UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☒ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
☐ | Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
Regal One Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☐ | No fee required. |
☒ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: Common Stock, no par value | |
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 119,433,962 | |
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): $0.53 | |
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $63,300,000.00 | |
(5) | Total fee paid: $12,600 |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☒ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: $12,600 | |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: Schedule 14C | |
(3) | Filing Party: Regal One Corporation | |
(4) | Date Filed: July 23, 2014 |
[ REGAL ONE LETTERHEAD ]
Dear Shareholder:
On July 14, 2004, Regal One Corporation, a Florida Corporation ("Regal One"), announced a strategic business transaction in which it would, amongst other matters, (i) to effect a reverse stock split of Regal One’s outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1-for-2 (the "Reverse Stock Split"), (ii) reincorporate from Florida to Maryland (the "Reincorporation"), (iii) become an externally managed business development company, and (iv) purchase certain equity and debt investments of Capital Point Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership ("CPPI"), and Capital Point Partners II, LP ("CPPII" and together with CPPI, the "Partnerships"), pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of July 14, 2014, as amended (the "Purchase Agreement").
If the transaction with the Partnerships is completed, Regal One will issue shares of common stock, at a price of $0.530 per share, to purchase the investments owned by the Partnerships. At a special meeting of Regal One shareholders, Regal One shareholders will be asked to approve the transaction with the Partnership, the Reincorporation, the Reverse Stock Split, Regal One’s conversion from an internally managed business development company to an externally managed business development company and other related matters described in this document.
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of Shareholders of Regal One, which will be held on [ ● ], 2015, at 11835 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1235E, Los Angeles, California, in the main conference room, commencing at 9:00 AM, local time. At the special meeting, Regal One shareholders will be asked to vote on the approval of (i) the issuance of shares of Regal One common stock to be issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement described in this document, (ii) the Reincorporation, (iii) the Reverse Stock Split, (iv) becoming an externally managed business development company, (v) for election of five (5) nominees to the board of directors following closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, and (vi) a proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the foregoing proposals.
After careful consideration, the board of directors of Regal One unanimously recommends that its shareholders vote "FOR" approval of (i) the issuance of the shares of Regal One common stock to be issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement described in this document, (ii) the Reincorporation, (iii) the Reverse Stock Split, (iv) becoming an externally managed business development company, (v) for election of five (5) nominees to the board of directors following closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, and (vi) a proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the foregoing proposals.
This document concisely describes the special meeting and related matters that a Regal One shareholder ought to know before voting on the proposals described herein and should be retained for future reference. Please The notice of Special Meeting and proxy statement following this letter describe the matters to be acted on at the meeting.
If your shares are held in book-entry form on the records of OTR, Inc., our transfer agent and registrar, we have enclosed a proxy card for your use. You may vote these shares by completing and returning the proxy card or, alternatively, calling a toll-free telephone number or using the Internet as described on the proxy card. If a broker or other nominee holds your shares in "street name," your broker has enclosed a voting instruction form, which you should use to vote those shares. The voting instruction form indicates whether you have the option to vote those shares by telephone or by using the Internet.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Charles J. Newman
CHARLES J. NEWMAN
Chairman of the Board
President and Chief Executive Officer
The proxy materials are first being mailed or otherwise delivered to Regal One shareholders on or about [ ● ], 2015.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please take a few minutes now to vote your shares. Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on [ ● ], 2015.
Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, are included with this proxy statement. They are also available on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov/edgar and then search for Regal One Corporation and available on the "Proxy and Annual Reports" section of our website at www.regal1.com.
The following information applicable to the Special Meeting may be found in the proxy statement and accompanying proxy card:
● | The date, time and location of the meeting; |
● | A list of the matters intended to be acted on and our recommendations regarding those matters; |
● | Any control/identification numbers that you need to access your proxy card; and |
● | Information about attending the meeting and voting in person. |
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To the Shareholders of Regal One Corporation:
You are cordially invited to a special meeting of shareholders of Regal One Corporation, a Florida Corporation ("Regal One"), to be held at 11835 West Olympic Boulevard, Twelfth Floor (Room 1235), Los Angeles, California on [ ● ], 2015, at 9:00 a.m. local time to consider and vote on the following matters:
1. To approve an amendment to the Regal One’s articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of Regal One’s outstanding common stock at a ratio of one-for-two (1:2);
2. To approve a merger of Regal One with and into its wholly-owned subsidiary, Princeton Capital Corporation, to effectuate the change of Regal One’s state of incorporation from Florida to Maryland (the “Reincorporation”);
3. To approve, as part of the Reincorporation, the adoption of a charter under the Maryland General Corporation Law with the following Sub-Proposals:
a. Sub-proposal 3a: A proposal to approve the classification of the board of directors;
b. Sub-proposal 3b: A proposal to approve an increase of the authorized shares;
c. Sub-proposal 3c: A proposal to approve the removal of the provision relating to stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent;
d. Sub-proposal 3d: A proposal to approve an amendment to increase the number of votes a stockholder must possess to call a special meeting;
e. Sub-proposal 3e: A proposal to approve the addition of the ability of the board of directors to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares and the number of shares of any class or series of the company;
4. To approve the issuance of up to an aggregate of 119,433,962 shares of Regal One’s common stock to Capital Point Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“CPP”), and Capital Point Partners II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“CPPII” and, together with CPP, the “Partnerships”), in consideration for the sale of certain investments of the Partnerships (the “Transaction”) pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2014, as amended (the “Purchase Agreement”);
5. To elect five (5) nominees to the board of directors following the closing of the Transaction who will serve until his successor is elected and qualified;
6. To authorize Regal One, with the approval of its board of directors, to sell shares of Regal One’s common stock at a price or prices below its then current net asset value per share in one or more offerings, subject to certain conditions as set forth in the proxy statement;
7. To approve the entry into an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Princeton Investment Advisors, LLC (“Princeton Advisors”); and
8. To approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies, if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the foregoing proposals.
You have the right to receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting if you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on January 15, 2015. Whether or not you expect to be present in person at the special meeting, please sign the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the postage-paid envelope provided or authorize your proxy by telephone or through the Internet. Instructions are shown on the proxy card.
You have the option to revoke the proxy at any time prior to the vote at the meeting or to vote your shares personally on request if you attend the meeting.
The Regal One board of directors has unanimously approved each of the foregoing proposals and unanimously recommends that shareholders vote "FOR" approval of each of the foregoing proposals and election of the nominees to the Company’s board of directors following closing the Transaction.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
CHARLES J. NEWMAN
Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: [ ● ], 2015
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2015 SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
GENERAL INFORMATION | 1 |
VOTING INFORMATION | 1 |
Record Date and Who May Vote | 1 |
How to Vote | 2 |
How to Revoke or Change Your Vote | 2 |
Quorum | 3 |
Voting of Management | 3 |
Confidential Voting | 3 |
PROPOSAL 1 - THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT | 4 |
PROPOSAL 2 - REINCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY TO MARYLAND | 10 |
PROPOSAL 3 - A PROPOSAL TO APPROVE PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION’S CHARTER AS A PART OF THE REINCORPORATION | 26 |
PROPOSAL 4 - ACQUISITION OF ASSETS OF CAPITAL POINT PARTNERS I AND II | 32 |
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 41 |
DISCUSSION OF MANAGEMENT’S EXPECTED OPERATING PLANS | 45 |
PROPOSAL 5 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS FOLLOWING CLOSING OF TRANSACTION | 70 |
PROPOSAL 6 - AUTHORIZATION OF THE COMPANY TO SELL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK BELOW NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE | 73 |
PROPOSAL 7 - APPROVAL OF ADVISORY AGREEMENT WITH PRINCETON INVESTMENT ADVISORS | 79 |
PROPOSAL 8 – APPROVAL TO ADJOURN TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL VOTES | 87 |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 88 |
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON | 88 |
SHAREHOLDERS' PROPOSALS | 89 |
FORWARD –LOOKING STATEMENTS | 89 |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY | 89 |
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE | 90 |
DELIVERY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO MULTIPLE SHAREHOLDERS WITH THE SAME ADDRESS | 90 |
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON [ ● ], 2015
GENERAL INFORMATION
This proxy statement and accompanying proxy card is being mailed to the shareholders of Regal One Corporation ("Regal One," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our") in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company of a proxy to vote your shares at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Special Meeting") to be held on [ ● ], 2015 at 11835 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1235E, Los Angeles, California, at 9:00 AM local time, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Company will bear all expenses incurred in connection with this proxy solicitation, which we expect to conduct primarily by mail. In addition, our officers and regular employees may solicit your proxy by telephone, by facsimile transmission or in person, for which they will not be separately compensated. If your shares are held through a broker or other nominee (i.e., in "street name"), we have requested that your broker or nominee forward this proxy statement to you and obtain your voting instructions, for which the Company will reimburse them for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
The members of Regal One’s board of directors on July 14, 2014, which at that time consisted of Bernard L. Brodkorb, Malcolm Currie, Christopher Dietrich and Charles J. Newman, including its independent directors, believed that the transactions with the Partnerships and the other matters to be considered by shareholders are advisable and in the best interest of Regal One and its shareholders and unanimously recommended that Regal One’s shareholders vote “FOR” approval of these matters. There was a question regarding the constitution of Regal One’s board and a meeting of Regal One shareholders was held on December 19, 2014. At this shareholder meeting Bernard L. Brodkorb and Charles J. Newman were re-elected and Stephen E. Boynton, James Olchefski and Robert M. Terry were elected to Regal One’s board of directors. Messrs. Boynton, Brodkorb, Olchefski and Terry were determined to be independent directors under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
Following the shareholder meeting, Regal One’s board of directors, consisting of Messrs. Boynton, Brodkorb, Newman, Olchefski and Terry, made a determination that the transactions with the Partnerships and the other matters to be considered by shareholders are advisable and in the best interest of Regal One and its shareholders and unanimously recommends that Regal One’s shareholders vote “FOR” approval of these matters.
VOTING INFORMATION
Record Date and Who May Vote
Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 15, 2015 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. This means that if you were a registered shareholder with our transfer agent and registrar, OTR, Inc., on the Record Date, you may vote your shares on the matters to be considered by our shareholders at the Special Meeting. If your shares were held in street name on that date, the broker or other nominee that was the record holder of your shares has the authority to vote them at the Special Meeting in accordance with your instructions. They have forwarded to you this proxy statement seeking your instructions on how you want your shares voted.
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On the Record Date, we had 3,633,067 shares of common stock, no par value (the “Common Stock”), and 100,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, no par value (the “Preferred Stock”), outstanding. Each holder of record of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to be acted on at the Special Meeting.
How to Vote
For shares held of record, you can vote your shares in person at the Special Meeting or you may give us your proxy by completing the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the enclosed U.S. postage-prepaid envelope, or by calling a toll-free telephone number or using the Internet as further described on the enclosed proxy card. In either case, telephone and Internet voting procedures have been designed to verify your identity through a personal identification or control number and to confirm that your voting instructions have been properly recorded.
By giving us your proxy, you will be directing us on how to vote your shares at the Special Meeting. If you sign, date and send your proxy and do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be voted "FOR" each of the proposals to be considered at the Special Meeting and "FOR" election of each of the nominees to the Company’s board of directors following closing of the Transaction. A failure to vote in person, grant a proxy for your shares, or instruct a bank, broker or nominee how to vote at the Special Meeting will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” each of the proposals, except for election of the nominees to the Company’s board of directors following closing of the Transaction. Even if you plan on attending the Special Meeting, we urge you to vote now by giving us your proxy. This will ensure that your vote is represented at the Special Meeting. If you do attend the Special Meeting, you can change your vote at that time, if you then desire to do so.
With respect to the proposals that are to be voted on at the Special Meeting, if you do not provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your street name shares, your broker will not be permitted to vote them. For this reason, you should provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your shares or arrange to attend the Special Meeting and vote your shares in person. With respect to the proposals that are to be voted on at the Special Meeting, broker shares for which written authority to vote has not been obtained will be treated as votes cast against the matter, except for election of the nominees to the Company’s board of directors following closing of the Transaction. Shareholders are urged to authorize proxies by telephone or the Internet if their broker has provided them with the opportunity to do so. See your voting instruction form for details.
If your broker holds your shares and you attend the Special Meeting in person, please bring a letter from your broker identifying you as the beneficial owner of the shares and authorizing you to vote your shares at the Special Meeting.
You may receive more than one proxy statement and proxy card or voting instruction form if your shares are held through more than one account (e.g., through different brokers or nominees). Each proxy card or voting instruction form only covers those shares of Common Stock held in the applicable account. If you hold shares in more than one account, you will have to provide voting instructions as to all your accounts to vote all your shares.
How to Revoke or Change Your Vote
For shares held of record, you may revoke a proxy or change your vote at any time before the Special Meeting takes place. To do so, you may either complete and submit a new proxy card, or send a written notice to our Corporate Secretary stating that you would like to revoke your proxy You may also change your vote voting telephonically or via the Internet pursuant to the instructions shown on the proxy card and simply authorizing a new proxy to vote your shares. The last recorded vote will be the vote that is counted. In addition, you may elect to attend the Special Meeting and vote in person, as described above.
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For shares held in street name, you should follow the instructions in the voting instruction form provided by your broker or nominee to change your vote. If you want to change your vote as to shares held in street name by voting in person at the Special Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from the broker or nominee that holds those shares for you.
Quorum
The Special Meeting will be held only if a quorum exists. The presence at the Special Meeting, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock as of the Record Date will constitute a quorum. If you attend the meeting or vote your shares using the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form (including any telephone or Internet voting procedures provided), your shares will be counted toward a quorum, even if you abstain from voting on a particular matter.
Voting of Management
At the close of business on [ ● ], 2015, Regal One's executive officers and directors owned and were entitled to vote [ ● ] shares of Common Stock and [ ● ] shares of Preferred Stock, representing an aggregate of [ ● ]% of Regal One's outstanding voting power on that date. None of Regal One's executive officers or directors has entered into any voting agreement relating to the matters to considered by shareholders. However, each of Regal One's executive officers and directors has indicated that he intends to vote his shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock in favor of the approval of each of the proposals.
Confidential Voting
All voted proxies and ballots will be handled to protect your voting privacy as a stockholder. Your vote will not be disclosed except:
● | to meet any legal requirements; |
● | to permit independent inspectors of election to tabulate and certify your vote; or |
● | to adequately respond to your written comments on your proxy card. |
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PROPOSAL 1
THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
On December 19, 2014, our board of directors unanimously adopted and is recommending for shareholder approval an amendment to our articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the common stock at a ratio of 1:2. If approved by our shareholders, the Reverse Stock Split will become effective upon filing the articles of amendment to our articles of incorporation with the state of Florida. The form of the amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split of the Common Stock is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A (the “Amendment”).
To avoid the existence of fractional shares of Common Stock, shareholders who would otherwise hold fractional shares of Common Stock as a result of the Reverse Stock Split will be entitled to receive a whole number of shares rounded up to the next whole number in lieu of such fractional shares of Common Stock from our transfer agent, upon receipt by our transfer agent of a properly completed and duly executed transmittal letter and, where shares of Common Stock are held in certificated form, the surrender of all Old Certificate(s).
At the close of business on January 15, 2015, there were 3,633,067 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. An additional 3,183,466 shares of Common Stock (based on an exchange ratio of approximately 31.85 shares of Common Stock for each outstanding share of Preferred Stock) will be issued to the holders of the Preferred Stock in connection with the Reincorporation and at least 95,000,000 shares of Common Stock will be issued in the Transactions immediately following the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split and the Reincorporation. Based on the number of shares of Common Stock currently issued and outstanding, immediately following the completion of the Reverse Stock Split, the Reincorporation and the Transaction, there would be at least 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding (without giving effect to the treatment of fractional shares of Common Stock). We do not expect the Reverse Stock Split itself to have any economic effect on our shareholders, except to the extent the Reverse Stock Split will result in fractional shares as discussed below.
Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split
The Board authorized the Reverse Stock Split in an attempt to raise the per share trading price of the Common Stock in order to gain listing on a national securities exchange. Before the Common Stock may be listed on a national securities exchange, we must satisfy certain listing requirements. One of these listing requirements is that the Common Stock must generally have a minimum bid price, which the NASDAQ requires a minimum bid price of $3.00 per share. On January 30, 2015, the closing price of the Common Stock on the OTCBB was $0.38 per share.
The Company anticipates that the Reverse Stock Split will increase the per share bid price per share of the Common Stock. However, there are no assurances that the Reverse Stock Split will, initially or in the future, have the intended effect of raising the bid price of the Common Stock to a price that will satisfy the listing requirements or that the Company will be able to satisfy the other requirements to obtain or maintain a listing on a national securities exchange.
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Additionally, the Company believes that the Reverse Stock Split may make the Common Stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors, as the current market price of the Common Stock may affect its acceptability to certain institutional investors, professional investors and other members of the investing public. Many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. In addition, some of those policies and practices may function to make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Moreover, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, the current average price per share of the Common Stock can result in individual shareholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were substantially higher. The Company believes that the Reverse Stock Split will make the Common Stock a more attractive and cost effective investment for many investors, which may enhance the liquidity the Common Stock.
The Board also took into account potential negative factors associated with the Reverse Stock Split. These factors include the negative perception of reverse stock splits held by some investors, analysts and other stock market participants, the fact that the stock prices of some companies that have effected reverse stock splits have subsequently declined back to pre-reverse stock split levels, the adverse effect on liquidity that might be caused by a reduced number of shares outstanding, and the costs associated with implementing a Reverse Stock Split.
Although the Board expects the Reverse Stock Split will result in an increase in the market price of the Common Stock, the Reverse Stock Split may not increase the market price of the Common Stock in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding or result in a long-term increase in the market price, which is dependent upon many factors, including the Company’s performance, prospects and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC, as well as variables outside of the Company’s control (such as market volatility, investor response to the news of a proposed reverse stock split and the general economic environment). The history of similar reverse stock splits for companies in like circumstances is varied. If the Reverse Stock Split is effected and the market price of the Common Stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of the Company’s overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of the Reverse Stock Split. The trading liquidity of the Common Stock may also decline due to the fewer number of shares of Common Stock that are publicly traded. In addition, the Reverse Stock Split will likely increase the number of shareholders who own “odd lots” of fewer than 100 shares of the Common Stock. Shareholders who hold odd lots typically experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares, as well as possible greater difficulty in effecting such sales. Accordingly, a reverse stock split may not achieve the desired results that have been outlined above.
Effects of the Reverse Stock Split
General
If the Reverse Stock Split is effected, the principal effect will be to proportionately decrease the number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock based on the 1-for-2 Reverse Stock Split ratio. The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or the listing of the Common Stock on the OTCBB. Following the Reverse Stock Split, the Common Stock will continue to be quoted on the OTCBB under the symbol “RONE,” although it will receive a new CUSIP number. Stock certificates with the old CUSIP number will need to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP number by following the procedures described below.
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Proportionate voting rights and other rights of the holders of the Common Stock will not be affected by the Reverse Stock Split, other than as a result of the treatment of fractional shares as described below. For example, a holder of 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split will generally continue to hold 2% of the voting power of the Common Stock after giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split. The number of shareholders of record will not be affected by the Reverse Stock Split. If effected, the Reverse Stock Split may result in some shareholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of the Common Stock. Odd lot shares of the Common Stock may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares of the Common Stock. The Board believes, however, that these potential effects are outweighed by the benefits of the Reverse Stock Split.
Effectiveness of Reverse Stock Split
The Reverse Stock Split will become effective upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”) of the Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida. The effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, is a condition to closing the Transactions. We expect that such filing will take place promptly following shareholder approval at the Special Meeting.
Effect on Authorized Shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
Currently, the Company is authorized to issue up to a total of 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 3,633,067 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding as of July 22, 2014, and 550,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding as of July 22, 2014. The proposed amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation will not affect the number of authorized shares of Common Stock or preferred stock.
Accordingly, the proposed amendment will reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares, which will result in an increase in the number of authorized but unissued shares. The Transactions would result in the issuance of shares of the Common Stock that will result in the dilution of our current shareholders’ percentage of ownership interest in the Company. The Company may also engage in various capital raising transactions, including the issuance of additional shares, in order to enhance liquidity and provide additional capital for investing.
Effect on Par Value
The proposed amendments to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation will not affect the par value of the Common Stock, which will remain at no par value per share, or the par value of the Company’s preferred stock, which will remain at no par value per share.
Reduction in Stated Capital
As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, upon the Effective Time, the stated capital on the Company’s balance sheet attributable to the Common Stock, which consists of the par value per share of the Common Stock multiplied by the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, will be reduced in proportion to the size of the Reverse Stock Split. Correspondingly, the Company’s additional paid-in capital account, which consists of the difference between stated capital and the aggregate amount paid to us upon issuance of all currently outstanding shares of Common Stock, will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The Company’s shareholders’ equity, in the aggregate, will remain unchanged.
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No Going Private Transaction
Notwithstanding the decrease in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock following the proposed Reverse Stock Split, the Board does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act.
Book-Entry Shares of Common Stock
If the Reverse Stock Split is effected, shareholders who hold uncertificated shares of Common Stock (i.e., shares of Common Stock held in book-entry form and not represented by a physical stock certificate), either as direct or beneficial owners, will have their holdings electronically adjusted by the Company’s transfer agent (and, for beneficial owners, by their brokers or banks that hold in “street name” for their benefit, as the case may be) to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split.
Shareholders who hold uncertificated shares of Common Stock as direct owners will be sent a transmittal letter by the Company’s transfer agent and will need to return a properly completed and duly executed transmittal letter in order to receive any distributions, if any, that may be declared and payable to holders of record following the Reverse Stock Split.
Exchange of Stock Certificates
If the Reverse Stock Split is effected, shareholders holding certificated shares of Common Stock (i.e., shares of Common Stock represented by one or more physical stock certificates) will be required to exchange their Old Certificate(s) for New Certificate(s) representing the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock resulting from the Reverse Stock Split. Shareholders of record upon the Effective Time will be furnished the necessary materials and instructions for the surrender and exchange of their Old Certificate(s) at the appropriate time by the Company’s transfer agent. Shareholders will not have to pay any transfer fee or other fees in connection with such exchange. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Company’s transfer agent will send a transmittal letter to each shareholder advising such holder of the procedure for surrendering Old Certificate(s) in exchange for New Certificate(s).
YOU SHOULD NOT SEND YOUR OLD CERTIFICATES NOW. YOU SHOULD SEND THEM ONLY AFTER YOU RECEIVE THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FROM OUR TRANSFER AGENT.
As soon as practicable after the surrender to the transfer agent of any Old Certificate(s), together with a properly completed and duly executed transmittal letter and any other documents the transfer agent may specify, the transfer agent will deliver to the person in whose name such Old Certificate(s) had been issued a New Certificate registered in the name of such person.
Until surrendered as contemplated herein, a shareholder’s Old Certificate(s) shall be deemed at and after the Effective Time to represent the number of full shares of Common Stock resulting from the Reverse Stock Split. Until shareholders have returned their properly completed and duly executed transmittal letter and surrendered their Old Certificate(s) for exchange, shareholders will not be entitled to receive any other distributions, if any, that may be declared and payable to holders of record following the Reverse Stock Split.
