UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002
Commission file number 0-32335 HOM Corporation (Name of small business issuer in its charter) Georgia 58-2558702 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 4210 Columbia Road, Suite 10-C Martinez, Georgia 30907-0401 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) |
Issuer's telephone number (706) 228-5087
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered
N/A N/A
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock
(Title of class)
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. [X] Yes [ ] No
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B is not contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [X]
State issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year. $166,054
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of a specified date within the past 60 days. (See definition of affiliate in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)
On January 6, 2003, shares of common stock of the issuer, its only common equity, were sold at $.25 a share. Based on such price, the aggregate market value of the common stock of the issuer as of January 10, 2003, excluding 5,405,667 shares held by affiliates, or 3,412,984 shares, was $853,246.
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date.
As of January 9, 2003, there were 8,818,651 shares of common stock outstanding.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check one): Yes [ ]; No [X]
PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
HOM Corporation ("HOM"), a Georgia corporation incorporated May 4, 2000, is a holding company. HOM has had two operating wholly-owned subsidiaries, Homes By Owners, Inc. ("Homes"), a Georgia corporation incorporated December 6, 1999, and Direct Lending, Inc. ("Direct"), a Georgia corporation incorporated January 9, 1997 and formerly named Southern States Lenders, Inc. Homes publishes and distributes a monthly magazine, FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, known prior to the January 2002 issue as HOMES BY OWNERS, listing residential properties in the Augusta, Georgia/Aiken, South Carolina metropolitan area for sale by their owners and containing advertisements, most, but not all, of which relate to the real estate business. These listings are also carried on Homes' website, WWW.HOMESBYOWNERS.NET. Direct is a licensed mortgage broker that worked with various financial institutions and underwriters prior to the sale of substantially all its business assets, including the name Direct Lending, Inc., on November 25, 2002. SEE FORMER BUSINESS OF DIRECT LENDING, INC. HOM, Homes and Direct are collectively referred to as the "Company."
SUMMARY OF CURRENT SITUATION AND PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENTS
The Company is not currently profitable. As a result the management of the Company sought acquisitions, joint ventures and business arrangements that would include profitable operations, attractive business activities that would enable HOM to raise additional funds and cost sharing ventures.
In implementation of this search, on December 12, 2002 HOM sold
4,647,626 shares of its common stock to MA&N LLC ("MA&N"), a Nevada limited
liability company, which represented 51% of the 9,112,992 shares of HOM common
stock issued or issuable as of that date. The consideration for this sale was
(a) the provision of ISP wireless service from not less than 5 nodes, (b)
consultation by MA&N for at least two years on financial and management matters,
(c) arranging for personnel to manage the Company, (d) causing the Company to
proceed with the business plan being developed by MA&N to acquire additional
business operations in the ISP wireless business and (e) funding accounting and
legal costs of specified filings with the U. S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, including this Form 10-KSB (which will include currently outstanding
accounting fees, estimated to be in the range of $75,000-$100,000). See Item 12.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS - PARTICULAR TRANSACTIONS --
PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2002 TO JANUARY 9, 2003 and PROPOSED WI-FI SERVICE. The
continuation of the Company is dependant upon the success of such Wi-Fi service.
As a result of the change of control, the Company titled a Form 8-K describing the change of control with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (filing date: December 27, 2002). The Company is required to supplement that filing by amendment to be filed no later than February 25, 2003, which will set forth pro forma financial statements showing the effect of the assets acquired in connection with the change of control on the financial statements of the Company.
The Company has included a statement in its financial statements included herein to the effect that the Company's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to raise sufficient capital to implement its business plan and to generate profits sufficient to become financially viable. See NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES, NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. In rendering its report on the Company's financial statements as of September 30, 2001 and for the year then ended. Elliott Davis L.L.C., the auditors of the Company's financial statements,
referred to the statement of the Company as to the uncertainty of the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern and stated that "[t]he financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty." Subsequent to September 30, 2002, because of the acquisition of a controlling interest by MA&N, the Company and its auditors were able to conclude that over the year ending September 30, 2003, MA&N will have the ability to fund the contemplated operations of the Company and will make the necessary funding available. As a result, Elliott Davis L.L.C. has not included a reference to the going concern statement in the financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2002 and for the year then ended.
Apart from the proposed Wi-Fi service, the only business conducted by the Company is through Home's monthly magazine, FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, and its related website. This business has not been profitable, although the Company believes that current reductions in personnel and office space will allow it to make a nominal profit from the magazine exclusive of any allocated management costs.
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
Direct was acquired by Apple Homes Corporation ("Apple") on October 1, 1998. Thereafter Apple determined that it was not appropriate to continue to engage in the mortgage business of Direct. The shareholders of Apple of record March 1, 1999 received one share of Direct common stock for each 10 shares of common stock of Apple that they then held, fractional shares being rounded up to the next full share. Additional common stock of Direct was sold to private investors. In late 1999, Direct determined that it would be desirable to use a separate entity for the real estate for sale by owner business (or "FSBO" business, as referred to in the industry) it wished to enter. Homes was established for this purpose.
As interest rates rose in 2000 and the mortgage business of Direct (and other mortgage businesses in the Augusta area) declined, the Company determined that it would be preferable to reorganize so that the investor-owned company would be Homes, rather than Direct. To facilitate this switch, Homes incorporated a subsidiary, Augusta Lenders, Inc. ("Augusta") into which Direct could merge. Subsequently it was decided that it would be preferable to reorganize so that the investor owned company would be a holding company instead of one of the operating companies.
To attain this structure, the Chairman of Direct and Homes, Robert S. Wilson, organized HOM with a minimal initial investment. Homes transferred all the outstanding stock of Augusta to HOM, and HOM contributed 2,632,776 shares of its common stock, the same number of shares of its common stock as the number of then outstanding shares of Direct common stock, to Augusta. Direct and Augusta merged effective July 5, 2000. Pursuant to Georgia law, the shareholders of Direct became shareholders of HOM, and Direct became a wholly owned subsidiary of HOM. Direct then transferred all the outstanding common stock of Homes to HOM. The result was an investor-owned HOM with two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Homes and Direct. This business combination and the changes to the organizational structure, in effect an internal reorganization, did not affect the proportional interests of the shareholders or the businesses and operations in which they were investing or their rights in the business, since HOM and Direct are Georgia corporations with the same powers and rights of shareholders.
On December 12, 2002, MA&N acquired control of the Company through purchase of a majority interest in HOM and causing the majority of the directors of HOM to be persons associated with MA&N.
PROPOSED WI-FI BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
The company is taking preparatory steps to enter the wireless fidelity, more commonly known as Wi-Fi, business. Wi-Fi allows personal computers and other hand held devices to connect to the Internet without wires at high speeds comparable to DSL and Cable access, so that the Internet becomes easier to connect to and more accessible to Internet users. Wi-Fi antennas act as wireless Internet-access transmitters and receivers. Wi-Fi Internet Access is becoming an increasingly popular method of accessing the web.
Users of the Wi-Fi network operate on a set of unlicensed radio frequencies set aside by the government for everyone who follows a simple set of design rules, formally known as 802.11 technology, operating at up to 11 million bits per second. While Wi-Fi does not offer the same amount of mobility as a cell phone (e.g. a moving car), it is far less expensive than the multi-billion dollar mobile 3G high-speed wireless networks currently being rolled out by the wireless phone companies.
The Company is arranging to build wireless sites, commonly known as nodes, in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City. It is also seeking to make acquisitions and form strategic alliances within the Wi-Fi industry. While the Company believes that by rapidly establishing a Wi-Fi network, it will gain a niche in the Wi-Fi business to exploit itself or to sell to others, the Company understands that the Wi-Fi business has yet to be shown to be profitable. Revenue can be produced by a Wi-Fi business through the provision of an advertising medium, through fees for use of the Wi-Fi network, or both. Fee charging Wi-Fi networks justify their cost through enhanced service and security. The Company has not yet determined which revenue sources it will seek for its Wi-Fi business. A potential problem for Wi-Fi providers arises from the lack of control over Wi-Fi customers. Theoretically, after a small investment in equipment, all the users in the same house or even neighborhood could use a single stationary internal connection, while paying for a single back-up.
COMPETITIVE SITUATION OF THE WI-FI BUSINESS
Competition in the Wi-Fi business seems to be intense, although statistics seem scarce in this developing industry. T-Mobile USA is reported to have installed nodes in over 2,000 Starbucks Cafes and to be spending $100,000,000 to build its own nationwide network. On December 5, 2002, AT&T, Intel and IBM announced the establishment of Cometa Networks with a goal of bundling thousands of Wi-Fi connections, such as these planned by the Company, into one nationwide network. Existing phone and cable companies are entering the Wi-Fi industry. These entities have resources vastly superior to those of the Company.
BUSINESS OF HOMES BY OWNERS, INC.
FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, Homes' monthly magazine, currently contains 24 pages. It has listings of residential properties for sale in the Augusta, Georgia and Aiken, South Carolina metropolitan area, and advertisements, most, but not all, of which relate to the real estate business. The residential listings usually take a horizontal quarter page and feature a color photograph of the house. The advertisements are of local realtors, service companies and providers and merchants, and have represented an increasing proportion of the revenue of FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER magazine.
Basic rates for a standard quarter page residential listing are $199 to present a color photograph and text for one month and $499 to present a color photograph and text for four months plus internet listing. In each case a durable sign with the legend "Homes By Owners" and a telephone number, usually of the homeowner but, at his option, of Homes, is available to the listing home owner for a fee of $30, refundable upon return of the sign. Most residential listings are for four months in color. Commercial rates commence at $75 for including a business card and $150 for a quarter page in one issue to $1,125 for a full page in three issues. Homes has entered into an understanding with
Business Marketing and Consulting, Inc. ("Business Marketing") to share in the expenses of FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER. There is no written agreement in this regard. Business Marketing made an initial payment of $1,000 in June 2001 and further payments of $1,500 each in July 2001 through December 2002 other than for November 2001, in which month the ads procured by Business Marketing were not run. These monthly payments are approximately one-third the direct cost of producing, printing and distributing an issue of FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER. In consideration of the monthly payment of $1,500, Business Marketing is entitled to solicit advertisements to be published in FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, the proceeds of which are retained by Business Marketing. Business Marketing has been submitting two full pages, one half page and two business cards of advertisements, the standard rates for which aggregate $1,300, which have been published in FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER in each issue from July 2001 through January 2002, other than November 2001. The Company has imposed no limit on the number of pages in FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER that Business Marketing can use but would negotiate with Business Marketing as to the arrangements for publication of advertisements procured by Business Marketing if the standard rates for the pages published should materially exceed the payments received from Business Marketing.
Homes' revenues for the last three fiscal years may be allocated between residential property owners listing their homes for sale and other advertisers as follows:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS OTHER ADVERTISING ----------------- --------------------------- ----------------- September 30, 2002 $17,033 $34,423 September 30, 2001 $14,628 $33,521 September 30, 2000 $12,704 $13,460 |
FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER is distributed throughout the Augusta/Aiken metropolitan area in racks provided by Homes. Distribution sites include supermarkets, drug stores, convenience stores, banks and commercial establishments, and a modest fee is paid to some high traffic locations, such as supermarkets. FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER is replaced with a new issue on a monthly basis. Currently approximately 18,000 copies of an issue of FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER are printed for distribution and distributed monthly to approximately 280 locations.
