As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2003
Registration Statement No. 333-108530


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933


MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


         
Pennsylvania   6172   38-3686388
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code No.)
  (IRS Employer
Identification Number)


124 Gaither Drive, Suite 170

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
(888) 479-9111
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)


George D. Pelose

Senior Vice President and General Counsel
124 Gaither Drive, Suite 170
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
(888) 479-9111
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

     
James W. McKenzie, Jr.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1701 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 963-5000
  Brian J. Fahrney
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP
Bank One Plaza
10 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 853-7000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.     o

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

If delivery of the Prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check the following box.     o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

         


Proposed Maximum Amount of the
Title of Each Class of Aggregate Offering Registration
Securities to Be Registered Price (1) Fee

Common Stock, $0.01 par value
  $75,900,000   $6,141 (2)


(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
(2) The Registrant has previously paid a fee of $4,854 in connection with the registration of securities having an offering price of up to $60,000,000 upon the initial filing of this Registration Statement. The remaining portion of the fee of $1,287 is being paid in connection with this filing for an additional $15,900,000 of securities.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.




 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Securities and Exchange Commission declares our registration statement effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to completion, dated October 14, 2003

     
4,400,000 Shares

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

Common Stock

$        per share
 
(MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES LOGO)


•  Marlin Business Services Corp. is offering 3,113,267 shares and selling shareholders are offering 1,286,733 shares. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our shares by the selling shareholders.
 
•  We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between $13 and $15 per share.
 
•  This is our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for our shares.
 
•  Proposed trading symbol: Nasdaq National Market — MRLN


This investment involves risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9.



                 
Per Share Total


Public offering price
  $         $  
Underwriting discount
  $         $  
Proceeds to Marlin Business Services Corp. 
  $         $  
Proceeds to selling shareholders
  $         $  


The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to 467,988 additional shares of common stock from us and 192,012 additional shares of common stock from certain of the selling shareholders to cover over-allotments, if any.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved of anyone’s investment in these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 
U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray William Blair & Company

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2003.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
Page

Summary
    1  
Reorganization
    8  
Risk Factors
    9  
A Warning About Forward-Looking Statements
    16  
Use of Proceeds
    17  
Dividend Policy
    17  
Capitalization
    18  
Dilution
    19  
Selected Financial Information
    20  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    22  
Our Business
    40  
Management
    54  
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
    64  
Principal and Selling Shareholders
    65  
Description of Capital Stock
    66  
Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreements
    70  
Shares Eligible for Future Sale
    72  
Underwriting
    74  
Legal Matters
    76  
Experts
    76  
Where You Can Find Additional Information
    76  
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
    F-1  


You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell, nor is it seeking an offer to buy, these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information in this prospectus is complete and accurate as of the date on the front cover, but the information may have changed since that date.

i


 

 

SUMMARY

The items in the following summary are described in more detail later in this prospectus. This summary provides an overview of selected information and does not contain all of the information you should consider. Therefore, you should also read the more detailed information set out in this prospectus and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus.

Business of Marlin Business Services Corp.

We are a nationwide provider of equipment leasing solutions primarily to small businesses. We finance over 60 categories of commercial equipment important to our end user customers including copiers, telephone systems, computers and certain commercial and industrial equipment. Our average lease transaction is approximately $8,000 and we typically do not exceed $150,000 for any single lease transaction. This segment of the equipment leasing market is commonly referred to in the leasing industry as the small-ticket segment. We access our end user customers through our existing network of over 6,800 independent equipment dealers and, to a lesser extent, through relationships with lease brokers and the direct solicitation of existing end user customers. Our telephonic sales model and fully integrated account origination platform provide us with the ability to efficiently contact and service our origination sources and end user customers. As of June 30, 2003, we serviced approximately 73,000 active equipment leases having a total original equipment cost of $569.9 million for approximately 60,000 end user customers.

We were founded in June 1997 by a group of seasoned finance professionals having an average of 15 years of experience providing financing solutions to small businesses. This experience has enabled us to develop and effectively implement a business model that allows us to efficiently originate and process a large volume of small-ticket transactions while managing credit risk through various economic cycles.

The independent equipment dealers through whom we originate a significant portion of our lease transactions have generally not had their financing needs adequately served for two principal reasons. First, large commercial finance companies and large commercial banks typically target their marketing efforts directly toward equipment manufacturers and larger distributors, rather than toward independent equipment dealers. Second, regional banks and middle-market finance companies typically do not have an integrated business model that is competitive in our high-volume, low-balance segment of the market. Our primary focus in building our base of origination sources is to establish relationships with independent equipment dealers to meet their need for high quality, reliable and convenient point-of-sale financing solutions. Our personalized service approach provides equipment dealers with the ability to offer our lease financing and related services to their customers as an integrated part of their selling process, enabling them to sell more equipment and provide better customer service. Each of our sales account executives acts as the single point of contact for his or her origination sources, which we believe differentiates us in the marketplace.

We have achieved strong financial results over the past three fiscal years, with net income increasing from $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The primary contributing factor to our growth in net income has been the growth in our lease portfolio. Our net investment in direct financing leases grew from $172.5 million at December 31, 2000 to $337.4 million at December 31, 2002. Our growth has continued into 2003. For the six months ended June 30, 2003, our net income was $3.6 million compared to net income of $2.1 million for the same period in 2002. Likewise, our net investment in direct financing leases has grown from $298.3 million at June 30, 2002 to $372.9 million at June 30, 2003.

We have achieved growth in our net income and lease portfolio while maintaining strong asset quality. Our net charge-offs as a percentage of average net investment in direct financing leases was 2.06% for 2002 and

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1.91% on an annualized basis for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The delinquency rate on our leases greater than 60 days delinquent was 0.64% of the minimum lease payments receivable at June 30, 2003 and 0.86% at December 31, 2002. Based on industry data for the small-ticket leasing segment of the equipment financing industry compiled by the Equipment Leasing Association of America (“ELA”), our delinquencies and net charge-offs are below industry averages.

Industry Overview

Lease financing in the United States represents a highly diversified, large market opportunity. The equipment leasing market is divided into three segments, which are differentiated by the cost of the equipment: small-ticket, middle-market and large-ticket. We compete in the small-ticket segment of the equipment leasing market, which is comprised of lease transactions in which the cost of the equipment is less than $250,000. According to the ELA’s most recent estimates, the small-ticket segment accounted for approximately 30% of the total new leasing volume originated in 2001. Applying this percentage to the ELA’s $208.0 billion estimate of 2003 total leasing volume results in a small-ticket market size of approximately $62.4 billion in 2003. Based upon this data and our industry experience, we estimate the size of the portion of the small-ticket leasing market in which we operate to be approximately $12 to $15 billion in 2003, of which we have less than a 2% market share.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe several characteristics distinguish us from our competitors, including our:

  •  Multiple sales origination channels. We effectively use multiple sales origination channels to penetrate the highly diversified and fragmented small-ticket equipment leasing market. We directly solicit our origination sources and end user customers and we secure preferred financing endorsements from national equipment manufacturers and distributors. These direct origination channels account for 66% of our originations. The remaining 34% of our originations are derived through relationships with brokers and certain equipment dealers who refer transactions to us for a fee or sell us leases that they originated.
 
  •  Highly effective account origination platform. We have developed a fully integrated account origination platform that enables us to solicit, process and service a large number of small-ticket transactions.
 
  •  Comprehensive credit process. We underwrite every origination source, end user customer and transaction.
 
  •  Portfolio diversification. As of June 30, 2003: 1) our average lease transaction was approximately $8,000; 2) no single end user customer accounted for more than 0.07% of our portfolio; 3) the largest origination source accounted for only 2.9% of our portfolio; 4) we originated leases through approximately 7,600 different origination sources; 5) we financed over 60 equipment categories; and 6) we had leases with customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
 
  •  Fully integrated information management system. We have integrated numerous information technology solutions to optimize our origination, credit, collection and account servicing functions.
 
  •  Access to multiple funding sources. We currently maintain a $32.5 million revolving bank facility and two commercial paper conduit warehouse facilities which provide us with an additional $200.0 million of credit availability. We have also successfully accessed the asset-backed term securitization market, having completed five on-balance-sheet term

2


 

  note securitizations. At June 30, 2003, we had $220 million available under our revolving bank facility and the CP conduit warehouse facilities. Our capital structure is highly leveraged and we expect to use a substantial amount of this availability to originate our leases until such time that it is refinanced through a term note securitization.
 
  Experienced management team. We have an experienced management team averaging 15 years of expertise in providing financing solutions to small businesses.

Disciplined Growth Strategy

Our primary objective is to enhance our current position as a provider of equipment financing solutions primarily to small businesses by pursuing a strategy focused on the following organic growth initiatives:

  •  Expand and enhance our relationships with origination sources. We believe we can create additional lease financing opportunities by increasing our new origination source relationships and further penetrating our existing origination sources.
 
  •  Increase portfolio of repeat customers. As of June 30, 2003, approximately 12% of our end user customers have transacted more than one lease with us. In 2002, we implemented a targeted program of directly soliciting our existing end user customers to increase the percentage who have more than one lease with us.
 
  •  Strategic regional expansion. We believe that we can increase originations in certain regions of the country by establishing offices in identified regional locations.
 
  Expand product offerings. We believe we can leverage our existing relationships with approximately 60,000 active end user customers by offering them additional products and services related to the financial services we provide.

Risk Factors

An investment in our common stock involves a significant degree of risk. We urge you to carefully consider all of the information described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9.

Office Location

Our principal executive office is located at 124 Gaither Drive, Suite 170, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054, and our telephone number is (888) 479-9111. Our website address is www.marlinleasing.com. The information found on our website is not, however, a part of this prospectus and any reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only and is not intended to create any hypertext link.

Reorganization

We formed Marlin Leasing Corporation as a Delaware corporation in June 1997 and have conducted our operations through that entity since that time. On or prior to the completion of this offering, we will reorganize our corporate structure such that Marlin Leasing Corporation will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Marlin Business Services Corp., a newly formed Pennsylvania holding company. Investors in this offering will purchase shares of common stock of Marlin Business Services Corp.

Prior to the reorganization, Marlin Business Services Corp. did not commence operations and did not have any assets or liabilities. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus are the financial statements of Marlin Leasing Corporation.

In this prospectus, references to the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Marlin Business Services Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries after giving effect to this reorganization, unless the context otherwise requires.

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The Offering

Common Stock Offered:

                     
 
By Marlin Business Services Corp.
    3,113,267       shares  
 
By selling shareholders
    1,286,733       shares (1)  
     
         
   
Total
    4,400,000       shares  
Common stock outstanding after the offering
    10,745,622       shares (2)  
Offering price
  $         per share  
Use of proceeds
  We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering:
          to repay our outstanding subordinated debt totaling $10.0  million, plus accrued interest;
          to pay approximately $6.0 million of accrued dividends owed on our preferred stock; and
          for general corporate and working capital purposes.
    We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock offered by the selling shareholders.
Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol
    MRLN          

The number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering excludes 2,100,000 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our 2003 Equity Compensation Plan, of which 943,760 shares are currently issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of $4.52 per share and 134,500 shares will be issuable upon the exercise of options granted at the time of this offering at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price.

This prospectus describes our company after giving effect to our reorganization, which will be completed on or prior to the completion of this offering. Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes:

  no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option;
 
  •  all outstanding shares of our preferred stock and our outstanding warrants have been converted into, or exercised for, 5,856,198 shares of common stock in connection with our reorganization; and
 
  •  no outstanding options have been exercised since June 30, 2003, except for options to purchase 60,655 shares that we expect to be exercised by a selling shareholder in connection with this offering.

4


 

Summary Financial Data

The following financial information should be read together with the financial statements and notes thereto and the “Selected Financial Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections included elsewhere in this prospectus.

                                                           
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003







(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
                                                       
Interest and fee income
  $ 615     $ 7,332     $ 22,648     $ 36,404     $ 46,664     $ 21,936     $ 26,828  
Interest expense
    436       2,622       11,607       16,881       17,899       8,199       8,459  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Net interest and fee income
    179       4,710       11,041       19,523       28,765       13,737       18,369  
Provision for credit losses
    5       1,268       2,497       5,918       6,850       3,523       3,770  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net interest and fee income after provision for credit losses
    174       3,442       8,544       13,605       21,915       10,214       14,599  
Insurance and other income
    1,802       489       1,823       2,086       2,725       1,271       1,628  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
      1,976       3,931       10,367       15,691       24,640       11,485       16,227  
Salaries and benefits
    1,200       2,058       3,660       5,306       8,109       3,671       4,851  
General and administrative
    831       3,450 (2)     3,419       4,610       5,744       2,638       3,505  
Financing related costs
    71       562       939       1,259       1,618       805       710  
Change in fair value of warrants (1)
          21       (101 )     (208 )     908       482       779  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (126 )     (2,160 )     2,450       4,724       8,261       3,889       6,382  
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (47 )     (818 )     881       1,693       3,731       1,779       2,829  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (79 )     (1,342 )     1,569       3,031       4,530       2,110       3,553  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax
                      (311 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss)
    (79 )     (1,342 )     1,569       2,720       4,530       2,110       3,553  
Preferred stock dividends
    (311 )     (663 )     (825 )     (1,243 )     (1,781 )     (890 )     (953 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
  $ (390 )   $ (2,005 )   $ 744     $ 1,477     $ 2,749     $ 1,220     $ 2,600  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) per common share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle — basic
  $ (0.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.40     $ 0.96     $ 1.61     $ 0.68     $ 1.54  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
                      (0.17 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss) per common share — basic
  $ (0.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.40     $ 0.79     $ 1.61     $ 0.68     $ 1.54  
Weighted average shares — basic
    1,739,445       1,801,506       1,852,890       1,858,858       1,703,820       1,792,183       1,692,487  
Income (loss) per common share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle — diluted
  $ (0.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.30     $ 0.49     $ 0.63     $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
                      (0.05 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss) per common share — diluted
  $ (0.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.30     $ 0.44     $ 0.63     $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
Weighted average shares — diluted
    1,739,445       1,801,506       5,178,072       6,234,437       7,138,232       7,196,557       7,151,591  

footnotes appear on page 7

5


 

                 
Year Ended Six Months Ended
December 31, 2002 June 30, 2003


(dollars in thousands, except per share
data)
Pro Forma Disclosure (3) :
               
Pro forma net income
  $ 5,438     $ 4,332  
Pro forma net income per common share — basic
  $ 0.71     $ 0.57  
Pro forma weighted average shares — basic
    7,678,523       7,609,339  
Pro forma net income per common share — diluted
  $ 0.70     $ 0.55  
Pro forma weighted average shares — diluted
    7,777,283       7,808,175  
                                                         
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003







(dollars in thousands)
Operating Data:
                                                       
Total new leases originated
    3,746       11,154       20,010       23,207       25,368       12,387       14,390  
Total equipment cost
  $ 28,160     $ 81,257     $ 141,711     $ 171,378     $ 203,458     $ 98,590     $ 110,294  
Average net investment in direct financing leases (4)
    9,001       48,748       125,470       209,404       288,396       266,813       343,851  
Weighted average interest rate (implicit) on new leases originated (5)
    16.06 %     15.43 %     16.60 %     15.82 %     14.17 %     14.22 %     14.33 %
Interest income as a percent of average net investment in direct financing leases (4)
    1.91       11.31       14.52       14.00       13.09       13.28       12.67  
Interest expense as percent of average interest bearing liabilities, excluding subordinated debt (6)
    12.40       6.84       8.17       7.41       5.76       5.79       4.66  
Portfolio Asset Quality Data:
                                                       
Minimum lease payments receivable
  $ 1,456     $ 103,288     $ 207,003     $ 303,560     $ 392,392     $ 349,462     $ 432,984  
Delinquencies past due, greater than 60 days
    0.68 %     0.71 %     1.31 %     1.94 %     0.86 %     0.65 %     0.64 %
Allowance for credit losses
  $ 4     $ 866     $ 1,720     $ 3,059     $ 3,965     $ 3,608     $ 4,451  
Allowance for credit losses to delinquencies past due greater than 60 days
    N/A       117.82 %     63.58 %     52.04 %     117.86 %     157.86 %     160.06 %
Allowance for credit losses to total net investment in direct financing leases
    0.02 %     1.06 %     1.04 %     1.23 %     1.21 %     1.25 %     1.22 %
Charge-offs, net
  $ 2     $ 406     $ 1,643     $ 4,579     $ 5,944     $ 2,974     $ 3,284  
Ratio of net charge-offs to average net investment in direct financing leases
    0.02 %     0.83 %     1.31 %     2.19 %     2.06 %     2.23 %     1.91 %
Operating Ratios:
                                                       
Return on average total assets
    (1.44 )%     (2.17 )%     1.04 %     1.18 %     1.42 %     1.32 %     1.85 %
Return on average stockholders’ equity (7)
    (1.99 )     (15.76 )     14.13       16.39       19.44       18.92       26.09  

footnotes appear on page 7

6


 

                 
As of June 30,
2003

Pro Forma As
Actual Adjusted (10)


(dollars in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:
               
Cash and cash equivalents (8)
  $ 71,740     $ 95,369  
Net investment in direct financing leases (9)
    372,913       372,913  
Total assets
    452,942       476,496  
Revolving and term secured borrowings
    392,956       392,956  
Subordinated debt, net of discount
    9,579        
Warrant to purchase Class A common stock
    2,201        
Total liabilities
    423,847       411,651  
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, including accrued dividends
    22,123        
Total stockholders’ equity
    6,972       64,845  

 (1) The change in fair value of warrants is a non-cash expense. Prior to the closing of this offering, all warrants will be exercised on a net issuance basis. As a result, upon closing of this offering we will no longer have any outstanding warrants.
 (2) Includes a $1.3 million charge incurred in connection with the write-off of the securitized gain on sale previously recorded.
 (3) Pro forma after giving effect to our reorganization described on page 8.
 (4) Includes securitized assets. Excludes initial direct costs and fees deferred and anticipated collections on accounts charged-off.
 (5) Excludes the amortization of initial direct costs and fees deferred.
 (6) Excludes subordinated debt liability and accrued subordinated debt interest.
 (7) Stockholders’ equity (deficit) includes preferred stock and accrued dividends in calculation.
 (8) Includes restricted cash balances of $65.4 million, of which $51.8 million represents the prefunded cash balance in connection with our 2003-1 term note securitization.
 (9) Net investment in direct financing leases includes initial direct costs and fees deferred and is net of the allowance for credit losses.
(10) Pro forma as adjusted data gives effect to the transactions contemplated by our reorganization and includes the application of the net proceeds by us from the sale of our common stock at an assumed initial public offering price of $14.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

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REORGANIZATION

We have conducted all of our operations through Marlin Leasing Corporation, a Delaware corporation, since it was formed on June 16, 1997. On or prior to the completion of this offering, Marlin Leasing Corporation will become a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Marlin Business Services Corp., a newly-formed Pennsylvania holding company, and all former shareholders of Marlin Leasing Corporation will have become shareholders of Marlin Business Services Corp. After this reorganization, Marlin Leasing Corporation will continue in existence as our primary operating subsidiary. We will complete this reorganization through the following steps:

  •  all classes of Marlin Leasing Corporation’s redeemable convertible preferred stock will convert by their terms into Class A common stock of Marlin Leasing Corporation;
 
  •  all warrants to purchase Class A common stock of Marlin Leasing Corporation will be exercised on a net issuance, or cashless, basis for Class A common stock, and a selling shareholder is expected to exercise options to purchase 60,655 shares of Class A common stock. The exercise of the warrants will result in the issuance of 700,046 common shares on a net issuance basis, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $14.00 per share;
 
  •  all warrants to purchase Class B common stock of Marlin Leasing Corporation will be exercised on a net issuance basis for Class B common stock, and all Class B common stock will convert by its terms into Class A common stock;
 
  •  a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Marlin Business Services Corp. will merge with and into Marlin Leasing Corporation, and each share of Marlin Leasing Corporation’s Class A common stock will be exchanged for one share of Marlin Business Services Corp. common stock under the terms of an agreement and plan of merger dated August 27, 2003; and
 
  •  the Marlin Leasing Corporation 1997 Equity Compensation Plan will be assumed by us and merged into the Marlin Business Services Corp. 2003 Equity Compensation Plan. All outstanding options to purchase Marlin Leasing Corporation’s Class A common stock under the 1997 Equity Compensation Plan will be converted into options to purchase shares of our common stock.

We are taking these steps to reorganize our operations into a holding company structure prior to the offering.

As a result of this reorganization, 7,632,355 shares of our common stock will be issued and outstanding, not including the shares of our common stock that we are selling in connection with this offering, and options to purchase 1,078,260 shares of our common stock will be outstanding under our 2003 Equity Compensation Plan, which includes 134,500 options granted in connection with this offering. Upon the completion of the reorganization, no other options, warrants, preferred stock or other equity securities of ours will be then issued or outstanding.

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risk factors before you decide to buy our common stock.

Risks Related to Marlin Business Services Corp.

If we cannot obtain external financing, we may be unable to fund our operations.

Our business requires a substantial amount of cash to operate. These cash requirements will increase if our lease originations increase. We historically have obtained a substantial amount of the cash required for operations through a variety of external financing sources, such as borrowings under a revolving bank facility, financing of leases through commercial paper (“CP”) conduit warehouse facilities, and term note securitizations. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Financing Sources.”

Our current revolving bank facility expires in August 2005. Failure to renew or replace our revolving bank facility could limit our ability to originate leases. Our existing CP conduit warehouse facilities expire in July 2004 and December 2004. A failure to renew or increase the funding commitment under our existing CP conduit warehouse facilities, or add new CP conduit warehouse facilities could affect our ability to refinance leases originated through our revolving bank facility and, accordingly, our ability to fund and originate new leases. An inability to complete term note securitizations would result in our inability to refinance amounts outstanding under our CP conduit warehouse facilities and revolving bank facility and would also negatively impact our ability to originate and service new leases.

Our ability to complete CP conduit transactions and term note securitization, as well as obtain renewals of lenders’ commitments, is affected by a number of factors, including:

  conditions in the securities and asset-backed securities markets;
 
  conditions in the market for commercial bank liquidity support for CP programs;
 
  •  compliance of our leases with the eligibility requirements established in connection with our CP conduit warehouse facilities and term note securitizations, including the level of lease delinquencies and defaults; and
 
  our ability to service the leases.

We are and will continue to be dependent upon the availability of credit from these external financing sources to continue to originate leases and to satisfy our other working capital needs. We may be unable to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all, as a result of prevailing interest rates or other factors at the time, including the presence of covenants or other restrictions under existing financing arrangements. If any or all of our funding sources become unavailable on acceptable terms or at all, we may not have access to the financing necessary to conduct our business, which would limit our ability to fund our operations. We do not have long term commitments from any of our current funding sources. As a result, we may be unable to continue to access these or other funding sources. In the event we seek to obtain equity financing, our shareholders may experience dilution as a result of the issuance of additional equity securities. This dilution may be significant depending upon the amount of equity securities that we issue and the prices at which we issue such securities.

Our financing sources impose covenants, restrictions and default provisions on us, which could lead to termination of our financing facilities, acceleration of amounts outstanding under our financing facilities and our removal as servicer.

The legal agreements relating to our revolving bank facility, our CP conduit warehouse facilities and our term note securitizations contain numerous covenants, restrictions and default provisions relating to, among other things, maximum lease delinquency and default levels, a minimum net worth requirement and a maximum debt to equity ratio. In addition, a change in our Chief Executive Officer or President is an event of default under our revolving bank facility and CP conduit warehouse facilities unless we hire a replacement acceptable to our lenders within 90 days. Such a change is also an immediate event of servicer termination under our term note securitizations. A merger or consolidation with another company

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in which we are not the surviving entity, likewise, is an event of default under our financing facilities. Further, our revolving bank facility and CP conduit warehouse facilities contain cross default provisions whereby certain defaults under one facility would also be an event of default under the other facilities. An event of default under the revolving bank facility or a CP conduit warehouse facility could result in termination of further funds being made available under these facilities. An event of default under any of our facilities could result in an acceleration of amounts outstanding under the facilities, foreclosure on all or a portion of the leases financed by the facilities and/or our removal as a servicer of the leases financed by the facility. This would reduce our revenues from servicing and, by delaying any cash payment allowed to us under the financing facilities until the lenders have been paid in full, reduce our liquidity and cash flow.

If we inaccurately assess the creditworthiness of our end user customers, we may experience a higher number of lease defaults, which may restrict our ability to obtain additional financing and adversely affect our earnings.

We specialize in leasing equipment to small businesses. Small businesses may be more vulnerable than large businesses to economic downturns, typically depend upon the management talents and efforts of one person or a small group of persons and often need substantial additional capital to expand or compete. The death, disability or resignation of one or more of these persons could have an adverse impact on the operations of that business. Small business leases, therefore, may entail a greater risk of delinquencies and defaults than leases entered into with larger, more creditworthy leasing customers. In addition, there is typically only limited publicly available financial and other information about small businesses and they often do not have audited financial statements. Accordingly, in making credit decisions, our underwriting guidelines rely upon the accuracy of information about these small businesses obtained from the small business owner and/or third party sources, such as credit reporting agencies. If the information we obtain from these sources is incorrect, our underwriting will not be as effective and our ability to make appropriate credit decisions will be impaired. While we do not maintain any minimum credit standards for our leases, our underwriting guidelines take into account a variety of factors aimed at determining whether our end user customers are creditworthy, such as credit bureau reports, time in business, bank and trade references and performance under existing debt obligations. If we inaccurately assess the creditworthiness of our end user customers, we may experience a higher number of lease defaults and related decreases in our earnings.

Defaulted leases and certain delinquent leases also do not qualify as collateral against which initial advances may be made under our revolving bank facility or CP conduit warehouse facilities, and we cannot include them in our term note securitizations. An increase in delinquencies or lease defaults could reduce the funding available to us under our facilities and could adversely affect our earnings, possibly materially. In addition, increasing rates of delinquencies or charge-offs could result in adverse changes in the structure of our future financing facilities, including increased interest rates payable to investors and the imposition of more burdensome covenants and credit enhancement requirements. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to effectively manage any future growth, we may suffer material operating losses.

We have grown our lease originations and overall business significantly since we commenced operations. However, our ability to continue to increase originations at a comparable rate depends upon our ability to implement our disciplined growth strategy and upon our ability to evaluate, finance and service increasing volumes of leases of suitable yield and credit quality. Accomplishing such a result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our marketing capabilities, our management of the leasing process, our credit underwriting guidelines, our ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient servicing to our end user customers, our access to financing sources on acceptable terms and our ability to attract and retain high quality employees in all areas of our business.

Even if we are able to continue our growth in lease originations, our future success will be dependent upon our ability to manage our growth. Among the factors we would need to manage are the training,

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supervision and integration of new employees, as well as the development of infrastructure, systems and procedures within our origination, underwriting, servicing, collections and financing functions in a manner which enables us to maintain higher volume in originations. Failure to effectively manage these and other factors related to growth in originations and our overall operations may cause us to suffer material operating losses.

If losses from leases exceed our allowance for credit losses, our operating income will be reduced or eliminated and our financial condition may be adversely affected.

In connection with our financing of leases, we record an allowance for credit losses to provide for estimated losses. Our allowance for credit losses is based on, among other things, past collection experience, industry data, lease delinquency data and our assessment of prospective collection risks. Determining the appropriate level of the allowance is an inherently uncertain process and therefore our determination of this allowance may prove to be inadequate to cover losses in connection with our portfolio of leases. Factors that could lead to the inadequacy of our allowance may include our inability to effectively manage collections, unanticipated adverse changes in the economy or discrete events adversely affecting specific leasing customers, industries or geographic areas. Losses in excess of our allowance for credit losses would cause us to increase our provision for credit losses, reducing or eliminating our operating income and adversely affecting our financial condition.

If we cannot effectively compete within the equipment leasing industry, we may be unable to increase our revenues or maintain our current levels of operations.

The business of small-ticket equipment leasing is highly fragmented and competitive. We compete with:

  national, regional and local finance and leasing companies;
 
  captive finance and leasing companies affiliated with major equipment manufacturers; and
 
  other sources of financing, including corporate credit card issuers and traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks, savings and loan associations and credit unions.

Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. A lower cost of funds could enable a competitor to offer leases with yields that are lower than those we use to price our leases, potentially forcing us to decrease our yields or lose origination volume. In addition, certain of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to establish more origination source and end user customer relationships and increase their market share. There are few barriers to entry with respect to our business and, therefore, new competitors could enter the business of small-ticket equipment leasing at any time. The companies that typically provide financing for large-ticket or middle-market transactions could begin competing with us on small-ticket equipment leases. If this occurs, or we are unable to compete effectively with our competitors, we may be unable to sustain our operations at their current levels or generate revenue growth.

If we experience significant telecommunications or technology downtime, our operations would be disrupted and our ability to generate operating income could be adversely affected.

Our business depends in large part on our telecommunications and information management systems. The temporary or permanent loss of our computer systems, telecommunications equipment or software systems, through casualty or operating malfunction, could disrupt our operations adversely affect our ability to service our customers and lead to significant declines in our operating income.

If we cannot maintain our relationships with origination sources, our ability to generate lease transactions and related revenues may be significantly impeded.

We have formed relationships with thousands of origination sources, comprised primarily of independent equipment dealers and, to a lesser extent, lease brokers. We rely on these relationships to generate lease applications and originations. We invest significant time and resources in establishing and maintaining

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these relationships. Most of these relationships are not formalized in written agreements and those that are formalized by written agreements are typically terminable at will. Our typical relationship does not commit the origination source to provide a minimum number of lease transactions to us nor does it require the origination source to direct all of its lease transactions to us. The decision by a significant number of our origination sources to refer their leasing transactions to another company could impede our ability to generate lease transactions and related revenues.

Deteriorated economic or business conditions may lead to greater than anticipated lease defaults and credit losses, which could limit our ability to obtain additional financing and harm our operating results.

Our operations may be adversely affected by various economic factors and business conditions, including the level of economic activity in the markets in which we operate. Delinquencies and credit losses generally increase during economic slowdowns or recessions. Because we extend credit primarily to small businesses, many of our customers may be particularly susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to make scheduled lease payments during these periods. Therefore, to the extent that economic activity or business conditions deteriorate, our delinquencies and credit losses may increase. Unfavorable economic conditions may also make it more difficult for us to maintain both our new lease origination volume and the credit quality of new leases at levels previously attained. Unfavorable economic conditions could also increase our funding costs or operating cost structure, limit our access to the securitization and other capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. Any of these events could significantly harm our operating results.

The departure of any of our key management personnel or our inability to hire suitable replacements for our management may result in defaults under our financing facilities, which could restrict our ability to access funding and effectively operate our business.

Our future success depends to a significant extent on the continued service of our senior management team. A change in our Chief Executive Officer or President is an event of default under our revolving bank facility and CP conduit warehouse facilities unless we hire a replacement acceptable to our lenders within 90 days. Such a change is also an immediate event of servicer termination under our term note securitizations. The departure of any of our executive officers or key employees could limit our access to funding and ability to operate our business effectively.

Our results of operations would be negatively affected by the termination or interruption of, or a decrease in volume under, our property insurance program.

Our end user customers are required to obtain all-risk property insurance for the replacement value of the leased equipment. The end user customer has the option of either delivering a certificate of insurance listing us as loss payee under a commercial property policy issued by a third party insurer or satisfying their insurance obligation through our insurance program. Under our program, the end user customer purchases coverage under a master property insurance policy written by a national third party insurer (our “primary insurer”) with whom our captive insurance subsidiary, AssuranceOne, Ltd., has entered into a 100% reinsurance arrangement. Termination or interruption of our program could occur for a variety of reasons, including: 1) adverse changes in laws or regulations affecting our primary insurer or AssuranceOne; 2) a change in the financial condition or financial strength ratings of our primary insurer or AssuranceOne; 3) negative developments in the loss reserves or future loss experience of AssuranceOne which render it uneconomical for us to continue the program; 4) termination or expiration of the reinsurance agreement with our primary insurer, coupled with an inability by us to quickly identify and negotiate an acceptable arrangement with a replacement carrier; or 5) competitive factors in the property insurance market. Our operating results would be negatively impacted if there was a termination or interruption of this program or if fewer end user customers elected to satisfy their insurance obligations through our program.

Regulatory and legal uncertainties could result in significant financial losses and may require us to alter our business strategy and operations.

Laws or regulations may be adopted with respect to our equipment leases or the equipment leasing, telemarketing and collection processes. Any new legislation or regulation, or changes in the interpretation

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of existing laws, which affect the equipment leasing industry could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We, like other finance companies, face the risk of litigation, including class action litigation, and regulatory investigations and actions in connection with our business activities. These matters may be difficult to assess or quantify, and their magnitude may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. A substantial legal liability or a significant regulatory action against us could cause us to suffer significant costs and expenses, and could require us to alter our business strategy and the manner in which we operate our business.

If interest rates change significantly, we may be subject to higher interest costs on future term note securitizations and we may be unable to effectively hedge our variable rate borrowings, which may cause us to suffer material losses.

Because we generally fund our leases through a revolving bank facility, CP conduit warehouse facilities and term note securitizations, our margins could be adversely affected by an increase in interest rates. Each of our leases is structured so that the sum of all scheduled lease payments will equal the cost of the equipment to us, less the residual, plus a return on the amount of our investment. This return is known as the yield. The yield on our leases is fixed because the scheduled payments are fixed at the time of lease origination. When we originate or acquire leases, we base our pricing in part on the spread we expect to achieve between the yield on each lease and the effective interest rate we expect to pay when we finance the lease. To the extent that a lease is financed with variable rate funding, increases in interest rates during the term of a lease could narrow or eliminate the spread, or result in a negative spread. A negative spread is an interest cost greater than the yield on the lease. Currently, our revolving bank facility and our CP conduit warehouse facilities have variable rates. As required under our financing facility agreements, we enter into interest rate cap agreements to hedge against the risk of interest rate increases in our CP conduit warehouse facilities. If our hedging strategies are imperfectly implemented or if a counterparty defaults on a hedging agreement, we could suffer losses relating to our hedging activities. In addition, with respect to our fixed rate borrowings, such as our term note securitizations, increases in interest rates could have the effect of increasing our borrowing costs on future term note transactions.

Failure to realize the projected value of residual interests in equipment we finance could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

At June 30, 2003, approximately 36% of our leases had fair market value purchase options or fixed purchase options, the latter of which are typically 10% of the original equipment cost. We estimate the residual value of the equipment which is recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. Realization of residual values depends on numerous factors, most of which are outside of our control, including:

  the general market conditions at the time of expiration of the lease;
 
  the cost of comparable new equipment;
 
  the obsolescence of the leased equipment;
 
  any unusual or excessive wear and tear on or damage to the equipment;
 
  the effect of any additional or amended government regulations; and
 
  the foreclosure by a secured party of our interest in a defaulted lease.

Our failure to realize our recorded residual values would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

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Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly.

Our operating results may differ from quarter to quarter, and these differences may be significant. Factors that may cause these differences include:

  changes in the volume of lease applications, approvals and originations;
 
  changes in interest rates;
 
  the timing of term note securitizations;
 
  the availability of capital;
 
  the degree of competition we face; and
 
  general economic conditions and other factors.

The results of any one quarter may not indicate what our performance may be in the future.

Risks Relating to this Offering

We may be unable to effectively manage the new challenges and increased costs that we will be faced with as a public company.

Our management team has historically operated our business as a privately held company. Our management team has never had direct responsibility for managing a publicly traded company. We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly in light of recently enacted and proposed changes in laws and regulations and listing requirements. Our business and financial condition may be adversely affected if we are unable to effectively manage these increased costs and public company regulatory requirements.

We may use the proceeds of this offering in ways with which you may disagree or in a manner that does not yield a significant, or any, return for our shareholders.

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to repay subordinated debt, pay accrued dividends to our preferred shareholders and for unspecified general corporate purposes, including working capital needs. Our management will have significant discretion in the use of these funds, and you may disagree with the way these funds are utilized. The manner in which we invest the proceeds may not yield a significant return, or any return at all.

A market for our common stock may never develop, and you may be unable to sell your shares at an attractive price or at all.

The initial public offering price for our common stock will be determined through our negotiations with the underwriters and may not bear any relationship to the market price at which it will trade after this offering. Before this offering there was no public trading market for our common stock and one may never develop or be sustained after this offering. If a market does not develop or is not sustained, it may be difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at an attractive price or at all. We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock will trade. It is possible that in some future quarter our operating results may be below the expectations of financial market analysts and investors and, as a result of these and other factors, the price of our common stock may decline.

The price of our common stock may be volatile.

The trading price of our common stock following this offering may fluctuate substantially. The price of our common stock after this offering may be higher or lower than the price you pay, depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be related to our operating performance. These fluctuations could cause you to lose part or all of your investment in our shares of common stock. Those factors that could cause fluctuations include, but are not limited to, the following:

  price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;
 
  significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of financial services companies;
 
  actual or anticipated changes in our earnings or fluctuations in our operating results or in the expectations of financial market analysts;

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  investor perceptions of the equipment leasing industry in general and our company in particular;
 
  the operating and stock performance of comparable companies;
 
  general economic conditions and trends;
 
  major catastrophic events;
 
  loss of external funding sources;
 
  sales of large blocks of our stock or sales by insiders; or
 
  departures of key personnel.

If you purchase shares of common stock sold in this offering, you will experience immediate dilution.

If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will experience significant and immediate dilution, because the price that you pay will be substantially greater than the net tangible book value per share of the shares you acquire. This dilution is due in large part to the fact that our earlier investors paid substantially less than the initial public offering price when they purchased their shares. You will experience additional dilution upon the exercise of stock options to purchase common stock and the issuance of restricted stock to our employees under our equity compensation plan.

Insiders will continue to have substantial control over us after this offering, which could limit your ability to influence the outcome of key transactions, including a change of control, and may result in the approval of transactions that would be adverse to your interests.

Our principal shareholders, directors and executive officers and entities affiliated with them will beneficially own approximately 51.5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock immediately after this offering. As a result, these shareholders, if acting together, would be able to influence or control matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors and the approval of mergers or other extraordinary transactions. They may also have interests that differ from yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and which may be adverse to your interests. The concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change of control of our company, could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of our company and might ultimately affect the market price of our common stock.

We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the foreseeable future.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our shares of common stock. We intend to retain any future earnings to fund the operation and expansion of our business and, therefore, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the foreseeable future.

Common stock available for future sale by our shareholders may adversely affect our stock price.

If our shareholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market following this offering, the market price of our common stock could fall. These sales could also make it more difficult for us to sell shares of our common stock or equity related securities in the future.

Anti-takeover provisions and our right to issue preferred stock could make a third-party acquisition of us difficult.

We are a Pennsylvania corporation. Anti-takeover provisions of Pennsylvania law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if such change in control would be beneficial to our shareholders. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our bylaws will contain certain other provisions that would make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, including a provision that our board of directors may issue preferred stock without shareholder approval.

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A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We make forward-looking statements in this prospectus that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. Statements regarding the following subjects are forward-looking by their nature:

  our business strategy;
 
  our projected operating results;
 
  our ability to obtain external financing;
 
  our understanding of our competition;
 
  industry and market trends;
 
  projected capital expenditures;
 
  the impact of technology on our products, operations and business; and
 
  use of the proceeds of this offering.

The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. We will update this prospectus only to the extent required under applicable securities laws. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider these risks before you decide to invest in our common stock:

  the factors referenced in this prospectus, including those set forth under the sections captioned “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Our Business”;
 
  general volatility of the securitization and capital markets;
 
  the market price of our common shares;
 
  changes in our business strategy;
 
  availability, terms and deployment of capital;
 
  availability of qualified personnel;
 
  changes in our industry, interest rates or the general economy; and
 
  the degree and nature of our competition.

When we use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate our net proceeds from the sale of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $38.8 million, or approximately $44.9 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, assuming an offering price of $14.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. In addition, 1,286,733 shares, or 1,478,745 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, are being offered by the selling shareholders. We will receive no proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders.

We intend to use the net proceeds we receive from the offering for the following purposes:

  to repay $10.0 million of outstanding subordinated debt plus accrued interest for the current quarterly period, which has a fixed interest rate of 11.0% per annum and is scheduled to mature on March 30, 2006;
 
  •  to pay approximately $6.0 million of accrued dividends owed on our preferred stock, which accrued at a rate of 7.0% per annum from their respective issue dates through July 24, 2001, and at 8.0% per annum thereafter; and
 
  for general corporate and working capital purposes, including but not limited to investing in lease originations, establishing regional offices in strategic locations and hiring additional sales account executives.

The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures for each purpose may vary significantly depending upon numerous factors, including our volume of lease originations, payments received on existing leases, availability of funding from external sources and the amount of cash, if any, we generate from operations.

We may find it necessary or advisable to use portions of the net proceeds we receive from this offering for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in applying the net proceeds of this offering. Pending the uses described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities.

 
DIVIDEND POLICY

We presently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business and do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our:

  actual capitalization as of June 30, 2003;
 
  •  pro forma capitalization after giving effect to our reorganization, which is described in detail in the “Reorganization” section of this prospectus and which includes: 1) the conversion of all outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock into 5,156,152 shares of Class A common stock; 2) the exercise of all outstanding warrants for 700,046 shares of Class A common stock on a net issuance basis based on an assumed initial public offering price of $14.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus; 3) the expected exercise by a selling shareholder of options to purchase 60,655 shares of Class A common stock; and 4) the exchange of all Class A common stock in the merger for an equal number of shares of our common stock; and
 
  •  pro forma as adjusted capitalization after giving effect to: 1) the sale by us of 3,113,267 shares of common stock in this offering, at an assumed initial public offering price of $14.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and after deducting the estimated underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us; and 2) the payment of accrued dividends owed on our redeemable convertible preferred stock and the repayment of our outstanding subordinated debt plus accrued interest with a portion of the net proceeds from this offering.

You should read this table in conjunction with the sections of this prospectus captioned “Reorganization,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Selected Financial Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

                             
June 30, 2003

Pro Forma
Actual Pro Forma(2) As Adjusted



(dollars in thousands)
Revolving and term secured borrowings
  $ 392,956     $ 392,956     $ 392,956  
Subordinated debt
    9,579       9,579        
     
     
     
 
   
Total borrowings
    402,535       402,535       392,956  
Warrants to purchase Class A common stock
    2,201                
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
                       
 
Class A, 50,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding actual; none authorized, issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted
    7,374       2,374        
 
Class C, 50,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding actual; none authorized, issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted
    6,803       1,824        
 
Class D, 101,500 shares authorized, 71,500 issued and outstanding actual; none authorized, issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted
    7,946       1,168        
Shareholders’ equity:
                       
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 75,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding actual, 7,632,355 shares issued and outstanding pro forma, and 10,745,622 shares issued and outstanding pro forma as adjusted (1)
          76       107  
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding actual, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted
                 
 
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value: 10,500,000 shares authorized, 1,715,502 shares issued and outstanding actual; none authorized, issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted
    17              
 
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value: 420,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding actual; none authorized, issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted
                     
 
Additional paid-in capital
    2,221       21,559       60,304  
 
Stock subscription receivable
    (302 )     (302 )     (302 )
 
Deferred compensation
    (57 )     (57 )     (57 )
 
Retained earnings
    5,093       5,093       4,793  
     
     
     
 
   
Total shareholders’ equity
    6,972       26,369       64,845  
     
     
     
 
Total capitalization
  $ 433,831     $ 434,270     $ 457,801  
     
     
     
 


(1) As of the closing of this offering, we will have the following additional shares available for issuance under our 2003 Equity Compensation Plan: 1) 1,078,260 shares underlying options outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $5,70 per share; and 2) 1,021,740 shares available for future issuance.
 
(2) Pro forma amounts for redeemable convertible preferred stock consist solely of accrued dividends owed.

18


 

DILUTION

As of June 30, 2003, our pro forma net tangible book value was approximately $26.4 million, or approximately $3.45 per share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total assets less intangible assets and less our total pro forma liabilities, divided by the total pro forma number of shares of common stock outstanding, in each case after giving effect to our reorganization, which is described in detail in the section of this prospectus captioned “Reorganization.”

After giving effect to the sale of our shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $14.00 per share and our receipt of the estimated net proceeds of the offering, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2003 would have been approximately $64.8 million, or $6.03 per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $2.58 per share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $7.97 per share to new investors in this offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

                   
Initial public offering price per share
          $ 14.00  
 
Pro forma net tangible book value per share
  $ 3.45          
 
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering
    2.58          
     
         
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering
            6.03  
             
 
Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors
               
            $ 7.97  
             
 

The following table summarizes, as of June 30, 2003, on the pro forma basis described above, the differences between existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid before deducting the underwriters’ discount and our estimated offering expenses.

                                           
Shares Purchased Total Consideration


Average Price
Number Percent Amount Percent Per Share





Existing shareholders
    7,632,355       71.0 %   $ 23,958,996       35.5 %   $ 3.14  
New investors in this offering
    3,113,267       29.0       43,585,738       64.5     $ 14.00  
     
     
     
     
         
 
Total
    10,745,622       100.0 %   $ 67,544,734       100.0 %        
     
     
     
     
         

The share amounts in this table exclude, as of June 30, 2003 on a pro forma basis, options outstanding to purchase a total of 943,760 shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.52 per common share. If all our outstanding options as of June 30, 2003 had been exercised, the pro forma, as adjusted, net tangible book value per share, which includes certain tax benefits to the Company from the exercise of these options, after this offering would be $6.18 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $2.73 per share to our existing shareholders and an immediate decrease in the net tangible book value to our new investors of $7.82.

19


 

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The selected financial information set forth below under the captions “Statement of Operations Data” and “Balance Sheet Data” as of December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2002 are derived from our consolidated financial statements that have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. The comparable selected financial data as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003 and as of and for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our financial condition and results of operations as of such dates and for such periods then ended under generally accepted accounting principles. The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this registration statement.

                                                           
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003







(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
                                                       
Interest and fee income
  $ 615     $ 7,332     $ 22,648     $ 36,404     $ 46,664     $ 21,936     $ 26,828  
Interest expense
    436       2,622       11,607       16,881       17,899       8,199       8,459  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Net interest and fee income
    179       4,710       11,041       19,523       28,765       13,737       18,369  
Provision for credit losses
    5       1,268       2,497       5,918       6,850       3,523       3,770  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net interest and fee income after provision for credit losses
    174       3,442       8,544       13,605       21,915       10,214       14,599  
Insurance and other income
    1,802       489       1,823       2,086       2,725       1,271       1,628  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
      1,976       3,931       10,367       15,691       24,640       11,485       16,227  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Salaries and benefits
    1,200       2,058       3,660       5,306       8,109       3,671       4,851  
General and administrative
    831       3,450 (2)     3,419       4,610       5,744       2,638       3,505  
Financing related costs
    71       562       939       1,259       1,618       805       710  
Change in fair value of warrants (1)
          21       (101 )     (208 )     908       482       779  
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (126 )     (2,160 )     2,450       4,724       8,261       3,889       6,382  
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (47 )     (818 )     881       1,693       3,731       1,779       2,829  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (79 )     (1,342 )     1,569       3,031       4,530       2,110       3,553  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax
                      (311 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss)
    (79 )     (1,342 )     1,569       2,720       4,530       2,110       3,553  
Preferred stock dividends
    (311 )     (663 )     (825 )     (1,243 )     (1,781 )     (890 )     (953 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
  $ (390 )   $ (2,005 )   $ 744     $ 1,477     $ 2,749     $ 1,220     $ 2,600  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) per common share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle — basic
  $ (0.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.40     $ 0.96     $ 1.61     $ 0.68     $ 1.54  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
                      (0.17 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss) per common share — basic
  $ (0.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.40     $ 0.79     $ 1.61     $ 0.68     $ 1.54  
Weighted average shares — basic
    1,739,445       1,801,506       1,852,890       1,858,858       1,703,820       1,792,183       1,692,487  
Income (loss) per common share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle — diluted
  $ (0.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.30     $ 0.49     $ 0.63     $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
                      (0.05 )                  
Net income (loss) per common share — diluted
  $ (0.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.30     $ 0.44     $ 0.63     $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
Weighted average shares — diluted
    1,739,445       1,801,506       5,178,072       6,234,437       7,138,232       7,196,557       7,151,591  
 
footnotes appear on following page

20


 

                 
Year Ended Six Months Ended
December 31, 2002 June 30, 2003


(dollars in thousands,
except per share data)
Pro Forma Disclosure (3) :
               
Pro forma net income
  $ 5,438     $ 4,332  
Pro forma net income per common share — basic
  $ 0.71     $ 0.57  
Pro forma weighted average shares — basic
    7,678,523       7,609,339  
Pro forma net income per common share — diluted
  $ 0.70     $ 0.55  
Pro forma weighted average shares — diluted
    7,777,283       7,808,175  
                                                         
Six Months Ended
December 31, June 30,


1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003







(dollars in thousands)
Operating Data:
                                                       
Total new leases originated
    3,746       11,154       20,010       23,207       25,368       12,387       14,390  
Total equipment cost
  $ 28,160     $ 81,257     $ 141,711     $ 171,378     $ 203,458     $ 98,590     $ 110,294  
Average net investment in direct financing leases (4)
    9,001       48,748       125,470       209,404       288,396       266,813       343,851  
Weighted average interest rate (implicit) on new leases originated (5)
    16.06 %     15.43 %     16.60 %     15.82 %     14.17 %     14.22 %     14.33 %
Interest income as a percent of the average net investment in direct financing leases (4)
    1.91       11.31       14.52       14.00       13.09       13.28       12.67  
Interest expense as percent of average interest bearing liabilities, excluding subordinated debt (6)
    12.40       6.84       8.17       7.41       5.76       5.79       4.66  
Portfolio Asset Quality Data:
                                                       
Minimum lease payments receivable
  $ 1,456     $ 103,288     $ 207,003     $ 303,560     $ 392,392     $ 349,462     $ 432,984  
Delinquencies past due, greater than 60 days
    0.68 %     0.71 %     1.31 %     1.94 %     0.86 %     0.65 %     0.64 %
Allowance for credit losses
  $ 4     $ 866     $ 1,720     $ 3,059     $ 3,965     $ 3,608     $ 4,451  
Allowance for credit losses to delinquencies past due greater than 60 days
    N/A       117.82 %     63.58 %     52.04 %     117.86 %     157.86 %     160.06 %
Allowance for credit losses to total net investment in direct financing leases
    0.02 %     1.06 %     1.04 %     1.23 %     1.21 %     1.25 %     1.22 %
Charge-offs, net
  $ 2     $ 406     $ 1,643     $ 4,579     $ 5,944     $ 2,974     $ 3,284  
Ratio of net charge-offs to average net investment in direct financing leases
    0.02 %     0.83 %     1.31 %     2.19 %     2.06 %     2.23 %     1.91 %
Operating Ratios:
                                                       
Return on average total assets
    (1.44 )%     (2.17 )%     1.04 %     1.18 %     1.42 %     1.32 %     1.85 %
Return on average stockholders’ equity (deficit) (7)
    (1.99 )     (15.76 )     14.13       16.39       19.44       18.92       26.09  
                                                 
December 31, June 30,


1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003






(dollars in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents (8)
  $ 4,970     $ 23,104     $ 7,771     $ 10,158     $ 18,936     $ 71,740  
Net investment in direct financing leases (9)
    1,329       85,149       172,538       256,824       337,434       372,913  
Total assets
    9,670       113,955       186,995       274,362       364,168       452,942  
Revolving and term secured borrowings
    2,313       94,041       160,872       236,385       315,361       392,956  
Subordinated debt, net of discount
          4,553       9,309       9,408       9,520       9,579  
Total liabilities
    2,902       103,692       175,043       253,124       338,793       423,847  
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, including accrued dividends
    5,260       10,773       11,600       19,391       21,171       22,123  
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    1,508       (510 )     352       1,847       4,204       6,972  

(1) The change in fair value of warrants is a non-cash expense. Prior to the closing of this offering all warrants will be exercised on a net issuance basis. As a result, upon closing of this offering we will no longer have any outstanding warrants.
(2) Includes a $1.3 million charge incurred in connection with the write-off of the securitized gain on sale previously recorded.
(3) Pro forma after giving effect to our reorganization described on page 8.
(4) Includes securitized assets. Excludes initial direct costs and fees deferred and anticipated collections on accounts charged-off.
(5) Excludes the amortization of initial direct costs and fees deferred.
(6) Excludes subordinated debt liability and accrued subordinated debt interest.
(7) Stockholders’ equity (deficit) includes preferred stock and accrued dividends in calculation.
(8) Includes restricted cash balances.
(9) Net investment in direct financing leases includes initial direct costs and fees deferred and is net of the allowance for credit losses.

21


 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and with “Selected Financial Information” included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature that involve risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, such as those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a nationwide provider of equipment financing solutions primarily to small businesses. We finance over 60 categories of commercial equipment important to businesses including copiers, telephone systems, computers, and certain commercial and industrial equipment. We access our end user customers through origination sources comprised of our existing network of over 6,800 independent equipment dealers and, to a lesser extent, through relationships with lease brokers and through direct solicitation of our end user customers.

Our revenue consists of interest and fees from our leases and, to a lesser extent, income from our property insurance program and other fee income. Our expenses consist of interest expense and operating expenses, which include salaries and benefits and other general and administrative expenses. Our leases are fixed rate transactions with terms generally ranging from 36 to 60 months. At June 30, 2003, the average term was 45 months and the average transaction size was $8,000.

Pursuant to Appendix A of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Audit and Accounting Guide — “Audits of Finance Companies,” there were two alternative income statement formats available to us in determining the presentation of our financial statements, one of which emphasizes a net interest income presentation. Since our revenues are primarily comprised of net interest and fee income earned on leases, we have chosen to present the format of our Consolidated Statement of Operations under this format.

Our leases are classified under generally accepted accounting principles as direct financing leases, and we recognize interest income over the term of the lease. Direct financing leases transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership to the equipment lessee. A lease is classified as a direct financing lease if the creditworthiness of the lessee and the collectibility of the lease payments are reasonably certain and the lease meets at least one of the following criteria:

  it transfers ownership to the lessee by the end of the lease term;
 
  it contains a bargain purchase option;
 
  the term at inception is at least 75% of the estimated useful life of the leased equipment; or
 
  the present value of the minimum lease payments is at least 90% of the fair market value of the leased equipment at inception of the lease.

Our investment in leases is reflected in our financial statements as “net investment in direct financing leases.” Net investment in direct financing leases consists of the sum of total minimum lease payments receivable and the estimated residual value of leased equipment, less unearned lease income. Unearned lease income consists of the excess of the total future minimum lease payments receivable plus the estimated residual value expected to be realized at the end of the lease term plus deferred net initial direct costs and fees less the cost of the related equipment.

Since our founding, we have funded our business through a combination of variable rate borrowings and fixed rate asset securitization transactions, as well as through the issuance from time to time of subordinated debt and equity to private investors. Our variable rate financing sources consist of a revolving

22


 

bank facility and two CP conduit warehouse facilities. We issue fixed rate term debt through the asset-backed securitization market. Typically, leases are funded through variable rate borrowings for a period of time, generally one to nine months, and then refinanced through the term note securitization market at fixed rates. All of our term note securitizations have been accounted for as on-balance sheet transactions and, therefore, we have not recognized gains or losses from these transactions. As of June 30, 2003, substantially all of our lease portfolio was funded through fixed rate term note securitizations.

Initial Public Offering

Upon the completion of this offering, we will become a publicly traded company. We have decided to complete the offering at this time to provide us with funding for our organic growth initiatives, and because, as a public company, we will have the flexibility to access the public equity and debt markets for additional sources of funding for our operations. We intend to issue options and other equity based awards under our equity compensation plan from time to time as incentives and compensation to our employees and directors, but we currently have no other intention to issue such securities except as described in this prospectus.

Reorganization

Since our founding, we have conducted all of our operations through Marlin Leasing Corporation, a Delaware corporation. On or prior to completion of this offering, we will reorganize our operations into a holding company structure by merging Marlin Leasing Corporation with a wholly owned subsidiary of Marlin Business Services Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation. As a result, all former shareholders of Marlin Leasing Corporation will become shareholders of Marlin Business Services Corp. After the reorganization, Marlin Leasing Corporation will remain in existence as our primary operating subsidiary. This reorganization will have no impact on our financial condition or liquidity. See “Reorganization.”

Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including credit losses, residuals, initial direct costs and fees, other fees, valuation of warrants and realizability of deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties. Our consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of critical accounting policies, the most significant of which are described below.

Income recognition. Interest income is recognized under the effective interest method. The effective interest method of income recognition applies a constant rate of interest equal to the internal rate of return on the lease. When a lease is 90 days or more delinquent, the lease is classified as being on non-accrual and we do not recognize interest income on that lease until the lease is less than 90 days delinquent.

Fee income is comprised of late fees, interim rent and residual gains and losses. Late fees and interim rent, which is a partial payment for the period between equipment installation and lease commencement, are recognized into income when earned, net of amounts deemed to be unrecoverable.

Residual gains and losses are recognized when earned. Residuals that are 120 days or more beyond the lease termination date are charged against income. We review residual performance results periodically and, based on such review, revise our residual estimates downward, as necessary.

Insurance income is recognized on an accrual basis as earned over the term of the lease. Payments that are 120 days or more past due are charged against income. Ceding commissions, losses and loss adjustment expenses are recorded in the period incurred and netted against insurance income.

23


 

Initial direct costs and fees. We defer initial direct costs incurred and fees received to originate our leases in accordance with SFAS No. 91, Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases. The initial direct costs and fees we defer are part of the net investment in direct financing leases and are amortized to interest income using the effective interest method. We defer third party commission costs as well as certain internal costs directly related to the origination activity. The costs include evaluating the prospective lessee’s financial condition, evaluating and recording guarantees and other security arrangements, negotiating lease terms, preparing and processing lease documents and closing the transaction. The fees we defer are documentation fees collected at lease inception. The realization of the deferred initial direct costs, net of fees deferred, is predicated on the net future cash flows generated by our lease portfolio.

Lease residual values. A direct financing lease is recorded at the aggregate future minimum lease payments plus the estimated residual values less unearned income. Residual values reflect the estimated amounts to be received at lease termination from lease extensions, sales or other dispositions of leased equipment. These estimates are based on industry data and on our experience. Management performs periodic reviews of the estimated residual values and any impairment, if other than temporary, is recognized in the current period.

Warrants. We have issued warrants to purchase our stock to the holders of our subordinated debt. In accordance with EITF Issue No. 96-13, codified in EITF Issue No. 00-19, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled In, a Company’s Own Stock , we have classified the warrants’ fair value as a liability since the warrant holders have the ability to put the shares of Class A common stock exercisable under the warrants under certain conditions to us for cash settlement. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the warrants have been recorded in the accompanying statement of operations. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, the put option will expire upon the completion of this offering and therefore the liability will be reclassified to equity upon closing.

Allowance for credit losses. We monitor collections and payments from our end user customers and maintain an allowance for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience, aging of accounts and any specific end user customer collection issues identified such as bankruptcy. While our credit losses have historically been within expectations and provisions established, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates as in the past. If circumstances change, for example if we experience higher than expected defaults or bankruptcies, our estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to us could be materially lower than actual results.

The provision for credit losses is the periodic cost of maintaining an appropriate allowance for credit losses. To the degree we add new leases to our portfolio, or to the degree credit quality is worse than expected, we record a provision to increase the allowance for credit losses for the estimated net losses to be incurred in our lease portfolio. Our policy is to charge-off the estimated unrecoverable portion of accounts once they reach 121 days delinquent.

Securitization transactions. Periodically, we transfer pools of leases to special purpose entities (“SPEs”) for use in securitization transactions. On April 1, 2001, we adopted the requirements of SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, which applied prospectively to all of our securitization transactions occurring after June 30, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 140 did not have a material impact on our operating results or financial position. Our transfers of leases to the SPEs for use in the securitizations transactions are structured as on-balance-sheet financing transactions and are, therefore, not given sales accounting treatment due to certain call provisions retained by us as well as the fact that the SPEs also hold the residual assets for the securitized leases. As a result, these transactions have been treated as secured borrowings, with the transferred leases remaining on our balance sheet as part of the net investment in direct financing leases and the related liabilities being reflected on our balance sheet as debt and secured borrowings.

Income taxes. Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any necessary valuation allowance recorded against net

24


 

deferred tax assets. The process involves summarizing temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items, for example, leases for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the consolidated balance sheet. Our management must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income or tax carry-back availability and, to the extent our management believes recovery is not likely, a valuation allowance must be established. To the extent that we establish a valuation allowance in a period, an expense must be recorded within the tax provision in the statement of operations.

Our net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for federal and state income tax purposes were approximately $10.1 million as of December 31, 2002. The NOLs expire in periods beginning 2006 to 2018. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 contains provisions that may limit the NOLs available to be used in any given year upon the occurrence of certain events, including significant changes in ownership interest. A change in the ownership of a company greater than 50% within a three-year period results in an annual limitation on a company’s ability to utilize its NOLs from tax periods prior to the ownership change. Management believes that the proposed reorganization and initial public offering will not have a material effect on its ability to utilize these NOLs. No valuation allowance has been established against net deferred tax assets related to our NOLs, as our management believes these NOLs will be realizable through reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities, and future taxable income. If actual results differ from these estimates or these estimates are adjusted in future periods, we may need to establish a valuation allowance, which could materially impact its financial position and results of operations.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

Net income. Net income increased $1.5 million, or 68.4%, from $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002 to $3.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in net income was primarily driven by an increase in our net investment in direct financing leases and expanding net interest and fee margin. During the six months ended June 30, 2003, we generated 14,390 new leases with a cost of $110.3 million compared to 12,387 leases with a cost of $98.6 million generated for the six month period ended June 30, 2002. The weighted average implicit interest rate on new leases originated was 14.22% for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 compared to 14.33% for same period in 2003. Overall, our net investment in direct financing leases grew 25.0%, from $298.3 million at June 30, 2002 to $372.9 million at June 30, 2003.

                   
Six Months Ended
June 30,

2002 2003


(dollars in thousands)
Interest income
  $ 17,718     $ 21,784  
Fee income
    4,218       5,044  
     
     
 
Interest and fee income
    21,936       26,828  
Interest expense
    8,199       8,459  
     
     
 
Net interest and fee income
  $ 13,737     $ 18,369  
     
     
 
Average net investment in direct financing leases
  $ 266,813     $ 343,851  
Percent of average net investment in direct financing leases:
               
 
Interest income
    13.28 %     12.67 %
 
Fee income
    3.16       2.93  
     
     
 
 
Interest and fee income
    16.44       15.60  
 
Interest expense
    6.14       4.92  
     
     
 
 
Net interest and fee margin
    10.30 %     10.68 %
     
     
 

Net interest and fee margin. Net interest and fee income increased $4.7 million, or 33.7%, from $13.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002 to $18.4 million for the six months ended June 30,

25


 

2003. The increase in the annualized net interest and fee margin represents an increase of 38 basis points from 10.30% in the six month period ended June 30, 2002 to 10.68% for the same period in 2003.

Interest income, net of amortized initial direct costs and fees, increased $4.1 million, or 22.9%, from $17.7 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 to $21.8 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2003. The increase in interest income was due to a 28.9% growth in the average net investment in direct financing leases outstanding which increased $77.1 million from $266.8 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 to $343.9 million for the same period in 2003. For the six month period ended June 30, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002, our weighted average cost of borrowing as a percentage of average net investment in direct financing leases declined 122 basis points while our interest income yield declined less significantly, by 61 basis points. Our ability to sustain pricing and increase our net interest margin was due to a less competitive leasing environment and the amount of direct business recorded during the period.

Fee income increased $826,000, or 19.6%, from $4.2 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 to $5.0 million for the same period in 2003. The increase in fee income resulted primarily from higher late fees earned of $314,000 and additional residual gains of $208,000 on lease terminations and increases in early prepayment gains and interim rents earned in the period. Fee income, as a percentage of the average net investment in direct financing leases, declined 23 basis points from 3.16% annualized for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 to 2.93% annualized for the same period in 2003 primarily due to lower average late fees earned as a result of fewer delinquent accounts.

Interest expense increased $260,000 from $8.2 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 to $8.5 million for the same period in 2003. Interest expense, as a percentage of the average net investment in direct financing leases, decreased 122 basis points from 6.14% annualized for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 to 4.92% annualized for the same period in 2003 due to the declining interest rate environment and the resulting impact on our weighted average borrowing costs.

Insurance and other income. Insurance and other income increased $357,000, or 28.1%, from $1.3 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 to $1.6 million for the same period in 2003. The increase is primarily related to higher insurance income of $342,000 from a 26.9% increase in the number of insured accounts.

Salaries and benefits expense. Salaries and benefits expense increased $1.2 million, or 32.1%, from $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002 to $4.9 million for the same period in 2003. For the six months ended June 30, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002, sales compensation increased $531,000 related to additional hiring of sales account executives and higher commissions earned for the period. In addition, collection salaries increased $106,000 due to higher collection commissions earned associated with improved portfolio delinquency performance. Compensation in management and support areas increased $537,000 of which $420,000 was related to management incentive bonus accruals. Total headcount increased from 181 at June 30, 2002 to 212 at June 30, 2003.

General and administrative expense. General and administrative expenses increased $867,000, or 32.9%, from $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002 to $3.5 million for the same period in 2003. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due primarily to an increase in professional fees of $459,000, consisting of legal fees of $336,000, including costs and fees of $214,000 relating to the settlement of litigation, and increased audit expenses of $105,000 due to increased external and internal audit services performed. Marketing expenses increased $71,000. The remainder of the increase is due to increased spending in postage, bank fees, depreciation, occupancy and data processing costs to support the growth in our leasing portfolio.

Financing related costs. Financing related costs include commitment fees paid to our financing sources and costs pertaining to our interest rate caps used to limit our exposure to an increase in interest rates. Financing related costs decreased $95,000 from $805,000 for the six month period ended June 30, 2003 to $710,000 for the same period in 2002 due to lower commitment fees in the period.

26


 

Change in fair value of warrants. Warrants issued in connection with subordinated debt increased in value $482,000 for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 compared to $779,000 for the same period in 2003. The warrant value was $514,000 as of December 31, 2001 and $996,000 at June 30, 2002. The warrant value was $1.4 million at December 31, 2002 and $2.2 million at June 30, 2003. The increase is primarily a result of the increase in the estimated fair market value of our common stock used in valuing our warrants.

Provision for credit losses. The provision for credit losses increased $247,000, or 7.0%, from $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002 to $3.8 million for the same period in 2003. The increase in our provision for credit losses was a result of the increased charge-offs and growth of our lease portfolio. Net charge-offs were $3.0 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 and $3.3 million for the same period in 2003.

