HENNESSY ADVISORS INC (Form: 8-K, Received: 10/13/2016 16:18:05)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 10, 2016

HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California	000-49872	68-0176227
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

7250 Redwood Blvd., Suite 200 Novato, California		94945
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number including area code: (415) 899-1555

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a‑12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02.

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On October 10, 2016, Hennessy Advisors, Inc. (the “ Company ”) entered into a Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “ Employment Agreement ”) with Neil J. Hennessy in connection with his service as the chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of the Company and as chief investment officer and portfolio manager for the mutual funds managed by the Company. The Employment Agreement amends and restates the Employment Agreement dated as of May 2, 2001, between Hennessy Advisors and Mr. Hennessy, as subsequently amended by Amendment No. 1, dated August 28, 2006, Amendment No. 2, dated December 18, 2008, Amendment No. 3, dated September 3, 2009, the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated October 8, 2012, and the Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 21, 2014.

The Employment Agreement, as so amended and restated, made the following changes:

Updated the Employment Agreement to reflect the approval of Mr. Hennessy’s bonus arrangements by the Company’s shareholders in 2014.

Added a requirement that Mr. Hennessy provide 30 days’ advance notice to the Company prior to resigning without “good reason” (as defined in the Employment Agreement).

Provided that, upon a termination of employment by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Hennessy for “good reason,” he will receive a severance payment equal to the sum of (i) (A) one year’s full base salary and an average bonus multiplied by (B) two and (ii) a pro‑rated quarterly bonus for the quarter in which Mr. Hennessy’s employment is terminated. He will also receive payment of any previously earned and deferred quarterly bonus following the end of the year in which his employment terminates.

To address the non-deductibility and excise taxes imposed by Internal Revenue Code Sections 280G and 4999 on “excess parachute payments,” added a “better of” provision pursuant to which, if the amounts payable under the agreement and any other agreement plan or arrangement would constitute an excess parachute payment and result in an excise tax being imposed on Mr. Hennessy under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, Mr. Hennessy will receive either the full amount of such payments or a lesser amount such that no portion of the payments will be subject to the excise tax, whichever would result in a greater after-tax benefit to Mr. Hennessy.

Clarified that Mr. Hennessy’s rights to indemnification under the Employment Agreement are limited to litigation arising out of his employment under the Employment Agreement.

The Employment Agreement did not extend the existing term of Mr. Hennessy’s employment or increase his base salary or other benefits while employed. The Employment Agreement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

On October 10, 2016, the Company also entered into Amended and Restated Bonus Agreements with Teresa M. Nilsen, its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Secretary, and Daniel B. Steadman, its Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer. The sole change made in the amended and restated agreements was to modify the approach taken in the agreements to the non-deductibility and excise taxes imposed by Internal Revenue Code Sections 280G and 4999 on “excess parachute payments.” Prior to the amendment and restatement, the agreements included a provision under which benefits to be received by the executive in a change of control would be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid triggering such non-deductibility and excise taxes. The amendment and restatement replaced this provision with a “better of” provision pursuant to which, if the amounts payable under the agreement and any other agreement plan or arrangement would constitute an excess parachute payment and result in an excise tax being imposed on the executive under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, the executive will receive either the full amount of such payments or a lesser amount such that no portion of the payments will be subject to the excise tax, whichever would result in a greater after-tax benefit to the executive. The Amended and Restated Bonus Agreements otherwise were unchanged and continue to provide for the previously disclosed payment of a one-time cash bonus to Ms. Nilsen and Mr. Steadman in the event of a “change of control,” as defined in the agreements.

The Amended and Restated Bonus Agreement for each of Teresa M. Nilsen and Daniel B. Steadman is attached as Exhibit 99.2 and Exhibit 99.3 hereto, respectively, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit	Description

99.1	Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2016, between Hennessy Advisors, Inc. and Neil J. Hennessy.

99.2	Amended and Restated Bonus Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2016, between Hennessy Advisors, Inc. and Teresa M. Nilsen.