Homes has established a website, WWW.HOMESBYOWNERS.NET, with information concerning Homes and its services, support services such as a calculator to help buyer determine what they can afford and color pictures and summary information about the listings. While most internet residential property presentations are in conjunction with a three month color listing in FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, a listing can be placed on the website only for $50. A website listing will remain until the house is sold or the listing person directs that it be removed, subject to the right of Homes to remove stale listings.
In July 2001, Homes joined the FSBO Network. FSBO Network, through its website, WWW.FSBONETWORK.COM, presents listings of FSBO's throughout the United States. Previously Homes was a part of FSBO online and the National For Sale By Owners Network, but ceased being a member of either in November 2001 since these services are duplicative of FSBO Network. If one seeks home sale information for Augusta, Georgia or Aiken, South Carolina, one finds a listing for Homes and can then link to the Homes website with all its listings. In each case, the identification of Homes and its website form the only presentation for Augusta, Georgia or Aiken, South Carolina. Through these networks, Homes has attained national coverage. Homes pays $175 on a monthly basis for its listing. Homes has no individualized contract or arrangement in connection with the FSBO Network website.
COMPETITIVE SITUATION OF HOMES BY OWNERS, INC.
Currently there is no FSBO magazine in the Augusta/Aiken metropolitan area other than FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, although there is a magazine, PHOTO BUYS, that contains photographs of any product for sale, including homes, on one-eighth pages. Automobiles are the predominant product appearing in PHOTO BUYS. The homes appear in black and white with brief descriptions at a cost of $35 for four weeks, $75 until the product sells and $25 more to be put on the Internet.
Homes must attract more listings and other advertising if FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER is to become profitable. See MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS. The Company has examples of FSBO magazines from other areas that seem to indicate that an area the size of the Augusta/Aiken metropolitan area can support a successful FSBO magazine. However, management believes that the maximum profit FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER can generate in the August/Aiken metropolitan area, even if successful, is limited. The Company has determined that it will not currently expand the operations of Homes sufficiently to generate a substantial profit from these operations or attempt to expand outside the Augusta/Aiken metropolitan area through franchises or joint ventures. As a result, it is considering a sale of the magazine or, preferably, a joint venture that would involve the funding of FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER until its operation becomes profitable. Although the Company has been in discussions with various persons concerning a sale or joint venturing of FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER and its related website, and its current arrangement with Business Marketing provides funding for approximately one-third the direct expenses of producing FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER magazine, there are no commitments or agreements for any such sale or joint venture.
Although the FSBO approach is competitive with realtor brokerage in the sale of residential properties, it also can be complementary. The Company, based on the observations of its personnel, believes that a substantial portion of residential properties that it has listed for sale by owner, are not actually sold by their owners. If a sale is still needed, the intervention of a broker is sought. Thus FSBO residential listings ultimately can prove to be leads for real estate brokers.
The Company has contemplated establishing or acquiring a realtor to gain the full benefits of the synergy with a realtor. The Company has had discussions with individuals with a view to establishing its own realty company and with existing realty companies with a view to an acquisition or merger. None of these discussions has led to an appropriate agreement. The Company believes that, in fact, there is a natural affinity between realtors and FSBO magazines. It believes a realty operation can otherwise benefit from access to the product stream generated by a FSBO magazine operation. For example, a realtor has the opportunity to identify distressed sale situations that can be acquired by the realtor at favorable prices.
SALE OF THE ASSETS AND BUSINESS OF DIRECT
Direct has never been profitable. During Fiscal 2002, the Company believed the sharp decline in interest rates and the resulting increase in the mortgage business both because of the greater affordability of residential housing through reduced monthly mortgage payments and the advantage of refinancing mortgage, would enhance Direct's business. As a result it substantially increased its personnel, taking additional space and otherwise incurring additional costs. Although, as noted below, the number of mortgage
closings and the resulting revenue substantially increased, so did expenses. In addition, management determined that it lacked the management resources to effectively promote and control the mortgage business. As a result, in October 2002 it was decided to dispose of the mortgage business, which was accomplished on November 25, 2002 by the sale to Stuckey Enterprises, Inc., an unaffiliated entity, of substantially all the assets of Direct (other than its corporate records, but including the name, Direct Lending). Stuckey paid $5,000 down and agreed to pay $484 per month for three years, a total of $20,000. HOM assumed the past liabilities of Direct. Mortgage transactions originating prior to October 25, 2002 were for the account of the Company and subsequent transactions were for the account of Stuckey. Stuckey assumed responsibility for the employees and premise and equipment costs from October 25, 2002, thus relieving the Company of these expenses.
FORMER BUSINESS OF DIRECT LENDING, INC.
Direct was a mortgage company. It located sources of capital willing to grant home mortgage loans to customers of Direct. Direct acted as a broker and was paid a fee upon the closing of a loan to a customer. These payments resulted from origination fees and yield spread income and totaled approximately $2,000 in the case of most of the loans closed by Direct, payable when, and only when, the loan closed.
Sources of capital that provided home mortgage loans to customers of Direct included finance companies, banks and wholesale lenders. When a lending institution indicated an interest in providing a loan to a Direct customer, Direct provided the appropriate documents and supervised their completion and the various steps needed to complete the loan. Direct attended the closing of the loan. Direct provided value by facilitating the entire loan process.
The mortgage business in the Augusta/Aiken metropolitan area was adversely affected during much of 1999 and 2000 by rising mortgage rates. Rising interest rates particularly affect the refinancing of mortgage loans. Refinancings occur when interest rates drop, so that home owners can save money through changing to mortgages with interest rates lower than those of the mortgage to which their property is subject. Mortgage interest rates declined in late 2000 and in 2001 and remained low in 2002. With the decline in rates, Direct experienced substantially increased inquiries concerning mortgage financing. Direct closed mortgage loans as follows:
NUMBER OF MORTGAGE PERIOD LOANS CLOSED ------ ------------ January 1, 1999-September 30, 1999* 9 October 1, 1999-September 30, 2000 14 October 1, 2000- September 30, 2001 7 October 1, 2001 - September 30, 2002 52 --------------- |
* PRIOR RECORDS UNAVAILABLE
GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF DIRECT
As a mortgage broker, Direct is required to be licensed. It is licensed in Georgia. Although it retains that license, it does not believe the license has material value in view of the cessation of the mortgage business.
COMPANY EMPLOYEES AND OTHER WORKERS
The Company has no employees, and uses independent contractors for various services when needed. Robert S. Wilson, HOM's former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and now a director, is currently acting for the Company, particularly for Homes, without receiving compensation other than from the operations of Homes, which will be up to $1,000 a month to the extent the
revenue of Homes By Owners exceeds its direct operating costs. Mr. Wilson has agreed to accept options to purchase 294,341 shares of HOM common stock at $.01 per share in lieu of past salary claims and advances totaling $18,000, which options have not been issued. He currently is supervising Home's magazine, FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, with the aid of independent contractors. Homes has an independent contractor who distributes the magazine in the Augusta/Aiken metropolitan areas. Homes has paid, and is willing to continue to pay, commissions of 25% on advertisements and listings for FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER magazine procured by third parties.
No determination has been made of who will become employees of HOM and its subsidiaries and the extent to which employees, officers and directors of HOM and its subsidiaries will be compensated. It is contemplated that both Mark S. Neuhaus, now Chairman and President of HOM, and Ned Baramov, now Secretary Treasurer of HOM, as well as others associated with MA&N who perform services for HOM and its subsidiaries will receive appropriate compensation from HOM or its subsidiaries for such services.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Company is not dependent on any particular customer or customers or any particular supplier or suppliers. It currently holds no patents, trademarks, licenses, franchises or concessions (other than the currently unused mortgage banking license of Direct in Georgia), and it has no royalty agreements or labor contracts. The Company has made no expenditures on research and development activities, although it continually is attempting, with its limited resources, to improve the quality of its products and services. It has had no costs of compliance with, and has not been affected by, environmental laws.
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS
Because of the recent inception, current lack of profitability and nature of the Company's business, it encounters many risk factors. Each of these factors, as well as matters set forth elsewhere in this Form 10-KSB, could adversely affect the business, operating results and financial condition of the Company.
BRIEF OPERATING HISTORY - NO ASSURANCE OF PROFITABILITY
The Company has a brief operating history. Although Direct commenced its mortgage business in 1997, original management was replaced in the latter part of 1998 and its present ownership dates from early 1999. See CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT. Homes' magazine, FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, commenced in January 2000. The operations of neither Direct nor Homes have been profitable. The Wi-Fi business contemplated in the acquisition of a controlling interest in the Company by MA&N has not commenced, its exact nature is in the process of definition and material expenses will be incurred before substantial revenues are generated, if ever. The Company, has encountered unforeseen costs, expenses, problems, difficulties and delays frequently associated with new ventures, and these may continue. There is no assurance that the Company's business ventures will be successful or that the Company will be able to attract and retain sufficient customers to attain its goals. The Company anticipates that its operating expenses will increase if and as its business expands, and it will need to generate revenues sufficient to offset not only its present expenses but these additional expenses to achieve profitability.
COMPETITION COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT REVENUES
The business of the Company is highly competitive. See COMPETITIVE SITUATION OF THE WI-FI BUSINESS and COMPETITIVE SITUATION OF HOMES BY OWNERS, Inc. Additional competitors may also enter the market and future competition may intensify. Most of these competitors have substantially greater financial resources than the Company, and they and their capital providers may be able to accept more financial risk than the Company and its capital providers prudently can manage.
CONCENTRATION OF SHARE OWNERSHIP GIVES INSIDERS CONTROL
MA&N owns 51% of HOM's outstanding common stock on a fully diluted
basis as of January 9, 2003. As a result, MA&N can determine the outcome on all
matters submitted to the shareholders. This concentration of share ownership
may: (i) delay or prevent a change in control of the Company; (ii) impede a
merger, consolidation, takeover or other business involving the Company; or
(iii) discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise
attempting to obtain control of the Company.
NEED FOR, AND POSSIBLE DIFFICULTIES IN SECURING, FUTURE FUNDING, DIRECTLY OR THROUGH AN ALTERNATIVE TRANSACTION
Although the Company believes that the resources of MA&N will be sufficient and available to fund its operations over the current year, MA&N is not contractually committed to fund the Company during that period and there is no assurance that such current year funding will be made. Thereafter the Company must secure future funding from MA&N or otherwise, either debt or equity, in order to finance its activities. Such funding will continue to be needed unless and until the operations of the Company become self-sustaining. There can be no assurance that any such funding will be available to the Company or that, if it is, it will be available on terms favorable to the Company. Prior to acquisition of a controlling interest in the Company by MA&N, the Company financed much of its operations from the sale of stock to Robert S. Wilson, former Chairman of HOM, and to Bryce N. Batzer, a former director of HOM, and to a limited number of principal investors, and borrowed funds from a bank with a guarantee by Mr. Wilson, from Mr. Wilson personally, from Judith C. Wilson, Mr. Wilson's wife, from Mr. Batzer and from David R. Baker, a partner of counsel to the Company. It is not anticipated that these funding sources will be available in the future. There can be no assurance that outside funding or an alternative transaction will be available to the Company at the time and in the amount to satisfy the Company's needs, or, if such funding or alternative transaction is available, that it will be available on terms favorable to the Company. If HOM issues additional shares of common stock, current shareholders may experience immediate and substantial dilution in their ownership of HOM's shares, or, in the case of an alternative transaction, will receive securities in a continuing entity providing them relatively lesser rights than they now possess. In case of a sale, shareholders' proceeds may be limited. In the event HOM issues securities or instruments other than common stock, it may be required to issue such instruments with greater rights than those currently possessed by holders of HOM's common stock. If a transaction directly involved Homes or Direct, current HOM shareholders might lose or be diluted in their indirect interests in Homes or Direct.
