UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT
TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number 1-07265

AMBASE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
95-2962743
(State of incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One South Ocean Boulevard, Suite 301, Boca Raton, Fl. 33432
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (201) 265-0169

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Title of each class
Common Stock ($0.01 par value)

Rights to Purchase Common Stock

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes   No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes   No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "accelerated filer", "large accelerated filer", and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer     Accelerated Filer      Non-Accelerated Filer     Smaller Reporting Company
Emerging Growth Company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Yes    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes    No

At February 28, 2018, there were 40,737,751 shares of registrant's Common Stock outstanding.  At June 30, 2017, the aggregate market value of registrant's voting securities (consisting of its Common Stock) held by nonaffiliates of the registrant, based on the average bid and asking price on such date of the Common Stock of $1.00 per share was approximately $24 million.  The Common Stock constitutes registrant's only outstanding class of security.

Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which Proxy Statement the registrant intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year, are incorporated by reference with respect to certain information contained therein, in Part III of this Annual Report.

The Exhibit Index is located in Part IV, Item 15, Page 48.


AmBase Corporation
Annual Report on Form 10-K
December 31, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
 
 
Page
       
Item 1.
 
Business
1
       
Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
2
       
Item 1B.
 
Unresolved Staff Comments
8
       
Item 2.
 
Properties
8
       
Item 3.
 
Legal Proceedings
8
       
Item 4
 
Mine Safety Disclosures
8
       
 
 
   
       
PART II
 
 
 
       
Item 5.
 
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity  Securities
8
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
Selected Financial Data
9
       
Item 7.
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
9
       
Item 8.
 
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
16
       
Item 9.
 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
46
       
Item 9A.
 
Controls and Procedures
46
       
Item 9B.
 
Other Information
47
       
PART III
 
 
 
       
Item 10.
 
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
47
       
Item 11.
 
Executive Compensation
47
       
Item 12.
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners & Management and Related Stockholder Matters
47
       
Item 13.
 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
48
       
Item 14.
 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
48
       
PART IV
 
 
 
       
Item 15.
 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
48
       
Item 16.
 
Form 10-K Summary
49


PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

AmBase Corporation (the "Company" or "AmBase") is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated in 1975.  AmBase is a holding company.

At December 31, 2017, the Company's assets consisted primarily of cash and cash equivalents, real estate owned and a deferred tax asset. On January 26, 2018, the Company sold its commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut, see Part II – Item 8 – Note 3 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information. See Part II – Item 8 – Note 8 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding taxes.  The Company is engaged in the management of its assets and liabilities.  The executive office of the Company is located at One South Ocean Boulevard, Suite 301, Boca Raton, Florida 33432.

In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57 th Street in New York, New York (the "111 West 57 th Property"). The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with the sponsors of the joint venture (the "Sponsor") and a mezzanine lender to the joint venture ("Spruce"). The Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. See Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding this impairment charge and the legal proceedings relating to the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property. The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value. The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the strict foreclosure which has not yet been resolved.   

The Company had four (4) full-time and two (2) part-time employees at December 31, 2017.

Background

In August 1988, the Company acquired Carteret Bancorp Inc., which through its principal wholly owned subsidiary Carteret Savings Bank, FA, was principally engaged in retail and consumer banking, and mortgage banking including mortgage servicing. On December 4, 1992, the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") placed Carteret Savings Bank, FA in receivership under the management of the Resolution Trust Corporation ("RTC") and a new institution, Carteret Federal Savings Bank, was established to assume the assets and certain liabilities of Carteret Savings Bank, FA.

The Company was a plaintiff in a legal proceeding, commenced in 1993, seeking recovery of damages from the United States Government for the loss of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Carteret Savings Bank, F.A. (the "Supervisory Goodwill" legal proceedings).  Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement between the Company, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Receiver ("FDIC-R") and the Department of Justice ("DOJ") on behalf of the United States of America (the "United States"), (the "Settlement Agreement") as approved by the United States Court of Federal Claims (the "Court of Federal Claims"), in October 2012, the United States paid $180,650,000 directly to AmBase (the "Settlement Amount"). As part of the Settlement Agreement in the Company's Supervisory Goodwill legal proceedings, the Company is entitled to a tax gross-up in an amount to be determined if and when any federal taxes should be imposed on the Settlement Amount. In December 2014, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") completed their review of the examination of the Company's 2012 Federal Income Tax Return with no change to the tax return as filed.

STOCKHOLDER INQUIRIES

Stockholder inquiries, including requests for the following: (i) change of address; (ii) replacement of lost stock certificates; (iii) Common Stock name registration changes; (iv) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; (v) Annual Reports on Form 10-K; (vi) proxy material; and (vii) information regarding stockholdings, should be directed to:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15 th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY  11219
Attention:  Shareholder Services
(800) 937-5449 or (718) 921-8200 Ext. 6820
 








As the Company does not maintain a website, copies of Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Proxy Statements can also be obtained directly from the Company free of charge by sending a request to the Company by mail as follows:

AmBase Corporation
12 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 202
Emerson, NJ  07630
Attn: Shareholder Services
 

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Accordingly, the Company's public reports, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Proxy Statements, can be obtained through the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") EDGAR Database available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Materials filed with the SEC may also be read or copied by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS

The Company is subject to various risks, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could have a negative effect on the Company and its financial condition. As a result of these and other factors, the Company may experience material fluctuations in future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis which could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, operating results and stock price. An investment in the Company's stock involves various risks, including those mentioned below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this "Annual Report"), and those that are detailed from time to time in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, before you decide whether to purchase the Company's common stock.

Going Concern

The Company has incurred operating losses and used cash for operating activities for the past several years. In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57 th Street in New York, New York (the "111 West 57 th Property"). The Company has also made significant investments in the 111 West 57th Street Property in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with the sponsors of the joint venture (the "Sponsor") and a mezzanine lender to the joint venture ("Spruce"). The Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. See Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding this impairment charge and the legal proceedings relating to the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property. The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value. The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the strict foreclosure which has not yet been resolved. The Company has continued to keep operating expenses at a reduced level; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's current level of operating expenses will not increase or that other uses of cash will not be necessary.  The Company believes that based on its current level of operating expenses, its currently available cash and financial resources, together with the net proceeds from the sale of its commercial office building Greenwich, Connecticut as further discussed in Part II – Item 8 – Note 3 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, may not be sufficient to cover operating cash needs through the twelve month period from the financial statement reporting date. Based on the above factors, management determined there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include adjustments to the carrying value of assets and liabilities which might be necessary should the Company not continue in operation.

Over the next several months, the Company will seek to manage its current level of cash and cash equivalents, through various ways, including but not limited to, reducing operating expenses, possible asset sales and/or long term borrowings, which may include additional borrowings from affiliates of the Company, although this cannot be assured. In order to continue on a long-term basis, the Company must raise additional capital through the sale of assets or long term borrowings.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to sell any of its assets or attain such financing at terms acceptable to the Company, if at all.


We are a party to a legal proceeding relating to our equity interest in the joint real estate venture 111 West 57th Partners, and may become subject to additional litigation in the future, any of which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our common stock.

We are currently party to a lawsuit relating to our equity interest in the joint real estate venture 111 West 57th Partners, as further described in Part II – Item 8 – Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements.  There can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with any of its claims with respect to its interests in the 111 West 57 th Property or that any course of action will be successful in recovering value for the Company from this investment.  If the Company is unable to recover all or most of the value of its investment in the 111 West 57 th Property, there would be a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and future prospects.  Most recently, our litigation expenses to date have been funded substantially by advances from Richard A. Bianco, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; however, Mr. Bianco is under no obligation to fund the Company's litigation expenses beyond the amounts committed to in his Litigation Funding Agreement with the Company and litigation expenses could exceed such amounts. For additional information with regard to the Litigation Funding Agreement see Part II – Item 8 – Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements. In addition, in the future we may become subject to additional litigation, including claims relating to our operations, assets, offerings, and otherwise in the ordinary course of business. Some of these claims may result in significant defense costs and potentially significant judgments against us, some of which are not, or cannot be insured against.  An adverse determination with respect to any of these claims may result in our having to pay material judgments, or settlements, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flows, thereby having a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our common stock. Certain litigation or the resolution of certain litigation may affect the availability or cost of some of our insurance coverage, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows and potentially expose us to increased risks that would be uninsured.

The Company is in a competitive business.

The real estate industry is highly competitive.  The Company competes for tenants for its unoccupied rental space with a large number of real estate property owners and other companies that sublet properties.  The Company's principal means of competition are rents charged in relation to the income producing potential of the location.  In addition, the Company expects other major real estate investors, some with much greater resources than the Company has, may compete with the Company for attractive acquisition opportunities.  These competitors include REITs, investment banking firms and private institutional investors.  This competition has increased prices for commercial properties and may impair the Company's ability to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms in the future.

Property ownership through equity investments and/or in joint ventures could subject us to the differing business objectives of our co-venturers.

The Company has entered into, and may continue in the future to enter into, equity investments and/or joint ventures (including limited liability companies and partnerships) in which the Company does not hold a direct or controlling interest in the assets underlying the entities in which it invests, including equity investments and/or joint ventures in which (i) the Company owns a direct interest in an entity which controls such assets, or (ii) the Company owns a direct interest in an entity which owns indirect interests, through one or more intermediaries, of such assets. These equity investments and/or joint ventures may include ventures through which the Company would own an indirect economic interest of less than 100 percent of a property owned directly by such joint ventures, and may include equity investments and/or joint ventures that the Company does not control or manage.  These investments involve risks that do not exist with properties in which the Company owns a controlling interest with respect to the underlying assets, including the possibility that (i) we may become subject to material, legal disputes with our joint venture partners, as is the case with respect to our investment in the 111 West 57 th Property; (ii) our co-venturers or partners may, at any time, become insolvent or otherwise refuse to make capital contributions when due, (iii) we may be subject to additional capital calls for joint venture development or other expenses which we may be unable or unwilling to meet, possibly resulting in substantial dilution of our investment, (iv) we may become liable with respect to guarantees of payment or performance by the joint ventures, or (v) we may become subject to buy-sell arrangements which could cause us to sell our interests or acquire our co-venturer's or partner's interests in a joint venture.  Even where we have major decision rights or do not have major decision rights, because we lack a controlling interest, our co-venturers or partners may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives.  While we seek protective rights against such contrary actions, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in procuring any such protective rights, or if procured, that the rights will be sufficient to fully protect us against contrary actions.  Our organizational documents do not limit the amount of available funds that we may invest in equity investments and/or joint ventures and/or partnerships.  If the objectives of our co-venturers or partners are inconsistent with ours, it may adversely affect our ability to make receive and distributions or payments to our investors.

The Company has incurred operating losses over the last several years and may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability.

The Company has incurred operating losses over the last several years.  The Company has also made significant investments in the 111 West 57th Street Property in 2013, 2014 and 2015.  We expect our operating expenses in 2018 will remain relatively close to our most recent levels.  These losses, among other things, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our working capital, total assets and stockholders' equity.  Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with property development and management, we are unable to predict if or when we may become profitable, or if the Company's current financial resources will be adequate to fund operations over the next several years.  Nonetheless the Company will seek to manage its current level of cash and cash equivalents through various sources, including but not limited to reducing operating expenses, possible asset sales and/or long term borrowings.

Illiquidity of real estate limits our ability to act quickly .
Real estate investments are relatively illiquid.  Such illiquidity may limit our ability to react quickly in response to changes in economic and other conditions.  If we want to sell an investment, we might not be able to dispose of that investment in the time period we desire, and the sales price of that investment might not recoup or exceed the amount of our investment. These limitations on our ability to sell our properties or investments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Fluctuations in the local market in which the Company's current equity investment in a development property is located may adversely impact the Company's financial condition and operating results

The Company's current equity investment in a development property is located in New York City. This geographic concentration could present risks if the New York City property market performance falls below expectations. The economic condition of this market could affect occupancy, property revenues, and expenses, from the property and its underlying asset value. The financial results of major local employers also may impact the cash flow and value of a property. This could have a negative impact on the Company's financial condition and operating results, which could affect the Company's ability to receive distributions from its investment interest in the property.

Development and redevelopment activities may be delayed, not completed, and/or not achieve expected results .

As the Company pursues investments in and/or development and redevelopment projects, these projects generally require various governmental and other approvals, which have no assurance of being received. The Company's investment in development and redevelopment activities generally entail certain risks, including the following:

-
funds may be expended and management's time devoted to projects that may not be completed,
-
construction costs of a project may exceed original estimates possibly making the project economically unfeasible,
-
projects may be delayed due to, without limitation, adverse weather conditions, labor or material shortages,
-
occupancy rates and rents at a completed project may be less than anticipated, and
-
expenses at completed development projects may be higher than anticipated.

These risks may reduce the funds available for distribution to the Company and have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. Further, investment in and the development and redevelopment of real estate is also subject to the general risks associated with real estate investments. For further information regarding these risks, see the risk factor " The Company is subject to risks inherent in owning, developing and leasing real estate. "








The Company is subject to risks inherent in owning, developing and leasing real estate.

The Company is subject to varying degrees of risk generally related to leasing and owning real estate, many of which are beyond the Company's control. In addition to general risks related to owning commercial real estate, the Company's risks include, among others:

-
deterioration in regional and local economic and real estate market conditions,
-
failure to complete construction and lease-up on schedule or within budget may increase debt service expense and construction and other costs,
-
increased operating costs, including insurance premiums, utilities and real estate taxes, due to inflation and other factors which may not necessarily be offset by increased rents,
-
changes in interest rate levels and the availability of financing,
-
fluctuations in tourism patterns,
-
adverse changes in laws and regulations (including tax, environmental, zoning and building codes, landlord/tenant and other  housing laws and regulations) and agency or court interpretations of such laws and regulations and the related costs of compliance,
-
potential changes in supply of, or demand for rental properties similar to the Company's,
-
competition for tenants and changes in rental rates,
-
concentration in a single real estate asset and class,
-
needs for additional capital which may be required for needed development or repositioning of one or more real estate assets may exceed the Company's abilities or its desired minimum level of liquidity,
-
difficulty in reletting properties on favorable terms or at all,
-
impairments in the Company's ability to collect rent payments when due,
-
the potential for uninsured casualty and other losses,
-
the impact of present or future environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws,
-
changes in federal or state tax laws, and
-
acts of terrorism and war.

Each of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to receive distributions from its properties and investments and the Company's financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, real estate investments are relatively illiquid, which means that the Company's ability to promptly sell the Company's property in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be limited.











Our insurance coverage on our property or properties may be inadequate or our insurance providers may default on their obligations to pay claims.  

We currently carry comprehensive insurance on our property or properties, including insurance for liability, fire and flood.  We cannot guarantee that the limits of our current policies will be sufficient in the event of a catastrophe to our property or properties.  We cannot guarantee that we will be able to renew or duplicate our current insurance coverage in adequate amounts or at reasonable prices.  In addition, while our current insurance policies insure us against loss from terrorist acts and toxic mold, in the future, insurance companies may no longer offer coverage against these types of losses, or, if offered, these types of insurance may be prohibitively expensive.  If any or all of the foregoing should occur, we may not have insurance coverage against certain types of losses and/or there may be decreases in the limits of insurance available.  Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of our insured limits occur, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property or properties, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property or properties.  We cannot guarantee that material losses in excess of insurance proceeds will not occur in the future.  If any of our properties were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could seriously disrupt our operations, delay revenue and result in large expenses to repair or rebuild the property.  Such events could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.  If one or more of our insurance providers were to fail to pay a claim as a result of insolvency, bankruptcy or otherwise, the nonpayment of such claims could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, if one or more of our insurance providers were to become subject to insolvency, bankruptcy or other proceedings and our insurance policies with the provider were terminated or canceled as a result of those proceedings, we cannot guarantee that we would be able to find alternative coverage in adequate amounts or at reasonable prices.  In such case, we could experience a lapse in any or adequate insurance coverage with respect to one or more properties and be exposed to potential losses relating to any claims that may arise during such period of lapsed or inadequate coverage.

We are dependent on our key personnel whose continued service is not guaranteed and the loss of whose service could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Whether our business is successful will be dependent in part upon the leadership, strategic business direction and real estate experience of our executive officers, particularly Richard A. Bianco, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  Although we have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Bianco, none of our executive officers or directors are subject to any covenants not to compete against the Company should they terminate their affiliation with the Company.  While we believe that we could find replacements for these key personnel, loss of their services could adversely affect our operations.  Although we carry some key man life insurance on Mr. Bianco, the amount of such coverage may not be sufficient to offset any adverse economic effects on our operations and we do not carry key man life insurance on any of our other executive officers or directors.

The Company may not be able to insure certain risks economically.

The Company may experience economic harm if any damage to the Company's property or properties is not covered by insurance. The Company cannot be certain that the Company will be able to insure all risks that the Company desires to insure economically or that all of the Company's insurers will be financially viable if the Company makes a claim. The Company may suffer losses that are not covered under the Company's insurance policies. If an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits should occur, the Company could lose capital invested in a property or properties, as well as any future revenue from the property or properties.

Changes in the composition of the Company's assets and liabilities through acquisitions, divestitures or corporate restructuring may affect the Company's results.

The Company may make future acquisitions or divestitures of assets or changes in how such assets are held. Any change in the composition of the Company's assets and liabilities or how such assets and liabilities are held could significantly affect the Company's financial position and the risks that the Company faces.

The Company may not be able to generate sufficient taxable income to fully realize the Company's deferred tax asset.

The Company has federal income tax net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards and other tax attributes.  If the Company is unable to generate sufficient taxable income, the Company may not be able to fully realize the benefit of the NOL carryforwards.




Changes in tax laws and uncertainties in the interpretation and application of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act could materially affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In December 2017, the United States ("U.S.") government enacted comprehensive income tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "2017 Tax Act"). The 2017 Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), including, among other changes, significant changes to the U.S. corporate tax rate and certain other changes to the Code that impact the taxation of corporations. In certain instances the 2017 Tax Act requires complex computations to be performed that generally were not previously required by the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder; significant judgments to be made in interpreting the provisions of the 2017 Tax Act significant estimates to be made in certain calculations; and the preparation and analysis of information generally not previously relevant or regularly produced. The U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), and other standard-setting bodies could interpret or issue guidance on how provisions of the 2017 Tax Act will be applied or otherwise administered that differs from our interpretation. As we complete our analysis of the 2017 Tax Act, collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret any additional guidance, we may make adjustments to provisional amounts that we have recorded that may materially impact our provision for income taxes in the period in which the adjustments are made. Additionally, there is risk relating to assumptions regarding the outcome of tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; risk relating to potential unfavorable decisions in tax proceedings; and risks regarding changes in, and/or interpretations of federal and state income tax laws. Additionally, the Company's tax advisors indicate that the IRS typically has broad discretion to examine taxpayer tax returns, even after refunds have been paid to taxpayers, which could result in adjustments to AMT Credit carryforward amounts claimed as refundable and/or AMT Credit carryforward amounts ultimately received.

Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war may affect the market, on which the Company's common stock trades, the markets in which the Company operates the Company's operations and the Company's results of operations.

Terrorist attacks or armed conflicts could affect the Company's business or the businesses of the Company's tenants. The consequences of armed conflicts are unpredictable, and the Company may not be able to foresee events that could have an adverse effect on the Company's business. More generally, any of these events could cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease or result in increased volatility in the U.S. and worldwide financial markets and economy. They also could be a factor resulting in, or a continuation of, an economic recession in the U.S. or abroad. Any of these occurrences could have a significant adverse impact on the Company's operating results and revenues and may result in volatility of the market price for the Company's common stock.

S ecurity breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer .

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data that may include intellectual property, our proprietary business information and that of our tenants and business partners, including personally identifiable information of our tenants and employees, on our networks.  Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions.  Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, disrupt our operations, and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our business.

Because the Company from time to time maintains a majority of its assets in securities, the Company may in the future be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 resulting in additional costs and regulatory burdens.

Currently, the Company believes that either it is not within the definition of "Investment Company" as the term is defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") or, alternatively, may rely on one or more of the 1940 Act's exemptions. The Company intends to continue to conduct its operations in a manner that will exempt the Company from the registration requirements of the 1940 Act. If the Company were to be deemed to be an investment company because of the Company's investments securities holdings, the Company would be required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act.  The 1940 Act places significant restrictions on the capital structure and corporate governance of a registered investment company, and materially restricts its ability to conduct transactions with affiliates. Compliance with the 1940 Act could also increase the Company's operating costs.  Such changes could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.

ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES

At December 31, 2017, the Company owned a commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut. The building was approximately 14,500 square feet with approximately 3,500 square feet utilized by the Company for office space. On January 26, 2018, the Company sold its commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut, see Part II – Item 8 – Note 3 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information.

The Company leases approximately 1,085 square feet of office space for its executive office at One South Ocean Boulevard, Suite 301, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, with a lease expiration date in March 2019.

ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For a discussion of the Company's legal proceedings, see Part II - Item 8 - Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries may be named as a defendant in various lawsuits or proceedings.  At the current time, except as set forth in Part II - Item 8 - Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, the Company is unaware of any legal proceedings pending against the Company.  The Company intends to aggressively contest all litigation and contingencies, as well as pursue all sources for contributions to settlements.

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Common Stock of the Company is quoted in the over-the-counter market under the symbol ABCP. The sales prices per share for the Company's Common Stock represent the range of the reported high and low bid quotations.  Such prices reflect interdealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

   
2017
   
2016
 
   
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
First Quarter
 
$
1.45
   
$
0.82
   
$
2.22
   
$
1.62
 
Second Quarter
   
1.27
     
0.97
     
1.78
     
1.32
 
Third Quarter
   
1.00
     
0.17
     
1.28
     
1.04
 
Fourth Quarter
   
0.38
     
0.16
     
1.10
     
0.84
 

As of February 28, 2018, there were approximately 8,200 beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock.  No dividends were declared or paid on the Company's Common Stock in 2017 and 2016.  The Company has no current plans to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

For information concerning the Company's stockholder rights plan, see Part II - Item 8 - Note 6 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

The Company's common stock repurchase plan (the "Repurchase Plan") allows for the repurchase by the Company of its common stock in the open market.  The Repurchase Plan is conditioned upon favorable business conditions and acceptable prices for the common stock. Purchases under the Repurchase Plan may be made, from time to time, in the open market, through block trades or otherwise. Depending on market conditions and other factors, purchases may be commenced or suspended any time or from time to time without prior notice.  No common stock repurchases have been made pursuant to the Repurchase Plan during 2017 or 2016.

ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not applicable.

ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are contained in Part II -   Item 8, herein.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

AmBase Corporation (the "Company" or "AmBase") is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated in 1975.  AmBase is a holding company.

At December 31, 2017, the Company's assets consisted primarily of cash and cash equivalents, real estate owned and a deferred tax asset. On January 26, 2018, the Company sold its commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut, see Part II – Item 8 – Note 3 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information. See Part II – Item 8 – Note 8 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding taxes. The Company is engaged in the management of its assets and liabilities.

In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57 th Street in New York, New York (the "111 West 57 th Property"). The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with the sponsors of the joint venture (the "Sponsor") and a mezzanine lender to the joint venture ("Spruce"). The Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. See Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding this impairment charge and the legal proceedings relating to the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property.  The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value. The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the strict foreclosure which has not yet been resolved.   

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

The Company's assets at December 31, 2017, aggregated $21,878,000, consisting principally of cash and cash equivalents of $70,000 and real estate owned, net of $1,632,000 and a deferred tax asset of $20,092,000.  At December 31, 2017, the Company's liabilities aggregated $2,722,000.  In addition, the Company has a litigation funding amount of $1,354,000 as further discussed in Part II – Item 8 – Note 10 of the Company's consolidated financial statements.  Total stockholders' equity was $17,802,000.

At December 31, 2017, real estate owned consisted of a 14,500 square foot commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut, managed and operated by the Company. On January 26, 2018, the Company sold its commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut, to Maria USA, Inc. an unaffiliated third party. The sale price was $5,200,000, less normal real estate closing adjustments.  A gain from the sale will be reflected in the Company's financial statements for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2018. The Company used the sale proceeds to repay the full amount of the working capital loan plus accrued interest aggregating $2,623,000, to Mr. Richard A. Banco, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The remaining proceeds will be used for working capital. See Part II – Item 8 – Note 3 and Note 12 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, for additional information.

A fundamental principle of the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP is the assumption that an entity will continue in existence as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations and the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities occurring in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with this requirement, the Company has prepared its accompanying consolidated financial statements assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.

The Company's deferred tax asset at December 31, 2017, is due to a valuation allowance which was released in relation to the AMT Credit carryforwards which are projected to be refundable as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017.  See herein below and Part II – Item 8 – Note 8 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, for additional information.




The Company has incurred operating losses and used cash for operating activities for the past several years. In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57 th Street in New York, New York (the "111 West 57 th Property"). The Company has also made significant investments in the 111 West 57th Street Property in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with the sponsors of the joint venture (the "Sponsor") and a mezzanine lender to the joint venture ("Spruce"). The Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. See Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding this impairment charge and the legal proceedings relating to the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property.  The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value. The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the strict foreclosure which has not yet been resolved. The Company has continued to keep operating expenses at a reduced level; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's current level of operating expenses will not increase or that other uses of cash will not be necessary.  The Company believes that based on its current level of operating expenses, its currently available cash and financial resources, together with the net proceeds from the sale of its commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut as further discussed in Part II – Item 8 – Note 3 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, may not be sufficient to cover operating cash needs through the twelve month period from the financial statement reporting date.  Based on the above factors, management determined there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include adjustments to the carrying value of assets and liabilities which might be necessary should the Company not continue in operation.

Over the next several months, the Company will seek to manage its current level of cash and cash equivalents, through various ways, including but not limited to, reducing operating expenses, possible asset sales and/or long term borrowings which may include additional borrowings from affiliates of the Company, although this cannot be assured. In order to continue on a long-term basis, the Company must raise additional capital through the sale of assets or long term borrowings.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to sell any of its assets or attain such financing at terms acceptable to the Company, if at all.

In May 2016, the Company and Mr. Richard A. Bianco, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer ("Mr. R. A. Bianco") entered into an agreement for Mr. R. A. Bianco to provide to the Company a secured working capital line of credit. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Bianco made several loans to the Company, aggregating $2,296,000 as of December 31, 2017, for use as working capital.  The loans accrued interest at 5.25% per annum and were due on the earlier of the date the Company received funds from any source sufficient to pay all amounts due under the loans, including accrued interest thereon, or December 31, 2019. In January 2018, pursuant to the WC Agreement, Mr. R. A. Bianco made an additional loan of $250,000 to the Company for use as working capital in accordance with the same terms of the loans payable noted above. On January 26, 2018, in connection with the sale by the Company of its commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut, the Company repaid the full amount of the working capital loan, plus accrued interest aggregating $2,623,000 to Mr. R. A. Bianco, and the working capital line of credit agreement was terminated. For additional information, see Part II – Item 8 – Note 12 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In April 2016, the Company filed an action in New York State Supreme Court against the Sponsors, et al., pursuant to which the Company is seeking compensatory damages, as well as punitive damages, indemnification and equitable relief, including a declaration of the parties' rights, and an accounting.  For additional information, see Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2017, the Company initiated a second litigation in the NY Court, Index No. 655031/2017 , (the "111 West 57 th Spruce Action") . The defendants in the 111 West 57 th Spruce action are 111 W57 Mezz Investor, LLC, Spruce Capital Partners LLC, 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, Michael Z. Stern, and Kevin P. Maloney (collectively, "Defendants") and nominal defendants 111 West 57th Partners LLC and 111 West 57 th Mezz 1 LLC. The junior mezzanine lender ("Spruce") had given notice to the junior mezzanine borrower that it proposed to accept the pledged collateral (including the joint venture members' collective interest in the property) in full satisfaction of the joint venture's indebtedness under the Junior Mezzanine Loan (i.e., a "Strict Foreclosure").








On August 30, 2017, Spruce issued a Notice of Retention of Pledged Collateral in Full Satisfaction of Indebtedness. By purporting to accept the pledged collateral, pursuant to a Strict Foreclosure process, Spruce claims to have completed the retention of the collateral pledged by the junior mezzanine borrower, and therefore, the Company's interest in the 111 West 57th Street Property.  The Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property of $63,745,000, for the full year period ended December 31, 2017. The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value.

As noted above, despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken by the Sponsors and Spruce in connection with the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property as further discussed herein, in accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. The Company is and will continue to pursue the recovery of its asset value from various sources of recovery; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims. For additional information with regard to the Company's legal proceedings concerning the 111 West 57 th Property, see Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, which has not yet been resolved. The Company is currently attempting to have the Appellate Division declare the Strict Foreclosure invalid and to enjoin the Strict Foreclosure. The Company moved for a stay or injunctive relief pending appeal, and that motion was denied by the appellate court on January 18, 2018. See Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information concerning the Company's pending appeal of its challenge to the Strict Foreclosure and the Company's recording of an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property.

In September 2017, the Company and Mr. R. A. Bianco entered into an agreement pursuant to which Mr. R. A. Bianco will fund the Company's litigation expenses in connection with the 111 West 57 th Property (the "Litigation Funding Agreement").   For additional information including the terms of the Litigation Funding Agreement; see Part II – Item 8 – Note 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company's consolidated balance sheet for December 31, 2017, includes $1,354,000 as a litigation funding amount which reflects the aggregate amounts funded pursuant to the Litigation Funding Agreement as of December 31, 2017.