Provision for income taxes. The provision for income taxes increased 59.0%, from $1.8 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 to $2.8 million for the same period in 2003. The increase is directly attributable to the increase in pretax income. Our effective tax rate was 45.7% for six month period ended June 30, 2002 and 44.3% for the same period in 2003. The decrease is due to a higher effective tax rate applied to our deferred tax balance in 2002 as a result of higher projected taxable income in future periods and certain changes in state tax rates.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2002 and 2001

Net income. Net income increased $1.8 million, or 66.5%, from $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase in net income is attributable to an increase in the net investment in direct financing leases, expanding net interest and fee margin and improved asset quality. For the year ended December 31, 2002, we generated 25,368 new leases with a cost of $203.5 million compared to 23,207 new leases with a cost of $171.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The weighted average implicit interest rate on new leases originated was 15.82% for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to 14.17% for the same period in 2002. Overall, the net investment in direct financing leases grew 31.4%, from $256.8 million at December 31, 2001 to $337.4 million at December 31, 2002.

                   
Year Ended December 31,

2001 2002


(dollars in thousands)
Interest income
  $ 29,311     $ 37,757  
Fee income
    7,093       8,907  
     
     
 
Interest and fee income
    36,404       46,664  
Interest expense
    16,881       17,899  
     
     
 
Net interest and fee income
  $ 19,523     $ 28,765  
     
     
 
Average net investment in direct financing leases
  $ 209,404     $ 288,396  
Percent of average net investment in direct financing leases:
               
 
Interest income
    14.00 %     13.09 %
 
Fee income
    3.38       3.09  
     
     
 
 
Interest and fee income
    17.38       16.18  
 
Interest expense
    8.06       6.21  
     
     
 
 
Net interest and fee margin
    9.32 %     9.97 %
     
     
 

Net interest and fee margin. Net interest and fee income increased $9.3 million, or 47.3%, from $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase in the net interest and fee margin represents an increase of 65 basis points from 9.32% for the year ended December 31, 2001 to 9.97% for the same period in 2002.

Interest income, net of amortized initial direct costs and fees, increased $8.5 million, or 28.8%, from $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $37.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.

27


 

The increase is due to a 37.7% growth in average net investment in direct financing leases which increased $79.0 million from $209.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $288.4 million for the same period in 2002. For the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to the same period in 2001, our weighted average cost of borrowing declined 185 basis points while our interest income yield declined less significantly, by 91 basis points. Our ability to sustain pricing and increase our net interest and fee margin was due to a less competitive leasing environment and the amount of direct business recorded during the period.

Fee income increased $1.8 million from $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $8.9 million for the same period in 2002. The increase in fee income resulted primarily from additional residual gains on lease terminations, which includes income from lease extensions, of $926,000, higher late fees earned of $501,000 and increases in early prepayment gains and interim rents earned. Fee income, as a percentage of the average net investment in direct financing leases, declined 29 basis points from 3.38% for the year ended December 31, 2001 to 3.09% for the year ended December 31, 2002 primarily due to lower average late fees earned as a result of fewer delinquent accounts.

Interest expense increased $1.0 million from $16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $17.9 million for same period in 2002. Interest expense, as a percentage of average net investment in direct financing leases, decreased 185 basis points from 8.06% for the year ended December 31, 2001 to 6.21% for the same period in 2002 due to the declining interest rate environment and the resulting impact on our weighted average borrowing costs.

Insurance and other income. Insurance and other income increased $639,000, from $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $2.7 million for the same period in 2002. The increase is primarily related to higher insurance income of $855,000 related to a 33.9% increase in the number of insured accounts offset by lower miscellaneous income earned in the period.

Salaries and benefits expense. Salaries and benefits expense increased $2.8 million, or 52.8%, from $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $8.1 million for the same period in 2002. The increase in compensation expense is attributable to overall increases in compensation levels and increases to headcount. In 2002, sales compensation increased $793,000 related to additional hiring of sales account executives and higher commissions earned. In addition, collection and operations salaries increased $808,000 of which $551,000 was related to additional collection hires and higher commissions earned associated with improved portfolio delinquency performance. In 2002, management and support department compensation increased $1.1 million related to accrued management incentive bonuses and employee severance of $352,000 and $440,000, respectively. Total headcount increased from 168 at December 31, 2001 to 201 at December 31, 2002.

General and administrative expense. General and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million, or 24.6%, from $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $5.7 million for the same period in 2002. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due primarily to increased credit bureau charges of $186,000, legal expenses of $186,000, bank processing fees of $89,000, marketing costs of $70,000 and audit and tax services of $59,000. Additionally, we spent more on occupancy costs, temporary employee services, data processing and postage as a result of increased lease originations and our overall growth.

Financing related costs. Financing related costs increased $359,000, from $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $1.6 million for the same period in 2002. The increase was due to higher costs associated with interest cap agreements in the period.

Change in fair value of warrants. Warrants issued in connection with subordinated debt increased in value $908,000 from $514,000 at December 31, 2001 to $1.4 million at December 31, 2002 primarily as a result of increases in the estimated fair market value of our common stock used in valuing our warrants.

Provision for credit losses. The provision for credit losses increased $1.0 million, or 15.7%, from $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $6.9 million for the same period in 2002. The increase in our provision for credit losses was a result of the increased charge-offs and growth of our lease

28


 

portfolio. Net charge-offs were $4.6 million for the period ended December 31, 2001 and $5.9 million for the same period in 2002.

Provision for income taxes. The provision for income taxes increased 120.3%, from $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $3.7 million for the same period in 2002. The increase is directly attributable to the increase in pretax income. Our effective tax rate was 35.8% for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to 45.2% for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase in the 2002 effective tax rate was due to the impact of the changes in fair value of warrants and an increase in our effective tax rate applied to our deferred tax balances as a result of higher projected taxable income in future periods and certain changes in state tax rates.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2001 and 2000

Net income. Net income increased $1.1 million, or 73.4%, from $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase in net income is attributable to an increase in the net investment in direct financing leases, expanding net interest margins and lower operating expense levels as a percentage of average net investment in direct financing leases. For the year ended December 31, 2001, we generated 23,207 new leases with a cost of $171.4 million compared to 20,010 new leases with a cost of $141.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2000. The implicit weighted average interest rate on new leases originated was 16.60% for the year ended December 31, 2000 compared to 15.82% for the same period in 2001. Overall, the net investment in direct financing leases grew 48.9%, from $172.5 million at December 31, 2000 to $256.8 million at December 31, 2001.
                   
Year Ended December 31,

2000 2001


(dollars in thousands)
Interest income
  $ 18,224     $ 29,311  
Fee income
    4,424       7,093  
     
     
 
Interest and fee income
    22,648       36,404  
Interest expense
    11,607       16,881  
     
     
 
Net interest and fee income
  $ 11,041     $ 19,523  
     
     
 
Average net investment in direct financing leases
  $ 125,470     $ 209,404  
Percent of average net investment in direct financing leases:
               
 
Interest income
    14.52 %     14.00 %
 
Fee income
    3.53       3.38  
     
     
 
 
Interest and fee income
    18.05       17.38  
 
Interest expense
    9.25       8.06  
     
     
 
 
Net interest and fee margin
    8.80 %     9.32 %
     
     
 

Net interest and fee margin. Net interest and fee income increased $8.5 million, or 76.8%, from $11.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase in our net interest and fee margin represents an increase of 52 basis points from 8.80% for the year ended December 31, 2000 to 9.32% for the same period in 2001.

Interest income, net of amortized initial direct costs and fees, increased $11.1 million, or 60.8%, from $18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was due to growth in average net investment in direct financing leases of $83.9 million, from $125.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $209.4 million for the same period in 2001. In 2001, our weighted average cost of borrowing declined 119 basis points while our interest income yield declined less significantly, by 52 basis points. Our ability to sustain pricing and increase our net interest and fee margin was due to a less competitive leasing environment and the amount of direct business recorded during the period.

29


 

Fee income increased $2.7 million from $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase in fee income resulted primarily from higher late fees earned of $2.1 million from a higher number of delinquent accounts and additional residual gains on lease terminations, which include income on lease extensions, of $316,000 and increases in early prepayment gains and interim rents earned. Fee income, as a percentage of the average net investment in direct financing leases, declined 15 basis points from 3.53% for the year ended December 31, 2000 to 3.38% for the same period in 2001 as a result of lower interim rent and early prepayment gains.

Interest expense increased $5.3 million, or 45.4%, from $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. Our interest expense, as a percentage of average net investment in direct financing leases, decreased 119 basis points from 9.25% for the year ended December 31, 2000 to 8.06% for the year ended December 31, 2001 due to the declining interest rate environment and the resulting impact on our weighted average borrowing costs.

Insurance and other income. Insurance and other income increased $263,000, or 14.4%, from $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $2.1 million for the same period in 2001. The increase was primarily related to higher insurance income of $866,000 related to a 60.9% increase in the number of insured accounts under the program offset by a decrease in miscellaneous income earned in the period.

Salaries and benefits expense. Salaries and benefits expense increased $1.6 million, or 45.0%, from $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $5.3 million for the same period in 2001. In 2001, sales compensation increased $640,000 as a result of additional hiring of sales account executives and higher commissions earned. In addition, collection compensation increased $755,000 due to additional staff hires in support of growth in the portfolio. Compensation in management and support areas increased $301,000. Total headcount increased from 133 at December 31, 2000 to 168 at December 31, 2001.

General and administrative expense. General and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million, or 34.8%, from $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $4.6 million for the same period in 2001. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due primarily to higher occupancy costs of $165,000 related to our Mount Laurel office expansion, higher professional fees of $231,000 and increases in collections, depreciation, marketing, postage and credit bureau report spending.

Financing related costs. Financing related costs increased $320,000, from $939,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $1.3 million for the same period in 2001. The increase was due to higher commitment fees incurred of $444,000 offset by a decrease in costs associated with our interest rate cap agreements during the period.

Change in fair value of warrants. Warrants issued in connection with subordinated debt decreased in value $208,000 from $722,000 at December 31, 2000 to $514,000 at December 31, 2001 primarily as a result of a decline in the estimated fair market value of our common stock.

Provision for credit losses. The provision for credit losses increased by $3.4 million, or 137.0%, from $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $5.9 million for same period in 2001. The increase in our provision for credit losses was a result of the increased charge-offs and growth in our lease portfolio. Net charge-offs were $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 and $4.6 million for the same period in 2001.

Provision for income taxes. The provision for income taxes increased 92.2%, from $881,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $1.7 million for the same period in 2001. The increase is directly attributable to the increase in pretax income. Our effective tax rate was 36.0% for the year ended December 31, 2000 compared to 35.8% for the year ended December 31, 2001.

30


 

Operating Data

We manage expenditures using a comprehensive budgetary review process. Expenses are monitored by departmental heads and are reviewed by senior management monthly. The ratio of salaries and benefits and general and administrative expenses as a percent of the average net investment in direct financing leases shown below are metrics used by management to monitor productivity and spending levels.

                                                         
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003







(dollars in thousands)
Average net investment in direct financing leases
  $ 9,001     $ 48,748     $ 125,470     $ 209,404     $ 288,396     $ 266,813     $ 343,851  
Salaries and benefits expense
    1,200       2,058       3,660       5,306       8,109       3,671       4,851  
General and administrative expense
    831       3,450 (1)     3,419       4,610       5,744       2,638       3,505  
Percent of average net investment in leases:
                                                       
Salaries and benefits
    N/A       4.22 %     2.92 %     2.53 %     2.81 %     2.75 %     2.82 %
General and administrative (1)
    N/A       7.08 (1)     2.72       2.20       1.99       1.98       2.04  

(1) Includes a $1.3 million charge incurred in connection with the write-off of the securitized gain on sale previously recorded. Excluding the $1.3 million charge, the adjusted percentage is 4.47%.

Key growth indicators management evaluates regularly are sales account executive staffing levels and the activity of our origination sources, which are shown below.

                                                         
As of or For The
As of or For The Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003







Number of sales account executives
    21       32       41       50       67       56       69  
Number of originating sources (1)
    140       366       631       815       929       906       1,101  

(1) Monthly average of origination sources generating lease volume.

Residual Performance

Our leases offer our end user customers the option to own the purchased equipment at lease expiration. As of June 30, 2003, approximately 64% of our leases were one dollar purchase option leases, 21% were fair market value leases and 15% were fixed purchase option leases, the latter of which typically are 10% of the original equipment cost. As of June 30, 2003, there were $33.8 million of residual assets retained on our balance sheet of which $17.8 million were related to copiers.

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The chart below presents the residual collection results from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2003 for fair market value and fixed purchase option leases that have reached their expiration date as compared to the original recorded residuals for those leases. The amount collected is the total proceeds received from our end user customers at lease expiration, from end of term purchase negotiations or renewal rents or from third parties through the resale of the equipment.

(dollars in thousands)

(BAR GRAPH)

Asset Quality

The chart below provides our asset quality statistics for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003.
                                         
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of period
  $ 866     $ 1,720     $ 3,059     $ 3,059     $ 3,965  
Provision for credit losses
    2,497       5,918       6,850       3,523       3,770  
Charge-offs, net
    (1,643 )     (4,579 )     (5,944 )     (2,974 )     (3,284 )
     
     
     
     
     
 
Allowance for credit losses, end of period
  $ 1,720     $ 3,059     $ 3,965     $ 3,608     $ 4,451  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Annualized net charge-offs to average net investment in direct financing leases
    1.31 %     2.19 %     2.06 %     2.23 %     1.91 %
Allowance for credit losses to net investment in direct financing leases
    1.04       1.23       1.21       1.25       1.22  
Average net investment in direct financing leases
  $ 125,470     $ 209,404     $ 288,396     $ 266,813     $ 343,851  
Net investment in direct financing leases, end of period (1)
    165,695       248,230       328,047       289,566       363,409  
Delinquencies 60 days or more past due (2)
    1.31 %     1.94 %     0.86 %     0.65 %     0.64 %
Allowance for credit losses to delinquent accounts 60 days or more past due
    63.58       52.04       117.86       157.86       160.06  


(1) Excludes initial direct costs and fees deferred and anticipated collections.

(2) Calculated as a percent of minimum lease payments receivable.

The higher net charge-off percentage for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to 2002 was primarily due to $618,000 of charge-offs related to a dealer program that was discontinued in 2000. We

32


 

also improved our collection practices in 2002, and delinquencies and charge-offs decreased compared to 2001 as a result.

The lower net charge-off percentage for the six month period ended June 30, 2003 compared to 2002 was a result of the changes made to our collection practices in 2002. Accordingly, our allowance for credit losses as a percentage of accounts 60 days or more past due has been improving with the reduction in delinquencies. We also generally experience higher delinquency rates in December of each year, as we believe our borrowers adjust their payment patterns around the year-end.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our business requires a substantial amount of cash to operate and grow. Our primary liquidity need is for new lease originations. In addition, we need liquidity to pay interest and principal on our borrowings, to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with our securitization transactions, to fund infrastructure and technology investment and to pay administrative and other operating expenses. We are dependent upon the availability of financing from a variety of funding sources to satisfy these liquidity needs. Historically, we have relied upon four principal types of third party financing to fund our operations:

  borrowings under a revolving bank facility;
 
  financing of leases in CP conduit warehouse facilities;
 
  financing of leases through term note securitizations; and
 
  private placement of equity and debt securities with third party investors.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $24.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and $42.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002. Net cash provided by financing activities was $73.6 million in 2002, $80.7 million in 2001 and $89.1 million in 2000.

We used cash in investing activities of $39.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003, and $44.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002. Investing activities primarily relate to lease origination activity. We used cash in investing activities of $86.6 million in 2002, $88.5 million in 2001 and $85.9 million in 2000.

Additional liquidity is provided by our cash flow from operations. We generated cash flow from operations of $14.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003, and $10.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002. Net cash provided (used) by operations was $16.9 million in 2002, $8.8 million in 2001 and ($2.7) million in 2000.

We expect cash from operations, additional borrowings on existing and future credit facilities, the completion of additional on-balance-sheet term note securitizations and the proceeds of this offering to be adequate to support our operations and projected growth over the next eighteen months.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Our objective is to maintain a low cash balance, investing any free cash in leases. We generally fund our lease originations and growth using advances under our revolving bank facility and our CP conduit warehouse facilities. As of June 30, 2003, we had $71.7 million and as of December 31, 2002 we had $18.9 million in total cash and cash equivalents.

As of June 30, 2003, $65.4 million of our cash was classified as restricted cash, compared to $12.6 million at December 31, 2002. Restricted cash consists primarily of the cash reserve and advance payment accounts related to our term note securitizations. The restricted cash balance at June 30, 2003 included a $51.8 million prefunded cash balance in connection with our 2003-1 term note securitization. This prefunding account was used in its entirety by September 5, 2003 to acquire leases for inclusion in the asset pool related to the 2003-1 term note securitization.

Borrowings. Our aggregate outstanding secured borrowings amounted to $393.0 million at June 30, 2003 and $315.4 million at December 31, 2002. In addition, we had outstanding subordinated debt of $9.6 million at June 30, 2003 and $9.5 million at December 31, 2002.

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As of September 30, 2003, we had $371.2 million in outstanding secured borrowings. As of September 30, 2003, we also had $10.0 million in outstanding subordinated debt, which we intend to repay with a portion of the net proceeds we receive from this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Financing Sources

At June 30, 2003, our external financing sources, maximum facility amounts, amounts outstanding and unused available commitments, subject to certain minimum equity restrictions and other covenants and conditions, are summarized below:

                                                         
For the 12 Months Ended June 30, 2003 As of June 30, 2003


Maximum
Maximum Month End Average Weighted Weighted
Facility Amount Amount Average Amounts Average Unused
Amount Outstanding Outstanding Coupon Outstanding Coupon Capacity







(dollars in thousands)
Revolving bank facility (1)
  $ 32,500     $ 20,554     $ 9,661       4.22 %   $ 12,423       3.85 %   $ 20,077  
CP conduit warehouse facilities (1)
    200,000       130,466       60,340       2.36                   200,000  
Term note securitizations (2)
          380,533       257,137       5.22       380,533       4.02       N/A  
     
             
             
             
 
    $ 232,500               327,138       4.66       392,956       4.01     $ 220,077  
     
                                             
 
Subordinated debt (3)
            10,000       10,000       11.00       10,000       11.00          
                     
             
                 
                    $ 337,138             $ 402,956                  
                     
             
                 


(1) Subject to lease eligibility and borrowing base formula.
 
(2) Our term note securitizations are one-time fundings that pay down over time without any ability for us to draw down additional amounts. As of June 30, 2003, we had completed five on-balance-sheet term note securitizations.
 
(3) We intend to repay this outstanding subordinated debt with a portion of the net proceeds of this offering. After repayment, no further amount may be borrowed under the subordinated debt. Subordinated debt is shown at face amount including $421,000 of unamortized discount associated with warrants granted at time of issue.

Revolving bank facility. Our $32.5 million revolving bank facility is secured by leases that meet specified eligibility criteria. A revolving bank facility provides temporary funding pending the accumulation of sufficient pools of leases for financing through a CP conduit warehouse facility or an on-balance-sheet term note securitization. Funding under this facility is based on a borrowing base formula and factors in an assumed discount rate and advance rate against the pledged leases. During the six months ended June 30, 2003 and the year ended December 31, 2002, we had weighted average outstanding borrowings under this facility of $12.7 million for both periods and incurred interest expense under this facility of $254,000 and $551,000, respectively. This facility expires on August 31, 2005. As of September 30, 2003, we had $2.6 million in outstanding borrowings under the revolving bank facility.

CP conduit warehouse facilities. We have two CP conduit warehouse facilities that allow us to borrow, repay and re-borrow based on a borrowing base formula. In these transactions, we transfer pools of leases and interests in the related equipment to special purpose, bankruptcy remote subsidiaries. These special purpose entities in turn pledge their interests in the leases and related equipment to an unaffiliated conduit entity, which generally issues commercial paper to investors.

Our $125.0 million CP conduit warehouse facility is secured by leases that meet specified eligibility criteria. We obtain funding under this facility through a special-purpose, bankruptcy remote subsidiary to which we transfer eligible leases. Funding under this facility is based on a borrowing base formula and factors in an assumed discount rate and advance rate against the pledged collateral combined with specific portfolio concentration criteria. As of June 30, 2003, the maximum advance rate under this facility was 88.5% of our borrowing base. Interest on borrowings under the facility is charged at a floating rate based on commercial paper rates and averaged 1.93% for the six month period ended June 30, 2003. Our weighted average outstanding borrowings under this facility were $35.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 compared to $38.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. We incurred interest

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expense under this facility of $339,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003 compared to $955,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002. This facility expires on December 21, 2004.

Our $75.0 million CP conduit warehouse facility is also secured by leases that meet specified eligibility criteria. We obtain funding under this facility through a special-purpose, bankruptcy remote subsidiary to which we transfer eligible leases. Funding under the facility is based on a borrowing base formula and factors in an assumed discount rate and advance rate against the pledged collateral combined with specified portfolio concentration criteria. As of June 30, 2003, the maximum advance rate under this facility was 87.0% of our borrowing base. The facility is scheduled to expire on July 9, 2004, but may, at the option of the committed lenders, be renewed through July 9, 2005. Interest on borrowings under the facility is charged at a floating rate based on commercial paper rates and averaged 2.46% for the six month period ended June 30, 2003. We had weighted average outstanding borrowings under this facility of $64.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 compared to $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. We incurred interest under this facility of $799,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, compared to $287,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002.

As of September 30, 2003, we had $18.6 million in outstanding borrowings under the CP conduit warehouse facilities.

Term note securitizations. Since our founding, we have completed five on-balance-sheet term note securitizations. In connection with each securitization transaction, we have transferred leases to our wholly owned, special-purpose bankruptcy remote subsidiaries and issued term debt collateralized by such commercial leases to institutional investors in private securities offerings. Our term note securitizations differ from our CP conduit warehouse facilities primarily in that our term note securitizations have fixed terms, fixed interest rates and fixed principal amounts. By entering into term note securitizations, we reduce outstanding borrowings under our CP conduit warehouse facilities and revolving bank facility, which increases the amounts available to us under these facilities to fund additional lease originations. Our Series 1999-2 transaction, which was our first term note securitization, was repaid in full on January 15, 2003. Our Series 2000-1, 2001-1, 2002-1 and 2003-1 transactions are rated by Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings. Moody’s ratings for each of our outstanding securitizations are as follows: Class A notes — A1 for 2001 Class A notes and A2 for all others; Class B notes — Baa2; and Class C notes — Ba2.

As of June 30, 2003, $333.2 million of our net investment in direct financing leases was pledged to our term note securitizations. Each of our term note securitizations is summarized below:

                                   
Outstanding Scheduled
Notes Originally Balance as of Maturity Original
Issued June 30, 2003 Date Coupon Rate




(dollars in thousands)
1999-2
                               
 
Class A
  $ 75,600             N/A       7.79 %
 
Class B
    7,200             N/A       9.24  
 
Class C
    4,050             N/A       11.63  
     
     
             
 
    $ 86,850     $ 0               8.09 % (1)
     
     
             
 
2000-1
                               
 
Class A
  $ 86,500     $ 15,660       February 2005       7.73 %
 
Class B
    6,600       1,840       May 2005       8.84  
 
Class C
    3,800       1,060       August 2006       11.72  
     
     
             
 
    $ 96,900     $ 18,560               7.96 % (1)
     
     
             
 
 
footnote appears on following page

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Outstanding Scheduled
Notes Originally Balance as of Maturity Original
Issued June 30, 2003 Date Coupon Rate




(dollars in thousands)
2001-1
                               
 
Class A
  $ 103,300     $ 36,943       June 2005       5.60 %
 
Class B
    7,900       2,825       March 2007       6.51  
 
Class C
    4,560       1,631       May 2008       9.99  
     
     
             
 
    $ 115,760     $ 41,399               5.84 % (1)
     
     
             
 
2002-1
                               
 
Class A
  $ 166,280     $ 108,793       May 2007       4.16 %
 
Class B
    12,720       8,320       February 2008       5.02  
 
Class C
    5,380       3,520       May 2009       9.03  
     
     
             
 
    $ 184,380     $ 120,633               4.36 % (1)
     
     
             
 
2003-1
                               
 
Class A
  $ 197,290     $ 192,523       May 2008       2.90 %
 
Class B
    2,000       1,951       February 2009       4.16  
 
Class C
    5,600       5,467       April 2010       8.10  
     
     
             
 
    $ 204,890     $ 199,941               3.05 % (1)
     
     
             
 

(1) Represents the weighted average coupon rate for all tranches of the securitization.

As of September 30, 2003, we had $350.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the term note securitizations.

Subordinated Debt . We have issued $10.0 million in senior subordinated notes. The notes are due March 30, 2006 and carry an interest rate of 11.0%. We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay this debt. After repayment, no further amount may be borrowed under the senior subordinated notes.

Financial Covenants

All of our secured borrowing arrangements have financial covenants we must comply with in order to obtain funding through the facilities and to avoid an event of default. The revolving bank facility and CP conduit warehouse facilities also contain cross default provisions such that an event of default on any facility would be considered an event of default under the others, in essence simultaneously restricting our ability to access either of these critical sources of funding. A default by any of our term note securitizations is also considered an event of default under the revolving bank facility and CP conduit warehouse facilities. Some of the current critical financial covenants under our borrowing arrangements include:

  •  Tangible net worth (includes subordinated debt not payable in six months and redeemable preferred stock) of not less than $32.4 million;
 
  •  Debt to equity ratio of not more than 12-to-1;
 
  •  Fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.15-to-1; and
 
  •  Interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.25-to-1.

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Derivatives

Our CP conduit warehouse facilities require us to limit our exposure to an increase in interest rates by entering into either interest rate caps or interest rate swaps. To fulfill this obligation, to date we have only purchased interest rate caps from highly rated counterparties, typically rated AA- or better, and with notional principal protection that mirrors the amortization of our lease collateral. As of June 30, 2003, the fair market value of the interest rate caps purchased was $112,000, representing $145.7 million of notional principal. Our outstanding interest rate cap agreements do not meet the hedge accounting requirements of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivatives and accordingly are marked to market through finance related costs.

Contractual Obligations

In addition to our scheduled maturities on our credit facilities and term debt, we have future cash obligations under various types of contracts. We lease office space and office equipment under long-term operating leases. The contractual obligations under our agreements, credit facilities, term securitizations, subordinated debt, operating leases and commitments under non-cancelable contracts as of June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 were as follows:

                                         
Contractual Obligations as of June 30, 2003

Operating Leased Capital
Borrowings Leases Facilities Leases Total





(dollars in thousands)
2003
  $ 92,153     $ 51     $ 300     $ 162     $ 92,666  
2004
    136,439       83       664       272       137,458  
2005
    91,685       51       238       90       92,064  
2006
    57,884       32       240       23       58,179  
2007
    21,627       7       243       11       21,888  
Thereafter
    3,168             113       3       3,284  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total
  $ 402,956     $ 224     $ 1,798     $ 561     $ 405,539  
     
     
     
     
     
 
                                         
Contractual Obligations as of December 31, 2002

Operating Leased Capital
Borrowings Leases Facilities Leases Total





(dollars in thousands)
2003
  $ 179,201     $ 97     $ 499     $ 350     $ 180,147  
2004
    73,633       83       551       263       74,530  
2005
    40,532       51       126       81       40,790  
2006
    28,599       32       128       15       28,774  
2007
    3,382       7       130       2       3,521  
Thereafter
    14             66             80  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total
  $ 325,361     $ 270     $ 1,500     $ 711     $ 327,841  
     
     
     
     
     
 

Market Risk and Financial Instruments

We are exposed to market risk associated with changes in interest rates. To provide some protection against potential interest rate increases associated with our variable rate facilities, we are required by our CP conduit warehouse facilities to enter into derivative financial transactions. Accordingly, we are using interest rate caps to limit our exposure to an increase in interest rates in the underlying variable rate facilities. As of June 30, 2003, we held interest rate caps with a notional amount of $145.7 million with several financial institutions at various terms.

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The following table provides information about our derivative financial instruments and other financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, including debt obligations. For debt obligations, the table presents the expected principal cash flows and the related weighted average interest rates as of June 30, 2003 expected as of and for each year ended through December 31, 2007 and for periods thereafter.

                                                                   
Expected Maturity Date by Calendar Year

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Thereafter Total Fair Value








(dollars in thousands)
Debt:
                                                               
 
Fixed rate debt
  $ 79,730     $ 136,439     $ 91,684     $ 57,884     $ 21,627     $ 3,169     $ 390,533     $ 397,004  
 
Average fixed rate
    4.33 %     4.18 %     3.91 %     4.91 %     3.27 %     3.06 %     4.19 %        
 
Variable rate debt
  $ 12,423     $     $     $     $     $     $ 12,423     $ 12,423  
 
Average variable rate
    3.85 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     3.85 %        
Interest rate caps:
                                                               
 
Beginning notional balance
  $ 145,669     $ 120,761     $ 79,473     $ 38,723     $ 9,982     $ 2,570     $ 145,669     $ 112  
 
Ending notional balance
    120,761       79,473       38,723       9,982       2,570                    
 
Average strike rate
    6.01 %     5.99 %     5.96 %     5.96 %     5.75 %     5.75 %     5.98 %        

Our earnings are sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates. The revolving bank facility and CP conduit warehouse facilities are charged a floating rate of interest based on LIBOR or commercial paper interest rates. Because our assets are fixed rate, increases in these market interest rates would negatively impact earnings and decreases in the rates would positively impact earnings because the rate charged on our borrowings would change faster than our assets could reprice. We would have to offset increases in borrowing costs by adjusting the pricing under our new leases or our net interest margin would erode. There can be no assurance that we will be able to offset higher borrowing costs with increased pricing of our assets.

For example, the impact of a hypothetical 100 basis point (1.0%) increase in the market rates for which our borrowings are indexed for the twelve month period ended June 30, 2003 would have been to reduce net interest and fee income by approximately $700,000 based on our average variable rate borrowings of approximately $70.0 million for the year then ended, excluding the effects of any changes in the value of interest rate caps and possible increases in the yields from our lease portfolio due to the origination of new leases at higher interest rates.

We manage and monitor our exposure to interest rate risk using balance sheet simulation models. Such models incorporate many of our assumptions about our business including new asset production and pricing, interest rate forecasts, overhead expense forecasts and assumed credit losses. We also currently employ interest rate caps to offset some of our exposure to increasing interest rates.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others , or FIN 45. FIN 45 requires a guarantor to recognize a liability at the inception of the guarantee for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee and include more detailed disclosure with respect to guarantees. FIN 45 is effective for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, or FIN 46. FIN 46 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. FIN 46 also requires disclosures about variable interest entities that a company is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest. On October 9, 2003, the FASB deferred the implementation date of FIN 46 for variable interest entities that existed prior to February 1, 2003 from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2003. Pursuant to this deferral, public companies must complete their evaluations of variable interest entities that existed prior to February 1, 2003, and determine whether consolidation will be required for financial statements issued for

38


 

periods ending after December 15, 2003. For calendar year companies, consolidation of previously existing variable interest entities will be required in their financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements of FIN 46 apply immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and are not subject to deferral. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement has not had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Since inception, we have completed five term note securitizations. In connection with each transaction, we have established a bankruptcy remote special-purpose subsidiary and issued term debt to institutional investors. Under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, a replacement of FASB Statement 125 , our securitizations do not qualify for sales accounting treatment due to certain call provisions that we maintain as well as the fact that the special purpose entities used in connection with the securitizations also hold the residual assets. Accordingly, assets and related debt of the special purpose entities are included in our consolidated balance sheets. Our leases and restricted cash are assigned as collateral for these borrowings and there is no further recourse to the general credit of the Company. Collateral in excess of these borrowings represents our maximum loss exposure.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149 , Amendment of Statement 133 Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities . This statement amends and clarifies financial and accounting and reporting for derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. In particular, this statement: 1) clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristics of a derivative; 2) clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component; 3) amends the definition of an underlying to conform it to language used in FIN 45; and 4) amends certain other existing pronouncements. This Statement is effective for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003 and for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, except for provisions relating to Statement 133 Implementation Issues that have been effective for fiscal quarters that began prior to June 15, 2003 which should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective dates. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments and characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability or an asset in some circumstances. Many of those instruments were previously classified as equity. This Statement does not apply to features that are embedded in a financial instrument that is not a derivative in its entirety. For example, it does not change the accounting treatment for conversion features, or conditional redemption features. This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

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OUR BUSINESS

Overview

We are a nationwide provider of equipment financing solutions primarily to small businesses. We finance over 60 categories of commercial equipment important to our end user customers, including copiers, telephone systems, computers, and certain commercial and industrial equipment. Our average lease transaction was approximately $8,000 at June 30, 2003, and we typically do not exceed $150,000 for any single lease transaction. This segment of the equipment leasing market is commonly known in the industry as the small-ticket segment. We access our end user customers through origination sources comprised of our existing network of over 6,800 independent commercial equipment dealers and, to a lesser extent, through relationships with lease brokers and direct solicitation of our end user customers. We use a highly efficient telephonic direct sales model to market to our origination sources. Through these origination sources, we are able to deliver convenient and flexible equipment financing to our end user customers. Our typical financing transaction involves a non-cancelable, full-payout lease with payments sufficient to recover the purchase price of the underlying equipment plus an expected profit.

We were founded in June 1997 by a group of seasoned finance professionals, each with an average of 15 years of experience providing financing solutions to small businesses. This experience has enabled us to develop and effectively implement our business model, which allows us to efficiently originate and process a large volume of small-ticket transactions while managing credit risk through various economic cycles.

The small-ticket equipment leasing market is highly fragmented. We estimate that there are up to 75,000 independent equipment dealers who sell the types of equipment we finance. We focus primarily on an underserved segment of the market, the small and mid-size independent equipment dealers. This segment is underserved because: 1) the large commercial finance companies and large commercial banks typically concentrate their efforts on marketing their products and services directly to equipment manufacturers and larger distributors, rather than the independent equipment dealers; and 2) many smaller commercial finance companies and regional banking institutions have not developed the systems and infrastructure required to adequately service these equipment dealers on high volume, low-balance transactions. We focus on establishing our relationships with independent equipment dealers to meet their need for high quality, convenient point-of-sale lease financing programs. We provide equipment dealers with the ability to offer our lease financing and related services to their customers as an integrated part of their selling process, allowing them to increase their sales and provide better customer service. We believe our personalized service approach appeals to the independent equipment dealer by providing each dealer with a single point of contact to access our flexible lease programs, obtain rapid credit decisions and receive prompt payment of the equipment cost.

We have developed a fully integrated account origination platform that enables us to solicit, process and service a large number of low balance financing transactions. From our inception in 1997 to June 30, 2003, we processed approximately 225,000 lease applications and originated nearly 100,000 new leases. A key element to this platform is our ability to obtain detailed information on our origination sources and end user customers at all stages of a financing transaction, and effectively manage that information so it can be used across all aspects of our operations. Another important component of our origination platform is our contact management system, which systematically organizes and directs our solicitation efforts through telephony and technology applications. Our 69 sales account executives have instant desktop access to our data warehouse of origination source account information and the necessary applications to manage that information to generate new business. Our credit team utilizes our internal data and on-line reporting to assess the performance of all transactions referred by a particular origination source, identify and respond to portfolio trends and review detailed reports based on information stored in our systems. This enterprise-wide approach to information management allows us to grow our small-ticket lease portfolio organically while maintaining control over distribution, credit, pricing and terms. We believe that our origination platform is unique in the industry and not easily replicated, thereby providing us with a competitive advantage serving our market segment.

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Effectively managing credit risk at the origination source, as well as at the transaction and portfolio levels, has enabled us to maintain credit quality as our portfolio has grown. At June 30, 2003, our greater than 60 day delinquency rate as a percentage of minimum lease payments receivable was 0.64%, and our annual net charge-off rate to our average net investment in direct financing leases for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was 1.91%. At December 31, 2002, our greater than 60 day delinquency rate as a percentage of minimum lease payments receivable was 0.86%, and our net charge-off rate to our average net investment in direct financing leases was 2.06%. Based on industry data for the small-ticket segment of the equipment leasing industry compiled by the ELA, our delinquencies and net charge-offs are below industry averages. We attribute our relatively low historical delinquency and loss rate levels to: 1) our comprehensive credit underwriting process, which applies a rules-based human decision making process that our management team has developed and refined based on their extensive experience in providing financing to small businesses; 2) our effective collection strategies; and 3) our diversified portfolio, which is comprised of approximately 60,000 active end user customers, none of which accounted for more than 0.07% of our portfolio at June 30, 2003.

We fund our business through a diverse funding strategy that involves a variety of financing sources. We utilize a revolving bank facility and two commercial paper conduit warehouse facilities, each of which is provided by a national credit provider. In addition, we have completed five on-balance-sheet term securitizations. Collectively, our financing strategy has provided us with sufficient funding capacity to maintain and grow our business. We believe that our asset quality, consistent financial performance and experienced management team have enabled us to access funding through multiple sources at competitive rates during fluctuating economic conditions, which in turn has allowed us to consistently grow our lease portfolio.

Industry Background

The ELA estimates that in 2003 business investment in equipment will be approximately $668.0 billion, of which approximately $208.0 billion will be financed through leasing. The equipment leasing market is divided into three segments which are differentiated by the cost of the equipment: small-ticket, middle-market and large-ticket. We compete in the highly-fragmented small-ticket segment of the lease financing market, which is comprised of lease transactions that are below $250,000 in equipment cost. According to the ELA’s most recent estimates, the small-ticket segment accounted for approximately 30% of the estimated total new leasing volume originated in 2001, which would equate to an approximate $62.4 billion segment in 2003 assuming comparable volume among the segments for 2003. Based upon this data and our industry experience, we estimate the size of the portion of the small-ticket leasing market in which we operate to be approximately $12 to $15 billion, of which we have less than a 2% market share.

Our end user customers are primarily small businesses. Small businesses, defined by the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy as firms having fewer than 500 employees, are an integral part of the United States economy. In 2002, the Office of Advocacy estimates there were approximately 22.9 million small businesses in the United States. These small businesses:

  represent approximately 99% of all employers;
 
  account for more than 50% of the non-farm private gross domestic product;
 
  employ more than half of all private sector employees; and
 
  generate 60% to 80% of the net new jobs each year.

Traditionally, depository institutions such as commercial banks and thrift institutions, as well as non-depository institutions such as finance, leasing, mortgage, brokerage and insurance companies, have served the financing needs of small businesses. However, the recent trends of tightened bank lending standards and consolidation in the banking industry have driven small businesses to consider lease financing as a viable alternative for securing their equipment acquisitions.

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Our Competitive Strengths

We believe several characteristics distinguish us from our competitors, including our:

  Multiple sales origination channels. We use multiple sales origination channels to effectively penetrate the highly diversified and fragmented small-ticket equipment leasing market. Our direct origination channels , which account for approximately 66% of our originations, involve: 1) establishing relationships with independent equipment dealers; 2) securing endorsements from national equipment manufacturers and distributors to become the preferred lease financing source for the independent dealers that sell their equipment; and 3) directly soliciting our existing end user customer base for repeat business. Our indirect origination channels account for approximately 34% of our originations and consist of our relationships with brokers and certain equipment dealers who refer transactions to us for a fee or sell us leases that they originated.
 
  •  Highly effective account origination platform. Our telephonic direct marketing platform offers origination sources a high level of personalized service through our team of 69 sales account executives, each of whom acts as the single point of contact for his or her origination sources. Our business model is built on a real-time, fully integrated customer information database and a contact management and telephony application that facilitate our account solicitation and servicing functions. Our origination platform enables us to: 1) identify and frequently contact thousands of origination source prospects in a cost efficient manner; 2) closely monitor and assess the effectiveness of the sales account executives responsible for converting these prospects into account relationships; and 3) provide an expert resource to facilitate the independent equipment dealer’s use of various types of lease financing as a sales tool.
 
  •  Comprehensive credit process. We believe that asset quality is dependent upon effectively managing credit risk at the origination source as well as at the transaction and portfolio levels. Our comprehensive credit process starts with the qualification and ongoing review of our origination sources. We expend considerable effort to align ourselves only with qualified and stable origination sources. Once the origination source is approved, our credit process focuses on analyzing and underwriting the end user customer and the specific financing transaction, regardless of whether the transaction was originated through our direct or indirect origination channels. Our credit analysts apply our underwriting guidelines to each transaction. These guidelines, which are frequently reviewed and updated by our Senior Credit Committee, have been developed based on our management’s extensive industry experience and our ongoing detailed review and analysis of our portfolio mix and performance.
 
  •  Portfolio diversification. At June 30, 2003, our average lease transaction was approximately $8,000, and our typical leases do not exceed $150,000 for any single lease transaction. As of June 30, 2003, no single end user customer accounted for more than 0.07% of our portfolio and leases from our largest origination source accounted for only 2.9% of our portfolio. In addition, at June 30, 2003, we had financed over 60 equipment categories and had leases outstanding in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This highly diversified portfolio helps to mitigate credit risk.
 
  Fully integrated information management system. Our business integrates information technology solutions to optimize the sales origination, credit, collection and account servicing functions. Throughout a transaction, we collect a significant amount of information on our origination sources and end user customers. The enterprise-wide integration of our systems enables data collected by one group, such as credit, to be used by other groups, such as sales or collections, to better perform their functions. We use highly efficient data retrieval and query tools to deliver real time information to our employees’ desktops. This high degree of automation and process integration across all

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  aspects of our business results in lower transaction costs, improved operating efficiencies and better credit decisions.
 
  Highly sophisticated collections environment. Our centralized collections department is structured to collect delinquent accounts, minimize credit losses and collect post charge-off recovery dollars. Our collection strategy utilizes a life-cycle approach, where a single collector handles an account through its entire delinquency period. This approach allows the collector to consistently communicate with the end user customer’s decision maker to ensure that delinquent customers are providing consistent information. It also creates account ownership by the collectors, which is the foundation of our pay for performance incentive compensation plans.
 
  Access to multiple funding sources. We have established and maintained diversified funding capacity through multiple facilities with several national credit providers. Our proven ability to consistently access funding at competitive rates through various economic cycles provides us with the liquidity necessary to manage our business.
 
  •  Experienced management team. Our executive officers average 15 years of experience in providing financing solutions primarily to small businesses. Prior to our formation in 1997, our founders played key roles in the development and management of the leasing operations of Advanta Business Services, a subsidiary of Advanta Corp. As we have grown, our founders have expanded the management team with a group of successful, seasoned executives. Immediately following this offering, our executive officers will beneficially own approximately 8.5% of our common stock.

Disciplined Growth Strategy

Our history of organic growth demonstrates our ability to succeed through various economic cycles. Our primary objective is to enhance our current position as a provider of equipment financing solutions primarily to small businesses by pursuing a strategy focused on the following organic growth initiatives:

  Expand and enhance our relationships with origination sources. We believe we can increase our new origination source relationships and seek additional lease financing opportunities from our existing origination sources. We believe that our 2002 new lease originations of $203.5 million represented less than 2% of the small-ticket market that we target, leaving us significant opportunity to continue our organic growth. We expect to continue our growth by adding new sales account executives and continuing to train and season our existing sales force. We provide extensive training and mentoring to our sales account executives. As a result, as a sales account executive’s tenure with us increases, so does his or her productivity. We also provide ongoing training to our origination sources on how to use our financing services as a way to increase their sales, thereby increasing the business we get from these sources.
 
  •  Increase portfolio of repeat customers. Our existing portfolio of end user customers offers us the opportunity for repeat business. As of June 2003, we had approximately 60,000 different end user customers, of which approximately 7,100, or 12%, have more than one lease with us. We have an opportunity to grow our portfolio by increasing the percentage of customers who have more than one lease with us. As a result, during 2002 we formed an end user sales group that proactively solicits our existing end user customer base for additional lease transactions. We believe that this group can be successful in further increasing our repeat customer business and thus create future portfolio growth.
 
  Strategic regional expansion. We have been able to increase our penetration in the Southeast and Central Mountain regions of the United States by establishing regional offices in Georgia and Colorado. We are continuing to evaluate opportunities to establish additional regional offices in other areas of the United States, with the leading region at this time being the Midwest. By strategically expanding our regional offices, we believe

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  we can increase originations in areas of the country that are currently under-weighted in our portfolio.
 
  Expand product offerings. We believe that we can leverage our existing relationships with our end user customers by strategically offering them other products or services. By doing this, we believe we can increase our profitability and enhance our relationships with our origination sources. Our property insurance product is one example of an opportunity that we analyzed, pursued and successfully implemented. To the extent that we are able to replicate this success with other products and services, we would create additional growth opportunities.

Asset Originations

Overview of Origination Process. We access our end user customers through origination sources comprised of our extensive network of independent equipment dealers and, to a lesser extent, through relationships with lease brokers and the direct solicitation of our end user customers. We use a highly efficient telephonic direct sales model to market to our origination sources. Through these sources, we are able to deliver convenient and flexible equipment financing to our end user customers.

Our origination process begins with our database of thousands of origination source prospects located throughout the United States. We developed and continually update this database by purchasing marketing data from third parties, such as Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., by joining industry organizations and by attending equipment trade shows. The independent equipment dealers we target typically have had limited access to lease financing programs, as the traditional providers of this financing generally have concentrated their efforts on the equipment manufacturers and larger distributors.

The prospects in our database are systematically distributed to our sales force for solicitation and further data collection. Sales account executives access prospect information and related marketing data through our contact management software. This contact management software enables the sales account executives to sort their origination sources and prospects by any data field captured, schedule calling campaigns, fax marketing materials, send e-mails, produce correspondence and documents, manage their time and calendar, track activity, recycle leads and review management reports. We have also integrated predictive dialer technology into the contact management system, enabling our sales account executives to create efficient calling campaigns to any subset of the origination sources in the database.

Once a sales account executive converts a prospect into an active relationship, that sales account executive becomes the origination source’s single point of contact for all dealings with us. This approach, which is a cornerstone of our origination platform, offers our origination sources a personal relationship through which they can address all of their questions and needs, including matters relating to pricing, credit, documentation, training and marketing. The sales account executives are paid commissions on their originations, thereby properly incenting them to provide the best possible service. This single point of contact approach distinguishes us from our competitors, many of whom require the origination sources to interface with several people in various departments, such as sales support, credit and customer service, for each application submitted. Since many of our origination sources have little or no prior experience in using lease financing as a sales tool, our personalized, single point of contact approach facilitates the leasing process for them. Other key aspects of our platform aimed at facilitating the lease financing process for the origination sources include:

  ability to submit applications via fax, phone, internet, mail or e-mail;
 
  credit decisions generally within two hours;
 
  one-page, plain-English form of lease for transactions under $50,000;
 
  overnight or ACH funding to the origination source once all lease conditions are satisfied;
 
  value-added portfolio reports, such as application status and volume of lease originations;

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  on-site or telephonic training of the equipment dealer’s sales force on leasing as a sales tool; and
 
  custom leases and programs.

Of our 212 total employees as of June 30, 2003, we employed 69 sales account executives, each of whom receives a base salary and earns commissions based on their lease originations. We also employed three employees dedicated to marketing as of June 30, 2003. Our marketing expenses increased $71,000 from June 30, 2002 to June 30, 2003.

Sales Origination Channels. We use direct and indirect sales origination channels to effectively penetrate a multitude of origination sources in the highly diversified and fragmented small-ticket equipment leasing market. All of the sales account executives in our New Jersey headquarters and our Colorado, Georgia and Pennsylvania regional offices use our telephonic direct marketing sales model to solicit these origination sources and end user customers.

  Direct Channels. Our direct sales origination channels, which account for approximately 66% of our originations, involve:

  —  Independent equipment dealer solicitations. This origination channel focuses on soliciting and establishing relationships with independent equipment dealers in a variety of equipment categories located across the United States. Our typical independent equipment dealer has less than $2.0 million in annual revenues and fewer than 20 employees. Service is a key determinant in becoming the preferred provider of financing recommended by these equipment dealers. At June 30, 2003, we had 53 sales account executives in this direct origination channel, including a dedicated team of 11 sales account executives who focus solely on copier and office equipment dealers.
 
  National account endorsements. This channel focuses on securing endorsements from national equipment manufacturers and distributors and then leveraging those endorsements to become the preferred lease financing source for the independent dealers that sell the manufacturers’ or distributors’ equipment. Once the national account team receives an endorsement, the equipment dealers that sell the endorsing manufacturer’s or distributor’s products are contacted by our sales account executives in the independent equipment dealer channel. This allows us to quickly and efficiently leverage the endorsements into new business opportunities with many new equipment dealers located nationwide. At June 30, 2003, we had three sales account executives in the national account group and 37 active national account endorsements.
 
  End user customer solicitations. This channel focuses on soliciting our existing portfolio of approximately 60,000 end user customers for additional equipment leasing opportunities. We view our existing end user customers as an excellent source for additional business for various reasons, including that we already have their credit information and lease payment histories and they have already shown a propensity to finance their equipment. At June 30, 2003, we had four sales account executives focused solely on the direct solicitation of our end user customers.

  Indirect Channels. Our indirect origination channels account for approximately 34% of our originations and consist of our relationships with lease brokers and certain equipment dealers who refer end user customer transactions to us for a fee or sell us leases that they originated with an end user customer. We conduct our own independent credit analysis on each end user customer in an indirect lease transaction. We have written agreements with most of our indirect origination sources whereby they provide us with certain

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  representations and warranties about the underlying lease transaction. The origination sources in our indirect channels generate leases that are similar to our direct channels. We view these indirect channels as an opportunity to extend our lease origination capabilities through relationships with smaller originators who have limited access to the capital markets and funding. At June 30, 2003, we had nine sales account executives focused on our indirect origination channels.

Sales Recruiting, Training and Mentoring

Our recruiting process identifies potential sales account executive candidates through sales recruiters, referrals, the internet and print advertising. Candidates are screened for previous sales experience and communication skills, phone presence and teamwork orientation. Due to our extensive training program and systematized sales approach, we do not regard previous leasing or finance industry experience as being necessary. Our location of offices near large urban centers gives us access to large numbers of qualified candidates.

Each new sales account executive undergoes up to a 60-day comprehensive training program shortly after he or she is hired. The training program covers the fundamentals of lease finance and introduces the sales account executive to our origination and credit policies and procedures. It also covers technical training on our databases and our information management tools and techniques. At the end of the program, the sales account executives are tested to ensure they meet our standards.

In addition to our formal training program, sales account executives also receive extensive on-the-job training and mentoring. All sales account executives sit in groups, providing newer sales account executives the opportunity to learn first hand from their more senior peers. In addition, our sales managers frequently monitor and coach a sales account executive during phone calls, enabling the individual to receive immediate feedback.

Beyond our formal training program, our sales account executives receive significant continuing education and training. These programs include periodic detailed presentations on our contact management system, underwriting guidelines and sales enhancement techniques.

Product Offerings

Equipment leases. The type of lease products offered by each of our sales origination channels share common characteristics, and we generally underwrite our leases using the same criteria. We seek to reduce the financial risk associated with our lease transactions through the use of full pay-out leases. A full pay-out lease provides that the non-cancelable rental payments due during the initial lease term are sufficient to recover the purchase price of the underlying equipment plus an expected profit. The initial non-cancelable lease term is equal to or less than the equipment’s economic life. Initial terms generally range from 36 to 60 months. At June 30, 2003, the average original term of the leases in our portfolio was approximately 45 months, and we had personal guarantees on approximately 48% of our leases. The remaining terms and conditions of our leases are substantially similar, generally requiring end user customers to, among other things:

  address any maintenance or service issues directly with the equipment dealer or manufacturer;
 
  insure the equipment against property and casualty loss;
 
  pay all taxes associated with the equipment;
 
  use the equipment only for business purposes; and
 
  make all scheduled payments regardless of the performance of the equipment.

When appropriate throughout the term of the lease, we charge late fees, prepayment penalties, and loss and damage waiver fees. Our standard lease contract provides that in the event of a default, we can require payment of the entire balance due under the lease through the initial term and can seize and remove the

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equipment for subsequent sale, refinancing or other disposal at our discretion, subject to any limitations imposed by law.

At the time of application, end user customers select a purchase option that will allow them to purchase the equipment at the end of the contract term for either one dollar, the fair market value of the equipment or a specified percentage of the original equipment cost. At June 30, 2003, approximately 64% of our leases had one dollar purchase options, 21% had fair market value purchase options and 15% had purchase options at a specified percentage, typically 10% of the original equipment cost. We seek to realize our recorded residual in leased equipment at the end of the initial lease term by collecting the purchase option price from the end user customer, re-marketing the equipment in the secondary market or receiving additional rental payments pursuant to the contract’s automatic renewal provision.

Property Insurance on Leased Equipment. Our lease agreements specifically require the end user customers to obtain all-risk property insurance in an amount equal to the replacement value of the equipment and to designate us as the loss payee on the policy. If the end user customer already has a commercial property policy for its business, it can satisfy its obligation under the lease by delivering a certificate of insurance that evidences us as a loss payee under that policy. At June 30, 2003, approximately 57% of our end user customers insured the equipment under their existing policies. For the others, we offer an insurance product through a master property insurance policy underwritten by a third party national insurance company that is licensed to write insurance under our program in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This master policy names us as the beneficiary for all of the equipment insured under the policy and provides the end user customer with all-risk coverage for the replacement cost of the equipment.

In May 2000, we established AssuranceOne, Ltd., our Bermuda-based, wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary, to enter into a reinsurance contract with the issuer of the master property insurance policy. Under this contract, AssuranceOne reinsures 100% of the risk under the master policy, and the issuing insurer pays AssuranceOne the policy premiums, less a ceding fee based on annual net premiums written. The reinsurance contract expires in May 2006.

Portfolio Overview

We believe that our portfolio is well diversified. At June 30, 2003, we had 72,771 active leases in our portfolio, representing an aggregate minimum lease payments receivable of $432.1 million. With respect to our portfolio at June 30, 2003:

  the average original lease transaction was $7,832;
 
  approximately 84% of the number of leases had a remaining balance of $10,000 or less, with an average remaining balance of $5,939;
 
  our active leases were spread among 59,561 different end user customers, with the largest single end user customer accounting for only 0.07% of the aggregate minimum lease payments receivable;
 
  over 66% of the aggregate minimum lease payments receivable were with end user customers who had been in business more than five years;
 
  the portfolio was spread among 7,640 origination sources, with the largest source accounting for only 2.9% of the aggregate minimum lease payments receivable, and our ten largest origination sources accounting for only 11.2% of the aggregate minimum lease payments receivable;

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  there were 67 different equipment categories financed, with the largest categories set forth below, as a percentage of the June 30, 2003 aggregate minimum lease payments receivable:

         
Equipment Category Percentage


Copiers
    20 %
Water filtration systems
    8 %
Telephone systems
    8 %
Computers
    7 %
Commercial & Industrial
    7 %
Automotive (no titled vehicles)
    6 %
Restaurant equipment
    5 %
Security systems
    5 %
Closed Circuit TV security systems
    5 %
Cash registers
    3 %
Medical
    3 %
Computer software
    3 %
All others (none more than 2%)
    20 %

  we had leases outstanding with end user customers located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with our largest states of origination set forth below, as a percentage of the June 30, 2003 aggregate minimum lease payments receivable:

         
State Percentage


California
    12 %
Florida
    9 %
Texas
    9 %
New York
    7 %
New Jersey
    6 %
Pennsylvania
    4 %
Georgia
    4 %
North Carolina
    4 %
Massachusetts
    3 %
Illinois
    3 %
Ohio
    3 %
All others (none more than 2%)
    36 %

Information Management

A critical element of our business operations is our ability to collect detailed information on our origination sources and end user customers at all stages of a financing transaction and to effectively manage that information so that it can be used across all aspects of our business. Our information management system integrates a number of technologies to optimize our sales origination, credit, collection and account servicing functions. Applications used across our business include:

  a sales information database that: 1) summarizes vital information on our prospects, origination sources, competitors and end user customers compiled from third party data, trade associations, manufacturers, transaction information and data collected through the sales solicitation process; 2) systematically analyzes call activity patterns to improve outbound calling campaigns; and 3) produces detailed reports using a variety of data fields to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of our sales account executives;

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  a credit performance database that stores extensive portfolio performance data on our origination sources and end user customers. Our credit staff has on-line access to this information to monitor origination sources, end user customer exposure, portfolio concentrations and trends and other credit performance indicators. Using programming models developed by us, we are able to produce reports capable of assessing historical results as well as projecting portfolio performance under multiple scenarios;
 
  predictive auto dialer technology that is used in both the sales origination and collection processes to improve the efficiencies by which these groups make their thousands of daily phone calls;
 
  imaging technology that enables our employees to retrieve to their desktops all documents evidencing a lease transaction and instantly fax or e-mail copies to the origination source or end user customer, thereby further improving our operating efficiencies and service levels; and
 
  an integrated voice response unit that enables our end user customers the opportunity to quickly and efficiently obtain certain information from us about their account.

Our information technology platform infrastructure is industry standard and fully scalable to support future growth. The foundation of our platform is a Microsoft NT local area network, the architecture and underlying bandwidth which provide a foundation for the addition of a substantial number of additional PCs and components. The network equipment supporting this network is mainstream and widely utilized. Our systems are backed up nightly and a full set of data tapes is sent to an off-site storage provider weekly. In addition, we have contracted with a third party for disaster recovery services.

Credit Underwriting

Credit underwriting is separately performed and managed apart from asset origination. Each sales origination channel has one or more credit team supporting it. Our credit teams are located in our New Jersey headquarters and our Colorado and Georgia regional offices. At June 30, 2003, we had 19 credit analysts managed by five credit managers having an average of eight years of experience. Each credit analyst is measured monthly against a discrete set of performance variables, including decision turnaround time, approval and loss rates, and adherence to our underwriting policies and procedures.

Our typical financing transaction involves three parties: the origination source, the end user customer and us. The key elements of our comprehensive credit underwriting process include the pre-qualification and ongoing review of origination sources, the performance of due diligence procedures on each end user customer and the monitoring of overall portfolio trends and underwriting standards.

Pre-qualification and ongoing review of origination sources. Each origination source must be pre-qualified before we will accept applications from it. The origination source must submit a source profile, which we use to review the origination source’s credit bureau information and a Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. report and check its references. Over time, our database has captured credit profiles on thousands of origination sources. We regularly track all applications and lease originations by source, assessing whether the origination source has a high application decline rate and analyzing the delinquency rates on the leases originated through that source. Any unusual situations that arise involving the origination source are noted in the source’s file. Each origination source is reviewed on a regular basis using portfolio performance statistics as well as any other information noted in the source’s file. We will place an origination source on watch status if its portfolio performance statistics are consistently below our expectations. If the origination source’s statistics do not improve in a timely manner, we often stop accepting applications from that origination source. Our knowledge of our origination sources is extensive and is frequently updated with new information.

End user customer review. Each end user customer’s application is reviewed using our rules-based set of underwriting guidelines that focus on commercial and consumer credit data. These underwriting guidelines have been developed and refined by our management team based on their lengthy experience in extending

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credit to small businesses. The guidelines are reviewed and revised as necessary by our Senior Credit Committee, which is comprised of our CEO, President, General Counsel, Vice President of Credit and Vice President of Collections. Our underwriting guidelines require a thorough credit investigation of the end user customer, including an analysis of the personal credit of the owner, who often guarantees the transaction, verification of the corporate name, location and time in business and review of bank and trade references.

Credit approvals are granted based on respective levels of authority as follows:

     
Approving party Authority based on total end user customer exposure


Senior Credit Committee   greater than $150,000
 
Vice President of Credit
and one other member of
Senior Credit Committee
  $125,001 to $150,000
 
Vice President of Credit   $100,001 to $125,000
 
Credit Manager   up to $100,000, based on experience
 
Credit Analyst   up to $60,000, based on experience

Origination sources can submit a credit application for the end user customer via telephone, facsimile, mail or electronic transmission. A credit analyst with proper authority will review the application by obtaining commercial information reports and generic scores from online databases maintained by the reporting agencies such as Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. and Experian Information Solutions, Inc. In most instances, the personal credit of the business owner will also be reviewed by obtaining consumer credit reports from one of the consumer reporting agencies such as Trans Union, Experian or Equifax. We seek to obtain consumer credit information on the owner even if there is no personal guaranty required on the transaction, because the owner’s personal credit report can provide insight as to how the owner will handle the business credit. Each application is also screened through our origination source performance database to ensure that we have no performance or delinquency issues in our existing portfolio of transactions with the referring origination source. The credit analyst may also consider other factors in the credit decision process, including:

  length of time in business;
 
  confirmation of actual business operations and ownership;
 
  management history, including prior business experience;
 
  size of the business, including the number of employees and financial strength of the business;
 
  bank and trade references;
 
  legal structure of business; and
 
  fraud indicators.

Transactions over $75,000 often receive a higher level of scrutiny, including review of financial statements or tax returns and review of the business purpose of the equipment to the end user customer.

Within two hours of receipt of the application, the credit analyst is usually ready to render a credit decision. If there is insufficient information to render a credit decision, a request for more information will be made by the credit analyst. Credit approvals are valid for a 90-day period from the date of initial approval. In the event that the funding does not occur within the 90-day initial approval period, a re-approval may be issued after the credit analyst has reprocessed all the relevant credit information to determine that the creditworthiness of the applicant has not deteriorated.

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In most instances after a lease is approved, a phone audit with the end user customer is performed by us, or in some instances by the origination source, prior to funding the transaction. The purpose of this audit is to verify information on the credit application, review the terms and conditions of the lease contract, confirm the customer’s satisfaction with the equipment, and obtain additional billing information. We will delay paying the origination source for the equipment if the credit analyst uncovers any material issues during the phone audit.

The chart below illustrates the selectivity of our lease approval process from our inception to June 30, 2003.

TOTAL EQUIPMENT COST CHART

Monitoring of portfolio trends and underwriting standards. Credit personnel use our databases and our information management tools to monitor the characteristics and attributes of our overall portfolio. Reports are frequently produced to analyze origination source performance, end user customer delinquencies, portfolio concentrations, trends, and other related indicators of portfolio performance. Any significant findings are presented to the Senior Credit Committee for review and action.

Our internal credit audit and surveillance team is responsible for ensuring that the credit department adheres to all underwriting guidelines. The audits produced by this department are designed to monitor our origination sources, fraud indicators, regional office operations, appropriateness of exceptions to credit policy and documentation quality. Management reports are regularly generated by this department detailing the results of these auditing activities.

Account Servicing

We service all of the leases we originate. Account servicing involves a variety of functions performed by numerous work groups, including:

  entering the lease into our accounting and billing system;
 
  preparing the invoice information;
 
  filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements on leases in excess of $25,000;
 
  paying the equipment dealers for leased equipment;
 
  billing, collecting and remitting sales, use and property taxes to the taxing jurisdictions;
 
  assuring compliance with insurance requirements;
 
  providing customer service to the leasing customers; and
 
  managing residuals by seeking to realize our recorded residual in leased equipment at the end of the initial lease term.

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Our integrated lease processing and accounting systems automate many of the functions associated with servicing high volumes of small-ticket leasing transactions.

Collection Process

Our centralized collections department is structured to collect delinquent accounts, minimize credit losses and collect post-default recovery dollars. Our collection strategy utilizes a life-cycle approach, under which a single collector handles an account through an account’s entire period of delinquency. This approach allows the collector to consistently communicate with the end user customer’s decision maker to ensure that delinquent customers are providing consistent information. It also creates account ownership by the collectors, allowing us to evaluate them based on the delinquency level of their assigned accounts. The collectors are individually accountable for their results and a significant portion of their compensation is based on the delinquency performance of their accounts. The collection managers review and assess each collector’s call activity and delinquency levels daily.

Our collectors are grouped into teams that support a single sales origination channel. By supporting a single channel, the collector is able to gain knowledge about the origination sources and the types of transactions and other characteristics within that channel. Our collection activities begin with phone contact when a payment becomes ten days past due and continue throughout the delinquency period. We utilize a predictive dialer that automates outbound telephone dialing. The dialer is used to focus on and reduce the number of accounts that are between ten and 30 days delinquent. A series of collection notices are sent once an account reaches the 30-, 60-, 75- and 90-day delinquency stages. Collectors input notes directly into our servicing system, enabling them to monitor the status of problem accounts and promptly take any necessary actions. In addition, late charges are assessed when a leasing customer fails to remit payment on a lease by its due date. If the lease continues to be delinquent, we may exercise our remedies under the terms of the contract, including acceleration of the entire lease balance, litigation and/or repossession. Bankrupt accounts are assigned to a bankruptcy paralegal and accounts with more than $30,000 outstanding are assigned to more experienced collection personnel.

After an account becomes 120 days or more past due, it is charged-off and referred to our internal recovery group, consisting of a lawyer and a team of paralegals. This group has the task of maximizing recoveries on all charged-off accounts. The group utilizes several resources to achieve its goal, including: 1) initiating litigation against the end user customer and any personal guarantor using our internal legal staff; 2) referring the account to an outside law firm or collection agency; and/or 3) repossessing and remarketing the equipment through third parties. Much of the litigation initiated internally by our recovery staff is filed in small claims court, resulting in a productive, cost-efficient manner by which we can formally pursue a customer for a small charged-off amount.

Government Regulation

Although most states do not directly regulate the equipment lease financing business, certain states require licensing of lenders and finance companies, impose limitations on interest rates and other charges, mandate disclosure of certain contract terms and constrain collection practices and remedies. Under certain circumstances, we may also be required to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. These acts require, among other things, that we provide notice to credit applicants of their right to receive a written statement of reasons why application for credit is declined. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) of 1991 and similar statutes or rules in certain states governing telemarketing practices are generally not applicable to our business-to-business calling platform; however, we are subject to the sections of the TCPA that regulate business-to-business facsimiles.

Our insurance operations are subject to various types of governmental regulation. First, we are required to maintain insurance producer licenses in the states in which we sell our insurance product. Second, our wholly owned insurance company subsidiary, AssuranceOne Ltd., is a Class 1 Bermuda insurance company and, as such, is subject to the Insurance Act 1978 of Bermuda, as amended, and related regulations.

We believe that we are currently in compliance with all material statutes and regulations that are applicable to our business.

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Competition

We compete with a variety of equipment financing sources that are available to small businesses, including:

  national, regional and local finance companies that provide leases and loan products;
 
  financing through captive finance and leasing companies affiliated with major equipment manufacturers;
 
  corporate credit cards; and
 
  commercial banks, savings and loan associations and credit unions.

