing the Option Shares within three business days from receipt of such
funds.
3. COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The
Company hereby covenants, represents and warrants to the Optionee as follows:
a. This Agreement is enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or
similar laws relating to, or affecting, generally, the enforcement of creditors'
rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application.
b. The Company has all corporate authority and power to enter
into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder.
c. Subject to Company amending its Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to at
least 50,000,000, the Company shall at all times reserve a sufficient number of
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligations
hereunder.
4. MISCELLANEOUS.
a. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. This Agreement shall be governed
by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California
without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. In the event of any
litigation regarding the interpretation or application of this Agreement, the
parties irrevocably consent to jurisdiction in any of the state or federal
courts located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California and waive their
rights to object to venue in any such court, regardless of the convenience or
inconvenience thereof to any party. Service of process in any civil action
relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the transaction(s) contemplated
herein may be accomplished in any manner provided by law. The parties hereto
agree that a final, non-appealable judgment in any such suit or proceeding shall
be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on such
judgment or in any other lawful manner.
b. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each
party and signature pages from such counterparts have been delivered.
c. HEADINGS; GENDER, ETC. The headings of this Agreement are
for convenience of reference and shall not form a part of, or affect the
interpretation of this Agreement. As used herein, the masculine shall refer to
the feminine and neuter, the feminine to the masculine and neuter, and the
neuter to the masculine and feminine, as the context may require. As used
herein, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the words "herein,"
"hereunder" and "hereby," shall refer to this entire Agreement and not only to
the Section or paragraph in which such word appears. If any date specified
herein falls upon a Saturday, Sunday or public or legal holidays, the date shall
be construed to mean the next business day
1
following such Saturday, Sunday or public or legal holiday. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "business day" is any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public
or legal holiday.
d. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or
enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
e. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS. This Agreement and the
instruments referenced herein, including the Note Purchase Agreement, contain
the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered
herein and therein. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended
other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party to be charged with
enforcement.
f. NOTICES. Any notices required or permitted to be given
under the terms of this Agreement shall be sent by U.S. Mail or delivered
personally or by courier or via facsimile (if via facsimile, to be followed
within three (3) business days by an original of the notice document via U.S.
Mail or courier) and shall be effective five (5) days after being placed in the
mail, if mailed, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or upon
receipt, if delivered personally or by courier or by facsimile, in each case
properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company: vFinance.com, Inc.
3010 North Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Telephone: (561) 981-1000
Facsimile: (561) 981-3969
Attention: Leonard J. Sokolow, CEO and President
If to the Optionee, at the address on the signature page of this Agreement. Each
party shall provide written notice to the other party of any change in address.
g. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and
assigns. Neither the Company nor the Buyer shall assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), and in any event any
assignee of the Optionee shall be an accredited investor (as defined in
Regulation D), in the written opinion of counsel who is reasonably satisfactory
to Company and in form, substance and scope reasonably satisfactory to the
Company.
h. FURTHER ASSURANCE. Each party shall do and perform, or
cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall
execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and
documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the
intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
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i. REGISTRATION RIGHTS. The Option Shares are entitled to the
benefit of that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of the date
hereof between the Company and Optionee.
j. INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. Optionee hereby confirms the
representations and warranties set forth in the Purchase Agreement and agrees
and acknowledges that the Option Shares shall be subject to such provisions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY:
vFINANCE.COM, INC., d/b/a vFINANCE, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
OPTIONEE:
BEST FINANCE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
By:
Name:
Title:
OPTIONEE ADDRESS:
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
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EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ shares of the Common
Stock of vFinance.com, Inc. (the "Company") pursuant to the terms of that
certain Option Agreement dated as of ___________, 2001 between the undersigned
and the Company.
By:
DATE: ,
EXHIBIT B
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of the _____ day of ___________, 2001 by and among vFinance.com,
Inc. d/b/a vFinance, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (hereinafter the "Company")
and Best Finance Investments Limited (hereinafter referred to as "Investor").
RECITALS
A. Reference is made to that certain Note Purchase Agreement
dated as of November 28, 2001 (the "Purchase Agreement") by
and between the Company and the Investor.
B. To induce Investor to consent to the execution of the Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain
registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
AGREEMENT
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by all parties hereto,
the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
"COMMISSION" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission
or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
"COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK" or "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the
Common Stock of the Company.
A "CONTROLLING PERSON" of a particular entity shall mean a
person that controls such entity within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act.
"EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
"HOLDER" shall mean Investor and any other person holding
Registrable Securities to whom the rights under the Agreement have been
transferred in accordance with ARTICLE 9.
"REGISTRABLE NOTE SECURITIES" shall mean (i) the Note Shares
and (ii) any Common Stock of the Company issued or issuable in respect of the
Note Shares upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, or similar
event; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that shares of Common Stock or other securities shall
only be treated as Registrable Securities if and so long as they have not
been (A) sold to or through a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public
distribution or a public securities transaction, or (B) sold, or are otherwise
available for sale in the opinion of counsel to the Company, in a transaction
(including, without limitation a Rule 144 transaction) exempt from registration
and prospectus delivery requirements, and any restrictive legends with respect
thereto are removed upon the consummation of such sale, or (C) sold by a Holder
without compliance with ARTICLE 9 hereof.
"REGISTRABLE OPTION SECURITIES" shall mean (i) the Option
Shares and (ii) any Common Stock of the Company issued or issuable in respect of
the Option Shares upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, or
similar event; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that shares of Common Stock or other
securities shall only be treated as Registrable Securities if and so long as
they have not been (A) sold to or through a broker, dealer or underwriter in a
public distribution or a public securities transaction, or (B) sold, or are
otherwise available for sale in the opinion of counsel to the Company, in a
transaction (including, without limitation a Rule 144 transaction) exempt from
registration and prospectus delivery requirements, and any restrictive legends
with respect thereto are removed upon the consummation of such sale, or (C) sold
by a Holder without compliance with ARTICLE 9 hereof.
The terms "REGISTER," "REGISTERED" and "REGISTRATION" shall
refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration
statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering
of the effectiveness of such registration statement.
"REGISTRATION EXPENSES" shall mean all expenses, except as
otherwise stated below, incurred by the Company in complying with ARTICLES 3 and
4 including, without limitation all registration, qualification and filing fees,
printing expenses, escrow fees, messenger and delivery expenses, fees and
disbursements of counsel, accountants, investment bankers and other person
retained by the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, and the expense of any
special audits incident to or required by any such registration (but excluding
the compensation of regular employees of the Company, which shall be paid in any
event by the Company).
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement of the
Company filed on an appropriate form under the Securities Act providing for the
registration of, and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis by the holders
of, all of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities
Act, including the Prospectus contained therein and forming a part thereof, any
amendments to such registration statement and supplements to such Prospectus,
and all exhibits to and other material incorporated by reference in such
registration statement and Prospectus.
"RESTRICTED SECURITIES" shall mean the Note Shares and the
Option Shares and any other securities issued in respect of the Shares upon any
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or similar
event.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"SELLING EXPENSES" shall mean all underwriting discounts,
selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the securities
registered by the Holders.
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Any other capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined
above shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
2. SECURITIES SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT
a. REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. The securities entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement are the Registrable Note Securities and the
Registrable Option Securities (collectively, the "Registrable Securities").
b. HOLDERS OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. A Person is deemed to be
a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns Registrable
Securities or has the right to acquire such Registrable Securities, whether or
not such acquisition has actually been effected and disregarding any legal
restrictions upon the exercise of such right.
3. REGISTRATION
a. TIMING OF FILING. The Company shall prepare and file with
the Commission as soon as practicable after the Closing a Registration Statement
relating to the offer and sale of the Note Shares and shall use its best efforts
to cause the Commission to declare such Registration Statement effective under
the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable within ninety (90) days
after the Closing (the "Deadline"). The Company shall promptly (and, in any
event, no more than 24 hours after it receives comments from the Commission),
notify the Holders when and if it receives any comments from the Commission on
the Registration Statement and promptly forward a copy of such comments, if they
are in writing, to the Holders. At such time after the filing of the
Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 3.(a), as the Commission
indicates, either orally or in writing, that it has no further comments with
respect to such Registration Statement or that it is willing to entertain
appropriate requests for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration
Statement, the Company shall promptly, and in no event later than two (2)
business days after receipt of such indication from the Commission, request that
the effectiveness of such Registration Statement be accelerated within
forty-eight (48) hours of the Commission's receipt of such request. The Company
shall notify the Holders by written notice that such Registration Statement has
been declared effective by the Commission within 24 hours of such declaration by
the Commission.
b. ELIGIBILITY FOR USE OF FORM S-3. The Company agrees that at
such time as it meets all the requirements for the use of Securities Act
Registration Statement on Form S-3 it shall file all reports and information
required to be filed by it with the Commission in a timely manner and take all
such other action so as to maintain such eligibility for the use of such form.
c. OBLIGATION TO SUPPLEMENT AND AMEND. The Company agrees to
supplement or make amendments to such Registration Statement or file a new
Registration Statement, if required by the rules, regulations or instructions
applicable to the registration form utilized by the Company, by the Securities
Act or by rules and regulations thereunder.
d. LIMITATIONS ON REGISTRATION. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, the Company may postpone its obligations under
Sections 3(a) and 3(c) hereof, for a reasonable period of time not to exceed
ninety (90) days (but in any event not to
2
extend beyond the date of public disclosure of the information, or the date of
abandonment or termination of the transactions or negotiations, hereinafter
referred to), if: (i) the Company's Board of Directors determines, in good faith
and in its reasonable business judgment, that (a) complying with the Company's
obligations under Sections 3(a) and 3(c) hereof would require the public
disclosure of material non-public information concerning any pending or ongoing
material transaction or negotiations involving the Company which, in the opinion
of the Company's outside legal counsel, is not yet required to be publicly
disclosed, and (b) such disclosure would materially interfere with such
transaction or negotiations or have a material adverse effect on the Company,
and (ii) the Company diligently and in good faith continues to pursue such
transaction or negotiations throughout the period of such postponement.
4. PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS
a. NOTICE AND REQUEST TO PIGGYBACK. Whenever the Company
commences an underwritten public offering covering the offer and sale of its
Common Stock for the account of the Company or the account of a security holder
to the public other than (i) a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise
relating solely to employee benefit plans or (ii) a registration statement on
any other form which does not permit secondary sales, or (iii) on a registration
statement on Form S-4 or similar form, the Company will give written notice to
all holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a
registration not later than Fifteen (15) days prior to the anticipated filing
date and offer to such holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to
register the number of Registrable Securities as each such holder may request (a
"Piggyback Registration"). Subject to the provisions of Sections 4(b) and 4(c),
the Company will include in such Piggyback Registration all Registrable
Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for
inclusion therein within ten (10) business days after the receipt by the
applicable holder of the Company's notice.
All Persons whose securities are included in the Piggyback Registration
shall be obligated to sell their securities on the same terms and conditions as
apply to the securities being issued and sold by the Company.
b. PRIORITY ON PRIMARY REGISTRATION. If the managing
underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the total
number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included in such registration
exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock which can be sold in such offering,
the Company will include in such registration:
(a) first, all shares of Common Stock the Company proposes to
sell;
(b) second, all shares of Common Stock of holders who have
superior registration rights in such underwriting; and third, the
Registrable Securities and such other shares of Common Stock requested
to be included in such registration in excess of the number of shares
of Common Stock the Company or such holders of superior registration
rights propose to sell which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can
be sold.
c. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. The Company, in its sole
discretion, will have the right to select the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers to administer the offering.
3
d. UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. If Holders elect to participate in
an underwritten public offering pursuant to Section 4(a), all Holders proposing
to distribute their Registrable Securities through the applicable Piggyback
Registration shall enter into, and perform such obligations set forth in an
underwriting agreement in customary form, including, without limitation,
indemnification and contribution obligations, with the managing underwriter(s)
selected by the Company for such underwritten public offering.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION
All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the
Holders in connection with registrations pursuant to Section 4(a) shall be borne
by the Holders of such securities pro rata on the basis of the number of shares
so registered, and all Registration Expenses in connection with registrations
pursuant to the Agreement shall be borne by the Company, provided that the fees
and expenses of counsel, accountants, advisers and other persons retained by the
Holders to represent them in connection with any registrations pursuant to
Section 4.1, and the expenses of special audits, if any, required exclusively by
the inclusion of the Registrable Securities in any registration pursuant to
Section 4(a), shall be borne by the Holders in proportion to the aggregate
selling price of the Registrable Securities of each Holder to be so registered.
6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
In the case of each registration, qualification or compliance effected
by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will keep each Holder
advised in writing as to the initiation of each registration, qualification and
compliance and as to the completion thereof. Additionally, the Company will
furnish to the Holders participating in such registration and to the
underwriters of the securities being registered such reasonable number of copies
of the registration statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus and such
other documents as such Holders and underwriters may reasonably request in order
to facilitate the public offering of such securities.
7. INDEMNIFICATION
a. INDEMNIFICATION. To the extent permitted by law, each party
will indemnify the other party and each of its respective officers, directors,
Investors, employees, representatives and partners, and each Controlling Person,
with respect to which registration, qualification or compliance has been
effected pursuant to this Agreement, and each underwriter, if any, and each
Controlling Person of any underwriter, against all reasonable expenses, claims,
losses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), including any of
the foregoing incurred in any investigation or inquiry or in any settlement of
any litigation commenced or threatened, arising out of or based on any untrue
statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any
registration statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, incident to any such registration,
qualification or compliance, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made,
not misleading, or any violation by of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or
any state securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under
4
the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law applicable in
connection with any such registration, qualification or compliance, and each
party will reimburse the other party and each of its respective officers,
directors, Investors, employees, representatives and partners, and each such
Controlling Person, each such underwriter and each such Controlling Person of
any such underwriter, for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with investigating, preparing or defending any such claim, loss,
damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 7(a) shall not (i) apply to amounts paid in settlement
of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action if such settlement is
effected without the consent of the other party (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld); (ii) apply to any such case for any such loss, claim,
damage, liability, or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission made in connection with such registration statement, preliminary
prospectus, final prospectus, or amendments or supplements thereto, in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the other party
expressly for use in connection with such registration, underwriter, or
controlling person; or (iii) inure to the benefit of any underwriter from whom
the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage or liability purchased the
Registrable Securities which are the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any
person controlling such underwriter) with respect to a preliminary prospectus or
final prospectus if such underwriter (if required by the Act) failed to send or
give a copy of the most recent prospectus, if the most recent prospectus
furnished by the Company shall correct the untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission which is the basis of the loss, claim,
damage, liability, or action for which indemnification is sought, to such person
at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Registrable
Securities to such person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a registration under
Section 4(a) the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities under
this Section 7(a) shall be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds
received by such Holder for securities sold by it in such offering, unless such
liability arises out of or is based on willful conduct of the Holder or its
officers, directors, agents or employees. Furthermore, the Company shall only be
obligated under this Section 7(a) to pay the legal expenses of one law firm
which has been chosen to represent all of the Holders.
b. DEFENSE OF CLAIMS. Each party entitled to indemnification
under Sections 7(a) (the "Indemnified Party") shall give notice to the party
required to provide indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") promptly after
such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity
may be sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of
any such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, provided that counsel for
the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or
litigation, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not
unreasonably be withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate in such
defense at such party's expense, and provided further that the failure of any
Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the
Indemnifying Party of its obligations under the Agreement unless the failure to
give such notice is materially prejudicial to an Indemnifying Party's ability to
defend such action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, (i) if the
Indemnified Party reasonably determines that there may be a conflict between the
positions of the Indemnifying Party and of the Indemnified Party in connection
with the defense of such action, suit, investigation, inquiry or other
proceeding or that there may be legal defenses available to such Indemnified
Party different from
5
or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Party, then, at the sole
cost and expense of such Indemnified Party, counsel for the Indemnified Party
shall be entitled to conduct a defense to the extent reasonably determined by
such counsel to be necessary to protect the interest of the Indemnified Party,
and (ii) in any event, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to have counsel
chosen by such Indemnified Party participate in, but not to conduct, the
defense. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation,
shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to entry of
any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as a
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or
litigation.
8. INFORMATION FROM HOLDERS
The Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities included in any
registration shall, as a condition precedent to the Company's obligation to
register the securities of such Holder or Holders, furnish to the Company such
information regarding such Holder or Holders, the Registrable Securities held by
them and the distribution proposed by such Holder or Holders as the Company may
request in writing and as shall be required in connection with any registration,
qualification or compliance referred to in this Agreement. At the request of the
Company, each Holder who is including any Registrable Securities in the
registration shall deposit in escrow with an escrow agent chosen by the Company
those Registrable Securities which such Holder proposes to sell, accompanied by
an irrevocable power of attorney authorizing the escrow agent to, without
limitation, sell such Registrable Securities to the underwriter upon the
effectiveness of the registration statement.
9. TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The rights to cause the Company to register securities granted to
Holders under Section 4(a) may be assigned to a transferee or assignee in
connection with any transfer or assignment of Registrable Securities by a
Holder, provided that: (i) such transfer may otherwise be effected in accordance
with applicable securities laws, and (ii) written notice thereof is promptly
given to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights to cause the
Company to register securities may be assigned to any constituent partner or
affiliate of a Holder, without compliance with item (ii) above, provided written
notice thereof is promptly given to the Company.
10. COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144
The Company covenants that it shall (a) file any reports required to be
filed by it under the Exchange Act and (b) take such further action as each
Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request (including providing any
information necessary to comply with Rule 144 under the Securities Act), all to
the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable
Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation
of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such
rule may be amended from time to time, or (ii) any similar rules or regulations
hereafter adopted by the SEC. The Company shall, upon the request of any Holder
of Registrable Securities, deliver to such Holder a written statement as to
whether it has complied with such requirements.
6
11. MISCELLANEOUS
a. REMEDIES. Each Holder of Registrable Securities, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein and in the
Purchase Agreement, or granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be
entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company
agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss
incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and
hereby agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a
remedy at law would be adequate. However, no Holder shall have any right to take
any action to restrain, enjoin, or otherwise delay any registration proposed to
be undertaken by the Company as the result of any controversy that might arise
with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement.
b. NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company will not on or
after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its
securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of
Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the
provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the
rights granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any such
agreements.
c. ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. The Company
will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the
Registrable Securities which would adversely affect the ability of the Holders
of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a
registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.
d. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders
of at least 66-2/3% of the Registrable Securities.
e. NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for
or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery:
(a) if to a Holder of Registrable Securities, at the most
current address given by such Holder to the Company in accordance with
the provisions of this Section 11(e), which address initially is, with
respect to the Investor, as follows:
Best Finance Investments Limited
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
7
and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 11(e).
(b) if to the Company:
3010 North Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Attention: Leonard J. Sokolow, CEO and President
Facsimile No.: (561) 981-3969
and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 11(e).
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the
next business day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.
f. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Subject to the provisions of
ARTICLE 9 hereof, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including without
limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of
Registrable Securities.
g. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
h. HEADINGS. The headings of this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
i. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. This Agreement shall be governed
by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California
without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. In the event of any
litigation regarding the interpretation or application of this Agreement, the
parties irrevocably consent to jurisdiction in any of the state or federal
courts located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California and waive their
rights to object to venue in any such court, regardless of the convenience or
inconvenience thereof to any party. Service of process in any civil action
relating to or arising out of this Agreement (including also all Exhibits or
Schedules hereto) or the transaction(s) contemplated herein may be accomplished
in any manner provided by law. The parties hereto agree that a final,
non-appealable judgment in any such suit or proceeding shall be conclusive and
may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on such judgment or in any other
lawful manner.
j. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other
8
respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected
or impaired thereby.
k. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is intended by the parties
as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and
exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in
respect of the subject matter contained herein. This Agreement supersedes all
prior agreements and understanding between the parties with respect to such
subject matter.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
"COMPANY"
VFINANCE.COM, INC. D/B/A VFINANCE, INC.
a Delaware Corporation
By:
Name:
Title:
"INVESTOR"
BEST FINANCE INVESTMENTS LIMITED,
a British Virgin Islands Corporation
By:
Name:
Title:
9
EXHIBIT C
INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
vFINANCE.COM d/b/a vFINANCE, Inc.
AND
BEST FINANCE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
AND
THE PERSONS NAMED HEREIN
Dated ___________, 2001
THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of this __ day of _____ 2001,
is by and among vFinance.Com d/b/a vFinance, Inc., Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), Best Finance Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands
corporation ("Investor"), and Timothy Mahoney, Leonard J. Sokolow and Genesis
Partners, Inc. (each referred to herein as the "Stockholder" and collectively as
the "Stockholders").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor have entered into a Note Purchase
Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2001 (the " Purchase Agreement) pursuant to
which the Company has issued to Investor a convertible promissory note and
option to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Shares");
WHEREAS, the Stockholders, the Investor and the Company desire to enter
into this Agreement in order to set forth certain rights of Investor; and
WHEREAS, capitalized terms, not otherwise defined herein, shall have
the meanings ascribed thereto in Exhibit A hereto, which is incorporated herein
by reference or the Purchase Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and
agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto,
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
a. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
(a) The Board shall be composed of three members, unless the
membership of the Board is increased by a majority vote of the members
of the Board.
(b) Investor shall have the right to nominate one (1) Person
to serve on the Board (the "Investor Director").
b. NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS AT STOCKHOLDER MEETING. At each
annual stockholder meeting of the Company, the Board shall duly nominate for
election to the Board the individual designated as the nominee by the Investor,
provided such person is reasonably acceptable to the majority of the members of
the Board excluding the Investor.
c. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND REMOVAL.
(a) The Stockholders shall vote all Shares owned or controlled
by them in favor of the individual nominated in accordance with the
terms hereto to serve as the Investor Director, and the Investor shall
vote all Shares owned or controlled by the Investor and its Affiliates
in favor of all of the other persons nominated by the Board to serve as
directors of the Company.
1
(b) The Stockholders shall vote all Shares owned or controlled
by them in favor of the removal of an Investor Director, if such
removal is requested by the Investor.
d. FILLING DESIGNATED DIRECTOR VACANCIES. If an individual who
was an Investor Director shall, for any reason, cease to be a director of the
Company before the expiration of his/her term, then the Investor, within ten
Business Days after the Investor Director ceases to be a director of the
Company, shall nominate another individual to be the Investor Director and,
provided that such individual is reasonably acceptable to the majority of the
remaining directors of the Company, the Board shall promptly, and in any case
within thirty (30) calendar days thereafter, fill the resulting vacancy by
electing such replacement director to serve as an Investor Director; provided,
however, that until such vacancy is filled, the Board shall take no action other
than such action as is necessary to fill such vacancy.
e. COMMITTEES. The Company and the Stockholders shall cause
the Board of Directors to nominate and appoint the Investor Director to each
committee, if any, of the Board of Directors. Such Investor Director shall be
entitled to receive notice of, observe and attend all meetings of each such
committee.
f. MEETINGS. The Company shall convene meetings of the Board
of Directors at least quarterly. The Company shall reimburse each director for
his/her reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the
attendance of meetings of the Board of Directors and performance of his/her
other duties as a director.
2. COMPANY GOVERNANCE MATTERS
a. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS.
(a) The Company will keep adequate and accurate books of
account and will prepare the financial statements referred to herein in
accordance with GAAP.
(b) The Company will furnish to the Investor a copy of each
filing made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
b. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
(a) MANAGEMENT BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Stockholders and the
Investor hereby confirm that it is their intention that the business
and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries shall be managed by the
Board of Directors in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
(b) SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS. Notwithstanding the fact that no
vote may be required, or that a lesser percentage vote may be specified
by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws, (but subject
to any additional requirements of law or the Certificate of
Incorporation or the By-Laws), the Company shall not take any of the
following actions (individually, a "Significant Transaction") without
the affirmative vote of the Investor Director and the majority of the
other directors:
2
(i) any merger or consolidation involving the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company except for: (A) any transaction relating to the
Company's then current business which presently involves asset management,
investment banking, retail brokerage and products and services relating to the
Company's website, www.vfinance.com, provided, however, that the exception set
forth in this subparagraph A shall not apply if, upon the consummation of such
merger or consolidation, the Company has at least $3,000,000 in cash or cash
equivalents and marketable securities, or (B) any transaction involving the
merger or consolidation of a subsidiary with or into the Company or with or into
a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company;
(ii) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other
disposition, directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or series of
related transactions, of all or substantially all of its assets, to or with any
Person other than to or with the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company; (iii) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition,
directly or indirectly, of its assets (except sales of inventory in the ordinary
course of business) to or with any Person other than to or with the Company or a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, if the aggregate assets so disposed of
under this subclause
(iii) in such transaction and all other such
transactions from and after the date hereof have a fair market value (determined
in good faith by the Board as of the respective dates of such transactions)
which exceeds 25% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries
(other than any inventory referred to above), as reflected on the most recent
audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries existing
at the time of such proposed Significant Transaction;
(iv) any amendment to or modification or repeal of
any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws except as may be
required in order for the Company to be in compliance with the Transaction
Documents; or
(v) the dissolution of the Company, the adoption of a
plan of liquidation of the Company, or any action by the Company to commence any
suit, case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of
any jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of
debtors seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or
seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or
other relief with respect to it, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver,
trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or any
substantial part of its assets, or making a general assignment for the benefit
of its creditors; provided, however, that the vote of the Investor Director
shall not be required if such dissolution, liquidation, bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar relief from creditors of the Company is
reasonably expected to result in the Investor receiving cash or other property
having a value of at least twice the cash paid by the Investor to the Company to
acquire the Note pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or the Option Shares
pursuant to the Option.
c. DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall
(a) provide for the indemnification of the members of the Board to the fullest
extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware and (b) use
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and
3
maintain in effect officers' and directors' liability insurance; provided that
the Company shall not be required to obtain or maintain such insurance if it is
unavailable.
d. COVENANT TO VOTE. Each Stockholder and the Investor shall
take all actions necessary to call, or cause the Company and the appropriate
officers and directors of the Company to call, a special or annual meeting of
the stockholders of the Company and to vote all Shares owned or held of record
by each of the Stockholders and the Investor and their respective Affiliates at
any such annual or special meeting in favor of, or take all actions by written
consent in lieu of any such meeting necessary to cause, the election as members
of the Board of Directors of those individuals so designated in accordance with,
and otherwise to effect the intent of, this Agreement. In addition, each
Stockholder and the Investor and their respective Affiliates shall vote the
Shares owned or held of record by such Stockholder and the Investor and their
respective Affiliates upon any other matter arising under this Agreement
submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company in a manner so as to
implement the terms of this Agreement.
3. TRANSFER AND PURCHASE RIGHT PROVISIONS
a. RESTRICTION ON TRANSFERS. No Stockholder shall directly or
indirectly in any manner Transfer all or any portion of the Shares owned of
record by him or it, or any right or interest therein, except until the
transferee shall execute and deliver to the Company such documents and
instruments of conveyance as may be necessary or appropriate in the opinion of
counsel to the Company to effect such Transfer and to confirm the agreement of
the transferee to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, provided,
however, that the restriction of Transfer and the agreement of the transferee
contained in this Section 3(a) shall not apply to (a) a Stockholder's Transfer
of an unlimited amount of Shares pursuant to the applicable jurisdiction's laws
of descent and distribution; (b) the public sale of up to five percent (5%) of
the Shares owned by a Stockholder in one or a series of related transactions
pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933
Act") (or any similar rule then in effect) or an effective registration
statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or (c) the Transfer
of up to five percent (5%) of the Shares owned by a Stockholder in one or a
series of related transactions exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. It
is understood and agreed by the parties hereto that a Stockholder shall be
permitted to Transfer more than 5% of the Shares that such Stockholder owns as
long as no more than five percent (5%) of a Stockholder's then-owned Shares are
Transferred in any one or a series of related transactions.
b. PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS.
(a) The Company shall not issue or sell any Shares (other than
(i) in connection with a transaction approved by the Board, which
approval includes the affirmative vote of the Investor Director, in
which the Shares to be issued represent no more than ten percent (10%)
of the Common Stock (when aggregated with all other issuances effected
through this exemption) or (ii) in connection with any other
transaction approved by the unanimous vote of all of the members of the
Board then in office), unless prior to the issuance or sale of such
Shares the Investor shall have been given the opportunity to purchase
(on the same terms as such Shares are proposed to be sold) the same
proportion of such Shares being issued or offered for sale by the
Company as the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as
such term is defined in
4
Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by
the Investor bears to all of the Common Stock issued and outstanding on
that day as calculated pursuant to such Rule (the "Basic Amount").
(b) Prior to the issuance or sale by the Company of any
Shares, the Company shall give written notice thereof (the "Notice of
Preemptive Rights") to the Investor which shall specify the total
aggregate number of Shares to be issued, the price and other terms of
their proposed issuance, the Basic Amount which the Investor is
entitled to purchase, and the period during which the Investor may
elect to purchase such Shares, which period shall extend for at least
ten (10) calendar days following the delivery of such notice.
(c) If the Investor desires to purchase Shares shall, Investor
notify the Company in writing (the "Notice of Acceptance") within the
specified period of the proportion of the Basic Amount it wishes to
purchase and, if it elects to purchase all of its Basic Amount.
(d) Any Shares which are not purchased in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 3.2 may, within a period of sixty (60) days
after the expiration of the time for making such election, be sold by
the Company to the other Person or Persons at not less than the price
and upon other terms and conditions not less favorable to the Company
than those set forth in the Notice of Preemptive rights.
c. STOCK CERTIFICATES. Each certificate representing Shares
shall be imprinted with the following legend:
"THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE HELD SUBJECT TO THE
TERMS OF THAT CERTAIN INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF _________
____________ [ ], 2001. A COPY OF THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT IS
AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS AT THE PRINCIPAL
OFFICES OF THE ISSUER OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE.
NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BE SOLD,
ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, MORTGAGED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, OR OTHERWISE
DISPOSED OR ENCUMBERED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT. THE INVESTOR
RIGHTS AGREEMENT SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE
SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY."
d. RECAPITALIZATION, EXCHANGES, ETC. The provisions of this
Agreement shall apply, to the full extent set forth herein, to any and all
Shares in the Company or the securities of any successor or assign of the
Company (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) that may
issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of the Shares, by
reason of any combination, recapitalization, reclassification, merger,
consolidation or otherwise.
5
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
a. EXECUTION BY STOCKHOLDERS. Each Stockholder, severally and
not jointly, represents and warrants that (a) he or it owns the number of Shares
indicated on Exhibit B attached hereto; (b) he or it has the power (corporate or
other) and capacity to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all
related agreements, documents or consents; (c) this Agreement and all related
agreements, documents or consents have been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by all necessary action (corporate or other) of such party; (d) this
Agreement and all related agreements and consents constitute legal, valid and
binding obligations of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance
with their terms, except that (i) the remedy of specific performance and
injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable
defenses and to the discretion of the court before which a proceeding therefor
maybe brought, and (ii) enforceability of this agreement or related agreements,
documents and consents may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability related to
creditors rights.
b. EXECUTION BY THE COMPANY. The Company hereby represents and
warrants that (a) it has all the requisite corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all related agreements,
documents or consents; (b) this Agreement and all related agreements, documents
or consents have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all necessary
corporate action on behalf of the Company; and (c) this Agreement and all
related agreements, documents and consents constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with their
terms except that (i) the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and
other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which a proceeding therefor may be brought, and
(ii) enforceability of this Agreement or related agreements, documents and
consents may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or similar laws of general applicability related to creditors rights.
c. EXECUTION BY THE INVESTOR. The Investor hereby represents
and warrants that (a) it has all the requisite corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all related agreements,
documents or consents; (b) this Agreement and all related agreements, documents
or consents have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all necessary
corporate action on behalf of the Investor; and (c) this Agreement and all
related agreements, documents and consents constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Investor, enforceable against it in accordance with their
terms except that (i) the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and
other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which a proceeding therefor may be brought, and
(ii) enforceability of this Agreement or related agreements, documents and
consents may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or similar laws of general applicability related to creditors rights.
5. TERM
The obligations and rights of the parties pursuant to this Agreement
shall terminate at such time as Investor and any Affiliate of Investor own
beneficially (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the aggregate
6
less than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock
(as calculated pursuant to such Rule).
6. MISCELLANEOUS
a. COMMUNICATIONS. All notices required or permitted hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal
delivery to the party to be notified; (ii) when sent by confirmed facsimile if
sent during normal business hours of the recipient; if not, then on the next
business day; (iii) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (iv) one (1) day
after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next
day delivery, with written verification of receipt.
If to the Company:
vFinance.com.Inc.
3010 N. Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33431
ATTN: Leonard J. Sokolow, CEO and President
Telephone: (561) 981-1000
Facsimile: (561) 981-3969
If to the Investor:
Best Finance Investments Limited
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
Telephone: 852-2525-2033
Facsimile:
If to any Stockholder:
In accordance with the information provided therefor on Exhibit B.
Or at such other address as the Company, Investor or any Stockholder
may designate in writing in accordance with the foregoing notice provisions.
b. WAIVERS. No wavier of any provision, condition or covenant
of this Agreement made after the date hereof shall be effective as against the
waiving parties unless such waiver is in writing signed by the waiving parties.
Waiver by a party as provided in this Section 5.2 shall not be construed as, or
constitute, either a continuing waiver of such provision, condition or covenant
or a waiver of any other provision, condition or covenant hereof. The failure of
any party at any time to require performance by the other party of any
provision, condition or covenant of this Agreement shall in no way affect its
right thereafter to enforce the provision, condition or covenant.
7
c. AMENDMENTS. Except as amended in Article III hereof, this
Agreement may be modified, supplemented or amended only with the agreement of
the parties hereto.
d. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement (together with the
Exhibits expressly identified in this Agreement) constitutes the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and
written, with respect to such subject matter.
e. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be governed and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving
regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
f. ASSIGNMENTS. Except with respect to a Transfer of Shares or
any portion thereof in accordance with Article III, this Agreement may not be
assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
parties.
g. BINDING EFFECT; BENEFITS. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. Nothing contained in this Agreement, express
or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto
and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies
under or by reason of this Agreement.
h. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party to this Agreement agrees to
execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record such further certificates,
amendments, instruments and documents and to do all such other acts and things,
as may be required by law, or as may, in the opinion of independent legal
counsel to any other party hereto, be necessary or advisable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement.
i. SEVERABILITY. If any provision, sentence, phrase or word of
this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance shall be
held to be unenforceable or invalid, then such provision, sentence, phrase or
word shall be ineffective only to the extent of such unenforceability or
invalidity, and the remainder of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby;
provided, however, that notwithstanding the above, the Stockholders agree to act
in a manner fully consistent with the excised provision, sentence, phrase or
word so as to implement the intent thereof and to reach the same result as if it
were still in the Agreement; provided, further, that to the extent such intent
could otherwise be implemented under the laws of the State of New York directly
or through a series of acts, assuming sufficient votes therefor under such law,
then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, such intent
shall be implemented and the desired result shall be accomplished to the fullest
extent permitted by law.
j. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
8
k. EXHIBITS.
(a) The Exhibits and other agreements specifically referred to
in, and delivered pursuant to, this Agreement are an integral part of
it.
(b) The following are the Exhibits annexed hereto and
incorporated by reference and deemed to be a part hereof:
Exhibit A Glossary
Exhibit B Stockholders Holdings
9
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
on the following signature page as of the day and year first written above.
vFINANCE.COM, INC.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: CEO and President
BEST FINANCE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
By:
Name:
Title:
Timothy Mahoney
Leonard J. Sokolow
GENESIS PARTNERS, INC.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: CEO and President
10
EXHIBIT A
DEFINITIONS
1.1 DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms and other terms contained and used in this
Agreement which are not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement. The capitalized terms contained and
used in this Agreement which are defined below shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to them as follows:
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person directly
or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with such
Person (including, if any of the foregoing is a natural Person, the parent,
spouse, child, brother or sister of such natural Person), (ii) any Person owning
or Controlling fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding voting interests
of such Person, (iii) any officer, director or general partner of such Person,
or (iv) any Person who is an officer, director, general partner, trustee or
holder of fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting interests of any Person
described in clauses (i) through (iii) of this sentence.
"Basic Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Business Day" means any calendar day other than a Saturday, a Sunday,
or a day on which the commercial banks in California and Florida, are required
or authorized by law to be closed.
"Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01
per share.
"Company" means vFinance.com, Inc. d/b/a vFinance, Inc.
"Control" means (i) when used with respect to any entity, the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such entity, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and (ii) when used
with respect to any security, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security or the power to dispose
of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.
"Dollars" means United States Dollars.
"Investor Director" has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1.1(b).
"Notice of Acceptance" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c).
"Notice of Preemptive Rights" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.2(b).
"Person" means any human being, organization, general partnership,
limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint venture,
trust, business trust, association, governmental entity or other legal entity.
"Securities Purchase Agreement" means the Stock Purchase Agreement of
even date herewith between the Company and Investor.
"Share" means the shares of capital stock of the Company, any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for such capital stock, any warrants
or options to purchase such capital stock, and any other equity or voting
interest of the Company.
"Stockholder" means Genesis Partners, Inc., Timothy Mahoney, and
Leonard J. Sokolow.
"Transfer" means any sale, transfer, exchange, assignment, pledge,
disposition, hypothecation, gift or any contract for the foregoing or any voting
trust or other agreement or arrangement respecting voting rights or any
beneficial interest in a Share.
1.2 INTERPRETATION. When the context in which words are used in the
Agreement indicates that such is the intent, words in the singular number shall
include the plural, and vice versa, the masculine gender shall include the
neuter or female gender, and "or" is used in the inclusive sense (and/or). The
words "include," "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed by
the phrase "without limitation." All references to an Article or Section shall
be deemed references to such portions of the Agreement, unless the context shall
otherwise require. Headings or titles contained herein are inserted only as a
matter of convenience and in no way define, limit, extend or interpret the scope
of this Agreement or any particular Article or Section hereof. All references
herein to Exhibits shall be deemed to be references to the Exhibits attached to
the Agreement. The terms "this Agreement," "hereof," "hereunder" and similar
expressions refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article
or Section or other portion hereof and include any agreement supplemental
hereto.
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EXHIBIT B
Stockholders Beneficial Holdings
Stockholder Name and Number of Shares
Address of Common Stock
-------------------- ----------------
Genesis Partners, Inc. 3,343,135
and Leonard J. Sokolow
3010 Military Trial , #300
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Telephone: (561) 981-1000
Facsimile: (561) 981-3969
Timothy Mahoney 3,343,135
3010 Military Trial , #300
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Telephone: (561)981-1000
Facsimile: (561) 981-3969
EXHIBIT D
THIS NOTE AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THIS NOTE AND THE
COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR
SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT AS TO THIS NOTE UNDER SAID ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO VFINANCE.COM, INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.
CONVERTIBLE NOTE
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, vFinance.com, Inc. d/b/a vFinance, Inc. ("Borrower"), hereby
promises to pay to Best Finance Investments Limited, c/o Billy Cheung, 4/F
Hendley Building, 5 Queen's Road, Central Hong Kong, , telecopier number _______
_______________ (the "Holder") or order, without demand, the sum of One Million
Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00), without interest, on ____________
____________________ (the "Maturity Date").
The following terms shall apply to this Note:
ARTICLE I
PAYMENT
On the Maturity Date, the entire principal amount shall be paid to the
Holder without offset or deduction of any kind, including, without limitation,
any amounts otherwise required to be withheld by the Borrower and payable to any
taxing authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal amount of this
Note shall be reduced from time to time by the amount credited by the Holder in
lieu of payment pursuant to the exercise of Holder's rights under that certain
Option issued by Borrower in favor of Holder.
ARTICLE II
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The Holder shall have the right to convert the principal amount under
this Note into shares of the Borrower's Common Stock as set forth below.
2.1. CONVERSION INTO THE BORROWER'S COMMON STOCK.
(a) The Holder shall have the right from and after the issuance of this
Note and then at any time until this Note is fully paid, to convert any
outstanding and unpaid principal portion of this Note by delivering to Borrower
a Notice of Conversion substantially in the form of Exhibit A (the date of
giving of such notice of conversion being a "Conversion Date") into fully paid
and nonassessable shares of common stock of Borrower as such stock exists on the
date of issuance of this Note, or any shares of capital stock of Borrower into
which such stock shall hereafter be changed or reclassified (the "Common Stock")
at the conversion price as defined in Section 2.1(b) hereof (the "Conversion
Price"), determined as provided herein. Upon
delivery to the Borrower of a Notice of Conversion of the Holder's written
request for conversion, Borrower shall issue and deliver to the Holder within
three business days from the Conversion Date that number of shares of Common
Stock for the portion of the Note converted in accordance with the foregoing.
The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon each conversion of this
Note shall be determined by dividing that portion of the principal of the Note
to be converted, by the Conversion Price.
(b) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.1(c) hereof, the
Conversion Price per share shall be $0.285.
(c) The Conversion Price described in Section 2.1(b) above and the
number and kind of shares or other securities to be issued upon conversion
determined pursuant to Section 2.1(a) shall be subject to adjustment from time
to time upon the happening of certain events while this conversion right remains
outstanding, as follows:
A. Merger, Sale of Assets, etc. If the Borrower at any time
shall consolidate with or merge into or sell or convey all or substantially all
its assets to any other corporation, this Note, as to the unpaid principal
portion thereof, shall thereafter be deemed to evidence the right to purchase
such number and kind of shares or other securities and property as would have
been issuable or distributable on account of such consolidation, merger, sale or
conveyance, upon or with respect to the securities subject to the conversion or
purchase right immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or
conveyance. The foregoing provision shall similarly apply to successive
transactions of a similar nature by any such successor or purchaser. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the anti-dilution provisions of this
Section shall apply to such securities of such successor or purchaser after any
such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance.
B. Reclassification, etc. If the Borrower at any time shall,
by reclassification or otherwise, change the Common Stock into the same or a
different number of securities of any class or classes, this Note, as to the
unpaid principal portion thereof, shall thereafter be deemed to evidence the
right to purchase an adjusted number of such securities and kind of securities
as would have been issuable as the result of such change with respect to the
Common Stock immediately prior to such reclassification or other change.
C. Stock Splits, Combinations and Dividends. If the shares of
Common Stock are subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of
shares of Common Stock, or if a dividend is paid on the Common Stock in shares
of Common Stock, the Conversion Price shall be proportionately reduced in case
of subdivision of shares or stock dividend or proportionately increased in the
case of combination of shares, in each such case by the ratio which the total
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event bears
to the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
such event.
D. Subject to the Borrower amending its Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to at
least 50,000,000, during the period the conversion right exists, Borrower will
reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of
shares to provide for the issuance of Common Stock upon
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the full conversion of this Note. Borrower represents that upon issuance, such
shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Borrower
agrees that its issuance of this Note shall constitute full authority to its
officers, agents, and transfer agents who are charged with the duty of executing
and issuing stock certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates
for shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of this Note.
2.2 METHOD OF CONVERSION. This Note may be converted by the Holder in
whole or in part as described in Section 2.1(a) hereof. Upon partial conversion
of this Note, a new Note containing the same date and provisions of this Note
shall, at the request of the Holder, be issued by the Borrower to the Holder for
the principal balance of this Note which shall not have been converted or paid.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION
At any time prior to the third anniversary of the date hereof, so long
as no Event of Default has occurred that has not been cured, the Borrower shall
have the right to redeem the remaining principal balance of this Note in whole
(but not in part) upon no less than 30 days notice given to the Holder at
116.66% of the then principal balance. During the period between the delivery of
the notice and the effective date of the redemption, the Holder shall continue
to have the right to convert all or a portion of this Note, in which case the
redemption price shall be correspondingly reduced.
ARTICLE IV
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
4.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any of the following events of
default ("Event of Default") shall, at the option of the Holder hereof, make the
principal balance then remaining unpaid hereon and all other amounts payable
hereunder immediately due and payable, all without demand, presentment or
notice, or grace period, all of which hereby are expressly waived, except as set
forth below:
(a) FAILURE TO PAY PRINCIPAL. The Borrower fails to pay any
installment of principal hereon when due and such failure continues for a period
of ten (10) days after the due date.
(b) BREACH OF COVENANT. The Borrower breaches any material
covenant or other term or condition of this Note, the Note Purchase Agreement
entered into by the Holder and Borrower in connection with this Note (the "Note
Purchase Agreement") or any other agreement executed by the Borrower pursuant to
the Note Purchase Agreement (together with the Note Purchase Agreement, the
"Transactional Documents") in any material respect and such breach, if subject
to cure, continues for a period of ten (10) days after written notice to the
Borrower from the Holder.
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(c) BREACH OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Any material
representation or warranty of the Borrower made herein in any Transactional
Document shall be false or misleading in any material respect.
(d) RECEIVER OR TRUSTEE. The Borrower shall make an assignment
for the benefit of creditors, or apply for or consent to the appointment of a
receiver or trustee for it or for a substantial part of its property or
business; or such a receiver or trustee shall otherwise be appointed.
(e) JUDGMENTS. Any money judgment, writ or similar final
process shall be entered or filed against Borrower or any of its property or
other assets for more than $100,000, and shall remain unvacated, unbonded or
unstayed for a period of forty-five (45) days.
(f) BANKRUPTCY. Bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
liquidation proceedings or other proceedings or relief under any bankruptcy law
or any law for the relief of debtors shall be instituted by or against the
Borrower and if instituted against Borrower are not dismissed within 60 days of
initiation.
(g) DELISTING. Delisting of the Common Stock from the Over the
Counter Bulletin Board or other market (the "Principal Market") on which the
Common Stock is listed for trading; Borrower's failure to comply with the
conditions for listing; or notification that the Borrower is not in compliance
with the conditions for such continued listing.
(h) CROSS DEFAULT. The Borrower shall default in any of its
obligations under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be
issued any indebtedness of the Borrower in an amount exceeding $100,000 and such
default shall result in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and
payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise become due and payable.
(i) STOP TRADE. An SEC stop trade order or Principal Market
trading suspension for a period of more than 10 business days.
(j) FAILURE TO DELIVER COMMON STOCK OR REPLACEMENT NOTE.
Borrower's failure to timely deliver Common Stock to the Holder pursuant to and
in the form required by this Note, or if required, a replacement Note.
4.2 ENFORCEMENT. The Holder may thereupon proceed to protect and
enforce its rights either by suit in equity and/or by action at law or by other
appropriate proceedings whether for the specific performance (to the extent
permitted by law) of any covenant or agreement contained in this Note or in aid
of the exercise of any power granted in this Note, and proceed to enforce the
payment of this Note held by it, and to enforce any other legal or equitable
right of such Holder.
4.3 WAIVER; RELEASE. Except as expressly provided for herein, the
Company specifically (i) waives all rights it may have (A) to notice of
nonpayment, notice of default, demand, presentment, protest and notice of
protest with respect to any of the obligations hereunder or the shares of Common
Stock and (B) notice of acceptance hereof or of any other action taken in
reliance hereon, notice and opportunity to be heard before the exercise by the
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Holder of the remedies of self-help, set-off, or other summary procedures and
all other demands and notices of any type or description except for cure
periods; and (ii) releases the Holder, its officers, directors, agents,
employees and attorneys from all claims for loss or damage caused by any act or
failure to act on the part of the Holder, its officers, attorneys, agents,
directors and employees except for gross negligence or willful misconduct.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER. No failure or delay on the part
of Holder hereof in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder
shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or
of any other right, power or privilege. All rights and remedies existing
hereunder are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies
otherwise available.
5.2 NOTICES. Any notice herein required or permitted to be given shall
be in writing and may be personally served or sent by fax transmission (with
copy sent by certified or registered mail or by overnight courier). For the
purposes hereof, the address and fax number of the Holder is as set forth on the
first page hereof. The address and fax number of the Borrower shall be
vFinance.com, Inc., 3010 North Military Trail, Suite 300 Boca Raton, FL 33431,
telecopier number: (561) 981-3969. Both Holder and Borrower may change the
address and fax number for service by service of notice to the other as herein
provided. Notice of Conversion shall be deemed effecting five days after being
placed in the mail, if mailed, or upon receipt of delivery personally or by
courier or by facsimile, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive
same.
5.3 AMENDMENT PROVISION. The term "Note" and all reference thereto, as
used throughout this instrument, shall mean this instrument as originally
executed, or if later amended or supplemented, then as so amended or
supplemented.
5.4 ASSIGNABILITY. This Note shall be binding upon the Borrower and its
successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the Holder and its
successors and assigns, and may be assigned by the Holder.
5.5 COST OF COLLECTION. If default is made in the payment of this Note,
Borrower shall pay the Holder hereof reasonable costs of collection, including
reasonable attorneys' fees.
5.6 MAXIMUM PAYMENTS. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Note
or any other instrument or document executed in connection herewith, it is
expressly agreed and understood that the Borrower does not intend or expect to
pay, nor does the Holder intend or expect to charge, accept or collect any
interest which, when added to any other charge upon the principal, shall be in
excess of the highest lawful rate allowable under applicable law. Should
acceleration, prepayment, redemption or any other charges upon the principal or
any portion thereof result in the computation or earning of interest in excess
of the highest lawful rate
4
allowable under applicable law, any and all such excess is hereby waived and
shall be credited to the outstanding principal balance or returned to the
Borrower.
