UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 31, 2013

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-35637   22-3388607

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

210 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 201-567-5648

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

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On December 31, 2013, Asta Funding, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASFI) (the “Company” or “Asta”), a financial services receivable asset management and liquidation company, announced the acquisition of an 80% ownership interest in CBC Settlement Funding, LLC (“CBC”), a structured settlement financing company whose primary office is located in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. On December 31, 2013, the Company, through a subsidiary (CBC Acquisition LLC (“CBC Acquisition”)), acquired 100% of the ownership of CBC and its affiliate, CBC Management Services, LLC, for approximately $5.9 million. At the closing, the operating principals of CBC, namely William J. Skyrm, Esq. and James Goodman, were issued a 20% interest in CBC (10% to Mr. Skyrm, and 10% to Mr. Goodman). In addition, the Company, through another subsidiary, has agreed to provide financing to CBC of up to $5 million.

CBC purchases periodic payments under structured settlements and annuity policies from individuals in exchange for a lump sum payment. The operating principals of CBC, William J. Skyrm, Esq. and James Goodman, have over 30 years combined experience in the structured settlement industry.

CBC has a portfolio of structured settlements with a future value in excess of $44 million, which is financed by approximately $25 million of debt, including an existing $12.5 million line of credit (scheduled to increase to $15 million) from an institutional source and notes issued by CBC.

As the Company has acquired and managed charged off and non-performing receivables since its inception, and more recently has been financing personal injury claims, acquiring a structured settlement business is a further step in diversifying the Asta portfolio that utilizes the expertise developed over the last fifty years since the inception of its predecessor, Asta Group, Inc.

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (“MIPA”)

On December 31, 2013, the Company entered into the MIPA with CBC, a Delaware limited liability company and CBC Management Services Group, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company (the “Management Company,” and together with CBC, the “Companies”), and the Sellers of the Companies. The Purchase Price for the Companies was $5,650,000, plus approximately $250,000, equal to 80% of the net present value of CBC’s eligible receivables acquired since October 1, 2013, and is subject to certain further post-closing adjustments.

The MIPA provides generally for an 18-month indemnity with a cap of $2 million, except for a breach of Fundamental Representations (as defined), where the maximum liability is limited to the Purchase Price.

Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of CBC (“Operating Agreement”)

The rights, duties and obligations of CBC are set forth in the Operating Agreement, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to this Current Report.

Pursuant to the MIPA, CBC Acquisition acquired all of the membership interests in CBC from CBC Holding Company, LLC in exchange for an initial capital contribution of $5,650,000. Messers. Skyrm and Goodman were each issued a 10% membership interest in CBC. Under the Operating Agreement, CBC Acquisition is entitled to distributions equal to $2,337,189 less the aggregate dollar amount of (A) all cash flows derived from portfolio assets owned by CBC as of September 30, 2013, to the extent applied from October 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013, to reduce CBC’s indebtedness for borrowed money reduced by all accrued interest and (B) costs and fees incurred by the Company for such indebtedness. All available cash will then be distributed to members in proportion to their profit percentages.


The initial Board of Managers of CBC consists of Messrs. Skyrm and Goodman and Gary Stern, Ricky Stern and Seth Berman, representing CBC Acquisition (and the Company). Messrs. Skyrm and Goodman each has the right to nominate one Board Member as long as they together own at least 20% of the Membership Interests or each owns at least 10% of the Membership Interests (“Requisite Percentage”). All profits and losses of CBC will be allocated to the Company, Mr. Goodman and Mr. Skyrm on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective ownership interests.

Until December 31, 2015, the following actions require the approval of all Members of CBC: admission of additional Members (other than an affiliate of the Company) provided Messrs. Skyrm and Goodman retain the Requisite Percentage; merger or consolidation of CBC; sale of all or a material portion of the assets of CBC or the transfer by any Member of 50% or more of the Membership Interests in CBC other than to an affiliate; reorganization, dissolution or winding-up of CBC; institution of bankruptcy proceedings; entry into agreements with any Member on less than arm’s length terms and conditions; or engaging in any business other than the current business of CBC.

Each Member has agreed to a two-year non-compete, beginning when such Member ceases to be associated with CBC as a Member, in the U.S. or any other country for which CBC is then conducting business or proposes to conduct business. Messers. Skyrm and Goodman are subject to additional restrictions on competition under the MIPA and other agreements.

Each Member also agreed to not solicit: (A) any current customer or referral source or (B) any employee, consultant, independent contractor or agent of the Company to leave the Company for 24 months after such Members ceases to be a Member.

So long as Messrs. Skyrm and Goodman hold the Requisite Percentage and CBC is not insolvent, each of Skyrm and Goodman has the right to require CBC to purchase all, but not less than all, of his Membership Interests if he is terminated other than for Cause (as defined). If either Skyrm or Goodman is terminated by CBC for any reason and CBC is not insolvent, CBC has the right to require Skyrm or Goodman, as applicable, to sell all, but not less than all, of his Membership Interests to CBC. The Operating Agreement also provides for drag-along and tag-along rights and rights of first refusal.

Item 8.01 Other Events

On January 7, 2014, the Company issued a press release announcing the acquisition of CBC Settlement Funding, LLC, which is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(a) Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed or furnished, as applicable, with this Current Report on Form 8-K:

 

No.

  

Description

10.1    Membership Interest Purchase Agreement by and among CBC Settlement , LLC, CBC Management Services Group, LLC, Asta Funding, Inc. and Other Parties Hereto (1) (1)
10.2    Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of CBC Settlement Funding, LLC
99.1    Press Release issued by the Company, dated January 7, 2014

 

(1) The schedules to Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 have not been filed with this registration statement as they contain due diligence information which the Registrant does not believe is material to an investment decision.


SIGNATURE

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

 

  ASTA FUNDING, INC.
Date: January 7, 2014   By:  

/s/ Robert J. Michel

    Robert J. Michel
    Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and among

CBC SETTLEMENT FUNDING, LLC,

CBC MANAGEMENT SERVICES GROUP, LLC,

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO

 

 

Dated as of December 31, 2013

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        Page  
ARTICLE I   Purchase and Sale of Membership Interests; Closing     1   
    1.01.    Purchase and Sale of the Membership Interests     1   
    1.02.    Closing Date     2   
    1.03.    Deliveries at the Closing     2   
    1.04.    Closing Payments     4   
    1.05.    Adjustment of the Base Purchase Price at Closing     5   
    1.06.    Adjustments to the Purchase Price After the Closing     5   
ARTICLE II   Representations and Warranties Relating to the Sellers     7   
    2.01.    Organization and Authority; Enforceability     7   
    2.02.    Beneficial Ownership     8   
    2.03.    Non-Contravention; Consents     8   
    2.04.    Broker’s Fees     8   
    2.05.    Proceedings     8   
ARTICLE III   Representations and Warranties Relating to the Companies     9   
    3.01.    Organization and Standing; Books and Records     9   
    3.02.    Membership Interests     10   
    3.03.    Non-contravention     11   
    3.04.    Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability     11   
    3.05.    Consents     12   
    3.06.    Assets     12   
    3.07.    Financial Statements; Projections; Indebtedness     12   
    3.08.    No Undisclosed Liabilities     13   
    3.09.    Assets Other than Real Property Interest or Intellectual Property     13   
    3.10.    Owned and Leased Real Properties; Title to Properties     13   
    3.11.    Intellectual Property     14   
    3.12.    Contracts     17   
    3.13.    Permits     19   
    3.14.    Insurance     19   
    3.15.    Taxes     20   
    3.16.    Proceedings     22   
    3.17.    Employee Benefit Plans     23   
    3.18.    Labor and Employment Matters     25   
    3.19.    Absence of Changes or Events     26   
    3.20.    Compliance with Laws     27   
    3.21.    Environmental Matters     28   
    3.22.    Accounts Receivable and Payable     28   
    3.23.    Related Party Transactions     28   
    3.24.    Financial Advisors     29   
    3.25.    Bank Accounts     29   

 

-i-


    3.26.    Structured Settlement Activities     29   
    3.27.    Criminal Activity     30   
    3.28.    Blue Bell Receivables Transaction Documents     30   
    3.29.    Representations Complete     30   
ARTICLE IV   Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser     31   
    4.01.    Organization, Standing and Power     31   
    4.02.    Authority; Execution and Delivery; and Enforceability     31   
    4.03.    No Conflicts; Consents     31   
    4.04.    Litigation     31   
    4.05.    Broker’s Fees     31   
    4.06.    Solvency     32   
ARTICLE V   Covenants     32   
    5.01.    Publicity     32   
    5.02.    Further Assurances     32   
    5.03.    Solicitation or Hiring of Employees; Non-competition     32   
    5.04.    Release by Sellers     33   
    5.05.    Resignation of Managers and Officers; Powers of Attorney; Licenses     35   
    5.06.    Confidentiality     35   
    5.07.    Key Main Insurance     35   
    5.08.    Limitation on Distribution by Holding Company     35   
    5.09.    Names     35   
    5.10.    Amendment to Loan Agreement     36   
    5.11.    Landlord Consent     36   
ARTICLE VI   Closing Conditions     36   
    6.01.    Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Purchaser     36   
    6.02.    Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Sellers     37   
ARTICLE VII   Certain Tax Matters     38   
    7.01.    Tax Indemnification     38   
    7.02.    Straddle Period     39   
    7.03.    Responsibility for Filing Tax Returns     39   
    7.04.    Cooperation on Tax Matters     39   
    7.05.    Tax-Sharing Agreements     39   
    7.06.    Certain Taxes     39   
ARTICLE VIII   Indemnification     40   
    8.01.    Survival Periods     40   
    8.02.    Indemnification by the Sellers     41   
    8.03.    Indemnification by the Purchaser     42   
    8.04.    Indemnification Procedures     42   
    8.05.    Other     44   
    8.06.    No Prejudice     45   
    8.07.    Tax Treatment of Indemnity Payments     45   
    8.08.    Contribution     45   

 

-ii-


ARTICLE IX   General Provisions     46   
    9.01.    Fees and Expenses     46   
    9.02.    Binding Effect; Assignment     46   
    9.03.    No Third-Party Beneficiaries     46   
    9.04.    Notices     46   
    9.05.    Interpretation; Exhibits and Schedules     47   
    9.06.    Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers     47   
    9.07.    Severability     47   
    9.08.    Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial     48   
    9.09.    Specific Performance     48   
    9.10.    Governing Law     48   
    9.11.    Counterparts     48   
    9.12.    Seller Representative     49   
ARTICLE X   Certain Definitions     50   

Schedules

Disclosure Schedule

Exhibits

Exhibit A .    Estimated Working Capital Examples

Exhibit B .    Operating Company Operating Agreement

Exhibit C .    Goodman Employment Agreement

Exhibit D .    Skyrm Employment Agreement

Exhibit E .    Flow of Funds Memorandum

 

-iii-


MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of December 31, 2013 (this “ Agreement ”), is entered into by and among CBC Settlement Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Operating Company ”) and CBC Management Services Group, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company (the “ Management Company ” and, together with the Operating Company, collectively, the “ Companies ” and, individually, each a “ Company ”), Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Purchaser ”), CBC Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Holding Company ”), and the parties set forth on Schedule I attached hereto (collectively, the “ Members ” and, together with the Holding Company, collectively, the “ Sellers ” and, individually, each a “ Seller ”).

WHEREAS, the Holding Company owns all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Operating Company and the other Sellers own all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Management Company and the Holding Company;

WHEREAS, the Sellers desire to sell, and the Purchaser desires to purchase, (i) one hundred percent (100.0%) of the membership interests of the Management Company from the Members as set forth on Schedule I (collectively, the “ Management Company Interests ”), and (ii) one hundred percent (100.0%) of the membership interests of the Operating Company from the Holding Company as set forth on Schedule I (the “ Operating Company Interests ” and, together with the Management Company Interests, collectively, the “ Membership Interests ”), all in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the parties contemplate that, as soon as practicable after the Closing Date, the Management Company will be merged into the Operating Company, with the Operating Company being the sole remaining legal entity.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and undertakings contained herein, and subject to and on the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Sellers and the Purchaser hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Purchase and Sale of Membership Interests; Closing

1.01. Purchase and Sale of the Membership Interests . On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, (a) the Members shall sell, transfer and deliver the Management Company Interests to the Purchaser or a designee of the Purchaser designated by the Purchaser in writing to the Sellers not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing, free and clear of any and all Liens, and the Purchaser shall purchase the Management Company Interests from the Members, and (b) the Holding Company shall sell, transfer and deliver the Operating Company Interests to the Purchaser or a designee of the Purchaser designated by the Purchaser in writing to the Sellers not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing, free and clear of any and all Liens, and the Purchaser or such designee shall purchase the Operating Company Interests from the Holding Company (clauses (a) and (b), collectively, the “ Sale ”). In consideration of the sale, transfer and delivery of the Membership Interests by the Sellers in accordance with this Section 1.01, at the Closing, the Purchaser shall pay to the Sellers an aggregate amount equal to Five Million Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($5,650,000.00) plus an amount equal to eighty percent (80%) of the Net Present Value of the Incremental Assets as of the Closing Date (the “ Base Purchase Price ”), which shall be adjusted at Closing pursuant to Section 1.05 and adjusted after Closing pursuant to Section 1.06 (the Base Purchase Price as so adjusted, the “ Purchase Price ”) and payable as set forth herein.


1.02. Closing Date . The purchase and sale of the Membership Interests (the “ Closing ”) shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures on the date hereof at the law offices of Lowenstein Sandler LLP or such other date, time and place as shall be agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto (the “ Closing Date ”).

1.03. Deliveries at the Closing .

(a) At the Closing, the Companies and the Sellers shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser the following:

(i) a certificate duly executed by the President of the Management Company and a Manager of the Operating Company (the “ Closing Certificate ”) setting forth:

(A) an estimate of the Working Capital as of the Closing Date determined on a basis consistent with the accounting principles used in connection with the preparation of the Financial Statements as provided in Section 3.07 (the “ Balance Sheet Principles ” and, such estimate of the Working Capital in accordance with this clause (A), the “ Estimated Closing Working Capital ”);

(B) the amount of the Indebtedness of the Companies as of the Closing Date, other than Remaining Indebtedness (the “ CBC Indebtedness ”), together with payment instructions for each lender related thereto, as provided in the Debt Payoff Letters (as defined in Section 1.03(a)(xiii) below);

(C) an estimate of eighty percent (80%) of the Net Present Value of the Incremental Assets as of the Closing Date (the “ Estimated Incremental Asset Value ”), together with a list of all the Acquired Structured Settlements included in the Incremental Assets; and

(D) the calculation of the Adjusted Purchase Price.

The Estimated Closing Working Capital shall be calculated in the same manner as the examples provided in Exhibit A attached hereto.