Our principal competitors in the highly fragmented and competitive small-ticket equipment leasing market are smaller finance companies and local and regional banks. Other providers of equipment lease financing include American Express Company, CIT Group, De Lage Landen Financial, GE Commercial Equipment Finance and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. Many of these companies are substantially larger than us and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. While these larger competitors provide lease financing to the marketplace, many of them are not our primary competitors given that our marketing focus is on independent equipment dealers and their end user customers. Nevertheless, there can be no assurances that these or other large competitors will not increase their focus on our market and begin to more directly compete with us.

Some of our competitors have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. A lower cost of funds could enable a competitor to offer leases with yields that are less than the yields we use to price our leases, which might force us to lower our yields or lose lease origination volume. In addition, certain of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could enable them to establish more origination sources and end user customer relationships and increase their market share. We compete on the quality of service we provide to our origination sources and end user customers. We have and will continue to encounter significant competition and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully compete in our chosen market.

Employees

As of June 30, 2003, we employed 212 people. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and we have never experienced any work stoppages. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

Facilities

Our headquarters are located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, where we lease 29,265 square feet under a lease that expires in January 2005. We also lease 5,621 square feet of office space in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where we perform our lease recording and acceptance functions. Our Philadelphia lease expires in May 2008. In addition, we have regional offices in Norcross, Georgia, which is a suburb of Atlanta, and Greenwood Village, Colorado, which is a suburb of Denver. Our Georgia office is 6,043 square feet and the lease expires in July 2008, and our Colorado office is 5,914 square feet and the lease expires in August 2006. We believe our leased facilities are adequate for our current needs. Our Mount Laurel, New Jersey lease expires in January 2005. We are currently in negotiations for the development and leasing of a new headquarters facility that we expect to be sufficient to support our planned growth. We have already initiated discussions with property owners and developers to identify the options we may have to lease new headquarters space in southern New Jersey.

Legal Proceedings

We are party to various legal proceedings, which include claims, litigation and class action suits arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information about our executive officers and directors as of the date of this prospectus.

Executive Officers and Directors

             
Name Age Position



Daniel P. Dyer
    45     Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer
Gary R. Shivers
    47     President and Director
George D. Pelose
    39     Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Bruce E. Sickel
    43     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
John J. Calamari
    48     Director nominee (1)
Lawrence J. DeAngelo
    37     Director
Kevin J. McGinty
    54     Director
James W. Wert
    57     Director
Loyal W. Wilson
    55     Director


(1)  Mr. Calamari will become a Director upon completion of this offering.

Daniel P. Dyer has been Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer since co-founding our Company in 1997. Prior to that, from 1986 to 1997, Mr. Dyer served in a number of positions, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Advanta Business Services, where he was responsible for that subsidiary’s financial and treasury functions. Mr. Dyer is a member of the Small Ticket Council of the ELA and has also served on the ELA’s Industry Data Committee. Mr. Dyer received his undergraduate degree in accounting and finance from Shippensburg University and is a licensed certified public accountant.

Gary R. Shivers has been President and Director since co-founding our Company in 1997. Prior to that, from 1986 to 1997, Mr. Shivers served in a number of positions, most recently as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Equipment Leasing Division for Advanta Business Services, where he was involved in strategic planning, sales and marketing, credit and collections and asset management. Mr. Shivers is a former member of the Small Ticket Council of the ELA and a participant in the ELA Future Council Roundtable. Mr. Shivers received his undergraduate degree in business administration and his MBA from LaSalle University.

George D. Pelose has been our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since 1999. Prior to that, from 1997 to 1999, Mr. Pelose was an attorney with Merrill Lynch Asset Management, providing legal and transactional advice to a portfolio management team that invested principally in bank loans and high-yield debt securities. From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Pelose was an associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in the firm’s Business & Finance section where he worked on a variety of corporate transactions, including financings, mergers, acquisitions, private placements and public offerings. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Pelose attended law school. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Pelose was a corporate loan officer in the commercial lending division of PNC Bank. Mr. Pelose received both his undergraduate degree in economics and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, both with honors. Mr. Pelose is licensed to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Bruce E. Sickel joined us in September 2003 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, from 1990 to 2003, Mr. Sickel was a founder of Premier Bancorp, a Pennsylvania financial holding company of Premier Bank, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and Director from its inception through the sale of the company in August 2003. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Sickel was Senior Vice President and Controller of Horizon Financial F.A., a $2.5 billion diversified thrift institution. From 1982 to 1987, Mr. Sickel worked in the audit department of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG LLP), rising to the level of audit manager. Mr. Sickel received his undergraduate degree in finance and accounting from Juniata College and is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst.

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John J. Calamari has agreed to serve as a Director beginning immediately upon completion of this offering. Mr. Calamari is Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller of Radian Group Inc. where he oversees Radian’s global controllership functions, a position he has held since joining Radian in 2001. Prior to that time, Mr. Calamari was also a consultant to the financial services industry from 1999 to 2001, where he structured new products and strategic alliances and established financial and administrative functions and engaged in private equity financing for startup enterprises. Mr. Calamari served as Chief Accountant of Advanta from 1988 to 1998, as Chief Financial Officer of Chase Manhattan Bank Maryland and Controller of Chase Manhattan Bank (USA) from 1985 to 1988 and as Senior Manager at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG LLP) prior to 1985. In addition, Mr. Calamari served as a director of Advanta National Bank and Advanta Bank USA. Mr. Calamari received his undergraduate degree in accounting from St. John’s University in 1976.

Lawrence J. DeAngelo has been a Director since July 2001. Mr. DeAngelo is a Managing Director of Peachtree Equity Partners, a private equity firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to co-founding Peachtree in 2002, Mr. DeAngelo held numerous positions at Wachovia Capital Associates, the private equity investment group of Wachovia Bank, from 1996 to 2002, the most recent of which was Managing Director. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. DeAngelo worked at Seneca Financial Group, and from 1992 to 1995, Mr. DeAngelo worked in the Corporate Finance Department at Kidder, Peabody & Co. From 1990 to 1992, Mr. DeAngelo attended business school. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. DeAngelo was a management consultant with Peterson & Co. Consulting. Mr. DeAngelo received his undergraduate degree in economics from Colgate University and his MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Kevin J. McGinty has been a Director since February 1998. Mr. McGinty is a Managing Director and co-founder of Peppertree Partners. Prior to founding Peppertree in 2000, Mr. McGinty served as a Managing Director of Primus Venture Partners during the period from 1990 to 2000. In both organizations Mr. McGinty was involved in private equity investing, both as a principal and as a limited partner. From 1970 to 1990, Mr. McGinty was employed by Society National Bank, now KeyBank, N.A., where in his final position he was an Executive Vice President. Mr. McGinty received his undergraduate degree in economics from Ohio Wesleyan University and his MBA in finance from Cleveland State University.

James W. Wert has been a Director since February 1998. Mr. Wert is President and CEO of Clanco Management Corp., which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to joining Clanco in 2000, Mr. Wert served as Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Investment Officer of KeyCorp, a financial services company based in Cleveland, Ohio, and its predecessor, Society Corporation, until 1996, after holding a variety of capital markets and corporate banking leadership positions spanning his 25 year banking career. Mr. Wert also serves as Vice Chairman and Director of Park-Ohio Holdings, Inc., and is a director of Continental Global Group, Inc. and Paragon Holdings, Inc. Mr. Wert received his undergraduate degree in finance from Michigan State University in 1971 and completed the Stanford University Executive Program in 1982.

Loyal W. Wilson has been a Director since February 1998. Mr. Wilson is a Managing Director of Primus Venture Partners, Inc., a Cleveland, Ohio-based venture capital firm that invests in private companies at all stages of development. Mr. Wilson has been a Managing Partner of Primus Venture Partners since 1983 and a Managing Director since 1993. From 1973 to 1983, Mr. Wilson was employed by First Chicago Corporation. Mr. Wilson also serves on the board of directors of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and STERIS Corporation. Mr. Wilson is a former director of DeVry, Inc. Mr. Wilson received his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his MBA from Indiana University.

Board of Directors

Our board of directors, which currently consists of six members, will consist of seven members upon the completion of this offering. Each director will hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of our shareholders to be held in 2004. Thereafter, all board members will serve one-year terms and will be elected at the annual meeting of our shareholders.

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Audit Committee

Our board of directors has established an audit committee, which will be comprised of three independent directors after the closing of this offering, Messrs. Wert (chairman), McGinty and Calamari. The audit committee will assist the board in overseeing and reviewing: 1) the integrity of our financial reports and financial information provided to the public and to governmental and regulatory agencies; 2) the adequacy of our internal accounting systems and financial controls; 3) the annual independent audit of our financial statements, including the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; and 4) our compliance with law and ethics programs as established by management and the board. The audit committee:

  will have sole authority to select, evaluate, terminate and replace our independent auditors;
 
  will have sole authority to approve in advance all audit and non-audit engagement fees and terms with our independent auditors;
 
  will review the activities, plan, scope of authority, organizational structure and qualifications of our internal auditors; and
 
  will review our audited financial statements, public filings and earnings press releases prior to issuance, filing or publication.

The specific functions and responsibilities of the audit committee will be set forth in the audit committee charter. Our board of directors expects that at least one member of our audit committee will qualify as an audit committee financial expert as defined under current and proposed SEC and Nasdaq Stock Market rules and regulations and the other members of our audit committee will satisfy the financial literacy requirements for audit committee members under current such rules and regulations.

Compensation Committee

Our board of directors has established a compensation committee, which will be comprised of three independent directors after the closing of this offering, Messrs. McGinty (chairman), DeAngelo and Wilson. The principal functions of the committee are to:

  evaluate the performance of our named executive officers and approve their compensation;
 
  prepare an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our proxy statement;
 
  review and approve compensation plans, policies and programs, considering their design and competitiveness;
 
  administer and review changes to our equity incentive plans pursuant to the terms of the plans; and
 
  review our non-employee independent director compensation levels and practices and recommend changes as appropriate.

The compensation committee will review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to chief executive officer compensation, evaluate the chief executive officer’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and recommend to the board the chief executive officer’s compensation levels based on its evaluation.

The compensation committee will administer our 2003 Equity Compensation Plan and our 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our board of directors has established a nominating and corporate governance committee, which will be composed of three independent directors after the closing of this offering, Messrs. DeAngelo (chairman), McGinty and Wert. This committee is responsible for seeking, considering and recommending to the board qualified candidates for election as directors and recommending a slate of nominees for election as

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directors at our annual meeting. The committee will develop corporate governance guidelines for our company and recommend such guidelines to our board of directors. The committee will review and make recommendations on matters involving general operation of the board and its committees, and will annually recommend to the board nominees for each committee of the board.

Director Compensation

The non-employee independent members of our board of directors will receive compensation of $3,750 per quarter for their service on the board of directors. Non-employee independent members of our board of directors will be granted an option to purchase 5,000 shares of our common stock upon the later to occur of their initial appointment or election to our board of directors and the consummation of this offering. These options will vest in four equal annual installments. In addition, non-employee independent members of our board of directors will be eligible to receive annual grants of 1,500 options under our 2003 Equity Compensation Plan. The annual option grants will vest in one year over four equal quarterly installments. The per share exercise price of all options granted to non-employee independent members of our board of directors will be equal to the fair market value per share on the date the option is granted.

The chairman of the audit committee will receive additional compensation of $2,500 per quarter and the other members of the audit committee will receive additional compensation of $1,500 per quarter for their service on the audit committee. The chairman of the compensation committee will receive additional compensation of $750 per quarter and the other members of the compensation committee will receive additional compensation of $500 per quarter for their service on the compensation committee.

Executive Compensation

The following table sets forth the compensation awarded or paid, or earned or accrued for services rendered to us in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 by our Chief Executive Officer and the two other most highly compensated executive officers whose total salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 in fiscal 2002. We refer to these officers as our named executive officers in other parts of this prospectus. In accordance with SEC rules, the compensation described in the table does not include medical, group life insurance or other benefits which are available generally to all our salaried employees and perquisites and other personal benefits which do not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the officers’ total salary and bonus disclosed in this table.

                                   
Long-Term
Compensation

Annual Compensation Number of

Securities
Underlying All other
Name and Principal Position Salary Bonus (1) Options Compensation (2)





Daniel P. Dyer
  $ 210,577     $ 118,000       10,000     $ 7,118  
  Chairman of the Board, Chief                                
  Executive Officer and Treasurer                                
Gary R. Shivers
    185,577       103,500       10,000       5,990  
  President and Director                                
George D. Pelose
    168,192       81,500       20,000       5,989  
  Senior Vice President, General                                
  Counsel and Secretary                                


(1) Figures represent bonuses earned in 2002 but paid in 2003.

(2) Includes contributions made by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of the officers and reimbursement of life insurance premiums pursuant to such officers’ employment agreements.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Dyer, Shivers and Pelose, the terms of which are substantially similar to each other. The agreements require the executives to devote substantially all of their business time to their employment duties. The initial two year term of each agreement runs through

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October 2005, and the term automatically extends on each anniversary date of the agreement for successive one-year terms unless either party to the agreement provides 90 days’ notice to the other party that they do not wish to renew the agreement.

The employment agreements provide for the following minimum base salaries: Daniel P. Dyer, $275,000; Gary R. Shivers, $250,000; and George D. Pelose, $235,000. The compensation committee will review these salaries at least annually for consideration of increase based on merit and competitive market factors. The employment agreements also provide for the following target bonuses as a percentage of base salary: Daniel P. Dyer, 85%; Gary R. Shivers, 70%; and George D. Pelose, 50%. The executives are eligible for awards under our 2003 Equity Compensation Plan and any other equity incentive plan we may maintain. The executives may participate in benefit plans we maintain for our employees and are entitled to receive additional life and disability insurance benefits in amounts referenced in the employment agreements.

We may terminate the employment agreements for or without cause. A termination for cause requires a vote of two-thirds of our directors and prior written notice to the executive providing an opportunity to remedy the cause. Cause generally means: 1) willful fraud or material dishonesty by the executive in connection with the performance of his employment duties; 2) grossly negligent or intentional failure by the executive to substantially perform his employment duties; 3) material breach by the executive of certain protective covenants (as described below); or 4) the conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a charge of commission of a felony by the executive.

The executive may terminate his employment agreement with or without good reason. A termination by the executive for good reason requires prior written notice providing us with the opportunity to remedy the good reason. Good reason generally means: 1) a material diminution in title or a material change in authority, duties, responsibilities or reporting lines not approved in writing by the executive; 2) a breach by us of our material obligations under the employment agreement; 3) the relocation of our principal office to a location more than 25 miles from Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, which is not approved by the executive; 4) any reduction in the executive’s base salary or target bonus percentage, or a material reduction in benefits; 5) the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the agreements); or 6) a written notice of non-extension of the employment agreement given by us.

If the executive’s employment ends for any reason, we will pay accrued salary, bonuses and incentive payments already determined and other existing obligations. In addition, if we terminate the executive’s employment without cause or if the executive terminates his employment with good reason, we will be obligated to pay the executive an amount equal to two times the sum of the executive’s then current base salary plus the average bonus earned by the executive for the two preceding fiscal years payable over an 18-month period; provided, however, that such amount shall be paid to the executive in a lump sum if such termination occurs six months prior to or following a change in control. In addition the executive will be entitled to the continuation of the benefits in place at the time of termination for two years thereafter. In the event of a termination by us for any reason other than for cause, all of the options, restricted stock and other stock incentives granted to the executive after the commencement of the employment agreement will become fully vested, and the executive will have up to two years in which to exercise all such vested options. If any payments due to the executive under the employment agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, then we will be required to gross up the executives payments for the amount of the excise tax plus the amount of income and other taxes due as a result of the gross up payment.

Upon termination of the employment agreement, the executive will be subject to certain protective covenants. If we terminate the executive’s employment without cause or if the executive terminates his employment with good reason, the executive will be prohibited from competing with us and from soliciting our customers for an 18-month period; provided that such period shall be 12 months for all other terminations. In addition, for a 24-month period after termination of employment, the executive is prohibited from hiring our employees.

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401(k) Plan

We have established and maintained a retirement savings plan under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code to cover our eligible employees. The Internal Revenue Code allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation, within prescribed limits, on a pretax basis through contributions to the 401(k) plan. We match 25% of the first four percent of each eligible employee’s deferral amount. Our 401(k) plan also permits us to make discretionary profit sharing contributions on behalf of eligible employees. Our matching and discretionary contributions vest after three years. Our matching and discretionary contributions to the 401(k) plan totaled $107,000 in 2001 and $125,000 in 2002.

2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We have established a 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), which will permit eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock through after-tax payroll deductions, to become effective concurrently with this offering. We intend to reserve 200,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the ESPP. We intend for the ESPP to meet the requirements for an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The ESPP will be implemented as part of a series of overlapping offering periods, each approximately 12 months long with interim purchase dates every six months. The first offering period will begin on the effective date of the ESPP and will end in December 2004. Unless the plan administrator for the ESPP determines otherwise prior to the beginning of an offering period, each subsequent offering period will begin on the first business day after each January and July and will end on the last business day 12 months later. If the fair market value of our common stock on any interim purchase date is less than the fair market value of our common stock on the first date of the offering period, the participants in such offering period will, immediately after the purchase of shares on such interim purchase date, be transferred from that offering period into the next offering period that commences after the interim purchase date. Eligible employees are not permitted to participate in more than one offering period at a time.

Each eligible employee who elects to participate in an offering period, will be granted an option to purchase our common stock on the first day of the offering period, and the option will automatically be exercised on each interim purchase date during the offering period based on the employee’s accumulated contributions to the ESPP. The purchase price for each share of stock during the initial offering period will be equal to 95% of the lesser of the price per share of our common stock in this offering or the fair market value of our common stock on each interim purchase date. For each subsequent offering period, the purchase price of each share of our common stock under the ESPP will be equal to 95% of the lesser of the fair market value per share of our common stock on the first day of the offering period or the fair market value of our stock on each interim purchase date. Participants will generally be permitted to allocate up to 10% of their compensation to purchase our common stock under the ESPP. However, for the first offering period that begins on the effective date of the ESPP, all eligible employees will be automatically enrolled in the ESPP prior to the commencement of the offering period and will be required to contribute to the ESPP an amount equal to 10% of his or her compensation. Shortly after the first offering period commences, but prior to the first interim purchase date, participants will be able to elect to continue their participation in the ESPP, withdraw from participation in the ESPP or reduce the amount they contribute to the ESPP. Participants may modify or end their participation in the ESPP at any time during any offering period. Participation ends automatically upon termination of employment or if the participant ceases to be an eligible employee. The maximum number of shares that a participant may purchase on any interim purchase date may not exceed 900 shares and the maximum number of shares purchasable in the aggregate by all participants in the ESPP on any one interim purchase date may not exceed 50,000 shares, subject to adjustment by the plan administer prior to the beginning of the offering period. In addition, no participant may purchase more than $25,000 worth of our common stock during each calendar year under the ESPP.

If we experience a change in control while the ESPP is in effect, all outstanding purchase rights under the ESPP will automatically be exercised immediately prior to the effective date of any change in control and the purchase price for each share of our common stock under the ESPP on such purchase date will be

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equal to 95% of the lesser of the fair market value per share of our common stock on the first day of the offering period in which the participant is enrolled or the fair market value of our stock immediately prior to the change in control. If a change in control occurs, the limitation on the aggregate number of shares that all participants may purchase on the purchase date will not apply.

All of our employees and employees of Marlin Leasing Corporation whose regular employment is for more than 20 hours per week and for more than five months per calendar year will be eligible to participate in the ESPP, provided that any employee who would own five percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of our common stock immediately after any grant is not eligible to participate.

The ESPP will be administered by the compensation committee of our board of directors. Our board of directors may amend or terminate the ESPP at any time, with such amendment or termination to become effective immediately following the close of an interim purchase date. However, our board of directors may not amend the ESPP without shareholder approval if such amendment increases the number of shares of our common stock issuable under the ESPP (except for permissible adjustments in the event of certain changes in our capitalization), alters the purchase price formula to reduce the purchase price payable for shares purchasable under the ESPP, or modifies the eligibility requirements under the ESPP. Unless sooner terminated by our board of directors, the ESPP will terminate upon the earliest of: 1) the last business day in October 2013; 2) the date all shares available for issuance under the plan have been issued; or 3) the date all purchase rights are exercised in connection with a change in control.

2003 Equity Compensation Plan

Our board of directors has adopted the 2003 Equity Compensation Plan, (the “Plan”), for the purpose of attracting and retaining employees, non-employee independent directors, and consultants. The Plan provides for the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, stock units and other equity-based awards. Each stock option granted pursuant to the Plan is designated at the time of grant as either an option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or as an option that is not intended to so qualify, referred to as a non-qualified stock option.

The Plan also provides that in connection with the reorganization that will be effected on or prior to this offering, we will assume the Marlin Leasing Corporation 1997 Equity Compensation Plan and merge the Marlin Leasing Corporation 1997 Equity Compensation Plan with the Plan, so that no additional grants will be made under the Marlin Leasing Corporation 1997 Equity Compensation Plan. Outstanding grants under the Marlin Leasing Corporation 1997 Equity Compensation Plan will continue in effect according to their terms as of the date of the reorganization, but will be converted to grants to purchase our common stock and the shares subject to such grants will be issued or transferred under the Plan.

Administration of the Plan. The Plan is administered by our compensation committee and the compensation committee determines all terms of grants under the Plan. Our compensation committee also determines who will receive grants under the Plan and the number of shares of our common stock subject to the grant. Grants to our non-employee independent directors may only be made by our board of directors.

Awards. The Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 2,100,000 shares of our common stock (which includes 943,760 shares that will be issuable under the Plan in connection with options already outstanding under the Marlin Leasing Corporation 1997 Equity Compensation Plan that will be assumed in the reorganization and 134,500 shares issuable under the Plan in connection with options granted to the individuals referenced in the table under “—  Grants ” on page 63); provided, however, that no more than 1,050,000 shares of our common stock shall be available for issuance as stock awards, stock units and other equity-based awards. The Plan also contains a limit of 100,000 shares of our common stock that may be granted to an individual in any calendar year, subject to adjustment as described in the Plan.

In connection with stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and certain other events affecting our common stock, the compensation committee will make adjustments it deems appropriate in the maximum number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance as grants, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that any individual participating in the Plan may be

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granted in any year, the number and kind of shares covered by outstanding grants, the kind of shares that may be issued or transferred under the Plan, and the price per share or market value of any outstanding grants.

If any stock options or stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan (including options outstanding on the reorganization date under the Marlin Leasing Corporation 1997 Equity Compensation Plan) terminate, expire or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered without having been exercised or if any stock awards, stock units or other equity-based awards are forfeited, the shares subject to such grants will again be available for purposes of the Plan. In addition, if any shares of our common stock are surrendered in payment of the exercise price of a stock option, those shares will again be available for grants under the Plan, and if any grants are paid in cash, and not in shares of our common stock, any shares of our common stock subject to such grants will also be available for future grants.

Eligibility. All of our employees and employees of our subsidiaries are eligible to receive grants under the Plan. In addition, our non-employee independent directors and consultants and advisors that perform services for us and our subsidiaries may receive grants under the Plan.

Vesting. Our compensation committee determines the vesting of awards granted under the Plan.

Options. The Plan authorizes our compensation committee to grant non-qualified and incentive stock options to purchase shares of our common stock in an amount and at an exercise price to be determined by it, provided that the price cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date on which the option is granted. If an incentive stock option is granted to a 10% shareholder, additional requirements will apply to the option. The exercise price of non-qualified stock options will be equal to 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date the option is granted unless a greater exercise price is otherwise determined by our compensation committee. The exercise price for any option is generally payable: 1) in cash; 2) in certain circumstances as permitted by our compensation committee, by the surrender of shares of our common stock with an aggregate fair market value on the date on which the option is exercised equal to the exercise price; 3) by payment through a broker in accordance with procedures established by the Federal Reserve Board; or 4) such other method approved by our compensation committee. The term of an option can not exceed ten years from the date of grant. Our compensation committee may also provide in connection with an option that if shares of our common stock are used to exercise the option or are withheld to pay any taxes, an additional option will be granted to the optionholder equal to the number of shares of our common stock used to exercise the option or pay the withholding taxes. Such options will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant or such other exercise price determined by our compensation committee and will have a term that is not longer than the unexpired term of the exercised option.

Stock Appreciation Rights. The Plan authorizes our compensation committee to grant stock appreciation rights that provide the recipient with the right to receive, upon exercise of the stock appreciation right, cash, our common stock or a combination of the two. Stock appreciation rights will become exercisable in accordance with terms determined by our compensation committee. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in tandem with an option grant or independently from an option grant.

Stock Awards. The Plan also provides for the grant of stock awards. A stock award is an award of our common stock that may be issued for consideration and may be subject to restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as our compensation committee determines on the date of grant. The restrictions, if any, may lapse over a specified period of employment or the satisfaction of pre-established criteria, in installments or otherwise, as our compensation committee may determine. Except to the extent restricted under the award agreement relating to the stock award, a participant awarded a stock award will have all of the rights of a shareholder as to those shares, including, the right to vote and the right to receive dividends or distributions on the shares. All unvested stock awards are forfeited if the grantee is terminated for any reason unless the compensation committee waives, in whole or in part, the forfeiture provisions of the stock awards.

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Stock Units. The Plan also authorizes our compensation committee to grant stock units. Stock units represent the right of the recipient to receive an amount based on the value of a share of our common stock if specified conditions established by the compensation committee are met. Stock units may be paid at the end of a specified performance period or other period, or deferred to a date authorized by our compensation committee. If the criteria for the stock units are met, stock units will be paid in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of the two.

Other Equity-Based Awards. Our compensation committee may grant other types of awards as other equity-based awards under the Plan. Such awards will be based on, measured by or be payable in shares of our common stock. Our compensation committee will determine the terms and conditions of such awards. Other equity-based awards may be payable in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of the two.

Dividend Equivalents. Our compensation committee may grant dividend equivalents in connection with any grant under the Plan. Dividend equivalents entitle the recipient to receive amounts equal to ordinary dividends that would be paid, during the time the underlying grant is outstanding and unexercised, on the shares of our common stock covered by the grant as if the shares were then outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be paid in cash, in shares of our common stock or in a combination of the two. The compensation committee will determine whether they will be conditioned upon the exercise, vesting or payment of the grant to which they relate and the other terms and conditions of such grant.

Qualified Performance-Based Compensation. The Plan permits the compensation committee to impose specific performance goals that must be met with respect to grants of stock awards, stock units, dividend equivalents and other equity-based awards that are intended to meet the exception for qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Prior to or soon after the beginning of the performance period, the compensation committee will establish in writing the performance goals that must be met, the applicable performance periods, the amounts to be paid if the performance goals are met and any other conditions. Forfeiture of all or part of any grant will occur if the performance goals are not met, as determined by the compensation committee.

The performance goals, to the extent designed to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, will be determined by our compensation committee and be based on one or more of the following: total stockholder return; total stockholder return as compared to total stockholder return of comparable companies or a publicly available index; net income; pretax earnings; earnings before interest expense and taxes; earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization; earnings per share; return on equity; return on assets; revenues; asset growth; operating ratios; access to and availability of funding; or asset quality.

If dividend equivalents are granted as performance-based compensation, the maximum amount of dividend equivalents that may be credited to the grantee’s account in a calendar year is $250,000.

Deferrals. The compensation committee may permit or require grantees to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares of our common stock that would otherwise be due to the grantee in connection with a grant under the Plan and establish the rules and procedures applicable to any such deferrals.

Right of Recapture. The committee may provide in a grant instrument that if at any time within the one year period after the date on which the grantee exercises an option or stock appreciation right, or on which a stock award, stock unit or other equity-based award vests or is paid, the grantee is terminated for cause or engages in any activity that constitutes cause, the grantee will be required to pay to us any gain realized by the grantee from such grant.

Change in Control. If we experience a change in control (as defined in the Plan), all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights will automatically accelerate and become fully exercisable, the restrictions and conditions on all outstanding stock awards will immediately lapse and all grantees holding stock units, dividend equivalents and other equity-based awards will receive a payment in settlement of such grants in

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an amount determined by the committee. If we are not the surviving corporation (or survive only as a subsidiary of another corporation) in a change in control, all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights not exercised will be assumed or replaced with comparable grants by the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation) and other outstanding grants will be converted to similar grants of the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation).

Amendment; Termination. Our board of directors may amend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided that our shareholders must approve any amendment if such approval is required in order to comply with the Internal Revenue Code, applicable laws, or applicable stock exchange requirements. Our board of directors can not amend a previously granted stock option to reprice, replace or regrant it through cancellation or by lowering the option exercise price, unless our shareholders provide prior approval. Unless terminated sooner by our board of directors or extended with shareholder approval, the Plan will terminate in October 2013.

Grants. Upon our assumption of the Marlin Leasing Corporation 1997 Equity Compensation Plan in connection with the reorganization referenced elsewhere in this prospectus, outstanding options to purchase a total of 943,760 shares of common stock of Marlin Leasing Corporation will be automatically converted into options to purchase an equal number of shares of our common stock under the Plan. See “Reorganization.” In addition, our compensation committee has previously approved with respect to employees, and our board of directors has previously approved with respect to non-employee directors, the grant of options to purchase a total of 134,500 shares to the following individuals at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price as shown in the following table:

           
Name Number of Shares (1)


Directors
       
 
John J. Calamari
    5,000  
 
Lawrence J. DeAngelo
    5,000  
 
Kevin J. McGinty
    5,000  
 
James W. Wert
    5,000  
 
Loyal W. Wilson
    5,000  
Executive Officers
       
 
George D. Pelose
    10,000  
 
Bruce E. Sickel
    30,000  
Other Employees
    69,500  


(1) These options will vest in equal annual installments over four years, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

The following table sets forth, for the year ended December 31, 2002, certain information regarding options granted to each of the named executive officers, including the potential realizable value over the ten-year term of the options, based upon assumed rates of stock appreciation of 5% and 10%, compounded annually. These assumed rates of appreciation comply with the rules of the Securities and Exchange

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Commission and do not represent our estimate of future stock price. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises will be dependent on the future performance of our common stock.
                                                 
Individual Grants Potential Realizable

Value at Assumed
Percentage of Rates of Stock Price
Number of Total Options Appreciation for
Securities Granted to Exercise Option Term
Underlying Options Employees in Price Expiration
Name Granted in 2002 2002 (per share) Date (1) 5% 10%







Daniel P. Dyer
    14,000       8.1 %   $ 3.39       1/17/12     $ 2,833     $ 32,647  
Gary R. Shivers
    14,000       8.1       3.39       1/17/12       2,833       32,647  
George D. Pelose
    28,000       16.2       3.39       1/17/12       5,666       65,293  


(1) The expiration date of the options is ten years after the grant date. The options granted will vest and become exercisable in four equal annual installments of 25%, commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.

Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Option Values

The following table contains information concerning option holdings of each of the named executive officers at December 31, 2002. None of these officers exercised any options during the year ended December 31, 2002.

                                                 
Number of Securities Value Of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money
Options at Options at
December 31, 2002 December 31, 2002 (1)
Shares Acquired Value

Name On Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable







Daniel P. Dyer
                58,310       66,430     $ 74,425     $ 12,500  
Gary R. Shivers
                58,310       66,430       74,425       12,500  
George D. Pelose
                51,275       85,225       2,323       29,008  


(1) The value of in-the-money stock options at December 31, 2002 represents the difference or a portion of the difference between the exercise price of such options and the fair value of our common stock as of December 31, 2002. The fair value of our common stock on December 31, 2002 utilized for financial reporting purposes on such date was $4.25 per share. The actual value of in-the-money stock options will depend upon the trading price of our common stock on the date of sale of the underlying common stock and may be higher or lower than the amount set forth in the table above.

 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

We obtain all of our commercial, healthcare and other insurance coverage through The Selzer Company, an insurance broker located in Warrington, Pennsylvania. Richard Dyer, the brother of Daniel P. Dyer, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer, is the President of The Selzer Company. We do not have any contractual arrangement with The Selzer Group or Richard Dyer, nor do we pay either of them any direct fees.

Joseph Dyer, the brother of Daniel P. Dyer, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer, is a vice president in our treasury group and was paid compensation in excess of $60,000 for such services in 2002.

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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of September 30, 2003 after giving effect to our reorganization, and after the sale of shares in this offering, by:

  each person or entity known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our stock;
 
  each of our named executive officers;
 
  each of our directors;
 
  all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and
 
  •  certain other selling shareholders.

Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities for which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. For purposes of determining our total number of shares outstanding prior to the offering, we have assumed the conversion of all preferred stock into common stock, the exercise of all warrants and the anticipated exercise of options to purchase 60,655 shares by a selling shareholder in connection with this offering.

                                           
Shares beneficially
owned prior to the Shares beneficially
offering owned after the offering

Number of shares
Name of Beneficial Owner Number Percentage offered (1) Number Percentage






Executive Officers and Directors
                                       
Daniel P. Dyer (2)(3)
    438,999       5.7             438,999       4.1  
Gary R. Shivers (2)(3)
    370,684       4.8             370,684       3.4  
George D. Pelose (2)(4)
    107,457       1.4             107,457       1.0  
Bruce E. Sickel (2)
                             
John J. Calamari (2)(5)
                             
Lawrence J. DeAngelo (2)(6)
    2,309,934       30.3             2,309,934       21.5  
Kevin J. McGinty (2)(7)
    17,793       *             17,793       *  
James W. Wert (2)(8)
    23,141       *             23,141       *  
Loyal W. Wilson (2)(9)
    2,795,561       36.6       384,036       2,411,525       22.4  
All executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons) (10)
    6,063,569       76.5       384,036       5,679,533       51.5  
5% Shareholders
                                       
Primus Venture Partners IV, Inc. (9)
    2,795,561       36.6       384,036       2,411,525       22.4  
 
5900 Landerbrook Dr., Ste. 200
                                       
 
Cleveland, OH 44124
                                       
Peachtree Equity Partners (6)
    2,309,934       30.3             2,309,934       21.5  
 
1170 Peachtree St., Ste. 1610
                                       
 
Atlanta, GA 30309
                                       
ING (U.S.) Capital LLC (11)
    561,019       7.4       561,019              
 
200 Galleria Pkwy., Ste. 950
                                       
 
Atlanta, GA 30339
                                       
Other Selling Shareholders
                                       
Gary W. Kester (12)
    324,513       4.3       324,513              
Jennifer Alleva
    17,165       *       17,165              
     
     
     
     
     
 


  *  Represents less than 1%.

  (1) Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

footnotes continued on following page

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  (2) Does not include options vesting more than 60 days after September 30, 2003 held by Mr. Dyer (56,770), Mr. Shivers (56,770), Mr. Pelose (74,155), Mr. Sickel (30,000), Mr. Calamari (5,000), Mr. DeAngelo (5,000), Mr. McGinty (18,397), Mr. Wert (13,049) and Mr. Wilson (5,000).

  (3) Includes options to purchase 81,620 shares that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2003.

  (4) Includes options to purchase 85,400 shares that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2003.

  (5) Mr. Calamari will become a Director upon completion of this offering.

  (6) All of such shares are held directly by WCI (Private Equity), LLC. Mr. DeAngelo shares voting power with respect to such shares with three other directors of Peachtree Equity Partners. Mr. DeAngelo disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares held by WCI (Private Equity), LLC except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

  (7) Consists of options to purchase 17,793 shares that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2003.

  (8) Consists of options to purchase 23,141 shares that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2003.

  (9) Consists of common shares owned by Primus Capital Fund IV Limited Partnership (2,683,740 prior to the offering and 2,315,064 after the offering) and Primus Executive Fund Limited Partnership (111,821 prior to the offering and 96,461 after the offering). Mr. Wilson shares voting power and investment power with respect to such shares with four other directors of Primus Venture Partners IV, Inc. Mr. Wilson disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by Primus Capital Fund IV Limited Partnership and Primus Executive Fund Limited Partnership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(10) Includes options to purchase 289,574 shares that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2003.

(11) Includes 307,796 shares issuable in the reorganization upon the exercise of warrants on a net issuance basis at an assumed initial public offering price of $14.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

(12) Includes 60,655 shares expected to be issued in connection with the reorganization upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

 
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

At the closing of this offering our authorized capital stock will consist of 75.0 million shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 5.0 million shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. Marlin Business Services Corp. is a Pennsylvania corporation and is subject to the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988.

Common Stock

Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, we have 75.0 million shares of common stock authorized and, immediately after the sale of the shares of common stock in this offering, we will have approximately 10.7 million shares of common stock outstanding. Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive, as, when and if declared by the board of directors from time to time, such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property from our assets or funds legally available for such purposes subject to any dividend preferences that may be attributable to preferred stock that may be authorized.

Holders of our common stock will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters on which shareholders may vote. There will be no preemptive, conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the assets available for distribution.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors, without further action by the shareholders, is authorized to issue up to an aggregate of 5.0 million shares of preferred stock. As of the effective date of the offering, no shares of preferred stock will be outstanding and we have no plans to issue a new series of preferred stock. Our board of directors, without shareholder approval, will be able to issue preferred stock with dividend rates, redemption prices, preferences on liquidation or dissolution, conversion rights, voting rights and any other preferences, which rights and preferences could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock. Issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible

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acquisitions or other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage or delay a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding common stock.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent

Under Pennsylvania law, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if such action is authorized by the unanimous written consent of all shareholders entitled to vote at a meeting for such purposes.

Special Meetings

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws will provide that special meetings of our shareholders may be called only by the board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors or our chief executive officer. This provision may make it more difficult for shareholders to take action opposed by the board of directors.

Amendments to Our Bylaws

The bylaws that we intend to adopt prior to this offering will provide that the vote of a majority of all directors or the vote of the majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote is required to alter, amend or repeal our bylaws.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 1741 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law provides the power to indemnify any officer or director acting in his capacity as our representative who was, is or is threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding for expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with such action or proceeding. The indemnity provisions apply whether the action was instituted by a third party or arose by or in our right. Generally, the only limitation on our ability to indemnify our officers and directors is if the act violates a criminal statute or if the act or failure to act is finally determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. The bylaws that we intend to adopt prior to this offering will provide a right of indemnification to the full extent permitted by law for expenses, attorney’s fees, damages, punitive damages, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by any director or officer whether or not the indemnified liability arises or arose from any threatened, pending or completed proceeding by or in our right by reason of the fact that such director or officer is or was serving as our director, officer or employee or, at our request, as a director, officer, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, unless the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is finally determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. Our bylaws will provide for the advancement of expenses to an indemnified party upon receipt of an undertaking by the party to repay those amounts if it is finally determined that the indemnified party is not entitled to indemnification. Our bylaws will authorize us to take steps to ensure that all persons entitled to the indemnification are properly indemnified, including, if the board of directors so determines, purchasing and maintaining insurance.

Limitation of Liability

Our articles of incorporation will provide that none of our directors shall be personally liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:

  for any breach of such person’s duty of loyalty;
 
  for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
 
  for the payment of unlawful dividends and certain other actions prohibited by Pennsylvania corporate law; and
 
  for any transaction resulting in receipt by such person of an improper personal benefit.

We maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance to provide directors and officers with insurance coverage for losses arising from claims based on breaches of duty, negligence, error and other wrongful

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acts. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding, involving any director, officer, employee or agent where indemnification will be required or permitted under our articles of incorporation or bylaws.

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions

Pennsylvania Control-Share Acquisitions Law. Generally, subchapters 25E, F, G, H, I and J of the Pennsylvania corporate laws place certain procedural requirements and establish certain restrictions upon the acquisition of voting shares of a corporation which would entitle the acquiring person to cast or direct the casting of a certain percentage of votes in an election of directors. Subchapter 25E of the Pennsylvania corporate laws provides generally that, if a company were involved in a “control transaction,” shareholders of the company would have the right to demand from a “controlling person or group” payment of the fair value of their shares. For purposes of subchapter 25E, a “controlling person or group” is a person or group of persons acting in concert that, through voting shares, has voting power over at least 20% of the votes which shareholders of the company would be entitled to cast in the election of directors. A control transaction arises, in general, when a person or group acquires the status of a controlling person or group. In general, Subchapter 25F of the Pennsylvania corporate laws delays for five years and imposes conditions upon “business combinations” with an “interested shareholder”. The term “business combination” is defined broadly to include various merger, consolidation, division, exchange or sale transactions, including transactions utilizing our assets for purchase price amortization or refinancing purposes. An “interested shareholder,” in general, would be a beneficial owner of at least 20% of our voting shares. In general, Subchapter 25G of the Pennsylvania corporate laws suspends the voting rights of the “control shares” of a shareholder that acquires for the first time 20% or more, 33 1/3% or more, or 50% or more of a company’s shares entitled to be voted in an election of directors. The voting rights of the control shares generally remain suspended until such time as the “disinterested” shareholders of the company vote to restore the voting power of the acquiring shareholder. Subchapter 25H of the Pennsylvania corporate laws provides in certain circumstances for the recovery by a company of profits made upon the sale of its common stock by a “controlling person or group” if the sale occurs within 18 months after the controlling person or group became such and the common stock was acquired during such 18 month period or within 24 months before such period. In general, for purposes of Subchapter 25H, a “controlling person or group” is a person or group that: 1) has acquired; 2) offered to acquire; or 3) publicly disclosed or caused to be disclosed an intention to acquire voting power over shares that would entitle such person or group to cast at least 20% of the votes that shareholders of the company would be entitled to cast in the election of directors. If the disinterested shareholders of a company vote to restore the voting power of a shareholder who acquires control shares subject to Subchapter 25G, such company would then be subject to subchapters 25I and J of the Pennsylvania corporate laws. Subchapter 25I generally provides for a minimum severance payment to certain employees terminated within two years of such approval. Subchapter 25J, in general, prohibits the abrogation of certain labor contracts prior to their stated date of expiration. The above descriptions of subchapters of the Pennsylvania corporate laws summarize the material anti-takeover provisions contained in the Pennsylvania corporate laws but are not a complete discussion of those provisions. These provisions may discourage open market purchases of our stock or a non-negotiated tender or exchange offer for our stock and, accordingly, may be considered disadvantageous by a shareholder who would desire to participate in any such transaction.

Section 1715 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law. Under Section 1715 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, our directors are not required to regard the interests of the shareholders as being dominant or controlling in considering our best interests. The directors may consider, to the extent they deem appropriate, such factors as:

  the effects of any action upon any group affected by such action, including our shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers and creditors, and communities in which we have offices or other establishments;

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  our short-term and long-term interests, including benefits that may accrue to us from our long-term plans and the possibilities that these interests may be best served by our continued independence;
 
  the resources, intent and conduct of any person seeking to acquire control of us; and
 
  all other pertinent factors.

Section 1715 further provides that any act of our board of directors, a committee of the board of directors or an individual director relating to or affecting an acquisition or potential or proposed acquisition of control to which a majority of our disinterested directors have assented will be presumed to satisfy the standard of care set forth in the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, unless it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that our disinterested directors did not consent to such act in good faith after reasonable investigation. As a result of this and the other provisions of Section 1715, our directors are provided with broad discretion with respect to actions that may be taken in response to acquisitions or proposed acquisitions of corporate control.

Section 1715 may discourage open market purchases of our common stock or a non-negotiated tender or exchange offer for our common stock and, accordingly, may be considered disadvantageous by a shareholder who would desire to participate in any such transaction. As a result, Section 1715 may have a depressive effect on the price of our common stock.

Blank-Check Preferred Stock. The ability of the board of directors to establish the rights of, and to issue, substantial amounts of preferred stock without the need for shareholder approval, may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control. Such preferred stock, among other things, may be used to create voting impediments with respect to any changes in control or to dilute the stock ownership of holders of common stock seeking to obtain control.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is StockTrans, Inc.

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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS

We have in place a registration agreement granting registration rights to certain holders of shares of our common stock who received their shares upon: 1) the conversion of preferred stock of Marlin Leasing Corporation to common stock of Marlin Leasing Corporation and the subsequent exchange of such common stock in connection with this offering; or 2) the net exercise of warrants to purchase common stock of Marlin Leasing Corporation and the subsequent exchange of such common stock in connection with this offering. Certain of our shareholders are also subject to restrictions under lock-up agreements with the underwriters in this offering. The rights of shareholders under the registration agreement and the restrictions to which shareholders are subject under the lock-up agreements are summarized below. The summary of the registration agreement is not complete and is subject to, and entirely qualified by, reference to the registration agreement, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Selling Shareholders in this Offering

Pursuant to the terms of the registration agreement, we have offered to include in this offering shares held by shareholders who are party to the registration agreement. Because this offering is underwritten, the registration agreement:

  requires the selling shareholders to enter into the purchase agreement with the underwriters of this offering;
 
  permits the underwriters, based on marketing factors, to limit the number of shares a selling shareholder may sell in this offering; and
 
  conditions the selling shareholders’ participation in this offering on compliance with applicable provisions of the registration agreement.

Post-Initial Public Offering Registration Rights

Shareholders holding an aggregate of 4,911,143 shares who are party to the registration agreement and who have elected not to sell their shares in this offering or who have elected to sell less than 100% of their shares in this offering will have piggyback and demand registration rights under the registration agreement following this offering.

  Piggyback Registration Rights. In the event that we propose to register additional shares in either a primary or secondary offering in the future, we have granted shareholders who are party to the registration agreement the right to include all or a portion of their shares in such offering at our sole expense. In the case of an underwritten primary or secondary offering, these piggyback registration rights are subject to certain cutback rights by the underwriters of the offering.
 
  Demand Registration Rights. Shareholders who are party to our registration agreement also have certain demand registration rights that they may exercise after the completion of this offering. These demand registration rights include:

  the right to request, upon a vote of the holders of a majority of shares of common stock subject to the registration agreement, the registration of all or a portion of such shares on Form S-1. Such right may be exercised up to two times with the registration at our sole expense. These holders may also exercise the right to request the registration of their shares on Form S-1 up to two additional times at their own expense.
 
  the right to request, upon the vote of the holders of a majority of shares of common stock subject to the registration agreement, the registration of all or a portion of such shares on Form S-2 or Form S-3 at our sole expense, assuming

70


 

  our eligibility to use such form(s) to effect the registration. Such right may be exercised an unlimited number of times.

These demand registration rights are subject to certain restrictions, including: 1) underwriters’ cutback rights in any underwritten offering; 2) a limitation on demand registrations to once every 180 days during the first 18 months following our initial public offering and once per every 360 days thereafter; and 3) our right to postpone for up to 90 days the registration of shares pursuant to a shareholders’ demand in the event that our board of directors determines that such demand registration would be expected to have a material adverse effect on any plan or proposal by us to engage in a merger, consolidation, tender offer, asset acquisition or other similar transaction.

Lock-up Agreements

At the request of the underwriters, we and various holders of shares of our common stock have entered into lock-up agreements that prohibit them from offering, selling, contracting to sell, or otherwise disposing of or hedging their shares for specified periods of time following the date of this prospectus.

  •  Directors, Executive Officers and Certain Other Parties. Each of our executive officers and directors, together with certain other shareholders have entered into an agreement with the underwriters of this offering pursuant to which each of these persons or entities may not, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written approval of U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. on behalf of the underwriters: 1) offer, pledge, sell, assign, encumber, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock; or 2) enter into any swap transaction or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock. As of the date of this prospectus, a total of 6,951,286 shares of our common stock were covered by these lock-up agreements, including options to purchase 888,752 shares.
 
  •  Company. In addition, under the purchase agreement for this offering, we will enter into a lock-up agreement with our underwriters under which we may not, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written approval of U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray on behalf of the underwriters: 1) offer, pledge, sell, assign, encumber, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock; or 2) enter into any swap transaction or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of common stock.
 
  •  Other Shareholders. Under the terms of our shareholders’ agreement, each of our other shareholders party to the shareholders’ agreement has agreed not to sell any of his or her shares of common stock during the period beginning seven days prior to and ending 90 days following the effective date of this offering without the approval of U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray on behalf of the underwriters. As of the date of this prospectus, 472,593 shares of our common stock were locked-up pursuant to the provisions of our shareholders’ agreement, including options to purchase 189,505 shares and excluding shares otherwise covered by the 180-day lock-up described above.

71


 

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices. Since a large number of shares will be restricted from sale shortly after this offering because of the contractual and legal restrictions on resale described below, sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market after these restrictions lapse could adversely affect the prevailing market price and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

Upon completion of this offering, we will have outstanding an aggregate of 10,745,622 shares of common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, excluding 1,078,260 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options. Of these shares, all of the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradeable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, unless such shares are purchased by affiliates as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The remaining 6,345,622 shares of common stock, excluding 1,078,260 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options which will be covered by a separate registration statement as described below, held by existing shareholders are restricted securities as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Restricted shares may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration described below under Rules 144, 144(k) or 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Beginning 180 days after the date of this prospectus, approximately 6,062,534 restricted shares subject to lock-up agreements between the underwriters and certain of our larger shareholders, including our officers and directors, will become eligible for sale in the public market under Rule 144, Rule 144(k) or Rule 701 as described below, and beginning 90 days after the date the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective, approximately 283,088 additional restricted shares subject to our shareholders’ agreement will become eligible for sale in the public market under Rule 144, Rule 144(k) or Rule 701 as described below. The lock-up agreements provide that the shareholders will not, directly or indirectly, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock without the prior written consent of U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray on behalf of the underwriters for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus. U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray, acting on behalf of the underwriters, may release all or any portion of the securities subject to the lock-up agreements without notice.

Rule 144

Under Rule 144, beginning 90 days after the date the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective, a person, or persons whose shares are aggregated, who has beneficially owned restricted shares for at least one year, which includes the holding period of any prior owner other than an affiliate, would generally be entitled to sell within any three month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

  •  1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately 107,456 shares immediately after this offering; or
 
 
  the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on the Nasdaq National Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.

Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

Rule 144(k)

Under Rule 144(k), a person who was not an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years, which includes the holding period of any prior owner except an affiliate, is entitled to sell such shares

72


 

without complying with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act, any of our employees, consultants or advisors, other than affiliates, who purchase or receive shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock purchase plan or option plan or other written agreement will be eligible to resell such shares beginning 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, subject only to the manner of sale provisions of Rule 144, and by affiliates under Rule 144 without compliance with its holding period.

Stock Options

We intend to file a registration statement under the Securities Act to register all shares of common stock issued, issuable or reserved for issuance under our 2003 Equity Compensation Plan. This registration statement is expected to be filed as soon as practicable after the date of this prospectus and will automatically become effective upon filing. Following this filing, shares registered under this registration statement will, subject to the lock-up agreements described above and Rule 144 volume limitations applicable to our affiliates, be available for sale in the open market.

73


 

UNDERWRITING

The underwriters named below have severally agreed to buy from us and from the selling shareholders, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the purchase agreement, the number of shares listed opposite their names below. The underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for all of the shares, if any are purchased.

           
Number
Underwriters of Shares


U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. 
       
William Blair & Company, L.L.C. 
       
     
 
 
Total
       

The underwriters have advised us and the selling shareholders that the underwriters propose to offer the shares to the public at $                     per share. The underwriters propose to offer the shares to certain dealers at the same price less a concession of not more than $                    per share. The underwriters may allow and the dealers may reallow a concession of not more than $                    per share on sales to certain other brokers and dealers. After the offering, these figures may be changed by the underwriters.

We and certain of the selling shareholders have granted to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 660,000 shares of common stock from us at the same price to the public, and with the same underwriting discount, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus. The underwriters may exercise this option any time during the 30-day period after the date of this prospectus, but only to cover over-allotments, if any. To the extent the underwriters exercise the option, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of the additional shares as it was obligated to purchase under the purchase agreement.

At our request, the underwriters are reserving up to 220,000 shares of the common stock to be issued by us and offered hereby for sale at the initial public offering price to directors, officers, employees and friends. Any reserved shares which are purchased by a person subject to a lock-up agreement as described in the section of this prospectus captioned “Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreements” shall also be subject to such lock-up agreement. Each purchaser of reserved shares who is not otherwise subject to a lock-up agreement but who is a “restricted person” under the rules and regulations of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. will be restricted in his or her ability to sell the reserved shares for a period of three months after the date of this prospectus. The number of shares of common stock available for sale to the general public in the public offering will be reduced to the extent these persons purchase these reserved shares. Any reserved shares which are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered hereby.

The following table shows the underwriting fees to be paid to the underwriters by us and by the selling shareholders in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the over-allotment option.

                 
No Exercise Full Exercise


Per share
  $       $    
Underwriting discount paid by us
  $       $    
Underwriting discount paid by selling shareholders
  $       $    

We estimate that our total expenses for this offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $1.8 million.

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

74


 

We and each of our directors, executive officers and certain principal shareholders and the selling shareholders have agreed to certain restrictions on our ability to sell additional shares of our common stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. We have agreed not to offer, pledge, sell, assign, encumber, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or to enter into any swap transaction or other arrangement that transfers to another person or entity any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock, in each case without the written consent of U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray. The agreements provide exceptions for: 1) sales to the underwriters pursuant to the purchase agreement; 2) our sales in connection with the exercise of options granted and the granting of options to purchase up to an additional 1,021,740 shares under our equity compensation plans; and 3) certain other transactions.

Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the common stock. The initial public offering price for the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus was negotiated by us and the underwriters. The factors considered in determining the initial public offering price include the history of and the prospects for the industry in which we compete, our past and present operations, our historical results of operations, our prospects for future earnings, the recent market prices of securities of comparable companies and the general condition of the securities markets at the time of the offering and other relevant factors. There can be no assurance that the initial public offering price of the common stock will correspond to the price at which the common stock will develop and continue after this offering.

To facilitate the offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock during and after the offering. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot or otherwise make short sales of our common stock by selling more shares of common stock than have been sold to them by us and the selling shareholders. The underwriters may close out covered short sales, which are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ over-allotment option, by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of our shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase our shares through the over-allotment option. In contrast, the underwriters must close out any naked short sales, which are sales in excess of the over-allotment option, by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase shares in the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover any syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. In addition, the underwriters may stabilize or maintain the price of the common stock by bidding for or purchasing shares of common stock in the open market and may impose penalty bids. If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if shares of common stock previously distributed in the offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid may also affect the price of our common stock to the extent that it discourages resales of our common stock. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq National Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters and dealers may engage in passive market making transactions in the shares of our common stock in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In general, a passive market maker may not bid for, or purchase, shares of our common stock at a price that exceeds the highest independent bid. In addition, the net daily purchases made by any passive market maker generally may not exceed 30% of its average daily trading volume in the common stock during a specified two month prior period, or 200 shares, whichever is

75


 

greater. A passive market maker must identify passive market making bids as such on the Nasdaq National Market electronic inter-dealer reporting system. Passive market making may stabilize or maintain the market price of our common stock above independent market levels. Underwriters and dealers are not required to engage in passive market making and may end passive market making activities at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of our common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, Chicago, Illinois.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Marlin Leasing Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The aforementioned report indicates that the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, on January 1, 2001.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-1 with respect to the common stock offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules which are part of the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and our common stock, reference is made to the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are not necessarily complete and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document. You may read and copy any document we file at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the Public Reference Room. Our Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov .

Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance therewith, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such periodic reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room and will also be available on the web site of the Securities and Exchange Commission referred to above.

76


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

         
Page

Independent Auditors’ Report
    F-2  
Consolidated Balance Sheets
    F-3  
Consolidated Statements of Operations
    F-4  
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
    F-5  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    F-6  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    F-8  

F-1


 

Independent Auditors’ Report

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Marlin Leasing Corporation and Subsidiaries:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Marlin Leasing Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Marlin Leasing Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities , on January 1, 2001.

  /s/ KPMG LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

August 15, 2003, except as to note 3,
which is as of August 22, 2003 and to note 17,
which is as of October 13, 2003

F-2


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except per share amounts)
                             
December 31, June 30,


2001 2002 2003



(unaudited)

Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,504     $ 6,354     $ 6,294  
Restricted cash
    7,654       12,582       65,446  
Net investment in direct financing leases
    256,824       337,434       372,913  
Property and equipment, net
    1,914       2,049       1,999  
Other assets
    5,466       5,749       6,290  
     
     
     
 
Total assets
  $ 274,362     $ 364,168     $ 452,942  
     
     
     
 


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Revolving and term secured borrowings
  $ 236,385     $ 315,361     $ 392,956  
Subordinated debt
    9,408       9,520       9,579  
Other liabilities:
                       
 
Lease obligation payable
    669       628       518  
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    4,647       6,630       10,532  
 
Warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock
    514       1,422       2,201  
 
Deferred income tax liability
    1,501       5,232       8,061  
     
     
     
 
   
Total liabilities
    253,124       338,793       423,847  
     
     
     
 
Redeemable convertible preferred stock (liquidation preference of $20,021, $21,641 and $22,516 (note 12)
    19,391       21,171       22,123  
     
     
     
 
Commitments and contingencies (note 9)
                       
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
 
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 10,500 shares authorized; 1,857, 1,623, 1,716 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
    18       16       17  
 
Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 420 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
                 
 
Additional paid-in capital
    2,190       1,842       2,221  
 
Stock subscription receivable
    (105 )     (147 )     (302 )
 
Deferred compensation
                (57 )
 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
    (256 )     2,493       5,093  
     
     
     
 
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    1,847       4,204       6,972  
     
     
     
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 274,362     $ 364,168     $ 452,942  
     
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                             
Year Ended December 31, Six Months Ended June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(unaudited)
Interest and fee income
  $ 22,648     $ 36,404     $ 46,664     $ 21,936     $ 26,828  
Interest expense
    11,607       16,881       17,899       8,199       8,459  
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Net interest and fee income
    11,041       19,523       28,765       13,737       18,369  
Provision for credit losses
    2,497       5,918       6,850       3,523       3,770  
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Net interest and fee income after provision for credit losses
    8,544       13,605       21,915       10,214       14,599  
Insurance and other income
    1,823       2,086       2,725       1,271       1,628  
     
     
     
     
     
 
          10,367       15,691       24,640       11,485       16,227  
Salaries and benefits
    3,660       5,306       8,109       3,671       4,851  
General and administrative
    3,419       4,610       5,744       2,638       3,505  
Financing related costs
    939       1,259       1,618       805       710  
Change in fair value of warrants
    (101 )     (208 )     908       482       779  
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    2,450       4,724       8,261       3,889       6,382  
Income taxes
    881       1,693       3,731       1,779       2,829  
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    1,569       3,031       4,530       2,110       3,553  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax
          (311 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income
    1,569       2,720       4,530       2,110       3,553  
Preferred stock dividends
    825       1,243       1,781       890       953  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 744     $ 1,477     $ 2,749     $ 1,220     $ 2,600  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Basic earnings per share:
                                       
 
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
  $ 0.40     $ 0.96     $ 1.61     $ 0.68     $ 1.54  
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
          (0.17 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
 
    $ 0.40     $ 0.79     $ 1.61     $ 0.68     $ 1.54  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Diluted earnings per share:
                                       
 
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
  $ 0.30     $ 0.49     $ 0.63     $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
          (0.05 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
 
    $ 0.30     $ 0.44     $ 0.63     $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Weighted average shares used in computing basic earnings per share
    1,852,890       1,858,858       1,703,820       1,792,183       1,692,487  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Weighted average shares used in computing diluted earnings per share
    5,178,072       6,234,437       7,138,232       7,196,557       7,151,591  
     
     
     
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

(in thousands, except share amounts)
                                                           
Class A Common Retained
Stock Additional Stock Earnings Total

Paid-in Subscription Deferred Accumulated Stockholders’
Shares Amount Capital Receivable Compensation (Deficit) Equity (Deficit)







Balance, December 31, 1999
    1,798,513     $ 18     $ 1,946     $ (38 )   $     $ (2,477 )   $ (551 )
 
Exercise of stock options
    7,825             22                         22  
 
Issuance of Common Stock
    57,167             245       (119 )                 126  
 
Payment of receivables
                      16                   16  
 
Common Stock repurchases
    (1,900 )           (5 )                       (5 )
 
Preferred Stock dividends
                                  (825 )     (825 )
 
Net income
                                  1,569       1,569  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Balance, December 31, 2000
    1,861,605       18       2,208       (141 )           (1,733 )     352  
 
Payment of receivables
                      19                   19  
 
Issuance of Common Stock
    296             1                         1  
 
Common Stock repurchases
    (4,969 )           (19 )     17                   (2 )
 
Preferred Stock dividends
                                  (1,243 )     (1,243 )
 
Net income
                                  2,720       2,720  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Balance, December 31, 2001
    1,856,932       18       2,190       (105 )           (256 )     1,847  
 
Issuance of Common Stock
    37,376             127       (71 )                 56  
 
Payment of receivables
                      23                   23  
 
Common Stock repurchases
    (270,868 )     (2 )     (544 )     6                   (540 )
 
Stock-based compensation related to stock option modification
                69                         69  
 
Preferred Stock dividends
                                  (1,781 )     (1,781 )
 
Net income
                                  4,530       4,530  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Balance, December 31, 2002
    1,623,440       16       1,842       (147 )           2,493       4,204  
 
Issuance of Common Stock (unaudited)
    92,063       1       315       (189 )                 127  
 
Payment of receivables (unaudited)
                      34                   34  
 
Deferred compensation related to stock options (unaudited)
                64             (64 )            
 
Amortization of deferred compensation (unaudited)
                            7             7  
 
Preferred Stock dividends (unaudited)
                                  (953 )     (953 )
 
Net income (unaudited)
                                  3,553       3,553  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Balance, June 30, 2003 (unaudited)
    1,715,503     $ 17     $ 2,221     $ (302 )   $ (57 )   $ 5,093     $ 6,972  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)
                                                 
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                       
 
Net income
  $ 1,569     $ 2,720     $ 4,530     $ 2,110     $ 3,553  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                                       
   
Depreciation and amortization
    4,732       7,604       9,636       4,576       5,378  
   
Provision for credit losses
    2,497       5,918       6,850       3,523       3,770  
   
Stock based compensation related to stock option modification
                69              
   
Gains recognized on leases sold
    (750 )     (185 )                  
   
Deferred taxes
    881       1,693       3,731       1,779       2,829  
   
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
          311                    
   
Change in fair value of warrants
    (101 )     (208 )     908       482       779  
   
Deferred initial direct costs and fees
    (8,321 )     (9,395 )     (10,517 )     (4,880 )     (5,666 )
   
Effect of changes in other operating items:
                                       
     
Other assets
    (1,762 )     (1,182 )     (283 )     (911 )     (541 )
     
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (1,450 )     1,542       1,982       4,103       3,902  
     
     
     
     
     
 
       
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (2,705 )     8,818       16,905       10,782       14,004  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
 
Gross equipment purchased for direct financing lease contracts
    (142,005 )     (172,509 )     (206,292 )     (100,411 )     (111,416 )
 
Proceeds from sales of direct financing leases
    12,030       3,381                    
 
Principal collections on lease finance receivables
    41,277       78,432       118,040       54,748       70,923  
 
Security deposits collected, net of returns
    3,654       3,117       2,430       1,329       1,938  
 
Acquisitions of property and equipment
    (891 )     (931 )     (821 )     (442 )     (400 )
     
     
     
     
     
 
       
Net cash used in investing activities
    (85,935 )     (88,510 )     (86,643 )     (44,776 )     (38,955 )
     
     
     
     
     
 

F-6


 

                                             
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(unaudited)
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
 
Issuances of Common stock, net terminations
    126       19       79       17       161  
 
Common stock repurchases
    (5 )     (1 )     (540 )            
 
Issuances of Preferred stock
          5,000                    
 
Stock issuance costs
          (603 )                  
 
Issuance of subordinated debt
    5,000       2,150                    
 
99-2 term securitization repayment of notes
    (31,257 )     (27,398 )     (17,677 )     (10,362 )     (8,380 )
 
99-2 term securitization conveyance of subsequent assets
    18,527                          
 
00-1 term securitization, proceeds (repayments)
    88,060       (31,906 )     (27,062 )     (14,172 )     (10,530 )
 
01-1 term securitization, proceeds (repayments)
          93,681       (36,332 )     (18,882 )     (15,952 )
 
02-1 term securitization, proceeds (repayments)
                150,457       180,233       (29,825 )
 
03-1 term securitization, proceeds net of repayments
                            199,941  
 
Change in secured bank facility
    10,029       (5,649 )     7,123       (5,580 )     (8,407 )
 
00-A warehouse advances, net of repayments
          46,786       (46,786 )     (46,786 )      
 
02-A warehouse advances, net of repayments
                49,253             (49,253 )
 
Change in restricted cash
    (1,428 )     (1,417 )     (4,928 )     (42,488 )     (52,864 )
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Net cash provided by financing activities
    89,052       80,662       73,587       41,980       24,891  
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    412       970       3,850       7,986       (60 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    1,122       1,534       2,504       2,504       6,354  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 1,534     $ 2,504     $ 6,354     $ 10,490     $ 6,294  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                                       
 
Cash paid for interest
  $ 10,889     $ 15,845     $ 16,218     $ 7,523     $ 7,651  
 
Conversion of subordinated debt to Class D Preferred stock
          2,150                    
 
Cash paid for income taxes
                             

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

1. The Company

Marlin Leasing Corporation (“Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on June 16, 1997. The Company provides equipment leasing solutions primarily to small businesses nationwide in a segment of the equipment leasing market commonly referred to in the leasing industry as the small-ticket segment. The Company finances over 60 categories of commercial equipment important to its end user customers including copiers, telephone systems, computers and certain commercial and industrial equipment.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions 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. Estimates are used when accounting for income recognition, the residual values of leased equipment, the allowance for credit losses, deferred initial direct costs and fees, late fee receivables, valuations of warrants and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Unaudited Interim Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto, as of June 30, 2003 and for the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003 are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results for these interim periods. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the entire year.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists primarily of the cash reserve, advance payment accounts and cash held by the trustee related to the Company’s term securitizations. The restricted cash balance at June 30, 2003 also includes a prefunded cash balance of $51,751 (unaudited) in connection with the Company’s 2003-1 term securitization. This prefunding account will be used on or before September 15, 2003 to acquire lease contracts for inclusion in the asset pool related to the 2003-1 term securitization. The restricted cash balance also includes amounts due from securitizations representing reimbursements of servicing fees and excess spread income.

Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases

The Company uses the direct finance method of accounting to record income from direct financing leases. At the inception of a lease, the Company records the minimum future lease payments receivable, the

F-8


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

estimated residual value of the leased equipment and the unearned lease income. Initial direct costs and fees related to lease originations are deferred as part of the investment and amortized over the lease term. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the total lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income, net of initial direct costs and fees, is recognized as revenue over the lease term on the interest method.