99.3	Amended and Restated Bonus Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2016, between Hennessy Advisors, Inc. and Daniel B. Steadman.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

October 13, 2016

HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.

By: /s/ Neil J. Hennessy

Neil J. Hennessy

President and CEO

HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.

Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 10, 2016

Exhibit	Description

99.1	Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2016, between Hennessy Advisors, Inc. and Neil J. Hennessy.

99.2	Amended and Restated Bonus Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2016, between Hennessy Advisors, Inc. and Teresa M. Nilsen.

99.3	Amended and Restated Bonus Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2016, between Hennessy Advisors, Inc. and Daniel B. Steadman.

Exhibit 99.1

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of October 10, 2016 (the “Effective Date”), between:

HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.
7250 Redwood Blvd., Suite 200
Novato, California 94945
(the “Company”)

and

NEIL J. HENNESSY
_____________________________
_____________________________
(the “Employee”)

WHEREAS, this Agreement amends the Employment Agreement dated as of May 2, 2001 (the “Original Agreement”), by and between the Company and the Employee, as amended pursuant to Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2, Amendment No. 3, the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of October 8, 2012, and the Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of February 21, 2014; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of the Employee, and the Employee desires to be employed by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. Employment and Duties .

a. The Company hereby employs the Employee and the Employee hereby accepts such employment by the Company, upon the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. The Employee shall have such duties and responsibilities as may be from time to time reasonably designated by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Employee shall perform his duties in a conscientious, reasonable and competent manner, shall devote his best efforts, skill and abilities to promote the Company’s interests, and shall devote his full time and attention to the performance of his duties. The Employee shall initially serve in the capacity of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and as Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager for the Company’s mutual funds and shall at all times discharge his duties as an officer and employee of the Company subject to the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

b. Until such time as the Employee’s duties and responsibilities are changed in writing by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Employee’s responsibilities shall include without limitation:

i. Managing or overseeing the management of the Company’s mutual funds;

ii. Attracting mutual fund accounts, attracting or managing accounts for high net worth individuals or retirement accounts or otherwise generating revenue; and

iii. Supervising all Company officers and employees instructed to report directly to him.

2. Term . The new term (the “Renewal Term”) of this Agreement shall commence on the effective date of the Original Agreement and shall continue until February 21, 2019 (the “Renewed Expiration Date”), unless earlier terminated as provided herein. On the Renewed Expiration Date and each anniversary of the Renewed Expiration Date, the term of this Agreement automatically shall be extended for an additional one year term (the “Extended Term”) unless either party hereto shall have provided written notice to the other party hereto of its, or his, intent not to extend this Agreement not less than sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Renewal Term or the Extended Term, as the case may be. For purposes of this Agreement, “Term” means the Renewal Term and, if so extended, the Extended Term.

3. Compensation .

a. Base Salary . The Company shall pay the Employee an annual base salary which, as of the Effective Date, is in the amount of $350,000 per year. The Employee shall be eligible to receive an increase in salary at the start of each calendar year subsequent to the Effective Date. This increase, if any, shall be in an amount as decided by the Board in its sole discretion. All payments of base salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.

b. Quarterly Bonus Compensation .

i. Determination of Quarterly Bonus . Subject to the offset described in Section 3.b.ii., the Board shall grant to the Employee a quarterly bonus equal to ten percent (10%) of the pre-tax profit of the Company for each fiscal quarter as computed for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, except that pre-tax profit for each quarter shall be computed without regard to (A) any bonuses payable to employees (including related payroll tax expenses); (B) depreciation expense; (C) amortization expense; (D) compensation expense related to restricted stock units or other stock-based compensation expense; and (E) asset impairment charges (such amount, for each quarter, the “Quarterly Bonus”). The Quarterly Bonus year begins on October 1 of each year and continues until September 30 of the following year (the “Fiscal Year”). Starting with the period beginning on January 1, 2014, the Quarterly Bonus was contingent upon shareholder approval in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and this contingency was satisfied by the approval of the material terms of the performance goals of the Quarterly Bonus by the Company’s shareholders on March 26, 2014.