(ii) the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Operating Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ Operating Company Operating Agreement ”), duly executed by the applicable parties;

 

-2-


(iii) the Employment Agreement between the Management Company and James Goodman in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “ Goodman Employment Agreement ”), duly executed by Mr. Goodman;

(iv) the Employment Agreement between the Management Company and William Skyrm in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “ Skyrm Employment Agreement ”), duly executed by Mr. Skyrm;

(v) instruments of assignment reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser, evidencing the transfer and assignment of the Membership Interests to the Purchaser or its designee, and such other instruments as may be reasonably requested by the Purchaser to vest full legal and beneficial ownership of the Membership Interests in the Purchaser or its designee, free and clear of any Liens;

(vi) the Required Consents;

(vii) a certificate of the President of the Operating Company in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, (A) attaching the Organizational Documents of the Operating Company; (B) identifying each of the managers and officers of the Operating Company; and (C) certifying (1) the names and the signatures of the Operating Company’s officers authorized to sign this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Operating Company is a party, (2) the authorization of the board of managers and the members of the Operating Company of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Operating Company is a party and the consummation of the sale of the Operating Company Interests and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (3) such good standing certificates of the Operating Company as the Purchaser shall reasonably request;

(viii) a certificate of the Secretary of the Management Company in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, (A) attaching the Organizational Documents of the Management Company, each as effect immediately prior to the Closing; (B) identifying each of the managers and officers of the Management Company; and (C) certifying (1) the names and the signatures of the Management Company’s officers authorized to sign this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Management Company is a party, (2) the authorization of the board of managers and the members of the Management Company of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Management Company is a party and the consummation of the sale of the Management Company Interests and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (3) such good standing certificates of the Management Company as the Purchaser shall reasonably request;

(ix) a certificate of the Secretary of the Holding Company in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, certifying (A) the names and the signatures of the Holding Company’s officers authorized to sign this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Holding Company is a party, and (B) the authorization of the board of managers and the members of the Holding Company of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Holding Company is a party and the consummation of the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;

 

-3-


(x) a certificate of the Secretary of J&M Ventures I, LLC (“ J&M Ventures ”) in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, (A) certifying (1) the names and the signatures of J&M Ventures’ officers authorized to sign this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which J&M Ventures is a party, and (2) the authorization of the board of managers and the members of J&M Ventures of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which J&M Ventures is a party and the consummation of the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;

(xi) payoff letters satisfactory to the Purchaser from each Person to whom any portion of Indebtedness of the Companies is owed, not including the Remaining Indebtedness (the “ Debt Payoff Letters ”);

(xii) evidence satisfactory to the Purchaser of the release of all Liens other than Permitted Liens on the assets of the Companies;

(xiii) preliminary invoices and final payoff letters satisfactory to the Purchaser from each Person to whom any portion of the CBC Transaction Expenses is owed (the “ CBC Transaction Expenses Payoff Letters ”);

(xiv) such other documents and instruments as reasonably requested by the Purchaser.

(b) At the Closing, the Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Sellers the following:

(i) the Operating Company Operating Agreement, duly executed by the Purchaser or its designee;

(ii) the Goodman Employment Agreement, duly executed by the Purchaser or its designee;

(iii) the Skyrm Employment Agreement, duly executed by the Purchaser or its designee; and

(iv) the Penn Funding Loan Agreement.

1.04. Closing Payments . At the Closing:

(a) Closing Consideration . The Purchaser shall deliver to the Sellers by wire transfer of immediately available funds an aggregate amount in cash equal to the Adjusted Purchase Price (the “ Closing Consideration ”), which Closing Consideration shall be delivered to the Sellers in accordance with the Flow of Funds Memorandum in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E .

 

-4-


(b) CBC Indebtedness . The Purchaser shall pay the Estimated CBC Indebtedness (other than the Remaining Indebtedness) set forth in the Closing Certificate out of the Closing Consideration funds in accordance with the payment instructions contained in the Closing Certificate and the Debt Payoff Letters.

(c) CBC Transaction Expenses . The Purchaser shall pay the CBC Transaction Expenses set forth in the Closing Certificate out of the Closing Consideration funds in accordance with this Section 1.04 and the payment instructions contained in the Closing Certificate and the CBC Transaction Expenses Payoff Letters; provided, however, that the Purchaser may withhold or pay to the Companies any amounts otherwise payable as a CBC Transaction Expense that are required to be deducted and withheld under any provision of federal, state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are withheld in accordance with this Section 1.04 , the withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person from whom such amounts were withheld.

1.05. Adjustment of the Base Purchase Price at Closing . The Base Purchase Price shall be adjusted as set forth in this Section 1.05 at the Closing (the Base Purchase Price, as so adjusted, shall be referred to as the “ Adjusted Purchase Price ”). The Adjusted Purchase Price shall be equal to:

(a) the Base Purchase Price, minus

(b) the amount, if any, by which the Estimated Closing Working Capital is less than negative One Hundred Ninety Four Thousand, Five Hundred Ninety Two Dollars (-$194,592.00) (the “ WC Target ”), plus

(c) the amount, if any, by which the Estimated Closing Working Capital is greater than the WC Target, minus

(d) the Estimated CBC Transaction Expenses, minus

(e) the CBC Indebtedness.

1.06. Adjustments to the Purchase Price After the Closing .

(a) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, and no later than ninety (90) calendar days after the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall deliver to the Sellers a detailed statement (the “ Closing Date Statement ”), setting forth the Purchaser’s proposed final (i) CBC Transaction Expenses, (ii) list of Acquired Structured Settlements included in the Incremental Assets and calculation of the Net Present Value of the Incremental Assets as of the Closing Date, (iii) the CBC Indebtedness as of the Closing Date, (iv) Working Capital as of the Closing Date and (v) the Purchase Price. The CBC Indebtedness as of the Closing Date, Net Present Value of the Incremental Assets and the Working Capital as of the Closing Date shall be determined on a basis consistent with the Balance Sheet Principles and calculated in the same manner as the examples provided in Exhibit A attached hereto. If no Closing Date Statement is received by the Sellers on or prior to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the last day of such ninety (90) day period, the Sellers shall provide the Purchaser with written notice. If the Purchaser fails to provide a Closing Date Statement to the Sellers within ten (10) days of Seller’s written notice, no adjustment shall be made to the Purchase Price pursuant to this Section 1.06 and the Purchase Price and the amounts set forth on the Closing Certificate shall be final and binding on the parties hereto.

 

-5-


(b) During the thirty (30) day period following the Sellers’ receipt of the Closing Date Statement, the Purchaser shall provide the Sellers with access to each of the Companies’ officers, books and records (including work papers) to the extent reasonably necessary in connection with the Sellers’ review of the Closing Date Statement. The Closing Date Statement shall become final and binding upon the parties on the 30th day following delivery thereof, unless the Sellers give written notice of their disagreement with respect to such Closing Date Statement (a “ Notice of Disagreement ”) to the Purchaser on or prior to such date. Any Notice of Disagreement shall specify in reasonable detail the nature of any disagreement so asserted.

(c) If no Notice of Disagreement is received by the Purchaser on or prior to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the last day of such thirty (30) day period, the Closing Date Statement shall be deemed accepted by the Sellers. If any such Notice of Disagreement is timely provided, the Purchaser and the Sellers shall use commercially reasonable efforts for a twenty (20)-day period (or such longer period upon which they may mutually agree in writing signed by both parties) to resolve any disagreements with respect to the Closing Date Statement. At the end of such twenty (20)-day period (or such longer period upon which the parties may have mutually agreed in writing), if the parties are unable to resolve any such disagreements, then Giordano and Associates CPAs, P.C. or such other national independent accounting firm mutually acceptable to the Purchaser and the Sellers (the “ Independent Accounting Firm ”) shall resolve any remaining disagreements. The Purchaser and the Sellers agree to execute, if requested by the Independent Accounting Firm, an engagement letter in customary form. All fees and expenses relating to the work to be performed by the Independent Accounting Firm shall be paid equally by the Purchaser and the Sellers. The Independent Accounting Firm shall act as an arbitrator to determine, based solely on written submissions by the Sellers and the Purchaser, and not by independent review or testimony of any type, only those issues and amounts still in dispute and shall be limited to those adjustments, if any, that need be made for the Closing Date Statement to comply with this Agreement. The Independent Accounting Firm shall address only those items in dispute and may not assign a value greater than the greatest value for such item claimed by either the Purchaser or the Sellers or smaller than the smallest value for such item claimed by either such party. The Independent Accounting Firm’s determination shall be requested to be made within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the presentation of evidence by the Purchaser and the Sellers, and shall be set forth in a written statement delivered to such parties. Such determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement and shall not be subject to any further recourse by any party pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, absent fraud or manifest error. Judgment may be entered upon the determination of the Independent Accounting Firm in any court having jurisdiction over the party against which such determination is to be enforced.

 

-6-


(d) For purposes of this Agreement, the “ Final Statement ” shall be one of the following:

(i) the Closing Certificate if the Purchaser fails to deliver a Closing Date Statement within the period set forth in Section 1.06(a) ;

(ii) the Closing Date Statement in the event the Sellers do not deliver a Notice of Disagreement in the thirty (30) day period specified above;

(iii) a closing date statement mutually agreed upon by the Purchaser and the Sellers; or

(iv) if the Purchaser and the Sellers are unable to agree upon a closing date statement, the document setting forth the determination of the Independent Accounting Firm.

The date on which the Final Statement is determined in accordance with this Section 1.06(d) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Determination Date .”

(e) On the Determination Date, the final Purchase Price shall be re-calculated using the adjusted CBC Transaction Expenses, and Net Present Value of the Incremental Assets set forth on the Final Statement, and the adjusted CBC Indebtedness set forth on the Final Statement (the “ Adjusted Incremental Asset Value ”) and the adjusted Working Capital set forth on the Final Statement (the “ Adjusted Working Capital ”), instead of the estimates thereof that were used in calculating the Adjusted Purchase Price. If the final Purchase Price as calculated pursuant to this Section 1.06(e) based on the Final Statement is less than the Adjusted Purchase Price, the Sellers shall pay to the Purchaser the amount of such difference by wire transfer in immediately available funds. If the final Purchase Price as calculated pursuant to this Section 1.06(e) is greater than the Adjusted Purchase Price, the Purchaser shall, within ten (10) Business Days after the Determination Date, make payment to the Sellers by wire transfer in immediately available funds of the amount of such difference in accordance with the Payment Instructions.

ARTICLE II

Representations and Warranties Relating to the Sellers

The Sellers hereby represent and warrant to the Purchaser as follows:

2.01. Organization and Authority; Enforceability . Each Seller has all legal capacity and has taken all action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform his or its obligations under this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which he or it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each such Ancillary Agreement. This Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which any of the Sellers are a party have been duly executed and delivered by each such Seller and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Purchaser) constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of each such Seller, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar Applicable Laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights, and to general equitable principles (the “ Bankruptcy and Equity Exception ”).

 

-7-


2.02. Beneficial Ownership . Each Seller is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Membership Interests set forth on Schedule I opposite such Seller’s name. Each Seller has good and valid title to such Membership Interests, free and clear of all Liens. Except as set forth in the Organizational Documents of the Companies, each Seller has the full and unrestricted right, power and authority to sell and transfer such Membership Interests to the Purchaser or its designee as contemplated by this Agreement. No Seller is a party to any option, warrant, purchase right, or other Contract or commitment that could require the Seller to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any Equity Interests of the Companies (other than this Agreement and as set forth in the Organizational Documents of the Companies). Upon delivery of the Membership Interests to the Purchaser or its designee at the Closing, the Purchaser will acquire sole legal and beneficial ownership of such Membership Interests, free and clear of all Liens. Other than this Agreement and the Organizational Documents of the Companies, the Membership Interests are not subject to any voting trust agreement or other Contracts, including, any Contract restricting or otherwise relating to the voting, distribution rights or disposition of the Membership Interests. Upon the Closing, upon execution and delivery of the Operating Company Operating Agreement, twenty percent (20%) of the equity of the Operating Company shall be owned equally by William Skyrm and James Goodman.

2.03. Non-Contravention; Consents . Except as set forth on Schedule 2.03 , the execution, delivery and performance by each Seller of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which he or it is a party do not, and the consummation by the Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (a) require any consent, approval or other authorization of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, (b) contravene or conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any Applicable Laws applicable to each Seller, (c) result in any material violation or breach of, or constitute a default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under, any Contract to which each Seller is a party (d) require any consent, approval or other authorization of, or filing with or notification to, any third party or (e) give any Governmental Entity or other Person a right to challenge the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

2.04. Broker’s Fees . Except as set forth in Schedule 2.04 , no Seller has Liability to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to this Agreement, the Sale or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

2.05. Proceedings . There is no Proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of any Seller, threatened against any Seller, or to which any Seller is otherwise a party relating to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and to the Knowledge of any Seller, there are no set of facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to form a basis for any such Proceeding.

2.06. FIRPTA . No Seller is a foreign person as defined in Code Section 1445.

 

-8-


ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties Relating to the Companies

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and the Sellers, the Companies and the Sellers shall deliver to the Purchaser a disclosure schedule with numbered schedules corresponding to the relevant sections in this Agreement (the “ Disclosure Schedule ”). Matters set forth in the Disclosure Schedule are not necessarily limited to matters required by the Agreement to be reflected in the Disclosure Schedule. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Disclosure Schedule constitutes an admission that any information disclosed, set forth or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Schedule or in this Agreement is material, constitutes a CBC Material Adverse Effect or is otherwise required by the terms of this Agreement to be so disclosed, set forth or incorporated by reference. Any disclosure set forth in any particular section of the Disclosure Schedule will be deemed disclosed for any other Section of the Disclosure Schedule to the extent that its relevance or applicability to such other Section of the Disclosure Schedule is reasonably apparent. The specification of any dollar amount in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or the inclusion of any specific item in the Disclosure Schedule is not intended to imply that such amounts are within or outside the Ordinary Course of Business for purposes of this Agreement.

For purposes of the following representations and warranties (other than those in Sections 3.01 , 3.02 , 3.03 , 3.04 and 3.05 ), the term “the Company” shall include any Subsidiaries of the Company, unless otherwise noted herein.

Subject to the exceptions and qualifications set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the Companies and the Sellers jointly and severally hereby represent and warrant to the Purchaser as follows:

3.01. Organization and Standing; Books and Records .

(a) Each of the Companies is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation and is duly qualified or authorized to do business as a foreign entity and is in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties requires such qualification or authorization, except where such failure, individually or in the aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have a CBC Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 3.01(a) lists the jurisdictions, if any, in which each Company is qualified to do business. Each Company has full limited liability company power and authority necessary to enable it to own, lease or otherwise hold its properties and assets and to carry on its business as conducted as of the date of this Agreement.

(b) Schedule 3.01(b) sets forth all of the Subsidiaries directly or indirectly owned by the Companies. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(b) , the Companies own all of the outstanding equity securities of each such Subsidiary and there are no outstanding options, warrants, calls, rights or commitments or any other agreements of any character relating to distribution rights (other than distribution rights provided for in the Organizational Documents of such Subsidiary) or to the sale, allotment, issuance or voting of, or the granting of rights to acquire, any membership interest or equity security of such Subsidiary, or any securities or other instruments convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to purchase any Equity Interests of such Subsidiary. Except for the Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 3.01(b) , the Companies do not own or control and have never owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, association, or other business entity. Each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 3.01(b) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation and is duly qualified or authorized to do business as a foreign entity and is in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties requires such qualification or authorization, except where such failure, individually or in the aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have a CBC Material Adverse Effect. Each such Subsidiary has full limited liability company power and authority necessary to enable it to own, lease or otherwise hold its properties and assets and to carry on its business as conducted as of the date of this Agreement.

 

-9-


(c) Schedule 3.01(c) sets forth the name and title of each officer and manager (or similarly empowered individual) of each of the Companies. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01(c) , no Person has the authority to act on behalf of, or bind, the Companies.

(d) The minute books and records of the Companies contain substantially complete records of all material actions taken at all meetings and by all written consents in lieu of meetings of the board of managers of the Companies, or any committees thereof, and the members of the Companies. The membership interest ledger and related transfer records of the Companies represent a true, complete and correct record of all issuances and transfers of the membership interests of the Companies. The books and records of the Companies (i) accurately and fairly reflect in all material respects the business and condition of such Company and the transactions and the assets and liabilities of such Company, and (ii) have been maintained in all material respects in accordance with good business and bookkeeping practices. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Companies have not engaged in any material transaction with respect to its business or its operations, maintained any bank account or used any funds in the conduct thereof except for transactions, bank accounts and funds that have been and are reflected in the normally maintained books and records of the Companies. The Companies have provided to the Purchaser true, complete and correct copies of all books and records of each Company.