POSSIBILITY THAT NO PUBLIC MARKET OR ONLY A LIMITED PUBLIC MARKET WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE COMMON STOCK OF HOM
On August 14, 2002, NASD Regulation, Inc. cleared a broker's request
for an unpriced quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board for HOM's common stock.
However, the public market for HOM's common stock has not been substantial or
sustained. Sales have been sporadic and have ranged from $.05 to $.45 a share.
See MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
LIMITED ACCESS TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
To be effective, the Company needs persons with the skills necessary to conduct the Wi-Fi business and to produce the magazine and to maintain its
website. It also needs persons with the ability to procure real estate listings and advertisements for the magazine. The Company has had no experience in hiring personnel to conduct the Wi-Fi business. The Company has lacked the resources to train personnel, so it needed to find persons with the required experience, understanding, ability and effectiveness. The Company's financial position has made this difficult. See COMPANY EMPLOYEES AND OTHER WORKERS. The inability to attract and retain appropriate personnel would have a materially adverse effect upon the Company and its operations.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY RISK
In our modern society, the laws and regulations, including securities laws and regulations, applicable to the Company's business and operations are extensive and complex. As a start up business with limited personnel and funding, the Company has taken actions without being able to fully ascertain their legal effect and potential conflict with applicable law and regulation. The Company believes that this situation often pertains to minimally funded new businesses that are in the position of the Company. As a result, actions taken by the Company could subject it to regulatory review and challenge, and involve it in legal or administrative proceedings, that could have a material adverse affect on the Company.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND CAUTIONARY WORDS
This Registration Statement contains forward-looking statements, including such statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and as such may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Registration Statement or the amendment thereto in which they appear, as the case may be. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. In addition, particular attention is called to cautionary words such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and "intend" where they appear herein.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY.
The Company is in the process of moving its principal office from 4210 Columbia Road, Suite 10C, Martinez, Georgia, where it currently has no lease arrangements, to New York City. The Company does not otherwise own, lease or invest in real property. Company officers in New York City currently are working from the offices of MA&N. The Company contemplates taking separate premises in New York City, but no decision has been made on the timing thereof.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of its property is subject and, to the best of its knowledge, no such action against the Company is contemplated or threatened.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The OTC Compliance Unit of NASD Regulations, Inc. cleared a brokers request for an unpriced quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board on August 14, 2002. From that date through December 31, 2002, the high and low sales prices for the HOM Common Stock furnished by Divine Capital Markets LLC by were as follows:
PERIOD HIGH SALES PRICE LOW SALES PRICE ------ -------- ------- August 15-September 30, 2002 $0.45 $0.23 October 1-December 31, 2002 $0.20 $0.05 |
Actual sales have been sporadic, with the first reported sale on September 16, 2002. The most current reported sale as of January 13, 2003 was on January 6, 2003 at $.25 a share.
The ability of an individual shareholder to trade his or her shares in a particular state may be subject to various rules and regulations of that state. A number of states require that an issuer's securities be registered in their state or appropriately exempted from registration before the securities are permitted to trade in that state. The Company has no present plans to register its securities in any particular state, although it may take action that will allow it to receive appropriate exemption.
The shares of HOM's common stock are subject to the provisions of
Section 15(g) and Rule 15g-9 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), commonly referred to as the "penny stock" rule. The
Commission generally defines penny stock to be any equity security that has a
market price less than $5.00 per share, subject to specified exceptions. Section
15(g) sets forth requirements for transactions in penny stocks and Rule
15g-9(d)(1) incorporates the definition of penny stock as that used in Rule
3a51-1 of the Exchange Act. Rule 3a51-1 provides that any equity security is
considered to be a penny stock unless that security is registered and traded on
a national securities exchange meeting specified criteria set by the Commission;
authorized for quotation on The NASDAQ Stock Market; issued by a registered
investment company; excluded from the definition on the basis of price (at least
$5.00 per share) or the issuer's net tangible assets; or exempted from the
definition by the Commission. As a result, trading in HOM's common stock is
subject to additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell
penny stocks to persons other than established customers and accredited
investors, generally persons with assets in excess of $1,000,000 or annual
income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with their spouse.
For transactions covered by these rules, broker-dealers must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of such securities and must have received the purchaser's written consent to the transaction prior to the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require the delivery, prior to the first transaction, of a risk disclosure document relating to the penny stock market. A broker-dealer also must disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, and current quotations for the securities. Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stocks held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks. Consequently, these rules may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to trade and/or maintain a market in HOM's common stock and may affect the ability of shareholders to sell their shares.
As of January 9, 2003, there were approximately 106 holders of record of HOM's common stock, which figure does not take into account the beneficial ownership of those shareholders whose certificates are held in the name of broker-dealers or other nominees.
As of January 9, 2003, HOM has issued and outstanding 8,818,651 shares of common stock. Of this total, 5,880,302 shares are deemed "restricted securities," as defined by the Act, whose sale is subject to Rule 144 under the Act as having been held for less than two years. Certificates representing such shares bear an appropriate restrictive legend.
Of HOM's total outstanding shares, as of January 9, 2003, approximately 2,938,349 shares may be sold, transferred or otherwise traded in the public market without compliance with the resale limitations of Rule 144 under the Act unless held by an affiliate of HOM. Of the 2,938,349 shares, 445,814 shares which, if not held by an affiliate, would not be restricted, have been identified as being held by Robert S. Wilson, a director, and his wife, Judith C. Wilson, and are subject to compliance with the resale limitations of Rule 144 even though held for at least two years.
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned restricted shares of the Company for at least one year, including any person who may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of the Company (as the term "affiliate" is defined under the Act), is entitled to sell, within any three-month period, an amount of shares that does not exceed the greater of (i) the average weekly trading volume in the Company's common stock, as reported through the automated quotation system of a registered securities association, during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale or (ii) 1% of the shares then outstanding. A person who is not deemed to be an "affiliate" of the Company and has not been an affiliate for the most recent three months, and who has held restricted shares for at least two years would be entitled to sell such shares without regard to the resale limitations of Rule 144.
DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company has not declared or paid cash dividends or made distributions in the past, and the Company does not anticipate that it will pay cash dividends or make distributions in the foreseeable future. The Company currently intends to retain and invest future earnings, if any, to finance its operations.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
No equity securities were issued under any compensation plans or arrangements during the year ended September 30, 2002. However, the conversion into HOM common stock of $39,067 of the $54,000 salary obligation of the Company to Robert S. Wilson, the former Chairman and Chief Executive of HOM, was approved on January 9, 2002 at the rate of $.25 per share, which would have resulted in the issuance of 156,268 shares. No payment was made or stock issued in connection with Mr. Wilson's 2001 compensation, and on December 12, 2002, in connection with the acquisition of control of the Company, Mr. Wilson agreed to accept options to purchase 294,341 shares of HOM common stock at $.01 per share in lieu of such compensation and specified other obligations of the Company to him. No such options have yet been issued to Mr. Wilson.
SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES OF HOM DURING FISCAL 2002
During the year ended September 30, 2002, HOM issued shares of its common stock, its only securities sold, without registration under the Securities Act as set forth below. References to investments are to cash investments unless otherwise stated.
(a) On January 9, 2002, the transfer agent for HOM common stock was instructed to issue (i) 4,000 shares of HOM common stock to Jeanette Drayer in satisfaction of $1,000 payable to HOM's transfer agent, of which Ms. Drayer is the owner; (ii) 47,206 shares to David R. Baker, now a holder of more than 5% of the outstanding HOM common stock and a partner of a firm that is counsel to the Company, in satisfaction of $1,386 of unpaid interest to January 9, 2002 and of $10,416 principal amount of loans to the Company, or a total of $11,802; (iii) 178,681 shares to Bryce N Batzer, then a director of HOM, in satisfaction of $1,670 of unpaid interest to January 9, 2002 and of $43,000 principal amount of loans to the Company, or a total of $44,670, and (iv) 94,627 shares to Judith C. Wilson, wife of Robert S. Wilson, then Chairman and CEO of HOM, for net advances of $23,657, all on the basis of $.25 a share. Mr. Baker and Mr. Batzer were accredited investors. It is not known if Ms. Drayer is an accredited investor, but Ms. Drayer and Mrs. Wilson both are familiar with the operations of the Company, Mrs. Wilson through her husband, Robert S. Wilson.
(b) On March 6, 2002, 40,000 shares of HOM common stock were issued to Warren D. Bagatelle, an existing stockholder of HOM and an acquaintance of Robert S. Wilson, then the Chairman of HOM, in the stock brokerage business, at $.25 a share for an investment of $10,000. Mr. Bagatelle is an accredited investor.
(c) On April 17, 2002, 12,500 shares of HOM common stock were issued to Fred Thielke at $.40 a share for an investment of $5,000. Dr. Thielke is a professional acquaintance of Robert S. Wilson, then Chairman of the HOM, and an accredited investor.
(d) On June 27, 2002, 41,600 shares of HOM common stock were issued to Robert S. Wilson, then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HOM, at $.25 a share pursuant to a previous arrangement for the satisfaction of loans to HOM of $8,000 on February 13, 2002 and $2,000 on February 21, 2002, plus interest to the date of authorizing satisfaction of $400, for a total of $10,400, and 5,000 shares were issued to Betty Gibbs, an employee of Direct, at $.40 a share for an investment of $2,000. Mr. Wilson was an accredited investor, and Ms. Gibbs, who is not, is familiar with the operations of the Company.
(e) Effective August 28, 2002, 30,000 shares of HOM common stock were issued to Howard Bronson, at $.40 a share for consulting services valued at $12,000. Mr. Bronson is an accredited investor.
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION.
The Company's financial position is not good. It has never earned a profit, and has incurred an accumulated deficit of $1,260,356 as of September 30, 2002. The recent acquisition by MA&N of a controlling interest in the Company has given the Company access to additional funds directly from MA&N, and the business plan envisioned by MA&N may elicit additional funds from third parties, but the resources of MA&N are finite and there can be no assurance of third party funding. See SUMMARY OF CURRENT SITUATION AND PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENTS and ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS-PARTICULAR TRANSACTIONS-PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2002 TO JANUARY 9, 2003. The Company's original business, the mortgage banking business conducted by Direct, has been disposed of. See SALE OF THE ASSETS AND BUSINESS OF DIRECT.
The magazine, FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, is currently operating at a small deficit, if there is no allocation of general corporate overhead to its operation, and management believes it can be made, at best, marginally profitable on such a basis. The Company, by terminating the mortgage banking operations of Direct Lending and by reducing the expenses of producing the magazine, FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, has substantially reduced its operating costs, but these expense reductions do not eliminate the Company's current operating deficits. Development of the Wi-Fi business will substantially increase the Company's operating costs, which will need to be funded.