ii. Payment of Quarterly Bonus Compensation . Fifty percent (50%) of any positive Quarterly Bonus amount will be paid to the Employee within seventy-five (75) days following the end of the fiscal quarter for which such bonus was earned. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of any positive Quarterly Bonus amount will be held in a reserve account for the Employee. The reserve account will be reduced by an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of any quarterly pre-tax loss of the Company for any subsequent fiscal quarter in the same Fiscal Year, with such loss computed in the manner the pre-tax profit is computed for the Quarterly Bonus. If there is a net positive amount in the reserve account of the Employee after the four (4) quarters of such Fiscal Year are completed, that amount will be paid to the Employee in a final bonus year payout within seventy-five (75) days following the end of such Fiscal Year of the Company. If there is a net negative amount in the reserve account of the Employee after the four (4) quarters of the Fiscal Year are completed, that negative reserve will be cancelled and not carried forward in the reserve account for the Employee in the next Fiscal Year. Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 6, the Employee must be an active employee of the Company when any bonus is paid under this Section 3.b. in order to be eligible to receive such portion of the Quarterly Bonus payment.

c. Employee Benefits . The Employee shall be eligible for all benefits on the same basis as otherwise generally available to other similarly situated employees. The Employee will be eligible to participate in any 401(k) plan or profit sharing plan of the Company as in effect from time to time or such other benefit plans as may be approved by the Board, subject to the Employee’s satisfaction of any applicable eligibility requirements, for so long as such plans are in effect. In addition, the Employee shall be eligible to participate in any supplemental pension, retirement, hospitalization, health plan or other employee benefits which the Company offers or which the Board may, from time to time, make available to similarly situated employees of the Company.

d. Other Terms and Benefits . The Company shall pay 100% of the premiums for life insurance coverage for the Employee. The Company shall pay 100% of the premiums for disability insurance coverage for the Employee.

e. Automobile Allowance . In recognition of the Employee’s need for an automobile for business purposes, the Company will provide the Employee with an automobile allowance of $1,250 per month, which automobile allowance shall not preclude the Employee from receiving reimbursement for business travel expenses.

f. Taxes . The Company shall deduct from any payments or deemed payments or other income to the Employee taxes required as determined by the Company to be withheld and paid to any federal, state or local government as a result of the Employee’s employment.

g. Bonus/Incentive Programs . During the Term, the Board may establish other bonus/incentive compensation programs apart from the Quarterly Bonus in which the Employee may be eligible to participate on such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate.

h. Stock Options . During the Term, the Employee shall be eligible for stock or stock option grants and similar awards under any plans of the Company or its affiliates adopted by the Board in which executive officers of the Company are entitled to participate.

i. Expenses . The Employee shall be reimbursed in full for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred during the performance of those services relating to his employment by the Company in accordance with the policies established by the Board from time to time.

j. 409A Compliance . All payments of compensation under this Section 3 or Section 6(b) to or for the benefit of the Employee shall to the maximum extent possible be made promptly and otherwise so as to not constitute deferred compensation for purposes of Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b). To the extent that pursuant to the terms of Sections 3 or 6 payment may be made to the Employee in more than one calendar year, the Employee shall have no right to designate the calendar year in which such payment is made.

4. Confidentiality . At all times after termination of employment hereunder for any reason, the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, in any fashion, form or manner, divulge, disclose, furnish, communicate or make accessible to any person who is not authorized by the Company to receive such information any client or prospect list, financial data, sales data, advertising or marketing plans, technological information or any other confidential information of the Company. All files, records, documents, forms, plans, policy and procedures manuals, client or prospective client lists, written memoranda and similar materials relating to the business of the Company or its affiliates whether prepared by the Employee or otherwise coming into the Employee’s possession or knowledge during the term of this Agreement, shall remain the exclusive property of the Company or its affiliates.