5.7 PREPAYMENT. This Note may be prepaid prior to the Maturity Date
upon at least 30 days notice subject to the right of the Holder to convert all
or part of this Note prior to receipt of the prepayment amount.
5.8 GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. This Note shall be governed by and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California without
regard to the principles of conflict of laws. In the event of any litigation
regarding the interpretation or application of this Note, the parties
irrevocably consent to jurisdiction in any of the state or federal courts
located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California and waive their rights
to object to venue in any such court, regardless of the convenience or
inconvenience thereof to any party. Service of process in any civil action
relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the transaction(s) contemplated
herein may be accomplished in any manner provided by law. The parties hereto
agree that a final, non-appealable judgment in any such suit or proceeding shall
be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on such
judgment or in any other lawful manner.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Note to be signed in its
name by its Chief Executive Officer on this _____ day of ______________, ______.
vFinance.com, Inc. d/b/a vFinance, Inc.
By:
WITNESS:
5
EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF CONVERSION
(To be executed by the Registered Holder in order to convert the Note)
The undersigned hereby elects to convert $_________ of the principal
due on the Note issued by vFinance.com d/b/a vFinance, Inc. into Shares of
Common Stock of the Company according to the conditions set forth in such Note,
as of the date written below.
Date of Conversion:
Conversion Price:
Shares To Be Delivered:
Signature:
Print Name:
Address:
EXHIBIT E
COMPANY'S COUNSEL OPINION LETTER
Dated as of November ___, 2001
Best Finance Investments Limited
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
Re: Note Purchase Agreement between vFinance.com, Inc.
and Best Finance Investment Limited
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished to you pursuant to the Note Purchase
Agreement dated as of November 28, 2001 (the "Purchase Agreement") between
vFinance.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Best Finance
Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation (the "Investor"),
which provides, among other things, for the issuance and sale by the Company of
(i) a promissory note (the "Note") in the aggregate principal amount of
$1,500,000, which will be (a) for a term of 48 months, with no interest and no
amortization payable during the term, (b) convertible in whole or in part into
shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per shares (the "Common
Stock"), at a conversion rate of $.285 for each share of Common Stock, and (c)
subject to the right of the Company to redeem the Note for $1,750,000 at any
time prior to the third anniversary of the closing of the Purchase Agreement,
and (ii) an option (the "Option") exercisable from time to time up to June 30,
2002 to purchase up to that number of shares of Common Stock equal to 1,500,000
divided by the average closing bid and asked price of the Common Stock for the
20 consecutive trading days prior to the date(s) of the applicable option
exercise but in no event will the number be more than $.336 or less than $.23.
We have acted as special counsel for the Company in connection with the
Purchase Agreement, the Note, the Option, the Registration Rights Agreement and
the Investor Rights Agreement (collectively, the "Transaction Documents"). In
rendering this opinion letter, we have relied, with your approval, as to factual
matters solely on our examination of the following documents ("Documents"), and
have made no independent verification of the facts asserted to be true and
correct in the Documents, including, without limitation, the factual
representations and warranties contained in the Transaction Documents:
(a) The Company's Certificate of Incorporation filed with the
office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on February 12,
1992, Certificate of Renewal, filed with the office of the
Secretary of State of Delaware on March 15, 1996, Certificate
of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed with
the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on April 28,
1999, Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation, filed with the office of the Secretary of State
of Delaware on March 13, 2000, Certificate of Designation of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Certificate of
Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, filed
with the office of the Secretary of State of Delware on
January 3, 2001 (collectively, the "Certificate of
Incorporation");
(b) The Company's Bylaws, effective January 24, 1994, ("Bylaws"),
as provided to us by the Company;
(c) The Officer's Certificate ("Officer's Certificate") delivered
to us by Leonard J. Sokolow, the Chief Executive Officer and
President of the Company, a copy of which is attached hereto
as Exhibit "B";
(d) The resolutions of the Company's board of directors with
respect to the Transaction Documents, included as a schedule
to the Officer's Certificate;
(e) A certificate dated November 14, 2001, issued by the Delaware
Secretary of State; and
(f) Copies of or forms of each of the Transaction Documents and
the certificates and exhibits delivered pursuant to the
Transaction Documents on the date hereof or thereof.
Except to the extent we specifically and expressly opine on any such
matters in this opinion, in our examination of the Documents and in rendering
the following opinions, in addition to the assumptions contained elsewhere in
this opinion, we have, with your consent, assumed without investigation (and we
express no opinion regarding) each of the following: (a) that all parties to the
Transaction Documents (other than the Company) are duly organized and are
validly existing in the jurisdictions in which they were organized, and that all
parties to the Transaction Documents are duly qualified to transact business as
foreign corporations and in good standing in the jurisdictions in which they
transact business; (b) other than with respect to the Company, the due
authorization, execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the
parties thereto; (c) other than with respect to the Company, the full legal
power and authority of the parties to the Transaction Documents to execute,
deliver and perform their respective obligations thereunder; (d) that the
Transaction Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the
parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms against
each of them; (e) that the parties to the Transaction Documents have acted in
good faith, without notice of adverse claims, and other than with respect to the
Company have complied with all laws applicable to each of them that affect the
Transaction Documents except as qualified herein;
2
(f) that none of the Transaction Documents has been modified, supplemented or
subject to any waiver; (g) that the Transaction Documents comply with all
standards of good faith, fairness, public policy and conscionability required by
law; (h) that with respect to the Transaction Documents, sufficient
consideration has been received by each of the parties in respect of their
respective obligations thereunder; (i) the constitutionality and validity of all
relevant laws, regulations and agency actions unless a reported case has
otherwise held; (j) that there are no agreements or understandings among the
parties, written or oral, and there is no usage of trade or course of prior
dealing among the parties that would, in either case, define, supplement,
qualify or alter the terms of the Transaction Documents; (k) the Investor has no
reason to believe that the opinions set forth herein are incorrect or that there
has been any mutual mistake of fact or misunderstanding, fraud, duress or undue
influence relating to the matters which are the subject of our opinions; (l) the
fulfillment of and timely compliance by the parties thereto with all the terms
and conditions of the Transaction Documents and the accuracy of all
representations and warranties contained in the Transaction Documents and in the
certificates delivered pursuant thereto on the date hereof or thereof; (m) that
there was no misrepresentation, omission or deceit by any person in connection
with the execution, delivery or performance of any of the documents referred to
herein or any of the transactions contemplated by such documents; (n) that the
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws as presented to us are true, complete
and include all amendments thereto to date; (o) no offer of the Note, the
Option, the Note Shares or the Option Shares was made to the Investor in the
United States, and at the time the offer and sale of the Note, the Option, the
Note Shares and the Option Shares were made, the Investor was located outside of
the United States; (p) each instrument, when issued, and each Transaction
Document when executed, delivered and filed, if necessary, with the appropriate
regulatory authority, will conform to the form presented to and reviewed by us;
(q) the accuracy and completeness of all documents and records that we have
reviewed and the genuineness of all signatures contained therein; (r) that all
individuals executing documents individually or on behalf of any of the parties
thereto are in fact the individuals they purport to be; (s) the legal capacity
of all individuals who executed documents individually or on behalf of the
parties thereto; and (t) the authenticity of documents submitted to us as
originals and the conformity to authentic originals of documents submitted to us
as copies or facsimiles or exhibits.
As to factual matters, we have assumed the correctness of and relied
upon the statements and other representations of the parties in the Documents,
and upon certificates of public officials, and we have made no independent
inquiries or investigations.
We have not conducted any independent investigation in rendering the
opinions set forth in this letter other than the examination of the Documents
described herein, and our opinion is qualified in all respects by the scope of
such document examination.
Our opinions are limited solely to the laws of the State of Florida,
the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Delaware Law") and United States federal
law, excluding conflict of laws rules. We note that the Purchase Agreement, the
Note, the Option and the Registration Rights Agreement are governed by the laws
of the State of California and that the Investor Rights Agreement is governed by
the laws of the State of Delaware. To the extent that the matters that are the
subject of this opinion may be affected by the laws of a jurisdiction other than
the laws of the State of Florida, Delaware Law and United States federal law,
our opinions are necessarily
3
made upon the assumption, which we have made with your permission, that the
relevant law of such other jurisdiction is identical to that of the State of
Florida, Delaware Law and United States federal law in all applicable respects.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the opinions contained herein shall not be
construed as expressing any opinion regarding local statutes, ordinances,
administrative decisions, or regarding the rules and regulations of counties,
towns, municipalities or special political subdivisions (whether created or
enabled through legislative action at the state or regional level), or regarding
judicial decisions to the extent that they deal with any of the foregoing.
Based solely upon our examination and consideration of the Documents,
and in reliance thereon, and in reliance upon the factual representations
contained in the Documents, and our consideration of such matters of law as we
have considered necessary or appropriate for the expression of the opinions
contained herein, and subject to the assumptions and the limitations, exceptions
and qualifications expressed herein (including Exhibit "A" hereto), we are of
the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good corporate standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
2. The Company has the requisite corporate power and corporate
authority to enter into and, subject to the Company amending its Certificate of
Incorporation in accordance with Section 4(d) of the Purchase Agreement, perform
its obligations under the Transaction Documents and to issue the Securities. The
Transaction Documents have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby has
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and no further consent or
authorization of the Company or its Board of Directors or shareholders is
required, except as such consent or authorization may be required from time to
time to meet the Company's obligations with respect to the reservation and
issuance of the Option Shares and the Note Shares. Each of such Transaction
Documents will, upon receipt of the consideration recited therein, constitute a
valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its respective terms. (We call your attention to the
limitations, exceptions and qualifications set forth on Exhibit "A".)
3. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction
Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated thereby, including, without limitation, the issuance of the
Securities, do not and will not (i) subject to the Company amending its
Certificate of Incorporation in accordance with Section 4(d) of the Purchase
Agreement, result in a violation of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
or Bylaws; or (ii) result in a violation of any federal or state law, rule or
regulation applicable to the Company or by which any property or asset of the
Company is bound or affected, except for such violations as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have an effect on the business, operations,
properties, prospects or financial condition of the Company that is material and
adverse to the Company and/or any condition, circumstance, or situation that
would prohibit or otherwise interfere with the ability of the Company to enter
into and perform any of its obligations under the Transaction Documents in any
material respect.
4
4. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties
made by the Investor set forth in the Purchase Agreement and assuming no offer
or sale (as such terms are defined in Sections 517.021(14) and 517.021(18) of
the Florida Statutes) of the Securities has occurred or will occur in the State
of Florida, the issuance of the Securities in accordance with the Purchase
Agreement will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and will be in compliance with state securities laws of the State of
Florida. The Note Shares and the Option Shares, when issued in accordance with
the Transaction Documents (including payment of consideration therefor), will be
validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any preemptive or
similar rights contained in the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws. We note
that the issuance of the Note Shares and the Option Shares would be in excess of
the shares of Common Stock authorized to be issued under the Certificate of
Incorporation. Accordingly, further action by the Board of Directors and the
stockholders of the Company would be required to amend the Certificate of
Incorporation. (The foregoing opinion regarding the valid issuance and fully
paid and non-assessable nature of the Company's capital stock is based solely
upon the facts as set forth in the representations in the Officer's
Certificate).
5. Under Florida's choice of law principles, the contractual
selection of governing law in each of the Transaction Documents will be applied,
provided there is a reasonable relationship between each of the Transaction
Documents and the jurisdiction whose laws is selected and the selected law does
not conflict with Florida law or confer an advantage on a non-resident party
which a Florida resident does not have. A United States federal court sitting in
diversity is bound to apply the conflict of laws doctrine of the state in which
it sits.
6. Under Florida law, a court will recognize and enforce a
final judgment rendered by a court of a foreign jurisdiction under principles of
comity. Such a judgment will be enforced unless the court rendering the judgment
lacked jurisdiction or failed to afford the judgment defendant with due process
of law, or the judgment offends Florida's public policies. A United States
federal court sitting in diversity should apply the law of the foreign state in
determining this issue.
This opinion is subject to the assumptions, limitations, exceptions and
qualifications set forth herein and on Exhibit "A" hereto which is incorporated
herein with the same effect as if set forth herein.
This opinion is limited to the matters stated herein and no opinions
may be implied or inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.
The opinions herein are given and based upon the law of Florida,
Delaware Law and United States federal law as of the date hereof and the facts
presented to us. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or supplement
our opinions to reflect any facts or circumstances which may come to our
attention or any changes in law which may occur, including changes that might
affect the opinions set forth herein.
This opinion is for the sole benefit of the Investor and solely in
connection with the transaction contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and may
not be relied upon by any other person or entity without the express written
consent of the undersigned. Without our prior written consent, this opinion
letter may not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise referred to in any
document or report and may not be furnished to any person or entity.
Very truly yours,
EDWARDS & ANGELL, LLP
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Exhibit "A" to Legal Opinion
ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS, EXCEPTIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS
No opinion is expressed herein as to the enforceability of any
agreement or instrument to the extent that enforceability of any rights,
obligations and agreements is in any way affected or limited by: (a) applicable
liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization
or similar state or federal laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors
generally (including without limitation, fraudulent transfer laws); (b)
considerations of public policy and general principles of equity (whether
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (c) the exercise of the
discretionary powers of any court or other authority before which may be brought
any proceeding seeking equitable remedies, including, without limitation,
specific performance and injunctive relief; (d) the applicability of concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing; and (e) the limitation
or determination of rights or remedies by a court of competent jurisdiction or
other tribunal as unconscionable as a matter of law or contrary to public
policy, or limiting a remedy where another remedy has been elected.
Specifically, we express no opinion as to enforceability relating to
any provisions (a) allowing any party to declare indebtedness due and payable
without notice (as some courts have held that acceleration may not be made
except by an unequivocal act of the holder evidencing acceleration, which may
include notice to the debtor), (b) providing for specific performance and the
appointment of a receiver, (c) providing that a failure to exercise any right,
remedy or option shall not operate as a waiver or that a selection of a remedy
will not limit the availability of another remedy, (d) restricting access to
legal or equitable remedies or requiring submission to the jurisdiction of the
courts of a particular state where enforcement thereof is deemed to be
unreasonable in light of the circumstances or waiving any rights to object to
venue or an inconvenient forum, (e) which purport to establish methods for the
service of process which are not permitted pursuant to applicable law, (f) which
provide for the waiver of any right to trial by jury, (g) which provide that
oral modifications, course of conduct and course of dealing shall not be
effective, (h) waiving rights granted by law where the waivers are against
public policy or prohibited by law, (i) waiving or affecting rights to notices
or waiving vaguely or broadly stated rights or future rights, (j) which purport
to grant rights of indemnification or to hold harmless or exculpate, (k) which
provide that rights or remedies are not exclusive, that every right or remedy is
cumulative and may be exercised in addition to or with any other right or remedy
or that the election of some particular remedy or remedies does not preclude
recourse to one or more other remedies, (l) establishing severability
provisions, (m) providing for the reimbursement by the non-prevailing party of
the prevailing party's legal fees and expenses, (n) purporting to create or
perfect security interests, (o) purporting to establish evidentiary standards
for suits or proceedings to enforce any of the Transaction Documents, (p)
providing that forum selection clauses are binding on the court or courts in the
forum selected, (q) limiting judicial discretion regarding the determination of
damages and entitlement to attorneys' fees and other costs, (r) which deny a
party that has materially failed to render or offer performance required by the
contract the opportunity to cure that failure unless permitting a cure would
unreasonably hinder the non-defaulting party from making substitute arrangements
for performance, (s) which purport to grant rights of setoff to parties that are
not in privity of contract with the party against whom such setoff is sought or
with whom such parties do not share an identity of obligations, (t) which
provide for any power of sale or confession of judgment; (u) which deem or
acknowledge certain
factual matters which may not be fully consistent with a judicial determination
of such matters; (v) which provide for payment of damages in specified amounts
or pursuant to a specified formula in the event of a party's nonperformance of
certain obligations; (w) purporting to preclude the modification thereof through
conduct, custom or course of performance, action or dealing; (x) purporting to
require the payment or reimbursement of fees, costs, expenses, or other amounts
that are unreasonable in nature or amount; (y) purporting to bind third parties
who are not parties thereto; and (z) purporting to assign or convey any
agreement, contract or right which by its terms may not be assigned without the
consent of a third party if such consent is not obtained. None of the
qualifications as to enforceability set forth in this paragraph will materially
interfere with the practical realization of the benefits provided to the
Investor by the Transaction Documents except for the economic consequences of
any procedural delay which may result therefrom.
We express no opinion regarding the effect of or the applicability of
any tax or other impositions, including, without limitation, intangible,
documentary, stamp, mortgage, transfer and recording taxes and similar charges
and franchise taxes and taxes measured on or with respect to the net income or
gross receipts of any person or entity.
The opinions set forth herein are based in part upon applicable laws
and regulations as they are currently compiled and reported on by customary
reporting services. It is possible that laws and regulations affecting the
opinions expressed herein might have been enacted that are not reflected in such
reporting services. We are not currently aware of the enactment of any such laws
and regulations.
The opinions expressed herein are (a) limited to the matters expressly
set forth herein, and no opinion is to be inferred or implied beyond the matters
so stated, (b) subject to there being no material change in the law effective
after the date hereof, and (c) subject to applicable laws respecting limitations
of actions. This opinion is given and based upon the laws of the State of
Florida, Delaware Law and United States federal law as of the date hereof and
the facts presented to us.
[SPACE BELOW THIS LINE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
EXHIBIT B
vFINANCE.COM, INC.
OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE
The undersigned, Leonard J. Sokolow, does hereby certify that he is,
and at all times herein mentioned has been, the duly elected Chief Executive
Officer and President of vFinance.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), is familiar with the facts herein certified, is authorized to
certify the same and executes and delivers this Officer's Certificate on behalf
of the Company in connection with the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of
November 28, 2001 (the "Purchase Agreement"), between the Company and Best
Finance Investments Limited (the "Investor"). Capitalized terms not otherwise
defined herein are defined as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The
undersigned further certifies that:
1. The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the
Purchase Agreement, or any agreement or certificate delivered in connection
therewith, were true and correct in all respects as of the date thereof and are
true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof.
2. The Company has provided or caused to be provided to Edwards &
Angell, LLP (a) true, correct and complete copies of the Bylaws of the Company
as in effect on the date hereof, and (b) true, correct and complete copies of
the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors (including any committees
thereof) and stockholders relating directly or indirectly to the Purchase
Agreement, the Note, the Option, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the
Investor Rights Agreement (collectively, the "Agreements").
3. Attached hereto as SCHEDULE A are true, correct and complete copies
of the written consent of the Board of Directors of the Company, dated November
___, 2001, authorizing the Company to enter into and execute the Purchase
Agreement, the Note, the Option, the Registration Rights Agreement and the
Investor Rights Agreement.
4. There are no (a) claims against any of the securities to be issued
in connection with the Purchase Agreement, (b) encumbrances or liens against the
Company's interests in such securities, or (c) agreements which restrict the
Company's ability to issue or transfer the securities to be issued in accordance
with the Purchase Agreement.
5. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of: (a)
25,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"),
10,879,278 shares of which underlie outstanding stock options, warrants or other
contractual arrangements to issue shares of Common Stock, and (b) 2,500,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share.
6. As of November ___, 2001, the Company had 20,933,021 outstanding
shares of Common Stock, 3,011,511 treasury shares of Common Stock, 122,500
issued and outstanding shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and 50,000
issued and outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
7. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company are validly
issued and fully paid and the Company has received valid and sufficient
consideration therefore; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission; and
none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any
holder of any security of the Company.
8. The Company has paid all taxes and made all filings required under
Delaware law or regulations.
9. The Company's execution and delivery of each of the Purchase
Agreement, the Note, the Option, the Registration Rights Agreement and the
Investor Rights Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of the Company and each such document has been duly executed
and delivered by the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
10. The Company is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any
order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or
instrumentality.
11. The Company's principal place of business is in the State of
Florida.
12. The Company has not made any offers or sales of the securities to
be issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement in any state or other jurisdiction
of the United States.
13. I hereby certify, confirm and attest that I am the duly elected,
qualified and acting Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company,
authorized to execute and deliver each of the Agreements on behalf of the
Company and that I executed and delivered on behalf of the Company the following
documents as of the date set forth opposite such document:
Document Date
-------- ----
Purchase Agreement November ___, 2001
Registration Rights Agreement November ___, 2001
Note November ___, 2001
Option November ___, 2001
Investor Rights Agreement November ___, 2001
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Officer's
Certificate on behalf of the Company as of November ___, 2001.
vFINANCE.COM, INC.
By:
Leonard J. Sokolow
Chief Executive Officer and President
I, D. Carr Moody, do hereby certify that I am the duly elected,
qualified acting Secretary of the Company and that the signature subscribed to
the foregoing certificate purporting to be the signature of Leonard J. Sokolow
is the genuine signature of said person and such person is the duly elected,
qualified and acting Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company as of
the date hereinabove written.
By:
D. Carr Moody, Secretary
SCHEDULE A
VFINANCE. INC.
WRITTEN CONSENT TO ACTION IN LIEU
OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant to Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware, the undersigned, constituting all of the members of the Board of
Directors of vFinance, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), do hereby
waive any notice of, and dispense with the holding of, a meeting of the Board of
Directors, and do hereby consent to the adoption of, and do hereby adopt, the
following resolutions:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to enter into a Note Purchase Agreement
("Purchase Agreement") between the Company and Best Finance Investments Limited
("Best Finance"), pursuant to which the Company will issue and Best Finance will
acquire, (i) a promissory note (the "Note") in the aggregate principal amount of
$1,500,000, which will be (a) for a term of 48 months, with no interest and no
amortization payable during the term, (b) convertible in whole or in part into
shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock") at a conversion rate of $.285 for each share of Common Stock, and (c)
subject to the right of the Company to redeem the Note for $1.75 million at any
time prior to the third anniversary of the closing of the transaction, and (ii)
an option (the "Option") exercisable from time to time up to June 30, 2002 to
purchase up to that number of shares of Common Stock equal to 1,500,000 divided
by the average closing bid and ask price of the Common Stock for the twenty
consecutive trading days prior to the date(s) of the applicable option exercise
but in no event will the number be more than $.336 or less than $.23.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has reviewed the
Purchase Agreement, together with the Exhibits thereto and all other ancillary
documents; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors deems it to be in the best interest of
the Company and its stockholders to enter into the Purchase Agreement and
consummate the transactions contemplated thereby;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is:
RESOLVED, that the Purchase Agreement and such other documents to which
the Company is required to be a party pursuant to the Purchase Agreement,
including, but not limited to, the Note, the Option, the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Investor Rights Agreement (collectively, together with the
Purchase Agreement, the "Agreements"), be, and they hereby are, approved,
authorized and ratified as the acts and deeds of the Company;
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, the President or any Vice President of the Company be, and each of them
hereby is, in all respects, authorized, empowered and directed, in the name and
on behalf of the Company, to negotiate,
prepare, approve, modify, execute, deliver and perform the Agreements, and any
modifications or amendments thereto as any such officer executing and delivering
the same may deem necessary or desirable to effectuate the transactions
contemplated by the Agreements, the approval of such actions to be conclusively
evidenced by such officer's signature thereto;
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the number of members of the Board of Directors
of the Company be, and hereby is, expanded to include three persons, thereby
creating a vacancy of one position, and that effective after the closing of the
Credit Agreement with UBS Americas Inc. John Wang is hereby appointed to fill
such vacancy and to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company
until his successor is duly elected or appointed to the Board of Directors;
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the seal of the Company and the attestation of
the signature of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the
President or any Vice President of the Company by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Company will not be necessary, but if the seal or such
attestation is required by any party in connection with any of the transactions
contemplated under the Purchase Agreement, the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Company is hereby authorized to attest, for and on behalf of
the Company, the signature of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, the President or any Vice President upon any instrument, document or
other writing on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President thereof and to affix the
seal of the Company thereto;
RESOLVED FURTHER, that all actions heretofore or hereafter taken and
expenses incurred by any officer or director of the Company in furtherance of
any of the actions authorized by the foregoing resolutions are hereby expressly
ratified, confirmed, adopted and approved as acts and deeds of the Company; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the officers of the Company be, and each of them
hereby is, in all respects authorized, empowered and directed to take or cause
to be taken such further action, and to execute and deliver, or cause to be
executed and delivered, in the name and on behalf of the Company all such
further agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as they may deem to
be necessary, appropriate or desirable in order to effect the purposes and
intent of the foregoing resolutions and to be in the best interest of the
Company (as conclusively evidenced by the taking of such action or the execution
and delivery of such agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the
case may be), and that all actions heretofore taken by the officers of the
Company in connection with the subject of the foregoing resolutions be, and they
hereby are, in all respects approved, adopted, ratified and confirmed as the
acts and deeds of the Company.
This action by Unanimous Written Consent may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned constituting all of the members of
the Board of Directors of the Company, have executed this written consent to
action as of November 28, 2001.
Number of Shares Total vFin Shares Less: Treasury Total vFin Shares
Name Issued Issued Shares Outstanding
---- ---------------- ----------------- -------------- -----------------
Pre-Colonial Merger Public Float 1,049,600 1,049,600 1,049,600
Genesis Partners, Inc./ Leonard Sokolow (1) 350,000 1,399,600 1,399,600
River Rapids, Ltd. (1) 100,000 1,499,600 1,499,600
Insinger Venture Capital Limited (1) 933,334 2,432,934 2,432,934
Timothy Mahoney (1) 933,333 3,366,267 3,366,267
Genesis Partners, Inc. (1) 933,333 4,299,600 4,299,600
Highlands Group / Timothy Mahoney (1) 2,175,000 6,474,600 6,474,600
Genesis Partners, Inc./ Leonard Sokolow (1) 1,825,000 8,299,600 8,299,600
Bayard Management Services (BVI) Limited (1) 15,000 8,314,600 8,314,600
Michael Sandler (2) 100,000 8,414,600 8,414,600
David Manovich (2) 5,000 8,419,600 8,419,600
Robert O'Brien (2) 5,000 8,424,600 8,424,600
Pierre Esneau (2) 5,000 8,429,600 8,429,600
William Coldrick (2) 2,500 8,432,100 8,432,100
Hoss Bozorgzad (2) 2,500 8,434,600 8,434,600
Stephen J. Haupt (1) 2,500 8,437,100 8,437,100
Richard Friedman (2) 37,500 8,474,600 8,474,600
Jeffrey Markowitz (2) 37,500 8,512,100 8,512,100
Paul T. Mannion Jr. (3) 400,000 8,912,100 8,912,100
Andy Reckles (3) 300,000 9,212,100 9,212,100
Vince Sbarra (3) 73,500 9,285,600 9,285,600
Stock Exposure, Inc. (2) 10,000 9,295,600 9,295,600
Union Atlantic Partners I, Ltd. (2) 8,400 9,304,000 9,304,000
Investors First Round (1) 1,166,667 10,470,667 10,470,667
Investors Second Round (1) 1,166,667 11,637,334 11,637,334
Del Mar Consulting Group (2) 333,333 11,970,667 11,970,667
Paul T. Mannion Jr. (redeemed) 1,279,922 13,250,589 1,279,922 11,970,667
Andy Reckles (redeemed) 1,279,922 14,530,511 1,279,922 11,970,667
Number of Shares Total vFin Shares Less: Treasury Total vFin Shares
Name Issued Issued Shares Outstanding
---- ---------------- ----------------- -------------- -----------------
Vince Sbarra (redeemed) 451,667 14,982,178 451,667 11,970,667
First Level (3) 1,700,000 16,682,178 13,670,667
Colonial Direct (2) 5,750,000 22,432,178 19,420,667
Al Giachetti (2) 50,000 22,482,178 19,470,667
Larry Katz (2) 50,000 22,532,178 19,520,667
Donald Murray & Donald Murray, Jr. (4) 80,000 22,612,178 19,600,667
Kathleen Wallman (3) 400,000 23,012,178 20,000,667
Insight Capital Consultants Corporation (3) 25,000 23,037,178 20,025,667
Calp II Block Sold to Insiders (1) (778,426) 22,258,752 19,247,241
Rich Campanella (1) 25,000 22,283,752 19,272,241
Dave Spector (1) 25,000 22,308,752 19,297,241
Eric Rand (1) 25,000 22,333,752 19,322,241
Victoria Santaella (1) 39,215 22,372,967 19,361,456
Rich Galterio (1) 25,000 22,397,967 19,386,456
Marc Siegel (1) 100,000 22,497,967 19,486,456
Lenny Sokolow (1) 234,802 22,732,769 19,721,258
Tim Mahoney (1) 234,802 22,967,571 19,956,060
Gene Waxman (1) 25,000 22,992,571 19,981,060
Mike Moss (1) 25,000 23,017,571 20,006,060
Jeff Martin (1) 19,608 23,037,179 20,025,668
Insight Capital Consultants Corporation (3) 25,000 23,062,179 20,050,668
Reef Trading Program Trading (3) 235,294 23,297,473 20,285,962
Ryan Leeds (3) 411,765 23,709,238 20,697,727
Reef Trading Program Trading (3) 235,294 23,944,532 20,933,021
(1) Registered via the Company's sb-2, which became effective on July 31,
2001.
(2) No registration rights.
(3) Piggyback registration rights.
(4) Demand registration rights; 120 days from the date of issuance.
Schedule 3(c)
Capitalization
VFIN Options and Warrants Table
Number of Options
Options/ Exercise Vesting or Options Warants
Name Grant Date Warrants Price Expiration Date Schedule Warrants Total Total
---- ------------------ --------- ------ ------------------ -------------- -------- ------- -------
River Rapids,
Ltd. September 27, 1999 210,000 $3.000 September 27, 2002 March 31, 2000 Options 210,000 NA
September 27, 1999 210,000 $4.000 September 27, 2002 March 31, 2000 Options 210,000 NA
September 27, 1999 210,000 $5.000 September 27, 2002 March 31, 2000 Options 210,000 NA
Dave Spector June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 June 18, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 July 18, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 August 18, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 September 18, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 October 18, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 November 18, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 December 18, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 January 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 February 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 March 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 April 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 3,000 $4.250 June 18, 2005 May 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
June 18, 2000 19,500 $4.250 June 18, 2005 June 18, 2001 Options 19,500 NA
June 18, 2000 19,500 $4.250 June 18, 2005 June 18, 2002 Options 19,500 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 19,500 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 19,500 NA
December 19, 2000 19,500 $1.000 December 18, 2005 October 28, 2001 Options 19,500 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 December 19, 2000 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 January 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 February 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 March 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 April 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 3,000 $1.000 December 18, 2005 May 18, 2001 Options 3,000 NA
December 19, 2000 19,500 $1.000 December 18, 2005 June 18, 2001 Options 19,500 NA
December 19, 2000 19,500 $1.000 December 18, 2005 June 18, 2002 Options 19,500 NA
October 16, 2001 56,250 $0.650 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2002 Options 56,250 NA
October 16, 2001 56,250 $0.650 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2003 Options 56,250 NA
October 16, 2001 56,250 $0.650 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2004 Options 56,250 NA
October 16, 2001 56,250 $0.650 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2005 Options 56,250 NA
Steve Jacobs January 3, 2000 5,000 $2.500 December 24, 2004 December 24, 1999 Warrants NA 5,000
January 3, 2000 95,000 $2.500 January 3, 2005 December 24, 1999 Warrants NA 95,000
January 3, 2000 95,000 $2.500 January 3, 2005 December 24, 1999 Warrants NA 95,000
Mauricio Borgonovo January 3, 2000 5,000 $2.500 December 24, 2004 December 24, 1999 Warrants NA 5,000
January 3, 2000 95,000 $2.500 January 3, 2005 December 24, 1999 Warrants NA 95,000
January 3, 2000 95,000 $2.500 January 3, 2005 December 24, 1999 Warrants NA 95,000
Stuart Fishman December 13, 1999 5,000 $4.125 December 13, 2004 December 13, 2000 Options 5,000 NA
December 13, 1999 5,000 $4.125 December 13, 2004 December 13, 2001 Options 5,000 NA
December 13, 1999 5,000 $4.125 December 13, 2004 December 13, 2002 Options 5,000 NA
December 13, 1999 5,000 $4.125 December 13, 2004 December 13, 2003 Options 5,000 NA
October 16, 2001 10,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2002 Options 10,000 NA
October 16, 2001 10,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2003 Options 10,000 NA
October 16, 2001 10,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2004 Options 10,000 NA
October 16, 2001 10,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2005 Options 10,000 NA
October 16, 2001 10,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2005 Options 10,000 NA
Bill Schwarz December 13, 1999 2,500 $4.125 December 13, 2004 December 13, 2000 Options 2,500 NA
December 13, 1999 2,500 $4.125 December 13, 2004 December 13, 2001 Options 2,500 NA
December 13, 1999 2,500 $4.125 December 13, 2004 December 13, 2002 Options 2,500 NA
December 13, 1999 2,500 $4.125 December 13, 2004 December 13, 2003 Options 2,500 NA
October 16, 2001 5,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2002 Options 5,000 NA
October 16, 2001 5,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2003 Options 5,000 NA
October 16, 2001 5,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2004 Options 5,000 NA
October 16, 2001 5,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2005 Options 5,000 NA
October 16, 2001 5,000 $0.625 October 16, 2006 October 16, 2005 Options 5,000 NA
Equis Capital
Corp. December 1, 1999 5,000 $4.000 December 1, 2004 January 1, 2000 Options 5,000 NA
December 1, 1999 5,000 $4.000 December 1, 2004 February 1, 2000 Options 5,000 NA
December 1, 1999 5,000 $5.000 December 1, 2004 March 1, 2000 Options 5,000 NA
December 1, 1999 5,000 $5.000 December 1, 2004 April 1, 2000 Options 5,000 NA
December 1, 1999 5,000 $6.000 December 1, 2004 May 1, 2000 Options 5,000 NA
December 1, 1999 5,000 $6.000 December 1, 2004 June 1, 2000 Options 5,000 NA
D. Carr Moody March 24, 2000 12,500 $5.625 March 24, 2005 March 24, 2000 Options 12,500 NA
March 24, 2000 12,500 $5.625 March 24, 2005 March 24, 2001 Options 12,500 NA
March 24, 2000 12,500 $5.625 March 24, 2005 March 24, 2002 Options 12,500 NA
March 24, 2000 12,500 $5.625 March 24, 2005 March 24, 2003 Options 12,500 NA
February 10, 2001 12,500 $1.000 February 10, 2005 February 10, 2001 Options 12,500 NA
February 10, 2001 12,500 $1.000 February 10, 2005 February 10, 2002 Options 12,500 NA
February 10, 2001 12,500 $1.000 February 10, 2005 February 10, 2003 Options 12,500 NA
February 10, 2001 12,500 $1.000 February 10, 2005 February 10, 2004 Options 12,500 NA
Chichester
Securities March 31, 2000 100,000 $2.500 March 31, 2004 March 31,2000 Warrants NA 100,000
Placement
Agent - TK March 31, 2000 58,333 $6.000 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA 58,333
First Level
Securities March 31, 2000 25,000 $6.000 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA 25,000
Amro International
S.A. Investors March 31, 2000 100,000 $7.200 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA 100,000
Calp II March 31, 2000 350,000 $7.200 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA 350,000
Investors
Celeste Trust Reg March 31, 2000 35,000 $7.200 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA 35,000
Investors
Balmore SA Investors March 31, 2000 35,000 $7.200 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA 35,000
Sallee Investments March 31, 2000 25,000 $7.200 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA 25,000
LLP
Investors
Worldventures March 31, 2000 25,000 $7.200 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA
Fund I, LLC
Investors
RBB Bank
Aktiengesellschaft
Investors March 31, 2000 130,000 $7.200 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA 130,000
Paul et. al. March 31, 2000 19,833 $6.000 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA
Andy Reckles March 31, 2000 19,833 $6.000 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA
Vince Sbarra March 31, 2000 7,000 $6.000 See Notes March 31, 2000 Warrants NA
Tucy Caster May 2, 2000 5,000 $5.000 May 3, 2005 May 2, 2001 Options 5,000 NA
May 2, 2000 5,000 $5.000 May 3, 2005 May 2, 2002 Options 5,000 NA
May 2, 2000 5,000 $5.000 May 3, 2005 May 2, 2003 Options 5,000 NA
May 2, 2000 5,000 $5.000 May 3, 2005 May 2, 2004 Options 5,000 NA
Katie Ingram June 12, 2000 5,000 $5.000 June 12, 2005 June 12, 2001 Options 5,000 NA
June 12, 2000 5,000 $5.000 June 12, 2005 June 12, 2002 Options 5,000 NA
June 12, 2000 5,000 $5.000 June 12, 2005 June 12, 2003 Options 5,000 NA
June 12, 2000 5,000 $5.000 June 12, 2005 June 12, 2004 Options 5,000 NA
Lenny Sokolow July 6, 2001 125,000 $0.625 July 6, 2005 July 6, 2001 Options 125,000 NA
July 6, 2001 125,000 $0.625 July 6, 2005 July 6, 2002 Options 125,000 NA
July 6, 2001 125,000 $0.625 July 6, 2005 July 6, 2003 Options 125,000 NA
July 6, 2001 125,000 $0.625 July 6, 2005 July 5, 2004 Options 125,000 NA
Tim Mahoney July 6, 2001 125,000 $0.625 July 6, 2005 July 6, 2001 Options 125,000 NA
July 6, 2001 125,000 $0.625 July 6, 2005 July 6, 2002 Options 125,000 NA
July 6, 2001 125,000 $0.625 July 6, 2005 July 6, 2003 Options 125,000 NA
July 6, 2001 125,000 $0.625 July 6, 2005 July 5, 2004 Options 125,000 NA
Dan Cruz-Depaula July 24, 2000 25,000 $3.250 July 24, 2005 July 24, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
July 24, 2000 25,000 $3.250 July 24, 2005 July 24, 2002 Options 25,000 NA
July 24, 2000 25,000 $3.250 July 24, 2005 July 24, 2003 Options 25,000 NA
July 24, 2000 25,000 $3.250 July 24, 2005 July 24, 2004 Options 25,000 NA
Manfred Wittler October 15, 2000 33,333 $2.250 October 15, 2005 October 15, 2001 Options 33,333 NA
October 15, 2000 33,333 $2.250 October 15, 2005 October 15, 2002 Options 33,333 NA
October 15, 2000 33,333 $2.250 October 15, 2005 October 15, 2003 Options 33,333 NA
Irwin Axelrod January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 431 NA
Tom Buddie January 4, 2001 302 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 302 NA
January 4, 2001 302 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 302 NA
January 4, 2001 302 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 302 NA
January 4, 2001 302 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 302 NA
Maryann Foster January 4, 2001 86 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 86 NA
January 4, 2001 86 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 86 NA
January 4, 2001 86 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 86 NA
January 4, 2001 86 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 86 NA
Ivan Gefin January 4, 2001 3,765 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 3,765 NA
January 4, 2001 3,765 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 3,765 NA
January 4, 2001 3,765 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 3,765 NA
January 4, 2001 3,765 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 3,765 NA
Michael Gefin January 4, 2001 1,088 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 1,088 NA
January 4, 2001 1,088 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 1,088 NA
January 4, 2001 1,088 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 1,088 NA
January 4, 2001 1,088 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 1,088 NA
Alan Greenstein January 4, 2001 345 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 345 NA
January 4, 2001 345 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 345 NA
January 4, 2001 345 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 345 NA
January 4, 2001 345 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 345 NA
January 4, 2001 500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 500 NA
January 4, 2001 500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 500 NA
January 4, 2001 500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 500 NA
January 4, 2001 500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 500 NA
Michael Klotz January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 431 NA
Dorthy Louis-
Jeunne January 4, 2001 173 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 173 NA
January 4, 2001 173 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 173 NA
January 4, 2001 173 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 173 NA
January 4, 2001 173 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 173 NA
David Maciak January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 1,725 NA
January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 1,725 NA
January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 1,725 NA
January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 1,725 NA
Michael Moss January 4, 2001 3,450 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 3,450 NA
January 4, 2001 3,450 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 3,450 NA
January 4, 2001 3,450 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 3,450 NA
January 4, 2001 3,450 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 3,450 NA
James Pulver January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 431 NA
David Rich January 4, 2001 863 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 863 NA
January 4, 2001 863 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 863 NA
January 4, 2001 863 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 863 NA
January 4, 2001 863 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 863 NA
Jonathan Rich January 4, 2001 6,313 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 6,313 NA
January 4, 2001 6,313 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 6,313 NA
January 4, 2001 6,313 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 6,313 NA
January 4, 2001 6,313 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 6,313 NA
Jason Sanders January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 1,725 NA
January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 1,725 NA
January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 1,725 NA
January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 1,725 NA
Nick Sanders January 4, 2001 1,851 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 1,851 NA
January 4, 2001 1,851 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 1,851 NA
January 4, 2001 1,851 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 1,851 NA
January 4, 2001 1,851 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 1,851 NA
Phil Smolowitz January 4, 2001 345 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 345 NA
January 4, 2001 345 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 345 NA
January 4, 2001 345 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 345 NA
January 4, 2001 345 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 345 NA
Jason Taub January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 1,725 NA
January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 1,725 NA
January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 1,725 NA
January 4, 2001 1,725 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 1,725 NA
Claude Ware January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 431 NA
Richard
Weinstein January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 431 NA
January 4, 2001 431 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 431 NA
Jon Weiss January 4, 2001 302 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 302 NA
January 4, 2001 302 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 302 NA
January 4, 2001 302 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 302 NA
January 4, 2001 302 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 302 NA
January 4, 2001 6,250 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Options 6,250 NA
January 4, 2001 6,250 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Options 6,250 NA
January 4, 2001 6,250 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Options 6,250 NA
January 4, 2001 6,250 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Options 6,250 NA
1999 Pvt
Investors January 4, 2001 122,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Warrants NA 122,500
January 4, 2001 122,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Warrants NA 122,500
January 4, 2001 122,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Warrants NA 122,500
January 4, 2001 122,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Warrants NA 122,500
Snow Bridge
Investor January 4, 2001 6,923 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Warrants NA 6,923
January 4, 2001 6,923 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Warrants NA 6,923
January 4, 2001 6,923 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Warrants NA 6,923
January 4, 2001 6,923 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Warrants NA 6,923
Hoffman Bridge
Investor January 4, 2001 6,923 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Warrants NA 6,923
January 4, 2001 6,923 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Warrants NA 6,923
January 4, 2001 6,923 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Warrants NA 6,923
January 4, 2001 6,923 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Warrants NA 6,923
Toscano Bridge
Investor January 4, 2001 4,154 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Warrants NA 4,154
January 4, 2001 4,154 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Warrants NA 4,154
January 4, 2001 4,154 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Warrants NA 4,154
January 4, 2001 4,154 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Warrants NA 4,154
Kingland January 4, 2001 500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Warrants NA 500
January 4, 2001 500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Warrants NA 500
January 4, 2001 500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Warrants NA 500
January 4, 2001 500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Warrants NA 500
Ferrari January 4, 2001 250 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Warrants NA 250
January 4, 2001 250 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Warrants NA 250
January 4, 2001 250 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Warrants NA 250
January 4, 2001 250 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Warrants NA 250
Spoll January 4, 2001 2,000 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Warrants NA 2,000
January 4, 2001 2,000 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Warrants NA 2,000
January 4, 2001 2,000 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Warrants NA 2,000
January 4, 2001 2,000 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Warrants NA 2,000
Hantman January 4, 2001 1,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Warrants NA 1,500
January 4, 2001 1,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Warrants NA 1,500
January 4, 2001 1,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Warrants NA 1,500
January 4, 2001 1,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Warrants NA 1,500
Teich January 4, 2001 1,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2002 Warrants NA 1,500
January 4, 2001 1,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2003 Warrants NA 1,500
January 4, 2001 1,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2004 Warrants NA 1,500
January 4, 2001 1,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2005 Warrants NA 1,500
Marc Siegel February 6, 2001 115,000 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2001 Options 115,000 NA
February 6, 2001 87,500 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2002 Options 87,500 NA
February 6, 2001 87,500 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2003 Options 87,500 NA
February 6, 2001 87,500 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2004 Options 87,500 NA
February 6, 2001 87,500 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2005 Options 87,500 NA
Ilene and
Al Mirman January 4, 2001 115,000 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2001 Options 115,000 NA
Richard Galterio February 6, 2001 103,500 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2001 Options 103,500 NA
February 6, 2001 31,625 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2002 Options 31,625 NA
February 6, 2001 31,625 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2003 Options 31,625 NA
February 6, 2001 31,625 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2004 Options 31,625 NA
February 6, 2001 31,625 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2005 Options 31,625 NA
Vincent Labarbara January 4, 2001 115,000 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2001 Options 115,000 NA
Eric Rand February 6, 2001 115,000 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2001 Options 115,000 NA
February 6, 2001 28,750 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2002 Options 28,750 NA
February 6, 2001 28,750 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2003 Options 28,750 NA
February 6, 2001 28,750 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2004 Options 28,750 NA
February 6, 2001 28,750 $0.625 February 6, 2006 February 6, 2005 Options 28,750 NA
Mario Marsillo January 4, 2001 11,500 $2.250 January 4, 2006 January 4, 2001 Options 11,500 NA
Victoria
Santaella February 27, 2001 75,000 $1.000 February 27, 2006 August 27, 2001 Options 75,000 NA
February 27, 2001 75,000 $1.000 February 27, 2006 February 27, 2002 Options 75,000 NA
February 27, 2001 100,000 $1.000 February 27, 2006 February 27, 2003 Options 100,000 NA
February 27, 2001 100,000 $1.000 February 27, 2006 February 28, 2004 Options 100,000 NA
Matthew Tugwell February 27, 2001 5,000 $1.000 February 27, 2006 February 27, 2002 Options 5,000 NA
February 27, 2001 5,000 $1.000 February 27, 2006 February 27, 2003 Options 5,000 NA
February 27, 2001 5,000 $1.000 February 27, 2006 February 27, 2004 Options 5,000 NA
February 27, 2001 5,000 $1.000 February 27, 2006 February 27, 2005 Options 5,000 NA
Jonathan Rich March 5, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 March 5, 2002 Options 25,000 NA
March 5, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 March 5, 2003 Options 25,000 NA
March 5, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 March 5, 2004 Options 25,000 NA
March 5, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 March 5, 2005 Options 25,000 NA
Michael Moss March 26, 2001 18,750 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2002 Options 18,750 NA
March 26, 2001 18,750 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2003 Options 18,750 NA
March 26, 2001 18,750 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 25, 2004 Options 18,750 NA
March 26, 2001 18,750 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2005 Options 18,750 NA
Michael Klotz March 26, 2001 6,250 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2002 Options 6,250 NA
March 26, 2001 6,250 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2003 Options 6,250 NA
March 26, 2001 6,250 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 25, 2004 Options 6,250 NA
March 26, 2001 6,250 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2005 Options 6,250 NA
Taub Group March 26, 2001 15,000 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2002 Options 15,000 NA
Jason Taub
(20,000), March 26, 2001 15,000 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2003 Options 15,000 NA
Jason Sanders
(20,000) March 26, 2001 15,000 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 25, 2004 Options 15,000 NA
& David Maciak
(20,000) March 26, 2001 15,000 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2005 Options 15,000 NA
Gene Waxman March 26, 2001 25,000 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2002 Options 25,000 NA
March 26, 2001 25,000 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2003 Options 25,000 NA
March 26, 2001 25,000 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 25, 2004 Options 25,000 NA
March 26, 2001 25,000 $0.625 March 26, 2006 March 26, 2005 Options 25,000 NA
James Pulver April 18, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 Vest upon
performance Options 25,000 NA
April 18, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 Vest upon
performance Options 25,000 NA
April 18, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 Vest upon
performance Options 25,000 NA
April 18, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 Vest upon
performance Options 25,000 NA
Claude Ware April 18, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 Vest upon
performance Options 25,000 NA
April 18, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 Vest upon
performance Options 25,000 NA
April 18, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 Vest upon
performance Options 25,000 NA
April 18, 2001 25,000 $0.625 January 4, 2006 Vest upon
performance Options 25,000 NA
Maureen Berry April 19, 2001 6,250 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2002 Options 6,250 NA
April 19, 2001 6,250 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2003 Options 6,250 NA
April 19, 2001 6,250 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 18, 2004 Options 6,250 NA
April 19, 2001 6,250 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2005 Options 6,250 NA
Topeka (OSJ) April 19, 2001 12,500 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2002 Options 12,500 NA
Paula Bond
(2,500), April 19, 2001 12,500 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2003
Ann Case (2,500), Options 12,500 NA
John Manry
(15,000), April 19, 2001 12,500 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 18, 2004
Robert Smith
(15,000) Options 12,500 NA
& Craig Smith
(15,000) April 19, 2001 12,500 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2005 Options 12,500 NA
Tom Buddie April 19, 2001 20,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2002 Options 20,000 NA
April 19, 2001 20,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2003 Options 20,000 NA
April 19, 2001 20,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 18, 2004 Options 20,000 NA
April 19, 2001 20,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2005 Options 20,000 NA
David Rich April 19, 2001 5,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2002 Options 5,000 NA
April 19, 2001 5,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2003 Options 5,000 NA
April 19, 2001 5,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 18, 2004 Options 5,000 NA
April 19, 2001 5,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2005 Options 5,000 NA
Houston (OSJ) April 19, 2001 5,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2002 Options 5,000 NA
Cummings &
Heirs April 19, 2001 5,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2003 Options 5,000 NA
April 19, 2001 5,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 18, 2004 Options 5,000 NA
April 19, 2001 5,000 $0.625 April 19, 2006 April 19, 2005 Options 5,000 NA
Ivan Geffen May 9, 2001 17,500 $0.625 May 9, 2006 May 9, 2002 Options 17,500 NA
May 9, 2001 17,500 $0.625 May 9, 2006 May 9, 2003 Options 17,500 NA
May 9, 2001 17,500 $0.625 May 9, 2006 May 8, 2004 Options 17,500 NA
May 9, 2001 17,500 $0.625 May 9, 2006 May 9, 2005 Options 17,500 NA
Michael Geffen May 9, 2001 7,500 $0.625 May 9, 2006 May 9, 2002 Options 7,500 NA
May 9, 2001 7,500 $0.625 May 9, 2006 May 9, 2003 Options 7,500 NA
May 9, 2001 7,500 $0.625 May 9, 2006 May 8, 2004 Options 7,500 NA
May 9, 2001 7,500 $0.625 May 9, 2006 May 9, 2005 Options 7,500 NA
Alejandra
Williams May 16, 2001 2,500 $0.625 May 16, 2006 May 16, 2002 Options 2,500 NA
May 16, 2001 2,500 $0.625 May 16, 2006 May 16, 2003 Options 2,500 NA
May 16, 2001 2,500 $0.625 May 16, 2006 May 15, 2004 Options 2,500 NA
May 16, 2001 2,500 $0.625 May 16, 2006 May 16, 2005 Options 2,500 NA
Michael Volpe July 1, 2001 500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 500 NA
July 1, 2001 500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 500 NA
July 1, 2001 500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 500 NA
July 1, 2001 500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 500 NA
Mario
Castellano July 1, 2001 1,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 1,500 NA
July 1, 2001 1,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 1,500 NA
July 1, 2001 1,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 1,500 NA
July 1, 2001 1,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 1,500 NA
Danielle Saenz July 1, 2001 3,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 3,500 NA
July 1, 2001 3,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 3,500 NA
July 1, 2001 3,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 3,500 NA
July 1, 2001 3,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 3,500 NA
Rod Smith July 1, 2001 2,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 2,000 NA
July 1, 2001 2,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 2,000 NA
July 1, 2001 2,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 2,000 NA
July 1, 2001 2,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 2,000 NA
Luann LaBarbara July 1, 2001 1,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 1,000 NA
July 1, 2001 1,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 1,000 NA
July 1, 2001 1,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 1,000 NA
July 1, 2001 1,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 1,000 NA
Peter Fulton July 1, 2001 3,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 3,000 NA
July 1, 2001 3,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 3,000 NA
July 1, 2001 3,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 3,000 NA
July 1, 2001 3,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 3,000 NA
Robert Prager July 1, 2001 20,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 20,000 NA
July 1, 2001 20,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 20,000 NA
July 1, 2001 20,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 20,000 NA
July 1, 2001 20,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 20,000 NA
Mike Zindman July 1, 2001 15,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 15,000 NA
July 1, 2001 15,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 15,000 NA
July 1, 2001 15,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 15,000 NA
July 1, 2001 15,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 15,000 NA
Krissy Dove July 1, 2001 4,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 4,500 NA
July 1, 2001 4,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 4,500 NA
July 1, 2001 4,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 4,500 NA
July 1, 2001 4,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 4,500 NA
Heather Breece July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 1,250 NA
July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 1,250 NA
July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 1,250 NA
July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 1,250 NA
Dave Cohen July 1, 2001 3,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 3,000 NA
July 1, 2001 3,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 3,000 NA
July 1, 2001 3,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 3,000 NA
July 1, 2001 3,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 3,000 NA
Alan Freed July 1, 2001 2,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 2,000 NA
July 1, 2001 2,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 2,000 NA
July 1, 2001 2,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 2,000 NA
July 1, 2001 2,000 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 2,000 NA
Mustafa Zayed July 1, 2001 2,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 2,500 NA
July 1, 2001 2,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 2,500 NA
July 1, 2001 2,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 2,500 NA
July 1, 2001 2,500 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 2,500 NA
Eric Lashen July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 1,250 NA
July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 1,250 NA
July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 1,250 NA
July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 1,250 NA
Sam Omar July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 1,250 NA
July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 1,250 NA
July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 1,250 NA
July 1, 2001 1,250 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 1,250 NA
Stacey Santoli July 1, 2001 750 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 750 NA
July 1, 2001 750 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 750 NA
July 1, 2001 750 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 750 NA
July 1, 2001 750 $1.000 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 750 NA
Jeff Martin July 1, 2001 18,750 $0.625 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 18,750 NA
July 1, 2001 18,750 $0.625 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 18,750 NA
July 1, 2001 18,750 $0.625 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 18,750 NA
July 1, 2001 18,750 $0.625 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 18,750 NA
Rich Campanella July 1, 2001 18,750 $0.625 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 18,750 NA
July 1, 2001 18,750 $0.625 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 18,750 NA
July 1, 2001 18,750 $0.625 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 18,750 NA
July 1, 2001 18,750 $0.625 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 18,750 NA
Alan Greenstein July 1, 2001 10,000 $2.250 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2002 Options 10,000 NA
July 1, 2001 10,000 $2.250 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2003 Options 10,000 NA
July 1, 2001 10,000 $2.250 July 1, 2006 July 1, 2004 Options 10,000 NA
July 1, 2001 10,000 $2.250 July 1, 2006 July 2, 2005 Options 10,000 NA
Kathleen Wallman August 16, 2001 400,000 $0.625 August 16, 2011 August 16, 2001 Warrants NA 400,000
Joseph Daniel August 16, 2001 50,000 $0.625 August 16, 2011 December 31, 2001 Options 50,000 NA
August 16, 2001 50,000 $0.625 August 16, 2011 December 31, 2002 Options 50,000 NA
Rich Campanella August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
Dave Spector August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
Eric Rand August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
Victoria
Santaella August 30, 2001 39,215 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 39,215 NA
August 30, 2001 39,215 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 39,215 NA
Rich Galterio August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
Marc Siegel August 30, 2001 100,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 100,000 NA
August 30, 2001 100,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 100,000 NA
Lenny Sokolow August 30, 2001 234,802 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 234,802 NA
August 30, 2001 234,802 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 234,802 NA
Tim Mahoney August 30, 2001 234,802 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 234,802 NA
August 30, 2001 234,802 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 234,802 NA
Gene Waxman August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
Mike Moss August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
August 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
Jeff Martin August 30, 2001 19,608 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 19,608 NA
August 30, 2001 19,608 $0.350 August 30, 2006 August 30, 2001 Options 19,608 NA
Bob Agriogianis August 6, 2001 200,000 $0.625 August 6, 2006 August 6, 2001 Options 200,000 NA
August 6, 2001 100,000 $0.625 August 6, 2006 August 6, 2002 Options 100,000 NA
August 6, 2001 100,000 $0.625 August 6, 2006 August 6, 2003 Options 100,000 NA
August 6, 2001 100,000 $0.625 August 6, 2006 August 6, 2004 Options 100,000 NA
Rich Rosenblum September 30, 2001 112,500 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2001 Options 112,500 NA
September 30, 2001 112,500 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2002 Options 112,500 NA
September 30, 2001 112,500 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2003 Options 112,500 NA
September 30, 2001 112,500 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2004 Options 112,500 NA
Stefansky September 30, 2001 112,500 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2001 Options 112,500 NA
September 30, 2001 112,500 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2002 Options 112,500 NA
September 30, 2001 112,500 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2003 Options 112,500 NA
September 30, 2001 112,500 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2004 Options 112,500 NA
Vince Caliccia September 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2001 Options 25,000 NA
September 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2002 Options 25,000 NA
September 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2003 Options 25,000 NA
September 30, 2001 25,000 $0.350 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2004 Options 25,000 NA
Schedule 3 (c)
Capitalization
vFinance, Inc.