Any shareholders whose Old Certificate(s) have been lost, destroyed or stolen will be entitled to a New Certificate only after complying with the requirements that the Company and its transfer agent customarily apply in connection with lost, stolen or destroyed certificates.
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No service charges, brokerage commissions or transfer taxes shall be payable by any holder of any Old Certificate(s), except that if any New Certificate is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Old Certificate(s) are registered, it will be a condition of such issuance that (1) the person requesting such issuance must pay to us any applicable transfer taxes or establish to our satisfaction that such taxes have been paid or are not payable, (2) the transfer complies with all applicable federal and state securities laws, and (3) the surrendered certificate is properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer.
Fractional Shares of Common Stock
The Company does not currently intend to issue fractional shares of Common Stock in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Therefore, the Company does not expect to issue certificates representing fractional shares of Common Stock. Shareholders who, as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, hold fewer than one share of Common Stock would receive a whole number of shares rounded up to the next whole number.
No Appraisal Rights
Under the Florida Business Corporation Act (“FBCA”), the Company’s shareholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse Stock Split described in this proxy statement and the Company will not independently provide shareholders with any such rights.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The following summary describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to holders of our common stock. Unless otherwise specifically indicated herein, this summary addresses the U.S. federal income tax consequences only to a beneficial owner of Common Stock that is: (i) a citizen or resident of the U.S., (ii) a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of a political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia), (iii) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation, regardless of its source, or (iv) any trust if: (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (b) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person (each, a “U.S. holder”). This summary does not address any state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences, nor does it address all of the tax consequences, that may be relevant to any particular shareholder, including tax considerations that arise from rules of general application to all taxpayers or to certain classes of taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be known by shareholders. This summary also does not address the tax consequences to: (i) persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as banks, insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investments trusts, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to mark to market and dealers in securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our common stock as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging,” “conversion” or other integrated investment transaction for federal income tax purposes, or (iii) persons that do not hold our common stock as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment).
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This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date hereof. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequence of the Reverse Stock Split. In addition, we have not sought, and will not seek, an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split, and there can be no assurance the IRS will not challenge the statements and conclusions set forth below or that a court would not sustain any such challenge.
The Reverse Stock Split is intended to be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, no gain or loss should be recognized by U.S. holders in the Reverse Stock Split. Accordingly, following the Reverse Stock Split, the aggregate tax basis in the shares of Common Stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split should be equal to the aggregate tax basis in the shares of Common Stock surrendered, and the holding period for the shares of Common Stock received should include the holding period for the shares of Common Stock surrendered.
The tax treatment of a shareholder may vary depending upon the particular facts and circumstances of that shareholder. Each shareholder should consult its own tax advisor regarding all of the potential U.S. federal, state, local, foreign income and other tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.
Interests of Certain Persons in the Proposal
Certain of our officers and directors have an interest in this proposal as a result of their ownership of shares of Common Stock as set forth in the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.” However we do not believe that our officers or directors have interests in this proposal that are different from or greater than those of any other our shareholders.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class is required to approve the amendment. Proposal 1 will be approved if the number of votes cast in favor of the proposal exceeds the number of votes cast against the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count as votes in favor of the proposal and will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” AN AMENDMENT TO OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
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PROPOSAL 2
REINCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY FROM FLORIDA TO MARYLAND
On December 19, 2014, the Board unanimously approved and recommended shareholders approve changing the Company’s domicile from the State of Florida to the State of Maryland (the “Reincorporation”). The Reincorporation will be consummated pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger between the Company and Princeton Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Newco”), a copy of which is attached in Annex B (the “Merger Agreement”). Copies of the Maryland Charter and Maryland By-laws are attached as Annex C and Annex D, respectively
The proposed Reincorporation will effect a change in the legal domicile of the Company and other changes of a legal nature, the most significant of which are described below. The Reincorporation, by itself, will not result in any change in the Company’s business, management, assets, liabilities or net worth (other than as a result of the costs incident to the Reincorporation, which are immaterial). However, the Reincorporation is part of, and is a condition precedent to closing of the Purchase Agreement. Following the Reincorporation, Newco’s Common Stock will continue to trade without interruption on the OTCBB under the symbol “RONE”.
Newco
Newco is the Company's wholly owned subsidiary and, prior to the Reincorporation, will have no material assets or liabilities and will not have carried on any business. Upon completion of the Reincorporation, the rights of the stockholders of Newco will be governed by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) and the Maryland Charter and Maryland Bylaws.
Effect of the Merger and Resulting Reincorporation
The Merger Agreement provides that the Company will merge with and into Newco, with Newco being the surviving corporation. Under the FBCA and the MGCL, when the Merger and resulting Reincorporation takes effect:
● | Newco would succeed to the business and all of the properties, assets and liabilities of the Company, including obligations under the Company’s outstanding indebtedness and contracts, including the Purchase Agreement; |
● | All of the directors and officers of the Company would become directors and officers of Newco, respectively, and hold the same positions and, in the case of the directors, have the same terms of office for Newco as they did for the Company until closing of the Transactions; |
● | Each outstanding share of Common Stock will automatically be converted into one share of Newco’s common stock and each outstanding share of Preferred Stock will automatically be converted into approximately 31.85 shares of Newco’s common stock; |
● | A proceeding pending against the Company may be continued as if the Merger had not occurred or the surviving entity may be substituted in the proceeding for the entity whose existence has ceased; |
● | The shareholders’ interests in the Company and the other interests, obligations and securities of the Company are converted into shareholders’ interests, obligations or other securities of the surviving entity, or into cash or other property, and the former holders of such interests are entitled only to the rights provided in the Articles of Merger, Maryland Charter and Maryland Bylaws of the surviving entity pursuant to the MGCL, other than the right, if applicable, of certain shareholders to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares under provisions of the FBCA dealing with dissenter’s rights. |
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On the effective date of the Merger, the Company will be deemed incorporated under the MGCL. Consequently, the Company will be governed by the Maryland Charter and Maryland Bylaws.
Effective Time
The Company will determine when to file the Articles of Merger (“Articles of Merger”) with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations and the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, respectively. The Plan of Merger may be terminated and abandoned by action of the Board at any time prior to the effective time of the merger, if the Board determines for any reason, in its sole judgment and discretion, that the consummation of the merger would be against the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Completion of the Reincorporation is a condition to closing the Transactions. Accordingly, we intend to file the Articles of Merger as soon as reasonably practicable after shareholder approval at the Special Meeting.
Principal Reasons for the Change of Domicile
The purpose of the Reincorporation is to change the Company’s state of incorporation from Florida to Maryland, where a significant number of publicly-traded BDCs are domiciled. The primary reason for the Reincorporation is that the Board believes the MGCL will better meet the Company’s business needs. Upon closing of the Transactions, the Company will have more than $50.0 million in assets under management and become an externally managed BDC. The MGCL is a comprehensive, modern and flexible statute and a significant number of BDCs are incorporated under the MGCL. In addition, we believe that Maryland statutory law and case law is better developed than Florida’s with respect to BDCs and will provide greater predictability.
Principal Features of the Reincorporation
The Reincorporation will be effected by the Merger of the Company, a Florida corporation, with and into, Newco, a Maryland corporation, for the purpose of effecting the Reincorporation. The Reincorporation will become effective upon the filing of the requisite merger documents in Florida and Maryland. Following the Merger, Newco will be the surviving corporation and will continue to operate under the name “Princeton Capital Corporation.”
On the effective date of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of Common Stock shall be converted into one share of Newco’s common stock. On the effective date of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of Preferred Stock shall be converted into approximately 31.85 shares of Newco’s common stock. Each share of Newco’s common stock will have the same terms as the Common Stock, subject to the differences arising by virtue of the differences between Florida and Maryland law and between the provisions of the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws and the Maryland Charter and Maryland By-laws.
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On the effective date of the Merger, Newco will be governed by the Maryland Charter, the Maryland Bylaws and the MGCL, which include a number of provisions that are not present in the Company’s articles of incorporation, the Company’s bylaws or the FBCA. Accordingly, as described below, a number of changes in shareholders’ rights will occur in connection with the Reincorporation, some of which may be viewed as limiting the rights of the shareholders. See “Differences Between the Corporation Laws of Maryland and Florida and the Charter and Bylaws of the Company and Newco.”
Newco Share Certificates
Share certificates representing shares of common stock before the Merger shall be automatically converted into the same number of shares of Newco’s common stock without any further action required by the shareholder, subject to the impact of the Reverse Stock Split.
Failure by a shareholder to surrender certificates representing Common Stock will not affect such person’s rights as a shareholder of Newco as such stock certificate representing the Common Stock following the Reincorporation will only represent the right to receive shares of Newco’s common stock, unless the shareholder elects to exercise its appraisal rights, if applicable.
Capitalization
The authorized capital of the Company, on the Record Date, consisted of 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 3,633,067 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, and 550,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
Description of Newco Capital Stock
Stock
Immediately following the Merger, Newco will be authorized to issue 250,000,000 shares of stock, par value $0.001 per share, all of which are initially designated as common stock.
Under the Maryland Charter and subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding preferred stock, the board of directors of Newco will be authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the MGCL, the Maryland Charter provides that a majority of the entire board of directors, without any action by stockholders of Newco, may amend the Maryland Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that Newco has authority to issue.
Common Stock
All shares of Newco’s common stock will have equal rights as to earnings, assets, voting, and distributions and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding preferred stock, distributions may be paid to the holders of Newco’s common stock if, as and when authorized by the board of directors and declared by Newco out of assets legally available therefor. Holders of Newco’s common stock have no preemptive, conversion or redemption rights and shares of Newco’s common stock are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of Newco’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of outstanding shares of Newco’s common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of Newco’s assets that are legally available for distribution after Newco pays all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of Newco’s preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Subject to the exclusive rights of holders of any other class or series of Newco’s stock to vote on any matter, each share of Newco’s common stock entitles the holder to cast one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of Newco’s common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that, subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding preferred stock, holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Newco’s common stock can elect all of the directors, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will be unable to elect any director.
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Preferred Stock
The Maryland Charter authorizes Newco’s board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. The cost of any such reclassification and issuance would be borne by Newco’s existing common stockholders. Prior to the issuance of shares of each class or series, Newco’s board of directors is required by Maryland law and the Maryland Charter to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers (including exclusive voting rights, if any), restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each class or series. Thus, Newco’s board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of Newco’s common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.
It should be noted, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that (a) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to Newco’s common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of Newco’s gross assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (b) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock would vote separately from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a BDC. We believe that the availability for issuance of preferred stock will provide Newco with increased flexibility in structuring future financings and acquisitions. However, there are currently no plans to issue preferred stock.
Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers- Indemnification and Advance of Expenses
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. The Maryland Charter contains such a provision that eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.
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To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Maryland Charter authorizes Newco to indemnify any individual who serves or has served, and Maryland Bylaws obligate Newco to indemnify any individual who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service, as a present or former director or officer or, while a director or officer and at our request, as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, in each case, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Maryland Charter and Maryland Bylaws also permit Newco to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of Newco in any of the capacities described above and any of its employees or agents or any employees or agents of its predecessor.
Maryland law requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Maryland Charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation also may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
In accordance with the 1940 Act, Newco will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. Additionally, Newco will enter into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements will provide Newco’s directors and executive officers the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Newco pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Newco has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Newco of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Newco in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with a registered securities offering, Newco will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Newco’s insurance policy will not provide coverage for claims, liabilities and expenses that may arise out of activities that its present or former directors or officers have performed for another entity at Newco’s request. There is no assurance that such entities will in fact carry such insurance. However, Newco does not expect to request its present or former directors or officers to serve another entity as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee unless it can obtain insurance providing coverage for such persons for any claims, liabilities or expenses that may arise out of their activities while serving in such capacities.
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Differences Between the Corporation Laws of Maryland and Florida and the Charter and Bylaws of the Company and Newco
The Reincorporation will effect a change in the Company's legal domicile. The Reincorporation will not result in any change in headquarters, business, management, or any change in the Company's assets, liabilities or net worth (other than as a result of the costs incident to the Reincorporation, which are immaterial). Subject to closing the Transactions, members of the Company management, including all directors and officers, will retain in Newco each of the respective positions, responsibilities, duties and benefits they currently hold with the Company. There will be no substantive change in the direct or indirect equity interests of the current directors or executive officers upon the consummation of the Reincorporation. At the effective time of the merger, each single share of Common Stock will be converted into a corresponding single share of Newco’s common stock and each share of Preferred Stock will be converted into approximately 31.85 shares of Newco’s common stock.
As noted above, the Maryland Charter and Maryland Bylaws will be the governing instruments of the surviving corporation following the Reincorporation. This may result in the Company being governed by a charter and bylaws in certain ways different from that of the current articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Company. Some of these changes are purely procedural in nature, and include the change in the location of the registered office and agent of the Company from a location in Florida to one in Maryland. Newco will also be governed by laws different from those governing the Company, as there are also material differences between the MGCL and the FBCA. The most significant differences, in the judgment of management of the Company, as well as certain differences between the MGCL and the FBCA, are discussed below. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the MGCL, the FBCA, the Maryland Charter and Maryland Bylaws, both of which are included herewith as Annex C and Annex D, respectively.
Provision | Florida | Maryland |
Increase in Authorized Shares of Stock of the Corporation | Florida law requires shareholders approve an amendment to a Florida corporation’s articles of incorporation to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series that it is authorized, and specifically a majority of each class or series of shares. | Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter that the board of directors of the corporation, without stockholder approval, may amend the corporation’s charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that it is authorized to issue. The Maryland Charter contains such a provision. |
Classified Board of Directors | Florida law permits a Florida corporation’s bylaws to provide for a staggered (e.g., classified) board of directors with the maximum of three classes of directors. The Company does not have a classified board of directors. | Maryland law permits the directors of a Maryland corporation, by provision of its charter or bylaws, to be divided into classes. The term of office of any director of a Maryland corporation may not be longer than five years and, if the corporation’s board of directors is classified, the term of office of at least one class of directors must expire every year. A Maryland corporation may also classify its directors into up to three classes serving staggered three-year terms by electing to be subject to a provision of Subtitle 8 of the MGCL, as discussed below.
The Maryland Charter provides that, effective upon the closing of the Transactions, Newco’s directors will be divided into three classes. The initial terms of the first, second and third classes will expire at the first, second and third annual meeting of Newco’s stockholders after the completion of the Transaction, respectfully. At each annual meeting of Newco’s stockholders after the completion of the Transactions, directors of each class will be elected for three-year terms and, each year, one class of directors will be elected by Newco’s stockholders. |
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Provision | Florida | Maryland |
Removal of Directors | Florida law provides that shareholders of a Florida corporation may remove directors with or without cause at a meeting expressly called for that purpose by a vote of the holders unless the corporation’s articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause. If a director is elected by a voting group, only shareholders of that voting group may take part in the vote to remove the director. A director may be removed only if the number of votes cast in favor of removal exceeds the number of votes cast against removal. Accordingly, directors of the Company currently may be removed with or without cause if the number of votes cast in favor of removal exceeds the number of votes cast against removal. | Maryland law provides that, unless otherwise provided in the corporation’s charter or pursuant to an election under Subtitle 8, as discussed below, the stockholders of a Maryland corporation may remove any director, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast generally for the election of directors.
The Maryland Charter provides that, from and after the completion of the Transactions, subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock to remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire board of directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for “cause,” as such term is defined in the Maryland Charter, and only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. |
Charter Amendments | The FBCA generally requires approval by a majority of directors and by holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any amendment to a Florida corporation’s articles of incorporation. In addition, the amendment must be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment by any class or series of shares with respect to which the amendment would create dissenters’ rights. The board of directors must recommend the amendment to the shareholders, unless the board of directors determines that because of conflict of interest or other special circumstances it should make no recommendationand communicates the basis for its determination to the shareholders with the amendment. | Under MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of charter amendments by a lesser proportion, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. The Maryland Charter generally provides for approval of charter amendments by stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, subject to certain exceptions, the Maryland Charter provides that the following amendments require the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter |
Shareholder Consent to Action without a Meeting | Florida law provides that, unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if the holders of outstanding 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. Such shareholder action must be evidenced by one or more signed and dated written consents describing the action taken. Additionally, Florida law requires the corporation to give notice within ten days of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent to those shareholders who did not consent in writing. The Company’s bylaws permit shareholder action by written consent if the action is taken by the holders of outstanding stock of each voting group entitled to vote thereon having not less than the minimum number of votes with respect to each voting group that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all voting groups and shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. | Under Maryland law, unless action by a lesser proportion of stockholders is authorized by the corporation’s charter, common stockholders of a Maryland corporation may act by consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders only if all of the stockholders entitled to vote on the matter consent in writing or by electronic transmission. The Maryland Charter does not provide for stockholder action by consent in lieu of a meeting by less than unanimous consent. |
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Provision | Florida | Maryland |
Right to Call Meetings | Florida law permits special meetings of shareholders to be called by the board of directors or by any other person authorized in the articles of incorporation or bylaws to call a special shareholder meeting or by written request by the holders of not less than 10% of all shares entitled to vote on the matter (unless a greater percentage, not to exceed 50%, is specified in the articles of incorporation). The Company’s articles of incorporation permit special meetings to be called by the board of directors (or the person or persons authorized to do so by the board of directors) or the holders of not less than 10% of all shares entitled to be voted. | Under Maryland law, a special meeting of stockholders of a Maryland corporation may be called by the corporation’s president or board of directors, or by any other person specified in corporation’s charter or bylaws. Unless the corporation’s charter or bylaws provide for a different proportion (but not more than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast) or the corporation has made an election under Subtitle 8, as discussed below, the secretary of a Maryland corporation must call a special meeting of the stockholders on the written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least 25% of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting.
The Maryland Bylaws provide that special meetings of Newco’s stockholders may be called by its board of directors, the chairman of its board of directors, its president or its chief executive officer. The Maryland Bylaws also provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, including payment of Newco’s reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of the meeting (including Newco’s proxy materials), a special meeting of stockholders must be called by Newco’s secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. |
Advance Notice of Shareholder Nominations | Florida law authorizes a Florida corporation to include in its articles of incorporation or bylaws provisions requiring shareholders to provide advance notice of nominations or any other business proposals. | Maryland law authorizes a Maryland corporation to include in its charter or bylaws provisions requiring stockholders to provide advance notice of nominations or any other business proposals.
The Maryland Bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to Newco’s board of directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by stockholders may be made only:
● pursuant to Newco’s notice of the meeting;
● by or at the direction of Newco’s board of directors; or
● by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the notice required by the Maryland Bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting on such business or in the election of each such nominee and who has provided notice to Newco within the time period and containing the information specified by the Maryland Bylaws.
With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in Newco’s notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to Newco’s board of directors may be made only:
● by or at the direction of Newco’s board of directors; or
● provided that the meeting has been called for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the notice required by the Maryland Bylaws and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each such nominee and who has provided notice to Newco within the time period and containing the information specified by the Maryland Bylaws. |
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Provision | Florida | Maryland |
Bylaw Amendments | Under Florida law, a corporation's board of directors may amend or repeal the corporation's bylaws unless: (a) The articles of incorporation or the corporation act reserves the power to amend the bylaws generally or a particular bylaw provision exclusively to the shareholders; or (b) the shareholders, in amending or repealing the bylaws generally or a particular bylaw provision, provide expressly that the board of directors may not amend or repeal the bylaws or that bylaw provision.
A corporation's shareholders may amend or repeal the corporation's bylaws even though the bylaws may also be amended or repealed by its board of directors. |
As permitted by Maryland law, the Maryland Charter and the Maryland Bylaws provide that Newco’s board of directors will have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of the Maryland Bylaws and to make new bylaws. |
Inspection of Books and Records | Under Florida law, a shareholder is entitled to inspect and copy during regular business hours only, if the shareholder gives at least five business days’ prior written notice to the corporation, the articles of incorporation, bylaws, certain board and shareholder resolutions, certain written communications to shareholders (including financial statements), a list of the names and business addresses of the corporation’s directors and officers, and the corporation’s most recent annual report delivered to the Florida Department of State. In addition, a shareholder of a Florida corporation is entitled to inspect and copy (1) certain additional minutes or written consents (or excerpts) of the board or its committees, (2) accounting records, (3) record of shareholders, and (4) other books and records of the corporation during regular business hours, only if the shareholder gives as least five business days’ prior written notice to the corporation, and (a) the shareholder’s demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose, (b) the demand describes with particularity its purpose and the records to be inspected or copied and (c) the requested records are directly connected with such purpose. Florida law also provides that a corporation may deny any demand for inspection if the demand was made for an improper purpose or if the demanding shareholder has, within two years preceding such demand, sold or offered for sale any list of shareholders of the corporation or any other corporation, has aided or abetted any person in procuring a list of shareholders for such purpose or has improperly used any information secured through any prior examination of the records of the corporation or any other corporation. | Under Maryland law, a stockholder of record of a Maryland corporation or its agent, on written request, may inspect and copy the following corporate documents during normal business hours:
the corporation’s bylaws;
the minutes of proceedings of the corporation’s stockholders;
the corporation’s annual statements of affairs; and
any voting trust agreements deposited at the corporation’s principal office.
Any stockholder of record may also inspect a statement showing all stock and securities issued by the corporation during a specified period of not more than 12 months before the date of the request
Under Maryland law, one or more persons who together are, and for at least six months have been, stockholders of record or holders of voting trust certificates of at least 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of a Maryland corporation in person or by agent, on written request, inspect and copy during usual business hours the corporation’s books of account, a statement of the corporation’s affairs and its stock ledger. |
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Provision | Florida | Maryland |
Appraisal Rights | Under Florida law, dissenting shareholders who follow prescribed statutory provisions, are, in certain circumstances, entitled to appraisal rights in the event of (a) the consummation of certain plans of merger or conversion if shareholders are entitled to vote thereon; (b) the consummation of disposition of all or substantially all the assets of a corporation other than in the usual and regular course of business if shareholders are entitled to vote thereon; (d) an amendment of the articles of incorporation with respect to the class or series of shares which reduces the number of shares of a class or series owned by the shareholder to a fraction of a share if the corporation has the obligation or right to repurchase the fractional share so created; (e) consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a party as the corporation, the shares of which will be acquired, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan; and (f) any other amendment to the articles of incorporation, merger, share exchange, or disposition of assets to the extent provided by the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors, except that no bylaw or board resolution providing for appraisal rights may be amended or otherwise altered except by shareholder approval. In addition, dissenters rights also are available with regard to a class of shares prescribed in the articles of incorporation prior to October 1, 2003, including any shares within that class subsequently authorized by amendment, any amendment of the articles of incorporation if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the amendment and if such amendment would adversely affect such shareholder in the manner set forth in the statute. Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, no appraisal rights are available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which, at the record date for the meeting held to approve such transaction, were either (a) listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”) or (b) held of record by more than 2,000 shareholders. The Company Articles do not provide otherwise. | Under Maryland law, subject to certain exceptions, dissenting stockholders of a Maryland corporation who follow prescribed statutory provisions are, under certain circumstances, entitled to the judicially-determined fair value of their stock in connection with: (a) a merger, consolidation or conversion of the corporation; (b) the acquisition of the stockholder’s stock in a statutory share exchange; (c) the disposition of all or substantially all of the corporation’s assets outside the ordinary course of its business; (d) a charter amendment that alters the contract rights of any outstanding stock and substantially adversely affects the stockholder’s rights; and (e) a transaction under the Business Combination Act. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter that holders of the corporation’s stock are not entitled to appraisal rights.