With respect to its disputes and litigation relating to its interest in the 111 West 57th Property, the Company is continuing to pursue various legal courses of action, as well as considering other possible economic strategies, including the possible sale of the Company's interest in and/or rights with respect to the 111 West 57th Property. The Company is continuing to pursue other options to realize the Company's investment value and/or protect its legal rights.
 
The Company can give no assurances regarding the outcome of the matters described herein, including as to the effect of Spruce's actions described herein, whether the Sponsors will perform their contractual commitments to the Company under the JV Agreement, as to what further action, if any, the lenders may take with respect to the project, as to the ultimate resolution of the ongoing litigation proceedings relating to the Company's investment interest in the 111 West 57 th Property, as to the ultimate effect of the Sponsors', the Company's or the lenders' actions on the project, as to the completion or ultimate success of the project, or as to the value or ultimate realization of any portion of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Street Property. 

While the Company's management is evaluating future courses of action to protect and/or recover the value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property, the adverse developments make it uncertain as to whether any such courses of action will be successful. Any such efforts are likely to require sustained effort over a period of time, and require substantial additional financial resources. Inability to recover all or most of such value would in all likelihood have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and future prospects.

The amounts noted herein pursuant to the WC Agreement are distinct from the line of credit agreement for the 111 West 57 th Property as noted herein and as discussed in Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 to the Company's consolidated financial statements and distinct from the Litigation Funding Agreement amounts as noted herein and as discussed in Part II – Item 8 – Note 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, cash of $4,166,000 was used by operations for the payment of operating expenses.  The cash needs of the Company in 2017 were satisfied by loans from Mr. R. A. Bianco and proceeds from Mr. R. A. Bianco pursuant to the Litigation Funding Agreement as noted above and the Company's financial resources.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, cash of $2,980,000 was used by operations for the payment of operating expenses.  The cash needs of the Company in 2016 were principally satisfied by the Company's financial resources.

In March 2017, the Company and Mr. R. A. Bianco, entered into an agreement for Mr. R. A. Bianco to provide to the Company a financial commitment in the form of a line of credit up to ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or additional amount(s) as may be necessary and agreed to enable AmBase to contribute capital to Investment LLC and/or other affiliated subsidiaries of the Company to meet capital calls for the of 111 West 57 th Property if and when the case may be necessary on terms agreeable to/by the Company (as determined by the independent members of the Board of Directors) and R. A. Bianco at such time. The agreement provides that additional borrowings from Mr. R. A. Bianco pursuant to this line of credit shall be secured by the Company's commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut. As a result of the sale of the Company's commercial office building in Greenwich CT. in January 2018, any borrowings from Mr. R.A. Bianco under this line of credit would be unsecured. A copy of such agreement is filed as an exhibit to the Company's current and previously filed periodic filings.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2017, increased from December 31, 2016, principally as a result of current period accruals for legal expenses in connection with the 111 West 57 th Property legal proceeding, which were paid in 2018, including accrued interest expense relating to the loan payable to Mr. R. A. Bianco.

There are no material commitments for capital expenditures as of December 31, 2017.  Inflation has had no material impact on the business and operations of the Company.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company recorded net loss of $48,057,000 or $1.18 per share for the year ended December 31, 2017.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded net loss of $3,219,000 or $0.08 per share.  The net loss for the full year period ended December 31, 2017 includes a $63,745,000 impairment of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property as further discussed herein and in Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, offset by a net income tax benefit of $20,086,000 due to the recognition of a deferred tax asset  resulting from the recognition of AMT Credit carryforwards potentially refundable as provided for in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as further discussed in Part II – Item 8 – Note 8 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Compensation and benefits decreased to $1,214,000 in 2017 from $1,239,000 in 2016.  The decreased amount in 2017 as compared to 2016 is due to a slight decrease in certain benefit expenses in 2017 versus 2016.  No stock based compensation expense was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Professional and outside services expenses increased to $2,628,000 in 2017 from $1,123,000 in 2016.  The increase in 2017 as compared to 2016 is principally the result of a higher level of legal and professional fees incurred in 2017 in connection with the Company's legal proceedings relating to the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property.  Included in professional and outside services are legal expenses attributable to the Litigation Funding Agreement aggregating $1,510,000 for the full year period ended December 31, 2017; see Part II – Item 8 – Note 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information including terms of the Litigation Funding Agreement.

Property operating and maintenance expenses decreased slightly to $117,000 in 2017 from $134,000 in 2016.  The decrease is primarily due to a general decrease in costs and a lower level of repair and maintenance expenses in 2017 versus 2016. With the sale of the Company's commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut in January 2018, the Company anticipates that property operating and maintenance expenses will decrease in 2018 compared with prior years.

Insurance expenses decreased to $159,000 in 2017, compared with $170,000 in 2016.  The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in insurance coverage levels and insurance premium costs.

Other operating expenses decreased to $140,000 in 2017 compared with $200,000 in 2016 due to decreased Delaware franchise taxes resulting from the lower authorized share base in 2017 versus 2016 and a general lower level of expenses in 2017 versus 2016.

Interest expense of $67,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017, represents accrued interest expense on the loan payable to Mr. R. A. Bianco which is included in accrued liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.  See Part II – Item 8 – Note 12 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for further information.

Other income of $128,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 is attributable to a gain on the sale of an interest in a real estate investment that was sold in July 2016.

Despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken by the Sponsors and Spruce in connection with the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property as further discussed herein and in Part II -   Item 8 – Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property of $63,745,000 for the full year period ended December 31, 2017.  The Company is and will continue to pursue the recovery of its asset value from various sources of recovery; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

Equity income (loss) - 111 West 57 th Partners of $25,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017, represents the Company's share of the 111 West 57 th Partners' loss for the year to date period ended June 30, 2017.  Equity income (loss) - 111 West 57 th Partners of $575,000 in 2016 represents the Company's share of the 111 West 57 th Partners' loss for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The equity loss for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is due to sales and marketing expenses incurred.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $20,092,000, partially offset by a $6,000 state tax expense, attributable to a provision for a tax on capital imposed by the state jurisdictions. The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2017, is attributable to a release of a valuation allowance in relation to the AMT Credit carryforwards and resulting deferred tax asset due to recognition of AMT Credit carryforwards projected to be refundable as provided for in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as further discussed in Part II – Item 8 – Note 8 to the Company's consolidated financial statements. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $142,000.  The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2016 is related to current year and prior year state tax true-ups.

A reconciliation between income taxes computed at the statutory federal rate and the provision for income taxes is included in Part II -   Item 8 – Note 8 to the Company's consolidated financial statements. For additional information including a discussion of income tax matters, see Part II – Item 8 – Note 8 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require us to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and the accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. The determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and any such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. We believe that the following accounting policies, which are important to our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations, require a higher degree of judgment and complexity in their application and represent the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. If different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from our reported results. For a summary of all our accounting policies, including the accounting policies discussed below, see Part II - Item 8 - Note 2 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Equity Method Investment:  Investments and ownership interests are accounted for under the equity method of accounting if the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control (under GAAP), over the investment. Investments accounted for under the equity method are carried at cost, plus or minus the Company's equity in the increases and decreases in the net assets after the date of acquisition and certain other adjustments. The Company's share of income or loss for equity method investments is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as equity income (loss).  Dividends received, if any, would reduce the carrying amount of the Company's investment.

Legal Proceedings:  From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries may be named as a defendant in various lawsuits or proceedings. At the current time, except as set forth in Part II - Item 8 - Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, the Company is unaware of any legal proceedings pending against the Company. Management of the Company, in consultation with outside legal counsel, continually reviews the likelihood of liability and associated costs of pending and threatened litigation including the basis for the calculation of any litigation reserves which may be necessary. The assessment of such reserves includes an exercise of judgment and is a matter of opinion. The Company intends to aggressively contest all threatened litigation and contingencies, as well as pursue all sources for contributions to settlements. For a discussion of lawsuits and proceedings, see Part II - Item 8 - Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements .

Income Tax Audits:  The Company's federal, state and local tax returns, from time to time, may be audited by the tax authorities, which could result in proposed assessments or a change in the net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards and of alternative minimum tax ("AMT") Credits currently available.  In connection with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") examination of the Company's 2012 federal income tax return, the IRS accepted the Company's federal NOL loss carryforward deductions from 1997 through 2006 which were utilized as part of the Company's 2012 federal income tax return to reduce the Company's 2012 federal taxable income.  The Company has not been notified of any other potential tax audits by any federal, state or local tax authorities.  As such, the Company believes the statutes of limitations for the assessment of additional federal and state tax liabilities are generally closed for tax years prior to 2014.

Deferred Tax Assets:  As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had deferred tax assets arising primarily from net operating loss carryforwards available to offset taxable income in future periods and AMT Credit carryforwards. As of December 31, 2017 a valuation allowance was released in relation to the AMT Credit carryforwards which are projected to be refundable as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017.  A valuation allowance remains on the remaining deferred tax asset amounts relating to the NOL carryforwards as management has no basis to conclude that realization is more likely than not. The valuation allowance was calculated in accordance with current standards, which places primary importance on a company's cumulative operating results for the current and preceding years. We intend to maintain a valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset amount relating to the NOL carryforwards until sufficient positive evidence exists to support a reversal. See Part II - Item 8 - Note 8 to the Company's consolidated financial statements .

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "2017 Tax Act") was enacted in December 2017 and includes a broad range of tax reforms, certain of which were required by GAAP to be recognized upon enactment. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company's accounting for certain income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act .

New Accounting Pronouncements: There are no new accounting pronouncements that would likely materially affect the Company's financial statements for the periods reported herein.

Cautionary Statement for Forward-Looking Information

This Annual Report together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by the Company may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or make oral statements that constitute forward looking statements. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted or quantified. The forward-looking statements may relate to such matters as anticipated financial performance, future revenues or earnings, business prospects, projected ventures, anticipated market performance, anticipated litigation results or the timing of pending litigation, and similar matters. When used in this Annual Report, the words "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "intends" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  The Company cautions readers that a variety of factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company's forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, include, but are not limited to those set forth in "Item 1A, Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Annual Report and in the Company's other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, but not limited to: (i) risks with regard to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern; (ii) assumptions regarding the outcome of legal and/or tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; (iii) risks arising from unfavorable decisions in tax, legal and/or other proceedings; (iv) transaction volume in the securities markets; (v) the volatility of the securities markets; (vi) fluctuations in interest rates; (vii) risks inherent in the real estate business, including, but not limited to, insurance risks, tenant defaults, risks associated with real estate development activities, changes in occupancy rates or real estate values; (viii) changes in regulatory requirements which could affect the cost of doing business; (ix) general economic conditions; (x) risks with regard to whether or not the Company's current financial resources will be adequate to fund operations over the next twelve months from financial statement issuance date and/or continue operations; (xi) changes in the rate of inflation and the related impact on the securities markets; (xii) changes in federal and state tax laws and (xiii) additionally, there is risk relating to assumptions regarding the outcome of tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; risk relating to potential unfavorable decisions in tax proceedings; risks regarding changes in, and/or interpretations of federal and state income tax laws; and risk of IRS and/or state tax authority assessment of additional tax plus interest. These are not the only risks that we face. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know of or that we currently believe are immaterial which could also impair our business and financial position.

Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are applicable only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this Annual Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized.

ITEM 8.   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
AmBase Corporation

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AmBase Corporation and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations , changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the index at item 15   (collectively referred to as the "financial statements").  In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1, the Company has a significant working capital deficiency, has incurred significant losses and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2007, such date takes into account the acquisition of a portion of UHY LLP by Marcum LLP in April 2010.

New Haven, Connecticut
March 30, 2018



AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
$
1,214
 
$
1,239
Professional and outside services
 
2,628
 
 
1,123
Property operating and maintenance
 
117
 
 
134
Depreciation
 
48
 
 
48
Insurance
 
159
 
 
170
Other operating
 
140
 
 
200
Total operating expenses
 
4,306
 
 
2,914
Operating income (loss)
 
(4,306)
 
 
(2,914)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
-
 
 
-
Interest expense
 
(67)
   
-
Other income
 
-
   
128
Impairment of equity investment in 111 West 57th Partners LLC
 
(63,745)
   
-
Equity income (loss) – 111 West 57 th Partners LLC
 
(25)
 
 
(575)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
(68,143)
 
 
(3,361)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(20,086)
 
 
(142)
Net income (loss)
 
(48,057)
   
(3,219)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per common share - basic
$
(1.18)
 
$
(0.08)
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
 
40,738
 
 
40,738

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except per share data)

Assets:
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
70
   
$
586
 
Real estate owned:
               
Land
   
554
     
554
 
Buildings
   
1,900
     
1,900
 
Real estate owned, gross
   
2,454
     
2,454
 
Less:  accumulated depreciation
   
822
     
774
 
 
               
Real estate owned, net
   
1,632
     
1,680
 
 
               
Investment in 111 West 57 th Partners LLC
   
-
     
63,770
 
Deferred tax asset
   
20,092
     
-
 
Other assets
   
84
     
166
 
Total assets
 
$
21,878
   
$
66,202
 
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
               
Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
426
   
$
343
 
Loans payable - related party
   
2,296
     
-
 
Other liabilities
   
-
     
-
 
 
               
Total liabilities
   
2,722
     
343
 
 
               
Litigation funding agreement (Note 10)
   
1,354
     
-
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
               
 
               
Stockholders' equity:
               
Common stock ($0.01 par value, 85,000 authorized in 2017 and 85,000 authorized in 2016, 46,410 issued and 40,738 outstanding in 2017 and 46,410 issued and 40,738 outstanding in 2016)
   
464
     
464
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
548,304
     
548,304
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(525,798
)
   
(477,741
)
Treasury stock, at cost – 2017 - 5,672 shares; 2016 - 5,672 shares
   
(5,168
)
   
(5,168
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
17,802
     
65,859
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
21,878
   
$
66,202
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
($ in thousands, except per share data)
 
Common
stock
   
Additional
paid-in capital
   
Accumulated deficit
   
Treasury stock
   
Total
 
January 1, 2016
 
$
464
   
$
548,304
   
$
(474,522
)
 
$
(5,168
)
 
$
69,078
 
 
                                       
Net income (loss)
   
-
     
-
     
(3,219
)
   
-
     
(3,219
)
                                         
December 31, 2016
   
464
     
548,304
     
(477,741
)
   
(5,168
)
   
65,859
 
 
                                       
Net income (loss)
   
-
     
-
     
(48,057
)
   
-
     
(48,057
)
December 31, 2017
 
$
464
   
$
548,304
   
$
(525,798
)
 
$
(5,168
)
 
$
17,802
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2017
   
2016
 
 
           
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
 
$
(48,057
)
 
$
(3,219
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities
               
Depreciation
   
48
     
48
 
Other income
   
-
     
(128
)
Impairment of equity investment in 111 West 57th Partners LLC
   
63,745
     
-
 
Equity (income) loss – 111 West 57 th Partners LLC
   
25
     
575
 
Deferred tax benefit
   
(20,092
)
   
-
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Other assets
   
82
     
(43
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
83
     
(213
)
Other liabilities
   
-
     
-
 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
   
(4,166
)
   
(2,980
)
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Proceeds from (investment in) real estate limited partnership
   
-
     
263
 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
   
-
     
263
 
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from loans payable - related party
   
2,296
     
-
 
Proceeds from litigation funding agreement
   
1,354
     
-
 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
   
3,650
     
-
 
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
   
(516
)
   
(2,717
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
   
586
     
3,303
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
 
$
70
   
$
586
 
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
               
Income taxes paid
 
$
16
   
$
103
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 – Organization and Going Concern

AmBase Corporation (the "Company" or "AmBase") is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated in 1975.  AmBase is a holding company.

At December 31, 2017, the Company's assets consisted primarily of cash and cash equivalents, real estate owned and a deferred tax asset. On January 26, 2018, the Company sold its commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut, see Note 3 herein for additional information. See Note 8 for additional information regarding taxes. The Company is engaged in the management of its assets and liabilities.

In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57 th Street in New York, New York (the "111 West 57 th Property"). The Company has also made significant investments in the 111 West 57th Street Property in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with the sponsors of the joint venture (the "Sponsor") and a mezzanine lender to the joint venture ("Spruce"). On August 30, 2017, Spruce issued a Notice of Retention of Pledged Collateral in Full Satisfaction of Indebtedness. By purporting to accept the pledged collateral, pursuant to a Strict Foreclosure process, Spruce claims to have completed the retention of the collateral pledged by the junior mezzanine borrower, and therefore, the Company's interest in the 111 West 57th Street Property. The Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value.

As noted above, despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken by the Sponsors and Spruce in connection with the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property as further discussed herein, in accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. The Company is and will continue to pursue the recovery of its asset value from various sources of recovery; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims. For additional information with regard to the Company's legal proceedings related to the 111 West 57 th Property, see Note 4 and Note 9 herein.

The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, which has not yet been resolved. The Company is currently attempting to have the Appellate Division declare the Strict Foreclosure invalid and to enjoin the Strict Foreclosure. The Company moved for a stay or injunctive relief pending appeal, and that motion was denied by the appellate court on January 18, 2018. See Note 4 and Note 9 herein for additional information concerning the Company's pending appeal of its challenge to the Strict Foreclosure and the Company's recording of an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property.

A fundamental principle of the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP is the assumption that an entity will continue in existence as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations and the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities occurring in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with this requirement, the Company has prepared its accompanying consolidated financial statements assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.

The Company has incurred operating losses and used cash for operating activities for the past several years. In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57 th Street in New York, New York (the "111 West 57 th Property"). The Company has also made significant investments in the 111 West 57th Street Property in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with the sponsors of the joint venture (the "Sponsor") and a mezzanine lender to the joint venture ("Spruce"). The Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. See Note 4 and Note 9 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding this impairment charge and the legal proceedings relating to the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property.  The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value. The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the strict foreclosure which has not yet been resolved. The Company has continued to keep operating expenses at a reduced level; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's current level of operating expenses will not increase or that other uses of cash will not be necessary.  The Company believes that based on its current level of operating expenses, its currently available cash and financial resources together with the net proceeds from the sale of its commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut as further discussed in Note 3 herein, may not be sufficient to cover operating cash needs through the twelve month period from the financial statement reporting date. Based on the above factors, management determined there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.  The financial statements do not include adjustments to the carrying value of assets and liabilities which might be necessary should the Company not continue in operation.

Over the next several months, the Company will seek to manage its current level of cash and cash equivalents, through various ways, including but not limited to, reducing operating expenses, possible asset sales and/or long term borrowings which may include additional borrowings from affiliates of the Company, although this cannot be assured. In order to continue on a long-term basis, the Company must raise additional capital through the sale of assets or long term borrowings.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to sell any of its assets or attain such financing at terms acceptable to the Company, if at all.

In September 2017, the Company and Mr. Richard A. Bianco, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer ("R. A. Bianco") entered into an agreement pursuant to which Mr. R. A. Bianco will fund the Company's litigation expenses in connection with the 111 West 57 th Property (the "Litigation Funding Agreement").  For additional information including the terms of the Litigation Funding Agreement, see Note 10 herein.

With respect to its disputes and litigation relating to its interest in the 111 West 57th Property, the Company is continuing to pursue various legal courses of action, as well as considering other possible economic strategies, including the possible sale of the Company's interest in and/or rights with respect to the 111 West 57th Property. The Company is continuing to pursue other options to realize the Company's investment value and/or protect its legal rights.

The Company can give no assurances regarding the outcome of the matters described herein, including as to the effect of Spruce's actions described herein, whether the Sponsors will perform their contractual commitments to the Company under the JV Agreement, as to what further action, if any, the lenders may take with respect to the project, as to the ultimate resolution of the ongoing litigation proceedings relating to the Company's investment interest in the 111 West 57 th Property, as to the ultimate effect of the Sponsors', the Company's or the lenders' actions on the project, as to the completion or ultimate success of the project, or as to the value or ultimate realization of any portion of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Street Property. For additional information on the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property and the Company's legal actions related thereto, see Note 4 and Note 9.

While the Company's management is evaluating future courses of action to protect and/or recover the value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property, the adverse developments make it uncertain as to whether any such courses of action will be successful. Any such efforts are likely to require sustained effort over a period of time, and require substantial additional financial resources. Inability to recover all or most of such value would in all likelihood have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and future prospects.

In May 2016, the Company and Mr. R. A. Bianco entered into an agreement for Mr. R. A. Bianco to provide to the Company a secured working capital line of credit. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Bianco has made several loans to the Company, for use as working capital. On January 26, 2018, in connection with the sale by the Company of its office building in Greenwich, Connecticut, the Company repaid the full amount of the working capital loan, plus accrued interest to Mr. R. A. Bianco, and in connection therewith the working capital line of credit was terminated. For additional information, see Note 12 herein.

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions, that it deems reasonable, that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from such estimates and assumptions.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements are comprised of the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Equity method investment

Investments and ownership interests are accounted for under the equity method of accounting if the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control (under GAAP), over the investment. Investments accounted for under the equity method are carried at cost, plus or minus the Company's equity in the increases and decreases in the net assets after the date of acquisition and certain other adjustments. The Company's share of income or loss for equity method investments is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as equity income (loss).  Dividends received, if any, would reduce the carrying amount of the Company's investment.

Cash and cash equivalents

Highly liquid investments, consisting principally of funds held in short-term money market accounts, with original maturities of less than three months, are classified as cash equivalents. The majority of the Company's cash and cash equivalents balances are maintained with a limited number of major financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalents balances at institutions may, at times, be above the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit per account.

Income taxes

The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Company recognizes both the current and deferred tax consequences of all transactions that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements, calculated based on the provisions of enacted tax laws, including the tax rates in effect for current and future years. Net deferred tax assets are recognized immediately when a more likely than not criterion is met; that is, a greater than 50% probability exists that the tax benefits will actually be realized sometime in the future.  For additional information including a discussion of income tax matters see Note 9 .

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "2017 Tax Act") was enacted in December 2017 and includes a broad range of tax reforms, certain of which were required by GAAP to be recognized upon enactment. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company's accounting for certain income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The Company has no stock options or securities which could be potentially dilutive outstanding.

Stock-based compensation

Under the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1993 Plan"), the Company may grant to officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, stock options ("Options"), stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock awards ("Restricted Stock"), merit awards ("Merit Awards") and performance share awards ("Performance Shares"), through May 28, 2018.  At the current time, the Company has decided not to extend the expiration date of the 1993 Plan.  A pre-determined number of shares of the Company's Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the 1993 Plan (upon the exercise of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, upon awards of Restricted Stock and Performance Shares); however, only a portion of such shares shall be available for issuance for Restricted Stock Awards and Merit Awards. Shares issued pursuant to the 1993 Plan shall be authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. Options may be granted as incentive stock options ("ISOs") intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment under Federal tax law or as nonqualified stock options ("NQSOs"). SARs may be granted with respect to any Options granted under the 1993 Plan and may be exercised only when the underlying Option is exercisable. The 1993 Plan requires that the exercise price of all Options and SARs be equal to or greater than the fair value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant of that Option. The term of any NQSO, ISO or related SAR cannot exceed terms under federal tax law and/or as prescribed in the 1993 Plan.  Subject to the terms of the 1993 Plan and any additional restrictions imposed at the time of grant, Options and any related SARs ordinarily will become exercisable pursuant to a vesting period prescribed at the time of grant.  In the case of a "Change of Control" of the Company (as defined in the 1993 Plan), options granted pursuant to the 1993 Plan may become fully exercisable as to all optioned shares from and after the date of such Change in Control in the discretion of the Committee or as may otherwise be provided in the grantee's Option agreement. Death, retirement, or absence for disability will not result in the cancellation of any Options.

Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards for which vesting is based solely on employment service, are based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The Company recognizes these compensation costs for only those shares expected to vest, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the option vesting term.  Compensation expense relating to stock options is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity.  See Note 8 herein for a further discussion of stock-based compensation.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for the Company's owned building is recorded on a straight-line basis over the useful lives of the assets.  Tenant improvements if any, would be depreciated over the lesser of the remaining life of the tenants' lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.  For additional information see Note 3 .

New Accounting Pronouncements

There are no new accounting pronouncements that could materially affect the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 – Real Estate Owned

Real estate owned consists of a commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut that is managed and operated by the Company.  A portion of the building is utilized by the Company for office space; the remaining space was available for lease. Depreciation expense for the building is calculated on a straight-line basis. The building is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation.

Information relating to the Company's real estate owned in Greenwich, Connecticut is as follows:

   
December 31, 2017
 
Area of building in square feet
   
14,500
 
Square feet utilized by Company
   
3,500
 
Number of years depreciation is based upon
   
39
 

On January 26, 2018, the Company sold its building in Greenwich, Connecticut, to Maria USA, Inc. an unaffiliated third party. A gain from the sale will be reflected in the Company's financial statements for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2018. The Company used the sale proceeds to repay the full amount of the working capital loan plus accrued interest to Mr. R. A. Bianco. See N ote 12 for additional information. The remaining proceeds will be used for working capital.

Information relating to the sale of the Company's real estate owned in Greenwich, Connecticut is as follows:

(in thousands)
 
Amounts
 
Gross sales price
 
$
5,200
 
Less: Transactions costs
   
(290
)
Net cash proceeds
   
4,910
 
Less: Real estate carrying value, (net of accumulated depreciation)
   
(1,632
)
Net gain on sale of real estate
 
$
3,278
 

Note 4 – Investment in 111 West 57 th Partners LLC

In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57 th Street in New York, New York (the "111 West 57 th Property").  The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with the sponsors of the joint venture (the "Sponsor") and a mezzanine lender to the joint venture ("Spruce"). On August 30, 2017, Spruce issued a Notice of Retention of Pledged Collateral in Full Satisfaction of Indebtedness. By purporting to accept the pledged collateral, pursuant to a Strict Foreclosure process, Spruce claims to have completed the retention of the collateral pledged by the junior mezzanine borrower, and therefore, the Company's interest in the 111 West 57th Street Property.  The Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value.

As noted above, despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken by the Sponsors and Spruce in connection with the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property as further discussed herein, in accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. The Company is and will continue to pursue the recovery of its asset value from various sources of recovery; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims. For additional information with regard to the Company's legal proceedings related to the 111 West 57 th Property, see N ote 4 and Note 9 herein.

The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, which has not yet been resolved. The Company is currently attempting to have the Appellate Division declare the Strict Foreclosure invalid and to enjoin the Strict Foreclosure. The Company moved for a stay or injunctive relief pending appeal, and that motion was denied by the appellate court on January 18, 2018. See Note 4 and Note 9 herein for additional information concerning the Company's pending appeal of its challenge to the Strict Foreclosure and the Company's recording of an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property.

See below for additional information with regard to background information regarding the Company's 111 West 57 th Property equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property and events leading up to the Strict Foreclosure, as follows:

In June 2013, 111 West 57 th Investment LLC, ("Investment LLC"), a then newly formed subsidiary of the Company, entered into a joint venture agreement (as amended, the "JV Agreement") with 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, (the "Sponsor"), pursuant to which Investment LLC invested (the "Investment") in a real estate development property to purchase and develop the 111 West 57 th Street Property (the "111 West 57 th Property").  In consideration for making the Investment, Investment LLC was granted a membership interest in 111 West 57 th Partners LLC ("111 West 57 th Partners"), which indirectly acquired the 111 West 57 th Property on June 28, 2013 (the "Joint Venture," and such date, the "Closing Date").  The Company also indirectly contributed an additional amount to the Joint Venture in exchange for an additional indirect interest in the Joint Venture.  Other members and the Sponsor contributed additional cash and/or property to the Joint Venture.  The Joint Venture plans were to redevelop the 111 West 57th Property into a luxury residential tower and retail project.

Amounts relating to the Company's initial June 2013 investment and other information relating to the 111 West 57 th Property is as follows:

($ in thousands)
     
Company's aggregate initial investment
 
$
57,250
 
Company's aggregate initial membership interest %
   
60.3
%
Other members and Sponsor initial investment
 
$
37,750
 
Approximate gross square feet of project
   
346,000
 

See below for additional information with regard to background information regarding the Company's 111 West 57 th Property equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property and events leading up to the Strict Foreclosure, as follows:

The JV Agreement and related operating agreements generally provide that all distributable cash shall be distributed as follows: (i) first, 100% to the members in proportion to their percentage interests until Investment LLC has received distributions yielding a 20% internal rate of return as calculated; (ii) second, 100% to the Sponsor as a return of (but not a return on) any additional capital contributions made by the Sponsor on account of manager overruns; and (iii) thereafter, (a) 50% to the members in proportion to their respective percentage interests at the time of such distribution, and (b) 50% to the Sponsor.

Additionally, the JV Agreement provides that (i) Mr. Richard A. Bianco (the Company's current Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer) ("Mr. R. A. Bianco"), his immediate family, and/or any limited liability company wholly-owned thereby, and/or a trust in which Mr. R. A. Bianco and/or his immediate family is the beneficiary, shall at all times own, in the aggregate, not less than 20% of the outstanding shares of AmBase; and (ii) Mr. R. A. Bianco shall remain the Chairman of the Board of Directors of AmBase for the duration of the JV Agreement.