Yields implicit in the Company’s direct financing leases are fixed at the inception of the lease and generally range from 12% to 20%. Residual values of the equipment under lease generally range from $1 to 15% of the cost of equipment and are based on the type of equipment leased and the lease term.

The Company securitizes lease receivables using wholly-owned special purpose entities. Under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, a replacement of FASB Statement 125 , the Company’s securitizations do not qualify for sales accounting treatment due to certain call provisions that the Company maintains as well as the fact that the special purpose entities used in connection with the securitizations also hold the residual assets for the securitized leases. Accordingly, assets and related debt (see note 10) of the special purpose entities are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Allowance for Credit Losses

An allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level that represents management’s best estimate of probable losses based upon an evaluation of known and inherent risks in the Company’s lease portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Management’s evaluation is based upon regular review of the lease portfolio and considers such factors as the level of recourse provided, if any, delinquencies, historical loss experience, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. Actual losses may vary from current estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and as adjustments become necessary, they are recorded in earnings in the period in which they become known.

Property and Equipment

The Company records property and equipment at cost. Equipment capitalized under capital leases are recorded at the present value of the minimum lease payments due over the lease term. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets or lease term, whichever is shorter. The Company generally uses depreciable lives that range from three to seven years based on equipment type.

Other Assets

Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets are transaction costs associated with warehouse facilities and term securitization transactions that are being amortized over the estimated lives of the related warehouse facilities and the term securitization transactions using a method which approximates the interest method. In addition, other assets includes prepaid expenses, accrued fee income, the fair value

F-9


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

of derivative instruments and progress payments on equipment purchased to lease. Other assets is comprised of the following:

                         
December 31, June 30,


2001 2002 2003



(unaudited)
Deferred transaction costs
  $ 2,220     $ 2,460     $ 2,901  
Accrued fees
    1,981       2,398       2,574  
Other
    1,265       891       815  
     
     
     
 
    $ 5,466     $ 5,749     $ 6,290  
     
     
     
 

Interest-Rate Cap Agreements

The Company enters into interest-rate cap agreements to economically offset potential increases in interest rates on the Company’s outstanding variable rate borrowings. Because these derivatives do not meet the hedge accounting provisions of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, the Company recognizes the fair value of the interest-rate cap agreements on the balance sheet and records changes in fair value of the derivative instruments currently in earnings within financing related costs in the accompanying statements of operations. These agreements are recorded in other assets and are stated at $163, $199 and $112 (unaudited) as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, respectively.

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No 133. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. SFAS No. 133 requires that changes in the derivative’s fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. SFAS No. 133, as amended by SFAS No. 137 and SFAS No. 138, cannot be applied retroactively and was adopted as required on January 1, 2001. The impact of adopting SFAS No. 133 was a reduction in the carrying amount of interest-rate cap agreements to fair value as of January 1, 2001 of $497, or $311 after tax, which was recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. The Company previously deferred and amortized the cost of its interest-rate caps to interest expense over the term of the related debt.

Fee Income

Fee income consists of fees for delinquent lease payments, cash collected on early termination of leases and equipment rental fees for interim periods between the installation of equipment and the commencement of a lease. Fee income also includes gains on realization of residual values (which includes income from lease renewals). Income is recognized from these fees on the accrual basis. Fee income was $4,424, $7,093 and $8,907 during the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and $4,218 (unaudited) and $5,044 (unaudited) during the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, respectively, of which gains on realization of residual values amounted to $28, $344, $1,270, $525 (unaudited) and $733 (unaudited), respectively.

Insurance and Other Income

Other income consists primarily of equipment insurance income, net of related claims, income from lease syndications and gains on sales of leases.

F-10


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

Financing Related Costs

Financing related costs consist of bank commitment fees and the change in fair value of interest-rate cap agreements.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company follows the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees , and related interpretations. The Company records deferred compensation for option grants to employees for the amount, if any, by which the fair value per share exceeds the exercise price per share at the measurement date, which is generally the grant date. This deferred compensation is recognized over the vesting period.

Under SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation , compensation expense related to stock options granted to employees and directors is computed based on the fair value of the stock option at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Pursuant to the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123, had compensation expense for stock option grants been determined based upon the fair value at the date of grant, the Company’s net income would have decreased as follows:

                                               
Year Ended December 31, Six Months Ended June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(unaudited)
Net income, as reported   $ 1,569     $ 2,720     $ 4,530     $ 2,110     $ 3,553  
Add: stock-based employee compensation
  expense included in net income, net of tax
                            4  
Deduct: total stock-option-based employee
  compensation expense determined under fair
  value-based method for all awards, net of tax
    (18 )     (16 )     (6 )     (4 )     (9 )
     
     
     
     
     
 
Pro forma net income   $ 1,551     $ 2,704     $ 4,524     $ 2,106     $ 3,548  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Earnings per share:                                        
 
Basic -
  As reported   $ 0.40     $ 0.79     $ 1.61     $ 0.68     $ 1.54  
    Pro forma     0.39       0.79       1.61       0.68       1.54  
 
Diluted -
  As reported   $ 0.30     $ 0.44     $ 0.63     $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
    Pro forma     0.30       0.44       0.63       0.29       0.50  
Weighted average shares used in computing
  basic earnings per share
    1,852,890       1,858,858       1,703,820       1,792,183       1,692,487  
Weighted average shares used in computing
  diluted earnings per share
    5,178,072       6,234,438       7,138,232       7,196,557       7,151,591  

F-11


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

For purposes of determining the above disclosure required by SFAS No. 123, the Company determined the value of the options on their grant date using the minimum value method and the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Key assumptions used to apply this pricing model were as follows:

                                         
December 31, June 30,


Weighted averages: 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003






(unaudited)
Risk-free interest rate
    6.269 %     4.516 %     4.766 %     4.790 %     3.600 %
Expected life of option grants
    6 years       6 years       6 years       6 years       6 years  
Expected dividends
  $     $     $     $     $  

In 2003, the Company issued stock options with an exercise price less than the estimated fair market value of the stock at the grant date. The weighted average fair value of stock options issued with an exercise price less than the market price of the stock at the grant date for the six months ended June 30, 2003, was $1.52 per share (unaudited).

The weighted average fair value of stock options issued with an exercise price greater than the estimated fair market value of the stock at the grant date for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and six months ended June 30, 2002 was zero as the exercise price on the Company’s option was greater than the estimated fair market value of the Common Stock.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes . SFAS No. 109 requires the use of the asset and liability method under which deferred taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, given the provisions of the enacted tax laws. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.

Earnings Per Share

The Company follows SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share . Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the dilutive impact of the exercise or conversion of common stock equivalents, such as stock options, warrants and convertible preferred stock, into shares of Common Stock as if those securities were exercised or converted.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others , or FIN 45. FIN 45 requires a guarantor to recognize a liability at the inception of the guarantee for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee and include more

F-12


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

detailed disclosure with respect to guarantees. FIN 45 is effective for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities , or FIN 46. FIN 46 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. FIN 46 also requires disclosures about variable interest entities that a company is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest. The consolidation requirements of FIN 46 apply immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003 and to existing entities in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. Certain of the disclosure requirements apply to all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003, regardless of when the variable interest entity was established. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement has not had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Since inception, the Company has completed five term note securitizations. In connection with each transaction, the Company has established a bankruptcy remote special-purpose subsidiary and issued term debt to institutional investors. Under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, a replacement of FASB Statement 125 , the Company’s securitizations do not qualify for sales accounting treatment due to certain call provisions that the Company maintains as well as the fact that the special purpose entities used in connection with the securitizations also hold the residual assets. Accordingly, assets and related debt of the special purpose entities are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s leases and restricted cash are assigned as collateral for these borrowings and there is no further recourse to the general credit of the Company. Collateral in excess of these borrowings represents the Company’s maximum loss exposure.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149 , Amendment of Statement 133 Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities . This statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities . In particular, this statement: 1) clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristics of a derivative; 2) clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component; 3) amends the definition of an underlying to conform it to language used in FIN 45; and 4) amends certain other existing pronouncements. This Statement is effective for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003 and for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, except for provisions of this statement relating to Statement 133 Implementation Issues that have been effective for fiscal quarters that began prior to June 15, 2003 which should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective dates. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments and characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability, or an asset in some circumstances. Many of those instruments were previously classified as equity. This Statement does not apply to features that are embedded in a financial instrument that is not a derivative in its entirety, for example, it does not change the accounting treatment for conversion features, or conditional redemption features. This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective for public

F-13


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

companies at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

3. Change in Accounting Principle

The Company had previously accounted for its warrants in accordance with EITF Issue No. 88-9, Put Warrants . The holders of the Company’s warrants, which were issued in connection with subordinated debt, may put the shares of Class A Common Stock exercisable under the warrants to the Company at fair value upon certain circumstances further described in Note 10. In accordance with EITF Issue No. 88-9, the Company had classified and measured the put warrants in equity. In connection with the Company’s planned initial public offering (the “Offering”), the Company was required to adopt EITF Issue 96-13, codified in EITF Issue No. 00-19, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled In, a Company’s Owned Stock , since the provisions of EITF Issue No. 88-9 are applicable to nonpublic companies. Under EITF Issue No. 96-13, the put warrants are classified as a liability and measured at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in earnings. The effect of this change in accounting principle on net income was an increase of $101 and $208 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively, and a decrease of $908, $482 (unaudited), and $779 (unaudited) for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, respectively. Additionally, the warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock were reclassified from stockholders’ equity to liabilities and were $514, $1,422, and $2,201 (unaudited) as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, respectively.

4. Reorganization and Planned Initial Public Offering (Unaudited)

On or prior to the completion of the Offering, the Company intends to become a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Marlin Business Services, Inc. (“Marlin”), a newly-formed Pennsylvania holding company, and all former shareholders of the Company will become shareholders of Marlin. After the reorganization, the Company will continue in existence as a primary operating subsidiary. The reorganization will be completed through the following steps: 1) all classes of the Company’s redeemable convertible Preferred Stock will convert to Class A Common Stock of the Company; 2) all warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock of the Company will be exercised on a net issuance basis and all warrants to purchase Class B Common Stock of the Company will be exercised on a net issuance basis and the Class B Common Stock will convert to Class A Common Stock; 3) options to purchase 60,655 shares of Class A Common Stock are expected to be exercised by a selling shareholder; 4) a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Marlin, will merge with and into the Company, upon which each share of Class A Common Stock the Company will be exchanged for one share of Marlin Common Stock; and 5) all outstanding options to purchase the Company’s Class A Common Stock will be exchanged for options to purchase shares of Common Stock of Marlin based on the same exchange ratio used for the reorganization.

Marlin has approved the filing of a registration statement in connection with the sale of its Common Stock in the Offering. The Company intends to repay its subordinated debt and accrued dividends on its redeemable convertible preferred stock with proceeds from the Offering. As of June 30, 2003, the subordinated debt is carried net of $421 (unaudited) of unamortized discount. The Company also has unamortized deferred transaction costs associated with the subordinated debt of $75 (unaudited) as of June 30, 2003. Upon repayment, the Company will record a loss on the extinguishment of debt representing the amount of the unamortized discount and deferred transaction costs that exists as of the debt repayment.

F-14


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

5. Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases

Net investment in direct financing leases consists of the following:

                         
December 31, June 30,


2001 2002 2003



(Unaudited)
Minimum lease payments receivable
  $ 303,560     $ 392,392     $ 432,984  
Estimated residual value of equipment
    22,655       30,550       33,787  
Unearned lease income, net of initial direct costs and fees deferred
    (55,843 )     (68,624 )     (74,549 )
Security deposits
    (10,489 )     (12,919 )     (14,858 )
Allowance for credit losses
    (3,059 )     (3,965 )     (4,451 )
     
     
     
 
    $ 256,824     $ 337,434     $ 372,913  
     
     
     
 

Minimum lease payments receivable under lease contracts and the amortization of unearned lease income, net of initial direct costs and fees deferred, is as follows as of December 31, 2002:

                 
Minimum lease Income
payments receivable amortization
Year Ending December 31:

2003
  $ 156,430     $ 34,551  
2004
    116,683       19,820  
2005
    71,616       9,641  
2006
    35,306       3,902  
2007
    12,251       705  
Thereafter
    106       5  
     
     
 
    $ 392,392     $ 68,624  
     
     
 

The Company’s leases are assigned as collateral for borrowings as further discussed in note 9.

Initial direct costs and fees deferred were $10,790, $12,428 and $13,130 (unaudited) as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, respectively, and are netted in unearned income and will be amortized to income using the level yield method.

Income is not recognized on leases when a default on monthly payment exists for a period of 90 days or more. Income recognition resumes when a lease becomes less than 90 days delinquent. As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, the Company maintained direct finance lease receivables which were on a nonaccrual basis of $2,268, $1,475 and $1,143 (unaudited), respectively. As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, the Company had minimum lease receivables in which the terms of the original lease agreements had been renegotiated in the amount of $587, $2,295 and $2,025 (unaudited), respectively.

 
6.  Portfolio Concentrations

As of December 31, 2001 and 2002, and June 30, 2003, leases approximating 11%, 12% and 12% (unaudited), respectively, of the net investment balance of leases by the Company were located in the

F-15


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

state of California. No other state accounted for more than 10% of the net investment balance of leases owned and serviced by the Company as of such dates. As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003 no single vendor source accounted for more than 5% of the net investment balance of leases owned by the Company. The largest single obligor accounted for less than 1% of the net investment balance of leases owned by the Company as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003. Although the Company’s portfolio of leases includes lessees located throughout the United States, such lessees’ ability to honor their contracts may be substantially dependent on economic conditions in these states. All such contracts are collateralized by the related equipment. The Company leases to a variety of different industries, including retail, service, manufacturing, medical and restaurant, among others. To the extent that the economic or regulatory conditions prevalent in such industries change, the lessees’ ability to honor their lease obligations may be adversely impacted. The estimated residual value of leased equipment was comprised of 55.9%, 50.1% and 52.7% (unaudited) of copiers as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, respectively. No other group of equipment represented more than 10% of equipment residuals as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003. Improvements and other changes in technology could adversely impact the Company’s ability to realize the recorded value of this equipment.

 
7.  Allowance for Credit Losses

Net investments in direct financing leases are charged-off when they are contractually past due 121 days based on the historical net loss rates realized by the Company. Net losses represent lease net investment in direct financing leases less anticipated collections. At December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002 and at June 30, 2002 and 2003, anticipated collections remaining amounted to $215, $863, $924, $884 (unaudited) and $826 (unaudited), respectively. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the allowance when received.

Activity in this account is as follows:

                                           
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(Unaudited)
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 866     $ 1,720     $ 3,059     $ 3,059     $ 3,965  
 
Current provisions
    2,497       5,918       6,850       3,523       3,770  
 
Charge-offs, net
    (1,643 )     (4,579 )     (5,944 )     (2,974 )     (3,284 )
     
     
     
     
     
 
Balance, end of period
  $ 1,720     $ 3,059     $ 3,965     $ 3,608     $ 4,451  
     
     
     
     
     
 

F-16


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
8.  Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment consist of the following:

                         
December 31, June 30,


2001 2002 2003



(Unaudited)
Furniture and equipment
  $ 127     $ 148     $ 157  
Computer systems and equipment
    1,209       1,605       1,825  
Fixed assets financed under capital leases
    1,760       2,105       2,161  
Leasehold improvements
    140       158       164  
Less — accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,322 )     (1,967 )     (2,308 )
     
     
     
 
    $ 1,914     $ 2,049     $ 1,999  
     
     
     
 

Depreciation and amortization expense was $429, $551, $645, $315 (unaudited) and $341 (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

9. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in legal proceedings, which include claims, litigation and class action suits arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

As of December 31, 2002, the Company leases office space for its headquarters in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, and its offices in Englewood, Colorado, and Tucker, Georgia. In April 2003, the Company entered into a lease agreement for office space in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These lease commitments are accounted for as operating leases.

The Company has entered into several capital leases to finance corporate property and equipment.

The following is a schedule of future minimum lease payments for capital and operating leases as of December 31, 2002:

                 
Capital Operating
leases leases
Year Ending December 31:

2003
  $ 350     $ 596  
2004
    263       634  
2005
    81       177  
2006
    15       160  
2007
    2       137  
Thereafter
          66  
     
     
 
Total minimum lease payments
    711     $ 1,770  
     
     
 
Less — amount representing interest
    (83 )        
     
         
Present value of minimum lease payments
  $ 628          
     
         

F-17


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

Rent expense was $363, $499, $498, $255 (unaudited) and $254 (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

The Company has employment agreements with certain senior officers that extend through July 26, 2004.

10. Revolving and Term Secured Borrowings and Subordinated Debt

Borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facilities and long-term debt consist of the following:

                         
December 31, June 30,


2001 2002 2003



(unaudited)
Secured bank facility
  $ 13,708     $ 20,831     $ 12,423  
00-A Warehouse Facility 
    46,786              
02-A Warehouse Facility 
          49,253        
99-2 Term Securitization
    26,057       8,380        
00-1 Term Securitization
    56,153       29,091       18,560  
01-1 Term Securitization
    93,681       57,349       41,399  
02-1 Term Securitization
          150,457       120,633  
03-1 Term Securitization
                199,941  
     
     
     
 
      236,385       315,361       392,956  
Subordinated debt
    9,408       9,520       9,579  
     
     
     
 
Total borrowings
  $ 245,793     $ 324,881     $ 402,535  
     
     
     
 

At the end of each period, the Company has the following minimum lease payments receivable assigned as collateral:

                         
December 31, June 30,


2001 2002 2003



(unaudited)
Secured bank facility
  $ 18,183     $ 27,593     $ 21,462  
00-A Warehouse Facility 
    62,721              
02-A Warehouse Facility 
          66,653        
99-2 Term Securitization
    32,134       12,279        
00-1 Term Securitization
    66,606       33,483       21,205  
01-1 Term Securitization
    109,530       65,346       46,629  
02-1 Term Securitization
          173,660       137,987  
03-1 Term Securitization
                187,746  
     
     
     
 
    $ 289,174     $ 379,014     $ 415,029  
     
     
     
 

Secured Bank Facility

As of December 31, 2002 and June 30, 2003, the Company has committed revolving lines of credit with various banks to provide up to $32,500 in borrowings at LIBOR plus 2.125%. The credit facility expires on August 31, 2005. For the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, the weighted average interest rates were 8.75%, 7.27%, 4.32%, 4.20% (unaudited)

F-18


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

and 3.99% (unaudited), respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, the Company incurred commitment fees on the unused portion of the credit facility of $199, $194, $142, $57 (unaudited) and $44 (unaudited), respectively.

Warehouse Facilities

00-A Warehouse Facility — During December 2000, the Company entered into a $75 million commercial paper warehouse facility (“the 00-A Warehouse Facility”). This facility was increased to $125 million on May 31, 2001. The 00-A Warehouse Facility expires in December 2004. The 00-A Warehouse Facility is credit enhanced through a third party financial guarantee insurance policy. The 00-A Warehouse Facility allows the Company on an ongoing basis to transfer lease receivables to a wholly-owned, bankruptcy remote, special purpose subsidiary of the Company, which issues variable rate notes to investors carrying an interest rate equal to the rate on commercial paper issued to fund the notes during the interest period. For the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002, and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, the weighted average interest rates were 4.61%, 2.46% 2.46% (unaudited) and 1.93% (unaudited), respectively. There are no amounts outstanding under this facility as of December 31, 2002 and June 30, 2003. The 00-A Warehouse Facility requires that the Company limit its exposure to adverse interest rate movements on the variable rate notes through entering into interest rate cap agreements. As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, the Company had interest rate cap transactions with notional values of $47.0 million, $33.8 million and $76.7 million (unaudited), respectively, at rates of 6.47%, 6.30% and 6.05% (unaudited), respectively. The fair value of these interest rate cap transactions was $163, $126 and $69 (unaudited) as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, respectively.

02-A Warehouse Facility — During April 2002, the Company entered into a $75 million commercial paper warehouse facility (“the 02-A Warehouse Facility”). The 02-A Warehouse Facility expires in April 2004. The 02-A Warehouse Facility is credit enhanced through a third party financial guarantee insurance policy. The 02-A Warehouse Facility allows the Company on an ongoing basis to transfer lease receivables to a wholly-owned, bankruptcy remote, special purpose subsidiary of the Company, which issues variable rate notes to investors carrying an interest rate equal to the rate on commercial paper issued to fund the notes during the interest period. For the year ended December 31, 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, the weighted average interest rate was 2.79%, 0% and 2.46% (unaudited), respectively. The 02-A Warehouse Facility requires that the Company limit its exposure to adverse interest rate movements on the variable rate notes through entering into interest rate cap agreements. As of December 31, 2002, and June 30, 2003, the Company had interest rate cap transactions with notional values of $62.2 million and $69.0 million (unaudited) at rates of 6.12% and 5.97% (unaudited), respectively. The fair value of these interest rate cap transactions was $73 and $43 (unaudited) as of December 31, 2002 and June 30, 2003, respectively.

Additionally, in February 1998, the Company issued a warrant in connection with a one-year term warehouse facility. Under the terms of the warrant, the holder can purchase 261,265 shares of the Company’s common stock at any time over a ten year period. The exercise price varies over the life of the warrant based on a book value formula specified in the warrant agreement. On the date of issuance, the exercise price was zero and the fair value of the warrant was based upon the fair value of the Company’s common stock and amortized into interest expense over the one year term of the facility. The Company has recorded the fair value of the warrant within stockholders’ equity since there is no cash or net-cash settlement option.

Term Securitizations

99-2 Transaction — On December 15, 1999, the Company closed a $86.9 million term securitization (“Series 1999-2 Notes”). In connection with the Series 1999-2 transaction, three tranches of notes were

F-19


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

issued to investors in the form of $75.7 million Class A Notes, $7.2 million Class B Notes and $4.0 million Class C Notes. The weighted fixed rate coupon payable to investors was 8.09%. On January 15, 2003, the Company exercised the option to redeem the Series 1999-2 Notes in whole and the outstanding balances were paid in full.

00-1 Transaction — On September 26, 2000, the Company closed a $96.9 million term securitization (“Series 2000-1 Notes”). In connection with the Series 2000-1 transaction, three tranches of notes were issued to investors in the form of $86.5 million Class A Notes, $6.6 million Class B Notes and $3.8 million Class C Notes. The weighted average fixed rate coupon payable to investors is 7.96%.

01-1 Transaction — On June 25, 2001, the Company closed a $115.8 million term securitization (“Series 2001-1 Notes”). In connection with the Series 2001-1 transaction, three tranches of notes were issued to investors in the form of $103.3 million Class A Notes, $7.9 million Class B Notes and $4.6 million Class C Notes. The weighted average fixed rate coupon payable to investors is 5.84%.

02-1 Transaction — On June 25, 2002, the Company closed a $184.4 million term securitization (“Series 2002-1 Notes”). In connection with the Series 2002-1 transaction, three tranches of notes were issued to investors in the form of $166.3 million Class A Notes, $12.7 million Class B Notes and $5.4 million Class C Notes. The weighted average fixed rate coupon payable to investors is 4.36%.

03-1 Transaction — On June 25, 2003, the Company closed a $204.9 million term securitization (“Series 2003-1 Notes”). In connection with the Series 2003-1 transaction, three tranches of notes were issued to investors in the form of $197.3 million Class A Notes, $2.0 million Class B Notes and $5.6 million Class C Notes. The weighted average fixed rate coupon payable to investors is 3.05%.

The Series 1999-2, 2000-1, 2001-1, 2002-1 and 2003-1 Notes payable are collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s direct financing leases. The Company is restricted from selling, transferring, or assigning the leases or placing liens or pledges on these leases.

Under the revolving bank facility, warehouse facilities and term securitization agreements, the Company is subject to numerous covenants, restrictions and default provisions relating to, among other things, maximum lease delinquency and default levels, a minimum net worth requirement and a maximum debt to equity ratio. A change in the Chief Executive Officer or President is an event of default under the revolving bank facility and warehouse facilities unless a replacement acceptable to the Company’s lenders is hired within 90 days. Such an event is also an immediate event of servicer termination under the term securitizations. A merger or consolidation with another company in which the Company is not the surviving entity is an event of default under the financing facilities. In addition, the revolving bank facility and warehouse facilities contain cross default provisions whereby certain defaults under one facility would also be an event of default on the other facilities. An event of default under the revolving bank facility or warehouse facilities could result in termination of further funds being available under such facility. An event of default under any of the facilities could result in an acceleration of amounts outstanding under the facilities, foreclosure on all or a portion of the leases financed by the facilities and/or the removal of the Company as servicer of the leases financed by the facility. As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003 the Company was in compliance with terms of the warehouse facilities and term securitization agreements.

F-20


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

Subordinated Debt

On March 30, 1999, the Company issued $5.0 million of Senior Subordinated Notes (“1999 Notes”). Under the terms of the definitive agreement (“1999 Note Agreement”), the 1999 Notes are due March 30, 2006 and bear interest at 11.0% payable quarterly. The 1999 Notes are subject to certain mandatory prepayment provisions as stipulated in the 1999 Note Agreement. In addition, the 1999 Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company based upon certain conditions as defined in the 1999 Note Agreement. The 1999 Note Agreement includes terms and conditions which subordinate the rights of the noteholder to the rights of the Company’s senior lenders. In connection with issuance of the 1999 Notes, the Company issued to the noteholder a warrant to purchase 441,001 shares of Class A Common Stock at $4.23 per share, exercisable over ten years. The 1999 Notes were recorded on the balance sheet net of a $481 discount attributable to the estimated fair value of the warrant at the date of grant, determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The discount is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the 1999 Notes and was $50, $56, $64, $32 (unaudited) and $35 (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and for the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, respectively. As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, the carrying value of the 1999 Notes were net of unamortized discount of $341, $277 and $241 (unaudited), respectively.

On April 7, 2000, the Company issued $5.0 million of Senior Subordinated Notes (“2000 Notes”). Under the terms of the definitive agreement (“2000 Note Agreement”), the 2000 Notes are due March 30, 2006 and bear interest at 11.0% payable quarterly. The 2000 Notes are subject to certain mandatory prepayment provisions as stipulated in the 2000 Note Agreement. In addition, the 2000 Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company based upon certain conditions as defined in the 2000 Note Agreement. The 2000 Note Agreement includes terms and conditions which subordinate the rights of the noteholder to the rights of the Company’s senior lenders. In connection with issuance of the 2000 Notes, the Company issued to the noteholder a warrant to purchase 315,348 shares of Class A Common Stock at $5.01 per share, exercisable over ten years. The 2000 Notes were recorded on the balance sheet net of a $321 discount attributable to the estimated fair value of the warrant at the date of grant, determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The discount is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2000 Notes and was $26, $42, $48, $23 (unaudited) and $26 (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and for the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, respectively. As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, the carrying value of the 2000 Notes were net of unamortized discount of $252, $204 and $177, (unaudited) respectively.

The holders of the warrants issued in connection with the 1999 Notes and 2000 Notes may put the shares of Class A Common Stock exercisable under the warrants to the Company at fair value upon: 1) an event of noncompliance, as defined in the Company’s certificate of incorporation; 2) termination of any two of the Company’s founding shareholders; or 3) at any time after July 26, 2006. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 96-13, codified in EITF Issue No. 00-19, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled In, a Company’s Own Stock , the Company has classified the warrants as a liability since the warrant holders have the ability to put the shares of Class A Common Stock exercisable under the warrants to the Company for cash settlement. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the warrants have been recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In connection with the Company’s planned Offering (see Note 4), the warrant holders are obligated to exercise all outstanding warrants into shares of Class A Common Stock thereby eliminating the liability.

The subordinated debt agreements contain restrictive covenants which prohibit the payment of dividends, limit new indebtedness and include minimum net worth, maximum capital expenditures, and portfolio

F-21


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

performance guidelines. As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, the Company was in compliance with the provisions of such debt covenants.

Scheduled principal payments on outstanding debt as of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

           
Year Ending December 31:
       
 
2003
  $ 179,201  
 
2004
    73,633  
 
2005
    40,532  
 
2006
    28,599  
 
2007
    3,382  
 
Thereafter
    14  
     
 
      325,361  
 
Less — unamortized discount
    (480 )
     
 
    $ 324,881  
     
 

11. Income Taxes

The Company’s income tax provision consisted of the following components:

                                           
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(unaudited)
Current:
                                       
 
Federal
  $     $     $     $     $  
 
State
                             
Deferred:
                                       
 
Federal
    751       1,443       3,211       1,471       2,506  
 
State
    130       250       520       308       323  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total
  $ 881     $ 1,693     $ 3,731     $ 1,779     $ 2,829  
     
     
     
     
     
 

Deferred income tax expense results principally from the use of different revenue and expense recognition methods for tax and financial accounting purposes. The Company estimates these differences and adjusts

F-22


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

to actual based upon preparation of the tax return. The sources of these temporary differences and related tax effects were as follows:

                         
December 31, June 30,


2001 2002 2003



(unaudited)
Net operating loss carryforwards
  $ 2,065     $ 3,988     $ 4,281  
Allowance for credit losses
    1,147       1,566       1,758  
Lease accounting
    (5,053 )     (11,419 )     (15,134 )
Interest-rate cap agreements
    100       171       189  
Accrued expenses
    45       249       (176 )
Depreciation
    (137 )     (191 )     589  
Deferred income
    313       404       432  
Other
    19              
     
     
     
 
Deferred tax liability
  $ (1,501 )   $ (5,232 )   $ (8,061 )
     
     
     
 

As of December 31, 2002, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for federal and state income tax purposes of approximately $10.1 million. Federal NOLs expire in years 2017 and 2018, while state NOLs expire in years 2006 through 2018.

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 contains provisions that may limit the NOLs available to be used in any given year upon the occurrence of certain events, including significant changes in ownership interest. A change in the ownership of a company greater than 50% within a three-year period results in an annual limitation on the Company’s ability to utilize its NOLs from tax periods prior to the ownership change. Management believes the Reorganization and the Offering will not have a material effect on the Company’s ability to utilize these NOLs. No valuation allowance has been established against net deferred tax assets related to the Company’s NOLs, as the Company believes these NOLs will be realizable through reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities, and future taxable income.

The following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate:

                                         
December 31, June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(unaudited)
Statutory federal income tax rate
    34.0 %     34.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit
    3.4       3.3       4.5       4.5       4.5  
Change in fair market value — warrants
    (1.4 )     (1.5 )     4.1       4.6       4.8  
Change in income tax rates
                1.6       1.6        
     
     
     
     
     
 
Effective rate
    36.0 %     35.8 %     45.2 %     45.7 %     44.3 %
     
     
     
     
     
 

F-23


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

12. Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2002, the authorized, issued and outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock (Preferred Stock) and their carrying amounts and liquidation values are as follows:

                                 
Shares Shares Issued Carrying Liquidation
Class Authorized and Outstanding Amount Value





A
    50,000       50,000     $ 7,085     $ 7,087  
C
    50,000       50,000       6,523       6,559  
D
    101,500       71,500       7,563       7,997  
                     
     
 
                    $ 21,171     $ 21,641  
                     
     
 

In February 1998, the Company issued 48,000 shares of Class A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (“Class A”) and 2,000 shares of Class B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (“Class B”) for $4,800 and $200, respectively. In March 1999, each share of Class B was converted into one share of Class A. Each share of Class A is convertible into 35.66 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.

During March through June 1999, the Company issued 50,000 shares of Class C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (“Class C”) for $5,000. Each share of Class C is convertible into 25.33 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.

In July 2001, the Company issued 71,500 shares of Class D Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (“Class D”) for $7,150, of which $2,150 represented the conversion of Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes issued in February 2001. Each share of Class D is convertible into 29.47 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.

Each share of Preferred Stock has voting rights equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion. From the date of issuance through July 24, 2001, each share of Class A, Class B, and Class C accrued dividends at a rate of 7% per year on its $1 liquidation preference plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Beginning on July 25, 2001, each share of Class A, Class C and Class D accrued dividends at a rate of 8% per year on its $100 per share liquidation preference plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.

The holders of Preferred Stock may require the Company to redeem the Preferred Stock for its $100 liquidation preference per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, upon 1) a change in ownership of the Company; 2) a fundamental change in the ownership or operations of the Company, as defined in the certificate of incorporation; 3) termination of any two of the Company’s three founding shareholders; 4) at any time after July 26, 2006; or 5) an event of noncompliance as defined in the certificate of incorporation. Under the agreement, the Company may require the holders of Preferred Stock to convert to Common Stock upon the closing of a Qualified Public Offering as defined in the certificate of incorporation. Since the redemption of the Preferred Stock is outside the control of the Company, the Preferred Stock is classified outside of stockholders’ equity. The Preferred Stock is carried at its current redemption value in the accompanying balance sheets.

Upon the closing of the Offering, the Company will require the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock (See note 3).

F-24


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003 accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock were $2,871, $4,491 and $5,366 (unaudited), respectively.

13. Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of net income and shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share:

                                         
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(unaudited)
Basic earnings per share computation:
                                       
Numerator:
                                       
Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
  $ 1,569     $ 3,031     $ 4,530     $ 2,110     $ 3,553  
Preferred stock dividends
    (825 )     (1,243 )     (1,781 )     (890 )     (953 )
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
    744       1,788       2,749       1,220       2,600  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
          (311 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 744     $ 1,477     $ 2,749     $ 1,220     $ 2,600  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Denominator:
                                       
Shares used in computing basic earnings per share
    1,852,890       1,858,858       1,703,820       1,792,183       1,692,487  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Basic earnings per share:
                                       
Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
  $ 0.40     $ 0.96     $ 1.61     $ 0.68     $ 1.54  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
          (0.17 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
 
    $ 0.40     $ 0.79     $ 1.61     $ 0.68     $ 1.54  
     
     
     
     
     
 

F-25


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
                                           
Six Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, June 30,


2000 2001 2002 2002 2003





(unaudited)
Diluted earnings per share computation:
                                       
Numerator:
                                       
Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
  $ 1,569     $ 3,031     $ 4,530     $ 2,110     $ 3,553  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
          (311 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income
  $ 1,569     $ 2,720     $ 4,530     $ 2,110     $ 3,553  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Denominator:
                                       
Shares used in computing basic earnings per share
    1,852,890       1,858,858       1,703,820       1,792,183       1,692,487  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                                       
 
Preferred stock
    3,048,781       4,102,466       5,156,150       5,156,150       5,156,150  
 
Employee options and warrants
    276,401       273,113       278,262       248,224       302,954  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share
    5,178,072       6,234,437       7,138,232       7,196,557       7,151,591  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Diluted earnings per share:
                                       
Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
  $ 0.30     $ 0.49     $ 0.63     $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
          (0.05 )                  
     
     
     
     
     
 
    $ 0.30     $ 0.44     $ 0.63     $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
     
     
     
     
     
 

The shares used in computing diluted earnings per share exclude options to purchase 373,869, 634,010, 184,485, 610,882 and 70,940 shares of Class A Common Stock for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, respectively, and warrants to purchase 756,350 shares of Class A Common Stock for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003 as the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive.

 
14.  Stock-Based Plans

In August 1997, the Company adopted an Equity Compensation Plan (the “Equity Plan”). Under the terms of the Equity Plan, as amended, employees, certain consultants and advisors, and nonemployee members of the Company’s board of directors have the opportunity to receive incentive and nonqualified grants of stock options, stock purchase rights and restricted stock. The aggregate number of shares under the Equity Plan that may be issued pursuant to stock options or restricted stock grants is 1,023,201. Stock options vest over four years. All options expire not more than ten years after the date of grant.

F-26


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

Information with respect to options granted under the Equity Plan is summarized as follows:

                   
Weighted
Average
Shares Exercise Price


Balance, December 31, 1999
    350,756     $ 2.75  
 
Granted
    141,791       4.43  
 
Exercised
    (7,825 )     2.81  
 
Forfeited
    (3,649 )     3.35  
     
     
 
Balance, December 31, 2000
    481,073       3.24  
 
Granted
    279,356       7.54  
 
Exercised
           
 
Forfeited
    (5,704 )     4.51  
     
     
 
Balance, December 31, 2001
    754,725       4.82  
 
Granted
    186,900       3.39  
 
Exercised
           
 
Forfeited
    (31,465 )     7.72  
     
     
 
Balance, December 31, 2002
    910,160       4.43  
 
Granted (unaudited)
    94,255       4.79  
 
Exercised (unaudited)
           
 
Forfeited (unaudited)
           
     
     
 
Balance, June 30, 2003 (unaudited)
    1,004,415     $ 4.46  
     
     
 

There were 113,042 and 18,787 (unaudited) shares available for future grants under the Option Plan as of December 31, 2002 and June 30, 2003, respectively. The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2002:

                                             
Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable
Weighted Average
Range of Number Remaining Life Weighted Average Number Weighted Average
Exercise Prices Outstanding (Years) Exercise Price Exercisable Exercise Price






  $1.91 - 3.39       584,584       6.99     $ 2.95       320,698     $ 2.59  
    4.23 - 5.01       173,991       7.14       4.38       108,171       4.35  
  10.18       151,585       8.76       10.18       42,700       10.18  

During the six months ended June 30, 2003, in connection with the grant of options to employees, the Company recorded deferred compensation of $64 (unaudited) representing the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the date such options were granted. Deferred compensation is included as a component of stockholders’ equity and is being amortized to expense ratably over the four-year vesting period of the options. During 2002, the Company recorded $69 of compensation expense in connection with the modification of stock options in connection with the departure of a former employee.

Under the Equity Plan, the Company allowed employees to purchase Class A Common Stock at fair value. Shares purchased under the Equity Plan for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 and the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003 were 296, 37,376, 3,926 (unaudited) and 92,063 (unaudited), respectively. Under this stock purchase program, the Company accepted full recourse, interest-bearing,

F-27


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

promissory notes from employees repayable over five years. Under the terms of this program, the Company extended loans for additional shares based upon an employee’s investment in the Company’s common stock. Pursuant to the Company’s Shareholders’ Agreement, the Company has the right of first refusal and the option to purchase shares, at fair value from employees that terminate employment. Amounts due the Company are shown as stock subscription receivable in equity. Shares reacquired from employees are retired.

15. Employee 401(k) Plan

The Company adopted an amended 401(k) plan (“the Plan”) which became effective January 1, 2002. The Company’s employees are entitled to participate in the Plan, which provides savings and investment opportunities. Employees can contribute up to the maximum annual amount allowable per IRS guidelines. The Plan also provides for Company contributions equal to 25% of an employee’s contribution percentage up to a maximum employee contribution of 4%. The Company’s contributions to the Plan for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and for the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2003, were approximately $57, $107, $125, $33 (unaudited)and $127 (unaudited), respectively.

16. Disclosures about the Fair Value of Financial Instruments

(a) Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amount of the Company’s cash approximates fair value as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003.

(b) Restricted Cash

The Company maintains cash reserve accounts as a form of credit enhancement in connection with the Series 2003-1, 2002-1, 2001-1, 2000-1, and 1999-2 term securitizations. The book value of such cash reserve accounts is included in restricted cash on the accompanying balance sheet. The fair values of the cash reserve accounts are determined based on a discount rate equal to the weighted coupon payable on the term notes and the estimated life for each term securitization. The restricted cash balance at June 30, 2003 also includes a pre-funded cash balance in connection with the Company’s 2003-1 term securitization of $51,751 (unaudited). This pre-funding account will be used on or before September 15, 2003 to acquire lease contracts for inclusion in the asset pool related to the 2003-1 term securitization.

(c) Revolving and Term Secured Borrowings and Subordinated Debt

The fair value of the Company’s debt and secured borrowings was estimated by discounting cash flows at current rates offered to the Company for debt and secured borrowings of the same or similar remaining maturities.

(d) Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

The carrying amount of the Company’s accounts payable approximates fair value as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003.

(e) Interest-Rate Caps

The fair value of the Company’s interest-rate cap agreements was $163, $199 and $112 (unaudited) as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and June 30, 2003, respectively, as determined by third party valuations.

F-28


 

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

The following summarizes the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments:

                                                 
December 31, 2001 December 31, 2002 June 30, 2003



Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Amount Value Amount Value Amount Value






(unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,504     $ 2,504     $ 6,354     $ 6,354     $ 6,294     $ 6,294  
Restricted cash
    7,654       7,421       12,582       12,206       65,446       64,988  
Revolving and term secured borrowings and subordinated debt
    245,793       250,986       324,881       330,869       402,535       406,721  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    4,647       4,647       6,630       6,630       10,532       10,532  
Interest-rate caps
    163       163       199       199       112       112  

17. Subsequent Event

On October 12, 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock split of its Class A Common Stock at a ratio of 1.4 shares for every one share of Class A Common Stock in order to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized and issued. All per share amounts and outstanding shares, including all common stock equivalents, such as stock options, warrants and convertible preferred stock, have been retroactively restated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements for all periods presented to reflect the stock split.

F-29


 

                                 Shares

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

Common Stock

(MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICESLOGO)


PROSPECTUS

Until                     , all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray

William Blair & Company

                    , 2003

 


 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 
Item 13.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The expenses (other than the underwriters’ discounts) payable in connection with this offering are as follows:

           
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee
  $ 6,141  
NASD filing fee
    6,500  
Nasdaq National Market listing fee
    100,000  
Printing and engraving expenses
    150,000  
Legal fees and expenses
    325,000  
Accounting fees and expenses
    650,000  
Blue Sky fees and expenses (including legal fees)
    10,000  
Transfer agent and rights agent and registrar fees and expenses
    5,000  
Premium paid on policy that indemnifies directors and officers against liabilities in this offering
    500,000  
Miscellaneous
    7,359  
     
 
 
Total
    1,760,000  
     
 


All expenses are estimated except for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the NASD filing fee.

 
Item 14.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 1741 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law provides the power to indemnify any officer or director acting in his capacity as our representative who was, is or is threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding for expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with such action or proceeding. The indemnity provisions apply whether the action was instituted by a third party or arose by or in our right. Generally, the only limitation on our ability to indemnify our officers and directors is if the act violates a criminal statute or if the act or failure to act is finally determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. Our bylaws provide a right to indemnification to the full extent permitted by law for expenses, attorney’s fees, damages, punitive damages, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by any director or officer whether or not the indemnified liability arises or arose from any threatened, pending or completed proceeding by or in our right by reason of the fact that such director or officer is or was serving as our director, officer or employee or, at our request, as a director, officer, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, unless the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is finally determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. Our bylaws provide for the advancement of expenses to an indemnified party upon receipt of an undertaking by the party to repay those amounts if it is finally determined that the indemnified party is not entitled to indemnification. Our bylaws authorize us to take steps to ensure that all persons entitled to the indemnification are properly indemnified, including, if the board of directors so determines, purchasing and maintaining insurance.

II-1


 

Our articles of incorporation provide that none of our directors shall be personally liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:

  for any breach of such person’s duty of loyalty;
 
  for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
 
  for the payment of unlawful dividends and certain other actions prohibited by Pennsylvania corporate law; and
 
  for any transaction resulting in receipt by such person of an improper personal benefit.

We maintain directors and officers’ liability insurance to provide directors and officers with insurance coverage for losses arising from claims based on breaches of duty, negligence, error and other wrongful acts. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding, involving any director, officer, employee or agent where indemnification will be required or permitted under the articles of incorporation or our bylaws.

The Purchase Agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify directors, officers, and controlling persons of the Registrant against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Act. Reference is made to Section           of the form of Purchase Agreement which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto.

 
Item 15.  Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

In the preceding three years, the Registrant has issued the following securities that were not registered under the Act:

During the past three years, we have issued an aggregate of 133,791 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share to our employees pursuant to stock purchase rights under our 1997 Equity Compensation Plan for an aggregate purchase price of $460,000. All sales and issuances were deemed to be exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Act, or Regulation D or Regulation S promulgated thereunder.

Since our inception we have also issued an aggregate of 171,500 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.01 per share. These shares include: 1) 50,000 shares of Class A preferred stock issued in February 1998 at a purchase price per share of $100, for a total of $5.0 million; 2) 40,000 shares of Class C preferred stock issued in March 1999 at a purchase price per share of $100 for a total of approximately $4.0 million; 3) 10,000 shares of Class C preferred stock issued in June 1999 at a purchase price per share of $100 for a total of approximately $1.0 million; and 4) 71,500 shares of Class D preferred stock issued in July 2001 at a purchase price per share of $100 for a total of approximately $7.2 million. All such sales and issuances were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(2), Regulation D or Regulation S promulgated thereunder.

Since our inception, we have issued warrants to purchase 1,017,614 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.37 per share. All such issuances were made under the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(2) of the Act.

Pursuant to our equity compensation plan, as of June 30, 2003 there were outstanding options to purchase a total of 1,004,415 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.46 per share. On October 12, 2003 our compensation committee and board of directors have approved the grant of options to purchase a total of 134,500 shares to certain of our directors, executive officers and other employees at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price per share in this offering. For a more detailed description of our equity compensation plan, see “Management — Equity Compensation Plan.” In granting the options and selling the underlying securities upon exercises of the options, we are relying upon exemption from registration set forth in Section 4(2) of the Act and/or Rule 701, Regulation D or Regulation S promulgated thereunder.

II-2


 

 
Item 16.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Exhibits:

         
Exhibit
Number Description


  1.1*     Form of Purchase Agreement.
  3.1     Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
  3.2     Bylaws of the Registrant.
  4.1     Second Amended and Restated Registration Agreement, as amended through July 26, 2001, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation and certain of its shareholders.
  5.1*     Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
  10.1†     2003 Equity Compensation Plan of the Registrant.
  10.2     2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Registrant.
  10.3     Lease Agreement, dated as of April 9, 1998, and amendment thereto dated as of September 22, 1999 between W9/PHC Real Estate Limited Partnership and Marlin Leasing Corporation.
  10.4     Employment Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2003 between Daniel P. Dyer and the Registrant.
  10.5     Employment Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2003 between Gary R. Shivers and the Registrant.
  10.6     Employment Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2003 between George D. Pelose and the Registrant.
  10.7**     Master Lease Receivables Asset-Backed Financing Facility Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2000, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. IV and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association.
  10.8**     Amended and Restated Series 2000-A Supplement dated as of August 7, 2001, to the Master Lease Receivables Asset-Backed Financing Facility Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2000, by and among Marlin Leasing Corp., Marlin Leasing Receivables Corporation IV, Marlin Leasing Receivables IV LLC, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, XL Capital Assurance Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association.
  10.9**     Third Amendment, dated as of December 1, 2000, to the Amended and Restated Series 2000-A Supplement dated as of September 25, 2002, to the Master Lease Receivables Asset-Backed Financing Facility Agreement by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. IV, Marlin Leasing Receivables IV, LLC, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, XL Capital Assurance Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association.
  10.10**     Second Amended and Restated Warehouse Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated as of August 31, 2001, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, the Lenders and National City Bank.
  10.11**     First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Warehouse Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated as of July 28, 2003, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, the Lenders and National City Bank.
  10.12**     Master Lease Receivables Asset-Backed Financing Facility Agreement (the Master Facility Agreement), dated as of April 1, 2002, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. II and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association.
  10.13**     Series 2002-A Supplement, dated as of April 1, 2002, to the Master Lease Receivables Asset-Backed Financing Facility Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2002, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. II, Marlin Leasing Receivables II LLC, National City Bank and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association.

II-3


 

         
Exhibit
Number Description


  10.14**     First Amendment to Series 2002-A Supplement to the Master Lease Receivables Asset-Backed Financing Facility Agreement and Consent to Assignment of 2002-A Note, dated as of July 10, 2003, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. II, Marlin Leasing Receivables II LLC, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association.
  21.1     Subsidiaries of Marlin Business Services Corp.
  23.1     Consent of KPMG LLP.
  23.2*     Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (to be included in Exhibit 5.1).
  24.1     Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
  99.1     Consent of John J. Calamari to being named as a director in the Registration Statement.


* To be filed by amendment.

** Previously filed.

Compensatory plan or arrangement.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

All information for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission is either included in the financial statements or is not required under the related instructions or is inapplicable, and therefore has been omitted.

 
Item 17.  Undertakings.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, the Act, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to provisions described in Item 14 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities, (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding), is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby (1) undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser; (2) agrees that for purposes of determining any liability under the Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of a registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (3) agrees that for purposes of determining any liability under the Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the township of Mt. Laurel, State of New Jersey, on October 14, 2003.

  MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

  By  /s/ DANIEL P. DYER
 
  Daniel P. Dyer
  Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below in so signing also makes, constitutes and appoints Daniel P. Dyer and Gary R. Shivers and each of them acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement and a related registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and in each case to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

             
Signature Title Date



/s/ DANIEL P. DYER

Daniel P. Dyer
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
    October 14, 2003  
 
/s/ BRUCE E. SICKEL

Bruce E. Sickel
 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial & Accounting Officer)
    October 14, 2003  
 
*

Gary R. Shivers
 
President and Director
    October 14, 2003  
 
*

Lawrence J. DeAngelo
 
Director
    October 14, 2003  
 
*

Kevin J. McGinty
 
Director
    October 14, 2003  

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Signature Title Date



*

James W. Wert
 
Director
    October 14, 2003  
 
*

Loyal W. Wilson
 
Director
    October 14, 2003  
 
*By: /s/ DANIEL P. DYER

Daniel P. Dyer, as
Attorney-in-Fact
        October 14, 2003  

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EXHIBIT 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
(A Pennsylvania Corporation)

The Articles of Incorporation of Marlin Business Services, Inc. are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

FIRST: Corporate Name. The name of the corporation shall be Marlin Business Services Corp. (hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation").

SECOND: Registered Office. The location and post office address of the registered office of the Corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is 520 Walnut Street, Suite 1150, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

THIRD: Original Incorporation. The Corporation was incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended (the "Pennsylvania BCL") under the name Marlin Business Services, Inc. The date of its incorporation was August 6, 2003.

FOURTH: Method of Adoption. These Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were duly adopted by the vote of the sole shareholder of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 1914 and 1915 of the Pennsylvania BCL.

FIFTH: Corporate Purposes. The purpose for which the Corporation is organized is to engage in any and all lawful acts and activity for which corporations may be organized under the Pennsylvania BCL.

SIXTH: Corporate Existence. The term of existence of the Corporation is perpetual.

SEVENTH: Capital Stock. The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 80,000,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share, consisting of:

(a) 75,000,000 shares of common stock (the "Common Stock"); and

(d) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the "Preferred Stock").

EIGHTH: Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more classes or series and with designations, voting rights, preferences, and special rights, if any, as the Board of Directors may fix by resolution.


NINTH: Rights of Common Stock. The designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Common Stock are as follows:

(a) General. Except as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise provided by applicable law, all shares of Common Stock shall have identical rights and privileges in every respect and shall be treated identically in all respects.

(b) Dividends. Subject to the prior rights and preferences, if any, applicable to shares of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to participate in such dividends, whether in cash, stock or otherwise, as may be declared by the Board of Directors from time to time out of funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.

(c) Voting. Each holder of record of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock standing in his name on the books of the Corporation. Except as otherwise required by law, or as otherwise expressly provided in these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and any Statement with Respect to Shares hereafter filed with respect to any Preferred Stock: (i) the holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to shareholders for a vote, and (ii) the holders of the Common Stock shall elect the directors in the manner prescribed by the Company's Bylaws.

(d) Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Corporation, after all creditors of the Corporation shall have been paid in full and after payment of all sums payable in respect of Preferred Stock, if any, the holders of the Common Stock shall share ratably on a share-for-share basis in all distributions of assets pursuant to such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Corporation. For the purposes of this paragraph
(d), neither the merger nor the consolidation of the Corporation into or with another entity or the merger or consolidation of any other entity into or with the Corporation, or the sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation, shall be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Corporation.

TENTH: General.

(a) Issuance of Shares. Subject to the foregoing provisions of these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, the Corporation may issue shares of its Common Stock or Preferred Stock from time to time for such consideration (not less than the par 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 to the foregoing provisions. Shares so issued for which the consideration shall have been paid or delivered to the Corporation shall be deemed fully paid capital stock and shall not be liable to any further call or assessment thereon, and the holders of such shares shall not be liable for any further payments in respect of such shares.

(b) Rights and Options. The Corporation shall have authority to create and issue rights and options entitling their holders to purchase shares of the Corporation's capital stock of any class or series or other securities of the Corporation, and such


rights and options shall be evidenced by instrument(s) approved by the Board of Directors or otherwise provided in a plan relating to the issuance of such rights and options which has been approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors shall be empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise, and other terms of such options or rights; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock subject thereto shall not be less than the par value thereof.

ELEVENTH: Board of Directors. The number, classification, and terms of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the procedures to elect directors, to remove directors, and to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be as stated in the Corporation's By-Laws.

TWELFTH: No Cumulative Voting. The shareholders of the Corporation shall not have the right to cumulate their votes for the election of directors of the Corporation.

THIRTEENTH: Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify any Person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a party to a proceeding (as hereinafter defined) by reason of the fact that he or she (i) is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or (ii) while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted under the Pennsylvania BCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Such right shall be a contract right and as such shall run to the benefit of any director or officer who is elected and accepts the position of director or officer of the Corporation or elects to continue to serve as a director or officer of the Corporation while this Article THIRTEENTH is in effect. Any repeal or amendment of this Article THIRTEENTH shall be prospective only and shall not limit the rights of any such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation with respect to any claim arising from or related to the services of such director or officer in any of the foregoing capacities prior to any such repeal or amendment to this Article THIRTEENTH. Such right shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation expenses incurred in investigating or defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the maximum extent permitted under the Pennsylvania BCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action that such indemnification or advancement of costs of defense is not permitted under the Pennsylvania BCL, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or shareholders) to have made its determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of, or advancement of costs of defense to, the claimant is permissible in the circumstances nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or shareholders) that such indemnification or advancement is not permissible shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that such indemnification or advancement is not permissible. In the event of the death of any person having a right of indemnification under the foregoing provisions, such right shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors, administrators, and personal representatives. The rights conferred above shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, bylaw, resolution of shareholders or directors, agreement, or otherwise.


The Corporation may additionally indemnify any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent permitted by then applicable law, the grant of mandatory indemnification pursuant to this Article THIRTEENTH shall extend to proceedings involving the negligence of such person.

As used herein, the term "proceeding" means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit, or proceeding, and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit, or proceeding.

FOURTEENTH: Personal Liability of Directors and Officers.

(a) Directors. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable, as such, to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages (including, without limitation, any judgment, amount paid in settlement, penalty, punitive damages or expense of any nature
(including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements)) for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, unless the director has breached or failed to perform the duties of his or her office under these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Corporation or applicable provisions of law and the breach or failure to perform constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness.

(b) Officers. An officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable, as such, to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages (including, without limitation, any judgment, amount paid in settlement, penalty, punitive damages or expense of any nature
(including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements)) for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, unless the officer has breached or failed to perform the duties of his or her office under these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation or applicable provisions of law and the breach or failure to perform constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness.

FIFTEENTH: Bylaws. The Board of Directors shall have the power, in addition to the shareholders, to make, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.

SIXTEENTH: Powers of the Board of Directors. All of the power of the Corporation, insofar as it may be lawfully vested by these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation in the Board of Directors, is hereby conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

SEVENTEENTH: Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the shareholders may only be called by the Chairman, President or Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or by resolution of the Board of Directors.

EIGHTEENTH: Reservation of Right to Amend. The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in these Amended and Restated Articles of


Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon shareholders are granted subject to this reservation.


Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS OF

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

ARTICLE I - OFFICES

Section 1-1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation shall be located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at such place as the Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as the "Board of Directors" or the "Board") shall determine from time to time.

ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS - ANNUAL
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Section 2-1. Place of Meetings of Shareholders. Meetings of Shareholders shall be held at such places, within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. If no such place is fixed by the Board of Directors, meetings of the shareholders shall be held at the principal executive offices of the Corporation.

Section 2-2. Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

(a) Time. A meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held in each calendar year, at such time and on such date as the Board of Directors may determine, and if such day is a legal holiday, then such meeting shall be held on the next business day. If the annual meeting is not called and held within six months after the designated time, any shareholder may call the meeting at any time thereafter.

(b) Election of Directors. At such annual meeting, there shall be held an election of Directors.

Section 2-3. Nomination and Advance Notice Procedures.

(a) Nomination Procedures. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the corporation, except as may be otherwise provided in the designations of classes or series of preferred stock of the Corporation (the "Preferred Stock") adopted in accordance with the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law (the "Pennsylvania BCL") and the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (the "Articles"). Nominations for the election of directors must be (a) made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) made by any shareholder of the Corporation
(i) who is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2-3 and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2-3.


In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a shareholder, such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs; and (b) in the case of a special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Public disclosure shall include, but not be limited to, information contained in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

To be in proper written form, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth:

(A) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by the person, and (iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and

(B) As to the shareholder giving the notice, (i) the name and record address of such shareholder, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such shareholder, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such shareholder, (iv) a representation that such shareholder, or an authorized representative of that shareholder, intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (v) any other information relating to such shareholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to
Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and if such shareholder of record is not the beneficial owner of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation, the notice to the Secretary must also include the name and address of the beneficial owner and the information referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (iii) and (v), substituting the beneficial owner for such shareholder.

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No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2-3. If the Chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

(b) Advance Notice of Shareholder Business. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, any business must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder (i) who is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of notice provided for in this Section 2-3 and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this
Section 2-3. For such nominations or other business to be considered properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder, such shareholder must, in addition to any other applicable requirements, have given timely notice and in proper form of such intent to bring such business before such meeting. To be timely, such shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of the Corporation's proxy statement released to shareholders in connection with the previous year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the Corporation did not hold an annual meeting the previous year, or if the date of the current year's annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date of the previous year's meeting, then notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received within a reasonable time before the Corporation begins to print and mail its proxy materials. To be in proper form, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) the name and record address of the shareholder who intends to propose the business and the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such shareholder, (ii) a representation that the shareholder has been a holder of record of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting for at least one year and that the shareholder intends to contrive to hold the securities through the date of the meeting of shareholders, and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to introduce the business specified in the notice, (iii) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and (iv) any material interest of the shareholder in such business; provided that, if such shareholder of record is not the beneficial owner of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation, the notice to the Secretary must also include the name and address of the beneficial owner and the information referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (iii) and (v), substituting the beneficial owner for such shareholder. To the extent that any provision of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision thereto, is applicable, such provision shall supercede and take precedence over this Section 2-3(d).

No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of shareholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section;

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provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any shareholder of any such business. The Chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the proposal of any business not made in compliance with foregoing procedure.

(c) Exceptions. Provisions of this Section 2-3 do not apply to any shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation if otherwise provided in designations of classes or series of such Preferred Stock.

Section 2-4. Special Meetings of Shareholders. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the shareholders may be called only by either (i) the Board of Directors of the Corporation, (ii) the Chairman of the Board or by the Board of Directors, if there be one or (iii) the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Upon the written request of any person who has called a special meeting, under these Bylaws or applicable law, which request specifies the general nature of the business to be transacted at such meeting, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to fix the time and place of such meeting, which shall be held not less than five nor more than 60 days after the receipt of such request, and to give due notice thereof as required by Section 2-5 hereof. If the Secretary neglects or refuses to fix the time and place of such meeting, the person or persons calling the meeting may do so.

Section 2-5. Notices of Meetings of Shareholders. Written notice, complying with Article VI of these Bylaws, stating the place and time and, in the case of special meetings, the general nature of the business to be transacted at any meeting of the shareholders shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting, except as provided in Section 1707 of the Pennsylvania BCL, at least five days prior to the day named for the meeting, provided that notice shall be given at lest ten days prior to the day named for a meeting to consider a fundamental change under Chapter 19 of the Pennsylvania BCL. Such notices may be given by, or at the direction of, the Secretary or other authorized person. If the Secretary or other authorized person neglects or refuses to give notice of a meeting, the person or persons calling the meeting may do so.

Section 2-6. Waiver of Notice. Notice of any regular or special meeting may be waived by any shareholder either before, at or after such meeting orally or in a writing signed by such shareholder or a representative entitled to vote the shares of such shareholder. A shareholder, by his attendance at any meeting of shareholders, shall be deemed to have waived notice of such meeting, except where the shareholder objects at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of business because the item may not lawfully be considered at that meeting and does not participate in the consideration of the item at that meeting.

Section 2-7. Organization and Conduct of Shareholder Meetings. At every meeting of the shareholder, the Chairman of the Board, if there be one, or, in the case of vacancy in office or absence of the Chairman of the Board, one of the following persons present in order stated: The Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief

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Financial Officer or a person chosen by vote of the shareholders present, shall act as Chairman of the meeting. The Secretary or, in the absence of the Secretary, an assistant Secretary, or, in the absence of both the Secretary and assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the Chairman of the meeting, shall act as Secretary of the Meeting. The Chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for conduct of the meeting. To the extent not prohibited by law, such rules, regulations or procedures may include, without limitation, establishment of (i) an agenda or order of business for the meeting and the method by which business may be proposed, (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to shareholders of record of the corporation, their duly authorized proxies or such other persons as the Chairman of the meeting shall determine, (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Any proposed business contained in the notice of a regular meeting is deemed to be on the agenda and no further motions or other actions shall be required to bring such proposed business up for consideration. Following completion of the business of the meeting as determined by the Chairman of the meeting, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the exclusive authority to adjourn the meeting.

Section 2-8. Quorum of and Action by Shareholders.

(a) General Rule. A meeting of shareholders of the Corporation duly called shall not be organized for the transaction of business unless a quorum is present. Except as provided in subsections (c), (d) and (e) of this
Section 2-8, the presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that all shareholders are entitled to cast on a particular matter to be acted upon at the meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of consideration and action on the matter. Shares of the Corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation which are controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Board of Directors shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares for quorum purposes at any given time. Unless the Pennsylvania BCL permits otherwise, this
Section 2-8(a) may be modified only by a Bylaw amendment adopted by the shareholders.

(b) Action by Shareholders. Whenever any corporate action is to be taken by vote of the shareholders of the Corporation at a duly organized meeting of shareholders, it shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast at the meeting by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon.

(c) Action Without Meeting. Shareholders of the Corporation may not take action by written consent or partial written consent but must take action at a duly called annual or special meeting of the shareholders.

(d) Withdrawal. The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting can continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

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(e) Election of Directors at Adjournment Meetings. In the case of any meeting called for the election of Directors, those shareholders who attend a meeting called for the election of Directors that has been previously adjourned for lack of a quorum, although less than a quorum as fixed in subsection (a), shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of electing Directors.

(f) Conduct of Other Business at Adjourned Meetings. Those shareholders entitled to vote who attend a meeting of shareholders that has been previously adjourned for one or more periods aggregating at least 15 days because of an absence of a quorum, although less than a quorum as fixed in subsection (a), shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of acting upon any matter set forth in the notice of meeting if the notice states that those shareholders who attend the adjourned meeting shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of acting upon the matter.

(g) Effect of Proxy on Quorum. The presence of, or vote at the meeting of shareholders, by proxy of a shareholder shall constitute the presence of, or vote by action by, the shareholder. If a proxy casts a vote on behalf of a shareholder on any issue other than a procedural motion considered at the meeting of shareholders, the shareholder shall be deemed to be present during the entire meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present for consideration of any other issue.

Section 2-9. Adjournments.

(a) General Rule. Any regular or special meeting of shareholders, including meetings at which directors are to be elected, may be adjourned for such period as the shareholders present and entitle to vote shall direct, or (ii) if no shareholder vote is taken, as the Chairman of the meeting shall direct, until the directors have been elected.

(b) Lack of Quorum. If a meeting cannot be organized because a quorum has not attended, those present may, except as otherwise provided in this
Section 2-8, adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine.

(c) Notice of an Adjourned Meeting. When a meeting of shareholders is adjourned, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting, other than by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless the Board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 2-10. Voting List, Voting and Proxies.

(a) Voting List. (i) The officer or agent having charge of the transfer books for shares of the Corporation shall make a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the

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number of shares held by each. The list shall be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting for the purposes thereof except that, if the Corporation has 5,000 or more shareholders, in lieu of the making of a list the Corporation may make the information therein available at the meeting by any other means.

(ii) Failure to comply with the requirements of this section 2-10 shall not affect the validity of any action taken at a meeting prior to a demand at the meeting by any shareholder entitled to vote thereat to examine the list. The original share register or transfer book, or a duplicate thereof kept in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, shall be prima facie evidence as to who are the shareholders entitled to examine the list or share register or transfer book or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.

(b) Voting. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all matters coming before the meeting shall be determined by a vote of shares. Such vote shall be taken by voice unless a shareholder demands, before the vote begins, that it be taken by ballot.

(c) Proxies. At all meetings of shareholders, shareholders entitled to vote may attend and vote either in person or by proxy. Every proxy shall be executed in writing by the shareholder or by such shareholder's duly authorized attorney-in-fact and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. A telegram, telex, cablegram, datagram or similar transmission from a shareholder or attorney-in-fact, or a photographic, facsimile or similar reproduction of a writing executed by a shareholder or attorney-in-fact (or other transmission as permitted by law, including, without limitation, by internet, interactive voice response system or other electronic means) shall be treated as properly executed for the purposes of this Section; provided that such transmission sets forth a confidential and unique identification number or other mark furnished by the Corporation to the shareholder for the purposes of a particular meeting or transaction or is otherwise submitted with information from which it can be determined that the transmission was authorized by the shareholder. A proxy, unless coupled with an interest (as defined in Section 1759(c) of the Pennsylvania BCL), shall be revocable at will, notwithstanding any other agreement or any provision in the proxy to the contrary, but the revocation of a proxy shall not be effective until written notice thereof has been given to the Secretary of the Corporation. An unrevoked proxy shall not be valid after three years from the date of its execution unless a longer time is expressly provided therein. A proxy shall not be revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted or the authority is exercised, written notice of the death or incapacity is given to the Secretary of the Corporation.

(d) Judges of Election. In advance of any meeting of shareholders of the Corporation, the Board of Directors may appoint one or three Judges of Election, who need not be shareholders and who will have such duties as provided in Section 1765(3) of the Pennsylvania BCL, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If one or three Judges of Election are not so appointed, the presiding officer of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder shall, appoint one or three Judges of Election at the meeting. In case any person appointed as a Judge of Election fails to appear or refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Board of Directors in advance of the convening of the meeting or at the

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meeting by the presiding officer. A person who is a candidate for office to be filled at the meeting shall not act as a Judge of Election. Unless the Pennsylvania BCL permits otherwise, this Section 2-10(d) may be modified only by a Bylaw amendment adopted by the shareholders.

Section 2-11. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone. Unless determined to the contrary by the Board of Directors in advance of a particular meeting with respect to that meeting, any person who is otherwise entitled to participate in any meeting of the shareholders may attend, be counted for the purposes of determining a quorum and exercise all rights and privileges to which such person might be entitled were such person personally in attendance, including the right to vote, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, if such communications equipment is present in the meeting room.