The Maryland Charter provides that no holder of Newco’s stock is entitled to exercise appraisal rights unless Newco’s board of directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board of directors, determines that such rights will apply. |
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Provision | Florida | Maryland |
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
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FBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a Florida corporation and so long as such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such conduct was unlawful. The Company’s articles of incorporation provide for indemnification of directors to the fullest extent of the law. The Company’s bylaws grant the Company the non-exclusive power to indemnify directors, officers, employees and agents, if, among other things, such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. | The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Maryland Charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them by reason of their service in those or other capacities, unless it is established that:
● the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;
● the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or
● in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation also may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received; however, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.
To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act, the Maryland Charter authorizes Newco to indemnify any person who serves or has served, and the Maryland Bylaws obligate Newco to indemnify any individual who is made or threatened to be made a party to or witness in a proceeding by reason of his or her service:
● as a director or officer of Newco; or
● while a director or officer of Newco and at its request, as a director, officer, partner, manager, member or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise,
from and against any claim or liability to which he or she may become subject or that he or she may incur by reason of his or her service in any of these capacities. The Maryland Charter and the Maryland Bylaws authorize Newco to indemnify any individual who served any of Newco’s predecessors in any of the capacities described above and any employee or agent of Newco or any of its predecessors. |
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Provision | Florida | Maryland |
Limited Liability of Directors | Under Florida law, a director is not personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation, shareholders or any other person for any statement, vote, decision or failure to act, regarding corporate management or policy, unless (a) the director breached or failed to perform his duties as a director and (b) such breach or failure constitutes (i) a violation of criminal law, unless the director had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, (ii) a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, (iii) a circumstance resulting in an unlawful distribution, (iv) in a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor or by or in the right of a shareholder, conscious disregard for the best interests of the corporation or willful misconduct, or (v) in a proceeding by or in the right of one other than the corporation or a shareholder, recklessness or an act or omission committed in bad faith or with malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property. Neither the Company’s articles of incorporation nor the Company’s bylaws address the liability of directors. | The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. The Maryland Charter contains a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
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Securities Act Consequences
The shares of Newco’s common stock to be issued in exchange for shares of Newco’s common stock are not being registered under the Securities Act. Newco is relying on Rule 145(a)(2) under the Securities Act, which provides that a merger which has as its sole purpose a change in the domicile of a corporation does not involve the sale of securities for purposes of the Securities Act. Pursuant to Rule 145 under the Securities Act, the merger of the Company into Newco and the issuance of Newco’s common stock in exchange for the shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock is exempt from registration under the Securities Act, since the sole purpose of the transaction is a change of the Company’s domicile within the United States. The effect of the exemption is that the shares of Newco’s common stock issuable as a result of the Reincorporation may be resold by stockholders without restriction to the same extent that shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock may have been sold immediately before the effective time of the Reincorporation.
Regulatory Approvals
There are no federal or state regulatory requirements that must be complied with or approval that must be obtained in connection with the Reincorporation.
Accounting Treatment
The Reincorporation will be accounted for as a reverse merger under which, for accounting purposes, the Company would be considered the acquirer and the surviving corporation, Newco, would be treated as the successor to the Company’s historical operations. Accordingly, the Company’s historical financial statements would be treated as the financial statements of the surviving corporation.
Statutory Right of Appraisal Under Florida Law
Pursuant to Section 607.1302 of the FBCA, a shareholder who does not approve the Merger may exercise appraisal rights and, if the Merger is consummated, obtain the payment of the “fair value” of the shareholder’s shares of Common Stock (as valued immediately prior to the completion of the Merger in accordance with Florida law). The following is a summary of the statutory procedures that a shareholder of a Florida corporation must follow in order to exercise its appraisal rights under Florida law. This does not purport to be a complete statement of the procedure to be followed by shareholders desiring to assert appraisal rights and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Sections 607.1301-607.1333 of the FBCA (referred to as the “Appraisal Provisions”), the text of which is set forth in full in Annex E. Since the preservation and exercise of appraisal rights require strict adherence to the Appraisal Provisions, shareholders who might desire to exercise such rights should review such laws carefully, timely consult their own legal advisor, and strictly follow the provisions of Florida law. A shareholder’s failure to follow any of the applicable procedures may result in termination or waiver of their appraisal rights.
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If you elect to demand appraisal of your shares, you must satisfy each of the following conditions:
● | You must deliver to the Company written notice of the your intent to demand payment of fair value if the Merger is consummated within 20 days after this proxy statement is first mailed ("Demand Notice"); and |
● | You must not have voted (or cause or permit his, her or its shares to be voted) in favor of approval of the Merger Agreement. A vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement, by proxy, over the Internet, by telephone or in person, will constitute a waiver of your appraisal rights in respect of the shares so voted and will nullify any previously filed written demands for appraisal. |
Such Demand Notice should be delivered either in person, via courier or by mail (certified mail, return receipt requested, being the recommended form of transmittal) to:
Christopher Dieterich, on behalf of Regal One Corporation
11835 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1235E
Los Angeles, California 90064
The Demand Notice must be provided in addition to not voting for the approval of the Merger. Failure to vote will not satisfy the requirement to deliver a Demand Notice to the Company before the twenty-first day after this proxy statement is first mailed. All Demand Notices must be signed in the same manner as the shares are registered on the books of the Company. If a shareholder has not delivered a Demand Notice before the twenty-first day after this proxy statement is first mailed, the shareholder will be deemed to have waived his, her or its appraisal rights.
A shareholder must demand appraisal rights with respect to all of the shares registered in the shareholder's name, except that a record shareholder may assert appraisal rights as to fewer than all of the shares registered in the record shareholder's name but that are owned by one or more beneficial shareholders only if the record shareholder objects with respect to all shares owned by the beneficial shareholder and notifies the Company in writing of the name and address of each beneficial shareholder on whose behalf appraisal rights are being asserted. A beneficial shareholder may assert appraisal rights as to shares held on behalf of the shareholder only if the shareholder (i) submits to the Company the record shareholder's written consent to the assertion of such rights no later than the date specified in the Appraisal Notice for the return of the Appraisal Form as described below, and (ii) does so with respect to all shares that are beneficially owned by the beneficial shareholder.
If the Merger is approved and becomes effective, we will deliver a written appraisal notice ("Appraisal Notice") to all shareholders who did not vote (or cause or permit his, her or its shares to be voted) in favor of the approval of the Merger and who timely delivered to us a Demand Notice (a “dissenting shareholder”), no earlier than the date the Merger becomes effective and no later than 10 days after such date. The Appraisal Notice will be accompanied by a form (the "Appraisal Form") that specifies the date on which the Merger became effective and provides for the dissenting shareholders to state the following information:
● | the shareholder's name and address; |
● | the number, classes and series of shares as to which the shareholder asserts appraisal rights; |
● | that the shareholder did not vote for the transaction; |
● | whether the shareholder accepts our offered estimate of fair value; and |
● | if our offer is not accepted, the shareholder's estimated fair value of the shares and a demand for payment of the shareholder's estimated fair value plus interest. |
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The Appraisal Notice will provide information as to where the Appraisal Form must be sent, where certificates for certificated shares must be deposited and the date by which the Appraisal Form and those certificates must be deposited (which may not be fewer than 40 nor more than 60 days after the date the Appraisal Notice and Appraisal Form are sent). Please note that a dissenting shareholder will waive the right to demand appraisal with respect to his, her or its shares unless the Appraisal Form is received by us by the date specified in the Appraisal Notice.
The Appraisal Notice will also include (1) our estimate of the fair value of the shares and an offer to pay such fair value to each dissenting shareholder who is entitled to appraisal rights under the FBCA and (2) the date by which written notice of a dissenting shareholder who wishes to withdraw from the appraisal process must be received by us (which date must be within 20 days after the date the Appraisal Form and stock certificates must be returned to us). The Appraisal Notice will be accompanied by our financial statements consisting of a balance sheet, an income statement and cash flow statement for the most recent fiscal year ended and the latest available interim financial statements, if any. A dissenting shareholder may request in writing that we provide to the shareholder, within 10 days after the date the Appraisal Form and the stock certificates must be returned to us, the number of dissenting shareholders who return the Appraisal Forms by the specified date and the total number of shares owned by them. The Appraisal Notice also will be accompanied by a copy of Sections 607.1301 through 607.1333 of the FBCA.
If a dissenting shareholder accepts our offer to purchase his, her or its shares at our estimated fair value, we will make such payment to the shareholder within 90 days after we receive the duly executed Appraisal Form. Once the payment is made, such dissenting shareholder will cease to have any interest in the shares held by such dissenting shareholder prior to the appraisal process.
If a dissenting shareholder is dissatisfied with our offer to pay our estimated fair value for his, her or its shares, the dissenting shareholder must notify us on the Appraisal Form of the dissenting shareholder's own estimate of the fair value of his, her or its shares and demand payment of that estimate plus interest. If a dissenting shareholder fails to so notify us in writing and on a timely basis, the dissenting shareholder will waive the right to demand payment of his, her or its own estimate of fair value plus interest and will only be entitled to the payment offered by us.
If a dissenting shareholder does not execute and return the Appraisal Form to us (and, in the case of certificated shares, deposit his, her or its stock certificates) as described above, the dissenting shareholder will not be entitled to payment under the FBCA. Once a dissenting shareholder returns the executed Appraisal Form with his, her or its stock certificates, that dissenting shareholder loses all rights as a holder of common stock of the Company unless he, she or it withdraws from the appraisal process by notifying us in writing as provided in the Appraisal Notice. A shareholder who has duly executed and returned the Appraisal Form to us with his, her or its stock certificates may nevertheless decline to exercise appraisal rights and withdraw from the appraisal process by so notifying us in writing by the date set forth in the Appraisal Notice. A shareholder who fails to so withdraw from the appraisal process may not thereafter withdraw without our written consent.
If we and a dissenting shareholder are unable to agree on the fair value of the shares, under Section 607.1330 of the FBCA, we will be required to commence a proceeding within 60 days after receiving the dissenting shareholder's payment demand and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If we do not commence the proceeding within such 60−day period, any dissenting shareholder who is dissatisfied with our offer and has demanded payment may commence a proceeding in the name of the surviving corporation. All dissenting shareholders whose demands remain unsettled are required to be made parties to the proceeding. In such a proceeding, the court may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the question of fair value. There is no right to a jury trial. The surviving corporation would be required to pay each dissenting shareholder whose demand remains unsettled the amount found to be due within 10 days after final determination of the proceedings. Upon payment of the judgment, the dissenting shareholders cease to have any interest in their shares.
The court in an appraisal proceeding will determine the costs of the proceeding, including reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court, and such costs and expenses will generally be assessed against the surviving corporation. However, all or any part of such costs and expenses may be assessed against all or some of the dissenting shareholders, in such amount as the court finds equitable, if the court finds that the dissenting shareholders acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith with respect to the shareholders' appraisal rights. If the court finds that counsel for one shareholder substantially benefited other shareholders, and attorneys' fees should not be assessed against the surviving corporation, the court may award counsel fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded to the shareholders who benefited.
Notwithstanding the above described appraisal rights, we may not make any payment to a shareholder seeking appraisal rights if after giving effect to such payment:
● | we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or |
● | our total assets would be less than the sum or our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if we were to be dissolved at the time of payment, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the payment. |
In such event, a dissenting shareholder may, at his, her or its option:
● | withdraw his, her or its notice of intent to assert appraisal rights; or |
● | retain his, her or its status as a claimant against us and, if we are liquidated, be subordinated to the rights or our creditors, but have rights superior to the shareholders not asserting appraisal rights and if we are not liquidated, retain the right to be paid for his, her or its shares, which right we will be obliged to satisfy when we are solvent. |
A dissenting shareholder must exercise the option by written notice filed with us within 30 days after we have given written notice that the payment for shares cannot be made because of the insolvency restrictions. If the dissenting shareholder fails to exercise the option, the dissenting shareholder will be deemed to have withdrawn his, her or its Demand Notice.
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Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reincorporation
The following is a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to holders of Common Stock who receive Newco’s common stock as a result of the proposed change of domicile. No state, local, or foreign tax consequences are addressed herein.
This discussion does not address the state, local, federal or foreign income tax consequences of the change of domicile that may be relevant to particular shareholders, such as dealers in securities, or Company shareholder who exercise dissenters’ rights. In view of the varying nature of such tax considerations, each shareholder is urged to consult his own tax adviser as to the specific tax consequences of the proposed Reincorporation, including the applicability of federal, state, local, or foreign tax laws. Subject to the limitations, qualifications and exceptions described herein, and assuming the change of domicile qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code the following federal income tax consequences generally should result:
● | No gain or loss should be recognized by the shareholders of the Company upon conversion of their Common Stock into Newco’s common stock pursuant to the change of domicile; |
● | The aggregate tax basis of the Newco’s common stock received by each shareholder of the Company in the change of domicile should be equal to the aggregate tax basis of Common Stock converted in exchange therefor; |
● | The holding period of Newco’s common stock received by each shareholder of the Company in the change of domicile should include the period during which the shareholder held his or her common stock converted therefor, provided such common stock is held by the shareholder as a capital asset on the effective date of the change of domicile; and |
● | The Company should not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the change of domicile. |
The Company has not requested a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel with respect to the federal income tax consequences of the change of domicile under the Code. The Company believes the change of domicile will constitute a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code, inasmuch as Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code defines a reorganization as a mere change in identity, form, or place of organization of the Company.
Interests of Certain Persons in the Proposal
Certain of our officers and directors have an interest in this proposal as a result of their ownership of shares of Common Stock as set forth in the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.” However we do not believe that our officers or directors have interests in this proposal that are different from or greater than those of any other our shareholders.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class is required to approve the Reincorporation. Proposal 2 will be approved if the number of votes cast in favor of the proposal exceeds the number of votes cast against the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE REINCORPORATION
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PROPOSAL 3
SUB-PROPOSALS 3A THROUGH 3E:
A PROPOSAL TO APPROVE PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION’S CHARTER
AS A PART
OF THE REINCORPORATION
In connection with the Reincorporation, the Company’s shareholders are requested to consider and vote upon certain changes to the governing documents of Newco in the Reincorporation, as compared to our existing articles of incorporation and bylaws, as described in Proposal 2 above. Pursuant to this Proposal 3, you will be asked to consider, and vote to approve, certain provisions which are included in the Maryland Charter and Maryland Bylaws.
To comply with applicable “unbundling” rules of the SEC relating to proxy statements, we are presenting Sub-Proposals 3A through 3E to our shareholders as separate proposals for approval. Approval of the Sub-Proposals is not a condition to consummation of the Reincorporation. Accordingly, a vote against any of the Sub-Proposals will not count as a vote against the Reincorporation. Should we obtain approval of less than all of the Sub-Proposals, we may elect not to proceed with the Reincorporation.
Upon effectiveness of our Reincorporation in Maryland, we will cease to be governed by the FBCA and will instead be governed by the MGCL. The MGCL is viewed as containing provisions conducive to the operation of a publicly-traded BDC, but also differs in some respects from the FBCA in ways that will affect our shareholders’ rights. Please see the comparison of the material provisions of the MGCL and the FBCA above under Proposal 2. Upon effectiveness of our Reincorporation in Maryland, shareholders of the Company will become stockholders of Princeton Capital.
Background
A number of the Sub-Proposals set forth below (i) are intended to amend or remove provisions of our articles of incorporation that we believe are unnecessary for the protection of the Company or our shareholders and (ii) are intended to provide our Board of Directors certain flexibility to take actions that it believes to be in our best interest and the best interests of our shareholders. We believe that it is appropriate to vest in our Board of Directors powers sufficient to provide it with the flexibility it needs to timely and effectively direct our policies, management and growth.
If the Reincorporation is approved by the shareholders and subsequently consummated, we anticipate that Newco’s board of directors will continue to review the terms and provisions of the Maryland Charter and the Maryland Bylaws on an ongoing basis to ensure that it maintains appropriate corporate governance flexibility while simultaneously ensuring that they maintain appropriate stockholder protections. These periodic reviews could result in Newco’s board of directors making the determination that the addition of certain provisions to, deletion of certain provisions from, or the amendment of certain provisions in, the Maryland Charter or the Maryland Bylaws would be in the best interest of stockholders. Depending on the provisions that are being added, amended or deleted, stockholder approval may not be required. However, any decisions Newco’s board of directors makes with respect to an amendment of the Maryland Charter or the Maryland Bylaws are subject to express statutory duties under the MGCL, which require that each of Newco’s directors, in carrying out his or her responsibilities as a director, act (1) in good faith, (2) with a reasonable belief that his or her actions are in Newco’s best interests, and (3) with the care of an ordinarily prudent person in a like position under similar circumstances.
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Attached hereto as Annex C and D are the Maryland Charter and Maryland Bylaws, respectively. These forms assume that all of the amendments described in the Sub-Proposals below will be approved. The Company, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Princeton Capital Corporation prior to the Reincorporation, will approve amendments to the Maryland Charter to give effect to any Sub-Proposal which is not approved.
Sub-Proposal 3A: A proposal to approve the classification of the board of directors
Section 4.1 of the Maryland Charter provides for the classification of Newco’s board of directors into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II, and Class III, with staggered three year terms of office. Presently the Company’s board of directors consists of a single class of directors, all of whom are elected at each annual meeting of shareholders.
Purpose of Creating a Staggered Board of Directors
The Company currently has a non-staggered board. By considering the benefits and drawbacks of a staggered system, in terms of benefits, we recognize that classified boards provide stability of board membership, promote a longer-term perspective for board members and enhance a company’s bargaining leverage with unsolicited bidders because of an inability by an unsolicited bidder to replace the entire board in a single election.
The staggered board of directors could have the following anti-takeover effects:
● | Encourage persons seeking to acquire control of Newco to initiate the acquisition through arm’s-length negotiations with Newco’s management and board of directors; |
● | Reduce the possibility that a third party could effect a sudden or surprise change in control of the board of directors without the support of the then incumbent board of directors; |
● | Discourage a third party from making a tender offer (or otherwise attempting to obtain control of Newco), even though such an attempt might benefit Newco and its stockholders; and |
● | Entrench incumbent management by discouraging a proxy contest, a holder of a substantial block of Newco’s outstanding shares assuming control of Newco, or the removal of incumbent directors or the change of control of the board of directors. |
At the same time, a staggered board structure would ensure that the board of directors and management, if confronted by a surprise proposal from a third party who had acquired a block of Newco’s stock, would have time to review the proposal and appropriate alternatives to the proposal and possibly to attempt to negotiate a better transaction.
In terms of drawbacks, we note that classified boards have the potential effect of eroding stockholder value by deterring acquisition proposals and/or preventing stockholders who want to negotiate with a potential acquirer from having the opportunity to do so and generally facilitate the entrenchment of the board.
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The board also notes that there was a growing trend among larger companies to elect directors on an annual basis and thus to allow stockholders to review and express their opinions on the performance of all directors each year.
In light of current market conditions, we have decided to adopt a classified board of directors. We believe that the anti-takeover implications of a staggered system would best preserve stockholder value by making it more difficult for an unsolicited takeover attempt to succeed because a possible acquirer would be unable to obtain majority control of Newco’s board of directors for a period of at least two years. Further, although we recognize that there is a growing trend among larger companies to elect directors on an annual basis, we note that Newco is small and it is easier for an unsolicited bid to be financed.
The board of directors believes that a staggered board would provide important benefits to Newco as well. A staggered board will help to assure the continuity and stability of Newco’s business strategies and policies and management of Newco’s business because a majority of the board of directors at any given time will have prior experience as directors of Newco.
Vote Required
Approval of Sub-Proposal 3A requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of proposal 3A.
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Sub-Proposal 3B: A proposal to approve an increase of the authorized shares of common stock from 50,550,000 shares to 250,000,000 shares
The Company’s articles of incorporation currently authorize the issuance of up to 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 3,633,067 are outstanding, and 550,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 100,000 of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding,
The Company does not have enough authorized but unissued shares of common stock to close the transactions with the Partnerships,
In connection with the Reincorporation, Newco’s authorized capital will be 250,000,000 shares of stock all of which are initially designated as common stock.
Purpose of Increasing Authorized Capital
The increase of the authorized capital from 50,500,000 shares of authorized stock that could be issued by the Company to 250,000,000 shares of authorized stock that can be issued by Newco will (i) permit Newco to issue additional shares of common stock to close the transactions with the Partnerships and (ii) provide Newco with an adequate amount of unissued shares to raise capital in the future.
Vote Required
Approval of Sub-Proposal 3B requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class.
The board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of proposal 3B.
SUB-PROPOSAL 3C: A PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE REMOVAL OF THE PROVISION RELATING TO STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY LESS THAN UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT
The Company’s bylaws provide that any action that may be taken by written consent of the stockholders holding the number of votes that would be necessary to approve the action at a meeting, without a properly noticed meeting of shareholders. The Maryland Charter would prevent stockholders, unless such consent is unanimous.
Purpose of Removing Ability of Shareholders To Take Action by Less Than Unanimous Written Consent
Sub-proposal 3C would (i) ensure that all stockholders receive advance notice of any proposed major corporate action by stockholders (ii) enable us to see a record date for any stockholder voting which would reduce the possibility of disputes or confusion regarding the validity of purported stockholder action; and (iii) encourage a potential acquirer to negotiate directly with our board of directors rather than circumventing the negotiation process. In addition we believe that this amendment would prevent our stockholders from taking ill advised stockholder action, by requiring that each proposed stockholder action be discussed in an open forum, with the knowledge, advice and participation of management and the board of directors.
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We also believe that this amendment would ensure that all stockholders have an opportunity to express their views on a proposed acquisition of Newco and would promote negotiations concerning any such proposed acquisition. In addition, the elimination of the ability of shareholders to take action by less than unanimous consent may deter hostile takeover attempts because of the lengthened stockholder approval process. However, the lengthening of the stockholder approval process could discourage a potential acquirer from completing a transaction that is desirable to stockholders.
Vote Required
Approval of Sub-Proposal 3C requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of proposal 3C.
SUB-PROPOSAL 3D: PROPOSAL TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF VOTES A STOCKHOLDER MUST POSSESS TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING
The Company’s articles of incorporation provide that a special meeting of shareholders may be called at any time at the written request of holders of 10% of the Company’s shares then outstanding and entitled to vote. The Maryland bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural requirements, at any time at the written request of the holders entitled to cast a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at the meeting.