5. Termination .

a. Cause . The Employee shall be terminated for cause if he:

i. Is convicted of, or enters a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony (other than a traffic related offense) under any state, federal or local law or any felony involving the Company. Conviction includes any final disposition of the charge which does not result in the charges being completely dismissed or the Employee being completely acquitted.

ii. Materially breaches (A) this Agreement or (B) the Company’s policies and procedures, which breach is not cured, if capable of cure, after written notice within thirty (30) days of the date such notice is received by the Employee.

iii. Engages in willful or gross misconduct or willful or gross negligence in performing his duties, or fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement.

b. Termination in the Event of Death or Disability . This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the death of the Employee or termination by the Company on account of disability. In such event, the Company shall pay to the Employee or the Employee’s legal representative, as applicable, only the salary due to the Employee up to the date of termination as well as the benefits and reimbursed expenses due to the Employee at the time of death or disability, including all bonuses earned or accrued as of the date of termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that this Agreement terminates on account of disability, the Employee shall continue to receive salary and benefits for a period not to exceed three (3) months from the date of such termination until the date that the Employee begins receiving benefits under a plan or policy of disability insurance. For purposes of this Section 6.b., disability shall mean physical or mental disability or infirmity that prevents the Employee from performing substantially the duties assigned to him (based upon such competent medical evidence as shall be presented to the Company by any physician or group of physicians or other competent medical experts employed by the Company) for a continuous period of more than 180 days. The Employee shall cooperate fully with the Company in providing all medical information reasonably requested by such medical experts and shall provide such medical experts with the medical records of the Employee’s personal physician which relate to the disability, provided that such medical experts give adequate assurances of protecting the confidentiality of such records if requested by the Employee. If reasonably requested by the Company, the Employee will submit to an examination by a physician designated by the Company, which examination shall be at the Company’s expense.

c. Termination without Cause or for Good Reason . The Employee’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Employee for “Good Reason” (as defined below), in which case the Employee will become entitled to the payments described in Section 6 below.

d. Termination without Good Reason . The Employee’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Employee without Good Reason upon thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company, in which case the Company shall pay to the Employee only the salary, benefits and reimbursed expenses due to the Employee up to the date of termination.

6. Severance .

a. If the Employee is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or disability), or the Employee terminates his employment hereunder for Good Reason, during the Term of this Agreement (including any Extended Term), he shall be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to the sum of (i) (A) one year’s full base salary and the “Average Bonus” (as defined below) multiplied by (B) two and (ii) a Quarterly Bonus for the quarter in which the termination occurred calculated in the manner described in Section 3.b. above, determined based on actual performance for the quarter in which the Employee’s termination occurs (provided such calculation results in a positive Quarterly Bonus amount) and pro rated to reflect any partial period of the Employee’s employment during such quarter. The term “Average Bonus” shall mean the per Fiscal Year average of the Quarterly Bonuses earned by the Employee for performance during the three most recent full Fiscal Years most recently ended at the time of the Employee’s termination of employment.

If, at the end of the Fiscal Year in which the Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or disability) or the Employee terminates his employment hereunder for Good Reason during the Term of this Agreement (including any Extended Term), there is a net positive amount in the reserve account under Section 3.b.ii above, then such amount will be paid to the Employee in a final bonus year payout within seventy-five (75) days following the end of such Fiscal Year of the Company. If there is no amount or a net negative amount in the reserve account, then no payment will be made.