LIQUIDITY
The Company currently and during its existence has lacked liquidity as a result of its lack of initial financing and its continuing operating deficits. It has maintained its ability to pay expenses through the sale of its common stock from time to time, principally to its directors, who have made multiple investments. See RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES. In view of the change of control of the Company, such funding will not continue. The Company, therefore, will need to rely on the resources of its new controlling shareholder, MA&N, for its future liquidity until such time as it arranges other financing or becomes profitable. The Company has reviewed its cash needs with MA&N, and MA&N has indicated that over the next twelve months it will be able to provide the necessary funds (to the extent not provided by HOM) to satisfy HOM's current obligations and its ongoing operating and capital expenses.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
The Company has no material commitments for capital expenditures and has had no need, in its previous operations, to make material capital expenditures. The proposed Wi-Fi business will require capital expenditures, the exact extent of which is not now known, although it is believed that necessary equipment purchases, the principal anticipated capital expenditures, can be financed to a substantial extent.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
o Year ended September 30, 2002 compared with year ended September 30, 2001.
Revenue increased $100,865 from $65,819 to $166,054, or 153.2%, as a result of an increase in revenue from mortgage of $96,928 from $17,670 to $114,598, or 548.5%, mortgages closed having increased from 7 in fiscal 2001 to 52 in fiscal 2002, and an increase in income from the magazine, FOR SALE BY OWNER AND BUILDER, and its associated website of $3,307 from $48,149 to $51,456, or 6.9%, as a result of an increase in advertisements by local realtors, service companies and providers and merchants of $992 from $33,521 to $34,423, or 3.0% and in residential property listings of $2,405 from $14,628 to $17,033, or 16.4%.
The operating loss increased $60,297 from $281,595 to $341,892, or 21.4%, principally as a result of an increase (i) in professional fees of $69,889 from $92,916 to $162,805, or 75.2%, which increase reflected the additional legal and accounting costs associated with filings required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and several proposed transactions that were not consummated (such increase in operating professional fees was partially offset by the decrease included in unsuccessful business combination costs referred to in the next paragraph), (ii) in salaries, commissions and benefits of $48,714 from $103,308 to $152,022, or 47.2%, largely as a result of increased commissions relating to the increased revenues from mortgages, (iii) in office, travel and other expenses of $26,875 from $46,134 to $73,009, or 58.3%, principally as a result of an increase in office expenses, and (iv) other expenses of $13,086 for magazine expenses, of $12,235 for closing costs and $2 of depreciation, partially offset by reductions of $5,088 in utilities and telephone, $4,730 in website maintenance, $901 in rent and $419 in advertising, together with the $100,865 increase in revenue.
In addition, other expense reflected a decrease of $28,401 from $64,804 to $36,403, or 43.8%, principally as a result of a decrease in unsuccessful business combination costs of $30,043 from $57,147 to $27,104, or 57.1%, as a result of the reduction of incurred costs in connection with the Company's proposed business combination with Connectivity, Inc. and Mobile.com. See NOTE 10-NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
o Year ended September 30, 2001 compared with year ended September 30, 2000:
Revenue increased $4,494 from $61,325 to $65,819, or 7.3%, as a result of an increase in income from HOMES BY OWNERS, which was not published in the first three months of fiscal 2000, and its associated website of $21,985 from $26,164 to $48,149, or 84.0%, offset in part by a decrease in mortgage loans closed from 14 to 7, resulting in a decrease of revenue from mortgages of $17,491 from $35,161 to $17,670, or 49.77%. See BUSINESS OF HOMES BY OWNERS, INC. for a breakdown of income between residential property owners and other advertising.
The operating loss decreased $110,451 from $392,046 to $281,595, or 28.2%, principally as a result of decreases in advertising of $118,159, which is attributable to a reduction in radio advertising. Lesser decreases occurred in office expense $12,682; website maintenance $9,750, and rent $836, together with the increase in revenue noted above. The decreases were partially offset by an increase of $14,350 in professional fees and lesser increases in salaries and commissions $7,260, magazine printing $4,862, depreciation $3,432, telephone and utilities $2,309, travel $1,958 and miscellaneous $1,299.
In addition, the Company incurred costs in connection with its proposed business combination with Connectivity, Inc. and Mobile.com, which, through September 30, 2001 were $57,147. SEE NOTE 10 - NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
NET OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARDS FOR TAX PURPOSES
The Company has net operating loss carryforwards as at September 30, 2002 totaling $1,148,821 that may be offset against future taxable income until 2018 through 2022. In view of the anticipated losses sustained in the three months ended December 31, 2002, the net operating loss carryforwards will have increased as of that date. This amount, net of tax (assuming an estimated net federal and state tax rate of 29.5%), together with $7,179 relating to intangible assets and $17,149 relating to accrued wages resulting from differences in reporting for income tax and financial statement purposes, or a total of $363,230 as of September 30, 2002, offset by deferred tax liabilities relating to property and equipment in the amount of $1,017, leaves a net deferred tax asset of $362,213 that may be used against the Company's future income tax. For financial statement purposes, a valuation allowance of $362,213, or 100%, has been taken against net deferred taxes as of September 30, 2002. A larger equivalent valuation will be taken against the larger amount of such assets as of December 31, 2002. There can be no assurance that these deferred tax assets can ever be used. A deferred tax asset can be used only if there is future taxable income, as to which there can be no assurance in the case of the Company. In addition, because of the change of control of the Company, under ss. 382 of the Internal Revenue Code the Company will be able to take only approximately $45,000 of the available net operating loss in any year based on an estimated value of $.25 a share of HOM Common Stock on December 12, 2002, the date of change of control. The deferred tax asset, therefore, is not reflected as an asset of any value in HOM's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2002, but it nevertheless is a valuable asset that can be utilized if the Company becomes profitable.
ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING CHANGES
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 142 addresses how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for at their acquisition (except for those
acquired in a business combination) and after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements. The statement is effective for all fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The Company believes the effect of SFAS No. 142 will not have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.
In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 supercedes prior pronouncements associated with impairment or disposal of long-lived assets and establishes methodologies for assessing impairment of long-lived assets, including assets to be disposed of by sale or other means. The statement is effective for all fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The Company adopted SFAS No. 144 in 2002 and believes that the adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." SFAS No. 146 supercedes prior pronouncements associated with accounting treatment for exit activities and establishes guidelines for the recognition of liabilities associated with an exit or disposal activity. The statement is effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The Company believes that the adoption of SFAS No. 146 will not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
The Company's consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2002 and
2001 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in
stockholders equity (deficit) and cash flows for the years ended September 30,
2002, 2001 and 2000 have been examined to the extent indicated in their report
by Elliott Davis, L.L.C., independent certified public accountants. These
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America and pursuant to Regulation
S-B as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are included
herein in response to Part F/S of this Form 10-KSB. The financial statements
have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. SEE
NOTE 1 - NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
HOM CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
HOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONTENTS Page ---------- REPORT OF ELLIOTT DAVIS, L.L.C. INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT 20 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Consolidated balance sheets 21 Consolidated statements of operations 22 Consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity (deficit) 23 Consolidated statements of cash flows 24 - 25 Notes to the consolidated financial statements 26 - 33 |
REPORT OF ELLIOTT DAVIS, L.L.C.
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Board of Directors
HOM Corporation and Subsidiaries
Martinez, Georgia
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of HOM Corporation and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 30, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001, and 2000. 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated 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 HOM Corporation and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2002 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001, and 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Augusta, Georgia
December 20, 2002
HOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------ 2002 2001 ------------ ------------ ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,489 $ 22,055 Accounts receivable 3,123 850 Trading securities -- 612 ------------ ------------ Total current assets 5,612 23,517 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - NET 13,947 27,691 OTHER ASSETS 1,305 3,327 ------------ ------------ $ 20,864 $ 54,535 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 103,294 $ 43,457 Accounts payable to related parties 202,276 86,780 Accrued wages 58,131 38,880 Deferred revenues 2,848 4,530 Short-term notes payable 20,448 20,200 Stockholder advances 86,170 54,000 Current maturities of long-term debt -- 1,225 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities 473,167 249,072 ------------ ------------ STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Paid in capital - 1,000,000 preferred shares authorized; none issued and outstanding -- -- Paid in capital - no par common - 50,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 3,962,282 and 3,508,667 as of September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively 808,053 687,524 Accumulated deficit (1,260,356) (882,061) ------------ ------------ (452,303) (194,537) ------------ ------------ $ 20,864 $ 54,535 ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. |
HOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------------------------ 2002 2001 2000 ------------ ------------ ------------ REVENUES $ 166,054 $ 65,819 $ 61,325 ------------ ------------ ------------ OPERATING EXPENSES Professional fees 162,805 92,916 78,566 Salaries, commissions and benefits 152,022 103,308 96,048 Office, travel and other expense 73,009 46,134 55,559 Magazine printing 38,086 24,131 19,269 Rent 25,465 26,366 27,202 Utilities and telephone 15,823 20,911 18,602 Depreciation 15,505 15,503 12,071 Advertising 12,926 13,345 131,504 Closing costs 12,235 -- -- Website maintenance 70 4,800 14,550 ------------ ------------ ------------ 507,946 347,414 453,371 ------------ ------------ ------------ Operating loss (341,892) (281,595) (392,046) ------------ ------------ ------------ OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Unsuccessful business combination costs (27,104) (57,147) -- Interest (10,270) (2,143) (1,993) Realized gains (losses) on trading securities 971 (2,387) -- Unrealized losses on trading securities -- (2,206) -- Loss on disposal of equipment -- (921) -- ------------ ------------ ------------ (36,403) (64,804) (1,993) ------------ ------------ ------------ Loss before income taxes (378,295) (346,399) (394,039) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES - NET -- -- -- ------------ ------------ ------------ Net loss $ (378,295) $ (346,399) $ (394,039) ============ ============ ============ PER SHARE INFORMATION: Basic net loss per common share $ (0.10) $ (0.11) $ (0.16) ============ ============ ============ Weighted average shares outstanding 3,796,620 3,292,502 2,400,970 ============ ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. |
HOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) COMMON STOCK TOTAL ----------------------------- STOCKHOLDERS' PAID IN ACCUMULATED EQUITY SHARES CAPITAL DEFICIT (DEFICIT) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 1,688,047 $ 264,369 $ (141,623) $ 122,746 Common stock issued in exchange for professional, website design and other services 570,880 111,220 -- 111,220 Common stock issued for cash 530,000 133,000 -- 133,000 Common stock issued as repayment for cash advances 112,740 27,185 -- 27,185 Net loss -- -- (394,039) (394,039) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 2,901,667 535,774 (535,662) 112 Common stock issued as settlement for accounts payable related to professional services received 63,000 15,750 -- 15,750 Common stock issued for cash 368,000 92,000 -- 92,000 Common stock issued as repayment for cash advances 176,000 44,000 -- 44,000 Net loss -- -- (346,399) (346,399) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 3,508,667 687,524 (882,061) (194,537) Common stock issued as settlement for accounts payable related to professional services received 34,000 13,000 -- 13,000 Common stock issued as repayment for cash advances 362,115 90,529 -- 90,529 Common stock issued for cash 57,500 17,000 -- 17,000 Net loss -- -- (378,295) (378,295) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 3,962,282 $ 808,053 $(1,260,356) $ (452,303) ============ ============ ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. |
HOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------------------ 2002 2001 2000 ---------- ---------- ---------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net loss $(378,295) $(346,399) $(394,039) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation 15,505 15,503 12,071 Realized and unrealized (gains) losses from trading securities, net (971) 4,593 -- Loss on disposal of equipment -- 921 -- Expenses settled by issuance of common stock -- -- 78,703 Changes in deferred and accrued amounts: Accounts receivable (2,273) 775 (1,625) Prepaid expenses -- 4,800 116,197 Other assets 2,022 (3,077) 250 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 211,040 141,824 34,522 Deferred revenues (1,682) (7,648) 12,178 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash used in operating activities (154,654) (188,708) (141,743) ---------- ---------- ---------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of trading securities (33,927) (161,395) -- Proceeds from sale of trading securities 70,167 160,700 -- Purchase of property and equipment (1,761) (2,313) (10,466) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment -- 4,200 -- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 34,479 1,192 (10,466) ---------- ---------- ---------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds, net of repayments, from short-term notes payable and stockholder advances 84,834 118,041 21,401 Repayment of long-term debt (1,225) (1,159) (2,043) Proceeds from the sale of common stock 17,000 92,000 133,000 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by financing activities 100,609 208,882 152,358 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net increase (decrease) in cash (19,566) 21,366 149 CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR 22,055 689 540 ---------- ---------- ---------- CASH, END OF YEAR $ 2,489 $ 22,055 $ 689 ========== ========== ========== (Continued) |
HOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------------- 2002 2001 2000 --------- --------- --------- SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid for interest $ 10,606 $ 1,517 $ 529 ========= ========= ========= Cash paid for income taxes $ -- $ -- $ -- ========= ========= ========= Noncash financing activities Common stock issued in exchange for professional, website design, advertising, and other services $ -- $ -- $111,220 ========= ========= ========= Common stock issued as repayment for cash advances and notes payable $ 90,529 $ 44,000 $ 27,185 ========= ========= ========= Trading securities received as advances from stockholders $ 34,657 $ 4,510 $ -- ========= ========= ========= Common stock issued as settlement for accounts payable related to professional services received $ 13,000 $ 15,750 $ -- ========= ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. |
HOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
HOM Corporation, incorporated May 4, 2000 in the State of Georgia, operates as a holding company for its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Homes By Owners, Inc. ("Homes") and Direct Lending, Inc. ("Direct").