Purpose of Increasing the Number of Stockholders Required to Call a Special Meeting
This proposal would prevent a common tactic of bidders whereby they initiate a proxy contest in attempting hostile takeover by calling a special meeting of stockholders. However, a proxy contest may still be used in the context of an annual meeting. In addition, we believe that increasing the threshold for stockholders to call a special meeting would insure that a majority of the stockholders desire any the special meeting to be held and would allow that board of directors to negotiate any proposed acquisition prior to the proposal being submitted to stockholders for approval.
The proposed amendment could discourage efforts of a potential acquirer, even in connection with a transaction that may be desirable to stockholders, by increasing the number of stockholders required to call a special meeting, which would length any stockholder approval process.
Vote Required
Approval of sub-proposal 3D requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of proposal 3D.
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Sub-Proposal 3E: A proposal to approve the addition of the ability of the board of directors to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares and the number of shares of any class or series of the Company
Section 6.1 of Article VI of the Maryland Charter provides:
“The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of the Corporation or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.
Our articles of incorporation sets the authorized number of the Company’s shares and does not give the board of directors the ability to change that number. Accordingly, a change in the number of authorized shares of the Company currently requires an amendment to our articles of incorporation, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class. We believe the board of directors should have the flexibility to adjust the number of authorized shares as it determines to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders from time to time.
Vote Required
Approval of Sub-Proposal 3E requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class.
The board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of Proposal 3E.
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PROPOSAL 4
ACQUISITION OF ASSETS OF CAPITAL POINT PARTNERS I AND II
THE TRANSACTION
The following is a summary of the Purchase Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Purchase Agreement, which is incorporated by reference and attached as Annex G to this Proxy Statement. The rights and obligations of the parties are governed by the express terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement and not by this summary or any other information contained in this proxy statement. References to “we,” “us,” “our,” in this section refer to Newco following the Reincorporation.
Overview
On July 14, 2014 and as a part of the Company’s plan to reorganize itself, the Company entered into the Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed, subject to shareholder approval, to issue up to 119,433,962 shares of Common Stock to the Partnerships in consideration for certain equity and debt investments owned by the Partnerships. The members of the Company’s board of directors on July 14, 2014, which at that time consisted of Bernard L. Brodkorb, Malcolm Currie, Christopher Dieterich and Charles J. Newman, including its independent directors, approved the Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. On December 19, 2014, the current members of the Company’s board of directors, Bernard L. Brodkorb, Stephen E. Boynton, Charles J. Newman, James Olchefski and Robert M. Terry approved the Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Purchase Agreement is now being submitted to the shareholders for approval. The Company’s obligation, which will be assumed by Newco as a result of the Company’s Reincorporation, to issue the shares of Common Stock and the Partnerships’ obligation to sell their equity and debt investments are subject to certain closing conditions, as described below under “—Purchase Agreement.”
As a result of the Transaction, the Partnerships will be the largest shareholder of Newco, and will own an aggregate of approximately 95% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. See “—Consequences of the Transaction – Changes in Ownership” below.
Purchase Agreement
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Company’s plan to reorganize itself, the Company and Newco have agreed, subject to shareholder approval, to issue up to 119,433,962 shares of Common Stock to the Partnerships in exchange for certain equity and debt investments owned by the Partnerships in a private placement in reliance upon the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
Representations and Warranties; Covenants
The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties about the Company with respect to its organization, authorization of the Purchase Agreement, Reverse Stock Split and Reincorporation, capitalization, issuance and listing of the Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, permits, licenses, and other governmental approvals, disclosure, absence of litigation, intellectual property, compliance with laws and regulations, insurance, taxes, title to real and personal property, and other matters, and customary representations and warranties by the Partnerships with respect to the equity and debt investments to be sold to the Company, to their investment purpose, access to information, acknowledgment of risk, “accredited investor” status, the authorization of the Purchase Agreement and other matters. The Purchase Agreement also contains certain covenants including an obligation of the Company to consummate the Reverse Stock Split and the Reincorporation.
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Conditions
The closing of the Transactions is subject to the Company’s re-organization which includes among other things, the effectiveness of the shareholder approval of the Reverse Stock Split, the Reincorporation and the Transactions, delivery of certain certificates and opinions and other customary conditions.
The Company expects to file the Certificate of Amendment to effect the reverse Stock Split and to reincorporate from Florida to Maryland immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions.
Termination
The Purchase Agreement may be terminated by the mutual written consent of the Company and each Partnership if the Closing has not occurred by February 27, 2015 (other than by any party whose failure to comply with its obligations under the Purchase Agreement caused or resulted in the failure of such Closing to occur by such time). The Purchase Agreement may also be terminated by the Partnerships at their discretion, at any time prior to February 27, 2015.
Accounting Treatment
The Transactions will be accounted for as an acquisition of Newco by CPPI in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting as detailed in ASC 805-10 (previously SFAS No. 141(R)), Business Combinations. The acquisition method of accounting requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree based on their fair values as of the date of acquisition.
Consequences of the Transaction
Changes in Ownership
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, our President and Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder, Charles J. Newman, beneficially owns approximately 34.15% of the outstanding shares of stock. Upon closing of the Transaction, we may issue up to 119,433,962 shares of Newco’s common stock to the Partnerships which will reduce Mr. Newman’s pre-acquisition beneficial ownership to 1.5% of the outstanding shares of Newco’s common stock. Upon consummation of the Transaction, the Partnerships will own at least 95% of the outstanding shares of Newco’s common stock. As a result, Mr. Newman will cease to be the largest shareholder of the Company and the Partnerships, in the aggregate, will beneficially own 96.2% of the outstanding shares of Newco’s common stock, which would constitute a change of control of the Company.
As a result, the Partnerships may exercise control over Newco as the Partnerships will possess the power to direct our management and affairs by casting their votes to elect members of Newco’s board of directors.
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In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Newco will have a reconstituted board of directors following the closing of the Transactions. Following the closing of the Transactions, it is anticipated that designees of the Partnerships, subject to election by our shareholders as described in Proposal 5, will constitute the majority of the members of Newco’s board of directors. Currently, the Board consists of Bernard L. Brodkorb, Charles J. Newman, Robert M. Terry, James Olchefski and Stephen E. Boynton. It is anticipated that each of these individuals will resign as directors in connection with the closing of the Transactions. Immediately following the closing of the Transactions, the Reincorporation and entry into the Advisory Agreement the business and affairs of Newco will be managed as described below. Information regarding the individuals who will be members of Newco’s board of directors is described below. There are no family relationships between the nominees for election to Newco’s board of directors and the executive officers following closing of the Transaction.
Newco’s Board of Directors and Its Leadership Structure
Newco’s business and affairs will be managed under the direction of its board of directors. Following closing of the Transaction, the board of directors will consist of five directors, three of whom are not “interested persons” of Princeton Advisors, or its affiliates as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. We refer to these individuals as the “independent directors.” The board of directors will elect Newco’s officers, who will serve at the discretion of Newco’s board of directors. The responsibilities of the board of directors include quarterly valuation of Newco’s assets, corporate governance activities, oversight of our financing arrangements and oversight of our investment activities.
Oversight of Newco’s investment activities extends to oversight of the risk management processes employed by Princeton Advisors as part of its day-to-day management of Newco’s investment activities. The board of directors anticipates reviewing risk management processes at both regular and special board of directors meetings throughout the year, consulting with appropriate representatives of Princeton Advisors as necessary and periodically requesting the production of risk management reports or presentations. The goal of the board of directors’ risk oversight function is to ensure that the risks associated with Newco’s investment activities are accurately identified, thoroughly investigated and responsibly addressed. Investors should note, however, that the board of directors’ oversight function cannot eliminate all risks or ensure that particular events do not adversely affect the value of investments.
Newco’s board of directors will establish an audit committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, and may establish additional committees from time to time as necessary. The scope of the responsibilities assigned to each of these committees is discussed in greater detail below. Alfred Jackson will serve as Chairman of Newco’s board of directors and a member of Princeton Advisors’ investment committee. Munish Sood will also be a member of Princeton Advisors’ investment committee and a member of Newco’s board of directors. We believe Mr. Jackson’s history with the Partnerships, familiarity with their investment platform, and extensive knowledge of and experience in the financial services industry qualify him to serve as Chairman of Newco’s board of directors.
Newco’s board of directors will not have a lead independent director. We are aware of the potential conflicts that may arise when a non-independent director is Chairman of the board of directors, but believe these potential conflicts will be offset by strong corporate governance practices adopted by Newco. Newco’s corporate governance practices will include regular meetings of the independent directors in executive session without the presence of interested directors and management, the establishment of an audit committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, each of which will be comprised solely of independent directors, and the appointment of a Chief Compliance Officer, with whom the independent directors will meet without the presence of interested directors and other members of management, for administering our compliance policies and procedures.
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It is believed that this leadership structure is appropriate in light of Newco’s characteristics and circumstances because the structure allocates areas of responsibility among the individual directors and the committees in a manner that affords effective oversight. Specifically, it is believed that the relationship of Messrs. Jackson and Sood with Princeton Advisors will provide an effective bridge between the board of directors and management, and encourages an open dialogue between management and Newco’s board of directors, ensuring that these groups act with a common purpose. It is also believed that its small size will create a highly efficient governance structure that provides ample opportunity for direct communication and interaction between Newco’s management, Princeton Advisors and Newco’s board of directors.
Board of Directors
Newco’s board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The terms of the first, second and third classes will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, and, in each case, when their respective successors are duly elected and qualify. Upon expiration of their terms, successor directors of each class will be elected to hold office for terms expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and when their respective successors are duly elected and qualify, and each year one class of directors will be elected by our stockholders. For the purposes of this presentation, our directors have been divided into two groups, independent directors and interested directors. Interested directors are “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act.
Information regarding the nominees to Newco’s board of directors is as follows:
Name | Age | Position | Term Expires | |||
Interested Directors | ||||||
Munish Sood | 41 | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | 2016 | |||
Alfred Jackson | 58 | Chairman and Director | 2015 | |||
Independent Directors | ||||||
Thomas Jones, Jr. | 59 | Director | 2017 | |||
Trennis L. Jones | 63 | Director | 2016 | |||
Martin Tuchman | 73 | Director | 2015 |
The address for each of the nominees to Newco’s board of directors is c/o Princeton Capital Corporation, One Riverway, Suite 2020, Houston, Texas 77056.
Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
Information regarding our executive officers who are not directors is as follows:
Name | Age | Position | ||
Gregory J. Cannella | 39 | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary | ||
Joy Sheehan | 47 | Chief Compliance Officer |
The address for each of Newco’s executive officers following the closing of the Transaction is c/o Princeton Capital Corporation, One Riverway, Suite 2020, Houston, Texas 77056.
The board of directors of directors will consider whether each of the directors is qualified to serve as a director, based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each director, including those described below. The board of directors will also consider whether each director has significant experience in the investment or financial services industries and has held management, board of directors or oversight positions in other companies and organizations.
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Biographical Information
Please see “Proposal 5 - Election of Directors Following Closing of the Transaction” for biographical information regarding each of the nominees for election to Newco’s board of directors following closing of the Transaction.
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Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
Gregory J. Cannella, 39, will serve as our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary. Mr. Cannella is responsible for financial reporting, investor communications, financial modeling and due diligence and analysis of acquisitions and dispositions. Prior to working at Capital Point Partners, Mr. Cannella was an Asset Manager at First Commonwealth Holdings Corp., a wealth management firm in Houston, Texas where he was responsible for managing various commercial and multi-family residential real estate investment funds as well as oversight of all accounting functions and reporting for the funds. Mr. Cannella received a B.B.A. in Management from Stephen F. Austin State University and an M.B.A. with honors in Accounting and Finance from the University of Houston. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.
Joy Sheehan, 47, will serve as our Chief Compliance Officer. Ms. Sheehan is Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. As the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer, she heads the compliance and legal function across the firm’s hedge fund, structured product and credit business. Mr. Sheehan’s responsibilities also include oversight of the Operations department. Prior to joining Princeton in August 2003, Ms. Sheehan was a senior associate at Penn Capital Management, an investment advisory firm that managed CBOs and high yield bonds. With over twenty years’ experience in the investment industry, Ms. Sheehan has worked within the back office, mid and front office as well as compliance and client service departments.
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Audit Committee
The members of the audit committee are Messrs. Jones, Jones and Tuchman, each of whom meets the independence standards established by the SEC and the NASDAQ for audit committees and is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Mr. Thomas Jones serves as chairman of the audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Thomas Jones is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act. The audit committee is responsible for approving our independent accountants, reviewing with our independent accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by our independent accountants, reviewing the independence of our independent accountants and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The audit committee is also responsible for aiding our board of directors in fair value pricing debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available. The board of directors and audit committee will utilize the services of an independent valuation firm to help them determine the fair value of these securities.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The members of the nominating and corporate governance committee will be Messrs. Jones, Jones and Tuchman, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act and the NASDAQ corporate governance regulations, Mr. Trennis Jones will serve as chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for selecting, researching and nominating directors for election by our stockholders, selecting nominees to fill vacancies on the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors, developing and recommending to the board of directors a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the board of directors and our management.
The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider qualified director nominees recommended by a stockholder when such recommendations are submitted in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the nominating and corporate governance committee. In addition to recommending a director nominee for consideration by the nominating and corporate governance committee, stockholders may nominate a person for election as a director by complying with the advance notice provisions of the Maryland Bylaws. See "Differences Between the Corporation Laws of Maryland and Florida and the Charter and Bylaws of the Company and Newco - Advance Notice of Shareholder Nominations for a discussion of the advance notice provisions of the Maryland Bylaws.
The nominating and corporate governance committee has not adopted a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying individuals for election as members of the board of directors, but the committee will consider such factors as it may deem are in our best interests and those of our stockholders. Those factors may include a person’s differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education and skills, as well as his or her race, gender and national origin. In addition, as part of the board of directors’ annual self-assessment, the members of the nominating and corporate governance committee will evaluate the membership of the board of directors and whether the board of directors maintains satisfactory policies regarding membership selection.
Executive Officer Compensation
None of our executive officers will receive direct compensation from Newco. The compensation of the principals and other investment professionals of Princeton Advisors will be paid by Princeton Advisors. Compensation paid to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief compliance officer and other support personnel will be set by our administrator, PCC Administrator, and is subject to reimbursement by us of an allocable portion of such compensation for services rendered to us.
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Compensation of Directors
We intend to pay our independent directors an annual fee of $30,000. They will also receive $1,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending in person or telephonically each regular or special board of directors meeting. They will also receive $1,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with each committee meeting attended in person and each telephonic committee meeting. The chairmen of the audit committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee will receive an annual fee of $3,500 and $3,500, respectively. We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers. Independent directors will have the option of having their directors’ fees paid in shares of Newco’s common stock issued at a price per share equal to the greater of net asset value or the market price at the time of payment. No compensation is paid to directors who are “interested persons.”
Portfolio Management
Each investment opportunity will require the unanimous approval of Princeton Advisors’ investment committee, which is comprised of Messrs. Jackson, Smith and Sood. Follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies will require the investment committee’s approval beyond that obtained when the initial investment in the company was made. In addition, temporary investments, such as those in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, may require approval by the investment committee. The day-to-day management of investments approved by the investment committee will be overseen by members of the investment team.
The members of our investment committee receive compensation by Princeton Advisors that may include an annual base salary, an annual individual performance bonus and a portion of the incentive fee or carried interest earned in connection with their services.
Messrs. Jackson, Smith and Sood have a direct ownership and financial interest in, and may receive compensation and/or profit distributions from, Princeton Advisors. None of Messrs. Jackson, Smith and Sood will receive any direct compensation from us. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
The table below shows the dollar range of shares of Newco’s common stock that will be beneficially owned by each of our investment advisor’s portfolio managers and key principals immediately after closing the Transactions.
Name of Portfolio Manager/Key Principal | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Princeton | |
Alfred Jackson | 100,001 to 500,000 | |
Keith W. Smith | 1 to 10,000 | |
Munish Sood | None |
(1) | Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the Exchange Act. |
(2) | The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned is based on a stock price of $[ ] per share. |
(3) | The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned are: none, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, $100,001-$500,000, $500,001-$1,000,000, or over $1,000,000. |
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Investment Committee
The investment committee of Princeton Advisors will meet regularly to consider our investments, direct our strategic initiatives and supervise the actions taken by Princeton Advisors on our behalf. In addition, the investment committee will review and determine by unanimous vote whether to make prospective investments identified by Princeton Advisors and monitor the performance of our investment portfolio. Princeton Advisors’ investment committee consists of Messrs. Jackson, Smith and Sood. Princeton Advisors may increase the size of its investment committee from time to time.
Information regarding Mr. Smith, member of Princeton Advisors’ investment committee, who will not be members of Newco’s board of directors or an executive officer, is as follows:
Keith W. Smith is a managing partner of Capital Point Investment Advisors and is responsible for sourcing, analyzing, structuring, and closing new investment opportunities as well as managing portfolio investments. Prior to joining the CPP group, Mr. Smith worked for Rabobank International (“RI”), where he was a Vice President on the Structured Products team. Mr. Smith played a key role in originating new client transactions as well as managing a book of existing bank clients. Prior to RI, Mr. Smith was an Associate Director in the Structured Finance Group of Standard & Poor’s where he analyzed and rated transactions across a broad spectrum of asset types. In addition to his credit markets background, Mr. Smith also has over 6 years legal experience as an attorney in both the public and private sectors. Mr. Smith received a B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin; a J.D. from Southern Methodist University; and an M.B.A. from The Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis. Mr. Smith is a past Board of Directors Member of the University of Texas Exes Investment Committee, not-for-profit homeless assistance organization, SEARCH, and currently sits on the board of numerous portfolio companies.
Interests of Certain Persons in the Proposal
Certain of the Company’s officers and directors have an interest in this proposal as a result of their ownership of shares of Common Stock as set forth in the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.” However we do not believe that the Company’s officers or directors have interests in this proposal that are different from or greater than those of any other our shareholders.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of (1) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a class, entitled to vote at the Special Meeting and (2) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a class, entitled to vote at the Special Meeting that are not held by affiliated persons of us, which includes our officers, directors, employees and 5% shareholders is required to approve this proposal. Because we have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, the definition of “a majority of the outstanding shares” as defined under the 1940 Act must be used for purposes of this proposal. The 1940 Act defines “a majority of the outstanding shares” as (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the Special Meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (2) 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the company, whichever is the less. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against this proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE TRANSACTION
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The pro forma consolidated financial information includes: (a) the unaudited pro forma balance sheets at September 30, 2014, (b) the unaudited pro forma statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and (c) the unaudited pro forma statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 with related explanatory notes (together the “Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information”) and has been prepared to represent the pro forma effects of the Transactions. The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information is presented for informational purposes only, includes assumptions and adjustments and is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations or the actual results of operations that would have occurred had the Transactions been consummated as of the dates indicated above.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
As
of September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
ASSETS | Actual | Adjustments | As Adjusted for Transactions | |||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||
Control Investments at fair value (cost of $0 and $19,383,260, respectively) (See Note 1) | $ | - | $ | 19,383,260 | (A) | $ | 19,383,260 | |||||
Affiliate Investments at fair value (cost of $0 and $6,433,953, respectively) (See Note 2) | - | 6,433,953 | (A) | 6,433,953 | ||||||||
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments at fair value (cost of $56,349 and $27,796,678, respectively) | 803,413 | 27,740,329 | (A) | 28,543,742 | ||||||||
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments at fair value pledged to secure note payable - officer | - | - | (A) | - | ||||||||
Total Investments | 803,413 | 53,557,542 | 54,360,955 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 61,911 | - | (A) | 61,911 | ||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 865,324 | $ | 53,557,542 | $ | 54,422,866 | ||||||
LIABILITIES and NET ASSETS | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 3,902 | $ | - | $ | 3,902 | ||||||
Accounts payable - related party | 12,690 | - | 12,690 | |||||||||
Note payable - officer | - | - | - | |||||||||
Accrued interest - notes payable - officer | - | - | - | |||||||||
Dividends payable | 600 | - | 600 | |||||||||
Total Liabilities | 17,192 | - | 17,192 | |||||||||
NET ASSETS | ||||||||||||
Preferred stock, no par value (See Note 3) | ||||||||||||
Series A - Authorized 50,000 shares, none issued or outstanding | - | - | - | |||||||||
Series B - Authorized 500,000 shares, 100,000 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 | 500 | (500 | ) | - | ||||||||
Common Stock, par value $0.001, | ||||||||||||
Class A - 50,000,000 shares authorized; 3,633,067 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 (Note 4,5) | 3,633 | 103,126 | 106,759 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 8,373,060 | 53,454,916 | 61,827,976 | |||||||||
Losses and distributions in excess of earnings | (8,276,125 | ) | - | (8,276,125 | ) | |||||||
Cumulative Unrealized appreciation on investments | 747,064 | - | 747,064 | |||||||||
Total net assets | 848,132 | 53,557,542 | 54,405,674 | |||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS | $ | 865,324 | 53,557,542 | $ | 54,422,866 | |||||||
Net asset value per outstanding share of common stock | $ | 0.233 | $ | 0.510 |
(A) Assets transferred to buyer as part of asset purchase agreement.
Note 1: “Control Investments” are investments in those companies that are “Control Investments” of the Company, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. A company is deemed to be a “Control Investment” of Regal One Corporation if Regal One Corporation owns more than 25% of the voting securities of such company. This would include on a pro forma basis investments in Integrated Medical Partners, LLC, Rockfish Holdings, LLC & Advantis Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
Note 2: “Affiliate Investments” are investments in those companies that are “Affiliated Companies” of the Company, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are not “Control Investments.” A company is deemed to be an “Affiliate” of Regal One Corporation if Regal One Corporation owns 5% of more, but less than 25%, of the voting securities of such company.
Note 3: All outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of Regal One Corporation will be converted into 3,183,467 shares of Common Stock of Newco.
Note 4: The 3,633,067 shares of Common Stock of Regal One Corporation will be split 1:2 resulting in 1,816,534 shares of Common Stock of Regal One Corporation prior to the conversion of the Preferred Stock referenced in Note 3 above and 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock of Regal One Corporation after taking into effect the aforementioned reverse split and preferred share conversion.