Section 2-12. Voting by Fiduciaries and Pledgees. Shares of the Corporation standing in the name of a trustee or other fiduciary and shares held by an assignee for the benefit of creditors or by a receiver may be voted by the trustee, fiduciary, assignee or receiver. A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote the shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, or a nominee of the pledgee, but nothing in this section shall affect the validity of a proxy given to a pledgee or nominee.

Section 2-13. Voting by Joint Holders of Shares. (a) General Rule. Where shares of the Corporation are held jointly or as tenants in common by two or more persons, as fiduciaries or otherwise:

(1) if only one or more of such persons is present in person or by proxy, all of the shares standing in the names of such persons shall be deemed to be represented for the purpose of determining a quorum and the Corporation shall accept as the vote of all the shares the vote cast by a joint owner or a majority of them; and

(2) if the persons are equally divided upon whether the shares held by them shall be voted or upon the manner of voting the shares, the voting of the shares shall be divided equally among the persons without prejudice to the rights of the joint owners or the beneficial owners thereof among themselves.

(b) Exception. If there has been filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a copy, certified by an attorney at law to be correct, of the relevant portions of the agreement under which the shares are held or the instrument by which the trust or estate was created or the order of court appointing them or of an order of court directing the voting of the shares, the persons specified as having such voting power in the document latest in date of operative effect so filed, and only those persons, shall be entitled to vote the shares but only in accordance therewith.

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Section 2-14. Voting By Corporate Shareholder. Any corporation that is a shareholder of this Corporation may vote at meetings of shareholders of this Corporation by any of its officers or agents, or by proxy appointed by any officer or agent, unless some other person, by resolution of the board of directors of the other corporation or a provision of its articles or bylaws, a copy of which resolution or provision certified to be correct by one of its officers has been filed with the Secretary of this Corporation, is appointed its general or special proxy in which case that person shall be entitled to vote the shares.

ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3-1.

(a) General Powers. Except as otherwise provided by law and these Bylaws, all powers of the Corporation shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Unless the Pennsylvania BCL permits otherwise, this Section 3-1(a) may be modified only by a Bylaw amendment adopted by the shareholders.

(b) Number. The number of members of the Board of Directors shall be the number of Directors serving at the time of adoption of this Section 3-1, or such other number as may thereafter from time to time (i) be determined by the Board of Directors, or (ii) be set forth in a notice of a meeting of shareholders called for the election of a full Board of Directors.

(c) Vacancies. Each Director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which he was selected and until his successor has been selected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Articles or any amendments thereto, any vacancies on the Board of Directors, including vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of Directors, shall be filled by a majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, and each person so selected shall be a Director to serve for the balance of the unexpired term.

(d) Removal; Resignation. The right of the shareholders to remove Directors shall be governed by the provisions of Section 1726 of the Pennsylvania BCL as applicable to a classified Board of Directors established in accordance with Section 1724(b) of the Pennsylvania BCL. Any Director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. The resignation shall be effective upon receipt thereof by the Corporation or at such subsequent time as shall be specified in the notice of resignation.

(e) Qualification. A Director must be a natural person at least 18 years of age.

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Section 3-2. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such place within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a majority of the Directors may appoint from time to time or as may be designated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 3-3. Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held quarterly, with one meeting immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders, at the place where such meeting of the shareholders is held or at such other place and time as a majority of the Directors in office after the annual meeting of shareholders may designate. At the Board of Directors meeting that takes place immediately after the annual meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors shall elect officers of the Corporation. In addition to such regular meetings, the Board of Directors shall have the power to fix by resolution the place and time of other regular meetings of the Board.

Section 3-4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever ordered by the Chairman or Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or by two or more Directors then in office.

Section 3-5. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone. Any Director may participate in any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee (provided such Director is otherwise entitled to participate), be counted for the purpose of determining a quorum thereof and exercise all rights and privileges to which such Director might be entitled were he or she personally in attendance, including the right to vote, or any other rights attendant to presence in person at such meeting, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.

Section 3-6. Notices of Meetings of Board of Directors.

(a) Regular Meetings. No notice shall be required to be given of any regular meeting, unless the same is held at other than the place or time for holding such meeting as fixed in accordance with Section 3-3 of these Bylaws, in which event five days' notice shall be given of the place and time of such meeting complying with Article VI of these Bylaws.

(b) Special Meetings. Written notice stating the place and time of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be sufficient if given at least one day, as provided in Article VI, in advance of the time fixed for the meeting.

Section 3-7. Organization of Meetings. At every meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, if there be one, or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Chairman of the Board, one of the following officers present in the order stated: the Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, or a person chosen by a majority of the Directors present, shall act as Chairman of the meeting. The Secretary or, in the absence of the Secretary and the assistant secretaries, any person appointed by the Chairman of the meeting, shall act as Secretary of the meeting.

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Section 3-8. Quorum; Action by the Board of Directors. A majority of the Directors in office shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the acts of a majority of the Directors present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the Board of Directors. If there is no quorum present at a duly convened meeting of the Board of Directors, the majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time and place to place.

Section 3-9. Informal Action by the Board of Directors. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Directors, or of the members of any committee of the Board of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if, prior or subsequent to the action, a written consent or consents thereto by all of the Directors in office (or members of the committee with respect to committee action) is filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. In addition to other means of filing with the Secretary, insertion in the minute book of the Corporation shall be deemed filing with the Secretary regardless of whether the Secretary or some other authorized person has actual possession of the minute book.

Section 3-10. Fundamental Transactions.--Where any provision of 15 Pa.C.S. Ch. 19 of the Pennsylvania BCL requires that an amendment of the articles, a plan or the dissolution of the corporation be proposed or approved by action of the Board of Directors, that requirement shall be construed to authorize and be satisfied by the written agreement or consent of all of the shareholders of the corporation entitled to vote thereon.

Section 3-11. Personal Liability of Directors.

(a) A Director shall not be personally liable, as such, for monetary damages (including, without limitation, any judgment, amount paid in settlement, penalty, punitive damages or expense of any nature (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements)) for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, unless:

(i) the Director has breached or failed to perform the duties of his or her office under Subchapter 17B of the Pennsylvania BCL (or any successor provision); and

(ii) the breach or failure to perform constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness.

(b) The provisions of subparagraph (a) shall not apply to the responsibility or liability of a Director pursuant to any criminal statute, or the liability of a director for the payment of taxes pursuant to local, state or federal law.

Section 3-12. Notation of Dissent. A Director who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or of a committee of the Board, at which action on any corporate matter is taken on which the Director is generally competent to act, shall be presumed to have assented to

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the action taken unless his or her dissent is entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless the Director files a written dissent to the action with the Secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or transmits the dissent in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. The right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favor of the action. Nothing in this Section 3-12 shall bar a Director from asserting that minutes of the meeting incorrectly omitted his or her dissent if, promptly upon receipt of a copy of such minutes, the Director notifies the secretary, in writing, of the asserted omission or inaccuracy.

Section 3-13. Committees.

(a) Establishment and Powers. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors in office, establish one or more committees to consist of one or more Directors of the Corporation. Any committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors or in the Bylaws, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors, except that a committee shall not have any power or authority as to the following:

(i) The submission to shareholders of any action requiring approval of shareholders under Section 1731(a)(1) of the Pennsylvania BCL.

(ii) The creation or filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors.

(iii) The adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws.

(iv) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of Directions that by its terms is amendable or repealable only by the Board of Directors.

(v) Action on matters committed by the Bylaws or resolution of the Board of Directors to another committee of the Board of Directors.

(b) Alternate Members. The Board of Directors may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee or for the purpose of any written action by the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member and alternate member or members of a 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 Director to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member.

(c) Term. Each committee of the Board of Directors shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

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(d) Status of Committee Action. The term "Board of Directors" or "Board," when used in any provision of these Bylaws relating to the organization or procedures of or the manner of taking action by the Board of Directors, shall be construed to include and refer to any executive or other committee of the Board of Directors. Any provision of these Bylaws relating or referring to action to be taken by the Board of Directors or the procedure required therefor shall be satisfied by the taking of corresponding action by a committee of the Board of Directors to the extent authority to take the action has been delegated to the committee pursuant to this Section.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

Section 4-1. Election and Office. The Corporation shall have a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary, a Chief Financial Officer and a Treasurer who shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect from among the members of the Board a Chairman of the Board and one or more Vice Chairmen of the Board, who may both be, but need not be officers of the Corporation. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The President and the Secretary shall be natural persons of the age of 18 years or older. The Treasurer may be a corporation, but if a natural person shall be of the age of 18 years or older.

Section 4-2. Term. The officers and assistant officers shall each serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of shareholders, unless removed from office by the Board of Directors during their respective tenures. Officers may, but need not, be Directors. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. The resignation shall be effective upon receipt thereof by the Corporation or at such subsequent time as may be specified in the notice of resignation.

Section 4.3 Removal of Officers and Agents. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer with or without cause. The removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of any person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.

Section 4-4. Subordinate Officer, Committees and Agents. The Board of Directors may from time to time appoint such other officers and such committees, employees or other agents as the business of the Corporation may require, including one or more assistant secretaries, and one or more assistant Treasurers, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws, or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The Board of Directors may delegate to any officer or committee the power to appoint subordinate officers and to retain or appoint employees or other agents, or committees thereof, and to prescribe the authority and duties of such subordinate officers, committees, employees or other agents.

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Section 4-5. Authority. All officers of the Corporation, as between themselves and the Corporation, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the Corporation as may be provided by or pursuant to resolutions or orders of the Board of Directors or, in the absence of controlling provisions in the resolutions or orders of the Board of Directors, as may be determined by or pursuant to these bylaws or in the absence of any such controlling authority then as provided by the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 4-6. Powers and Duties of the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The CEO shall have general supervision over the business, finances, operations and welfare of the Corporation, subject however, to the control of the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall sign, execute, and acknowledge, in the name of the Corporation, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, authorized by the Board of Directors, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors, or by these bylaws or by the Chief Executive Officer, to some other officer or agent of the Corporation; and, in general, shall have all powers and perform all duties incident to the position of a chief executive officer and such other powers and duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall from time to time make such reports of the affairs of the Corporation as the Board may require and shall present to the annual meeting of the shareholders a report of the business of the Corporation for the preceding fiscal year.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend and to act and to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of any corporation in which this Corporation may hold stock and, at any such meeting, shall possess and may exercise any and all the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have possessed and exercised. The Chief Executive Officer shall also have the right to delegate such power.

Section 4-7. Powers and Duties of the President. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall have the usual duties of an executive officer with general supervision over and direction of the affairs of the Corporation. The President shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 4-8. Powers and Duties of the Secretary. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Secretary shall be responsible for the keeping of the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the shareholders, in books provided for that purpose, and for the giving and serving of all notices for the Corporation. The Secretary shall perform all other duties ordinarily incident to the office of Secretary. The minute books of the Corporation may be held by a person other than the Secretary.

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Section 4-9. Powers and Duties of the Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation and shall have general management and supervision of the fiscal affairs of the Corporation under the direction and supervision of the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall see that a full and accurate accounting of all financial transactions is made; shall oversee the investment and reinvestment of the capital funds of the Corporation; shall oversee the preparation of any financial reports of the Corporation; shall cooperate in the conduct of the annual audit of the Corporation's financial records by the Corporation's certified public accountants; and, in general, shall discharge such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 4-10. Powers and Duties of the Treasurer. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence of the Chief Financial Officer or provide for the custody of the funds or other property of the Corporation which may come into such officer's hands. When necessary or proper, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall endorse for collection on behalf of the Corporation checks, notes and other obligations, and shall deposit the same to the credit of the Corporation to such banks or depositories as the Board of Directors may designate and may sign all receipts and vouchers for payments made to the Corporation. The Treasurer shall sign all checks made by the Corporation, except when the Board of Directors shall otherwise direct. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the regular entry in books of the Corporation to be kept for such purpose of a full and accurate account of all funds and securities received and paid by the Treasurer on account of the Corporation. Whenever required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall render a statement of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall have such other powers and shall perform the duties as may be assigned to such officer from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 4-11. Powers and Duties of the Chairman of the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall have such other powers and perform such further duties as may be assigned to such officer by the Board of Directors, including, without limitation, acting as chief executive officer of the Corporation. To be eligible to serve, the Chairman of the Board must be a Director of the Corporation.

Section 4-12. Powers and Duties of Vice Chairmen of the Board, Vice Presidents and Assistant Officers. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, each Vice Chairman, Vice President and each assistant officer shall have the powers and perform the duties of his or her respective superior officer. Vice Presidents and assistant officers shall have such rank as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Vice Presidents may be designated as having responsibility for a specific area of the Corporation's affairs, in which event such Vice President shall be superior to the other Vice Presidents in relation to matters within his or her area. The Chairman of the Board shall be the superior officer of the Vice-Chairman. The

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Treasurer and Secretary shall be the superior officers of the Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, respectively.

Section 4-13. Salaries. The salaries of the officers elected by the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors or by such committee or officer as may be designated by resolution of the Board, or in the absence of such designation by the CEO. The salaries or other compensation of any other officers, employees and other agents shall be fixed from time to time by the Board, or by the officer or committee to which the power to appoint such officers or to retain or appoint such employees or other agents has been delegated pursuant to Section 6.03, or in the absence of such designation by the CEO or other officer designated by the CEO. No officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary or other compensation by reason of the fact that the officer is also a director of the Corporation.

Section 4-14. Delegation of Office. The Board of Directors may delegate the powers or duties of any officer of the Corporation to any other person from time to time.

Section 4-15. Vacancies. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill any vacancies in any office occurring for any reason.

ARTICLE V - CAPITAL STOCK

Section 5-1. Share Certificates.

(a) Execution. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5-5, the shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, every share certificate shall be signed by two officers and sealed with the corporate seal, which may be a facsimile, engraved or printed, but where such certificate is signed by a transfer agent or a registrar, the signature of any corporate officer upon such certificate may be a facsimile, engraved or printed In case any officer who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon, any share certificate shall have ceased to be such officer because of death, resignation or otherwise, before the certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if the officer had not ceased to be such at the date of its issue. The provisions of this Section 5-1 shall be subject to any inconsistent or contrary agreement at the time between the Corporation and any transfer agent or registrar.

(b) Designations, etc. To the extent the Corporation is authorized to issue shares of more than one class or series, every certificate shall set forth upon the face or back of the certificate (or shall state on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation will furnish to any shareholder upon request and without charge) a full or summary statement of the designations, voting rights, preferences, limitations and special rights of the shares of each class or series authorized to be issued so far as they have been fixed and determined and the authority

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of the Board of Directors to fix and determine the designations, voting rights, preferences, limitations and special rights of the classes and series of shares of the Corporation.

(c) Fractional Shares. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, shares or certificates therefor may be issued as fractional shares for shares held by any dividend reinvestment plan or employee benefit plan created or approved by the Corporation's Board of Directors, but not by any other person.

Section 5-2. Transfer of Shares. Transfer of shares shall be made on the books of the Corporation only upon surrender of the share certificate, duly endorsed or with duly executed stock powers attached and otherwise in proper form for transfer, which certificate shall be cancelled at the time of the transfer.

Section 5-3. Determination of Shareholders of Record.

(a) Fixing Record Date. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may fix a time prior to the date of any meeting of shareholders as a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, the meeting, which time, except in the case of an adjourned meeting, shall be not more than 90 days prior to the date of the meeting of shareholders. Only shareholders of record on the date fixed shall be so entitled notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the books of the Corporation after any record date fixed as provided in this subsection. The Board of Directors may similarly fix a record date for the determination of shareholders of record for any other purpose. When a determination of shareholders of record has been made as provided in this section for purposes of a meeting, the determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

(b) Determination when No Record Date Fixed. If a record date is not fixed:

(i) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

(ii) The record date for determining shareholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

(c) Certification by Nominee. The Board of Directors may adopt a procedure whereby a shareholder of the Corporation may certify in writing to the Corporation that all or a portion of the shares registered in the name of the shareholder are held for the account of a specified person or persons. The resolution of the Board of Directors may set forth:

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(i) the classification of shareholder who may certify;

(ii) the purpose or purposes for which the certification may be made;

(iii) the form of certification and information to be contained therein;

(iv) if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and

(v) such other provisions with respect to the procedure as are deemed necessary or desirable.

Upon receipt by the Corporation of a certification complying with the procedure, the persons specified in the certification shall be deemed, for the purposes set forth in the certification, to be the holders of record of the number of shares specified in place of the shareholder making the certification.

Section 5-4. Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Share Certificates. Unless waived in whole or in part by the Board of Directors, any person requesting the issuance of a new certificate in lieu of an alleged lost, destroyed, mislaid or wrongfully taken certificate shall (a) give to the Corporation his or her bond of indemnity with an acceptable surety, and (b) satisfy such other requirements as may be imposed by the Corporation. Thereupon, a new share certificate shall be issued to the registered owner or his or her assigns in lieu of the alleged lost, destroyed, mislaid or wrongfully taken certificate, provided that the request therefor and issuance thereof have been made before the Corporation has notice that such shares have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser.

Section 5-5. Uncertificated Shares. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any or all classes and series of shares, or any part thereof, may be represented by uncertificated shares to the extent determined by the Board of Directors, except that shares represented by a certificate that is issued and outstanding shall continue to be represented thereby until the certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof, a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates. The rights and obligations of the holders of shares represented by certificates and the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares of the same class and series shall be identical. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the provisions of Section 5-2 shall be inapplicable to uncertificated shares and in lieu thereof the Board of Directors shall adopt alternative procedures for registration of transfers.

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ARTICLE VI - NOTICES - COMPUTING TIME PERIODS

Section 6-1. Contents of Notice. Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to these Bylaws or the Articles or otherwise, the notice shall specify the place and time of the meeting; in the case of a special meeting of shareholders or where otherwise required by law or the Bylaws, the general nature of the business to be transacted at such meeting; and any other information required by law.

Section 6-2. Method of Notice. Whenever written notice is required to be given to any person under the provisions of the Articles or these Bylaws, a telegram, telex, cablegram, datagram or similar transmission from a shareholder or attorney-in-fact, or a photographic, facsimile or similar reproduction of a writing executed by a shareholder or attorney-in-fact (or other transmission as permitted by law, including, without limitation, by internet, interactive voice response system or other electronic means) shall be treated as properly executed for the purposes of this such Articles or these Bylaws; provided that a notice delivered either personally or by sending a copy thereof by first class or express mail, postage prepaid, or courier service, charges prepaid, to the address of such person requiring notice as appears on the books of the Corporation or, in the case of Directors, as supplied by such Director to the Corporation for the purpose of notice also shall be deemed to have been properly executed for purposes of this Section when deposited in the United States mail or with a courier service for delivery to that person.

Section 6-3. Computing Time Periods.

(a) Days to be Counted. In computing the number of days for purposes of these Bylaws, all days shall be counted, including Saturdays, Sundays or a holiday on which national banks are or may elect to be closed ("Holiday"); provided, however, that if the final day of any time period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Holiday, then the final day shall be deemed to be the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or Holiday. In computing the number of days for the purpose of giving notice of any meeting, the date upon which the notice is given shall be counted but the day set for the meeting shall not be counted.

(b) One Day Notice. In any case where only one day's notice is being given, notice must be given at least 24 hours in advance by delivery in person, telephone, telex, TWX, Telecopier or similar means of communication.

Section 6-4. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given by law or the Articles or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to the notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of the notice. Except as otherwise required by law or the next sentence, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, a meeting need be specified in the waiver of notice of the meeting. In the case of a special meeting of shareholders, the waiver of notice shall

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specify the general nature of the business to be transacted. Attendance of a person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting except where a person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

Section 6-5. Exception to Requirement of Notice.

(a) General Rule. Whenever any notice or communication is required to be given to any person under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law or by the articles or these bylaws or by the terms of any agreement or other instrument or as a condition precedent to taking any corporate action and communication with that person is then unlawful, the giving of the notice or communication to that person shall not be required.

(b) Shareholders Without Forwarding Addresses. Notice or other communications need not be sent to any shareholder with whom the Corporation has been unable to communicate for more than 24 consecutive months because communications to the shareholder are returned unclaimed or the shareholder has otherwise failed to provide the Corporation with a current address. Whenever the shareholder provides the Corporation with a current address, the Corporation shall commence sending notices and other communications to the shareholder in the same manner as to other shareholders.

ARTICLE VII - LIMITATION OF DIRECTORS' LIABILITY AND
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHER PERSONS

Section 7-1. Scope of Indemnification.

(a) General Rule. The corporation shall indemnify an indemnified representative against any liability incurred in connection with any proceeding in which the indemnified representative may be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that such person is or was serving in an indemnified capacity, including, without limitation, liabilities resulting from any actual or alleged breach or neglect of duty, error, misstatement or misleading statement, negligence, gross negligence or act giving rise to strict or products liability, except:

(1) where such indemnification is expressly prohibited by applicable law;

(2) where the conduct of the indemnification representative has been finally determined pursuant to Section 7-6 or otherwise:

(i) to constitute willful misconduct or recklessness within the meaning of 15 Pa.C.S.Section 1746 (b) or any superseding provision of law sufficient in the circumstances to bar indemnification against liabilities arising from the conduct; or

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(ii) to be based upon or attributable to the receipt by the indemnified representative from the corporation of a personal benefit to which the indemnified representative is not legally entitled; or

(3) to the extent such indemnification has been finally determined in a final adjudication pursuant to Section 7-6 to be otherwise unlawful.

(b) Partial Payment. If an indemnified representative is entitled to indemnification in respect of a portion, but not all, of any liabilities to which such person may be subject, the corporation shall indemnify such indemnified representative to the maximum extent for such portion of the liabilities.

(c) Presumption. The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendre or its equivalent shall not of itself create a presumption that the indemnified representative is not entitled to indemnification.

(d) Definitions. For purposes of this Article:

(1) "indemnified capacity" means any and all past, present and future service by an indemnified representative in one or more capacities as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or, at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer, manager, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise;

(2) "indemnified representative" means any and all directors and officers of the corporation and any other person designated as an indemnified representative by the board of directors of the corporation (which may, but need not, include any person serving at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer, manager, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture , trust, employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise);

(3) "liability" means any damage, judgment, amount paid in settlement, fine, penalty, punitive damages, excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, or cost or expense of any nature (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements); and

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(4) "proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, appeal or other proceeding of any nature, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, whether formal or informal, and whether brought by or in the right of the corporation, a class of its security holders or otherwise.

Section 7-2. Proceedings Initiated by Indemnified Representatives. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the Corporation shall not indemnify under this Article an indemnified representative for any liability incurred in a proceeding initiated (which shall not be deemed to include counter claims or affirmative defenses) or participated in as an intervenor or amicus curiae by the person seeking indemnification unless such initiation of or participation in the proceeding is authorized, either before or after its commencement, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office. This section does not apply to reimbursement of expenses incurred in successfully prosecuting or defending an arbitration under Section 7-6 or otherwise successfully prosecuting or defending the rights of an indemnified representative granted by or pursuant to this Article.

Section 7-3. Advancing Expenses. The Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred in good faith by an indemnified representative in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding described in Section 7-1 or the initiation of or participation in which is authorized pursuant to Section 7-2 upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified representative to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined pursuant to Section 7-6 or otherwise that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation pursuant to this Article. Neither action by the board of directors nor confirmation of the financial ability of an indemnified representative to repay an advance shall be a prerequisite to the making of such advance.

Section 7-4. Securing of Indemnification Obligations. To further effect, satisfy or secure the indemnification obligations provided herein or otherwise , the Corporation may maintain insurance, obtain a letter of credit, act as self-insurer, create a reserve, trust, escrow, cash collateral or other fund or account, enter into indemnification agreements, grant a security interest in any assets or properties of the corporation, or use any other mechanism or arrangement whatsoever in such amounts, at such costs, and upon such other terms and conditions as the board of directors shall deem appropriate. Absent fraud, the determination of the Board of Directors with respect to such amounts, costs, terms and conditions shall be conclusive against all security holders, officers and directors and shall not be subject to voidability.

Section 7-5. Payment of Indemnification. An indemnified representative shall be entitled to indemnification within 30 days after a written request for indemnification has been delivered to the secretary of the corporation.

Section 7-6. Arbitration.

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(a) General Rule. Any dispute related to the right to indemnification, contribution or advancement of expenses as provided under this Article, except with respect to indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that the Corporation has undertaken to submit to a court for adjudication, shall be decided only by arbitration in the metropolitan area in which the principal executive offices of the corporation are located at the time, in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules then in effect of the American Arbitration Association, before a panel of three arbitrators, one of whom shall be selected by the Corporation, the second of whom shall be selected by the indemnified representative and the third of whom shall be selected by the other two arbitrators. In the absence of the American Arbitration Association, or if for any reason arbitration under the arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association cannot be initiated, or if one of the parties fails or refuses to select an arbitrator or the arbitrators selected by the Corporation and the indemnified representative cannot agree on the selection of the third arbitrator within 30 days after such time as the Corporation and the indemnified representative have each been notified of the selection of the other's arbitrator, the necessary arbitrator or arbitrators shall be selected by the presiding judge of the court of general jurisdiction in such metropolitan area.

(b) Qualifications of Arbitrators. Each arbitrator selected as provided herein is required to be or have been a director or executive officer of a corporation whose shares of common stock were listed during at least one year of such service on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System.

(c) Burden of Proof. The party or parties challenging the right of an indemnified representative to the benefits of this Article shall have the burden of proof.

(d) Expenses. The Corporation shall reimburse an indemnified representative for the expenses (including attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred in successfully prosecuting or defending such arbitration.

(e) Effect. Any award entered by the arbitrators shall be final, binding and nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by any party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competent jurisdiction, except that the Corporation shall be entitled to interpose as a defense in any such judicial enforcement proceeding any prior final judicial determination adverse to the indemnified representative under Section 7-1(a)(2) in a proceeding not directly involving indemnification under this Article. This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable.

Section 7-7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Article or otherwise is unavailable for any reason in respect of any liability or portion thereof, the corporation shall contribute to the liabilities to which the indemnified representative may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the intent of this Article or otherwise.

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Section 7-8. Mandatory Indemnification of Directors, Officers, etc. To the extent that an authorized representative of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 1741 or 1742 of the Business Corporation Law or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

Section 7-9. Contract Rights, Amendment or Repeal. All rights under this Article shall be deemed a contract between the corporation and the indemnified representative pursuant to which the corporation and each indemnified representative intend to be legally bound. Any repeal, amendment or modification hereof shall be prospective only and shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing.

Section 7-10. Scope of Article. The rights granted by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification, contribution or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any statute, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in an indemnified capacity and as to action in any other capacity. The indemnification, contribution and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an indemnified representative in respect of matters arising prior to such time, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives of such a person.

Section 7-11. Reliance on Provisions. -- Each person who shall act as an indemnified representative of the corporation shall be deemed to be doing so in reliance upon the rights of indemnification, contribution and advancement of expenses provided by this Article.

Section 7-12. Interpretation. -- The provisions of this Article are intended to constitute bylaws authorized by 15 Pa.C.S.Section 1746 of the Pennsylvania BCL.

Section 7-13. Changes in Pennsylvania Law. References in this Article VII to Pennsylvania law or to any provision thereof shall be to such law as it existed on the date this Article VII was adopted or as such law thereafter may be changed; provided that (a) in the case of any change which expands the liability of Directors or limits the indemnification rights or the rights to advancement of expenses which the Corporation may provide, the rights to limited liability, to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in this Article shall continue as theretofore to the extent permitted by law; and
(b) if such change permits the Corporation without the requirement of any further action by shareholders or Directors to limit further the liability of Directors (or limit the liability of officers) or to provide broader indemnification rights or rights to the advancement of expenses than the Corporation was permitted to provide prior to such change, then liability thereupon shall be so limited and the rights to indemnification and the advancement of expenses shall be so broadened to the extent permitted by law.

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ARTICLE VIII - FISCAL YEAR

Section 8-1. Determination of Fiscal Year. The Board of Directors shall have the power by resolution to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation. If the Board of Directors shall fail to do so, the President shall fix the fiscal year.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

Section 9-1. Except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 7-3:

(a) Shareholders. These Bylaws may be amended or repealed, or new bylaws may be adopted by vote of the shareholders at any duly organized annual meeting or special meeting of shareholders. In the case of a meeting of shareholders to amend or repeal these Bylaws, written notice shall be given to each shareholder that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws.

(b) Board of Directors. The Board of Directors (but not a committee thereof), by a vote of the majority of Directors then in office, shall have the power to alter, amend, and repeal these Bylaws, regardless of whether the shareholders have previously adopted the Bylaw being amended or repealed, subject to the power of the shareholders to change such action, provided that the Board of Directors shall not have the power to amend these Bylaws on any subject that is expressly committed to the shareholders by the express terms hereof by Section 1504 of the Pennsylvania BCL or otherwise.

ARTICLE X - MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10-1. Checks. All checks, notes, bills of exchange or other similar orders in writing shall be signed by such one or more officers or employees of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

Section 10-2. Contracts.

(a) General Rule. Except as otherwise provided in the Business Corporation Law in the case of transactions that require action by the shareholders, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute or deliver any instrument on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

(b) Statutory Form of Execution of Instruments. Any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract or other document, or any assignment or endorsement thereof,

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executed or entered into between the Corporation and any other person, when signed by one or more officers or agents having actual or apparent authority to sign it, or by the Chief Executive Officer, President, Senior Vice Presidents, Chief Financial Officer, Vice Presidents, Secretary or assistant Secretary or Treasurer or assistant Treasurer of the Corporation, shall be held to have been properly executed for and in behalf of the Corporation, without prejudice to the rights of the Corporation against any person who shall have executed the instrument in excess of his or her actual authority.

Section 10-3. Deposits. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may approve or designate, and all such funds shall be withdrawn only upon checks signed by such one or more officers or employees of the Corporation as the Board of Directors shall from time to time designate.

Section 10-4. Corporate Records.

(a) Required Records. The Corporation shall keep complete and accurate books and records of account, minutes of the proceedings of the incorporators, shareholders and directors and a share register giving the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each. The share register shall be kept at either the registered office of the Corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or at its principal place of business wherever situated or at the office of its registrar or transfer agent. Any books, minutes or other records may be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.

(b) Right of Inspection. Every shareholder shall, upon written verified demand stating the purpose thereof, have a right to examine, in person or by agent or attorney, during the usual hours for business for any proper purpose, the share register, books and records of account, and records of the proceedings of the incorporators, shareholders and directors and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to the interest of the person as a shareholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right of inspection, the demand shall be accompanied by a verified power of attorney or other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the shareholder. The demand shall be directed to the Corporation at its registered office in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or at its principal place of business wherever situated.

Section 10-5. Corporate Seal. The Corporation shall have a corporate seal in the form of a circle containing the name of the Corporation, the year of incorporation and such other details as may be approved by the Board of Directors. The affixation of the corporate seal shall not be necessary to the valid execution, assignment or endorsement by the Corporation of any instrument or document.

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ARTICLE XI - INTERPRETATION OF BYLAWS -- SEPARABILITY

Section 11-1. Interpretation. All words, terms and provisions of these Bylaws shall be interpreted and defined by and in accordance with the Pennsylvania BCL.

Section 11-2. Separability. The provisions of these Bylaws are independent of and separable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that for any reason any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part.

ARTICLE XII - DETERMINATIONS BY THE BOARD

Section 12-1. Effect of Board Determinations. Any determination involving interpretation or application of these Bylaws made in good faith by the Board of Directors shall be final, binding and conclusive on all parties in interest.

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Exhibit 4.1

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION AGREEMENT

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION AGREEMENT is made as of April 7, 2000, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Primus Capital Fund IV Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership ("PCF IV"), Primus Executive Fund Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership ("PEF"), Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("DMG"), ING (U.S.) Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("ING") and Wachovia Capital Investments, Inc., a Georgia corporation ("Wachovia"). Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in paragraph 8 hereof.

WHEREAS, (i) PCF IV and PEF have heretofore purchased shares of the Company's Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Class A Preferred"), and shares of the Company's Class B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Class B Preferred"), pursuant to a purchase agreement among PCF IV, PEF and the Company dated as of February 25, 1998 (the "1998 Purchase Agreement"), (ii) the Company has heretofore issued the DMG Warrant (as defined herein) to DMG and (iii) in connection therewith, among other things, the Company, PCF IV, PEF and DMG entered into a Registration Agreement dated as of February 25, 1998 (the "Original Agreement");

WHEREAS, (i) PCF IV, PEF and ING have heretofore purchased shares of the Company's Class C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Class C Preferred"), pursuant to a purchase agreement among PCF IV, PEF, ING and the Company dated as of March 30, 1999 (the "1999 Purchase Agreement"), (ii) the Company has heretofore issued the ING Warrant (as defined herein) to ING and
(iii) in connection therewith, among other things, the Company, PCF IV, PEF and DMG entered into a Registration Agreement dated as of March 30, 1999 (the "Amended and Restated Agreement");

WHEREAS, the Company and Wachovia are parties to a certain purchase agreement dated as of the date hereof (the "Wachovia Note Purchase Agreement") whereby the Company will issue a 11.0% senior subordinated note (or notes issued in accordance with the Wachovia Note Purchase Agreement) in the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 due March 30, 2006 and in connection therewith will issue a warrant (or warrants issued in accordance with the Warrant Agreement) (collectively, the "Wachovia Warrant") to purchase a certain number of shares of Class A Common pursuant to the Wachovia Note Purchase Agreement and a Warrant Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the Company and Wachovia;

WHEREAS, the Company, PCF IV, PEF, DMG, ING and Wachovia desire that this Agreement supersede, replace, amend and restate the Amended and Restated Agreement in its entirety; and

WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the Closing under the Wachovia Note Purchase Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree to amend and restate the Amended and Restated Agreement as follows:

The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:


1. Demand Registrations.

(a) Requests for Registration. At any time after the Company has completed a public offering of its Class A Common under the Securities Act, the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities and the holders of a majority of the Warrant Registrable Securities may each request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of their Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration ("Long-Form Registrations"), and the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities and the holders of a majority of the Warrant Registrable Securities may each request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of their Registrable Securities on Form S-2 or S-3 or any similar short-form registration ("Short-Form Registrations") if available. All registrations requested pursuant to this paragraph 1(a) are referred to herein as "Demand Registrations." Each request for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered and the anticipated per share price range for such offering. Within ten days after receipt of any such request, the Company shall give written notice of such requested registration to all other holders of Registrable Securities and shall, subject to paragraph 1(d) below, include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 15 days after the receipt of the Company's notice.

(b) Long-Form Registrations. The holders of Investor Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request (i) two Long-Form Registrations in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses ("Company-paid Long-Form Registrations") and (ii) two Long-Form Registrations in which the holders of Registrable Securities shall pay their share of the Registration Expenses as provided in paragraph 5 hereof. The holders of Warrant Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request one Company-paid Long Form Registration (unless prior thereto such holders have exercised their rights under paragraph 1(c) below). A registration shall not count as one of the permitted Long-Form Registrations until it has become effective, and neither the last or any subsequent Company-paid Long-Form Registration nor the last or any subsequent Long-Form Registration pursuant to clause (ii) above shall count as one of the permitted Long-Form Registrations unless the holders of Registrable Securities are able to register and sell at least 90% of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration; provided that in any event the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration initiated as a Company-paid Long-Form Registration whether or not it has become effective and whether or not such registration has counted as one of the permitted Company-paid Long-Form Registrations.

(c) Short-Form Registrations. In addition to the Long-Form Registrations provided pursuant to paragraph 1(b), the holders of Investor Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Short-Form Registrations in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses, and the holders of Warrant Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request one Short-Form Registration in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses (unless prior thereto such holders have exercised their rights under paragraph 1(b) above). Demand Registrations shall be Short-Form Registrations whenever the Company is permitted to use any applicable short form. After the Company has become subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act, the Company shall use its best efforts to make Short-Form Registrations on Form S-3 available for the sale of Registrable Securities. As described in this paragraph 1(c) and paragraph 1(b) above, the holders of Warrant Registrable Securities shall only be entitled to initiate one Demand Registration under this Agreement (which single Demand Registration may be either a Long-Form Registration or a Short-Form Registration) (it being understood that a registration will not count as such single Demand Registration until it has become effective). However, if the holders of Warrant Registrable Securities are not able to register and sell at least 90% of the Warrant Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, such holders shall be entitled to request one additional registration hereunder in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses and if the holders of Warrant Registrable Securities are not able to register and sell at least an aggregate of 50% of the Warrant Registrable Securities requested to be included in both the single Demand Registration and the additional registration, such holders shall be entitled to request one additional registration hereunder in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses.

(d) Priority on Demand Registrations. The Company shall not include in any Demand Registration any securities which are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the holders of a

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majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration. If a Demand Registration is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of Registrable Securities and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initially requesting registration, the Company shall include in such registration prior to the inclusion of any securities which are not Registrable Securities the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold in an orderly manner within the price range of such offering, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the amount of Registrable Securities owned by each such holder. Any Persons other than holders of Registrable Securities who participate in Demand Registrations which are not at the Company's expense must pay their share of the Registration Expenses as provided in paragraph 5 hereof.

(e) Restrictions on Registrations. During the first eighteen (18) months following the Company's initial public offering of Class A Common, the Company shall not be obligated to effect any Demand Registration within 180 days after the effective date of a previous Demand Registration and thereafter the Company shall not be obligated to effect any Demand Registration within 360 days after the effective date of a previous Demand Registration. The Company may postpone for up to 90 days the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for a Demand Registration if the Company's board of directors determines in its reasonable good faith judgment that such Demand Registration would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any proposal or plan by the Company to engage in any acquisition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any merger, consolidation, tender offer, reorganization or similar transaction; provided that in such event, the holders of Registrable Securities initially requesting such Demand Registration shall be entitled to withdraw such request and, if such request is withdrawn, such Demand Registration shall not count as one of the permitted Demand Registrations hereunder and the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with such registration. The Company may delay a Demand Registration hereunder only once in any twelve-month period.

(f) Other Registration Rights. Except as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall not grant to any Persons the right to request the Company to register any equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities.

2. Piggyback Registrations.

(a) Right to Piggyback. Whenever the Company proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act (other than pursuant to a Demand Registration) and the registration form to be used may be used for the registration of Registrable Securities (a "Piggyback Registration"), the Company shall give prompt written notice to all holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration and shall, subject to paragraphs 2(c) and 2(d) below, include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 20 days after the receipt of the Company's notice.

(b) Piggyback Expenses. The Registration Expenses of the holders of Registrable Securities shall be paid by the Company in all Piggyback Registrations.

(c) Priority on Primary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company shall include in such registration (i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of such Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of shares owned by each such holder, and (iii) third, other securities requested to be included in such registration.

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(d) Priority on Secondary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company's securities, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company shall include in such registration (i) first, the securities requested to be included therein by the holders requesting such registration and the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of such securities on the basis of the number of securities owned by each such holder, and (ii) second, other securities requested to be included in such registration.

(e) Other Registrations. If the Company has previously filed a registration statement with respect to Registrable Securities pursuant to paragraph 1 or pursuant to this paragraph 2, and if such previous registration has not been withdrawn or abandoned, the Company shall not file or cause to be effected any other registration of any of its equity securities or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for its equity securities under the Securities Act (except on Form S-8 or any successor form), whether on its own behalf or at the request of any holder or holders of such securities, until a period of at least 180 days has elapsed from the effective date of such previous registration.

3. Holdback Agreements.

(a) Each holder of Registrable Securities shall not effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the seven days prior to and the 90-day period beginning on the effective date of the Company's initial public offering of Class A Common under the Securities Act, unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree (it being understood that each holder of Registrable Securities will be notified of such sale or distribution on or prior to the beginning of such holdback period).

(b) The Company (i) shall not effect any public sale or distribution of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the seven days prior to and during the 90-day period beginning on the effective date of the Company's initial public offering of Class A Common under the Securities Act or any underwritten Demand Registration or any underwritten Piggyback Registration (except as part of such underwritten registration or pursuant to registrations on Form S-8 or any successor form), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree, and (ii) shall cause each holder of at least 2% of its Class A Common, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Class A Common, purchased from the Company at any time after the date of this Agreement (other than in a registered public offering) to agree not to effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of any such securities during any such period (except as part of such underwritten registration, if otherwise permitted), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree.

4. Registration Procedures. Whenever the holders of Registrable Securities have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall as expeditiously as possible:

(a) prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective; provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall furnish to the counsel selected by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (which documents shall be subject to the review and comment of such counsel);

(b) notify each holder of Registrable Securities of the effectiveness of each registration statement filed hereunder and prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to

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keep such registration statement effective for a period of not less than 180 days and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement;

(c) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

(d) use its best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subparagraph, (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

(e) notify each seller of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, at the request of any such seller, the Company shall prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

(f) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if not so listed, to be listed on the NASD automated quotation system and, if listed on the NASD automated quotation system, use its best efforts to secure designation of all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement as a NASDAQ "national market system security" within the meaning of Rule 11Aa2-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission or, failing that, to secure NASDAQ authorization for such Registrable Securities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two market makers to register as such with respect to such Registrable Securities with the NASD;

(g) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(h) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including effecting a stock split or a combination of shares);

(i) make available for inspection by any seller of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company's officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;

(j) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company's first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

5

(k) permit any holder of Registrable Securities which holder, in its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling person of the Company, to participate in the preparation of such registration or comparable statement and to require the insertion therein of material, furnished to the Company in writing, which in the reasonable judgment of such holder and its counsel should be included;

(l) in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any common stock included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction, the Company shall use its best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

(m) use its best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; and

(n) obtain a cold comfort letter from the Company's independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold reasonably request; provided that such Registrable Securities constitute at least 10% of the securities covered by such registration statement).

5. Registration Expenses.

(a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including without limitation all registration and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws, printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, fees and disbursements of custodians, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and all independent certified public accountants, underwriters (excluding discounts and commissions) and other Persons retained by the Company (all such expenses being herein called "Registration Expenses"), shall be borne as provided in this Agreement, except that the Company shall, in any event, pay its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit or quarterly review, the expense of any liability insurance and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or on the NASD automated quotation system.

(b) In connection with each Demand Registration and each Piggyback Registration, the Company shall reimburse the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration for the fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities requesting such registration and for the fees and disbursements of each additional counsel retained by any holder of Registrable Securities for the purpose of rendering a legal opinion on behalf of such holder in connection with any underwritten Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration.

(c) To the extent Registration Expenses are not required to be paid by the Company, each holder of securities included in any registration hereunder shall pay those Registration Expenses allocable to the registration of such holder's securities so included, and any Registration Expenses not so allocable shall be borne by all sellers of securities included in such registration in proportion to the aggregate selling price of the securities to be so registered.

6

6. Indemnification.

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each Person who controls such holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such holder expressly for use therein or by such holder's failure to deliver a copy of the registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company shall indemnify such underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the holders of Registrable Securities.

(b) In connection with any registration statement in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement or prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company and the underwriter, and their directors and officers and each Person who controls the Company or the underwriter, as the case may be (within the meaning of the Securities Act), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such holder; provided that the obligation to indemnify shall be individual, not joint and several, for each holder and shall be limited to the net amount of proceeds received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement.

(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any Person's right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim.

(d) The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company also agrees to make such provisions, as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party, for contribution to such party in the event the Company's indemnification is unavailable for any reason.

7. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person's securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided that no

7

holder of Registrable Securities included in any underwritten registration shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding such holder and such holder's intended method of distribution) or to undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company and the underwriters with respect thereto, except as otherwise provided in paragraph 6 hereof.

8. Definitions.

(a) "Class A Common " means the Company's Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

(b) "Class B Common " means the Company's Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

(c) "DMG Warrant" means that certain warrant to purchase Class B Common issued to DMG pursuant to the transactions contemplated by that certain Master Lease Receivables Asset-Backed Financing Facility Agreement, dated as of January 12, 1998, by and among the Company, Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. I and DMG.

(d) "ING Warrant" means that certain warrant to purchase Class A Common issued to ING pursuant to the transactions contemplated by that certain Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and ING.

(e) "Investor Registrable Securities" means (i) any Class A Common issued upon the conversion of any Class A Preferred issued pursuant to the 1998 Purchase Agreement, (ii) any Class A Common issued upon the conversion of any Class B Common issued upon conversion of any Class B Preferred issued pursuant to the 1998 Purchase Agreement, (iii) any Class A Common issued upon the conversion of any Class A Preferred issued upon the conversion of any Class B Preferred issued pursuant to the 1998 Purchase Agreement, (iv) any Class A Common issued upon conversion of any Class C Preferred issued pursuant to the 1999 Purchase Agreement and (v) any Class A Common or Class B Common issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization and (vi) any other shares of Class A Common or other common stock held by Persons holding securities described in clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, above.

(f) "Registrable Securities" means, collectively, the Investor Registrable Securities and the Warrant Registrable Securities. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when they have been distributed to the public pursuant to a offering registered under the Securities Act or sold to the public through a broker, dealer or market maker in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule then in force) or repurchased by the Company or any Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities, and the Registrable Securities shall be deemed to be in existence, whenever such Person has the right to acquire directly or indirectly such Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person shall be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Registrable Securities hereunder.

(g) "Warrant Registrable Securities" means (i) any Class A Common issued or issuable upon the conversion of any Class B Common issued or issuable upon the exercise of the DMG Warrant, (ii) any Class A Common issued or issuable upon the exercise of the ING Warrant, (iii) any Class A Common issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Wachovia Warrant and (iv) any Class A Common or Class B Common issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization. As to the Warrant Registrable Securities held by any Person, such securities shall not constitute Warrant Registrable

8

Securities at any time when and for so long as such holder can sell without registration all such Warrant Registrable Securities owned by such holder to the public in a single transaction in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule then in force).

(h) Unless otherwise stated, other capitalized terms contained herein have the meanings set forth in the 1999 Purchase Agreement.

9. Miscellaneous.

(a) Selection of Investment Bankers. The selection of investment banker(s) and manager(s) for any public offering or private sale by the Company of its securities must be approved by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities participating in such offering or sale, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld so long as such investment banker(s) and manager(s) are of recognized national standing and, in the case of a public offering, can reasonably be expected to provide the requisite degree of analytical and other support to the Company and the investing public following such offering.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement.

(c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The Company shall not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to its securities which would materially and adversely affect the ability of the holders of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement or which would materially and adversely affect the marketability of such Registrable Securities in any such registration (including, without limitation, effecting a stock split or a combination of shares).

(d) Remedies. Any Person having rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically, to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) for specific performance and for other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

(e) Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only upon the prior written consent of the Company and holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities; provided that no amendment or waiver of Sections 1 through 6 (inclusive) of this Agreement which materially and adversely affects the holders of Warrant Registrable Securities in a manner inconsistent with the treatment of the holders of other Registrable Securities shall be effective without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of Warrant Registrable Securities (except that no amendment or waiver of (i) the demand rights of the holders of Warrant Registrable Securities in Section 1 above or (ii) this Section 9(e) shall be effective without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of Warrant Registrable Securities).

(f) Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not. In addition, whether or not any express assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of purchasers or holders of Registrable Securities are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent holder of Registrable Securities.

(g) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.

(h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts (including by means of telecopied signature pages), any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

9

(i) Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

(j) Governing Law . The corporate law of the State of Delaware shall govern all issues and questions concerning the relative rights and obligations of the Company and its stockholders. All other issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of New Jersey or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New Jersey.

(k) Notices . All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered personally to the recipient, sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to PCF IV, PEF, ING and Wachovia at the address indicated on the attached Schedule of Purchasers attached hereto and to the Company and to DMG at the addresses indicated below:

If to the Company:

Marlin Leasing Corporation
124 Gaither Drive, Suite 170
Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054 Telephone: (888) 479-9111
Telecopy: (888) 479-1100
Attention: Chief Executive Officer

with a copy to:

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, L.L.P. 1701 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2921
Telephone: (215) 963-5000
Telecopy: (215) 963-5299
Attention: Stephen Goodman

If to DMG:

Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, Inc.
31 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019

Telecopy: (212) 469-7185
Telephone (212) 469-7689
Attention: Christopher Beaudet

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

* * * * *

10

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Second Amended and Restated Registration Agreement as of the date first written above.

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION

By:

Its:

PRIMUS CAPITAL FUND IV LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By: Primus Venture Partners IV
Limited Partnership, its general partner

By: Primus Venture Partners IV, Inc.,
its general partner

By:

Its:

PRIMUS EXECUTIVE FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By: Primus Venture Partners IV
Limited Partnership, its general partner

By: Primus Venture Partners IV, Inc.,
its general partner

By:

Its:

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

By:

Its:

By:
Its:

ING (U.S.) CAPITAL LLC

By:

Its:

WACHOVIA CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC.

By:

Its:

11

SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS

Primus Capital Fund IV Limited Partnership   Wachovia Capital Investments, Inc.
5900 Landerbrook Drive                       191 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Suite 200                                    26th Floor, Mail Code GA
Cleveland, Ohio  44124                       Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone: (440) 684-7300                    Telephone: (404) 332-1395
Telecopy: (440) 684-7342                     Telecopy: (404) 332-1392
Attention:  Loyal W. Wilson                  Attention: Lawrence J. DeAngelo

Primus Executive Fund Limited Partnership    with a copy to:
5900 Landerbrook Drive
Suite 200                                    Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP
Cleveland, Ohio  44124                       1100 Peachtree Street
Telephone: (440) 684-7300                    Suite 2800
Telecopy: (440) 684-7342                     Atlanta, Georgia
Attention:  Loyal W. Wilson                  Telephone: (404) 815-6111
                                             Telecopy: (404) 815-6555
                                             Attention: Richard Cicchillo
with a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis
200 E. Randolph Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Telephone: (312) 861-2294
Telecopy: (312) 861-2200
Attention: Ted H. Zook

ING (U.S.) Capital LLC
Park Avenue Plaza
55 East 52nd Street, 36th Floor
New York, NY 10055
Telephone: (212) 409-1955
Telecopy: (212) 593-3362
Attention: David P. Scopelliti
with a copy to:

Mayer Brown & Platt
1675 Broadway
New York, NY  10019
Telephone: (212) 506-2630
Telecopy: (212) 262-1910
Attention: David K. Duffe

12

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION
AGREEMENT (the "AMENDMENT") is made as of February 28, 2001, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY") and the parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated Registration Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2000 (the "REGISTRATION AGREEMENT"). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings prescribed to them in the Registration Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Company and Wachovia are parties to a certain purchase agreement dated as of the date hereof (the "WACHOVIA II PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), whereby the Company will issue an 11.0% senior subordinated note (or notes) issued in accordance with the Wachovia II Purchase Agreement, due March 30, 2006, in the aggregate principal amount of $2,150,000, and a warrant (or warrants) issued in accordance with the Warrant Agreement (as defined in the Wachovia II Purchase Agreement) (the "WACHOVIA II WARRANT") to purchase, on or after the Lapse Date, up to the lesser of (i) 93,639 Class A shares of common stock of the Company or (ii) a number of shares of Class A common stock of the Company representing, as of the Lapse Date, two percent (2%) of the common shares of the Company on a Fully-Diluted Basis (each such term as defined in the Wachovia II Purchase Agreement);

WHEREAS, the Company, PCF IV, PEF, DMG, ING and Wachovia desire to amend certain provisions the Registration Agreement as provided herein; and

WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of this Amendment is a condition to the Closing of under the Wachovia II Purchase Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby amend the Registration Agreement as follows:

1. Amendment of Registration Agreement. From and after the date hereof, all references to "Wachovia Warrant" contained in the Registration Agreement shall be deemed to include the Wachovia Warrant issued pursuant to the Wachovia Note Purchase Agreement and the Wachovia II Warrant issued pursuant to the Wachovia II Purchase Agreement. From and after the date hereof, all references to "this Agreement" (or similar references) contained in the Registration Agreement shall be deemed references to the Registration Agreement as amended hereby.

2. Ratification of Registration Agreement. Except as expressly modified by the terms of this Amendment, the Registration Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.


3. Miscellaneous.

3.1 Gender. Any pronoun used herein shall be deemed to cover all genders.

3.2 Titles. The titles of the sections of this Amendment are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Amendment.

3.3 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by means of telecopied signature pages), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

3.4 Governing Law. The corporate law of the State of Delaware shall govern all issues and questions concerning the relative rights and obligations of the Company and its stockholders. All other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provision (whether of New Jersey or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New Jersey.

[Signatures Begin on Next Page]

2

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment either themselves or by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION

By:

Name:
Title:

PRIMUS CAPITAL FUND IV LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By: Primus Venture Partners Limited
Partnership, its general partner

By: Primus Venture Partners IV, Inc.,
its general partner

By:

Name:
Title:

PRIMUS EXECUTIVE FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By: Primus Venture Partners Limited
Partnership, its general partner

By: Primus Venture Partners IV, Inc.,
its general partner

By:

Name:
Title:

ING (U.S.) CAPITAL LLC

By:

Name:
Title:

3

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

By:

Name:
Title:

By:
Name:
Title:

WACHOVIA CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC.

By:

Name:
Title:

4

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION

SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION
AGREEMENT (the "AMENDMENT") is made as of July __, 2001, by and among Marlin Leasing Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY") and the parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated Registration Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2000, and amended as of February 28, 2001, (the "REGISTRATION AGREEMENT"). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings prescribed to them in the Registration Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Company and Wachovia Capital Investments, Inc. ("WACHOVIA") are parties to a certain purchase agreement dated as of the date hereof (the "WACHOVIA EQUITY PURCHASE AGREEMENT") whereby the Company will issue to Wachovia up to 101,500 shares of the Company's Class D Convertible Preferred Stock (in up to two separate closings);

WHEREAS, the Company, PCF IV, PEF, DMG, ING and Wachovia desire to amend certain provisions of the Registration Agreement as provided herein; and

WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of this Amendment is a condition to the Closing of the Wachovia III Purchase Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby amend the Registration Agreement as follows:

1. Amendments to Registration Agreement.

1.1. From and after the date hereof, Sections 1(a), (b) and (c) of the Registration Agreement shall be deleted in their entirety and the following shall be inserted in place thereof:

"(a) Request for Registration. At any time after the Company has completed a public offering of its Class A Common under the Securities Act, the holders of a majority of each of the Class A/C Registrable Securities, Class D Registrable Securities and the Warrant Registrable Securities may each separately request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of their Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration ("Long-Form Registrations"), and the holders of a majority of each of the Class A/C Registrable Securities, Class D Registrable Securities and the Warrant Registrable Securities may each separately request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of their Registrable Securities on Form S-2 or S-3 or any similar short-form registration ("Short-Form Registrations") if available. All registrations requested pursuant to this paragraph 1(a) are


referred to herein as "Demand Registrations." Each request for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered and the anticipated per share price range for such offering. Within ten days after receipt of any such request, the Company shall give written notice of such requested registration to all other holders of Registrable Securities and shall, subject to paragraph 1(d) below, include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 15 days after the receipt of the Company's notice.

(b) Long-Form Registrations. The holders of Class A/C Registrable Securities and Class D Registrable Securities each separately shall be entitled to request (i) two Long-Form Registrations in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses ("Company-Paid Long-Form Registrations") and (ii) two Long-Form Registrations in which each such holder of Registrable Securities shall pay their share of the Registration Expenses as provided in paragraph 5 hereof. The holders of Warrant Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request one Company-Paid Long Form Registration (unless prior thereto such holders have exercised their rights under paragraph 1(c) below). A registration shall not count as one of the permitted Long-Form Registrations until it has become effective, and neither the last or any subsequent Company-Paid Long-Form Registration nor the last or any subsequent Long-Form Registration pursuant to clause
(ii) above shall count as one of the permitted Long-Form Registrations unless the holders of Registrable Securities are able to register and sell at least 90% of the Registrable Securities requested by such holder to be included in such registration; provided that in any event the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration initiated as a Company-Paid Long-Form Registration whether or not it has become effective and whether or not such registration has counted as one of the permitted Company-Paid Long-Form Registrations.

(c) Short-Form Registrations. In addition to the Long-Form Registrations provided pursuant to paragraph 1(b), the holders of Class A/C Registrable Securities and Class D Registrable Securities each separately shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Short-Form Registrations in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses, and the holders of Warrant Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request one Short-Form Registration in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses (unless prior thereto such holders have exercised their rights under paragraph 1(b) above). Demand Registrations shall be Short-Form Registrations whenever the Company is permitted to use any applicable short form. After the Company has become subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act, the Company shall use its best efforts to make Short-Form Registrations on Form S-3 available for the sale of Registrable Securities. As described in this paragraph 1(c) and paragraph 1(b) above, the holders of Warrant

-2-

Registrable Securities shall only be entitled to initiate one Demand Registration under this Agreement (which single Demand Registration may be either a Long-Form Registration or a Short-Form Registration) (it being understood that a registration will not count as such single Demand Registration until it has become effective). However, if the holders of Warrant Registrable Securities are not able to register and sell at least 90% of the Warrant Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, such holders shall be entitled to request one additional registration hereunder in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses and if the holders of Warrant Registrable Securities are not able to register and sell at least an aggregate of 50% of the Warrant Registrable Securities requested to be included in both the single Demand Registration and the additional registration, such holders shall be entitled to request one additional registration hereunder in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses."

1.2. From and after the date hereof, Section 8(e) of the Registration Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and the following shall be inserted in its place:

"(e)"Investor Registrable Securities" means (i) any Class A/C Registrable Securities and (ii) any Class D Registrable Securities."

1.3. From and after the date hereof the following definitions shall be added to the definitions in Section 8 of the Registration Agreement:

""Class A/C Registrable Securities" means (i) any Class A Common issued upon the conversion of any Class A Preferred issued pursuant to the 1998 Purchase Agreement, (ii) any Class A Common issued upon the conversion of any Class A Preferred issued upon the conversion of any Class B Preferred issued pursuant to the 1998 Purchase Agreement, (iii) any Class A Common issued upon conversion of any Class C Preferred issued pursuant to the 1999 Purchase Agreement, (iv) any Class A Common issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) by way of stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization, and (v) any other Class A Common or other common stock held by persons holding securities described in clauses (i) to (iv), inclusive, above.

"Class D Registrable Securities" means (i) any Class A Common issued upon the conversion of any of the Company's Class D Convertible Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Wachovia, dated as of the date hereof, (ii) any Class A Common issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) by way of stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization,

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and (iii) any other Class A Common or other common stock held by persons holding securities described in clauses (i) and (ii) above."

1.4. From and after the date hereof the Schedule of Purchasers shall be deleted in its entirety and the Schedule of Purchasers attached hereto shall be inserted in its place.

1.5. From and after the date hereof, all references to "the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities" shall be changed to "the holders of 65% of the Registrable Securities."

1.6. From and after the date hereof, all references to "New Jersey" in Section 9(j) of the Registration Agreement shall be changed to "New York."

1.7. From and after the date hereof, all references to "this Agreement" (or similar references) contained in the Registration Agreement shall be deemed references to the Registration Agreement as amended hereby.

2. Ratification of Registration Agreement. Except as expressly modified by the terms of this Amendment, the Registration Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

3. Miscellaneous.

3.1. Gender. Any pronoun used herein shall be deemed to cover all genders.

3.2. Titles. The titles of the sections of this Amendment are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Amendment.

3.3. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by means of telecopied signature pages), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

3.4. Governing Law. The corporate law of the State of Delaware shall govern all issues and questions concerning the relative rights and obligations of the Company and its stockholders. All other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provision (whether of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment either themselves or by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION

By:

Name:
Title:

PRIMUS CAPITAL FUND IV LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By: Primus Venture Partners Limited
Partnership, its general partner

By: Primus Venture Partners IV, its general
partner

By:

Name:
Title:

PRIMUS EXECUTIVE FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By: Primus Venture Partners Limited
Partnership, its general partner

By: Primus Venture Partners IV, its general
partner

By:

Name:
Title:

ING (U.S.) CAPITAL LLC

By:

Name:
Title:

Signature Page 1 of 2 Second Amendment To The Second Amended and Restated Registration Agreement


DEUTSCH BANK ALEX. BROWN INC.

By:

Name:
Title:

By:
Name:
Title:

WACHOVIA CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC.

By:

Name:
Title:

Signature Page 2 of 2 Second Amendment To The Second Amended and Restated Registration Agreement


Exhibit 10.1

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

2003 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE


SECTION 1   Administration...............................................    1

SECTION 2   Grants.......................................................    2

SECTION 3   Shares Subject to the Plan...................................    2

SECTION 4   Eligibility for Participation................................    3

SECTION 5   Options......................................................    4

SECTION 6   Stock Appreciation Rights....................................    8

SECTION 7   Stock Awards.................................................    9

SECTION 8   Stock Units..................................................   10

SECTION 9   Other Equity Awards..........................................   10

SECTION 10  Dividend Equivalents.........................................   11

SECTION 11  Right of Recapture...........................................   11

SECTION 12  Qualified Performance-Based Compensation.....................   11

SECTION 13  Deferrals....................................................   12

SECTION 14  Withholding of Taxes.........................................   12

SECTION 15  Transferability of Grants....................................   13

SECTION 16  Change of Control of the Company.............................   13

SECTION 17  Consequences of a Change of Control..........................   14

SECTION 18  Limitations On Issuance Or Transfer Of Shares................   15

SECTION 19  Amendment and Termination of the Plan........................   15

SECTION 20  Funding of the Plan..........................................   16

SECTION 21  Rights of Participants.......................................   16

SECTION 22  No Fractional Shares.........................................   16

SECTION 23  Headings.....................................................   16

SECTION 24  Effective Date of the Plan...................................   16

SECTION 25  Miscellaneous................................................   16

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MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.
2003 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN

The purpose of the Marlin Business Services Corp. 2003 Equity Compensation Plan (the "Plan") is to provide (i) designated employees of Marlin Business Services Corp. (the "Company") and its subsidiaries, (ii) certain consultants and advisors who perform services for the Company or its subsidiaries and (iii) non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") with the opportunity to receive grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, stock units and other equity-based awards. The Company believes that the Plan will encourage the participants to contribute materially to the growth of the Company, thereby benefitting the Company's shareholders, and will align the economic interests of the participants with those of the shareholders.

It is contemplated that on or prior to the completion of the initial public offering of the Company's common stock, Marlin Leasing Corporation ("Marlin Leasing") will be reorganized and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The effective date of the reorganization is referred to as the "Reorganization Date." It is contemplated that in connection with the reorganization of Marlin Leasing, the Company will assume the Marlin Leasing Corporation 1997 Equity Compensation Plan (the "Marlin Leasing 1997 Plan") and merge the Marlin Leasing 1997 Plan into this Plan, so that no additional grants will be made under the Marlin Leasing 1997 Plan. Outstanding grants under the Marlin Leasing 1997 Plan will continue in effect according to their terms as in effect on the Reorganization Date (subject to such amendments as the Committee (as defined below) determines, consistent with the Marlin Leasing 1997 Plan), and the shares with respect to outstanding grants under the Marlin Leasing 1997 Plan will be issued or transferred under this Plan.

SECTION 1 Administration

(a) Committee. The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by a committee consisting of members of the Board, which shall be appointed by the Board (the "Committee"). The Committee may consist of two or more persons who are "outside directors" as defined under section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and related Treasury regulations, and "non-employee directors" as defined under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). However, the Board shall ratify or approve any grants as it deems appropriate, and the Board shall approve and administer all grants made to non-employee directors. The Committee may delegate authority to one or more subcommittees, as it deems appropriate. To the extent a Board or subcommittee administers the Plan, references in the Plan to the "Committee" shall be deemed to refer to such Board or subcommittee.

(b) Committee Authority. The Committee shall have the sole authority to
(i) determine the individuals to whom grants shall be made under the Plan, (ii) determine the type, size and terms of the grants to be made to each such individual, (iii) determine the time when the grants will be made and the duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period, including the criteria for exercisability and the acceleration of exercisability, (iv) amend the terms of any previously issued grant, and (v) deal with any other matters arising under the Plan. However, no previously granted option may be repriced, replaced or regranted through cancellation or by


lowering the option exercise price, unless the shareholders of the Company provide prior approval.

(c) Committee Determinations. The Committee shall have full power and authority to administer and interpret the Plan, to make factual determinations and to adopt or amend such rules, regulations, agreements and instruments for implementing the Plan and for the conduct of its business as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion. The Committee's interpretations of the Plan and all determinations made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having any interest in the Plan or in any awards granted hereunder. All powers of the Committee shall be executed in its sole discretion, in the best interest of the Company, not as a fiduciary, and in keeping with the objectives of the Plan and need not be uniform as to similarly situated individuals.

SECTION 2 Grants

Awards under the Plan may consist of grants of incentive stock options as described in Section 5 ("Incentive Stock Options"), nonqualified stock options as described in Section 5 ("Nonqualified Stock Options") (Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options are collectively referred to as "Options"), stock appreciation rights as described in Section 6 ("SARs"), stock awards as described in Section 7 ("Stock Awards"), stock units as described in
Section 8 ("Stock Units"), and other equity-based awards as described in Section
9 ("Other Equity Awards") (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Grants"). All Grants shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and to such other terms and conditions consistent with this Plan as the Committee deems appropriate and as are specified in writing by the Committee to the individual in a grant instrument or an amendment to the grant instrument (the "Grant Instrument"). All Grants shall be made conditional upon the Grantee's acknowledgement, in writing or by acceptance of the Grant, that all decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding on the Grantee, his or her beneficiaries and any other person having or claiming an interest under such Grant. Grants under a particular Section of the Plan need not be uniform as among the grantees.

SECTION 3 Shares Subject to the Plan

(a) Shares Authorized. Subject to adjustment as described below, the aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company ("Company Stock") that may be issued or transferred under the Plan is 2,100,000 shares; provided, however, that not more than 1,050,000 shares of Company Stock shall be available for issuance as Stock Awards (excluding restricted shares received as a result of an early exercise of an Option pursuant to Section 5(d)(ii)), Stock Units and Other Equity Awards. The maximum number of authorized shares includes shares that will cover outstanding grants under the Marlin Leasing 1997 Plan, which is expected to be assumed on the Reorganization Date as described above. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Company Stock that shall be subject to Grants made under the Plan to any individual during any calendar year shall be 100,000 shares, subject to adjustment as described below.