Homes was incorporated in the State of Georgia in December, 1999 and operates in the real estate market as an advertiser of real estate listed as "for sale by owner" ("FSBO") by publishing a monthly magazine, which contains FSBO and other advertising, and hosting an Internet web page that serves as an advertising venue for FSBO residential and commercial real estate in the Central Savannah River Area.
Direct (formerly Southern States Lenders, Inc.) was incorporated in the
State of Georgia in January, 1997 and operated as a licensed mortgage
broker for various financial institutions and underwriters (See Note 11
- Subsequent Events).
HOM Corporation, with its subsidiaries, (the "Company") has suffered recurring losses while devoting substantially all of its efforts to raising capital and developing markets for its FSBO advertising and mortgage services (See Note 11 - Subsequent Events). Additionally, the Company's total liabilities exceed its total assets. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates continuing operations, realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The Company's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to raise sufficient capital to implement its business plan and to generate profits sufficient to become financially viable. The consolidated financial statements do not include adjustments relating to the recoverability of recorded assets or liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The consolidated financial statements include estimates and assumptions that affect the Company's financial position and results of operations and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(Continued)
TRADING SECURITIES
Management has classified all financial instruments, which are equity securities, as trading securities. Realized gains and losses resulting from the sale of securities are reported in current earnings based on proceeds received from the sale and the actual cost of the securities sold. Unrealized gains and losses on the securities are reported in current earnings based on the estimated fair values as reported on public exchanges. The fair values of the Company's financial instruments reported in the financial statements approximate their carrying values.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do not materially improve or extend the useful lives of the assets are charged to expense as incurred. Costs relating to the initial design and implementation of the Internet web page have been capitalized while the costs of web page maintenance are expensed as incurred. Assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Office equipment and furniture 5-7 years Automobile 5 years Internet web page and software 3 years |
The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets.
START-UP ACTIVITIES
Costs associated with the organization and start-up activities of the Company are expensed as incurred.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Mortgage origination revenues are recognized at loan closing. Advertising revenues from commercial advertisers are recognized ratably over the agreed upon advertising period. Advertising revenues from FSBO advertisers are recognized ratably over the agreed upon advertising period, unless the FSBO property is sold prior to the end of the agreed upon advertising period, at which time the revenue is recognized in full. Management believes the Company's revenue recognition policy is consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission's Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 -- "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements."
INCOME TAXES
Income taxes are estimated for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes related primarily to differences between the financial reporting basis and income tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent future tax consequences of those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred taxes may also be recognized for operating losses that are available to offset future taxable income. Deferred taxes are adjusted for changes in tax laws and tax rates when those changes are enacted.
(Continued)
INCOME TAXES, CONTINUED
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the reversal of any deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
BASIC NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is not presented because there were no potential common shares.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 142 addresses how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for at their acquisition (except for those acquired in a business combination) and after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements. The statement is effective for all fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The Company anticipates that the adoption of SFAS No. 142 will not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 supercedes prior pronouncements associated with impairment or disposal of long-lived assets and establishes methodologies for assessing impairment of long-lived assets, including assets to be disposed of by sale or other means. The statement is effective for all fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. Early adoption of this standard is encouraged. The Company adopted SFAS No. 144 in 2002 and it did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." SFAS No. 146 supercedes prior pronouncements associated with accounting treatment for exit activities and establishes guidelines for the recognition of liabilities associated with an exit or disposal activity. The statement is effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The Company anticipates that the adoption of SFAS No. 146 will not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
Property and equipment consist of the following at September 30:
2002 2001 -------------- -------------- Internet web page and software $ 36,650 $ 36,650 Office equipment and furniture 21,206 19,446 -------------- -------------- 57,856 56,096 Less accumulated depreciation (43,909) (28,405) -------------- -------------- $ 13,947 $ 27,691 ============== ============== |
Short-term notes payable consist of the following at September 30: 2002 2001 -------------- -------------- A short-term note payable to a financial institution with a current maturity of December, 2002. Interest only payments are due monthly at prime plus 1.0% (5.75% on September 30, 2002). The note is guaranteed and is secured by the primary residence of the Company's president who is also a significant stockholder. $ 20,448 $ 20,200 ============== ============== |
Long-term debt consists of the following at September 30:
2002 2001 -------------- -------------- A note payable for office equipment, payable in monthly installments of principal and interest of $182, maturing in February, 2002. Interest is calculated at 4.0% per annum. $ - $ 1,225 Less current maturities of long-term debt - (1,225) -------------- -------------- $ - $ - ============== ============== |
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred taxes are as follows at September 30:
2002 2001 -------------- -------------- Deferred tax assets: Net operating loss carryforwards $ 338,902 $ 240,886 Accrued wages 17,149 11,470 Intangible assets 7,179 7,979 -------------- -------------- 363,230 260,335 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (1,017) (909) -------------- -------------- Net deferred tax assets 362,213 259,426 Valuation allowance (362,213) (259,426) -------------- -------------- $ - $ - ============== ============== |
The Company has net operating loss carryforwards totaling $1,148,821 that expire in 2018 through 2022.
The provision (benefit) for income taxes is as follows for the years ended September 30:
2002 2001 -------------- -------------- Deferred income tax benefit $ (102,787) $ (101,704) Change in valuation allowance 102,787 101,704 -------------- -------------- $ - $ - ============== ============== |
There were no income taxes due or receivable from the current year's operations, and the Company's reported provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying statutory tax rates to loss before income taxes due to the differences in amounts recorded for income tax purposes and financial reporting purposes. The principal differences relate to expense items or portions of items not deductible, such as meals and entertainment.
The Company leases office space for $2,000 per month on a lease agreement expiring in September 2003 (See Note 11 - Subsequent Events).
The Company also leases certain office equipment for $232 per month under a three year lease agreement that will expire in April 2004.
During the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001, and 2000, the Company issued shares of common stock in exchange for services and as repayment for accounts payable and for cash advances from significant shareholders. The non-cash transactions involving stock are summarized in the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders' equity (deficit). The transactions are recorded based on management's estimate of the fair value received or an estimated value of the shares exchanged.
The Company provided services through two industry segments during the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000. The Company's advertising segment, Homes, provides advertising services for FSBO real estate and for businesses. The Company's mortgage segment, Direct, provides mortgage services to individuals and small business as a mortgage broker (See Note 11 - Subsequent Events). The basis for identifying and measuring the results of the segment activities is consistent within the periods presented.
The accompanying financial statements include the following business segment information for the years ended September 30:
2002 2001 2000 --------------- -------------- --------------- REVENUES: Mortgage $ 114,598 $ 17,670 $ 35,161 Advertising 51,456 48,149 26,164 --------------- -------------- --------------- $ 166,054 $ 65,819 $ 61,325 =============== ============== =============== OPERATING LOSS: Mortgage $ 147,236 $ 132,131 $ 170,710 Advertising 194,656 149,464 221,336 --------------- -------------- --------------- $ 341,892 $ 281,595 $ 392,046 =============== ============== =============== DEPRECIATION: Mortgage $ 2,091 $ 2,114 $ 2,057 Advertising 13,414 13,389 10,014 --------------- -------------- --------------- $ 15,505 $ 15,503 $ 12,071 =============== ============== =============== PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Mortgage $ - $ - $ 1,559 Advertising 1,761 2,313 45,557 --------------- -------------- --------------- $ 1,761 $ 2,313 $ 47,116 =============== ============== =============== (Continued) -31- |
NOTE 8 - SEGMENT INFORMATION, CONTINUED PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - NET: Mortgage $ 5,883 $ 7,974 $ 10,458 Advertising 8,064 19,717 35,543 --------------- -------------- --------------- $ 13,947 $ 27,691 $ 46,001 =============== ============== =============== |
The Company receives legal counsel through a firm that is related to the Company through common ownership (aggregate ownership by the firm and one of its partners of 9.6% of the Company's outstanding stock at September 30, 2002). Legal fees incurred from this related party approximated $129,500, $82,800, and $63,000 in the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001, and 2000, respectively. Additionally, the Company's accounts payable include $202,276, $86,780, and $33,489 at September 30, 2002, 2001, and 2000, respectively, for legal services received from this related party.
During 2001, the Company entered into negotiations for a business combination with Connectivity, Inc. and Econo-Comm, Inc., two closely-held Florida corporations. In conjunction with the negotiations, the Company contracted with various professionals to perform due diligence, to audit the financial statements of Connectivity, Inc. and to draft the various contracts for the proposed business combination(s). The Company was unsuccessful in reaching an agreement on the terms of the business combination(s) and the proposed business combination(s) were not consummated. The costs incurred through September 30, 2002 and 2001 on the proposed business combination(s) are reported as other expense in the statement of operations and consist of the following costs:
2002 2001 TOTAL --------------- -------------- --------------- Legal fees $ 8,406 $ 37,102 $ 45,508 Accounting fees 9,698 6,345 16,043 Other professional fees 9,000 9,000 18,000 Other - 4,700 4,700 --------------- ------------ --------------- $ 27,104 $ 57,147 $ 84,251 =============== ============== =============== |
On November 25, 2002, the Company sold substantially all of the assets and the name, Direct Lending, of its wholly owned subsidiary, Direct Lending, Inc., to Stuckey Enterprises, Inc. ("Stuckey") for $20,000. A gain of approximately $17,400 will be recognized on the sale in 2003. Proceeds from the sale of $5,000 were received at closing with the remaining $15,000 receivable over three years at 10% interest per annum. Under SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," the aforementioned assets of Direct did not meet the criteria to be classified as available for sale as of September 30, 2002, and, therefore, the results of Direct's operations were not reported as discontinued operations in the Company's financial statements.