In March 2014, the Company entered into an amended and restated operating agreement for Investment LLC (the "Amended and Restated Investment Operating Agreement") to grant a 10% subordinated participation interest in Investment LLC to Mr. R. A. Bianco as contingent future incentive for Mr. R. A. Bianco's past, current and anticipated ongoing role to develop and commercialize the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property.  Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Investment Operating Agreement, Mr. R.A. Bianco has no voting rights with respect to his interest in Investment LLC, and his entitlement to receive 10% of the distributions from Investment LLC is subject to the Company first receiving distributions equal to 150% of the Company's initial aggregate investment in Investment LLC and the Joint Venture, plus any additional investments by the Company , and only with respect to any distributions thereafter. At the current time the Company has not expensed nor accrued any amounts relating to this subordinated participation interest, as no amount or range of amounts can be reasonably estimated or assured.

During 2014, in connection with the funding of additional capital calls under the JV Agreement for required borrowing and development costs for the 111 West 57 th Property, the Company's management and its Board of Directors concluded that, given the continuing development risks of the 111 West 57 th Property and the Company's financial position, the Company should not at that time increase its already significant concentration and risk exposure to the 111 West 57th Property.  Nonetheless, the Company sought to limit dilution of its interest in the Joint Venture resulting from any failure to fund the capital call requirements, but at the same time wished to avoid the time, expense and financial return requirements (with attendant dilution and possible loss of voting rights) that obtaining a replacement third-party investor would require. The Company therefore entered into a second amended and restated operating agreement for Investment LLC ("Second Amended and Restated Investment Operating Agreement") pursuant to which Capital LLC was admitted as a member of Investment LLC. In exchange for Capital LLC contributing toward Investment LLC capital calls in respect of the 111 West 57 th Property, available cash of Investment LLC will be distributed first to Capital LLC until it has received a 20% internal rate of return (calculated as provided for in the JV Agreement as noted above), second to the Company until it has received 150% of its capital, and; thereafter, available cash is split 10/90 with 10% going to Mr. R.A. Bianco as the subordinated participation interest noted above and 90% going to Capital LLC and the Company pari-passu, with Capital LLC receiving one-half of its pro-rata share based on capital contributed and the Company receiving the balance. No other material changes were made to the Amended and Restated Investment Operating Agreement, and neither Mr. R. A. Bianco nor Capital LLC has any voting rights with respect to their interest and investment in Investment LLC.

In accordance with the JV Agreement, Shortfall Capital Contributions may be treated either as a member loan or as a dilutive capital contribution by the funding party valued at one and one-half times the amount actually contributed.  The Sponsors deemed the Shortfall Capital Contributions as dilutive capital contributions to the Company.  The Company disagrees with the Sponsors' investment percentage calculations. The Sponsors have taken the position that the Capital Contribution Requests, if taken together, would have caused the Company's combined ownership percentage to be diluted to approximately 48%. The parties have a dispute with regard to the calculation of the revised investment percentages resulting from the Capital Contribution Requests, along with the treatment and allocation of these Shortfall Capital Contribution amounts.

On June 30, 2015, 111 West 57 th Partners obtained financing for the 111 West 57 th Property.  The financing was obtained in two parts: (i) a first mortgage construction loan with AIG Asset Management (US), LLC (along with its affiliates "AIG"); and (ii) a mezzanine loan with Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (along with its affiliates "Apollo"), as detailed herein below.  Both loans have a four-year term with a one-year extension option subject to satisfying certain conditions.  The loan agreements (the "Loan Agreements") also include customary events of default and other customary terms and conditions.  Simultaneously with the closing of the AIG and the Apollo financing, 111 West 57 th Partners repaid all outstanding liabilities and obligations to Annaly CRE, LLC under the initial mortgage and acquisition loan agreement, dated June 28, 2013, between joint venture entities and Annaly CRE, LLC.  The remaining loan proceeds were to be drawn down and used as necessary for construction and related costs, loan interest escrow and other related project expenses for development of the 111 West 57 th Property.

Information relating to the June 30, 2015 financing for 111 West 57 th Partners is as follows:

       
(in thousands)
     
Financing obtained by 111 West 57 th Partners - AIG
 
$
400,000
 
Financing obtained by 111 West 57 th Partners - Apollo
   
325,000
 
Annaly CRE LLC initial mortgage and acquisition loan repaid
 
$
230,000
 

In April 2016, AmBase initiated a litigation in the New York State Supreme Court for New York County (the "NY Court"), Index No 652301/2016, (" AmBase v. 111 West 57 th Sponsor LLC, et al.") (the "111 West 57 th Action").  The defendants in that litigation are 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, 111 West 57th JDS LLC, PMG West 57th Street LLC, 111 West 57th Control LLC, 111 West 57th Developer LLC, Elliot Joseph, 111 West 57 th KM Equity LLC, 111 West 57 th KM Group LLC, Kevin Maloney, Matthew Phillips, Michael Stern, Ned White and Franklin R. Kaiman (collectively, "Defendants") and nominal defendant 111 West 57th Partners LLC . AmBase alleges in that action, that Defendants violated multiple provisions in the JV Agreement, including by failing to honor the exercise of AmBase's contractual "equity put right" as set forth in the JV Agreement (the "Equity Put Right").AmBase is seeking compensatory damages, as well as punitive damages, indemnification and equitable relief including a declaration of the parties' rights, and an accounting. The Company has also demanded from the Sponsor access to the books and records for the 111 West 57 th Property which the Sponsor refused, claiming they have provided all books and records as required. The Defendants filed motions to dismiss, and on January 12, 2018, the NY Court issued an opinion allowing some of AmBase's claims to go forward and dismissing others. Among other claims that the NY Court declined to dismiss was AmBase's claim that the Defendants violated the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by frustrating AmBase's Equity Put Right by declining to produce a timely budget. Claims that the NY Court dismissed included AmBase's claim that the Defendants breached their contract with AmBase by financing capital contributions for the project through funds obtained from third parties. On January 16, 2018, some of the Defendants wrote to the NY Court suggesting that the opinion contained certain clerical errors and was missing a page. On January 18, 2018, the NY Court removed its previous opinion from the docket and on January 29, 2018, posted a revised opinion. A discovery conference in this case is was held on February 27, 2018. For additional information, see Note 9.

In December 2016, the Sponsor proposed for approval a "proposed budget" (the "Proposed Budget"), which the Sponsor claims represented an increase to the aggregate of hard cost line items of an amount slightly below the Equity Put Right threshold amount and a further increase in other costs thus resulting in the need for additional funding in order to complete the project. The Company disputes, among other items, the calculation of the percentage increase of hard costs shown in the Proposed Budget. The Company believes the aggregate projected hard costs in the Proposed Budget exceed a contractually stipulated limit as a percentage of the hard costs set forth in the prior approved budget, thus allowing Investment LLC the option to exercise its Equity Put Right. Consequently, subsequent to the Sponsors' presentation of the Proposed Budget, Investment LLC notified the Sponsor that it was exercising its Equity Put Right pursuant to the JV Agreement. The Sponsor refused to honor the exercise of Investment LLC's Equity Put Right. The Sponsor claims, among other things, that the conditions precedent were not met in that the increase in aggregate hard costs in the Proposed Budget does not exceed the contractually stipulated limit that would allow exercise of the Equity Put Right.

The Company further contends that a portion of the Proposed Budget increases should be manager overruns (as defined in the JV Agreement) and thus should be paid for by the Sponsor. The Sponsor denies that the Proposed Budget increases were manager overruns. The Company continues to challenge the nature and substance of the Proposed Budget increases and how they should be treated pursuant to the JV Agreement.

In March 2017, the Company and Mr. R. A. Bianco entered into an agreement for Mr. R. A. Bianco to provide to the Company a financial commitment in the form of a line of credit up to ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or additional amount(s) as may be necessary and agreed to enable AmBase to contribute capital to Investment LLC and/or other affiliated subsidiaries of the Company to meet capital calls for the of 111 West 57 th Property if and when the case may be necessary on terms agreeable to/by the Company (as determined by the independent members of the Board of Directors) and Mr. R. A. Bianco at such time.  The agreement provides that additional borrowings from Mr. R. A. Bianco pursuant to this line of credit shall be secured by the Company's commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut. As a result of the sale of the Company's commercial office building in Greenwich CT. in January 2018, any borrowings from Mr. R.A. Bianco under this line of credit would be unsecured.

The Sponsor claimed that additional borrowings of $60 million to $100 million were needed to complete the project. In addition, the Company had been informed by the Sponsors, that Apollo had indicated that due to budget increases, it believed the current loan had been "out of balance" (meaning, according to Apollo, the projected budget exceeds the original budget approved in connection with the loan); and thus 111 West 57th Partners LLC ("111 West 57th Partners"), or its subsidiaries would need additional funding in order to bring the loan back into balance. The Company considered approving the additional financing, but informed the Sponsor that it had concerns about the Proposed Budget and the implications of the Proposed Budget, as well as other questions which needed to be addressed first. Apollo had previously provided loan forbearances to the borrowers and guarantors in order to allow the Sponsor time (while the building continued to be built) to raise the additional financing that it claimed would be needed in order to complete the 111 West 57th project. This forbearance period ended on June 29, 2017. Around this date, the Company was advised that Apollo sold $25 million of the mezzanine loan—broken off as a junior mezzanine loan—to an affiliate of Spruce Capital Partners LLC, ("Spruce") (the "Junior Mezzanine Loan").

On June 30, 2017, Spruce declared an event of default under the Junior Mezzanine Loan and demanded immediate payment of the full outstanding balance of the Junior Mezzanine Loan.  Spruce gave notice to the junior mezzanine borrower that it proposed to accept the pledged collateral (including the joint venture members' collective interest in the property) in full satisfaction of the joint venture's indebtedness under the Junior Mezzanine Loan (i.e., a "Strict Foreclosure").

On July 25, 2017, the Company filed a complaint against Spruce and the Sponsor and requested injunctive relief halting the Strict Foreclosure from the New York State Supreme Court for New York County, (the "NY Court") Index No. 655031/2017 , (the "111 West 57 th Spruce Action") . The defendants in the 111 West 57 th Spruce action are 111 W57 Mezz Investor, LLC, Spruce Capital Partners LLC, 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, Michael Z. Stern, and Kevin P. Maloney (collectively, "Defendants") and nominal defendants 111 West 57th Partners LLC and 111 West 57 th Mezz 1 LLC.

On August 30, 2017, Spruce issued a Notice of Retention of Pledged Collateral in Full Satisfaction of Indebtedness. By purporting to accept the pledged collateral, pursuant to a Strict Foreclosure process, Spruce claims to have completed the retention of the collateral pledged by the junior mezzanine borrower, and therefore, the Company's interest in the 111 West 57th Street Property. The Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property of $63,745,000, for the full year period ended December 31, 2017. The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value.

The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, which has not yet been resolved. The Company is currently attempting to have the Appellate Division declare the Strict Foreclosure invalid and to enjoin the Strict Foreclosure. The Company moved for a stay or injunctive relief pending appeal, and that motion was denied by the appellate court on January 18, 2018. See Note 9 for additional information.

As noted above, despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken by the Sponsor and Spruce in connection with the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property as further discussed herein, in accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. The Company is and will continue to pursue the recovery of its asset value from various sources of recovery; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims. For additional information with regard to the Company's legal proceedings related to the 111 West 57 th Property, see Note 9 .

For information relating to the Litigation Funding Agreement entered into between the Company and Mr. Richard A. Bianco, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, see Note 10.

With respect to its disputes and litigation relating to its interest in the 111 West 57th Property, the Company is continuing to pursue various legal courses of action, as well as considering other possible economic strategies, including the possible sale of the Company's interest in and/or rights with respect to the 111 West 57th Property. The Company is continuing to pursue other options to realize the Company's investment value and/or protect its legal rights.

The Company can give no assurances regarding the outcome of the matters described herein, including as to the effect of Spruce's actions described herein, whether the Sponsor will perform their contractual commitments to the Company under the JV Agreement, as to what further action, if any, the lenders may take with respect to the project, as to the ultimate resolution of the ongoing litigation proceedings relating to the Company's investment interest in the 111 West 57 th Property, as to the ultimate effect of the Sponsors', the Company's or the lenders' actions on the project, as to the completion or ultimate success of the project, or as to the value or ultimate realization of any portion of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Street Property. For additional information on the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property and the Company's legal actions related thereto, see Note 9.

While the Company's management is evaluating future courses of action to protect and/or recover the value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property, the adverse developments make it uncertain as to whether any such courses of action will be successful. Any such efforts are likely to require sustained effort over a period of time, and require substantial additional financial resources. Inability to recover all or most of such value would in all likelihood have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and future prospects.

The Company recorded its investment in 111 West 57 th Partners utilizing the equity method of accounting. Despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken by the Sponsor and Spruce in connection with the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property as further discussed herein, in accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in the full year period ended December 31, 2017. As a result, the operations of 111 West 57 th only through June 30, 2017 are included in the Company's consolidated statement of operations for the full year period ended December 31, 2017.

As a result of the matters described herein, the following tables present summarized financial information for 111 West 57 th Partners solely for the periods indicated.  The amounts shown represent 100% of the financial position and results of operations of 111 West 57 th Partners for the dates indicated below.

(in thousands)
Assets:
 
December 31, 2016
 
Real estate held for development, net
 
$
563,133
 
Escrow deposits
   
9,000
 
Other assets
   
6,908
 
Total assets
 
$
579,041
 
Liabilities:
       
Loans payable
 
$
441,749
 
Other liabilities
   
16,788
 
Total liabilities
   
458,537
 
Equity:
       
Total members' equity
   
120,504
 
Total liabilities and  members' equity
 
$
579,041
 


(in thousands)
 
Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2017
   
Year Ended December 31 , 2016
 
Rental income
 
$
0
   
$
0
 
Expenses
   
25
     
953
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(25
)
 
$
(953
)

Note 5 - Savings Plans

The Company sponsors the AmBase 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Savings Plan"), which is a "Section 401(k) Plan" within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Savings Plan permits eligible employees to make contributions of a percentage of their compensation, which are matched by the Company at a percentage of the employees' elected deferral.  Employee contributions to the Savings Plan are invested at the employee's discretion, in various investment funds. The Company's matching contributions are invested in the same manner as the compensation reduction contributions.  All contributions are subject to maximum limitations contained in the Code.

 The Company's matching contributions to the Savings Plan, charged to expense, were as follows:

($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
   
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Company matching contributions
 
$
25
   
$
25
 
Employer match %
   
33
%
   
33
%

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity

Authorized common stock consists of the following:

(shares in thousands)
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
Par value
 
$
0.01
   
$
0.01
 
Authorized shares
   
85,000
     
85,000
 
Issued shares
   
46,410
     
46,410
 
Outstanding shares
   
40,738
     
40,738
 

Authorized cumulative preferred stock consists of the following:

(shares in thousands)
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
Par value
 
$
0.01
   
$
0.01
 
Authorized shares
   
20,000
     
20,000
 
Issued shares
   
-
     
-
 
Outstanding shares
   
-
     
-
 

Changes in the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company are as follows:

(in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
   
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Common stock outstanding at beginning of period
   
40,738
     
40,738
 
Common stock repurchased for treasury
   
-
     
-
 
Issuance of treasury stock
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock outstanding at end of period
   
40,738
     
40,738
 

Changes in the treasury shares of Common Stock of the Company are as follows:

(in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
   
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Treasury stock held at beginning of period
   
5,672
     
5,672
 
Common stock repurchased for treasury
   
-
     
-
 
Issuance of treasury stock
   
-
     
-
 
Treasury stock held at end of period
   
5,672
     
5,672
 

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

The Company's common stock repurchase plan (the "Repurchase Plan") allows for the repurchase by the Company of its common stock in the open market.  The Repurchase Plan is conditioned upon favorable business conditions and acceptable prices for the common stock.  Purchases under the Repurchase Plan may be made, from time to time, in the open market, through block trades or otherwise.  Depending on market conditions and other factors, purchases may be commenced or suspended any time or from time to time without prior notice.  Pursuant to the Repurchase Plan, the Company has repurchased shares of common stock from unaffiliated parties at various dates at market prices at their time of purchase, including broker commissions.

Information relating to the Repurchase Plan is as follows:

(in thousands )
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Common shares repurchased to treasury during the period
   
-
 
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased during the period
 
$
-
 

(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2017
 
Total number of common shares authorized for repurchase
   
10,000
 
Total number of common shares repurchased to date
   
6,226
 
Total number of shares that may yet be repurchased
   
3,774
 

Common stock reserved for issuance under the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan as further described in Note 8 herein is as follows:

(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2017
 
1993 Stock Incentive Plan
   
4,320
 
Total common shares reserved for issuance
   
4,320
 

Stockholder Rights Plan

On January 29, 1986, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of one right for each outstanding share of Common Stock of the Company. The rights, as amended, which entitle the holder to purchase from the Company a common share at a price of $75.00, are not exercisable until either a person or group of affiliated persons acquires 25% or more of the Company's outstanding common shares or upon the commencement or disclosure of an intention to commence a tender offer or exchange offer for 20% or more of the common shares. The rights are redeemable by the Company at $0.05 per right at any time until the earlier of the tenth day following an accumulation of 20% or more of the Company's shares by a single acquirer or group, or the occurrence of certain Triggering Events (as defined in the Stockholder Rights Plan). In the event the rights become exercisable and thereafter, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination, or in certain other circumstances, each right will entitle the holder to purchase from the surviving corporation, for the exercise price, Common Stock having a market value of twice the exercise price of the right. The rights are subject to adjustment to prevent dilution and expire on February 10, 2021.

Note 7 - Incentive Plans

Under the Company's 1994 Senior Management Incentive Compensation Plan (the "1994 Plan"), any executive officer of the Company whose compensation is required to be reported to stockholders under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Participants") and who is serving as such at any time during the fiscal year as to which an award is granted, may receive an award of a cash bonus ("Bonus"), in an amount determined by the Personnel Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Committee") and payable from an annual bonus fund (the "Annual Bonus Pool"). The Committee may award Bonuses under the 1994 Plan to Participants not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (the "Reference Year").

If the Committee grants a Bonus under the 1994 Plan, the amount of the Annual Bonus Pool will be an amount equal to the sum of (i) plus (ii), where:

(i) a percentage of the amount by which the Company's Total Stockholders' Equity, as defined, on the last day of a Reference Year increased over the Company's Total Stockholders' Equity, as defined, on the last day of the immediately preceding Reference Year; and

(ii) a percentage of the amount by which the Company's market value, as defined, on the last day of the Reference Year increased over the Company's market value on the last day of the immediately preceding Reference Year.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 1994 Plan provides that in the event of a decrease in either or both of items (i) and/or (ii) above, the Annual Bonus Pool is determined by reference to the last Reference Year in which there was an increase in such item.  If the Committee determines within the time period to award a Bonus, the share of the Annual Bonus Pool to be allocated to Participants shall be pursuant to percentages of the Annual Bonus Pool as set forth in the 1994 Plan to the Company's Chief Executive Officer, and a percentage of the Annual Bonus Pool shall be allocated pro rata to each of the Company's Participants as determined by the Committee.  The Committee in its discretion may reduce the percentage of the Annual Bonus Pool to any Participant for any Reference Year, and such reduction shall not increase the share of any other Participant. The 1994 Plan is not the exclusive plan under which the Executive Officers may receive cash or other incentive compensation or bonuses. No bonuses were paid attributable to the 1994 Plan for 2017 and 2016.

The Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1993 Plan"), expires in May 2018.  At the current time the Company has decided not to extend the expiration date of the 1993 Plan. Under the 1993 Plan the Company may grant to officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, stock options ("Options"), stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock awards ("Restricted Stock"), merit awards ("Merit Awards") and performance share awards ("Performance Shares") through May 28, 2018.  There are no options exercised.  A pre-determined number of shares of the Company's Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the 1993 Plan (upon the exercise of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, and awards of Restricted Stock and Performance Shares); however, only a portion of such shares are available for the issuance of Restricted Stock Awards and Merit Awards. Such shares shall be authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. Options may be granted as incentive stock options ("ISOs") intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment under Federal tax law or as nonqualified stock options ("NQSOs"). SARs may be granted with respect to any Options granted under the 1993 Plan and may be exercised only when the underlying Option is exercisable. The 1993 Plan requires that the exercise price of all Options and SARs be equal to or greater than the fair value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant of that Option. The term of any NQSO, ISO or related SAR cannot exceed terms under federal tax law and/or as prescribed in the 1993 Plan. Subject to the terms of the 1993 Plan and any additional restrictions imposed at the time of grant, Options and any related SARs ordinarily will become exercisable pursuant to a vesting period prescribed at the time of grant.  In the case of a "Change of Control" of the Company (as defined in the 1993 Plan), Options granted pursuant to the 1993 Plan may become fully exercisable as to all optioned shares from and after the date of such Change in Control in the discretion of the Committee or as may otherwise be provided in the grantee's Option agreement. Death, retirement, or absence for disability will not result in the cancellation of any Options.

As a condition to any award of Restricted Stock or Merit Award under the 1993 Plan, the Committee may require a participant to pay an amount equal to, or in excess of, the par value of the shares of Restricted Stock or Common Stock awarded to him or her. Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered during a "Restricted Period", which in the case of grants to employees shall not be less than one year from the date of grant. The Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding shares of Restricted Stock awarded to employees may be reduced by the Committee at any time, but in no event shall the Restricted Period be less than one year. Except for such restrictions, the employee as the owner of such stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder including, but not limited to, the right to vote such stock and to receive dividends thereon as and when paid. In the event that an employee's employment is terminated for any reason, an employee's Restricted Stock will be forfeited; provided, however, that the Committee may limit such forfeiture in its sole discretion. At the end of the Restricted Period, all shares of Restricted Stock shall be transferred free and clear of all restrictions to the employee. In the case of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the 1993 Plan), an employee may receive his or her Restricted Stock free and clear of all restrictions in the discretion of the Committee, or as may otherwise be provided pursuant to the employee's Restricted Stock award.

Performance Share awards of Common Stock under the 1993 Plan shall be earned on the basis of the Company's performance in relation to established performance measures for a specific performance period. Such measures may include, but shall not be limited to, return on investment, earnings per share, return on stockholder's equity, or return to stockholders. Performance Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered during the relevant performance period. Performance Shares may be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock or shares of Restricted Stock in such portions as the Committee may determine. An employee must be employed at the end of the performance period to receive payments of Performance Shares; provided, however, in the event that an employee's employment is terminated by reason of death, disability, retirement or other reason approved by the Committee, the Committee may limit such forfeiture in its sole discretion. In the case of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the 1993 Plan), an employee may receive his or her Performance Shares in the discretion of the Committee, or as may otherwise be provided in the employee's Performance Share award.

Information relating to the Company's 1993 Plan is as follows:

   
Year Ended
 
(shares in thousands)
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
         
Stock option grants
   
     
 
Stock options exercisable
   
     
 
Stock options outstanding
   
     
 

The fair value of option awards are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model ("Black-Scholes") utilizing certain assumptions at the time of valuation. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company's stock.  The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model.  The expected term of options granted is estimated based on the contractual lives of option grants, option vesting period and historical data and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.  The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury bond yield in effect at the time of grant.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock-based award and stock price volatility.  The assumptions utilized represent management's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management's judgment.  As a result, if other assumptions had been used, our recorded stock-based compensation expense could have been materially different from the amounts previously recorded.  In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest.  If the actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the share-based compensation expense could be materially different.  The Company believes that the use of the Black-Scholes model meets the fair value measurement objectives of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reflects all substantive characteristics of the instruments being valued.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and given the substantial changes in the price per share of the Company's Common Stock, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

Compensation expense relating to stock options would be recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with a corresponding increase to additional paid in capital in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity.

Note 8 - Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

(in thousands)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
Federal - current
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
State - current
   
6
     
(142
)
Total current
 
$
6
     
(142
)
                 
Federal - deferred
   
(6,037
)
   
(1,752
)
State - deferred
   
(5,402
)
   
(105
)
Change in valuation allowance
   
(8,653
)
   
1,857
 
Total deferred
   
(20,092
)
   
-
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
(20,086
)
 
$
(142
)

The components of pretax income (loss) and the difference between income taxes computed at the statutory federal rate and the provision for income taxes are as follows:

(in thousands)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
             
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
$
(68,143
)
 
$
(3,361
)
Tax expense (benefit) :
               
Tax at statutory federal rate
 
$
(23,851
)
 
$
(1,176
)
State income taxes
   
(5,019
)
   
(142
)
Rate change
   
16,047
     
-
 
Permanent items
   
-
     
-
 
Other
   
1,390
     
(681
)
Change in valuation allowance
   
(8,653
)
   
1,857
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
(20,086
)
 
$
(142
)

A reconciliation of the United States federal statutory rate to the Company's effective income tax rate is as follows:

   
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
Tax at statutory federal rate
   
35.0
%
   
35.0
%
State income taxes
   
7.0
     
4.2
 
Rate change
   
(24.0
)
   
-
 
Permanent difference, tax credits and other adjustments
   
-
     
-
 
Other
   
(2.0
)
   
20.3
 
Change in valuation allowance
   
13.0
     
(55.3
)
Effective income tax rate
   
29.0
%
   
4.2
%

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit partially offset by a state tax expense, attributable to a provision for a tax on capital imposed by the state jurisdictions.  The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2017, is attributable to a release of a valuation allowance in relation to the AMT Credit carryforwards and resulting deferred tax asset due to recognition of AMT Credit carryforwards projected to be refundable as provided for in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "2017 Tax Act") as further detailed herein. For the year ended December 31, 2017, other includes amounts relating to deferred tax true-ups.

State income tax amounts for the year ended December 31, 2017, reflect a provision for a tax on capital imposed by the state jurisdictions.  State income tax amounts for the year ended December 31, 2016, reflect a net benefit related to current year and prior year state tax true-ups. For the year ended December 31, 2016, other includes amounts relating to deferred tax true-ups. The Company has not been notified of any potential tax audits by any federal, state or local tax authorities.

The Company believes the statutes of limitations for the assessment of additional federal and state tax liabilities are generally closed for tax years prior to 2014.  Interest and/or penalties related uncertain tax positions, if applicable, would be included as a component of income tax expense (benefit).  The accompanying financial statements do not include any amounts for interest and/or penalties.

The utilization of certain carryforwards and carrybacks is subject to limitations under U.S. federal income tax laws. Based on the Company's federal tax returns as filed and to be filed, the Company estimates it has federal NOL carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income which would expire if unused, as indicated below.

The federal NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:

Tax Year
Originating
Tax Year
Expiring
 
Amount
 
         
2006
2026
 
$
500,000
 
2007
2027
   
12,700,000
 
2008
2028
   
4,600,000
 
2009
2029
   
2,400,000
 
2010
2030
   
1,900,000
 
2011
2031
   
1,900,000
 
2013
2033
   
3,700,000
 
2014
2034
   
4,900,000
 
2015
2035
   
4,200,000
 
2016
2036
   
3,400,000
 
2017
2037
   
4,400,000
 
      
$
44,600,000
 

A lternative Minimum Tax ("AMT") Credit carryforwards available, which can be used to offset income generated in future years which are not subject to expiration, are as follows :

   
Amount
 
AMT Credits carryforwards
 
$
21,600,000
 

As noted above the Company has AMT Credit carryforwards from prior tax years. In accordance with the 2017 Tax Act AMT Credit carryforwards, subject to certain estimated reduction adjustments to the amount indicated above, are expected to be claimed by the Company as refundable on tax returns to be filed in future tax years and at various percentages as noted below .

The Company's AMT Credit carryforward amount(s) projected to be claimed as refundable for each tax year are as follows:

Tax Year (a)
 
Declining balance of the AMT Credit carryforward amount(s) available for each tax year (a) (b)
   
% of AMT Credit carryforward amount(s) available to be claimed as refundable for each tax year
   
AMT Credit carryforward amount(s) projected to be claimed as refundable for each tax year (a) (b)
 
                   
2018
 
$
20,092,000
     
50
%
 
$
10,046,000
 
2019
   
10,046,000
     
50
%
   
5,023,000
 
2020
   
5,023,000
     
50
%
   
2,511,500
 
2021
   
2,511,500
     
100
%
   
2,511,500
 
                   
$
20,092,000
 

(a) Assumes no regular federal income tax liability in tax years presented above which would reduce any AMT Credit carryforward amount(s) ultimately refunded.

(b) The declining balance of the AMT Credit carryforward amount(s) available for each tax year and the AMT Credit carryforward amount(s) projected to be claimed as refundable for each tax year are net of certain estimated adjustments from the previously disclosed AMT Credit carryforward amounts.