Summary of Registration Rights On Options and Warrants Outstanding
Registration
Holder Amount Type Classification
------ ------- ------- --------------
River Rapids 630,000 Options Piggyback
David Spector 475,000 Options Piggyback
Steve Jacobs 100,000 Warrants Piggyback
Mauricio Borgonovo 100,000 Warrants Piggyback
Stuart Fishman 60,000 Options Piggyback
Bill Schwarz 30,000 Options Piggyback
Equis Capital Corp. 30,000 Options Piggyback
Carr Moody 100,000 Options Piggyback
Chichester Securities 100,000 Warrants Demand
Placement Agent - TK 58,333 Warrants Demand
Placement Agent - First Level 25,000 Warrants Demand
Amro International, S.A 100,000 Warrants Demand
CALP II 350,000 Warrants Demand
Celeste Trust Reg 35,000 Warrants Demand
Balmore S.A 35,000 Warrants Demand
Sallee Investments 25,000 Warrants Demand
World Ventures Fund 25,000 Warrants Demand
RBB Bank Aktiengesellschaft 130,000 Warrants Demand
Placement Agents - First Atlanta 46,666 Warrants Demand
Tucy Caster 20,000 Options Piggyback
Katie Ingram 20,000 Options Piggyback
Lenny Sokolow 734,802 Options Piggyback
Tim Mahoney 734,802 Options Piggyback
Dan Cruz-DePaula 100,000 Options Piggyback
Manfred Wittler 100,000 Options Piggyback
Irwin Axelrod 1,724 Options Not Registered
Tom Buddie 1,208 Options Not Registered
Tom Buddie 80,000 Options Piggyback
Maryann Foster 344 Options Not Registered
Ivan Gefen 15,060 Options Not Registered
Ivan Gefen 70,000 Options Piggyback
Michael Gefen 4,352 Options Not Registered
Michael Gefen 30,000 Options Piggyback
Alan Greenstein 3,380 Options Not Registered
Alan Greenstein 40,000 Options Piggyback
Michael Klotz 1,724 Options Not Registered
Michael Klotz 25,000 Options Piggyback
Dorothy Jeunne-Louis 692 Options Not Registered
David Maciak 6,900 Options Not Registered
Mike Moss 13,800 Options Not Registered
Mike Moss 100,000 Options Piggyback
Jim Pulver 1,724 Options Not Registered
Jim Pulver 100,000 Options Piggyback
Claud Ware 1,724 Options Not Registered
Claud Ware 100,000 Options Piggyback
David Rich 3,452 Options Not Registered
David Rich 20,000 Options Piggyback
Jonathan Rich 25,252 Options Not Registered
Jonathan Rich 100,000 Options Piggyback
Jason Sanders 6,900 Options Not Registered
Nick Sanders 7,404 Options Not Registered
Phil Smolowitz 1,380 Options Not Registered
Jason Taub 6,900 Options Not Registered
Rich Weinstein 1,724 Options Not Registered
Jon Weiss 26,208 Options Not Registered
1999 Private Placement 490,000 Warrants Not Registered
Investors
Bridge Investors 72,000 Warrants Not Registered
Kingland 2,000 Warrants Not Registered
Ferrari 1,000 Warrants Not Registered
Spoll 8,000 Warrants Not Registered
Hantman 6,000 Warrants Not Registered
Teich 6,000 Warrants Not Registered
Marc Siegel 565,000 Options Piggyback
Al Mirman 115,000 Options Piggyback
Rich Galterio 255,000 Options Piggyback
Eric Rand 255,000 Options Piggyback
Vincent La Barbara 115,000 Options Piggyback
Mario Marsillo 11,500 Options Piggyback
Victoria Santaella 389,215 Options Piggyback
Matthew Tugwell 20,000 Options Piggyback
Taub Group 60,000 Options Piggyback
Topeka OSJ Group 50,000 Options Piggyback
Houston OSJ 20,000 Options Piggyback
Gene Waxman 125,000 Options Piggyback
Maureen Berry 25,000 Options Piggyback
Alejandra Williams 10,000 Options Piggyback
Michael Volpe 2,000 Options Piggyback
Mario Castellano 6,000 Options Piggyback
Danielle Saenz 14,000 Options Piggyback
Rod Smith 8,000 Options Piggyback
Luann LaBarbara 4,000 Options Piggyback
Peter Fulton 12,000 Options Piggyback
Robert Prager 80,000 Options Piggyback
Mike Zindman 60,000 Options Piggyback
Krissy Dove 18,000 Options Piggyback
Heather Breece 5,000 Options Piggyback
Dave Cohen 12,000 Options Piggyback
Alan Freed 8,000 Options Piggyback
Mustafa Zayed 10,000 Options Piggyback
Eric Lashen 5,000 Options Piggyback
Sam Omar 5,000 Options Piggyback
Stacey Santoli 3,750 Options Piggyback
Jeff Martin 94,608 Options Piggyback
Rich Campanella 100,000 Options Piggyback
Bob Agriogianis 500,000 Options Piggyback
Kathleen Wallman 400,000 Warrants Piggyback
Joseph Daniel 100,000 Options Piggyback
Rich Rosenblum 500,000 Options Piggyback
David Stefansky 500,000 Options Piggyback
Vince Caliccia 100,000 Options Piggyback
Ryan Leeds 150,000 Options Piggyback
Bill Groeneveld 131,250 Options Piggyback
Carmelo Trocoli 20,000 Options Piggyback
Shelly Singhal 480,000 Options Piggyback
John Wong 120,000 Options Piggyback
Stoc Repurchase - Second Round 773,500 Options Piggyback
----------
Total 11,784,278
==========
---------- --------- ----------
SUMMARY OPTIONS WARRANTS TOTAL
------- ---------- --------- ----------
TOTAL DEMAND -- 929,999 929,999
TOTAL PIGGYBACK 9,537,427 600,000 10,137,427
TOTAL NOT REGISTERED 131,852 585,000 716,852
---------- --------- ----------
GRAND TOTAL 9,669,279 2,114,999 11,784,278
========== ========= ==========
Schedule 3(h)
Consents
The Company must obtain stockholder approval to amend its Certificate of
Incorporation in accordance with Section 4(d) of this Agreement.
Schedule (i)
Financial Statements
See Schedule 3(k) attached to this Agreement
Schedule 3(j)
Certain Changes
None; BUT SEE Schedule 3(k) attached to this Agreement
Schedule 3(k)
Litigation
1. Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. v. First Colonial Securities
Group, Inc., Superior Court of New Jersey.
a. Former lease space, vacated 2001, 6,130 sq. ft.
b. Maximum potential claim/exposure $319,012 based on assuming
full lease term of February 29, 2004 and landlord does not re
lease or fulfill obligation to mitigate damages.
c. Company has fully accrued for approximately $76,000 in its
previously filed financial statements with the SEC and
continues to accrue and reserve approximately $10,809 per
month for related lease costs.
d. Company is attempting to sub-let and/or settle with landlord
utilizing Company's security deposit.
2. Kingland Systems Corporation v. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc.,
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa; Kingland Systems
Corporation v. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc., U.S. District
Court for the Northern Circuit Court, Palm Beach County, Florida.
a. Programming work for Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc.
("Colonial Direct") web site never delivered/completed by
Kingland Systems Corporation ("Kingland"); programming work
never properly documented. Neither Company nor any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates uses any of the Kingland work
product or software in any form or manner whatsoever.
b. Claims by Kingland total approximately $293,000 plus interest.
c. Company has fully accrued for and established reserves of
$255,503 for the disputed payables/invoices and promissory
note in its financial statements in its previously filed
financial statements with the SEC.
d. Claims are being vigorously defended and are only against the
Company's non-Broker Dealer affiliate, Colonial Direct.
e. Company has refused to respond to offers to engage in
settlement discussions with Kingland as of the date hereof.
3. Fleet National Bank v. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc.
a. Claim and Judgment by Fleet National Bank ("Fleet") against
Michael Golden (a former controlling shareholder of Colonial
Direct) and Colonial Direct in
the amount of $315,902.94 for Lines of Credit issued prior to
the January 2001 acquisition of Colonial Direct by the
Company.
b. Despite such joint liability, the Company has FULLY accrued
for and established reserves for this disputed claim in its
previously filed financial statements with the SEC.
c. Claim is only against the Company's non-Broker Dealer
affiliate, Colonial Direct.
4. Fleet v. First Colonial Securities, Inc.
a. Claim and Judgment by Fleet against First Colonial Securities,
Inc. in the amount of $210,928.19 for Letter of Credit issued
prior to the January 2001 acquisition by Company.
b. Company has FULLY accrued for and established reserves
(including reserves for net capital purposes) for this
disputed claim in its previously filed financial statements
with the SEC.
Schedule 3(l)
Brokers
ACP Advisors LLC
Schedule 4(f)
Use of Proceeds
Used to fund the operations of the Company and for working capital and future
acquisitions.
Exhibit 10.19
BEST FINANCE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
November 30, 2001
vFinance, Inc.
3010 North Military Trail
Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Attention: Leonard J. Sokolow, CEO and President
Re: Note Purchase Agreement between Best Finance Investments
Limited and vFinance, Inc.
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Note Purchase Agreement (the
"Agreement") dated as of November 28, 2001 by and between vFinance, Inc. and
Best Finance Investments Limited. Capitalized terms used herein and not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such capitalized terms in
the Agreement.
We are prepared to provide vFinance, Inc. with $520,000 today (we will
immediately instruct our attorney to wire such funds held by his firm per your
instructions) under the terms of the Agreement, except as modified herein.
1. Upon the receipt of vFinance, Inc. of $520,000, vFinance, Inc. will
issue to Best Finance Investments Limited a promissory note containing
substantially the same terms as the Note attached as Exhibit D to the Agreement,
except that the principal amount of the Note will be $520,000.
2. Best Finance Investments Limited will provide vFinance, Inc. with an
additional $980,000, representing the balance of the Loan, by no later than the
later to occur (the "Due Date") of (a) 5:00 p.m. (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Time)
on December 5, 2001 or (b) the business day after vFinance, Inc. notifies Best
Finance Investments Limited that the conditions in Section 7(I) and 7(j) of the
Agreement have been satisfied. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the
Agreement to the contrary, if Best Finance Investments Limited does not provide
the additional $980,000 by the Due Date, it shall have no obligation to provide
such amount in which case the provisions of the last two sentences of paragraph
3 below shall apply. Upon receipt of such funds by vFinance, Inc., vFinance,
Inc. will issue another Note in the amount of $980,000 to Best Finance
Investments Limited in the form of Exhibit D to the Agreement.
3. Promptly upon receipt of the $520,000 by vFinance, Inc., the
Registration Rights Agreement, the Investor Rights Agreement and the Note
attached as Exhibits B, C, and D, respectively, to the Agreement will be
executed by the respective parties. Section 1 of the Investor Rights Agreement
shall not be effective unless and until Best Finance Investments Limited
provides the funds to vFinance, Inc. referred to in paragraph 2 hereof by 5:00
p.m. Florida time on the Due Date. The Option attached as Exhibit A to the
Agreement will not be issued by vFinance, Inc. unless and until Best Finance
Investments Limited provides the funds to vFinance, Inc. referred to in
paragraph 2 hereof by no later than 5:00 p.m. (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida time) on
the Due Date.
4. Best Finance Investments Limited hereby waives the condition in
Section 7(i) of the Agreement in connection with the initial Loan of $520,000 to
vFinance, Inc. by Best Finance Investments Limited. However, such condition must
be satisfied prior to or at the time that Best Finance Investments Limited
provides the additional $980,000 Loan to vFinance, Inc.
5. Best Finance Investments Limited hereby waives the condition in
Section 7(j) of the Agreement in connection with the initial Loan of $520,000 to
vFinance, Inc. by Best Finance Investments Limited. However, such condition must
be satisfied prior to or at the time that Best Finance Investments Limited
provides the additional $980,000 Loan to vFinance, Inc.
6. The legal opinion of Edwards & Angell, LLP respecting the $520,000
Loan and the $980,000 additional Loan to be made to vFinance, Inc. in accordance
with the terms of this letter and the Agreement will be substantially in the
form attached as Exhibit E to the Agreement. Best Finance Investments Limited
agrees that such opinion will be delivered to Best Finance Investments Limited
by no later than 5:00 p.m. (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida time) on the Due Date.
7. The cash escrow arrangement in Section 1(a) of the Agreement is
hereby waived with respect to the cash proceeds of the Loan.
8. Section 8(n) of the Agreement is hereby waived for the initial Loan
of $520,000 but will apply if Best Finance Investment Limited provides the
additional Loan to vFinance, Inc. in accordance with paragraph 2 hereof.
2
9. All other provisions of the Agreement are incorporated herein by
reference.
Sincerely,
Best Finance Investments Limited
By: /s/ Wong Sin Just
-------------------------------------
Name: Wong Sin Just
Title: Director
Agreed and Accepted:
vFinance, Inc.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
------------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: CEO and President
3
Exhibit 10.20
BEST FINANCE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
December 14, 2001
vFinance, Inc.
3010 North Military Trail
Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Attention: Leonard J. Sokolow, CEO and President
Re: Note Purchase Agreement between Best Finance Investments
Limited and vFinance, Inc.
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Note Purchase Agreement (the
"Agreement") dated as of November 28, 2001 by and between vFinance, Inc. and
Best Finance Investments Limited as amended by a letter agreement dated November
30, 2001 (the "Letter Agreement"). Capitalized terms used herein and not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such capitalized terms in
the Agreement. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, Best Finance Investments
Limited loaned to vFinance, Inc. the amount of $520,000 (the "First Tranche").
This Agreement amends the Letter Agreement as to the remaining $980,000.
Best Finance Investments Limited is prepared to provide or caused to be
provided vFinance, Inc. not less than $455,000 (the "Second Tranche") currently
comprised of cash of $430,000 (we will immediately instruct our attorney to wire
such funds held by his firm per your instructions) and an additional $25,000
which is being sent by check ("Check Portion") under the terms of the Agreement,
except as modified herein.
1. Upon the receipt of vFinance, Inc. of the Second Tranche, vFinance,
Inc. will issue to Best Finance Investments Limited a promissory note containing
substantially the same terms as the Note attached as Exhibit D to the Agreement,
except that the principal amount of the Note will be in the amount of the Second
Tranche.
2. Best Finance Investments Limited will provide vFinance, Inc. with an
additional amount equal to the difference between $980,000 and the amount of the
Second Tranche, representing the balance of the Loan (the "Third Tranche"), by
no later than the later to occur (the "Due Date") of (a) 5:00 p.m. (Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida Time) on January 15, 2002 or (b) the business day after
vFinance, Inc. notifies Best Finance Investments Limited that the conditions in
Section 7(i) and 7(j) of the Agreement have been satisfied. Notwithstanding
anything herein or in the Agreement to the contrary, if Best Finance Investments
Limited does not provide the Third Tranche by the Due Date, it shall have no
obligation to provide such amount in which case the provisions of paragraph 3
below shall apply. Upon receipt of the Third Tranche by vFinance,
Inc., vFinance, Inc. will issue another Note in the amount of the Third Tranche
to Best Finance Investments Limited in the form of Exhibit D to the Agreement.
3. Section 1 of the Investor Rights Agreement shall not be effective
unless and until Best Finance Investments Limited provides the Third Tranche to
vFinance, Inc. by 5:00 p.m. Florida time on the Due Date. The Option attached as
Exhibit A to the Agreement will not be issued by vFinance, Inc. unless and until
Best Finance Investments Limited provides the Third Tranche to vFinance, Inc. by
5:00 p.m. (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida time) on the Due Date.
4. Best Finance Investments Limited hereby waives the condition in
Section 7(i) of the Agreement in connection with the Second Tranche. However,
such condition must be satisfied prior to or at the time that Best Finance
Investments Limited provides the Third Tranche to vFinance, Inc.
5. Best Finance Investments Limited hereby waives the condition in
Section 7(j) of the Agreement in connection with the Second Tranche to vFinance,
Inc. by Best Finance Investments Limited. However, such condition must be
satisfied prior to or at the time that Best Finance Investments Limited provides
the Third Tranche to vFinance, Inc.
6. The legal opinion of Edwards & Angell, LLP respecting the First
Tranche, the Second Tranche and the Third Tranche to be made to vFinance, Inc.
in accordance with the terms of this letter and the Agreement will be
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E to the Agreement. Best Finance
Investments Limited agrees that such opinion will be delivered to Best Finance
Investments Limited by no later than 5:00 p.m. (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida time) on
the Due Date.
7. Section 8(n) of the Agreement is hereby amended to the effect that
Loeb & Loe b LLP shall be entitled to retain $25,000 out of the Check Portion of
the Second Tranche and $25,000 from the Third Tranche.
8. All other provisions of the Agreement and the Letter Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference.
Sincerely,
Best Finance Investments Limited
By: /s/ Wong Sin Just
-------------------------------------
Name: Wong Sin Just
Title: Director
Agreed and Accepted:
vFinance, Inc.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-----------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: CEO and President
-2-
Exhibit 10.21
vFINANCE, INC.
3010 MILITARY TRAIL
SUITE 300
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA 33431
December 28, 2001
Best Finance Investments Limited
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
Re: Note Purchase Agreement between Best Finance Investments
Limited and vFinance, Inc.
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Note Purchase Agreement (the
"Agreement") dated as of November 28, 2001 by and between vFinance, Inc. (the
"Company") and Best Finance Investments Limited ("Best Finance"), as amended by
two letter agreements dated November 30 and December 14, 2001 (collectively, the
"Letter Agreements") executed by the Company and Best Finance. Pursuant to the
Letter Agreements, Best Finance has loaned to the Company a total of $975,000.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
ascribed to such capitalized terms in the Agreement.
We propose to modify the Agreement and the Letter Agreements as set
forth herein. If Best Finance is in agreement with our proposed modifications,
an authorized representative of Best Finance should sign and date a copy of this
letter in the space provided below and return the signed copy of the letter to
the undersigned.
1. Upon receipt of an executed copy of this letter agreement and the
subordination agreement to be entered into among UBS Americas, Inc., the Company
and Best Finance, the Company will issue to Best Finance a promissory note for
the aggregate principal amount of $975,000 substantially in the form of Exhibit
A attached hereto. If Best Finance provides the Company with the funds
representing the Third Tranche (as such term is defined in the December 14, 2001
Letter Agreement), the promissory note to be issued to Best Finance will be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, except that the
principal amount of the promissory note will be in the amount of the Third
Tranche.
2. The Company has amended its Certificate of Incorporation to: (a)
change its name to vFinance, Inc. and (b) increase its authorized capital stock
to 75,000,000 shares of
Common Stock. Accordingly, the first sentence of Section 3(c) of the Agreement
is hereby amended to delete the reference to 25,000,000 and to insert
75,000,000.
3. Item 1, Part II of the Company's Form 10-QSB/A, which was filed with
the SEC on November 20, 2001, contains disclosure relating to the Company's
litigation with Michael Golden. On or about November 30, 2001, the Company was
notified by its legal counsel that Ben Lichtenberg ("Lichtenberg") filed an
answer, affirmative defenses and counterclaims with the court in response to the
Company's filing with the court on July 13, 2001. In addition to denying all
material allegations in the Company's July 13, 2001 counterclaims against him,
Lichtenberg alleges that: (a) the Company breached its employment agreement with
him, (b) the Company and Leonard Sokolow made various false representations
which induced Lichtenberg to enter into the merger agreement between the Company
and Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc. ("Colonial") and (c) the Company
materially breached the terms of the Company's merger agreement with Colonial.
Lichtenberg is seeking delivery from the Company of 414,825 shares of Common
Stock which Lichtenberg was to receive under the Colonial merger agreement and
monetary damages of at least $488,000 from the Company and Mr. Sokolow, jointly
and severally. The Company and Sokolow believe that Lichtenberg's claims are
entirely without merit and they intend to defend themselves against such claims
and to prosecute the Company's claims against Lichtenberg. Accordingly, Schedule
3(k) of the Agreement is hereby amended to include such information.
4. Section 3(n) of the Agreement is deleted in its entirety and
replaced with the following:
3(n) SECURITIES FILINGS. Subject to the matters set forth in
Exhibit B attached hereto, the Company's securities filings as
at the respective dates of such filings did not make any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements made
not misleading.
5. All other provisions of the Agreement and the Letter Agreements are
incorporated herein by reference.
Sincerely,
vFinance, Inc.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: President and CEO
Agreed and Accepted:
Best Finance Investments Limited
By: /s/ Wong Sin Just
---------------------------------
Name: Wong Sin Just
Title: Director
-2-
EXHIBIT A
THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED HEREBY ARE SUBORDINATE IN THE MANNER AND TO THE EXTENT
SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT (THE "SUBORDINATION
AGREEMENT") DATED AS OF DECEMBER [ ], 2001, AMONG VFINANCE, INC. (THE
"COMPANY"), UBS AMERICAS, INC. AND BEST FINANCE INVESTMENTS LIMITED, TO THE
OBLIGATIONS (INCLUDING INTEREST) OWED BY THE COMPANY TO THE HOLDERS OF ALL OF
THE NOTES ISSUED PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF DECEMBER
[ ], 2001 BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND UBS AMERICAS, INC., AS SUCH CREDIT AGREEMENT
HAS BEEN AND HEREAFTER MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED, AMENDED, REPLACED OR REFINANCED FROM
TIME TO TIME; AND EACH HOLDER HEREOF, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, SHALL BE BOUND
BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT.
THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED WITHOUT WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY
THE ASSIGNEE OR TRANSFEREE OF SUBORDINATION OF THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED HEREBY
AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 16 OF THE SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT.
THIS NOTE AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THIS NOTE AND THE
COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR
SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT AS TO THIS NOTE UNDER SAID ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO VFINANCE, INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.
CONVERTIBLE NOTE
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, vFinance, Inc. ("Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to Best
Finance Investments Limited, c/o Billy Cheung, 4/F Hendley Building, 5 Queen's
Road, Central Hong Kong, , telecopier number _______________ (the "Holder") or
order, without demand, the sum of Nine Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars
($975,000.00), without interest, on ____________________ (the "Maturity Date").
The following terms shall apply to this Note:
ARTICLE I
PAYMENT
On the Maturity Date, the entire principal amount shall be
paid to the Holder without offset or deduction of any kind, including, without
limitation, any amounts otherwise required to be withheld by the Borrower and
payable to any taxing authority. Notwithstanding
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the foregoing, the principal amount of this Note shall be reduced from time to
time by the amount credited by the Holder in lieu of payment pursuant to the
exercise of Holder's rights under that certain Option issued by Borrower in
favor of Holder.
ARTICLE II
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The Holder shall have the right to convert the principal
amount under this Note into shares of the Borrower's Common Stock as set forth
below.
2.1. CONVERSION INTO THE BORROWER'S COMMON STOCK.
(a) The Holder shall have the right from and after the
issuance of this Note and then at any time until this Note is fully paid, to
convert any outstanding and unpaid principal portion of this Note by delivering
to Borrower a Notice of Conversion substantially in the form of Exhibit A (the
date of giving of such notice of conversion being a "Conversion Date") into
fully paid and nonassessable shares of common stock of Borrower as such stock
exists on the date of issuance of this Note, or any shares of capital stock of
Borrower into which such stock shall hereafter be changed or reclassified (the
"Common Stock") at the conversion price as defined in Section 2.1(b) hereof (the
"Conversion Price"), determined as provided herein. Upon delivery to the
Borrower of a Notice of Conversion of the Holder's written request for
conversion, Borrower shall issue and deliver to the Holder within three business
days from the Conversion Date that number of shares of Common Stock for the
portion of the Note converted in accordance with the foregoing. The number of
shares of Common Stock to be issued upon each conversion of this Note shall be
determined by dividing that portion of the principal of the Note to be
converted, by the Conversion Price.
(b) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.1(c)
hereof, the Conversion Price per share shall be $0.285.
(c) The Conversion Price described in Section 2.1(b) above and
the number and kind of shares or other securities to be issued upon conversion
determined pursuant to Section 2.1(a) shall be subject to adjustment from time
to time upon the happening of certain events while this conversion right remains
outstanding, as follows:
A. Merger, Sale of Assets, etc. If the Borrower at
any time shall consolidate with or merge into or sell or convey all or
substantially all its assets to any other corporation, this Note, as to the
unpaid principal portion thereof, shall thereafter be deemed to evidence the
right to purchase such number and kind of shares or other securities and
property as would have been issuable or distributable on account of such
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, upon or with respect to the
securities subject to the conversion or purchase right immediately prior to such
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance. The foregoing provision shall
similarly apply to successive transactions of a similar nature by any such
successor or purchaser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
anti-dilution provisions of this Section shall apply to such securities of such
successor or purchaser after any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance.
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B. Reclassification, etc. If the Borrower at any time
shall, by reclassification or otherwise, change the Common Stock into the same
or a different number of securities of any class or classes, this Note, as to
the unpaid principal portion thereof, shall thereafter be deemed to evidence the
right to purchase an adjusted number of such securities and kind of securities
as would have been issuable as the result of such change with respect to the
Common Stock immediately prior to such reclassification or other change.
C. Stock Splits, Combinations and Dividends. If the
shares of Common Stock are subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller
number of shares of Common Stock, or if a dividend is paid on the Common Stock
in shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price shall be proportionately reduced
in case of subdivision of shares or stock dividend or proportionately increased
in the case of combination of shares, in each such case by the ratio which the
total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event
bears to the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
prior to such event.
D. Subject to the Borrower amending its Certificate
of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to
at least 50,000,000, during the period the conversion right exists, Borrower
will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number
of shares to provide for the issuance of Common Stock upon the full conversion
of this Note. Borrower represents that upon issuance, such shares will be duly
and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Borrower agrees that its
issuance of this Note shall constitute full authority to its officers, agents,
and transfer agents who are charged with the duty of executing and issuing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for shares of
Common Stock upon the conversion of this Note.
2.2 METHOD OF CONVERSION. This Note may be converted by the
Holder in whole or in part as described in Section 2.1(a) hereof. Upon partial
conversion of this Note, a new Note containing the same date and provisions of
this Note shall, at the request of the Holder, be issued by the Borrower to the
Holder for the principal balance of this Note which shall not have been
converted or paid.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION
At any time prior to the third anniversary of the date hereof,
so long as no Event of Default has occurred that has not been cured, the
Borrower shall have the right to redeem the remaining principal balance of this
Note in whole (but not in part) upon no less than 30 days notice given to the
Holder at 116.66% of the then principal balance. During the period between the
delivery of the notice and the effective date of the redemption, the Holder
shall continue to have the right to convert all or a portion of this Note, in
which case the redemption price shall be correspondingly reduced.
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ARTICLE IV
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
4.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any of the following
events of default ("Event of Default") shall, at the option of the Holder
hereof, make the principal balance then remaining unpaid hereon and all other
amounts payable hereunder immediately due and payable, all without demand,
presentment or notice, or grace period, all of which hereby are expressly
waived, except as set forth below:
(a) FAILURE TO PAY PRINCIPAL. The Borrower fails to pay any
installment of principal hereon when due and such failure continues for a period
of ten (10) days after the due date.
(b) BREACH OF COVENANT. The Borrower breaches any material
covenant or other term or condition of this Note, the Note Purchase Agreement
entered into by the Holder and Borrower in connection with this Note (the "Note
Purchase Agreement") or any other agreement executed by the Borrower pursuant to
the Note Purchase Agreement (together with the Note Purchase Agreement, the
"Transactional Documents") in any material respect and such breach, if subject
to cure, continues for a period of ten (10) days after written notice to the
Borrower from the Holder.
(c) BREACH OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Any material
representation or warranty of the Borrower made herein in any Transactional
Document shall be false or misleading in any material respect.
(d) RECEIVER OR TRUSTEE. The Borrower shall make an assignment
for the benefit of creditors, or apply for or consent to the appointment of a
receiver or trustee for it or for a substantial part of its property or
business; or such a receiver or trustee shall otherwise be appointed.
(e) JUDGMENTS. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(e) attached
hereto and incorporated herein by reference, any money judgment, writ or similar
final process shall be entered or filed against Borrower or any of its property
or other assets for more than $100,000, and shall remain unvacated, unbonded or
unstayed for a period of forty-five (45) days.
(f) BANKRUPTCY. Bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
liquidation proceedings or other proceedings or relief under any bankruptcy law
or any law for the relief of debtors shall be instituted by or against the
Borrower and if instituted against Borrower are not dismissed within 60 days of
initiation.
(g) DELISTING. Delisting of the Common Stock from the Over the
Counter Bulletin Board or other market (the "Principal Market") on which the
Common Stock is listed for trading; Borrower's failure to comply with the
conditions for listing; or notification that the Borrower is not in compliance
with the conditions for such continued listing.
(h) CROSS DEFAULT. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(h)
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, the Borrower shall default
in any of its obligations under any
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mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued any
indebtedness of the Borrower in an amount exceeding $100,000 and such default
shall result in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable
prior to the date on which it would otherwise become due and payable.
(i) STOP TRADE. An SEC stop trade order or Principal Market
trading suspension for a period of more than 10 business days.
(j) FAILURE TO DELIVER COMMON STOCK OR REPLACEMENT NOTE.
Borrower's failure to timely deliver Common Stock to the Holder pursuant to and
in the form required by this Note, or if required, a replacement Note.
4.2 ENFORCEMENT. The Holder may thereupon proceed to protect
and enforce its rights either by suit in equity and/or by action at law or by
other appropriate proceedings whether for the specific performance (to the
extent permitted by law) of any covenant or agreement contained in this Note or
in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Note, and proceed to enforce
the payment of this Note held by it, and to enforce any other legal or equitable
right of such Holder.
4.3 WAIVER; RELEASE. Except as expressly provided for herein,
the Company specifically (i) waives all rights it may have (A) to notice of
nonpayment, notice of default, demand, presentment, protest and notice of
protest with respect to any of the obligations hereunder or the shares of Common
Stock and (B) notice of acceptance hereof or of any other action taken in
reliance hereon, notice and opportunity to be heard before the exercise by the
Holder of the remedies of self-help, set-off, or other summary procedures and
all other demands and notices of any type or description except for cure
periods; and (ii) releases the Holder, its officers, directors, agents,
employees and attorneys from all claims for loss or damage caused by any act or
failure to act on the part of the Holder, its officers, attorneys, agents,
directors and employees except for gross negligence or willful misconduct.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER. No failure or delay on
the part of Holder hereof in the exercise of any power, right or privilege
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further
exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. All rights and
remedies existing hereunder are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights
or remedies otherwise available.
5.2 NOTICES. Any notice herein required or permitted to be
given shall be in writing and may be personally served or sent by fax
transmission (with copy sent by certified or registered mail or by overnight
courier). For the purposes hereof, the address and fax number of the Holder is
as set forth on the first page hereof. The address and fax number of the
Borrower shall be vFinance, Inc., 3010 North Military Trail, Suite 300 Boca
Raton, FL 33431, telecopier number: (561) 981-3969. Both Holder and Borrower may
change the address and fax number
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for service by service of notice to the other as herein provided. Notice of
Conversion shall be deemed effecting five days after being placed in the mail,
if mailed, or upon receipt of delivery personally or by courier or by facsimile,
in each case properly addressed to the party to receive same.
5.3 AMENDMENT PROVISION. The term "Note" and all reference
thereto, as used throughout this instrument, shall mean this instrument as
originally executed, or if later amended or supplemented, then as so amended or
supplemented.
5.4 ASSIGNABILITY. This Note shall be binding upon the
Borrower and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the
Holder and its successors and assigns, and may be assigned by the Holder.
5.5 COST OF COLLECTION. If default is made in the payment of
this Note, Borrower shall pay the Holder hereof reasonable costs of collection,
including reasonable attorneys' fees.
5.6 MAXIMUM PAYMENTS. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
this Note or any other instrument or document executed in connection herewith,
it is expressly agreed and understood that the Borrower does not intend or
expect to pay, nor does the Holder intend or expect to charge, accept or collect
any interest which, when added to any other charge upon the principal, shall be
in excess of the highest lawful rate allowable under applicable law. Should
acceleration, prepayment, redemption or any other charges upon the principal or
any portion thereof result in the computation or earning of interest in excess
of the highest lawful rate allowable under applicable law, any and all such
excess is hereby waived and shall be credited to the outstanding principal
balance or returned to the Borrower.
5.7 PREPAYMENT. This Note may be prepaid prior to the Maturity
Date upon at least 30 days notice subject to the right of the Holder to convert
all or part of this Note prior to receipt of the prepayment amount.
5.8 GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. This Note shall be governed by
and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California without
regard to the principles of conflict of laws. In the event of any litigation
regarding the interpretation or application of this Note, the parties
irrevocably consent to jurisdiction in any of the state or federal courts
located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California and waive their rights
to object to venue in any such court, regardless of the convenience or
inconvenience thereof to any party. Service of process in any civil action
relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the transaction(s) contemplated
herein may be accomplished in any manner provided by law. The parties hereto
agree that a final, non-appealable judgment in any such suit or proceeding shall
be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on such
judgment or in any other lawful manner.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Note to be signed in its
name by its Chief Executive Officer on this _____ day of ______________, ______.
vFinance, Inc.
By:
WITNESS:
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EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF CONVERSION
(To be executed by the Registered Holder in order to convert the Note)
The undersigned hereby elects to convert $_________ of the principal
due on the Note issued by vFinance, Inc. into Shares of Common Stock of the
Company according to the conditions set forth in such Note, as of the date
written below.
Date of Conversion:
Conversion Price:
Shares To Be Delivered:
Signature:
Print Name:
Address:
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Schedule 4.1(e)
Judgments
1. Fleet National Bank v. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc., Superior
Court N.J.
a. Judgment by Fleet National Bank ("Fleet") against Michael
Golden (a former controlling shareholder of Colonial Direct)
and Colonial Direct in the amount of $315,902.94 for Lines of
Credit issued prior to the Company's January 2001 acquisition
of Colonial Direct. In October 2001, the Court entered a
summary judgment in favor of Fleet. The period for appeal of
the summary judgment expired on December 10, 2001.
b. Despite such joint liability, the Company has FULLY accrued
for and established reserves for this judgment in its
previously filed financial statements with the SEC.
c. Judgment is only against the Company's non-Regulated
Affiliate, Colonial Direct.
2. Fleet v. First Colonial Securities, Inc., Superior Court, N.J.
a. Judgment by Fleet against First Colonial Securities, Inc. in
the amount of $210,928.19 for Letter of Credit issued prior to
the Company's January 2001 acquisition of Colonial Direct. In
October 2001, the Court entered a summary judgment in favor of
Fleet. The period for appeal of the summary judgment expired
on December 10, 2001.
b. The Company has FULLY accrued for and established reserves
(including reserves for net capital purposes) for this
judgment in its previously filed financial statements with the
SEC.
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Schedule 4.1(h)
Indebtedness
1. Office Equipment used in the ordinary course of business under Capital
Leases (copiers, fax machines, telephone systems, computers).
2. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc. ("Colonial Direct"), a
non-Regulated Affiliate, has a total of $650,000 in Subordinated Bridge
Loans by 3 investors as follows:
Amount of Principal Maturity Date
------------------- -------------
Investor 1 $250,000 11/19/01
Investor 2 $250,000 12/20/01
Investor 3 $150,000 12/20/01
3. Colonial Direct Promissory Note to Kingland Systems Corporation.
4. Colonial Direct Lines of Credit with Fleet National Bank, $315,902.94
5. First Colonial Securities Letter of Credit with Fleet National Bank,
$210,928.19
6. Michael Golden $500,000 Promissory Note, held by Borrower as offset to
Borrower's claims against Michael Golden.
7. Gruntal & Co. LLC Promissory Note $42,500.
8. Series B Preferred Stock in the name of Michael Golden but held by
Borrower as offset to Borrower's claims against Michael Golden
(Redemption Rights).
9. Short sale positions from time to time in the ordinary course of
business by the wholesale trading group of Borrower's Regulated
Affiliate (s).
10. Sun Trust N.A. $200,000 Letter of Credit in favor of C.B. Richard
Ellis, lessor, leased premises 830 Third Avenue, NY, NY, a security for
the subject lease. Letter of Credit is secured by a $200,000 restricted
cash deposit held by Sun Trust N.A.
11. Default on lease of office space at 50 Broadway, New York, N.Y. As of
November 30, 2001, total amount due of approximately $45,590.
All of the above indebtedness is properly reflected and/or disclosed in the
Borrower's filings with the SEC.
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EXHIBIT B
1. The Company's Form 8-K/A, which was filed with the SEC on March 20,
2001, did not include the signature of an authorized officer of the
Company and all of the notes to the financial statements filed
therewith. These filing omissions were corrected when the Company filed
a Form 8-K/A-2 with the SEC on March 22, 2001.
2. The Company's Form 10-QSB, which was filed with the SEC on November 14,
2001, did not include disclosure of the Company's litigation with
Michael Golden. Such litigation is described in paragraph 5 of Schedule
3.06. The Company filed a Form 10-QSB/A with the SEC on November 20,
2001, which contains disclosure relating to the Golden litigation in
Item 1, Part II of the Form 10-QSB/A.
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Exhibit 10.22
vFINANCE, INC.
3010 Military Trail
Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
January 11, 2002
SBI Investments (USA) Inc.
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
Re: Note Purchase Agreement between Best Finance Investments
Limited and vFinance, Inc.
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Note Purchase Agreement (the
"Agreement") dated as of November 28, 2001 by and between vFinance, Inc. (the
"Company") and SBI Investments (USA) Inc. (formerly known as Best Finance
Investments Limited) ("SBI"), as amended by three letter agreements dated
November 30, December 14 and December 28, 2001 (collectively, the "Letter
Agreements") executed by the Company and SBI. Pursuant to the Agreement and the
Letter Agreements, SBI has loaned to the Company a total of $975,000.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
ascribed to such capitalized terms in the Agreement and the Letter Agreements.
We propose to modify the Agreement and the Letter Agreements as set
forth herein. If SBI is in agreement with our proposed modifications, an
authorized representative of SBI should sign and date a copy of this letter in
the space provided below and return the signed copy of the letter to the
undersigned.
1. Paragraph 2 of the December 14, 2001 letter agreement between the
Company and SBI is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
SBI may provide the Company with an additional loan in the amount of
$525,000 (the "Third Tranche"), by no later than 5:00 p.m. (Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida time) on June 30, 2002 (the "Due Date").
Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Agreement or the Letter
Agreements to the contrary, if SBI does not provide the Third
Tranche by the Due Date, it shall have no obligation to provide such
amount in which case the provisions of paragraph 2 hereof shall
apply. Upon receipt of the Third Tranche by the Company, the Company
will issue another promissory note to SBI substantially in the form
of Exhibit A attached to the December 28, 2001 letter agreement
between the Company and SBI, except that the principal
amount of the promissory note will be in the amount of the Third
Tranche.
2. Paragraph 3 of the December 14, 2001 letter agreement between the
Company and SBI is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
The Investor Rights Agreement shall not be effective unless and
until SBI provides the Third Tranche to the Company by the Due Date.
The Option attached as Exhibit A to the Agreement will not be issued
by the Company unless and until SBI provides the Third Tranche to
the Company by the Due Date.
3. On the first business day after the signing of the Credit Agreement
to be entered into by the Company and UBS Americas Inc., substantially in the
form heretofore delivered to SBI, Wong Sin Just shall be appointed to the board
of directors (the "Board") of the Company for a term of one year. If Wong Sin
Just is not able to attend any meetings of the Board or any meetings of a
committee of the Board, the Company will allow John Wang to observe such
meetings in Wong Sin Just's absence. However, the Investor Rights Agreement
shall not be effective unless and until SBI provides the Third Tranche to the
Company by the Due Date.
4. The Registration Rights Agreements (as defined in the Agreement) to
be entered into between the Company and SBI and the Company and certain
assignees of a portion of SBI's interest in the promissory note to be issued to
SBI by the Company shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached
hereto, rather than in the form of Exhibit B attached to the Agreement.
5. All other provisions of the Agreement and the Letter Agreements are
incorporated herein by reference.
Sincerely,
vFINANCE, INC.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: President and CEO
Agreed and Accepted:
SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC.
By: /s/ Wong Sin Just Date: February 13, 2002
-------------------------------
Name: Wong Sin Just
Title: Director
Attachment
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EXHIBIT A
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of the 13th day of February 2002 by and between vFinance, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, (hereinafter the "Company") and SBI Investments (USA)
Inc. f/k/a Best Finance Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands
corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Investor").
RECITALS
A. Reference is made to that certain Note Purchase Agreement
dated as of November 28, 2001 by and between the Company and
the Investor, as amended by four letter agreements dated
November 30, December 14 and 28, 2001 and February 13, 2002
executed by the Company and the Investor (the "Purchase
Agreement").