(Continued)
Pursuant to the Direct Lending sale on November 25, 2002, the Company's monthly operating lease commitment was reduced from $2,000 to $800. The reduction is the result of Stuckey occupying space that was previously leased by the Company. The Company's obligations under the original lease agreement were terminated and the Company entered into a new lease agreement.
On December 12, 2002, MA&N, LLC ("MA&N") a Nevada limited liability company, acquired 4,647,626 shares of the Company's common stock, representing 51% of the total of 8,685,164 shares outstanding following such acquisition plus 427,828 shares issuable (294,341 pursuant to options to be granted and 133,487 in settlement of loans to the Company), for a total of 9,112,992 shares. Consideration given to the Company in exchange for the 51% ownership interest included certain wireless web service assets, an agreement to provide certain professional and management services to the Company and cash. Management believes the transaction with MA&N is consistent with its efforts to raise additional capital and believes that the resources of MA&N will be sufficient and available to fund its operations over the 2003 year.
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
There have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants.
PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The executive officers and directors of HOM are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION ---- --- -------- Mark S. Neuhaus 46 Chairman of the Board of Directors and President (Chief Executive Officer) Ned Baramov 28 Secretary-Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer) Nicole Bloom Neuhaus 30 Director Robert W. Wilson 79 Director |
The terms of each of the directors expires at the next annual meeting of the stockholders, the date for which has not been set by the Board of Directors. The officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
Bryce N. Batzer, a former director, was killed in an automobile accident on December 15, 2002. No arrangements have been made to fill the vacancy created by his death or otherwise or for any other person to become a director of HOM. All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Directors will be elected at the annual meetings to serve for one-year terms. The Company does not know of any agreements with respect to the election of directors. The Company has not compensated its directors for service on the Board of Directors of HOM or any of its subsidiaries or any committee thereof. Any non-employee director of HOM or its subsidiaries is reimbursed for expenses incurred for attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee of the Board of Directors, although no such committee has been established. Each executive officer of HOM is appointed by and serves at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
None of the officers or directors of HOM is currently an officer or director of a company required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, other than HOM.
The business experience of each of the persons listed above during the past five years is as follows:
Mark S. Neuhaus has been the founder of several startup companies, including Solar Electric Engineering in 1997, which later became US Electric Car. Mr. Neuhaus was one of the founding shareholders of Interactive Motorsports and Entertainment. Mr. Neuhaus manages several funds which specialize in financing small cap public companies, owned by himself and his wife, Nicole Bloom Neuhaus, a director of HOM, which has been his principal occupation since 1995. MA&N, which acquired a controlling interest in HOM on December 12, 2002, is jointly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Neuhaus.
Ned Baramov currently (and has since mid 2002) works at a privately held hedge fund in New-York-City which specializes in small-cap and penny stocks and which is owned by Mark S. and Nicole Bloom Neuhaus, directors of HOM who also own MA&N which controls the Company. Mr. Baramov will continue at his position with the hedge fund while he serves as Secretary Treasurer of HOM. From 2000 until 2002 he was enrolled in the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, from which he received his MBA. Mr. Baramov spent the previous two years in the Bulgarian Ministry of Industry, working as a senior associate in the Privatization Department, helping attract foreign investors to this small, Eastern European country, and assisting in selling state-owned companies, which raised capital for the Bulgarian government.
Nicole Bloom Neuhaus manages a fund which specializes in financing public small cap companies. She has been engaged in sales and marketing endeavors for over 6 years and has been the lead negotiator in several acquisitions. Mrs. Neuhaus is co-owner of MA&N, the controlling entity of HOM, with her husband, Mark S. Neuhaus, who is Chairman of the Board and President (Chief Executive Officer) of HOM. Mrs. Neuhaus has studied throughout Europe and the United States and is multi-lingual, speaking 5 languages fluently. Mrs. Neuhas rsides in Ketchum, Idaho, with her husband, Mark, and their two year old daughter.
Robert S. Wilson was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of HOM since its incorporation in July 2000 until December 12, 2002, has been a director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Direct since September 30, 1998, becoming Chief Executive Officer on July 31, 2000 following the resignation of the then President of Direct, and has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Homes from April 22, 2000, having been the sole director of Homes from its incorporation in December 1999. Mr. Wilson has submitted resignations from all his positions with the Company, which the Company may act upon in its discretion. Mr. Wilson was Chairman of Apple Homes Corporation, the former parent of Direct, from 1993 until his resignation on June 30, 1999. Prior thereto, he was, for many years, a stockbroker.
Robert S. Wilson may be deemed to be a promoter of the Corporation. See
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS - PROMOTER AND
CONTROLLING PERSONS. Robert S. Wilson and Bryce N. Batzer may have been deemed
the controlling persons of the Company in view of their positions as directors
and the largest shareholders of the Company, until the control of the Company
was changed on December 12, 2002. Thereafter, MA&N, which holds a majority of
the outstanding HOM Common Stock, and Mark S. Neuhaus and Nicole Bloom Neuhaus,
the owners of MA&N and directors of HOM, may be deemed the controlling persons
of the Company, along with the two other directors, Ned Baramov and Robert S.
Wilson.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 (there have been no amendments) furnished to the Company during the year ended September 30, 2002 (no Forms 5 having been furnished with respect to such year) and written representation furnished to the Company as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of Item 405 of Form 10-KSB, there are no persons who need to be identified under this Item as having failed to file on a timely basis reports required by Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the most recent fiscal year. In determining the timeliness of filing, a Form 3 received from Jeremy Collins, a former officer and director, was received by the Company within 3 days of its required filing date, so that Mr. Collin's Form 3 was deemed to be timely filed under Item 405 of Regulations S-B under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
As of September 30, 2002, no employee of the Company had earned in excess of $50,000 per annum.
Robert S. Wilson, Chairman and CEO of HOM, received minimal compensation in cash and common stock of Direct, which has become common stock of HOM, or common stock of HOM, as set forth in the following table. The Board of Directors of HOM authorized compensation to Mr. Wilson of $72,000 a year effective April 1, 2001. It was not contemplated that compensation would be paid to Mr. Wilson until the cash flow of the Company could accommodate such payment, although the Company accrued the authorized salary and related benefits on a monthly basis beginning April 1, 2001. Mr. Wilson indicated his willingness to convert his salary through December 31, 2001 into HOM common stock at $.25 a share. That salary of $54,000 ($36,000 in fiscal 2001 and $18,000 in fiscal 2002), which would net to $39,062 after estimated withholding of income and FICA taxes of $14,931, would have resulted in 156,276 shares issuable to him, which were to be issued not later than June 30, 2002, subsequently extended to December 31, 2003. On December 12, 2002, at the time of change of control of the Company, Mr. Wilson agreed to accept 5 year options, exercisable at $.01 per share, to purchase 294,341 shares of HOM common stock in lieu of such $54,000 and $18,000 of funds advanced by Mr. Wilson to, or on behalf of, the Company, and all interest thereon. The options have not been issued to Mr. Wilson.
The following table sets forth all compensation paid by the Company for services rendered to the Company for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000 to the persons indicated. All stock compensation has been made on the basis of $.25 per share.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FISCAL ------ CASH STOCK ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR COMPENSATION COMPENSATION (1) COMPENSATION ------------------ -------- ---- ------------ ---------------- ------------ Karen Stein President and C.E.O. Direct Lending, Inc. (3) 2000 $7,685 $2,875(2) $-0- Theresa A. Varin Secretary - Treasurer and CFO, 2001 $27,816 HOM Corporation(4) 2002 $20,097 $400 -0- Robert S. Wilson 2002 $4,977 $13,016(5) $-0- Chairman and C.E.O. 2001 $9,954 $26,046(5) -0- HOM Corporation (6) 2000 $5,192 $-0- -0- |
(2) The stock compensation shown for Karen Stein in 2000 consisted of 11,500 shares of Direct common stock valued at $0.25 per share. These shares have been purchased by Robert S. Wilson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HOM, at the valuation price.
(3) Karen Stein was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Direct, which was then the investor owned company, from September 30, 1998 until her resignation effective July 31, 2000.
(4) Theresa A. Varin has been Secretary-Treasurer of HOM Corporation since April 27, 2001 and an executive officer and Chief Financial Officer of HOM Corporation since June 27, 2001, until December 12, 2002.
(5) Mr. Wilson had agreed to accept shares of HOM common stock for his salary through December 31, 2001, of which $36,000 was earned during fiscal 2001 and $18,000 was earned during fiscal 2002. On December 12, 2002, Mr. Wilson agreed to accept options to purchase 294,341 shares of HOM common stock in lieu of obligations for compensation and funds loaned to, or advanced on behalf of, the Company. Such options have not been issued.
(6) Robert S. Wilson has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HOM since its Consent of Directors of HOM Corporation in lieu of a first meeting of directors, effective June 16, 2000, until December 12, 2002. HOM became the investor owned company, with Direct as a subsidiary, when Direct merged with a subsidiary of HOM effective July 5, 2000.
The preceding table does not include any amounts for noncash compensation, including personal benefits, paid to Mr. Wilson, the Company's Chief Executive Officer during the periods covered herein. The Company believes that the value of such noncash benefits and compensation paid during the periods presented did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the cash compensation reported for them.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
As of the date hereof, the Company has not entered into any employment contracts with any of its employees, officers or directors. The Company has not had a bonus, profit sharing, stock option, or other compensation or deferred compensation plan for the benefit of its employees, officers or directors. ITEM
11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
The following table sets forth information, to the best of the Company's knowledge, as of January 9, 2003 with respect to each person known by the Company to own beneficially (as such term is defined in Item 403 of Regulation S-B under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) more than 5% of the outstanding HOM common stock, each director, each executive officer and all directors and officers as a group.
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER (1) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP PERCENT OF CLASS (2) --------------------------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Mark S. Neuhaus(a) PO Box 5629 Ketchum, ID 83340 4,647,626(3) 52.7% -37- |
Ned Baramov(a) 2025 Broadway, 23F New York, NY 10023 0 _ Nicole Bloom Neuhaus (b) PO Box 5629 Ketchum, ID 83340 4,647,626(4) 52.7% Robert S. Wilson(b) 4210 Columbia Road, Suite 10C Martinez, GA 30907 758,041 (5) 8.6% David R. Baker One Independence Plaza, Suite 322 Birmingham, AL 35209 512,972 (6) 5.8% MA&N LLC 4,647,626 52.7% All directors and executive officers as a group 5,385,667 61.1% |
(1) Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, the Company has been advised that each person above has sole investment and voting power over the shares indicated above.
(2) Based upon 8,818,651 shares of common stock outstanding as of January 9, 2003.
(3) Represents shares held by MA&N, in which Mr. Neuhaus has a 50% equity interest and his wife, Nicole Bloom Neuhaus, also has a 50% equity interest. Mr. Neuhaus disclaims any beneficial interest in the 2,323,813 shares allocable to his wife's beneficial interest.