The 2017 Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), including, among other changes, significant changes to the U.S. corporate tax rate and certain other changes to the Code that impact the taxation of corporations. The U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), and other standard-setting bodies could interpret or issue guidance on how provisions of the 2017 Tax Act will be applied or otherwise administered that differs from our interpretation. As we complete our analysis of the 2017 Tax Act, collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret any additional guidance, we may make adjustments to provisional amounts that we have recorded that may materially impact our provision for income taxes in the period in which the adjustments are made. Additionally, there is risk relating to assumptions regarding the outcome of tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; risk relating to potential unfavorable decisions in tax proceedings; and risks regarding changes in, and/or interpretations of federal and state income tax laws. Additionally, the Company's tax advisors indicate that the IRS typically has broad discretion to examine taxpayer tax returns, even after refunds have been paid to taxpayers, which could result in adjustments to AMT Credit carryforward amounts claimed as refundable and/or AMT Credit carryforward amounts ultimately received.

The Company's management is continuing to work closely with outside advisors on the Company's tax matters as they relate to the 2017 Tax Act and on the various federal tax return matters for the numerous interrelated tax years, including the provisions and application of the 2017 Tax Act along with the amounts and timing of any AMT Credit carryforward refunds. The AMT Credit carryforwards by the Company from prior tax years and related refund(s) could potentially be subject to IRS or other tax authority audits, including possible IRS Joint Committee review and/or approval.  Neither the Company nor its outside advisors can predict whether or not the IRS and/or other tax authorities will review the Company's tax returns to be filed and/or as filed in prior years.

Based on the Company's state tax returns as filed and to be filed, the Company estimates that it has state NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income, which would expire if unused.

The state NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:

Tax Year
Originating
Tax Year
Expiring
 
Amount
 
         
2011
2031
 
$
1,800,000
 
2013
2033
   
2,700,000
 
2014
2034
   
4,200,000
 
2015
2035
   
4,100,000
 
2016
2036
   
2,800,000
 
2017
2037
   
1,200,000
 
      
$
16,800,000
 

The Company has a deferred tax asset arising primarily from NOL carryforwards and AMT credits as follows:

 
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
Deferred tax asset
 
$
47,800,000
   
$
36,400,000
 
Valuation allowance
   
(27,708,000
)
   
(36,400,000
)
Net deferred tax asset recognized
 
$
20,092,000
   
$
-
 

A valuation allowance was released in relation to the AMT Credit carryforwards which are projected to be refundable as part of the 2017 Tax Act enacted in December 2017.  A full valuation allowance remains on the remaining deferred tax asset amounts, as management has no basis to conclude that realization is more likely than not.  Management does not believe that any significant changes in unrecognized income tax benefits are expected to occur over the next year.

Note 9 - Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries may be named as a defendant in various lawsuits or proceedings.  At the current time except as set forth below, the Company is unaware of any legal proceedings pending against the Company.  The Company intends to aggressively contest all litigation and contingencies, as well as pursue all sources for contributions to settlements.

The Company is a party to material legal proceedings as follows:

AmBase Corp., et al. v. 111 West 57 th Sponsor LLC, et al.   In April 2016, AmBase initiated a litigation in the New York State Supreme Court for New York County (the "NY Court"), Index No. 652301/2016, (" AmBase v. 111 West 57 th Sponsor LLC, et al.") (the "111 West 57 th Action").  The defendants in that litigation were 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, 111 West 57th JDS LLC, PMG West 57th Street LLC, 111 West 57th Control LLC, 111 West 57th Developer LLC, Elliot Joseph, 111 West 57 th KM Equity LLC, 111 West 57 th KM Group LLC, Kevin Maloney, Matthew Phillips, Michael Stern, Ned White and Franklin R. Kaiman (collectively, "Defendants") and nominal defendant 111 West 57th Partners LLC AmBase alleges in that action, that Defendants violated multiple provisions in the JV Agreement, including by failing to honor the exercise of AmBase's contractual "equity put right" as set forth in the JV Agreement (the "Equity Put Right"). AmBase is seeking compensatory damages, as well as punitive damages, indemnification and equitable relief including a declaration of the parties' rights, and an accounting. The Company has also demanded from the Sponsor access to the books and records for the 111 West 57 th Property which the Sponsor refused, claiming they have provided all books and records as required. The Defendants filed motions to dismiss, and on January 12, 2018, the NY Court issued an opinion allowing some of AmBase's claims to go forward and dismissing others. Among other claims that the NY Court declined to dismiss was AmBase's claim that the Defendants violated the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by frustrating AmBase's Equity Put Right by declining to produce a timely budget. Claims that the NY Court dismissed included AmBase's claim that the Defendants breached their contract with AmBase by financing capital contributions for the project through funds obtained from third parties. On January 16, 2018, some of the Defendants wrote to the NY Court suggesting that the opinion contained certain clerical errors and was missing a page. On January 18, 2018, the NY Court removed its previous opinion from the docket and on January 29, 2018, posted a revised opinion. A discovery conference in this case is currently scheduled for February 27, 2018. For additional information with regard to the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property, see Note 4 .

AmBase Corp., et al. v. Spruce Capital Partners, et al. In July 2017, the Company initiated a second litigation in the NY Court, Index No. 655031/2017 , (the "111 West 57 th Spruce Action") . The defendants in the 111 West 57 th Spruce action are 111 W57 Mezz Investor, LLC, Spruce Capital Partners LLC, 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, Michael Z. Stern, and Kevin P. Maloney (collectively, "Defendants") and nominal defendants 111 West 57th Partners LLC and 111 West 57 th Mezz 1 LLC.

Spruce had given notice to the junior mezzanine borrower that it proposed to accept the pledged collateral (including the joint venture members' collective interest in the property) in full satisfaction of the joint venture's indebtedness under the Junior Mezzanine Loan (i.e., a "Strict Foreclosure"). After the Sponsors refused to object to Spruce's proposal on behalf of the junior mezzanine borrower, and Spruce refused to commit to honor Investment LLC's objection on its own behalf, the Company initiated this litigation to obtain injunctive relief halting the Strict Foreclosure.  For additional information on the events leading to this litigation see Note 4 .

On July 26, 2017, the NY Court issued a temporary restraining order barring Spruce from accepting the collateral, pending a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for August 14, 2017. Spruce and the Sponsors subsequently filed papers in opposition to the request for a preliminary injunction and cross-motions to dismiss and quash subpoenas. On August 14, 2017, the NY Court postponed the hearing until August 28, 2017, keeping the temporary restraining order preventing a Strict Foreclosure in effect until the August 28, 2017, hearing. Subsequently the Company filed response briefs in support of their request for injunctive relief halting the Strict Foreclosure process and briefs in opposition to the motions to quash the subpoenas.

On August 28, 2017, the NY Court held a preliminary injunction hearing, lifted the temporary restraining order, denied Plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction, and granted Defendants' cross-motions. In order to prevent the Strict Foreclosure process from going forward, the Company immediately obtained an interim stay from the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Judicial Department ("Appellate Division"). That stay remained in place until four (4) P.M. August 29, 2017, permitting the Company to obtain an appealable order, notice an appeal, and move for a longer-term stay or injunctive relief pending appeal. The Appellate Division held a hearing on August 29, 2017, to consider the Company's motion for an interim stay or injunctive relief pending appeal, both of which it denied, thus allowing the purported Strict Foreclosure to move forward. The Company will continue to challenge the validity of the actions that led to this purported transfer of title, including appeal.

On August 30, 2017, Spruce issued a Notice of Retention of Pledged Collateral in Full Satisfaction of Indebtedness. By purporting to accept the pledged collateral, pursuant to a Strict Foreclosure process, Spruce claims to have completed the retention of the collateral pledged by the junior mezzanine borrower, and therefore, the Company's interest in the 111 West 57th Street Property.  The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company's assets and net equity value.

The Company has an appeal pending on its challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, which has not yet been resolved. The Company is currently attempting to have the Appellate Division declare the Strict Foreclosure invalid and to enjoin the Strict Foreclosure. The Company moved for a stay or injunctive relief pending appeal, and that motion was denied by the appellate court on January 18, 2018. 

Since the Company is not party to the Loan Agreements, it does not have access to communications with the lenders, except for those individual communications the Sponsors have elected to share.  The Company has continued to demand access to such information, including access to the books and records for the 111 West 57 th Property both under the JV Agreement and as part of the 111 West 57 th Action and the 111 West 57 th Spruce Action.

For additional information with regard to the Company's recording of an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property; see   Note 4.   The carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property represented substantially all of the Company's assets and net equity value.

For information relating to the Litigation Funding Agreement entered into between the Company and Mr. Richard A. Bianco, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, see Note 10 .

With respect to its disputes and litigation relating to its interest in the 111 West 57th Property, the Company is continuing to pursue various legal courses of action, as well as considering other possible economic strategies, including the possible sale of the Company's interest in and/or rights with respect to the 111 West 57th Property. The Company is continuing to pursue other options to realize the Company's investment value and/or protect its legal rights.

The Company can give no assurances regarding the outcome of the matters described herein, including as to the effect of Spruce's actions described herein, whether the Sponsors will perform their contractual commitments to the Company under the JV Agreement, as to what further action, if any, the lenders may take with respect to the project, as to the ultimate resolution of the ongoing litigation proceedings relating to the Company's investment interest in the 111 West 57 th Property, as to the ultimate effect of the Sponsors', the Company's or the lenders' actions on the project, as to the completion or ultimate success of the project, or as to the value or ultimate realization of any portion of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Street Property. For additional information on the Company's investment in the 111 West 57 th Property and the Company's legal actions related thereto, see Note 9.

While the Company's management is evaluating future courses of action to protect and/or recover the value of the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property, the adverse developments make it uncertain as to whether any such courses of action will be successful. Any such efforts are likely to require sustained effort over a period of time, and require substantial additional financial resources. Inability to recover all or most of such value would in all likelihood have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and future prospects.

IsZo Capital L.P. derivatively and on behalf of AmBase Corporation v. Richard A. Bianco, et al. In February 2018, IsZo Capital L.P. commenced an action, IsZo Capital L.P. derivatively and on behalf of AmBase Corporation v. Richard A. Bianco, et al. , Index No. 650812/2018 in the New York State Supreme Court for New York County (the "IsZo Capital L.P. action"). The defendants in the action include all officers and directors of AmBase Corporation and AmBase Corporation as a nominal defendant.  The plaintiff alleges various breaches of fiduciary duty against all of the directors and officers concerning the decisions made in the 111 West 57 th Street Property investment and a certain litigation funding agreement.  IsZo Capital L.P. also seeks declaratory judgment relief concerning a litigation funding agreement and the 111 West 57 th Street Property.  AmBase and the officers and directors intend to vigorously defend themselves and will move to dismiss the Complaint when all of the officers and directors have been served with the Summons and Complaint.  The Company can give no assurances regarding the outcome of the matters described herein.
Note 10 – Litigation Funding Agreement

In September 2017, the Company's executive officers and its Board of Directors concluded that it was in the Company's interest to obtain a litigation funding commitment to finance litigation with respect to the ongoing disputes with the Sponsors and the lenders in the 111 West 57 th Street Property project, and to seek to recover value for the Company with respect to its equity investment in 111 West 57 th Street Property, whether by direct recovery or from asserting claims against the Sponsors, their principals and/or certain of the lenders (collectively, "Future Recovery Litigation").

As a result of developments in the legal proceedings concerning the Company's equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property, the Company's interest in obtaining a litigation funding commitment to finance litigation with respect to the ongoing disputes with the Sponsors and the lenders in the 111 West 57 th Street Property project, and the Company's efforts to seek to recover value for the Company with respect to its equity investment in the 111 West 57 th Property, the Company's Board of Directors negotiated and accepted an offer from Mr. Richard Bianco, its long-time chief executive officer, to provide a litigation fund of seven million dollars ($7,000,000) (along with additional amounts as may be necessary from time to time as agreed to by the Company and Mr. Bianco), to fund the Company's litigation expenses in connection with Future Recovery Litigation, (the "Litigation Funding Agreement").

In consideration of such financial commitment, the Litigation Funding Agreement provides that any financial recovery in such Future Recovery Litigation shall be distributed as follows:

i.
first, to reimburse Mr. Bianco on a dollar-for-dollar basis for any Company litigation expenses and/or other unpaid amounts advanced by him in connection with Future Recovery Litigation; and
 
ii.
thereafter, a percentage of the recovery to the Company and a percentage of the recovery to Mr. Bianco, respectively, (the "Recovery Sharing Ratio"); with the ratio and percentages of 30% to 45% depending on the length of time to obtain recovery.
 
The payment of the amounts pursuant to the Litigation Funding Agreement could become payable by the Company in the future based on the recovery by the Company of amounts relating to the 111 West 57 th Property.  The recovery, by the Company, of any amounts are not within the control of the Company and cannot be predicted at this time, and therefore, the aggregate amounts funded pursuant to the Litigation Funding Agreement are presented in a temporary equity classification below total liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets for the periods presented, until such time that the legal proceedings or the Litigation Funding Agreement are concluded. The Company shall not be obligated to repay such funded amounts except as described herein.
Legal expenses incurred attributable to the Litigation Funding Agreement are included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations as part of professional and outside services, as follows:

(in thousands )
 
Year Ended
 
   
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
Legal expenses attributable to the Litigation Funding Agreement
 
$
1,511
     
 

In March 2018, Mr. R. A. Bianco funded an additional $588,000 of legal expenses pursuant to the Litigation Funding Agreement, for litigation services rendered in 2017 and 2018.

Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies

Future minimum rental payments for office space under non-cancellable operating leases for the Company's executive office in Boca Raton, Florida as of December 31, 2017, were as follows (in thousands):

Year
 
Amount
 
2018
 
$
14
 
2019
   
3
 
2020
   
-
 
2021
   
-
 
2022
   
-
 
Thereafter
   
-
 
   
$
17
 

Rent expense for the period was as follows:

($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
Rent expense
 
$
13
   
$
12
 
Approximate square feet of leased office space
   
1,085
     
1,085
 

Note 12 – Loans Payable

In May 2016, the Company and Mr. Richard A. Bianco, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer ("Mr. R. A. Bianco") entered into an agreement for Mr. R. A. Bianco to provide to the Company a secured working capital line of credit of up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) or additional amount(s) as may be necessary and agreed to on an as needed basis, if and when necessary, subject to customary and market terms and conditions to be agreed upon at such time (the "WC Agreement").

Pursuant to the WC Agreement, Mr. R. A. Bianco made several loans to the Company for use as working capital.  The loans were due on the earlier of the date the Company received funds from any source sufficient to pay all amounts due under the loans, including accrued interest thereon, or the due date noted below. Accrued interest payable associated with the loans are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. In January 2018, pursuant to the WC Agreement, Mr. R.A. Bianco made an additional $250,000 loan to the Company for use as working capital as reflected and in accordance with the same terms of the loans payable noted herein.

Information regarding the loans payable is as follows:

 
 
Date of Loan
 
 
Rate
 
 
Due Date
   
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
Loan payable
January 2017
 
5.25%
 
December 31, 2019
 
$
500,000
 
$
-
Loan payable
April 2017
 
5.25%
 
December 31, 2019
   
500,000
   
-
Loan payable
June 2017
 
5.25%
 
December 31, 2019
   
500,000
   
-
Loan payable
September 2017
 
5.25%
 
December 31, 2019
   
150,000
   
-
Loan payable
October 2017
 
5.25%
 
December 31, 2019
   
446,000
   
-
Loan payable
December 2017
 
5.25%
 
December 31, 2019
   
200,000
   
-
             
$
2,296,000
 
$
-

Information regarding accrued interest expense on the loans payable is as follows:

(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
Accrued interest expense
 
$
67
   
$
-
 

The amounts noted above pursuant to the WC Agreement are distinct from the line of credit agreement for the 111 West 57 th Property as discussed in Note 4 herein and distinct from the Litigation Funding Agreement amounts as discussed in Note 10 herein.

On January 26, 2018, in connection with the sale by the Company of its commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut, the Company repaid the full amount of the working capital loan, plus accrued interest aggregating $2,623,000 to Mr. R. A. Bianco, and the working capital line of credit agreement was terminated. See Note 3 herein for additional information.

ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its filings with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management has recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply judgment in evaluating its controls and procedures.

During the fiscal period covered by this report, the Company's management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed, under the supervision of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 The Company's management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. This evaluation was based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO, in 1992. The Company is in the process of adopting the COSO 2013 framework, and management expects to complete the transition from the COSO 1992 framework to the 2013 framework in 2018. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.

Based on management's evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992), management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's independent public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's independent public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.   OTHER INFORMATION

An employment agreement, as amended, is in effect between Mr. R. A. Bianco and the Company, (the "2007 Employment Agreement").  The terms of the 2007 Employment Agreement provide for Mr. R. A. Bianco to serve as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In March 2018, the Company and Mr. R. A. Bianco agreed to an amendment to Mr. Bianco's Employment Agreement with the Company, to extend the term of Mr. R. A. Bianco's employment with the Company to May 31, 2023 from May 31, 2018 (the "Employment Period"). The Company is providing the disclosure of Mr. Bianco's amended employment agreement under Item 9B of Form 10-K in lieu of Item 5.02 of Form 8-K.

PART III

ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information concerning executive officers and directors required by this item will be set forth in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 7, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of its 2017 fiscal year.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other senior officers.  A copy of the Code of Ethics was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

For the information required to be set forth by the Company in response to this item, see the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 7, 2018, under the captions "Executive Compensation," "Employment Contracts," and "Compensation of Directors" which are incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of its 2017 fiscal year.

ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table summarizes information about securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans of the Company at December 31, 2017 as follows:

   
Shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options
   
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options
   
Shares available for future issuance
 
                   
                   
Equity Compensation - plans approved by stockholders
 
-
 
$
-
   
4,320,000
 
                   

Plan not approved by stockholders

None.

For other information required to be set forth by the Company in response to this item, see the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 7, 2018, under the caption "Stock Ownership", which is incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of its 2017 fiscal year.

ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

For the information required to be set forth by the Company in response to this item, see the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 7, 2018, under the captions "Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors" and "Information Concerning the Board and its Committees," which are incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of its 2017 fiscal year.

ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information concerning Principal Accounting Fees and Services is set forth by the Company under the heading "Proposal 2 - Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm", "Independent Registered Public Accountant Matters," in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 7, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of its 2017 fiscal year.




PART IV
     
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)  Documents filed as a part of this report:
   
1.  Index to Financial Statements:
 
Page
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
16
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
17
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
18
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
 
19
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
20
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
21
2.  Index to Financial Statements Schedules:
   
 
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
   
(b)  Exhibits:
   
 
3.1 *
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AmBase Corporation (as amended and restated – July 15, 2017).
 
 
3.2 *
By-Laws of AmBase Corporation (as amended through March 15, 1996).
 
 
4 *
Rights Agreement dated as of February 10, 1986 between the Company and American Stock Transfer and Trust Co. as amended through November 10, 2015.
 
 
10.4
Employment Agreement dated as of March 30, 2006 between Richard A. Bianco and the Company, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10H to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).
 
 
10.5
Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2008 between Richard A. Bianco and the Company, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10E to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007)
 
 
10.6 *
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Richard A. Bianco and the Company extending term of employment to May 31, 2023.
 
 
10.7
111 West 57 th Partners LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement .  Dated as of June 28, 2013, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Amendment no. 1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013).
 
 
10.8
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of 111 West 57 th Investment , LLC dated December 19, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014).
 
 
10.9
Agreement between Mr. Richard A. Bianco, the Company's Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer ("R. A. Bianco") and the Company for Mr. R. A. Bianco to provide to the Company a financial commitment in the form of a line of credit up to ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or additional amount(s) as may be necessary and agreed to enable AmBase to contribute capital to the 111 West 57th Property (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ending December 31, 2016).
 
 
10.10
Litigation Funding Agreement dated September 2017, between Mr. Richard A. Bianco, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer ("Mr. R. A. Bianco") and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current report on Form 8-K dated September 26, 2017 and Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending September 30, 2017).
 
 
10.11 *
Contract for sale of real estate owned dated January 17, 2018, between the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Maiden Lane Associates, Ltd. and Maria USA, filed herewith.
 
 
14
AmBase Corporation - Code of Ethics as adopted by Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
 
21 *
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 
 
31.1 *
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14.
 
 
31.2 *
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14.
 
 
32.1 *
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
 
 
32.2 *
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
 
 
 
99.1
August 31, 2012, Supervisory Goodwill Settlement Agreement (originally filed as Exhibit 99 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2012 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
101.1*
The following financial statements from AmBase Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 formatted in XBRL:  (i) Consolidated Statement of Operations; (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow: and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Exhibits, except as otherwise indicated above, are filed herewith.
* filed herewith.

ITEM 16.  FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Not applicable.


Signatures
   
     
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
     
AMBASE CORPORATION
   
     
     
     
/s/RICHARD A. BIANCO
Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date:  March 30, 2018
   
     
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities on the dates indicated.
     
     
     
/s/RICHARD A. BIANCO
Chairman, President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date:  March 30, 2018
 
/s/JOHN FERRARA
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Controller
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date:  March 30, 2018
     
     
     
/s/ALESSANDRA F. BIANCO
Director
Date:  March 30, 2018
 
/s/RICHARD A. BIANCO, JR.
Director
Date:  March 30, 2018
     
     
     
/s/JERRY Y. CARNEGIE
Director
Date:  March 30, 2018
 
/s/KENNETH M. SCHMIDT
Director
Date:  March 30, 2018

AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III. REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)



 
COLUMN A
 
COLUMN B
   
COLUMN C
   
COLUMN D
   
COLUMN E
       
         
Initial Cost
to Company
   
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to
Acquisition
   
Gross Amount at which Carried
at Close of Period
       
Description
 
Encumbrances
   
Land
   
Building & Improvements
   
Improvements
   
Land
   
Building & Improvements
   
Total
 
Office Building:
                                         
Greenwich, CT
 
$
-
   
$
554
   
$
1,880
   
$
20
   
$
554
   
$
1,900
   
$
2,454
 
                                                         
Total
 
$
-
   
$
554
   
$
1,880
   
$
20
   
$
554
   
$
1,900
   
$
2,454
 

[Additional columns below]
[Continued from above table, first column(s) repeated]

 
COLUMN A
 
COLUMN F
   
COLUMN G
 
 
COLUMN H
 
COLUMN I
Description
 
Accumulated Depreciation
   
Date of
Construction
 
Date
Acquired
Life on Which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed
Office Building:
                   
Greenwich, CT
 
$
774
     
1970
 
April 2001
39 years
                          
Total
 
$
774
               
                          
[a] Reconciliation of total real estate carrying value is as follows:

 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
   
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
             
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
2,454
   
$
2,454
 
Improvements
   
-
     
-
 
Acquisitions
   
-
     
-
 
Disposition
   
-
     
-
 
Balance at end of year
 
$
2,454
   
$
2,454
 
                 
Total cost for federal tax purposes at end of each year
 
$
2,454
   
$
2,454
 
                 

[b] Reconciliation of accumulated depreciation as follows:

Balance at beginning of year
 
$
774
   
$
726
 
Depreciation expense
   
48
     
48
 
Dispositions
   
-
     
-
 
Balance at end of year
 
$
822
   
$
774
 

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
     
         
Board of Directors
       
Richard A. Bianco
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
AmBase Corporation
Alessandra F. Bianco
Senior Officer
BARC Investments, LLC
Richard A. Bianco, Jr.
Employee AmBase Corporation  & Officer
BARC Investments, LLC
Jerry Y. Carnegie
Private Investor
Kenneth M. Schmidt
Private Investor
         
AmBase Officers
       
Richard A. Bianco
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
John Ferrara
Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Controller
Joseph R. Bianco
Treasurer
   


 
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
 
The 2018 Annual Meeting is currently scheduled to be held at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on Thursday, June 7, 2018, at:
 
Hyatt Regency Hotel
1800 East Putnam Avenue
Greenwich, CT  06870
 
 
Corporate Headquarters
 
AmBase Corporation
One South Ocean Boulevard, Suite 301
Boca Raton, FL  33432
(201) 265-0169
 
 
Common Stock Trading
 
AmBase stock is traded through one or more market-makers with quotations made available on the over-the-counter market.
 
Issue:  Common Stock
Abbreviation:  AmBase
Ticker Symbol:  ABCP.OB
 
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15 th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Attention: Shareholder Services
(800) 937-5449 or (718) 921-8200 Ext. 6820
 
Stockholder Inquiries
 
Stockholder inquiries, including requests for the following: (i) change of address; (ii) replacement of lost stock certificates; (iii) Common Stock name registration changes; (iv) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; (v) Annual Reports on Form 10-K; (vi) proxy material; and (vii) information regarding stockholdings, should be directed to:
 
American Stock Transfer & Trust Co. LLC
6201 15 th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Attention: Shareholder Services
(800) 937-5449 or (718) 921-8200 Ext. 6820
 
In addition, the Company's public reports, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Proxy Statements, can be obtained through the Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR Database over the World Wide Web at www.sec.gov.
       
Independent Registered Public Accountants
 
Marcum LLP
Maritime Center
555 Long Wharf Drive
New Haven, CT  06511
 
Number of Stockholders
 
As of February 28, 2018, there were,
approximately 8,200 stockholders.
 


           
EXHIBIT 21
             
AMBASE CORPORATION
SUBSIDIARY LISTING
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017
             
             
 
 
Name
 
 
Jurisdiction
in Which Organized
 
Percentage Voting Securities Owned By Immediate Parent
 
AmBase Corporation
   
Delaware
 
N/A
 
 
Maiden Lane Associates, Ltd.
 
Delaware
 
100%
 
 
SDG Financial Corp.
 
Delaware
 
100%
 
 
111 West 57 th Investment LLC
 
Delaware
 
100%
 
             
             
 
Note:  Interrelationships shown by indentation with 100% ownership unless otherwise indicated.
         



       
Exhibit 31.1
         
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY
ACT OF 2002
         
I, Richard A. Bianco, certify that:
     
         
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of AmBase Corporation;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
 
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures, and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.
 
         
     
/s/ Richard A. Bianco
     
Richard A. Bianco
     
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
     
March 30, 2018


       
Exhibit 31.2
         
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY
ACT OF 2002
         
I, John Ferrara, certify that:
     
         
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of AmBase Corporation;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
 
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures, and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.
 
         
     
/s/ John Ferrara
     
John Ferrara
     
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Controller
     
March 30, 2018

     
Exhibit 32.1
       
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002
       
In connection with the annual report of AmBase Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Richard A. Bianco, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
       
       
   
/s/ Richard A. Bianco
   
Richard A. Bianco
   
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
   
AmBase Corporation
   
March 30, 2018





AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS AGREEMENT

AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of March 24, 1989, as amended through November 10, 2015, between AMBASE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, a New York corporation (the "Rights Agent").

The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a dividend of one Right (as hereinafter defined) for each share of Common Stock, $0.01 par value of the Company ("Common Stock") outstanding on February 10, 1986 and has authorized the issuance of one Right with respect to each share of Common Stock that shall become outstanding between February 10, 1986, and the earlier of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined), each Right representing the right to purchase one share of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided herein).

Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Certain Definitions .  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

"Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of 25% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding, but shall not include the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Person holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, and shall also not include any Person who or which would otherwise be an Acquiring Person if the Board of Directors of the Company or the Executive Committee thereof, within ten days after the first date of public disclosure by the Company or such Person that such Person is a 25% Holder, determines in its discretion that such Person shall not be an Acquiring Person for purposes of this Agreement; provided, however, that such Person shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person for all purposes of this Agreement on and after the tenth day after such Person receives written notice from the Company that such Board or such Committee in its discretion has reversed such determination, so long as such Person on such tenth day continues to be a 25% Holder.


"Affiliate" and "Associate" when used with reference to any Person shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on February 10, 1986.

A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall be deemed to "beneficially own," any securities:

(i)
which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;

(ii)
which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than Rights issuable under this Agreement), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided , however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange thereunder; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided , however , that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (i) arises solely from a revocable proxy given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

(iii)
which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in clause (ii) (B) above) or disposing of any securities of the Company.

"Business Combination" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a) of this Agreement.

"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

"Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on such date; provided , however , that if such date is not a Business Day, "Close of Business" shall mean 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

"Common Shares" when used with reference to the Company shall mean the shares of Common Stock of the Company or any other shares of capital stock of the Company into which the Common Stock shall be reclassified or changed and any other shares of capital stock of the Company which shall have rights essentially equivalent to the Common Stock of the Company.  "Common Shares" when used with reference to any Person other than the Company which shall be organized in corporate form shall mean the capital stock with the greatest Voting Power of such Person.  "Common Shares" when used with reference to any Person other than the Company which shall not be organized in corporate form shall mean units of beneficial interest which shall represent the right to participate in the profits, income, deductions and credits of such Person and which shall be entitled to exercise the greatest Voting Power of such Person.

"Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

"Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) of this Agreement.

"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

"Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) of this Agreement.

"Major Part" when used with reference to the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of any date shall mean assets (i) having a fair market value aggregating more than 50% of the total fair market value of all the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date in question, (ii) accounting for more than 50% of the total book value (net of depreciation and amortization) of all the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as would be shown on a consolidated or combined balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date in question, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles then in effect, or (iii) accounting for more than 50% of the total amount of net income of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as would be shown on a consolidated or combined statement of income of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the period of 12 months ending on the last day of the month next preceding the date in question, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles then in effect.