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(b) Determination of Authorized Shares. The shares may be authorized but unissued shares of Company Stock or reacquired shares of Company Stock, including shares purchased by the Company on the open market for purposes of the Plan. If and to the extent Options or SARs granted under the Plan (including options outstanding on the Reorganization Date under the Marlin Leasing 1997 Plan) terminate, expire, or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered without having been exercised or if any Stock Awards, Stock Units, or Other Equity Awards are forfeited, the shares subject to such Grants shall again be available for purposes of the Plan. Shares of Company Stock surrendered in payment of the exercise price of an Option shall again be available for issuance or transfer under the Plan. To the extent any Grants are paid in cash, and not in shares of Company Stock, any shares previously subject to such Grants shall again be available for issuance or transfer under the Plan.

(c) Adjustments. If there is any change in the number or kind of shares of Company Stock outstanding (i) by reason of a stock dividend, spinoff, recapitalization, stock split, or combination or exchange of shares, (ii) by reason of a merger, reorganization or consolidation, (iii) by reason of a reclassification or change in par value, or (iv) by reason of any other extraordinary or unusual event affecting the outstanding Company Stock as a class without the Company's receipt of consideration, or if the value of outstanding shares of Company Stock is substantially reduced as a result of a spinoff or the Company's payment of an extraordinary dividend or distribution, the maximum number of shares of Company Stock available for Grants, the maximum number of shares of Company Stock that any individual participating in the Plan may be granted in any year, the number and kind of shares covered by outstanding Grants, the kind of shares to be issued or transferred under the Plan, and the price per share or the applicable market value of such Grants shall, unless the Committee determines otherwise, be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to reflect any increase or decrease in the number of, or change in the kind or value of, issued shares of Company Stock to preclude, to the extent practicable, the enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits under such Grants; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated. Any adjustments determined by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive.

SECTION 4 Eligibility for Participation

(a) Eligible Persons. All employees of the Company and its subsidiaries ("Employees"), including Employees who are officers or members of the Board, and members of the Board who are not Employees ("Non-Employee Directors") shall be eligible to participate in the Plan. Consultants and advisors who perform services for the Company or any of its subsidiaries ("Key Advisors") shall be eligible to participate in the Plan if the Key Advisors render bona fide services to the Company or its subsidiaries, the services are not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and the Key Advisors do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company's securities.

(b) Selection of Grantees. The Committee shall select the Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors to receive Grants and shall determine the number of shares of Company Stock subject to a particular Grant in such manner as the Committee determines. Employees, Key Advisors and Non-Employee Directors who receive Grants under this Plan shall hereinafter be referred to as "Grantees".

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SECTION 5 Options

The Committee may grant Options to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor, upon such terms as the Committee deems appropriate. The following provisions are applicable to Options:

(a) Number of Shares. The Committee shall determine the number of shares of Company Stock that will be subject to each Grant of Options to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors.

(b) Type of Option and Price.

(i) The Committee may grant Incentive Stock Options that are intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" within the meaning of section 422 of the Code or Nonqualified Stock Options that are not intended so to qualify or any combination of Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or its subsidiaries, as defined in Section 424 of the Code. Nonqualified Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors.

(ii) The purchase price (the "Exercise Price") of Company Stock subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and may be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of a share of Company Stock on the date the Option is granted; provided, however, that an Incentive Stock Option may not be granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, unless the Exercise Price per share is not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of Company Stock on the date of grant.

(iii) If the Company Stock is publicly traded, then the Fair Market Value per share shall be determined as follows: (x) if the principal trading market for the Company Stock is a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market, the last reported sale price thereof on the relevant date or (if there were no trades on that date) the latest preceding date upon which a sale was reported, or (y) if the Company Stock is not principally traded on such exchange or market, the mean between the last reported "bid" and "asked" prices of Company Stock on the relevant date, as reported on Nasdaq or, if not so reported, as reported by the National Daily Quotation Bureau, Inc. or as reported in a customary financial reporting service, as applicable and as the Committee determines. If the Company Stock is not publicly traded or, if publicly traded, is not subject to reported transactions or "bid" or "asked" quotations as set forth above, the Fair Market Value per share shall be as determined by the Committee.

(c) Option Term. The Committee shall determine the term of each Option. The term of any Option shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant. However, an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, may not have a term that exceeds five years from the date of grant.

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(d) Exercisability of Options.

(i) Options shall become exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions, consistent with the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee and specified in the Grant Instrument or in the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any or all outstanding Options at any time for any reason.

(ii) The Committee may provide in a Grant Instrument that the Grantee may elect to exercise part or all of an Option before it otherwise has become exercisable. Any shares so purchased shall be restricted shares and shall be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company during a specified restriction period, with the repurchase price equal to the lesser of (A) the Exercise Price or (B) the Fair Market Value of such shares at the time of repurchase, or such other restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate.

(e) Grants to Non-Exempt Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options granted to persons who are non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall have an Exercise Price not less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of the Company Stock on the date of grant, and may not be exercisable for at least six months after the date of grant (except that such Options may become exercisable, as determined by the Committee, upon the Grantee's death, Disability or retirement, or upon a Change of Control or other circumstances permitted by applicable regulations).

(f) Termination of Employment, Disability or Death.

(i) Except as provided below or in the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer, an Option may only be exercised while the Grantee is employed by, or providing service to, the Employer (as defined below) as an Employee, Key Advisor or member of the Board.

(ii) In the event that a Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer for any reason other than Disability, death, or termination for Cause (as defined below), any Option which is otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within 90 days after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer (or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee or in the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option term. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, any of the Grantee's Options that are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer shall terminate as of such date.

(iii) In the event the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer on account of a termination for Cause by the Employer, any Option held by the Grantee shall terminate as of the date the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 5, if the Committee determines that the Grantee has engaged in conduct that constitutes Cause at any time while the Grantee is employed by, or providing service to, the Employer or after the Grantee's

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termination of employment or service, any Option held by the Grantee shall immediately terminate and the Grantee shall automatically forfeit all shares underlying any exercised portion of an Option for which the Company has not yet delivered the share certificates, upon refund by the Company of the Exercise Price paid by the Grantee for such shares. Upon any exercise of an Option, the Company may withhold delivery of share certificates pending resolution of an inquiry that could lead to a finding resulting in a forfeiture.

(iv) In the event the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer because the Grantee is Disabled, any Option which is otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within one year after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer (or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee or in the Grantee's employment agreement, if any), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option term. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, any of the Grantee's Options which are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer shall terminate as of such date.

(v) If the Grantee dies while employed by, or providing service to, the Employer or within 90 days after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed or provide service on account of a termination specified in Section 5(f)(ii) above (or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee or in the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer), any Option that is otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within one year after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer (or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee or in the Grantee's employment agreement, if any), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option term. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, any of the Grantee's Options that are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer shall terminate as of such date.

(vi) For purposes of the Plan:

(A) The term "Employer" shall mean the Company and its subsidiary corporations or other affiliates, as determined by the Committee.

(B) "Employed by, or provide service to, the Employer" shall mean employment or service as an Employee, Key Advisor or member of the Board (so that, for purposes of exercising Options and SARs and satisfying conditions with respect to Stock Awards, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents and Other Equity Awards, a Grantee shall not be considered to have terminated employment or service until the Grantee ceases to be an Employee, Key Advisor and member of the Board), unless the Committee determines otherwise.

(C) "Disability" shall mean, except as otherwise defined in the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer, a Grantee's becoming disabled within the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the Code, within the meaning of the

6

Employer's long-term disability plan applicable to the Grantee, or as otherwise determined by the Committee.

(D) "Cause" shall mean, except to the extent specified otherwise by the Committee or defined in the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer, a finding by the Committee that the Grantee (i) has materially breached his or her employment or service contract with the Employer and which breach has been materially and demonstrably detrimental to the Employer and has not been remedied by the Grantee after notice has been provided to the Grantee of such breach, (ii) has engaged in disloyalty to the Company, including, without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or proven dishonesty,
(iii) has disclosed trade secrets or confidential information of the Employer to persons not entitled to receive such information, (iv) has breached any written non-competition or non-solicitation agreement between the Grantee and the Employer or (v) has engaged in such other behavior detrimental to the interests of the Employer as the Committee determines.

(g) Exercise of Options. A Grantee may exercise an Option that has become exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivering a notice of exercise to the Company. The Grantee shall pay the Exercise Price for an Option as specified by the Committee (w) in cash, (x) with the approval of the Committee, by delivering shares of Company Stock owned by the Grantee (including Company Stock acquired in connection with the exercise of an Option, subject to such restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate) and having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price or by attestation (on a form prescribed by the Committee) to ownership of shares of Company Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price, (y) payment through a broker in accordance with procedures permitted by Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, or (z) by such other method as the Committee may approve. Shares of Company Stock used to exercise an Option shall have been held by the Grantee for the requisite period of time to avoid adverse accounting consequences to the Company with respect to the Option. The Grantee shall pay the Exercise Price and the amount of any withholding tax due (pursuant to Section 15) at such time as may be specified by the Committee.

(h) Reload Options. In the event that shares of Company Stock are used to exercise an Option, the terms of such Option may provide for a Grant of additional Options, or the Committee may grant additional Options, to purchase a number of shares of Company Stock equal to the number of whole shares used to exercise the Option and the number of whole shares, if any, withheld in payment of any taxes. Such Options shall be granted with an Exercise Price equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company Stock on the date of grant of such additional Options, or at such other Exercise Price as the Committee may establish, for a term not longer than the unexpired term of the exercised Option and on such other terms as the Committee shall determine.

(i) Limits on Incentive Stock Options. Each Incentive Stock Option shall provide that, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the stock on the date of the grant with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Grantee during any calendar year, under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company or a subsidiary, exceeds $100,000, then the Option, as to the excess, shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. An

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Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted to any person who is not an Employee of the Company or a subsidiary (within the meaning of section 424(f) of the Code) of the Company.

SECTION 6 Stock Appreciation Rights

The Committee may grant stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor separately or in tandem with any Option. The following provisions are applicable to SARs:

(a) Base Amount. The Committee shall establish the base amount of the SAR at the time the SAR is granted. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the base amount of each SAR shall be equal to the per share Exercise Price of the related Option or, if there is no related Option, the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock as of the date of Grant of the SAR.

(b) Tandem SARs. The Committee may grant tandem SARs either at the time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter while the Option remains outstanding; provided, however, that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, SARs may be granted only at the date of the grant of the Incentive Stock Option. In the case of tandem SARs, the number of SARs granted to a Grantee that shall be exercisable during a specified period shall not exceed the number of shares of Company Stock that the Grantee may purchase upon the exercise of the related Option during such period. Upon the exercise of an Option, the SARs relating to the Company Stock covered by such Option shall terminate. Upon the exercise of SARs, the related Option shall terminate to the extent of an equal number of shares of Company Stock.

(c) Exercisability. An SAR shall be exercisable during the period specified by the Committee in the Grant Instrument and shall be subject to such vesting and other restrictions as may be specified in the Grant Instrument or in the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any or all outstanding SARs at any time for any reason. SARs may only be exercised while the Grantee is employed by, or providing service to, the Employer or during the applicable period after termination of employment or service as described in Section 5(f). A tandem SAR shall be exercisable only during the period when the Option to which it is related is also exercisable.

(d) Grants to Non-Exempt Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, SARs granted to persons who are non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall have a base amount not less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of the Company Stock on the date of grant, and may not be exercisable for at least six months after the date of grant (except that such SARs may become exercisable, as determined by the Committee, upon the Grantee's death, Disability or retirement, or upon a Change of Control or other circumstances permitted by applicable regulations).

(e) Value of SARs. When a Grantee exercises SARs, the Grantee shall receive in settlement of such SARs an amount equal to the value of the stock appreciation for the number of SARs exercised, payable in cash, Company Stock or a combination thereof. The stock appreciation for an SAR is the amount by which the Fair Market Value of the underlying Company Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR exceeds the base amount of the SAR as described in subsection (a).

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(f) Form of Payment. The Committee shall determine whether the appreciation in an SAR shall be paid in the form of cash, shares of Company Stock, or a combination of the two, in such proportion as the Committee deems appropriate. For purposes of calculating the number of shares of Company Stock to be received, shares of Company Stock shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR. If shares of Company Stock are to be received upon exercise of an SAR, cash shall be delivered in lieu of any fractional share.

SECTION 7 Stock Awards

The Committee may issue or transfer shares of Company Stock to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor under a Stock Award, upon such terms as the Committee deems appropriate. The following provisions are applicable to Stock Awards:

(a) General Requirements. Shares of Company Stock issued or transferred pursuant to Stock Awards may be issued or transferred for cash consideration or for no cash consideration, and subject to restrictions or no restrictions, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, establish conditions under which restrictions on Stock Awards shall lapse over a period of time or according to such other criteria as the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals. The period of time during which the Stock Awards will remain subject to restrictions will be designated in the Grant Instrument as the "Restriction Period."

(b) Number of Shares. The Committee shall determine the number of shares of Company Stock to be issued or transferred pursuant to a Stock Award and the restrictions applicable to such shares.

(c) Requirement of Employment or Service. If the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer during a period designated in the Grant Instrument as the Restriction Period, or if other specified conditions are not met, the Stock Award shall terminate as to all shares covered by the Grant as to which the restrictions have not lapsed, and those shares of Company Stock must be immediately returned to the Company, unless the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer provides otherwise. The Committee may, however, provide for complete or partial exceptions to this requirement as it deems appropriate.

(d) Restrictions on Transfer and Legend on Stock Certificate. During the Restriction Period, a Grantee may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of a Stock Award except to a successor under
Section 15(a). Each certificate for a share of a Stock Award shall contain a legend giving appropriate notice of the restrictions in the Grant. The Grantee shall be entitled to have the legend removed from the stock certificate covering the shares subject to restrictions when all restrictions on such shares have lapsed. The Committee may determine that the Company will not issue certificates for Stock Awards until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed, or that the Company will retain possession of certificates for shares of Stock Awards until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed.

(e) Right to Vote and to Receive Dividends. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, during the Restriction Period, the Grantee shall have the right to vote shares of Stock Awards and to receive any dividends or other distributions paid on such shares, subject to any

9

restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee, including, without limitation, the achievement of specific performance goals.

(f) Lapse of Restrictions. All restrictions imposed on Stock Awards shall lapse upon the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period and the satisfaction of all conditions imposed by the Committee. The Committee may determine, as to any or all Stock Awards, that the restrictions shall lapse without regard to any Restriction Period.

SECTION 8 Stock Units

The Committee may grant phantom units representing one or more shares of Company Stock to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor, upon such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate. The following provisions are applicable to Stock Units:

(a) Crediting of Units. Each Stock Unit shall represent the right of the Grantee to receive an amount based on the value of a share of Company Stock, if specified conditions are met. All Stock Units shall be credited to bookkeeping accounts established on the Company's records for purposes of the Plan.

(b) Terms of Stock Units. The Committee may grant Stock Units that are payable if specified performance goals or other conditions are met, or under other circumstances. Stock Units may be paid at the end of a specified performance period or other period, or payment may be deferred to a date authorized by the Committee. The Committee shall determine the number of Stock Units to be granted and the requirements applicable to such Stock Units.

(c) Requirement of Employment or Service. If the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer during a specified period, or if other conditions established by the Committee are not met, the Grantee's Stock Units shall be forfeited, unless the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer provides otherwise. The Committee may, however, provide for complete or partial exceptions to this requirement as it deems appropriate.

(d) Payment With Respect to Stock Units. Payments with respect to Stock Units shall be made in cash, in Company Stock, or in a combination of the two, as determined by the Committee.

SECTION 9 Other Equity Awards

The Committee may grant Other Equity Awards, which are awards (other than those described in Sections 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 of the Plan) that are based on, measured by or payable in Company Stock to any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor, on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. Other Equity Awards may be awarded subject to the achievement of performance goals or other conditions and may be payable in cash, Company Stock or any combination of the foregoing, as the Committee shall determine.

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SECTION 10 Dividend Equivalents

The Committee may include in a Grant Instrument with respect to any Grant a dividend equivalent right ("Dividend Equivalents") entitling the Grantee to receive amounts equal to the ordinary dividends that would be paid, during the time the Grant is outstanding and unexercised, on the shares of Company Stock covered by the Grant as if such shares were then outstanding. The Committee shall determine whether Dividend Equivalents shall be paid currently or credited to a bookkeeping account as a dollar amount or in the form of Stock Units. The Committee shall determine whether Dividend Equivalents shall be paid in cash, in shares of Company Stock or in a combination, whether they shall be conditioned upon the exercise, vesting or payment of the Grant to which they relate, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.

SECTION 11 Right of Recapture

The Committee may provide in a Grant Instrument that if at any time within the one year period after the date on which a Grantee exercises an Option or SAR, or on which a Stock Award, Stock Unit or Other Equity Award vests or is paid (each of which events is referred to as a "Realization Event"), the Grantee
(a) is terminated for Cause or (b) engages in any activity that constitutes Cause, the Grantee shall be required to pay to the Company any gain realized by the Grantee from the Realization Event, upon notice from the Company. Such gain shall be determined as of the date of the Realization Event, without regard to any subsequent change in the Fair Market Value of Company Stock. The Company shall have the right to offset such gain against any amounts otherwise owed to the Grantee by the Company (whether as wages, vacation pay, or pursuant to any benefit plan or other compensatory arrangement), to the extent permitted by applicable law.

SECTION 12 Qualified Performance-Based Compensation

(a) Designation as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation. The Committee may determine that Stock Awards, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents or Other Equity Awards granted to an Employee shall be considered "qualified performance-based compensation" under section 162(m) of the Code. The provisions of this Section 12 shall apply to Grants of Stock Awards, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents and Other Equity Awards that are to be considered "qualified performance-based compensation" under section 162(m) of the Code.

(b) Performance Goals. When Stock Awards, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents or Other Equity Awards that are to be considered "qualified performance-based compensation" are granted, the Committee shall establish in writing (i) the objective performance goals that must be met, (ii) the performance period during which the performance goals must be met, (iii) the threshold, target and maximum amounts that may be paid if the performance goals are met, and (iv) any other conditions that the Committee deems appropriate and consistent with the Plan and Section 162(m) of the Code, including the employment requirements and payment terms. The performance goals may relate to the Employee's business unit or the performance of the Company and its subsidiaries as a whole, or any combination of the foregoing. The Committee shall use objectively determinable performance goals based on one or more of the following criteria: total stockholder return; total stockholder return as compared to total stockholder return

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of comparable companies or a publicly available index; net income; pretax earnings; earnings before interest expense and taxes (EBIT); earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); earnings per share; return on equity; return on assets; revenues; asset growth; operating ratios; access to and availability of funding; or asset quality.

(c) Establishment of Goals. The Committee shall establish the performance goals in writing either before the beginning of the performance period or during a period ending no later than the earlier of (i) 90 days after the beginning of the performance period or (ii) the date on which 25% of the performance period has been completed, or such other date as may be required or permitted under applicable regulations under section 162(m) of the Code. The performance goals shall satisfy the requirements for "qualified performance-based compensation," including the requirement that the achievement of the goals be substantially uncertain at the time they are established and that the goals be established in such a way that a third party with knowledge of the relevant facts could determine whether and to what extent the performance goals have been met. The Committee shall not have discretion to increase the amount of compensation that is payable upon achievement of the designated performance goals.

(d) Maximum Payment. The maximum number of shares of Company Stock that may be subject to Grants made to an individual during a calendar year shall not exceed the individual limit set forth in Section 3(a) of the Plan. If Dividend Equivalents are granted as "qualified performance based compensation," the maximum amount of Dividend Equivalents that may be credited to the Employee's account in a calendar year is $250,000.

(e) Announcement of Grants. The Committee shall certify and announce the results for each performance period to all Grantees immediately following the announcement of the Company's financial results for the performance period. If and to the extent that the Committee does not certify that the performance goals have been met, the grants of Stock Awards, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents or Other Equity Awards for the performance period shall be forfeited or shall not be made, as applicable. Any Grants that are to be paid as a result of achievement of performance goals shall be paid as specified in the Grant Instrument.

(f) Death, Disability or Other Circumstances. The Committee may provide that Stock Awards, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents or Other Equity Awards shall be payable or restrictions on Stock Awards shall lapse, in whole or in part, in the event of the Grantee's death or Disability during the Performance Period, or under other circumstances consistent with the Treasury regulations and rulings under section 162(m) of the Code.

SECTION 13 Deferrals

The Committee may permit or require a Grantee to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares that would otherwise be due to such Grantee in connection with any Grant. If any such deferral election is permitted or required, the Committee shall establish rules and procedures for such deferrals.

SECTION 14 Withholding of Taxes

(a) Required Withholding. All Grants under the Plan shall be subject to applicable federal (including FICA), state and local tax withholding requirements. The Employer may

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require that the Grantee or other person receiving or exercising Grants pay to the Employer the amount of any federal, state or local taxes that the Employer is required to withhold with respect to such Grants, or the Employer may deduct from other wages paid by the Employer the amount of any withholding taxes due with respect to such Grants.

(b) Election to Withhold Shares. If the Committee so permits, a Grantee may elect to satisfy the Employer's tax withholding obligation with respect to Grants paid in Company Stock by having shares withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the minimum applicable withholding tax rate for federal (including FICA), state and local tax liabilities. The election must be in a form and manner prescribed by the Committee and may be subject to the prior approval of the Committee.

SECTION 15 Transferability of Grants

(a) Nontransferability of Grants. Except as provided below, only the Grantee may exercise rights under a Grant during the Grantee's lifetime. A Grantee may not transfer those rights except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or (ii) with respect to Grants other than Incentive Stock Options, if permitted in any specific case by the Committee, pursuant to a domestic relations order or otherwise as permitted by the Committee. When a Grantee dies, the personal representative or other person entitled to succeed to the rights of the Grantee may exercise such rights. Any such successor must furnish proof satisfactory to the Company of his or her right to receive the Grant under the Grantee's will or under the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

(b) Transfer of Nonqualified Stock Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may provide, in a Grant Instrument, that a Grantee may transfer Nonqualified Stock Options to family members, or one or more trusts or other entities for the benefit of or owned by family members, consistent with the applicable securities laws, according to such terms as the Committee may determine; provided that the Grantee receives no consideration for the transfer of an Option and the transferred Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the Option immediately before the transfer.

SECTION 16 Change of Control of the Company

As used herein, a "Change of 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 Exchange Act) becomes a "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 40% of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company; provided that a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur as a result of the initial public offering of the Company Stock and a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur as a result of a transaction in which the Company becomes a subsidiary of another corporation and in which the shareholders of the Company, immediately prior to the transaction, will beneficially own, immediately after the transaction, shares entitling such shareholders to more than 40% of all votes to which all shareholders of the parent corporation would be entitled in the election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by a separate class vote);

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(b) The consummation of (i) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation where the shareholders of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such shareholders to more than 40% of all votes to which all shareholders of the surviving corporation would be entitled in the election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by a separate class vote), (ii) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or
(iii) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(c) After the date on which this Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company, directors are elected such that a majority of the members of the Board shall have been members of the Board for less than two years, unless the election or nomination for election of each new director who was not a director at the beginning of such two-year period was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period.

SECTION 17 Consequences of a Change of Control

(a) Notice and Acceleration. Upon a Change of Control (i) the Company shall provide each Grantee with outstanding Grants written notice of such Change of Control, (ii) all outstanding Options and SARs shall automatically accelerate and become fully exercisable, (iii) the restrictions and conditions on all outstanding Stock Awards shall immediately lapse, and (iv) all Grantees holding Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents and Other Equity Awards shall receive a payment in settlement of such Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents and Other Equity Awards in an amount determined by the Committee.

(b) Assumption of Grants. Upon a Change of Control where the Company is not the surviving corporation (or survives only as a subsidiary of another corporation), unless the Committee determines otherwise, all outstanding Options and SARs that are not exercised shall be assumed by, or replaced with comparable options or rights by, the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation), and other outstanding Grants shall be converted to similar grants of the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation).

(c) Other Alternatives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change of Control, unless the Grantee's employment agreement, if any, with the Employer provides otherwise, the Committee may take one or both of the following actions with respect to any or all outstanding Options and SARs: the Committee may (i) require that Grantees surrender their outstanding Options and SARs in exchange for a payment by the Company, in cash or Company Stock as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to the amount by which the then Fair Market Value of the shares of Company Stock subject to the Grantee's unexercised Options and SARs exceeds the Exercise Price of the Options or the base amount of the SARs, as applicable, or (ii) after giving Grantees an opportunity to exercise their outstanding Options and SARs, terminate any or all unexercised Options and SARs at such time as the Committee deems appropriate. Such surrender or termination shall take place as of the date of the Change of Control or such other date as the Committee may specify.

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SECTION 18 Limitations On Issuance Or Transfer Of Shares

No Company Stock shall be issued or transferred in connection with any Grant hereunder unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the issuance or transfer of such Company Stock have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Committee. The Committee shall have the right to condition any Grant made to any Grantee hereunder on such Grantee's undertaking in writing to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent disposition of such shares of Company Stock as the Committee shall deem necessary or advisable, and certificates representing such shares may be legended to reflect any such restrictions. Certificates representing shares of Company Stock issued or transferred under the Plan will be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as may be required by applicable laws, regulations and interpretations, including any requirement that a legend be placed thereon.

SECTION 19 Amendment and Termination of the Plan

(a) Amendment. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however, that the Board shall not amend the Plan without shareholder approval if such approval is required in order to comply with the Code or applicable laws or to comply with applicable stock exchange requirements.

(b) Shareholder Approval for "Qualified Performance-Based Compensation". If Stock Awards, Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents or Other Equity Awards are granted as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 12 above, the Plan must be reapproved by the shareholders no later than the first shareholders meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the shareholders previously approved the provisions of Section 12, if required by section 162(m) of the Code or the regulations thereunder.

(c) Termination of Plan. The Plan shall terminate on the day immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of its effective date, unless the Plan is terminated earlier by the Board or is extended by the Board with the approval of the shareholders.

(d) Termination and Amendment of Outstanding Grants. A termination or amendment of the Plan that occurs after a Grant is made shall not materially impair the rights of a Grantee unless the Grantee consents or unless the Committee acts under Section 25(b). The termination of the Plan shall not impair the power and authority of the Committee with respect to an outstanding Grant. Whether or not the Plan has terminated, an outstanding Grant may be terminated or amended under Section 25(b) or may be amended by agreement of the Company and the Grantee consistent with the Plan. However, no previously granted Option may be repriced, replaced or regranted through cancellation or by lowering the Exercise Price, unless the shareholders of the Company provide prior approval.

(e) Governing Document. The Plan shall be the controlling document. No other statements, representations, explanatory materials or examples, oral or written, may amend the Plan in any manner. The Plan shall be binding upon and enforceable against the Company and its successors and assigns.

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SECTION 20 Funding of the Plan

This Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure the payment of any Grants under this Plan.

SECTION 21 Rights of Participants

Nothing in this Plan shall entitle any Employee, Key Advisor, Non-Employee Director or other person to any claim or right to be granted a Grant under this Plan. Neither this Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any individual any rights to be retained by or in the employ of the Employer or any other employment rights.

SECTION 22 No Fractional Shares

No fractional shares of Company Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Grant. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

SECTION 23 Headings

Section headings are for reference only. In the event of a conflict between a title and the content of a Section, the content of the Section shall control.

SECTION 24 Effective Date of the Plan

The Plan shall be effective on October 12, 2003.

SECTION 25 Miscellaneous

(a) Grants in Connection with Corporate Transactions and Otherwise. Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed to (i) limit the right of the Committee to make Grants under this Plan in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business or assets of any corporation, firm or association, including Grants to employees thereof who become Employees, or for other proper corporate purposes, or (ii) limit the right of the Company to grant stock options or make other awards outside of this Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may make a Grant to an employee of another corporation who becomes an Employee by reason of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or property, reorganization or liquidation involving the Company, the parent or any of their subsidiaries in substitution for a stock option or stock awards grant made by such corporation. The terms and conditions of the substitute grants may vary from the terms and conditions required by the Plan and from those of the substituted stock incentives. The Committee shall prescribe the provisions of the substitute grants.

(b) Compliance with Law. The Plan, the exercise of Options and SARs and the obligations of the Company to issue or transfer shares of Company Stock under Grants shall be subject to all applicable laws and to approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may

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be required. After a public offering of the Company's Stock, with respect to persons subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that the Plan and all transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. In addition, it is the intent of the Company that the Plan and applicable Grants under the Plan comply with the applicable provisions of section 162(m) (after a public offering of the Company's Stock) and section 422 of the Code. To the extent that any legal requirement of section 16 of the Exchange Act or section 162(m) or 422 of the Code as set forth in the Plan ceases to be required under section 16 of the Exchange Act or section 162(m) or 422 of the Code, that Plan provision shall cease to apply. The Committee may revoke any Grant if it is contrary to law or modify a Grant to bring it into compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation. The Committee may agree to limit its authority under this Section.

(c) Employees Subject to Taxation Outside the United States. With respect to Grantees who are subject to taxation in countries other than the United States, the Committee may make Grants on such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate to comply with the laws of the applicable countries, and the Committee may create such procedures, addenda and subplans and make such modifications as may be necessary or advisable to comply with such laws.

(d) Employment Agreements. If a Grantee has entered into an employment agreement with the Employer, the terms of the Grantee's employment agreement shall govern Grants made to the Grantee under the Plan, to the extent consistent with the terms of the Plan.

(e) Governing Law. The validity, construction, interpretation and effect of the Plan and Grant Instruments issued under the Plan shall be governed and construed by and determined in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

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Exhibit 10.2

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

2003 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.       PURPOSE OF THE PLAN................................    1

II.      DEFINITIONS........................................    1

III.     ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.........................    4

IV.      STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN..............................    4

V.       OFFERING PERIODS...................................    4

VI.      ELIGIBILITY........................................    5

VII.     PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS.................................    5

VIII.    PURCHASE RIGHTS....................................    6

IX.      ACCRUAL LIMITATIONS................................    9

X.       EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN................   10

XI.      AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN..............................   10

XII.     GENERAL PROVISIONS.................................   11

SCHEDULE A..................................................  A-1

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I. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

The Plan (as defined in Article II) is intended to promote the interests of the Company (as defined in Article II) by providing eligible employees of a Participating Employer (as defined in Article II) with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company through participation in a payroll deduction-based employee stock purchase plan designed to qualify under section 423 of the Code. The Plan is not intended and shall not be construed as constituting an "employee benefit plan," within the meaning of section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

II. DEFINITIONS

A. "Board" shall mean the Company's Board of Directors.

B. "Change in Control" shall mean a change in ownership of the Company pursuant to any of the following transactions:

(i) Any "person" (as such term is used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes a "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 40% of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company; provided that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur as a result of the initial public offering of the Common Stock and a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur as a result of a transaction in which the Company becomes a subsidiary of another corporation and in which the shareholders of the Company, immediately prior to the transaction, will beneficially own, immediately after the transaction, shares entitling such shareholders to more than 40% of all votes to which all shareholders of the parent corporation would be entitled in the election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by a separate class vote);

(ii) The consummation of (A) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation where the shareholders of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such shareholders to more than 40% of all votes to which all shareholders of the surviving corporation would be entitled in the election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by a separate class vote), (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (C) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(iii) After the date on which this Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company, directors are elected such that a majority of the members of the Board shall have been members of the Board for less than two years, unless the election or nomination for election of each new director who was not a director at the beginning of such two-year period was approved by a vote of

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at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period.

C. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

D. "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company.

E. "Company Affiliate" shall mean any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company (as determined in accordance with section 424 of the Code), whether now existing or subsequently established.

F. "Company" shall mean Marlin Business Services Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation, and any corporate successor to all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of Marlin Business Services Corp. that shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.

G. "Compensation" shall mean (i) the regular base salary paid to a Participant by one or more Participating Employers during the Participant's period of participation in one or more offering periods under the Plan plus (ii) all overtime payments, commissions, profit-sharing distributions or other incentive-type payments received during such period. Such Compensation shall be calculated before deduction of (A) any income or employment tax withholdings or (B) any contributions made by the Participant to any section 401(k) of the Code salary deferral plan or any section 125 of the Code cafeteria benefit program now or hereafter established by the Company or any Company Affiliate. However, Compensation shall NOT include any contributions made by the Company or any Company Affiliate on the Participant's behalf to any employee benefit or welfare plan now or hereafter established (other than section 401(k) of the Code or section 125 of the Code contributions deducted from such Compensation).

H. "Effective Time" shall mean the time at which the Underwriting Agreement is executed and the Common Stock is priced for the initial public offering of such Common Stock. Any Company Affiliate that becomes a Participating Employer after such Effective Time shall designate an effective date with respect to its employee-Participants.

I. "Eligible Employee" shall mean any person who is employed by a Participating Employer on a basis under which he or she is regularly expected to render more than twenty (20) hours of service per week for more than five (5) months per calendar year for earnings considered wages under section 3401(a) of the Code.

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

K. "Fair Market Value" per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question, as such price is reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq National Market and

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published in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

(ii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any Stock Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question on the Stock Exchange determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange and published in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

(iii) For purposes of the initial offering period that begins at the Effective Time, the Fair Market Value shall be deemed to be equal to the price per share at which the Common Stock is sold in the initial public offering pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

L. "1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

M. "Participant" shall mean any Eligible Employee of a Participating Employer who is actively participating in the Plan.

N. "Participating Employer" shall mean the Company and such Company Affiliate(s) as may be authorized from time to time by the Board to extend the benefits of the Plan to their Eligible Employees. The Participating Employers in the Plan are listed in the attached Schedule A.

O. "Plan" shall mean the Marlin Business Services Corp. 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as set forth in this document.

P. "Plan Administrator" shall mean the committee of two (2) or more Board members appointed by the Board to administer the Plan or such other committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

Q. "Purchase Date" shall mean the last business day of each Purchase Interval. The initial Purchase Date shall be June 30, 2004.

R. "Purchase Interval" shall mean each successive six (6)-month period within a particular offering period at the end of which there shall be purchased shares of Common Stock on behalf of each Participant.

S. "Stock Exchange" shall mean either the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange.

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T. "Underwriting Agreement" shall mean the agreement between the Company and the underwriter or underwriters managing the initial public offering of the Common Stock.

III. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

The Plan Administrator shall have full discretionary authority to interpret and construe any provision of the Plan and to adopt such rules and regulations for administering the Plan as it may deem necessary in order to comply with the requirements of section 423 of the Code. Decisions of the Plan Administrator shall be final and binding on all parties having an interest in the Plan. As a condition of participating in the Plan, all Participants must acknowledge, in writing or by completing the enrollment forms to participate in the Plan, that all decisions and determinations of the Plan Administrator shall be final and binding on the Participant, his or her beneficiaries and any other person having or claiming an interest under the Plan on behalf of the Participant.

IV. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

A. The stock purchasable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares of Common Stock purchased on the open market. The number of shares of Common Stock initially reserved for issuance over the term of the Plan shall be limited to 200,000 shares.

B. Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Company's receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made to
(i) the maximum number and class of securities issuable under the Plan, (ii) the maximum number and class of securities purchasable per Participant on any one Purchase Date, (iii) the maximum number and class of securities purchasable in total by all Participants on any one Purchase Date, and (iv) the number and class of securities and the price per share in effect under each outstanding purchase right, in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of benefits thereunder.

V. OFFERING PERIODS

A. Shares of Common Stock shall be offered for purchase under the Plan through a series of overlapping offering periods until such time as (i) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall have been purchased or (ii) the Plan shall have been sooner terminated.

B. Each offering period shall be of such duration (not to exceed twelve
(12) months) as determined by the Plan Administrator prior to the start date of such offering period. Offering periods shall commence at six (6) month intervals on the first business day of January and July each year over the term of the Plan. Accordingly, two (2) separate offering periods shall commence in each calendar year the Plan remains in existence. However, the initial offering period shall commence at the Effective Time and terminate on the last business day in December 2004.

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C. Each offering period shall consist of a series of one or more successive Purchase Intervals. Purchase Intervals shall run from the first business day in January to the last business day in June each year and from the first business day in July to the last business day in December each year. However, the first Purchase Interval in effect under the initial offering period shall commence at the Effective Time and terminate on the last business day in June 2004.

D. Should the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any Purchase Date within a particular offering period be less than the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the start date of that offering period, then the individuals participating in such offering period shall, immediately after the purchase of shares of Common Stock on their behalf on such Purchase Date, be transferred from that offering period and automatically enrolled in the next offering period commencing after such Purchase Date.

VI. ELIGIBILITY

A. Each individual who is an Eligible Employee on the start date of any offering period under the Plan may enter that offering period on such start date. However, an Eligible Employee may participate in only one offering period at a time. For the initial offering period commencing at the Effective Time, each individual who is an Eligible Employee at that time shall automatically be enrolled as a Participant with a contribution rate equal to ten percent (10%) of his or her Compensation.

B. Except as otherwise provided in Sections V.D and VI.A. above, an Eligible Employee must, in order to participate in the Plan for a particular offering period, complete the enrollment forms prescribed by the Plan Administrator (including a stock purchase agreement and a payroll deduction authorization) and file such forms with the Plan Administrator (or its designate) at such time on or before the start date of that offering period, as determined by the Plan Administrator.

VII. PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS

A. The payroll deduction authorized by the Participant for purposes of acquiring shares of Common Stock during an offering period may be any multiple of one percent (1%) of the Compensation paid to the Participant during each Purchase Interval within that offering period, up to a maximum of ten percent (10%). The deduction rate so authorized shall continue in effect throughout the offering period, except to the extent such rate is changed in accordance with the following guidelines:

(i) The Participant may, at any time during the offering period, reduce his or her rate of payroll deduction (or, to the extent applicable, the percentage of Compensation to serve as his or her lump sum contribution for the initial Purchase Interval of the first offering period) to become effective as soon as possible after filing the appropriate form with the Plan Administrator. The Participant may not, however, effect more than one (1) such reduction per Purchase Interval.

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(ii) The Participant may, prior to the commencement of any new Purchase Interval within the offering period, increase the rate of his or her payroll deduction by filing the appropriate form with the Plan Administrator. The new rate (which may not exceed the ten percent (10%) maximum) shall become effective on the start date of the first Purchase Interval following the filing of such form.

B. Payroll deductions shall begin on the first pay day administratively feasible following the start date of the offering period and shall (unless sooner terminated by the Participant) continue through the pay day ending with or immediately prior to the last day of that offering period. The amounts so collected shall be credited to the Participant's book account under the Plan, but no interest shall be paid on the balance from time to time outstanding in such account. The amounts collected from the Participant shall not be required to be held in any segregated account or trust fund and may be commingled with the general assets of the Company and used for general corporate purposes.

C. For the initial Purchase Interval of the first offering period under the Plan, no payroll deductions shall be required of the Participant until such time as the Participant affirmatively elects to commence such payroll deductions following his or her receipt of the 1993 Act prospectus for the Plan. In the absence of such payroll deductions, if the Participant elects to have shares of Common Stock purchased on his or her behalf on the Purchase Date for that initial Purchase Interval, the Participant will be required to contribute the applicable percentage of his or her Compensation to the Plan in a lump sum payment immediately prior to the close of that Purchase Interval.

D. Payroll deductions shall automatically cease upon the termination of the Participant's purchase right in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

E. The Participant's acquisition of Common Stock under the Plan on any Purchase Date shall neither limit nor require the Participant's acquisition of Common Stock on any subsequent Purchase Date, whether within the same or a different offering period.

VIII. PURCHASE RIGHTS

A. Grant of Purchase Rights. A Participant shall be granted a separate purchase right for each offering period in which he or she is enrolled. The purchase right shall be granted on the start date of the offering period and shall provide the Participant with the right to purchase shares of Common Stock, in a series of successive installments during that offering period, upon the terms set forth below. The Participant shall execute a stock purchase agreement embodying such terms and such other provisions (not inconsistent with the Plan) as the Plan Administrator may deem advisable.

Under no circumstances shall purchase rights be granted under the Plan to any Eligible Employee if such individual would, immediately after the grant, own (within the meaning of section 424(d) of the Code) or hold outstanding options or other rights to purchase,

7

stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Company Affiliate.

B. Exercise of the Purchase Right. Each purchase right shall be automatically exercised in installments on each successive Purchase Date within the offering period, and shares of Common Stock shall accordingly be purchased on behalf of each Participant on each such Purchase Date. The purchase shall be effected by applying the Participant's payroll deductions (or, to the extent applicable, his or her lump sum contribution) for the Purchase Interval ending on such Purchase Date to the purchase of whole shares of Common Stock at the purchase price in effect for the Participant for that Purchase Date.

C. Purchase Price. The purchase price per share at which Common Stock will be purchased on the Participant's behalf on each Purchase Date within the particular offering period in which he or she is enrolled shall be equal to, unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise prior to the beginning of the particular offering period, ninety-five percent (95%) of the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the start date of that offering period or (ii) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on that Purchase Date.

D. Number of Purchasable Shares. The number of shares of Common Stock purchasable by a Participant on each Purchase Date during the particular offering period in which he or she is enrolled shall be the number of whole shares obtained by dividing the amount collected from the Participant through payroll deductions during the Purchase Interval ending with that Purchase Date (or, to the extent applicable, his or her lump sum contribution for that Purchase Interval) by the purchase price in effect for the Participant for that Purchase Date. However, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock purchasable per Participant on any one Purchase Date shall not exceed 900 shares, subject to periodic adjustments in the event of certain changes in the Company's capitalization. In addition, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock purchasable in total by all Participants in the Plan on any one Purchase Date shall not exceed 50,000 shares, subject to periodic adjustments in the event of certain changes in the Company's capitalization. However, the Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority, exercisable prior to the start of any offering period under the Plan, to increase or decrease the limitations to be in effect for the number of shares purchasable per Participant and in total by all Participants enrolled in that particular offering period on each Purchase Date which occurs during that offering period.

E. Excess Payroll Deductions. Any payroll deductions not applied to the purchase of shares of Common Stock on any Purchase Date because they are not sufficient to purchase a whole share of Common Stock shall be held for the purchase of Common Stock on the next Purchase Date. However, any payroll deductions not applied to the purchase of Common Stock by reason of the limitation on the maximum number of shares purchasable per Participant or in total by all Participants on the Purchase Date shall be promptly refunded.

F. Suspension of Payroll Deductions. In the event that a Participant is, by reason of the accrual limitations in Article IX, precluded from purchasing additional shares of Common Stock on one or more Purchase Dates during the offering period in which he or she is enrolled, then no further payroll deductions shall be collected from such Participant with respect to those

8

Purchase Dates. The suspension of such deductions shall not terminate the Participant's purchase right for the offering period in which he or she is enrolled, and payroll deductions shall automatically resume on behalf of such Participant once he or she is again able to purchase shares during that offering period in compliance with the accrual limitations of Article IX.

G. Withdrawal from Offering Period. The following provisions shall govern the Participant's withdrawal from an offering period:

(i) A Participant may withdraw from the offering period in which he or she is enrolled at any time prior to the next scheduled Purchase Date by filing the appropriate form with the Plan Administrator (or its designate), and no further payroll deductions shall be collected from the Participant with respect to that offering period. Any payroll deductions collected during the Purchase Interval in which such withdrawal occurs shall, at the Participant's election, be immediately refunded or held for the purchase of shares on the next Purchase Date. If no such election is made at the time of such withdrawal, then the payroll deductions collected from the Participant during the Purchase Interval in which such withdrawal occurs shall be refunded as soon as possible.

(ii) The Participant's withdrawal from a particular offering period shall be irrevocable, and the Participant may not subsequently rejoin that offering period at a later date. In order to resume participation in any subsequent offering period, such individual must re-enroll in the Plan (by making a timely filing of the prescribed enrollment forms) on or before the start date of that offering period.

H. Termination of Purchase Right. Should the Participant cease to remain an Eligible Employee for any reason (including death, disability or change in status) while his or her purchase right remains outstanding, then that purchase right shall immediately terminate, and all of the Participant's payroll deductions for the Purchase Interval in which the purchase right so terminates shall be immediately refunded.

I. Change in Control. Each outstanding purchase right shall automatically be exercised, immediately prior to the effective date of any Change in Control, by applying the payroll deductions of each Participant for the Purchase Interval in which such Change in Control occurs to the purchase of whole shares of Common Stock at a purchase price per share equal to, unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise prior to the beginning of the particular offering period, ninety-five percent (95%) of the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the start date of the offering period in which such individual is enrolled at the time of such Change in Control or (ii) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control. However, the applicable limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable per Participant shall continue to apply to any such purchase, but not the limitation applicable to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock purchasable in total by all Participants on any one Purchase Date.

9

The Company shall use its best efforts to provide at least ten (10) days' prior written notice of the occurrence of any Change in Control, and Participants shall, following the receipt of such notice, have the right to terminate their outstanding purchase rights prior to the effective date of the Change in Control.

J. Proration of Purchase Rights. Should the total number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to outstanding purchase rights on any particular date exceed the number of shares then available for issuance under the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall make a pro-rata allocation of the available shares on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, and the payroll deductions of each Participant, to the extent in excess of the aggregate purchase price payable for the Common Stock pro-rated to such individual, shall be refunded.

K. Assignability. The purchase right shall be exercisable only by the Participant and shall not be assignable or transferable by the Participant.

L. Shareholder Rights. A Participant shall have no shareholder rights with respect to the shares subject to his or her outstanding purchase right until the shares are purchased on the Participant's behalf in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the Participant has become a holder of record of the purchased shares.

IX. ACCRUAL LIMITATIONS

A. No Participant shall be entitled to accrue rights to acquire Common Stock pursuant to any purchase right outstanding under this Plan if and to the extent such accrual, when aggregated with (i) rights to purchase Common Stock accrued under any other purchase right granted under this Plan and (ii) similar rights accrued under other employee stock purchase plans (within the meaning of section 423 of the Code)) of the Company or any Company Affiliate, would otherwise permit such Participant to purchase more than Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) worth of stock of the Company or any Company Affiliate (determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value per share on the date or dates such rights are granted) for each calendar year such rights are at any time outstanding.

B. For purposes of applying such accrual limitations to the purchase rights granted under the Plan, the following provisions shall be in effect:

(i) The right to acquire Common Stock under each outstanding purchase right shall accrue in a series of installments on each successive Purchase Date during the offering period in which such right remains outstanding.

(ii) No right to acquire Common Stock under any outstanding purchase right shall accrue to the extent the Participant has already accrued in the same calendar year the right to acquire Common Stock under one or more other purchase rights at a rate equal to Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) worth of Common Stock (determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value per share on the date or dates of grant) for each calendar year such rights were at any time outstanding.

10

C. If by reason of such accrual limitations, any purchase right of a Participant does not accrue for a particular Purchase Interval, then the payroll deductions that the Participant made during that Purchase Interval with respect to such purchase right shall be promptly refunded.

D. In the event there is any conflict between the provisions of this Article and one or more provisions of the Plan or any instrument issued thereunder, the provisions of this Article shall be controlling.

X. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN

A. The Plan was adopted by the Board on October 12, 2003, and shall become effective at the Effective Time, provided no purchase rights granted under the Plan shall be exercised, and no shares of Common Stock shall be issued hereunder, until (i) the Plan shall have been approved by the shareholders of the Company and (ii) the Company shall have complied with all applicable requirements of the 1933 Act (including the registration of the shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan on a Form S-8 registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission), all applicable listing requirements of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if applicable) on which the Common Stock is listed for trading and all other applicable requirements established by law or regulation. In the event such shareholder approval is not obtained, or such compliance is not effected, within twelve (12) months after the date on which the Plan is adopted by the Board, the Plan shall terminate and have no further force or effect, and all sums collected from Participants during the initial offering period hereunder shall be refunded.

B. Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the Plan shall terminate upon the earliest of (i) the last business day in October 2013, (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have been sold pursuant to purchase rights exercised under the Plan or (iii) the date on which all purchase rights are exercised in connection with a Change in Control. No further purchase rights shall be granted or exercised, and no further payroll deductions shall be collected, under the Plan following such termination.

XI. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

A. The Board may alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time to become effective immediately following the close of any Purchase Interval. However, the Plan may be amended or terminated immediately upon Board action, if and to the extent necessary to assure that the Company will not recognize, for financial reporting purposes, any compensation expense in connection with the shares of Common Stock offered for purchase under the Plan, should the financial accounting rules applicable to the Plan at the Effective Time be subsequently revised so as to require the Company to recognize compensation expense in the absence of such amendment or termination.

B. In no event may the Board effect any of the following amendments or revisions to the Plan without the approval of the Company's shareholders: (i) increase the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan, except for permissible adjustments

11

in the event of certain changes in the Company's capitalization, (ii) alter the purchase price formula so as to reduce the purchase price payable for the shares of Common Stock purchasable under the Plan or (iii) modify the eligibility requirements for participation in the Plan.

XII. GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. All costs and expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company; however, each Plan Participant shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such individual in the sale or other disposition of any shares purchased under the Plan.

B. Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Company Affiliate for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company (or any Company Affiliate employing such person) or of the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate such person's employment at any time for any reason, with or without cause.

C. The provisions of the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without resort to that Commonwealth's conflict-of-laws rules.

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SCHEDULE A

PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS

Marlin Leasing Corporation

A-1

Exhibit 10.3

LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN

W9/MBC REAL ESTATE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership, AS LANDLORD,

AND

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, AS TENANT

DATED APRIL 9, 1998


1.    Lease Grant............................................................1

2.    Term...................................................................1

3.    Rent...................................................................1

      (a)   Basic Rent.......................................................1

      (b)   Payment..........................................................1

      (c)   Operating Costs..................................................2

4.    Delinquent Payment; Handling Charges...................................3

5.    Security Deposit.......................................................3

6.    Landlord's Obligations.................................................4

      (a)   Landlord's Obligations...........................................4

      (b)   Landlord's Right to Perform Tenant's Obligations.................4

7.    Improvements; Alterations; Repairs; Maintenance........................4

      (a)   Improvements; Alterations........................................4

      (b)   Repairs; Maintenance.............................................5

      (c)   Performance of Work..............................................5

      (d)   Mechanic's Liens.................................................5

      (e)   Environmental Compliance.........................................6

      (f)   Utilities........................................................7

      (g)   Landlord's Construction obligation...............................4

8.    Use....................................................................7

9.    Assignment and Subletting..............................................7

      (a)   Transfers: Consent...............................................7

      (b)   Cancellation.....................................................8

      (c)   Additional Compensation..........................................8

10.   Insurance; Waivers; Subrogation; Indemnity.............................8

      (a)   Insurance........................................................8

      (b)   Waiver of Negligence; No Subrogation.............................9

      (c)   Indemnity........................................................9

11. Subordination; Attornment; Notice to Landlord's Mortgage..............9

(a) Subordination...................................................10


      (b)   Attornment......................................................10

      (c)   Notice to Landlord's Mortgagee..................................10

      (d)   Landlord's Mortgagee's Protection Provisions....................10

12.   Rules and Regulations.................................................11

13.   Condemnation..........................................................11

      (a)   Total Taking....................................................11

      (b)   Partial Taking - Tenant's Rights................................11

      (c)   Partial Taking - Landlord's Rights..............................11

      (d)   Award...........................................................11

14.   Fire or Other Casualty................................................11

      (a)   Repair Estimate.................................................11

      (b)   Landlord's and Tenant's Rights..................................12

      (c)   Landlord's Rights...............................................12

      (d)   Repair Obligation...............................................12

15.   Personal Property Taxes...............................................12

16.   Events of Default.....................................................12

17.   Remedies..............................................................13

18.   Payment by Tenant; Non-Waiver.........................................14

      (a)   Payment by Tenant...............................................14

      (b)   No Waiver.......................................................14

19.   Waiver of Distraint...................................................15

20.   Surrender of Premises.................................................15

21.   Holding Over..........................................................15

22.   Certain Rights Reserved by Landlord...................................15

23.   Intentionally Deleted.................................................

24.   Miscellaneous.........................................................16

      (a)   Landlord Transfer...............................................16

      (b)   Landlord's Liability............................................16

      (c)   Force Majeure...................................................16

      (d)   Brokerage.......................................................16

      (e)   Estoppel Certificates...........................................16

      (f)   Notices.........................................................17

      (g)   Separability....................................................17

      (h)   Amendments; and Binding Effect..................................17

      (i)   Quiet Enjoyment.................................................17

      (j)   No Merger.......................................................17

      (k)   No Offer........................................................17

      (l)   Entire Agreement................................................17

      (m)   Waiver of Jury Trial............................................18

      (n)   Governing Law...................................................18

      (o)   Joint and Several Liability.....................................18

      (p)   Financial Reports...............................................18

      (q)   Landlord's Fees.................................................18

      (r)   Telecommunications..............................................18

      (s)   General Definitions.............................................18

      (t)   Confidentiality.................................................19

      (u)   Parking.........................................................19

      (v)   Effectiveness of Lease..........................................19

      (w)   List of Exhibits................................................19

25. Other Provisions......................................................19


LIST OF DEFINED TERMS

                                                                            Page

Additional Rent .............................................................1
Affiliate...................................................................18
Basic Rent...................................................................1
Building.....................................................................1
Casualty....................................................................11
Commencement Date............................................................1
Damage Notice...............................................................12
Event of Default............................................................13
Hazardous Substances.........................................................6
including...................................................................18
Interest Rate................................................................3
ISRA.........................................................................6
Landlord.....................................................................1
Landlord's Mortgagee........................................................10
Law.........................................................................18
Laws........................................................................18
Lease........................................................................1
Loss.........................................................................9
NJDEP........................................................................6
Operating Costs..............................................................2
Operating Costs and Tax Statement............................................3
Permitted Use................................................................7
Premises.....................................................................1
Proportionate Share..........................................................3
Rent.........................................................................1
Security Deposit.............................................................3
Taking......................................................................11
Taxes........................................................................3
Tenant.......................................................................1
Tenant Party................................................................18
Term.........................................................................1
Transfer.....................................................................7


LEASE

THIS LEASE AGREEMENT (this "Lease") is entered into as of April 9, 1998, between W9/MBC REAL ESTATE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership ("Landlord"), and MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Tenant").

1. Lease Grant. Subject to the terms of this Lease, Landlord leases to Tenant, and Tenant leases from Landlord, Suite No. 170 (the "Premises") as depicted in the plan attached hereto as Exhibit A in the office building (the "Building") located at 124 Gaither Drive, Mt. Laurel Township, Burlington County, New Jersey. The land on which the Building is located is described on Exhibit B attached hereto. The term "Building" includes the related land, driveways, parking facilities, and similar improvements. Tenant shall also have a non-exclusive license to use such driveways and parking facilities.

2. Term. The term of this Lease shall begin on the Commencement Date (defined hereunder) and shall expire at 5:00 p.m., July 31, 2001 (the "Term", which definition shall include all renewals of the initial Term). If the Commencement Date is not the first day of a calendar month, then the Term shall be extended by the number of days between the Commencement Date and the first day of the next month. The "Commencement Date" shall mean the date that is the first to occur of: (i) the date that Landlord receives a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for the Premises, and (ii) August 1, 1998. Tenant shall promptly execute and deliver to Landlord an Acknowledgment of Commencement Date in form reasonably requested by Landlord.

3. Rent.

(a) Basic Rent. "Basic Rent" (herein so called) shall be the following amounts for the following periods of time:

Time Period                         Monthly Basic Rent
Commencement Date - May 31, 1999      $12,271.00
June 1, 1999 - July 31 , 2000         $12,271.00
June 1, 2000- July 31, 2001           $12,271.00

(b) Payment. Tenant shall timely pay to Landlord Basic Rent and all additional sums to be paid by Tenant to Landlord under this Lease (collectively, the "Rent"), without deduction or set off, at Landlord's address provided for in this Lease or as otherwise specified by Landlord. Basic Rent, adjusted as herein provided, shall be payable monthly in advance, and shall be accompanied by all applicable state and local sales or use taxes. The first monthly installment of Basic Rent shall be payable contemporaneously with the execution of this Lease; thereafter, Basic Rent shall be payable on the first day of each month beginning on the first day of the second full calendar month of the Term. The monthly Basic Rent for any partial month at the beginning of the Term shall equal the product of 1/365 of the annual Basic Rent in


effect during the partial month and the number of days in the partial month from and after the Commencement Date, and shall be due on the Commencement Date.

(c) Operating Costs.

(1) Tenant shall pay as additional rent under this Lease ("Additional Rent") Tenant's Proportionate Share (defined hereunder) of Operating Costs. Landlord may make a good faith estimate of the Additional Rent to be due by Tenant for any calendar year or part thereof during the Term, and Tenant shall pay to Landlord, on the Commencement Date and on the first day of each calendar month thereafter, an amount equal to the estimated Additional Rent for such calendar year or part thereof divided by the number of months therein. From time to time, Landlord may estimate and re-estimate the Additional Rent to be due by Tenant and deliver a copy of the estimate or re-estimate to Tenant. Thereafter, the monthly installments of Additional Rent payable by Tenant shall be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the estimations so that, by the end of the calendar year in question, Tenant shall have paid all of the Additional Rent as estimated by Landlord. Any amounts paid based on such an estimate shall be subject to adjustment as herein provided when actual Operating Costs are available for each calendar year.

(2) The term "Operating Costs" shall mean all reasonable expenses and disbursements (subject to the limitations set forth below) that Landlord incurs in connection with' the ownership, operation, and maintenance of the Building, determined in accordance with sound accounting principles consistently applied, including, but not limited to, the following costs: (A) wages and salaries (including management fees) of all employees engaged in the operation, maintenance, and security of the Building, including taxes, insurance and benefits relating thereto; (B) all supplies and materials used in the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and security of the Building; (C) costs for improvements made to the Building which, although capital in nature, are expected to reduce the normal operating costs of the Building, as well as capital improvements made in order to comply with any law hereafter promulgated by any governmental authority, as amortized over the useful economic life of such improvements as determined by Landlord in its reasonable discretion, (D) cost of all utilities, except the cost of utilities reimbursable to Landlord by the Building's tenants other than pursuant to a provision similar to this
Section 3(c) (E) insurance expenses; (F) repairs, replacements, and general maintenance of the Building; and (G) service or maintenance contracts with independent contractors for the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, or security of the Building (including, without limitation, alarm service, window cleaning, and snow removal, if any).

Operating Costs shall not include costs for (i) capital improvements made to the Building, other than capital improvements described in Section
3.(c)(2)(C) and except for items which are generally considered maintenance and repair items, such as painting of common areas and the like; (ii) repair, replacements and general maintenance paid by proceeds of insurance or by Tenant or other third parties; (iii) interest, amortization or other payments on loans to Landlord; (iv) depreciation; (v) leasing commissions; (vi) legal expenses for services, other than those that benefit the Building tenants generally (e.g., tax disputes); (vii) renovating or otherwise improving space for occupants of the Building or vacant space in the Building; (viii) Taxes


(defined below), and (ix) federal income taxes imposed on or measured by the income of Landlord from the operation of the Building.

(3) Tenant shall also pay its Proportionate Share of the Taxes for each year and partial year falling within the Term, which shall be determined by multiplying the aggregate Taxes by Tenant's Proportionate Share. Tenant shall pay its Proportionate Share of Taxes in the same manner as provided above for Additional Rent with regard to Operating Costs. "Taxes" shall mean taxes, assessments, and governmental charges whether federal, state, county or municipal, and whether they be by taxing districts or authorities presently taxing or by others, subsequently created or otherwise, and any other taxes and assessments attributable to the Building (or its operation), excluding, however, penalties and interest thereon and federal and state taxes on income (if the present method of taxation changes so that in lieu of the whole or any part of any Taxes, there is levied on Landlord a capital tax directly on the rents received therefrom or a franchise tax, assessment, or charge based, in whole or in part, upon such rents for the Building, then all such taxes, assessments, or charges, or the part thereof so based, shall be deemed to be included within the term "Taxes" for purposes hereof). Taxes shall include the reasonable costs of consultants retained in an effort to lower taxes and all reasonable costs incurred in disputing any taxes or in seeking to lower the tax valuation of the Building.

(4) By April 1 of each calendar year, or as soon thereafter as practicable, Landlord shall furnish to Tenant a statement of Operating Costs for the previous year, adjusted as provided in Section 3.(c)(5), and of the Taxes for the previous year (the "Operating Costs and Tax Statement"). If the Operating Costs and Tax Statement reveals that Tenant paid more for Operating Costs than the actual amount for the year for which such statement was prepared, or more than its actual share of Taxes for such year, then Landlord shall promptly credit or reimburse Tenant for such excess; likewise, if Tenant paid less than Tenant's actual Proportionate Share of Additional Rent or share of Taxes due, then Tenant shall promptly pay Landlord such deficiency.

(5) As used herein, Tenant's "Proportionate Share" shall be 15%, which is the percentage obtained by dividing the rentable square feet of area in the Premises, which is stipulated to be 12,271 rentable square feet by the total number of square feet of area in the Building, which is stipulated to be 79,635 rentable square feet.

4. Delinquent Payment; Handling Charges. All past due payments required of Tenant hereunder shall bear interest from the date due until paid at the lesser of 18% per annum (the "Interest Rate") or the maximum lawful rate of interest; additionally, after Landlord has delivered to Tenant written notice of its failure to pay rent when due, then Landlord may without delivering to Tenant notice of such delinquency, charge Tenant a fee equal to 5% of any future delinquent payment during the 12-month period following such delinquency to reimburse Landlord for its cost and inconvenience incurred as a consequence of Tenant's delinquency. In no event, however, shall the charges permitted under this Section 4 or elsewhere in this Lease, to the extent they are considered to be interest under law, exceed the maximum lawful rate of interest.

5. Security Deposit. Contemporaneously with the execution of this Lease, Tenant shall pay to Landlord $12,271.00 (the "Security Deposit"), which shall be held by Landlord to


secure Tenant's performance of its obligations under this Lease. The Security Deposit is not an advance payment of Rent or a measure or limit of Landlord's damages upon an Event of Default (defined in Section 16). Landlord may, from time to time and without prejudice to any other remedy, use all or a part of the Security Deposit to perform any obligation Tenant fails to perform hereunder. Following any such application of the Security Deposit, Tenant shall pay to Landlord on demand the amount so applied in order to restore the Security Deposit to its original amount. Provided that Tenant has performed all of its obligations hereunder, Landlord shall, within 30 days after the Term ends, return to Tenant the portion of the Security Deposit which was not applied to satisfy Tenant's obligations. The Security Deposit may be commingled with other funds, and no interest shall be paid thereon. If Landlord transfers its interest in the Premises and the transferee assumes Landlord's obligations under this Lease, then Landlord may assign the Security Deposit to the transferee and Landlord thereafter shall have no further liability for the return of the Security Deposit.

6. Landlord's Obligations

(a) Landlord's Obligations. This Lease is intended to be a net lease; accordingly, Landlord's maintenance obligations are limited to the replacement of the Building's roof and maintenance of the foundation and structural members of exterior walls (the "Buildings Structure") and the maintenance of parking areas, driveways, alleys and grounds surrounding the Building, including the maintenance of the exterior of the Building and rail tracks serving the Building; Landlord shall not be responsible for (1) any such work until Tenant notifies Landlord of the need therefor in writing or (2) for alterations to the Building's Structure required by applicable law because of Tenant's use of the Premises (which alterations shall be Tenant's responsibility). [The Building's Structure does not include skylights, windows, glass or plate glass, doors, special fronts, or office entries, all of which shall be maintained by Tenant. Landlord's liability for any defects, repairs, replacement or maintenance for which Landlord is specifically responsible for under this Lease shall be limited to the cost of performing the work unless such liability is due to Landlord's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(b) Landlord's Right to Perform Tenant's Obligations. Landlord may, at its option, perform Tenant's maintenance, repair, and replacement obligations and any other items that are Tenant's obligation pursuant to Section 7 if Tenant fails to do so within five (5) days of the date Tenant receives notice of the necessity to perform such maintenance, repair, or replacement. Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the cost incurred in so doing within ten (10) days after being invoiced therefor.

(c) Construction. Landlord's obligation to construct improvements in the Premises for Tenant's occupancy shall be limited to those obligations, if any, specifically set forth on Exhibit D hereto.

7. Improvements; Alterations; Repairs; Maintenance.

(a) Improvements; Alterations. Improvements to the Premises shall be installed at Tenant's expense only in accordance with plans and specifications which have been previously submitted to and approved in writing by Landlord. No alterations or physical additions in or to the Premises may be made without Landlord's prior written consent, which


shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; however, Landlord may withhold its consent to any alteration or addition that would affect the Building's structure or its HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems. Tenant shall not paint or install lighting or decorations, signs, window or door lettering, or advertising media of any type on or about the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord. All alterations, additions, or improvements made in or upon the Premises shall, at Landlord's option, either be removed by Tenant prior to the end of the Term (and Tenant shall repair all damage caused thereby), or shall remain on the Premises at the end of the Term without compensation to Tenant. All alterations, additions, and improvements shall be constructed, maintained, and used by Tenant, at its risk and expense, in accordance with all Laws (defined hereunder); Landlord's approval of the plans and specifications therefor shall not be a representation by Landlord that such alterations, additions, or improvements comply with any Law.

(b) Repairs; Maintenance. Tenant shall maintain all parts of the Premises in a good condition and promptly make all necessary repairs and replacements to the Premises, excepting only that work which Landlord is expressly responsible for pursuant to Section 6.(a). Tenant shall maintain the HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems in the Premises (collectively, the "Building Systems") in good repair and condition in accordance with applicable law and the equipment manufacturer's suggested service programs. Landlord warrants that as of the Commencement Date, the Building Systems shall be in good operating condition. If Landlord so directs, Tenant shall enter into a preventive maintenance/service contract with a maintenance contractor approved by Landlord for servicing all air conditioning, heating, ventilating and other equipment located within or serving the Premises.

(c) Performance of Work. All work described in this Section 7 shall be performed only by Landlord or by contractors and subcontractors approved in writing by Landlord. Tenant shall cause all contractors and subcontractors to procure and maintain insurance coverage naming Landlord as an additional insured against such risks, in such amounts, and with such companies as Landlord may reasonably require. All such work shall be performed in accordance with all Laws and in a good and workmanlike manner so as not to damage the Premises, the Building, or the components thereof.

(d) Mechanic's Liens. Tenant shall not permit any mechanic's liens to be filed against the Premises or the Building for any work performed, materials furnished, or obligation incurred by or at the request of Tenant. If such a lien is filed, then Tenant shall, within ten days after Landlord has delivered notice of the filing thereof to Tenant, either pay the amount of the lien or diligently contest such, lien and deliver to Landlord a bond or other security reasonably satisfactory to Landlord. If Tenant fails to timely take either such action, then Landlord may pay the lien claim, and any amounts so paid, including expenses and interest, shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord within ten days after Landlord has invoiced Tenant therefor. All materialmen, contractors, artisans, mechanics, laborers, and any other persons now or hereafter contracting with Tenant or any contractor or subcontractor of Tenant for the furnishing of any labor services, materials, supplies, or equipment with respect to any portion of the Premises, at any time from the date hereof until the end of the Term of this Lease, are hereby charged with notice that they look exclusively to Tenant to obtain payment for same. Nothing


contained herein shall be deemed as consent by Landlord to any liens being placed upon the Building due to any work performed by or for Tenant.