(4) Represents shares held by MA&N in which Mrs. Neuhaus has a 50% equity interest and her husband, Mark S. Neuhaus, also has a 50% equity interest. Mrs. Neuhaus disclaims any beneficial interest in the 2,323,813 shares allocable to her husband's beneficial interest.
(5) Includes 107,727 shares registered in the name of Judith C. Wilson, Mr. Wilson's wife, as to which Mr. Wilson disclaims beneficial ownership. It does not include 88,000 shares registered in the name of Bradley C. Wilson; 40,290 shares registered in the name of Jeffrey R. Wilson and 40,000 shares registered in the name of Keith M. Wilson, Mr. Wilson's adult sons who do not reside with him, and 2,000 shares registered in the name of Keith M. Wilson, custodian for Brett M. Wilson, Mr. Wilson's grandson, as to all of which Mr. Wilson disclaims beneficial ownership, and in none of which he has voting or dispositive power. It also does not include 5 year options to purchase 294,341 shares of HOM common stock at $.01 per share. None of these options has been issued.
(6) Includes 92,279 shares registered in the name of BJW Investments, LLC, which is wholly-owned by Baker, Johnston & Wilson LLP, of which Mr. Baker is a partner. BJW Investments, LLC, which Mr. Baker, with his partners, jointly direct, has investment and voting power over such shares. Mr. Baker's partners have majority power in effecting such directions. Mr. Baker has a proportional beneficial interest in such 92,279 shares, which is not fully determined but will not exceed 50%.
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
PARTICULAR TRANSACTIONS
There have been no transactions during the last two years between the Company and any officer, director, nominee for election as director, or any shareholder owning more than 5% of the Company's outstanding shares, or any member of any such individual's immediate family, as to which the amount involved in the transaction or a series of similar transactions exceeded $60,000, except as set forth below.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
Sale of, or, if indicated, compensation for services or expenses by, common stock of HOM included:
INDIVIDUAL NUMBER OF SHARES DATE OF ISSUE VALUE ---------- ---------------- ------------- ----- Robert S. Wilson 124,000 11/15/2000 $31,000 40,000 1/31/2001 10,000 72,000 2/16/2001 18,000 (1) 64,000 4/27/2001 16,000 ------ ------ Total 300,000 75,000 -------- ------ Bryce N. Batzer 2,468 11/14/2000 617(2) 20,000 1/2/2001 5,000 100,000 2/6/2001 25,000 ------- ------ Total 122,468 30,617 ------- ------ David B. Batzer 100,000 6/18/2001 25,000 Son of Bryce N. Batzer David R. Baker 40,000 4/27/2001 10,000 BJW Investments, LLC 50,000(3) 12/28/2000 12,500 ------ ------ Total 90,000 22,500 ------ ------ ---------------- |
(1) Represents $18,000 for conversion of previous advances to the Company.
(2) Expense reimbursement.
(3) Subsidiary of Baker, Johnston & Wilson LLP, of which David R. Baker is a
partner, for legal services and charges.
David R. Baker, a partner of Baker, Johnston & Wilson LLP, counsel to the Company, loaned $15,000 to the Company on July 16, 2001 and another $15,000 on September 27, 2001. Bryce N. Batzer, a director of HOM, loaned to the Company $15,000 on July 23, 2002 and $9,000 on September 6, 2001. Each loan was on a demand basis and was evidenced by a note bearing interest at 12% per annum.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
On October 27, 2002, Bryce N. Batzer, a director of HOM, loaned $19,000 to the Company. In late November and early December 2001, Judith C. Wilson, the wife of Robert S. Wilson, Chairman and CEO of HOM, transferred to a brokerage account of Homes marketable securities that were sold forthwith upon transfer for aggregate net proceeds of $34,657, resulting in an advance to the Company by Mrs. Wilson in that amount. Mrs. Wilson has been reimbursed $11,000 of such amount, leaving $23,657. Both the loan by Mr. Batzer and the advance by Mrs. Wilson were on a demand basis, Mr. Wilson's loan was evidenced by a note bearing interest at 12% per annum.
On January 9, 2002, the Company authorized the issuance of HOM common stock upon conversion of loans by David R. Baker, a partner of Baker, Johnston & Wilson, counsel to the Company, and Bryce N. Batzer, a director of HOM, including the unpaid interest on such loans to January 9, 2002, and advances by Judith C. Wilson, wife of Robert S. Wilson, a director of HOM, to the Company, on the basis of $.25 per share
To limit his ownership in the Company to meet guidelines set by the professional liability insurers of his firm, Mr. Baker's loans were not to be converted to the extent and so long as such conversion would cause his beneficial ownership of HOM common stock, including HOM common stock owned by his law firm, to exceed 9.9% of the outstanding shares of HOM common stock.
As a result of such authorization, the following shares of HOM common stock have been issued:
(a) 178,682 shares to Bryce N. Batzer in conversion of his $43,000 in loans to the Company and $1,670interest thereon to January 9, 2002, or a total of $44,670, and
(b) 94,627 shares to Judith C. Wilson in conversion of her $23,657 in net advances to the Company.
(c) 47,206 shares to David R. Baker in conversion of interest to January 9, 2002 of $1,386 on his $30,000 principal amount of loans to the Company, and $10,416 principal amount, or a total of $11,802, leaving a remaining unpaid principal amount of Mr. Baker's loans to the Company of $19,584 with interest thereon of 12% payable from January 9, 2002, which was agreed to be converted when and to the extent such conversion would not cause Mr. Bakers beneficial ownership of HOM common stock to exceed 9.9% of the total HOM common stock outstanding.
Through December 31, 2001, the Company accrued $54,000 of salary for Robert S. Wilson, Chairman and CEO of HOM. Mr. Wilson had indicated his willingness to accept HOM common stock on the basis of $.25 a share in payment of his salary, after deduction of withholding of income and FICA taxes, such stock to be issued to him not later than June 30, 2002, and on January 9, 2002, the Company authorized such issuance. The Company and Mr. Wilson subsequently agreed to extend that deadline to December 31, 2003. estimated that such withholding payments would be $14,931 and that Mr. Wilson, therefore, would be granted 156,276 shares in payment of the remaining $39,069 of his salary.
On June 27, 2002, 41,600 shares of HOM common stock were issued to Robert S. Wilson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HOM, at $.25 a share pursuant to a previous arrangement for the satisfaction of loans to HOM of $8,000 on February 13, 2002 and $2,000 on February 21, 2002, plus interest to the date of authorizing satisfaction of $400, for a total of $10,400.
PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2002 TO JANUARY 9, 2003
On December 12, 2002, MA&N acquired 4,647,626 shares ("Purchase Shares") of HOM common stock, representing 51% of the total of 8,685,164 shares outstanding following such acquisition plus 427,828 shares issuable (294,341 pursuant to options to be granted to Robert S. Wilson, then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HOM, and 133,487 in settlement of loans to the Company by David R. Baker, a partner of Baker, Johnston & Wilson LLP, counsel to the Company), or a total of 9,112,992 shares. MA&N is managed by Mark Neuhaus and his wife, Nicole Bloom Neuhaus, each of whom has a 50% equity interest in MA&N.
The consideration for the Purchase Shares was:
a. All rights relating to the provision of ISP wireless service from not less than five nodes, including effective lease or other authorization to use the locations involved and all necessary equipment.
b. Consultation with the Company for at least two years on financial and management matters with a view to materially enhancing the Company's performance.
c. Arranging for personnel who can effect the management of the Company.
d. Causing the Company to proceed with the contemplated business plan of acquiring additional entities or business operations in the ISP wireless business.
e. Funding of current payment of accounting and legal fees to enable upcoming filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to be made on Form 8-K with respect to this transaction and other relevant transaction and on Form 10-KSB with respect to the Company's fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 (which will include currently outstanding accounting fees), estimated to be in the range of $75,000 - $100,000.
MA&N acquired control of the Company as a result of its 51% ownership of the issued and issuable HOM common and from its control of the Board of Directors of the Company resulting from the addition of three designees of MA&N, Mark S. Neuhaus, Nicole Bloom Neuhaus and Ned Baramov, an employee of MA&N and its affiliates, as directors along with the two existing directors of the Company, Robert S. Wilson and Bryce N. Batzer (who subsequently was killed in an automobile accident). In addition, all directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries prior to the change of control are submitting their resignations from all such positions (although MA&N undertook to cause Robert S. Wilson and Bryce N. Batzer to continue to be directors of the Company for a year), and Mark S. Neuhaus was appointed Chairman and President, serving as chief executive officer, in replacement of Robert S. Wilson, and Ned Baramov was appointed Secretary and Treasurer of the Company in lieu of Theresa A. Varin, who had ceased being an employee of the Company.
On December 12, 2002, in connection with the change in control of the Company, (a) Mr. Wilson agreed to accept in lieu of $54,000 in compensation during calendar 2001, $8,000 in indebtedness of the Company and an additional $10,000 in advances to the Company together with any interest on any of these amounts, 5 year options to purchase 294,341 shares of HOM common stock at $.01 a share and (b) Mr. Baker agreed to accept in lieu of indebtedness of $29,584, together with any interest, 133,487 shares of HOM common stock.
PROMOTER AND CONTROLLING PERSONS
Robert S. Wilson may be deemed to be a promoter of the Company in view of his role in arranging the spin off of one share of the common stock of Direct for each 10 shares of common stock of Apple Homes, Inc. Mr. Wilson received no compensation or other payments related thereto, although, as a shareholder of Apple Homes, Inc., he received 19,414, and members of his immediate family received 5,390, shares of the common stock of Direct. See Item 5. DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS. MA&N may be deemed a parent of HOM in view of its ownership of 51% of the outstanding HOM common stock.
MA&N, through its majority ownership of the outstanding HOM common stock, and Mark S. Neuhaus and Nicole Bloom Neuhaus as the owners of MA&N and directors of HOM (Mr. Neuhaus is the Chairman and President (Chief Executive Officer) of HOM) may be deemed the controlling persons of HOM, along with Ned Baramov, a director and Secretary-Treasurer of HOM, and Robert S. Wilson, a director of HOM and owner (with shares owned by his wife, in which he disclaims beneficial interest, but not including 294,341 shares subject to options to be granted him) of 758,041 shares of HOM, representing 8.6% of the outstanding shares of HOM common stock.
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed with this Registration Statement:
EXHIBIT NO. EXHIBIT NAME ----------- ------------ 2.1 Stock Acquisition Agreement for 51% of the outstanding and issuable Common Stock of HOM Corporation dated December 12, 2002 by and between MA&N LLC and HOM Corporation (Exhibit B omitted, to be furnished upon request of the Commission) (1) 2.2 Sale of Assets Agreement dated November 15, 2002 by and between HOM Corporation and Stuckey Enterprises (list of assets omitted, to be furnished upon request of the Commission) (1) 3.1 Articles of Incorporation of HOM Corporation (2) 3.2 By-Laws of HOM Corporation (1) 3.3 By-Laws of HOM Corporation as adopted December 12, 2002 4. Instrument defining rights of holders (See Exhibit No. 3.1, Articles of Incorporation - Article Four) 10.1 Agreement with B. Michael Pisani (2) 10.3 Agreement dated June 22, 2001 between Howard Bronson and HOM Corporation (3) 21.1 List of Subsidiaries of HOM Corporation (2) 99.5 Consent of Elliott Davis, L.L.C. |
(1) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit as filed with Form 8K of HOM Corporation, with Securities and Exchange Commission filing date of December 27, 2002.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit as filed with Form 10-SB of HOM Corporation, with Securities and Exchange Commission filing date of February 9, 2001.