3.02. Membership Interests .

(a) The Members own all of the Management Company Interests and the Holding Company owns all of the Operating Company Interests, in each case as set forth on Schedule I hereto. Except for the Management Company Interests, there are no outstanding membership interests of the Management Company. Except for the Operating Company Interests, there are no outstanding membership interests of the Operating Company. The Membership Interests were duly authorized for issuance and are validly issued and were not issued in violation of any purchase or call option, right of first refusal, subscription right, preemptive right or any similar rights. There are no outstanding options, warrants, calls, rights or commitments or any other agreements of any character relating to distribution rights (other than distribution rights provided for in the Organizational Documents of the Companies) or to the sale, allotment, issuance or voting of, or the granting of rights to acquire, any membership interest or equity security of either of the Companies, or any securities or other instruments convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to purchase any membership interests or Equity Interests of the Companies.

 

-10-


(b) Except as set forth in the Organizational Documents of the Companies, there are no obligations, contingent or otherwise, of any of the Companies to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Membership Interests. There are no outstanding profit participation or similar rights with respect to the Companies.

3.03. Non-contravention . Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor any of the Ancillary Agreements or the instruments of transfer referred to herein nor the performance by each of the Companies of its obligations under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or such instruments of transfer nor the contemplated merger subsequent to this Agreement between Management Company and Operating Company will (i) violate any provision contained in the Companies Organizational Documents, (ii) violate or result in a breach (with or without the lapse of time, the giving of notice or both) of or constitute a default under (A) any Contract or (B) any judgment, order, decree, Law, rule or regulation or other restriction of any Governmental Entity, in each case to which any of the Companies or any of their Subsidiaries is a party or to which any of its properties is subject, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the Companies’ or any of their Subsidiaries’ assets or properties, (iv) result in the acceleration of, or permit any Person to accelerate or declare due and payable prior to its stated maturity, any Liability of the Companies or Subsidiaries, or (v) constitute an Event of Default or Default under the Loan Agreement (as such terms are defined in the Loan Agreement).

3.04. Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability .

(a) Each of the Companies has all requisite power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which such Company is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which each of the Companies is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized and approved by all required action on the part of such Company and no other action on the part of such Company is necessary to authorize this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(b) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each of the Companies and, assuming due execution and authorization by the other parties hereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Companies to which it is a party. The Ancillary Agreements, when executed and delivered by the Companies, will be duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Companies and, assuming due execution and authorization by the other parties thereto, will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Companies. This Agreement and the Ancillary Documents are enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as limited by the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

 

-11-


3.05. Consents . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.05 , no notice to, filing with, or authorization, registration, consent or approval of any Governmental Entity or other Person is necessary to be obtained by the Companies or any of their Subsidiaries for (i) the execution, delivery or performance by the Companies of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby by the Companies or (iii) the operation of the business of the Companies or their Subsidiaries by the Purchaser immediately after the consummation of the Closing.

3.06. Assets . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.06 , all assets owned or leased by the Companies as reflected on the Balance Sheet or thereafter acquired, other than Structured Settlement assets sold to Blue Bell Receivables I, LLC, Blue Bell Receivables II, LLC, and Blue Bell Receivables II, LLC (the “ Blue Bell Entities ”) and immaterial assets disposed of since the Balance Sheet Date in the Ordinary Course of Business, constitute all of the assets that are used, or held for use, in the business of the Companies, are and will be sufficient for the conduct and operation of the business of the Companies by Purchaser following the Closing in the same manner as conducted and operated by the Companies on the Balance Sheet Date and as currently conducted.

3.07. Financial Statements; Projections; Indebtedness .

(a) Attached as exhibits to Schedule 3.07 are (i) the reviewed financial statements (the “ Reviewed Financial Statements ”) of each of the Companies (other than the Management Company) as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012 and (ii) the unaudited financial statements of the Companies as of and for the period ended November 30, 2013 (such date being the “ Balance Sheet Date ”) (the “ Interim Financials ” and, together with the Reviewed Financial Statements, the “ Financial Statements ”). The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“ GAAP ”) consistently applied (except as may be otherwise specified in such Financial Statements or the notes thereto or as described in Schedule 3.07 ) and, on that basis, present fairly and accurately in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Companies, as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods indicated except as may be indicated in the notes thereto and except, in the case of Interim Financials, for normally recurring year-end adjustments which are not expected to be material individually or in the aggregate.

(b) Each of the Companies has in place systems and processes that are designed to (i) provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of the Financial Statements and (ii) in a timely manner accumulate and communicate to the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of each of the Companies the type of information that is required to be disclosed in the Financial Statements. Neither of the Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, any employee, auditor, accountant or representative of the Companies has received or otherwise had or obtained Knowledge of any complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the inadequacy of such systems and processes or the accuracy or integrity of the Financial Statements. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, there have been no instances of fraud by the Companies, whether or not material, that occurred during any period covered by the Financial Statements.

 

-12-


(c) Schedule 3.07(c) sets forth the Indebtedness of the Companies as of the date of this Agreement. Except for the aggregate amount of the CBC Indebtedness reflected in the Closing Certificate and the Remaining Indebtedness, as of immediately prior to the Closing the Companies do not have any Indebtedness outstanding.

3.08. No Undisclosed Liabilities . The Companies do not have any Indebtedness or Liabilities other than (i) those specifically reflected on and fully reserved against in the balance sheet included in the Interim Financials (the “ Balance Sheet ”), (ii) Liabilities incurred since the Balance Sheet Date in the Ordinary Course of Business, (iii) Liabilities incurred since the Balance Sheet Date that would not be required to be accrued for or otherwise reflected on a balance sheet or on the accompanying notes thereto, if such balance sheet and accompanying notes were prepared in accordance with GAAP, none of which are individually or in the aggregate material, and (iv) the Indebtedness or Liabilities that are set forth in Schedule 3.08 . The Companies do not have any “ off-balance sheet arrangements ” (as such term is defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).

3.09. Assets Other than Real Property Interest or Intellectual Property .

(a) The Companies have good and marketable title to, or in the case of leased assets, good and valid leasehold interest in, all assets reflected on the Balance Sheet or thereafter acquired, other than assets disposed of since the Balance Sheet Date in the Ordinary Course of Business, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Permitted Liens ” means (i) the Liens set forth in Schedule 3.09 , (ii) mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising or incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to Liabilities not delinquent, (iii) Liens arising under original purchase price conditional sales Contracts and equipment leases with third parties entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business and (iv) Liens for Taxes that are not due and payable or Liens disclosed in Schedule 3.09 for Taxes that are being contested in good faith (and for which adequate accruals or reserves have been established on the Balance Sheet).

(b) All of the machinery, equipment, tools, furniture, office equipment, computer hardware, supplies, materials, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property owned or leased by the Companies: (i) are, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, free from material defects; and (ii) are in a condition (subject to normal wear and tear) that is reasonably suitable for the purposes for which they are presently used.

3.10. Owned and Leased Real Properties; Title to Properties .

(a) The Companies do not, directly or beneficially, own, and have not at any time owned, any real estate or any interest in real estate (“ Owned Real Estate ”) and there are no outstanding offers, options, Contracts, rights of first offer or rights of first refusal for the Companies to acquire any Owned Real Estate.

(b) Schedule 3.10(b) sets forth a true, complete and correct list of (i) all Contracts for occupancy of real property, including all amendments, extensions and renewals thereof and related agreements, to which any of the Companies is party or by which either of the Companies is bound (collectively, the “ Leases ”) and (ii) the location of the real property subject to the Leases (the “ Leased Property ”). The Leases are legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect. The Companies do not possess or lease any real property except pursuant to a Lease. Neither of the Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, any other party to any Lease, is in default under any of the Leases and, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, there are no events which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute defaults under any Lease. There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened condemnation proceedings, lawsuits or administrative actions to which any of the Companies is a party relating to the property leased or subleased thereunder or other matters materially and adversely affecting the current use or occupancy of the Leased Property. The Companies have provided the Purchaser with true, complete and correct copies of all Leases and, in the case of any oral Lease, a written summary of the material terms of such Lease, and there are no separate agreements or understandings with respect to the same. The Companies enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such Leases, and the Companies have not collaterally assigned or granted any other security interest in such Leases or any interest therein except Permitted Liens, and there are no Liens on the estate or interest created by such Leases, except Permitted Liens.

 

-13-


(c) The Leased Properties are in good condition and repair and are suitable for the purposes for which they are being used.

(d) The Leased Properties comprise all of the real property currently used in the business of the Companies.

3.11. Intellectual Property .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement:

(i) “CBC Intellectual Property Rights” means all Intellectual Property Rights owned by or licensed to either or both of the Companies and used in connection with the business of the Companies as currently conducted, including Registered CBC Intellectual Property Rights.

(ii) “CBC Product” means any product or service offering of the Companies being marketed, sold, licensed or distributed by or on behalf of the Companies as of the date of this Agreement.

(iii) “ Intellectual Property Rights ” means any and all worldwide rights in, arising from or associated with the following, whether protected, created or arising under the Laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction or under any international convention: (1) all patents and applications therefor and all reissues, divisions, re-examinations, renewals, extensions, provisionals, substitutions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, and equivalent or similar rights anywhere in the world in inventions and discoveries including, without limitation, invention disclosures (“ Patents” ); (2) all trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary information which derives independent economic value from not being generally known to the public (collectively, “ Trade Secrets ”); (3) all copyrights, copyright registrations and applications therefor (“ Copyrights ”); (4) all uniform resource locators, e-mail and other internet addresses and domain names and applications and registrations therefor (“ URLs ”); (5) all trade names, corporate names, logos, slogans, trade dress, trademarks, service marks, and trademark and service mark registrations and applications therefor and all goodwill associated therewith (“ Trademarks ”); (6) rights of publicity; and (7) computer programs (whether in source code, object code, or other form), databases, compilations and data, and all documentation, including user manuals and training materials relating to the foregoing (“ Software ”).

 

-14-


(iv) “ Licensed CBC Intellectual Property Rights ” means all Intellectual Property Rights that are licensed to the Companies from other Persons as of the date hereof.

(v) “ Registered CBC Intellectual Property Rights ” means all Registered Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Companies as of the date hereof.

(vi) “ Registered Intellectual Property Rights ” means all active or live United States and foreign: (1) registered and issued Patents; (2) registered Trademarks; (3) Copyright registrations; and (4) URL registrations.

(b) Schedule 3.11(b) sets forth a true, complete and correct list of all: (i) databases maintained by or on behalf of the Companies that contain Personal Information of any other Person; (ii) unregistered Trademarks used by the Companies; and (iii) all Registered CBC Intellectual Property Rights and pending applications for Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and URLs owned by the Companies, including an identification of the record owner of such Registered CBC Intellectual Property Rights and the jurisdictions in which each of the Registered CBC Intellectual Property Rights has been issued or registered or in which any such application for issuance or registration has been filed. Schedule 3.11(b) also lists any pending proceedings or actions before any Governmental Entity (including the United States Patent and Trademark Office or equivalent authority anywhere in the world) related to any Registered CBC Intellectual Property Right or any CBC Intellectual Property Right that is owned by or exclusively licensed to the Companies.

(c) To the Knowledge of the Sellers, each CBC Intellectual Property Right, excluding URLs, rights of publicity and Software, is free and clear of any Liens, other than Permitted Liens. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, the CBC Intellectual Property Rights constitute all the Intellectual Property Rights necessary to operate the business of the Companies as currently conducted.

(d) The Registered CBC Intellectual Property Rights are valid and enforceable.

(e) To the Knowledge of the Sellers, none of the CBC Intellectual Property Rights owned by or exclusively licensed to the Companies are subject to any Proceeding, outstanding judgment, settlement, consent agreement, covenant not to sue, non-assertion assurance, or release that restricts and/or conditions in any material respect, the use, transfer or licensing thereof by the Companies or which would reasonably be expected to materially affect the validity, use or enforceability of such CBC Intellectual Property Rights.

 

-15-


(f) In each case in which the Companies have acquired ownership of any CBC Intellectual Property Rights from any Person, the Companies have obtained a written and enforceable Contract which is sufficient to irrevocably transfer all such CBC Intellectual Property Rights to the Companies.

(g) All necessary registration, maintenance and renewal fees due on or within sixty (60) days after the date of this Agreement in connection with each Registered CBC Intellectual Property Right have been paid or will be paid prior to the due date for such fees, and all necessary documents and certificates in connection with such Registered CBC Intellectual Property Rights have been or will be properly and timely filed with the relevant patent, copyright, trademark or other authorities in the United States or foreign jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes of maintaining such Registered CBC Intellectual Property Rights.

(h) To the Knowledge of the Sellers, the Companies are, collectively, the sole and exclusive owners of all CBC Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Companies, and no third party has any ownership claim or other claim of rights to any CBC Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Companies.

(i) The Companies have not received, at any time during the three (3) year period preceding the date hereof, and to the Knowledge of the Sellers, there are no facts that indicate a likelihood of receiving, written notice from any Person that the business of the Companies infringes upon, misappropriates, dilutes or otherwise violates such Person’s Intellectual Property Rights (including, without limitation, any demand or request that the Companies license any rights from a third party). To the Knowledge of the Sellers, neither the (i) operation of the business of the Companies nor (ii) the use, reproduction, modification, manufacture, distribution, licensing, sublicensing, sale, offering for sale, import, export, or other exploitation of any CBC Product infringes, misappropriates, dilutes, or otherwise violates any Intellectual Property Rights of any Person.

(j) To the Knowledge of the Sellers, no Person is infringing, misappropriating, diluting, or otherwise violating any CBC Intellectual Property Rights.

(k) Each employee and consultant of the Companies who: (i) in the normal course of his or her duties is involved in the creation of CBC Intellectual Property Rights, or (ii) has, in fact, created any CBC Intellectual Property Rights that are incorporated in any CBC Product, has entered into a proprietary information and invention assignment agreement in the form or forms delivered to the Purchaser, copies of which are attached to Schedule 3.11(k) of the Disclosure Schedule, sufficient to vest title in the Companies of all CBC Intellectual Property Rights created by such employee or consultant. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, no former or current member, manager, employee, or officer of the Companies has asserted or has any ownership in any CBC Intellectual Property Rights.

(l) To the Knowledge of the Sellers, during the three (3) years prior to the date hereof, (i) there have been no security breaches in the Companies’ information technology systems.

 

-16-


(m) The Companies have taken commercially reasonable steps to preserve the confidentiality of any and all of the CBC Confidential Information. Without limiting the foregoing, the Companies have not disclosed CBC Confidential Information (including source code with respect to Software) to any other Person except pursuant to written agreements requiring such Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information.

(n) All CBC Intellectual Property Rights are fully transferable, alienable or licensable to the Purchaser by the Companies without restriction and without payment of any kind to any third party.