B. To induce Investor to consent to the execution of the Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain
registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
AGREEMENT
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by all parties hereto,
the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
"COMMISSION" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission
or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
"COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK" or "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the
Common Stock of the Company.
A "CONTROLLING PERSON" of a particular entity shall mean a
person that controls such entity within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act.
"EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
"HOLDER" shall mean Investor and any other person holding
Registrable Securities to whom the rights under the Agreement have been
transferred in accordance with ARTICLE 9.
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"REGISTRABLE NOTE SECURITIES" shall mean (i) the Note Shares
and (ii) any Common Stock of the Company issued or issuable in respect of the
Note Shares upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, or similar
event; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that shares of Common Stock or other securities shall
only be treated as Registrable Securities if and so long as they have not been
(A) sold to or through a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution
or a public securities transaction, or (B) sold, or are otherwise available for
sale in the opinion of counsel to the Company, in a transaction (including,
without limitation a Rule 144 transaction) exempt from registration and
prospectus delivery requirements, and any restrictive legends with respect
thereto are removed upon the consummation of such sale, or (C) sold by a Holder
without compliance with ARTICLE 9 hereof.
"REGISTRABLE OPTION SECURITIES" shall mean (i) the Option
Shares only if the Investor is entitled to receive the Option pursuant to the
terms of the Purchase Agreement and (ii) any Common Stock of the Company issued
or issuable in respect of such Option Shares upon any stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, or similar event; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that shares of
Common Stock or other securities shall only be treated as Registrable Securities
if and so long as they have not been (A) sold to or through a broker, dealer or
underwriter in a public distribution or a public securities transaction, or (B)
sold, or are otherwise available for sale in the opinion of counsel to the
Company, in a transaction (including, without limitation a Rule 144 transaction)
exempt from registration and prospectus delivery requirements, and any
restrictive legends with respect thereto are removed upon the consummation of
such sale, or (C) sold by a Holder without compliance with ARTICLE 9 hereof.
The terms "REGISTER," "REGISTERED" and "REGISTRATION" shall
refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration
statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering
of the effectiveness of such registration statement.
"REGISTRATION EXPENSES" shall mean all expenses, except as
otherwise stated below, incurred by the Company in complying with ARTICLES 3 and
4 including, without limitation all registration, qualification and filing fees,
printing expenses, escrow fees, messenger and delivery expenses, fees and
disbursements of counsel, accountants, investment bankers and other person
retained by the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, and the expense of any
special audits incident to or required by any such registration (but excluding
the compensation of regular employees of the Company, which shall be paid in any
event by the Company).
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement of the
Company filed on an appropriate form under the Securities Act providing for the
registration of, and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis by the holders
of, all of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities
Act, including the Prospectus contained therein and forming a part thereof, any
amendments to such registration statement and supplements to such Prospectus,
and all exhibits to and other material incorporated by reference in such
registration statement and Prospectus.
"RESTRICTED SECURITIES" shall mean the Note Shares and the
Option Shares and any other securities issued in respect of the Shares upon any
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or similar
event.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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"SELLING EXPENSES" shall mean all underwriting discounts,
selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the securities
registered by the Holders.
Any other capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined
above shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
2. SECURITIES SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT
a. REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. The securities entitled to
the benefits of this Agreement are the Registrable Note Securities and the
Registrable Option Securities (collectively, the "Registrable Securities").
b. HOLDERS OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. A Person is
deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns
Registrable Securities or has the right to acquire such Registrable Securities,
whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected and disregarding any
legal restrictions upon the exercise of such right.
3. REGISTRATION
a. TIMING OF FILING. The Company shall prepare and
file with the Commission as soon as practicable after June 30, 2002 a
Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale of the Registrable
Securities and shall use its best efforts to cause the Commission to declare
such Registration Statement effective under the Securities Act as promptly as
reasonably practicable within ninety (90) days after June 30, 2002 (the
"Deadline"). The Company shall promptly (and, in any event, no more than 24
hours after it receives comments from the Commission), notify the Holders when
and if it receives any comments from the Commission on the Registration
Statement and promptly forward a copy of such comments, if they are in writing,
to the Holders. At such time after the filing of the Registration Statement
pursuant to this Section 3.(a), as the Commission indicates, either orally or in
writing, that it has no further comments with respect to such Registration
Statement or that it is willing to entertain appropriate requests for
acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement, the Company shall
promptly, and in no event later than two (2) business days after receipt of such
indication from the Commission, request that the effectiveness of such
Registration Statement be accelerated within forty-eight (48) hours of the
Commission's receipt of such request. The Company shall notify the Holders by
written notice that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by
the Commission within 24 hours of such declaration by the Commission.
b. ELIGIBILITY FOR USE OF FORM S-3. The Company
agrees that at such time as it meets all the requirements for the use of
Securities Act Registration Statement on Form S-3 it shall file all reports and
information required to be filed by it with the Commission in a timely manner
and take all such other action so as to maintain such eligibility for the use of
such form.
c. OBLIGATION TO SUPPLEMENT AND AMEND. The Company
agrees to supplement or make amendments to such Registration Statement or file a
new Registration Statement, if required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form utilized by the Company, by the
Securities Act or by rules and regulations thereunder.
-5-
d. LIMITATIONS ON REGISTRATION. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company may postpone its
obligations under Sections 3(a) and 3(c) hereof, for a reasonable period of time
not to exceed ninety (90) days (but in any event not to extend beyond the date
of public disclosure of the information, or the date of abandonment or
termination of the transactions or negotiations, hereinafter referred to), if:
(i) the Company's Board of Directors determines, in good faith and in its
reasonable business judgment, that (a) complying with the Company's obligations
under Sections 3(a) and 3(c) hereof would require the public disclosure of
material non-public information concerning any pending or ongoing material
transaction or negotiations involving the Company which, in the opinion of the
Company's outside legal counsel, is not yet required to be publicly disclosed,
and (b) such disclosure would materially interfere with such transaction or
negotiations or have a material adverse effect on the Company, and (ii) the
Company diligently and in good faith continues to pursue such transaction or
negotiations throughout the period of such postponement.
4. PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS
a. NOTICE AND REQUEST TO PIGGYBACK. Whenever the
Company commences an underwritten public offering covering the offer and sale of
its Common Stock for the account of the Company or the account of a security
holder to the public other than (i) a registration statement on Form S-8 or
otherwise relating solely to employee benefit plans or (ii) a registration
statement on any other form which does not permit secondary sales, or (iii) on a
registration statement on Form S-4 or similar form, the Company will give
written notice to all holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to
effect such a registration not later than Fifteen (15) days prior to the
anticipated filing date and offer to such holders of Registrable Securities the
opportunity to register the number of Registrable Securities as each such holder
may request (a "Piggyback Registration"). Subject to the provisions of Sections
4(b) and 4(c), the Company will include in such Piggyback Registration all
Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written
requests for inclusion therein within ten (10) business days after the receipt
by the applicable holder of the Company's notice.
All Persons whose securities are included in the Piggyback Registration
shall be obligated to sell their securities on the same terms and conditions as
apply to the securities being issued and sold by the Company.
b. PRIORITY ON PRIMARY REGISTRATION. If the managing
underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the total
number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included in such registration
exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock which can be sold in such offering,
the Company will include in such registration:
(a) first, all shares of Common Stock the Company
proposes to sell;
(b) second, all shares of Common Stock of holders who
have superior registration rights in such underwriting; and third, the
Registrable Securities and such other shares of Common Stock requested
to be included in such registration in excess of the number of shares
of Common Stock the Company or such holders of superior registration
rights propose to sell which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can
be sold.
-6-
c. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. The Company, in its
sole discretion, will have the right to select the investment banker or
investment bankers and manager or managers to administer the offering.
d. UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. If Holders elect to
participate in an underwritten public offering pursuant to Section 4(a), all
Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through the
applicable Piggyback Registration shall enter into, and perform such obligations
set forth in an underwriting agreement in customary form, including, without
limitation, indemnification and contribution obligations, with the managing
underwriter(s) selected by the Company for such underwritten public offering.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION
All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the
Holders in connection with registrations pursuant to Section 4(a) shall be borne
by the Holders of such securities pro rata on the basis of the number of shares
so registered, and all Registration Expenses in connection with registrations
pursuant to the Agreement shall be borne by the Company, provided that the fees
and expenses of counsel, accountants, advisers and other persons retained by the
Holders to represent them in connection with any registrations pursuant to
Section 4.1, and the expenses of special audits, if any, required exclusively by
the inclusion of the Registrable Securities in any registration pursuant to
Section 4(a), shall be borne by the Holders in proportion to the aggregate
selling price of the Registrable Securities of each Holder to be so registered.
6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
In the case of each registration, qualification or compliance effected
by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will keep each Holder
advised in writing as to the initiation of each registration, qualification and
compliance and as to the completion thereof. Additionally, the Company will
furnish to the Holders participating in such registration and to the
underwriters of the securities being registered such reasonable number of copies
of the registration statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus and such
other documents as such Holders and underwriters may reasonably request in order
to facilitate the public offering of such securities.
7. INDEMNIFICATION
a. INDEMNIFICATION. To the extent permitted by law,
each party will indemnify the other party and each of its respective officers,
directors, Investors, employees, representatives and partners, and each
Controlling Person, with respect to which registration, qualification or
compliance has been effected pursuant to this Agreement, and each underwriter,
if any, and each Controlling Person of any underwriter, against all reasonable
expenses, claims, losses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof), including any of the foregoing incurred in any investigation or
inquiry or in any settlement of any litigation commenced or threatened, arising
out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a
material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, offering
circular or other document, or any amendment or supplement thereto, incident to
any such registration, qualification or compliance, or based on any omission (or
alleged omission) to state therein a
-7-
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading,
or any violation by of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any state
securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act or any state securities law applicable in connection with any
such registration, qualification or compliance, and each party will reimburse
the other party and each of its respective officers, directors, Investors,
employees, representatives and partners, and each such Controlling Person, each
such underwriter and each such Controlling Person of any such underwriter, for
any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with
investigating, preparing or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or
action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this
Section 7(a) shall not (i) apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss,
claim, damage, liability, or action if such settlement is effected without the
consent of the other party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld);
(ii) apply to any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or
action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in connection
with such registration statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, or
amendments or supplements thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the other party expressly for use in connection
with such registration, underwriter, or controlling person; or (iii) inure to
the benefit of any underwriter from whom the person asserting any such loss,
claim, damage or liability purchased the Registrable Securities which are the
subject thereof (or to the benefit of any person controlling such underwriter)
with respect to a preliminary prospectus or final prospectus if such underwriter
(if required by the Act) failed to send or give a copy of the most recent
prospectus, if the most recent prospectus furnished by the Company shall correct
the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
which is the basis of the loss, claim, damage, liability, or action for which
indemnification is sought, to such person at or prior to the written
confirmation of the sale of such Registrable Securities to such person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a registration under
Section 4(a) the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities under
this Section 7(a) shall be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds
received by such Holder for securities sold by it in such offering, unless such
liability arises out of or is based on willful conduct of the Holder or its
officers, directors, agents or employees. Furthermore, the Company shall only be
obligated under this Section 7(a) to pay the legal expenses of one law firm
which has been chosen to represent all of the Holders.
b. DEFENSE OF CLAIMS. Each party entitled to
indemnification under Sections 7(a) (the "Indemnified Party") shall give notice
to the party required to provide indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party")
promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to
which indemnity may be sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume
the defense of any such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, provided
that counsel for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such
claim or litigation, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval
shall not unreasonably be withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate
in such defense at such party's expense, and provided further that the failure
of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the
Indemnifying Party of its obligations under the Agreement unless the failure to
give such notice is materially prejudicial to an Indemnifying Party's ability to
defend such action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, (i) if the
Indemnified Party reasonably determines that there may be a conflict between the
positions of the Indemnifying Party and of the Indemnified
-8-
Party in connection with the defense of such action, suit, investigation,
inquiry or other proceeding or that there may be legal defenses available to
such Indemnified Party different from or in addition to those available to the
Indemnifying Party, then, at the sole cost and expense of such Indemnified
Party, counsel for the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to conduct a defense
to the extent reasonably determined by such counsel to be necessary to protect
the interest of the Indemnified Party, and (ii) in any event, the Indemnified
Party shall be entitled to have counsel chosen by such Indemnified Party
participate in, but not to conduct, the defense. No Indemnifying Party, in the
defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each
Indemnified Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement
that does not include as a unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant
or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in
respect to such claim or litigation.
8. INFORMATION FROM HOLDERS
The Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities included in any
registration shall, as a condition precedent to the Company's obligation to
register the securities of such Holder or Holders, furnish to the Company such
information regarding such Holder or Holders, the Registrable Securities held by
them and the distribution proposed by such Holder or Holders as the Company may
request in writing and as shall be required in connection with any registration,
qualification or compliance referred to in this Agreement. At the request of the
Company, each Holder who is including any Registrable Securities in the
registration shall deposit in escrow with an escrow agent chosen by the Company
those Registrable Securities which such Holder proposes to sell, accompanied by
an irrevocable power of attorney authorizing the escrow agent to, without
limitation, sell such Registrable Securities to the underwriter upon the
effectiveness of the registration statement.
9. TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The rights to cause the Company to register securities granted to
Holders under Section 4(a) may be assigned to a transferee or assignee in
connection with any transfer or assignment of Registrable Securities by a
Holder, provided that: (i) such transfer may otherwise be effected in accordance
with applicable securities laws, and (ii) written notice thereof is promptly
given to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights to cause the
Company to register securities may be assigned to any constituent partner or
affiliate of a Holder, without compliance with item (ii) above, provided written
notice thereof is promptly given to the Company.
10. COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144
The Company covenants that it shall (a) file any reports required to be
filed by it under the Exchange Act and (b) take such further action as each
Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request (including providing any
information necessary to comply with Rule 144 under the Securities Act), all to
the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable
Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation
of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such
rule may be amended from time to time, or (ii) any similar rules or regulations
hereafter adopted by the SEC. The Company shall, upon the request of any Holder
of Registrable Securities, deliver to such Holder a written statement as to
whether it has complied with such requirements.
-9-
11. MISCELLANEOUS
a. REMEDIES. Each Holder of Registrable Securities,
in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein and in the
Purchase Agreement, or granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be
entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company
agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss
incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and
hereby agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a
remedy at law would be adequate. However, no Holder shall have any right to take
any action to restrain, enjoin, or otherwise delay any registration proposed to
be undertaken by the Company as the result of any controversy that might arise
with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement.
b. NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company will not
on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to
its securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of
Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the
provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the
rights granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any such
agreements.
c. ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. The
Company will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to
the Registrable Securities which would adversely affect the ability of the
Holders of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a
registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.
d. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this
Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended,
modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the
provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of at least 66-2/3% of the Registrable Securities.
e. NOTICES. All notices and other communications
provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery,
registered first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery:
(a) if to a Holder of Registrable Securities, at the
most current address given by such Holder to the Company in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 11(e), which address initially is,
with respect to the Investor, as follows:
SBI Investments (USA) Inc.
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building, 5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 11(e).
-10-
(b) if to the Company:
3010 North Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Attention: Leonard J. Sokolow, CEO and President
Facsimile No.: (561) 981-3969
and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 11(e).
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the
next business day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.
f. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Subject to the provisions
of ARTICLE 9 hereof, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including without
limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of
Registrable Securities.
g. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
h. HEADINGS. The headings of this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
i. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. This Agreement shall be
governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of
California without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. In the event of
any litigation regarding the interpretation or application of this Agreement,
the parties irrevocably consent to jurisdiction in any of the state or federal
courts located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California and waive their
rights to object to venue in any such court, regardless of the convenience or
inconvenience thereof to any party. Service of process in any civil action
relating to or arising out of this Agreement (including also all Exhibits or
Schedules hereto) or the transaction(s) contemplated herein may be accomplished
in any manner provided by law. The parties hereto agree that a final,
non-appealable judgment in any such suit or proceeding shall be conclusive and
may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on such judgment or in any other
lawful manner.
j. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of
the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance,
is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
k. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is intended by
the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a
complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the
parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained
-11-
herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understanding between
the parties with respect to such subject matter.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
"COMPANY"
VFINANCE, INC.,
a Delaware Corporation
By:
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: President and CEO
"INVESTOR"
SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC.,
a British Virgin Islands Corporation
By:
Name:
Title:
-12-
Exhibit 10.23
vFINANCE, INC.
3010 Military Trail
Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
March 4, 2002
SBI Investments (USA) Inc.
c/o Billy Cheung
4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
Re: Note Purchase Agreement between SBI Investments (USA) Inc.
(formerly known as Best Finance Investments Limited) ("SBI")
and vFinance, Inc.
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Note Purchase Agreement (the
"Agreement") dated as of November 28, 2001 by and between vFinance, Inc. (the
"Company") and SBI Investments (USA) Inc. (formerly known as Best Finance
Investments Limited) ("SBI"), as amended by four letter agreements dated
November 30, December 14, December 28, 2001 and January 11, 2002 (collectively,
the "Letter Agreements") executed by the Company and SBI. Pursuant to the
Agreement and the Letter Agreements, SBI has loaned to the Company a total of
$975,000. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the
meanings ascribed to such capitalized terms in the Agreement and the Letter
Agreements.
We propose to modify the Agreement and the Letter Agreements as set
forth herein. If SBI is in agreement with our proposed modifications, an
authorized representative of SBI should sign and date a copy of this letter in
the space provided below and return the signed copy of the letter to the
undersigned.
1. The Company and SBI agree that Paragraph 4. g. of the Agreement
between the Company and SBI shall be amended to eliminate any reference to
permitting Shelly Singhal to work for SBI. The Company and SBI also agree that
Paragraph 4. g. shall be further amended to provide that as long as Shelly
Singhal is registered with the NASD as an employee of the Company, he shall not
be permitted to work for or be employed by SBI or any affiliate thereof other
than the Company.
2. All other provisions of the Agreement and the Letter Agreements are
incorporated herein by reference.
Sincerely,
vFINANCE, INC.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: President and CEO
Agreed and Accepted:
SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC.
By: /s/ Wong Sin Just
--------------------------
Name: Wong Sin Just
Title: Director
-2-
Exhibit 10.24
CREDIT AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF
JANUARY 25, 2002
BY AND BETWEEN
vFINANCE, INC.,
AS BORROWER
AND
UBS AMERICAS INC.,
AS LENDER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS......................................................1
Section 1.01. Defined Terms....................................................1
Section 1.02. Terms Generally.................................................11
Section 1.03. Accounting Terms; GAAP..........................................12
ARTICLE II THE CREDITS.....................................................12
Section 2.01. Commitments.....................................................12
Section 2.02. Request for Loans...............................................12
Section 2.03. Funding of Loans................................................13
Section 2.04. Termination and Reduction of Commitments........................13
Section 2.05. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt............................13
Section 2.06. Prepayment of Loans.............................................14
Section 2.07. Fees............................................................14
Section 2.08. Interest........................................................15
Section 2.09. Increased Costs.................................................15
Section 2.10. Break Funding...................................................16
Section 2.11. Taxes...........................................................16
Section 2.12. Payments Generally..............................................17
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................................17
Section 3.01. Organization; Powers............................................17
Section 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability...................................18
Section 3.03. Governmental and Third Party Approvals; No Conflicts............18
Section 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.................18
Section 3.05. Properties......................................................19
Section 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters............................19
Section 3.07. Compliance With Laws and Agreements.............................20
Section 3.08. Investment and Holding Company Status...........................20
Section 3.09. Taxes...........................................................20
Section 3.10. ERISA...........................................................20
Section 3.11. Disclosure......................................................20
Section 3.12. Capital Structure...............................................20
Section 3.13. Federal Reserve Regulations.....................................21
Section 3.14. Post Retirement Benefit Obligations.............................21
Section 3.15. Membership in Exchange; Registration............................21
Section 3.16. Guaranteed Subsidiaries.........................................21
Section 3.17. SIPC Assessments................................................21
Section 3.18. Examining Authority and SRO.....................................21
Section 3.19. Indebtedness....................................................21
Section 3.20. Brokers.........................................................21
Section 3.21. Securities Filings..............................................21
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS......................................................22
Section 4.01. Initial Conditions..............................................22
Section 4.02. Continuing Conditions...........................................23
-i-
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...........................................23
Section 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information......................23
Section 5.02. Notice of Material Events.......................................25
Section 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business..................................25
Section 5.04. Payment of Obligations..........................................26
Section 5.05. Maintenance of Properties.......................................26
Section 5.06. Insurance.......................................................26
Section 5.07. Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights..................26
Section 5.08. Compliance With Laws............................................26
Section 5.09. Use of Proceeds.................................................26
Section 5.10. Owners' Equity..................................................26
Section 5.11. Net Capital.....................................................26
Section 5.12. Compliance With Contractual Obligations.........................27
ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS..............................................27
Section 6.01. Limitations on Indebtedness.....................................27
Section 6.02. Liens...........................................................28
Section 6.03. Fundamental Changes.............................................28
Section 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions.......29
Section 6.05. Asset Sales.....................................................29
Section 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions.................................30
Section 6.07. Restricted Payments.............................................30
Section 6.08. Certain Payments of Indebtedness................................30
Section 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates....................................31
Section 6.10. Restrictive Agreements..........................................31
Section 6.11. Amendment of Material Documents.................................31
Section 6.12. Fiscal Year.....................................................31
Section 6.13. Restrictions on Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock...................32
ARTICLE VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT...............................................32
Section 7.01. Events of Default...............................................32
Section 7.02. Remedies........................................................34
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS...................................................35
Section 8.01. Notices.........................................................35
Section 8.02. Waivers; Remedies; Amendments...................................36
Section 8.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver..............................36
Section 8.04. Successors and Assigns; Other Persons...........................37
Section 8.05. Survival........................................................37
Section 8.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness........................38
Section 8.07. Severability....................................................38
Section 8.08. Right of Set-off................................................38
Section 8.09. Governing Laws; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.....38
Section 8.10. Waiver of Jury Trial............................................39
Section 8.11. Headings........................................................40
Section 8.12. Confidentiality.................................................40
-ii-
SCHEDULES
Schedule 3.03 - Approvals
Schedule 3.06 - Disclosed Matters
Schedule 3.07 - Licenses and Approvals; Filings and Notices
Schedule 3.12 - Capital Structure
Schedule 3.16 - Guaranteed Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.21 - Securities Filings
Schedule 6.01 - Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02 - Existing Liens
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A - Form of Subordination Agreement
Exhibit B - Form of Promissory Note
Exhibit C - Form of Opinion of Borrower's Counsel
Exhibit D - Forms of Opinions of Counsel to SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC.
-iii-
CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of January 25, 2002 (this
"Agreement"), by and between vFinance, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower" or the "Company"), and UBS
Americas Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Lender").
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested the Lender make revolving
loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1,500,000 at
any one time outstanding prior to the Commitment Increase Date (as hereinafter
defined) and of up to $3,000,000 at any one time outstanding following the
Commitment Increase Date; and
WHEREAS, the Lender is willing to make such loans on the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound, hereby agree as follows.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings specified below:
"AFFILIATE" means, with respect to a specified Person, another
Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls
or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
"APPLICABLE LIBOR MARGIN" means (a) in the case of a Loan
which is repaid in full within a period less than or equal to one full LIBOR
Interest Period, 2%, and (b) in the case of a Loan which is repaid in full
within a period greater than one full LIBOR Interest Period, 5%.
"BOARD" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System of the United States of America, or any successor entity to the functions
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
"BORROWING REQUEST" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.02.
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which commercial banks in New York City or United States national
securities exchanges are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
"CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS" of any Person means the
obligations of such person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or
other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP,
and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof
determined in accordance with GAAP.
"CHANGE IN CONTROL" means (a) any Person or two or more
Persons acting in concert shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the SEC under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of voting Equity Interests of the Borrower (or other securities
convertible into such voting Equity Interests) representing 20% (40% in the case
of SBI INVESTMENTS and its Affiliates) or more of the combined voting power of
all outstanding voting Equity Interests of the Borrower (assuming conversion of
all securities beneficially owned by such Person or Persons convertible into
voting Equity Interests of the Borrower), (b) during any period of up to 24
consecutive months, commencing after the date of this Agreement, individuals who
at the beginning of such 24-months period were directors of the Borrower
(together with any new directors whose election or nomination for election to
the board of directors of the Borrower was approved by 662/3% of the directors
who were either in office at the beginning of such period or whose election or
nomination for election to the board of the Borrower was previously so approved)
shall cease for any reason (other than due to death or disability or, in the
case of directors in office on the date of this Agreement, retirement in the
ordinary course or pursuant to contractual agreements in effect on the date of
this Agreement) to constitute a majority of the board of directors of the
Borrower, or (c) the Borrower ceases to own and control a majority of the voting
rights associated with all of the Equity Interests of any Regulated Affiliate,
except to the extent such interests shall be reduced by Permitted Issuances.
"CHANGE IN LAW" means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or
regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or
regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by the Lender with
any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of
any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement.
"CLEARING AGREEMENT" means the Clearing Agreement, dated
August 17, 1993, between Correspondent Services Corporation and First Colonial
Securities Group, Inc., as extended to First Level Capital, Inc. by a Secondary
Clearing Agreement, dated February 21, 2001, among Correspondent Services
Corporation, First Colonial Securities Group, Inc. and First Level Capital,
Inc., as the same from time to time has been, or may be, amended, extended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified.
"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time.
"COMMITMENT" means the obligation of the Lender to make Loans
to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any one time
outstanding (a) $1,500,000 prior to the Commitment Increase Date, and (b)
$3,000,000 following the Commitment Increase Date; provided, that the then
effective maximum Commitment shall be reduced (or terminated, as the case may
be) in accordance with the terms of Section 2.04 and Section 7.02.
"COMMITMENT COMMENCEMENT DATE" means the first date on or by
which all of the following events shall have occurred: (a) the execution of this
Agreement; (b) the closing of the First Tranche; and (c) the conditions
precedent set forth in Section 4.01 shall have been met.
"COMMITMENT INCREASE DATE" means the first date on which both
of the following conditions shall have been satisfied: (i) the closing of the
Second Tranche shall have occurred,
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and (ii) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Lender amended Schedules to
this Agreement (to be effective from their date of delivery) which are in form
and substance acceptable to the Lender in its sole and absolute discretion.
"COMMITMENT TERMINATION DATE" means the Maturity Date or such
earlier date of termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 7.02.
"CONTROL" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or
otherwise "Controlling" and "Controlled" have meanings correlative thereto.
"DEFAULT" means any event or condition which constitutes an
Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured
or waived, become an Event of Default.
"DISCLOSED MATTERS" means the actions, suits and proceedings
and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06 prior to the Commitment
Increase Date and, on and after the Commitment Increase Date, in Schedule 3.06
as amended as contemplated by the definition of Commitment Increase Date.
"DOLLARS" or "$" refers to lawful money of the United States
of America.
"ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all laws, rules, regulations,
codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding
agreements issued, promulgated or entered unto by any Governmental Authority,
relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural
resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous
Material or to health and safety matters.
"ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY" means, as to any Person, airy
liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs
of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of such Person
directly or indirectly resulting front or based upon (a) violation of any
Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage,
treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous
Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into
the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement
pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the
foregoing.
"EQUITY INTERESTS" means shares of capital stock, partnership
interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial
interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person or any
right, whether or not contingent, to acquire any of the foregoing.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time.
"ERISA AFFILIATE" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer
under Section 414(b) or (c) of the
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Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the
Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code, "ERISA
Event" means (a) any "reportable event", as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or
the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event
for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to
any Plan of an "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 412 of
the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing
pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an
application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any
Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any
liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan;
(e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan
administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or
Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the
Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the
withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the
receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by
any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice,
concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a
Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization,
within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA. "Event of Default" has the meaning
assigned to such term in Section 7.01.
"EXAMINING AUTHORITY" means the "Examining Authority" (as
defined in Rule 15c3-1) of the relevant Regulated Affiliate. References herein
to the Examining Authority shall also be deemed to refer to any other domestic
exchange, board of trade, clearing association or similar organization of which
the relevant Regulated Affiliate is a member (or with which it has qualified for
privileges).
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
"EXCHANGE FILINGS" means, as to any Person, all financial
information and reports filed by such Person, with all national securities
exchanges or associations of which it is a member (including, without
limitation, the SEC, the NYSE, the NASD and any relevant Canadian exchange or
association), including, without limitation, its monthly and quarterly Financial
and Operational Combined Uniform. Single Reports, any amendment or supplements
to its Form BD, and any reports on Form U-4 or Form U-5 relating to such
Person's principals, together with any amendments or supplements to any of the
foregoing information or reports, in each case including all attachments and
exhibits thereto.
"EXCLUDED TAXES" means, with respect to the Lender or any
other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of
the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured
by) its net income by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under
the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal place of
business is located, but only to the extent such recipient is liable for tax on
net income in such jurisdiction on amounts in addition to those derived from
sources or capital situated in such jurisdiction and (b) any branch profits
taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any
other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located.
"FILINGS AND NOTICES" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.07.
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"FINANCIAL OFFICER" means the chief financial officer,
principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of any Person.
"FINANCING TRANSACTIONS" means the execution, delivery and
performance thereunder by the Borrower of the Loan Documents, the borrowing of
Loans and the use of the proceeds thereof.
"FIRST TRANCHE" means the closing of sales of Equity Interests
in, or Subordinated Debt of, the Borrower which result in aggregate net cash
proceeds to the Borrower of not less than $1,500,000, pursuant to the terms of
the Investment Agreement, a Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 18,
2001, between Critical Infrastructure (BVI) LP and the Borrower, a Share
Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2001, between Innovex Partners and
the Borrower and any other agreements with parties, and in form and substance,
satisfactory to Lender in Lender's sole and absolute discretion.
"FISCAL YEAR" means the period of twelve consecutive months
ending December 31st of each calendar year.
"FOCUS REPORTS" has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.01(e).
"FORM BD" means, as to any Person, the uniform broker-dealer
registration form submitted by such Person from time to time in compliance with
Rule 15b1-1 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means the government of the United
States of America, Canada or any other nation, including without limitation, the
British Virgin Islands and the Republic of China, or any political subdivision
thereof, whether state, province or local, and any agency, authority,
instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or
functions of or pertaining to government, and any self-regulatory organization
as defined under the Exchange Act (including, without limitation, the NASD and
the NYSE).
"GUARANTEE" of or by any Person (the "GUARANTOR") means any
obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the
economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any
other Person (the "PRIMARY OBLIGOR") in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect,
(a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment
of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or
supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to
purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring
the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c)
to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement
condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary
obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, (d) as an account party in
respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such
Indebtedness or obligation, or (e) otherwise to assure a
-5-
creditor against loss; PROVIDED, that the term Guarantee shall not include
endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
"HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means all explosive or radioactive
substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other
pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos
containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or
medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated
pursuant to any Environmental Law.
"HEDGING AGREEMENT" means any interest rate, currency or
commodity swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar
agreement, or other agreement or arrangement designed to protect a Person
against fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity
prices.
"INDEBTEDNESS" of any Person means, without duplication, (a)
all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments; (c) all
obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention
agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of
such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services
(excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of
business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of
such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured
by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the
Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, valued at the lesser of (i) the
stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness that is so secured or, if not
stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect
thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder), and (ii) the
fair market value of such property, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of
Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h)
all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in
respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (i) all obligations,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers' acceptances, (j)
all obligations of such Person under all Hedging Agreements, valued at the
amount that would then be payable by such Person thereunder upon an early
termination thereof, (k) all obligations relating to short sales of securities,
and (l) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or
otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or
any other Person or any warrants, rights or options to acquire any such Equity
Interests. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any
other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general
partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such
Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to
the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable
therefor.
"INDEMNIFIED TAXES" means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
"INDEMNITEE" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
8.03(b).
"INFORMATION" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
8.12.
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"INVESTMENT AGREEMENT" means that certain Note Purchase
Agreement, dated November 28, 2001, by and between SBI INVESTMENTS and the
Borrower, as amended by letter agreements dated November 30, 2001, December 14,
2001 and December 28, 2001, executed SBI INVESTMENTS and the Borrower.
"KNOWLEDGE" means, with respect to any Person, the actual
knowledge of such Person and/or of any officer, director, partner or member of
such Person, and an individual shall be deemed to have actual knowledge of a
particular fact, circumstance or other matter if such Person is actually aware
(or in the exercise of due diligence should be aware) of or has received notice
of such fact, circumstance or other matter.
"LIBOR" shall mean, with respect to each LIBOR Interest Period
for each Loan, the rate determined by the Lender to be the arithmetic mean of
the offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market
with a maturity of 30 days as quoted on the Reuters Screen LIBOR Page at
approximately 11:00 a.m. two Business Days prior to the first day of such LIBOR
Interest Period.
"LIBOR INTEREST PERIOD" shall mean, with respect to each Loan,
each 30 day period beginning on the date such Loan is borrowed and ending on the
numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day,
the last day) of the month that is 30 days after such beginning date.
"LICENSES AND APPROVALS" has the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 3.07.
"LIEN" means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage,
deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security
interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under
any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or
any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the
foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any
purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such
securities.
"LOAN DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, the Promissory Note,
the Subordination Agreement and all other agreements, instruments, documents,
certificates and notices whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on
behalf of the Borrower and delivered to the Lender in connection with this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
"LOANS" means the loans made by the Lender to the Borrower
pursuant to Section 2.01.
"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means a material adverse effect on
(a) the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or
otherwise, of the Borrower individually, or together with its Affiliates taken
as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower to perform any of its obligations
under any Loan Document, or (c) the rights of, or benefits available to, the
Lender under any Loan Document other than as the result of the action or
inaction of the Lender.
"MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness (other than the
Loans) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000.
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"MATURITY DATE" means the earlier to occur of the third
anniversary of the execution of this Agreement or the expiration or termination
of the Clearing Agreement.
"MINIMUM NET CAPITAL" means, as to any Person, the minimum
amount of net capital required to be maintained in respect of such Person
pursuant to applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without
limitation, those of the SEC and the NASD concerning requirements of net
capital, as such term is defined in Rule 15c3-1.
"MOODY'S" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
"MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means a multiemployer plan as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
"NASD" means National Association of Securities Dealers.
"NYSE" means the New York Stock Exchange.
"OTHER TAXES" means any and all present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the
execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan
Document.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred
to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
"PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" means:
(a) Liens imposed by law for taxes that are not yet subject to
penalties or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
(b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
repairmen's and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course
of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days
or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of
business in compliance with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and
other social security laws or regulations;
(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade
contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance
bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary
course of business;
(e) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not
constitute an Event of Default under clause (j) of Section 7.01;
(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar
encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course
of business that do not secure any
-8-
monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the
affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(g) Liens in favor of a landlord on equipment in the premises
leased from such landlord securing the lease obligations owed to such landlord;
and
(h) other Liens securing obligations which do not exceed, in
the aggregate, $500,000; PROVIDED that the term "Permitted Encumbrances" shall
not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.
"PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means:
(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and
interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of
America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case
maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days
from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition,
the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody's;
(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker's
acceptances and time deposits maturing within 270 days from the date of
acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market
deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial
bank organized or doing business under the laws of the United States of America
or any State thereof and which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided
profits of not less than $500,000,000;
(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of
not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered
into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause
(c) above; and
(e) transactions permitted pursuant to Section 5.09.
"PERMITTED ISSUANCES" means issuances by the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries of Equity Interests (in one transaction or a series of
transactions) to their respective employees or consultants, as well as pursuant
to the Investment Agreement and the agreement referred to in the definition of
"Second Tranche", PROVIDED, that, the aggregate amount of all such issuances
shall not result in (a) a Change in Control, (b) the Borrower ceasing to own and
control a majority of the voting rights associated with all of the ownership
interests of any Subsidiary, or (c) an adverse effect on the rights of UBS under
this Agreement, the Loan Documents or the Clearing Agreement. In addition,
"Permitted Issuances" shall include any issuance of Equity Interests in excess
of the foregoing; PROVIDED, that: (I) Lender consents to such Permitted
Issuances, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld so long as such
Permitted Issuances do not adversely affect the benefits received by UBS under
this Agreement, the Loan Documents or the Clearing Agreement, and (II) any Loan
proceeds that have been loaned or contributed to, or otherwise utilized in the
business conducted by any such Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement shall be
repaid to Lender prior to such Permitted Issuances.
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"PERSON" means any natural person, corporation, limited
liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership,
Governmental Authority or other entity, whether or not incorporated.
"PLAN" means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section
412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section
4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of
ERISA.
"PROMISSORY NOTE" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.05(b).
"REGULATED AFFILIATE" means any Subsidiary of the Borrower
regulated as a broker-dealer pursuant to Rule 15c3-1.
"RELATED PARTIES" means, with respect to any specified Person,
such Person's Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees,
agents and advisors of such Person and such Person's Affiliates.
"RESTRICTED PAYMENT" means any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity
Interests in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except a dividend or
distribution payable solely in common stock of the Borrower, or any payment
(whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or
similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement,
acquisition, cancellation or termination of or the recission of any offering of,
any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
"RULE 15C3-1" means Rule 15c3-1, including the appendices
thereto, as promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.15c3-1),
as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any rule or regulation of the
SEC which replaces Rule 15c3-1.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of
McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.
"SBI INVESTMENTS" means SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC., formerly
known as Best Finance Investments Limited, a corporation organized under the
laws of the British Virgin Islands.
"SEC" means the Securities Exchange Commission.
"SECOND TRANCHE" means the closing of a sale of the Equity
Interests in, or Subordinated Debt of, the Borrower, pursuant to the terms of
agreements between SBI INVESTMENTS and the Borrower, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel, which results in net cash
proceeds to the Borrower of not less than $1,500,000 (without giving effect to
any offset by SBI INVESTMENTS of amounts owed by the Company to it or any of its
Affiliates), in addition to the First Tranche.
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"SENIOR DEBT" means the Loan and other obligations of the
Borrower under the Loan Documents.
"SIPC" means the Securities Investor Protection Corporation
established pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Investor Protection
Act, as amended.
"SRO" means the self-regulatory organization designated as the
designated self-regulatory organization of each Regulated Affiliate pursuant to
a plan filed with the NASD.
"SUBORDINATED DEBT" means obligations of the Borrower for
borrowed money which (i) is not guaranteed by any other Person, (ii) requires no
payment of principal (whether by sinking fund, redemption or otherwise) to be
made prior to the first anniversary of the Maturity Date, and (iii) is
subordinated in right of payment to the Loans and other obligations of the
Borrower under the Loan Documents pursuant to a Subordination Agreement and such
Subordination Agreement shall have been executed by the Borrower, the creditor
and the Lender and delivered to the Lender.
"SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT" means a Subordination Agreement in
the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A.
"SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person (the "parent")
at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with
those of the parent in the parent's consolidated financial statements if such
financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as
well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests
representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting
power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership
interests are, as of such date, directly or indirectly owned, Controlled or held
by the parent. "Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,
imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental
Authority.
"UBS" means the Lender and/or any of its Affiliates.
"WITHDRAWAL LIABILITY" means liability to a Multiemployer Plan
as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as
such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
Section 1.02. TERMS GENERALLY. The definitions of terms herein
shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.
Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding
masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words "include", "includes" and
"including" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation."
The word "will" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the
word "shall". Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or
reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be
construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from
time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any
restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein),
(b) any reference to any law, rule or regulation herein shall be construed as
referring to any amendment or modification of such law, rule or regulation, (c)
any
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reference herein to any person shall be construed to include such Person's
successors and assigns, (d) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder", and
words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its
entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein
to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to
Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (f)
the words "asset" and "property" shall be construed to have the same meaning and
effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and
properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
Section 1.03. ACCOUNTING TERMS; GAAP. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall
be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in.-10- effect from time to time;
PROVIDED, that, if the Borrower notifies the Lender that the Borrower requests
an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change
occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the
operation of such provision, regardless of whether any such notice is given
before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such
provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied
immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice
shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.
ARTICLE II
THE CREDITS
Section 2.01. COMMITMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, the Lender agrees to make Loans to the Borrower from time to
time on any Business Day during the period from the Commitment Commencement Date
until the Commitment Termination Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any
one time outstanding up to but not exceeding the then effective Commitment.
Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01 may be repaid, prepaid and reborrowed
pursuant to this Article II.
Section 2.02. REQUEST FOR LOANS. To request a Loan, the
Borrower shall notify the Lender of such request by telephone not later than
11:00 a.m., New York City time, at least one Business Day before the date of
borrowing (such notification being a "Borrowing Request"). Such telephonic
Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand
delivery or telecopy to the Lender of a written Borrowing Request in a form
approved by the Lender and signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and
written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information:
(a) the aggregate amount of such Loan, which shall be
an integral multiple of $100,000;
(b) the date of such Loan, which shall be at least
two Business Days before the Commitment Termination Date; and
(c) the location and number of the account to which
funds are to be disbursed.
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In addition, the Borrowing Request shall be accompanied by a
certificate executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming that the
conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 of this Agreement are true as of
the date of the Borrowing Request, and will be true as of the date of the
proposed Loan, and detailing the use of the Loan proceeds. In addition, the
Borrower shall provide any additional information requested by the Lender with
respect to the use of the Loan proceeds. The provision of any such information
and the making by Lender of any Loan shall not be construed as an approval by
Lender of the use of the proceeds, or a waiver by the Lender of any provision of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
Section 2.03. FUNDING OF LOANS. Subject to the conditions
hereof, the Lender will make the Loans available to the Borrower by promptly
transferring the amounts to the account designated by the Borrower in the
Borrowing Request.
Section 2.04. TERMINATION AND REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS.
(a) The Commitment shall terminate at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Commitment Termination Date.
(b) The Borrower may at any time, at its option, prior to the
Commitment Termination Date terminate the Commitment in whole or reduce the
Commitment in part; provided, that no such termination or reduction shall result
in the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Loans exceeding the maximum
amount of the Commitment then in effect. Any reduction of a part of the
Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.04(b) shall be in a minimum amount of
$100,000 or a higher integral multiple of $100,000, unless the then effective
Commitment is less than $100,000, in which case any reduction pursuant to this
Section shall be equal to the amount of the then effective Commitment.
(c) The Borrower shall notify the Lender of any election to
reduce or terminate the Commitment under paragraph (b) of this Section at least
one Business Day prior to the effective date of such reduction or termination,
specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Each notice delivered
by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable, and any
termination or reduction of the Commitment shall be permanent.
Section 2.05. REPAYMENT OF LOANS; EVIDENCE OF DEBT.
(a) The Borrower agrees to repay the outstanding principal
amount of each Loan, all accrued interest thereon and all accrued fees and other
amounts payable under this Agreement on or by the Maturity Date.
(b) The Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual
practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to
the Lender resulting from each Loan made by the Lender, including the amounts of
principal and interest payable and paid to the Lender from time to time
hereunder. The Loans shall be evidenced by a promissory note substantially in
the form of Exhibit B, attached hereto (the "Promissory Note"). The Borrower
shall prepare, execute and deliver to the Lender a Promissory Note payable to
the order of the Lender in a principal amount equal to $3,000,000.
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(c) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to
paragraph (b) of this Section or made on any grid or attachment to the
Promissory Note described in paragraph (b) of this Section shall, absent
manifest error, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligations recorded therein; provided, that the failure of the Lender to
maintain such accounts or grid or any error therein shall not in any manner
affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.
Section 2.06. PREPAYMENT OF LOANS.
(a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time, at its
option, to prepay any Loan in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of
this Section and Section 2.10. The Borrower shall notify the Lender by telephone
(confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder, at least one Business Day
before the date of any optional prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.06(a).
Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and
the principal amount of each Loan or portion thereof to be prepaid. Each partial
prepayment of any Loan shall be in a minimum amount of $100,000 or a higher
integral multiple of $100,000, unless an aggregate amount of less than $100,000
remains outstanding, in which case, a prepayment may be made in an amount equal
to the remaining outstanding amount.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
2.05(a), to the extent that, on any Business Day, there is an increase in the
number of clearing transactions conducted by any Regulated Affiliate through UBS
attributable to the (i) acquisition by the Borrower or any Regulated Affiliate
of all or substantially all of the assets of or Equity Interests in an entity
which is regulated as a broker-dealer pursuant to Rule 15c3-1, (ii) entry by the
Borrower or a Regulated Affiliate into a line of business in which neither the
Borrower nor any Regulated Affiliate was engaged on the Commitment Commencement
Date, or (iii) hiring by the Borrower or a Regulated Affiliate of four or more
brokers in one or a series of related transactions, then, in each case, the
Borrower shall make a mandatory prepayment of principal in an amount equal to
such excess multiplied by $1.00. Such prepayments shall be made on the earlier
of the Commitment Termination Date and a date which is not later than 15 days
after the end of the calendar quarter in which the relevant excess clearing
transactions shall have occurred. All determinations as to required prepayments
of principal pursuant to this Section 2.06(b) shall be made by the Lender in its
reasonable judgment. A certificate of the Lender setting forth in good faith and
reasonable detail the basis of and amount of any required prepayment of
principal pursuant to this Section 2.06(b) shall be delivered to the Borrower
and shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties
hereto.
(c) Each prepayment of a Loan pursuant to this Section 2.06
shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.08
and be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10.
(d) Subject to Section 2.10, any prepayment pursuant to this
Section 2.06 may be made without premium or penalty.
Section 2.07. FEES. The Borrower shall pay to the Lender a
commitment fee at a rate equal to the 0.15% per annum on the daily average
unused portion of the Commitment. Such commitment fee shall accrue from the date
hereof to the Commitment Termination Date and
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shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March,
June, September and December and on the Commitment Termination Date. Such
commitment fee shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and the
actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last
day).
Section 2.08. INTEREST.
(a) The Borrower agrees to pay interest on each Loan at a rate
equal to LIBOR plus the Applicable LIBOR Margin.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, then all outstanding Loans shall bear interest at
the a rate equal to LIBOR plus the Applicable LIBOR Margin, plus 2% per annum.
(c) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears
on the last day of each calendar month; PROVIDED that (i) interest accrued
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section shall be payable on demand or, in the
absence of demand, in arrears on the last day of each calendar month, and (ii)
in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan pursuant to Section
2.06, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be
payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment.
(d) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a
year of 360 days, and in each case, shall be payable for the actual number of
days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
Section 2.09. INCREASED COSTS.
(a) If the Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law
shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve,
special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with
or for the account of, or credit extended by, the Lender, or
(ii) impose on the Lender any other condition
affecting this Agreement;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to materially reduce the amount
of any sum received or receivable by the Lender hereunder (whether of principal,
interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to the Lender such additional
amount or amounts as will compensate the Lender for such additional costs
incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) If the Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law
regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of materially
reducing the rate of return on the Lender's capital, if any, as a consequence of
this Agreement or the Loans made by the Lender, to a level below that which the
Lender could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration
the Lender's policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time
the Borrower will pay to the Lender such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate the Lender for any such reduction suffered.
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(c) A certificate of the Lender setting forth in good faith
and in reasonable detail the basis of and the amount or amounts necessary to
compensate the Lender as specified in, paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section
shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest
error. The Borrower shall pay the Lender the amount shown as due on any such
certificate within 20 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of the Lender to demand
compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of the
Lender's right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not
be required to compensate the Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased
costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that the
Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased
costs or reductions and of the Lender's intention to claim compensation
therefor; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such
increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred
to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
Section 2.10. BREAK FUNDING. In the event of the failure to
borrow or prepay any Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant
hereto, the Borrower shall compensate the Lender for the amount which is
sufficient to compensate the Lender for the loss, cost and expense incurred by
it attributable to such event. A certificate of the Lender setting forth in good
faith and in reasonable detail the basis of and the amount or amounts that the
Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the
Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay
the Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after
receipt thereof.
Section 2.11. TAXES.
(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of
the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and
clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes;
provided, that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes
or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased
as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions
applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Lender receives an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made,
(ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions, and (iii) the Borrower shall pay
the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance
with applicable law.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender within 30 days
after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or
Other Taxes paid by the Lender on or with respect to any payment by or on
account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan
Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or
attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest
and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto,
whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally
imposed or asserted by
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the relevant Governmental Authority. Such written demand shall include a
certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the type and amount of
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes. Any such certificate submitted in good faith
by the Lender shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all
parties hereto.
(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower
shall deliver to the Lender the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued
by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return or
any other documentation reporting or relating to such payment and any other
evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Lender.
Section 2.12. PAYMENTS GENERALLY.
(a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made
by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document (whether of principal,
interest, fees, or of amounts payable under Sections 2.09, 2.10 or 2.11, or
otherwise) prior to the time expressly required hereunder or under such other
Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time), on the date when due, and in any event on or
prior to the Commitment Termination Date, in immediately available funds,
without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any
date may, in the discretion of the Lender, be deemed to have been received on
the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.