Note 5: In addition to the 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock of Regal One Corporation resulting from the reverse split (See Note 4) and the preferred share conversion (See Note 3), Regal One Corporation will issue an additional 101,759,330 shares of Common Stock in exchange for $53,557,542 pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Actual | Adjustments | As Adjusted for Transactions | ||||||||||
Investment Income: | $ | - | $ | 4,193,605 | (A) | $ | 4,193,605 | |||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||
Management fees | - | 791,784 | (B) | 791,784 | ||||||||
Professional Services | 64,730 | 352,667 | (C) | 417,397 | ||||||||
Accounting fees - related party | 52,225 | - | 52,225 | |||||||||
Consulting fees | 75,000 | - | 75,000 | |||||||||
Legal Settlement | - | 525,000 | (D) | 525,000 | ||||||||
Interest expense | 250 | 16,165 | (B) | 16,415 | ||||||||
Other selling, general and administrative expenses | 17,771 | 15,537 | (B) | 33,308 | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | 209,976 | 1,701,153 | 1,911,129 | |||||||||
Net investment gain (loss) before tax | (209,976 | ) | 2,492,452 | 2,282,476 | ||||||||
Income tax benefit | 981 | - | 981 | |||||||||
Net investment gain (loss) after taxes | (208,995 | ) | 2,492,452 | 2,283,457 | ||||||||
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments: | ||||||||||||
Net realized gain on portfolio investments | 349,657 | 9,520 | 359,177 | |||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on portfolio investments | (229,822 | ) | - | (229,822 | ) | |||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in warrant investment | (88,200 | ) | - | (88,200 | ) | |||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 31,635 | 9,520 | 41,155 | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $ | (177,360 | ) | $ | 2,501,972 | $ | 2,324,612 | |||||
Per share information: | ||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||
Basic | 3,633,067 | 103,126,263 | 106,759,330 | |||||||||
Diluted | 13,633,067 | (E) | 93,126,263 | 106,759,330 | ||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per share: | ||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.049 | ) | $ | 0.071 | $ | 0.022 | |||||
Diluted | (0.013 | )(E) | $ | 0.035 | 0.022 |
(A) | Approximate additional investment income due to acquisition of portfolio investments pursuant to asset purchase agreement. |
(B) | Estimated additional operating expenses due to asset purchase agreement. |
(C) | Reflects fees for professional services to the Partnerships for audit and tax preparation, valuation services, consulting services, registered agent services and legal fees. |
(D) | Reflects costs related to settlement of litigation by the Partnerships. |
(E) | Preferred Stock convertible at 100 for 1 are not included in diluted calculation for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 loss due to it being anti-dilutive. |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT
Year
Ended December 31, 2013 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
As Adjusted for | ||||||||||||
Actual | Adjustments | Transactions | ||||||||||
Investment Income: | $ | - | $ | 8,673,952 | (A) | $ | 8,673,952 | |||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||
Management fees | - | 1,258,216 | (B) | 1,258,216 | ||||||||
Professional Services | 22,400 | 673,277 | (C) | 695,677 | ||||||||
Accounting fees - related party | 56,400 | - | 56,400 | |||||||||
Consulting fees | - | - | - | |||||||||
Bad debt Expense | - | 527,141 | (D) | 527,141 | ||||||||
Interest expense | 2,736 | 4,953 | (B) | 7,689 | ||||||||
Other selling, general and administrative expenses | 30,255 | 12,623 | (B) | 42,878 | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | 111,791 | 2,476,210 | 2,588,001 | |||||||||
Net investment gain (loss) before tax | (111,791 | ) | 6,197,742 | 6,085,951 | ||||||||
Income tax benefit | - | - | - | |||||||||
Net investment gain (loss) after taxes | (111,791 | ) | 6,197,742 | 6,085,951 | ||||||||
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments: | ||||||||||||
Net realized gain on portfolio investments | 115,054 | 98,365 | 213,419 | |||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on portfolio investments | 310,528 | (13,303,685 | ) | (13,614,213 | ) | |||||||
Net unrealized appreciation in warrant investment | 394,200 | - | 394,200 | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 819,782 | (12,186,812 | ) | (13,006,594 | ) | |||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 707,991 | $ | (6,212,652 | ) | $ | (6,920,643 | ) | ||||
Per share information: | ||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||
Basic | 3,633,067 | 103,126,263 | 106,759,330 | |||||||||
Diluted | 13,633,067 | (E) | 93,126,263 | 106,759,330 | ||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per share: | ||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.195 | $ | (0.260 | ) | $ | (0.065 | ) | ||||
Diluted | 0.052 | (E) | (0.117 | ) | (0.065 | ) |
(A) | Approximate additional investment income due to acquisition of portfolio investments pursuant to asset purchase agreement. |
(B) | Estimated additional operating expenses due to asset purchase agreement. |
(C) | Reflects fees for professional services to the Partnerships for audit and tax preparation, valuation services, consulting services, registered agent services and legal fees. |
(D) | Reflects interest accrued and charged to bad debt expense which was attributable to one portfolio investment of CPPI that ceased operations. |
(E) | Includes Preferred Stock convertible at 100 for 1. |
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DISCUSSION OF MANAGEMENT’S EXPECTED OPERATING PLANS
Overview
Following the closing of the Transactions, we intend to operate as an externally managed business development company under the 1940 Act. As a business development company, we will be required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we will generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets,” including “eligible portfolio companies,” cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt instruments maturing in one year or less from the time of investment. In addition, we will be subject to borrowing restrictions such that, with certain limited exceptions, our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, will be required to equal at least 200% after each borrowing. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on Princeton Advisors’ and Newco’s board of directors’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.
Upon closing of the Transactions, Newco’s portfolio will include approximately 18.2% first lien debt, 54.6% second lien debt, 8.2% Preferred Equity, and 19.1% Common Equity. As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average yield of the portfolio at its face value was 9.1%, of which approximately 8.2% is current cash interest. The face value of a loan refers to the principal of the loan. The weighted average yield was computed using the effective interest rates for all debt investments within the initial portfolio, including accretion of original issue discount. Also as of September 30, 2014, the weighted average remaining term of the debt investments in the initial portfolio was approximately 3 years, with remaining terms ranging from approximately 2 to 4 years. We do not believe that there are any material differences in the underwriting standards that were used to originate this portfolio and the underwriting standards that we expect to implement going forward.
Revenues. We plan to generate revenue in the form of interest income on debt investments and capital gains and distributions, if any, on investment securities that we may acquire in portfolio companies. We expect our debt investments to typically have a term of five to seven years and bear interest at a fixed or floating rate. We expect the average investment holding period to be between three and five years, depending upon portfolio company objectives and conditions in the capital markets. In some instances, we may receive payments on our debt investments based on scheduled amortization of the outstanding balances. In addition, we may receive repayments of some of our debt investments prior to their scheduled maturity date. The frequency or volume of these repayments may fluctuate significantly from period to period. Our portfolio activity is also expected to reflect the proceeds of sales of securities. In some cases, our investments may provide for deferred interest payments or PIK interest. The principal amount of loans and debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest generally become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring or due diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and consulting fees. Loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount or premium will be capitalized, and we will accrete or amortize such amounts as interest income. We will record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as interest income. When we receive principal payments on a loan or debt security in an amount that exceeds its carrying value, we will also record the excess principal payment as interest income. Dividend income, if any, will be recognized on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts.
Expenses. Newco’s primary operating expenses will include the payment of fees to Princeton Advisors under the Advisory Agreement, our allocable portion of overhead expenses under the administration agreement and other operating costs described below. We will bear all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including:
● | the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party independent valuation firm; | |
● | the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of shares of Newco’s common stock and other securities; | |
● | fees payable to third parties relating to making investments, including out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence and reviews of prospective investments; | |
● | transfer agent, dividend agent and custodial fees and expenses; |
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● | out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts; | |
● | U.S. federal and state registration fees; | |
● | all costs of registration and listing our stock on any stock exchange; | |
● | U.S. federal, state and local taxes; | |
● | independent directors’ fees and expenses; | |
● | brokerage commissions; | |
● | fidelity bond, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and other insurance premiums; | |
● | direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, secretarial and other staff, independent auditors and outside legal costs; | |
● | proxy voting expenses; | |
● | costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and other applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and | |
● | other expenses incurred by Princeton Advisors or us in connection with administering our business, including payments under the administration agreement that will be based upon our allocable portion (subject to the review of our board of directors) of overhead. |
Financial condition, liquidity and capital resources. We expect to generate cash primarily from future offerings of securities and cash flows from operations, including interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. We may also fund a portion of our investments through borrowings from banks and issuances of senior securities.
Our primary use of funds will be investments in portfolio companies, cash distributions to holders of Newco’s common stock, and the payment of operating expenses. Immediately after closing of the Transactions, we expect to have cash and liquid money market fund resources of approximately $10,000,000 to $11,000,000.
Other Contractual Obligations
We will enter into the Advisory Agreement with Princeton Advisors in connection with closing the Transactions, subject to shareholder approval. See “Proposal 6 – Approval of Advisory Agreement with Princeton Investment Advisors”. Under the Advisory Agreement, Princeton Advisors will provide us with investment advisory and management services. We will pay for these services (a) a base management fee equal to a percentage of our gross assets and (b) an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Approval of Advisory Agreement.”
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We will also enter into the administration agreement with PCC Administrator, LLC as our administrator upon the closing of the Transactions. Under the administration agreement, PCC Administrator, LLC has agreed to furnish us with office facilities and equipment, provide us clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities and provide us with other administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. We will reimburse PCC Administrator, LLC for the allocable portion (subject to the review of our board of directors) of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. We will pay the fees associated with this and other outsourced arrangements on a direct basis without incremental benefit to our administrator. Shareholder approval is not required to amend the administration agreement. See “Management Agreements — Administration Agreement.”
If any of the contractual obligations discussed above are terminated, our costs under any new agreements that we enter into may increase. In addition, we would likely incur significant time and expense in locating alternative parties to provide the services we expect to receive under our investment advisory agreement and our administration agreement. Any new investment advisory agreement would also be subject to approval by our shareholders.
Distributions
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) and to avoid U.S. federal corporate level income tax on the income we distribute to Newco’s stockholders, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and our net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to our shareholders on an annual basis. Additionally, we must distribute an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of our net ordinary income (during the calendar year) plus 98.2% of our net capital gain income (during each 12 month period ending on October 31) plus any net ordinary income and capital gain net income for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which we paid no U. S. federal income tax to avoid a U.S. federal excise tax. We intend to make quarterly distributions to Newco’s stockholders beginning with our first full quarter after closing of the Transactions. The form, amount and timing of our distributions, if any, will be determined by Newco’s board of directors.
We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of our distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions due to the asset coverage requirements applicable to us as a business development company under the 1940 Act. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including the possible loss of our qualification as a RIC. We cannot assure shareholders that they will receive any distributions.
To the extent our taxable earnings fall below the total amount of our distributions for that fiscal year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a return of capital to Newco’s stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the source of a distribution to Newco’s stockholders may be the original capital invested by the stockholder rather than our income or gains. Stockholders should read any written disclosure accompanying any stockholder distribution carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or capital gains.
Newco will adopt an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for stockholders. As a result, if we declare a distribution, then stockholders’ cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Newco’s common stock unless a stockholder specifically “opts out” of the dividend reinvestment plan. If a stockholder opts out, that stockholder will receive cash distributions. Although distributions paid in the form of additional shares of Newco’s common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes in the same manner as cash distributions, stockholders participating in the dividend reinvestment plan will not receive any corresponding cash distributions with which to pay any such applicable taxes.
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Valuation of Portfolio Investments
As a business development company, we will generally invest in illiquid loans and securities including debt and equity securities of middle-market companies. Under procedures established by Newco’s board of directors, we intend to value investments for which market quotations are readily available at such market quotations. We will obtain these market values from an independent pricing service or at the mean between the bid and ask prices obtained from at least two brokers or dealers (if available, otherwise by a principal market maker or a primary market dealer). Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by Newco’s board of directors. Such determination of fair values may involve subjective judgments and estimates, although we will also engage one or more independent valuation firms to review the valuation of each portfolio investment that does not have a readily available market quotation at least quarterly. Investments purchased within 60 days of maturity will be valued at cost plus accreted discount, or minus amortized premium, which approximates value. With respect to unquoted securities, Newco’s board of directors, together with our independent valuation firm, will value each investment considering, among other measures, discounted cash flow models, comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public and other factors.
When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, Newco’s board of directors will use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate and/or assist us in its valuation. Because we expect that there will not be a readily available market for many of the investments in our portfolio, we expect to value most of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by Newco’s board of directors using a documented valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.
With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, Newco’s board of directors will undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:
● | Our quarterly valuation process will begin with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by an independent valuation firm; | |
● | Preliminary valuation conclusions will then be documented and discussed with Newco’s senior management and Princeton Advisors; | |
● | The audit committee of Newco’s board of directors will then review these preliminary valuations; and | |
● | Newco’s board of directors will then discuss valuations and determine the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith, based on the input of Princeton Advisors, the independent valuation firm and the audit committee. |
For more information, see “Determination of Net Asset Value.”
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Revenue Recognition
We will record interest income on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. For loans and debt securities with contractual PIK interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the loan balance that generally becomes due at maturity, we will not accrue PIK interest if the portfolio company valuation indicates that such PIK interest is not collectible. We will not accrue interest on loans and debt securities if we have reason to doubt our ability to collect such interest. Loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount or premium will be capitalized, and we will then accrete or amortize such amounts using the effective interest method as interest income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, any unamortized loan origination will be recorded as interest income. We will record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as interest income. Dividend income, if any, will be recognized on the ex-dividend date.
Net Realized Gains or Losses and Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation
We will measure realized gains or losses by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, but considering unamortized upfront fees and prepayment penalties. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation will reflect the change in portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including any reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation, when gains or losses are realized.
Payment-in-Kind Interest
We may have investments in our portfolio that contain a PIK interest provision. Any PIK interest will be added to the principal balance of such investments and is recorded as income, if the portfolio company valuation indicates that such PIK interest is collectible. In order to maintain our status as a RIC, substantially all of this income must be paid out to shareholders in the form of dividends, even if we have not collected any cash.
● | accessing the extensive origination channels that have been developed and established by the Princeton Advisors’ investment team that include long-standing relationships with private equity firms, commercial banks, investment banks and other financial services firms; | |
● | investing in what we believe to be companies with strong business fundamentals, generally within our core small and lower middle-market company focus; | |
● | focusing on a variety of industry sectors, including business services, energy, general industrial, government services, healthcare, software and specialty finance; | |
● | directly originating transactions rather than participating in broadly syndicated financings; | |
● | applying the disciplined underwriting standards that the Princeton Advisors’ investment team has developed over their extensive investing careers; and | |
● | capitalizing upon the experience and resources of the Princeton Advisors’ investment team to monitor our investments |
Portfolio Composition
We expect that our investments will generally range in size from $3 million to $12 million. We may also selectively invest in larger positions, and we generally expect that the size of our larger positions will increase in proportion to the size of our capital base. Pending such investments, we may reduce our outstanding indebtedness, if any, or invest in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments with a maturity of one year or less. In the future, we may adjust opportunistically the percentage of our assets held in various types of loans, our principal loan sources and the industries to which we have greatest exposure, based on market conditions, the credit cycle, available financing and our desired risk/return profile.
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Princeton Advisors
Following the closing of the Transactions, Princeton Advisors will manage our investment activities and be responsible for analyzing investment opportunities, conducting research and performing due diligence on potential investments, negotiating and structuring our investments, originating prospective investments and monitoring our investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. Princeton Advisors is a newly formed investment advisory firm led by certain senior investment professionals of the Partnerships. The senior investment professionals of Princeton Advisors have an average of over twenty years of investing, corporate finance, restructuring, consulting and accounting experience and have worked together at several companies during their investing career. The Princeton Advisors’ investment team has a wide range of experience in middle-market investing, including originating, structuring and managing loans and debt securities through market cycles.
Princeton Advisors is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with offices in Kingston, New Jersey.
Investment Strategy
The Princeton Advisors investment team will employ an opportunistic and flexible investing approach, combined with strong risk management processes, which we believe will yield a highly diversified portfolio across companies, industries, and investment types. We will seek direct origination opportunities of first lien, second lien, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, often times with modest corresponding equity investments, in small and lower middle-market companies. We believe that businesses in this size range often have limited access to public financial markets, and will benefit from Princeton Advisors’ reliable lending partnership. Many financing providers have chosen to focus on large corporate clients and managing capital markets transactions rather than lending to middle-market businesses. Further, many financial institutions and traditional lenders are faced with constrained balance sheets and are requiring existing borrowers to reduce leverage. We also believe hedge funds and collateralized debt obligation/collateralized loan obligation managers are less likely to pursue investment opportunities in our target market as a result of reduced liquidity for new investments.
With an average of over twenty years of investing, corporate finance, restructuring, consulting and accounting experience, the senior investment team of Princeton Advisors has demonstrated investment expertise throughout the balance sheet and in a variety of situations, including financial sponsor buyouts, growth capital, debt refinancing, balance sheet recapitalization, rescue financing, distressed opportunities, and acquisition financing. Our investment philosophy will emphasize capital preservation through superior credit selection and risk mitigation. We expect our targeted portfolio to provide downside protection through conservative cash flow and asset coverage requirements, priority in the capital structure and information requirements. We also anticipate benefiting from equity participation through warrants and other equity instruments structured as part of our investments. This flexible approach enables Princeton Advisors to respond to market conditions and offer customized lending solutions.
Princeton Advisors will invest across a wide range of industries with deep expertise in select verticals including, but not limited to, business services, energy, general industrial, government services, healthcare software and specialty finance. We will seek to maintain a diversified portfolio of investments as a method to manage risk and capitalize on specific sector trends. Our objective is to act as the lead or largest investor in transactions, generally investing between $3.0 million and $12.0 million per transaction. We expect the average investment holding period to be between three and five years, depending upon portfolio company objectives and conditions in the capital markets.
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We expect to focus on small and lower middle-market companies with less than $25.0 million of EBITDA in a variety of industry sectors with positive long-term dynamics and dependable cash flows. We will seek businesses with management teams with demonstrated track records and economic incentives in strong franchises and sustainable competitive advantages with dependable and predictable cash flows.
We intend to employ leverage prudently and within the limitations of the applicable laws and regulations for business development companies. Any decision on our part to use leverage will depend upon our assessment of the attractiveness of available investment opportunities in relation to the costs and perceived risks of such leverage.
Transaction Sourcing
As access to investment opportunities is highly relationship driven, the senior investment team and other investment professionals of Princeton Advisors spend considerable time developing and maintaining contacts with key deal sources, including private equity firms, investment banks, and senior lenders. The senior investment team and other investment professionals of Princeton Advisors have been actively investing in the middle-market sector for the past decade and have focused on extensive calling and marketing efforts via speaking engagements, sponsorships, industry events, and referrals to broaden their relationship network. Existing relationships are constantly cultivated through transactional work and other personal contacts.
In addition to financial sponsors, Princeton Advisors has developed a network of other deal sources, including:
● | management teams and entrepreneurs; | |
● | portfolio companies of private equity firms; | |
● | other investment firms that have strategies similar to Princeton Advisors and are seeking co-investors; | |
● | placement agents and investment banks representing financial sponsors and issuers; | |
● | corporate operating advisors and other financial advisors; and | |
● | consultants, attorneys, and other service providers to small and lower middle-market companies and financial sponsors. |
We believe that Princeton Advisors’ broad network of deal origination contacts will afford us with a continuous source of investment opportunities.
These origination relationships provide access not only to potential investment opportunities but also to market intelligence on trends across the credit markets. Princeton Advisors has completed several financing transactions with funded and fundless equity sponsors. In some cases, affiliates of Princeton Advisors have completed multiple financing transactions with those equity sponsors.
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We believe that over the past decade, the senior investment team and other investment professionals of Princeton Advisors have built a reputation as a thoughtful and disciplined provider of capital to small and lower middle-market companies and a preferred financing source for private equity sponsors and management teams. We believe these factors give Princeton Advisors a competitive advantage in sourcing investment opportunities, which will be put to use for our benefit.
Investment Structuring
Princeton Advisors believes that each investment has unique characteristics that must be considered, understood and analyzed. Princeton Advisors structures investment terms based on the business, credit profile, the outlook for the industry in which a potential portfolio company operates, the competitive landscape, the products or services which the company sells and the management team and ownership of the company, among other factors. Princeton Advisors will rely upon the analysis conducted and information gathered through the investment process to evaluate the appropriate structure for our investments.
Following closing of the Transactions, we intend to invest primarily in the debt securities of small and lower middle-market companies. Our investments will typically carry a high level of cash pay interest and may incorporate other return-enhancing mechanisms such as commitment fees, original issue discounts, early redemption premiums, PIK interest and some form of equity participation, including preferred stock, common stock, warrants and other forms of equity participation. We expect that a typical debt investment in which we invest will have a maturity of between five and seven years. We expect to hold most of our investments to maturity or repayment, but we may sell some of our investments earlier if a liquidity event occurs, such as a sale, recapitalization or worsening of the credit quality of the portfolio company.
Princeton Advisors negotiates covenants in connection with debt investments that provide protection for us but allow appropriate flexibility for the portfolio company. Such covenants may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection and change of control provisions. Princeton Advisors will require comprehensive information rights including access to management, financial statements and budgets and, in some cases, membership on the board of directors or board of directors observation rights. Additionally, Princeton Advisors will generally require financial covenants and terms that restrict an issuers use of leverage and limitations on asset sales and capital expenditures.
Secured Debt
Secured debt, including first lien, second lien and unitranche financing, will have liens on the assets of the borrower that will serve as collateral in support of the repayment of such loans.
First Lien Debt. First lien debt will be structured with first-priority liens on the assets of the borrower that will serve as collateral in support of the repayment of such loans. First lien loans may provide for moderate loan amortization in the early years of the loan, with the majority of the amortization deferred until loan maturity. Under market conditions as of the date this proxy statement was mailed to shareholders, we expect that the interest rate on senior secured loans will range between 5% and 8% over applicable LIBOR.
Second Lien Debt. Second lien debt will be structured as junior, secured loans, with second priority liens on an issuer’s assets. These loans typically provide for moderate loan amortization in the initial years of the loan, with the majority of the amortization deferred until loan maturity. Under market conditions as of the date this proxy statement was mailed to shareholders, we expect that the interest rate on second lien loans will generally range between 8% and 12% over applicable LIBOR.
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Unitranche Debt. Unitranche debt typically will be structured as first lien loans with certain risk characteristics of mezzanine debt. Unitranche debt typically provides for moderate loan amortization in the initial years of the debt, with the majority of the principal payment deferred until loan maturity. Since unitranche debt generally allows the borrower to make a large lump sum payment of principal at the end of the loan term, there is a risk of loss if the borrower is unable to pay the lump sum or refinance the amount owed at maturity. In some cases, we will be the sole lender, or we together with our affiliates will be the sole lender, of unitranche debt, which can provide us with more influence interacting with a borrower in terms of monitoring and, if necessary, remediation in the event of underperformance. Under market conditions as of the date this proxy statement was mailed to shareholders, we expect that the interest rate on unitranche debt will range between 8% and 12% over applicable LIBOR.
Mezzanine Debt
Mezzanine debt, including senior unsecured and subordinated loans, will not be secured by any collateral and will be effectively subordinated to the borrower’s secured indebtedness (to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness), including pursuant to one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with holders of a borrower’s senior debt.
Senior Unsecured Loans. Senior unsecured loans will be structured as loans that rank senior in right of payment to any of the borrower’s unsecured indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to such loans. These loans generally provide for fixed interest rates and amortize evenly over the term of the loan. Senior unsecured loans are generally less volatile than subordinated loans due to their priority to creditors over subordinated loans. Under market conditions as of the date this proxy statement was mailed to shareholders, we expect the interest rate on senior unsecured loans will generally range between 10% and 14%.