3.12. Contracts .

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 3.12 , Schedule 3.12(a) sets forth a true, complete and correct list of the following types of Contracts to which any of the Companies is a party:

(i) Contracts relating to employment, or including non-competition, non-solicitation, or assignment of inventions provisions with respect to any employee of the Companies;

(ii) Contracts providing for severance, retention, change in control or other similar payments;

(iii) any management services, consulting or other services Contracts;

(iv) Contracts providing for payments by or to the Companies in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) during any twelve-month period, except for such Contracts as are cancelable without penalty on notice of thirty (30) days or fewer or in connection with any Acquired Structured Settlements;

(v) collective bargaining agreements or other Contracts with any labor organization, union or association;

(vi) Contracts containing a covenant of the Companies not to compete in any line of business or with any Person in any geographical area or, not to solicit or hire any Person;

(vii) Contracts with the Sellers or any current or former officer, manager or Affiliate of the Companies or with any “ associate ” or any member of the “ immediate family ” (as such terms are respectively defined in Rules 12b-2 and 16a-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of any such officer or manager (“ Related Persons ”);

(viii) Leases;

(ix) Contracts providing for a lease, sublease or similar Contract with any Person under which (A) the Companies are lessee of, or holds or uses, any machinery, equipment, vehicle or other tangible personal property owned by any Person or (B) the Companies are lessor or sublessor of, or makes available for use by any Person, any tangible personal property owned or leased by the Companies;

 

-17-


(x) Contracts relating to the incurrence, assumption or guarantee of any Indebtedness or imposing a Lien on any of the assets of the Companies;

(xi) any agreements under which the Companies have created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or secured Indebtedness of another Person (other than a Subsidiary);

(xii) any agreements relating to outstanding letters of credit or performance bonds or creating any Liability as guarantor, surety, co-signer, endorser, or co-maker, in each case in respect of the obligation of any Person to make payments or perform services where either of the Companies is a party;

(xiii) Contracts for the acquisition or disposition (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) of substantially all of the assets of the Companies or the grant of any preferential rights to purchase such assets or requiring the consent of any party to the transfer thereof;

(xiv) Contracts with any Governmental Entity;

(xv) any agreements imposing material indemnification obligations not in the Ordinary Course of Business and not specified in any other clause of this subsection;

(xvi) any agency, dealer, sales representative, marketing or other similar Contracts;

(xvii) Contracts for any joint venture, partnership or other similar arrangement;

(xviii) powers of attorney;

(xix) licenses, sublicenses or options with respect to any Intellectual Property Rights (including any such license under which the Companies are licensee or licensor of any such Intellectual Property Rights) except for in-bound licenses of generally available commercial software on standard terms and requiring the payment of fees (including any license, maintenance and support fees) of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) or less during the period running from January 1 to December 31, 2013;

(xx) non-disclosure or standstill Contracts;

(xxi) the Acquired Structured Settlement Contracts required to be disclosed under Section 3.26 hereof; and

(xxii) Contracts obligating the Companies to provide or obtain products or services for a period of one month or more or requiring the Companies to purchase or sell a stated portion of its requirements or outputs.

 

-18-


(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(b) , all Contracts set forth in Schedule 3.12(a) (the “ CBC Contracts ”) were entered into on arms’ length terms and are valid, binding and in full force and effect and, assuming due authorization execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, are enforceable by the Companies in accordance with their terms except as limited by the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception. True, complete and correct copies of all written CBC Contracts have previously been made available to the Purchaser. Except as set forth and summarized on Schedule 3.12(b) , there are no unwritten CBC Contracts.

(c) Neither the Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, any other party thereto is in breach of or in default under, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a breach of or default under, any CBC Contract, and no party to any CBC Contract has given the Companies any written notice of any claim of any such breach, default or event.

3.13. Permits . The Companies have all of the certificates, licenses, permits, authorizations and approvals set forth on Schedule 3.13(a) (“ CBC Permits ”), which are all of the Permits necessary to own or hold under lease and operate the business of the Companies as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted, except where failure to have any such Permit would not have a CBC Material Adverse Effect. All such CBC Permits are valid and in full force and effect, are validly held by the Companies, and the Companies have complied in all material respects with the terms and conditions thereof. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, neither of the Companies has received written notice of any investigation, suit, action, claim or proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity (a “ Proceeding ”) relating to any such CBC Permits. Schedule 3.13(b) sets forth the renewal date of each CBC Permit that must be renewed after the Closing Date other than those CBC Permits the timely non-renewal of which would not have a CBC Material Adverse Effect.

3.14. Insurance . The Companies maintain insurance policies and fidelity bonds in full force and effect of the kinds and in such amounts (i) not less than that which is customarily obtained by companies engaged in the same or similar line of business as the Companies and similarly situated and (ii) as are sufficient for all requirements of Law and all agreements to which any of the Companies is a party or by which it is bound. Schedule 3.14 sets forth a list of all insurance policies and all fidelity bonds held by or applicable to the Companies, all of which have been made available for inspection by the Purchaser setting forth, in respect of each such policy or bond, the policy name, policy number, named insured, carrier, term, type and amount of coverage and annual premium. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14 , the Companies’ insurers have not provided any notice of a retroactive upward adjustment in premiums under any such insurance policies or bonds or which could reasonably be expected to result in a prospective upward adjustment in such premiums. The Companies are not in default with respect to its obligations under any such insurance policy or bond nor have they received written notice of cancellation or termination in respect of any such policy or bond, and, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, no cancellation or termination of any such policy or bond is pending or threatened by the current insurers of the Companies. There is no claim by the Companies or any ERISA Affiliate pending under any of such policies or bonds as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed or that the Companies or any ERISA Affiliate has a reason to believe will be denied or disputed by the underwriters of such policies or bonds. The Companies’ do not maintain an errors and omissions insurance policy.

 

-19-


3.15. Taxes .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement:

(i) “ Affiliated Group ” means any affiliated group within the meaning of Code Section 1504(a) or any similar group defined under a similar provision of state, local or foreign Law.

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

(iii) “ Pre-Closing Tax Period ” means any Tax period ending on or before the Closing Date and that portion of any Straddle Period ending on and including the Closing Date.

(iv) “ Straddle Period ” means any Tax period that includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date.

(v) “ Tax ” or “ Taxes ” shall mean any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other comparable assessments of any kind whatsoever, including all net income, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, registration, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental (including taxes under Code Section 59A), alternative or add-on minimum, property, and estimated Taxes, customs duties, fees, assessments and other charges in the nature of Taxes, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not, and including any obligations to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Tax Liability of another Person.

(vi) “ Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

(vii) “ Taxing Authority ” means the IRS and any other Governmental Entity responsible for the administration of any Tax.

(b) The Companies have timely filed with the appropriate Taxing Authorities all Tax Returns that they were required to file by Law, and all such Tax Returns were true, complete and correct in all material respects and were prepared in compliance with Applicable Law. The Companies have paid or caused to be paid all Taxes due and owing (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) in respect of the periods for which Tax Returns are due, and have established an adequate accrual or reserve for the payment of all Taxes payable in respect of the period subsequent to the last of said periods required to be so accrued or reserved. The Companies do not have any Liability for any Taxes in excess of the amount so paid or accruals or reserves so established. There are no Liens on any of the assets of the Companies arising as a result of any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax (other than any Tax not yet due and payable).

 

-20-


(c) The Companies have made available to the Purchaser complete and accurate copies of (i) all Tax Returns filed by the Companies with respect to all Tax periods since January 1, 2007 and (ii) any audit report issued since January 1, 2007 (or earlier, if such report relates to an audit that has not yet been resolved) relating to any Taxes due from or with respect to the Companies. Except as otherwise specified in Schedule 3.15(c) , no Tax audits or administrative or judicial Tax proceedings are pending or being conducted by any Taxing Authority with respect to the Companies. Except as otherwise specified in Schedule 3.15(c) , the Companies have not received from any Taxing Authority (including any Taxing Authority in any jurisdiction where any such entity has not filed Tax Returns) any (x) notice indicating an intent to open an audit or other review, (y) request for information related to Tax matters, or (z) notice of deficiency or proposed adjustment for any amount of Tax proposed, asserted, or assessed by any Taxing Authority against the Companies. The Companies have not received notice that any claim has been made by a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where the Companies do not file Tax Returns to the effect that they are or may be subject to Tax by that jurisdiction. The Companies are not beneficiaries of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return. The Companies have not waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, which is still in effect. The Companies have not granted to any Person any power of attorney that is currently in force with respect to any Tax matter.

(d) The Companies have complied in all material respects with all Applicable Laws relating to the payment and withholding of Taxes in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, equity owner, or other third party and have duly and timely withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority all amounts required to be so withheld and paid under all Applicable Laws. All Forms W-2 and 1099 required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely filed. All service providers to the Companies have been properly classified as employees or as independent contractors for Tax purposes.

(e) The Companies (i) have not been a member of an Affiliated Group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return; and (ii) do not have Liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise.

(f) The Companies do not have any Contract, agreement, plan, or other similar type of arrangement currently in place covering any Person that, individually or collectively, has or would give rise to the payment of any amount that would not be deductible by reason of Code Section 280G or a similar provision of local, state, or foreign Law, or would constitute compensation that would not be deductible by reason of Code Section 162(m) or a similar provision of local, state or foreign Law. The Companies are not obligated to make any “gross-up” or similar payment to any Person on account of any Tax under Code Section 4999, Code Section 409A or any similar provision of local, state, or foreign Law

 

-21-


(g) Schedule 3.15(g) sets forth a correct and complete list of each plan, program, agreement or arrangement maintained, sponsored or entered into by the Companies, including, any Benefit Plan, that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Code Section 409A (each a “ 409A Plan ”). Each 409A Plan complies in form and has been operated and administered in all material respects in compliance with Code Section 409A and IRS regulations issued thereunder and neither the execution of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or in combination with another event) result in a violation of Code Section 409A.

(h) The Companies will not be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any Tax period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) change in method of accounting for a Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) “ closing agreement ” as described in Code Section 7121 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or foreign income Tax Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (iii) intercompany transaction or any excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Code Section 1502 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or foreign income Tax Law); (iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date; (v) prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing Date; or (vi) election under Code Section 108(i).

(i) Each of the Companies is not nor has it been a party to any “ listed transaction, ” as defined in Code Section 6707(c)(2) and Treasury Regulation section 1.6011-4(b)(2) or any “ reportable transaction ” as defined in Code Section 6707A(c)(1) and Treasury Regulation section 1.6011-4(b).

(j) Except as otherwise specified in Schedule 3.15(j) , the Companies do not have a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) or otherwise have an office or fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized.

(k) The Companies have not received any private letter ruling from the IRS (or any comparable ruling from any other Taxing Authority).

(l) The Companies are, and have always been, treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and have not made an election to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation.

3.16. Proceedings . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16 , as of the date of this Agreement, there is no Proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened against the Companies or against any of its properties or assets, and to the Knowledge of the Sellers, there is no basis for any such Proceeding. The Companies are not a party to, or subject to, or in default under, any judgment. There is no Proceeding or claim by the Companies pending, or which the Companies intend to initiate, against any other Person. The Companies are not engaged in any legal action to recover monies due it or for damages sustained by it. There are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened against the Companies or to which the Companies are otherwise parties relating to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, which, if adversely determined, would be reasonably likely to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a CBC Material Adverse Effect.

 

-22-


3.17. Employee Benefit Plans .

(a) Schedule 3.17(a) sets forth a correct and complete list of (i) all employee welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”), (ii) all employee pension benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) and (iii) all other material employee benefit plans, programs, policies, agreements or arrangements, including any deferred compensation, retirement, profit sharing, incentive, bonus, commission, stock option or other equity based, phantom, change in control, retention, employment, consulting, severance, dependent care, sick leave, vacation, flex, cafeteria, retiree health or welfare, supplemental income, fringe benefit or other similar plan, programs, policies, agreements or arrangements, whether written or oral, that (A) are maintained, sponsored, contributed or entered into by the Companies for the benefit of any current or former employee, consultant or manager of any of the Companies, or for a beneficiary or dependent of such an individual (individually and collectively, “ Covered Individuals ”), (B) have been approved by any of the Companies but are not yet effective for the benefit of Covered Individuals, or (C) were previously maintained by any of the Companies for the benefit of Covered Individuals and with respect to which any of the Companies have any Liability (collectively, the “ Benefit Plans ”). The Companies have delivered to the Purchaser a correct and complete copy (where applicable) of (1) each Benefit Plan (or, where a Benefit Plan has not been reduced to writing, a summary of all material terms of such Benefit Plan), (2) each trust or funding arrangement prepared in connection with each such Benefit Plan, including insurance, stop-loss insurance and annuity Contracts, (3) the three most recently filed annual reports on Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”) Form 5500 or any other annual report required by Applicable Law, (4) the most recently received IRS determination or opinion letter, if any, for each such Benefit Plan, (5) the most recently prepared actuarial report and financial statement in connection with each such Benefit Plan, (6) the most recent summary plan description, any summaries of material modification, any employee handbooks and any material written communications (or a description of any material oral communications) by the Companies to any Covered Individual concerning the extent of the benefits provided under any Benefit Plan, (7) all material correspondence with the IRS, United States Department of Labor (“ DOL ”) and any other Governmental Entity regarding any Benefit Plan and (8) all Contracts with third-party administrators, actuaries, investment managers, consultants and other independent contractors that relate to any Benefit Plan. The Companies do not have any plan or commitment to establish any new Benefit Plan or to modify any Benefit Plan.

(b) None of the Companies or any other Person or entity that, together with any of the Companies, is or was treated as a single employer under Code Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) (each, together with the Companies, an “ ERISA Affiliate ”), has now or ever contributed to, sponsored, or maintained (i) a pension plan (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Code Section 412 or Title IV of ERISA, (ii) a multiemployer plan (under Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or (iii) a single employer pension plan (within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA) for which an ERISA Affiliate would reasonably be expected to incur Liability under Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA.

 

-23-


(c)(i) Each Benefit Plan has been maintained and operated in all material respects in compliance with its terms and Applicable Law, including ERISA, the Code, Code Section 4980B and Sections 601 through 608, inclusive, of ERISA, (“ COBRA ”), and any other Applicable Laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and (ii) each Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Code Section 401(a) is so qualified and has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS to the effect that the Benefit Plan satisfies the requirements of Code Section 401(a) taking into account all changes in qualification requirements under Section 401(a) for which the applicable “remedial amendment period” under Section 401 has expired or, if it is a prototype plan, the Benefit Plan sponsor has received such a letter, and no facts or circumstances exist or have occurred that would cause the loss of such qualification or the imposition of any material Liability, penalty or tax under ERISA, the Code or any other Applicable Laws.

(d) With respect to any Benefit Plan, (i) no actions, claims or proceedings (other than routine claims for benefits in the Ordinary Course of Business) are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened, (ii) to the Knowledge of the Sellers, no facts or circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any such actions, claims or proceedings and (iii) no administrative investigation, audit or other administrative proceeding by the DOL, the IRS or other Governmental Entity, including any voluntary compliance submission through the IRS’s Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System or the DOL’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program, is pending, in progress or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened.

(e) Neither the Companies nor any “ party in interest ” or “ disqualified person ” with respect to any Benefit Plan has engaged in a non-exempt “ prohibited transaction ” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Code Section 4975 involving such Benefit Plan. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, no fiduciary has any Liability for breach of fiduciary duty or any other failure to act or comply with the requirements of ERISA, the Code or any other Applicable Laws in connection with the administration or investment of the assets of any Benefit Plan which could result in a material Liability to the Companies.

(f) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or in combination with another event) (i) result in any payment or benefit becoming due, or increase the amount of any compensation due, to any Covered Individual, (ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, vesting or funding of any such compensation or benefits (other than a qualified retirement plan that the Purchaser requests to terminate) or the forgiveness of any indebtedness to any Covered Individual. Schedule 3.17(f) sets forth (a) a summary of any commission, obligation, severance, bonus, or other payment of any kind payable by the Companies to its management, other employees, or any other Person that is accelerated or triggered (in whole or in part) by or upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or arising out of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise payable pursuant to any Change in Control Agreement (as defined below), in each case regardless of whether such commission, obligation, severance, bonus or other payment is due, paid or payable prior to, on or after the Closing (for each such payee, the “ Severance Amount ”) and (b) a correct and complete list of each plan, Contract, scheme or Benefit Plan of the Companies (each a “ Change in Control Agreement ”) (i) pursuant to which a Severance Amount may become payable (whether currently or in the future) to any Person (including any employee) as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) which provides for the acceleration or early vesting of any right or benefit or lapse of any restriction as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case including any such plan, scheme, Contract or Benefit Plan with respect to which the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitute a partial or “single trigger.”

 

-24-


(g) All contributions (including all employer contributions and employee salary reduction contributions) and premium payments required to have been made under the terms of any Benefit Plan, or by Applicable Law (including pursuant to 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-102), have been timely made and all such contributions and other payments not yet due have been fully reflected on the Companies’ financial statements.

(h) Except for the continuation coverage requirements under COBRA or similar state Law, the Companies do not have any obligations or potential Liability for health, life or similar welfare benefits to Covered Individuals following termination of employment.