For purposes of this Section 6.a., the term “Good Reason” shall mean (i) the assignment to the Employee of duties materially inconsistent with the Employee’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities as of the Effective Date, (ii) any action or omission which results in a material diminution of the position, authority, duties or responsibilities of the Employee as of the Effective Date; (iii) a material reduction in the Employee’s annual base salary (other than a reduction that applies generally to the Company’s senior management), (iv) the relocation, without the Employee’s prior written consent, of the Employee’s principal place of employment to a location more than 50 miles (measured in the shortest driving distance) from the Employee’s principal place of employment on the Effective Date, or (v) the failure by the Company to have an acquiror of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets assume this Agreement; provided, that (a) the Employee provides notice to the Company of the existence of the condition constituting Good Reason within ninety (90) days of its initial existence and (b) allows the Company thirty (30) days to remedy the condition. Good Reason shall not exist at any time that the Employee could be terminated for Cause.

b. In the event the Employee is terminated for cause or voluntarily terminates his employment hereunder, other than for Good Reason, no severance shall be due or payable and salary and benefits shall be payable to the Employee only through the date of such termination.

c. No payment of severance pursuant to Section 6.a. shall be made to the Employee unless the Employee experiences a “separation from service” for purposes of Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h). Except to the extent payment is required to be deferred for a period of six (6) months pursuant to Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(2), the severance payment under the first paragraph of Section 6.a. shall be made in a lump sum on the date that is thirty (30) days following the end of the fiscal quarter in which such separation from service occurs. To the extent payment is required to be deferred for a period of six (6) months pursuant to Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(2), such payment shall be made to the Employee, without interest, in a lump sum one-hundred eighty-one (181) days following the separation from service.

d. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, or any other agreement, plan, or arrangement to the contrary, if any portion of any payment or benefit under this Agreement, or under any other agreement, plan, or arrangement (in the aggregate, “Total Payments”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, and would, but for this Section 6.d, result in the imposition on the Employee of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Total Payments to be made to the Employee shall either be (a) delivered in full, or (b) delivered in a reduced amount that is One Dollar ($1.00) less than the amount that would cause any portion of such Total Payments to be subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing results in the receipt by the Employee of the greatest benefit on an after-tax basis (taking into account the Excise Tax, as well as the applicable federal, state, and local income and employment taxes, for which the Employee shall be deemed to pay at the highest marginal rate for the applicable calendar year). To the extent the foregoing reduction applies, then any such payment or benefit shall be reduced or eliminated by applying the following principles, in order: (1) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (2) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (3) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Section 409A of the Code, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payment or benefits (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments). The determination of whether the Excise Tax or the foregoing reduction will apply will be made by independent tax counsel selected and paid by the Company (which may be regular counsel of the Company).

7. Nonrenewal . Subject to Section 2 of this Agreement, notice by the Company to the Employee that the Company will not renew this Agreement after the expiration of the Renewal Term or any Extended Term shall not be considered a termination without Cause and will not entitle the Employee to terminate for Good Reason as contemplated herein. In the event of any such nonrenewal, the Employee shall be entitled to the base salary, benefits and all bonuses earned or accrued through the expiration date of this Agreement.

8. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Employee and his heirs and personal representatives and the Company and its successors, assigns and legal representatives. This Agreement is for the personal services of the Employee. The benefits hereunder are personal to the Employee and are not assignable or transferable by the Employee. In the event of any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or business, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, the Company may assign this Agreement and its rights hereunder, provided that the assignee assumes all of the obligations of the Company hereunder, and upon such assignment and assumption, the Employee shall have no right to look to the Company for obligations arising hereunder after the effective date of such assignment.

9. Indemnification . The Company agrees that it shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Employee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Company’s by-laws from and against any and all liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in defense of litigation arising out of the employment of the Employee hereunder, except to the extent arising out of or based upon the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Employee.

10. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered to, or on the fifth (5th) day after being deposited in the United States mail, certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the person at the address first listed above or to such other person and/or address as may be designated from time to time in writing.

11. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and the Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof.

12. Modification and Waiver . No provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived unless such amendment, modification or waiver shall be agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and by a person duly authorized by the Board. Any waiver by either party of any breach of any of the terms of this Agreement shall not be considered a waiver of any subsequent breach.

13. No Assignment of Compensation . No right to or interest in any compensation or reimbursement payable hereunder shall be assignable or divisible by the Employee; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude the Employee from designating one or more beneficiaries to receive any amount that may be payable after his death and shall not preclude his executor or administrator from receiving or assigning any right hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto.