Subordinated Loans. Subordinated loans will be structured as unsecured, subordinated loans that provide for relatively high, fixed interest rates that provide us with significant current interest income. These loans typically will have interest-only payments (often representing a combination of cash pay and PIK interest) in the early years, with amortization of principal deferred to maturity. Subordinated loans generally allow the borrower to make a large lump sum payment of principal at the end of the loan term, and there is a risk of loss if the borrower is unable to pay the lump sum or refinance the amount owed at maturity. Subordinated loans are generally more volatile than secured loans and may involve a greater risk of loss of principal. Subordinated loans often include a PIK feature, which effectively operates as negative amortization of loan principal, thereby increasing credit risk exposure over the life of the loan. Under market conditions as of the date this proxy statement was mailed to shareholders, we expect the interest rate on subordinated loans will generally range between 11% and 17%.
Equity Securities
In connection with some of our debt investments, we will also invest in preferred or common stock or receive nominally priced warrants or options to buy an equity interest in the portfolio company. As a result, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest. We may structure such equity investments and warrants to include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as a “put,” or right to sell such securities back to the issuer, upon the occurrence of specified events. In many cases, we may also seek to obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may include demand and “piggyback” registration rights.
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Investment Process
Through the resources of Princeton Advisors, we will have access to significant research resources, experienced investment professionals, internal information systems and a credit analysis framework and investment process. Princeton Advisors has designed a highly involved and interactive investment management process, which is the core of its culture and the basis for what we believe is a strong track record of investment returns. The investment process seeks to select only those investments which it believes have the most attractive risk/reward characteristics. The process involves several levels of review and is coordinated in an effort to identify risks in potential investments. Princeton Advisors will apply its expertise to screen many of our investment opportunities as described below. This rigorous process combined with our broad origination capabilities have allowed the Princeton Advisors team to be prudent in selecting opportunities in which to make an investment. From 2006 through 2013, the Princeton Advisors’ team reviewed over 750 transactions, which resulted in 13 investments, or approximately 1.7% of total investments reviewed.
All potential investment opportunities undergo an initial informal review by Princeton Advisors’ investment professionals. Each potential investment opportunity that an investment professional determines merits investment consideration will be presented and evaluated at a weekly meeting in which Princeton Advisors’ investment professionals discuss the merits and risks of a potential investment opportunity as well as the due diligence process and the pricing and structure. If Princeton Advisors’ investment professionals believe an investment opportunity merits further review, the deal team will prepare and present to the investment committee for initial review a prescreen memorandum that generally describes the potential transaction and includes a description of the risks, due diligence process and proposed structure and pricing for the proposed investment opportunity.
Prior to making an investment, Princeton Advisors will conduct rigorous diligence on each investment opportunity. In connection with its due diligence on a potential investment opportunity, Princeton Advisors will utilize its internal diligence resources which include its internally developed credit analytical framework, subscriptions to third party research resources, discussions with industry experts, internal information sharing systems, and the analytical expertise of its investment professionals. Princeton Advisors will typically review the company’s historical financials; industry drivers and outlook, competitive threats, customer concentration, asset coverage, projected financials, and credit metrics; management background checks; and, if applicable, the track record and funding capabilities of the private equity sponsor.
Upon review of the prescreen memorandum, if the investment committee determines to proceed with the review of an investment opportunity, the deal team will continue its diligence and deal structuring plans, and prepare a credit approval memorandum for review by the investment committee. The credit approval memorandum, updates the prescreen memorandum with more deal specific detail, including an update to the diligence process and any changes in the structure and pricing of the proposed investment. The investment committee will review any amendments before finalizing and closing negotiations with the prospective portfolio company.
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Investment Committee
Each new investment opportunity must be unanimously approved by Princeton Advisors’ investment committee. Follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies require the investment committee’s approval beyond that obtained when the initial investment in the company was made. In addition, temporary investments, such as those in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less may require approval by the investment committee. The purpose of Princeton Advisors’ investment committee, which is provided under the Advisory Agreement, is to evaluate and approve all of our investments, subject at all times to the oversight and approval of Newco’s board of directors. The investment committee process is intended to bring the diverse experience and perspectives of the committee’s members to the analysis and consideration of each investment. The investment committee consists of Messrs. Jackson, Smith and Sood. The investment committee serves to provide investment consistency and adherence to our core investment philosophy and policies. The investment committee also determines appropriate investment sizing and suggests ongoing monitoring requirements.
In addition to reviewing investments, investment committee meetings serve as a forum to discuss credit views and outlooks. Potential transactions and deal flow are reviewed on a regular basis. Members of the investment team are encouraged to share information and views on credits with the investment committee early in their analysis. We believe this process improves the quality of the analysis and assists the deal team members to work more efficiently.
We expect that each transaction will be presented to the investment committee in a formal written report. All of our new investments will require unanimous approval by the investment committee. In certain instances, Newco’s board of directors may also determine that its approval is required prior to the making of an investment.
Monitoring Investments
In most cases, we will not have board of directors’ influence over portfolio companies. In some instances, Princeton Advisors’ investment professionals may obtain board of directors representation or observation rights in conjunction with our investments. Princeton Advisors will take an active approach in monitoring all investments, including reviews of financial performance on at least a quarterly basis and regular discussions with management. The monitoring process will begin with structuring terms and conditions which require the timely delivery and access to critical financial and business information on portfolio companies.
Specifically, Princeton Advisors’ monitoring system will consist of the following activities:
Regular Investment Committee Updates. Key portfolio company developments will be discussed each week as part of the standard investment committee agenda.
Written Reports. The deal teams will provide written updates as appropriate for key events that impact portfolio company performance or valuation. In addition, deal teams will provide written updates following each portfolio company board of directors meeting.
Quarterly Full Portfolio Review. Our investment committee office and chief compliance officer will perform a quarterly comprehensive review of every portfolio company with the deal teams. This process will include a written performance and valuation update, and credit-specific discussion on each of our portfolio companies. In addition, pursuant to our valuation policy, quarterly valuations are reviewed by our independent third party valuation firm.
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As part of the monitoring process, Princeton Advisors will also track developments in the broader marketplace. Princeton Advisors’ investment professionals have a wealth of information on the competitive landscape, industry trends, relative valuation metrics, and analyses that will assist in the execution of our investment strategy. In addition, Princeton Advisors’ extensive communications with brokers and dealers will allow its investment professionals to monitor market and industry trends that could affect portfolio investments. Princeton Advisors may provide ongoing strategic, financial and operational guidance to some portfolio companies either directly or by recommending its investment professionals or other experienced representatives to participate on the board of directors. Princeton Advisors maintains a vast network of strategic and operational advisors to call upon for industry expertise or to supplement existing management teams.
Risk Ratings
In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, Princeton Advisors will use Princeton Advisors’ investment rating system to characterize and monitor the credit profile and expected level of returns on each investment in our portfolio. This investment rating system will use a five-level numeric rating scale. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:
Investment Rating 1 will be used for investments that are performing above expectations, and whose risks remain favorable compared to the expected risk at the time of the original investment.
Investment Rating 2 will be used for investments that are performing within expectations and whose risks remain neutral compared to the expected risk at the time of the original investment. All new loans will initially be rated 2.
Investment Rating 3 will be used for investments that are performing below expectations and that require closer monitoring, but where no loss of return or principal is expected. Portfolio companies with a rating of 3 may be out of compliance with financial covenants.
Investment Rating 4 will be used for investments that are performing substantially below expectations and whose risks have increased substantially since the original investment. These investments are often in work out. Investments with a rating of 4 will be those for which some loss of return but no loss of principal is expected.
Investment Rating 5 will be used for investments that are performing substantially below expectations and whose risks have increased substantially since the original investment. These investments are almost always in work out. Investments with a rating of 5 will be those for which some loss of return and principal is expected.
In the event that Princeton Advisors determines that an investment is underperforming, or circumstances suggest that the risk associated with a particular investment has significantly increased, Princeton Advisors will increase its monitoring intensity and prepare regular updates for the investment committee, summarizing current operating results and material impending events and suggesting recommended actions. While the investment rating system identifies the relative risk for each investment, the rating alone does not dictate the scope and/or frequency of any monitoring that will be performed. The frequency of Princeton Advisors’ monitoring of an investment will be determined by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the trends in the financial performance of the portfolio company, the investment structure and the type of collateral securing the investment.
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Realization of Investments
The potential exit scenarios of a portfolio company will play an important role in evaluating investment decisions. As such, Princeton Advisors will formulate specific exit strategies at the time of investment. Our debt-orientation will provide for increased potential exit opportunities, including (a) the sale of investments in the private markets, (b) the refinancing of investments held, often due to maturity or recapitalizations, and (c) other liquidity events including the sale or merger of the portfolio company. Since we seek to maintain a debt orientation in our investments, we expect to receive interest income over the course of the investment period, receiving a significant return on invested capital well in advance of final exit.
Managerial Assistance
As a business development company, we will offer, and must provide upon request, managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board of directors and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. Our administrator will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance. We may receive fees for these services and will reimburse our administrator for its allocated costs in providing such assistance, subject to the review by Newco’s board of directors, including our independent directors. See “Management Agreements — Administration Agreement.”
Competition
Our primary competitors in providing financing to small and lower middle-market companies include public and private funds, other business development companies, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, we believe some competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company.
We expect to use the expertise of the investment professionals of Princeton Advisors to which we will have access to assess investment risks and determine appropriate pricing for our investments in portfolio companies. In addition, we expect that the relationships of the investment professionals of Princeton Advisors will enable us to learn about, and compete effectively for, financing opportunities with attractive small and lower middle-market companies in the industries in which we seek to invest.
Administration
We will not have any direct employees, and our day-to-day investment operations will be managed PCC Administrator, LLC. We have a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer and a chief compliance officer. To the extent necessary, our board of directors may hire additional personnel going forward. Our officers are employees of PCC Administrator, LLC and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs will be paid by us pursuant to the administration agreement.
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Properties
We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation. Following closing of the Transactions, our headquarters will be located at One Riverway, Suite 2020, Houston, Texas 77056, with offices in Kingston, New Jersey. All locations will be provided to us by PCC Administrator, LLC pursuant to the administration agreement. We believe that our office facilities will be suitable and adequate for our business as we contemplate conducting it.
Legal Proceedings
None of us, Princeton Advisors, our administrator, the Partnerships or any of the individuals who will become directors or officers of Newco following closing of the Transaction, is currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us, or against Princeton Advisors, our administrator any of the individuals who will become directors or officers of Newco following closing of the Transaction. From time to time, we, Princeton Advisors or our administrator, or any of the Partnerships may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with the portfolio companies we acquire pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.
Determination of Net Asset Value
We will determine the net asset value of our investment portfolio each quarter. Securities that are publicly-traded will be valued at the reported closing price on the valuation date. Securities that are not publicly-traded will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. In connection with that determination, we anticipate that Princeton Advisors will prepare portfolio company valuations using relevant inputs, including but not limited to indicative dealer quotes, values of like securities, the most recent portfolio company financial statements and forecasts.
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurement (as codified in the Accounting Standards Codification under Topic 820, or ASC Topic 820), which clarifies the definition of fair value and requires companies to expand their disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities in interim and annual periods subsequent to initial recognition. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 also establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, which includes inputs such as quoted prices for similar securities in active markets and quoted prices for identical securities where there is little or no activity in the market; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, we expect to undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:
● | our quarterly valuation process will begin with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by Princeton Advisors’ management team, with such valuation potentially taking into account information received from an independent valuation firm, if applicable; | |
● | preliminary valuation conclusions will then be documented and discussed with our valuation committee; | |
● | our valuation committee will review the preliminary valuation and Princeton Advisors’ management team, together with our independent valuation firm, if applicable, supplement the preliminary valuation to reflect any comments provided by the valuation committee; and | |
● | Newco’s board of directors will discuss valuations and determine the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith based on various statistical and other factors, including the input and recommendation of Princeton Advisors, the valuation committee and any third-party valuation firm, if applicable. |
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Determination of fair values involves subjective judgments and estimates. Below is a description of factors that Newco’s board of directors may consider when valuing our equity and debt investments.
The Valuation of fixed income investments, such as loans and debt securities, depends upon a number of factors, including prevailing interest rates for like securities, expected volatility in future interest rates, call features, put features and other relevant terms of the debt. For investments without readily available market prices, we will incorporate these factors into discounted cash flow models to arrive at fair value. Other factors that Newco’s board of directors will consider include the borrower’s ability to adequately service its debt, the fair market value of the portfolio company in relation to the face amount of its outstanding debt and the quality of collateral securing our debt investments.
Our equity interests in portfolio companies for which there is no liquid public market are valued at fair value. The board of directors, in its analysis of fair value, may consider various factors, such as multiples of EBITDA, cash flows, net income, revenues or in limited instances book value or liquidation value. All of these factors may be subject to adjustments based upon the particular circumstances of a portfolio company or our actual investment position. For example, adjustments to EBITDA may take into account compensation to previous owners or acquisition, recapitalization, restructuring or other related items.
We may also look to private merger and acquisition statistics, public trading multiples discounted for illiquidity and other factors, valuations implied by third-party investments in the portfolio companies or industry practices in determining fair value. We may also consider the size and scope of a portfolio company and its specific strengths and weaknesses, as well as any other factors we deem relevant in assessing the value. Generally, the value of our equity interests in public companies for which market quotations are readily available is based upon the most recent closing public market price. Portfolio securities that carry certain restrictions on sale are typically valued at a discount from the public market value of the security.
Portfolio Companies
Upon closing of the Transactions we will acquire all investments from the Partnerships. These investments include loans to, and equity investments in, small and lower middle-market companies that were originated over the past three years and are similar to the type of investments we plan to originate. This portfolio includes middle-market loans that have an internal risk rating of 2 or better (e.g., investments that are performing at or above expectations and whose risks are neutral or favorable compared to the expected risk at the time of the original investment).
This portfolio includes approximately 18.2% first lien debt, 54.6% second lien debt, 8.2% Preferred Equity, and 19.1% Common Equity. There are not any material differences in the underwriting standards that were used to originate this portfolio and the underwriting standards described in this proxy statement that we expect to implement going forward. This portfolio generally consists of Level 3 assets that are illiquid.
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As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average yield of this portfolio at its face value was 9.1%, of which approximately 8.2% is current cash interest. The face value of a loan refers to the principal of the loan. The weighted average yield was computed using the effective interest rates for all debt investments within the initial portfolio. Also as of September 30, 2014 the weighted average remaining term of the debt investments in the initial portfolio was approximately 3 years with remain terms ranging from approximately 2 to 4 years. As of September 30, 2014, except for Advantis Healthcare Solutions and Rockfish Seafood Grill, all portfolio companies are in compliance with the terms of their respective credit agreements. We anticipate that Advantis Healthcare Solutions and Rockfish Seafood Grill will be in compliance with the terms of their respective credit agreements by March 31, 2015.
The following table sets forth certain information as of September 30, 2014, for each portfolio company in which we had a debt or equity investment, assuming for the purposes hereof that we had acquired these companies as of September 30, 2014. Other than these investments, we expect that our only formal relationships with our portfolio companies will be the managerial assistance we may provide, the board of directors observation, or participation rights we may receive in connection with our investment.
We will not “control” any of our portfolio companies, as defined in the 1940 Act. In general, under the 1940 Act, we would “control” a portfolio company if we owned more than 25.0% of its voting securities and would be an “affiliate” of a portfolio company if we owned 5.0% or more of its voting securities. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we will pay to the Partnerships any penalty or premium amounts that are subsequently received by us in connection with the early calling of loans included in the Purchased Assets.
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Name | Industry | Type of Investment | Interest Rate | Maturity | Principal(1) Amount | Purchase Price(2) | ||||||
Performance Alloys, Inc. 6626 Gulf Freeway Houston, TX 77087 |
Nickel Pipe, Fittings & Flanges | Second Lien | 14.0% (10.0% Cash + 4.0% PIK) | 03/31/2017 | $ 11,450,380 | $11,450,380 | ||||||
Integrated Medical Partners, LLC 105 N. Water Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
Medical Business Services | Membership Interest | $4,376,524 | |||||||||
Advantis Healthcare Solutions, Inc. One Riverway, Suite 2020 Houston, TX 77056 |
Healthcare Staffing | Second Lien Common Stock |
12.5% (12.5% Cash) | 5/31/2018 | $5,250,000 | $6,431,722
$372,811 | ||||||
Action Resources, Inc. 40 County Road 517 Hanceville, AL 35077 |
Specialty Transportation | Second Lien Warrants for Common Stock |
13.0% | 6/10/2016 | $11,350,037 | $11,350,037
$2,328,896 | ||||||
Great Value Storage, LLC 1122 S. Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 300 Austin, TX 78746 |
Storage Company Property Management | First Lien | 14.0% (12.0% Cash + 2.0% PIK) | 12/31/2017 | $2,611,016 | $2,611,016 | ||||||
Rockfish Seafood Grill, Inc. 801 E. Campbell Rd., Suite 300 Richardson, TX 77087 |
Casual Dining | First Lien |
13.0% (13.0% Cash) |
7/28/2016 | $5,950,000 | $7,117,111 | ||||||
Rockfish Holdings, LLC 801 E. Campbell Rd., Suite 300 Richardson, TX 77087 |
Membership Interest | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $1,085,092 | ||||||
Spencer Enterprises Holdings, LLC 425 South Lemon Avenue City of Industry, CA 91789 |
Membership Interest | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $6,433,953 | ||||||
Total Investments | $53,557,542 |
(1) | Principal amount includes the amount of PIK interest. |
(2) | Indicates fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. Except for Advantis Healthcare Solutions and Rockfish Seafood Grill, none of the portfolio companies has (a) been in payment default, (b) extended the original maturity of its loan, (c) converted from cash pay interest to PIK interest or (d) otherwise entered into a material amendment to its loan agreement related to deteriorating financial performance. |
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Set forth below is a brief description of each portfolio company in which we have made an investment:
Performance Alloys, Inc. is a specialty distributor of nickel pipe, fittings and flanges to the chemical processing industry.
Integrated Medical Partners is a fully integrated supplier of medical business services.
Advantis Healthcare Solutions, is a full service staffing agency.
Actions Resources, Inc. provides transportation services for specialty chemicals as well as hazardous and non-hazardous waste throughout the United States and Canada. Additionally, Action Resources provides environmental remediation services primarily in the southern United States.
Great Value Storage, LLC is a third-party property management company for self-storage facilities.
Rockfish Seafood Grill is a casual dining restaurant chain.
Spencer Enterprises Holdings, LLC is a home furnishings designer and manufacturer focused on pillows and window treatments.
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar
Our securities will be held by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”) pursuant to a custody agreement. AST will also serve as our transfer agent, distribution paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of AST is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11219.
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices
Following the closing of the Transactions, we will acquire and dispose of many of our investments in privately negotiated transactions. Many of the transactions that we engage in will not require the use of brokers or the payment of brokerage commissions. Subject to policies established by Newco’s board of directors, Princeton Advisors will be primarily responsible for selecting brokers and dealers to execute transactions with respect to the publicly traded securities portion of our portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. Princeton Advisors does not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer but will seek to obtain the best net results for us under the circumstances, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities. Princeton Advisors generally will seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs but will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, Princeton Advisors may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided to Princeton Advisors and us and any other clients. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if Princeton Advisors determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.
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Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Following the closing of the Transaction, we will adopt a dividend reinvestment plan that will provide for reinvestment of Newco’s stockholder distributions, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if Newco’s board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash distribution, then Newco’s stockholders who have not “opted out” of such dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of Newco’s common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution.
No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have its cash distribution reinvested in shares of Newco’s common stock. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire distribution in cash by notifying American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, the plan administrator and our transfer agent, registrar and distribution disbursing agent, in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than five (5) days prior to the record date for distributions to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder and hold such shares in non-certificated form. Upon request by a stockholder participating in the plan, received in writing not less than five (5) days prior to the record date, the plan administrator will, instead of crediting shares to the participant’s account, issue a certificate registered in the participant’s name for the number of whole shares of Newco’s common stock and a check for any fractional share. The plan administrator is authorized to deduct a transaction fee plus a brokerage commission from the proceeds of the sale of any fractional share.
Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive distributions in cash by notifying their broker or nominee of their election.
We expect to use primarily newly issued shares to implement the plan, whether shares of Newco’s common stock are trading at a premium or at a discount to net asset value. Under such circumstances, the number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by 95% of the market price per share of Newco’s common stock at the close of trading on the payment date fixed by Newco’s board of directors. Market price per share on that date will be the average of, the reported bid and asked prices, if the Newco’s common stock is listed on a national securities exchange then the market price will be the closing price for such shares on such national securities exchange or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their reported bid and asked prices. We reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan. Shares purchased in open market transactions by the plan administrator will be allocated to a stockholder based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares of Newco common stock purchased in the open market.
There will be no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The plan administrator’s fees will be paid by us. If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator prior to termination of his or her account to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a transaction fee plus a brokerage commission from the proceeds.
Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of Newco’s common stock are generally subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. However, since a participating stockholder’s cash distributions will be reinvested, such stockholder will not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes on reinvested distributions. A stockholder’s basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of shares of Newco’s common stock received in a distribution from us will generally be equal to the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to the stockholder. Any shares of Newco’s common stock received in a distribution will have a new holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.
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Participants may terminate their accounts under the plan by notifying the plan administrator by filling out the transaction request form located at the bottom of the participant’s statement and sending it to the plan administrator at the address below.
Regulation
We have elected to be a BDC under the 1940 Act and, following the closing of the Transactions, intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under the Code. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between business development companies and their affiliates (including any investment advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters and requires that a majority of the directors be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities.
We may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. With respect to such securities, we may, for the purpose of public resale, be deemed an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act. Our intention is to not write (sell) or buy put or call options to manage risks associated with the publicly traded securities of our portfolio companies, except that we may enter into hedging transactions to manage the risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. However, we may purchase or otherwise receive warrants to purchase the common stock of our portfolio companies in connection with acquisition financing or other investments. Similarly, in connection with an acquisition, we may acquire rights to require the issuers of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase them under certain circumstances. We also do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of more than one investment company. With regard to that portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies, it should be noted that such investments might subject our stockholders to additional expenses. None of these policies is fundamental and may be changed without stockholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to stockholders.
Qualifying Assets
Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as “qualifying assets,” unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our proposed business are the following:
(1) | Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. Under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, “eligible portfolio companies” include (1) private domestic operating companies, (2) public domestic operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) or registered under the Exchange Act, and (3) public domestic operating companies having a market capitalization of less than $250 million. Public domestic operating companies whose securities are quoted on the over-the-counter bulletin board or through Pink Sheets LLC are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. |
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(2) | Securities of any eligible portfolio company which we control. |
(3) | Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident to such a private transaction, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities, was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements. |
(4) | Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company. |
(5) | Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities. |
(6) | Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. |
The regulations defining qualifying assets may change over time. We may adjust our investment focus as needed to comply with and/or take advantage of any regulatory, legislative, administrative or judicial actions in this area. Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies
In order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, a business development company must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities significant managerial assistance. However when the business development company purchases securities, in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means any arrangement whereby the business development company, through its directors, officers, employees or agents, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company. Princeton Advisors will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance.
Temporary Investments
Pending investment in other types of qualifying assets, as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets or temporary investments. Typically, we will invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, so long as the agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price that is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our total assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not meet the Diversification Tests in order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Princeton Advisors will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.