(i) Each Benefit Plan subject to the provisions of Code Sections 401(k) or 401(m), or both, has been tested for and has satisfied the requirements of Code Section 401(k)(3), Code Section 401(m)(2) and Code Section 416, as applicable, for each plan year ending prior to Closing.

(j) Each Benefit Plan subject to the Laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States (i) if intended to qualify for special Tax treatment, meets all requirements for such treatment, (ii) is fully funded and has been fully accrued for on the Financial Statements, and (iii) if required to be registered, has been registered with the appropriate Governmental Entity and has been maintained in good standing with the appropriate Governmental Entity.

3.18. Labor and Employment Matters .

(a) The Companies are not, nor at any time has it been, a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor agreement, nor is any such agreement being negotiated. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, no activities or proceedings are underway by any labor union, organization, association, works counsel or other employee representation group to organize any employees of the Companies. No work stoppage, slowdown or labor strike against the Companies is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened. The Companies (i) do not have any Liability with respect to any misclassification of any Person as an independent contractor or temporary worker hired through a temporary worker agency rather than as an employee, (ii) are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable foreign, federal, state and local Laws respecting employment, termination of employment, employment practices, labor relations, employment discrimination, health and safety, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours and (iii) have not received any written remedial order or notice of offense under applicable occupational health and safety Law.

(b) There is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint against the Companies pending or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened, before the National Labor Relations Board, any court or any Governmental Entity.

 

-25-


(c) With respect to the Companies, there are no pending or to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened actions, charges, citations or consent decrees concerning: (i) wages, compensation or violations of employment Laws prohibiting discrimination, (ii) representation petitions or unfair labor practices, (iii) violations of occupational safety and health Laws, (iv) workers’ compensation, (v) wrongful termination, negligent hiring, invasion of privacy or defamation or (vi) immigration and naturalization or any other claims under state or federal labor Law.

(d) Schedule 3.18(d) contains a true, complete and correct list of (i) the names, job titles, current annual compensation, two (2) most recent annual bonuses, and overtime exemption status of each current employee of the Companies, (ii) the names of each manager of the Companies, (iii) the name of each Person who currently provides, or who has within the prior twelve (12) month period provided, services to the Companies as an independent contractor, and (iv) the names of each employee or independent contractor of the Companies who is a party to a non-competition agreement with the Companies. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, no employee with responsibility for Investor relations or otherwise performing significant functions for the Companies has any current plans to terminate employment or service with the Companies. Except as specifically identified on Schedule 3.18(d) , all employees of the Companies are employed at will. All of the employees of the Companies have entered into nondisclosure and assignment of inventions agreements with the Companies in substantially the form of such agreement provided by the Sellers to the Purchaser prior to Closing.

(e) Schedule 3.18(e) contains a true, complete and correct list of all employees whose employment with the Companies has been terminated since December 31, 2012 and/or who is entitled to severance or other post-employment benefits as of the date hereof (the “ CBC Terminated Employees ”), and a description of the severance and other post-employment benefits to which they are entitled. The Companies do not have any plans to terminate the employment of any employee of the Companies. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18(e) , none of the CBC Terminated Employees has executed a separation and release agreement with the Companies releasing the Companies, as well as its successors, from all claims related to such CBC Terminated Employee’s employment and termination of employment (each an “ Employee Release ”). The terminations of the CBC Terminated Employees were effected in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws, including without limitation the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “ WARN Act ”) and any similar state, local or foreign Law. The Companies have not incurred, nor does it expect to incur, any Liability or obligation under the WARN Act or any similar state or local Law which remains unsatisfied.

3.19. Absence of Changes or Events . Since the Balance Sheet Date, there has not been any change, event or occurrence (whether or not covered by insurance) that, as of the date of this Agreement, has resulted in, or is reasonably likely to result in, a CBC Material Adverse Effect. Since the Balance Sheet Date, except for the execution of this Agreement, the Companies have operated only in the Ordinary Course of Business.

 

-26-


3.20. Compliance with Laws .

(a) Except for Taxes and Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 3.15 and Section 3.21 , respectively, the Companies are, and have at all times been, in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. §1681 et seq.) (the “ FCRA ”) and is, and has at all times been, in material compliance with all other Applicable Requirements. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20(a) , the Companies have not received any written notice during the past three (3) years from any Governmental Entity that alleges that the Companies have not been in compliance with any Applicable Law. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, (i) the Companies have not been under investigation with respect to the violation of any Laws and (ii) there are no facts or circumstances which could be reasonably likely to form the basis for any such violation.

(b) Neither the Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, any securityholder, manager, officer or employee, or other Person associated with or acting on behalf of the Companies, has, directly or indirectly, made any contribution, gift, bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other payment to any Person, private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property, or services (i) to obtain favorable treatment in securing business or regulatory benefits for the Companies, (ii) to pay for favorable treatment for business secured the Companies, (iii) to obtain special concessions or for special concessions already obtained, for or in respect of the Companies, or (iv) in violation of any Law.

(c) The Companies have, at all times, in all material respects, complied with, and have taken reasonable commercial efforts to ensure that all consultants and agents that have provided services to or on behalf of the Companies have, in connection with the provision of such services, at all times in all material respects complied with: (i) all Privacy Laws; (ii) all applicable industry standards concerning privacy, data protection, confidentiality or information security; (iii) its own rules, policies, and procedures, relating to privacy, confidentiality, data protection, and the collection and use of Personal Information collected, used, or held for use by the Companies in the conduct of the business of the Companies and (iv) each customer’s and supplier’s security requirements, as applicable. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16 , no claims have been asserted or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened against the Companies alleging impermissible use of any Person’s privacy or Personal Information or data rights in violation of Laws. The Companies takes measures consistent with applicable Privacy Laws to ensure that Personal Information is protected against unauthorized access, disclosure, use, modification or other misuse, including performing commercially reasonable due diligence on its consultants and agents.

 

-27-


3.21. Environmental Matters . The operations of the Companies are in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes obtaining, maintaining, and complying with any material permits required under all applicable Environmental Laws necessary to operate the Business in the manner in which the business of the Companies is currently being conducted and currently proposed to be conducted by management of the Companies (“ Environmental Permits ”); (b) the Companies are not subject to any pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened with any claim alleging that the Companies may be in violation of any Environmental Law or any Environmental Permit or may have any Liability under any Environmental Law; and (c) to the Knowledge of the Seller, there are no pending or threatened investigations of the business of the Companies, or any currently or previously owned or leased real property of the Companies under Environmental Laws. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the definitions set forth below:

(i) “ Environment ” means any land surface or subsurface strata, air, surface water, ground water, drinking water supply, stream and river sediments, and natural resources, including wildlife, fish and biota and other environmental resources belonging to, managed by, regulated by or held in trust by any governmental sovereign, including the United States, any state or local Governmental Entity, any foreign government or any other Person so designated under Environmental Laws.

(ii) “ Environmental Law ” means any applicable federal, state or local statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, guidance, final decrees or orders, or injunctions relating to pollution or protection of human health, safety or Environment, in each case, as in effect as of the Closing Date.

3.22. Accounts Receivable and Payable .

(a) All accounts receivable of the Companies have arisen from bona fide transactions in the Ordinary Course of Business consistent with past practice and are payable on standard trade terms. All accounts receivable of the Companies reflected in the balance sheet included in the Interim Financials or in the Adjusted Working Capital constitute valid claims of the Companies at the aggregate recorded amounts thereof net of the allowance for doubtful accounts set forth thereon. None of the accounts receivable of the Companies (i) is subject to any setoff or counterclaim or (ii) represents obligations for goods sold on consignment, on approval or on a sale or return basis or subject to any other repurchase or return arrangement.

(b) All accounts payable of the Companies reflected in the balance sheet included in the Interim Financials or in the Adjusted Working Capital are the result of bona fide transactions in the Ordinary Course of Business and have been paid or are not yet due and payable in the Ordinary Course of Business (except for amounts the Companies are disputing in good faith).

3.23. Related Party Transactions . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23 , no Related Person (i) owes any amount to the Companies nor do the Companies owe any amount to, and the Companies have not committed to make any loan or extend or guarantee credit to, or for the benefit of, any Related Person (other than agreed-upon compensation), (ii) is involved in any business arrangement or other relationship with the Companies except as a manager, officer or employee or otherwise pursuant to one of the CBC Contracts, (iii) to the Knowledge of the Sellers owns any property or right, tangible or intangible, that is used by the Companies, (iv) has any claim or cause of action against the Companies or (v) owns any interest (other than ownership of less than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding capital stock of a company that is publicly traded) in, or controls or is a director, officer, employee or partner of, or consultant to, or lender to or borrower from or has the right to participate in the profits of, any Person which is a competitor, supplier, customer, landlord, tenant, creditor or debtor of the Companies. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23 , none of the Contracts between either of the Companies, on the one hand and any Related Person, on the other hand, will continue in effect following the Closing.

 

-28-


3.24. Financial Advisors . Except for Bryant Park Capital, the Companies do not have any Liability to pay any fees, expenses or commissions to any financial advisor, broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.25. Bank Accounts . Schedule 3.25 sets forth (a) a true, complete and correct list of the names and locations of all banks, trust companies, securities brokers and other financial institutions at which any of the Companies have an account or safe deposit box or maintains a banking, custodial, trading or other similar relationship; and (b) a true, complete and correct list and description of each such account, box and relationship, indicating in each case the account number.

3.26. Structured Settlement Activities .

(a) All Contracts in connection with any Acquired Structured Settlements are set forth on Schedule 3.26(a) .

(b) The Companies are, and at all times have been, in compliance with Applicable Requirements in connection with all Acquired Structured Settlements. All Acquired Structured Settlements have been acquired, sold and serviced in accordance with Applicable Requirements. No fraud, error, omission, misrepresentation, mistake or similar occurrence has occurred in connection with the acquisition, sale or servicing of any of the Acquired Structured Settlements.

(c) The Companies have received court orders approving each Acquired Structured Settlement (“ CBC Court Orders ”). The Companies are in compliance with all CBC Court Orders. No Person has asserted or threatened in writing a claim or defense in connection with the Acquired Structured Settlements.

(d) Each Acquired Structured Settlement owned by the Companies constitutes, or if subject to the Loan Agreement would constitute, an “ Eligible Receivable ” (as such term is defined in the Loan Agreement).

(e) All Acquired Structured Settlements owned by either Company originated after March 27, 2012 are set forth on Schedule 3.26(e) .

(f) The Companies have made all disclosures required by Applicable Requirements to all Payees in connection with any Structured Settlements acquired by the Companies.

(g) Schedule 3.26(h) sets forth the Structured Settlements that either Company has contracted to acquire pursuant to an executed purchase agreement, including a description of the current status and a projected closing date.

(h) Any annuity, income stream, specialty finance product or other investments that are owned by any of the Companies and are not Structured Settlements are set forth in Schedule 3.26(i) .

 

-29-


(i) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.26(i) , no payments under any Acquired Annuity shall be terminated as a result of the death of the Payee (or other Person), or where such payments shall be terminated as a result of the death of the Payee, the Operating Company has procured and fully paid the premium for a term life insurance policy for the benefit of the Companies with a face value equal to or greater than the total amount of remaining payments being transferred to the Companies.

(j) Except as set for on Schedule 3.26(j) , each Acquired Annuity has been issued by a Prime Casualty Insurer.

3.27. Criminal Activity . No Company, nor any current or former officer, manager or employee of the Companies has been indicted, arraigned, or convicted for any criminal offenses or any fraudulent activity.

3.28. Blue Bell Receivables Transaction Documents .

(a) The representations and warranties of the Operating Company in the Blue Bell Receivables Transaction Documents were and remain true, accurate, and complete.

(b) The Operating Company has complied in all material respects with all covenants, affirmative and negative, contained in the Blue Bell Receivables Transaction Documents.

(c) The Operating Company has not received and does not otherwise possess Knowledge of any complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, whether in the past, pending, or to the Knowledge of the Sellers, threatened, regarding any of the Blue Bell Receivables Transaction Documents.

(d) The Operating Company has at no time been obligated to make, and has not made, contributions of “Receivables” under the “Substitution of Note Receivables” provisions in Section 4.03(g) of the Blue Bell Receivables Transactions Documents’ Note Purchase Agreements, or otherwise substituted receivables, or has been obligated to make, or has made indemnification, hold harmless, or similar payments under Article IX of such Note Purchase Agreements.

(e) The Operating Company is the “Master Servicer” under the Blue Bell Receivables Transactions Documents’ Servicing Agreements.

(f) No “Servicer Default,” “Default,” or “Event of Default” has occurred under any of the Blue Bell Receivables Transaction Documents.

3.29. Representations Complete . None of the representations or warranties made by the Companies in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, nor any statement made in the Disclosure Schedule or any certificate furnished by the Companies pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, when taken together, contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

-30-


ARTICLE IV

Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser

The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Sellers as follows:

4.01. Organization, Standing and Power . The Purchaser is a corporation, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and carry on its business.

4.02. Authority; Execution and Delivery; and Enforceability .

(a) The Purchaser has full power and authority to execute this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and to consummate the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation by Purchaser of the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action.

(b) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Purchaser and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto) constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, and the Ancillary Agreements to which the Purchaser is a party, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser will be duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchaser and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto) will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

4.03. No Conflicts; Consents . Except as set forth in Schedule 4.03 hereto, no Consent of any Governmental Entity is or has been required on the part of the Purchaser in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Sale and other transactions contemplated hereby, other than such Consents that if not obtained or made would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Purchaser to consummate the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby or which have been obtained.

4.04. Litigation . There are not any (a) outstanding Judgments against the Purchaser, or (b) Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Purchaser, threatened against the Purchaser that, in any case, individually or in the aggregate, have had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations under this Agreement or on the ability of the Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.05. Broker’s Fees . The Purchaser has no Liability to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to this Agreement or the Sale or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement that could result in any Liability being imposed on the Companies.

 

-31-


4.06. Solvency . Both before and after giving effect to the Sale and the other transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Purchaser and its designee under Section 1.01 is solvent (in that both the fair value of such Person’s assets will not be less than the sum of such Person’s debts and that the present fair saleable value of such Person’s assets will not be less than the amount required to pay such Person’s probable Liability on such Person’s recourse debts as they mature or become due) and will not have incurred and does not plan to incur debts beyond such Person’s ability to pay as they mature or become due.

ARTICLE V

Covenants

5.01. Publicity . No party to this Agreement shall directly or indirectly make any public announcement or statement regarding this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior consent of the Purchaser, in the case of an announcement or statement by the Companies or the Sellers, or the Sellers, in the case of an announcement by the Purchaser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, except as such release or announcement may be required by Law or the rules or regulations of any United States or foreign securities exchange or automated quotation system, in which case the party required to make the release or announcement shall allow the other party reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement in advance of such issuance.

5.02. Further Assurances . From time to time, as and when requested by any party, each party shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and shall take, or cause to be taken, all such further or other actions, as such other party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, in the case of the Sellers, executing and delivering to the Purchaser or its designee such assignments, deeds, bills of sale, consents and other instruments as the Purchaser or its counsel may reasonably request as necessary or desirable for such purpose.

5.03. Solicitation or Hiring of Employees; Non-competition .

(a) For a period of five (5) years after the Closing Date, each of the Sellers shall not, and shall cause each of his or its Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly (i) solicit or recruit for employment, or employ, receive or accept the performance of services by, any employee of the Companies, (ii) cause, induce or encourage any client, customer, supplier, or licensor of the Companies or any other Person who has a business relationship with either of the Companies, to terminate or modify any such relationship or (iii) solicit or encourage any employee of the Companies to leave the employment of the Companies, except in the case of this clause (iii) for (A) general solicitations of employment by the Seller or his or its Affiliates (including solicitations through employee search firms or similar agents) not specifically directed towards employees of the Companies and (B) solicitations of former employees of the Companies whose employment was terminated by the Purchaser, the Companies or any of their respective Affiliates. The parties acknowledge and agree for the avoidance of doubt that the Related Persons shall be deemed to be Affiliates of the Seller for purposes of this Section 5.03 .