All such payments shall be made to the Lender at its address given for notice
purposes pursuant to Section 8.01, except that payments pursuant to Sections
2.11 and 8.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and
payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified
therein. The Lender shall distribute any such payments received by it for the
account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following
receipt thereof, and at the Borrower's cost if the relevant Person is not an
Affiliate of the Lender. If any payment under any Loan Document shall be due on
a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the
next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest,
interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments
under each Loan Document shall be made in Dollars.
(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and
available to the Lender to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees
then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of
fees and other amounts (excluding principal and interest) then due hereunder,
(ii) second, towards payment of interest then due hereunder, and (iii) last,
towards payment of principal then due hereunder.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender that:
Section 3.01. ORGANIZATION; POWERS. Each of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, is duly registered or licensed
and is in good standing under all applicable rules and regulations or stated
policy or practice of any "self-regulatory organization" as defined under the
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Exchange Act or any other regulatory body or Examining Authority and has all
requisite corporate, limited liability company or partnership power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the
failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in,
and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is
required.
Section 3.02. AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABILITY. The Financing
Transactions entered into or to be entered into by the Borrower are within its
powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action, corporate, limited
liability company or otherwise. This Agreement has been duly.-15- executed and
delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when
executed and delivered by the Borrower, will constitute, a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject to
general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law.
Section 3.03. GOVERNMENTAL AND THIRD PARTY APPROVALS; NO
CONFLICTS. The Financing Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval
of registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental
Authority or any other Person, except such as have been obtained or made and are
in full force and effect, each of which is disclosed on Schedule 3.03, (b) will
not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other
organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any order
of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under
any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, or their respective assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to
require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and
(d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 3.04. FINANCIAL CONDITION; NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.
(a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lender (i)
the audited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and statements of
income, owners' equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of
and for the years ended December 31, 1999 and December 31, 2000, reported on by
Ernst & Young LLP, the Borrower's independent auditors, and (ii) the unaudited
consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and statements of income, owner's
equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the nine month
period ended September 30, 2001, duly certified by a Financial Officer of the
Borrower as being correct and complete in all material respects. Such financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated and
consolidating financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in
accordance with GAAP.
(b) Except as disclosed in the financial statements referred
to above or the notes thereto and except for the Disclosed Matters, neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material contingent liabilities,
unusual long-term commitments or unrealized losses.
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(c) Each Regulated Affiliate has net capital at the time of
execution of this Agreement in an amount that is at least equal to 120% of
Minimum Net Capital in respect of such Person; the aggregate amount of net
capital needed to raise the net capital of each such Person to 150% of Minimum
Net Capital for all such Persons aggregates not more than $500,000; and
immediately following the closing of the First Tranche, and without effect to
any Loan given pursuant to this Agreement, each such Person shall have net
capital in an amount that is at least equal to 150% of the Minimum Net Capital
in respect of such Person.
(d) There has been no material adverse change in the business,
assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of the Borrower,
individually, since December 31, 2000.
Section 3.05. PROPERTIES.
(a) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good title
to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real and personal property material to
its respective business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere
with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize
such properties for their intended purposes and none of such property is subject
to any Lien except for Liens permitted under Section 6.02.
(b) Except for the Disclosed Matters, each of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, trade names,
copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business,
and, to the Knowledge of the Borrower, the use thereof by the Borrower and/or
its Subsidiaries, as applicable, does not infringe upon the rights of any other
Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 3.06. LITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before
any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the Knowledge of
the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse
determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other
than the Disclosed Matters), or (ii) that involve any of the Loan Documents or
the Financing Transactions.
(b) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect
to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any
Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or
other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to
any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect
to any Environmental Liability, or (iv) has Knowledge of any basis for any
Environmental Liability.
(c) Since the date hereof, there has been no change in the
status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has
resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse
Effect.
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Section 3.07. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND AGREEMENTS. Each of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and
orders of any Governmental Authority and all other agreements and other
instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing. Each of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has all licenses, permits, consents and
approvals (collectively, "LICENSES AND APPROVALS") from or by, and has made all
filings (including, without limitation, all Exchange Filings) with, and has
given all notices (such filings and notices being the "FILINGS AND NOTICES") to,
all Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction.
Schedule 3.07 hereto sets forth all such Licenses and
Approvals and all such Filings and Notices madesince December 31, 2000, the
absence of which would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.08. INVESTMENT AND HOLDING COMPANY STATUS. The
Borrower is not (a) an "investment company" as defined in, or subject to
regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (b) a
"holding company" as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.
Section 3.09. TAXES. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to
have been filed and has timely paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to
have been paid by it, except Taxes that are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary,
as the case may be, has set aside adequate reserves.
Section 3.10. ERISA. Neither the Borrower nor any of its ERISA
Affiliates sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has had an obligation to
sponsor, maintain or contribute to, a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan. Neither the
Borrower nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has been notified by the sponsor of a
Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or has been
terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and no such Multiemployer
Plan is reasonably expected to be in reorganization or to be terminated, within
the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
Section 3.11. DISCLOSURE. None of the reports, certificates or
other written information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the
Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other
information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that,
with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents and
warrants only that such information represents the Borrower's expectations
regarding future performance, based upon historical information and reasonable
assumptions.
Section 3.12. CAPITAL STRUCTURE. Schedule 3.12 sets forth (a)
the name and ownership interest of each director and officer of the Borrower and
each "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of five
percent or more of the Equity Interests of the
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Borrower, and (b) the ownership interest of the Borrower in each of its
Subsidiaries, in each case as of the date hereof.
Section 3.13. FEDERAL RESERVE REGULATIONS. No part of the
proceeds of any Loans will be used for "buying" or "carrying" any "margin stock"
or "margin security" within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms
under Regulation U of the Board as now and from time to time hereafter in effect
or for any purpose which violates the provisions of the Regulations of the
Board. If requested by the Lender, the Borrower will furnish to the Lender a
statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form
U-1 referred to in said Regulation U. Similarly, no part of the proceeds of any
Loans will be used for "buying" or "carrying" any "margin stock" or "margin
security" within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under
Regulation T of the Board as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or
for any purpose which violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board.
If requested by the Lender, the Borrower will furnish to the Lender a statement
to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form T-4
referred to in said Regulation T. Not more than 25% of the value of the assets
of the Borrower, or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis, may be attributed to such "margin stock" or "margin securities."
Section 3.14. POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS. Except as
set forth in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.01, the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries have no material liability with respect to "expected post
retirement benefit obligations" within the meaning of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 106.
Section 3.15. MEMBERSHIP IN EXCHANGE; REGISTRATION. Each
Regulated Affiliate is duly registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and in
each state in which the conduct of its business requires such registration.
Section 3.16. GUARANTEED SUBSIDIARIES. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.16 hereto, no Regulated Affiliate has any Subsidiary for which it has
guaranteed, endorsed or assumed directly or indirectly the obligations or
liabilities.
Section 3.17. SIPC ASSESSMENTS. No Regulated Affiliate is in
arrears with respect to any assessment made upon it by SIPC.
Section 3.18. EXAMINING AUTHORITY AND SRO. The NASD has been
designated as and currently is the "Examining Authority" for each Regulated
Affiliate and the SRO for each Regulated Affiliate.
Section 3.19. INDEBTEDNESS. All Indebtedness of the Borrower
and each Regulated Affiliate outstanding on the date hereof is fully and
accurately described in Schedule 6.01 hereto.
Section 3.20. BROKERS. The Borrower has taken no action that
would give rise to any claim by any person for brokerage commissions, finder's
fees or similar payments relating to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
Section 3.21. SECURITIES FILINGS. Subject to the matters
discussed in Schedule 3.21, the Borrower's Exchange Filings as at the respective
dates of such filings did not make any
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untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements made not misleading.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS
Section 4.01. INITIAL CONDITIONS. The obligation of the Lender
to make the initial Loan is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance
with Section 8.02) of each of the following conditions precedent on or before
the date of such Loan:
(a) The Lender (or its counsel) shall have received from the
Borrower either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of the
Borrower or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Lender (which may include
telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that the
Borrower has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.
(b) The Lender shall have received the Promissory Note signed
on behalf of Borrower.
(c) The Lender shall have received favorable written opinions
(addressed to the Lender) of Edwards & Angell, LLP, counsel for the Borrower,
substantially in the form(s) attached hereto as EXHIBIT C. The Borrower hereby
requests such counsel to deliver such opinions.
(d) The Lender shall have received such documents and
certificates as the Lender or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the
organization, existence and good standing of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries, the authorization of the Financing Transactions and any other
legal matters relating to the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, the Loan
Documents and the Financing Transactions (including, without limitation, if
requested by Lender, copies or other evidence of any Licenses and Approvals
listed on Schedule 3.07 and copies of any Filings and Notices made or given by
or received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries since December 31, 2000
listed on Schedule 3.07), all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Lender and its counsel.
(e) The Lender shall have received a certificate signed by the
President or a Vice President or the Financial Officer of the Borrower,
confirming that the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in
the Loan Documents are true and correct and that no Default has occurred and is
continuing.
(f) The Lender shall have received all fees and other amounts
due and payable on or prior to the date hereof, including, to the extent
invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be
reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document.
(g) All Licenses and Approvals necessary or, in the opinion of
the Lender, advisable in connection with the Financing Transactions shall have
been obtained, all necessary consents of any other third party shall have been
obtained or entered into, and all Filings and Notices necessary or, in the
opinion of the Lender, advisable shall have been made.
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(h) An extension, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Lender, of the Clearing Agreement, shall have been executed and delivered, and
shall be in full force and effect, as extended.
(i) The Investment Agreement shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lender and shall have been executed and delivered by the
parties thereto. The closing of the First Tranche, and the Borrower shall have
received net cash proceeds of not less than $1,500,000 pursuant thereto, shall
have occurred.
(j) The Borrower, SBI INVESTMENTS and the Lender shall have
entered into the Subordination Agreement, and the Lender shall have received
favorable written opinions (addressed to the Lender) of Loeb & Loeb LLP, and
Hewlett Beck and Arad, each counsel to SBI INVESTMENTS, in the forms attached
hereto as Exhibit D.
Section 4.02. CONTINUING CONDITIONS. The obligations of the
Lender to make the Loans (including the initial Loan) are subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent as of the date such
Loan is made.
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and
warranties of the Borrower set forth in the Loan Documents (and on and after the
Commitment Increase Date such representations and warranties as amended by the
revised Schedules delivered in connection with the Commitment Increase Date),
and the representations and warranties of SBI INVESTMENTS set forth in the
Subordination Agreement, shall be true and correct on and as of such date as if
made on and as of such date, except to the extent that such representations and
warranties expressly relate to an earlier date in which case such
representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier
date; and
(b) NO DEFAULT. No Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on such date or will result from such Loan.
Each delivery of a Borrowing Request shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such Loan that the
conditions contained in this Section 4.02 shall have been satisfied.
ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Commitment has expired or been terminated and the
principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other amounts payable
hereunder shall have been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with
the Lender that:
Section 5.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION. The
Borrower will furnish to the Lender:
(a) within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the
Borrower (plus up to an additional fifteen days, provided the Borrower files a
timely Form 12b-25 with the SEC pursuant to Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act
and provides written notice to the Lender within one day of such filing), its
audited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and
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related statements of operations, owners' equity and cash flows as of the end of
and for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
figures of the previous Fiscal Year, all reported on by Ernst & Young LLP or
other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a
"going concern" or like qualification or exception and without any qualification
or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated
and consolidating financial statements present fairly in all material respects
the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its
consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated and consolidating basis in
accordance with GAAP;
(b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first
three fiscal quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (plus up to an
additional five days, provided the Borrower files a timely Form 12b-25 with the
SEC pursuant to Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act and provides written notice
to the.-20- Lender within one day of such filing), its consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets and related statements of operations, owners'
equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then
elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative
form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of
the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous Fiscal Year, all certified by
a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial
condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries on a consolidated and consolidating basis in accordance with GAAP,
subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements
under clauses (a) and (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the
Borrower (i) certifying as to whether a Default exists or is continuing as of
the date of such certificate and, if a Default exists or is continuing,
specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with
respect thereto, and (ii) stating whether any material change in GAAP or in the
application thereof (in either case affecting the financial statements furnished
hereunder) has occurred since the date hereof and, if any such change has
occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements
accompanying such certificate, unless such change and the effects thereof have
been described in a previous certificate;
(d) promptly following receipt thereof, copies of any letters
received by the Borrower from its independent accountants regarding any material
matters arising in the course of any audit;
(e) promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all monthly
and quarterly Financial and Operational Combined Uniform Single Reports ("FOCUS
Reports"), all amendments or supplements to its Form BD, all other Exchange
Filings, and all attachments and exhibits to such documents;
(f) promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of the results of
any examination, investigation or audit by any Governmental Authority;
(g) within 10 days of the end of each fiscal month of the
Borrower, a report certified by a Financial Officer certifying (i) the number of
clearing transactions conducted by all Regulated Affiliates through UBS for each
Business Day of such preceding fiscal month, and (ii)
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the total number of clearing transactions attributable, in the reasonable
judgment of the Borrower, to the (x) acquisition by the Borrower or any
Regulated Affiliate of all or substantially all of the assets of or Equity
Interests in an entity which is regulated as a broker-dealer pursuant to Rule
15c3-1, (y) entry by the Borrower or a Regulated Affiliate into a line of
business in which neither the Borrower nor any Regulated Affiliate was engaged
on the Commitment Commencement Date, and (z) hiring by the Borrower or a
Regulated Affiliate of four or more brokers in one or a series of related
transactions; and
(h) promptly following any request therefor, such other
information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition
of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of any
Loan Document, as the Lender may reasonably request.
Section 5.02. NOTICE OF MATERIAL EVENTS. The Borrower will
furnish to the Lender prompt (but in no event more than 2 Business Days after
the relevant occurrence) written notice of the following:
(a) the occurrence of any Default;
(b) the filing or commencement of any action,
investigation, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that, if
adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect;
(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or
together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be
expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an
aggregate amount exceeding $500,000; and
(d) the occurrence of any merger, consolidation, liquidation
or dissolution permitted by Section 6.03(a); and
(e) any other development that results in, or could
reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied
by a statement of a Financial Officer or other senior executive officer of the
Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such
notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
Section 5.03. EXISTENCE; CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. The Borrower
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal
existence and all of its Licenses and Approvals and, except to the extent the
failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, all of its other rights, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights,
trademarks and trade names; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any
merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.
The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, conduct business
in a manner substantially equivalent with its past practice.
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Section 5.04. PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its Indebtedness and other
obligations, including Tax liabilities, before the same shall become delinquent
or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, has set aside adequate reserves with respect
thereto in accordance with GAAP, (c) such contest effectively suspends
collection of the contested obligation, and the enforcement of any Lien securing
such obligation, and (d) the failure to make payment pending such contest could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.05. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. The Borrower will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain all property
material to the conduct of its respective business in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
Section 5.06. INSURANCE. The Borrower will, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable
insurance companies, insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention)
and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the
same or similar businesses operating in similar locations. The Borrower will
furnish to the Lender information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so
maintained.
Section 5.07. BOOKS AND RECORDS; INSPECTION AND AUDIT RIGHTS.
The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books
of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any
representatives designated by the Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit
and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and
records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers
and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business
hours and as often as reasonably requested.
Section 5.08. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations
and orders of all Governmental Authorities applicable to it or its property,
except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, does not
have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.09. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower will use the
proceeds of the Loans solely for the purposes of (a) expansion of the brokerage
business of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, including acquisitions (by means
of permitted mergers, consolidations, purchase of stock or assets or otherwise)
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower of all or part of any
brokerage business, and/or (b) investments in infrastructure necessary to expand
the business of the Borrower or any of its Regulated Affiliates.
Section 5.10. OWNERS' EQUITY. The Borrower will maintain
owners' equity in compliance with GAAP of at least $7,000,000.
Section 5.11. NET CAPITAL. The Borrower, if applicable, will,
and will cause each of its Regulated Affiliates to, maintain net capital in an
amount that is at least equal to 150% of Minimum Net Capital in respect of such
Person. In the event that the excess net capital of
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Borrower, if applicable, or any of its Regulated Affiliates falls below 150% of
Minimum Net Capital in respect of such Person, the Borrower shall provide the
Lender with a copy of such Person's computation of net capital under the
Exchange Act promptly after the end of the month to which such computation
applies, unless such Person files monthly FOCUS Reports, in which event prompt
delivery of such FOCUS Reports to the Lender pursuant to Section 5.01(e) of this
Agreement shall satisfy this requirement.
Section 5.12. COMPLIANCE WITH CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS. The
Borrower will comply, and will cause its Subsidiaries to comply, with any
contractual obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case
may be, including, but not limited to, any provision of any Equity Interests
issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking to which
such Person is a party, or by which it or any of its respective assets is bound,
if non-compliance with such contractual obligation would be reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE VI
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Commitment has expired or terminated and the
principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other amounts payable
hereunder have been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the
Lender that:
Section 6.01. LIMITATIONS ON INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower will
not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or
permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;
(b) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01, and
extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not
increase the outstanding principal amount thereof or result in an earlier
maturity date or decreased weighted average life thereof or increase the amount
or nature of the collateral with respect thereto;
(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of it
Subsidiaries incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of
any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any
Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or
secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and
extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not
increase the outstanding principal amount thereof or result in an earlier
maturity date or decreased weighted average life thereof; provided, that (i)
such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition
or the completion of such construction or improvement, and (ii) the aggregate
principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (c) shall not exceed
100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital
assets;
(d) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries under any Hedging Agreement entered into in the ordinary course of
business and with the prior written consent of the Lender, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld;
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(e) Subordinated Debt of the Borrower not to exceed an
aggregate of $3,000,000, incurred pursuant to the Investment Agreement, and the
agreements referred to in the definition of "Second Tranche"; and
(f) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries not permitted by any other clause of this Section in an aggregate
principal amount of all such Indebtedness at any one time outstanding up to but
not exceeding $500,000.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist
any Indebtedness owing to SBI INVESTMENTS (other than Borrower's Indebtedness
permitted by clause (e) above) or its Affiliates.
Section 6.02. LIENS. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any
Lien on any of its assets now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or
sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect
of any thereof, except:
(a) Liens created under the Loan Documents;
(b) Permitted Encumbrances;
(c) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule
6.02; provided, that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or
asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) such Lien shall
secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and
extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the
outstanding principal amount thereof;
(d) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to
the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; PROVIDED,
that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such
acquisition, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) such Lien shall secure only
those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition and
extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the
outstanding principal amount thereof; and
(e) security interests on fixed or capital assets
acquired, constructed or improved by the Borrower; PROVIDED, that (i) such
security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (c) of Section 6.01,
(ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred
prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such
construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not
exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or
capital assets, and (iv) such security interests shall not apply to any other
property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 6.03. FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES.
(a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any
other Person to merge into or
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consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time
thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, then: (i) any of its Subsidiaries may merge into the
Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving entity, or (ii)
any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries may merge into any other of its Subsidiaries
in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
(b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than
businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the
date hereof and businesses reasonably related or incidental thereto.
Section 6.04. INVESTMENTS, LOANS, ADVANCES, GUARANTEES AND
ACQUISITIONS. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person
that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any Equity
Interests in or evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including any
option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or
permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make
or permit to exist any capital contribution to or any investment or any other
interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one
transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person
constituting a business unit, except:
(a) Permitted Investments;
(b) investments existing on the date hereof and set forth on
Schedule 6.04 (but not additional or follow-on investments without the Lender's
prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld);
(c) capital contributions by the Borrower to, or investments
by the Borrower in Equity Interests in, its wholly-owned Subsidiaries;
(d) investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or
reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with,
customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business; and
(e) loans and advances to employees for moving, entertainment,
travel and other similar expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business;
provided, that the aggregate principal amount of such loans and advances by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding at any one time does not exceed
$100,000.
Section 6.05. ASSET SALES. Except as otherwise specifically
provided herein, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its
respective assets, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will the
Borrower issue any additional Equity Interest in the Borrower or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary,
except:
(a) sales of obsolete or worn out equipment and Permitted
Investments, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
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(b) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of its business;
(c) sales, transfers and dispositions to the Borrower or
a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, which, in the case of sales,
transfers or dispositions of the Borrower's assets, do not, in the aggregate,
have a value representing in excess of 5% of the aggregate value of the
Borrower's assets as of the execution of this Agreement;
(d) Permitted Issuances; and
(e) sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets
(other than Equity Interests in the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower)
that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section; PROVIDED, that the
aggregate fair market value of all assets sold, transferred or otherwise
disposed of in reliance upon this clause (e) shall not exceed $500,000 during
any Fiscal Year of the Borrower;
PROVIDED, that all sales, transfers, leases, issuances and other dispositions
permitted pursuant to this Section 6.05 shall be made for fair value and cash
consideration.
Section 6.06. SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS. The Borrower
will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any
arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any real
property, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereinafter
acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it
intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property
sold or transferred.
Section 6.07. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make, or agree to make, directly or
indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or
otherwise) to do so, except that (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may pay
dividends and make distributions to the Borrower, and (ii) the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries may make the Restricted Payments set forth on Schedule 6.07.
Section 6.08. CERTAIN PAYMENTS OF INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower
will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or agree to pay or
make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in
cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest
on any Indebtedness, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash,
securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on
account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or
termination of any Indebtedness, except:
(a) payment of Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;
(b) payment of regularly scheduled payments as and where due
in accordance with its terms in respect of any Indebtedness, other than
Subordinated Debt, permitted by Section 6.01;
(c) payment of principal of or interest on Subordinated Debt
following the first anniversary of the Maturity Date;
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(d) refinancing, replacement and substitution of Indebtedness
to the extent permitted by Section 6.01; and
(e) payment of secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a
result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such
Indebtedness.
Section 6.09. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. The Borrower will
not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise
transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any
property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any
of its or their respective Affiliates, except (a) transactions in the ordinary
course of business that are at prices and on terms and conditions not less
favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than could be
obtained on an arm's-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) leases or
subleases of real property by Borrower or its Subsidiaries to its or their
Affiliates provided that the prices with respect to any such lease or sublease,
shall not be below the price paid by Borrower or its Subsidiary, as the case may
be, under the relevant lease, (c) loans or contributions from the Borrower to
its Subsidiaries of the proceeds of the Loans, provided that in the event of
such loans, Borrower will promptly upon Lender's request, cause such
Subsidiaries to assign such loans to the Lender pursuant to terms satisfactory
to the Lender and deliver to the Lender in connection with such assignment all
agreements, documents, certificates and opinions as the Lender shall reasonably
request, and (d) as otherwise specifically permitted herein (including Section
5.09); PROVIDED, in each case, only to the extent that the value of the relevant
transaction (or the aggregate value in the case of a series of related
transactions) does not exceed $100,000.
Section 6.10. RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS. The Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter
into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that
prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien
upon any of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any of its
Subsidiaries to pay dividends or other distributions to any holder of an Equity
Interest in such Subsidiary or to make or repay loans or advances to the
Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower or to Guarantee Indebtedness of
the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower; PROVIDED, that (i) the
foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by
any Loan Document, (ii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to
restrictions or conditions imposed by any amount relating to secured
Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions
apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness and (iii) clause
(a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other
contracts restricting the assignment thereof.
Section 6.11. AMENDMENT OF MATERIAL DOCUMENTS. The Borrower
will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or
terminate, or waive any of its rights under, its charter, by-laws or other
organizational documents if such action could, in the opinion of the Lender, be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 6.12. FISCAL YEAR. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its fiscal year from that set forth in
the definition of "Fiscal Year".
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Section 6.13. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN STOCK.
The Borrower will not permit (a) any part of the proceeds of any Loans to be
used (i) by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates to meet, the net capital
maintenance requirement contained in Section 5.11 of this Agreement, except as
provided in the immediately following sentence, (ii) for "buying" or "carrying"
any "margin stock" or "margin security" within the respective meanings of each
of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board as now and from time to time
hereafter in effect or for any purpose which violates the provisions of the
Regulations of the Board, or (iii) for "buying" or "carrying" any "margin stock"
or "margin security" within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms
under Regulation T of the Board as now and from time to time hereafter in effect
or for any purpose which violates the provisions of the Regulations of the
Board; or (b) more than 25% of the value of the assets of the Borrower, or the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be attributable to or
derived from any such "margin stock" or "margin securities." Notwithstanding the
immediately preceding sentence, if the Borrower or any Regulated Affiliate (x)
makes an acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of or Equity
Interests in an entity which is regulated as a broker-dealer pursuant to Rule
15c3-1, (y) enters into a line of business in which neither the Borrower nor any
Regulated Affiliate was engaged in on the Commitment Commencement Date, or (z)
hires four or more brokers in one or more series of related transactions, and,
as a result thereof, any one or more Regulated Affiliates falls below the net
capital maintenance requirement contained in Section 5.11 of this Agreement, the
Borrower shall be permitted to use the proceeds of any Loans to meet such
requirement.
ARTICLE VII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Section 7.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each of the following events,
individually, shall constitute an "Event of Default":
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any
Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date
thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any
Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in Section
7.01(a)) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is
a party, when and as the same shall become due and payable;
(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by
or on behalf of the Borrower in or in connection with any Loan Document or any
amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report,
certificate or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any
Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder,
shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed
made or shall be breached;
(d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any
covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.03 (with respect to the
existence of the Borrower), 5.04, 5.09, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12 and in Article VI;
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(e) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any
covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than
those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Section 7.01) and such failure
shall continue unremedied for a period of 10 Business Days after notice thereof
from the Lender to the Borrower;
(f) except (i) as set forth on Schedule 7.01(f) prior to
the Commitment Increase Date or (ii) on and after the Commitment Increase Date
except as set forth on Schedule 7.01(f) as amended as contemplated by the
definition of Commitment Increase Date, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless
of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall
become due and payable beyond the period of grace, if any, applicable thereto;
or any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness
becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or
without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders
of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to
cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment,
repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity;
provided, that this clause (f) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that
becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or
assets securing such Indebtedness to the extent such Indebtedness is paid when
due;
(g) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an
involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or
other relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or its or
their respective debts, or of a substantial part of its or their respective
assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership
or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver,
trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of its or their
respective assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall
continue undismissed for 50 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any
of the foregoing shall be entered;
(h) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i)
voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation,
reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy,
insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent
to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner,
any proceeding or petition described in clause (g) of this Article, (iii) apply
for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of its or their respective assets, (iv)
file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it
in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing;
(i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall admit in
writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(j) except (i) as set forth on Schedule 7.01(j) prior to
the Commitment Increase Date or (ii) on and after the Commitment Increase Date
except as set forth on Schedule 7.01(j) as amended as contemplated by the
definition of Commitment Increase Date, one or more
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final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of
$100,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or
any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of
20 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or
any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon
any assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to enforce any such
judgment;
(k) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the
opinion of the Lender, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have
occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a liability of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate;
(l) any event, transaction, action or omission of or
involving the Borrower or any of its Regulated Affiliates shall occur which the
Lender reasonably believes will result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(m) any of the Loan Documents shall cease to be, or shall
be asserted by the Borrower or other obligor thereunder not to be, in full force
and effect;
(n) a Change in Control shall occur;
(o) the Clearing Agreement shall terminate or shall cease
to be in full force and effect or any event of default under the Clearing
Agreement shall occur, which (to the extent, and only to the extent, that any
cure period is permitted or provided for) is not timely cured in accordance with
the terms of the Clearing Agreement;
(p) the making of an application by SIPC for a decree
adjudicating that customers of a Regulated Affiliate are in need of protection
under the Securities Investor Protection Act, as amended, and the failure of
such Regulated Affiliate to obtain the dismissal of such application within 30
days;
(q) the SEC shall revoke the registration of a Regulated
Affiliate as a broker-dealer;
(r) the Examining Authority shall suspend or revoke a
Regulated Affiliate's status as a member thereof; or
(s) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall make
any payment in respect of Subordinated Debt, or the Borrower or any holder of
Subordinated Debt shall fail to observe any provisions of the Subordination
Agreement.
Section 7.02. REMEDIES. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in Section 2.05(a), upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and in
every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in
clauses (g) or (h) of Section 7.01), and at any time the during the continuance
of such event, the Lender may, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of
the following actions, at the same or different times; (i) terminate the
Commitment, and thereupon the Commitment shall terminate immediately, and (ii)
declare the Loans then outstaying to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in
which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be
declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the
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principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued
interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued
hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment,
demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by
the Borrower, and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in
clauses (g) or (h) of Section 7.01, the Commitment shall automatically terminate
and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest
thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder,
shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest
or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower. Any
amount (whether of principal, interest, fees or otherwise) payable hereunder or
under any other Loan Document which is not paid when due shall bear interest,
payable on demand, from and including the date of default until paid in full at
the rate provided for in Section 2.08(b).
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.01. NOTICES. Except in the case of notices and other
communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and
other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be
delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or
registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to the Borrower, to it at: vFinance, Inc.
3010 North Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Attention: Leonard J. Sokolow
Telephone No.: 561-981-1000
Telecopier No.: 561-981-1089
with a copy to: Edwards & Angell, LLP
600 Corporate Drive, #514
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33334
Attention: Leslie J. Croland, P.A.
Telephone No.: 954-491-8050
Telecopier No.: 954-351-7175
(b) if to the Lender, to it at: UBS Americas Inc.
c/o Correspondent Services Corporation
1285 Avenue of the Americas
11th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Michael Dura
Telephone No.: 212-713-4640
Telecopier No.: 212 373-6468
with copies to: UBS Americas Inc.
c/o UBS PaineWebber Inc.
1285 Avenue of the Americas
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18th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Mark N. Klein, Esq.
Reitler Brown LLC
800 Third Avenue
21st Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Edward G. Reitler, Esq.
Telephone No.: 212-209-3050
Telecopier No.: 212-371-5500
Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other
communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and
other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement shall, be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
Section 8.02. WAIVERS; REMEDIES; AMENDMENTS.
(a) No failure or delay by the Lender in exercising any
right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or
power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or
power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Lender hereunder and under
the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or
remedies that they would otherwise have at law or in equity. No waiver of any
provision of any Loan Document or consent by the Lender to any departure by the
Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be
permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which
given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan
shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the
Lender may have had notice or Knowledge of such Default at the time.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document,
nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except
pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower
and the Lender.
Section 8.03. EXPENSES; INDEMNITY; DAMAGE WAIVER.
(a) The Borrower shall reimburse the Lender for all
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Lender, including the
reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Lender, in
connection with the preparation, negotiation, enforcement or protection of its
rights or remedies under the Loan Documents or with respect to the Loans made
hereunder, including all such out-of- pocket costs and expenses incurred during
any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.
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(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender, and each of
its Related Parties (each such Person being called an "INDEMNITEE") against, and
hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and related expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and
disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against
any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with or as a result of (i) the
execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument
contemplated hereby, the performance (or non-performance) by the parties to the
Loan Documents of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of
the Financing Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii)
any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged
presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property currently or
formerly owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any
Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation
or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort
or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto;
PROVIDED, that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to
the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses
are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable
judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
such Indemnitee.
(c) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the
Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee,
on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive
damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection
with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument
contemplated hereby, the Financing Transactions, any Loan or the use of the
proceeds thereof.
(d) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable
promptly after written demand therefor.
Section 8.04. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; OTHER PERSONS. The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby,
except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights
or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Lender (and
any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall
be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be
construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly
contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 8.03
and 8.08), the Related Parties of the Lender) any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 8.05. SURVIVAL. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made by the Borrower in the Loan Documents and in
the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant
to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been
relied upon by the Lender and shall survive the execution and delivery of the
Loan Documents and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made
by the Lender or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Lender may have had
notice or Knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at
the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and
effect as long as the principal of
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or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under
this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitment has not
expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.09, 2.10, 2.11, 8.03, 8.08,
8.09, 8.10, 8.12 and this Section 8.05, shall survive and remain in full force
and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the
Commitment or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
Section 8.06. COUNTERPARTS; INTEGRATION; EFFECTIVENESS. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on
different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of
which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and
the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties hereto
relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof and supersede any and all
previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, among the parties
hereto relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof. Delivery of an executed
counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective
as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 8.07. SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to
such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality
or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability
of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision
in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other
jurisdiction.
Section 8.08. RIGHT OF SET-OFF. If an Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, the Lender and each of its Affiliates are
hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special,
time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at
any time owing by the Lender or any of its Affiliates to or for the credit or
the account of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries (including, without
limitation, all settlement deposit accounts, all security deposits, all accounts
which are the proprietary accounts of the Borrower and all commissions,
securities or other property of the Borrower held by or on behalf of the Lender
or any of its Affiliates) against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower
now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by the Lender, irrespective
of whether or not the Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and
although such obligations may be unmatured. The Lender shall give the Borrower
notice of any such set-off promptly following such set-off; provided, however,
that any failure to give such notice shall not in any manner affect the
effectiveness of such set-off. The rights of the Lender under this Section are
in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off)
which the Lender may have.
Section 8.09. GOVERNING LAWS; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE
OF PROCESS.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO
CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
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(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the
Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the
United States District Court of the Southern District of New York sitting in New
York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition
or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby
irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such
action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court
or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. No party hereto will
raise as a defense to any such action or proceeding that, or move for dismissal
of any such action or proceeding on the grounds that, the claims are required to
be arbitrated. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any
such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other
jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that
the Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this
Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or its properties in
the courts of any jurisdiction, at law or in equity.
(c) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any
objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other
Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of
the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or
proceeding in any such court.
(d) Borrower agrees that Lender's remedy at law for any
breach of any of the Borrower's obligations, warranties, representations or
covenants under this Agreement will be inadequate, and that Lender will be
entitled to apply for and obtain injunctive relief to restrain the breach of, or
otherwise specifically enforce, its rights under this Agreement.
(e) The Borrower irrevocably consents to service of
process in the manner provided for notices in Section 8.01. Nothing in this
Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this
Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
Section 8.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE
TO A TRIAL BY JURY 1N ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH
PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY
OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD
NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B)
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER
INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND
CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
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Section 8.11. HEADINGS. Article and Section headings and the
Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not
part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken
into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 8.12. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Lender agrees to maintain
the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that
Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates, directors, officers,
employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors
(it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be
informed of the confidential nature of such Information), (b) to the extent
requested by any regulatory, governmental or quasi-governmental authority having
jurisdiction or its counsel, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or
regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party
to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder
or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan
Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder (but only to the
extent that the same cannot be effected or proceed absent such disclosure), (f)
with the consent of the Borrower, (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes
publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section, or (y)
becomes available to the Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other
than the Borrower or a party subject to similar confidentiality restrictions.
For the purposes of this Section, "INFORMATION" means all non-public
information, received from the Borrower or its Subsidiaries pursuant to this
Agreement relating to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (other than
such information that is available to the Lender prior to disclosure by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) including but not limited to customers,
proprietary traders, customer data and proprietary trader data (including
information which can be used to identify customers and proprietary traders,
such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, tax identification numbers, social
security numbers, etc.), customer trade data, proprietary trader trade data,
technology, financial data, strategic business plans, product development,
equity and commission schedules, financial and other contractual arrangements,
training materials and marketing plans, in each case to the extent labeled or
identified in writing as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the
confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered
to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised such
degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as a
reasonable business Person would accord to its own confidential information
under the circumstances.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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[Credit Agreement Signature Page]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.
VFINANCE, INC.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
--------------------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: CEO and President
UBS AMERICAS INC.
By: /s/ Regina Dolan
-------------------------------------
Name: Regina Dolan
Title: Managing Director
By: /s/ Mark Klein
-------------------------------------
Name: Mark Klein
Title: Asst. Secretary
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EXHIBIT A
SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT B
PROMISSORY NOTE
$3,000,000 January 25, 2002
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, vFINANCE, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "BORROWER"), hereby unconditionally promises to pay to
the order of UBS Americas Inc. (the "LENDER"), at the office of UBS Paine Webber
Inc., 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10019, in lawful money of
the United States of America and in immediately available funds, on the Maturity
Date, the principal amount of THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000), or, if less,
the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans made by the Lender to the
Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, as hereinafter defined. The Borrower
further agrees to pay interest in like money at such office on the unpaid
principal amount hereof from time to time outstanding at the rates and on the
dates specified in such Credit Agreement.
The holder of this promissory note is authorized to endorse on
the grid annexed hereto and made a part hereof, or on a continuation thereof
which shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof, the date and amount of
each Loan made pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the date and amount of each
payment or prepayment of principal thereof. Each such endorsement shall, absent
manifest error, be PRIMA FACIE evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of
the Credit Agreement. The failure to make any such endorsement or any error in
such endorsement shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower
to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.
This promissory note has been issued pursuant to the Credit
Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2002 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), between the Borrower and
the Lender, and is subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) provides for the
making of loans (each, a "LOAN") by the Lender to the Borrower from time to time
in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the United States
Dollar amount first above mentioned, the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting
from each such Loan being evidenced by this promissory note, and (ii) contains
provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain
stated events and also for prepayments on account of principal hereof prior to
the maturity hereof upon the terms and conditions therein specified.
The indebtedness evidenced by this promissory note constitutes
Senior Debt for the purposes of, and the holder of this promissory note is
entitled to the benefits of, a Subordination Agreement, dated as of January 25,
2002, among the Borrower, the Lender and SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC., a
corporation organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.
All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have
the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
The Borrower and any endorser of this promissory note hereby
waive presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind. No failure to
exercise, and no delay in exercising, any rights hereunder on the part of the
holder of this promissory note shall operate as a waiver of such rights.
THIS PROMISSORY NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT
OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
UBS Americas Inc.
c/o UBS PaineWebber Inc.
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
RE: CREDIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
UBS AMERICAS INC. AND VFINANCE, INC.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special outside counsel to vFinance, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "BORROWER"), and are rendering this opinion pursuant to Section
4.01(c) of the Credit Agreement dated as of January 25, 2002 (the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT") between the Borrower and UBS Americas Inc. (the "LENDER").
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
ascribed to such capitalized terms in the Credit Agreement. In such capacity, we
have specifically examined the following documents, all of even date herewith
(unless otherwise noted):
1. The Credit Agreement;
2. The Promissory Note executed by Borrower in favor of Lender;
3. The Subordination Agreement;
4. The Certificate of Incorporation of Borrower;
5. The Bylaws of Borrower;
6. Good Standing Certificate of the Office of the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware for Borrower, dated November 14, 2001; and
7. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower.
The items described in 1, 2 and 3 above are hereinafter referred to as
the "CREDIT DOCUMENTS." The items described in 4 through 7 above are hereinafter
referred to as "GOVERNING DOCUMENTS." We have examined either original,
certified copies or copies otherwise authenticated to our satisfaction of the
Credit Documents, records of the Borrower, the Governing Documents, certificates
of public officials and of officers and representatives of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and such other documents and certificates and such matters of law
as we have deemed necessary or advisable to examine in order to furnish the
opinions herein expressed.
As to all questions of fact material to this opinion that have not been
independently established, we have relied on the Officer's Certificate attached
hereto as Exhibit "A" and the representations and warranties of the Borrower
made in the Credit Documents.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (a) the due
authorization, execution and delivery by the Lender of the Credit Agreement and
Subordination Agreement, (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery by
SBI Investments (USA) Inc. f/k/a Best Finance Investments Limited ("SBI
Investments") of the Subordination Agreement (c) the authenticity and
completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to
authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified,
conformed, facsimile or photostatic copies, (d) the enforceability of the Credit
Agreement and Subordination Agreement against the Lender, (e) the enforceability
of the Subordination Agreement against SBI Investments, (f) that the Lender has
all requisite power, and has taken all necessary action, to enter into and
deliver the Credit Agreement and Subordination Agreement, and to effect the
transactions contemplated thereby, and (g) that SBI Investments has all
requisite power, and has taken all necessary actions, to enter into and deliver
the Subordination Agreement, and to effect the transactions contemplated
thereby.
Statements herein as to our knowledge with respect to, or to the effect
that we have no knowledge with respect to or are not aware of, the existence,
nonexistence or absence of facts are not intended to signify that we have
undertaken an independent investigation with reference to such facts and no
inference relative thereto should be taken, our knowledge indicating only that
of those lawyers currently practicing in our firm who have actually worked on
the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents and have actual knowledge
of such facts, and our lack of knowledge or the fact that we are not aware of
such facts indicating only that no information has come to the attention of such
lawyers that would give us actual knowledge of such facts.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Borrower is duly organized, validly existing and is in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.
2. The Borrower has all requisite corporate power and authority to own
and operate its properties, to lease any properties it operates under lease and
to carry on its business as now conducted.
3. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of each of
the Credit Documents, and consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby,
are within its powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action. Each of the Credit Documents has been duly executed and delivered by the
Borrower and each of the Credit Documents constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
4. The authorized capital stock of the Borrower consists of (a)
75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which
22,790,606 shares are outstanding, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, and (b) 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Preferred Stock"), of which (i) 122,500 shares have been designated
as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, all of which are outstanding, validly
issued, fully paid and
-2-
non-assessable, and (ii) 50,000 shares have been designated as Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock, all of which are outstanding, validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable. To our knowledge, there are no preemptive rights,
options, warrants or conversion privileges or other rights (or agreements for
any such rights) outstanding to purchase or otherwise obtain any of the
Borrower's securities or any voting agreements relating to such securities,
except as set forth in the Officer's Certificate attached hereto as Exhibit "A."
5. To our knowledge, (a) each Regulated Affiliate is duly registered,
licensed and is in good standing under all applicable rules and regulations of
each regulatory or self-regulatory organization, as defined under the Exchange
Act, to which such Regulated Affiliate is subject, if any, including but not
limited to the SEC, the NASD, the NYSE and each of the states of the United
States, (b) Richard Campanella and Alvin Mirman are duly registered general
securities principals of vFinance Investments, Inc., Richard Campanella and Marc
Siegel are duly registered general securities principals of First Level Capital,
Inc., and Jonathan Rich and Victoria Santaella are duly registered general
securities principals of vFinance Capital, L.C., and (c) the Borrower and the
Regulated Affiliates have complied with all federal and state registration
requirements, and all periodic reports required to be filed with respect to such
federal and state registration requirements are accurate and complete in all
material respects. Richard Campanella, Alvin Mirman, Mark Siegel, Jonathan Rich
and Victoria Santaella are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Operating Principals."
6. To our knowledge, (a) neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is subject to any written agreement or written order issued by any
Governmental Authority including, but not limited to, a consent agreement,
consent order, memorandum of understanding or directive, any commitment letter,
any supervisory letter or a cease-and-desist or other action, order or decision
that restricts the conduct of its business or relates to its capital adequacy,
its credit or risk management policies, its management or its business generally
(each, a "REGULATORY AGREEMENT"), except for the respective membership
agreements between each of the Regulated Affiliates and their respective
regulatory or self-regulatory organizations, as defined under the Exchange Act;
(b) no Governmental Authority is considering issuing or requesting any other
Regulatory Agreement nor is there any pending or threatened regulatory
investigation; (c) none of the Borrower or the Regulated Affiliates or any of
the Operating Principals has been convicted within the past ten years of any
felony; and (d) none of the Operating Principals is, by reason of any
misconduct, permanently or temporarily enjoined from acting in the capacities,
or engaging in the activities, of a broker-dealer.
7. The execution and delivery by the Borrower of the Credit Documents,
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, the borrowings by the
Borrower in accordance with the terms of the Credit Documents and the
performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Credit Documents will
not (a) require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any
other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other Person, except such as
have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) to our
knowledge, violate or result in any default under any written agreement or other
written instrument or any order of any Governmental Authority binding upon the
Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their assets, or give rise to a right of payment
to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) to our knowledge,
result in the creation of or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries, or (d) otherwise violate any applicable law or
regulation or the organizational documents of the Borrower or each of the its
Subsidiaries.
-3-
8. Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules to the Credit
Agreement, to our knowledge, there are no pending or threatened civil or
criminal actions, suits or arbitrations, administrative or governmental
proceedings, investigations, examinations, audits or customer complaints against
or affecting the Borrower, or its Subsidiaries (a) as to which there is a
reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely
determined, would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to
result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) that involve any of the Credit
Documents or the Financing Transactions or (c) which would delay or prevent the
Borrower from entering into or performing any of its obligations under the
Credit Documents. To our knowledge, neither the Borrower, nor its Subsidiaries,
is subject to any written order, decision, writ, judgment, lien, claim, decree
or agreement of any kind which by its terms or effect (i) would result in a
Material Adverse Effect, (ii) involve any of the Credit Documents or the
Financing Transactions or (iii) would delay or prevent the Borrower from
entering into or performing any of its obligations under the Credit Documents.
9. The Borrower is not (a) an "investment company" as defined in, or
subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or
controlled by such a company or (b) a "holding company" or a "subsidiary
company" of a "holding company", as defined in, or subject to regulation under,
the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.
10. The making of the Loans under the Credit Agreement will not violate
Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Our opinions are qualified as follows:
A. With respect to the opinions expressed in paragraphs 5, 6 and 8 we
have not conducted any search of any indexes, dockets or other records of any
federal, state or local court, administrative agency or body or of any
arbitrator, and have relied as to all questions of fact upon Borrower's
representations in the Credit Agreement and Officer's Certificate attached
hereto as Exhibit "A."
B. No opinion is expressed as to the effect any course of conduct or
dealing that arises or develops between or among the Lender, the Borrower, or
the Borrower's Subsidiaries may have on those provisions of the Credit Documents
providing that the Credit Documents (or any of the provisions thereof) may be
amended, changed, waived or terminated only by a written instrument (or words to
such effect).
C. The enforceability of obligations under any agreement or document
with respect to which we have opined is subject to the following: (a)
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, avoidance, arrangement and
similar laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally or the
applications of principles of equity, whether in an action in law or proceeding
in equity; (b) the Lender's obligation to exercise its rights in a commercially
reasonable manner; (c) public policy considerations, which may limit the
Lender's rights to obtain certain remedies and to indemnification (which in our
opinion will not render any such agreement or document inadequate for the
ultimate realization of the material benefits intended to be conferred thereby);
(d) judicial decisions, constitutional requirements, ordinances, rules and
regulations (which in our opinion, will not render any Credit Document
inadequate for the ultimate realization of the material benefits intended to be
conferred thereby); (e) the remedy of
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injunctive relief, specific performance and any other equitable remedies may be
unavailable in any jurisdiction or may be withheld as a matter of judicial
discretion; and (f) the enforceability of any right or remedy may be subject to
general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or in law) and to the
discretion of the court before which proceedings thereof may be brought.
Moreover, a court may fail or refuse to enforce provisions of agreements or
documents if the enforcement thereof is based upon defaults or breaches that are
immaterial to the ultimate performance contemplated thereby.
D. No opinion is expressed as to the legality, validity, or
enforceability of any waiver of any legal or equitable defense, or any waiver as
to trial by jury. No opinion is expressed as to any provision consenting to the
jurisdiction of any specified court or to the venue of any actions, suits or
proceedings or as to the extent New York law will be applied in connection with
the enforcement of any of the Credit Documents by any court other than a New
York state court.
E. No opinion is expressed as to the enforceability of any provision of
the Credit Documents or any agreement or documents executed in connection
therewith or any right granted thereunder which expressly or by implication
purports to waive broadly or vaguely stated covered rights, unknown future
rights, defenses or obligations or rights granted by law, to the extent such
waivers are against public policy or prohibited by law, or may be unenforceable
under certain circumstances under applicable law or court decisions.
F. No opinion is expressed as to the enforceability of any provision of
the Credit Documents imposing penalties, forfeitures, increased interest rates
or late payment charges upon delinquency in payment or the occurrence of a
default, to the extent the same may be held to be unenforceable as a penalty,
unreasonable or unconscionable or for any other similar reason as a matter of
law or equity.
G. The foregoing opinions are limited to matters involving the Federal
laws of the United States of America, the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and the laws of the States of New York,
New Jersey and Florida and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any
other jurisdiction.
The above opinions are limited solely to the matters set forth herein.
No other opinions may be inferred or implied beyond the matters expressly
contained herein. We undertake no continuing obligation to inform you of changes
in law or fact subsequent to the date hereof or of facts of which we become
aware after the date hereof. We reserve the right to dispute any interpretation
of, or reliance on, this opinion that we deem to be inaccurate or improper.
This opinion is rendered solely for the benefit of the Lender, and solely
in connection with the transactions described above and may not be relied
upon by the Lender for any other purpose. No other Person shall be entitled
to rely on any matter set forth herein without our prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
Edwards & Angell, LLP
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EXHIBIT "A"
vFINANCE, INC.
OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE
The undersigned, Leonard J. Sokolow, does hereby certify that he is,
and at all times herein mentioned has been, the duly elected Chief Executive
Officer and President of vFinance, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Borrower"), is familiar with the facts herein certified, is authorized to
certify the same and executes and delivers this Officer's Certificate on behalf
of the Borrower in connection with the Credit Agreement dated as of January 25,
2002 ("Credit Agreement"), between the Borrower and UBS Americas Inc. (the
"Lender"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are defined as set
forth in the Credit Agreement. The undersigned further certifies that:
1. The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in the
Credit Agreement, or any agreement or certificate delivered in connection
therewith, were true and correct in all respects as of the date thereof and are
true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof.
2. The Borrower has provided or caused to be provided to Edwards &
Angell, LLP (a) true, correct and complete copies of the Bylaws of the Borrower
and each of its Subsidiaries as in effect on the date hereof, and (b) true,
correct and complete copies of the minutes of all meetings of the Board of
Directors relating to the Credit Agreement, the Promissory Note and the
Subordination Agreement (collectively, the "Credit Documents").
3. Attached hereto as SCHEDULE A are true, correct and complete
copies of the written consent of the Board of Directors of the Borrower, dated
January 24, 2002, authorizing the Borrower to enter into and execute each of the
Credit Documents.
4. The authorized capital stock of the Borrower consists of: (a)
75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which
22,790,606 shares are outstanding, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, and (b) 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Preferred Stock"), of which (i) 122,500 shares have been designated
as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, all of which are outstanding, validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and (ii) 50,000 shares have been
designated as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, all of which are
outstanding, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no
preemptive rights or other similar privileges outstanding to purchase any of the
Borrower's securities. There are 10,879,278 shares of Common Stock underlying
outstanding stock options, warrants or other contractual arrangements to issue
shares of Common Stock, not including the shares of Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the Option Agreement and the Promissory Note to be issued to SBI
Investments (USA) Inc. f/k/a Best Finance Investments Limited ("SBI
Investments") under the Investment Agreement. The only voting agreement relating
to the Borrower's securities is the Investor Rights Agreement which will be
entered into among the Borrower, SBI Investments, Timothy Mahoney, Leonard J.
Sokolow and Genesis Partners, Inc.
5. Each Regulated Affiliated is duly registered, licensed and in good
standing under all applicable rules and regulations of each regulatory or
self-regulatory organization, as defined under the Exchange Act, to which such
Regulated Affiliate is subject, if any, including but not limited to the SEC,
the NASD, the NYSE and each of the states of the United States. Richard
Campanella and Alvin Mirman are duly registered general securities principals of
vFinance Investments, Inc., Richard Campanella and Marc Siegel are duly
registered general securities principals of First Level Capital, Inc., and
Jonathan Rich and Victoria Santaella are duly registered general securities
principals of vFinance Capital, L.C. Richard Campanella, Alvin Mirman, Mark
Siegel, Jonathan Rich and Victoria Santaella are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Operating Principals." The Borrower and the Regulated
Affiliates have complied with all federal and state registration requirements,
and all periodic reports required to be filed with respect to such federal and
state registration requirements are accurate and complete in all material
respects.
6. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any
written agreement or written order issued by any Governmental Authority
including, but not limited to, a consent agreement, consent order, memorandum of
understanding or directive, any commitment letter, any supervisory letter or a
cease-and-desist or other action, order or decision that restricts the conduct
of its business or relates to its capital adequacy, its credit or risk
management policies, its management or its business generally (each, a
"Regulatory Agreement"), except for the respective membership agreements between
each of the Regulated Affiliates and their respective regulatory or
self-regulatory organizations, as defined under the Exchange Act. No
Governmental Authority is considering issuing or requesting any other Regulatory
Agreement nor is there any pending or threatened regulatory investigation. None
of the Borrower or the Regulated Affiliates or any of the Operating Principals
has been convicted within the past 10 years of any felony. None of the Operating
Principals is, by reason of any misconduct, permanently or temporarily enjoined
from acting in the capacities, or engaging in the activities, or a
broker-dealer.
7. The execution and delivery by the Borrower of the Credit Documents,
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, the borrowings by the
Borrower in accordance with the terms of the Credit Documents and the
performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Credit Documents will
not violate or result in any default under any written agreement or other
written instrument binding upon the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their assets,
or give rise to a right of payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries.
8. Except as set forth in the disclosures schedules to the Credit
Agreement, there are no pending or threatened civil or criminal actions, suits
or arbitrations, administrative or governmental proceedings, investigations,
examinations, audits or customer complaints against or affecting the Borrower or
its Subsidiaries (a) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse
determination and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b)
that involve any of the Credit Documents or the Financing Transactions or (c)
which would delay or prevent the Borrower from entering into or performing any
of its obligations under the Credit Documents. Neither the Borrower nor its
Subsidiaries is subject to any written order, decision, writ,
-2-
judgment, lien, claim, decree or agreement of any kind which by its terms or
effect (i) would result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) involve any of the
Credit Documents or the Financing Transactions or (iii) would delay or prevent
the Borrower from entering into or performing any of its obligations under the
Credit Documents.
9. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made to the Borrower by the
Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement will be used by the Borrower or by any
of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin
security" or "margin stock" within the respective meanings of such terms as such
terms are used in Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Parts 220, 221 and 224.
10. I hereby certify, confirm and attest that I am the duly elected,
qualified and acting Chief Executive Officer and President of the Borrower,
authorized to execute and deliver the Credit Agreement and the Promissory Note
on behalf of the Borrower.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Officer's
Certificate on behalf of the Borrower as of January 25, 2002.
vFINANCE, INC.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Leonard J. Sokolow
Chief Executive Officer and
President
I, Richard Campanella, do hereby certify that I am the duly elected,
qualified acting Secretary of the Borrower and that the signature subscribed to
the foregoing certificate purporting to be the signature of Leonard J. Sokolow
is the genuine signature of said person and such person is the duly elected,
qualified and acting Chief Executive Officer and President of the Borrower as of
the date hereinabove written.
By: /s/ Richard Campanella
-------------------------------------
Richard Campanella, Secretary
-3-
SCHEDULE A
vFINANCE, INC.
UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT OF DIRECTORS
IN LIEU OF MEETING
The undersigned, constituting all of the Directors of vFinance, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), in accordance with the authority
contained in Section 141 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, hereby
consent to the adoption of the following resolutions:
RESOLVED: That the Corporation is authorized to enter into a Credit
Agreement between the Corporation and UBS Americas Inc.
("Lender") for loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to
$3,000,000 at any one time outstanding (the "Credit
Agreement"), pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in
the Credit Agreement, in substantially the form presented to
the Board, a copy of which is annexed hereto as Exhibit A
(with such changes thereto as shall be deemed advisable by the
Chief Executive Officer, as conclusively evidenced by such
officer's approval or execution and delivery thereof);
RESOLVED: That the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation is hereby
authorized to execute and deliver a Promissory Note in
substantially the form submitted to the Board, a copy of which
is annexed hereto as Exhibit B (with such changes thereto as
shall be deemed advisable by the Chief Executive Officer, as
conclusively evidenced by such officer's approval or execution
and delivery thereof), and to consummate the transactions
contemplated thereby;
RESOLVED: That the Corporation is authorized to enter into a
Subordination Agreement, a copy of which is annexed hereto as
Exhibit C, among the Corporation, SBI Investments (USA) Inc.
f/k/a Best Finance Investments Limited ("SBI Investments") and
the Lender to effect the subordination of all indebtedness
represented by the promissory note issued in accordance with
the Note Purchase Agreement, dated November 28, 2001, as
amended on November 30, 2001, December 14, 2001 and December
28, 2001, by and between SBI Investments and the Corporation,
to the indebtedness of the Corporation to the Lender under the
Credit Agreement (with such changes thereto as shall be deemed
advisable by the Chief Executive Officer, as conclusively
evidenced by such officer's approval or execution and delivery
thereof), and to consummate the transactions contemplated
thereby;
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RESOLVED: That in connection with the Credit Agreement and the
Subordination Agreement, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation,
is authorized to execute and deliver any and all related
documents, and the execution and delivery thereof by the
Corporation, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby, is hereby approved;
RESOLVED: That the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, in the
name of and on behalf of the Corporation, is authorized to
make amendments or modifications to any one or more of the
above-referenced documents and all other agreements,
documents, certificates and instruments contemplated or useful
in connection therewith which he deems necessary or advisable
in connection with the consummation of the proposed
transaction, with the approval of such amendments or
modifications to be conclusively evidenced by the execution
and delivery thereof;
RESOLVED: That all acts and deeds previously performed by the officers
of the Corporation in connection with the foregoing
resolutions be, and hereby are, approved, ratified and
affirmed in all respects as the acts and deeds of the
Corporation.
RESOLVED: That this Written Consent may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but
all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Unanimous
Written Consent as of the 24 day of January 2002.
Leonard J. Sokolow
Timothy Mahoney
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EXHIBIT D
FORMS OF OPINIONS OF COUNSEL TO SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC.
HEWLETT BECK & ARAD
BARRISTERS AT LAW & SOLICITORS
Associated with:
Beck & Arad, LLP
950 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Telephone: (212) 319-0800
Telecopier (212) 750-0101
e-mail: beckarad@intcounselor.com
January 21, 2002
UBS Americas, Inc.
C/o UBS Paine Webber, Inc.
1285 Avenue of the Americas (11th Floor)
New York, New York 10019
Dear Sirs,
Re: SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT DATED JANUARY ___, 2002 (THE "AGREEMENT")
BETWEEN VFINANCE, INC. ("BORROWER"), SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC,
(FORMERLY BEST FINANCE INVESTMENTS LIMITED) (THE "COMPANY") AND UBS
AMERICAS, INC. ("UBS")
We confirm that we are British Virgin Islands ("BVI") Solicitors and are
qualified to practice under the laws of the BVI. We have been asked by the
Company to deliver this Opinion for the UBS and acknowledge that UBS is relying
on this letter in entering into this Agreement.
For the purpose of this Opinion we have inspected a copy of the following:
(a) The Agreement
(b) the current form of the Memorandum and Articles of Association
of the Company;
(c) the Certificate of Incorporation; and
(d) Registered Agent's Certificate dated December 21st, 2001
certifying, INTER ALIA, that the Company is in good standing
and the identity of the present directors of the Company.
(e) Minutes of a Meeting of the Directors of the Company dated
January 7th, 2002 approving the Agreement and authorizing the
Company to execute and deliver same.
-2-
For the purpose of expressing our opinion, we have assumed that all signatures
and seals are genuine and that all documents supplied to us by facsimile or as
copies are complete and conform to the originals and any original documents
submitted to us are genuine; and that in executing the Agreement, the Directors
are acting BONA FIDE and in the best interests of the Company.
We note that the Agreement refers to a number of other documents, agreements and
instruments, both previously entered into and to be entered into simultaneously
with the Agreement and incorporates certain provisions of such documents,
agreements and instruments, by reference. We have not reviewed any documents
other than the Agreement and we express no opinion whatsoever as to any other
documents, agreements and instruments. In particular but without limitation, we
express no opinion as to whether the Company had the corporate power to execute
and deliver any such other document, or whether appropriate corporate action was
taken by the Company to authorize such execution and delivery, or as to the
import or effect of such other documents, agreements and instruments upon the
Agreement and the Company.
We express no opinion as to the enforceability against the Company and validity
of the Agreement, which is governed by the law of the State of New York, United
States of America.
Based on the above and having regard to the relevant laws of the BVI we are of
the following opinion:
1. The Company is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the BVI.
2. The Company has the corporate power to execute and deliver the
Agreement and to comply with its obligations thereunder, and
the Company has taken all appropriate corporate action to
validly authorise and execute the Agreement.
3. The execution and delivery by the Company of the Subordination
Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby will not (a) require any consent or approval of,
registration or filing with, or any other action by, any
Governmental Authority in the British Virgin Islands except
such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and
effect, (b) to our knowledge, violate or result in any default
under any order of any Governmental Authority in the British
Virgin Islands or (c) otherwise violate any applicable law or
regulation of the British Virgin Islands or the organizational
documents of the Company.
The opinions herein are expressly limited to the laws of the BVI existing at the
date hereof. We do not assume any obligation to notify you on a continuing basis
of any change in our opinions or of applicable law after the date hereof. We
express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.
This opinion is limited to the specific matters addressed herein and is issued
to and for the sole benefit of the addressees and their successors, assigns and
counsel but may not be relied upon by any other party without our written
authorisation.
-3-
The foregoing opinions represent our current professional judgment but are not a
guarantee or warranty as to the certainty of any matter. Where our opinion is
expressed to the best of our knowledge, such knowledge is that based solely upon
the information furnished to us, having made due inquiry of the Registered Agent
or officers of the Company of the facts and circumstances which are the subject
of such opinion and without independent investigation or inquiry. The
addressees, in accepting this letter, acknowledge such limitation on our
engagement with respect to rendering the foregoing opinions and acknowledge
further that the rendering of the opinions as expressed herein in light of such
limitation, nevertheless represents the appropriate professional standard and is
in accordance with the standards anticipated by the addressees.
Yours faithfully,
HEWLETT BECK & ARAD
EACH\mc
-4-
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 3.03
APPROVALS
None
SCHEDULE 3.06
DISCLOSED MATTERS
1. Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. v. First Colonial Securities
Group, Inc., Superior Court of New Jersey.
a. Former lease space, vacated 2001, 6,130 sq. ft.
b. Maximum potential claim/exposure $319,012 based on assuming
full lease term of February 29, 2004 and landlord does not re
lease or fulfill obligation to mitigate damages.
c. Company has fully accrued for approximately $87,000 in its
previously filed financial statements with the SEC and
continues to accrue and reserve approximately $10,809 per
month for related lease costs.
d. Company is attempting to sub-let and/or settle with landlord
utilizing Company's security deposit.
2. Kingland Systems Corporation v. Colonial Direct Financial Group,
Inc., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa; Kingland Systems
Corporation v. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc., U.S. District Court for
the Northern Circuit Court, Palm Beach County Florida.
a. Programming work for Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc.
("Colonial Direct") web site never delivered/completed by
Kingland Systems Corporation ("Kingland"); programming work
never properly documented. Neither Company nor any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates uses any of the Kingland work
product or software in any form or manner whatsoever.
b. Claims by Kingland total approximately $293,000 plus interest.
c. Company has fully accrued for and established reserves of
$255,503 for the disputed payables/invoices and promissory
note in its financial statements in its previously filed
financial statements with the SEC.
d. Claims are being vigorously defended and are only against the
Company's non-Broker Dealer affiliate, Colonial Direct.
e. Company has refused to respond to offers to engage in
settlement discussions with Kingland as of the date hereof.
3. Fleet National Bank v. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc.,
Superior Court N.J.
-2-
a. Judgment by Fleet National Bank ("Fleet") against Michael
Golden (a former controlling shareholder of Colonial Direct)
and Colonial Direct in the amount of $315,902.94 for Lines of
Credit issued prior to the January 2001 acquisition of
Colonial Direct by the Company. In October 2001, the Court
entered a summary judgment in favor of Fleet. The period for
appeal of the summary judgment expired on December 10, 2001.
b. Despite such joint liability, the Company has FULLY accrued
for and established reserves for this judgment in its
previously filed financial statements with the SEC.
c. Judgment is only against the Company's non-Regulated
Affiliate, Colonial Direct.
4. Fleet v. First Colonial Securities, Inc., Superior Court, N.J.
a. Judgment by Fleet against First Colonial Securities, Inc. in
the amount of $210,928.19 for Letter of Credit issued prior to
the January 2001 acquisition by Company. In October 2001, the
Court entered a summary judgment in favor of Fleet. The period
for appeal of the summary judgment expired on December 10,
2001.
b. Company has FULLY accrued for and established reserves
(including reserves for net capital purposes) for this
judgment in its previously filed financial statements with the
SEC.
5. Golden Litigation.
On May 1, 2001, Michael Golden ("Golden") filed an initial complaint
against the Company in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for
Palm Beach County, Florida (the "Court"), alleging that the Company breached its
January 5, 2001 employment agreement with Golden, which was entered into as a
result of the merger between the Company and Colonial Direct Financial Group,
Inc. ("Colonial Direct"). Mr. Golden claims that he terminated the agreement for
"good reason," as defined in the agreement, and that the Company has failed to
pay him severance payments and other benefits as well as accrued commissions and
un-reimbursed expenses. In the initial complaint, Golden sought monetary damages
from the Company in excess of $50,000 together with interest, attorney's fees
and costs.
On July 13, 2001, the Company filed its answer and affirmative defenses
and counterclaims with the Court against Golden and Ben Lichtenberg
("Lichtenberg"), Golden's partner in Colonial Direct, denying all material
allegations in the complaint, affirmatively alleging that Golden is not entitled
to any severance payments because he was terminated for cause for his
insubordination, failure to follow directives of the board of directors of the
Company and for breaches of fiduciary duty to the Company. The Company also
alleged that both Golden and Lichtenberg violated the merger agreement between
Colonial Direct and the Company by breaching certain of the representations and
warranties set forth in the merger agreement by, among other things, failing to
advise the Company of certain loan agreement
-3-
defaults, improperly withdrawing approximately $400,000 of capital from Colonial
Direct, failing to deliver a closing balance sheet and failing to disclose
significant liabilities of Colonial Direct. Claiming that the activities of
Golden and Lichtenberg constituted violations of Florida's Securities Investor
Protection Act, common law fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract,
intentional interference with advantageous business relationships, and breach of
the implied covenant of good faith and dealing, the Company is seeking
indemnification under the merger agreement and additional monetary damages
against Golden and Lichtenberg in excess of $15,000.
In response to the Company's answer, affirmative defenses and
counterclaims, on or about September 1, 2001, Golden filed an amended complaint
with the Court against the Company, Leonard Sokolow ("Sokolow"), the President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Timothy Mahoney ("Mahoney"), the
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. In the amended complaint,
Golden alleges that Sokolow and Mahoney made various false representations which
induced Golden to enter into the merger agreement and his employment agreement.
Golden is seeking monetary damages from the Company, Sokolow and Mahoney in
excess of $4.6 million.
On or about November 30, 2001, the Company was notified by its legal
counsel that Lichtenberg had filed an answer, affirmative defenses and
counterclaims with the Court in response to the Company's filing with the Court
on July 13, 2001. In addition to denying all material allegations in the
Company's July 13, 2001 counterclaims against him, Lichtenberg alleges that: (a)
the Company breached its employment agreement with him, (b) the Company and
Sokolow made various false representations which induced Lichtenberg to enter
into the merger agreement and (c) the Company materially breached the Colonial
Direct merger agreement. Lichtenberg is seeking delivery from the Company of
414,825 shares of the Company's common stock and monetary damages of at least
$488,000 from the Company and Sokolow, jointly and severally.
6. Default on lease of office space at 50 Broadway, New York, N.Y. As
of November 30, 2001, total amount due of $45,590.
-4-
Schedule 3.06 (continued)
NASD ARBITRATIONS
Date
Settlement Complaint E&O Acctg.
Claimant(s) Resondent(s) Allegations Claim Offered Case Made Covered Accrual
----------- ------------ ----------- ----- ------- ---- ---- ------- -------
E. Goldstein FCSG Paramus Unauthorized selling to meet $ 560,000 $ 10,000 00-D1199 Nov-99 Yes $ --
house call; failed to
execute sell order
F. Oliveri Gugliere Unsuitable investments; $ 192,000 $ - 01-00320 Feb-01 Yes $ 25,000
unauthorized trading;
excessive trading; forgery
and misrepresentation
Catanzarite Glen Sales practice abuse $ 120,000 $ - 01-02037 Mar-01 No $ 25,000
Merendino
L. D'Alessio Joel Kamphuis Unsuitable investments $ 100,000 $ - 01-02547 May-01 No $ 20,000
P. Allen Alan Hans Misappropriation of funds $ 36,000 $ - Jul-01 No $ --
Ronald Ball Mary Kizer Unsuitable investments $ 850,000 $ - 99-04048 - Yes $ 25,000
Belton Barovich Sold in error $ 35,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000
Sterling Fin. VFIN Raiding $ 500,000 $ - Oct-01 NO $ --
---------
Total $ 105,000
==========
SCHEDULE 3.07
LICENSES AND APPROVALS
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
vFinance Investments, Inc.
First Level Capital, Inc.
vFinance Capital, LC
State Securities Licenses to Conduct Broker-Dealer Activities
vFinance Investments, Inc. and First Level Capital, Inc.:
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Kansas
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Texas
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Amount of Shares
Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned Percent of Class
------------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Genesis Partners, Inc. (1) 3,108,333 14.8%
Highlands Group Holdings, Inc. (2) 2,175,000 10.4%
Leonard J. Sokolow (3) 3,702,937 17.7%
Timothy Mahoney (4) 3,702,937 17.7%
Michael E. Golden (5) 3,043,429 14.5%
D. Carr Moody (6) 37,500 *
David Spector (7) 205,500 *
Marc N. Siegel (8) 670,000 3.2%
All executive officers and
directors as a group (5 persons) 8,318,874 39.7%
* Denotes less than 1% ownership.
(1) Genesis Partners, Inc., whose address is 2458 Provence Court, Weston,
Florida 33327, is a corporation controlled by Mr. Leonard Sokolow, Chief
Executive Officer and President. Mr. Sokolow is deemed the beneficial owner of
the 3,108,333 shares held by Genesis Partners, Inc.
(2) Highlands Group Holdings, Inc., whose address is 68 Cayman Place, Palm Beach
Gardens, Florida 33418, is wholly-owned by Mr. Timothy Mahoney, Chairman and
Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Mahoney, as the owner of Highlands Group Holdings,
Inc., is deemed to beneficially own the 2,175,000 shares held by Highlands Group
Holdings, Inc.
(3) Includes 3,108,333 shares owned by Genesis Partners, Inc., 234,802 shares
held individually by Leonard J. Sokolow and 359,802 vested options to acquire
shares of common stock.
(4) Includes 2,175,000 shares owned by Highlands Group Holdings, Inc., 1,168,135
shares held individually by Timothy Mahoney and 359,802 vested options to
acquire shares of common stock.
(5) Michael E. Golden was a director of the Company from January 4, 2001 to
April 2, 2001.
(6) Mr. D. Carr Moody, Chief Financial Officer, has been granted options to
purchase up to 100,000 shares of common stock, an aggregate of 37,500 of which
have vested or will vest within 60 days.
(7) Mr. David Spector, a Vice President of our company, has been granted options
to purchase up to 475,000 shares of common stock, an aggregate of 205,500 that
have vested or will vest within 60 days.
(8) Mr. Marc N. Siegel, a President of one of our significant subsidiaries, owns
455,000 shares of common stock and options to purchase up to 565,000 shares of
common stock, an aggregate of 215,000 that have vested or will vest within 60
days.
SEE ATTACHED LEGAL ENTITY CHART FOR THE BORROWER'S OWNERSHIP
INTEREST IN EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES
-7-
3.12 (continued)
vFinance, Inc.
(parent company)
Colonial Direct vFinance
Financial Group, First Level Capital, vFinance vFinance vFinance vFinance
Inc. (holding Capital, Inc. L.C. Investors, LLC Advisor, LLC Union Atlantic LC Investments Holdings, Inc.
company) Holdings, Inc.
Colonial Direct
vFinance Colonial Direct Retirement
Investments, Inc. Capital Services, Inc.
Management, Inc. d/b/a KWT
Consultants
*** Each subsidiary herein is wholly owned.
-8-
SCHEDULE 3.16
GUARANTEED SUBSIDIARIES
None
-9-
SCHEDULE 3.21
SECURITIES FILINGS
1. The Company's Form 8-K/A, which was filed with the SEC on March 20,
2001, did not include the signature of an authorized officer of the
Company and all of the notes to the financial statements filed
therewith. These filing omissions were corrected when the Company filed
a Form 8-K/A-2 with the SEC on March 22, 2001.
2. The Company's Form 10-QSB, which was filed with the SEC on November 14,
2001, did not include disclosure of the Company's litigation with
Michael Golden. Such litigation is described in paragraph 5 of Schedule
3.06. The Company filed a Form 10-QSB/A with the SEC on November 20,
2001, which contains disclosure relating to the Golden litigation in
Item 1, Part II of the Form 10-QSB/A.
-10-
SCHEDULE 6.01
INDEBTEDNESS
1. Office Equipment used in the ordinary course of business under Capital
Leases (copiers, fax machines, telephone systems, computers).
2. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc. ("Colonial Direct"), a
non-Regulated Affiliate, has a total of $650,000 in Subordinated Bridge
Loans by 3 investors as follows:
Amount of Principal Maturity Date
------------------- -------------
Investor 1 $250,000 11/19/01
Investor 2 $250,000 12/20/01
Investor 3 $150,000 12/20/01
3. Colonial Direct Promissory Note to Kingland Systems Corporation,
$218,554 (SEE Schedule 3.06, Item 2).
4. Colonial Direct Lines of Credit with Fleet National Bank, $315,902.94
(SEE Schedule 3.06, Item 3).
5. First Colonial Securities Letter of Credit with Fleet National Bank,
$210,928.19 (SEE Schedule 3.06, Item 4).
6. Michael Golden $500,000 Promissory Note, held by Borrower as offset to
Borrower's claims against Michael Golden.
7. Gruntal & Co. LLC Promissory Note $42,500.
8. Series B Preferred Stock in the name of Michael Golden but held by
Borrower as offset to Borrower's claims against Michael Golden
(Redemption Rights).
9. Short sale positions from time to time in the ordinary course of
business by the wholesale trading group of Borrower's Regulated
Affiliate (s).
10. Sun Trust N.A. $200,000 Letter of Credit in favor of C.B. Richard
Ellis, lessor, leased premises 830 Third Avenue, NY, NY, a security for
the subject lease. Letter of Credit is secured by a $200,000 restricted
cash deposit held by Sun Trust N.A.
11. Default on lease of office space at 50 Broadway, New York, N.Y. As of
November 30, 2001, total amount due of approximately $45,590.
-11-
All of the above Indebtedness is properly reflected and/or disclosed in
the Borrower's filings with the SEC.
-12-
SCHEDULE 6.02
LIENS
1. Summit Bank lien on furniture and equipment of Colonial Direct
Financial Group UCC-1 dated May 2, 2000.
-13-
SCHEDULE 7.01(f)
PAYMENTS IN RESPECT OF MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS
1. Fleet National Bank v. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc., Superior
Court N.J.
a. Judgment by Fleet National Bank ("Fleet") against Michael
Golden (a former controlling shareholder of Colonial Direct)
and Colonial Direct in the amount of $315,902.94 for Lines of
Credit issued prior to the Company's January 2001 acquisition
of Colonial Direct. In October 2001, the Court entered a
summary judgment in favor of Fleet. The period for appeal of
the summary judgment expired on December 10, 2001.
b. Despite such joint liability, the Company has FULLY accrued
for and established reserves for this judgment in its
previously filed financial statements with the SEC.
c. Judgment is only against the Company's non-Regulated
Affiliate, Colonial Direct.
2. Fleet v. First Colonial Securities, Inc., Superior Court, N.J.
a. Judgment by Fleet against First Colonial Securities, Inc. in
the amount of $210,928.19 for Letter of Credit issued prior to
the Company's January 2001 acquisition of Colonial Direct. In
October 2001, the Court entered a summary judgment in favor of
Fleet. The period for appeal of the summary judgment expired
on December 10, 2001.
b. The Company has FULLY accrued for and established reserves
(including reserves for net capital purposes) for this
judgment in its previously filed financial statements with the
SEC.
3. Kingland Systems Corporation v. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc.
See paragraph 2 of Schedule 3.06, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
4. Subordinated Bridge Loans. See paragraph 2 of Schedule 6.01, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
-14-
SCHEDULE 7.01(J)
JUDGMENTS
1. Fleet National Bank v. Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc., Superior
Court N.J.
a. Judgment by Fleet National Bank ("Fleet") against Michael
Golden (a former controlling shareholder of Colonial Direct)
and Colonial Direct in the amount of $315,902.94 for Lines of
Credit issued prior to the Company's January 2001 acquisition
of Colonial Direct. In October 2001, the Court entered a
summary judgment in favor of Fleet. The period for appeal of
the summary judgment expired on December 10, 2001.
b. Despite such joint liability, the Company has FULLY accrued
for and established reserves for this judgment in its
previously filed financial statements with the SEC.
c. Judgment is only against the Company's non-Regulated
Affiliate, Colonial Direct.
2. Fleet v. First Colonial Securities, Inc., Superior Court, N.J.
a. Judgment by Fleet against First Colonial Securities, Inc. in
the amount of $210,928.19 for Letter of Credit issued prior to
the Company's January 2001 acquisition of Colonial Direct. In
October 2001, the Court entered a summary judgment in favor of
Fleet. The period for appeal of the summary judgment expired
on December 10, 2001.
b. The Company has FULLY accrued for and established reserves
(including reserves for net capital purposes) for this
judgment in its previously filed financial statements with the
SEC.
-15-
Exhibit 10.25
SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of
January 25, 2002, by and between vFinance, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC., f/k/a
Best Finance Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands
corporation ("SBI INVESTMENTS"), and UBS Americas Inc., a
DELAWARE CORPORATION ("UBS AMERICAS")
WHEREAS, UBS Americas proposes to lend the Company up to $3,000,000
pursuant to a Credit Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2002, by and between UBS
Americas and the Company (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT");
WHEREAS, SBI INVESTMENTS and the Company have entered into a Note
Purchase Agreement, dated November 28, 2001, by and between SBI INVESTMENTS and
the Company, as amended by letter agreements, dated November 30, 2001, December
14, 2001 and December 28, 2001 executed by SBI INVESTMENTS and the Company (the
"NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), providing for SBI INVESTMENTS' purchase of
non-interest bearing convertible notes in the form annexed as Exhibit D to the
Note Purchase Agreement in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1,500,000
(the "NOTES");
WHEREAS, UBS Americas is willing to lend up to $1,500,000 to the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, and willing to
lend an additional $1,500,000 to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement and subject to the conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement, provided the Notes and all indebtedness represented thereby is
subordinated to the Senior Debt (as defined in the Credit Agreement);
WHEREAS, SBI INVESTMENTS has agreed for itself, its successor and
assigns and all future holders of the Notes, to the subordination of the Notes
and all indebtedness represented thereby to the Senior Debt, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, UBS Americas, SBI INVESTMENTS and the Company wish to enter
into this Agreement to effect the subordination of the indebtedness represented
by the Notes to the Senior Debt and to clarify their respective rights.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, and to induce UBS Americas to
enter into the Credit Agreement and to make the Loans contemplated thereby, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
a. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
preamble to this Agreement.
"CREDIT AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set forth in the
first introductory paragraph to this Agreement, as revised, modified, amended,
supplemented, waived or otherwise changed from time to time.
"NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set forth in
the second introductory paragraph to this Agreement, as revised, modified,
amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise changed from time to time.
"NOTES" shall have the meaning set forth in the second
introductory paragraph to this Agreement, as revised, modified, amended,
supplemented, waived or otherwise changed from time to time.
"SENIOR LENDER" shall mean UBS Americas Inc. and any other
holder of Senior Debt.
"SUBORDINATED DEBT" means the indebtedness evidenced by the
Notes to be issued by the Company to SBI INVESTMENTS in the original principal
amount of $975,000 pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and any notes issued
upon transfer or partial conversion of the Notes or otherwise evidencing the
same indebtedness as the Notes, as such indebtedness is subordinated or
otherwise modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and
additional indebtedness which may be issued by the Company as all or a portion
of the Second Tranche (as defined in the Credit Agreement).
"SUBORDINATED DEBT DOCUMENTS" means the Notes, the Note
Purchase Agreement, and each other document or agreement entered into or
delivered in connection therewith, other than the Option Agreement, the
Registration Rights Agreement and the Investor Rights Agreement, each as defined
in the Note Purchase Agreement, as the same may be changed, modified or amended
with the prior written consent of the Senior Lenders.
"SUBORDINATED LENDER" shall mean SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC.
and any future holder of Subordinated Debt.
b. TERMS DEFINED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. Unless otherwise defined in
this Agreement, any and all initially capitalized terms set forth in this
Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement. In
the event of a direct conflict between the terms and provisions of this
Subordination Agreement and the Credit Agreement on the one hand (the "SENIOR
DEBT DOCUMENTS"), and the Subordinated Debt Documents on the other hand, it is
the intention of the parties hereto that such documents shall be read together
and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other.
In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict between the Senior Debt
Documents and the Subordinated Debt Documents that cannot be resolved as
aforesaid, the terms and provisions of the Senior Debt Documents shall control
and govern.
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SBI INVESTMENTS. SBI INVESTMENTS
represents and warrants to the Senior Lender that:
2
a. ORGANIZATION; POWERS. SBI INVESTMENTS is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on
its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in
a material adverse effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good
standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.
b. AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABILITY. SBI INVESTMENTS has full power to
enter into this Agreement. The transactions entered into or to be entered into
by SBI INVESTMENTS and this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by SBI
INVESTMENTS and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of SBI
INVESTMENTS, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws
affecting creditors rights generally and subject to general principles of
equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
c. GOVERNMENTAL AND THIRD PARTY APPROVALS; NO CONFLICTS. The
transactions entered into, or to be entered into by SBI INVESTMENTS as
contemplated by the Subordinated Debt Documents and this Agreement (a) do not
require any consent or approval of registration or filing with, or any other
action by, any Governmental Authority or any other Person, (b) will not violate
any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational
documents of SBI INVESTMENTS or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c)
will not violate or result in a default under any agreement or other instrument
binding upon SBI INVESTMENTS, or its respective assets, or give rise to a right
thereunder to require any payment to be made by SBI INVESTMENTS and (d) will not
result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of SBI
INVESTMENTS.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY REGARDING
AUTHORIZATION AND ENFORCEABILITY. The Company represents and warrants to the
Senior Lender that its obligations contemplated by this Agreement are within its
powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors rights generally
and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law.
3
4. AGREEMENT REGARDING CERTAIN SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS.
a. SUBORDINATION. SBI INVESTMENTS, on behalf of itself and all future
holders of Subordinated Debt, hereby agrees for the benefit of each Senior
Lender to the subordination of the indebtedness evidenced by the Notes to the
Senior Debt, upon the terms and subject to the provisions set forth in Exhibit A
attached hereto, and agrees to observe each of the obligations imposed upon it
by the provisions set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.
b. THE COMPANY. The Company hereby agrees, for the benefit of the
Senior Lender, to the subordination of the indebtedness evidenced by the Notes
to the Senior Debt, upon the terms and subject to the provisions set forth in
Exhibit A attached hereto, and agrees to observe each of the obligations imposed
upon it by the provisions set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.
5. MODIFICATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT. SBI INVESTMENTS and each other
holder of Subordinated Debt agrees that none of the Subordinated Debt Documents
may be changed, modified, amended or supplemented without the prior written
consent of the Senior Lenders and that, without the prior written consent of the
Senior Lenders, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, none of the Option
Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Investor Rights Agreement
may be changed, modified, amended or supplemented in any manner which adversely
affects any Senior Lenders rights with respect to the Subordinated Debt.
6. SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS OWED ONLY TO SBI INVESTMENTS. SBI
INVESTMENTS warrants and represents that SBI INVESTMENTS has not previously
assigned any interest in the Subordinated Debt, that no other party owns an
interest in any of the Subordinated Debt (whether as joint holders,
participants, or otherwise), and that the entire Subordinated Debt is, or upon
issuance will be, owing only to SBI INVESTMENTS.
7. POSTPETITION FINANCING, LIENS. In the event of any bankruptcy
proceeding against the Company or any of its assets, each Subordinated Lender
hereby expressly consents to the granting by the Company to any Senior Lender of
senior liens and priorities in connection with any post-petition financing of
the Company by any Senior Lender.
8. INSTRUMENT LEGENDS. The face of each of the Subordinated Debt
Documents and any other instrument evidencing Subordinated Debt, or any portion
thereof, shall be inscribed with a legend in the following form:
THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED HEREBY ARE SUBORDINATE IN THE MANNER AND TO THE EXTENT
SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT (THE "SUBORDINATION
AGREEMENT") DATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 2002, AS AMENDED, AMONG VFINANCE, INC. (THE
"COMPANY"), UBS AMERICAS, INC. AND SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC., TO THE
OBLIGATIONS (INCLUDING INTEREST) OWED BY THE COMPANY TO THE HOLDERS OF ALL OF
THE NOTES ISSUED PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY
25, 2002 BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND UBS AMERICAS, INC., AS SUCH CREDIT AGREEMENT
HAS BEEN AND HEREAFTER MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED, AMENDED, REPLACED OR REFINANCED FROM
TIME TO TIME; AND EACH HOLDER HEREOF, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, SHALL BE BOUND
BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT.
4
THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED WITHOUT WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY
THE ASSIGNEE OR TRANSFEREE OF SUBORDINATION OF THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED HEREBY
AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 16 OF THE SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT. The Notes and any
other instrument evidencing Subordinated Debt, and any instrument evidencing any
of such indebtedness or any portion thereof, will, when issued, be inscribed
with the aforesaid legend.
9. ADDITIONAL REMEDIES. If SBI INVESTMENTS, or any subsequent holder of
Subordinated Debt, violates any of the terms of this Agreement, in addition to
any remedies in law, equity, or otherwise, any Senior Lender may restrain such
violation in any court of law and may interpose this Agreement as a defense in
any action by SBI INVESTMENTS or any subsequent holder of Subordinated Debt.
10. INFORMATION CONCERNING FINANCIAL CONDITION. Each Subordinated
Lender assumes responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial
condition of the Company and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of
nonpayment of the Subordinated Debt, and agrees that no Senior Lender shall have
any duty to advise any Subordinated Lender of information known to any Senior
Lender regarding such condition or any such circumstances. In the event any
Senior Lender, in its sole discretion, undertakes, at any time or from time to
time, to provide any such information to a Subordinated Lender, such Senior
Lender shall be under no obligation (i) to provide any such information to each
Subordinated Lender on any subsequent occasion, (ii) to undertake any
investigation, or (iii) to disclose any information which, pursuant to its
commercial finance practices, such Senior Lender wishes to maintain
confidential.
11. REDEMPTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT. Notwithstanding Article III of the
Notes or any other provision in the Subordinated Debt Documents, the Company
will not redeem any of the Subordinated Debt, and the Company will not make any
other payments with respect to the Subordinated Debt, prior to the first
anniversary of the Maturity Date, as defined in the Credit Agreement.
12. NOTICES. Except in the case of notices and other communications
expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other
communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by
hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or
sent by telecopy, as follows:
a. if to the Company, to it at: vFinance, Inc.
3010 North Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Attention: Leonard J. Sokolow
Telephone No.: 561-981-1000
Telecopier No.: 561-981-1089
5
with a copy to: Edwards & Angell, LLP
600 Corporate Drive, #514
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33334
Attention: Leslie J. Croland, P.A.
Telephone No.: 954-491-8050
Telecopier No.: 954-351-7175
b. if to the Senior Lender, UBS Americas Inc.
to it at: c/o Correspondent Services
Corporation
1285 Avenue of the Americas
11th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Michael Dura
Telephone No.: 212-713-4640
Telecopier No.: 212 373-6468
with copies to: UBS Americas Inc.
c/o UBS PaineWebber Inc.
1285 Avenue of the Americas
18th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Mark N. Klein, Esq.
Telephone No.: 212-713-9159
Telecopier No.: 212-713-2114
and
Reitler Brown LLC
800 Third Avenue
21st Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Edward G. Reitler, Esq.
Telephone No.: 212-209-3050
Telecopier No.: 212-371-5500
c. if to the Subordinated c/o Billy Cheung
Lender, to it at: 4/F Hendley Building
5 Queen's Road
Central Hong Kong
with copies to: Loeb & Loeb LLP
10100 Santa Monica Boulevard,
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, California 90067
Attention: David Ficksman, Esq.
Telephone No.: 213-688-3400
Telecopier No.: 213-688-3460
Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other
communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and
other
6
communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement shall, be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
13. COSTS AND ATTORNEYS FEES. In the event it becomes necessary for any
Senior Lender holder to commence or become a party to any proceeding or action
to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse such
Senior Lender for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such Senior
Lender, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel
for the Senior Lender incurred in connection with the enforcement or protection
of its rights or remedies under this Agreement, the usual and customary and
lawfully recoverable court costs, and all other expenses in connection
therewith.
14. GOVERNING LAWS; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.
a. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY
THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES.
b. Each of the Company, SBI INVESTMENTS and each holder of Subordinated
Debt hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its
property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any of the state or federal courts
sitting in New York County or in the State of Delaware and any appellate court
from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the Subordinated Debt Documents, or for recognition or enforcement
of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or
proceeding may be heard and determined in such state courts or, to the extent
permitted by law, in such federal courts. No party hereto will raise as a
defense to any such action or proceeding that, or move for dismissal of any such
action or proceeding on the grounds that, the claims are required to be
arbitrated. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such
action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other
jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
Nothing in this Agreement or any Subordinated Debt Document shall affect any
right that any holder of Senior Debt may otherwise have to bring any action or
proceeding relating to this Agreement or any Subordinated Debt Document against
the Company or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction, at law or in
equity.
c. Each of the Company, SBI INVESTMENTS and each holder of Subordinated
Debt hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may
legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have
to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement and Subordinated Debt Documents in any court referred
to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably
waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient
forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
d. Each of the Company, SBI INVESTMENTS and each holder of Subordinated
Debt agrees that each Senior Lender's remedy at law for any breach of any of the
Company's, SBI INVESTMENTS' or other holder of Subordinated Debt's obligations,
warranties, representations or covenants under this Agreement, as the case may
be, will be inadequate, and that such Senior Lender will be entitled to apply
for and obtain injunctive relief to restrain the breach of, or otherwise
specifically enforce, its rights under this Agreement.
7
e. Each of the Company, SBI INVESTMENTS and each holder of Subordinated
Debt irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for
notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any
party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
15. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY
JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING
TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON
CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO
REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK
TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER
PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER
THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
16. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties' respective successors and assigns,
subject to the provisions hereof, including all future holders of Senior Debt
and Subordinated Debt, except, notwithstanding any other provisions contained in
the Subordinated Debt Documents, no Subordinated Lender may assign or transfer
the Subordinated Debt without receiving a written acknowledgement from the
proposed assignee or transferee, addressed to the Senior Lenders and the
Subordinated Lender making such assignment or transfer, a copy of which shall be
delivered to the Senior Lender on the date of its execution or within two
Business Days thereafter, acknowledging that such proposed assignee or
transferee is receiving debt subordinate to the Senior Debt in such transaction
and agreeing to be bound by this Agreement as a "Subordinated Lender". Any
assignment or transfer in violation of this Section shall be void.
17. INTEGRATED AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the within matters and may not be
modified or amended except upon a writing signed by all parties.
18. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each one of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement.
19. HEADINGS. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
20. SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited by
law or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or
affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision. To the extent
permissible, the parties waive any law that prohibits any provision of this
Agreement or renders any provision hereof unenforceable.
8
21. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect
until the one year anniversary from the date that the Company has satisfied in
full in cash the Senior Debt and Senior Lender's commitments to advance Senior
Debt has terminated.
[Remainder of page left intentionally blank]
9
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.
VFINANCE, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Name: Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: Ceo and President
SBI INVESTMENTS (USA) INC.,
a British Virgin Islands corporation
By: /s/ Wong Sin Just
-------------------------------------
Name: Wong Sin Just
Title: Director
UBS AMERICAS, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Regina Dolan
-------------------------------------
Name: Regina Dolan
Title: Managing Director
By: /s/ Mark Klein
-------------------------------------
Name: Mark Klein
Title: Asst. Secretary
10
Exhibit A
SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS
Section 1. SUBORDINATION TO SENIOR DEBT. The Company and the
each holder of Subordinated Debt agree for the benefit of the Senior Lender that
the Subordinated Debt shall, in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinate
and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt of the Company.
Section 2. COMPANY NOT TO MAKE PAYMENTS HEREUNDER IN CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES. (a) Upon the maturity of all or any part of the Senior Debt by
lapse of time, acceleration or otherwise, such Senior Debt shall first be paid
in full, or such payment shall be duly provided for in cash or in a manner
satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Debt, before any payment by the
Company or any Subsidiary (as defined in the Credit Agreement dated as of
January 7, 2002 by and between vFinance Inc., as Borrower and UBS Americas Inc.,
as Lender, as amended (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT")) is made on account of the
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Subordinated Debt or to
acquire any of the Subordinated Debt or on account of any sinking fund for the
Subordinated Debt.
(b) In the event and during the continuation of any Default or
Event of Default (all capitalized terms used but not defined in these
subordination provisions shall have the respective meanings assigned to such
terms in the Credit Agreement, PROVIDED, that any Default that would become an
Event of Default only upon the giving of notice of such Default to the Company,
shall constitute a Default for purposes of this Agreement only if such notice
shall have been given) with respect to any Senior Debt (each such Default or
Event of Default being referred to in this Agreement as a "SENIOR DEBT
DEFAULT"), no payment shall be made by the Company or any Subsidiary on or with
respect to the principal of, or, premium, if any, or interest on, the
Subordinated Debt or to acquire any Subordinated Debt or on account of any
sinking fund for the Subordinated Debt unless and until such Senior Debt Default
shall have been remedied, nor shall any such payment be made if after giving
effect, as if paid, to such payment, any Senior Debt Default would exist. In any
such event, no holder of Subordinated Debt shall demand, accept or receive, any
direct or indirect payment (in cash or property or by setoff, exercise of
contractual or statutory rights or otherwise) of or on account of any
Subordinated Debt, notwithstanding the terms of the Subordinated Debt or of any
agreement or instrument which governs the Subordinated Debt, and no such payment
shall be due.
(c) Unless and until all principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on, and all other obligations of the Company under, any Senior Debt
shall have been paid in full, the Company shall not make, and no holder of
Subordinated Debt shall demand, accept or receive (in cash or property or by
setoff, exercise of contractual or statutory rights, legal action for breach of
representation, warranty or covenant or other damages in connection with the
issuance of Subordinated Debt or otherwise), or shall attempt to collect or
commence any legal proceedings to collect, any direct or indirect payment on
account of the Subordinated Debt prior to the date such payment becomes due and
payable pursuant to the terms thereof or, if later, prior to the first date such
amount is not prohibited from being paid pursuant to these subordination
provisions.
(d) Unless and until all principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on and all other obligations of the Company under, any Senior Debt,
shall have been paid in full, then:
(i) the Company shall not make, and no holder of
Subordinated Debt shall demand, accept or receive, or shall attempt to
collect or commence any legal proceedings to collect, any direct or
indirect payment (in cash or property or by setoff, exercise of
contractual or statutory rights or otherwise) of or on account of any
amount payable on or with respect to the Subordinated Debt; and
(ii) no such payment shall be due;
unless such payment is not prohibited by, and is made in
accordance with the terms of, any covenant or restriction set forth herein and
the failure to make any payment on or with respect to the Subordinated Debt by
reason of any covenant or restriction herein shall not constitute a breach of,
or default under, any provision applicable to the Subordinated Debt.
(e) Unless and until all principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on, and all other obligations of the Company under, the Senior Debt
shall have been paid in full, no holder of Subordinated Debt will commence or
maintain any action, suit or any other legal or equitable proceeding against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or join with any creditor in any such
proceeding, under any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation,
reorganization or other similar law, unless the holders of Senior Debt shall
also join in bringing such proceeding, provided that this Section 2(e) shall not
prohibit a holder of Subordinated Debt from filing a proof of claim or otherwise
participating in any such proceeding not commenced by it.
Section 3. SUBORDINATED DEBT SUBORDINATED TO PRIOR PAYMENT OF
ALL SENIOR DEBT ON DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION OR REORGANIZATION OF COMPANY. In the
event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and any receivership,
liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in connection
therewith, relative to the Company or to its creditors, in their capacity as
creditors of the Company, or to substantially all of its property, and in the
event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding
up of the Company, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, then
(a) the holders of all Senior Debt shall first be entitled to
receive payment in full of the principal thereof, premium, if any,
interest and all other amounts payable thereon (accruing before and
after the commencement of the proceedings) before the holders of the
Subordinated Debt are entitled to receive any payment on account of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Subordinated Debt;
(b) all Subordinated Debt shall forthwith (notwithstanding the
terms of Section 2) become due and payable and any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether
in cash, property or securities to which the holders of the
Subordinated Debt would be entitled, but for the provisions of these
subordination provisions, shall be paid or distributed by the
liquidating trustee or agent or other person making such payment or
distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or
liquidating trustee or other trustee or agent, directly to the holder
of Senior Debt or any representative on behalf of holders of Senior
Debt, to the extent necessary to
2
make payment in full of all principal, premium, if any, interest and
all other amounts payable on all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, after
giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders
of the Senior Debt;
(c) the holders of all Subordinated Debt at the time
outstanding irrevocably authorize and empower (without imposing any
obligation on) each holder of Senior Debt at the time outstanding, and
any representative on behalf of holders of Senior Debt, to demand, sue
for, collect and receive such holder's ratable share of all such
payments and distributions in respect of all Subordinated Debt and to
receipt therefor, and to file and prove all claims therefor and take
all such other action not inconsistent with the foregoing (including
the right to vote such Senior Debt holder's ratable share of the
Subordinated Debt) in the name of the holders of the Subordinated Debt
or otherwise, as such holder of Senior Debt, or any representative on
behalf of holders of Senior Debt, may determine to be necessary or
appropriate for the enforcement of these subordination provisions; and
(d) The holders of the Subordinated Debt shall execute and
deliver to holders of Senior Debt or any representative on behalf of
holders of Senior Debt all such further instruments confirming the
above authorization, and all such powers of attorney, proofs of claim,
assignments of claim and other instruments, and shall take all such
other action as may be requested by any holder of Senior Debt or any
such representative, in order to enable such holder to enforce all
claims upon or in respect of each holder's ratable share of the
Subordinated Debt.