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Senior Securities
We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to Newco’s common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage.
Codes of Ethics
We and Princeton Advisors will each adopt a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to each such code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with such code’s requirements. You may read and copy our code of ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. In addition, each code of ethics is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and will be available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of each code of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
We will delegate our proxy voting responsibility to Princeton Advisors. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of Princeton Advisors are set out below. The guidelines will be reviewed periodically by Princeton Advisors and our directors who are not “interested persons,” and, accordingly, are subject to change.
Registered Investment Advisor
As an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, Princeton Advisors has a fiduciary duty to act solely in our best interests. As part of this duty, Princeton Advisors recognizes that it must vote our securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in our best interests.
Princeton Advisors’ policies and procedures for voting proxies for its investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.
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Proxy Policies
Princeton Advisors votes proxies relating to our portfolio securities in what it perceives to be the best interest of our stockholders. Princeton Advisors reviews on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a stockholder vote to determine its effect on the portfolio securities we hold. In most cases Princeton Advisors will vote in favor of proposals that Princeton Advisors believes are likely to increase the value of the portfolio securities we hold. Although Princeton Advisors will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative effect on our portfolio securities, Princeton Advisors may vote for such a proposal if there exist compelling long-term reasons to do so.
Princeton Advisors has established a proxy voting committee and adopted proxy voting guidelines and related procedures. The proxy voting committee establishes proxy voting guidelines and procedures, oversees the internal proxy voting process, and reviews proxy voting issues. To ensure that Princeton Advisors’ vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, Princeton Advisors requires that (1) anyone involved in the decision-making process disclose to our Chief Compliance Officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (2) employees involved in the decision-making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how Princeton Advisors intends to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties. Where conflicts of interest may be present, Princeton Advisors will disclose such conflicts to us, including our independent directors and may request guidance from us on how to vote such proxies.
Proxy Voting Records
You may obtain information about how Princeton Advisors voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Princeton Capital Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations, One Riverway, Suite 2020, Houston, Texas 77056, or by calling us collect at (713) 595-1425. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains this information.
Privacy Principles
We are committed to maintaining the privacy of our stockholders and to safeguarding their nonpublic personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.
Generally, we do not receive any nonpublic personal information relating to our stockholders, although certain nonpublic personal information of our stockholders may become available to us. We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our stockholders or former stockholders to anyone except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service stockholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third-party administrator).
We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about our stockholders to employees of Princeton Advisors and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. We intend to maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the nonpublic personal information of our stockholders.
Other
We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a business development company, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.
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We and Princeton Advisors will each be required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of relevant federal securities laws, review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation, and designate a chief compliance officer to be responsible for administering the policies and procedures.
We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our board of directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC. The SEC has interpreted the business development company prohibition on transactions with affiliates to prohibit all “joint transactions” between entities that share a common investment adviser. The staff of the SEC has granted no-action relief permitting purchases of a single class of privately placed securities provided that the adviser negotiates no term other than price and certain other conditions are met. As a result, we only expect to co-invest on a concurrent basis with investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by Princeton Advisors when each of us and such investment fund, account or investment vehicle will own the same securities of the issuer and when no term is negotiated other than price. Any such investment would be made, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures. If opportunities arise that would otherwise be appropriate for us and for an investment fund, account or investment vehicle managed by Princeton Advisors to invest in different securities of the same issuer, Princeton Advisors will need to decide which fund will proceed with the investment. Moreover, except in certain circumstances, we will be unable to invest in any issuer in which an investment fund, account or investment vehicle managed by Princeton Advisors has previously invested.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. For example:
● | pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Exchange Act, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer must certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic reports; |
● | pursuant to Item 307 under Regulation S-K, our periodic reports must disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures; |
● | pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our management must prepare an annual report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting; and |
● | pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K and Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our periodic reports must disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. |
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The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our current policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated under such act. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance with that act.
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PROPOSAL 5
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS FOLLOWING CLOSING OF THE TRANSACTION
Immediately after the closing of the Transaction, Newco’s business and affairs will be managed under the direction of its board of directors. The board of directors will consist of five directors, three of whom are not “interested persons” of Princeton Advisors, or its affiliates as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. We refer to these individuals as the “independent directors.” The board of directors will elect Newco’s officers, who will serve at the discretion of Newco’s board of directors. The responsibilities of the board of directors include quarterly valuation of Newco’s assets, corporate governance activities, oversight of our financing arrangements and oversight of our investment activities.
Newco’s Board of Directors Following Closing of Transaction
Newco’s board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The terms of the first, second and third classes will expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, and, in each case, when their respective successors are duly elected and qualify. Upon expiration of their terms, successor directors of each class will be elected to hold office for terms expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and when their respective successors are duly elected and qualify, and each year one class of directors will be elected by our stockholders.
Each person who is expected to serve as a director of Newco after closing of the Transaction is listed below.
Name | Age | Position | Term Expires | |||||||
Interested Directors | ||||||||||
Munish Sood | 41 | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | 2016 | |||||||
Alfred Jackson | 58 | Chairman and Director | 2015 | |||||||
Independent Directors | ||||||||||
Thomas Jones, Jr. | 59 | Director | 2017 | |||||||
Trennis L. Jones | 63 | Director | 2016 | |||||||
Martin Tuchman | 73 | Director | 2015 |
The address for each nominee to Newco’s board directors is c/o Princeton Capital Corporation, One Riverway, Suite 2020, Houston, Texas 77056. Each of the nominees identified above has agreed to serve on Newco’s board of directors following closing the Transaction.
There are no family relationships between any of our executive officers and directors.
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Biographical Information
Independent Directors
Thomas Jones Jr ., 59, is a founder of and partner in McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy LLP ("MJLM"), an accounting and consulting firm based in Houston, Texas, where he supervises a staff of approximately 200 professional and administrative support staff. Mr. Jones has over 35 years of experience in accounting, tax, treasury management, banking, and investment management services. He is also the sole manager of each of TKNET, LLC and Huntjon LLC, two real estate development companies. Mr. Jones serves on the board of directors of Spirit of Texas Bank, where he is a member of the senior loan committee and the compensation committee and serves as chairman of the bank's audit committee. He was a founding board member of Royal Oaks Bank where he also serves on the senior loan committee and chairman of its audit committee. Prior to founding MJLM, Mr. Jones served as manager of the treasury management division of Chase Bank of Texas where he developed and marketed treasury and risk strategies and products to Fortune 500 and mid-sized companies. Mr. Jones holds both a Series 24 and Series 7 securities license through Homer Townsend and Kent, Inc., a registered investment advisory firm and broker/dealer and wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn Mutual Insurance Company. He is a past president of Dominion Community Development Corporation and a current board member of Florida A&M University Foundation, Inc. and the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Jones received his B.S. in Accounting from Florida A&M University.
Trennis L. Jones , 63, has over 16 years of executive experience, including 8 years in key positions at companies in the financial services industry. From February 1999 to January 2002 Mr. Jones was a principal with Barclays Global Investors. From February 2002 to February 2007 he was with VALIC, formerly AIG Valic, where he was Senior Vice President/National Managing Director for the Higher Education of VALIC. Since March 2007 Mr. Jones has been Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Seton Family of Hospitals where he is responsible for risk management and corporate compliance amongst other areas. Mr. Jones was also on the Seton Board of Trustees from August 1998 until assuming his current position. Mr. Jones holds a B.S. in Government from Lamar University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Texas.
Martin Tuchman , 73, is Chief Executive Officer of the Tuchman Group, which overseas holdings in real estate, banking and international shipping, and has headed Kingstone Capital V, a private investment group, since 2007. From November 2011 to the present, Mr. Tuchman has served on the Board of Directors for Horizon Lines, Inc. From March 2011 until April 2013, Mr. Tuchman served on the Board of Directors for Sea Cube Container Leasing Ltd. Since December 2008, Mr. Tuchman has served as the Vice Chairman of the First Choice Bank in Lawrenceville, N.J. In 1968, after helping develop the current standard for intermodal containers and chassis in connection with the American National Standards Institute, Mr. Tuchman co-founded lnterpool, Inc., a leading container leasing business, which was sold to funds affiliated with Fortress Investment Group LLC, in 2007. In 1987, Mr. Tuchman formed Trac Lease, a chassis leasing company which was subsequently merged into lnterpool, Inc. Mr. Tuchman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Seton Hall University.
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Interested Directors
Munish Sood , 41, will serve as Newco’s Chief Executive Officer. He is also a partner of Princeton Advisors and is responsible for sourcing, analyzing, structuring, and closing new investment opportunities as well as managing portfolio investments. Mr. Sood is founder and Chief Investment Officer of Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. since November 2002. Mr. Sood is a founder and Chairman of First Choice Bank, since 2007. Mr. Sood is also founder of Cross Point Capital, LLC, a registered broker dealer in the U.S. which specializes in trading securities and raising capital for institutional clients. Prior to forming Princeton Advisory Group, Inc., Mr. Sood co-founded BoTree Investments, LLC, in 2001 where he was the Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Sood was responsible for managing and investing in structured products and overseeing all investment activity in Botree Asset Management, LLC. Prior to Botree, Mr. Sood was the Senior Portfolio Manager at Global Value Investors, Inc. from January 1999 to April 2001. Prior to Global Value Investors, Inc., Mr. Sood was a Senior Analyst/Trader at Penn Capital Management, Inc. From 1996 to 1998 he was an associate at Bankers Trust focusing on fixed income arbitrage. He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the Investment Analyst Society of New York and the CFA Institute. Mr. Sood received a Bachelor of Science in Finance & Accounting from Rider University.
Alfred Jackson , 58, will serve as the Chairman of our board of directors. Mr. Jackson is also a partner of Princeton Advisors and is responsible for sourcing investment opportunities, investor relations, capital raising and overall firm strategy. Prior to founding Capital Point, Mr. Jackson had over 22 years of investment experience with institutional asset management firms. Mr. Jackson is the founder of the Inroads Group Ltd., an investment firm that includes several asset classes and is the majority owner of the CPP group. He also spent 17 years as a principal with Davis Hamilton Jackson and Associates (“DHJA”), an institutional asset management firm with $4 billion under management, investing in public debt and equity securities. Prior to DHJA, Mr. Jackson was Vice President of the Institutional Fixed Income Division of Capital Municipal Securities. Mr. Jackson is a past or current Board of Directors Member of the University of Texas Exes Investment Committee, Houston Children’s Museum, and is currently President of the Bakari Scholarship Fund. He is also a former Board of Directors Member of the University of Texas Health Science Center and a Trustee of the Houston Municipal Pension System. Mr. Jackson received his B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin.
Required Vote
Directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast at the Special Meeting, in person or by proxy, such that a nominee for director will be elected to Newco’s board of directors if the votes cast FOR the nominee’s election exceed the votes cast AGAINST such nominee’s election. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted as votes cast for purposes of the election of directors and, therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of such election.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES TO NEWCO’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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PROPOSAL 6
AUTHORIZATION OF THE COMPANY TO SELL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK BELOW NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE (SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THIS PROPOSAL)
The Company is a closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company “BDC” under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act prohibits the Company from selling shares of Common Stock at a price below the current net asset value per share of such stock (“NAV”), exclusive of sales compensation, unless its shareholders approve such a sale and the Company’s Board of Directors makes certain determinations.
Pursuant to this proposal, the Company seeks shareholder approval so that it may, in one or more public or private offerings of Common Stock, sell or otherwise issue shares of Common Stock at a price below its then current NAV, subject to certain conditions discussed below. If approved, the authorization would be effective for a twelve-month period expiring on the anniversary of the closing of the Transactions. The Company’s board of directors believes that having the flexibility for the Company to sell its common stock below NAV in certain instances is in the best interests of shareholders. If the Company were unable to access the capital markets as attractive investment opportunities arise, the Company’s ability to grow over time and continue to pay dividends to shareholders could be adversely affected.
On December 19, 2014, the Company’s board of directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors who have no financial interest in this matter, has approved the offer, sale and issuance, in one or more public or private offerings, of shares of Common Stock at a price below the current NAV of the Common Stock, exclusive of sales compensation, as in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and recommended it to the shareholders for their approval.
It should be noted that the maximum number of shares that may be sold below NAV pursuant to this authority that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of the Company’s then outstanding Common Stock immediately prior to each such sale. Furthermore, pursuant to this authority, there would be no limit on the discount to NAV at which shares could be sold. See below for a discussion and an example of the dilutive effect of the sale of shares below NAV.
Reasons to Offer Common Stock Below NAV. The Company believes that market conditions may from time to time provide attractive opportunities to deploy capital. Global capital markets have periodically experienced periods of instability as evidenced by the extended disruptions from 2007 to 2010 in the debt capital markets, significant losses in the principal value of investments, the re-pricing of credit risk in the credit markets and the failure of certain major financial institutions. During that period, despite actions of the United States federal government and foreign governments, these events contributed to worsening general economic conditions that materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial services firms in particular. Further, many investors sold assets in order to repay debt or meet equity redemption requirements or other obligations. This dynamic created forced selling (which could return should global markets experience future disruption of the past credit cycle) that had negatively impacted valuations of debt securities in most markets. This negative pressure on valuations had contributed to significant unrealized write-downs of debt investments of many finance companies, including investments in the Company’s portfolio. However, these changes in the market conditions also had beneficial effects for capital providers, including more favorable pricing of risk and more creditor-friendly contractual terms.
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While market conditions have improved over the past several years, there can be no assurance that adverse market conditions will not repeat themselves or worsen in the future. If these adverse market conditions re-occur or increase in severity and duration, we and other companies in the financial services sector may not have access to sufficient debt and equity capital in order to take advantage of favorable investment opportunities. The current economic environment gives firms that have access to capital a significant advantage. We believe that there are opportunities in the secondary market and, accordingly, firms that continue to have access to capital in the current environment will have investment opportunities on more favorable terms than have been available at other times. Our ability to take advantage of these opportunities is dependent upon, among other things, our access to equity capital. In addition, debt capital that may become available may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions in the future. Shareholder approval of the proposal to sell shares of Common Stock below NAV, subject to the conditions set forth in this proposal, would provide us with the flexibility to invest in such attractive investment opportunities, which typically need to be made expeditiously. Furthermore, the additional capital raised through an offering of Common Stock may help us generate additional deal flow. With more capital to make investments, we could be a more meaningful capital provider and such additional capital would allow us to compete more efficiently and effectively for high quality investment opportunities. Such investment opportunities may be funded with proceeds of an offering of shares of Common Stock.
As a BDC a, the Company is dependent on its ability to raise capital through the sale of common stock. BDCs, in order to borrow money or issue preferred stock, must maintain a debt to equity ratio of not more than 1:1, which requires the Company to finance its investments with at least as much common equity as debt and preferred stock in the aggregate. Therefore, to continue to build the Company’s investment portfolio, and thereby support maintenance and growth of the Company’s dividends, the Company endeavors to maintain consistent access to capital through the public and private equity markets enabling it to take advantage of investment opportunities as they arise.
Even though the underlying performance of a particular portfolio company may not necessarily indicate impairment or its inability to repay all principal and interest in full, the volatility in the debt capital markets may continue to negatively impact the valuations of debt investments and result in further unrealized write-downs of those debt investments. These unrealized write-downs, as well as unrealized write-downs based on the underlying performance of the Company’s portfolio companies, if any, negatively impact shareholders’ equity and the resulting debt to equity ratio.
Exceeding the 1:1 debt to equity ratio could have severe negative consequences for a BDC, including the inability to pay dividends, breaching debt covenants and failure to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Although the Company does not currently expect that it will exceed this 1:1 debt to equity ratio, the markets it operates in and the general economy remain volatile and uncertain. Continued volatility in the capital markets and the resulting negative pressure on debt investment valuations could negatively impact the Company’s asset valuations, shareholders’ equity and the Company’s debt to equity ratio.
As noted above, the market disruption resulted in good opportunities to invest at attractive risk-adjusted returns. However, the extreme volatility and dislocation that the capital markets had experienced also materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial services firms in particular. If these adverse market conditions return and/or worsen in the future, the Company and other companies in the financial services sector may not have access to sufficient debt and equity capital in order to take advantage of these good investment opportunities. In addition, the debt capital that will be available, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions in the future.
Shares of BDCs may trade at a market price that is less than the value of the net assets attributable to those shares. The possibility that our Common Stock will trade at a discount from NAV or at premiums that are unsustainable over the long term is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV will decrease. It is not possible to predict whether the shares that may be offered pursuant to this approval will trade at, above, or below NAV.
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The Board of Directors believes that having the flexibility for the Company to sell Common Stock below NAV in certain instances is in the best interests of shareholders. If the Company were unable to access the capital markets as attractive investment opportunities arise, the Company’s ability to grow over time and continue to pay dividends to shareholders could be adversely affected.
While the Company has no immediate plans to sell shares of Common Stock below NAV, it seeks shareholder approval in order to maintain access to the markets if the Company determines it should sell shares of Common Stock below NAV. These sales typically must be undertaken quickly. The final terms of any such sale will be determined by the Board of Directors at the time of sale. Also, because the Company has no immediate plans to sell any shares of Common Stock other than in connection with the Transactions, it is impracticable to describe other transactions in which shares of Common Stock would be sold. Instead, any transaction where the Company sells such shares of Common Stock, including the nature and amount of consideration that would be received by the Company at the time of sale and the use of any such consideration, will be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors at the time of sale. If this proposal is approved, no further authorization from the shareholders will be solicited prior to any such sale in accordance with the terms of this proposal. If approved, the authorization would be effective for securities sold during a period beginning on the date of such shareholder approval and expiring on the anniversary of the date of the closing of the Transactions. Following any sale of shares of Common Stock at a price below NAV the Company will publicly announce the material terms of any such sale.
Conditions to Sales Below NAV. The Company may sell shares of Common Stock at a price below NAV, exclusive of sales compensation, only if the following conditions are met:
● | a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors who have no financial interest in the sale have approved the sale; |
● | a majority of the Independent Directors, in consultation with the underwriter or underwriters of the offering if it is to be underwritten, have determined in good faith, and as of a time immediately prior to the first solicitation by or on behalf of the Company of firm commitments to purchase such securities or immediately prior to the sale of such securities, that the price at which such securities are to be sold is not less than a price which closely approximates the market value of those securities, less any underwriting commission or discount which could be substantiated; and |
● | the cumulative number of shares sold pursuant to such authority during the applicable period does not exceed 25% of the Company’s then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale. |
Impact on Shareholders. Any sale of Common Stock at a price below NAV would result in an immediate dilution to existing common shareholders who do not participate in such sale on at least a pro rata basis. This dilution would include reduction in the NAV as a result of the sale of shares at a price below the NAV and a proportionately greater decrease in a shareholder’s interest in the earnings and assets of the Company and voting interest in the Company than the increase in the assets of the Company resulting from such sale. The Board of Directors of the Company will consider the potential dilutive effect of the sale of shares at a price below the NAV when considering whether to authorize any such sale.
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The 1940 Act establishes a connection between common share sale price and NAV because when stock is sold at a sale price below NAV, the resulting increase in the number of outstanding shares is not accompanied by a proportionate increase in the net assets of the issuer. Shareholders will not have subscription, preferential or preemptive rights to additional shares of the Common Stock proposed to be authorized for sale, and thus any future issuance of Common Stock will dilute their holdings of Common Stock as a percentage of shares outstanding to the extent they do not purchase sufficient shares in the offering or otherwise to maintain their percentage interest. Further, if current shareholders of the Company do not purchase any shares to maintain their percentage interest, regardless of whether such offering is above or below the then current NAV, their voting power will be diluted. There is no maximum level of discount from NAV at which we may sell shares pursuant to this authorization.
Examples of Dilutive Effect of the Issuance of Shares Below Net Asset Value
The following table illustrates the level of net asset value dilution that would be experienced by a nonparticipating shareholder in four different hypothetical offerings of different sizes and levels of discount from NAV per share, although it is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur. Actual sales prices and discounts may differ from the presentation below.
The examples assume that Company XYZ has 1,000,000 common shares outstanding, $15,000,000 in total assets and $5,000,000 in total liabilities. The current net asset value and net asset value per share are thus $10,000,000 and $10.00. The table illustrates the dilutive effect on nonparticipating Shareholder A of (1) an offering of 50,000 shares (5% of the outstanding shares) at $9.50 per share after offering expenses and commission (a 5% discount from net asset value); (2) an offering of 100,000 shares (10% of the outstanding shares) at $9.00 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 10% discount from net asset value); (3) an offering of 250,000 shares (25% of the outstanding shares) at $7.50 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 25% discount from net asset value); and (4) an offering of 250,000 shares (25% of the outstanding shares) at $0.00 per share after offering expenses and commission (a 100% discount from NAV).
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Prior to | Example 1 5% Offering at 5% Discount | Example
2 10% Offering at 10% Discount | Example
3 25% Offering at 25% Discount | Example
4 25% Offering at 100% Discount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale Below NAV | Following Sale | % Change | Following Sale | % Change | Following Sale | % Change | Following Sale | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offering Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Price per Share to Public | — | $ | 10.00 | — | $ | 9.47 | — | $ | 7.89 | — | $ | 0.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Proceeds per Share to Issuer | — | $ | 9.50 | — | $ | 9.00 | — | $ | 7.50 | — | $ | 0.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease to NAV | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Shares Outstanding | 1,000,000 | 1,050,000 | 5.00 | % | 1,100,000 | 10.00 | % | 1,250,000 | 25.00 | % | 1,250,000 | 25.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
NAV per Share | $ | 10.00 | $ | 9.98 | (0.20 | )% | $ | 9.91 | (0.90 | )% | $ | 9.50 | (5.00 | )% | $ | 8.00 | -20.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Dilution to Shareholder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Held by Shareholder A | 10,000 | 10,000 | — | 10,000 | — | 10,000 | — | 10,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Percentage Held by Shareholder A | 1.0 | % | 0.95 | % | (4.76 | )% | 0.91 | % | (9.09 | )% | 0.80 | % | (20.00 | )% | 0.80 | % | -20.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Asset Values | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total NAV Held by Shareholder A | $ | 100,000 | $ | 99,800 | (0.20 | )% | $ | 99,100 | (0.90 | )% | $ | 95,000 | (5.00 | )% | $ | 80,000 | -20.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Investment by Shareholder A (Assumed to be $10.00 per Share) | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | — | $ | 100,000 | — | $ | 100,000 | — | $ | 100,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Dilution to Shareholder A (Total NAV Less Total Investment) | — | $ | (200 | ) | — | $ | (900 | ) | — | $ | (5,000 | ) | — | $ | 20,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Amounts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NAV per Share Held by Shareholder A | — | $ | 9.98 | — | $ | 9.91 | — | $ | 9.50 | — | $ | 8.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment per Share Held by Shareholder A (Assumed to be $10.00 per Share on Shares Held Prior to Sale) | $ | 10.00 | $ | 10.00 | — | $ | 10.00 | — | $ | 10.00 | — | $ | 10.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Dilution per Share Held by Shareholder A (NAV per Share Less Investment per Share) | — | $ | (0.02 | ) | — | $ | (0.09 | ) | — | $ | (0.50 | ) | — | $ | 2.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Percentage Dilution to Shareholder A (Dilution per Share Divided by Investment per Share) | — | — | (0.20 | )% | — | (0.90 | )% | — | (5.00 | )% | -20.00 | % |
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Impact on Existing Shareholders Who Do Not Participate in the Offering
Our existing shareholders who do not participate in an offering below NAV per share or who do not buy additional shares of Common Stock in the secondary market at the same or lower price we obtain in the offering (after expenses and commissions) face the greatest potential risks. These shareholders will experience an immediate decrease (often called dilution) in the NAV of the shares they hold and their NAV per share. These shareholders will also experience a disproportionately greater decrease in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than the increase we will experience in our assets, potential earning power and voting interests due to the offering. These shareholders may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares of Common Stock, which often reflects to some degree announced or potential increases and decreases in NAV. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discounts increase. There is no maximum level of discount from NAV at which we may sell shares pursuant to this authority.