"Market Value", when used with reference to the Common Shares of any Person on any date, shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per Common Share for the 30 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date; provided , however , that in the event the Market Value of such Common Shares is to be determined in whole or in part during a period following an announcement by the issuer of such Common Shares of any dividend, distribution or other action of the type described in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of Section 11 that would require an adjustment thereunder of the Purchase Price or the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights, and prior to the expiration of 30 Trading Days after the ex-dividend or ex-distribution date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such action, then, and in each case, the "Market Value" of such Common Shares shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the effect of such action on the market price of such Common Shares.  The closing price for each Trading Day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such Trading Day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the American Stock Exchange or, if the Common Shares are not then listed or admitted to trading on the American Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by NASDAQ or such other system then in use, or, if on any such Trading Day the Common Shares are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Common Shares selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.  If on any such Trading Day no market maker is making a market in the Common Shares, the fair value of such shares on such Trading Day as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.

"NASDAQ" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System.

"Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity.



"Principal Party" shall mean the Surviving Person in a Business Combination; provided , however , that if such Surviving Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of any other Person, if "Principal Party" shall mean the Person which is the ultimate parent of such Surviving Person and which is not itself a Subsidiary of another Person.  In the event ultimate control of such Surviving Person is shared by two or more Persons, "Principal Party" shall mean that Person that is immediately so controlled by such two or more Persons.

"Purchase Price" shall mean $75.00, subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof.

"Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) of this Agreement.

"Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a) of this Agreement.

"Registered Common Shares" shall mean Common Shares that as of the date of consummation of a Business Combination are, and have during the preceding 12 months continuously been, registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

"Right Certificate" shall mean a certificate evidencing a Right in substantially the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.

"Rights" shall mean the rights to purchase Common Shares as provided in this Agreement.

"Shares Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public disclosure by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.

"Subsidiary" shall mean a Person a majority of the total outstanding Voting Power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by another Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such other Person or by such other Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such other Person.

"Summary of Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) of this Agreement.

"Surviving Person" shall mean the Person which is the continuing or surviving Person in a consolidation or merger specified in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 13(a) of this Agreement or the Person to which the Company's assets are sold, leased, exchanged, transferred or disposed of in a transaction specified in clause (iii) of Section 13(a) of this Agreement.

"Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

"Triggering Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d) (i) of this Agreement.

"Voting Power" when used with reference to the capital stock of or units of beneficial interest in any Person, shall mean the power under ordinary circumstances (and not merely upon the happening of a contingency) (i) to vote in the election of directors of such Person, if such Person is a corporation and (ii) to participate in the management and control of such Person, if such Person is not a corporation.

Section 2.  Appointment of Rights Agent .  The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the Distribution Date also be the holders of the Common Shares of the Company) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment.  The Company may from time to time appoint one or more co-rights agents as it may deem necessary or desirable (the term "Rights Agent" being used herein to refer, collectively, to the Rights Agent together with any such co-rights agents).

Section 3.  Issue of Right Certificates .  (a) Prior to the Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined) (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates for Common Shares of the Company registered in the names of the holders thereof, together with a copy of the Summary of Rights (as hereinafter defined), and not by separate Right Certificates, and (ii) the surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Shares, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby.  As soon as practicable after the earlier of (x) the Shares Acquisition Date or
(y) the date of the commencement of, or first public disclosure of the intent of any Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company) to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which, if successful, would result in such Person, together with its Affiliates and Associates, becoming the Beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (including any such date which is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of the Rights; the Close of Business on the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the 'Distribution Date'), the Rights Agent will send, by first-class, insured, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares of the Company as of the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate, evidencing one Right for each Common Share so held.  As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), any date that would, but for this sentence, be a Distribution Date shall not be a Distribution Date for any purpose of this Agreement (and the Company shall not issue or mail any Rights Certificates with respect thereto) if, within ten days after such date, the Board of Directors of the Company or the Executive Committee thereof determines, in its sole discretion, that such date shall not be a Distribution Date, provided , however , that the tenth day after the Company gives public notice that such Board or such Committee in its discretion reversed such determination shall be deemed a Distribution Date for all purposes of this Agreement.

(b)  on February 10, 1986, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Common Stock, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Summary of Rights"), by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the Close of Business on February 10, 1986 at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company.
(c)  Certificates for Common Shares issued after February 10, 1986, but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date (as hereinafter defined), shall have printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:

This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of February 10, 1986 (the "Rights Agreement"), between AmBase Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of AmBase Corporation  Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate.  AmBase Corporation will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor.  Under certain circumstances, Rights issued to or held by Acquiring Persons or their Affiliates or Associates (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) may become null and void.

With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby.

Section 4.  Form of Right Certificates .  (a) The Right Certificates (and the forms of assignment and of election to purchase shares to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage.  Subject to the provisions of Sections 11 and 22 hereof, the Right Certificates, whenever issued, shall be dated as of February 10, 1986, and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of Common Shares as shall be set forth therein at the then currect Purchase Price set forth therein.

(b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3 (a) hereof that represents Rights known by the Company to be beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person and any Right Certificate issued at any time upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person or any Person known by the Company to be an Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person or to any Person known by the Company to be a nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, and any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 upon transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Right Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall contain the following legend:

The Rights represented by this Right Certificate were issued to a Person who is an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or an Associate of an Acquiring Person.  This Right Certificate and the Rights represented hereby may become void in the circumstances specified in Section 7(d) of the Rights Agreement.

Section 5.  Countersignature and Registration .  (a) The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, President or any Vice President of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature, and have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature.  The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless so countersigned.  In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent, and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

(b)  Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its principal corporate trust office in New York, New York, books for registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder.  Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced by each of the Right Certificates and the date of each of the Right Certificates.

Section 6.  Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates .  (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, at any time after the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of Common Shares as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase.  Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal corporate trust office of the Rights Agent.  Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested.  The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates.

(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company's request, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for delivery to the registered owner in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.



Section 7.  Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights; Certain Rights Null and Void .  (a) The registered holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the principal corporate trust office of the Rights Agent, together with payment of the then-current Purchase Price for each Common Share as to which the Rights are exercised, at or prior to the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on February 10, 2021 (the "Expiration Date"), or (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the "Redemption Date").

(b)  Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the Common Shares to be purchased together with an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax, in lawful money of the United States of America, in cash or by certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly (i) requisition from any transfer agent of the Common Shares (or make available, if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent) certificates for the number of Common Shares to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) promptly after receipt of such certificates, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt promptly deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.

(c)  In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent and delivered to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.

(d)  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any Rights that are beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person shall become null and void upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event and any holder of any such Right (including any subsequent holder) shall not have any right to exercise any such Right under this Agreement from and after the occurrence of a Triggering Event.

Section 8.  Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates .  All Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it and no Right Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement.  The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof.  The Rights Agent shall deliver all cancelled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy such cancelled Right Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

Section 9.  Reservation and Availability of Common Shares .  (a) The company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued Common Shares or any authorized and issued Common Shares held in its treasury, free from preemptive rights or any right of first refusal, a number of Common Shares sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights other than those, if any, which may have become void pursuant to Section 7(d) hereof.

(b)  The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Common Shares reasonably likely to be delivered upon exercise of Rights shall at the time of delivery of the certificates for such shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and non-assessable shares.

(c)  So long as the Common Shares of the Company may be listed on any national securities exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Rights to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.

(d)  The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of any Common Shares upon the exercise of Rights.  The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates for the Common Shares in a name other than that of the registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or deliver any certificates for Common Shares upon the exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company's satisfaction that no such tax is due.

Section 10.  Common Shares Record Date .  Each Person in whose name any certificate for Common Shares is issued upon the exercise of "Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Common Shares represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided , however , that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Common Shares transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Common Shares transfer books of the Company are open.









Section 11.  Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of Rights .  The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.

(a)  (i)  In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) pay any dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares, (B) subdivide or split the outstanding Common Shares into a greater number of shares or (C) combine or consolidate (by a reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of shares, then, and in each such event, except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) (i): (1)  the Purchase Price to be in effect from and after such event shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to such event and the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after such event and (2) each Right shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of Common Shares obtained by multiplying (x) the number of Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right immediately prior to such event by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to the adjustment of the Purchase Price prescribed by the foregoing clause (1), and dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after the adjustment prescribed in the foregoing clause (1) provided , however , that said adjustment to the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of a Right shall not be made upon or by reason of the occurrence prior to the Distribution Date of an event described in clauses (A) or (B) of this Section 11 (a) (i) if in connection with such event a Right is issued with each additional Common Share distributed to or held by the holders of Common Shares pursuant to or as a result of such event.

(b)  In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Common Shares entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares (or securities convertible into Common Shares) at a price per Common Share (or having a conversion price per Common Share, if a security convertible into Common Shares) less than the Market Value of the Common Shares on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of Common Shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of Common Shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such Market Value and the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Common Shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible).  In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.  Common Shares owned by or held for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation.  Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.


(c)  In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of the Common Shares (including any such distribution made in connection with a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation) of cash (other than a cash dividend paid, or intended to be paid, on a regular basis in the ordinary course of business) or evidences of indebtedness, assets or securities (other than Common Shares) or subscription rights, options or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11 (b)), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Market Value of the Common Shares on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the cash, assets, evidence of indebtedness or securities so to be distributed or of such subscription rights, options or warrants applicable to one Common Share and the denominator of which shall be such Market Value of the Common Shares.  Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(d) (i)  If any of the events described in the following clauses (A), (B) or (C) (each such event being hereinafter referred to as a "Triggering Event") shall occur:

(A)  any Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of any Acquiring Person, at any time after the date of this Agreement, directly or indirectly (1) shall merge into the Company or otherwise combine with the Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger or combination and the Common Shares of the Company shall remain outstanding and no shares thereof shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person or of the Company or cash or any other property, (2) shall in one or more transactions (except in connection with the exercise of Rights or the exercise or conversion of securities exercisable for or convertible into capital stock of the Company), transfer any property or assets to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in exchange (in whole or in part) for shares of capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or for securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or otherwise obtain from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with or without consideration, any additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (other than as part of a pro rata distribution or offer to all holders of Common Shares), (3) shall, in one or more transactions, sell, purchase, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or otherwise acquire or dispose of, to, from or with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, assets (including securities) on terms and conditions less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary than the Company or such Subsidiary would be able to obtain in arm's-length negotiation with an unaffiliated third party, (4) shall receive any compensation from the Company or any of the Company's Subsidiaries for services other than compensation for employment as a regular employee or fees for serving as a director, at rates in accordance with the Company's (or its Subsidiaries) past practices, or (5) shall receive the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.



(B)  during such time as there is an Acquiring Person, there shall be any reclassification of securities of the Company (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Company, or any merger or consolidation of the Company with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction or series of transactions involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Acquiring Person), which has the effect, directly or indirectly of increasing by more than 1% the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity securities or of securities exercisable for or convertible into securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which is directly or indirectly owned by an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of any Acquiring Person, or

(C) any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company or any Person holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), alone or together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall become the Beneficial Owner of 25% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding, (a "25% Holder"), unless the Board of Directors of the Company or the Executive Committee thereof, within ten days thereafter, determines in its discretion that such event shall be deemed not to be a Triggering Event for purposes of this Agreement; provided, however, that such event shall be deemed to be a Triggering Event for all purposes of this Agreement on and after the tenth day after such Person receives written notice from the Company that such Board or such Committee in its discretion has reversed such determination, so long as such Person on such tenth day continues to be a 25% Holder
  then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, except as provided below, shall thereafter have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof and payment of the then-current Purchase Price for each Common Share for which the Right is then exercisable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such number of Common Shares of the Company as shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then-current Purchase Price by the number of Common Shares for which a Right is then exercisable and (y) dividing that product by 50% of the Market Price of the Common Shares on the date of the occurrence of such Triggering Event.
.

(ii)  If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both this paragraph (d) and paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 11, the adjustment provided for in this paragraph (d) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 11, provided , however , that if the event that would otherwise give rise to an adjustment under any paragraph of this Section 11 is also subject to the provisions of Section 13, then only the adjustment provided by Section 13 shall apply and no adjustment shall be made pursuant to any paragraph of this Section 11.

(iii)  In the event the Company shall not have sufficient authorized and unissued Common Shares or authorized and issued Common Shares held in its treasury to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with this paragraph (d), the Company shall take all such action as may be necessary to authorize additional Common Shares for issuance upon exercise of the Rights; provided , however , that if the Company is unable to cause the authorization of additional Common Shares, then, in the event the Rights become so exercisable, the Company, to the extent necessary and permitted by applicable law and any agreements or instruments in effect on the date hereof to which it is a party, may elect (A) upon surrender of a Right to pay cash equal to the Purchase Price in lieu of issuing Common Shares and requiring payment therefor, or (B) upon due exercise of a Right and payment of the Purchase Price for each Common Share as to which such Right is exercised, issue debt or equity securities having a value equal to the market price of the Common Shares which otherwise would have been issuable pursuant to paragraph (a) (ii) of this Section 11, which value shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board of Directors of the company or (C) upon due exercise of a Right and payment of the Purchase Price for each Common Share as to which such Right is exercised, distribute a combination of Common Shares, cash and/or other debt or equity securities having an aggregate market value equal to the market price of the Common Shares which otherwise would have been issuable pursuant to paragraph (a) (ii) of this Section 11.

(e)  No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price; provided , however , that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11 (e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.  All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of a share, as the case may be.  Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11 (e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment or (ii) the date of the expiration of the right to exercise any Rights.

(f)  In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Common Shares, the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise of a Right shall be adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification and at a time when the Common Shares transfer books of the Company were open, he would have been entitled to receive by virtue of such reclassification.  If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 11(f), the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Common Shares, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Common Shares contained in paragraphs (a) through (d), inclusive of this Section 11, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10 and 13 hereof with respect to the Common Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

(g)  All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of Common Shares purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

(h)  Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in paragraph (i) of this Section 11, upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 11, each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of Common Shares (calculated to the nearest ten thousandth) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of Common Shares covered by a Right immediately prior to such adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.


(i)  The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in substitution for any adjustment in the number of Common Shares that may be purchased upon the exercise of a Right.  Each of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of Common Shares for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment.  Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest ten- thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price.  The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made and the adjusted Purchase Price.  Such record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right Certificates have been issued, shall be at least 10 days later than the date of the public announcement.  If Right certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11 (i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company new Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment.  Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and may bear at the option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

(j)  Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the number of Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price per share and the number of shares which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.

(k)  Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Purchase Price below the then current par value, if any, of the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.

(l)  In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date the Common Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any issuable upon such exercise over and above the Common Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided , however , that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional shares upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.


(m)  Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such adjustments in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that it in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any combination or subdivision of the Common Shares, issuance wholly for cash of any of the Common Shares at less than the Market Value of the Common Shares, issuance wholly for cash of Common Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares, stock dividends or issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to herein above in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Common Shares shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

Section 12.  Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares .  Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or 13 hereof, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25 hereof.

Section 13.  Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power .  (a) In the event that at any time on or after the Distribution Date, directly or indirectly any of the transactions specified in the following clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) (each such transaction occurring at any time on or after the Distribution Date being hereinafter referred to as a "Business Combination") shall be consummated:

(i)
the Company shall consolidate with or merge with and into any other Person,

(ii)
any Person shall consolidate with the Company or merge with and into the Company and the Company shall be the Surviving Person of such merger and in connection with such merger, all or part of the Common Shares shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person or the Company or cash or any other property, or

(iii)
the Company shall sell, lease, exchange, liquidate or otherwise transfer or dispose of (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell, lease, exchange, liquidate or otherwise transfer or dispose of), in one or more transactions, the Major Part of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person then, and in each such case proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right (except as provided in Section 7(d)) shall thereafter have the right to receive upon the exercise thereof and payment of the then-current Purchase Price for each Common Share for which the Right is then exercisable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the securities specified below:







(A)   if the Principal Party in such Business Combination has outstanding Registered Common Shares, such number of Registered Common Shares of such Principal Party as shall be equal to the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then-current Purchase Price by the number of Common Shares of the Company for which a Right was exercisable  immediately prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (without taking into account any adjustment previously made pursuant to Section 11 (d) (i) hereof) and (y) dividing that product by 50% of the Market Value of each Registered Common Share of such Principal Party on the date of consummation of such Business Combination, or

(B)   if the Principal Party in such Business Combination does not have outstanding Registered Common Shares, at the election of the holder of such Right at the time of the exercise thereof, either

(1)   such number of Common Shares of the Surviving Person in such Business Combination as shall be equal to the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of Common Shares of the Company for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (without taking into account any adjustment previously made pursuant to Section 11 (d) (i) hereof) and (y) dividing that product by 50% of the Market Value of each Common Share of such Surviving Person immediately after giving effect to such Business Combination, or

(2)   if the surviving Person is not the Principal Party in such Business Combination, such number of Common Shares of the Principal Party as shall be equal to the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then-current Purchase Price by the number of Common Shares of the company for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (without taking into account any adjustment previously made pursuant to Section 11 (d) (i) hereof) and (y) dividing that product by 50% of the Market Value of each Common Share of the Principal Party immediately after giving effect to such Business Combination.

All Common Shares of any Person for which any Right may be exercised after consummation of a Business Combination as provided in this Section 13 (a) shall, when issued upon exercise of such Right in accordance with this Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and any such Person shall be obligated by virtue of such Business Combination to use its best efforts to cause such Common Shares to be free of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other restrictions or limitations on the transfer or ownership thereof.

(b)  After consummation of any Business Combination (i) the issuer of Common Shares for which Rights may be exercised as set forth in Section 13 (a) shall be liable for and shall assume by virtue of such Business Combination, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) the term "Company" shall be deemed to refer to such issuer and (iii) such issuer shall take such steps (including, but not limited to the authorization and reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares in accordance with Section 9 hereof) in connection with such consummation as may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to its Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights.


(c)  The Company shall not consummate any Business Combination unless prior thereto the Company and each issuer of Common Shares for which the Rights may be exercised as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section 13 shall (i) have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing for the obligation of such issuer to issue Common Shares upon the exercise of Rights in accordance with the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13, (ii) have furnished to the Rights Agent an opinion of independent counsel stating that such supplemental agreement is a valid, binding and enforceable agreement of such issuer, and (iii) have filed a certificate of a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants setting forth the number of Common Shares of such issuer which may be purchased upon the exercise of each Right after the consummation of such Business Combination.

(d)  The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive Business Combinations.  In the event a Business Combination shall be consummated at any time after the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Rights that have not been exercised prior to such time shall thereafter (subject to the provisions of Section 7 (d)) become exercisable in the manner set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 13.

(e)  The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not effect any Business Combination if at the time of or immediately after such Business Combination there are any rights, warrants or other instruments outstanding that would eliminate or in any way substantially diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

Section 14.  Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares .  (a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights.  In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right.  For the purpose of this Section 14 (a), the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable.  The closing price for any Trading Day shall be the last sale price, regular way or in case no such sale takes place on such Trading Day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the American Stock Exchange or if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the American Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by NASDAQ or such other system then in use or, if on any such Trading Day the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.  If on any such Trading Day no such market maker is making a market in the Rights  the fair value of the Rights on such Trading Day as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.




(b)  The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares.  In lieu of fractional shares, the Company may pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the Market Value of one Common Share.  For purposes of this Section 14 (b), the Market Value of a Common Share shall be the closing price of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of the definition of "Market Value") for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

(c)  The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Rights expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right.


Section 15.  Rights of Action .   All rights of action in respect of this Agreement are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right Certificates (and prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate in the manner provided in such Right Certificate and in this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations of any Person under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement.

Section 16.  Transfer and Ownership of Rights .

(a)
Prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares.

(b)
After the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates will be transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer.


(c)  The Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificates or the associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.



Section 17.  Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder .  No holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Common Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including without limitation, any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 24 hereof), or to receive dividends or other distributions or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.

Section 18.  Concerning the Rights Agent.

(a)  The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.  The Company also agrees to indemnify the Right Agent, for and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability in the premises.

(b)  The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for the Common Shares or for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and where necessary, verified or acknowledged by the proper Person or Persons.

Section 19.  Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent .  (a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution of filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof.  In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

(b)  In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

Section 20.  Duties of Rights Agent .  The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

(a)  The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

(b)  Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

(c)  The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

(d)  The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right Certificates (except as to its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

(e)  The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment required under the provisions of Section 11 or 13 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after actual notice of any such adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Common Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any Common Shares will, when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(f)  The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

(g)  The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any one of the Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer.
(h)  The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniary interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not the Rights Agent under this Agreement.  Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

(i)  The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.

Section 21.  Change of Rights Agent .  The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail.  The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class mail.  If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.  If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent.  Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of the State of New York (or of any other state of the United States so long as such corporation is authorized to conduct a corporation trust business in the State of New York), in good standing, having a principal office in the State of New York, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $10 million.  After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose.  Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates.  Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

Section 22.  Issuance of New Right Certificates .  Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights of the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price per share and the number or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 23.  Redemption .  (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on the 10 th day following the Shares Acquisition Date, (ii) the occurrence of a Triggering Event or (iii) the Close of Business on the Expiration Date, order the redemption of all but not less than all the then-outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.05 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price").

(b)  Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price.  Within 10 days after the action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall give notice of such redemption to the holders of the then-outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to all such holders at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder of Rights receives the notice.  Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.

Section 24.  Notice of Certain Events .  In case the Company shall propose (a) to take any actions of the type described in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of Section 11 hereof that would require an adjustment thereunder of the Purchase Price or of the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, (b) to effect any Business Combination, or (c) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify any record date for the purpose of determining any participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares, or the date on which such action is to take place and the date of any participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given at least 20 days prior to any such record date, the taking of such action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares, whichever shall be the earliest.

In case any Triggering Event or Business Combination shall occur, then in any such case the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such Triggering Event or Business Combination, which shall specify the Triggering Event or Business Combination and the consequences of the Triggering Event or Business Combination to holders of Rights under Section 11(d) or Section 13 hereof, as the case may be.

Section 25.  Notices .  Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

AmBase Corporation
12 Lincoln Blvd. Suite 202
Emerson, NJ 07630
Attention:  Corporate Secretary


Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by any holder of a Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15 th Ave.
Brooklyn, New York, 11219
Attention:  Vice President
                   Stock Transfer Administration

Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registration books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company.

Section 26.  Supplements and Amendments .  The Company and the Rights Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Right Certificates in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder which the Company and the Rights Agent may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Right Certificates.

Section 27.  Successors .  All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

Section 28.  Benefits of this Agreement .  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any person or corporation other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares of the Company) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates.

Section 29.  Severability .  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

Section 30.  Governing Law .  This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State, except that the rights and obligations of the Rights Agent shall be governed by New York law.

Section 31.  Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 32.  Descriptive Headings .  Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

   
AMBASE CORPORATION
   
By:
/s/ Richard A. Bianco
   
   
Name:
Richard A. Bianco
   
   
Title:
President & CEO
   
Attest:
       
By:
/s/ John Ferrara
     
Name:
John Ferrara
     
Title:
Vice President
     
         
   
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
   
By:
/s/ American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC
   
Name:
     
   
Title:
     
Attest:
       
By:
/s/ American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC
     
Name:
       
Title:
       




EXHIBIT A



(Form of Right Certificate)

Certificate No. R   ________________ Rights

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER FEBRUARY 10, 1996, OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED.  THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $.05 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ANY AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE THEREOF (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID.  (THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS A PERSON WHO WAS AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN ASSOCIATE OR AFFILIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT).  THIS RIGHT CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(d) OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.) * /


Right Certificate
AMBASE CORPORATION

This certifies that                          , or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement dated as of February 10, 1986 (the "Rights Agreement"), between AmBase Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York corporation (the "Rights Agent"), unless the Rights evidenced hereby shall have been previously redeemed, to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M. (Eastern Time) on February 10, 1986 (the "Expiration Date"), at the principal corporate trust office of the Rights Agent, or its successors as Rights Agent, in New York, New York, one fully paid, non-assessable share of the common stock, $1 par value (the "Common Shares") of the Company, at a purchase price of $75.00 per share (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed.  The number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of shares which may be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price per share set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of February 10, 1986, based on the Common Shares as constituted at such date.


* /The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable and shall replace the preceding sentence.


As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number and kind of shares which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

If the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are, at the time of the occurrence of any Triggering Event (as defined in the Rights Agreement), beneficially owned by as Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become null and void upon the occurrence of such Triggering Event and the holder hereof shall not have any right to exercise such Rights from and after the occurrence of such Triggering Event.

This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates.  Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the Rights Agent.

This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the principal corporate trust office of the Rights Agent, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of Common Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase.  If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a redemption price of $.05 per Right at any time prior to the earliest of (i) the Close of Business (as defined in the Rights Agreement) on the 10 th day following the Shares Acquisition Date, (ii) the occurrence of a Triggering Event or (iii) the Close of Business on the Expiration Date.

No fractional Common Share will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby, but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Common Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or, to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or other distributions or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions of the Rights Agreement.



This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal.  Dated as of February 10, 1986.


AMBASE CORPORATION,
By:
 
 
Title
   
Attest:
   
     
     
Secretary
   
Countersigned:
   
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC,
       
By:
     
Authorized Signature
   



(Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate)

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder is such
holder desires to transfer the Right Certificates.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED
 
hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
 
 
(Please print name and address of transferee)
 
This Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                         Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, will full power of substitution.

Dated: _______________, 19___

 
Signature


Signature Guaranteed:

NOTICE
The signature to the foregoing Assignment must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.


FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to
exercise the Right Certificate.)

To AMBASE CORPORATION:

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise                                  Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such shares be issued in the name of:

Please insert social security or other identifying number

(Please print name and address)
 
 

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security or other identifying number

(Please print name and address)
 
 

Dated: _______________________, 19___
   
 
Signature
(Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of this Right Certificate)

Signature Guaranteed:




     
Exhibit 32.2
       
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002
       
In connection with the annual report of AmBase Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, John Ferrara, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
       
       
     
   
/s/ John Ferrara
   
John Ferrara
   
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
March 30, 2018




AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN RICHARD A. BIANCO AND AMBASE CORPORATION


THIS AMENDMENT is entered into this 27 th day of March 2018 by and between Richard A. Bianco (the "Executive" or "Mr. Bianco") and AmBase Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive entered into an employment agreement dated March 30, 2006 as amended (the "2007 Employment Agreement"), pursuant to which the Executive is employed by the Company as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for an employment period ending May 31, 2018; and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire by this writing to amend the Employment Agreement to extend the term of Mr. Bianco's employment to May 31, 2023, or such shorter period as mutually agreed to.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is AGREED that the Employment Agreement shall be amended as follows:

1.
The 2007 Employment Agreement as amended currently provides for an employment period ending May 31, 2018.  Section 1(a) of the Employment Agreement, first sentence, currently   states as follows:

(1)  Term of Employment .  (a) The Company hereby agrees to continue its employment of Executive and Executive hereby agrees to continue his employment as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for an additional period ending on May 31, 2018, or for such shorter period as may be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Executive (the "Employment Period"), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement."

2.
Pursuant to this Amendment, the term of the 2007 Employment Agreement shall be extended for five (5) additional years to May 31, 2023, or such shorter periods as may be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Executive.  Therefore, pursuant to this Amendment, Section 1 (a) of the Employment Agreement, first sentence as currently stated shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

(1)  Term of Employment .  (a) The Company hereby agrees to continue its employment of Executive and Executive hereby agrees to continue his employment as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for an additional period ending on May 31, 2023, or for such shorter period as may be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Executive (the "Employment Period"), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement."

All defined terms used without definitions shall have the meanings provided in the Employment Agreement.  Except as herein amended, all other terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement shall remain the same and the Employment Agreement as herein amended shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employment Agreement is hereby amended effective as of March 27, 2018.

Accepted and Agreed:
   
 
AmBase Corporation
     
/s/ Richard A. Bianco
By:
/s/ John Ferrara
Richard A. Bianco
Name:
John Ferrara
 
Title:
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer



CONTRACT OF SALE
THIS CONTRACT OF SALE is made as of this 17 th day of January, 2018 between MAIDEN LANE ASSOCIATES, LTD., a Delaware company having a business address of 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 ("Seller"), and MARIA USA, Inc., a New York company having a business address at 123 West 79 th Street, New York, New York 10023 ("Purchaser").
RECITAL:
Seller has agreed to sell and Purchaser has agreed to purchase, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, a certain parcel of real property together with the improvements situated thereon commonly known as 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, Connecticut a/k/a 0 Western Junior Highway, Greenwich, CT, which parcel is described with more particularity in Exhibit A  attached hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, for One Dollar ($1.00) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Seller and Purchaser agree as follows:
DEFINITIONS
Agreement shall mean this Contract of Sale, dated as of the Effective Date, between Seller and Purchaser.
Closing shall mean the closing of title to the Premises to be held at the time and place set forth in this Agreement.
Closing Date shall mean January 26, 2018, or such other date as Seller and Purchaser shall agree in writing.
Deed shall mean the statutory form of Warranty Deed, to be executed and delivered by Seller to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.
Down Payment shall mean a deposit of Five Hundred Twenty Thousand and 00/100 ($520,000.000) Dollars of immediately available funds or certified bank check to be delivered by Purchaser to Seller along with an executed copy of this Agreement.
Effective Date shall mean the later date on which this Agreement is signed by both Seller
and Purchaser.
Encumbrances shall mean all liens, security, interests, claims, encumbrances, easements, rights-of-way, encroachments, reservations, restrictions, covenants, conditions and any other matters affecting title to the Premises.
Escrow Agent shall mean the Seller's attorney, Gilbride, Tusa, Last & Spellane LLC.