Section 4. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SENIOR DEBT; SUBROGATION. (a)
Should any payment or distribution or security or the proceeds of any thereof be
collected or received by any holder of Subordinated Debt in respect of the
Subordinated Debt, and such collection or receipt is prohibited hereunder prior
to the payment in full of the Senior Debt, such holder of Subordinated Debt will
forthwith deliver the same to the holders of Senior Debt for the equal and
ratable benefit of the holders of the Senior Debt in precisely the form received
(except for the endorsement or the assignment of or by such holder where
necessary) for application to payment of all Senior Debt in full, after giving
effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of Senior Debt
and, until so delivered, the same shall be held in trust by such holder as the
property of the holders of the Senior Debt.
(b) All payments and distributions received by the holders of
Senior Debt in respect of the Subordinated Debt, to the extent received in or
converted into cash, may be applied by the holders of Senior Debt first to the
payment of any and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including attorney's
fees and legal expenses) paid or incurred by them or their representative in
enforcing the provisions hereof or in endeavoring to collect or realize upon the
Subordinated Debt or any security therefor, and any balance thereof shall,
solely as between any holder of the Subordinated Debt, on the one hand, and the
holders of the Senior Debt, on the other hand, be applied by the holders of
Senior Debt in such order of application as the holders of Senior Debt may from
time to time select, toward the payment of the Senior Debt remaining unpaid.
(c) No holder of Subordinated Debt shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of the Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of
assets of the Company until all amounts payable with respect to the Senior Debt
shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of
3
such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Debt
of any cash, property or securities to which any holder of Subordinated Debt
would be entitled except for these provisions shall, as between the Company, its
creditors other than the holders of the Senior Debt, and such holders of
Subordinated Debt, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of
the Senior Debt. The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely
for the purpose of defining the relative rights of holders of Subordinated Debt,
on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Debt, on the other hand.
(d) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Debt, the
holders of the Subordinated Debt shall be subrogated (equally and ratably with
the holders of all Subordinated Debt of the Company which, by its terms, is not
superior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt, and ranks on a parity
with the Subordinated Debt) to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to
receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company
applicable to the Senior Debt until all amounts owing on the Subordinated Debt
shall be paid in full. For purposes of such subrogation, no payments or
distributions to the holders of the Subordinated Debt of cash, property,
securities or other assets by virtue of the subrogation herein provided which
otherwise would have been made to the holders of the Senior Debt shall, as
between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt and the
holders of the Subordinated Debt, be deemed to be a payment to or on account of
the Subordinated Debt. The holders of Subordinated Debt agree that, in the event
that all or any part of any payment made on account of the Senior Debt is
recovered from the holders of Senior Debt as a preference, fraudulent transfer
or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, any payment
or distribution received by the holders of Subordinated Debt on account of the
Subordinated Debt at any time after the date of the payment so recovered,
whether pursuant to the right of subrogation provided for in this Section 4(d)
or otherwise, shall be deemed to have been received by such holders of
Subordinated Debt in trust as the property of the holders of the Senior Debt and
such holders shall forthwith deliver the same to the holders of Senior Debt for
the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Senior Debt for application
to payment of all Senior Debt in full.
Section 5. RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS AND INCREASES OF SENIOR DEBT.
Each holder of Subordinated Debt by his acceptance thereof thereby waives any
and all notice of renewal, extension, accrual or increase in the amount of any
of the Senior Debt, present or future, and agrees and consents that without
notice to or assent by any holder or holders of the Subordinated Debt:
(i) the obligation and liabilities of the Company or any other
party or parties for or upon the Senior Debt (or any promissory note,
security document or guaranty evidencing or securing the same) may,
from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended,
increased, modified, amended, accelerated, compromised, supplemented,
terminated, sold, exchanged, waived or released;
(ii) any representative acting on behalf of holders of the
Senior Debt and the holders of the Senior Debt may exercise or refrain
from exercising any right, remedy or power granted by or in connection
with any agreements relating to the Senior Debt; and
4
(iii) any balance or balances of funds with any holders of the
Senior Debt at any time standing to the credit of the Company may, from
time to time, in whole or in part, be surrendered or released;
all as any representative acting on behalf of holders of the
Senior Debt and the holders of the Senior Debt may deem advisable and all
without impairing, abridging, diminishing, releasing or affecting the
subordination of the Subordinated Debt to the Senior Debt provided for herein.
Section 6. OBLIGATION OF COMPANY UNCONDITIONAL. Nothing
contained in these subordination provisions or in the Subordinated Debt is
intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than
the holders of the Senior Debt, and the holders of the Subordinated Debt, the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the
holders of the Subordinated Debt the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on the Subordinated Debt, as and when the same shall become due and payable
(except as provided in Section 2), by lapse of time, acceleration or otherwise,
in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative
rights of the holders of the Subordinated Debt and other creditors of the
Company other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or
therein prevent the holder of any Subordinated Debt (i) from taking all
appropriate actions to preserve its rights under the Subordinated Debt not
inconsistent with the rights of the holders of the Senior Debt under these
subordination provisions, or (ii) from exercising all remedies otherwise
permitted by applicable law upon default under the Subordinated Debt, subject to
the rights, if any, under these subordination provisions of the holders of the
Senior Debt in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company otherwise
payable or delivered to such holders upon the exercise of any such remedy.
Section 7. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) Each holder of Subordinated Debt
by its acceptance thereof acknowledges and agrees that the holders of the Senior
Debt have relied upon and will continue to rely upon the subordination provided
for herein in entering into the agreements relating to Senior Debt and in
extending credit to the Company pursuant thereto.
(b) No present or future holder of Senior Debt shall be
prejudiced in his right to enforce the subordination contained herein in
accordance with the terms hereof by any act or failure to act on the part of the
Company or any holder of the Subordinated Debt. The subordination provisions
contained herein are for the benefit of the holders of the Senior Debt from time
to time and, so long as Senior Debt is outstanding under any agreement, may not
be rescinded, cancelled, waived or modified in any way without the prior written
consent thereto of all holders of Senior Debt.
(c) The subordination provisions hereof shall be binding upon
any holder of the Subordinated Debt and upon the heirs, legal representatives,
successors and assigns of any holder of the Subordinated Debt; and, to the
extent that any holder of the Subordinated Debt is either a partnership or a
corporation, all references herein to any holder of the Subordinated Debt shall
be deemed to include any successor or successors, whether immediate or remote,
to such partnership or corporation.
5
Exhibit 10.26
CANCELLATION AGREEMENT
CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO OPTION GRANT
In light of the termination of Michael Golden, I hereby agree to cancel on the
date hereof the conditional right pursuant to my Employment Agreement dated
January 5, 2001 to have granted to me on July 5, 2001 an option to acquire
500,000 common shares of vFinance.com, Inc. Such right was subject to certain
conditions which have not been met as of the date hereof.
Dated: April 2, 2001
/s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-----------------------------------------
Leonard J. Sokolow
Exhibit 10.27
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT made as of July 2, 2001 by and between
VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Leonard J.
Sokolow ("Employee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company desire to amend the Employment
Agreement dated January 5, 2001 (the "Employment Agreement").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:
1. Section 4(f) of the Employment Agreement shall be amended in its
entirety to read as follows:
"Stock Options. The Company and Employee shall enter into the Stock
Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B pursuant to which the
Company shall grant to Employee certain options to purchase common
stock of the Company upon such terms ad conditions set forth therein."
2. Exhibit B to the Employment Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety
and replaced with the form of Stock Option Agreement attached to this Amendment.
3. All other provisions of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first hereinabove written.
EMPLOYER:
VFINANCE.COM, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy Mahoney
-----------------------------------------
Timothy Mahoney, Chairman of
The Board and Chief Operating Officer
EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
---------------------------
Leonard J. Sokolow
EXHIBIT B
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT is entered into as of July 6, 2001 by and between
LEONARD J. SOKOLOW ("Optionee") and VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Corporation").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Optionee and the Corporation have concurrently herewith entered into a
certain Employment Agreement (the "Employment Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to grant to Optionee the option to acquire
shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock")
upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual covenants
set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, Optionee and the Corporation hereby agree as follows:
1. (a) GRANT OF THE OPTIONS. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Corporation hereby grants to Optionee the right to purchase
(individually referred to as the "Option" or collectively referred to as the
"Options") from the Corporation Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of the
Common Stock (the "Option Shares"), subject to the following vesting schedule,
at the per share purchase price equal to the closing price of the Corporation's
Common Stock on the day preceding the date of this Agreement but in no event
less than $0.625 per share for a five (5) year period commencing on the date
hereof:
(i) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest on the date hereof;
(ii) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest one (1) year from
the date hereof;
(iii) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest two (2) years from
the date hereof;
(iv) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest three (3) years from
the date hereof
2. RIGHTS OF OPTIONEE. Optionee by virtue of holding the Options to purchase the
Option Shares shall not have any rights to any dividends to be distributed by
the Corporation to the shareholders or any other rights of a shareholder in the
Corporation with respect to any of the Option Shares until Optionee exercises
the Option to purchase the Option Shares pursuant to Section 5 of this
Agreement.
3. TRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTIONS. The Options may not be assigned, transferred,
or otherwise disposed of, or pledged or hypothecated or in any way be subject to
execution, attachment or other process. Any assignment, transfer, pledge,
hypothecation or other disposition of the Options attempted contrary to the
provisions of this Agreement or any levy, execution, attachment or other process
attempted upon the Options will be null and void and without effect.
4. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS. The Option to purchase the Option Shares shall be
exercisable upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth:
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Option to purchase
the Option Shares shall be exercisable by Optionee upon delivery of notice to
the Corporation (the "Exercise Notice") in accordance with the procedure
prescribed in this Section 4. The Exercise Notice shall state that Optionee has
elected to exercise the Option or any portion thereof. The Option may be
exercised by the Optionee, in whole or in
part, by the delivery of the Exercise Notice to the office of the Corporation,
and by payment to the Corporation of the Purchase Price in cash or by wire
transfer, for each share being purchased. Upon the exercise of the Option, a
certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock so purchased,
registered in the name of the holder, shall be promptly delivered to the holder
hereof within a reasonable time. The person in whose name any certificate for
shares of Common Stock is issued upon exercise of the Option shall for all
purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares on the
date on which the Exercise Notice was delivered and payment of the Purchase
Price was made, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date
on which the stock transfer books of the Corporation are closed, such person
shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares at the close of
business on the next succeeding date on which the stock transfer books are open.
5. ACCELERATED VESTING AND EXERCISE PERIOD.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. In the event of Optionee's death or Disability while
employed with the Corporation prior to Optionee's vesting or exercise of all of
the Options, then all of the Options shall become immediately vested and
exercisable. For purposes hereof, ADisability@ shall mean Optionee's failure to
perform his employment duties with the Company for a continuous three month
period, or an aggregate of four months during any six month period, as a result
of ANY illness or accident, as verified by at least two U.S. licensed medical
doctors reasonably acceptable to the Company.
(b) CESSATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, in the event that Optionee ceases to be employed by the Corporation for
any reason other than Optionee's death, Disability or termination by the Company
without cause (as defined within the Employment Agreement) (the date of
Optionee's cessation of employment shall be referred to as the "Cessation
Date"), then all non-vested Options shall expire and be forfeited on the
Cessation Date. In the event that the Company terminates Optionee's employment
without cause, then all non-vested Options shall immediately vest as of the
Cessation Date.
(c) CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a "Change of Control" or a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, then all non-vested Options
shall immediately vest. For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control"
shall mean (i) the occurrence of any event or transaction or series thereof
pursuant to which any person or group (as used in Rule 13(d)-1 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) acquires beneficial ownership or control in excess of 50%
of the outstanding voting shares of the Company, or (ii) that the directors of
the Company serving on its Board of Directors on the date immediately preceding
such event or transaction or series thereof shall, in the aggregate, represent
less than fifty percent (50%) of the Board of Directors after such event or
transaction or series thereof.
6. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Corporation covenants and agrees that at all times
that this Stock Option Agreement shall be in effect it shall have authorized,
and reserved, Common Stock of the Corporation sufficient for the exercise of the
Options and the purchase of Common Stock by Optionee.
7. SUBSTITUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT UPON ADOPTION OF QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN.
It is possible that the Corporation will, within twelve (12) months from the
date of this Agreement, adopt a Qualified Stock Option Plan for members of its
senior executive management, including Optionee. In the event of such adoption,
the Corporation agrees upon written request from Optionee to amend this
Agreement so as to cancel all unvested option rights set forth herein, PROVIDED,
HOWEVER that the same economic terms (including numbers of share options,
vesting periods and price) remain the same with respect to Optionee, and are
granted to Optionee, pursuant to the terms of the adopted Qualified Stock Option
Plan. All rights existing as to vested Stock Options as set forth herein shall
remain in effect notwithstanding the adoption of a Qualified Stock Option Plan.
8. INVESTMENT. Optionee acknowledges that the Option Shares are not being
offered pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), or any other securities laws. Optionee acknowledges that
the Option Shares are being acquired for Optionee's own account for
2
investment purposes only and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with,
any public distribution thereof and will not sell, or offer to sell or otherwise
dispose, of any interest in the Option Shares acquired by Optionee in violation
of the Act. Optionee has had substantial experience in business and financial
matters and in making investments of the type contemplated by this Agreement, is
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the purchase of the Option Shares
and is able to bear the economic risks of such investment.
9. LIQUIDITY. Although there can be no assurance that the Option Shares will be
registered under the Act, that an exemption from such registration will be
available, or that there will be a market for the Option Shares in the future,
the Corporation agrees to use its best efforts to enable and facilitate
Optionee's sale or disposition of the Option Shares in compliance with the Act
at the earliest date reasonably practicable. Furthermore, Optionee is hereby
granted registration rights as described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein.
10. ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, share
combination, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization of or by
the Corporation, the number or class of shares purchasable (and purchase price
per share) upon exercise of the Option immediately prior thereto shall be
adjusted so that Optionee shall be entitled to receive the kind and number of
shares or other securities which Optionee would have owned or have been entitled
to receive after the happening of any of the events described above, had the
Option been exercised immediately prior to the happening of any of such events
or any record date with respect thereto. Any adjustment made pursuant to this
Section shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such
events retroactive to the record date, if any, for such events. In the event
that any director, officer or employee of the Company shall hereafter be granted
options or warrants with antidilution provisions in addition to the foregoing
adjustment provision, then Optionee shall be deemed to have been granted the
same antidilution provisions with respect to the Options granted by this
Agreement. In the event of the grant of more than one such future antidilution
provisions, then Optionee shall be deemed to have been granted the most
favorable of such antidilution provisions thereof.
11. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be deemed validly
given if delivered by hand, verified overnight delivery, or by first class,
certified mail to the following address of Optionee (or to such other address as
Optionee may notify in writing to Corporation):
If to Optionee: Leonard J. Sokolow
2458 Provence Court
Weston, Florida 33327
If to the Company: vFinance.com, Inc.
3010 N. Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Attention: President
12. BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit and shall
be binding upon the successors, heirs, legal representatives and permitted
assigns of the parties hereto.
13. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed to be illegal or unenforceable such illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the
remaining legal and enforceable provisions hereof, which shall be construed as
if such illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions had not been inserted.
14. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement will be covered and construed under the
laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to rules governing conflicts
of law, with proper venue with respect to all disputes related to this Agreement
being Broward County, Florida.
3
15. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
THE CORPORATION:
VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware
corporation
By:
Title:
OPTIONEE:
Leonard J. Sokolow
4
EXHIBIT "A"
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Option to which this Exhibit A is attached.
(a) PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION RIGHTS. If at any time commencing after January 1,
2001 until the expiration of the Option (the "Registration Period"),
vFinance.com, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to register any of securities under
the Securities Act (other than registration of a stock option, stock purchase or
compensation or incentive plan or of stock issued or issuable pursuant to any
such plan, or dividend investment plan, a registration of stock proposed to be
issued in exchange for securities or assets of, or in connection with the merger
or consolidation with, another person or entity , or a registration of stock
proposed to be issued in exchange for securities of such other person or
entity), the Company shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Holder and,
upon the written request made within ten (10) days after the Holder and, upon
receipt of such notice, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect as part
of such registration the registration under the Securities Act of that number of
the Option shares ("Option Shares") which the Holder requests the Company to
register, provided that if the registration relates to a firm commitment,
underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter of the Company's public
offering, if any, shall be of the opinion that the inclusion in such
registration of such number of Option Shares will not interfere with the
successful marketing of all of the Company's securities being registered. If the
managing underwriter, if any, reasonably requests the Holder to reduce in whole
or in part the number of Option Shares sought or be registered by the Holder,
the Holder shall comply with the request of the managing underwriter. In any
underwritten offering, the Holder shall sell the Option Shares registered as
part of such underwritten offering to the underwriters of such offering on the
same terms and conditions as apply to the Company. In connection with any
registration pursuant to this Section (a), the Holder shall provide the Company
with such information regarding the Holder and the distribution of the Option
Shares as the Company and the managing underwriter shall reasonably request for
use in the registration statement relating to such offering. The Company shall
pay all costs and expenses of the Holder. The Company shall not be obliged to
effect registration under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section (a) on
more than one occasion; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this limitation shall not apply
if the number of shares requested to be registered by the Holder shall have been
reduced pursuant to the second sentence of this Section (a) unless and until the
occurrence of an occasion on which the shares requested by the Holder to be
registered have not been so reduced.
(b) DEMAND REGISTRATION RIGHTS. During the Registration Period but subsequent to
January 1, 2002, the Holder shall have the following demand registration rights,
subject to the conditions herein:
(i) REGISTRATION REQUEST. At any time during the Registration Period but
subsequent to January 3, 2002, and within 45 days of receipt by the Company of
the written request of the Holder, the Company shall diligently proceed to file
with the Securities Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement
under the Securities Act, on Form S-3 (or any successor form), or if the Company
is not eligible for Form S-3, on such other appropriate form as the Company
shall select, covering such number of Option Shares as the Holder shall notify
the Company in writing. The Company will use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable following such
request; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to file a
registration statement on more than one occasion.
(ii) INFORMATION AND COSTS. The Holder shall provide the Company with such
information for use in the registration statement relating to such offering with
respect to the Option Shares to be sold, the plans for the proposed disposition
thereof, and such other information as shall in the opinion of counsel for the
Company be necessary to enable the Company to include in such registration
statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) all material facts required
to be disclosed with respect to the Holder. The Company shall bear the cost of
such registration, including, but not limited to, all registration and filing
fees, and printing expenses.
(iii) OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY. If and when the Company shall be required to
prepare a registration statement pursuant to this Section (b), the Company will:
1) use its best efforts to effect and to keep effective the necessary
registrations or qualifications under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as the Holder may reasonably request so
as to permit the sale, transfer or other disposition of the Option Shares being
registered; provided, that the Company shall not be required in connection
therewith or a condition thereto to qualify to do business or file a general
consent to service of process in any such jurisdictions;
2) furnish to the Holder such number of prospectuses (and each amendment and
supplement thereto) conforming to the requirements of the Securities Act, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, and such number of preliminary
prospectuses (containing substantially the information required to be provided
in such prospectuses) as the Holder or its underwriters may from time to time
reasonably request.
3) promptly notify the Holder of the happening of any event as a result of which
any preliminary prospectus or prospectus included in any registration statement
hereunder includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing; and
4) register the Option Shares to be sold on the securities exchange on which the
common stock of the Company may be listed so that they may be freely
transferable without restriction on such exchange.
5) keep such registration effective until the earlier of (a) twelve (12) months
after the effective date of the registration period, (b) the date all the Option
Shares have been sold or (c) the Expiration Date.
(c) GENERAL CONDITIONS. In connection with each registration effected pursuant
to Section (a) or Section (b), the Company and the Holder agree as follows:
(i) INDEMNIFICATION OF HOLDER. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Holder against any and all losses, claims, damages, or liabilities to which the
Holder may become subject under the Securities Act, or any other statute or
common law, including any amount paid in settlement of any litigation, commenced
or threatened, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the
Company, and to reimburse them for any legal or other expenses incurred by them
in connection with investigating any claims and defending any action insofar as
any such losses, claim, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are
based upon 1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact, contained in the registration statement relating to the sale of the Option
Shares, or any post-effective amendment thereof, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, 2) any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, contained in a preliminary
prospectus, if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement,
or contained in the prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company shall
have filed with the SEC any amendment thereof or supplement thereto), if used
within the period during which the Company is required to keep the registration
statement to which the prospectus relates current pursuant to the terms hereof,
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein (if so used) the material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The indemnification
agreement contained in this agreement, however, shall not: 1) apply to such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or actions arising out of, or based upon,
any such untrue statement or alleged omission, if such statement or omission was
in reliance upon and in conformity with the information furnished in writing to
the Company by the Holder for use in the registration statement or any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus contained in the registration statement or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or 2) inure to the benefit of any
underwriter from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages,
expenses or liabilities purchased the securities which are the subject thereof
(or to the benefit of any person controlling such underwriter), if such
underwriter failed to send or give a copy of the prospectus to such person at or
prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such securities to such person.
2
(ii) INDEMNIFICATION OF THE COMPANY. The Holder and each underwriter of the
Option Shares to be registered (such party and such underwriters being referred
to severally in this subparagraph as the "Indemnifying Party") shall agree, in
the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in the preceding paragraph,
to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each person, if any, who controls
the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, its
directors and those officers of the Company who shall have signed such
registration statement, with respect to any statement in or omission from such
registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereof or any
preliminary prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if amended or supplemented
as aforesaid) contained in such registration statement, if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished
in writing to the Company by such Indemnifying Party for use in such
registration statement or any preliminary prospectus or prospectus contained in
such registration statement or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto.
(iii) NOTICE OF INDEMNIFIABLE ACTION. Each indemnified party will, promptly
after the receipt of notice of the commencement of any action against such
indemnified party in respect of which indemnity may be sought from a party
hereto on account of an indemnity agreement contained in this Section, notify
the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof. The omission of
any indemnified party so to notify an indemnifying party of any such action
shall relieve the indemnifying party from any liability in respect of such
action which it may have to such indemnified party on account of the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section, but shall not relieve the indemnifying
party from any other liability which it may have to such indemnified party.
(iv) TERMINATION OF OBLIGATION. The Company shall not be required to file a
registration statement or to keep a registration statement effective if the
Option Shares could be publicly sold without registration under the Securities
Act.
3
Exhibit 10.28
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT is entered into as of July 6, 2001 by and between
LEONARD J. SOKOLOW ("Optionee") and VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Corporation").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Optionee and the Corporation have concurrently herewith entered into a
certain Employment Agreement (the "Employment Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to grant to Optionee the option to acquire
shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock")
upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual covenants
set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, Optionee and the Corporation hereby agree as follows:
1. (a) GRANT OF THE OPTIONS. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Corporation hereby grants to Optionee the right to purchase
(individually referred to as the "Option" or collectively referred to as the
"Options") from the Corporation Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of the
Common Stock (the "Option Shares"), subject to the following vesting schedule,
at the per share purchase price equal to the closing price of the Corporation's
Common Stock on the day preceding the date of this Agreement but in no event
less than $0.625 per share for a five (5) year period commencing on the date
hereof:
(i) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest on the date hereof;
(ii) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest one (1) year from
the date hereof;
(iii) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest two (2) years from
the date hereof;
(iv) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest three (3) years from
the date hereof
2. RIGHTS OF OPTIONEE. Optionee by virtue of holding the Options to purchase the
Option Shares shall not have any rights to any dividends to be distributed by
the Corporation to the shareholders or any other rights of a shareholder in the
Corporation with respect to any of the Option Shares until Optionee exercises
the Option to purchase the Option Shares pursuant to Section 5 of this
Agreement.
3. TRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTIONS. The Options may not be assigned, transferred,
or otherwise disposed of, or pledged or hypothecated or in any way be subject to
execution, attachment or other process. Any assignment, transfer, pledge,
hypothecation or other disposition of the Options attempted contrary to the
provisions of this Agreement or any levy, execution, attachment or other process
attempted upon the Options will be null and void and without effect.
4. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS. The Option to purchase the Option Shares shall be
exercisable upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth:
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Option to purchase
the Option Shares shall be exercisable by Optionee upon delivery of notice to
the Corporation (the "Exercise Notice") in accordance with the procedure
prescribed in this Section 4. The Exercise Notice shall state that Optionee has
elected to exercise the Option or any portion thereof. The Option may be
exercised by the Optionee, in whole or in part, by the delivery of the Exercise
Notice to the office of the Corporation, and by payment to the Corporation of
the Purchase Price in cash or by wire transfer, for each share being purchased.
Upon the exercise of the Option, a certificate or certificates for the shares of
Common Stock so purchased, registered in the name of the holder, shall be
promptly delivered to the holder hereof within a reasonable
time. The person in whose name any certificate for shares of Common Stock is
issued upon exercise of the Option shall for all purposes be deemed to have
become the holder of record of such shares on the date on which the Exercise
Notice was delivered and payment of the Purchase Price was made, except that, if
the date of such surrender and payment is a date on which the stock transfer
books of the Corporation are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become
the holder of such shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date
on which the stock transfer books are open.
5. ACCELERATED VESTING AND EXERCISE PERIOD.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. In the event of Optionee's death or Disability while
employed with the Corporation prior to Optionee's vesting or exercise of all of
the Options, then all of the Options shall become immediately vested and
exercisable. For purposes hereof, ADisability@ shall mean Optionee's failure to
perform his employment duties with the Company for a continuous three month
period, or an aggregate of four months during any six month period, as a result
of ANY illness or accident, as verified by at least two U.S. licensed medical
doctors reasonably acceptable to the Company.
(b) CESSATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, in the event that Optionee ceases to be employed by the Corporation for
any reason other than Optionee's death, Disability or termination by the Company
without cause (as defined within the Employment Agreement) (the date of
Optionee's cessation of employment shall be referred to as the "Cessation
Date"), then all non-vested Options shall expire and be forfeited on the
Cessation Date. In the event that the Company terminates Optionee's employment
without cause, then all non-vested Options shall immediately vest as of the
Cessation Date.
(c) CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a "Change of Control" or a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, then all non-vested Options
shall immediately vest. For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control"
shall mean (i) the occurrence of any event or transaction or series thereof
pursuant to which any person or group (as used in Rule 13(d)-1 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) acquires beneficial ownership or control in excess of 50%
of the outstanding voting shares of the Company, or (ii) that the directors of
the Company serving on its Board of Directors on the date immediately preceding
such event or transaction or series thereof shall, in the aggregate, represent
less than fifty percent (50%) of the Board of Directors after such event or
transaction or series thereof.
6. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Corporation covenants and agrees that at all times
that this Stock Option Agreement shall be in effect it shall have authorized,
and reserved, Common Stock of the Corporation sufficient for the exercise of the
Options and the purchase of Common Stock by Optionee.
7. SUBSTITUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT UPON ADOPTION OF QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN.
It is possible that the Corporation will, within twelve (12) months from the
date of this Agreement, adopt a Qualified Stock Option Plan for members of its
senior executive management, including Optionee. In the event of such adoption,
the Corporation agrees upon written request from Optionee to amend this
Agreement so as to cancel all unvested option rights set forth herein, PROVIDED,
HOWEVER that the same economic terms (including numbers of share options,
vesting periods and price) remain the same with respect to Optionee, and are
granted to Optionee, pursuant to the terms of the adopted Qualified Stock Option
Plan. All rights existing as to vested Stock Options as set forth herein shall
remain in effect notwithstanding the adoption of a Qualified Stock Option Plan.
8. INVESTMENT. Optionee acknowledges that the Option Shares are not being
offered pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), or any other securities laws. Optionee acknowledges that
the Option Shares are being acquired for Optionee's own account for investment
purposes only and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any public
distribution thereof and will not sell, or offer to sell or otherwise dispose,
of any interest in the Option Shares acquired by Optionee in violation of the
Act. Optionee has had substantial experience in business and financial matters
and in making investments of the type contemplated by this Agreement, is capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of the purchase of the Option Shares and is
able to bear the economic risks of such investment.
2
9. LIQUIDITY. Although there can be no assurance that the Option Shares will be
registered under the Act, that an exemption from such registration will be
available, or that there will be a market for the Option Shares in the future,
the Corporation agrees to use its best efforts to enable and facilitate
Optionee's sale or disposition of the Option Shares in compliance with the Act
at the earliest date reasonably practicable. Furthermore, Optionee is hereby
granted registration rights as described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein.
10. ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, share
combination, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization of or by
the Corporation, the number or class of shares purchasable (and purchase price
per share) upon exercise of the Option immediately prior thereto shall be
adjusted so that Optionee shall be entitled to receive the kind and number of
shares or other securities which Optionee would have owned or have been entitled
to receive after the happening of any of the events described above, had the
Option been exercised immediately prior to the happening of any of such events
or any record date with respect thereto. Any adjustment made pursuant to this
Section shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such
events retroactive to the record date, if any, for such events. In the event
that any director, officer or employee of the Company shall hereafter be granted
options or warrants with antidilution provisions in addition to the foregoing
adjustment provision, then Optionee shall be deemed to have been granted the
same antidilution provisions with respect to the Options granted by this
Agreement. In the event of the grant of more than one such future antidilution
provisions, then Optionee shall be deemed to have been granted the most
favorable of such antidilution provisions thereof.
11. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be deemed validly
given if delivered by hand, verified overnight delivery, or by first class,
certified mail to the following address of Optionee (or to such other address as
Optionee may notify in writing to Corporation):
If to Optionee: Leonard J. Sokolow
2458 Provence Court
Weston, Florida 33327
If to the Company: vFinance.com, Inc.
3010 N. Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Attention: President
12. BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit and shall
be binding upon the successors, heirs, legal representatives and permitted
assigns of the parties hereto.
13. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed to be illegal or unenforceable such illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the
remaining legal and enforceable provisions hereof, which shall be construed as
if such illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions had not been inserted.
14. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement will be covered and construed under the
laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to rules governing conflicts
of law, with proper venue with respect to all disputes related to this Agreement
being Broward County, Florida.
15. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
THE CORPORATION:
VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware
corporation
By: /s/ Timothy Mahoney
-------------------------------------
Timothy Mahoney
Title: Chairman of the Board and
Chief Operating Officer
OPTIONEE: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------
Leonard J. Sokolow
4
EXHIBIT "A"
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Option to which this Exhibit A is attached.
(a) PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION RIGHTS. If at any time commencing after January 1,
2001 until the expiration of the Option (the "Registration Period"),
vFinance.com, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to register any of securities under
the Securities Act (other than registration of a stock option, stock purchase or
compensation or incentive plan or of stock issued or issuable pursuant to any
such plan, or dividend investment plan, a registration of stock proposed to be
issued in exchange for securities or assets of, or in connection with the merger
or consolidation with, another person or entity , or a registration of stock
proposed to be issued in exchange for securities of such other person or
entity), the Company shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Holder and,
upon the written request made within ten (10) days after the Holder and, upon
receipt of such notice, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect as part
of such registration the registration under the Securities Act of that number of
the Option shares ("Option Shares") which the Holder requests the Company to
register, provided that if the registration relates to a firm commitment,
underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter of the Company's public
offering, if any, shall be of the opinion that the inclusion in such
registration of such number of Option Shares will not interfere with the
successful marketing of all of the Company's securities being registered. If the
managing underwriter, if any, reasonably requests the Holder to reduce in whole
or in part the number of Option Shares sought or be registered by the Holder,
the Holder shall comply with the request of the managing underwriter. In any
underwritten offering, the Holder shall sell the Option Shares registered as
part of such underwritten offering to the underwriters of such offering on the
same terms and conditions as apply to the Company. In connection with any
registration pursuant to this Section (a), the Holder shall provide the Company
with such information regarding the Holder and the distribution of the Option
Shares as the Company and the managing underwriter shall reasonably request for
use in the registration statement relating to such offering. The Company shall
pay all costs and expenses of the Holder. The Company shall not be obliged to
effect registration under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section (a) on
more than one occasion; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this limitation shall not apply
if the number of shares requested to be registered by the Holder shall have been
reduced pursuant to the second sentence of this Section (a) unless and until the
occurrence of an occasion on which the shares requested by the Holder to be
registered have not been so reduced.
(b) DEMAND REGISTRATION RIGHTS. During the Registration Period but subsequent to
January 1, 2002, the Holder shall have the following demand registration rights,
subject to the conditions herein:
(i) REGISTRATION REQUEST. At any time during the Registration Period but
subsequent to January 3, 2002, and within 45 days of receipt by the Company of
the written request of the Holder, the Company shall diligently proceed to file
with the Securities Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement
under the Securities Act, on Form S-3 (or any successor form), or if the Company
is not eligible for Form S-3, on such other appropriate form as the Company
shall select, covering such number of Option Shares as the Holder shall notify
the Company in writing. The Company will use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable following such
request; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to file a
registration statement on more than one occasion.
(ii) INFORMATION AND COSTS. The Holder shall provide the Company with such
information for use in the registration statement relating to such offering with
respect to the Option Shares to be sold, the plans for the proposed disposition
thereof, and such other information as shall in the opinion of counsel for the
Company be necessary to enable the Company to include in such registration
statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) all material facts required
to be disclosed with respect to the Holder. The Company shall bear the cost of
such registration, including, but not limited to, all registration and filing
fees, and printing expenses.
(iii) OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY. If and when the Company shall be required to
prepare a registration statement pursuant to this Section (b), the Company will:
1) use its best efforts to effect and to keep effective the necessary
registrations or qualifications under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as the Holder may reasonably request so
as to permit the sale, transfer or other disposition of the Option Shares being
registered; provided, that the Company shall not be required in connection
therewith or a condition thereto to qualify to do business or file a general
consent to service of process in any such jurisdictions;
2) furnish to the Holder such number of prospectuses (and each amendment and
supplement thereto) conforming to the requirements of the Securities Act, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, and such number of preliminary
prospectuses (containing substantially the information required to be provided
in such prospectuses) as the Holder or its underwriters may from time to time
reasonably request.
3) promptly notify the Holder of the happening of any event as a result of which
any preliminary prospectus or prospectus included in any registration statement
hereunder includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing; and
4) register the Option Shares to be sold on the securities exchange on which the
common stock of the Company may be listed so that they may be freely
transferable without restriction on such exchange.
5) keep such registration effective until the earlier of (a) twelve (12) months
after the effective date of the registration period, (b) the date all the Option
Shares have been sold or (c) the Expiration Date.
(c) GENERAL CONDITIONS. In connection with each registration effected pursuant
to Section (a) or Section (b), the Company and the Holder agree as follows:
(i) INDEMNIFICATION OF HOLDER. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Holder against any and all losses, claims, damages, or liabilities to which the
Holder may become subject under the Securities Act, or any other statute or
common law, including any amount paid in settlement of any litigation, commenced
or threatened, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the
Company, and to reimburse them for any legal or other expenses incurred by them
in connection with investigating any claims and defending any action insofar as
any such losses, claim, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are
based upon 1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact, contained in the registration statement relating to the sale of the Option
Shares, or any post-effective amendment thereof, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, 2) any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, contained in a preliminary
prospectus, if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement,
or contained in the prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company shall
have filed with the SEC any amendment thereof or supplement thereto), if used
within the period during which the Company is required to keep the registration
statement to which the prospectus relates current pursuant to the terms hereof,
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein (if so used) the material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The indemnification
agreement contained in this agreement, however, shall not: 1) apply to such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or actions arising out of, or based upon,
any such untrue statement or alleged omission, if such statement or omission was
in reliance upon and in conformity with the information furnished in writing to
the Company by the Holder for use in the registration statement or any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus contained in the registration statement or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or 2) inure to the benefit of any
underwriter from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages,
expenses or liabilities purchased the securities which are the subject thereof
(or to the benefit of any person controlling such underwriter), if such
underwriter failed to send or give a copy of the prospectus to such person at or
prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such securities to such person.
(ii) INDEMNIFICATION OF THE COMPANY. The Holder and each underwriter of the
Option Shares to be registered (such party and such underwriters being referred
to severally in this subparagraph as the
2
"Indemnifying Party") shall agree, in the same manner and to the same extent as
set forth in the preceding paragraph, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act, its directors and those officers of the Company who
shall have signed such registration statement, with respect to any statement in
or omission from such registration statement or any post-effective amendment
thereof or any preliminary prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if amended or
supplemented as aforesaid) contained in such registration statement, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnifying Party for
use in such registration statement or any preliminary prospectus or prospectus
contained in such registration statement or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto.
(iii) NOTICE OF INDEMNIFIABLE ACTION. Each indemnified party will, promptly
after the receipt of notice of the commencement of any action against such
indemnified party in respect of which indemnity may be sought from a party
hereto on account of an indemnity agreement contained in this Section, notify
the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof. The omission of
any indemnified party so to notify an indemnifying party of any such action
shall relieve the indemnifying party from any liability in respect of such
action which it may have to such indemnified party on account of the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section, but shall not relieve the indemnifying
party from any other liability which it may have to such indemnified party.
(iv) TERMINATION OF OBLIGATION. The Company shall not be required to file a
registration statement or to keep a registration statement effective if the
Option Shares could be publicly sold without registration under the Securities
Act.
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Exhibit 10.29
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NO. 3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT made as of January 7, 2002 by and
between VFINANCE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Leonard J.
Sokolow ("Employee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company desire to amend the Employment
Agreement dated January 5, 2001, as amended (the "Employment Agreement").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:
1. Paragraph 4 (a) to the Employment Agreement shall be amended as
follows:
4 (a) BASE SALARY. The Company shall pay to Employee an initial base
salary of $208,000 per annum for the first year of this Agreement and shall
increase 5% percent (5%) per annum beginning one year from the date of this
Agreement and each year thereafter ("Base Salary"). The Base Salary and
Employee's other compensation will be reviewed by the Board at least annually
and may be increased (but not decreased) from time to time as the Board may
determine.
2. Paragraph 4 (c) to the Employment Agreement shall be amended as
follows:
(c) OTHER PROVISIONS. Employee shall be entitled to four (4)
weeks paid vacation per annum and shall receive an automobile allowance of
$1,500 per month and shall increase five percent (5%) per annum beginning one
year from the date of this Agreement and each year thereafter. Employee shall be
reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in the performance of his
duties, including, but not limited to, cellular telephone, entertainment, travel
and other expenses deemed reasonably necessary by the Board of Directors.
3. All other provisions of the Employment Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first hereinabove written.
/s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
------------------------------------------
Leonard J. Sokolow
Exhibit 10.30
CANCELLATION AGREEMENT
CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO OPTION GRANT
In light of the termination of Michael Golden, I hereby agree to cancel on the
date hereof the conditional right pursuant to my Employment Agreement dated
January 5, 2001 to have granted to me on July 5, 2001 an option to acquire
500,000 common shares of vFinance.com, Inc. Such right was subject to certain
conditions which have not been met as of the date hereof.
Dated: April 2, 2001
/s/ Timothy Mahoney
-----------------------------------------
Timothy Mahoney
Exhibit 10.31
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT made as of July 2, 2001 by and between
VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Timothy Mahoney
("Employee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company desire to amend the Employment
Agreement dated January 5, 2001 (the "Employment Agreement").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:
1. Section 4(f) of the Employment Agreement shall be amended in its
entirety to read as follows:
"Stock Options. The Company and Employee shall enter into the Stock
Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B pursuant to which the
Company shall grant to Employee certain options to purchase common
stock of the Company upon such terms ad conditions set forth therein."
2. Exhibit B to the Employment Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety
and replaced with the form of Stock Option Agreement attached to this Amendment.
3. All other provisions of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first hereinabove written.
EMPLOYER:
VFINANCE.COM, INC.
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
----------------------------------
Leonard J. Sokolow, President
and Chief Executive Officer
THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT is entered into as of July 6, 2001 by and between
TIMOTHY MAHONEY ("Optionee") and VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Corporation").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Optionee and the Corporation have concurrently herewith entered into a
certain Employment Agreement (the "Employment Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to grant to Optionee the option to acquire
shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock")
upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual covenants
set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, Optionee and the Corporation hereby agree as follows:
1. (a) GRANT OF THE OPTIONS. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Corporation hereby grants to Optionee the right to purchase
(individually referred to as the "Option" or collectively referred to as the
"Options") from the Corporation Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of the
Common Stock (the "Option Shares"), subject to the following vesting schedule,
at the per share purchase price equal to the closing price of the Corporation's
Common Stock on the day preceding the date of this Agreement but in no event
less than $0.625 per share for a five (5) year period commencing on the date
hereof:
(i) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest on the date hereof;
(ii) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest one (1) year from
the date hereof;
(iii) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest two (2) years from
the date hereof;
(iv) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest three (3) years from
the date hereof
2. RIGHTS OF OPTIONEE. Optionee by virtue of holding the Options to purchase the
Option Shares shall not have any rights to any dividends to be distributed by
the Corporation to the shareholders or any other rights of a shareholder in the
Corporation with respect to any of the Option Shares until Optionee exercises
the Option to purchase the Option Shares pursuant to Section 5 of this
Agreement.
3. TRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTIONS. The Options may not be assigned, transferred,
or otherwise disposed of, or pledged or hypothecated or in any way be subject to
execution, attachment or other process. Any assignment, transfer, pledge,
hypothecation or other disposition of the Options attempted contrary to the
provisions of this Agreement or any levy, execution, attachment or other process
attempted upon the Options will be null and void and without effect.
4. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS. The Option to purchase the Option Shares shall be
exercisable upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth:
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Option to purchase
the Option Shares shall be exercisable by Optionee upon delivery of notice to
the Corporation (the "Exercise Notice") in accordance with the procedure
prescribed in this Section 4. The Exercise Notice shall state that Optionee has
elected to exercise the Option or any portion thereof. The Option may be
exercised by the Optionee, in whole or in
part, by the delivery of the Exercise Notice to the office of the Corporation,
and by payment to the Corporation of the Purchase Price in cash or by wire
transfer, for each share being purchased. Upon the exercise of the Option, a
certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock so purchased,
registered in the name of the holder, shall be promptly delivered to the holder
hereof within a reasonable time. The person in whose name any certificate for
shares of Common Stock is issued upon exercise of the Option shall for all
purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares on the
date on which the Exercise Notice was delivered and payment of the Purchase
Price was made, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date
on which the stock transfer books of the Corporation are closed, such person
shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares at the close of
business on the next succeeding date on which the stock transfer books are open.
5. ACCELERATED VESTING AND EXERCISE PERIOD.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. In the event of Optionee's death or Disability while
employed with the Corporation prior to Optionee's vesting or exercise of all of
the Options, then all of the Options shall become immediately vested and
exercisable. For purposes hereof, ADisability@ shall mean Optionee's failure to
perform his employment duties with the Company for a continuous three month
period, or an aggregate of four months during any six month period, as a result
of ANY illness or accident, as verified by at least two U.S. licensed medical
doctors reasonably acceptable to the Company.
(b) CESSATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, in the event that Optionee ceases to be employed by the Corporation for
any reason other than Optionee's death, Disability or termination by the Company
without cause (as defined within the Employment Agreement) (the date of
Optionee's cessation of employment shall be referred to as the "Cessation
Date"), then all non-vested Options shall expire and be forfeited on the
Cessation Date. In the event that the Company terminates Optionee's employment
without cause, then all non-vested Options shall immediately vest as of the
Cessation Date.
(c) CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a "Change of Control" or a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, then all non-vested Options
shall immediately vest. For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control"
shall mean (i) the occurrence of any event or transaction or series thereof
pursuant to which any person or group (as used in Rule 13(d)-1 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) acquires beneficial ownership or control in excess of 50%
of the outstanding voting shares of the Company, or (ii) that the directors of
the Company serving on its Board of Directors on the date immediately preceding
such event or transaction or series thereof shall, in the aggregate, represent
less than fifty percent (50%) of the Board of Directors after such event or
transaction or series thereof.
6. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Corporation covenants and agrees that at all times
that this Stock Option Agreement shall be in effect it shall have authorized,
and reserved, Common Stock of the Corporation sufficient for the exercise of the
Options and the purchase of Common Stock by Optionee.
7. SUBSTITUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT UPON ADOPTION OF QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN.
It is possible that the Corporation will, within twelve (12) months from the
date of this Agreement, adopt a Qualified Stock Option Plan for members of its
senior executive management, including Optionee. In the event of such adoption,
the Corporation agrees upon written request from Optionee to amend this
Agreement so as to cancel all unvested option rights set forth herein, PROVIDED,
HOWEVER that the same economic terms (including numbers of share options,
vesting periods and price) remain the same with respect to Optionee, and are
granted to Optionee, pursuant to the terms of the adopted Qualified Stock Option
Plan. All rights existing as to vested Stock Options as set forth herein shall
remain in effect notwithstanding the adoption of a Qualified Stock Option Plan.
8. INVESTMENT. Optionee acknowledges that the Option Shares are not being
offered pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), or any other securities laws. Optionee acknowledges that
the Option Shares are being acquired for Optionee's own account for
2
investment purposes only and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with,
any public distribution thereof and will not sell, or offer to sell or otherwise
dispose, of any interest in the Option Shares acquired by Optionee in violation
of the Act. Optionee has had substantial experience in business and financial
matters and in making investments of the type contemplated by this Agreement, is
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the purchase of the Option Shares
and is able to bear the economic risks of such investment.
9. LIQUIDITY. Although there can be no assurance that the Option Shares will be
registered under the Act, that an exemption from such registration will be
available, or that there will be a market for the Option Shares in the future,
the Corporation agrees to use its best efforts to enable and facilitate
Optionee's sale or disposition of the Option Shares in compliance with the Act
at the earliest date reasonably practicable. Furthermore, Optionee is hereby
granted registration rights as described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein.
10. ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, share
combination, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization of or by
the Corporation, the number or class of shares purchasable (and purchase price
per share) upon exercise of the Option immediately prior thereto shall be
adjusted so that Optionee shall be entitled to receive the kind and number of
shares or other securities which Optionee would have owned or have been entitled
to receive after the happening of any of the events described above, had the
Option been exercised immediately prior to the happening of any of such events
or any record date with respect thereto. Any adjustment made pursuant to this
Section shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such
events retroactive to the record date, if any, for such events. In the event
that any director, officer or employee of the Company shall hereafter be granted
options or warrants with antidilution provisions in addition to the foregoing
adjustment provision, then Optionee shall be deemed to have been granted the
same antidilution provisions with respect to the Options granted by this
Agreement. In the event of the grant of more than one such future antidilution
provisions, then Optionee shall be deemed to have been granted the most
favorable of such antidilution provisions thereof.
11. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be deemed validly
given if delivered by hand, verified overnight delivery, or by first class,
certified mail to the following address of Optionee (or to such other address as
Optionee may notify in writing to Corporation):
If to Optionee: Timothy Mahoney
68 Cayman Place
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418
If to the Company: vFinance.com, Inc.
3010 N. Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Attention: President
12. BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit and shall
be binding upon the successors, heirs, legal representatives and permitted
assigns of the parties hereto.
13. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed to be illegal or unenforceable such illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the
remaining legal and enforceable provisions hereof, which shall be construed as
if such illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions had not been inserted.
14. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement will be covered and construed under the
laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to rules governing conflicts
of law, with proper venue with respect to all disputes related to this Agreement
being Broward County, Florida.
3
15. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
THE CORPORATION:
VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware
corporation
By:
Title:
OPTIONEE:
Timothy Mahoney
4
EXHIBIT "A"
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Option to which this Exhibit A is attached.