(e) Environmental Compliance

(1) Tenant acknowledges the existence of environmental laws, rules and regulations, including the provisions of ISRA (defined below ). Tenant shall comply with any and all such laws, rules and regulations. Tenant represents to Landlord that Tenant's Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Number as designated in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual prepared by the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President of the United States will not subject the Premises to ISRA applicability. Any change by Tenant to an operation with an SIC Number subject to ISRA shall require Landlord's written consent. Any such proposed change shall be sent in writing to Landlord sixty (60) days prior to the proposed change. Landlord, at its sole option, may deny consent.

(2) Tenant agrees to execute such documents as Landlord reasonably deems necessary and to make such applications as Landlord reasonably requires to assure compliance with ISRA. Tenant shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by Landlord associated with any required ISRA compliance resulting from Tenant's use of the Premises including state agency fees, engineering fees, clean-up costs, filing fees and suretyship expenses. As used in this Lease, ISRA compliance shall include applications for determinations of nonapplicability by the appropriate governmental authority. The foregoing undertaking shall survive the termination or sooner expiration of this Lease and surrender of the Premises and shall also survive sale, or lease or assignment of the Premises by Landlord. Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from any violation of ISRA occasioned by Tenant's use of the Premises. The Tenant shall immediately provide Landlord with copies of all correspondence, reports, notices, orders, findings, declarations and other materials pertinent to Tenant's compliance and the requirements of the `New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("NJDEP") under ISRA as they are issued or received by Tenant.

(3) Tenant agrees not to generate, store, manufacture, refine, transport, treat, dispose of or otherwise permit to be present on or about the Premises, any Hazardous Substances. As used herein, "Hazardous Substances" shall be defined as any "hazardous chemical," "hazardous substance" or similar term as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility Compensation and Liability Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 9601, et seq. the New Jersey Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act, as amended, N.J.S.A. 13:1K-6 et seq. and/or the Industrial Site Recovery Act ("ISRA"), the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act, as amended, N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11b, et seq. any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or in any other applicable federal, state or local law, rule or regulation dealing with environmental protection. The provisions contained in this Section shall be applicable notwithstanding the fact that any substance shall not be deemed to be a Hazardous Substance at the time of its use by Tenant but shall thereafter be deemed to be a Hazardous Substance.

(4) If Tenant fails to comply with ISRA as stated in this Section or any other governmental law as of the termination or sooner expiration of this Lease and as a consequence thereof Landlord is unable to rent the Premises, then Landlord shall treat Tenant as one who has not removed at the end of its Term, and thereupon be entitled to all remedies against


Tenant provided by law in that situation including a monthly rental of two hundred (200%) percent of the monthly Basic Rent for the last month of the Term of this Lease or any renewal term, payable in advance on the first day of each month, until such time as Tenant provides Landlord with a negative declaration or confirmation that any required clean-up plan has been successfully completed.

(5) Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Landlord and Landlord's Mortgagee of the Premises from and against any and all liabilities, damages, claims, losses, judgments, causes of action, costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may be incurred by Landlord or Landlord's Mortgagee (defined hereunder) or threatened against Landlord or Landlord's Mortgagee, relating to or arising out of any breach by Tenant of the undertakings set forth in this Section, said indemnity to survive this Lease expiration or sooner termination.

(f) Utilities. Tenant shall obtain and pay for all water, gas, electricity, heat, telephone, sewer, sprinkler charges and other utilities and services used at the Premises, together with all taxes, penalties, surcharges, and maintenance charges pertaining thereto. Landlord may, at Tenant's expense, separately meter and bill Tenant directly for its use of utility services. Landlord shall not be liable for any interruption or failure of utility service to the Premises unless caused by Landlord's willful misconduct or ordinary negligence. Any amounts payable by Tenant under this Section shall be due within ten (10) days after Landlord has invoiced Tenant therefor.

8. Use. Tenant shall continuously occupy and use the Premises for general office use only ("Permitted Use") and shall comply with all Laws relating to the use, condition, access to, and occupancy of the Premises. The Premises shall not be used for any use which is disreputable, creates extraordinary fire hazards, or results in an increased rate of insurance on the Building or its contents, or for the storage of any hazardous materials or substances. If, because of a Tenant Party's acts, the rate of insurance on the Building or its contents increases, then such acts shall be an Event of Default, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the amount of such increase on demand, and acceptance of such payment shall not waive any of Landlord's other rights. Tenant shall conduct its business and control each other Tenant Party so as not to create any nuisance or unreasonably interfere with other tenants or Landlord in its management of the Building.

9. Assignment and Subletting

(a) Transfers; Consent. Tenant shall not, without the prior written consent of Landlord, (1) assign, transfer, or encumber this Lease or any estate or interest herein, whether directly or by operation of law, (2) permit any other entity to become Tenant hereunder by merger, consolidation, or other reorganization, (3) if Tenant is an entity other than a corporation whose stock is publicly traded, permit the transfer of an ownership interest in Tenant so as to result in a change in the current control of Tenant, (4) sublet any portion of the Premises, (5) grant any license, concession, or other right of occupancy of any portion of the Premises, or (6) permit the use of the Premises by any parties other than Tenant (any of the events listed in Section 9.(a)(i) through
9.(a)(6) being a "Transfer"). If Tenant requests Landlord's consent to a Transfer, then Tenant shall provide Landlord with a written description of all terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer, copies of the proposed documentation, and the following information about the proposed transferee: name and address; reasonably satisfactory


information about its business and business history; its proposed use of the Premises; banking, financial, and other credit information; and general references sufficient to enable Landlord to determine the proposed transferee's creditworthiness and character. Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold its consent to any assignment or subletting of the Premises, provided that the proposed transferee (A) is creditworthy, (B) has a good reputation in the business community, (C) does not engage in business similar to those of other tenants in the Building, and (D) is not another occupant of the Building or person or entity with whom Landlord is negotiating to lease space in the Building; otherwise, Landlord may withhold its consent in its sole discretion. Concurrently with Tenant's notice of any request for consent to a Transfer, Tenant shall pay to Landlord a fee of $750 to defray Landlord's expenses in reviewing such request, and Tenant shall also reimburse Landlord immediately upon request for its reasonable attorneys' fees incurred in connection with considering any request for consent to a Transfer. If Landlord consents to a proposed Transfer, then the proposed transferee shall deliver to Landlord a written agreement whereby it expressly assumes Tenant's obligations hereunder; however, any transferee of less than all of the space in the Premises shall be liable only for obligations under this Lease that are properly allocable to the space subject to the Transfer for the period of the Transfer. No Transfer shall release Tenant from its obligations under this Lease, but rather Tenant and its transferee shall be jointly and severally liable therefor. Landlord's consent to any Transfer shall not waive Landlord's rights as to any subsequent Transfers. If an Event of Default occurs while the Premises or any part thereof are subject to a Transfer, then Landlord, in addition to its other remedies, may collect directly from such transferee all rents becoming due to Tenant and apply such rents against Rent. Tenant authorizes its transferees to make payments of rent directly to Landlord upon receipt of notice from Landlord to do so. Tenant shall pay for the cost of any demising walls or other improvements necessitated by a proposed subletting or assignment.

(b) Cancellation. Landlord may, within 30 days after submission of Tenant's written request for Landlord's consent to an assignment or subletting, cancel this Lease as to the portion of the Premises proposed to be sublet or assigned as of the date the proposed Transfer is to be effective. If Landlord cancels this Lease as to any portion of the Premises, Tenant shall have 5 days after Notice from Landlord thereof within which to withdraw its request for consent to an assignment or subletting in writing to Landlord. In the event that Tenant does not so withdraw its request, then this Lease shall cease for such portion of the Premises and Tenant shall pay to Landlord all Rent accrued through the cancellation date relating to the portion of the Premises covered by the proposed Transfer. Thereafter, Landlord may lease such portion of the Premises to the prospective transferee (or to any other person) without liability to Tenant.

(c) Additional Compensation. Tenant shall pay to Landlord, immediately upon receipt thereof, the excess of(1) all compensation received by Tenant for a Transfer less the costs reasonably incurred by Tenant with unaffiliated third parties in connection with such Transfer (i.e., brokerage commissions, tenant finish work, and the like) over (2) the Rent allocable to the portion of the Premises covered thereby.

10. Insurance; Waivers; Subrogation; Indemnity

(a) Insurance. Tenant shall maintain throughout the Term the following insurance policies: (1) commercial general liability insurance in amounts of $3,000,000 per


occurrence with $5,000,000 in the aggregate or such other amounts as Landlord may from time to time reasonably require, insuring Tenant, Landlord, Landlord's agents and their respective Affiliates (defined hereunder) against all liability for injury to or death of a person or persons or damage to property arising from the use and occupancy of the Premises, (2) insurance covering the full value of Tenant's property and improvements, and other property (including property of others) in the Premises, (3) contractual liability insurance sufficient to cover Tenant's indemnity obligations hereunder, and (4) worker's compensation insurance, containing a waiver of subrogation endorsement acceptable to Landlord. Tenant's insurance shall provide primary coverage to Landlord when any policy issued to Landlord provides duplicate or similar coverage, and in such circumstance Landlord's policy will be excess over Tenant's policy. Tenant shall furnish to Landlord certificates of such insurance and such other evidence satisfactory to Landlord of the maintenance of all insurance coverages required hereunder, and Tenant shall obtain a written obligation on the part of each insurance company to notify Landlord at least 30 days before cancellation or a material change of any such insurance policies. All such insurance policies shall be in form, and issued by companies, reasonably satisfactory to Landlord.

(b) Waiver of Negligence; No Subrogation. Landlord and Tenant each waives any claim it might have against the other for any injury to or death of any person or persons or damage to or theft, destruction, loss, or loss of use of any property (a "Loss"), to the extent the same is insured against under any insurance policy that covers the Building, the Premises, Landlord's or Tenant's fixtures, personal property, leasehold improvements, or business, or, in the case of Tenant's waiver, is required to be insured against under the terms hereof, regardless of whether the negligence of the other party caused such Loss; however, Landlord's waiver shall not include any deductible amounts on insurance policies carried by Landlord. Each party shall cause its insurance carrier to endorse all applicable policies waiving the carrier's rights of recovery under subrogation or otherwise against the other party.

(c) Indemnity. Subject to Section 10.(b), Tenant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Landlord and its representatives and agents from and against all claims, demands, liabilities, causes of action, suits, judgments, damages, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising from (1) any Loss arising from any occurrence on the Premises (other than any Loss arising out of a breach of Tenant's obligations under Section 7.(e), which shall be subject to the indemnity in such Section) or (2) Tenant's failure to perform its obligations under this Lease, even though caused or alleged to be caused by the negligence or fault of Landlord or its agents (other than a Loss arising from the negligence of Landlord or its agents). Subject to Section 10(b). Landlord shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Tenant and its agents from and against all claims, demands, liabilities, causes of action, suits, judgments, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) for any Loss arising from any occurrence in the Building's common areas (other than a Loss arising from the Negligence of a Tenant Party). This indemnity provision shall survive termination or expiration of this Lease. If any proceeding is filed for which indemnity is required hereunder, the indemnifying party agrees, upon request therefor, to defend the indemnified party in such proceeding at its sole cost utilizing counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party.

11. Subordination; Attornment; Notice to Landlord's Mortgage


(a) Subordination. This Lease shall be subordinate to any deed of trust, mortgage, or other security instrument, or any ground lease, master lease, or primary lease, that now or hereafter covers all or any part of the Premises (the mortgagee under any such mortgage or the lessor under any such lease is referred to herein as a "Landlord's Mortgagee"). Landlord shall use reasonable effort to obtain a subordination, recognition and attornment agreement in form reasonably acceptable to Landlord's Mortgagee and Tenant from the current Landlord's Mortgagee within 90 days from the date hereof however, Landlord's failure to deliver such agreement shall not constitute a default by Landlord hereunder nor prohibit the mortgaging of the Building. Any Landlord's Mortgagee may elect, at any time, unilaterally, to make this Lease superior to its mortgage, ground lease, or other interest in the Premises by so notifying Tenant in writing.

(b) Attornment. Tenant shall attorn to any party succeeding to Landlord's interest in the Premises, whether by purchase, foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, power of sale, termination of lease, or otherwise, upon such party's request, and shall execute such agreements confirming such attornment as such party may reasonably request, provided the same do not materially change, alter or amend the terms and provisions of this Lease.

(c) Notice to Landlord's Mortgagee. Tenant shall not seek to enforce any remedy it may have for any default on the part of Landlord without first giving written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, specifying the default in reasonable detail, to any Landlord's Mortgagee whose address has been given to Tenant, and affording such Landlord's Mortgagee a reasonable opportunity to perform Landlord's obligations hereunder.

(d) Landlord's Mortgagee's Protection Provisions. If Landlord's Mortgagee shall succeed to the interest of Landlord under this Lease, Landlord's Mortgagee shall not be: (1) liable for any act or omission of any prior lessor (including Landlord); (2) bound by any rent or additional rent or advance rent which Tenant might have paid for more than the current month to any prior lessor (including Landlord), and all such rent shall remain due and owing, notwithstanding such advance payment; (3) bound by any security or advance rental deposit made by Tenant which is not delivered or paid over to Landlord's Mortgagee and with respect to which Tenant shall look solely to Landlord for refund or reimbursement; (4) bound by any termination, amendment or modification of this Lease made without Landlord's Mortgagee's consent and written approval, except for those terminations, amendments and modifications permitted to be made by Landlord without Landlord's Mortgagee's consent pursuant to the terms of the loan documents between Landlord and Landlord's Mortgagee; (5) subject to the defenses which Tenant might have against any prior lessor (including Landlord); and (6) subject to the offsets which Tenant might have against any prior lessor (including Landlord) except for those offset rights which (A) are expressly provided in this Lease, (B) relate to periods of time following the acquisition of the Building by Landlord's Mortgagee, and (C) Tenant has provided written notice to Landlord's Mortgagee and provided Landlord's Mortgagee a reasonable opportunity to cure the event giving rise to such offset event. Landlord's Mortgagee shall have no liability or responsibility under or pursuant to the terms of this Lease or otherwise after it ceases to own an interest in the Building. Nothing in this Lease shall be construed to require Landlord's Mortgagee to see to the application of the proceeds of any loan, and Tenant's agreements set forth herein shall not be impaired on account of any modification of the


documents evidencing and securing any loan.

12. Rules and Regulations. Tenant shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Building which are attached hereto as Exhibit C. Landlord may, from time to time, change such rules and regulations for the safety, care, or cleanliness of the Building and related facilities, provided that such changes will not unreasonably interfere with Tenant's use of the Premises. Tenant shall be responsible for the compliance with such rules and regulations by each Tenant Party.

13. Condemnation.

(a) Total Taking. If the entire Building or Premises are taken by right of eminent domain or conveyed in lieu thereof (a "Taking"), this Lease shall terminate as of the date of the Taking.

(b) Partial Taking - Tenant's Rights. If any part of the Building becomes subject to a Taking and such Taking will prevent Tenant from conducting its business in the Premises in a manner reasonably comparable to that conducted immediately before such Taking for a period of more than 150 days, then Tenant may terminate this Lease as of the date of such Taking by giving written notice to Landlord within 30 days after the Taking, and Rent shall be apportioned as of the date of such Taking. If Tenant does not terminate this Lease, then Rent shall be abated on a reasonable basis as to that portion of the Premises rendered untenantable by the Taking.

(c) Partial Taking - Landlord's Rights. If any material portion, but less than all, of the Building becomes subject to a Taking, or if Landlord is required to pay any of the proceeds received for a Taking to a Landlord's Mortgagee, then Landlord may terminate this Lease by delivering written notice thereof to Tenant within 30 days after such Taking, and Rent shall be apportioned as of the date of such Taking. If Landlord does not so terminate this Lease, then this Lease will continue, but if any portion of the Premises has been taken, Rent shall abate as provided in the last sentence of Section 13.(b).

(d) Award. If any Taking occurs, then Landlord shall receive the entire award or other compensation for the land on which the Building is situated, the Building, and other improvements taken, and Tenant may separately pursue a claim (to the extent it will not reduce Landlord's award) against the condemnor for the value of Tenant's personal property which Tenant is entitled to remove under this Lease, moving costs, loss of business, and other claims it may have.

14. Fire or Other Casualty

(a) Repair Estimate. If the Premises or the Building are damaged by fire or other casualty (a "Casualty"), Landlord shall, within 90 days after such Casualty, deliver to Tenant a good faith estimate (the "Damage Notice") of the time needed to repair the damage caused by such Casualty.


(b) Landlord's and Tenant's Rights. If a material portion of the Premises or the Building is damaged by Casualty such that Tenant is prevented from conducting its business in the Premises in a manner reasonably comparable to that conducted immediately before such Casualty and Landlord estimates that the damage caused thereby cannot be repaired within 210 days after the Casualty, then Tenant may terminate this Lease by delivering written notice to Landlord of its election to terminate within 30 days after the Damage Notice has been delivered to Tenant. If Tenant does not so timely terminate this Lease, then (subject to Section 14.(c)) Landlord shall repair the Building or the Premises, as the case may be, as provided below, and Rent for the portion of the Premises rendered untenantable by the damage shall be abated on a reasonable basis from the date of damage until the completion of the repair, unless a Tenant Party caused such damage, in which case, Tenant shall continue to pay Rent without abatement.

(c) Landlord's Rights. If a Casualty damages a material portion of the Building, and Landlord makes a good faith determination that restoring the Premises would be uneconomical, or if Landlord is required to pay any insurance proceeds arising out of the Casualty to a Landlord's Mortgagee, then Landlord may terminate this Lease by giving written notice of its election to terminate within 30 days after the Damage Notice has been delivered to Tenant, and Basic Rent and Additional Rent shall be abated as of the date of the Casualty.

(d) Repair Obligation. If neither party elects to terminate this Lease following a Casualty, then Landlord shall, within a reasonable time after such Casualty, begin to repair tile Building and the Premises and shall proceed with reasonable diligence to restore the Building and Premises to substantially the same condition as they existed immediately before such Casualty; however, Landlord shall not be required to repair or replace any of the furniture, equipment, fixtures, alterations, and other improvements which may have been placed by, or at the request of, Tenant or other occupants in the Building or the Premises.

15. Personal Property Taxes. Tenant shall be liable for all taxes levied or assessed against personal property, furniture, or fixtures placed by Tenant in the Premises. If any taxes for which Tenant is liable are levied or assessed against Landlord or Landlord's property and Landlord elects to pay the same, or if the assessed value of Landlord's property is increased by inclusion of such personal property, furniture or fixtures and Landlord elects to pay the taxes based on such increase, then Tenant shall pay to Landlord, upon demand, the part of such taxes for which Tenant is primarily liable hereunder; however, Landlord shall not pay such amount if Tenant notifies Landlord that it will contest the validity or amount of such taxes before Landlord makes such payment, and thereafter diligently proceeds with such contest in accordance with law and if the non-payment thereof does not pose a threat of lien or other cloud on Landlord's title to the Building or of lien or other cloud on Landlord's title to the Building or of loss or seizure of the Building or interest of Landlord therein or impose any fee or penalty against Landlord.

16. Events of Default. Each of the following occurrences shall be an "Event of Default":

(a) Tenant's failure to pay Rent within five days after Landlord has delivered notice to Tenant that the same is due; however, an Event of Default shall occur hereunder without any obligation of Landlord to give any notice if Landlord has given Tenant written notice under this Section 16.(a) on more than one occasion during the twelve (12) month interval preceding such failure by Tenant;


(b) Tenant (1) abandons or vacates the Premises or any substantial portion thereof or (2) fails to continuously operate its business in the Premises for the Permitted Use set forth herein;

(c) Tenant fails to provide any estoppel certificate within the time period required under Section 24.(e) and such failure shall continue for 5 days after written notice thereof from Landlord to Tenant;

(d) Tenant's failure to perform, comply with, or observe any other agreement or obligation of Tenant under this Lease and the continuance of such failure for a period of more than 30 days after Landlord has delivered to Tenant written notice thereof; however, if such failure is not cured within such 30-day period and Tenant commences to cure such failure within such 30-day period and thereafter diligently pursues such cure to completion, then such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default unless it is not fully cured within an additional 30 days after the original 30-day period; and

(e) The filing of a petition by or against Tenant (the term "Tenant" shall include, for the purpose of this Section 16.(e), any guarantor of Tenant's obligations hereunder.) (1) in any bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding;
(2) seeking any relief under any state or federal debtor relief law; (3) for the appointment of a liquidator or receiver for all or substantially all of Tenant's property or for Tenant's interest in this Lease; or (4) for the reorganization or modification of Tenant's capital structure; however, if such a petition is filed against Tenant, then such filing shall not be an Event of Default unless Tenant fails to have the proceedings initiated by such petition dismissed within 90 days after the filing thereof.

17. Remedies. Upon any Event of Default, Landlord may, in addition to all other rights and remedies afforded Landlord hereunder or by law or equity, including the night to seek specific performance of Tenant's obligations under this Lease, take any of the following actions:

(a) Terminate this Lease by giving Tenant written notice thereof, in which event Tenant shall pay to Landlord the sum of (1) all Rent accrued hereunder through the date of termination, (2) all amounts due under Section 18.(a), and
(3) an amount equal to (A) the total Rent that Tenant would have been required to pay for the remainder of the Term discounted to present value at a per annum rate equal to the "Prime Rate" as published on the date this Lease is terminated by The Wall Street Journal, Northeast Edition, in its listing of "Money Rates" minus one percent (1%), minus (B) the then present fair rental value of the Premises for such period, similarly discounted;

(b) Terminate Tenant's right to possess the Premises without terminating this Lease by giving written notice thereof to Tenant, in which event Tenant shall pay to Landlord (1) all Rent and other amounts accrued hereunder to the date of termination of possession, (2) all amounts due from time to time under
Section 18.(a), and (3) all Rent and other net sums required hereunder to be paid by Tenant during the remainder of the Term, diminished by any net sums thereafter received by Landlord through reletting the Premises during such period, after deducting all out-of-pocket costs incurred by Landlord in


reletting the Premises. Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to relet the Premises on such terms as Landlord in its sole discretion may determine (including a term different from the Term, rental concessions, and alterations to, and improvement of, the Premises); however, Landlord shall not be obligated to relet the Premises before leasing other portions of the Building. Landlord shall not be liable for, nor shall Tenant's obligations hereunder be diminished because of, Landlord's failure to relet the Premises or to collect rent due for such reletting, provided that Landlord complies with its obligation to use reasonable efforts to relet the premises as provided above. Tenant shall not be entitled to the excess of any consideration obtained by reletting over the total Rent due hereunder. Reentry by Landlord in the Premises shall not affect Tenant's obligations hereunder for the unexpired Term; rather, Landlord may, from time to time, bring an action against Tenant to collect amounts due by Tenant, without the necessity of Landlord's waiting until the expiration of the Term. Unless Landlord delivers written notice to Tenant expressly stating that it has elected to terminate this Lease, all actions taken by Landlord to dispossess or exclude Tenant from the Premises shall be deemed to be taken under this Section l7.(b). If Landlord elects to proceed under this Section 17.(b), it may at any time thereafter elect to terminate this Lease under Section l7.(a).

(c) Additionally, without notice, Landlord may alter locks or other security devices at the Premises to deprive Tenant of access thereto, and Landlord shall not be required to provide a new key or right of access to Tenant; or

(d) Tenant hereby waives all right of redemption to which Tenant or any person under Tenant might be entitled by any law now or hereinafter in force.

18. Payment by Tenant; Non-Waiver

(a) Payment by Tenant. Upon any Event of Default, Tenant shall pay to Landlord all costs incurred by Landlord (including court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) in (1) obtaining possession of the Premises, (2) removing and storing Tenant's or any other occupant's property, (3) repairing, restoring, altering, remodeling, or otherwise putting the Premises into condition acceptable to a new tenant, (4) if Tenant is dispossessed of the Premises and this Lease is not terminated, reletting all or any part of the Premises (including brokerage commissions, cost of tenant finish work, and other costs incidental to such reletting), (5) performing Tenant's obligations which Tenant failed to perform, and (6) enforcing, or advising Landlord of, its rights, remedies, and recourses arising out of the Event of Default. To the full extent permitted by law, Landlord and Tenant agree the federal and state courts of New Jersey shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any matter relating to or arising from this Lease and the parties' rights and obligations tinder this Lease.

(b) No Waiver. Landlord's acceptance of Rent following an Event of Default shall not waive Landlord's rights regarding such Event of Default. No waiver by Landlord of any violation or breach of any of the terms contained herein shall waive Landlord's rights regarding any future violation of such term. Landlord's acceptance of any partial payment of Rent shall not waive Landlord's rights with regard to the remaining portion of the Rent that is due, regardless of any endorsement or other statement on any instrument delivered in payment of Rent or any writing delivered in connection therewith; accordingly, Landlord's acceptance of a partial payment of Rent shall not constitute an accord and satisfaction of the full amount of the Rent that is due.


19. Waiver of Distraint. Landlord waives all lien, right, interest and claim it might otherwise have in and waives its right of distraint of, the machinery, fixtures and other property of Tenant, and in any other property of any nature whether on or off the Premises, belonging to Tenant. The provisions of this
Section are intended to apply to Landlord's common law (if any) and statutory right of distraint because of failure to pay Basic Rent and Additional Rent.

20. Surrender of Premises. No act by Landlord shall be deemed an acceptance of a surrender of the Premises, and no agreement to accept a surrender of the Premises shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by Landlord. At the expiration or termination of this Lease, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord the Premises with all improvements located therein in good repair and condition, free of Hazardous Substances placed on the Premises during the Term, broom-clean, reasonable wear and tear (and condemnation and Casualty damage not caused by Tenant, as to which Sections 13 and 14 shall control) excepted, and shall deliver to Landlord all keys to the Premises. Provided that Tenant has performed all of its obligations hereunder, Tenant may remove all unattached trade fixtures, furniture, and personal property placed in the Premises by Tenant, and shall remove such alterations, additions, improvements, trade fixtures, personal property, equipment, wiring, and furniture as Landlord may request. Tenant shall repair all damage caused by such removal. All items not so removed shall be deemed to have been abandoned by Tenant and may be appropriated, sold, stored, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of by Landlord without notice to Tenant and without any obligation to account for such items. The term "trade fixtures" shall not include carpeting, floor coverings, attached shelving, lighting fixtures (other than free-standing lamps) wall coverings or similar improvements. The provisions of this Section 20 shall survive the end of the Term.

21. Holding Over. If Tenant fails to vacate the Premises at the end of the Term, then Tenant shall be a tenant from month to month and, in addition to all other damages and remedies to which Landlord may be entitled for such holding over, Tenant shall pay, in addition to the other Rent, Basic Rent as provided for pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:42-6 which shall be payable in advance on the first day of each month. The provisions of this Section 21 shall not be deemed to limit or constitute a waiver of any other rights or remedies of Landlord provided herein or at law. If Tenant fails to surrender the Premises upon the termination or expiration of this Lease, in addition to any other liabilities to Landlord accruing therefrom, Tenant shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from all loss, costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and liability resulting from such failure, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claims made by any succeeding tenant founded upon such failure to surrender, and any lost profits to Landlord resulting therefrom.

22. Certain Rights Reserved by Landlord. Provided that the exercise of such rights does not unreasonably interfere with Tenant's occupancy of the Premises, Landlord shall have the following rights:

(a) To decorate and to make inspections, repairs, alterations, additions, changes, or improvements, whether structural or otherwise, in and about the Building, or any part thereof, to enter upon the Premises and, during the continuance of any such work, to temporarily close doors, entryways, public space, and corridors in the Building; to interrupt or temporarily suspend Building services and facilities; to change the name of the Building; and to change the


arrangement and location of entrances or passageways, doors, and doorways, corridors, elevators, stairs, restrooms, or other public parts of the Building;

(b) To take such reasonable measures as Landlord deems advisable for the security of the Building and its occupants; evacuating the Building for cause, suspected cause, or for drill purposes; temporarily denying access to the Building; and closing the Building after normal business hours and on Sundays and holidays, subject, however, to Tenant's right to enter when the Building is closed after normal business hours under such reasonable regulations as Landlord may prescribe from time to time; and

(c) To enter the Premises at reasonable hours to show the Premises to prospective purchasers, lenders, or, during the last 12 months of the Term, tenants.

23. Intentionally Deleted.

24. Miscellaneous.

(a) Landlord Transfer. Landlord may transfer any portion of the Building and any of its rights under this Lease. If Landlord assigns its rights under this Lease, then Landlord shall thereby be released from any further obligations hereunder, provided that the assignee assumes Landlord's obligations hereunder in writing.

(b) Landlord's Liability. The liability of Landlord (and its partners, shareholders or members) to Tenant for any default by Landlord under the terms of this Lease shall be limited to Tenant's actual direct, but not consequential, damages therefor and shall be recoverable only from the interest of Landlord in the Building, and Landlord (and its partners, shareholders or members) shall not be personally liable for any deficiency. This Section shall not limit any remedies which Tenant may have for Landlord's defaults which do not involve the personal liability of Landlord.

(c) Force Majeure. Other than for Tenant's obligations under this Lease that can be performed by the payment of money (e.g., payment of Rent and maintenance of insurance), whenever a period of time is herein prescribed for action to be taken by either party hereto, such party shall not be liable or responsible for, and there shall be excluded from the computation of any such period of time, any delays due to strikes, riots, acts of God, shortages of labor or materials, war, governmental laws, regulations, or restrictions, or any other causes of any kind whatsoever which are beyond the control of such party.

(d) Brokerage. Neither Landlord nor Tenant has dealt with any broker or agent in connection with the negotiation or execution of this Lease, other than Grubb & Ellis, whose commission shall be paid by Landlord. Tenant and Landlord shall each indemnify the other against all costs, expenses, attorneys' fees, and other liability for commissions or other compensation claimed by any broker or agent claiming the same by, through, or under the indemnifying party.

(e) Estoppel Certificates. From time to time, Tenant shall furnish to any party designated by Landlord, within ten days after Landlord has made a request therefor, a certificate


signed by Tenant confirming and containing such factual certifications and representations as to this Lease as Landlord may reasonably request.

(f) Notices. All notices and other communications given pursuant to this Lease shall be in writing and shall be (1) mailed by first class, United States Mail, postage prepaid, certified, with return receipt requested, and addressed to the parties hereto at the address specified next to their signature block,
(2) hand delivered to the intended address, or (3) sent by prepaid facsimile transmission, or telex followed by a confirmatory letter. All notices shall be effective upon delivery to the address of the addressee. The parties hereto may change their addresses by giving notice thereof to the other in conformity with this provision.

(g) Separability. If any clause or provision of this Lease is illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws, then the remainder of this Lease shall not be affected thereby and in lieu of such clause or provision, there shall be added as a part of this Lease a clause or provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable clause or provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and enforceable.

(h) Amendments; and Binding Effect. This Lease may not be amended except by instrument in writing signed by Landlord and Tenant. No provision of this Lease shall be deemed to have been waived by a party to this Lease unless such waiver is in writing signed by such party, and no custom or practice which may evolve between the parties in the administration of the terms hereof shall waive or diminish the right of either party to insist upon the performance by the other party in strict accordance with the terms hereof. The terms and conditions contained in this Lease shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and upon their respective successors in interest and legal representatives, except as otherwise herein expressly provided. This Lease is for the sole benefit of Landlord and Tenant, and, other than Landlord's Mortgagee, no third party shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof.

(i) Quiet Enjoyment. Provided Tenant has performed all of its obligations hereunder, Tenant shall peaceably and quietly hold and enjoy the Premises for the Term, without hindrance from Landlord or any party claiming by, through, or under Landlord, but not otherwise, subject to the terms and conditions of this Lease.

(j) No Merger. There shall be no merger of the leasehold estate hereby created with the fee estate in the Premises or any part thereof if the same person acquires or holds, directly or indirectly, this Lease or any interest in this Lease and the fee estate in the leasehold Premises or any interest in such fee estate.

(k) No Offer. The submission of this Lease to Tenant shall not be construed as an offer, and Tenant shall not have any rights under this Lease unless Landlord executes a copy of this Lease and delivers it to Tenant.

(l) Entire Agreement. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between Landlord and Tenant regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings relating thereto. Except for those set forth in this Lease, no representations, warranties, or agreements have been made by Landlord or Tenant to the other with respect to this Lease or the obligations of Landlord or Tenant in connection therewith. The normal rule of construction that


any ambiguities be resolved against the drafting party shall not apply to the interpretation of this Lease or any exhibits or amendments hereto.

(m) Waiver of Jury Trial. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Landlord and Tenant each waive right to trial by jury in any litigation arising out of or with respect to this Lease.

(n) Governing Law. This Lease shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State in which the Premises are located.

(o) Joint and Several Liability. If Tenant is comprised of more than one party, each such party shall be jointly and severally liable for Tenant's obligations under this Lease.

(p) Financial Reports. Within 15 days after Landlord's request, Tenant will furnish Tenant's most recent audited financial statements (including any notes to them) to Landlord, or, if no such audited statements have been prepared, such other financial statements (and notes to them) as may have been prepared by an independent certified public accountant or, failing those, Tenant's internally prepared financial statements. Tenant will discuss its financial statements with Landlord and will give Landlord reasonable access to Tenant's books and records in order to enable Landlord to verify the internally prepared financial statements. Landlord will not disclose any aspect of Tenant's financial statements that Tenant designates to Landlord as confidential except
(1) to Landlord's Mortgagee or prospective purchasers of the Building, (2) in litigation between Landlord and Tenant, and (3) if required by court order.

(q) Landlord's Fees. Whenever Tenant requests Landlord to take any action or give any consent required or permitted under this Lease, Tenant will reimburse Landlord for Landlord's reasonable, out-of-pocket costs incurred in reviewing the proposed action or consent, including without limitation reasonable attorneys', engineers' or architects' fees, within 10 days after Landlord's delivery to Tenant of a statement of such costs. Tenant will be obligated to make such reimbursement without regard to whether Landlord consents to any such proposed action.

(r) Telecommunications. Tenant and its telecommunications companies, including but not limited to local exchange telecommunications companies and alternative access vendor services companies shall have no right of access to and within the Building, for the installation and operation of telecommunications systems including but not limited to voice, video, data, and any other telecommunications services provided over wire, fiber optic, microwave, wireless, and any other transmission systems, for part or all of Tenant's telecommunications within the Building and from the Building to any other location without Landlord's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to consider all such requests and respond thereto within 1 business day.

(s) General Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings: "Laws" means all federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations, all court orders, all governmental directives and governmental orders, and all restrictive covenants affecting the Property, and "Law" means any of the foregoing; "Affiliate" means any person or entity which, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the party in question; "Tenant Party" shall include Tenant, any assignees claiming


by, through, or under Tenant, any subtenants claiming by, through, or under Tenant, and any agents, contractors, employees, invitees of the foregoing parties; and "including" means including, without limitation.

(t) Confidentiality. Tenant acknowledges that the terms and conditions of this Lease are to remain confidential for Landlord's benefit, and may not be disclosed by Tenant to anyone, by any manner or means, directly or indirectly, without Landlord's prior written consent. The consent by Landlord to any disclosures shall not be deemed to be a waiver on the part of Landlord of any prohibition against any future disclosure. Landlord agrees that it shall not disclose the terms and conditions of this lease other than in the ordinary course of Landlord's business.

(u) Parking. If and so long as Tenant is not in default beyond any applicable grace period under any of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease, Landlord shall provide Tenant with access for the parking of up to 55 automobiles, at no charge to Tenant.

(v) Effectiveness of Lease. The effectiveness of this Lease is conditioned upon the execution and delivery to Landlord of a personal Guaranty in the form of Exhibit E.

(w) List of Exhibits. All exhibits and attachments attached hereto are incorporated herein by this reference.

                  Schedule 1  -     Basic Rent
                  Exhibit A   -     Outline of Premises
                  Exhibit B   -     Legal Description of Building
                  Exhibit C   -     Building Rules and Regulations
                  Exhibit D   -     Tenant Finish Work: Landlord Builds to Plans
                  Exhibit E   -     Form of Guaranty

25.   Other Provisions.

LANDLORD AND TENANT EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY THAT THE PREMISES ARE SUITABLE FOR TENANT'S INTENDED COMMERCIAL PURPOSE, AND TENANT'S OBLIGATION TO PAY RENT HEREUNDER IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON THE CONDITION OF THE PREMISES OR THE PERFORMANCE BY LANDLORD OF ITS OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, AND, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, TENANT SHALL CONTINUE TO PAY THE RENT, WITHOUT ABATEMENT, SETOFF OR DEDUCTION, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY BREACH BY LANDLORD OF ITS DUTIES OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO DIMINISH THE OBLIGATIONS OF LANDLORD OR THE RIGHTS OF TENANT THAT ARE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH ELSEWHERE IN THIS LEASE.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank}


Dated as of the date first above written.

TENANT:

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation

By:
    -------------------------------------
Name:       Gary W. Kester
      ------------------------------------
Title:      Vice President
       -----------------------------------
Address:    124 Gaither Drive, Suite 170
            Mt. Laurel, New Jersey
Attention:  Daniel P. Dyer
Telecopy:   (609) 910-1098

LANDLORD:

W9/MBC REAL ESTATE LIMITED

PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited
partnership

By:   W9/MBC Gen-Par, Inc., its general
      partner

By:
    -------------------------------------
Name:       Stephen M. Abelman
     ------------------------------------
Title:      A.V.P
      ------------------------------------
Address:    c/o Archon Group, L.P.
            1275 K. Street, N.W., Suite 900
            Washington, DC 20005
Attention:  Asset Manager
Telecopy:   202-2 1 6-5 803

With a copy to:

Archon Group, L.P.

600 Las Colinas Boulevard,
Suite 1900
Irving, Texas 75039
Attention: Asset Manager
Telecopy: 972-830-7600


EXHIBIT A

[ORIGINAL DOCUMENT INCLUDES A SCHEMATIC
OF THE PREMISES AT 124 GAITHER DRIVE]


EXHIBIT B

[LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING]


EXHIBIT C

BUILDING RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following rules and regulations shall apply to the Premises, the Building and the appurtenances thereto:

1. Sidewalks, doorways, vestibules, halls, stairways, and other similar areas shall not be obstructed by tenants or used by any tenant for purposes other than ingress and egress to and from their respective leased premises and for going from one to another part of the Building.

2. Plumbing, fixtures and appliances shall be used only for the purposes for which designed, and no sweepings, rubbish, rags or other unsuitable material shall be thrown or deposited therein. Damage resulting to any such fixtures or appliances from misuse by a tenant or its agents, employees or invitees, shall be paid by such tenant.

3. No signs, advertisements or notices shall be painted or affixed on or to any windows or doors or other part of the Building. No nails, hooks or screws shall be driven or inserted in any part of the Building without the prior written consent of Landlord. Except as consented to in writing by Landlord or in accordance with Tenant's building standard improvements, no draperies, curtains, blinds, shades, screens or other devices shall be hung at or used in connection with any window or exterior door or doors of the Premises. No awning shall be permitted on any part of the Premises. Tenant shall not place anything against or near glass partitions or doors, or windows which might appear unsightly from outside the Premises.

4. Landlord will furnish Tenant, free of charge, with two keys to Tenant's suite entrance. Landlord may make a reasonable charge for any additional keys and for having any locks changed. Tenant shall not make or have made additional keys without Landlord's prior written consent, and Tenant shall not alter any lock or install a new additional lock or bolt on any door of its Premises without Landlord's prior written consent. Tenant shall deliver to Landlord upon termination of its tenancy, the keys to all locks for doors on the Premises and in the event of loss of any keys furnished by Landlord, shall pay Landlord therefor.

5. If Tenant requires telegraphic, telephonic, burglar alarm or similar services, it shall first obtain, and comply with, Landlord's instructions for their installation.

6. Movement in or out of the Building of furniture or office equipment, or dispatch or receipt by tenants of any bulky material, merchandise or materials shall be conducted under Landlord's supervision at such times and in such a manner as Landlord may reasonably require. Each tenant assumes all risks of and shall be liable for all damage to articles moved and injury to persons or public engaged or not engaged in such movement, including equipment, property and personnel of Landlord if damaged or injured as a result of acts in connection with carrying out this service for such tenant.

7. Landlord may prescribe weight limitations and determine the locations for safes and other heavy equipment or items, which shall in all cases be placed in the Building so as to


distribute weight in a manner acceptable to Landlord which may include the use of such supporting devices as Landlord may require. All damages to the Building caused by the installation or removal of any property of a tenant, or done by a tenant's property while in the Building, shall be repaired at the expense of such tenant.

8. Corridor doors, when not in use, shall be kept closed. Nothing shall be swept or thrown into the corridors, halls, elevator shafts or stairways. No birds or animals shall be brought into or kept in, on or about any tenant's leased premises. No portion of any tenant's leased premises shall at any time be used or occupied as sleeping or lodging quarters.

9. Tenant shall not use or keep in the Premises any toxic or hazardous materials, or any kerosene, gasoline or inflammable or combustible fluid or material other than those limited quantities necessary for the operation or maintenance of office equipment. Tenant shall not use or permit to be used in the Premises any foul or noxious gas or substance, or permit or allow the Premises to be occupied or used in a manner offensive or objectionable to Landlord or other occupants of the Building by reason of improper, objectionable or unpleasant noise, odors, or vibrations.

10. Tenant shall not make or permit any vibration or improper, objectionable or unpleasant noises or odors in the Building or otherwise interfere in any way with other tenants or persons having business with them.

11. No machinery of any kind (other than normal office equipment) shall be operated by any tenant on its leased area without Landlord's prior written consent, nor shall any tenant use or keep in the Building any flammable or explosive fluid or substance.

12. Landlord will not be responsible for lost or stolen personal property, money or jewelry from Tenant's Premises or public or common areas regardless of whether such loss occurs when the area is locked against entry or not. Tenant assumes any and all responsibility for protecting its Premises from theft and robbery, which responsibility includes keeping doors locked and other means of entry to the Premises closed.

13. No vending or dispensing machines of any kind may be maintained in any Premises without the prior written permission of Landlord.

14. Tenant shall not conduct any activity on or about the Premises or Building which will draw pickets, demonstrators, or the like.

15. All vehicles are to be currently licensed, in good operating condition, parked for business purposes having to do with Tenant's business operated in the Premises, parked within designated parking spaces, one vehicle to each space. Tenant shall not leave vehicles in the Building parking areas overnight, or park any vehicles in the Building parking areas other than automobiles, motorcycles, motor driven, non-motor driven bicycles, or four wheel drive trucks. No vehicle shall be parked as a "billboard" vehicle in the parking lot. Any vehicle parked improperly may be towed away. Tenant, Tenant's agents, employees, vendors and customers who do not operate or park their vehicles as required shall subject the vehicle to being towed at the expense of the owner or driver. Landlord may place a "boot" on the vehicle to immobilize it and may levy a charge of $50.00 to remove the "boot." Tenant shall indemnify, hold and save


harmless Landlord of any liability arising from the towing or booting of any vehicles belonging to a Tenant Party.

16. Landlord may waive any one or more of these rules and regulations for the benefit of Tenant or any other tenant, but no waiver by Landlord shall be construed as a waiver of the rules and regulations in favor of tenant or any other Tenant, nor prevent Landlord from thereafter enforcing the rules and regulations against any or all of the tenants of the Building.


EXHIBIT D

TENANT FINISH-WORK: LANDLORD BUILDS TO PLANS

1. Except as set forth in this Exhibit, Tenant accepts the Premises in their "AS-IS" condition on the date that this Lease is entered into.

2. On or before the execution of this Lease, Tenant has delivered to Landlord a space plan depicting improvements to be installed in the Premises called space Plan SK-2, which plans were prepared by Polek-Schwartz Architects, and dated March 18, 1998 (the "Space Plans"). On or before April 17, 1998, Tenant shall provide to Landlord for its approval final working drawings, prepared in accordance with the Space Plans by an architect that has been approved by Landlord (which approval shall not unreasonably be withheld), of all improvements that Tenant proposes to install in the Premises; such working drawings shall include the partition layout, ceiling plan, electrical outlets and switches, telephone outlets, drawings for any modifications to the mechanical and plumbing systems of the Building, and detailed plans and specifications for the construction of the improvements called for under this Exhibit in accordance with all applicable governmental laws, codes, rules, and regulations. Further, if any of Tenant's proposed construction work will affect the Building's heating, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, then the working drawings pertaining thereto shall be prepared by the Building's engineer of record, whom Tenant shall at its cost engage for such purpose. Landlord's approval of such working drawings shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that (a) they comply with all applicable governmental laws, codes, rules, and regulations, (b) such working drawings are sufficiently detailed to allow construction of the improvements in a good and workmanlike manner, and (c) the improvements depicted thereon conform to the rules and regulations promulgated from time to time by Landlord for the construction of tenant improvements (a copy of which has been delivered to Tenant). As used herein, "Working Drawings" shall mean the final working drawings approved by Landlord, as amended from time to time by any approved changes thereto, and "Work" shall mean all improvements to be constructed in accordance with and as indicated on the Working Drawings. Approval by Landlord of the Working Drawings shall not be a representation or warranty of Landlord that such drawings are adequate for any use, purpose, or condition, or that such drawings comply with any applicable law or code, but shall merely be the consent of Landlord to the performance of the Work. Tenant shall, at Landlord's request, sign the Working Drawings to evidence its review and approval thereof. All changes in the Work must receive the prior written approval of Landlord, and in the event of any such approved change Tenant shall, upon completion of the Work, furnish Landlord with an accurate, reproducible "as-built" plan (e.g., sepia) of the improvements as constructed, which plan shall be incorporated into this Lease by this reference for all purposes. After the Working Drawings have been approved, Landlord shall cause the Work to be performed in accordance with the Working Drawings. The Work shall be performed only by contractors and subcontractors approved in writing by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.


3. If a delay in the performance of the Work occurs (a) because of any change by Tenant to the Space Plans or the Working Drawings, (b) because of any specification by Tenant of materials or installations in addition to or other than Landlord's standard finish-out materials, or (c) if Tenant otherwise delays completion of the Work, then, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Lease, Tenant's obligation to pay Rent hereunder shall commence on the scheduled Commencement Date. If the Premises are not ready for occupancy and the Work is not substantially completed (as reasonably determined by Landlord) on the scheduled Commencement Date for any reason other than the reasons specified in the immediately preceding sentence, then the obligations of Landlord and Tenant shall continue in full force and Rent shall be abated until the date the Work is substantially completed and the Premises are tendered to Tenant, which date shall be the Commencement Date.

4. Tenant shall bear the entire additional costs incurred by Landlord in performing the Work because of an event specified in clause 3.(a), 3.(b), or
3.(c) of this Exhibit. Tenant shall pay Landlord an amount equal to 50% of the estimated additional costs of any change to the Space Plans or the Working Drawings at the time of such change; Tenant shall pay to Landlord the remaining portion of additional costs incurred in performing the Work because of an event specified in clauses 3 .(a), 3 .(b), or 3 .(c) of this Exhibit upon substantial completion of the Work. In consideration for Landlord's management and supervision for services performed in connection with clauses 3.(a), 3.(b), and
3.(c), Tenant shall pay to Landlord a construction management fee equal to ten percent of the additional costs specified in this Section 4.

5. To the extent not inconsistent with this Exhibit, Section 7.(a) of this Lease shall govern the performance of the Work and Landlord's and Tenant's respective rights and obligations regarding the improvements installed pursuant thereto.


EXHIBIT E

GUARANTY

As a material inducement to Landlord to enter into the Lease, dated April _, 1998 (the "Lease"), between MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION, as Tenant, and W9/MBC REAL ESTATE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, as Landlord, ____________ having an address at _________________ and ___________________ having an address at ______________ (collectively the "Guarantors") each hereby unconditionally and irrevocably jointly and severally guarantee the complete and timely performance of each obligation of Tenant under the Lease and any extensions or renewals of and amendments to the Lease. This Guaranty is an absolute, primary, and continuing, guaranty of payment and performance and is independent of Tenant's obligations under the Lease. Guarantors waive any right to require Landlord to (a) join Tenant with Guarantors in any suit arising under this Guaranty, (b) proceed against or exhaust any security given to secure Tenant's obligations under the Lease, or (c) pursue or exhaust any other remedy in Landlord's power. Landlord may, without notice or demand and without affecting each Guarantors' liability hereunder, from time to time, compromise, extend or otherwise modify any or all of the terms of the Lease. Guarantors hereby waive all demands for performance, notices of performance, and notices of acceptance of this Guaranty. The liability of the Guarantors under this Guaranty will not be affected by (1) the release or discharge of Tenant from, or impairment, limitation or modification of, Tenant's obligations under the Lease in any bankruptcy, receivership, or other debtor relief proceeding, whether state or federal and whether voluntary or involuntary; (2) the rejection or disaffirmance of the Lease in any such proceeding; or (3) the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of Tenant under the Lease. Guarantors shall pay to Landlord all costs incurred by Landlord in enforcing this Guaranty (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses). The obligations of Tenant under the Lease to execute and deliver estoppel statements, as therein provided, shall be deemed to also require the Guarantors hereunder to do so and provide the same relative to Guarantors following written request by Landlord in accordance with the terms of the Lease.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Guaranty shall remain effective until the date on which Tenant provides Landlord with Tenant's most recent financial statement, audited by an accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Landlord, which shows that Tenant has a net worth of $5,000,000.00, at which time this Guaranty shall be of no further force or effect, and the Guarantors shall be released of all liability hereunder.




AMENDMENT TO LEASE

THIS AMENDMENT TO LEASE ("Amendment") is dated as of the 22ND day of September, 1999, and is entered into by and between W9/PHC Real Estate Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership ("Landlord") and Marlin Leasing Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Tenant").

BACKGROUND

A. Landlord and Tenant entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated as of April 9, 1998 ("Lease") pursuant to which Tenant leases from Landlord Suite No. 170 consisting of approximately +/- 12,271 rentable square feet in the office building ("Building") located in the business park commonly known as Gateway Business Park with a street address of 124 Gaither Drive, Mt. Laurel Township, Burlington County, New Jersey and as defined in the Lease as the Premises (herein sometimes referred to as "Suite No. 170").

B. Tenant desires to expand the Premises and lease from Landlord and Landlord desires to rent to Tenant, in addition to the Premises, Suite 200 consisting of approximately +/-16,994 rentable square feet in the Building (the "Expansion Premises").

C. Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, shall have the same meaning given those terms in the Lease.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows.

1. The Background above is incorporated herein by reference.

2. The Lease is hereby amended to correct the typographical error in Landlord's name throughout the Lease from "W9/MBC Real Estate Limited Partnership" to "W9/PHC Real Estate Limited Partnership."

3. Subject to the terms of the Lease, as hereby amended, Landlord leases to Tenant, and Tenant leases from Landlord, in addition to the Premises, the Expansion Premises as depicted in the plan attached hereto as Exhibit A. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary for the first
(1st) year of the Lease term hereof, Tenant shall lease from Landlord only a portion of the Expansion Premises consisting of approximately +/-10,059 square feet. At any time during the first (1st) year of the Lease term, but no later than the first (1st) day of the first (1st) month of the second year of the Lease term, Tenant shall lease from Landlord the entire Expansion Premises.

4. The term of the Lease for the Expansion Premises shall commence on the earlier of (i) January 2, 2000; or (ii) Tenant's occupancy of the Premises (the "Commencement Date") and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the 60th full calendar month following the


Commencement Date, subject to adjustment and earlier termination as provided in the Lease (the "Termination Date").

5. (a) Notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, if the Expansion Premises are not ready for occupancy by Tenant on or before the Commencement Date, then (a) Tenant's obligation to pay Basic Rent and Additional Rent for the Expansion Premises shall be waived until Landlord tenders possession of the Expansion Premises to Tenant, (b) Landlord shall not be in default under the Lease as hereby amended or be liable for damages therefor, and
(c) Tenant shall accept possession of the Expansion Premises when Landlord tenders possession thereof to Tenant.

(b) Notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, if Landlord fails to tender possession of the Expansion Premises in ready for occupancy condition on or before March 1, 2000, and if such failure to tender possession of the Expansion Premises is not caused by a Tenant Party or Tenant Delay, then Tenant shall, as its exclusive remedy therefor, receive a credit equal to one (1) month's Monthly Basic Rent for the Expansion Premises for each month's delay from and after March 1, 2000 (prorated for partial month's delay) until Landlord delivers occupancy of the Expansion Premises in accordance with the terms hereof.

6. The term of the Lease for Suite No. 170 is hereby extended to run coterminus with the term for the Expansion Premises and shall likewise expire on the Termination Date (the "Premises Extended Term").

7. Monthly Basic Rent for Suite No. 170 for the Premises Extended Term shall be the following amounts for the following periods of time and shall be payable in accordance with the Terms of the Lease:

Time Period                               Monthly Basic Rent
August 1, 2001 - July 31, 2002              $12,639.13
August 1,2002 - July 31, 2003               $13,018.30
August 1, 2003 - July 31, 2004              $13,408.85
August 1, 2004 - Termination Date           $13,810.70

8. The Lease shall be amended so that the term "Premises" shall be deemed to include the Premises and the Expansion Premises.

9. Basic Rent for the Expansion Premises shall be the following amounts for the following periods of time and Monthly Basic Rent under the Lease paid monthly shall be increased by the following amounts:


Time Period       Monthly Basic Rent (Expansion Premises)
-----------       ---------------------------------------
Year 1            $10,059.00 based on+/-10,059 rsf to increase
                  to $16,994.00 on the date of expansion into entire
                  Expansion Premises
Year 2            $17,503.82
Year 3            $18,028.93
Year 4            $18,569.80
Year 5            $19,126.89

10. Tenant shall pay as Additional Rent for the Expansion Premises Tenant's Proportionate Share of the Operating Costs. For purposes hereof, prior to Tenant's occupancy of the entire Expansion Premises and based on occupancy of 10,059 rsf, Tenant's Proportionate Share for the Expansion Premises shall be 12.63 % and upon Tenant's occupancy of the entire Expansion Premises and throughout the Lease term Tenant's Proportionate Share shall be 21.34%, which are the percentages obtained by dividing the rentable square feet area of the Expansion Premises by the total number of square feet of area in the Building, which is stipulated to be 79,635 rentable square feet.

11. Contemporaneously with the execution of this Amendment, Tenant shall pay to Landlord $16,994 to be added to the Security Deposit held by Landlord to secure Tenant's performance of its obligations under the Lease, as hereby amended.

12. Tenant may use 4.5 undesignated parking spaces for every 1,000 rentable square feet in the Expansion Premises in the parking garage/area associated with the Building (the "Parking Area") during the Term at no charge to Tenant.

13. (a) Except as set forth herein, Tenant accepts the Expansion Premises in their "AS-IS" condition on the date that this Lease is entered into.

(b) On or before the date which is 15 days following the date on which this Amendment is fully executed by both Landlord and Tenant, Landlord shall engage a design consultant reasonably acceptable to Tenant (whose fee shall be included in the Total Construction Cost [defined below]) to prepare final working drawings of all improvements to be installed in the Expansion Premises and deliver the same to Tenant for its review and approval (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). Tenant shall notify Landlord whether it approves of the submitted working drawings within five business days after Landlord's submission thereof. If Tenant disapproves of such working drawings, then Tenant shall notify Landlord thereof specifying in reasonable detail the reasons for such disapproval, in which case Landlord shall, within three business days after such notice, revise such working drawings in accordance with Tenant's objections and submit to Tenant for its review and approval. Tenant shall notify Landlord in writing whether it approves of the resubmitted working drawings within two business days after its receipt thereof. This process shall be repeated until the working drawings have been finally approved by Landlord and Tenant. If Tenant fails to notify Landlord that it disapproves of the initial working drawings


ithin five business days (or, in the case of resubmitted working drawings, within two business days) after the submission thereof, then Tenant shall be deemed to have approved the working drawings in question. Any delay caused by Tenant's unreasonable withholding of its consent or delay in giving its written approval as to such working drawings shall constitute Tenant Delay Day (defined below). To the extent that such working drawings also require Landlord's approval, Landlord shall also approve such working drawings within three business days after the architect's submission of such working drawings to Landlord. Further, if any of Tenant's proposed construction work will affect the Building's HVAC, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, then the working drawings pertaining thereto must be approved by the Building's engineer of record. Landlord's approval of such working drawings shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that (a) they comply with all Laws, (b) such working drawings are sufficiently detailed to allow construction of the improvements in a good and workmanlike manner, and (c) the improvements depicted thereon conform to the rules and regulations promulgated from time to time by Landlord for the construction of tenant improvements. As used herein, "WORKING DRAWINGS" shall mean the final working drawings approved by Landlord, as amended from time to time by any approved changes thereto, and "WORK" shall mean all improvements to be constructed in accordance with and as indicated on the Working Drawings, together with any work required by governmental authorities to be made to other areas of the Building solely as a result of the improvements indicated by the Working Drawings. Landlord's approval of the Working Drawings shall not be a representation or warranty of Landlord that such drawings are adequate for any use or comply with any Law, but shall merely be the consent of Landlord thereto. Tenant shall, at Landlord's request, sign the Working Drawings to evidence its review and approval thereof. All changes in the Work must receive the prior written approval of Landlord, and in the event of any such approved change Tenant shall, upon completion of the Work, furnish Landlord with an accurate, reproducible "as-built" plan of the improvements as constructed. After the Working Drawings have been approved, Landlord shall cause the Work to be performed in accordance with the Working Drawings.

(c) The Work shall be performed only by contractors and subcontractors approved in writing by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. All contractors and subcontractors shall be required to procure and maintain insurance against such risks, in such amounts, and with such companies as Landlord may reasonably require. Certificates of such insurance, with paid receipts therefor, must be received by Landlord before the Work is commenced. The Work shall be performed in a good and workmanlike manner free of defects, shall conform strictly with the Working Drawings, and shall be performed in such a manner and at such times as and not to interfere with or delay Landlord's other contractors, the operation of the Building, and the occupancy thereof by other tenants. All contractors and subcontractors shall contact Landlord and schedule time periods during which they may use Building facilities in connection with the Work (e.g., elevators, excess electricity, etc.).

(d) If a delay in the performance of the Work occurs solely (i) because of any change by Tenant to the Working Drawings, or (ii) because of any specification by Tenant of materials or installations not set forth in the Working Drawings that are in addition to or other


han Landlord's standard finish-out materials, or (iii) because Tenant or Tenant's agents otherwise delays completion of the Work, then, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Lease, Tenant's obligation to pay Rent hereunder shall commence on the scheduled Commencement Date (each delay a "TENANT DELAY" and day of delay caused by any such event shall be a "TENANT DELAY DAY" provided, however, that "Tenant Delay" shall not include any unreasonable or undue delay by contractors or subcontractors in the performance of the Work). If the Expansion Premises are not ready for occupancy and the Work is not substantially completed (as reasonably determined by Landlord) on the scheduled Commencement Date for any reason other than the reasons specified in the immediately preceding sentence, then the obligations of Landlord and Tenant shall continue in full force and Rent shall be abated until the date the Work is substantially completed less the number of Tenant Delay Days, which date shall be the Commencement Date.

(e) The entire cost of performing the Work (including, without limitation, design of the Work and preparation of the Working Drawings, costs of construction labor and materials, electrical usage during construction, additional janitorial services during construction, general tenant signage, related taxes and insurance costs, and the construction supervision fee referenced herein, all of which costs are herein collectively called the "TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS") in excess of the Construction Allowance (hereinafter defined) shall be paid by Tenant. Upon approval of the Working Drawings and selection of a contractor, Tenant shall promptly (i) execute a work order agreement prepared by Landlord which identifies such drawings and itemizes the Total Construction Costs and sets forth the Construction Allowance, and (ii) pay to Landlord 50% of the amount by which Total Construction Costs exceed the Construction Allowance; upon substantial completion of the Work, Tenant shall pay to Landlord an amount equal to the Total Construction Costs (as adjusted for any approved changes to the Work), less (1) the amount of the advance payment already made by Tenant, and (2) the amount of the Construction Allowance.

(f) Landlord shall provide to Tenant a construction allowance (the "CONSTRUCTION ALLOWANCE") equal to the lesser of (a) $15.00 per rentable square foot in the Expansion Premises (equaling $254,910.00) or (b) the Total Construction Costs, as adjusted for any approved changes to the Work; however, if Tenant or its agent is managing the performance of the Work, then Tenant shall not become entitled to full credit for the Construction Allowance until the Work has been substantially completed and Tenant has caused to be delivered to Landlord (1) all invoices from contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers evidencing the cost of performing the Work, together with lien waivers from such parties, and a consent of the surety to the finished Work (if applicable) and
(2) a certificate of occupancy from the appropriate governmental authority, if applicable to the Work, or evidence of governmental inspection and approval of the Work.

(g) Landlord or its affiliate or agent shall supervise the Work, make disbursements required to be made to the contractor, and act as a liaison between the contractor and Tenant and coordinate the relationship between the Work, the Building, and the Building's systems. In consideration for Landlord's construction supervision services, Tenant shall pay to


Landlord from the Construction Allowance a construction supervision fee equal to five percent of the Total Construction Costs.

(h) To the extent not inconsistent herein, Section 7 of the Lease shall govern the performance of the Work and Landlord's and Tenant's respective rights and obligations regarding the improvements installed pursuant thereto.

14. The Lease is hereby ratified and confirmed, and, as modified by this Amendment, the Lease remains in full force and effect.

15. This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

16. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same document. Transmission by facsimile of an executed counterpart of this Amendment shall be deemed to constitute due and sufficient delivery of such counterpart.

17. Landlord hereby acknowledges that the Guaranty dated April 8, 1998 executed by Daniel P. Dyer, Gary Kester and Gary R. Shivers (collectively, the "Guarantors") by its terms is no longer in force or effect and Guarantors are hereby released of all liability thereunder.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the day and year first written above.

LANDLORD:

W9/PHC REAL ESTATE LIMITED

PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited
partnership

By:   W9/PHC Gen-Par, Inc., a Delaware
      corporation, its sole general partner

      By:
         ---------------------------------
      Name:       Stephen M. Abelman
           -------------------------------
      Title:      Assistant Vice President
            ------------------------------

TENANT:

MARLIN LEASING CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation

By:
   ---------------------------------------
Name:   George D. Pelose
     -------------------------------------
Title:  Vice President and General Counsel
      ------------------------------------


EXHIBIT A

PLAN OF EXPANSION PREMISES

[ORIGINAL DOCUMENT INCLUDES A SCHEMATIC INDICATING THE
EXPANSION SPACE]


Exhibit 10.4
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated as of October 14, 2003, between Marlin Business Services Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), and Daniel P. Dyer ("Executive"). This Agreement shall become effective immediately upon the consummation of the Company's initial public offering of its common stock (the "Effective Date").

BACKGROUND

A. The Company would like to continue the services of Executive in the position of Chief Executive Officer, and Executive is willing to continue be employed by the Company in this capacity pursuant to this Agreement.

B. Executive and the Company's Affiliate, Marlin Leasing Corporation, are parties to an employment agreement dated July 26, 2001. Executive and the Company now desire to amend and restate that agreement to reflect the current understandings of the parties and to make certain changes in connection with the initial public offering of the Company's stock to be effective as of the Effective Date.

1. Employment Duties and Performance. Executive shall be employed by the Company on a full-time basis in the position of Chief Executive Officer, reporting directly to the Company's Board of Directors. Executive shall have such authority and shall perform such duties and responsibilities as are typically incident to such position, together with and such additional reasonable duties consistent his position and title as lawfully delegated to Executive from time to time by the Board of Directors or any executive officer of the Company who has the authority to delegate such duties to Executive. Executive shall use all reasonable efforts to further the interests of the Company and shall devote substantially all of his business time and attention to his employment duties to the Company: provided that nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from devoting reasonable periods required for (i) participating with professional associations, educational institutions, or in civic or charitable activities, or (ii) serving on the board of directors or similar body of any other business entity, provided that it is not a Competitive Position (as defined in Section 9 hereof) and provided further that membership on any for-profit board shall require the prior approval of the Company's Board of Directors..

2. Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement (the "Agreement Term") shall commence on the Effective Date and shall expire on the second anniversary of the Effective Date. The Agreement Term shall be automatically extended for an additional year on each anniversary of the Effective Date, unless written notice of non-extension is provided by either party to the other party at least 90 days prior to such anniversary. The period of Executive's employment hereunder (the "Employment Period") shall commence as of the Effective Date and

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shall expire at the end of the Agreement Term, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

3. Base Salary and Incentive Bonus.

(a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay Executive a base salary (the "Base Salary") equal to at least $275,000 per annum during the Employment Period. The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") shall review the Base Salary not less frequently than annually, beginning 12 months after the Effective Date, for consideration of increase based on merit and on competitive market factors. The Base Salary shall be payable semi-monthly pursuant to the normal pay practices of the Company, subject to standard deductions such as for income tax withholdings and social security.

(b) Incentive Bonus. Executive shall be eligible for an annual incentive bonus (the "Incentive Bonus") for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, with a minimum target bonus opportunity equal to 85% of Base Salary. The performance measures used in determining the amount of the Incentive Bonus shall be established by the Compensation Committee after considering the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. The Incentive Bonus shall be paid as promptly as practicable after it has been approved by the Company's Board of Directors. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all other short-term and long-term bonus or incentive plans or arrangements in which other senior executives of the Company are eligible to participate from time to time.

4. Stock Incentives. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all stock option, restricted stock, stock unit and other equity incentive plans or arrangements in which other senior executives of the Company are eligible to participate from time to time.

5. Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate, subject to general eligibility requirements, in any group medical and hospitalization, retirement, life insurance or other benefit plan maintained by the Company for its employees or its senior executives. In addition, the Company shall continue to provide during the Employment Period, at its cost, additional life and disability insurance for Executive (with Executive or his designee as the beneficiary) with coverage amounts under each such policy equal to a minimum of $695,000 for the life insurance and $9,000 monthly benefit for the disability insurance.

6. Business Expenses. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable travel and other business expenses and disbursements incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive's duties under this Agreement, upon proper accounting in accordance with the Company's normal practices and procedures for reimbursement of business expenses and in compliance with applicable IRS regulations.