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Governmental Authority shall mean any federal, state, county or local or foreign government, political subdivision, court, agency or other entity, body, organization or groups exercising any executive, legislative, judicial, quasi-judicial, regulatory, or administrative function of government.
Improvements shall mean all improvements, structures and fixtures (other than trade fixtures of any tenant) now situated on the Real Property, including, but not limited to, those certain buildings, structures, and other improvements of every kind and nature (including all HVAC systems) presently situated on, in or under the Real Property, but excluding all equipment and/or trade fixtures owned by any party other than Seller which are presently situated on, in or under the Real Property.
Inspection Period shall mean the period running from the Effective Date until 6 p.m. on January 19, 2018.
Knowledge of Seller or Seller's Knowledge shall mean the actual knowledge of Seller without any duty of inquiry or investigation.
Lease shall mean the lease for occupancy of the Premises by and between Seller and AmBase Corporation as tenant currently in effect, which shall be terminated at the Closing. Purchaser shall be given sole and exclusive possession of the Real Property.
Permitted Encumbrances shall mean real property taxes and assessments not yet due and payable, the Encumbrances described in Exhibit B attached hereto, and any Encumbrances which Purchaser accepts (or is deemed to accept) pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement.
Premises shall mean the Real Property and the Improvements.
Purchase Price shall mean Five Million Two Hundred Thousand and 00/100 ($5,200,000.00) Dollars, subject to the prorations and adjustments provided for in this Agreement.
Real Property shall mean that certain parcel of real property commonly known as 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, Connecticut, and being more particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all rights, privileges, interests, easements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto in any way incident, appertaining or belonging thereto.
PURCHASE AND SALE
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller agrees to sell, convey, transfer and assign to Purchaser and Purchaser agrees to purchase from Seller, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to the Premises.
CLOSING
The Closing shall take place at 11:00 a.m. on the Closing Date at the offices of the Buyer's attorney, or elsewhere, by mutual agreement of the parties.
PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE
The Purchase Price shall be paid as follows:


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(a)   Upon execution of this Agreement, Purchaser shall pay the Down Payment to
Escrow Agent, by wire transfer or bank check of immediately available funds, to be held in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(b)   On the Closing Date, Purchaser will deliver the balance of the Purchase Price (as
adjusted in accordance with this Agreement), by wire transfer of immediately available funds to Escrow Agent.
TITLE & MUNICIPAL CONTINGENCY
Seller has provided to Purchaser, prior to the Effective Date, various property documents and other due diligence materials (the "Seller Documents"). Such materials were provided to Purchaser without representation or warranty of any kind by Seller and Purchaser may or may not be entitled to rely on any such information, except as specifically set forth in this Agreement. Such materials are provided for Purchaser's convenience only in making its own examination of the Property and Seller shall rely exclusively on its own independent investigation and evaluation of every aspect of the Property and not on any materials supplied by Seller.
Purchaser shall, at its sole cost and expense, obtain a title and municipal search or survey of the Premises. Purchaser shall, no later than 6:00pm on January 19, 2018, time being of the essence, send written notice to Seller of those survey matters or items affecting title to which Purchaser is objecting. Purchaser shall provide to Seller copies of such items promptly after they are obtained.
Within five (5) days of receipt of such notice from Purchaser, Seller may, but shall not be required to, take any measures of any kind, or bring any action or proceeding, or incur any expense, in order to render title to the Premises marketable in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or to otherwise provide title in accordance with the provisions and representations of this Agreement, provided that in the case of any voluntary lien or encumbrance, Seller shall cause any such lien or encumbrance to be removed at or before Closing.
If Seller does not so elect to cure, or does not cure, such defects, via notice to Purchaser within such five (5) day period, Purchaser may, but shall not be required to, adjourn the closing for an additional period, not to exceed thirty (30) days, in order for Purchaser, without any cost or expense to Seller, to take any measure of any kind, or bring any action or proceeding, or incur any expense, in an attempt to render the title marketable in accordance with this Agreement or to otherwise provide title in accordance with the provisions and representations of this Agreement. If, prior to the end of the Inspection Period following receipt of written notice from Seller of its inability or failure to cure survey or title objections of Purchaser or at the end of such thirty (30) day closing extension period (or such shorter period elected by Purchaser) following an attempt by Purchaser to cure survey or title objections, Seller is unable to convey title to the Premises in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, Purchaser shall in its sole discretion either (i) accept all such defects as Permitted Encumbrances and elect to agree to accept such title as Seller can convey, upon the payment of the full Purchase Price, or (ii) reject such title, and upon such rejection, this Agreement shall terminate, the Down Payment shall be promptly repaid to Purchaser by Escrow Agent and the parties shall have no further obligation or liability to one another under this Agreement. In lieu of satisfying any voluntary liens or encumbrances required to be satisfied under this Agreement, Seller may, at its option, either deposit with Purchaser's title company such sum of money or deliver to the title company such affidavits and certificates as may


4
be determined by the title company as being sufficient to induce the title company to, and provided the title company does, omit such voluntary liens or encumbrances from Purchaser's title policy or affirmatively insure Purchaser (without additional charge or premium, against collection of voluntary liens and/or encumbrances required to be eliminated by Seller out of or against Purchaser's title to the Premises), and in such case Purchaser shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to clause (ii) above. In accordance with the foregoing, Seller and Purchaser shall then finalize the Statutory Warranty Deed attached to this Agreement as Exhibit D and the exhibits thereto (including Permitted Encumbrances) prior to closing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, in the event of any termination contemplated by clause (ii) above as a consequence of Seller's failure or refusal to remove a voluntary lien or encumbrance, the Down Payment shall also be promptly repaid to Purchaser by Escrow Agent.
INSPECTION
During the Inspection Period, Purchaser may conduct such due diligence investigations as Purchaser deems necessary in connection with this Agreement of (i) the structural components, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems of the Improvements to ensure that they are all in good operating condition, (ii) the roofing, (iii) the environmental condition, and (iv) the title to the Premises. There shall be no other due diligence or inspections performed. Prior to undertaking any physically invasive testing or inspections, Purchaser must obtain Seller's prior written consent, which may be granted or withheld in Seller's sole discretion. Seller agrees to reasonably cooperate with Purchaser in the due diligence process, and to promptly provide Purchaser with copies of such documents which Purchaser may reasonably request that are in the possession, custody or control of Seller, including copies of existing surveys and existing floor plans of the Property in the possession of Seller, if any. Prior to undertaking any inspections, Purchaser must deliver Notice to Seller and Seller's Broker at least one business day in advance by e-mail or overnight delivery. All inspections (whether involving physically invasive testing or inspections, or not) shall be done during normal business hours, in a manner so as to minimize disruption to Seller and tenants or occupants of the Premises, and, at Seller's option, in the presence of Seller or any agent or employee of Seller. Purchaser shall restore the Premises to the same condition as they were prior to Purchaser's inspection and testing. All tests or investigations performed by or on behalf of Purchaser will be performed in a good and workmanlike manner and in compliance with all applicable laws. Purchaser shall maintain and deliver to Seller, prior to entering the Premises to conduct any inspection or investigation, certificates of general liability insurance with coverage of at least $2,000,000.00, naming Seller as an additional insured. Purchaser's contractors and all other parties entering the Premises on behalf of Purchaser shall maintain and deliver to Seller, prior to entering the Premises to conduct any inspection or investigation, certificates of general liability insurance with coverage of at least $2,000,000.00, naming Seller as an additional insured. In the event site conditions require notification of regulators under applicable Environmental Laws, Seller must be notified immediately.
Purchaser shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller and its agents and employees from any liability, costs, expenses and the like (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) which arise in connection with such inspections and testing at the Premises. The obligations and indemnities set forth in the foregoing sentence will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement or the Closing and recording of the Deed.

5
If the Premises are unsatisfactory to Purchaser for any reason resulting from the due diligence or inspections above, in Purchaser's sole discretion, Purchaser may terminate this Agreement by notice to Seller received by Seller prior to the end of the Inspection Period, and the parties shall have no further liability under this Agreement except as to matters that survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement as set forth herein. In the event that Purchaser so terminates the Agreement, Purchaser shall provide a copy of any and all reports including environmental reports (formal or otherwise) or inspection reports, to Seller along with its notice to Seller of such termination.
ZONING APPLICATIONS
The Seller agrees to execute along with this Agreement an authorization (attached hereto as Exhibit C) to allow the Purchaser to begin seeking municipal approvals. Seller further agrees to cooperate with the Purchaser with respect to the municipal approvals at no additional cost to the Seller and agrees to respond to any Purchaser request within two (2) business days of such request. In the event that this Agreement is terminated and a Closing does not occur, Purchaser shall promptly thereafter withdraw any application seeking municipal approval at no additional cost to Seller.
AS IS; WHERE IS
(a)Purchaser hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Premises are being conveyed
by Seller "AS IS," "WHERE IS," and in their present condition. Purchaser acknowledges that, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, Seller has not made any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, with respect to the Premises (including any representations or warranties which may be deemed to be made at law, the benefit of which, if any, Purchaser hereby waives) or as to the use, merchantability, quality, environmental condition, design, description, durability, operation, fitness for particular purpose, fitness for use or otherwise as to all or any part of the Premises. In the event of any defect or deficiency in the Premises of any nature whatsoever, patent or latent, Seller shall have no
liability with respect thereto for direct, incidental, consequential or punitive damages or costs. The provisions of this Section have been negotiated by Seller and Purchaser and are intended to be a complete exclusion and negation of any representations and warranties, express or implied, except as may be expressly set forth in this Agreement and shall survive Closing and the delivery of the Deed.
SELLER'S CLOSING OBLIGATIONS
At the Closing, as a pre-condition to Closing, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser:
The Deed, properly executed and in proper form for recording, conveying title to the Premises subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances;
The Assignment and Assumption of Leases, if applicable;
Estoppels for all leases, if applicable;
The Assignment of Contracts;
Settlement Statement;
State and local conveyance tax statements;

6
A FIRPTA affidavit, in form acceptable to Purchaser; Duly completed IRS Form 1099
Keys to the Premises, originals of any warranties or other material property documents related to the Premises in Seller's possession or control;
Such affidavits as Purchaser's title company shall reasonably require in order to omit from any title policies being obtained by Purchaser all exceptions for judgments, bankruptcies or other returns against persons or entities whose names are the same as or similar to Seller's name;
Possession of the Premises subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances and the Lease;
Any other documents reasonably required by Purchaser to be delivered by Seller to carry out the purposes and intents of this Agreement.
Seller has no obligation to deliver the Property in broom clean condition, but shall pay reasonable costs associated with depositing Seller's abandoned personal property in Purchaser's dumpsters.
PURCHASER'S CLOSING OBLIGATIONS
At the Closing, as a pre-condition to Closing, Purchaser shall:
Cause the Deed to be recorded, sign the required real property transfer tax returns prepared and executed by Seller and cause all such returns to be delivered to the appropriate officers;
Deliver to Seller, as directed by Seller, the Purchase Price by wire;
An executed assignment and assumption of lease, assigning any existing leases (other than the Lease), with respect to the Premises.
Deliver any other documents reasonably required by this Agreement to be delivered by
Purchaser; and
Checks to the order of the appropriate officers in payment of all applicable real estate transfer taxes and recording fees in connection with the sale of the Premises.
CLOSING COSTS
Lease rents, if any, non-delinquent real estate taxes, personal property taxes, water charges and sewer rents, if any, shall be apportioned between Seller and Purchaser as of the close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date in accordance with the customs and practices for commercial real estate closings in Fairfield County Connecticut, except that if there is a water meter on the Real Property, apportionment at the Closing shall be based on the last available reading, subject to adjustment after the Closing when the next reading is available.
If the Closing shall occur before a new tax rate is fixed, the apportionment of taxes at the Closing shall be upon the basis of the old tax rate for the preceding period applied to the latest assessed


7
valuation. Promptly after the new tax rate is fixed, the apportionment of such taxes shall be recomputed. Any discrepancy resulting from such re-computation and any errors or omissions in computing apportionments at Closing shall be promptly corrected, which obligations shall survive the Closing. Seller will be entitled to any tax refund or abatement attributable to any period prior to Closing, either by means of a credit to Seller at Closing or through a refund by Purchaser following Closing, which obligations shall survive the Closing.
Seller shall pay any and all real estate transfer taxes and documentary stamp taxes in connection with the transfer of the Real Property and Improvements from Seller to Purchaser.
Purchaser shall pay all recording and filing fees incurred in connection with the recording of the Deed and all of Purchaser's title insurance and survey costs, if any.
BROKER
Seller and Purchaser represent and warrant to each other that they have not dealt with any broker(s) in connection with this transaction, other than Nathaniel Barnum of LPC Commercial Services-CT, LLC(the "Broker"). Each party shall indemnify and defend the other against any claims, costs, damages, or expenses, including attorneys' fees and costs, related to any other broker or realtor who claims a fee based on contract with the indemnifying party, other than as set forth above. The representations and obligations set forth in this paragraph shall survive the Closing, or, if the Closing does not occur, the termination of this Agreement.
NOTICES
All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by overnight delivery, by nationally recognized courier, or sent by certified or registered U.S. mail, return receipt requested, or sent by e-mail with confirmation (with a duplicate copy sent by U.S. Mail) addressed as follows:


 
To Seller:
 
     
 
Maiden Lane Associates, LTD.
 
 
100 Putnam Green, 3 rd Floor
 
 
Greenwich, CT  068630
 
     
     
 
With a copy to:
 
     
 
Gilbride, Tusa, Last & Spellane LLC
 
 
31 Brookside Drive
 
 
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
 
 
Attn:  Charles S. Tusa, Esq./Jonathan M. Wells, Esq.
 






 
To Purchaser:
 
     
 
Maria USA, Inc.
 
 
123 West 79 th Street
 
 
New York, New York 10023
 
     
     
 
With a copy to:
 
     
 
Halloran & Sage, LLP
 
 
315 Post Road West
 
 
Westport, CT 06880
 
 
Attn: Eric D. Bernheim, Esq.
 

Notices shall be deemed received on, as the case may be: (a) the date of personal service; (b) the date of receipt of overnight delivery evidenced by a signed delivery receipt; (c) the date of receipt of certified or registered U.S. mail evidenced by a signed delivery receipt; and (d) the date of receipt by email with confirmation of delivery receipt.
DOWN PAYMENT
The Down Payment shall be held by Escrow Agent, in trust, on the following terms:
Escrow Agent (A) shall deposit the Down Payment in an interest-bearing escrow account with a commercial bank with offices in Connecticut, (B) shall not commingle the Down Payment with any funds of Escrow Agent or others, and (C) shall, upon receipt of a written request, from either Seller or Purchaser, promptly advise Seller and Purchaser of the deposit of the Down Payment and the number of the bank account where the Down Payment is so deposited. Whichever party shall be entitled to the Down Payment hereunder will be entitled to the interest earned thereon. The Down Payment shall be nonrefundable upon the expiration of the Inspection Period and thereafter.
Escrow Agent will deliver the Down Payment to Seller or to Purchaser, as the case may be, under the following conditions:
To Seller on the Closing Date if Closing occurs pursuant to this Agreement;
To Seller upon receipt of written demand therefor stating that Purchaser has defaulted in the performance of Purchaser's obligations to close under this Agreement and the facts and circumstances underlying such default; provided, however, that Escrow Agent shall not honor such demand until more than five (5) business days after Escrow Agent shall have sent a copy of such demand to Purchaser in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement nor, thereafter, if the Escrow Agent shall have received a notice of objection pursuant to this Agreement from Purchaser within such five (5) business day period; or

9
To Purchaser upon receipt of written demand therefor stating that this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof, or that Seller has defaulted in the performance of any of Seller's obligations under this Agreement, and the facts and circumstances underlying such default; provided, however, that Escrow Agent shall not honor such demand until more than five (5) business days after Escrow Agent shall have sent a copy of such demand to Seller in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement nor, thereafter, if Escrow Agent shall have received a notice of objection from Seller within such five (5) business day period.
Within two (2) business days of the receipt by Escrow Agent of a demand from either Seller or Purchaser for the Down Payment, Escrow Agent shall send a copy thereof to the other party by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. The other party shall have the right to object to the delivery of the Down Payment by sending written notice of such objection to Escrow Agent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, which notice of objection shall be deemed null and void and ineffective if such notice of objection is not received by the Escrow Agent within the time periods prescribed in this Section of the Agreement. Such notice shall set forth the basis for objecting to the delivery of the Down Payment. Upon receipt of a notice of objection, Escrow Agent shall promptly send a copy of such notice to the party who sent the written demand for the Down Payment.
In the event Escrow Agent shall have received a notice of objection pursuant to this Agreement within the time periods prescribed herein, Escrow Agent shall continue to hold the Down Payment until (a) Escrow Agent receives written notice from Seller and Purchaser directing the disbursement of the Down Payment, in which case Escrow Agent shall then disburse the Down Payment in accordance with such direction, or (b) the commencement by Escrow Agent of an interpleader action and the payment of the Down Payment into such court as permitted by applicable law. Escrow Agent shall have the unqualified authority to initiate such an action at any time following the receipt of such a notice of objection. The costs of any such action shall be borne by the losing party in such interpleader action.
It is agreed that the duties of Escrow Agent are only as herein specifically provided, and subject to the provisions of this Section of the Agreement, are purely ministerial in nature, and that Escrow Agent shall incur no liability whatever except for willful misconduct or gross negligence, as long as Escrow Agent has acted in good faith. Seller and Purchaser each release Escrow Agent from any act done or omitted to be done by Escrow Agent in good faith in the performance of its duties hereunder. Unless Escrow Agent shall have been guilty of negligence or willful misconduct, Seller and Purchaser, jointly and severally, agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Escrow Agent and its partners and employees from and against any liability whatsoever, and shall promptly pay or reimburse Escrow Agent for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including any court costs and attorneys' fees, incurred by it in connection with its performance hereunder. Escrow Agent shall have the right to retain counsel, including members of its limited liability company, in respect of a dispute hereunder, but such fees shall be paid by Escrow Agent without contribution by the Purchaser.
Escrow Agent is acting as stakeholder only with respect to the Down Payment. Upon making delivery of the Down Payment in the matter herein provided, Escrow Agent shall have no further liability hereunder.


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Escrow Agent has executed this Agreement for the sole purpose of confirming that Escrow Agent is holding and will hold the Down Payment in escrow, pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
Purchaser acknowledges that Escrow Agent represents Seller in this matter, and may continue to do so through the Closing, or in any dispute related to this Agreement. Purchaser and Seller expressly acknowledge and waive any conflict arising out of Escrow Agent representing Seller and acting as Escrow Agent.
Any notice, written demand or written notice as provided above shall be delivered as required pursuant to the notice provision of this Agreement.
DEFAULT AND TERMINATION
If Seller fails to perform its obligations under this Agreement, Purchaser's remedy shall be to seek any other right or remedy available at law or in equity.
If Purchaser fails to perform its obligations under this Agreement, Seller's remedy shall be to retain either the Down Payment as liquidated damages, and not as a penalty, or any other right or remedy available at law or in equity. Seller and Purchaser agree that Seller's damages resulting from Purchaser's default are difficult, if not impossible, to determine and the Down Payment is a fair estimate of those damages which has been agreed to in an effort to cause the amount of said damages to be certain. The foregoing provision will not prohibit or restrict, in any way, Seller's ability to make a claim based on any indemnity provided by Purchaser hereunder.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Seller that it has full right, power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement without obtaining any further consents or approvals from, or the taking of any other actions by any third parties, and this Agreement, when executed by Seller and Purchaser, will constitute the valid and binding agreement of Purchaser, enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its terms.
Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, Seller has not made and does not make any representations or warranties, including any representations s or warranties as to the physical and environmental condition, layout, footage, rents, income, expenses, zoning, or other matters with respect to the Property.
Seller hereby represents and warrants to Purchaser that it has full right, power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement without obtaining any further consents or approvals from, or the taking of any other actions by any third parties, and this Agreement, when executed by Seller and Purchaser, will constitute the valid and binding agreement of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms.
Seller further represents and warrants to Purchaser that:
Seller has received no notice from and has no Knowledge of another party claiming any right of ownership in or to possession thereof, except for tenants under leases (including the Lease);


11
There is no proceeding pending or being prosecuted for reduction of the assessed valuation, or taxes or other imposition with respect to all or any portion of the Property, or for any special assessment, unpaid impact fees, or other liens against the Property;
There are no condemnation or eminent domain proceedings pending, or, to the best of Seller's Knowledge, threatened against the Property or any part thereof, and Seller has received no notice of the desire of any public authority or other entity to make or use the Property or any part thereof;
There are no pending, or, to Seller's Knowledge, threatened suits or proceedings before any court, administrative agency, or other governmental instrumentality against or affecting Seller or any part of the Property which (i) do or could affect ownership, operation, use, development or occupancy of the Property or any part thereof; or (ii) do or could prohibit or make unlawful the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, or render Seller or Purchaser unable to consummate the same;
Seller has received no written notice of, and to its Knowledge there is no violation of, any law, regulation, ordinance, order, restrictive covenant, association rules or regulations, environmental laws, rule or regulation, or other requirement affecting the Property, which remains outstanding and uncured, except as has been expressly disclosed to Purchaser;
To the Seller's Knowledge, there are no unrecorded easements, contracts, commitments, leases, or encumbrances affecting all or any part of the Property to which Seller is a party, other than those items listed as Exceptions in the Title Commitment;
To Seller's Knowledge, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder will not violate or result in a breach of or constitute a default under any provision of any contract, lien, instrument, order, judgment, decree, ordinance, regulation, or other restriction of any kind to which Seller or the Property is or may be bound or subject;
All of the Seller Documents delivered by Seller to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement are provided for Purchaser's convenience only without any representation or warranty of any kind;
Seller has, to the best of Seller's Knowledge, assembled at the Property and made available to Purchaser and its representatives, consultants and agents all correspondence, reports, documents and other materials (of whatever type or nature) relative to the ownership, use, leasing, development, construction and operation the Property by Seller and its affiliates, including the Seller Documents, to the extent they are within the dominion and control of Seller;
To Seller's Knowledge as to its period of ownership of the Property, the Property is not an "establishment" as defined under the Connecticut Transfer Act (C.G.S. Section 22a-134 et seq.).
There is no association in place with respect to the Property;
To Seller's Knowledge, no representation or warranty by Seller in this Agreement contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein not misleading.


12
The representations and warranties of Seller herein shall survive Closing for a period of ninety (90) days.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to any express rights to the contrary herein, Seller agrees it shall take no affirmative action hereafter which shall be intended to cause Seller to be in default of any of its representations and warranties herein contained.
Purchaser and Seller hereby waive any rights either party may have to trial by jury in any dispute arising under this Agreement. This waiver shall survive Closing and the delivery of the Deed.
In entering into this Agreement, Purchaser has not been induced by and has not relied upon any representations, warranties or statements, whether express or implied, made by Seller or any agent, employee or other representative of Seller or by any broker or any other person representing or purporting to represent Seller, which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement, whether or not any such representations, warranties or statements were made in writing or orally.
Casualty. If any portion of the Property is damaged or destroyed by casualty prior to Closing, Seller shall give Purchaser prompt written notice thereof. If the cost of repair of such damage or destruction is reasonably estimated by a third party consultant mutually acceptable to Seller and Purchaser to exceed $100,000.00, either Seller or Purchaser shall have the right, at their option, to terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other party on or before the date ten (10) days after the date upon which the parties receive a copy of the estimate of such damage from such consultant, in which event the Down Payment shall be refunded to Purchaser promptly upon request, all rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall expire, and this Agreement shall become null and void, except for those that expressly survive hereunder. In the event of lesser damage, the Purchaser shall have no right to terminate this Agreement by reason of such damage or destruction, and Seller shall at Seller's option either: (i) perform any necessary repairs before the Closing Date with respect to such casualty, and the Closing Date shall be extended as reasonably necessary to allow for completion of such repairs; or (ii) at Closing, Seller shall assign to Purchaser all rights of Seller in and to any insurance proceeds (including business interruption and rental loss insurance proceeds to the extent related to any period after the Closing Date) payable thereafter by reason of such casualty, less amounts spent by Seller to collect or adjust said proceeds, or for any repairs made by Seller that have not been reimbursed, along with written consent from such insurer to such assignment.
Condemnation. In the event of commencement of eminent domain proceedings
respecting any portion of the Property prior to Closing, Seller shall give Purchaser prompt written notice thereof. If all or any part of the Property that has a material and adverse impact upon the current use of the Property is taken by eminent domain proceedings, or if there is the commencement of any such proceedings that would have a material and adverse impact upon the current use of the Property, on or before the Closing Date, Purchaser shall have the right, at Purchaser's option, to terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to Seller on or before the date ten (10) days after the date upon which Seller gives Purchaser written notice of such taking, in which event the Down Payment shall be refunded to Purchaser promptly upon request, all rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall expire, except those that expressly survive hereunder, and this Agreement shall become null and void. In the event the Purchaser elects to proceed with the purchase hereunder, then the following adjustments shall be made at Closing: (i) the Purchase Price shall be reduced by the total of any awards or other proceeds actually received by Seller on or before the Closing Date with respect to

13
any taking and not expended by Seller prior to Closing for the repair or restoration of the Property; and (ii) the Seller shall assign to Purchaser all rights of Seller in and to any awards or other proceeds payable thereafter by reason of such taking.
This Agreement embodies and constitutes the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the transaction contemplated herein, and all prior agreements, understandings, representations and statements, oral or written, are merged into this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, modified, amended, discharged or terminated except by an instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver, modification, amendment, discharge or termination is sought, and then only to the extent set forth in such instrument.
No waiver by either party hereto of any failure or refusal by the other party hereto to comply with its obligations hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of any other or subsequent failure or refusal by such party to so comply.
The captions in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and in no way define, describe or limit the scope or intent of this contract or any of the provisions hereof.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of parties hereto and their respective heirs or successors and permitted assigns. Purchaser may not assign its respective rights or delegate its duties arising under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Seller, which consent may be withheld in Seller's sole discretion, provided that Purchaser may assign it rights under this Agreement to special purpose entity owned by or under common control with Purchaser or its principals without the consent or approval of Seller.
This Agreement shall not be binding or effective until properly executed and delivered by Seller and Purchaser. Seller's obligations hereunder are subject to the approval by Seller's executive management prior to Closing.
As used in this Agreement, the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular, as the context may require.
This Agreement may be executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of which for all purposes is to be deemed as original, and all of which constitute, collectively, one agreement. All electronic signatures shall be deemed original for purposes of this Agreement.
Neither this Agreement nor any document referring to this Agreement shall be recorded by Purchaser, or by anyone acting on its behalf, prior to the Closing, in any public office. Any such recording shall, at Seller's option, constitute a default by Purchaser under this Agreement.
Purchaser and Seller will each maintain the terms and conditions of this Agreement in the strictest confidence and will not disclose any such terms and conditions (other than to each party's accountants, lender, investors, accountants, and attorneys or as may be required by law or regulatory requirements) without the express written consent of the other party, in each instance. Any disclosure permitted hereunder will be made on the condition that the recipient of information about this Agreement will be subject to the same confidentiality requirements. The provisions of this paragraph will survive the Closing, except for those documents that become public at the Closing, or any termination of this Agreement.

14
In the event performance under this Agreement falls on any day other than a Business Day (as hereinafter defined), the time for performance shall be extended to the close of business on the next Business Day. "Business Day" shall be defined as any day other than Saturday, Sunday, or any bank holiday for banks operating in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Purchaser agrees to allow Seller a period of thirty (30) days following the Effective Date of this Agreement to vacate the third (3' 1 ) floor of the Premises. Seller agrees to be responsible for all maintenance and utility costs for the period of time between the Closing Date and the date the Seller vacates the Premises per this Agreement. Seller shall be permitted to dispose of trash in Purchaser's dumpster during this period and Purchaser will provide Seller with an invoice for the cost of disposing of said trash which shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Seller. Purchaser agrees not to begin any work on the third (3` 1 ) floor of the Premises until after the Seller has vacated thirty (30) days following the Effective Date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser and Seller agree to execute at Closing a Use and Occupancy Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E. This provision and the obligations herein shall survive the closing.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Next page is the signature page.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
PURCHASER: MARIA USA, INC.
/s/ Jin Ho Lim
/s/ Jin Ho Lim
By: Jin Ho Lim
Title: Chief Executive Officer



SELLER:


MAIDEN LANE ASSOCIATES, LTD.