(3) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit as filed with Form 10-SB/A2 of HOM Corporation, with Securities and Exchange Commission filing date of August 31, 2001.
REPORTS ON FORM 8K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the year ended September 30, 2002.
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As set forth herein, on December 12, 2002, there was a change of control of the issuer. Mark S. Neuhaus was appointed Chairman of the Board and President (Chief Executive Officer), and Ned Baramov was appointed Secretary-Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer), of HOM. They have learned that, as of December 12, 2002, there were no formal controls or procedures that were designed to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act") is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "disclosure controls and procedures" as defined in Rule 13a-14(c) of the Exchange Act. Because of the limited staff of the Company, the former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Robert S. Wilson, was personally involved in all significant transactions of the Company, so that he would have personal knowledge of the matters as to which Messrs. Neuhaus and Baramov make certification following the signatures to this annual report. Mr. Wilson has been involved in the preparation and review of this annual report, including the financial statements herein, and has certified the accuracy of the facts set forth herein to the best of his knowledge.
While the informal procedures heretofore may have been sufficient and effective under prior circumstances, particularly in view of Mr. Wilson's regular consultation with outside accountants and legal counsel, as the Company increases in size and complexity, they will be inadequate. The Company, therefore, is reviewing controls and other procedures appropriate to the evolving situation of the Company to assure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files under the Exchange Act is timely disclosed and made available to the management of the Company and will implement such controls and other procedures as necessary.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
HOM CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By /s/ Mark S. Neuhaus Mark S. Neuhaus, Chairman and President (Chief Executive Officer) Date: January 14, 2003 |
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Mark S. Neuhaus Mark S. Neuhaus, Chairman and President (Chief Executive Officer) Date: January 14, 2003 /s/ Ned Baramov Ned Baramov, Secretary-Treasurer, (Chief Financial Officer) Date: January 14, 2003 |
CERTIFICATIONS
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted), I, Mark S. Neuhaus, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of HOM Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annaul report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: January 14, 2003 /S/ MARK S. NEUHAUS ------------------- Mark S. Neuhaus Chairman and President (Chief Executive Officer) HOM Corporation |
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted), I, Ned Baramov, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of HOM Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: January 14, 2003 /S/ NED BARAMOV --------------- Ned Baramov Secretary and Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer) HOM Corporation |
Exhibit 3.2
HOM CORPORATION
BY-LAWS
(AS ADOPTED DECEMBER 12, 2002)
HOM CORPORATION
BY-LAWS
(As Adopted December 12, 2002)
Table of Contents ----------------- ARTICLE I - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS Section 1. Time and Place of Meetings Section 2. Annual Meeting Section 3. Special Meetings Section 4. Notice of Meetings Section 5. Quorum Section 6. Voting Section 7. Written Action ARTICLE II - DIRECTORS Section 1. Powers Section 2. Number and Term of Office Section 3. Chairman of the Board of Directors Section 4. Vacancies and New Directorships Section 5. Regular Meetings Section 6. Special Meetings Section 7. Quorum Section 8. Written Action Section 9. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone Section 10 Committees Section 11 Compensation Section 12 Rules ARTICLE III - NOTICES Section 1. Generally Section 2. Waivers ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS Section 1. Generally Section 2. Compensation Section 3. Succession Section 4. Authority and Duties Section 5. Execution of Documents and Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations ii |
ARTICLE V - STOCK Section 1. Certificates Section 2. Transfer Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates Section 4. Record Date ARTICLE VI - GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Fiscal Year Section 2. Corporate Seal Section 3. Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records Section 4 Time Periods Section 5. Dividends ARTICLE VII - GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Amendments |
HOM CORPORATION
BY - LAWS
(AS ADOPTED DECEMBER 12, 2002)
ARTICLE I
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS. All Meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Georgia, as may be designated by the Board of Directors, or by the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors, and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held at such date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, at which meeting the stockholders shall elect by a plurality vote the directors to succeed those whose terms expire and shall transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, may be called by the Board of Directors and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in interest of the entire capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall be sent to the President and the Secretary and shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.
Section 4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written notice of every meeting of the stockholders, stating the place, date and time of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein. When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, written notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place, date and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.
Section 5. QUORUM. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented.
Section 6. VOTING. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled at every meeting of the stockholders to one vote for each share of stock having voting power standing in the name of such stockholder on the books of the Corporation on the record date for the meeting, and such votes may be cast either in person or by
written proxy. Every proxy must be duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation. The vote upon any question brought before a meeting of the stockholders may be by voice vote, unless the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall determine that a written ballot be required. Every vote taken by written ballot shall be counted by one or more inspectors of election appointed by the chairman of the meeting or the Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock which has voting power present in person or represented by proxy and which has actually voted shall decide any question properly brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of law, the Articles of Incorporation or these by-laws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the determination of such question.
Section 7. WRITTEN ACTION. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if (a) all stockholders or (b), to the extent applicable Georgia law permits action by the holders of less than all the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, the holders of such lesser amount of capital stock, consent thereto in writing, whether before, concurrently with or after the effective time of such action, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes or proceedings of the stockholders.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
Section 1. POWERS. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Articles of Incorporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 2. NUMBER AND TERM OF OFFICE. The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members. The number of directors shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders at the annual meeting or a special meeting. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article, and each director elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, except as required by law. Any decrease in the authorized number of directors shall not be effective until the expiration of the term of the directors then in office, unless, at the time of such decrease, there shall be vacancies on the Board which are being eliminated by such decrease.
Section 3. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board shall elect one of its members as chairman, and the Board and, unless the Board provides otherwise, the Chairman of the Board may designate one or more Vice Chairmen or other officials of the Board of Directors, none of whom shall be officers of the Corporation unless the Board provides otherwise. At all meetings of the stockholders and directors the Chairman of the Board or, in his absence, such Vice Chairman or other person as the Chairman of the Board shall from time to time designate, shall preside.
Section 4. VACANCIES AND NEW DIRECTORSHIPS. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors which occur between annual meetings of the stockholders may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified, except as required by law.
Section 5. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders and at such other time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President on written notice to each director actually received or delivered to such director's regular address or such other locations as such person may have designated to the Corporation for such purpose not later than they close of business of the day prior to such meeting, and shall be called by the President or the Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of any two directors.
Section 7. QUORUM. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time to another place, date and time without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 8. WRITTEN ACTION. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, whether before, concurrently with or after the effective time of such action, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board or Committee.
Section 9. PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS BY CONFERENCE TELEPHONE. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any such committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 10. COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation and each to have such lawfully delegable powers and duties as the Board may confer. Each such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. 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. Except as otherwise provided by law, any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Any committee or committees so designated by the Board shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise prescribed by the Board of Directors, a majority of
the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of such committee. Each committee shall prescribe its own rules for calling and holding meetings and its method of procedure, subject to any rules prescribed by the Board of Directors, and shall keep a written record of all actions taken by it.
Section 11. COMPENSATION. The Board of Directors may establish such compensation for, and reimbursement of the expenses of, directors for attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or committees, or for other services by directors to the Corporation, as the Board of Directors may determine.
Section 12. RULES. The Board of Directors may adopt such special rules and regulations for the conduct of their meetings and the management of the affairs of the Corporation as they may deem proper, not inconsistent with law or these By-laws.
ARTICLE III
NOTICES
Section 1. GENERALLY. Whenever by law or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or these By-laws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to directors may also be given by facsimile, telegram, telephone, email or other means of electronic communication.
Section 2. WAIVERS. Whenever any notice is required to be given by law or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or these By-laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to such notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the 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 is not lawfully called or convened.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. GENERALLY. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall consist of a President, who shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation (unless the Chairman of the Board is designated by the Board as the chief executive officer, in which case the Board of Directors need not elect a President), and Secretary and such other officers (with such titles) as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
Section 2. COMPENSATION. The compensation of all officers and agents of the Corporation who are also directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate the power to fix the compensation of other officers and agents of the Corporation to an officer of the Corporation.
Section 3. SUCCESSION. The officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. AUTHORITY AND DUTIES. Each of the officers of the Corporation shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as are customarily incident to their respective offices or as may be specified from time to time by the Board of Directors in a resolution which is not inconsistent with these By-laws.
Section 5. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS AND ACTION WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS. The chief executive officer of the Corporation shall have and hereby is given full power and authority, except as otherwise required by law or directed by the Board of Directors, (a) to execute, on behalf of the Corporation, all duly authorized contracts, agreements, deeds, conveyances or other obligations of the Corporation, applications, consents, proxies and other powers of attorney, and other documents and instruments, and (b) to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders, creditors or holders of other interests (or with respect to any action of such stockholders, creditors or holders of other interests) of any other corporation or other entity in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities of such corporation or other entity. In addition, the chief executive officer may delegate to other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation the power and authority to take any action which the chief executives officer is authorized to take under this Section 5, with such limitations as he may specify; such authority so delegated by the chief executive officer shall not be re-delegated by the person to whom such execution authority has been delegated.
ARTICLE V
STOCK
Section 1. CERTIFICATES. Certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, subject to applicable legal requirements. Such certificates shall be numbered and their issuance recorded in the books of the Corporation, and each such certificate shall exhibit the holder's name and the number of shares and shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the proper officers of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures and the seal of the Corporation, if any, upon such certificates may be facsimiles, engraved or printed. To the extent Georgia laws permits non-certificated capital stock, the Board of Directors may authorize non-certificated stock, and nothing in these Bylaws shall prevent or limit the use of non-certificated stock in accordance with Georgia law.
Section 2. TRANSFER. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation (subject to any limitations of applicable law, the Corporation having the right to refrain from acting until it is reasonably satisfied of the absence of any such limitations) to issue, or to cause its transfer agent to issue, a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
Section 3. LOST STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. The Corporation acting through its Secretary or, in his absence any Assistant Secretary, may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact, satisfactory to the Corporation, by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. As a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates the Corporation may require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties, if any, as the Corporation may determine in each case as indemnity against any claims that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed or the issuance of the new certificate or certificates.
Section 4. RECORD DATE. (a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If no record is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders 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 next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Georgia, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a Corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. CORPORATE SEAL. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal and use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
Section 3. RELIANCE UPON BOOKS REPORTS AND RECORDS. Each director, each member of a committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation's officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters the director, committee member or officer believes are within such other person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 4. TIME PERIODS. In applying any provision of these by-laws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded and the day of the event shall be included.
Section 5. DIVIDENDS. The Board of Directors may from time to time declare and the Corporation may pay dividends upon its outstanding shares of capital stock, in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and the Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. AMENDMENTS. These By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new By-laws may be adopted, by the stockholders or, unless the stockholders otherwise determine, by the Board of Directors.
Exhibit 99.5
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT
Board of Directors
HOM Corporation and Subsidiaries
We consent to the incorporation in Form 10-KSB of our report dated December 20, 2002, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of HOM Corporation and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2002, and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000.
/S/ Elliott Davis, LLC Augusta, Georgia January 13, 2003 |