(a) PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION RIGHTS. If at any time commencing after January 1,
2001 until the expiration of the Option (the "Registration Period"),
vFinance.com, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to register any of securities under
the Securities Act (other than registration of a stock option, stock purchase or
compensation or incentive plan or of stock issued or issuable pursuant to any
such plan, or dividend investment plan, a registration of stock proposed to be
issued in exchange for securities or assets of, or in connection with the merger
or consolidation with, another person or entity , or a registration of stock
proposed to be issued in exchange for securities of such other person or
entity), the Company shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Holder and,
upon the written request made within ten (10) days after the Holder and, upon
receipt of such notice, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect as part
of such registration the registration under the Securities Act of that number of
the Option shares ("Option Shares") which the Holder requests the Company to
register, provided that if the registration relates to a firm commitment,
underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter of the Company's public
offering, if any, shall be of the opinion that the inclusion in such
registration of such number of Option Shares will not interfere with the
successful marketing of all of the Company's securities being registered. If the
managing underwriter, if any, reasonably requests the Holder to reduce in whole
or in part the number of Option Shares sought or be registered by the Holder,
the Holder shall comply with the request of the managing underwriter. In any
underwritten offering, the Holder shall sell the Option Shares registered as
part of such underwritten offering to the underwriters of such offering on the
same terms and conditions as apply to the Company. In connection with any
registration pursuant to this Section (a), the Holder shall provide the Company
with such information regarding the Holder and the distribution of the Option
Shares as the Company and the managing underwriter shall reasonably request for
use in the registration statement relating to such offering. The Company shall
pay all costs and expenses of the Holder. The Company shall not be obliged to
effect registration under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section (a) on
more than one occasion; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this limitation shall not apply
if the number of shares requested to be registered by the Holder shall have been
reduced pursuant to the second sentence of this Section (a) unless and until the
occurrence of an occasion on which the shares requested by the Holder to be
registered have not been so reduced.
(b) DEMAND REGISTRATION RIGHTS. During the Registration Period but subsequent to
January 1, 2002, the Holder shall have the following demand registration rights,
subject to the conditions herein:
(i) REGISTRATION REQUEST. At any time during the Registration Period but
subsequent to January 3, 2002, and within 45 days of receipt by the Company of
the written request of the Holder, the Company shall diligently proceed to file
with the Securities Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement
under the Securities Act, on Form S-3 (or any successor form), or if the Company
is not eligible for Form S-3, on such other appropriate form as the Company
shall select, covering such number of Option Shares as the Holder shall notify
the Company in writing. The Company will use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable following such
request; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to file a
registration statement on more than one occasion.
(ii) INFORMATION AND COSTS. The Holder shall provide the Company with such
information for use in the registration statement relating to such offering with
respect to the Option Shares to be sold, the plans for the proposed disposition
thereof, and such other information as shall in the opinion of counsel for the
Company be necessary to enable the Company to include in such registration
statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) all material facts required
to be disclosed with respect to the Holder. The Company shall bear the cost of
such registration, including, but not limited to, all registration and filing
fees, and printing expenses.
(iii) OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY. If and when the Company shall be required to
prepare a registration statement pursuant to this Section (b), the Company will:
1) use its best efforts to effect and to keep effective the necessary
registrations or qualifications under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as the Holder may reasonably request so
as to permit the sale, transfer or other disposition of the Option Shares being
registered; provided, that the Company shall not be required in connection
therewith or a condition thereto to qualify to do business or file a general
consent to service of process in any such jurisdictions;
2) furnish to the Holder such number of prospectuses (and each amendment and
supplement thereto) conforming to the requirements of the Securities Act, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, and such number of preliminary
prospectuses (containing substantially the information required to be provided
in such prospectuses) as the Holder or its underwriters may from time to time
reasonably request.
3) promptly notify the Holder of the happening of any event as a result of which
any preliminary prospectus or prospectus included in any registration statement
hereunder includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing; and
4) register the Option Shares to be sold on the securities exchange on which the
common stock of the Company may be listed so that they may be freely
transferable without restriction on such exchange.
5) keep such registration effective until the earlier of (a) twelve (12) months
after the effective date of the registration period, (b) the date all the Option
Shares have been sold or (c) the Expiration Date.
(c) GENERAL CONDITIONS. In connection with each registration effected pursuant
to Section (a) or Section (b), the Company and the Holder agree as follows:
(i) INDEMNIFICATION OF HOLDER. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Holder against any and all losses, claims, damages, or liabilities to which the
Holder may become subject under the Securities Act, or any other statute or
common law, including any amount paid in settlement of any litigation, commenced
or threatened, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the
Company, and to reimburse them for any legal or other expenses incurred by them
in connection with investigating any claims and defending any action insofar as
any such losses, claim, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are
based upon 1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact, contained in the registration statement relating to the sale of the Option
Shares, or any post-effective amendment thereof, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, 2) any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, contained in a preliminary
prospectus, if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement,
or contained in the prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company shall
have filed with the SEC any amendment thereof or supplement thereto), if used
within the period during which the Company is required to keep the registration
statement to which the prospectus relates current pursuant to the terms hereof,
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein (if so used) the material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The indemnification
agreement contained in this agreement, however, shall not: 1) apply to such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or actions arising out of, or based upon,
any such untrue statement or alleged omission, if such statement or omission was
in reliance upon and in conformity with the information furnished in writing to
the Company by the Holder for use in the registration statement or any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus contained in the registration statement or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or 2) inure to the benefit of any
underwriter from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages,
expenses or liabilities purchased the securities which are the subject thereof
(or to the benefit of any person controlling such underwriter), if such
underwriter failed to send or give a copy of the prospectus to such person at or
prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such securities to such person.
2
(ii) INDEMNIFICATION OF THE COMPANY. The Holder and each underwriter of the
Option Shares to be registered (such party and such underwriters being referred
to severally in this subparagraph as the "Indemnifying Party") shall agree, in
the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in the preceding paragraph,
to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each person, if any, who controls
the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, its
directors and those officers of the Company who shall have signed such
registration statement, with respect to any statement in or omission from such
registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereof or any
preliminary prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if amended or supplemented
as aforesaid) contained in such registration statement, if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished
in writing to the Company by such Indemnifying Party for use in such
registration statement or any preliminary prospectus or prospectus contained in
such registration statement or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto.
(iii) NOTICE OF INDEMNIFIABLE ACTION. Each indemnified party will, promptly
after the receipt of notice of the commencement of any action against such
indemnified party in respect of which indemnity may be sought from a party
hereto on account of an indemnity agreement contained in this Section, notify
the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof. The omission of
any indemnified party so to notify an indemnifying party of any such action
shall relieve the indemnifying party from any liability in respect of such
action which it may have to such indemnified party on account of the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section, but shall not relieve the indemnifying
party from any other liability which it may have to such indemnified party.
(iv) TERMINATION OF OBLIGATION. The Company shall not be required to file a
registration statement or to keep a registration statement effective if the
Option Shares could be publicly sold without registration under the Securities
Act.
3
Exhibit 10.32
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT is entered into as of July 6, 2001 by and between
TIMOTHY MAHONEY ("Optionee") and VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Corporation").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Optionee and the Corporation have concurrently herewith entered into a
certain Employment Agreement (the "Employment Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to grant to Optionee the option to acquire
shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock")
upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual covenants
set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, Optionee and the Corporation hereby agree as follows:
1. (a) GRANT OF THE OPTIONS. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Corporation hereby grants to Optionee the right to purchase
(individually referred to as the "Option" or collectively referred to as the
"Options") from the Corporation Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of the
Common Stock (the "Option Shares"), subject to the following vesting schedule,
at the per share purchase price equal to the closing price of the Corporation's
Common Stock on the day preceding the date of this Agreement but in no event
less than $0.625 per share for a five (5) year period commencing on the date
hereof:
(i) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest on the date hereof;
(ii) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest one (1) year from
the date hereof;
(iii) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest two (2) years from
the date hereof;
(iv) 125,000 Option Shares shall vest three (3) years from
the date hereof
2. RIGHTS OF OPTIONEE. Optionee by virtue of holding the Options to purchase the
Option Shares shall not have any rights to any dividends to be distributed by
the Corporation to the shareholders or any other rights of a shareholder in the
Corporation with respect to any of the Option Shares until Optionee exercises
the Option to purchase the Option Shares pursuant to Section 5 of this
Agreement.
3. TRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTIONS. The Options may not be assigned, transferred,
or otherwise disposed of, or pledged or hypothecated or in any way be subject to
execution, attachment or other process. Any assignment, transfer, pledge,
hypothecation or other disposition of the Options attempted contrary to the
provisions of this Agreement or any levy, execution, attachment or other process
attempted upon the Options will be null and void and without effect.
4. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS. The Option to purchase the Option Shares shall be
exercisable upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth:
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Option to purchase
the Option Shares shall be exercisable by Optionee upon delivery of notice to
the Corporation (the "Exercise Notice") in accordance with the procedure
prescribed in this Section 4. The Exercise Notice shall state that Optionee has
elected to exercise the Option or any portion thereof. The Option may be
exercised by the Optionee, in whole or in part, by the delivery of the Exercise
Notice to the office of the Corporation, and by payment to the Corporation of
the Purchase Price in cash or by wire transfer, for each share being purchased.
Upon the exercise of the Option, a certificate or certificates for the shares of
Common Stock so purchased, registered in the name of the holder, shall be
promptly delivered to the holder hereof within a reasonable
time. The person in whose name any certificate for shares of Common Stock is
issued upon exercise of the Option shall for all purposes be deemed to have
become the holder of record of such shares on the date on which the Exercise
Notice was delivered and payment of the Purchase Price was made, except that, if
the date of such surrender and payment is a date on which the stock transfer
books of the Corporation are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become
the holder of such shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date
on which the stock transfer books are open.
5. ACCELERATED VESTING AND EXERCISE PERIOD.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. In the event of Optionee's death or Disability while
employed with the Corporation prior to Optionee's vesting or exercise of all of
the Options, then all of the Options shall become immediately vested and
exercisable. For purposes hereof, ADisability@ shall mean Optionee's failure to
perform his employment duties with the Company for a continuous three month
period, or an aggregate of four months during any six month period, as a result
of ANY illness or accident, as verified by at least two U.S. licensed medical
doctors reasonably acceptable to the Company.
(b) CESSATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, in the event that Optionee ceases to be employed by the Corporation for
any reason other than Optionee's death, Disability or termination by the Company
without cause (as defined within the Employment Agreement) (the date of
Optionee's cessation of employment shall be referred to as the "Cessation
Date"), then all non-vested Options shall expire and be forfeited on the
Cessation Date. In the event that the Company terminates Optionee's employment
without cause, then all non-vested Options shall immediately vest as of the
Cessation Date.
(c) CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a "Change of Control" or a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, then all non-vested Options
shall immediately vest. For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control"
shall mean (i) the occurrence of any event or transaction or series thereof
pursuant to which any person or group (as used in Rule 13(d)-1 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) acquires beneficial ownership or control in excess of 50%
of the outstanding voting shares of the Company, or (ii) that the directors of
the Company serving on its Board of Directors on the date immediately preceding
such event or transaction or series thereof shall, in the aggregate, represent
less than fifty percent (50%) of the Board of Directors after such event or
transaction or series thereof.
6. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Corporation covenants and agrees that at all times
that this Stock Option Agreement shall be in effect it shall have authorized,
and reserved, Common Stock of the Corporation sufficient for the exercise of the
Options and the purchase of Common Stock by Optionee.
7. SUBSTITUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT UPON ADOPTION OF QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN.
It is possible that the Corporation will, within twelve (12) months from the
date of this Agreement, adopt a Qualified Stock Option Plan for members of its
senior executive management, including Optionee. In the event of such adoption,
the Corporation agrees upon written request from Optionee to amend this
Agreement so as to cancel all unvested option rights set forth herein, PROVIDED,
HOWEVER that the same economic terms (including numbers of share options,
vesting periods and price) remain the same with respect to Optionee, and are
granted to Optionee, pursuant to the terms of the adopted Qualified Stock Option
Plan. All rights existing as to vested Stock Options as set forth herein shall
remain in effect notwithstanding the adoption of a Qualified Stock Option Plan.
8. INVESTMENT. Optionee acknowledges that the Option Shares are not being
offered pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), or any other securities laws. Optionee acknowledges that
the Option Shares are being acquired for Optionee's own account for investment
purposes only and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any public
distribution thereof and will not sell, or offer to sell or otherwise dispose,
of any interest in the Option Shares acquired by Optionee in violation of the
Act. Optionee has had substantial experience in business and financial matters
and in making investments of the type contemplated by this Agreement, is capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of the purchase of the Option Shares and is
able to bear the economic risks of such investment.
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9. LIQUIDITY. Although there can be no assurance that the Option Shares will be
registered under the Act, that an exemption from such registration will be
available, or that there will be a market for the Option Shares in the future,
the Corporation agrees to use its best efforts to enable and facilitate
Optionee's sale or disposition of the Option Shares in compliance with the Act
at the earliest date reasonably practicable. Furthermore, Optionee is hereby
granted registration rights as described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein.
10. ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, share
combination, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization of or by
the Corporation, the number or class of shares purchasable (and purchase price
per share) upon exercise of the Option immediately prior thereto shall be
adjusted so that Optionee shall be entitled to receive the kind and number of
shares or other securities which Optionee would have owned or have been entitled
to receive after the happening of any of the events described above, had the
Option been exercised immediately prior to the happening of any of such events
or any record date with respect thereto. Any adjustment made pursuant to this
Section shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such
events retroactive to the record date, if any, for such events. In the event
that any director, officer or employee of the Company shall hereafter be granted
options or warrants with antidilution provisions in addition to the foregoing
adjustment provision, then Optionee shall be deemed to have been granted the
same antidilution provisions with respect to the Options granted by this
Agreement. In the event of the grant of more than one such future antidilution
provisions, then Optionee shall be deemed to have been granted the most
favorable of such antidilution provisions thereof.
11. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be deemed validly
given if delivered by hand, verified overnight delivery, or by first class,
certified mail to the following address of Optionee (or to such other address as
Optionee may notify in writing to Corporation):
If to Optionee: Timothy Mahoney
68 Cayman Place
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418
If to the Company: vFinance.com, Inc.
3010 N. Military Trail, Suite 300
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Attention: President
12. BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit and shall
be binding upon the successors, heirs, legal representatives and permitted
assigns of the parties hereto.
13. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed to be illegal or unenforceable such illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the
remaining legal and enforceable provisions hereof, which shall be construed as
if such illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions had not been inserted.
14. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement will be covered and construed under the
laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to rules governing conflicts
of law, with proper venue with respect to all disputes related to this Agreement
being Broward County, Florida.
15. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
THE CORPORATION:
VFINANCE.COM, INC., a Delaware
corporation
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
-------------------------------------
Leonard J. Sokolow
Title: President and
Chief Executive Officer
OPTIONEE: /s/ Timothy Mahoney
-------------------------------
Timothy Mahoney
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EXHIBIT "A"
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Option to which this Exhibit A is attached.
(a) PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION RIGHTS. If at any time commencing after January 1,
2001 until the expiration of the Option (the "Registration Period"),
vFinance.com, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to register any of securities under
the Securities Act (other than registration of a stock option, stock purchase or
compensation or incentive plan or of stock issued or issuable pursuant to any
such plan, or dividend investment plan, a registration of stock proposed to be
issued in exchange for securities or assets of, or in connection with the merger
or consolidation with, another person or entity , or a registration of stock
proposed to be issued in exchange for securities of such other person or
entity), the Company shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Holder and,
upon the written request made within ten (10) days after the Holder and, upon
receipt of such notice, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect as part
of such registration the registration under the Securities Act of that number of
the Option shares ("Option Shares") which the Holder requests the Company to
register, provided that if the registration relates to a firm commitment,
underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter of the Company's public
offering, if any, shall be of the opinion that the inclusion in such
registration of such number of Option Shares will not interfere with the
successful marketing of all of the Company's securities being registered. If the
managing underwriter, if any, reasonably requests the Holder to reduce in whole
or in part the number of Option Shares sought or be registered by the Holder,
the Holder shall comply with the request of the managing underwriter. In any
underwritten offering, the Holder shall sell the Option Shares registered as
part of such underwritten offering to the underwriters of such offering on the
same terms and conditions as apply to the Company. In connection with any
registration pursuant to this Section (a), the Holder shall provide the Company
with such information regarding the Holder and the distribution of the Option
Shares as the Company and the managing underwriter shall reasonably request for
use in the registration statement relating to such offering. The Company shall
pay all costs and expenses of the Holder. The Company shall not be obliged to
effect registration under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section (a) on
more than one occasion; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this limitation shall not apply
if the number of shares requested to be registered by the Holder shall have been
reduced pursuant to the second sentence of this Section (a) unless and until the
occurrence of an occasion on which the shares requested by the Holder to be
registered have not been so reduced.
(b) DEMAND REGISTRATION RIGHTS. During the Registration Period but subsequent to
January 1, 2002, the Holder shall have the following demand registration rights,
subject to the conditions herein:
(i) REGISTRATION REQUEST. At any time during the Registration Period but
subsequent to January 3, 2002, and within 45 days of receipt by the Company of
the written request of the Holder, the Company shall diligently proceed to file
with the Securities Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement
under the Securities Act, on Form S-3 (or any successor form), or if the Company
is not eligible for Form S-3, on such other appropriate form as the Company
shall select, covering such number of Option Shares as the Holder shall notify
the Company in writing. The Company will use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable following such
request; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to file a
registration statement on more than one occasion.
(ii) INFORMATION AND COSTS. The Holder shall provide the Company with such
information for use in the registration statement relating to such offering with
respect to the Option Shares to be sold, the plans for the proposed disposition
thereof, and such other information as shall in the opinion of counsel for the
Company be necessary to enable the Company to include in such registration
statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) all material facts required
to be disclosed with respect to the Holder. The Company shall bear the cost of
such registration, including, but not limited to, all registration and filing
fees, and printing expenses.
(iii) OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY. If and when the Company shall be required to
prepare a registration statement pursuant to this Section (b), the Company will:
1) use its best efforts to effect and to keep effective the necessary
registrations or qualifications under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as the Holder may reasonably request so
as to permit the sale, transfer or other disposition of the Option Shares being
registered; provided, that the Company shall not be required in connection
therewith or a condition thereto to qualify to do business or file a general
consent to service of process in any such jurisdictions;
2) furnish to the Holder such number of prospectuses (and each amendment and
supplement thereto) conforming to the requirements of the Securities Act, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, and such number of preliminary
prospectuses (containing substantially the information required to be provided
in such prospectuses) as the Holder or its underwriters may from time to time
reasonably request.
3) promptly notify the Holder of the happening of any event as a result of which
any preliminary prospectus or prospectus included in any registration statement
hereunder includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing; and
4) register the Option Shares to be sold on the securities exchange on which the
common stock of the Company may be listed so that they may be freely
transferable without restriction on such exchange.
5) keep such registration effective until the earlier of (a) twelve (12) months
after the effective date of the registration period, (b) the date all the Option
Shares have been sold or (c) the Expiration Date.
(c) GENERAL CONDITIONS. In connection with each registration effected pursuant
to Section (a) or Section (b), the Company and the Holder agree as follows:
(i) INDEMNIFICATION OF HOLDER. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Holder against any and all losses, claims, damages, or liabilities to which the
Holder may become subject under the Securities Act, or any other statute or
common law, including any amount paid in settlement of any litigation, commenced
or threatened, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the
Company, and to reimburse them for any legal or other expenses incurred by them
in connection with investigating any claims and defending any action insofar as
any such losses, claim, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are
based upon 1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact, contained in the registration statement relating to the sale of the Option
Shares, or any post-effective amendment thereof, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, 2) any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, contained in a preliminary
prospectus, if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement,
or contained in the prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company shall
have filed with the SEC any amendment thereof or supplement thereto), if used
within the period during which the Company is required to keep the registration
statement to which the prospectus relates current pursuant to the terms hereof,
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein (if so used) the material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The indemnification
agreement contained in this agreement, however, shall not: 1) apply to such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or actions arising out of, or based upon,
any such untrue statement or alleged omission, if such statement or omission was
in reliance upon and in conformity with the information furnished in writing to
the Company by the Holder for use in the registration statement or any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus contained in the registration statement or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or 2) inure to the benefit of any
underwriter from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages,
expenses or liabilities purchased the securities which are the subject thereof
(or to the benefit of any person controlling such underwriter), if such
underwriter failed to send or give a copy of the prospectus to such person at or
prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such securities to such person.
(ii) INDEMNIFICATION OF THE COMPANY. The Holder and each underwriter of the
Option Shares to be registered (such party and such underwriters being referred
to severally in this subparagraph as the
2
"Indemnifying Party") shall agree, in the same manner and to the same extent as
set forth in the preceding paragraph, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act, its directors and those officers of the Company who
shall have signed such registration statement, with respect to any statement in
or omission from such registration statement or any post-effective amendment
thereof or any preliminary prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if amended or
supplemented as aforesaid) contained in such registration statement, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnifying Party for
use in such registration statement or any preliminary prospectus or prospectus
contained in such registration statement or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto.
(iii) NOTICE OF INDEMNIFIABLE ACTION. Each indemnified party will, promptly
after the receipt of notice of the commencement of any action against such
indemnified party in respect of which indemnity may be sought from a party
hereto on account of an indemnity agreement contained in this Section, notify
the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof. The omission of
any indemnified party so to notify an indemnifying party of any such action
shall relieve the indemnifying party from any liability in respect of such
action which it may have to such indemnified party on account of the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section, but shall not relieve the indemnifying
party from any other liability which it may have to such indemnified party.
(iv) TERMINATION OF OBLIGATION. The Company shall not be required to file a
registration statement or to keep a registration statement effective if the
Option Shares could be publicly sold without registration under the Securities
Act.
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Exhibit 10.33
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NO. 3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT made as of January 7, 2002 by and
between VFINANCE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Timothy
Mahoney ("Employee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company desire to amend the Employment
Agreement dated January 5, 2001, as amended (the "Employment Agreement").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:
1. Paragraph 4 (a) to the Employment Agreement shall be amended as
follows:
4 (a) BASE SALARY. The Company shall pay to Employee an initial base
salary of $208,000 per annum for the first year of this Agreement and shall
increase 5% percent (5%) per annum beginning one year from the date of this
Agreement and each year thereafter ("Base Salary"). The Base Salary and
Employee's other compensation will be reviewed by the Board at least annually
and may be increased (but not decreased) from time to time as the Board may
determine.
2. Paragraph 4 (c) to the Employment Agreement shall be amended as
follows:
(c) OTHER PROVISIONS. Employee shall be entitled to four (4)
weeks paid vacation per annum and shall receive an automobile allowance of
$1,500 per month and shall increase five percent (5%) per annum beginning one
year from the date of this Agreement and each year thereafter. Employee shall be
reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in the performance of his
duties, including, but not limited to, cellular telephone, entertainment, travel
and other expenses deemed reasonably necessary by the Board of Directors.
3. All other provisions of the Employment Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first hereinabove written.
EMPLOYER:
vFINANCE, INC.
[Leonard J. Sokolow]
By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
--------------------------------------
Authorized Representative
This consulting agreement (this "Agreement"), effective as of August 20, 2001 is
entered by and between vFinance, Inc. (OTCBB.VFIN) ("the Company") and Insight
Capital Consultants Corporation, a California corporation ("Consultant").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company is a public the Company with its shares of common stock
trading on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board, in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Consultant has experience in the area of corporate finance, investor
communications and financial and investor public relations; and
WHERAS, the Company desires to engage the services of Consultant to assist and
consult with the Company in matters concerning corporate finance, investor
communications and public relations with existing shareholders, brokers, dealers
and other investment professionals as to the Company's current and proposed
activities;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and
agreements herein set forth, and intending to be legally bound, the Company and
Consultant agree as follows:
1. TERM OF CONSULTANCY. The Company engages Consultant to act in a
consulting capacity to the Company, and Consultant agrees to provide
services to the Company commencing on the date first set forth above
and ending six months later (the "term of this Agreement"). This
Agreement may be terminated at any time by either party for any reason,
with or without cause.
2. DUTIES OF CONSULTANT. The Consultant will generally provide the
following specified consulting services (the "Services") through its
officers and employees during the term of this Agreement:
a. Advise and assist the Company in developing and implementing
appropriate plans and materials for presenting the Company and
its business plans, strategy and personnel to the financial
community, establishing an image for the Company in the
financial community, and creating the foundation for
subsequent financial public relations efforts;
b. Introduce the Company to the financial community;
c. With the cooperation of the Company, maintain an awareness
during the term of this Agreement of the Company's plans,
strategy, and personnel, as they may evolve during such
period, and advise and assist the Company in communicating
appropriate information regarding such plans, strategy and
personnel to the financial community;
d. Assist and advise the Company with respect to its (i)
stockholder and investor relations, (ii) relations with
brokers, dealers, analysts and other investment professionals,
and (iii) financial and media public relations generally;
e. Perform the functions generally assigned to
investor/stockholder relations departments in major
corporations, including responding to telephone and written
inquiries (which may be referred to the Consultant by the
Company); assisting in the preparation of press releases for
the Company with the Company's involvement and approval or
reviewing press releases, reports and other communications
with or to shareholders, the investment community and the
general public; advising with respect to the timing, form,
distribution and other matters related to such releases,
reports, communications and consulting with respect to
corporate symbols, logos, names, the presentation of such
symbols, logos and names, and other matters relating to
corporate image.
f. Upon receipt of the Company's approval, disseminate
information regarding the Company to shareholders, brokers,
dealers and other investment community professionals and the
general investing public.
g. Upon receipt of the Company's approval, conduct meetings in
person or by telephone, with brokers, dealers, analysts, other
investment professionals and the general investment public;
h. At the Company's request, review business plans, strategies,
mission statements, budgets, proposed transactions and other
plans for the purpose of advising the Company of the
investment community implications thereof; and
i. Otherwise perform as the Company's financial relations and
public relations consultant.
3. ALLOCATION OF TIME AND ENERGIES. The Consultant will perform the
Services in a professional manner in accordance with accepted industry
standards and in compliance with applicable securities laws and
regulations. Although no specific hours-per-day requirement will be
required, the parties acknowledge and agree that a disproportionately
large amount of the effort to be extended and the costs to be incurred
by the Consultant and the benefits to be received by the Company are to
be expected to occur upon and shortly after, and in any event, within
two months of the effectiveness of this Agreement. It is explicitly
understood that Consultants performance of its duties hereunder will in
no way be measured by the price of the Company's common stock, nor the
trading volume of the Company's common stock. It is understood that the
Company is entering into this Agreement with the understanding that
Brock Malky will be an officer and a director of Consultant during the
entire term of this Agreement.
4. REMUNERATION As full and complete compensation for Consultant's
agreement to perform the Services, the Company shall compensate the
Consultant as follows:
a. For undertaking this engagement and for other good and
valuable consideration, the Company agrees to issue and
deliver to the Consultant a "Commencement Bonus" payable in
the form of 150,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
("Common Stock"). These shares shall be payable on the 29th of
each month at a rate of 25,000 shares per month
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("Tranche") for six months. The first Tranche of the
Commencement Bonus shall be issued to the Consultant
immediately following execution of this Agreement with the
second Tranche due September 29, 2001. Each Tranche shall,
when issued to the Consultant be fully paid and
non-assessable. The Company understands and agrees that
Consultant has forgone significant opportunities to accept
this engagement and the Company derives substantial benefit
from the execution of this Agreement and the ability to
establish its relationship with Consultant. The Tranches of
Common Stock issued as a Commencement Bonus, therefore,
constitute payment for Consultant's agreement to consult with
the Company and are a nonrefundable and non-ratable retainer
once each such Tranche is paid to Consultants. Such shares are
not a prepayment for future services. If the Company attempts
to terminate this Agreement prior to the expiration of its
term for any reason whatsoever, it is agreed and understood
that Consultant will not be requested or demanded by the
Company to return any of the Tranches paid to it hereunder
prior to the date of such termination. Any remaining Tranches
after such termination not yet paid to Consultant shall be
retained by the Company and shall not be due and owing to
Consultant.
b. All Tranches of the Common Stock issued pursuant to this
Agreement shall be issued in the name of Consultant. The
Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to include
all shares issued to Consultant hereunder in the Company's
next Registration Statement filed with the SEC pursuant to
which such shares could be registered and will use its best
efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared
effective by the SEC as soon as possible thereafter.
Consultant agrees that it will not sell or transfer until
August 20, 2002 any of the shares of the Company's stock
issued to it hereunder. Additionally the Company agrees to pay
Consultant the sum of $3,000.00 cash per month due and payable
on twenty-ninth day of each month on this Agreement beginning
September 29, 2001.
c. Consultant acknowledges that the shares of Common Stock to be
issued pursuant to this agreement (collectively, the "Shares")
have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and
accordingly are "restricted securities" within the meaning of
Rule 144 of the Act. As such, the shares may not be resold or
transferred unless the Company has received an opinion of
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that such a
resale or transfer is exempt from the registration
requirements of that Act.
5. FINDERS FEE
a. If, during the term of this Agreement, or within one-year
thereafter any Fee Transaction (as herein defined) occurs,
then the Company shall pay to Consultant a finder's fee (the
"Fee") equal to two and one half percent (2.5%) of the
Consideration (as herein defined).
b. The term "Fee Transaction" means 1) a merger, consolidation or
a sale or exchange of substantially all of the stock of the
Company or its assets, 2)
3
such other transaction as may be used in the disposal of a
substantial portion of the ownership interests in or assets of
the Consultant or 3) any investment made directly or
indirectly in, or debt financing provided to or for the
benefit of, the Company or its shareholders by any third party
introduced by Consultant to the Company during the term of
this engagement. The term "Consideration" means the aggregate
amount of cash and the fair market value (on the date of
payment) of securities or assets received by or for the
benefit of the Company or its shareholders in connection with
a Fee Transaction. "Consideration" includes, but is not
limited to, the total fair market value of (a) cash,
securities, assets and other tangible property received by the
Company or its shareholders in a Fee Transaction or
distributable to the Company or its shareholders upon
liquidation or dissolution of the Company following a Fee
Transaction, (b) any amounts payable to the Company or its
shareholders under any non-compete agreement or other
agreements entered in connection with a Fee Transaction, and
(c) any compensation payable to any shareholder of the Company
under any employment or consulting contract entered in
connection with a Fee Transaction but only to the extent such
compensation exceeds the then current compensation of such
shareholder.
c. If the Consideration shall consist entirely of cash paid at
the closing of a Fee Transaction, the Fee payable to
Consultant shall be paid to Consultant upon such closing. To
the extent the Consideration is paid at closing and consists
wholly or partially of stock, other securities or other
property (other than cash), all or a portion of Fee may be
paid to Consultant in the same form (i.e., stock, other
securities or other property) and in the same proportions in
which the Consideration is received by the Company or its
stockholders, as the case may be.
d. If the Consideration shall consist entirely of cash but the
payment of all or any portion of the Consideration shall be
deferred and shall not be made until after closing of a Fee
Transaction, the Company may, in its discretion, pay to
Consultant the Fee on the same pro rata basis and at the same
time or times as the Consideration is received by the Company
or the Company's stockholders (as the case may be). If any of
the deferred payments of the Consideration consists wholly or
partially of stock, other securities or other property (other
than cash), then all or a portion of the Fee may be paid to
Consultant in the same form (i.e., stock, other securities or
other property) at the same time and in the same proportions
in which the Consideration is received by the Company or its
stockholders, as the case may be.
e. Notwithstanding all of the foregoing provisions of this
Section 5, in lieu of payment of portions of the Fee as the
Consideration is so received, the Company may, at its option,
pay to the Consultant the entire Fee in cash at closing,
discounted to take into account the reasonably projected rate
of inflation, and the period over which the Consideration is
to be received, the then-generally-prevailing interest rate
for unsecured debt obligations for such period of time of
corporate borrowers of the highest credit standing, and, if
applicable, the factors set forth in the immediately preceding
sentence with regard to Consideration in the form of stock,
other securities or other property.
4
f. The Fee payable to Consultant will be in addition to any fees
payable by the Company to any other intermediary, if any,
which shall be per separate agreements negotiated between the
Company and such other intermediary. It is specifically
understood that Consultant is not nor does it hold itself out
to be a Broker/Dealer or investment adviser, but rather merely
a "Finder" in reference to the Company procuring financing
sources and acquisition and merger candidates.
g. It is further understood that the Company, and not Consultant,
is responsible to perform any and all due diligence on any
lender, equity purchaser or acquisition/merger candidate
introduced to it by Consultant under this Agreement, prior to
the Company receiving funds or closing on any acquisition.
h. Consultant will notify the Company of introductions it makes
for potential sources of financing or acquisitions in a timely
manner (within 3 days of introduction). If the Company has a
preexisting relationship with such nominee and believes such
party should be excluded from the Agreement, then the Company
will notify Consultant immediately of such circumstances via
facsimile memo.
6. EXPENSES. Consultant agrees to pay for all its expenses (phone, labor,
etc.), other than extraordinary items for which the Company will
reimburse Consultant provided Company has pre-approved of such
extraordinary items in advance. Such extraordinary items include travel
and entertainment required by/or specifically requested by the Company,
luncheons or dinners for large groups of investment professionals, mass
faxing to a sizable percentage of the Company's constituents, investor
conference calls, print advertisements in publications and like
expenses approved by the Company prior to its incurring an obligation
for reimbursement.
7. INDEMNIFICATION.
a. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold Consultant harmless
from and against any losses, damages or liabilities related to
or arising out of Consultant's engagement, and will reimburse
Consultant for all reasonable expenses (including reasonable
counsel fees) as they are incurred by Consultant in connection
with investigating, preparing for or defending any action or
claim related thereto, whether or not in connection with
pending or threatened litigation in which Consultant is a
party. The Company will not, however, be responsible for any
actions, claims, liabilities, losses, damages or expenses
which which resulted primarily from the bad faith or gross
negligence of Consultant. The Company also agrees that
Consultant shall not have any liability for or in connection
with such engagement, except for any such liability for
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by
the Company that result primarily from the bad faith or gross
negligence of Consultant. In the event that the foregoing
indemnity is unavailable (except by reason of the bad faith or
gross negligence of Consultant), then the Company shall
contribute to
5
amounts paid or payable by Consultant in respect of its
losses, claims, damages and liabilities in such proportion as
appropriately reflects the relative benefits received by, and
fault of, it and Consultant in connection with the matters as
to which such losses, claims, damages or liabilities relate
and other equitable considerations; provided, however, that in
no event shall the amount to be contributed by Consultant
exceed the amounts actually received by Consultant. The
foregoing shall be in addition to any rights that Consultant
may have at common law or otherwise and shall extend upon the
same terms to and inure to the benefit of any director,
officer, employee, agent or controlling person of Consultant.
8. REPRESENTATIONS. The Company warrants and represents that all oral
communications, written documents or materials furnished to Consultant
are accurate, and the Consultant warrants and represents that all
communications by Consultant with the public, with respect to the
financial affairs, operations, profitability and strategic planning of
the Company will be in accordance with information provided to it by
the Company. The Consultant may rely upon the accuracy of the
information provided by the Company without independent investigation.
Consultant represents that it is not required to maintain any licenses
and registrations under federal or any state regulations necessary to
perform the services set forth herein. Consultant acknowledges that to
the best of its knowledge, the performance of the Services will not
violate any rule or provision of any regulatory agency having
jurisdiction over Consultant. Consultant acknowledges that to the best
of its knowledge, Consultant and its officers and directors are not the
subject of any investigation, claim, decree or judgment involving any
violation of the SEC or securities law. The Company acknowledges that
to the best of its knowledge that it has not violated any rule or
provision of any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the
Company. The Company also acknowledges that, to the best of its
knowledge, the Company is not the subject of any investigation, claim,
decree or judgment involving any violation of the SEC or securities
laws.
9. STATUS AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. Consultant's engagement pursuant to
this Agreement shall be as independent contractor, and not as employee,
officer or other agent of the Company. Neither party to this Agreement
shall represent or hold itself out to be the employer or employee of
the other. Consultant further acknowledges the consideration provided
hereinabove is a gross amount of consideration and that the Company
will not withhold from such consideration any amounts as to income
taxes, social security payments or any other payroll taxes. All such
income taxes and other such payment shall be made or provided for by
Consultant and the Company shall have no responsibility or duties
regarding such matters. Neither the Company nor the Consultant
possesses the authority to bind each other in any agreements without
the express written consent of the entity to be bound.
10. ATTORNEYS FEES. If any legal action or any arbitration or other
proceeding is brought for the enforcement or interruption of the
Agreement, or because of alleged dispute, breach, default or
misrepresentation in connection with or related to this Agreement, the
successful or prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable
attorney's fees and other costs in connection with that action or
proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which they may be
entitled.
6
11. WAIVER. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this
agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a
waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party.
12. NOTICES. All notices, requests, and other communications hereunder
shall be deemed to be duly given if sent by U.S. mail, postage prepaid,
addressed to the other party at their last known address.
Either party may change address to which notices for it shall be
addressed by providing notice of such change to the other party.
13. CHOICE OF LAW, JURISDICTION AND VENUE. This Agreement shall be governed
by, construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the
State of Florida, without giving effect to its conflict of laws or
choice of law principles.
14. ARBITRATION Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, or the alleged breach thereof, or relating to Consultant's
activities or remuneration under this Agreement, shall be settled by
binding arbitration in Boca Raton, Florida, in accordance with the
applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment
on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) shall be binding on the
parties and may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
15. COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the
parties relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement and its
terms may not be changed orally but only by an agreement in writing
signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change,
modification, extension or discharge is sought.
7
AGREED TO:
"The Company" vFinance.com, Inc.
-----------------------------------------
Date: August 20, 2001 By: /s/ Leonard J. Sokolow
----------------------------- -------------------------------------
President & CEO
& Its Duly Authorized Officer
"Consultant" INSIGHT CAPITAL CONSULTANTS CORP.
Date: August 20, 2001 By: /s/ Brock Malky
----------------------------- -------------------------------------
Brock Malky, President
& Its Duly Authorized Officer
8
Exhibit 10.35
[vFinance Logo]
VIA E-MAIL
February 5, 2002
Robert F. Williamson, Jr.
1235 NE 96th Street
Miami Shores, FL 33138
RE: Position of Chief Financial Officer
Dear Bob:
It is my pleasure to offer you ("Employee") employment at vFinance, Inc. ("VFIN"
or the "Company") as Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Finance &
Administration pursuant to the following terms and conditions:
1. Your employment will take effect on February 8, 2002 (the "Hire Date").
2. You shall receive a salary of $127,000 per annum.
3. You will receive an option (the "Options") to purchase 350,000 shares
of VFIN common stock (the "Common Stock") at $.625 per share. The
Options shall vest at a rate of 87,500 shares on the first anniversary
of your Hire Date, 87,500 shares on the second anniversary of your Hire
Date and 87,500 shares on the third anniversary of your Hire Date and
87,500 on the fourth anniversary of your Hire Date. Except as provided
herein below, the Options shall expire five years from the Hire Date
(the "Expiration Date"). The Company hereby grants to Employee standard
piggyback registration rights with respect to the Common Stock
underlying the Options.
4. Within fifteen days of your Hire Date you have the option to purchase
100,000 shares of VFIN common stock at a price of $.285 per share. With
each VFIN share purchased, you will receive an Option to purchase one
VFIN share at a price of $.625. The Option shares will be exercisable
pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in Sections 6f,g,h, & i
and grants to Employee standard piggyback registration rights with
respect to the Common Stock underlying the Options.
5. Employee agrees to use his best efforts to obtain the Series 27 license
from the NASD no later than June 1, 2002.
6. The Options shall vest and be exercisable pursuant to the following
terms and conditions:
a. In the event that you resign or are terminated, then all
non-vested Options shall expire and shall be deemed null and
void;
b. In the event you resign with Good Reason (as hereinafter
defined) or your employment with the Company is terminated by
the Company without Cause (as hereinafter defined) and for a
reason other than death or Disability (as hereinafter
defined), you shall have the right to exercise any vested
Options, as of the date of termination, by giving the Company
written notice, at any time within six (6) months from the
date of such resignation or termination;
1
c. In the Event you resign without Good Reason or your employment
by the Company is terminated by the Company with Cause, you
shall have the right to exercise any vested Options, as of the
date of termination, by giving the Company written notice,
within 30 days of the date of such termination;
d. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in
the event that you resign or are terminated and have not
exercised certain vested Options, and the shares of Common
Stock underlying such Options are still unregistered, such
Options will not expire or be deemed null and void until the
shares of Common Stock are registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Company shall provide the Employee
with written notice of the registration of the Common Stock
within 30 days of the date such registration. You shall have
30 days from the date of receipt of such written notice from
the Company of such registration to exercise only those
Options which had vested as of the date of such resignation or
termination;
e. In the event of a change in control, all non-vested Options
will accelerate and immediately vest. "Change of Control"
shall mean (i) the occurrence of any event or transaction or
series thereof pursuant to which any person or group (as used
in Rule 13(d)-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
acquires beneficial ownership or control in excess of 50% of
the outstanding voting shares of the Company, or (ii) that the
directors of the Company serving on its Board of Directors on
the date immediately preceding such event or transaction or
series thereof shall, in the aggregate, represent less than
fifty percent (50%) of the Board of Directors after such event
or transaction or series thereof,
f. In the event that the outstanding shares of Common Stock of
the Company are changed by (i) any stock dividend, stock split
or combination of shares or (ii) any merger, consolidation,
recapitalization or reorganization of the Company with any
other corporation or corporations, the number of shares
underlying the Options shall be proportionately adjusted. In
the event of any such adjustment, the purchase price per share
shall be proportionately adjusted;
g. In the event of your death while you are an employee of VFIN,
your family shall have the right to exercise any vested
Options, by giving the Company written notice, at any time
prior to six (6) months following the date of your death;
h. In the event your employment with the Company shall terminate
because of Disability, you shall have the right to exercise
any vested options, by giving the Company written notice, at
any time within twelve (12) months from the date of such
termination;
i. The Options are not assignable or transferable; and
j. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following definitions:
(i) "Cause" means (a) the conviction of the Employee of a
felony or of any criminal act involving moral turpitude, (b)
the Employee's deliberate and recurrent refusal to perform
employment duties reasonably requested by the Chief Executive
Officer or Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation (other
than as a result of a Disability), (c) a material breach of
any term or condition of this Agreement and the Employee's
failure to cure any such breach within 15 days after receipt
of written notice from the Corporation of the occurrence of
such breach, describing such breach in reasonable detail and
identifying such occurrence or circumstance as Cause under
this Agreement; PROVIDED HOWEVER. that no basis for Cause
shall be deemed to exist at any time that circumstances
constituting good reason have occurred and are continuing.
(ii) "Disability" means the inability of the Employee to
perform a substantial portion of his essential duties pursuant
to this Agreement because of illness, incapacity or physical
or mental disability continuing for a period of 90 consecutive
days during any 12-month period during the term of this
Agreement.
(iii) "Good Reason " means (a) any material breach by the
Corporation of its obligations to compensate the Employee
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (b) a
material reduction in the Employee's title or
responsibilities, or (c) the relocation of the principal
workplace of the Employee outside
2
of Palm Beach, Dade and Broward counties, Florida; PROVIDE HOWEVER,
that Good Reason shall not include a termination of the Employee's
employment for Cause or due to death or Disability.
7. You shall be entitled to all standard employee benefits available to
employees of VFIN, including three weeks of vacation after the Company
has employed you six (6) full months.
8. Your employment hereunder may be terminated by you or Company at any
time with or without Cause upon written notice to the other party. If
after ninety days from your Hire Date you are terminated without cause,
then the Employee will be entitled to continue to receive salary and
benefits for ninety days. Should the Employee be terminated without
Cause within six months of a Change of Control as defined in Section
5e, the Employee's salary and benefits shall be extended one year from
the date of termination. During the term of employment, you shall have
the position of "Chief Financial Officer" and shall perform all duties
and responsibilities consistent with this position or as may be
assigned to you periodically by the Chief Executive Officer or Chairman
of the Company.
9. (a) For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means
knowledge, information and material which is proprietary to the
Company, of which Employee may obtain knowledge or access through or as
a result of his employment by the Company (including information
conceived, originated, discovered or developed in whole or in part by
Employee during his employment with the Company). Confidential
Information includes, but is not limited to, (i) technical knowledge,
information and material such as trade secrets, processes, formulas,
data, know-how, strategies, analytical models, improvements,
inventions, computer programs, drawings, patents, and experimental and
development work techniques, and (ii) marketing and other information,
such as supplier lists, customer lists, lists of prospective customers
and acquisition targets, marketing and business plans, business or
technical needs of customers, consultants, licensees or suppliers and
their methods of doing business, arrangements with customers,
consultants, licensees or suppliers, manuals and personnel records or
data. Confidential Information also includes any information described
above which the Company obtains from another party and which the
Company treats as proprietary or designates as confidential, whether or
not owned or developed by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any information which is or becomes available to the general public
otherwise than by breach of this Section 9, or any information the
Employee receives from a third party, shall not constitute Confidential
information for purposes of this agreement.
(b) During the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Employee agrees,
to hold in confidence all Confidential Information and not to use such
information for Employee's own benefit or to reveal, report, publish,
disclose or transfer, directly or indirectly, any Confidential
Information to any person or entity, or to utilize any Confidential
Information for any purpose, except in the course of Employee's work
for the Company.
(c) Employee will abide by any and all security rules and regulations,
whether formal or informal, that may from time to time be imposed by
the Company for the protection of Confidential Information.
(d) Employee will notify the Company in writing immediately upon
receipt of any subpoena, notice to produce, or other compulsory order
or process of any court of law or government agency if such document
requires or may require disclosure or other transfer of Confidential
Information.
(e) Upon termination of employment, Employee will deliver to the
Company any and all records and tangible property that contain
Confidential Information that are in his possession or under his
control.
10. (a) In consideration for the Company entering into this Agreement,
Employee covenants and agrees that for the eighteen (18) month period
following termination, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, hire
any employee of the Company or its affiliates or induce any employee of
the Company or its affiliates to leave the Company.
(b) If any court shall determine that the duration of any covenant
contained in this section 10 is unenforceable, it is the intention of
the parties that covenant shall not thereby be terminated but shall be
deemed amended to the extent required to render it valid and
enforceable, such amendment to apply only in the jurisdiction of the
court that has made such adjudication.
3
(c) Employee acknowledges and agrees that the covenants contained in
Sections 9 and 10 hereof are of the essence in this Agreement, that
each of such covenants is reasonable and necessary to protect and
preserve the interests, properties, and business of the Company, and
that irreparable loss and damage will be suffered by the Company should
Employee breach any of such covenants. Employee further represents and
acknowledges that he shall not be precluded from gainful engagement in
a satisfactory fashion by the enforcement of these provisions.
11. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of, or consent
required by this Agreement, nor any consent required by, this
Agreement, nor any consent to any departure here from, shall be
effective unless it is in writing and signed by the parties hereto such
modification, amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.
12. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Florida (without giving effect to any choice
or conflict of laws provisions).
We are excited at the prospects of working with you, as we believe that you
possess skills that will assist vFinance in its efforts to be a leading
financial services company. Please indicate your acceptance by signing this
letter in the space provided below.
VFINANCE, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy E. Mohoney
-----------------------------------
Timothy E. Mahoney Chairman & COO
Agreed and Accepted:
EMPLOYEE
By: /s/ Robert F. Williamson, Jr.
-----------------------------------
Robert F. Williamson, Jr.
4
Exhibit 10.36
UBS AMERICAS INC.
1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NY 10019
April 12, 2002
Vfinance, Inc.
Gentlemen:
Re: Credit Agreement dated as of January 25, 2002 By and Between Vfinance, Inc.,
as Borrower (the "Borrower") and UBS Americas Inc., as Lender (the "Lender")
(the "Agreement"). Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the
Agreement shall be used herein as therein defined.
The Lender hereby waives Section 5.10 of the Agreement, which requires the
Borrower to maintain owners equity in compliance with GAAP of at least
$7,000,000, to the extent necessary to exclude the write-off of goodwill
aggregating $8,582,020 included in the Company's consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2001 from owners' equity in
connection with Section 1.03 of the Agreement.
The Borrower represents and warrants that (a) after giving effect to this
amendment, all of the representations and warranties contained in Article 3 of
the Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct and no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (b) as of the
date hereof, no material adverse change shall have occurred in the condition
(financial or otherwise), performance, properties, operations or prospects of
the Borrower except as publicly disclosed prior to the date hereof.
Upon the effectiveness of this amendment, on and after the date hereof each
reference in the Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder", "hereof" or words
of like import referring to the Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan
Documents to "the Credit Agreement","thereunder", "thereof" or words of like
import referring to the Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the
Agreement as amended hereby.
Except as specifically amended above, the Agreement and all other Loan Documents
are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all
respects ratified and confirmed.
The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this amendment shall not, except as
expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of
the Lender under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any
provision of any of the Loan Documents.
UBS AMERICAS INC.
1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NY 10019
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
UBS AMERICAS INC.
By: /s/ Robert J. Chersi
-------------------------------------
Robert J. Chersi
Title:
By: /s/ Mark Klein
-------------------------------------
Name: Mark Klein
Title: Assistant Secretary
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
VFINANCE INC.
By: /s/ Robert F. Williamson, Jr.
-------------------------------
Name: Robert F. Williamson, Jr.
Title: Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT
[TO BE UPDATED]
State or Jurisdiction of
Organization or Incorporation
vFinance Holdings, Inc. Florida
Union Atlantic LC Florida
Union Atlantic Capital, L.C. Florida
First Level Capital, Inc. Florida
Colonial Direct Financial Group, Inc. Delaware
First Colonial Securities Group, Inc. New Jersey
Colonial Direct Capital Management, Inc. Florida
Colonial Direct Retirement Services, Inc. Florida
(d/b/a KWT Consultants, Inc.)