/s/ Richard A. Bianco
 
By:
Richard A. Bianco
 
Title:
President & CEO
 
     



Performance as Escrow Agent accepted and
Agreed to this    day of ______________, 2018
   
     
     
GILBRIDE, TUSA, LAST & SPELLANE LLC
   
     
     
By:
     









15


 
EXHIBIT A
DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES
ALL THAT CERTAIN piece or parcel of land, together with all buildings and improvements thereon standing, situated in the Town of Greenwich, County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, which premises are bounded and described as follows:
Beginning at a point where the easterly line of Western Junior Highway intersects the southerly line of the herein described premises; thence proceeding in an easterly direction along land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership S 73° 42' W 150.0 feet to a point; thence proceeding in a northerly direction along land of said Fawn Associates Limited Partnership S 16° 18' E 172.94 feet to land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership; thence proceeding in a northwesterly direction along said land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership S 34° 03' 50" E 0.47 feet; thence along an arc of a circle with a radius of 580.0' a distance of 18.81 feet; thence still proceeding in a westerly direction along said land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership. N 74° 08' E 48.1 feet and N 87° 24' E 84.4 feet to a point; thence proceeding in a southwesterly direction still along land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership to the easterly line of Western Junior Highway on a curve to the left of a circle with a radius of 20.0' a distance of 41.65 feet; thence proceeding southerly along the easterly line of said Western Junior Highway along the arc of a circle to the left 625.0' a distance of 170.23 feet to the point or place of beginning and containing 0.656 acres.

17
EXHIBIT B
PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES
Real property taxes not yet due and payable.
Rights contained in any instruments of record, if any, in so far as the same may be of present force or effect.
Zoning and building regulations, ordinances and requirements adopted by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction thereof, and amendments and additions thereto now or hereafter in force and effect, which relate to the Premises. The fact that the Premises may or may not have a certificate of occupancy shall not be deemed a disapproved Encumbrance.
Variations between tax map and record descriptions.
Standard exceptions contained in the title standards of the county in which the Premises
is located.
Matters of title to the Real Property approved or deemed approved by Purchaser in accordance with this Agreement.
Any matters shown on a survey of the Real Property which are approved or deemed approved by Purchaser in accordance with this Agreement.

 
EXHIBIT C
AUTHORIZATION LETTER


AUTHORIZATION LETTER
Re: Maria USA, Inc. — 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, Connecticut Municipal Approvals and Applications
To Whom It May Concern:
As owner of 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, Connecticut (the "Property"), with the improvements thereon, this letter is to advise you that I hereby consent to the preparation, filing and presentation of any zoning, land use or other municipal applications by Maria USA, Inc., the contract purchaser of the Property, to any municipal department. The applications and their presentation will be conducted by either the law firm of Halloran & Sage, LLP, Ridberg & Associates, Architects P.C. or another Agent of Maria USA, Inc., on behalf of Maria USA, Inc., and I consent to this as well.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.




MAIDEN LANE ASSOCIATES, LTD.,
   
Owner of 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, CT
   
By:     Richard A. Bianco
   
Title:  President & CEO
   
Date:  January 17, 2018
   
     







EXHIBIT D
STATUTORY WARRANTY DEED


After Recording Return To:

Halloran & Sage, LLP
315 Post Road West
Westport, CT 06880
Attn: Eric D. Bernheim, Esq.
 


STATUTORY WARRANTY DEED


KNOW YE, that MAIDEN LANE ASSOCIATES, LTD , a Delaware company having a business address of 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, CT 06830 (hereinafter referred to as "Grantor") for the consideration of FIVE MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 ($5,200,000.00) DOLLARS received to my full satisfaction of MARIA USA, Inc., a New York company with a business address at 123 West 79 th Street, New York, NY 10023 (hereinafter referred to as "Grantee") does give, grant, bargain, sell and confirm unto the said Grantee WITH WARRANTY COVENANTS, the following described premises more commonly  known as 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, Connecticut a/k/a 0 Western Junior Highway, Greenwich, Connecticut :

ALL THAT CERTAIN piece or parcel of land, together with all buildings and improvements thereon standing, situated in the Town of Greenwich, County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, which premises are bounded and described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point where the easterly line of Western Junior Highway, so-called, intersects the southerly line of the herein described premises; THENCE proceeding in an easterly direction along land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership S 73º 42' W 150.0 feet to a point; THENCE proceeding in a northerly direction along land of said Fawn Associates Limited Partnership S 16º 18' E 172.94 feet to land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership; THENCE proceeding in a northwesterly direction along said land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership S 34º 03' 50" E 0.47 feet; THENCE along an arc of a circle with a radius of 580.0' a distance of 18.81 feet; THENCE still proceeding in a westerly direction along said land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership. N 74º 08' E 48.1 feet and N 87º 24' E 84.4 feet to a point; THENCE proceeding in a southwesterly direction still along land of Fawn Associates Limited Partnership to the easterly line of Western Junior Highway on a curve to the left of a circle with a radius of 20.0' a distance of 41.65 feet; THENCE proceeding southerly along the easterly line of said Western Junior Highway along the arc of a circle to the left 625.0' a distance of 170.23 feet to the point or place of beginning and containing 0.656 acres.


THE ABOVE PREMISES ARE CONVEYED SUBJECT TO:

1.
Sewer and water use charges which become due and payable subsequent to the date of this deed;

2.
Real Estate Taxes to the Town of Greenwich which become due and payable subsequent to the date of this deed;
3.
Grant in favor of The Connecticut Light and Power Company dated November 20, 1965 and recorded in Volume 697 at Page 291 of the Greenwich Land Records.

4.
Grant in favor of The Connecticut Light and Power Company dated May 17, 1965 and recorded in Volume 722 at Page 555 of the Greenwich Land Records.
5.
Grant in favor of Greenwich Water Company dated November 26, 1975 and recorded in Volume 956 at Page 341 of the Greenwich Land Records.

6.
Grant in favor of The Connecticut Light and Power Company dated June 28, 1976 and recorded in Volume 974 at Page 209 of the Greenwich Land Records.

20
7.
Grant in favor of Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation dated July 2, 1976 and recorded in Volume 975 at Page 285 of the Greenwich Land Records.

8.
Agreement dated June 28, 1976 and recorded in Volume 977 at Page 25 of the Greenwich Land Records.

9.
Grant in favor of the Town of Greenwich dated December 15, 1976 and recorded in Volume 1001 at Page 198 of the Greenwich Land Records and as shown on Map No. 5412 on file in the Office of the Greenwich Town Clerk.

10.
R.O.W for drain as shown on Map No. 5412 on file in the Office of the Greenwich Town Clerk.




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor has hereunto set its hand and seal this 26th day of January, 2018.


Witnessed By:
     
MAIDEN LANE ASSOCIATES, LTD.
         
         
     
By:
/s/ John Ferrara
Witness:
     
Chief Financial Officer
         
         
         
Witness:
       
         
         
         
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
 
:
   
   
:
ss.
GREENWICH
COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD
 
:
   
         
         

On this the 26 th day of  January, 2018 personally appeared John Ferrara, Chief Financial Officer of Maiden Lane Associates, LTD., signer of the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed and the free act and deed of Maiden Lane Associates, Ltd., for the purpose contained therein, before me,



   
 
Commissioner of the Superior Court

 
 




EXHIBIT E
USE AND OCCUPANCY AGREEMENT
21


USE AND OCCUPANCY/HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made on January 26, 2018 by and between Maiden Lane Associates,
Ltd. ("Seller") and its affiliated company occupying the premises at 0 Western Junior Highway
a/k/a 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, CT, Ambase Corporation   ("Existing
Tenant") (hereinafter, the Seller and the Existing Tenant are collectively, "OCCUPANTS"), and Maria USA, Inc. (hereinafter, "BUYER").
WHEREAS, BUYER and SELLER are the buyer and seller, respectively, pursuant to
Contract of Sale dated as of January 26, 2018 (the "Contract") for the purchase and sale of
premises located at 0 Western Junior Highway a/k/a 100 Putnam Green, Greenwich, CT (the "Premises"); and
WHEREAS, the closing of title (the "Closing"), subject to recording, pursuant to the agreement of the parties, is scheduled to take place on January 26, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the OCCUPANTS desire to occupy the third floor of the Premises ("Third Floor") subsequent to the Closing (to wit, until 8:00 p.m. of the thirtieth day following the execution of the Contract by Buyer and Seller ("Occupancy Termination")), and the BUYER has agreed to allow OCCUPANTS to do so subject to the terms and conditions contained herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of BUYER'S agreeing to allow OCCUPANTS' said occupancy subsequent to the closing, it is hereby AGREED:
1.   OCCUPANTS shall be permitted to occupy the Premises until Occupancy
Termination by which time OCCUPANTS shall vacate and deliver the Third Floor to the BUYER in accordance with the Contract. If Occupants shall fail to vacate and deliver the Third Floor to the BUYER by Occupancy Termination, then the OCCUPANTS shall be responsible to pay the BUYER use and occupancy payments equal to the fair market rent that would be due for a market lease of the Third Floor until such time as the OCCUPANTS vacate the Third Floor. Nothing herein shall prohibit the BUYER from having the OCCUPANTS immediately ejected from the Premises subsequent to the Occupancy Termination.
2.
The parties have entered into this agreement in order to accommodate an orderly
Closing and sale of the Premises and the business located in the Premises and, therefore, no use and occupancy shall be paid by the OCCUPANTS provided that the OCCUPANTS vacate the Third Floor as agreed hereunder.
3.
OCCUPANTS shall, and do hereby, absolutely, forever and conclusively,
indemnify and hold harmless BUYER from any and all injuries and/or losses caused by a) OCCUPANTS, b) OCCUPANTS' guests, workers, invitees, agents, servants, contractors and/or licensees and/or c) the act and/or failure to act by and/or on behalf of any of the foregoing referred to in a) and/or b), as to any and all loss, damages, costs, obligations and/or the like (hereinafter, collectively, "Loss") occurring at, from, on and/or relative to the Premises and/or OCCUPANTS at the Premises at all times from and after Closing through and including the end of OCCUPANTS' said occupancy. OCCUPANTS shall, and do hereby, absolutely, forever and
conclusively, a) assume full responsibility regarding all loss relative to the Premises and b) release and discharge BUYER from all loss relative to personal property of OCCUPANTS.

CANRPortbla1anage\COSTANTINI\5189445_1.DOC


4.
It is absolutely, forever and conclusively agreed that a) in no event shall
OCCUPANTS be considered a tenant pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes or the laws of
the State of Connecticut but rather as a person exempted from the summary process statute pursuant under the Connecticut General Statutes and Connecticut Law and b) OCCUPANTS are and shall be precluded and/or estopped from asserting any claim and/or defense to the contrary.



















2

5.
In the event any party does not fully and faithfully comply with all terms and
provisions of this entire Agreement, as and when required herein, said party shall pay all attorneys' fees, sheriffs' fees, entry fees and/or other costs incurred by any other party in seeking to enforce this Agreement.
6.
This Agreement shall survive the Closing and delivery of the deed and all other
documents in connection therewith, and shall not be merged in same.
Dated this 26 th   day of January, 2018

   
Maiden Lane Associates, Ltd.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Richard Bianco
   
Richard Bianco
   
President
     
     
   
AmBase Corporation
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Richard Bianco
   
Richard Bianco
   
President
     
     
     
   
Maria USA, Inc.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Jin Ho Lim
   
Jin Ho Lim
   
Chief Executive Officer
     
     



3


AMENDED AND RESTATED
 
 
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPOATION
 
 
OF
 
 
AMBASE CORPORATION
 
   
   
   
   
FIRST:  The name of the corporation (hereinafter called the "Company") is AMBASE CORPORATION.
 
 
SECOND:  The registered office of the Company is to be located at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, in the County of New Castle, in the State of Delaware.  The name of its registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.
 
 
THIRD:  The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
 
 
FOURTH:  The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Company is authorized to issue is 105,000,000.  All such shares are to have a par value and are classified as 20,000,000 shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, each share of such class having a par value of $0.01 and 85,000,000 shares of Common Stock, each share of such class having a par value of $0.01.
 
 
The designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the Cumulative Preferred Stock and Common Stock of the Company are set forth in the following provisions:
 
 
SECTION A:  PROVISIONS RELATING TO CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
 
 
I.
The Cumulative Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, the shares of each series to have such designations and powers, preferences and rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as are stated and expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such series adopted by the Board of Directors as hereafter provided.
 
 
     





II.
Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors of the Company, subject to the provisions of this Article Fourth, to authorize the issue of one or more series of Cumulative Preferred Stock, and with respect to each series to fix by resolution or resolutions providing for the issues of such series:
 
 
 
(a)   The number of shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock which shall comprise such series and the distinctive designation thereof;
 
 
 
(b)   The dividend rate or rates (which may be contingent upon the happening of certain events) on the shares of such series, the date or dates from which dividends shall accumulate as herein provided and the quarterly dates on which dividends, if declared, shall be payable;
 
 
 
(c)   Whether or not the shares of such series shall be redeemable, the limitations and restrictions with respect to such redemption, the manner of selecting shares of such series for redemption if fewer than all shares are to be redeemed, and the amount, if any, in addition to any accrued dividends thereon which the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled to receive upon the redemption thereof, which amount may vary at different redemption dates and may be different with respect to shares redeemed through the operation of any purchase, retirement or sinking fund and with respect to shares otherwise redeemed;
 
 
 
(d)   The amount in addition to any accrued dividends thereon which the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled to receive upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, which amount shall not be less than par value but otherwise may vary depending on whether such liquidation, dissolution or winding up is voluntary or involuntary and, if voluntary, may vary at different dates (the amount so payable upon such involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, exclusive of accrued dividends, being hereinafter sometimes called the "involuntary liquidation value");
 
 
 
(e)   Whether or not the shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a purchase, retirement or sinking fund, and, if so, whether such purchase, retirement or sinking fund shall be cumulative or noncumulative, the extent to and the manner in which such fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of such series for retirement or to other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;
 
 
 
(f)   Whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of stock of any other class or classes, or of any other series of the same class, or for any other securities of the Company, and if so convertible or exchangeable, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same;
 
 
 
(g)   The voting powers, if any, of such series in addition to the voting powers provided in paragraphs X and XI of this Section A; and
 
 
 
(h)   Any other preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall not be inconsistent with the Section A.
 
 
III.
All shares of any one series of Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be identical with each other in all respects, except that shares of any one series issued at different times may differ as to the dates from which dividends thereon shall be cumulative; and all series shall rank equally and be identical in all respects, except as permitted by the foregoing provisions of paragraph II of this Section A.
 
 





IV.
Before any dividends on any class or classes of stock of the Company ranking junior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock (other than dividends payable in shares of any class or classes of stock of the Company ranking junior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock) shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment, the holders of shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock of each series shall be entitled to such cash dividends, but only when and as declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor, as they may be entitled to in accordance with the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series, payable quarterly on such dates as may be fixed in such resolution or resolutions in each year to holders of record on the respective dates not exceeding fifty (50) days preceding such dividend payment dates as may be determined by the Board of Directors in advance of the payment of each particular dividend.  Such dividends shall be cumulative from the date or dates fixed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series, which date or dates shall in no instance be more the ninety (90) days before or after the date of the initial issuance of shares of such series then to be issued.  Dividends in full shall not be declared or paid or set apart for payment on the Cumulative Preferred Stock of any one series for any dividend period unless dividends in full have been declared or paid or set apart payment on the Cumulative Preferred Stock of all series for all dividend periods terminating on the same or any earlier date.  When the dividends are not paid in full on all series of the Cumulative Preferred Stock, the shares of all series shall share ratably in the payment of dividends, including accumulations, if any, in accordance with the sums which would be payable on said shares if all dividends were declared and paid in full.  A "dividend period" is the period between any two consecutive dividend payment dates (or, when shares are originally issues, the period from the date from which dividends are cumulative to the first dividend payment date) as fixed for a particular series.  Accruals of dividends shall not bear interest.
 
 
V.
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution nor winding up the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, before any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company shall be made to or set apart for the holders of shares of any class or classes of stock of the Company ranking junior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock, the holders of the shares of each series of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive payment of the amount per share fixed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of the shares of such series, plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued thereon to the date of final distribution to such holders, but they shall be entitled to no further payment.  If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the assets of the Company, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the holders of the shares of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to pay in full the preferential amount aforesaid, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among such holders ratably in accordance with the respective amounts which would be payable on such shares if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full.  For the purposes of this paragraph V., the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or a consolidation or merger of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company with one or more corporations shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary.
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
VI.
To the extent and (subject to the provisions of this paragraph VI and paragraphs VII through IX of this Section A) upon the terms fixed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of any such series, the Company, at the option of the Board of Directors, may redeem at any time the whole or from time to time any part of the Cumulative Preferred Stock of any series at the outstanding, at the amount fixed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of the series of such shares, plus in every case an amount equal to all accrued dividends with respect to each share so to be redeemed (the total sum so payable on any such redemption being in this Section A referred to as the "redemption price").  Notice of every such redemption, stating the redemption date, the redemption price and the place of payment thereof, shall be mailed at least thirty (30) and not more than sixty (60) days in advance of the date designated for such redemption to the holders of record of the shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock so to be redeemed at their respective addresses as the same shall appear on the books of the Company.  A similar notice shall be published at least once in a daily newspaper printed in the English language and published and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York.  In order to facilitate the redemption of any shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock that may be selected for redemption as provided in this paragraph VI, the Board of Directors is authorized to cause the transfer books of the Company to be closed as to such shares at any time not exceeding fifty (50) days prior to the date designated for redemption thereof.  In case of the redemption of a part only of any series of Cumulative Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares of such series so to be redeemed shall be selected in such manner as may be fixed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series, or in the event such manner of selection is not fixed in such resolution or resolutions, such shares shall be selected pro rata or by lot as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  The Board of Directors shall have full power and authority, subject to the limitations and provisions herein contained, to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time.
 
 
VII.
If after the giving of such notice but before the redemption date specified therein, the Company shall deposit with a bank or trust company, having a capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000, in trust to be applied to the redemption of the shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock so called for redemption, the funds necessary for such redemption, then from and after the date of such deposit all rights of the holders of the shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall cease and terminate, excepting only the right to receive the redemption price therefore, but without interest, and such shares shall not thereafter be deemed to be outstanding.  Any funds so deposited which shall not be required for such redemption because of the exercise of any right of conversion or exchange subsequent to the date of such deposit shall be returned to the Company.  In case the holders of shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock which shall have been called for redemption shall not, within six (6) years after the date fixed for redemption, claim the amount deposited with respect to the redemption thereof, any such bank or trust company shall, upon demand, pay over to the Company such unclaimed amounts and thereupon such bank or trust company shall be relieved of all responsibility in respect thereof to such holder and such holder shall look only to the Company for the payment thereof.  Any interest accrued on funds so deposited shall be paid to the Company from time to time.
 
 
VIII.
Shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock which have been redeemed or purchased or retired through the operation of a purchase, retirement or sinking fund or which have been converted into shares of any other class or classes of stock  of the Company ranking junior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock, upon compliance with any applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, s hall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock and may be reissued as a part of the series of which they were originally a part (if the terms of such series do not prohibit such reissue) or as part of a new series of Cumulative Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors or as part of any other series of Cumulative Preferred Stock the terms of which do not prohibit such reissue.
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
IX.
If at any time the Company shall have failed to pay dividends in full on the Cumulative Preferred Stock, thereafter and until dividends in full, including all accrued and unpaid dividends to the next preceding dividend payment date on the Cumulative Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been declared and set apart in trust for payment or paid, or if at any time the Company shall have failed to pay in full amounts payable with respect to any obligations to retire shares of the Cumulative Preferred Stock, thereafter and until such amounts shall have been paid in full or set apart in trust for payment, (a) the Company, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Cumulative Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by resolution adopted at a special meeting called for the purpose, at which the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall vote separately as a class, regardless of series, shall not redeem less than all of the Cumulative Preferred Stock at such time outstanding, other than in accordance with paragraph XV of this Section A, and (b) the Company shall not purchase any Cumulative Preferred Stock except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing to all holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock of all series upon such terms as the Board of Directors, in their sole discretion after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series, shall determine (which determination shall be final and conclusive) will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series; provided that (i) the Company, to meet the requirement of any purchase, retirement or sinking fund provisions with respect to any series, may use shares of such series acquired by it prior to such failure and then held by it as treasury stock and (ii) nothing shall prevent the Company from completing the purchase or redemption of shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock for which a purchase contract was entered into for any purchase, retirement or sinking fund purposes, or the notice of redemption of which was initially mailed,  prior to such default.
 
 
X.
So long as any of the Cumulative Preferred Stock is outstanding the Company:
 
 
 
(a)
Will not declare or pay, or set apart for payment, any dividends (other than dividends payable in shares of any class or classes of stock of the Company ranking junior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock), or make any distribution on any class or classes or stock of the Company ranking junior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock, and will not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, whether voluntarily, for a sinking fund or otherwise, any shares of any class or classes of stock of the Company ranking junior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock, if at the time of making such declaration, payment, setting apart, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition the Company shall be in default with respect to any dividend payable on or any obligation to retire shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, provided that notwithstanding the foregoing the Company may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of stock of any such junior class in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds from the concurrent sale of other shares of stock of any such junior class;
 
 
 
(b)
Will not,  without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of all the Cumulative Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by resolution adopted at a special meeting called for the purpose, at which the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock, regardless of series, shall vote separately as a class, (i) create any  other class or classes of stock ranking prior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, or create any stock or other security convertible into or exchangeable for or evidencing the right to purchase any such stock so ranking prior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock, or increase the authorized number of shares of any such other class of stock or other security, or (ii) amend, later or repeal (by any means, including, without limitation, merger or consolidation) any of the provision of this Section A so as to materially adversely affect the preferences, rights or powers of the Cumulative Preferred Stock; and
 
 
 
(c)
Will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of any series of the Cumulative Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by resolution adopted at a special meeting called for the purpose (the holders of such series of the Cumulative Preferred Stock consenting or voting, as the case may be, separately as a class), amend, alter or repeal (by any means, including, without limitation, merger or consolidation) any of the provisions herein or in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series so as to materially adversely affect the preferences, rights or powers of the Cumulative Preferred Stock of such series.
 
 
       
       
       
 
The Company may, without any vote or consent of the holders of shares of any series of Cumulative Preferred Stock, (a) increase the number of shares of authorized Common Stock, whether or not the shares of one or more series of Cumulative Preferred Stock have general voting rights, and (b) increase the authorized number of shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock.
 
 
XI.
Whenever dividends payable on all shares of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be in default in a n aggregate amount equal to six (6) full quarterly dividends on the shares of all Cumulative Preferred Stock then outstanding, the number of directors then constituting the Board of Directors of the Company shall ipso facto be increased by two (2), and the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall have, in addition to  any other voting rights, the exclusive and special right, voting separately as a class and without regard to series, to elect two (2) directors of the Company to fill such newly created directorships.  Whenever such right of the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall have vested, such right may be exercised initially either at a special meeting of such holders of the cumulative Preferred Stock called as provided in paragraph XII of this Section A, or any annual meeting of stockholders, and thereafter at annual meetings of stockholders.  The right of the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock voting separately as a class to elect members of the Board of Directors or the Company as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on all series of Cumulative Preferred Stock to the dividend payment date next preceding the date of any such determination shall have been paid in full, or declared and set apart in trust for payment, at which time the special right of the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock so to vote separately as a class for the election of directors shall terminate, subject to retesting in the event of each and every subsequent default in an aggregate amount equal to six (6) full quarterly dividends as above provided.  Upon such termination the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be reduced as provided in paragraph XIV of this Section A.
 
 
XII.
At any time when such special voting power shall have vested in the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph XI of this Section A, a proper officer of the Company shall, upon the written request of the holders of record of at least 10% of the Cumulative Preferred Stock then outstanding, regardless of series, addressed to the Secretary of the Company, call a special meeting of the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock for the purpose of electing directors.  Such meeting shall be held at the earliest practicable date at the place for the holding of annual meetings of stockholders of the Company.  If such meeting shall not be called by the proper officers of the Company within twenty (20) days after personnel service of the said written request upon the Secretary of the Company, or within twenty (20) days after mailing the same within the United States of America, by registered mail addressed to the Secretary of the Company at its principal office, the holders of record of at least 10% of the Cumulative Preferred Stock then outstanding, regardless of series, may designate in writing one of their number to call such meeting at the expense of the Company, and such meeting may be called by such person so designated upon the notice required for annual meetings of stockholders and shall be held at the place for the holding of annual meeting of stockholders of the Company.  Any holder of Cumulative Preferred Stock so designated shall have access to the stock books of the Company for the purpose of causing meetings of stockholders to be called pursuant to these provisions.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph XII, no such special meeting shall be called during the period within ninety (90) days immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of stockholders.
 
 
XIII.
At any meeting held for the purpose of electing directors at which the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall have the special right, voting separately as a class, to elect directors as provided in paragraph XI of this Section A, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of 33 1/3% of the Cumulative Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be required to constitute a quorum of such class for the election of any director by the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock as a class.  At any such meeting or adjournment thereof: (a) the absence of a quorum of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall not prevent the election of directors other than those to be elected by the Cumulative Preferred Stock voting as a class and the absence of a quorum for the election of such other directors shall not prevent the election of the directors to be elected by the Cumulative Preferred Stock voting as a class; and (b) in the absence of either or both such quorums, a majority of the holders present in person or by proxy of the stock or stocks which lack a quorum shall have power to adjourn the meeting for the election of directors which they are entitled to elect from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting until a quorum shall be present.
 
 
XIV.
During any period when the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock have the right to vote as a class for directors as provided in paragraph XI of this Section A: (a) the directors so elected by the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall continue in office until their successors shall have been elected by such holders or until termination of the right  of the holders or the Cumulative Preferred Stock to vote as a class for directors; and (b) any vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled only by vote of a majority (even if that be only a single director) of the remaining directors theretofore elected by the holders of the class or classes of stock which elected the director whose office shall have become vacant.  Immediately upon any termination of the right of holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock to vote as a class for directors as provided in paragraph XI of the Section A: (a) the term of office of the directors then in office so elected by the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall terminate; and (b) the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of said paragraph XI.
 
 
XV.
If in any case the amounts payable with respect to any obligation to retire shares of the Cumulative Preferred Stock are not paid in full in the case of all series with respect to which such obligations exist, the number of shares of each of such series to be retired pursuant to any such obligations shall be in proportion to the respective amounts which would be payable on account of such obligations if all amounts payable in respect of such series were discharged in full.
 
 
XVI.
No holder of Cumulative Preferred Stock shall have any pre-emptive right to subscribe to stock, obligations, warrants, rights to subscribe to stock or other securities of the Company of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized.
 
 
XVII.
The term "class or classes of stock of the Company ranking junior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock" shall mean the Common Stock referred to in Section B of this Article Fourth and any other class or classes of stock of the Company hereafter authorized which shall rank junior to the  Cumulative Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation.
 
 
SECTION B:  PROVISIONS RELATING TO COMMON STOCK
 
 
I.
Subject to the provision of law and the preference of the Cumulative Preferred Stock, dividends may be paid on the Common Stock of the Company at such time and in such amounts as the Board of Directors may deem advisable.
 
 
II.
The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized to effect the elimination of shares of its Common Stock purchased or otherwise reacquired by the Company from the authorized capital stock or number of shares of the Company in the manner provided for in the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
 
 
III.
No holder of Common Stock shall have any pre-emptive right to subscribe to stock, obligations, warrants, rights to subscribe to stock or other securities of the Company of any class whether now or hereafter authorized.
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

SECTION C:  GENERAL
 
 
 
Subject to the provisions of law and the foregoing provisions of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company may issue shares of its Cumulative Preferred Stock or Common Stock, from time to time, for such consideration (not less than the par value or stated value thereof) as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, which is expressly authorized to fix the same in its absolute and uncontrolled discretion, subject as aforesaid.  Shares so issued, for which the consideration has been paid or delivered to the Company, shall be deemed fully paid stock, and shall not be liable to any further call or assessments thereon, and the holders of such shares shall not be liable for any further payments in respect of such shares.
 
 
 
FIFTH:  The directors shall be divided into three (3) classes:  the terms of office of those of the first class to expire at the annual meeting to be held during the calendar year 1986, the term of office of those of the second class to expire at the annual meeting to be held during the calendar year 1987 and the term of office of those of the third class to expire at the annual meeting to be held during the calendar year 1988.  At each annual meeting, commencing with the annual meeting to be held during the calendar year 1986, each of the successors to the directors of the class whose term shall have expired that year, shall be elected for a term running until the third annual meeting next succeeding  his election and until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, except that, upon the filling of any vacancies in the Board of Directors occurring otherwise than by expiration of term of office, a successor shall be elected for the unexpired term and except that, if the number of directors be increased, the additional directors shall be divided among the three (3) classes.  The provisions of this Article Fifth may not be amended, altered or repealed unless such amendment, alteration or repeal, as the case may be, has been submitted to the stockholders of this Company at an annual or special meeting thereof and four-fifths (4/5) of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon, and four-fifth(4/5) of the outstanding stock of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, has been voted in favor of such amendment, alteration or real, as the case may be.
 
 
 
SIXTH:  Any action that may be taken by the Stockholders of the Company at a meeting thereof may be taken by the Stockholders of the Company without such a meeting in accordance with the applicable requirements of Delaware law.
 
 
 
SEVENTH:  Except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section (A) of Article Fourth of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation in connection with rights of the holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, any director may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than four-fifths (4/5) of the outstanding stock entitled to vote in connection with the election of directors, voting together as a single class; provided, however,     that where such removal is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors (as defined in Article Eighth), the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote in connection with the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for approval of such removal.
 