14. No Attachments . Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment, levy or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any such action shall be null, void and of no effect.

15. Headings . The heading of sections and subsections hereof are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

16. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed for all purposes by the laws of the State of California.

17. Severability . In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid and unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, such provision shall be deleted and the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected and shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law without the deleted provision or provisions.

18. Counterparts . This Agreement shall become effective only upon execution hereof by the Company and the Employee. It may be executed in several counterparts, any one of which shall constitute the agreement between the parties.

19. Existing Agreements . The Employee represents to the Company that he is not subject or a party to any employment or consulting agreement, confidentiality, non-competition covenant or other agreement, covenant or understanding which might prohibit him from executing this Agreement or limit his ability to fulfill his responsibilities hereunder.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

COMPANY:

HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.

By: /s/ Daniel B. Steadman

EMPLOYEE:

/s/ Neil J. Hennessy

NEIL J. HENNESSY

Exhibit 99.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED
BONUS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED BONUS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 10, 2016, by and between HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC., a California corporation (the “Company”), and TERESA M. NILSEN, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company (“Executive”).

Background

This Agreement amends the Bonus Agreement made as of August 28, 2006, by and between the Company and Executive, as amended pursuant to the First Amendment to Bonus Agreement effective as of March 26, 2014.

Executive is a key contributor to the Company’s continued financial success. In consideration of Executive’s continued employment with the Company, the Company wishes to provide Executive with bonus compensation in the event of a change of control of the Company. Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:

1. Bonus on Change of Control . In the event of a Change of Control, provided that Executive remains continuously employed by the Company through the date of the Change of Control, the Company shall pay Executive within 15 days after the Change of Control a one-time cash bonus equal to the greater of:

(a) $750,000; or

(b) The sum of the following:

(i) 150% of the total base salary (before deductions for withholding taxes or reductions for pre-tax contributions or deferrals to any Company benefit plan) paid by the Company to Executive during the most recent fiscal year ended prior to the Change of Control;

(ii) 150% of the Prior Year’s Bonus; and

(iii) An amount equal to the Pro Rata Portion of the Prior Year’s Bonus, provided that at least such amount has been accrued by the Company as bonus compensation for Executive (without regard to this Agreement) for the fiscal year during which the Change of Control occurs.

2. Section 280G Limitation . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, or any other agreement, plan, or arrangement to the contrary, if any portion of any payment or benefit under this Agreement, or under any other agreement, plan, or arrangement (in the aggregate, “Total Payments”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, and would, but for this Section 2, result in the imposition on Executive of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Total Payments to be made to Executive shall either be (a) delivered in full, or (b) delivered in a reduced amount that is One Dollar ($1.00) less than the amount that would cause any portion of such Total Payments to be subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing results in the receipt by Executive of the greatest benefit on an after-tax basis (taking into account the Excise Tax, as well as the applicable federal, state, and local income and employment taxes, for which Executive shall be deemed to pay at the highest marginal rate for the applicable calendar year). To the extent the foregoing reduction applies, then any such payment or benefit shall be reduced or eliminated by applying the following principles, in order: (1) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (2) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (3) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Section 409A of the Code, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payment or benefits (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments). The determination of whether the Excise Tax or the foregoing reduction will apply will be made by independent tax counsel selected and paid by the Company (which may be regular counsel of the Company).

3. Definitions . The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “ Affiliate ” means any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the person in question.

(b) “ Beneficial Ownership ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promul-gated under the Exchange Act. Beneficial Owner and Beneficially Owned have correlative meanings.