Impact on Existing Shareholders Who Do Participate in the Offering
Our existing shareholders who participate in the offering or who buy additional shares of Common Stock in the secondary market at the same or lower price as we obtain in the offering (after expenses and commissions) will experience the same types of NAV per share dilution as the nonparticipating shareholders, albeit at a lower level, to the extent they purchase less than the same percentage of the discounted offering as their interest in our shares immediately prior to the offering. The level of NAV per share dilution will decrease as the number of shares such shareholders purchase increases. Existing shareholders who buy more than such percentage will experience NAV per share dilution on their existing shares but will, in contrast to existing shareholders who purchase less than their proportionate share of the offering, experience an increase (often called accretion) in average NAV per share over their investment per share and will also experience a disproportionately greater increase in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than our increase in assets, potential earning power and voting interests due to the offering. The level of accretion will increase as the excess number of shares such shareholder purchases increases. Even a shareholder who over-participates will, however, be subject to the risk that we may make additional discounted offerings in which such shareholder does not participate, in which case such a shareholder will experience NAV per share dilution as described above in such subsequent offerings. These shareholders may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects to some degree announced or potential decreases in NAV per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discounts increases. There is no maximum level of discount from NAV at which we may sell shares pursuant to this authority.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of (1) a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a class, entitled to vote at the Special Meeting; and (2) a majority the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a class, entitled to vote at the Special Meeting that are not held by affiliated persons of the Company, which includes our officers, directors, employees and 5% shareholders is required to approve this proposal. Because we have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 act, the 1940 Act definition of “a majority of the outstanding shares must be used for purposes of this proposal. The 1940 Act defines a majority of the outstanding shares” as (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the Special Meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy; or (2) 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the company, whichever is the less. Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL
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PROPOSAL 7
APPROVAL OF ADVISORY AGREEMENT WITH PRINCETON INVESTMENT ADVISORS
Background
In connection with the Transactions, Newco will become an externally managed BDC and enter into an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Princeton Investment Advisors, LLC (“Princeton Advisors”). On December 19, 2014, the Board of Directors approved the Advisory Agreement.
The form of the Advisory Agreement is attached as Annex F to this proxy statement.
Advisory Services
Princeton Advisers is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and upon closing of the Transaction will serve as Newco’s investment adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement in accordance with the 1940 Act. Princeton Advisors is an affiliate of the Partnerships and Princeton Advisory Group.
Subject to the overall supervision of the Newco’s board of directors, Princeton Advisors will oversee Newco’s day-to-day operations and provide Newco with investment advisory services. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, Princeton Advisors, will among other things: (i) determine the composition and allocation of the portfolio of Newco, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by Newco; (iii) execute, monitor and services Newco’s investments; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that Newco shall purchase, retain, or sell; and (v) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies. Princeton Advisors’ services under the Advisory Agreement may not be exclusive and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to Newco are not impaired.
In addition, Princeton Advisors is authorized to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with other investment advisers pursuant to which Princeton Advisors may obtain the services of such sub-adviser(s) to assist Princeton Advisors in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement. Specifically, Princeton Advisers may retain a sub-adviser to recommend specific securities or other investments based upon the Company’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and work, along with Princeton Advisors, in sourcing, structuring, negotiating, arranging or effecting the acquisition or disposition of such investments and monitoring investments on behalf of the Company, subject to the oversight of Princeton Advisors and the Company.
Advisory Fees
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Company will pay Princeton Advisors a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components – a base management fee and an incentive fee. The cost of both the base management fee and the incentive fee will ultimately be borne by Newco’s stockholders.
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Management Fee
The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of our gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage and excluding cash and cash equivalents. For services rendered under the investment advisory agreement, the base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears. For the first quarter of our operations, the base management fee will be calculated based on the initial value of our gross assets. Beginning with our second quarter of operations, the base management fee will be calculated based on the average value of our gross assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro-rated.
Incentive Fee
Newco will pay Princeton Advisors an incentive fee. The incentive fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not.
The first component, which is income-based, will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears, commencing with the quarter beginning [●], 2015, based on our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income means, in each case on a consolidated basis, interest income, distribution income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, any interest expense and any dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.
The operation of the first component of the incentive fee for each quarter is as follows:
● | no incentive fee is payable to our investment advisor in any calendar quarter in which our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the Hurdle Rate of 2.00% (8.00% annualized); |
● | 100% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than 2.50% in any calendar quarter (10.00% annualized) is payable to our investment advisor. We refer to this portion of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than 2.50%) as the “catch-up.” The effect of the “catch-up” provision is that, if such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.50% in any calendar quarter, our investment advisor will receive 20% of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if the Hurdle Rate did not apply; and |
● | 20% of the amount of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.50% in any calendar quarter (10.00% annualized) is payable to our investment advisor (once the Hurdle Rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved). |
The portion of such incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as PIK interest or original issue discount) will be paid to Princeton Advisors, together with interest from the date of deferral to the date of payment, only if and to the extent we actually receive such interest in cash, and any accrual will be reversed if and to the extent such interest is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual. Any reversal of such amounts would reduce net income for the quarter by the net amount of the reversal (after taking into account the reversal of incentive fees payable) and would result in a reduction and possibly elimination of the incentive fees for such quarter.
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There is no accumulation of amounts on the Hurdle Rate from quarter to quarter and, accordingly, there is no claw back of amounts previously paid if subsequent quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate and there is no delay of payment if prior quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate. Since the Hurdle Rate is fixed, as interest rates rise, it will be easier for our investment advisor to surpass the Hurdle Rate and receive an incentive fee based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income.
The net investment income used to calculate this component of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of Newco’s consolidated gross assets used to calculate the 1.75% base management fee. These calculations will be appropriately prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current quarter.
The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income-based component of the incentive fee:
Quarterly Incentive Fee based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)
Percentage of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income allocated to first component of incentive fee
The second component, the capital gains component of the incentive fee, will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the investment advisory agreement, as of the termination date), commencing on December 31, 2015, and will equal 20% of Newco’s cumulative aggregate realized capital gains from January 1st through the end of that calendar year, computed net of Newco’s aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and Newco’s aggregate cumulative unrealized capital depreciation through the end of such year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fees. If such amount is negative, then no capital gains incentive fee will be payable for such year. Additionally, if the investment advisory agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end the termination date will be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the capital gains incentive fee. The capital gains component of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to shareholders.
Because of the structure of the incentive fee, it is possible that Newco may pay an incentive fee in a quarter where it incurs a loss. For example, if Newco receives Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in excess of the Hurdle Rate, it will pay the applicable incentive fee even if it has incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses.
Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation
Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee (*):
Alternative 1
Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, distributions, fees, etc.) = 1.25%
Hurdle Rate(1) = 2.00%
Base management fee(2) = 0.4375%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.25%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
(investment income - (base management fee + other expenses)) = 0.5625%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the Hurdle Rate, therefore there is no incentive fee.
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Alternative 2
Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, distributions, fees, etc.) = 2.70%
Hurdle Rate(1) = 2.00%
Base management fee(2) = 0.4375%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.25%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
(investment income - (base management fee + other expenses)) = 2.0125%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the Hurdle Rate, therefore there is an incentive fee.
Incentive fee = (100% x “Catch-Up”) + (the greater of 0% AND (20% x (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income - 2.50%))
= (100.0% x (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income – 2.00%)) + 0%
= 100.0% x (2.0125% - 2.00%)
= 100.0% x 0.0125%
= 0.0125%
Alternative 3
Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, distributions, fees, etc.) = 3.00%
Hurdle Rate(1) = 2.00%
Base management fee(2) = 0.4375%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.25%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
(investment income - (base management fee + other expenses)) = 2.3125%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the Hurdle Rate, therefore there is an incentive fee.
Incentive fee = (100% x “Catch-Up”) + (the greater of 0% AND (20% x (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income - 2.50%))
= (100% × (2.50% - 2.00%)) + (20.0% × (2.3125% - 2.50%))
= 0.50% + (20.0% × 0%)
= 0.50% + 0%
= 0.45%
(*) The hypothetical amount of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income shown is based on a percentage of net assets.
(1) Represents 8.00% annualized Hurdle Rate.
(2) Represents 1.75% annualized base management fee.
(3) Excludes organizational and offering expenses.
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Example 2: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee:
Alternative 1:
Assumptions
● | Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), and $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”) |
● | Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million and fair market value, or FMV, of Investment B determined to be $32 million |
● | Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million |
● | Year 4: Investment B sold for $31 million |
The capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:
● | Year 1: None |
● | Year 2: Capital gains incentive fee of $6.0 million ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20.0%) |
● | Year 3: None; $5.0 million (20.0% multiplied by ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5.0 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6.0 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2) |
● | Year 4: Capital gains incentive fee of $200,000; $6.2 million ($31 million cumulative realized capital gains multiplied by 20.0%) less $6.0 million (capital gains fee paid in Year 2) |
Alternative 2
Assumptions
● | Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”) and $25 million investment made in Company C (“Investment C”) |
● | Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million and FMV of Investment C determined to be $25 million |
● | Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $27 million and Investment C sold for $30 million |
● | Year 4: FMV of Investment B determined to be $35 million |
● | Year 5: Investment B sold for $20 million |
The capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:
● | Year 1: None |
● | Year 2: Capital gains incentive fee of $5.0 million; 20.0% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on Investment A less $5 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B) |
● | Year 3: Capital gains incentive fee of $1.4 million; $6.4 million (20.0% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)) less $5.0 million (capital gains fee received in Year 2) |
● | Year 4: None |
● | Year 5: None; $5.0 million of capital gains incentive fee (20.0% multiplied by $25 million (cumulative realized capital gains of $35 million less realized capital losses of $10 million)) less $6.4 million (cumulative capital gains fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3) |
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Payment of Our Expenses
All investment professionals of Princeton Advisors, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory services to Newco, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of personnel allocable to these services to Newco, will be provided and paid for by Princeton Advisors and not by Newco. Newco will bear all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including, without limitation, those relating to:
● | calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any third party independent valuation firm); |
● | fees and expenses payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring financial and legal affairs for us and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies or otherwise relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments; |
● | interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments and expenses related to unsuccessful portfolio acquisition efforts; |
● | offerings of Newco’s common stock and other securities; |
● | base management and incentive fees; |
● | administration fees and expenses, if any, payable under the administration agreement (including our allocable portion of Princeton Advisors’ overhead in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our chief compliance officer, chief financial officer and their respective staffs); |
● | transfer agent, dividend agent and custodial fees and expenses; |
● | U.S. federal and state registration fees; |
● | all costs of registration and listing our stock on any securities exchange; |
● | U.S. federal, state and local taxes; |
● | independent directors’ fees and expenses; |
● | costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by the SEC or other regulators; |
● | costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to shareholders, including printing costs; |
● | costs and fees associated with any fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; |
● | direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, secretarial and other staff, independent auditors and outside legal costs; |
● | proxy voting expenses; and |
● | all other expenses incurred by Newco or Princeton Advisors in connection with administering our business. |
Duration and Termination
Unless terminated earlier as described below, the investment advisory agreement will continue in effect for a period of three (3) years from its effective date. It will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by Newco’s board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of Newco’s outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, if also approved by a majority of Newco’s directors who are not “interested persons.” The investment advisory agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by Princeton Advisors and may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other. The holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities may also terminate the investment advisory agreement without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice.
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Indemnification
The investment advisory agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of their duties and obligations under the investment advisory agreement, Princeton Advisors and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons and members, and any other person or entity affiliated with it, are entitled to indemnification from Newco for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of Princeton Advisors’ services under the investment advisory agreement or otherwise as Newco’s investment advisor.
Reasons for the Advisory Agreement
As discussed above, the Advisory Agreement provides for the payment of a fee comprised of two components: a base management fee and an incentive fee.
The Company’s board of directors has reviewed the advisory fees (including base management fees and incentive fees) of other BDCs whose securities are listed and publicly-traded on a national securities exchange (“Listed BDCs”) with similar investment objectives and total asset size. The Company’s board of directors has also considered the fact that the portfolio of Newco will be significantly larger than the current portfolio and the experience and familiarity of certain affiliates of Princeton Advisors with the investments to be acquired in the Transactions. Based on these considerations, the Company’s board of directors recommends the approval of the Advisory Agreement, which it believes will better align the advisory fee structure of Newco with those of other Listed BDCs with similar investment objectives and total asset size. The Company’s board of directors believes that the Advisory Agreement will allow Newco to become competitive compared to similar Listed BDCs and is therefore in the best interest of shareholders.
Board Consideration
At a meeting of the Company’s board of directors held on December 19, 2014, the Company’s board of directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors, approved the Proposed Advisory Agreement as being in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Board then directed that the Proposed Advisory Agreement be submitted to the Company’s shareholders for approval with the Board’s recommendation that the shareholders vote to approve the Proposed Advisory Agreement.
Factors Considered by the Board
The Company’s board of directors, in approving and recommending the approval of the Advisory Agreement, considered a number of factors. Such approvals were made in accordance with, and on the basis of an evaluation satisfactory to the Company’s board of directors as required by Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, including a consideration of, among other factors, (i) the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to Newco under the Advisory Agreement, (ii) comparative data with respect to advisory fees or similar expenses paid by other BDCs, including Listed BDCs, (iii) the extent to which economies of scale may be realized as Newco grows, and (iv) information about the services to be performed and the personnel performing such services under the Advisory Agreement.
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In approving the Advisory Agreement, the Company’s board of directors considered materials specifically provided in connection with due diligence for the Transaction as well as materials provided in connection with its consideration of the Advisory Agreement. These materials included information regarding: (i) performance information, including comparative performance information, of various investment vehicles managed by affiliates of Princeton Advisors; and (ii) comparative data with respect to advisory fees or similar expenses. The Company’s board of directors also received information regarding the impact of the Advisory Agreement on advisory fees that would be received by Princeton Advisors from Newco under various hypothetical return scenarios.
With respect to the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided, and the services to be performed and the personnel performing such services, the Company’s board of directors favorably considered that the same personnel that provide services to the Partnerships for the investments Newco will acquire in the Transaction would provide services to the Company under the Advisory Agreement. Based upon this and other considerations, the Company’s board of directors concluded, within the context of its overall determination to approve the Advisory Agreement, that Newco should benefit from the services to be provided by Princeton Advisor under the Advisory Agreement.
Regarding investment performance, the Company’s board of directors took note of the historical investment performance results, as presented to the Company’s board of directors in connection with its consideration of the Transactions, and as presented to the Board in connection with its consideration of the Advisory Agreement, in light of the Newco’s investment objective, strategies and risks. Based on these considerations, the Company’s board of directors concluded, within the context of its overall determinations regarding the Transactions and the Advisory Agreement, a determination to approve the Advisory Agreement was supported.
On the basis of the information provided to it and its evaluation thereof, the Board, including the Independent Directors, unanimously voted to approve the Advisory Agreement.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of (1) a majority of the outstand shares of common stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a class, entitled to vote at the Special Meeting and (2) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a class, entitled to vote at the Special Meeting that are not held by affiliated persons of us, which includes our officers, directors, employees and 5% shareholders is required to approve this proposal. Because we have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, the definition of “a majority of the outstanding shares” as defined under the 1940 Act must be used for purposes of this proposal. The 1940 Act defines “a majority of the outstanding shares” as (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the Special Meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (2) 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the company, whichever is the less. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against this proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL
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PROPOSAL 8
APPROVAL TO ADJOURN TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL VOTES
The Company’s shareholders may be asked to consider and act upon one or more adjournments of the Special Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies in favor of any or all of the other proposals set forth in this proxy statement.
If a quorum is not present at the Special Meeting, the Company shareholders may be asked to vote on the proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to solicit additional proxies. If a quorum is present at the Special Meeting, but there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve one or more of the proposals, the Company’s shareholders may also be asked to vote on the proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies in favor of the other proposals. However, a shareholder vote may be taken in one or more of the proposals in this proxy statement prior to any such adjournment if there are sufficient votes for approval on such proposal(s).
If the adjournment proposal is submitted for a vote at the Special Meeting, and if the Company’s shareholders vote to approve the adjournment proposal, the Special Meeting will be adjourned to enable the Board to solicit additional proxies in favor of one or more proposals. If the adjournment proposal is approved, and the Special Meeting is adjourned, the Board will use the additional time to solicit additional proxies in favor of any of the proposals to be presented at the Special Meeting, including the solicitation of proxies from shareholders that have previously voted against the relevant proposal. Among other things, approval of the adjournment proposal could mean that, even though the Company may have received proxies representing a sufficient number of votes against a proposal to defeat it, the Company’s management could present the adjournment proposal for a vote of the Company’s shareholders and thereby cause the Special Meeting to be adjourned without a vote on the proposal and seek during that period to convince the holders of those shares to change their votes to vote in favor of the proposal. Therefore, if a shareholder voted against any or all of the other proposals set forth in this proxy statement, then such shareholder may not want to vote for this adjournment proposal.
The Board believes that, if the number of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting in favor of any of the proposals presented at the Special Meeting is insufficient to approve a proposal, it is in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders to enable the Board, for a limited period of time, to continue to seek to obtain a sufficient number of additional votes in favor of the proposal.
Required Vote
Any proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes for the foregoing proposals requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stocks and Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, represented at the special Meeting in person or by proxy. An abstention from the vote on an adjournment will have the same effect as a vote against the adjournment motion. The persons named as proxies will vote those proxies for such adjournment, unless marked to be voted against any proposal for which an adjournment is sought, to permit further solicitation of proxies.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock as of December 1, 2014 (except as otherwise indicated below) by (i) each person known to beneficially own more than 5% of the Common Stock, (ii) each of our officers and directors, and (iii) our officers and directors as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options, warrants or convertible preferred stock, exercisable or convertible on or within sixty (60) days of December 1, 2014, are deemed outstanding. Such shares however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The percentage of beneficial ownership described below is based on 3,733,067 shares of voting stock outstanding. The following table does not give effect to the Reverse Stock Split or the Transaction.
Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge, each stockholder listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by the stockholder, and maintains an address c/o Regal One Corporation. Our address is 11835 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1235E, Los Angeles, California 90064.
Name | Shares Owned (Common) | Percentage of Common | Shares Owned (Preferred) | Percentage of Preferred | Voting Power1 Percentage | |||||||||||||||
Charles J. Newman | 1,274,944 | 35.09 | 10,343 | 10.34 | 34.15 | |||||||||||||||
Bernard L. Brodkorb | 158,950 | 4.38 | - | - | 4.26 | |||||||||||||||
Chris Dieterich | 254,600 | 7.00 | - | - | 6.82 | |||||||||||||||
AB Investments | - | - | 37,715 | 37.70 | 1.01 | |||||||||||||||
All Officers and Directors as a group | 1,433,894 | 39.47 | 10,343 | 10.34 | 39.23 |
1Includes preferred shares voting as one share of common per one share of preferred, along with voting percentage of actual holdings of common stock.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN
MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Certain of our officer and directors have an interest in the matters to be voted on by our shareholders as a result their ownership of shares of Common Stock as set forth in the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”, which we do not believe are different from or greater than those of any other shareholders. Except for Messrs. Jackson and Sood, none of the directors following closing of the Transaction has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in the Reverse Stock Split or the Transaction. Messrs. Jackson and Sood are principal of Princeton Advisors. If the Transaction is closed and the Advisory Agreement is approved by shareholder, Newco will pay Princeton Advisors a management fee pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement. See “Proposal 6 – Advisory Fees.”
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
No security holder has requested the Company to include any proposal in this proxy statement.
FORWARD –LOOKING STATEMENTS
This proxy statement includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of Securities Act and Section 21E of Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this document, including statements regarding the future financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “expect,” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are largely based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
You should not rely upon forward looking statements as predictions of future events. We cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward looking statements will be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward looking statements are reasonable, future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements cannot be guaranteed.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a Web site that contains information we file electronically with the SEC, which you can access over the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these materials may also be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.
Additional copies of this proxy statement may be obtained from us, at no charge, by writing to us at the following address:
Regal One Corporation
11835 West Olympic Boulevard
Suite 1235E
Los Angeles, California 90064
A copy of this proxy statement may be obtained on our website at www.regal1.com.
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INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The following financial information is incorporated in this proxy statement by this reference and made a part hereof:
● | Audited financial statements for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 that was filed on April 1, 2014; and |
● | Unaudited financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, which appear in Part 1, Item 1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 that was filed on November 14, 2014. |
DELIVERY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO MULTIPLE SHAREHOLDERS WITH THE SAME ADDRESS
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements, proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement, proxy statement or annual report addressed to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies.
A number of brokers with account holders who are our shareholders will be “householding” this proxy statement. A single copy of this proxy statement will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you notify your broker or us that you no longer wish to participate in “householding.” If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, you may (1) notify your broker, (2) direct your written request to: Investor Relations, Regal One Corporation, 11835 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1235E, Los Angeles, California 90064, or (3) contact our representative, Christopher Dieterich, at: 310.312.6888. Upon receipt of a written or oral request to the address or telephone number above, we will promptly deliver a separate copy of the proxy statement to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the proxy statement was delivered. Shareholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request “householding” of future communications to shareholders should contact their broker.
By Order of the Board of Directors, | ||||
/s/ Charles J. Newman | ||||
Charles J. Newman | ||||
[ ● ], 2015 | Chairman |
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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page | |
CAPITAL POINT PARTNERS FUND | |
Independent Auditor’s Report | F-2 - 3 |
Combined Statements of Net Assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-4 |
Combined Statements of Operations as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-5 |
Combined Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-6 |
Combined Statements of Cash Flows as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-7 |
Combined Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-8 - 9 |
Notes to Combined Financial Statements | F-10 - 22 |
Combined Statements of Financial Position as of September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013 | F-24 |
Combined Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited) | F-25 |
Combined Statements of Changes in Partners Capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) | F-26 |
Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited) | F-27 |
Combined Schedule of Investments as of September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013 | F-28 - 29 |
Notes to Combined Financial Statements | F-30 - 41 |
CAPITAL POINT PARTNERS II, L.P. | |
Independent Auditor’s Report | F-42 - 43 |
Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-44 |
Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-45 |
Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 | F-46 |
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 |