 

-32-


(b) Each of the Sellers agree that except on behalf of the Purchaser and its Affiliates (including, without limitation, the Companies) and except as provided below, for a period of five (5) years after the Closing Date, such Seller will not directly or indirectly engage in the business of acquiring, brokering, securitizing, or servicing direct to consumer Structured Settlements and annuity cash flows (a “ Competing Business ”). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties expressly agree and acknowledge that nothing in this Section 5.03(b) shall in any way be deemed to limit each Seller’s right or ability to own, directly or indirectly, up to two percent (2%) of the outstanding capital stock of any publicly-traded company engaged in a Competing Business.

(c) From and after the Closing Date, each of the Sellers shall not and shall cause his or its Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, disclose, reveal, divulge or communicate to any Person other than authorized officers, directors and employees of the Purchaser and its Affiliates (including, without limitation, the Companies) or use or otherwise exploit for their own benefit or for the benefit of anyone other than the Purchaser, any CBC Confidential Information. The Sellers shall not have any obligation to keep confidential (or cause their Affiliates to keep confidential) any CBC Confidential Information if and to the extent disclosure thereof is specifically required by Applicable Law; provided, however, that in the event disclosure is required by Applicable Law, the Sellers shall, to the extent reasonably possible, provide the Purchaser with prompt notice of such requirement prior to making any disclosure so that the Purchaser may seek an appropriate protective order.

(d) If any provision contained in this Section shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Section, but this Section shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. It is the intention of the parties that if any of the restrictions or covenants contained herein is held to cover a geographic area or to be for a length of time which is not permitted by Applicable Law, or in any way construed to be too broad or to any extent invalid, such provision shall not be construed to be null, void and of no effect, but to the extent such provision would be valid or enforceable under Applicable Law, a court of competent jurisdiction shall construe and interpret or reform this Section to provide for a covenant having the maximum enforceable geographic area, time period and other provisions (not greater than those contained herein) as shall be valid and enforceable under such Applicable Law. The Sellers agree that the Purchaser shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief requiring specific performance by the Sellers of this Section, and each of the Sellers consents to the entry thereof.

5.04. Release by Sellers .

(a) Effective as of the Closing Date, each of the Sellers, on his or its own behalf and on behalf of his or its assigns, successors and legal representatives and any and all Persons or entities claiming by or through any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Releasing Parties ”), hereby irrevocably and forever waives, discharges, releases and gives up any and all Released Claims (as defined below) against the Companies and each of its past, present and future managers, officers and members, equity holders, agents, attorneys and employees, and the respective personal representatives, successors, assigns, agents and Affiliates of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), which such Releasing Parties ever had, now have or hereafter can, shall or may have against the Released Parties.

 

-33-


(b) For purposes hereof, “ Released Claims ” means any and all claims, debts, liabilities, obligations, Liens, dues, demands, damages, losses, actions, causes of action, rights, suits, judgments, costs and expenses of whatever nature or character, charges, accounts, covenants, controversies, Contracts, agreements and promises of any kind, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, accrued or unaccrued, matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent, determined or speculative, both in Law and in equity, arising out of or related to any matter, event, fact, act, omission, cause or thing which existed, arose, or occurred on or prior to the Closing Date (collectively, “ Claims ”); provided, however, that the Released Claims shall not include any obligations or Liabilities of the Released Parties to the Releasing Parties arising under (i) this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or (ii) under the Organizational Documents of the Companies with respect to the indemnification of any Releasing Party, or similar or related rights, for any actions taken or omitted to be taken by such Releasing Party as a manager and/or officer of either Company prior to the date of hereof, to the extent and only to the extent that the matters underlying such indemnification claim do not constitute a breach of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement.

(c) By executing this Agreement, the Sellers will be entering into a binding agreement with the Released Parties and will be agreeing to the terms and conditions set forth herein. The provisions of this Section 5.04 shall apply even if such Released Claims were caused, in whole or in part, by any act, omission, negligence, gross negligence, breach of Contract, intentional conduct, violation of statute or common law, fraud, breach of warranty, tort or conduct of any type by any of the Released Parties. The release contained in this Section 5.04 shall preclude the Releasing Parties from bringing or prosecuting any Released Claim against any future successor or assign of any Released Party.

(d) Each of the Sellers, on his or its own behalf and on behalf of the other Releasing Parties, understands and acknowledges that he or it may discover facts different from, or in addition to, those which he knows or believes to be true with respect to any Released Claim, and agrees that this Section 5.04 shall be and remain effective in all respects notwithstanding any subsequent discovery of different and/or additional facts. For the purpose of implementing a full and complete release, each Seller expressly acknowledges that the releases such Seller gives in under this Section 5.04 are intended to include, without limitation, Released Claims that such Seller did not know or suspect to exist in such Seller’s favor as of the Closing Date, and that the consideration given by the Purchaser under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements was also for the release of such Released Claims and contemplates the extinguishment of any such unknown Released Claims.

(e) Each of the Sellers, on his or its own behalf and on behalf of the other Releasing Parties, hereby irrevocably covenants to refrain from asserting or assisting in the assertion of any claim or demand, or commencing, instituting or causing to be commenced, any proceeding of any kind against any of the Released Parties based upon any Released Claim, unless compelled by subpoena or otherwise under Applicable Law.

 

-34-


5.05. Resignation of Managers and Officers; Powers of Attorney; Licenses . Prior to the Closing Date, the Companies shall:

(a) cause each member of the board of managers of each of the Companies and each officer of each of the Companies to execute and deliver letters of resignation and a release of claims to fees or expenses, effective as of the Closing (other than any such resignations that the Purchaser designates by written notice to the Companies to be unnecessary);

(b) unless otherwise requested in writing by the Purchaser, revoke any power of attorney granted in respect of the Companies to any Person; and

(c) cause any Permit related to the Companies or its business that is registered or held in the name of any Person other than the Companies to be transferred as of the Closing into the name designated by the Purchaser. In the event that any such transfer would reasonably be anticipated to result in the incurrence of charges or other fees, then such charges and/or fees shall be the responsibility of the Companies, and the Companies shall take such actions as are necessary to pay such charges and/or fees prior to Closing.

5.06. Confidentiality . Subject to the requirements of Applicable Law, all non-public information regarding the Sellers and their Affiliates and their business and properties that is disclosed in connection with the negotiation, preparation or performance of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any and all financial information provided by the Sellers to the Purchaser) shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed by the Purchaser to any other Person, except the Purchaser’s representatives and lenders for the purpose of consummating the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

5.07. Key Main Insurance . At the reasonable request of the Purchaser following Closing, each of William Skyrm and James Goodman will submit to an insurance medical examination and will complete other appropriate documentation in connection with the Companies’ efforts to obtain up to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) of “key man” life insurance coverage for each of William Skyrm and James Goodman with an insurer and on terms reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser.

5.08. Limitation on Distribution by Holding Company . Sellers agree that until the final Purchase Price has been determined and any required payments have been made between the Purchaser and the Sellers pursuant to Section 1.06(e), the Holding Company shall withhold Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) of the Purchase Price from distribution to its members.

Names . Neither the Holding Company nor any Subsidiary of the Holding Company other than the Companies shall be entitled to use the name “CBC Settlement Funding” or variations thereof as corporate or business names or titles anywhere in the world from and after the Closing Date. As soon as practicable following the Closing, the Holding Company shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to, undertake and promptly pursue all necessary action to change each such entity’s business and corporate names to new names bearing no resemblance to any of its present names so as to permit the use of such names the Purchaser and the Companies.

 

-35-


Amendment to Loan Agreement . Following the Closing, the parties shall cooperate in good faith to seek an amendment the Loan Agreement to address the matters set forth in the consent to be delivered at Closing by Firstrust Bank.

5.11. Landlord Consent . Within thirty (30) days of Closing, the Sellers shall deliver to the Purchaser, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser, from the Management Company’s landlord under the lease of the premises located at 1 West First Avenue, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, such landlord’s consent to (i) the acquisition of the Membership Interests of the Companies pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) the contemplated merger of the Management Company into the Operating Company.

ARTICLE VI

Closing Conditions

6.01. Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Purchaser . The obligation of the Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the fulfillment, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions precedent (any or all of which may be waived by the Purchaser in whole or in part to the extent permitted by Applicable Law):

(a) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Companies and the Sellers set forth in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than the Fundamental Representations, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct), in each case, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing as though made at and as of the Closing, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly speak as of an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, on and as of such earlier date).

(b) Covenants . The Sellers and the Companies shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, obligations and agreements required in this Agreement.

(c) Orders . There shall not be in effect any Order by a Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(d) CBC Material Adverse Effect . There shall not have been or occurred any event, change, occurrence or circumstance that, individually or in the aggregate with any such events, changes, occurrences or circumstances, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a CBC Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Proceedings . No Proceedings shall have been instituted or threatened or claim or demand made against any of the Sellers, the Companies or the Purchaser, seeking to restrain or prohibit, or to obtain substantial damages with respect to, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

-36-


(f) Consents . The Sellers and the Companies shall have obtained all of those Consents listed on Schedule 6.01(g) , in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser (the “ Required Consents ”) and copies thereof shall have been delivered to the Purchaser.

(g) Closing Deliveries . The Purchaser shall have received the items listed in Section 1.03(a) .

(h) Release of Liens . All Liens other than Permitted Liens on the assets or properties of the Companies shall have been released in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser.

6.02. Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Sellers . The obligations of the Sellers to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions precedent (any or all of which may be waived by the Sellers in whole or in part to the extent permitted by Applicable Law):

(a) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Purchaser set forth in this Agreement qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing as though made at and as of the Closing, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, on and as of such earlier date).

(b) Covenants . The Purchaser shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, obligations and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Purchaser on or prior to the Closing Date.

(c) Orders . There shall not be in effect any Order by a Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(d) Consents . The Purchaser shall have obtained or made any other Consent with any Governmental Entity required to be obtained or made by the Purchaser in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(e) Penn Funding Loan Agreement . The Penn Funding Loan Agreement, and all agreements and instruments required to be executed and delivered in connection therewith, shall have been executed and delivered to the Operating Company effective on the Closing Date.

(f) Closing Deliveries . The Companies and the Sellers shall have received the items listed in Section 1.03(b) .

 

-37-


ARTICLE VII

Certain Tax Matters

7.01. Tax Indemnification .

(a) The Sellers shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold the Purchaser, the Companies, and each Affiliate of the Purchaser harmless from and against any Loss attributable (without duplication) to (i) all Taxes (or the non-payment thereof) of the Companies for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods, (ii) all Taxes of any member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, or unitary group of which the Companies is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date, including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any analogous or similar state, local, or foreign Law, (iii) any and all Taxes of any Person (other than the Companies) imposed on the Companies as a transferee or successor, by Contract or pursuant to any Law, which Taxes relate to an event or transaction occurring before the Closing Date; and (iv) any breach of the representations or warranties made by the Companies in Section 3.15 of this Agreement or in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

(b) Any indemnity payment required to be paid in respect of a Tax matter shall be paid within ten (10) days after the Purchaser makes written demand upon the Sellers, but in no case earlier than five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which the relevant Taxes are required to be paid to the relevant Taxing Authority (including as estimated Tax payments) subject to the Purchaser’s right under Section 8.04(f) .

(c) The indemnification provisions in this ARTICLE VII relating to Taxes shall survive the Closing until sixty (60) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (after giving effect to any waiver, mitigation or extension thereof).

(d) Procedures Relating to Indemnification of Tax Claims . Reasonably promptly after the Purchaser becomes aware of the existence of a Tax issue that may give rise to an indemnification claim under Section 7.01(a) (a “ Tax Controversy ”) against the Sellers, the Purchaser shall notify the Sellers of the Tax Controversy, and thereafter shall promptly forward to the Sellers copies of notices and communications with a Taxing Authority relating to such Tax Controversy; provided, however, that the failure to forward such notices and communications to the Sellers shall not release the Sellers from any of their obligations under Section 7.01(a) except to the extent that they are materially prejudiced by such failure. The Sellers shall be entitled to control and shall have sole discretion in handling, settling or contesting any audit inquiry, information request, audit proceeding, suit, contest or any other action (a “ Tax Proceeding ”) with respect to a Tax Controversy, provided that the Sellers shall not settle any Tax Controversy without obtaining the Purchaser’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Sellers in handling, settling or contesting a Tax Controversy shall be borne by the Sellers.

 

-38-


7.02. Straddle Period . In the case of any Straddle Period, the amount of any Taxes based on or measured by income or receipts of the Companies for the Pre-Closing Tax Period shall be determined based on an interim closing of the books as of the close of business on the Closing Date (and for such purpose, the Taxable period of any partnership or other pass-through entity in which the Companies hold a beneficial interest shall be deemed to terminate at such time) and the amount of other Taxes of the Companies for a Straddle Period that relates to the Pre-Closing Tax Period shall be deemed to be the amount of such Tax for the entire Taxable period multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in the Taxable period ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in such Straddle Period.

7.03. Responsibility for Filing Tax Returns . The Purchaser shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed at the Purchaser’s expense all Tax Returns for the Companies that are filed after the Closing Date, provided that the Sellers shall prepare and file, at the Seller’s expense, Tax Returns for the Companies for all taxable periods which end on or prior to the Closing Date, provided, further, however, that the Purchaser shall have the right, but not the obligation, to review, audit and approve the Tax Return.

7.04. Cooperation on Tax Matters .

(a) The Sellers and the Purchaser shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other party, in connection with the filing of Tax Returns and any audit, litigation, or other proceeding with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include, but shall not be limited to, the retention and (upon the other party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation, or other proceeding and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. The Sellers and the Purchaser agree (i) to retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters relating to any Taxable period beginning before the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations (including any extensions thereof) of the respective Taxable periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements with any Taxing Authority, and (ii) to give the other party reasonable written notice prior to transferring, destroying, or discarding any such books and records and, if the Purchaser or the Sellers, as the case may be, so requests, the Purchaser or the Sellers shall be allowed to take possession of such books and records.

(b) The Sellers and the Purchaser further covenant and agree, upon request, to use their best efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Taxing Authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed (including, but not limited to, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby).

(c) The Sellers and the Purchaser further agree, upon request, to provide the other party with all information that either party may be required to report pursuant to Code Sections 6043 and 6043A and any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

7.05. Tax-Sharing Agreements . Any Tax sharing agreement with respect to or involving the Companies shall terminate as of the Closing Date and, after the Closing Date, the Companies shall not have any rights or obligations under any such Tax sharing agreement.

7.06. Certain Taxes . The Sellers and the Purchaser shall each pay or cause to be paid fifty percent (50%) of any transfer, documentary, sales, purchase, use, stamp, registration, recording, or similar Tax or fee, if any, under Applicable Law arising out of or resulting from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

-39-


ARTICLE VIII

Indemnification

8.01. Survival Periods .

(a) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the parties set forth in this Agreement or in any certificate, document or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of a party pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Closing and shall terminate at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) on the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date, except, in all cases, with respect to any Loss, claim or breach of which any Indemnified Party shall have provided written notice to the Indemnifying Party prior to such time, and except that the representations and warranties (i) set forth in Section 3.15 (Taxes) shall be exclusively subject to indemnification to the extent provided in ARTICLE VII ; (ii) set forth in Sections 2.01 (Organization and Authority; Enforceability), 2.02 (Beneficial Ownership), 2.04 (Broker’s Fees), 3.01(a) (Organization and Standing; Books and Records), 3.02 (Membership Interests), 3.04 (Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability), 3.24 (Financial Advisors), 3.26(b) and 3.26(c) (Structured Settlement Activities) and in any certificate, document or other instrument delivered by the Sellers or on behalf of the Companies with respect to such representations and warranties (collectively, the “ Fundamental Representations ”) shall survive the Closing until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations and (iii) set forth in Sections 4.01 (Organization, Standing and Power), 4.02 (Authority; Execution and Delivery; and Enforceability) and 4.05 (Broker’s Fees) shall survive the Closing until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. The survival period of each representation or warranty as provided in this Section 8.01 is hereinafter referred to as the “ Survival Period .”