(d) “ Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

(i) an acquisition, in any one transaction or series of transactions, after which any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), has Beneficial Ownership of 50% or more of either the then outstanding shares of Company common stock or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company, but excluding, for this purpose, any such acquisition (A) by the Company or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company, (B) by Neil J. Hennessy or any Affiliate thereof, or (C) by any corporation with respect to which, following such acquisition, all of the then outstanding shares of common stock and voting securities of such corporation are then Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportions, by the Beneficial Owners of the common stock and voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition;

(ii) 50% or more of the members of the Board (A) are not Continuing Directors, or (B) whether or not they are Continuing Directors, are nominated by or elected by the same Beneficial Owner or are elected or appointed in connection with an acquisition by the Company (whether through purchase, merger or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the operating assets or capital stock of another entity; or

(iii) the (A) consummation of a reorganization, merger, share exchange, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case, with respect to which the individuals and entities who were the respective beneficial owners of the common stock and voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction do not, following such transaction, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and voting securities of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation, (B) consummation of the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or (C) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(e) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(f) " Continuing Director " means any member of the Board who was a member of the Board on August 1, 2006, and any successor of a Continuing Director who is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director (or whose election or nomination for election is approved) by at least a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board.

(g) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(h) “ Prior Year’s Bonus ” means the cash bonus (before deductions for withholding taxes or reductions for pre-tax contributions or deferrals to any Company benefit plan) paid by the Company based on Executive’s performance for the most recent fiscal year ended prior to the Change of Control.

(i) “ Pro Rata Portion ” means the portion determined by dividing (x) the number of days elapsed from the beginning of the fiscal year during which the Change of Control occurs until and including the date of the Change of Control by (y) 365.

4. Withholding . The Company shall withhold from all payments to Executive here-under all amounts required to be withheld under applicable local, state or federal income tax and payroll laws.

5. Miscellaneous . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California (exclusive of conflict of law principles). In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remainder shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Executive and Executive's heirs and personal representatives and the Company and its successors, assigns and legal representatives. Headings herein are inserted for convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. References to sections of the Exchange Act or the Code, or rules or regulations related thereto, shall be deemed to refer to any successor provisions, as applicable. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to expressly assume and agree to perform under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement may not be terminated, amended, or modified except by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

[Signature page follows]

HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.

By: /s/ Neil J. Hennessy

Name: Neil J. Hennessy

Title: President and CEO

/s/ Teresa M. Nilsen

Teresa M. Nilsen

Exhibit 99.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED
BONUS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED BONUS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 10, 2016 by and between HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC., a California corporation (the “Company”), and DANIEL B. STEADMAN, Executive Vice President of the Company (“Executive”).

Background

This Agreement amends the Bonus Agreement made as August 28, 2006, by and between the Company and Executive, as amended pursuant to the First Amendment to Bonus Agreement effective as of March 26, 2014.

(a) $500,000; or

(b) The sum of the following:

(i) 100% of the total base salary (before deductions for withholding taxes or reductions for pre-tax contributions or deferrals to any Company benefit plan) paid by the Company to Executive during the most recent fiscal year ended prior to the Change of Control;

(ii) 100% of the Prior Year’s Bonus; and

3. Definitions . The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “ Affiliate ” means any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the person in question.

(b) “ Beneficial Ownership ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Beneficial Owner and Beneficially Owned have correlative meanings.

(d) “ Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

(e) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(f) “ Continuing Director ” means any member of the Board who was a member of the Board on August 1, 2006, and any successor of a Continuing Director who is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director (or whose election or nomination for election is approved) by at least a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board.

(g) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

4. Withholding . The Company shall withhold from all payments to Executive hereunder all amounts required to be withheld under applicable local, state or federal income tax and payroll laws.

5. Miscellaneous . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California (exclusive of conflict of law principles). In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remainder shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Executive and Executive’s heirs and personal representatives and the Company and its successors, assigns and legal representatives. Headings herein are inserted for convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. References to sections of the Exchange Act or the Code, or rules or regulations related thereto, shall be deemed to refer to any successor provisions, as applicable. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to expressly assume and agree to perform under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement may not be terminated, amended, or modified except by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

[Signature page follows]

HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.

By: /s/ Neil J. Hennessy

Name: Neil J. Hennessy

Title: President and CEO

/s/ Daniel B. Steadman

Daniel B. Steadman