 
 
EIGHTH:  (a) Higher Vote for Business Combinations.   In addition to any affirmative vote required by law or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by the terms of any securities of the Company, and except as otherwise expressly provided in Section (b) or this Article Eighth, any Business Combination shall require the affirmative vote of: (i) the holders of not less than four-fifths (4/5) of the then outstanding Voting Stock of the Company; and (ii) the holders of not less than a majority of the then outstanding Voting Stock of the Company, other than stock held by any Interested Stockholder that is (or an Affiliate or Associate of which is) a party to such Business Combination or by any Affiliate or Associate of such Interested Stockholder, in each case voting together as a single class.  Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding that a vote may not be required, or that a lesser  percentage may be specified, by law, by any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in any agreement with any national securities exchange or any other Person or otherwise.
 
 
 
(b)   When Higher Vote is Not Required.   He provision s of Section (a) of this Article Eighth shall not be applicable to any particular Business Combination, and such Business Combination shall require only such affirmative vote, if any, of the stockholders as is required by law and any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, if there are one or more Disinterested Directors and the Business Combination shall have been approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Disinterested Directors, even if the Disinterested Directors do not constitute a quorum of the entire Board of Directors.
(c)   Certain Definitions.   For purposes of this Article Eighth, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
 
 
 
(i)   "Business Combination" shall mean:
 
 
(A)   any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Subsidiary with: (i) an Interested stockholder; or (ii) any other company (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder) which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder;
 
 
 
(B)   any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions, whether or not related) to or with an Interested Stockholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $50,000,000 or more;
 
 
 
(C)   the issuance or transfer by the Company or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of transactions, whether or not related) or any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary to an Interested Stockholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder, in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $50,000,000 or more (other than an issuance of securities upon conversion of convertible securities of the Company or a Subsidiary which were not acquired by such Interested Stockholder (or such Affiliate or Associate) from the Corporation or a Subsidiary);
 
 
 
(D)   the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Stockholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder;
 
 
 
(E)   any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Company, or any merger or consolidation of the Company with any Subsidiary or any other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the percentage of the outstanding shares of: (i) any class of equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary; or (ii) any class of securities of the Company or any Subsidiary convertible into equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary, represented by securities of such class which are directly or indirectly owned by an Interested Stockholder and all of its Affiliates and Associates; or
 
 
 
(F)   any agreement, arrangement or understanding providing for any one or more of the actions specified in clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph (i).
 
 
 
(ii)   "Affiliate" or "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as in effect on July 1, 1985 (the term "registrant" in said Rule 12b-2 meaning, in this case, the Company or a Subsidiary).
 
 
 
(iii)   "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on July 1, 1985;
 
 
 
(iv)   "Disinterested Director" shall mean any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who is neither the Interested Stockholder involved in the Business Combination or matter as to which a vote of Disinterested Directors is provided hereunder, nor an Affiliate, Associate, employee, agent, representative or nominee of such Interested Stockholder, or a relative of any of the foregoing, and who (A) was a member of the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the time that such Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, (B) is recommended or elected to succeed a Disinterested Director by the affirmative vote of a majority of Disinterested Directors then on the Board of Directors of the Company, or (c) is elected to the Board of Directors of the Company at the 1985 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
 
     
     
     

 
(v)   "Fair Market Value" shall mean (A) in the case of stock, the highest closing sale price during the 30-day period including and immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange Listed Stocks, or, if such stock is not reported on such Composite Tape, on the New York Stock Exchange or, if such stock is not listed on such Exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act on which such stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing bid quotation with respect to a share of such stock during the 30-day period including and immediately preceding the date in question on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or any similar interdealer quotation system then in use, or, if no such quotation is available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined by a majority of the Disinterested Directors in good faith; and (B) in the case of property other than cash or s tock, the fair market value of such property on the date in question as determined by a majority of the Disinterested Directors in good faith.
 
 
 
(vi) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean any Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary or any profit-sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any such plan when acting in such capacity) who or which:
 
 
 
(A)   is, or was at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, the Beneficial Owner of 5% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or a Subsidiary; or
 
 
 
(B)   is an assignee of, or has otherwise succeeded to, any shares of Voting Stock of the Company or a Subsidiary of which an Interested Stockholder was the Beneficial Owner at any time within the two-hear period immediately prior to the date in question, if such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction, or series of transactions, not involving a public offering within the meaning of the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (or any subsequent provisions replacing such Act, rules and/or regulations).
 
 
 
For the purposes of determining whether a Person is an Interested Stockholder, the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or a Subsidiary shall include unissued shares of Voting Stock of the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, or which the Interested Stockholder is the Beneficial Owner but shall not include any other shares of Voting Stock of the Company or a Subsidiary which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, to any Person who is not the Interested Stockholder.
 
 
 
(vii) A "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity, as well as any syndicate or group deemed to be a person under Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
(viii) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, (A) a majority of the outstanding shares or equity securities of such corporation, or (B) shares having a majority of the voting power represented by all of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock of such corporation.  For the purpose of determining whether a corporation is a Subsidiary, the outstanding Voting Stock and shares of equity securities thereof shall include unissued shares of which the Company is the Beneficial Owner, but except for the purposes of paragraph (vi) of this Section (c), shall not include any other shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, to any Person other than the Company.
 
 
 
(ix)"Voting Stock" shall mean outstanding shares of capital stock of the relevant corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.  The term "class" of Voting Stock shall be deemed to refer to a series of Voting Stock where more than one series of Voting Stock is outstanding within a class of Voting Stock.
 
 
     
     
     
     
 
(d)   Powers of Disinterested Directors.   A majority of the Disinterested Directors shall have the power and duty to determine, on the basis of information known to them after reasonable inquiry, all facts necessary to determine compliance with this Article Eighth, including, without limitation, (i) whether a Person is an Interested Stockholder; (ii) the number of shares of Voting Stock beneficially owned by any person; (iii) whether a Person is an Affiliate or Associate of another; (iv) whether a Person has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another Person as to the matters referred to in clause (F) of the definition of "Business Combination" in Section (c), and (v) whether the assets which are the subject of any Business Combination have, or the consideration to be received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Company or any Subsidiary in any Business Combination has, an aggregate Fair Market Value of $50,000,000 or  more; and the good faith determination of a majority of the Disinterested Directors on such matters shall be conclusive and binding for all the purposes of this Article Eighth.
 
 
 
(e)   No Effect on Fiduciary Obligations.   Nothing contained in this Article Eighth shall be construed to impose any fiduciary duty, obligation or responsibility on the Board of Directors, or any member thereof, to approve any Business Combination or recommend its adoption or approval to the stockholders of the Company, nor shall the Board of Directors, or any member thereof be limited or restricted in any manner with respect to evaluations of or actions and responses taken with respect to such Business Combination.
 
 
 
NINTH:  The provisions set forth in this Article Ninth and in Articles Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth and Eleventh of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation may not be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded in any respect, and no other provision or provisions maybe adopted which impair(s) in any respect the operation or effect of any such provision, except by the affirmative vote of (a) the holders of not less than four-fifths (4/5) of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, and (b) where such action is proposed by an Interested Stockholder or by an Associate or Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder (as defined in Article Eighth), the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, other than stock held by the Interested Stockholder (or the Affiliate or Associate thereof) that proposed such action, or any Affiliate or Associate of such Interested Stockholder; provided, however, that where such action is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors (as defined in Article Eighth), the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required for approval of such action.
 
 
 
TENTH:  The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter, or repeal the By-Laws of the Company as provided in such By-Laws.  The stockholders shall also have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Company; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing and anything contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, unless amended, altered or repealed by the Board of Directors as provided in the By-Laws, Sections 1.01 and 1.02 of Article I, Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.07 and 2.08 of Article II, Section 3.01 of Article III, Article V and Section 7.01 of Article VII of the By-Laws may not be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded in nay respect and no other provision or provisions may be adopted which impair(s) in any respect the operation or effect of any such provision, except by the same vote that would be required to amend Article Ninth of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
 
 
 
ELEVENTH:  To the fullest extent that the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as it exists on the date hereof or as it may hereafter be amended permits the limitation or elimination of the liability of directors, no director of the Company shall be liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.  No amendment to or repeal of this Article shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Company for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     







AMBASE CORPORATION

____________

Amended and Restated By-Laws


As amended through March 15, 1996





BY-LAWS
of
AMBASE CORPORATION

____________

ARTICLE I
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

SECTION 1.01 Annual Meetings.   The annual meeting of stockholders of AmBase Corporation (herein called the Company) for the election of Directors and for the transaction of such other business as is properly brought before such meeting in accordance with these by-laws shall be held each year on such date (other than a legal holiday), not later than six months following the close of the Company's fiscal year and at such time and place within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated by the Board of Directors in the notice of such meeting.

Any business properly brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company may be transacted at such meeting.  To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be: (i) specified in the notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; (ii) brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors pursuant to a vote of not less than four-fifths of the entire Board of Directors; or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder.  For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given written notice of the proposed business, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company, such that the Secretary receives such notice not less than one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the date of the Company's proxy statement released to security holders in connection with the previous year's annual meeting of stockholders, except that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) calendar days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year's proxy statement, a proposal shall be received by the Company a reasonable time before the solicitation is made.  Subject to Section 2.02 of these by-laws, any such notice shall set forth as to each item of business the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of such item of business and the reasons for conducting it at the meeting and, in the event that such item of business includes a proposal to amend either the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or these by-laws, the language of the proposed amendment, (ii) the name and address of the stockholder proposing such item of business, (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such item of business and (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such item of business.  Only business which has been properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders in accordance with these by-laws, Delaware Law or the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall be conducted at such meeting, and the chairman of such meeting may refuse to permit any business to be brought before such meeting which has not been properly brought before it in accordance with these by-laws, Delaware Law or the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SECTION 1.02.  Special Meetings.  Subject to the right of the holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company, special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Board or by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a vote of not less than four-fifths of the entire Board of Directors, special meetings shall be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware and on such date and at such hour as shall be designated in the notice of such meeting and the business transacted shall be confined to the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called as stated in the notice of such meeting.



SECTION 1.03.  Notice of Stockholders' Meetings.   The notice of all meetings of stockholders shall be in writing and shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting.  The notice of an annual meeting shall state that the meeting is called for the election of the Directors to be elected at such meeting and for the transaction of such other business as is stated in the notice of the meeting.  The notice of a special meeting shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.  If, at any meeting, action is proposed to be taken which would, if taken, entitle stockholders fulfilling the requirements of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware to receive payment for their shares, the notice of such meeting shall include a statement to that effect.

Except as otherwise expressly required by law, a copy of the notice of each meeting of stockholders shall be given, personally or by mail, not fewer than ten days nor more than fifty days before the date of the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting at his record address or at such other address as he may have furnished by request in writing to the Secretary of the Company.  If a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, and if any announcement of the adjourned time or place is made at the meeting, it shall not be necessary to give notice of the adjourned meeting unless the adjournment is for more than thirty days or the Directors, after adjournment, fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Notice of a meeting need not be given to any stockholder who submits a signed waiver of notice, in person or by proxy, whether before or after the meeting.  The attendance of a stockholder at a meeting, in person or by proxy, without protesting prior to the conclusion of the meeting the lack of notice of such meeting, shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting.

SECTION 1.04.  Quorum at Stockholders' Meetings; Vote Required.   At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum.  If there shall be less than a quorum at any meeting of the stockholders, a majority of those present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting.

Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election.  Whenever any corporate action, other than the election of Directors, is to be taken by vote of the stockholders (as distinguished from stockholder action to be taken by written consent as permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and these by-laws), it shall, except as otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or by the  provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or these by-laws, be authorized by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon.

SECTION 1.05.  Inspectors at Stockholders' Meetings.   The Board of Directors, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, may appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.  If inspectors are not so appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any stockholder entitled to vote thereat shall, appoint one or more inspectors.  In case any person appointed fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Board of Directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the chairman thereof.  Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability.

The inspectors shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such actions as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders.  On request of the chairman of the meeting or any stockholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question or matter determined by them and execute a certificate of any fact found by them.  Any report or certificate made by them shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated and of the vote as certified by them.


ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS

SECTION 2.01.  Qualifications and Number; Vacancies.   A Director need not be a stockholder, a citizen of the United States or a resident of the State of Delaware.  The number of Directors constituting the entire Board is hereby fixed at such number as may be specified by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted by the same vote which is necessary under Article VII hereof to amend Section 7.01 of these by-laws, provided that the number of Directors constituting the entire Board shall be not fewer than three.  No decrease shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.

Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of Directors constituting the entire Board may be filled only by a vote of not less than a majority of the Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director.

SECTION 2.02.  Notification of Nominations.   Subject to the rights of the holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company, nominations for the election of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of Directors.  Any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of Directors at a meeting of stockholders may nominate a person or persons for election as Directors only if written notice of such stockholders' intention to make such nomination or nominations is given in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 1.01 of these by-laws.  Each such notice shall set forth, in addition to any information required to be set forth by such Section 1.01. (a) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each person to be nominated and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholders;  (d) such other information regarding each person to be nominated as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had such person been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors; and (e) the consent of each person to be nominated to serve as a Director of the Company if elected at such meeting.  The chairman of any meeting of stockholders, and the Board of Directors, may refuse to recognize the nomination of any person not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures.

SECTION 2.03.  Place and Time of Meetings of the Board.   Regular and special meetings of the Board shall be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as may be fixed by the Board or upon call of the Chairman of the Board or of the Executive Committee, provided that the Board of Directors shall hold at least four meetings a year.

SECTION 2.04.  Quorum and Manner of Acting.  A majority of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  If there shall be fewer than a quorum at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the Directors present (or if only one be present, then that one) may adjourn the meeting from time to time and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or these by-laws, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, a quorum being present, all matters shall be decided by the vote of a majority of the Directors present at the time of the vote.

SECTION 2.05.  Remuneration of Directors .  In addition to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings or otherwise in connection with attention to the affairs of the Company, each Director as such, and as a member of any committee of the Board, shall be entitled to receive such remuneration as may be fixed from time to time by the Board.


SECTION 2.06.  Notice of Meetings of the Board.   Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice, if the time and place of such meetings are fixed by the Board.  All regular meetings of the Board, the time and place of which have not been fixed by the Board, and all special meetings of the Board shall be held upon twenty-four hours' notice to the Directors given by letter or telegraph.  The notice of meeting need not specify the purpose of the meeting.  Any requirement of notice shall be effectively waived by any Director who signs a waiver of notice before or after the meeting or attends the meeting without protesting (prior thereto or at its commencement) the lack of notice to him.

SECTION 2.07.  Executive Committee and Other Committees.  The Board of Directors by resolution adopted by a vote of not less than a majority of the entire Board of Directors may designate from among its members an Executive Committee and other committees to serve at the pleasure of the Board.  Each committee shall consist of one or more Directors and in the case of committees consisting of multiple Directors one shall be designated as the chairman of such committee by the Board of Directors.  The Executive Committee shall have all the authority of the Board of Directors including the authority to declare dividends and to authorize the issuance of stock, provided that it shall not have authority to take action with respect to those matters which it is prohibited from acting upon under Section 141(c) or any other section of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

The Board of Directors by resolution adopted by a vote of not less than a majority of the entire Board of Directors may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any such committee who may replace any absent member or members at any meetings of such committee.  Vacancies in any committee whether caused by resignation or by increase in the number of members constituting such committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors by resolution adopted by a vote of not less than a majority of the entire Board of Directors.  In the absence or disqualification of any member of any such committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

A majority of the members of each committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in these by-laws, at all meetings of committees of the Board, a quorum being present, all matters shall be decided by the vote of a majority of the members of the committee present at the time of the vote.

SECTION 2.08.  Action Without Meeting.   Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting, if prior to such action a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board, or of such committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or of such committee.

SECTION 2.09.  Advisory Directors.   The Board of Directors from time to time may elect one or more Advisory Directors who shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Directors shall assign to them.  Advisory Directors shall, upon election, serve for such term as the Board deems proper or, if not specified, until the next annual meeting of stockholders.

Advisory Directors shall be invited to attend all regular and special meetings of the Board; provided that notice to an Advisory Director shall not be considered required under law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws.  Advisory Directors shall attend such meetings in an advisory capacity, with the privilege of participating in all discussions at such meetings.  No Advisory Director shall be entitled to vote on any business coming before the Board, nor shall any Advisory Director be counted as a member of the Board for the purpose of determining the number necessary to constitute a quorum, or for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present, or for any other purpose whatsoever.

Each Advisory Director shall be entitled to receive such amounts as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.


Any Advisory Director may be removed, either with or without cause, by a majority of the Directors at the time in office, at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.  In the case of an Advisory Director, the occurrence of any event which in the case of a Director would create a vacancy on the Board, shall not be deemed to create a vacancy in the position of Advisory Director; but the Board of Directors may declare the position terminated until such time as the Board shall deem it proper again to create and fill the position.

SECTION 2.10.  Director Emeritus. A Director may, upon the attainment of age 75 years or his earlier retirement from the Board of Directors, be appointed a Director Emeritus.  A Director Emeritus shall be appointed annually for a term not exceeding one year (and may be appointed thereafter by the Board of Directors to subsequent terms of one year each).  Directors Emeriti may be invited to attend meetings, including Board meetings, at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  Directors Emeriti, as such, may receive a stated fee for their services as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.  By resolution of the Board of Directors, a reasonable fixed sum, and reasonable expenses of attendance, may be allowed for actual attendance by a Director Emeritus at any meeting to which he has been invited.  Directors Emeriti shall not be entitled to vote at Board meetings.

ARTICLE III
OFFICERS

SECTION 3.01.  Officers.   The Board of Directors, at its first meeting held after the annual meeting of stockholders in each year, shall elect a Chairman of the Board, one or more President and Chief Executive Officers, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer and may, in its discretion, also appoint from time to time such other officers or agents of the Company as it may deem proper.  The Chairman of the Board and the President and Chief Executive Officer(s) shall be elected from among the members of the Board of Directors.

Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of election or appointment, each officer shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor shall have been elected or appointed and qualified; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may at any time remove any officer for cause or without cause.

SECTION 3.02.  Chairman of the Board.   The Chairman shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors.  The Chairman shall have the power on behalf of the Company to enter into, execute and deliver all contracts, instruments, evidences of indebtedness, conveyances or documents and to affix the corporate seal thereto.  The Chairman shall do and perform all acts and duties herein specified or which may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3.03.  President and Chief Executive Officer(s).   The President and Chief Executive Officer(s) of the Company shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Company subject to the control of the Board of Directors.  In the absence of the Chairman of the Board or in case of his inability to act, the President and Chief Executive Officer(s) shall preside at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors.  The President and Chief Executive Officer(s) shall have the power on behalf of the Company to enter into, execute and deliver all contracts, instruments, evidences of indebtedness, conveyances or documents and to affix the corporate seal thereto.  The President and Chief Executive Officer(s) shall do and perform all acts and duties herein specified or which may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3.04.  Vice President.   Each Vice-President shall have the power on behalf of the Company to enter into, execute and deliver all contracts, instruments, evidences of indebtedness, conveyances or documents and to affix the corporate seal thereto.  Each Vice-President shall also have such other duties and powers as the Board of Directors shall from time to time designate.


SECTION 3.05.  Secretary.   The Secretary shall keep minutes of the proceedings taken and the resolutions adopted at all meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, and shall give due notice of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.  He shall have charge of the seal and all books and papers of the Company, and shall perform all duties incident to his office.  In case of the absence or disability of the Secretary, his duties and powers may be exercised by such person as may be appointed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

SECTION 3.06.  Treasurer.   The Treasurer shall receive all the moneys belonging to the Company, and shall forthwith deposit the same to the credit of the Company in such financial institutions as may be selected by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.  He shall keep books of account and voucher for all moneys disbursed.  He shall also perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee or the President and Chief Executive Officer(s) and in case of the absence or disability of the Treasurer, his duties and powers may be exercised by such person as may be appointed by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK

SECTION 4.01.  Share Certificates.   Each certificate representing shares of stock of the Company shall be in such form as may be approved by the Board of Directors and, when issued, shall contain upon the face or back thereof the statements prescribed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and by any other applicable provision of law.  Each such certificate shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice-President and by the Secretary or Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.  The signatures of such officers upon a certificate may be facsimile if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar other than the Company itself or its employee.  In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer at the date of issue.

SECTION 4.02.  Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates .  No certificate representing shares of stock of the Company shall be issued in place of any such certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen, except on production of evidence of such loss, destruction or theft and on delivery to the Company, if the Board of Directors shall so require, of a bond of indemnity in such amount, upon such terms and secured by such surety as the Board of Directors may in its discretion require.

SECTION 4.03.  Transfer of Shares.   The shares of stock of the Company shall be transferable or assignable on the books of the Company only by the person to whom they have been issued or his legal representative, in person or by attorney, and only upon surrender of the certificate or certificates representing such shares properly assigned.  The person in whose name shares of stock of the Company shall stand on the record of stockholders of the Company shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Company.

SECTION 4.04.  Record Dates.   For the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders.  Except as otherwise expressly required by law, such date shall be not fewer than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action.


ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 5.01.  Right to Indemnification.   The Company shall to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect indemnify any person (the "Indemnitee") who is or was a Director, Advisory Director, or Officer of the Company and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened,  pending or completed investigation, claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) (a "Proceeding") by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Director (including Advisory Director), Officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a Director (including Advisory Director), Officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including, without limitation, any employee benefit plan), against all expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 5.04(d), the foregoing shall not apply to a Director, Advisory Director, or Officer of the Company with respect to a Proceeding that was commenced by such Director, Advisory Director, or Officer prior to a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined).  Such indemnification shall be a contract right and shall include the right to receive payment in advance of any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of applicable law as then in effect.

SECTION 5.02.  Insurance, Contracts and Funding.   The Company may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any person entitled to indemnification under this Article against any expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement as specified in this Article or incurred by any such person in connection with the Proceeding referred to in this Article, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect.  The Company may enter into contracts with any person entitled to indemnification under this Article in furtherance of the provisions of this Article and may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in this Article.

SECTION 5.03.  Indemnification; Not Exclusive Right.  The right of indemnification provided in this Article shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may otherwise be entitled, and the provisions of this Article shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of any person entitled to indemnity under this Article and shall be applicable to Proceedings commenced or continuing after the adoption of this Article, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after such adoption.

SECTION 5.04.  Advancement of Expenses; Procedure; Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings; Remedies.  In furtherance, but not in limitation of the foregoing provisions, the following procedures, presumptions and remedies shall apply with respect to advancement of expenses and the right to indemnification under this Article:

(a)  Advancement of Expenses.   All reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding shall be advanced to the Indemnitee by the Company within 20 calendar days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from the Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding.  Such statement or statements shall reasonable evidence the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee and, if required by law at the time of such advance, shall include or be accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amounts advanced if it should ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such expense pursuant to this Article.



(b)  Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.  (i)  To obtain indemnification under this Article, an Indemnitee shall submit to the Secretary of the Company a written request, including such documentation and information as is reasonable available to the Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification (the "Supporting Documentation").  The determination of the Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification shall be made not later than 60 calendar days after receipt by the Company of the written request for indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation.  The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that the Indemnitee has requested indemnification.  (ii) The Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification under this Article shall be determined in one of the following ways:  (A)  by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), if they constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors; (B) by a written opinion of Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined) if (x) a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) shall have occurred and the Indemnitee so requests or (y) a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, a majority of such Disinterested Directors so directs; (C) by the stockholders of the Company (but only if a majority of the Disinterested Directors, if they constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors, presents the issue of entitlement to indemnification to the stockholders for their determination); or (D) as provided in Section 5.04(c).  (iii)  In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 5.04(b)(ii), a majority of the Disinterested Directors shall select the Independent Counsel, but only an Independent Counsel to which the Indemnitee does not reasonably object; provided,  however, that if a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Indemnitee shall select such Independent Counsel, but only an Independent Counsel to which the Board of Directors does not reasonably object.

(c)  Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.   Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article, the Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Article upon submission of a request for indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation in accordance with Section 5.04(b)(i), and thereafter the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching a contrary determination.  In any event, if the person or persons empowered under Section 5.04(b) to determine entitlement to indemnification shall not have been appointed or shall not have made a determination within 60 calendar days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor together with the Supporting Documentation, the Indemnitee shall be deemed to be entitled to indemnification and the Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification unless (A) the Indemnitee misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact in making the request for indemnification or in the Supporting Documentation or (B) such indemnification is prohibited by law.  The termination of any Proceeding described in Section 5.01, or any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, adversely affect the right of the Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification hereunder.


(d)  Remedies of Indemnitee .  (i)  In the event that a determination is made pursuant to Section 5.04(b) that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Article; (A) the Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek an adjudication of his entitlement to such indemnification either, at the Indemnitee's sole option, in (x) an appropriate court of the State of Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction or (y) an arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association;  (B) any such judicial proceeding or arbitration shall be de novo and the Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of such adverse determination;  and (C)  in any such judicial proceeding or arbitration the Company shall have the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Article.  (ii)  If a determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made, pursuant to Section 5.04(b) or (c), that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be obligated to pay the amounts constituting such indemnification within five calendar days after such determination has been made or deemed to have been made and shall be conclusively bound by such determination unless (A) the Indemnitee misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact in making the request for indemnification or in the Supporting Documentation or (B) such indemnification is prohibited by law.  In the event that (x) advancement of expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (y) payment of indemnification has is not made within five calendar days after a determination of entitlement to indemnification has been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 5.04(b) or (c), the Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek judicial enforcement of the Company's obligation to pay to the Indemnitee such advancement of expenses or indemnification.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may bring an action, in an appropriate court in the State of Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction, contesting the right of the Indemnitee to receive indemnification hereunder due to the occurrence of an event described in sub clause (A) or (B) of this clause (ii) (a "Disqualifying Event"); provided, however, that in any such action the Company shall have the burden of proving the occurrence of such Disqualifying Event.  (iii)  The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 5.04(d) that the procedures and presumptions of this Article are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Article.  (iv)   In the event that the Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 5.04(d), seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Article, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company against any expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee prevails in such judicial adjudication or arbitration.  If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that the Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be prorated accordingly.

(e)   Definitions .  For purposes of this Section 5.04:  (i) "Change in Control" means a Change in Control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) (or any successor provision) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act"), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if; (A) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such acquisition; (B) the company is a party to any merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of the Company's Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which the holders of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger; (C) there is a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, the assets of the Company, or a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (D) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (including for this purpose any new Director whose election or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Directors then still in office who were Directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors.  (ii)   "Disinterested Director" means a Director of the Company who is not or was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by the Indemnitee. (iii)  "Independent Counsel" means a law firm or a member of a law firm that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent:  (a) the Company or the Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party or (b) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Article.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include any person who under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing under the law of the State of Delaware, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee's rights under this Article.

SECTION 5.05. Effect of Amendments.  Neither the amendment or repeal of, nor the adoption of a provision inconsistent with, any provision of this Article (including, without limitation, this Section 5.05) shall adversely affect the rights of any Director, Advisory Director or Officer under this Article (i) with respect to any Proceeding commenced or threatened prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision or (ii) after the occurrence of a Change in Control, with respect to any Proceeding arising out of any action or omission occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision, in either case without the written consent of such Director, Advisory Director or Officer.

SECTION 5.06.  Severability.   If any provision or provisions of this Article shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever; (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article (including, without limitation, all portions of any section of this Article containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article (including, without limitation, all portions of any section of this Article containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

SECTION 5.07.  Indemnification of Employees and Agents.  Notwithstanding any other provision or provisions of this Article, the Company may indemnify (including, without limitation, by direct payment) any person (other than a Director, Advisory Director or Officer of the Company) who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any Proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a Director (including Advisory Director), Officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including, without limitation, any employee benefit plan), against any or all expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with such Proceeding.

ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 6.01.  Signing of Instruments.   All checks, drafts, notes, acceptances, bills of exchange, and orders for the payment of money shall be signed in such manner and by such person or persons as may be authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee or by these By-laws.

SECTION 6.02.  Corporate Seal.   The seal of the Company shall be in the form of a circle and shall bear the words "AmBase Corporation, Incorporated October 22, 1975, Delaware".

SECTION 6.03.  Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall be a calendar year ending December 31.

ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS OF BY-LAWS

SECTION 7.01.  Amendments.   These By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed at any meeting of the Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, provided that notice of the proposed alteration, amendment or repeal shall have been sent by mail to all the Directors not fewer than three days before the meeting at which they are to be acted upon, or at any regular meeting of the Directors, by the unanimous vote of all the Directors present; provided, however, that in no event many Sections 1.01 and 1.02 of Article I, Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.07 and 2.08 of Article II, Section 3.01 of Article III, Article V and this Section 7.01 of these By-laws be altered, amended, repealed or rescinded by the Board of Directors, or any provision or provisions which impair(s) in any respect the operation or effect of any such provision be adopted by the Board of Directors, except by the affirmative vote of not less than four-fifths of the entire Board of Directors.