7. Termination of Employment.

(a) Executive's employment shall or may be terminated, as the case may be, under the following circumstances:

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(i) Cause. The Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder for "Cause" effective upon the vote of 66.67% of the Company's Board of Directors (excluding Executive's vote if he is then serving on the Board of Directors) and delivery of a written notice to Executive stating the grounds for such termination. "Cause" shall mean any one or more of the following: (a) willful fraud or material dishonesty by Executive in connection with the performance of his duties to the Company; (b) grossly negligent or intentional failure by Executive to substantially perform his duties hereunder; (c) material breach by Executive of a Protective Covenant set forth in Section 9 hereof; or
(d) the conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a charge of commission of a felony by Executive; provided that no termination for "Cause" shall be effective until reasonable written notice is provided to Executive setting forth the reasons for the decision by the Board of Directors to terminate Executive for Cause, Executive is given an opportunity, together with his counsel, to appear before, and be heard by, the Board of Directors relating to the proposed termination for Cause, and Executive fails to remedy the Cause event within thirty (30) days (except in the case of (d) above) subject to such circumstances being susceptible to remedy;

(ii) Disability. Executive's employment shall terminate if, because of a mental or physical disability or infirmity (meeting the definition of a covered "disability" for purposes of the Company's disability insurance plans, or if such plans do not exist, at the Company's election, where such disability is confirmed by a physician appointed by the Board of Directors), Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his duties hereunder, with or without reasonable accommodation, for a consecutive period of one hundred twenty (120) days or a non-consecutive period of one hundred twenty
(120) days during any twelve month period;

(iii) Death. Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon the death of Executive;

(iv) Termination Without Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment hereunder for any reason at any time, including for any reason that does not constitute Cause, by delivery to Executive of forty-five (45) days written notice of such termination, subject to the consequences of such termination as set forth in this Agreement. Such right to terminate Executive's employment shall be without regard (A) to any general or specific policies (whether written or oral) of the Company relating to the employment or termination of its senior executives, or (B) to any statements made to Executive, whether made orally or contained in any document, pertaining to Executive's relationship with the Company;

(v) Resignation for Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate Executive's employment hereunder for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean any one or more of the following: (a) a material diminution in Executive's title, or a material change in Executive's authority, duties, responsibilities or reporting relationship as contemplated by
Section 1 hereof, that is not approved in writing by Executive; (b) a breach by the Company of its material obligations under this Agreement; (c) the relocation of the offices at which Executive is principally employed to a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, which relocation is not approved, in writing, by Executive; (d) any reduction in Executive's Base Salary or target Incentive Bonus percentage, or a material reduction in employee or executive benefits (excluding a reduction in the Company's

3

benefit plans that is applicable to all employees) ; (e) the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A); or (f) any time after a written notice of non-extension of this Agreement given by the Company pursuant to
Section 2 hereof; provided that Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist until reasonable written notice is provided to the Company setting forth the reasons for the decision by Executive to terminate his employment for Good Reason and the Company fails to remedy the Good Reason event within thirty (30) days.

(vi) Resignation without Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment hereunder for any reason at any time, including for any reason that does not constitute Good Reason.

(b) Compensation Upon Termination.

(i) For Cause; Without Good Reason. If Executive's employment is terminated for Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)(i), or in the event of Executive's voluntary termination of his employment pursuant to Section 7(a)(vi) without Good Reason, then the Company shall pay Executive (A) the Base Salary through the Date of Termination (as later defined), (B) accrued but unpaid benefits for Executive (such as accrued but unpaid insurance benefits, retirement plan benefits, paid time off (PTO) benefits, expense reimbursements, etc.) as of the Date of Termination and (C) vested rights under any stock option, stock incentive or other incentive compensation plan or program. Executive and his dependents shall also be entitled to any continuation of coverage rights required by COBRA, with premiums to be paid by Executive. (Collectively, the items set forth in this paragraph (i) are referred to herein as the "Accrued Benefits").

(ii) Death or Disability. If Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) or 7(a)(iii) by reason of death or Disability, then the Company shall pay Executive or his estate, as applicable, the Accrued Benefits, and any Incentive Bonus earned but not yet paid for any fiscal year completed prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs. Executive or his estate shall also be entitled to all insurance proceeds paid pursuant to the coverage provided by the applicable policy referenced in Section 5 hereof.

(iii) Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason. If the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)(iv) or Executive resigns for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(a)(v), then the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to two (2.0) times the sum of (A) Executive's then-current Base Salary and (B) the average Incentive Bonus earned by Executive for the two fiscal years preceding the Date of Termination, which sum shall be paid pro rata through the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination in accordance with the terms described in Section 3(a) above. In the case of any such termination within six (6) months prior to or following a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A), the amount set forth above shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum within ten (10) business days following the Date or Termination or the date of the Change in Control, whichever is later. Upon any termination subject to this paragraph, the Executive (and his eligible dependents, if applicable) shall also be entitled to (A) the Company-paid coverages and benefits described in Section 5 through the date that is twenty-four (24) months after the Date of Termination, at a cost to the Executive no greater than the cost to an employee of the Company, (B) the Accrued Benefits, and (C) payment of any Incentive Bonus earned but not yet paid for any fiscal year

4

completed prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs. All lump sum severance payments under this paragraph shall be subject to the Executive signing a standard release of employment claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

(iv) Stock Incentives. In the event that (A) the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)(iv),
(B) Executive resigns with Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(a)(v), (C) Executive's employment is terminated on account of death or Disability pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) or (iii) or (D) upon a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A), then (i) the portion of any unvested and outstanding Company stock options, restricted stock, stock units of other stock incentive rights held by Executive shall automatically vest immediately upon the Date of Termination or the date of Change in Control, as the case may be, notwithstanding the terms of any applicable option or award agreement and (ii) any stock options granted to Executive on or after the date hereof shall remain exercisable for a period of two years from the Date of Termination, notwithstanding the terms of any applicable option agreement. The Company agrees to take all corporate or other actions necessary or appropriate to effect the intent of this Section 7(b)(iv).

(c) "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(i), the date specified in the written notice of termination delivered to Executive by the Company, (ii) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii), the date which is (A) the one hundred twentieth (120th) consecutive day of such inability or (B) the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day in any twelve (12) month period of such inability, (iii) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section
7(a)(iii), the date of Executive's death, (iv) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(iv), the date specified in the written notice of termination delivered to Executive by the Company (which shall be no less than 45 days from the date of such notice), (v) if Executive terminates his employment pursuant to Section 7(a)(v) or 7(a)(vi), upon the date specified in the written notice of termination delivered to Company by Executive. Upon termination of Executive's employment hereunder for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices and directorships then held with the Company or any of its Affiliates as of the Date of Termination.

(d) Company Property. Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that all Company Property and equipment furnished to or prepared by Executive in the course of or incident to Executive's employment, belongs to the Company and shall be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of Executive's employment hereunder. "Company Property" includes, without limitation, all books, manuals, records, reports, notes, contracts, lists, encoded media, and other documents or materials, or copies thereof (including computer files), and all other proprietary information relating to the business of the Company. Following termination, Executive will not retain any written or other tangible material containing any proprietary information of the Company.

8. Parachute Tax Indemnity.

(a) If it shall be determined that any amount paid, distributed or treated as paid or distributed by the Company to or for Executive's benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined

5

without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 8) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by Executive of all federal, state and local taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Executive shall make reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company to minimize the costs to the Company relating to any Gross-Up Payment.

(b) All determinations required to be made under this Section 8, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. The Accounting Firm shall be appointed jointly by Executive and the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 8, shall be paid by the Company to Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to this Section 8 and Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for Executive's benefit.

(c) Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later then ten business days after Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Executive shall: (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim; (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company; (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim; and (iv) permit the Company to

6

participate in any proceeding relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expense. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 8, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for Executive's taxable year with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority, so long as such action does not have a material adverse effect on the contest being pursued by the Company.

(d) If, after Executive's receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 8, Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of this Section 8) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after Executive's receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 8, a determination is made that Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

9. Protective Covenants.

(a) Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings when used in this Section 9 or elsewhere in this Agreement:

(i) "Business" shall mean the "small ticket" equipment leasing business and any other business activities engaged in by the Company or any Affiliate as a substantial line of business within one (1) year prior to of the Date of Termination.

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(ii) "Competitive Position" shall mean (A) Executive's direct or indirect equity ownership or control of any entity engaged in the Business (except as provided in the next sentence), or (B) an employment, consulting, partnership, advisory, directorship, agency, promotional or independent contractor relationship between Executive and a person, firm, corporation, partnership or profit or non-profit business or organization ("Person") engaged, wholly or in part, in the Business, in the United States or Canada. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive's direct or indirect ownership, solely as a passive investment, of equity securities of any entity that is required to file periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the securities of which corporation are listed on any securities exchange, quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or traded in the over-the-counter market, shall not constitute a "Competitive Position" if Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, the entity and Executive does not, directly or indirectly, own five percent (5%) or more of any class of securities of the entity.

(iii) "Confidential Information" shall mean non-public information (including but not necessarily limited to Trade Secrets) disclosed to Executive or known by Executive as a consequence of, or through his relationship with, the Company, about the Customers, Executives (including compensation paid to other Executives or other terms of employment), operations, processes, products, inventions, business methods, principals, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, trade secrets, public relations methods, organization, procedures or finances, including, without limitation, information of or relating to customer lists of the Company and its Affiliates.

(iv) "Customer" shall mean any actual customer or client of the Company or any Affiliate during the one (1) year time period preceding the Date of Termination and any actively solicited prospective customer of the Company or any Affiliate during that same time period.

(v) "Restricted Territory" shall mean the United States and Canada.

(vi) "Trade Secret" shall mean information or data (including, but not limited to, confidential business information, technical or non-technical data, formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans, lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers) that: (a) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (b) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

(b) Limitations on Competition. In consideration of the rights and benefits Executive will receive under this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement through the date that is (i) one (1) year after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(i) or Section 7(vi); (ii) one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement due to non-extension of the Agreement by the Executive pursuant to Section 2; or (iii) eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(iv) or
Section 7(v), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person accept or take a

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Competitive Position. During the applicable period of time following the Date of Termination, this covenant shall bind Executive only with respect to Executive's activities in the Restricted Territory or with respect to any business entity that is engaged in the Business in the Restricted Territory.

(c) Confidentiality. Except in conjunction with discharging his legitimate employment responsibilities or except as and to the extent required by law, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person, (i) disclose, publish, disseminate or otherwise communicate, in oral, written, electronic or other format, any Confidential Information of the Company or any Affiliate to any Person unaffiliated with the Company, or (ii) use, copy or reproduce any Confidential Information. Upon termination of his employment, Executive shall return to the Company or, at the Company's election, destroy all (and shall not retain any) Confidential Information in possession or control that is in written, electronic or other non-oral form (together with all copies or duplicates thereof, including computer files), including, without limitation, any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be obligated to treat as confidential, or return to the Company any embodiments of Confidential Information that (i) is accessible to the public generally (except where such accessibility resulted from unauthorized disclosure), or (ii) is lawfully disclosed to Executive by a third party. The duration of the obligations set forth in this Section 9(c) shall begin on the date of this Agreement and shall end on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Date of Termination, except with respect to any Confidential Information that constitutes a Trade Secret, in which case the obligations shall continue for as long as the underlying Confidential Information continues to meet the definition of Trade Secret.

(d) Non-Solicitation of Company Customers. Also in consideration of the rights and benefits he will receive under this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement through the date that is (i) one (1) year after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(i) or Section 7(vi); (ii) one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement due to non-extension of the Agreement by the Executive pursuant to Section 2; or (iii) eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(iv) or
Section 7(v), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person, solicit, divert or appropriate (or attempt to do so) any Customer for the purpose of providing the Customer with, or having the Customer provided with, services or products that directly compete with those offered by the Company or any Affiliate.

(e) Non-Solicitation of Company Personnel. Also in consideration of the rights and benefits he will receive under this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement through the date that is 24 months after the Date of Termination, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person, (a) hire any Person who was an employee of the Company or any Affiliate at the Date of Termination or (b) encourage or solicit any employee, consultant, advisor, director, supplier or independent contractor of the Company to terminate or lessen that Person's affiliation with the Company or any Affiliate or to violate the terms of any agreement or understanding between that Person and the Company or any Affiliate.

(f) Acknowledgments. Executive acknowledges that: (i) the purpose of the covenants in this Section 9 (the "Protective Covenants") is to protect the Confidential

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Information of the Company, to protect the Company from unfair competition; and
(ii) the scope of the Protective Covenants is reasonable in light of the irreparable harm to the Company that could result if Executive were to engage in conduct prohibited by the Protective Covenants and in light of the substantial rights and benefits that Executive will receive under this Agreement. Executive also acknowledges that the Company shall have the right in its sole discretion to waive Executive's compliance with any Protective Covenant on a case-by-case basis. No such waiver shall be effective unless it is specific and is in writing. Additionally, Executive acknowledges the receipt of good and adequate consideration for the Protective Covenants and acknowledges that he can obtain gainful employment without violation of the Protective Covenants.

(g) Injunctive Relief and Enforcement; Partial Enforcement. In the event of breach by Executive of a Protective Covenant, the Company shall be entitled to institute legal proceedings to obtain damages for any such breach, or to enforce the specific performance of this Agreement by Executive and to enjoin Executive from any further violation and to exercise such remedies cumulatively or in conjunction with all other rights and remedies provided by law. Executive acknowledges that money damages would be an insufficient remedy for any breach by him of a Protective Covenant and that in addition to all other remedies the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief for any such breach. In addition, in the event that any Protective Covenant shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it extends for too long a period of time or to too broad a geographical area or too broad an array of prohibited activities, it is the parties' intent that the court enforce the covenant at issue to the broadest extent possible within the limitation of the law. Also, to the extent allowed by law, Executive waives the posting of any bond or security for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or any other extraordinary relief that may be obtained by the Company in connection with this Agreement.

10. Withholding of Taxes. All payments required to be made by the Company to the Employee under this Agreement shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax, excise tax and other payroll deductions as the Company may reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

11. Affiliates. As used in this Agreement, "Affiliates" shall mean any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or corporation that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, any person. The term "Control" includes, without limitation, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a corporation, partnership, joint venture or limited liability company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

12. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered, when transmitted by telecopy with receipt confirmed, or one day after delivery to an overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed as follows:

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If to Executive:               1 Broadacres Court
                               Moorestown, NJ 08057

If to the Company:             Marlin Business Services Corp.
                               124 Gaither Drive, Suite 170
                               Mount Laurel, N.J. 08054
                               Fax:  (888) 479-1100
                               Attention:  Chairman, Compensation Committee

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the others in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

13. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that if any one or more of the terms contained in
Section 9 shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad with regard to time, duration, geographic scope or activity, that term shall not be deleted but shall be reformed and constructed in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the extent compatible with applicable law.

14. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by Executive. Upon receipt of the Executive's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, this Agreement may be assigned by the Company to any direct or indirect subsidiary or parent of the Company, or any successor (whether by merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the stock, assets or business of the Company and this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of such successors and assigns.

15. Limitation of Liabilities. If Executive is awarded any damages as compensation for any breach or action related to this Agreement, a breach of any covenant contained in this Agreement (whether express or implied by either law or fact), or any other cause of action based in whole or in part on any breach of any provision of this Agreement, such damages shall be limited to the Maximum Damages (defined below) plus Executive's legal costs, and shall exclude (i) punitive damages, and (ii) consequential and/or incidental damages (e.g., lost profits and other indirect or speculative damages). "Maximum Damages" shall mean the amount equal to four (4) times all amounts owed to Executive pursuant to this Agreement through its natural term or through any period for which severance payments are due pursuant to the terms hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, there shall be no limit to the amount of damages Executive may be awarded in connection with any cause of action relating to (i) improper termination of Executive for Cause or (ii) defamation, slander or libel of Executive by the Company or its officers or directors.

16. Headings. The headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

17. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey (without regard to its choice of law principles),

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and the parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New Jersey for any proceeding to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the employment of Executive by the Company as contemplated hereby, and no representations, promises, agreements or understandings, written or oral, not herein contained shall be of any force or effect. This Agreement shall not be changed unless in writing and signed by both Executive and the Company. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement supersedes any and all other prior agreements with respect to those matters covered by the terms of this Agreement including, without limitation, the employment agreement between the Executive and Marlin Leasing Corporation dated July 26, 2001.

19. Acknowledgment. Each party hereto acknowledges that (a) it has consulted with or has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of its own choice concerning this Agreement and has been advised to do so by the other party hereto, and (b) that it has read and understands the Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, and has entered into it freely based on its own judgment.

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

By:

Name:


Title:

DANIEL P. DYER


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EXHIBIT A

Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred upon:

(i) an acquisition subsequent to the date hereof by any person, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person"), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; excluding, however, the following: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company and (3) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred in the event that, within 30 days following the date of the first such acquisition, the person, entity or group reduces and maintains its beneficial ownership level at below 35%;

(ii) a change in the composition of the Board of Director such that during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (i), (iii), or (iv) of this paragraph) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members thereof;

(iii) consummation of a transaction involving a merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar corporate transaction, whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation in such transaction, as a result of which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction do not stock of the surviving corporation representing 80% or more of the voting power of all capital stock thereof outstanding immediately after the consummation of the transaction; and

(iv) consummation of a transaction involving (A) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or (B) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

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EXHIBIT B

RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE

This RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE is executed and delivered by __________________ ("Employee") to Marlin Business Services Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation ("Employer").

In consideration of the agreement by Employer to provide Employee with the severance payments set forth in Section 7 of the Employment Agreement between Employer and Employee dated October __, 2003 (the "Employment Agreement"), Employee hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1. Release and Covenant. Employee, of his own free will, voluntarily releases and forever discharges Employer, its subsidiaries, affiliates, their officers, employees, agents, stockholders, successors and assigns (both individually and in their official capacities with Employer) from, and covenants not to sue or proceed against any of the foregoing on the basis of, any and all past or present causes of action, suits, agreements or other claims which Employee, his dependents, relatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns has or have against Employer upon or by reason of any matter arising out of his employment by Employer and the cessation of said employment, and including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and any other federal or state law, regulation or ordinance, or public policy, contract or tort law, having any bearing whatsoever on the terms and conditions or cessation of his employment with Employer. This release shall not, however, constitute a waiver of any of Employee's rights upon termination of employment under (i) Sections 7 and 8 of the Employment Agreement, (ii) the terms of any employee benefit plan of Employer in which Employee is participating or (iii) the policies of Employer with regard to business expense reimbursement.

Section 2. Due Care. Employee acknowledges that he has received a copy of this Release prior to its execution and has been advised hereby of his opportunity to review and consider this Release for 21 days prior to its execution. Employee is hereby advised and acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release. Employee enters into this Release having freely and knowingly elected, after due consideration, to execute this Release and to fulfill the promises set forth herein. This Release shall be revocable by Employee during the 7-day period following its execution, and shall not become effective or enforceable until the expiration of such 7-day period. The severance payments under the Employment Agreement shall be made following the expiration of this 7-day period, and shall be forfeited by Employee if he exercises the right of revocation.

Section 3. Reliance by Employee. Employee acknowledges that, in his decision to enter into this Release, he has not relied on any representations, promises or agreements of any kind, including oral statements by representatives of Employer, except as set forth in this Release.

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This RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE is executed by Employee and delivered to Employer on _____________________, 20___.

EMPLOYEE:


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Exhibit 10.5

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated as of October 14, 2003, between Marlin Business Services Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), and Gary R. Shivers ("Executive"). This Agreement shall become effective immediately upon the consummation of the Company's initial public offering of its common stock (the "Effective Date").

BACKGROUND

A. The Company would like to continue the services of Executive in the position of President, and Executive is willing to continue be employed by the Company in this capacity pursuant to this Agreement.

B. Executive and the Company's Affiliate, Marlin Leasing Corporation, are parties to an employment agreement dated July 26, 2001. Executive and the Company now desire to amend and restate that agreement to reflect the current understandings of the parties and to make certain changes in connection with the initial public offering of the Company's stock to be effective as of the Effective Date.

1. Employment Duties and Performance. Executive shall be employed by the Company on a full-time basis in the position of President, reporting directly to the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Executive shall have such authority and shall perform such duties and responsibilities as are typically incident to such position, together with and such additional reasonable duties consistent his position and title as lawfully delegated to Executive from time to time by the Board of Directors or any executive officer of the Company who has the authority to delegate such duties to Executive. Executive shall use all reasonable efforts to further the interests of the Company and shall devote substantially all of his business time and attention to his employment duties to the Company:
provided that nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from devoting reasonable periods required for (i) participating with professional associations, educational institutions, or in civic or charitable activities, or
(ii) serving on the board of directors or similar body of any other business entity, provided that it is not a Competitive Position (as defined in Section 9 hereof) and provided further that membership on any for-profit board shall require the prior approval of the Company's Board of Directors..

2. Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement (the "Agreement Term") shall commence on the Effective Date and shall expire on the second anniversary of the Effective Date. The Agreement Term shall be automatically extended for an additional year on each anniversary of the Effective Date, unless written notice of non-extension is provided by either party to the other party at least 90 days prior to such anniversary. The period of Executive's employment hereunder (the "Employment Period") shall commence as of the Effective Date and

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shall expire at the end of the Agreement Term, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

3. Base Salary and Incentive Bonus.

(a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay Executive a base salary (the "Base Salary") equal to at least $250,000 per annum during the Employment Period. The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") shall review the Base Salary not less frequently than annually, beginning 12 months after the Effective Date, for consideration of increase based on merit and on competitive market factors. The Base Salary shall be payable semi-monthly pursuant to the normal pay practices of the Company, subject to standard deductions such as for income tax withholdings and social security.

(b) Incentive Bonus. Executive shall be eligible for an annual incentive bonus (the "Incentive Bonus") for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, with a minimum target bonus opportunity equal to 70% of Base Salary. The performance measures used in determining the amount of the Incentive Bonus shall be established by the Compensation Committee after considering the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. The Incentive Bonus shall be paid as promptly as practicable after it has been approved by the Company's Board of Directors. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all other short-term and long-term bonus or incentive plans or arrangements in which other senior executives of the Company are eligible to participate from time to time.

4. Stock Incentives. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all stock option, restricted stock, stock unit and other equity incentive plans or arrangements in which other senior executives of the Company are eligible to participate from time to time.

5. Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate, subject to general eligibility requirements, in any group medical and hospitalization, retirement, life insurance or other benefit plan maintained by the Company for its employees or its senior executives. In addition, the Company shall continue to provide during the Employment Period, at its cost, additional life and disability insurance for Executive (with Executive or his designee as the beneficiary) with coverage amounts under each such policy equal to a minimum of $618,000 for the life insurance and $8,000 monthly benefit for the disability insurance.

6. Business Expenses. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable travel and other business expenses and disbursements incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive's duties under this Agreement, upon proper accounting in accordance with the Company's normal practices and procedures for reimbursement of business expenses and in compliance with applicable IRS regulations.

7. Termination of Employment.

(a) Executive's employment shall or may be terminated, as the case may be, under the following circumstances:

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(i) Cause. The Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder for "Cause" effective upon the vote of 66.67% of the Company's Board of Directors (excluding Executive's vote if he is then serving on the Board of Directors) and delivery of a written notice to Executive stating the grounds for such termination. "Cause" shall mean any one or more of the following: (a) willful fraud or material dishonesty by Executive in connection with the performance of his duties to the Company; (b) grossly negligent or intentional failure by Executive to substantially perform his duties hereunder; (c) material breach by Executive of a Protective Covenant set forth in Section 9 hereof; or
(d) the conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a charge of commission of a felony by Executive; provided that no termination for "Cause" shall be effective until reasonable written notice is provided to Executive setting forth the reasons for the decision by the Board of Directors to terminate Executive for Cause, Executive is given an opportunity, together with his counsel, to appear before, and be heard by, the Board of Directors relating to the proposed termination for Cause, and Executive fails to remedy the Cause event within thirty (30) days (except in the case of (d) above) subject to such circumstances being susceptible to remedy;

(ii) Disability. Executive's employment shall terminate if, because of a mental or physical disability or infirmity (meeting the definition of a covered "disability" for purposes of the Company's disability insurance plans, or if such plans do not exist, at the Company's election, where such disability is confirmed by a physician appointed by the Board of Directors), Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his duties hereunder, with or without reasonable accommodation, for a consecutive period of one hundred twenty (120) days or a non-consecutive period of one hundred twenty
(120) days during any twelve month period;

(iii) Death. Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon the death of Executive;

(iv) Termination Without Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment hereunder for any reason at any time, including for any reason that does not constitute Cause, by delivery to Executive of forty-five (45) days written notice of such termination, subject to the consequences of such termination as set forth in this Agreement. Such right to terminate Executive's employment shall be without regard (A) to any general or specific policies (whether written or oral) of the Company relating to the employment or termination of its senior executives, or (B) to any statements made to Executive, whether made orally or contained in any document, pertaining to Executive's relationship with the Company;

(v) Resignation for Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate Executive's employment hereunder for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean any one or more of the following: (a) a material diminution in Executive's title, or a material change in Executive's authority, duties, responsibilities or reporting relationship as contemplated by
Section 1 hereof, that is not approved in writing by Executive; (b) a breach by the Company of its material obligations under this Agreement; (c) the relocation of the offices at which Executive is principally employed to a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, which relocation is not approved, in writing, by Executive; (d) any reduction in Executive's Base Salary or target Incentive Bonus percentage, or a material reduction in employee or executive benefits (excluding a reduction in the Company's

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benefit plans that is applicable to all employees) ; (e) the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A); or (f) any time after a written notice of non-extension of this Agreement given by the Company pursuant to
Section 2 hereof; provided that Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist until reasonable written notice is provided to the Company setting forth the reasons for the decision by Executive to terminate his employment for Good Reason and the Company fails to remedy the Good Reason event within thirty (30) days.

(vi) Resignation without Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment hereunder for any reason at any time, including for any reason that does not constitute Good Reason.

(b) Compensation Upon Termination.

(i) For Cause; Without Good Reason. If Executive's employment is terminated for Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)(i), or in the event of Executive's voluntary termination of his employment pursuant to Section 7(a)(vi) without Good Reason, then the Company shall pay Executive (A) the Base Salary through the Date of Termination (as later defined), (B) accrued but unpaid benefits for Executive (such as accrued but unpaid insurance benefits, retirement plan benefits, paid time off (PTO) benefits, expense reimbursements, etc.) as of the Date of Termination and (C) vested rights under any stock option, stock incentive or other incentive compensation plan or program. Executive and his dependents shall also be entitled to any continuation of coverage rights required by COBRA, with premiums to be paid by Executive. (Collectively, the items set forth in this paragraph (i) are referred to herein as the "Accrued Benefits").

(ii) Death or Disability. If Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) or 7(a)(iii) by reason of death or Disability, then the Company shall pay Executive or his estate, as applicable, the Accrued Benefits, and any Incentive Bonus earned but not yet paid for any fiscal year completed prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs. Executive or his estate shall also be entitled to all insurance proceeds paid pursuant to the coverage provided by the applicable policy referenced in Section 5 hereof.

(iii) Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason. If the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)(iv) or Executive resigns for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(a)(v), then the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to two (2.0) times the sum of (A) Executive's then-current Base Salary and (B) the average Incentive Bonus earned by Executive for the two fiscal years preceding the Date of Termination, which sum shall be paid pro rata through the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination in accordance with the terms described in Section 3(a) above. In the case of any such termination within six (6) months prior to or following a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A), the amount set forth above shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum within ten (10) business days following the Date or Termination or the date of the Change in Control, whichever is later. Upon any termination subject to this paragraph, the Executive (and his eligible dependents, if applicable) shall also be entitled to (A) the Company-paid coverages and benefits described in Section 5 through the date that is twenty-four (24) months after the Date of Termination, at a cost to the Executive no greater than the cost to an employee of the Company, (B) the Accrued Benefits, and (C) payment of any Incentive Bonus earned but not yet paid for any fiscal year

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completed prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs. All lump sum severance payments under this paragraph shall be subject to the Executive signing a standard release of employment claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

(iv) Stock Incentives. In the event that (A) the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)(iv),
(B) Executive resigns with Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(a)(v), (C) Executive's employment is terminated on account of death or Disability pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) or (iii) or (D) upon a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A), then (i) the portion of any unvested and outstanding Company stock options, restricted stock, stock units of other stock incentive rights held by Executive shall automatically vest immediately upon the Date of Termination or the date of Change in Control, as the case may be, notwithstanding the terms of any applicable option or award agreement and (ii) any stock options granted to Executive on or after the date hereof shall remain exercisable for a period of two years from the Date of Termination, notwithstanding the terms of any applicable option agreement. The Company agrees to take all corporate or other actions necessary or appropriate to effect the intent of this Section 7(b)(iv).

(c) "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(i), the date specified in the written notice of termination delivered to Executive by the Company, (ii) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii), the date which is (A) the one hundred twentieth (120th) consecutive day of such inability or (B) the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day in any twelve (12) month period of such inability, (iii) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section
7(a)(iii), the date of Executive's death, (iv) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(iv), the date specified in the written notice of termination delivered to Executive by the Company (which shall be no less than 45 days from the date of such notice), (v) if Executive terminates his employment pursuant to Section 7(a)(v) or 7(a)(vi), upon the date specified in the written notice of termination delivered to Company by Executive. Upon termination of Executive's employment hereunder for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices and directorships then held with the Company or any of its Affiliates as of the Date of Termination.

(d) Company Property. Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that all Company Property and equipment furnished to or prepared by Executive in the course of or incident to Executive's employment, belongs to the Company and shall be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of Executive's employment hereunder. "Company Property" includes, without limitation, all books, manuals, records, reports, notes, contracts, lists, encoded media, and other documents or materials, or copies thereof (including computer files), and all other proprietary information relating to the business of the Company. Following termination, Executive will not retain any written or other tangible material containing any proprietary information of the Company.

8. Parachute Tax Indemnity.

(a) If it shall be determined that any amount paid, distributed or treated as paid or distributed by the Company to or for Executive's benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined

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without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 8) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by Executive of all federal, state and local taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Executive shall make reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company to minimize the costs to the Company relating to any Gross-Up Payment.

(b) All determinations required to be made under this Section 8, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. The Accounting Firm shall be appointed jointly by Executive and the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 8, shall be paid by the Company to Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to this Section 8 and Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for Executive's benefit.

(c) Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later then ten business days after Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Executive shall: (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim; (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company; (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim; and (iv) permit the Company to

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participate in any proceeding relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expense. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 8, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for Executive's taxable year with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority, so long as such action does not have a material adverse effect on the contest being pursued by the Company.

(d) If, after Executive's receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 8, Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of this Section 8) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after Executive's receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 8, a determination is made that Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

9. Protective Covenants.

(a) Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings when used in this Section 9 or elsewhere in this Agreement:

(i) "Business" shall mean the "small ticket" equipment leasing business and any other business activities engaged in by the Company or any Affiliate as a substantial line of business within one (1) year prior to of the Date of Termination.

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(ii) "Competitive Position" shall mean (A) Executive's direct or indirect equity ownership or control of any entity engaged in the Business (except as provided in the next sentence), or (B) an employment, consulting, partnership, advisory, directorship, agency, promotional or independent contractor relationship between Executive and a person, firm, corporation, partnership or profit or non-profit business or organization ("Person") engaged, wholly or in part, in the Business, in the United States or Canada. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive's direct or indirect ownership, solely as a passive investment, of equity securities of any entity that is required to file periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the securities of which corporation are listed on any securities exchange, quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or traded in the over-the-counter market, shall not constitute a "Competitive Position" if Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, the entity and Executive does not, directly or indirectly, own five percent (5%) or more of any class of securities of the entity.

(iii) "Confidential Information" shall mean non-public information (including but not necessarily limited to Trade Secrets) disclosed to Executive or known by Executive as a consequence of, or through his relationship with, the Company, about the Customers, Executives (including compensation paid to other Executives or other terms of employment), operations, processes, products, inventions, business methods, principals, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, trade secrets, public relations methods, organization, procedures or finances, including, without limitation, information of or relating to customer lists of the Company and its Affiliates.

(iv) "Customer" shall mean any actual customer or client of the Company or any Affiliate during the one (1) year time period preceding the Date of Termination and any actively solicited prospective customer of the Company or any Affiliate during that same time period.

(v) "Restricted Territory" shall mean the United States and Canada.

(vi) "Trade Secret" shall mean information or data (including, but not limited to, confidential business information, technical or non-technical data, formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans, lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers) that: (a) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (b) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

(b) Limitations on Competition. In consideration of the rights and benefits Executive will receive under this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement through the date that is (i) one (1) year after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(i) or Section 7(vi); (ii) one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement due to non-extension of the Agreement by the Executive pursuant to Section 2; or (iii) eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(iv) or
Section 7(v), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person accept or take a

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Competitive Position. During the applicable period of time following the Date of Termination, this covenant shall bind Executive only with respect to Executive's activities in the Restricted Territory or with respect to any business entity that is engaged in the Business in the Restricted Territory.

(c) Confidentiality. Except in conjunction with discharging his legitimate employment responsibilities or except as and to the extent required by law, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person, (i) disclose, publish, disseminate or otherwise communicate, in oral, written, electronic or other format, any Confidential Information of the Company or any Affiliate to any Person unaffiliated with the Company, or (ii) use, copy or reproduce any Confidential Information. Upon termination of his employment, Executive shall return to the Company or, at the Company's election, destroy all (and shall not retain any) Confidential Information in possession or control that is in written, electronic or other non-oral form (together with all copies or duplicates thereof, including computer files), including, without limitation, any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be obligated to treat as confidential, or return to the Company any embodiments of Confidential Information that (i) is accessible to the public generally (except where such accessibility resulted from unauthorized disclosure), or (ii) is lawfully disclosed to Executive by a third party. The duration of the obligations set forth in this Section 9(c) shall begin on the date of this Agreement and shall end on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Date of Termination, except with respect to any Confidential Information that constitutes a Trade Secret, in which case the obligations shall continue for as long as the underlying Confidential Information continues to meet the definition of Trade Secret.

(d) Non-Solicitation of Company Customers. Also in consideration of the rights and benefits he will receive under this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement through the date that is (i) one (1) year after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(i) or Section 7(vi); (ii) one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement due to non-extension of the Agreement by the Executive pursuant to Section 2; or (iii) eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(iv) or
Section 7(v), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person, solicit, divert or appropriate (or attempt to do so) any Customer for the purpose of providing the Customer with, or having the Customer provided with, services or products that directly compete with those offered by the Company or any Affiliate.

(e) Non-Solicitation of Company Personnel. Also in consideration of the rights and benefits he will receive under this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement through the date that is 24 months after the Date of Termination, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person, (a) hire any Person who was an employee of the Company or any Affiliate at the Date of Termination or (b) encourage or solicit any employee, consultant, advisor, director, supplier or independent contractor of the Company to terminate or lessen that Person's affiliation with the Company or any Affiliate or to violate the terms of any agreement or understanding between that Person and the Company or any Affiliate.

(f) Acknowledgments. Executive acknowledges that: (i) the purpose of the covenants in this Section 9 (the "Protective Covenants") is to protect the Confidential

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Information of the Company, to protect the Company from unfair competition; and
(ii) the scope of the Protective Covenants is reasonable in light of the irreparable harm to the Company that could result if Executive were to engage in conduct prohibited by the Protective Covenants and in light of the substantial rights and benefits that Executive will receive under this Agreement. Executive also acknowledges that the Company shall have the right in its sole discretion to waive Executive's compliance with any Protective Covenant on a case-by-case basis. No such waiver shall be effective unless it is specific and is in writing. Additionally, Executive acknowledges the receipt of good and adequate consideration for the Protective Covenants and acknowledges that he can obtain gainful employment without violation of the Protective Covenants.

(g) Injunctive Relief and Enforcement; Partial Enforcement. In the event of breach by Executive of a Protective Covenant, the Company shall be entitled to institute legal proceedings to obtain damages for any such breach, or to enforce the specific performance of this Agreement by Executive and to enjoin Executive from any further violation and to exercise such remedies cumulatively or in conjunction with all other rights and remedies provided by law. Executive acknowledges that money damages would be an insufficient remedy for any breach by him of a Protective Covenant and that in addition to all other remedies the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief for any such breach. In addition, in the event that any Protective Covenant shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it extends for too long a period of time or to too broad a geographical area or too broad an array of prohibited activities, it is the parties' intent that the court enforce the covenant at issue to the broadest extent possible within the limitation of the law. Also, to the extent allowed by law, Executive waives the posting of any bond or security for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or any other extraordinary relief that may be obtained by the Company in connection with this Agreement.

10. Withholding of Taxes. All payments required to be made by the Company to the Employee under this Agreement shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax, excise tax and other payroll deductions as the Company may reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

11. Affiliates. As used in this Agreement, "Affiliates" shall mean any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or corporation that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, any person. The term "Control" includes, without limitation, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a corporation, partnership, joint venture or limited liability company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

12. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered, when transmitted by telecopy with receipt confirmed, or one day after delivery to an overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed as follows:

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If to Executive:             218 Chestnut Street
                             Haddonfield, NJ 08033

If to the Company:           Marlin Business Services Corp.
                             124 Gaither Drive, Suite 170
                             Mount Laurel, N.J. 08054
                             Fax:  (888) 479-1100
                             Attention:  Chairman, Compensation Committee

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the others in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

13. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that if any one or more of the terms contained in
Section 9 shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad with regard to time, duration, geographic scope or activity, that term shall not be deleted but shall be reformed and constructed in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the extent compatible with applicable law.

14. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by Executive. Upon receipt of the Executive's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, this Agreement may be assigned by the Company to any direct or indirect subsidiary or parent of the Company, or any successor (whether by merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the stock, assets or business of the Company and this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of such successors and assigns.

15. Limitation of Liabilities. If Executive is awarded any damages as compensation for any breach or action related to this Agreement, a breach of any covenant contained in this Agreement (whether express or implied by either law or fact), or any other cause of action based in whole or in part on any breach of any provision of this Agreement, such damages shall be limited to the Maximum Damages (defined below) plus Executive's legal costs, and shall exclude (i) punitive damages, and (ii) consequential and/or incidental damages (e.g., lost profits and other indirect or speculative damages). "Maximum Damages" shall mean the amount equal to four (4) times all amounts owed to Executive pursuant to this Agreement through its natural term or through any period for which severance payments are due pursuant to the terms hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, there shall be no limit to the amount of damages Executive may be awarded in connection with any cause of action relating to (i) improper termination of Executive for Cause or (ii) defamation, slander or libel of Executive by the Company or its officers or directors.

16. Headings. The headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

17. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey (without regard to its choice of law principles),

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and the parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New Jersey for any proceeding to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the employment of Executive by the Company as contemplated hereby, and no representations, promises, agreements or understandings, written or oral, not herein contained shall be of any force or effect. This Agreement shall not be changed unless in writing and signed by both Executive and the Company. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement supersedes any and all other prior agreements with respect to those matters covered by the terms of this Agreement including, without limitation, the employment agreement between the Executive and Marlin Leasing Corporation dated July 26, 2001.

19. Acknowledgment. Each party hereto acknowledges that (a) it has consulted with or has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of its own choice concerning this Agreement and has been advised to do so by the other party hereto, and (b) that it has read and understands the Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, and has entered into it freely based on its own judgment.

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

By:

Name:


Title:

GARY R. SHIVERS


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EXHIBIT A

Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred upon:

(i) an acquisition subsequent to the date hereof by any person, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person"), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; excluding, however, the following: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company and (3) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred in the event that, within 30 days following the date of the first such acquisition, the person, entity or group reduces and maintains its beneficial ownership level at below 35%;

(ii) a change in the composition of the Board of Director such that during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (i), (iii), or (iv) of this paragraph) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members thereof;

(iii) consummation of a transaction involving a merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar corporate transaction, whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation in such transaction, as a result of which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction do not stock of the surviving corporation representing 80% or more of the voting power of all capital stock thereof outstanding immediately after the consummation of the transaction; and

(iv) consummation of a transaction involving (A) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or (B) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

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EXHIBIT B

RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE

This RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE is executed and delivered by __________________ ("Employee") to Marlin Business Services Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation ("Employer").

In consideration of the agreement by Employer to provide Employee with the severance payments set forth in Section 7 of the Employment Agreement between Employer and Employee dated October __, 2003 (the "Employment Agreement"), Employee hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1. Release and Covenant. Employee, of his own free will, voluntarily releases and forever discharges Employer, its subsidiaries, affiliates, their officers, employees, agents, stockholders, successors and assigns (both individually and in their official capacities with Employer) from, and covenants not to sue or proceed against any of the foregoing on the basis of, any and all past or present causes of action, suits, agreements or other claims which Employee, his dependents, relatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns has or have against Employer upon or by reason of any matter arising out of his employment by Employer and the cessation of said employment, and including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and any other federal or state law, regulation or ordinance, or public policy, contract or tort law, having any bearing whatsoever on the terms and conditions or cessation of his employment with Employer. This release shall not, however, constitute a waiver of any of Employee's rights upon termination of employment under (i) Sections 7 and 8 of the Employment Agreement, (ii) the terms of any employee benefit plan of Employer in which Employee is participating or (iii) the policies of Employer with regard to business expense reimbursement.

Section 2. Due Care. Employee acknowledges that he has received a copy of this Release prior to its execution and has been advised hereby of his opportunity to review and consider this Release for 21 days prior to its execution. Employee is hereby advised and acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release. Employee enters into this Release having freely and knowingly elected, after due consideration, to execute this Release and to fulfill the promises set forth herein. This Release shall be revocable by Employee during the 7-day period following its execution, and shall not become effective or enforceable until the expiration of such 7-day period. The severance payments under the Employment Agreement shall be made following the expiration of this 7-day period, and shall be forfeited by Employee if he exercises the right of revocation.

Section 3. Reliance by Employee. Employee acknowledges that, in his decision to enter into this Release, he has not relied on any representations, promises or agreements of any kind, including oral statements by representatives of Employer, except as set forth in this Release.

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This RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE is executed by Employee and delivered to Employer on _____________________, 20___.

EMPLOYEE:


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Exhibit 10.6

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated as of October 14, 2003, between Marlin Business Services Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), and George D. Pelose ("Executive"). This Agreement shall become effective immediately upon the consummation of the Company's initial public offering of its common stock (the "Effective Date").

BACKGROUND

A. The Company would like to continue the services of Executive in the position of Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and Executive is willing to continue be employed by the Company in this capacity pursuant to this Agreement.

B. Executive and the Company's Affiliate, Marlin Leasing Corporation, are parties to an employment agreement dated July 26, 2001. Executive and the Company now desire to amend and restate that agreement to reflect the current understandings of the parties and to make certain changes in connection with the initial public offering of the Company's stock to be effective as of the Effective Date.

1. Employment Duties and Performance. Executive shall be employed by the Company on a full-time basis in the position of Senior Vice President and General Counsel, reporting directly to the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Executive shall have such authority and shall perform such duties and responsibilities as are typically incident to such position, together with and such additional reasonable duties consistent his position and title as lawfully delegated to Executive from time to time by the Board of Directors or any executive officer of the Company who has the authority to delegate such duties to Executive. Executive shall use all reasonable efforts to further the interests of the Company and shall devote substantially all of his business time and attention to his employment duties to the Company: provided that nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from devoting reasonable periods required for (i) participating with professional associations, educational institutions, or in civic or charitable activities, or (ii) serving on the board of directors or similar body of any other business entity, provided that it is not a Competitive Position (as defined in Section 9 hereof) and provided further that membership on any for-profit board shall require the prior approval of the Company's Board of Directors.

2. Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement (the "Agreement Term") shall commence on the Effective Date and shall expire on the second anniversary of the Effective Date. The Agreement Term shall be automatically extended for an additional year on each anniversary of the Effective Date, unless written notice of non-extension is provided by either party to the other party at least 90 days prior to such anniversary. The period of Executive's

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employment hereunder (the "Employment Period") shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall expire at the end of the Agreement Term, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

3. Base Salary and Incentive Bonus.

(a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay Executive a base salary (the "Base Salary") equal to at least $235,000 per annum during the Employment Period. The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") shall review the Base Salary not less frequently than annually, beginning 12 months after the Effective Date, for consideration of increase based on merit and on competitive market factors. The Base Salary shall be payable semi-monthly pursuant to the normal pay practices of the Company, subject to standard deductions such as for income tax withholdings and social security.

(b) Incentive Bonus. Executive shall be eligible for an annual incentive bonus (the "Incentive Bonus") for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, with a minimum target bonus opportunity equal to 50% of Base Salary. The performance measures used in determining the amount of the Incentive Bonus shall be established by the Compensation Committee after considering the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. The Incentive Bonus shall be paid as promptly as practicable after it has been approved by the Company's Board of Directors. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all other short-term and long-term bonus or incentive plans or arrangements in which other senior executives of the Company are eligible to participate from time to time.

4. Stock Incentives. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all stock option, restricted stock, stock unit and other equity incentive plans or arrangements in which other senior executives of the Company are eligible to participate from time to time.

5. Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate, subject to general eligibility requirements, in any group medical and hospitalization, retirement, life insurance or other benefit plan maintained by the Company for its employees or its senior executives. In addition, the Company shall continue to provide during the Employment Period, at its cost, additional life and disability insurance for Executive (with Executive or his designee as the beneficiary) with coverage amounts under each such policy equal to a minimum of $550,000 for the life insurance and $6,500 monthly benefit for the disability insurance.

6. Business Expenses. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable travel and other business expenses and disbursements incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive's duties under this Agreement, upon proper accounting in accordance with the Company's normal practices and procedures for reimbursement of business expenses and in compliance with applicable IRS regulations.

7. Termination of Employment.

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(a) Executive's employment shall or may be terminated, as the case may be, under the following circumstances:

(i) Cause. The Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder for "Cause" effective upon the vote of 66.67% of the Company's Board of Directors (excluding Executive's vote if he is then serving on the Board of Directors) and delivery of a written notice to Executive stating the grounds for such termination. "Cause" shall mean any one or more of the following: (a) willful fraud or material dishonesty by Executive in connection with the performance of his duties to the Company; (b) grossly negligent or intentional failure by Executive to substantially perform his duties hereunder; (c) material breach by Executive of a Protective Covenant set forth in Section 9 hereof; or
(d) the conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a charge of commission of a felony by Executive; provided that no termination for "Cause" shall be effective until reasonable written notice is provided to Executive setting forth the reasons for the decision by the Board of Directors to terminate Executive for Cause, Executive is given an opportunity, together with his counsel, to appear before, and be heard by, the Board of Directors relating to the proposed termination for Cause, and Executive fails to remedy the Cause event within thirty (30) days (except in the case of (d) above) subject to such circumstances being susceptible to remedy;

(ii) Disability. Executive's employment shall terminate if, because of a mental or physical disability or infirmity (meeting the definition of a covered "disability" for purposes of the Company's disability insurance plans, or if such plans do not exist, at the Company's election, where such disability is confirmed by a physician appointed by the Board of Directors), Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his duties hereunder, with or without reasonable accommodation, for a consecutive period of one hundred twenty (120) days or a non-consecutive period of one hundred twenty
(120) days during any twelve month period;

(iii) Death. Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon the death of Executive;

(iv) Termination Without Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment hereunder for any reason at any time, including for any reason that does not constitute Cause, by delivery to Executive of forty-five (45) days written notice of such termination, subject to the consequences of such termination as set forth in this Agreement. Such right to terminate Executive's employment shall be without regard (A) to any general or specific policies (whether written or oral) of the Company relating to the employment or termination of its senior executives, or (B) to any statements made to Executive, whether made orally or contained in any document, pertaining to Executive's relationship with the Company;

(v) Resignation for Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate Executive's employment hereunder for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean any one or more of the following: (a) a material diminution in Executive's title, or a material change in Executive's authority, duties, responsibilities or reporting relationship as contemplated by
Section 1 hereof, that is not approved in writing by Executive; (b) a breach by the Company of its material obligations under this Agreement; (c) the relocation of the offices at which Executive is principally employed to a location more than twenty-five

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(25) miles from Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, which relocation is not approved, in writing, by Executive; (d) any reduction in Executive's Base Salary or target Incentive Bonus percentage, or a material reduction in employee or executive benefits (excluding a reduction in the Company's benefit plans that is applicable to all employees) ; (e) the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A); or (f) any time after a written notice of non-extension of this Agreement given by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof; provided that Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist until reasonable written notice is provided to the Company setting forth the reasons for the decision by Executive to terminate his employment for Good Reason and the Company fails to remedy the Good Reason event within thirty (30) days.

(vi) Resignation without Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment hereunder for any reason at any time, including for any reason that does not constitute Good Reason.

(b) Compensation Upon Termination.

(i) For Cause; Without Good Reason. If Executive's employment is terminated for Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)(i), or in the event of Executive's voluntary termination of his employment pursuant to Section 7(a)(vi) without Good Reason, then the Company shall pay Executive (A) the Base Salary through the Date of Termination (as later defined), (B) accrued but unpaid benefits for Executive (such as accrued but unpaid insurance benefits, retirement plan benefits, paid time off (PTO) benefits, expense reimbursements, etc.) as of the Date of Termination and (C) vested rights under any stock option, stock incentive or other incentive compensation plan or program. Executive and his dependents shall also be entitled to any continuation of coverage rights required by COBRA, with premiums to be paid by Executive. (Collectively, the items set forth in this paragraph (i) are referred to herein as the "Accrued Benefits").

(ii) Death or Disability. If Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) or 7(a)(iii) by reason of death or Disability, then the Company shall pay Executive or his estate, as applicable, the Accrued Benefits, and any Incentive Bonus earned but not yet paid for any fiscal year completed prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs. Executive or his estate shall also be entitled to all insurance proceeds paid pursuant to the coverage provided by the applicable policy referenced in Section 5 hereof.

(iii) Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason. If the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)(iv) or Executive resigns for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(a)(v), then the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to two (2.0) times the sum of (A) Executive's then-current Base Salary and (B) the average Incentive Bonus earned by Executive for the two fiscal years preceding the Date of Termination, which sum shall be paid pro rata through the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination in accordance with the terms described in Section 3(a) above. In the case of any such termination within six (6) months prior to or following a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A), the amount set forth above shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum within ten (10) business days following the Date or Termination or the date of the Change in Control, whichever is later. Upon any termination subject to this paragraph, the Executive (and his eligible dependents, if applicable) shall also be entitled to (A) the Company-paid coverages and benefits described in

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Section 5 through the date that is twenty-four (24) months after the Date of Termination, at a cost to the Executive no greater than the cost to an employee of the Company, (B) the Accrued Benefits, and (C) payment of any Incentive Bonus earned but not yet paid for any fiscal year completed prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs. All lump sum severance payments under this paragraph shall be subject to the Executive signing a standard release of employment claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

(iv) Stock Incentives. In the event that (A) the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)(iv),
(B) Executive resigns with Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(a)(v), (C) Executive's employment is terminated on account of death or Disability pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) or (iii) or (D) upon a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A), then (i) the portion of any unvested and outstanding Company stock options, restricted stock, stock units of other stock incentive rights held by Executive shall automatically vest immediately upon the Date of Termination or the date of Change in Control, as the case may be, notwithstanding the terms of any applicable option or award agreement and (ii) any stock options granted to Executive on or after the date hereof shall remain exercisable for a period of two years from the Date of Termination, notwithstanding the terms of any applicable option agreement. The Company agrees to take all corporate or other actions necessary or appropriate to effect the intent of this Section 7(b)(iv).

(c) "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(i), the date specified in the written notice of termination delivered to Executive by the Company, (ii) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii), the date which is (A) the one hundred twentieth (120th) consecutive day of such inability or (B) the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day in any twelve (12) month period of such inability, (iii) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section
7(a)(iii), the date of Executive's death, (iv) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(iv), the date specified in the written notice of termination delivered to Executive by the Company (which shall be no less than 45 days from the date of such notice), (v) if Executive terminates his employment pursuant to Section 7(a)(v) or 7(a)(vi), upon the date specified in the written notice of termination delivered to Company by Executive. Upon termination of Executive's employment hereunder for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices and directorships then held with the Company or any of its Affiliates as of the Date of Termination.

(d) Company Property. Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that all Company Property and equipment furnished to or prepared by Executive in the course of or incident to Executive's employment, belongs to the Company and shall be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of Executive's employment hereunder. "Company Property" includes, without limitation, all books, manuals, records, reports, notes, contracts, lists, encoded media, and other documents or materials, or copies thereof (including computer files), and all other proprietary information relating to the business of the Company. Following termination, Executive will not retain any written or other tangible material containing any proprietary information of the Company.

8. Parachute Tax Indemnity.

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(a) If it shall be determined that any amount paid, distributed or treated as paid or distributed by the Company to or for Executive's benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 8) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by Executive of all federal, state and local taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Executive shall make reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company to minimize the costs to the Company relating to any Gross-Up Payment.

(b) All determinations required to be made under this Section 8, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. The Accounting Firm shall be appointed jointly by Executive and the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 8, shall be paid by the Company to Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to this Section 8 and Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for Executive's benefit.

(c) Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later then ten business days after Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Executive shall: (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim; (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in

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writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company; (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim; and (iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceeding relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expense. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 8, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for Executive's taxable year with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority, so long as such action does not have a material adverse effect on the contest being pursued by the Company.

(d) If, after Executive's receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 8, Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of this Section 8) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after Executive's receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 8, a determination is made that Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

9. Protective Covenants.

(a) Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings when used in this Section 9 or elsewhere in this Agreement:

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(i) "Business" shall mean the "small ticket" equipment leasing business and any other business activities engaged in by the Company or any Affiliate as a substantial line of business within one (1) year prior to of the Date of Termination.

(ii) "Competitive Position" shall mean (A) Executive's direct or indirect equity ownership or control of any entity engaged in the Business (except as provided in the next sentence), or (B) an employment, consulting, partnership, advisory, directorship, agency, promotional or independent contractor relationship between Executive and a person, firm, corporation, partnership or profit or non-profit business or organization ("Person") engaged, wholly or in part, in the Business, in the United States or Canada. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive's direct or indirect ownership, solely as a passive investment, of equity securities of any entity that is required to file periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the securities of which corporation are listed on any securities exchange, quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or traded in the over-the-counter market, shall not constitute a "Competitive Position" if Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, the entity and Executive does not, directly or indirectly, own five percent (5%) or more of any class of securities of the entity.

(iii) "Confidential Information" shall mean non-public information (including but not necessarily limited to Trade Secrets) disclosed to Executive or known by Executive as a consequence of, or through his relationship with, the Company, about the Customers, Executives (including compensation paid to other Executives or other terms of employment), operations, processes, products, inventions, business methods, principals, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, trade secrets, public relations methods, organization, procedures or finances, including, without limitation, information of or relating to customer lists of the Company and its Affiliates.

(iv) "Customer" shall mean any actual customer or client of the Company or any Affiliate during the one (1) year time period preceding the Date of Termination and any actively solicited prospective customer of the Company or any Affiliate during that same time period.

(v) "Restricted Territory" shall mean the United States and Canada.

(vi) "Trade Secret" shall mean information or data (including, but not limited to, confidential business information, technical or non-technical data, formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans, lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers) that: (a) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (b) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

(b) Limitations on Competition. In consideration of the rights and benefits Executive will receive under this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement through the date that is (i) one (1) year after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(i) or

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Section 7(vi); (ii) one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement due to non-extension of the Agreement by the Executive pursuant to Section 2; or (iii) eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to
Section 7(iv) or Section 7(v), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person accept or take a Competitive Position. During the applicable period of time following the Date of Termination, this covenant shall bind Executive only with respect to Executive's activities in the Restricted Territory or with respect to any business entity that is engaged in the Business in the Restricted Territory.

(c) Confidentiality. Except in conjunction with discharging his legitimate employment responsibilities or except as and to the extent required by law, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person, (i) disclose, publish, disseminate or otherwise communicate, in oral, written, electronic or other format, any Confidential Information of the Company or any Affiliate to any Person unaffiliated with the Company, or (ii) use, copy or reproduce any Confidential Information. Upon termination of his employment, Executive shall return to the Company or, at the Company's election, destroy all (and shall not retain any) Confidential Information in possession or control that is in written, electronic or other non-oral form (together with all copies or duplicates thereof, including computer files), including, without limitation, any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be obligated to treat as confidential, or return to the Company any embodiments of Confidential Information that (i) is accessible to the public generally (except where such accessibility resulted from unauthorized disclosure), or (ii) is lawfully disclosed to Executive by a third party. The duration of the obligations set forth in this Section 9(c) shall begin on the date of this Agreement and shall end on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Date of Termination, except with respect to any Confidential Information that constitutes a Trade Secret, in which case the obligations shall continue for as long as the underlying Confidential Information continues to meet the definition of Trade Secret.

(d) Non-Solicitation of Company Customers. Also in consideration of the rights and benefits he will receive under this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement through the date that is (i) one (1) year after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(i) or Section 7(vi); (ii) one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement due to non-extension of the Agreement by the Executive pursuant to Section 2; or (iii) eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination for a termination pursuant to Section 7(iv) or
Section 7(v), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person, solicit, divert or appropriate (or attempt to do so) any Customer for the purpose of providing the Customer with, or having the Customer provided with, services or products that directly compete with those offered by the Company or any Affiliate.

(e) Non-Solicitation of Company Personnel. Also in consideration of the rights and benefits he will receive under this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement through the date that is 24 months after the Date of Termination, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other Person, (a) hire any Person who was an employee of the Company or any Affiliate at the Date of Termination or (b) encourage or solicit any employee, consultant, advisor, director, supplier or independent contractor of the Company

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to terminate or lessen that Person's affiliation with the Company or any Affiliate or to violate the terms of any agreement or understanding between that Person and the Company or any Affiliate.

(f) Acknowledgments. Executive acknowledges that: (i) the purpose of the covenants in this Section 9 (the "Protective Covenants") is to protect the Confidential Information of the Company, to protect the Company from unfair competition; and (ii) the scope of the Protective Covenants is reasonable in light of the irreparable harm to the Company that could result if Executive were to engage in conduct prohibited by the Protective Covenants and in light of the substantial rights and benefits that Executive will receive under this Agreement. Executive also acknowledges that the Company shall have the right in its sole discretion to waive Executive's compliance with any Protective Covenant on a case-by-case basis. No such waiver shall be effective unless it is specific and is in writing. Additionally, Executive acknowledges the receipt of good and adequate consideration for the Protective Covenants and acknowledges that he can obtain gainful employment without violation of the Protective Covenants.

(g) Injunctive Relief and Enforcement; Partial Enforcement. In the event of breach by Executive of a Protective Covenant, the Company shall be entitled to institute legal proceedings to obtain damages for any such breach, or to enforce the specific performance of this Agreement by Executive and to enjoin Executive from any further violation and to exercise such remedies cumulatively or in conjunction with all other rights and remedies provided by law. Executive acknowledges that money damages would be an insufficient remedy for any breach by him of a Protective Covenant and that in addition to all other remedies the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief for any such breach. In addition, in the event that any Protective Covenant shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it extends for too long a period of time or to too broad a geographical area or too broad an array of prohibited activities, it is the parties' intent that the court enforce the covenant at issue to the broadest extent possible within the limitation of the law. Also, to the extent allowed by law, Executive waives the posting of any bond or security for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or any other extraordinary relief that may be obtained by the Company in connection with this Agreement.

(h) New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct. If Executive is an attorney at law, nothing stated herein shall be construed inconsistently with any rule of professional conduct, canon of ethics or similar law, rule or regulation applicable to Executive qua attorney, including but not limited to RPC 5.6 of the New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, nor shall anything herein be construed as a violation by Executive of any such rules or as requiring Executive to violate any such rule at any time subsequent to the date hereof.

10. Withholding of Taxes. All payments required to be made by the Company to the Employee under this Agreement shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax, excise tax and other payroll deductions as the Company may reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

11. Affiliates. As used in this Agreement, "Affiliates" shall mean any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or corporation that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, any person. The term "Control" includes, without limitation, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the

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power to direct the management and policies of a corporation, partnership, joint venture or limited liability company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

12. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered, when transmitted by telecopy with receipt confirmed, or one day after delivery to an overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed as follows:

If to Executive:    46 Heritage Road
                    Haddonfield, NJ 08033

If to the Company:  Marlin Business Services Corp.
                    124 Gaither Drive, Suite 170
                    Mount Laurel, N.J. 08054
                    Fax: (888) 479-1100
                    Attention:  Chairman, Compensation Committee

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the others in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

13. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that if any one or more of the terms contained in
Section 9 shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad with regard to time, duration, geographic scope or activity, that term shall not be deleted but shall be reformed and constructed in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the extent compatible with applicable law.

14. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by Executive. Upon receipt of the Executive's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, this Agreement may be assigned by the Company to any direct or indirect subsidiary or parent of the Company, or any successor (whether by merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the stock, assets or business of the Company and this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of such successors and assigns.

15. Limitation of Liabilities. If Executive is awarded any damages as compensation for any breach or action related to this Agreement, a breach of any covenant contained in this Agreement (whether express or implied by either law or fact), or any other cause of action based in whole or in part on any breach of any provision of this Agreement, such damages shall be limited to the Maximum Damages (defined below) plus Executive's legal costs, and shall exclude (i) punitive damages, and (ii) consequential and/or incidental damages (e.g., lost profits and other indirect or speculative damages). "Maximum Damages" shall mean the amount equal to four (4) times all amounts owed to Executive pursuant to this Agreement through its natural term or through any period for which severance payments are due pursuant to the terms hereof.

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, there shall be no limit to the amount of damages Executive may be awarded in connection with any cause of action relating to (i) improper termination of Executive for Cause or (ii) defamation, slander or libel of Executive by the Company or its officers or directors.

16. Headings. The headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

17. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey (without regard to its choice of law principles), and the parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New Jersey for any proceeding to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the employment of Executive by the Company as contemplated hereby, and no representations, promises, agreements or understandings, written or oral, not herein contained shall be of any force or effect. This Agreement shall not be changed unless in writing and signed by both Executive and the Company. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement supersedes any and all other prior agreements with respect to those matters covered by the terms of this Agreement including, without limitation, the employment agreement between the Executive and Marlin Leasing Corporation dated July 26, 2001.

19. Acknowledgment. Each party hereto acknowledges that (a) it has consulted with or has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of its own choice concerning this Agreement and has been advised to do so by the other party hereto, and (b) that it has read and understands the Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, and has entered into it freely based on its own judgment.

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP.

By:

Name:


Title:

GEORGE D. PELOSE


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EXHIBIT A

Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred upon:

(i) an acquisition subsequent to the date hereof by any person, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person"), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; excluding, however, the following: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company and (3) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred in the event that, within 30 days following the date of the first such acquisition, the person, entity or group reduces and maintains its beneficial ownership level at below 35%;

(ii) a change in the composition of the Board of Director such that during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause
(i), (iii), or (iv) of this paragraph) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members thereof;

(iii) consummation of a transaction involving a merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar corporate transaction, whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation in such transaction, as a result of which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction do not stock of the surviving corporation representing 80% or more of the voting power of all capital stock thereof outstanding immediately after the consummation of the transaction; and

(iv) consummation of a transaction involving (A) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or (B) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

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EXHIBIT B

RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE

This RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE is executed and delivered by __________________ ("Employee") to Marlin Business Services Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation ("Employer").

In consideration of the agreement by Employer to provide Employee with the severance payments set forth in Section 7 of the Employment Agreement between Employer and Employee dated October __, 2003 (the "Employment Agreement"), Employee hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1. Release and Covenant. Employee, of his own free will, voluntarily releases and forever discharges Employer, its subsidiaries, affiliates, their officers, employees, agents, stockholders, successors and assigns (both individually and in their official capacities with Employer) from, and covenants not to sue or proceed against any of the foregoing on the basis of, any and all past or present causes of action, suits, agreements or other claims which Employee, his dependents, relatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns has or have against Employer upon or by reason of any matter arising out of his employment by Employer and the cessation of said employment, and including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and any other federal or state law, regulation or ordinance, or public policy, contract or tort law, having any bearing whatsoever on the terms and conditions or cessation of his employment with Employer. This release shall not, however, constitute a waiver of any of Employee's rights upon termination of employment under (i) Sections 7 and 8 of the Employment Agreement, (ii) the terms of any employee benefit plan of Employer in which Employee is participating or (iii) the policies of Employer with regard to business expense reimbursement.

Section 2. Due Care. Employee acknowledges that he has received a copy of this Release prior to its execution and has been advised hereby of his opportunity to review and consider this Release for 21 days prior to its execution. Employee is hereby advised and acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release. Employee enters into this Release having freely and knowingly elected, after due consideration, to execute this Release and to fulfill the promises set forth herein. This Release shall be revocable by Employee during the 7-day period following its execution, and shall not become effective or enforceable until the expiration of such 7-day period. The severance payments under the Employment Agreement shall be made following the expiration of this 7-day period, and shall be forfeited by Employee if he exercises the right of revocation.

Section 3. Reliance by Employee. Employee acknowledges that, in his decision to enter into this Release, he has not relied on any representations, promises or agreements of any kind, including oral statements by representatives of Employer, except as set forth in this Release.

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This RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE is executed by Employee and delivered to Employer on _____________________, 20___.

EMPLOYEE:


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.

.
.

EXHIBIT 21.1

SUBSIDIARIES

NAME OF SUBSIDIARY                               JURISDICTION OF FORMATION
------------------                               -------------------------
Marlin Leasing Corporation                       Delaware
Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. II              Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. III             Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. IV              Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. V               Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. VI              Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables Corp. VII             Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables II LLC                Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables III LLC               Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables IV LLC                Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables V LLC                 Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables VI LLC                Nevada
Marlin Leasing Receivables VII LLC               Nevada
AssuranceOne, Ltd.                               Bermuda


EXHIBIT 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
Marlin Leasing Corporation and Subsidiaries:

We consent to the use of our report dated August 15, 2003, except as to note 3, which is as of August 22, 2003 and note 17, which is as of October 13, 2003, included herein and to the references to our firm under the headings "Experts" and "Selected Financial Information" in this registration statement on Form S-1.

Our report indicates that the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, on January 1, 2001.

                                             /s/ KPMG LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 14, 2003


EXHIBIT 99.1

CONSENT OF PERSON ABOUT TO BE NAMED DIRECTOR

Marlin Business Services Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company") has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-108530) (together with any amendments, the "Registration Statement") registering shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, for issuance pursuant to an initial public offering (the "Offering"). As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement as a person who has agreed to serve as a director beginning immediately after the closing of the Offering.

 /s/ John J. Calamari
----------------------------------
John J. Calamari
Date: October 14, 2003