(b) Covenants . The respective covenants, agreements and obligations of the parties set forth in this Agreement or in any certificate, document or other instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation by or on behalf of any party hereto, and the Closing without limitation and shall terminate on the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitation (as the same may be extended or waived), except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement or in such certificate, document or other instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement.

(c) Effect of Survival Periods . The Survival Periods are intended to operate only as the time periods within which a party must deliver to the other party a written notice of a Loss, claim or breach, and following such delivery the notifying party shall be entitled to pursue its available remedies with respect thereto pursuant to the provisions of and subject to the limitations in this Agreement regardless of the Survival Periods set forth in this Section 8.01 .

 

-40-


8.02. Indemnification by the Sellers .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this ARTICLE VIII , after the Closing Date, the Sellers shall jointly and severally indemnify the Purchaser and its directors, officers, employees, Affiliates (including the Companies), stockholders, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors and permitted assigns (collectively, the “ Purchaser Indemnified Parties ”) and hold each of them harmless from and against, any and all Losses suffered or incurred by such Purchaser Indemnified Party resulting from:

(i) any breach of any of the representations or warranties made by the Sellers or the Companies in this Agreement (other than (x) those set forth in ARTICLE II, which are subject to Section 8.02(b) , and (y) those set forth in Section 3.15 , which are subject to ARTICLE VII ) or in any certificate delivered by or on behalf of, the Sellers or the Companies pursuant hereto (disregarding for purposes of this Section 8.02(a)(i) , any “material,” “in all material respects,” “CBC Material Adverse Effect,” or similar qualification contained therein or with respect thereto solely for purposes of calculating Losses, but not for determining whether a breach has occurred).

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this ARTICLE VIII , after the Closing Date, the Sellers shall severally, but not jointly (other than in the case of the Holding Company, in which case Sellers shall jointly and severally), indemnify the Purchaser Indemnified Parties and hold each of them harmless from and against, any and all Losses suffered or incurred by such Purchaser Indemnified Party resulting from:

(i) any breach of any of the representations or warranties made by the Sellers under ARTICLE II ;

(ii) any uninsured claim for indemnification under the Companies Organizational Documents arising out of or relating to events or circumstances that occurred prior to the Closing.; and

(iii) any breach of any covenant, obligation or other agreement on the part of the Sellers under this Agreement.

(c) “ Losses ” shall mean any and all claims, losses, royalties, liabilities, damages (including solely with respect to Third Party Claims and not with respect to any other claims, special, exemplary or similar damages awarded to such third Person), deficiencies, Taxes, interest and penalties, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, and expenses of investigation and defense. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, and except in connection with an award of damages in a Third Party Claim in respect of which Purchaser Indemnified Parties are entitled to indemnification hereunder, in no event shall any party hereto be liable pursuant to ARTICLE VII or ARTICLE VIII for any punitive damages.

(d) Except with respect to Losses arising from claims for any misrepresentation or breach of any Fundamental Representation or Losses arising under Section 8.02(b)(ii) , the Purchaser Indemnified Parties will not be entitled to indemnification for Losses with respect to the matters described in Section 8.02 for any Loss until the total of all Losses in the aggregate exceeds Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) (the “ Deductible ”), whereupon the Purchaser Indemnified Parties will be indemnified for Losses. Except with respect to Losses arising from claims for misrepresentation or breach of any of any Fundamental Representation or Losses arising under Section 8.02(b)(ii) , the Sellers’ joint maximum aggregate Liability with respect to the matters described in Section 8.02 will be limited to an amount equal to Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) (the “ Cap ”) and as to the Fundamental Representations or Losses arising under Section 8.02(b)(ii), the Sellers’ joint maximum liability will be limited to the Purchase Price. For the avoidance of doubt, any adjustment to the Purchase Price pursuant to Sections 1.05 or 1.06 shall not be subject to the Deductible (and shall not be applied to reduce the Deductible) or the Cap. In addition, no Seller, other than the Holding Company, shall be liable for any Losses pursuant to ARTICLE VII and ARTICLE VIII (i) to the extent that such Losses are reflected in the Adjusted Incremental Asset Value and/or Adjusted Working Capital or (ii) are in excess of one-sixth (1/6) of the Purchase Price.

 

-41-


8.03. Indemnification by the Purchaser .

(a) The Purchaser hereby agrees to indemnify and hold each of the Sellers and his or its Affiliates, agents, attorneys, representatives and assigns (the “ Seller Indemnified Parties ”) harmless from and against, and pay to the Seller Indemnified Parties the amount of any and all Losses, resulting from:

(i) the breach of any of the representations or warranties made by the Purchaser in this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto; and

(ii) the breach of any covenant or other agreement on the part of the Purchaser under this Agreement.

(b) Except with respect to Losses arising from claims for any misrepresentation or breach of any Fundamental Representation or Losses arising under Section 8.03(a)(ii) , the Seller Indemnified Parties will not be entitled to indemnification for Losses with respect to the matters described in Section 8.03(a) for any Loss until the total of all Losses in the aggregate exceeds the Deductible. The Purchaser’s maximum Liability with respect to the matters described in Section 8.03(a) will be limited to the Cap.

8.04. Indemnification Procedures .

(a) General . Any Person providing indemnification pursuant to the provisions of this ARTICLE VIII is hereinafter referred to as an “ Indemnifying Party ” and any Person entitled to be indemnified pursuant to the provisions of this ARTICLE VIII is hereinafter referred to as an “ Indemnified Party .” If an Indemnified Party desires to bring a claim for indemnification hereunder, such Indemnified Party shall first deliver to the Indemnifying Party a certificate (a “ Claim Certificate ”) that:

(i) states that the Indemnified Party has paid or properly accrued Losses, or reasonably anticipates that it may or will incur Liability for Losses, for which such Indemnified Party may be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement; and

(ii) specifies in reasonable detail, to the extent practicable and available, the Losses included in the amount so stated, the basis for any anticipated Liability and the nature of the misrepresentation, default, breach of warranty or breach of covenant or claim to which each such item is related.

 

-42-


(b) Objection . If the party receiving a Claim Certificate pursuant to Section 8.04(a) (the “ Claim Recipient ”) in connection with a claim for indemnification other than in connection with the Third Party Claim under Section 8.04(c) below objects to the indemnification of an Indemnified Party in respect of any such claim specified in the Claim Certificate, then such party shall deliver a written notice specifying in reasonable detail the basis for such objection and the amount in dispute to the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days after receipt of such Claim Certificate. Thereafter, the Claim Recipient and the Indemnified Party shall attempt in good faith to agree upon the rights of the respective parties for a period of not less than thirty (30) days after receipt by the Indemnified Party of such written objection. If the Indemnified Party and the Claim Recipient agree with respect to any of such claims, they shall promptly prepare and sign a memorandum setting forth such agreement. Should the Indemnified Party and the Claim Recipient fail to agree as to any particular item or items or amount or amounts within such thirty (30) day period, then either party shall be entitled to pursue its available remedies for resolving its claim for indemnification.

(c) Third Party Claims .

(i) If a third party initiates a claim, demand, dispute, lawsuit or arbitration (a “ Third Party Claim ”) against any Indemnified Party with respect to any matter that the Indemnified Party might make a claim for indemnification against any Indemnifying Party under this ARTICLE VIII , then the Indemnified Party shall deliver a Claim Certificate with respect to such Third Party Claim and must deliver copies of any documents served on the Indemnified Party with respect to the Third Party Claim; provided, however, that any failure to notify the Indemnifying Party or deliver copies will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligation hereunder unless (and then solely to the extent) the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure.

(ii) Upon receipt of the notice described in Section 8.04(c)(i) , the Indemnifying Party will have the right to defend the Indemnified Party by conducting a diligent defense in good faith against the Third Party Claim with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party, provided that it assumes all Liability with respect to, and demonstrates to the Indemnified Party’s reasonable satisfaction the financial ability and commitment to fund, such Third Party Claim. If the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense in accordance with the preceding sentence, it shall have the right, with the consent of such Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, to settle all indemnifiable matters related to claims by third parties which are susceptible to being settled; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party’s obligation to indemnify such Indemnified Party therefor will be fully satisfied only by payment of money by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to a settlement which includes a complete release of such Indemnified Party and no stipulation or admission or that could reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the reputation of the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates. The Indemnifying Party shall keep such Indemnified Party apprised of the status of the claim, Liability or expense and any resulting suit, proceeding or enforcement action, shall furnish such Indemnified Party with all documents and information that such Indemnified Party shall reasonably request and shall consult with such Indemnified Party prior to acting on major matters, including settlement discussions. Notwithstanding anything herein stated, such Indemnified Party shall at all times have the right to fully participate in such defense at its own expense directly or through counsel; provided, however, if the named parties to the action or proceeding include both the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct as determined by counsel for the Indemnified Party, the reasonable expense of separate counsel for such Indemnified Party shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party provided that such Indemnifying Party shall be obligated to pay for only one counsel for the Indemnified Party in any jurisdiction.

 

-43-


(iii) If the Indemnifying Party declines to exercise its right to defend under Section 8.04(c)(ii) , or if a diligent good faith defense is not being or ceases to be conducted by the Indemnifying Party in accordance with Section 8.04(c)(ii), the Indemnified Party will defend against the Third Party Claim (with counsel selected by such Indemnified Party), and shall have the right to compromise or settle such claim, Liability or expense (exercising reasonable business judgment) with the consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(iv) Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume control of such defense and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel retained by the Indemnified Party, if the claim over which the Indemnifying Party seeks to assume control (A) seeks non-monetary relief, (B) involves criminal or quasi-criminal allegations, (C) involves a claim to which the Indemnified Party reasonably believes an adverse determination would have an adverse effect on any Indemnified Party’s reputation or future business prospects, (D) involves a claim that, upon petition by the Indemnified Party, the appropriate court rules that the Indemnifying Party failed or is failing to vigorously prosecute or defend or (E) involves a claim that is reasonably expected to result in Liability to the Indemnified Party in excess of the result of (1) the Purchase Price minus (2) the sum of all Losses specified in any then unresolved indemnification claims made by the Purchaser Indemnified Parties pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII.

(d) In the event any Purchaser Indemnified Party becomes entitled to indemnification under ARTICLE VII or this ARTICLE VIII , the Purchaser Indemnified Party shall be entitled to recover the amount directly from the Sellers.

8.05. Other .

(a) Exclusive Remedy for Monetary Damages . Except as provided in Section 8.05(b) , the parties agree that the sole and exclusive remedy for Claims for money damages for any matter arising under this Agreement shall be the rights to indemnification set forth in this Agreement.

 

-44-


(b) Fraud . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the limitations and thresholds and other provisions set forth in ARTICLE VII and this ARTICLE VIII shall not apply with respect to (i) fraud or willful misconduct or (ii) any equitable remedy, including a preliminary or permanent injunction or specific performance with respect to the covenants of the parties set forth in Article V.

8.06. No Prejudice . The representations, warranties, covenants and obligations of the Purchaser, the Companies and the Sellers, and the rights and remedies that may be exercised by the Indemnified Parties based on such representations, warranties, covenants and obligations, will not be limited or affected by any investigation conducted by an Indemnified Party with respect to, or any Knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) by an Indemnified Party at any time, whether before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Closing, with respect to the accuracy or inaccuracy of or compliance with or performance of any such representation, warranty, covenant or obligation, and no Indemnified Party shall be required to show that it relied on any (and each indemnified party shall be deemed to have relied on each) such representation, warranty, covenant or obligation in order to be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII . The waiver by a party of any of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE VI will not affect or limit the provisions of ARTICLE VII or this ARTICLE VIII .

8.07. Tax Treatment of Indemnity Payments . The Sellers and the Purchaser agree to treat any indemnity payment made pursuant to ARTICLE VII or this ARTICLE VII as an adjustment to the Purchase Price for all income tax purposes. If, notwithstanding the treatment required by the preceding sentence, any indemnification payment under ARTICLE VII or this ARTICLE VIII (including this Section 8.07 ) is determined to be taxable to the party receiving such payment by any Taxing Authority, the paying party shall also indemnify the party receiving such payment for any Taxes incurred by reason of the receipt of such payment and any Losses incurred by the party receiving such payment in connection with such Taxes (or any asserted deficiency, claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding, judgment or assessment, including the defense or settlement thereof, relating to such Taxes).

8.08. Contribution . Each of the Sellers hereby waives and releases on behalf of the Indemnifying Parties any and all rights that any Indemnifying Party or any of its Affiliates may have under this Agreement or otherwise to assert claims of contribution against the Purchaser or the Companies. Notwithstanding anything to contrary contained herein or in any other agreement, effective as of the Closing, each of the Sellers also hereby waives and releases on behalf of the Indemnifying Parties any and all rights that any Indemnifying Party may have under this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, any other agreement, any organizational document or otherwise for indemnification, contribution, or reimbursement from the Purchaser or the Companies with respect to any matter that gives rise to a Loss, provided that the releases by the Sellers under this Section 8.08 shall not include any obligations or Liabilities of the Purchaser or the Companies to the Sellers with respect to any of the indemnification obligations of the Purchaser under ARTICLES VII and VIII.

 

-45-


ARTICLE IX

General Provisions

9.01. Fees and Expenses . Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses whether or not the Sale is consummated.

9.02. Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser may assign this Agreement, without obtaining the consent of any other party hereto, to (i) any Affiliate of the Purchaser; (ii) any Lender to the Purchaser or such Affiliate, solely as collateral security or (iii) any Person that acquires a majority of the Equity Interests or all or substantially all of the assets of the business of the Companies or the Purchaser or any of their respective successors. No assignment of this Agreement or of any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by the Sellers or the Companies without the prior written consent of the Purchaser and any attempted assignment without the required consents shall be void.

9.03. No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as provided in Section 5.05, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto.

9.04. Notices . All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, shall be delivered either in person, by facsimile (which is confirmed) or other electronic means, by overnight air courier or by certified or registered mail, and shall be deemed to have been duly given and to have become effective (a) upon receipt if delivered in person or by facsimile, e-mail or other electronic means calculated to arrive on any Business Day prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, or on the next succeeding Business Day if delivered on a non-Business Day or after 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, (b) one (1) Business Day after having been delivered to a nationally-recognized courier for overnight delivery (with written confirmation of delivery), or (c) three (3) Business Days after having been deposited in the mails as certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, all fees prepaid, directed to the parties or their assignees at the following addresses (or at such other address as shall be given in writing by a party hereto):

if to the Purchaser,

210 Sylvan Avenue

Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Attn: Gary Stern

 

-46-


with a copy to:

Lowenstein Sandler LLP

65 Livingston Avenue

Roseland, New Jersey 07068

Facsimile: 973.597.2307

Attn: Daniel Barkin, Esq.

and

if to the Sellers, to the Seller Representative at the address set forth on the signature pages hereto, with a copy to:

Cozen O’Connor

1900 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Facsimile: 215.701.2471

Attn: Steven N. Haas, Esq.

9.05. Interpretation; Exhibits and Schedules . The headings contained in this Agreement, in any Exhibit or Schedule hereto are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule or Exhibit but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. All amounts payable hereunder shall be paid in U.S. Dollars. All references to currency set forth herein shall be for U.S. Dollars.

9.06. Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers . This Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto), and the Ancillary Agreements represent the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements and undertakings, both written and oral, between the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

9.07. Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other terms or provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

-47-


9.08. Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial .

(a) Each party to this Agreement hereby (a) agrees that any litigation, proceeding or other legal action brought in connection with or relating to this Agreement or any matters or transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought heard and determined exclusively in courts of the State of New Jersey, (b) agrees not to bring any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any matters or transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any other court, (c) consents and irrevocably submits itself to personal jurisdiction in connection with any such litigation, proceeding or action in any such court described in clause (a) of this Section 9.08 , as well as to the jurisdiction of all courts to which an appeal may be taken from such court, and to service of process upon it in accordance with the rules and statutes governing service of process, (d) agrees that it shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from such courts, and (e) expressly waives to the fullest extent permitted by Law any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such litigation, proceeding or action in any such court or that any such litigation, proceeding or action was brought in an inconvenient forum.

(b) EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION (i) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR (ii) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT EACH HEREBY AGREE AND CONSENT THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

9.09. Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

9.10. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of New Jersey applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such State, without regard to the conflicts of law principles of such State.

9.11. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

 

-48-


9.12. Seller Representative . By the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the Sellers hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints William J. Skyrm, as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact (collectively, the “ Seller Representative ”) of the Sellers with full power of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of the Sellers with respect to the Sale, and to act on behalf of the Sellers in any litigation or other proceeding involving this Agreement, to do or refrain from doing all such further acts and things, and to execute all such documents as the Seller Representative shall deem necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power:

(a) to act for the Sellers with regard to matters pertaining to indemnification referred to in this Agreement, including the power to compromise any indemnity claim on behalf of the Sellers and to transact matters of litigation;

(b) to execute and deliver all amendments, waivers, Ancillary Agreements, instruments of transfer, certificates and documents that the Seller Representative deems necessary or appropriate in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(c) to receive funds, make payments of funds, and give receipts for funds;

(d) to receive funds for the payment of expenses of the Sellers and apply such funds in payment for such expenses;

(e) to do or refrain from doing any further act or deed on behalf of the Sellers that the Seller Representative deems necessary or appropriate in its sole discretion relating to the subject matter of this Agreement as fully and completely as the Sellers could do if personally present; and

(f) to receive service of process in connection with any claims under this Agreement.

(g) The appointment of the Seller Representative shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable, and the Purchaser and any other Person may conclusively and absolutely rely, without inquiry, upon any action of the Seller Representative in all matters referred to herein. All notices required to be made or delivered by the Purchaser to the Sellers described in this Agreement shall be made to the Seller Representative for the benefit of the Sellers and shall discharge in full all notice requirements of the Purchaser to the Sellers with respect thereto. The Sellers hereby confirm all that the Seller Representative shall do or cause to be done by virtue of its appointment as the Seller Representative of the Sellers. The Seller Representative shall act for the Seller on all of the matters set forth in this Agreement in the manner the Seller Representative believes to be in the best interest of the Sellers and consistent with the obligations under this Agreement, but the Seller Representative shall not be responsible to the Sellers for any loss or damages the Sellers may suffer by the performance of its duties under this Agreement, other than loss or damage arising from willful violation of Law or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

 

-49-


ARTICLE X

Certain Definitions

For all purposes hereof, the following terms shall have the definitions set forth below.

(i) “ Acquired Annuity ” means an annuity Contract, whether fixed or life-contingent, acquired by the Companies.

(ii) “ Acquired Structured Settlements ” means Structured Settlements acquired by the Operating Company.

(iii) “ Affiliate ” of any Person means another Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person.

(iv) “ Ancillary Agreements ” means the Operating Company Operating Agreement, the Goodman Employment Agreement, the Skyrm Employment Agreement, the Penn Funding Loan Agreement and each other document, instrument or certificate executed by the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(v) “ Applicable Law ” means collectively, any federal, state or local constitution or Law, or any published directive, policy or Order that is made or given at any time or from time to time by any Governmental Entity, to which the Companies are subject, including I.R.C. § 5891 and any applicable provision of the Structure Settlement Protection Act, and any valid Order, verdict, judgment or consent decree to which the Companies or their Subsidiaries are subject.

(vi) “ Applicable Requirements ” means collectively, (i) all Applicable Laws, (ii) all obligations under any Contract required to be disclosed on Schedule 3.26(a) , and (iii) all other applicable requirements of any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction.

(vii) “ Blue Bell Receivables Transaction Documents ” means the Asset Sale Agreements, Note Purchase Agreements, Servicing Agreements, and Promissory Notes between and among the Blue Bell Entities, the Companies, and various other parties.

(viii) “ Business Day ” means any day of the year on which national banking institutions in New York or Philadelphia are open to the public for conducting business and are not required or authorized to close.

(ix) “ CBC Confidential Information ” means the proprietary and non-public business plans, client lists, sales and marketing information, business and financial plans, information regarding ongoing litigation, pricing information, drawings, know-how, technical information, operating techniques, prototypes, and financial data, in each case, relating to the business of the Companies or the Companies; provided, however, CBC Confidential Information shall not include: (i) information that is or becomes generally publicly known through properly authorized disclosure; (ii) information that is independently developed without the use of any Confidential Information as evidenced by written records; or (iii) information rightfully obtained from a third party who has the right to transfer or disclose it.

 

-50-


(x) “ CBC Material Adverse Effect ” means any material adverse change, event, circumstance or development with respect to, or material adverse effect on, the business, assets, liabilities, prospects, condition (financial or other) or results of operations of the Companies.

(xi) “ CBC Permit ” means any Permit necessary to own or hold under lease and operate the business of the Companies as currently conducted.

(xii) “ CBC Transaction Expenses ” means the sum of the following amounts that are incurred and unpaid by the Companies or for which any of the Companies is or will be liable: (A) all legal, accounting, investment banking, tax and financial advisory, data room vendor and all other fees, expenses, commissions, obligations, bonuses or other payments of any kind of or to third parties accrued, incurred or paid in connection with the negotiation and effectuation of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (B) any fees and expenses associated with obtaining necessary or appropriate Consents of any Governmental Entity; (C) all payments, concessions, commissions, obligations, bonuses, fees, costs and expenses accrued, incurred or paid by the Companies or the Sellers in connection with seeking and obtaining the Consent of third parties in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or in seeking or obtaining any amendment, waiver or modification of any Contract with a third Person; and (D) any fees or expenses associated with obtaining the release and termination of any Liens required to be released pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

(xiii) “ Companies Organizational Documents ” means the Organizational Documents of the Companies.

(xiv) “ Contract ” means any contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, loan, instrument, lease, license, commitment or other arrangement, commitment or obligation, whether written or oral.

(xv) “ Current Assets ” means the aggregate amount of the current assets of the Companies.

(xvi) “ Current Liabilities ” means the aggregate amount of the current liabilities of the Companies.

(xvii) “ Equity Interests ” means any and all membership, limited liability company or other equity interests of the Companies that confer on the holder thereof the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or the distribution of assets of, the Companies, including any and all warrants, rights (including conversion and exchange rights) and options to purchase any of the foregoing.

 

-51-


(xviii) “ Governmental Entity ” means any legislative, executive, judicial, regulatory or administrative unit of any governmental entity (multinational, foreign, federal, state or local) or any department, commission, board, agency, bureau, ministry, official, arbitrator (public) or other similar body exercising executive, legislative, regulatory, administrative or judicial authority or functions of or pertaining to government, including any authority or other quasi-governmental entity established by any of the foregoing to perform any such functions.

(xix) “ Indebtedness ” means, without duplication, the following obligations of the Companies as of a given date: (A) all obligations for borrowed money (and including all sums due on early termination and repayment or redemption calculated to the Closing Date), or extensions of credit (including under credit cards, bank overdrafts and advances), (B) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments (and including all sums due on early termination and repayment or redemption calculated to the Closing Date), (C) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable arising in the Ordinary Course of Business, (D) all obligations as lessee capitalized in accordance with GAAP, (E) all obligations of others secured by a Lien on any asset, whether or not such obligations are assumed, (F) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, directly or indirectly guaranteeing any obligations of any other Person, (G) all obligations to reimburse the issuer in respect of letters of credit or under performance or surety bonds, or other similar obligations, (H) all obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances and under reverse repurchase agreements, and (I) all obligations in respect of futures Contracts, swaps, other financial Contracts and other similar obligations (determined on a net basis as if such Contract or obligation was being terminated early on such date).

(xx) “ Incremental Assets ” means the Acquired Structured Settlements acquired by the Operating Company in the Ordinary Course of Business between October 1, 2013 and the Closing Date which qualify as “Eligible Receivables” (as defined in the Loan Agreement).

(xxi) “ Knowledge ” means, (a) with respect to the Sellers, the knowledge after due inquiry of any of the Sellers, or (b) with respect to the Purchaser, the knowledge after due inquiry of the executive officers of the Purchaser

(xxii) “ Law ” means any published foreign, federal, state or local law, statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, Order or other requirement, including without limitation, all Privacy Laws.

(xxiii) “ Liability ” means any debt, loss, damage, adverse claim, fine, penalty, liability or obligation (whether direct or indirect, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, matured or unmatured, determined or determinable, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due, and whether in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise), and including all costs and expenses relating thereto including all fees, disbursements and expenses of legal counsel, experts, engineers and consultants and costs of investigation.

 

-52-


(xxiv) “ Lien ” means any lien, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, claim, lease, charge, option, right of first refusal, easement, servitude, proxy, voting trust or agreement, transfer restriction under any shareholder or similar agreement, encumbrance or any other comparable restriction or limitation whatsoever.

(xxv) “ Loan Agreement ” means that certain Loan Agreement, dated March 16, 2011, between Firstrust Bank and the Operating Company, as amended.

(xxvi) “ Net Present Value ” means, with respect to each Acquired Structured Settlement, an amount equal to the sum of the present values of all receivables relating to such Acquired Structured Settlement, discounted at an annual rate of five point seventy five percent (5.75%), less the amount of the Indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of such Acquired Structured Settlement.

(xxvii) “ Order ” means any order, injunction, judgment, doctrine, decree, ruling, writ, assessment or arbitration award of a Governmental Entity.

(xxviii) “ Ordinary Course of Business ” means the ordinary and usual course of day-to-day operations of the business of the Companies through the date hereof consistent with past practice.

(xxix) “ Organizational Documents ” means, with respect to any Person, each instrument or other document that (i) defines the existence of such Person, including its certificate of formation or limited partnership or articles or certificate of incorporation, as filed or recorded with an applicable Governmental Body, (ii) governs the internal affairs of such Person, including its Limited Liability Company Agreement, limited liability company agreement, operating agreement stockholders’ agreement or by-laws or (iii) governs the voting of such Person, including any voting agreement, proxy or power of attorney.

(xxx) “ Payee ” means any Person who is or was at one time entitled to receive a payment under an Acquired Structured Settlement or an Acquired Annuity.

(xxxi) “ Penn Funding Loan Agreement ” means that certain loan agreement, dated December 31, 2013, between Penn Funding, LLC and the Operating Company, as attached hereto as Exhibit G .

(xxxii) “ Person ” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Entity or other entity.

(xxxiii) “ Personal Information ” means any data or information (regardless of the medium in which it is contained and whether in individual or aggregate form) that (i) relates to an individual and (ii) identifies the individual such as an individual’s full name, e-mail address, telephone number, account number, credit or debit card number, personal identification number, health or medical information, financial information, or one or more factors specific to physical, psychological, mental, economic, cultural or social identity or any other unique identifier.

 

-53-


(xxxiv) “ Prime Casualty Insurer ” means a property and casualty insurer or other liability insurer maintaining a rating of (i) “A-” or higher by AM Best, (ii) “A3” or higher by Standard and Poor; provided that, if a casualty insurer is rated by more than one of the agencies listed above, such casualty insurer shall be deemed to have a Prime Acceptable Rating only if it has been rated by two (2) of such agencies at the applicable level set forth above.

(xxxv) “ Privacy Laws ” means all Laws concerning privacy, data protection, collection, storage, onward transfer, and use of information and data, including, without limitation, Personal Information, health or medical information, and financial information, collected, used, or held for use by the Companies or by third parties having access to any of the Companies’ databases or other records in the conduct of the business of the Companies, including, without limitation, the FCRA; Drivers Privacy Protection Act; the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act; the European Commission Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC) or Data Protection Act 1998 or any implementing or related legislation of any member state in the European Economic Area (collectively, the “ Directive ”); state laws governing motor vehicle records, credit reporting agencies, private investigators, and Personal Information; and any self-regulatory programs to which the Companies subscribe, including the Safe Harbor Privacy Principles issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. Safe Harbor Privacy Dispute Resolution Procedure, as such of the foregoing are in effect on the applicable date of the representation made herein.

(xxxvi) “ Remaining Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of the Company that is not being paid in full as of the closing out of the proceeds of the Purchase Price or is otherwise included in calculating the net equity value of the Companies’ Acquired Structured Settlements as of the Closing Date.

(xxxvii) “ Structured Settlement ” means a financial or insurance arrangement whereby a Payee agrees to resolve a personal injury or other tort claim by receiving periodic payments on an agreed schedule.

(xxxviii) “ Subsidiary ” means any Person of which (i) a majority of the outstanding share capital, voting securities or other Equity Interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Companies or (ii) the Companies are entitled, directly or indirectly, to appoint a majority of the board of directors, board of managers or comparable body of such Person.

 

-54-


(xxxix) “ Working Capital ” means, as of any date, the amount equal to the Current Assets as of such date minus the Current Liabilities as of such date, determined on a basis consistent with the Balance Sheet Principles; provided, however, that no amount included in the CBC Transaction Expenses or Indebtedness of the Companies shall be included in Current Liabilities for the purpose of calculating Working Capital.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

-55-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have duly executed this Membership Interest Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

PURCHASER:
ASTA FUNDING, INC.
By:  

/s/ Gary Stern

  Name: Gary Stern
  Title: President & CEO
COMPANIES:
CBC SETTLEMENT FUNDING, LLC
By:  

/s/ William J. Skyrm

  Name: William J. Skyrm
  Title: Manager
CBC MANAGEMENT SERVICES GROUP, LLC
By:  

/s/ William J. Skyrm

  Name: William J. Skyrm
  Title: President

Signature Page to Membership Interest Purchase Agreement


SELLERS:
CBC HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
By:  

/s/ William J. Skyrm

  Name: William J. Skyrm
  Title: President
Address:
500 Delaware Avenue, 11th Floor
PO Box 957
Wilmington, Delaware 19899
J&M VENTURES I, LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael J. Skoler

  Name: Michael J. Skoler
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
Address:
c/o Sokolove Law, LLC
93 Worcester Street, Suite 101
Wellesley, MA 02481
Attn: Michael J. Skoler

/s/ Michael Fink

Michael Fink
Address:
830 Pennllyn Blue Bell Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422

/s/ Jim Sutow

Jim Sutow
Address:
830 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422


SELLERS:

/s/ David Shulman

David Shulman
Address:
344 Taconic Road
Greenwich, CT 06831

/s/ William J. Skyrm

William J. Skyrm
Address:
6036 Cannon Hill Road
Fort Washington, PA 19034

/s/ James Goodman

James Goodman
Address:
234 North Ithan Ave.
Villanova, PA 19085


Signature Page to Membership Interest Purchase Agreement

Exhibit 10.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED OPERATING AGREEMENT OF

CBC SETTLEMENT FUNDING, LLC


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        Page  
ARTICLE I       DEFINITIONS     1   
ARTICLE II       ORGANIZATION     1   
    2.01    Formation.     1   
    2.02    Name.     1   
    2.03    Registered Agent; Registered Office.     2   
    2.04    Principal Office; Other Offices.     2   
    2.05    Purposes.     2   
    2.06    Term.     2   
    2.07    No State Law Partnership.     2   
    2.08    Liability to Third Parties.     2   
ARTICLE III       MEMBERSHIP; CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; REVALUATIONS     2   
    3.01    Units.     2   
    3.02    Members and Capital Contributions.     3   
    3.03    Additional Members; Additional Capital Contributions.     3   
    3.04    Preemptive Rights.     4   
    3.05    Return of Capital Contributions; Special Rules.     6   
    3.06    Capital Accounts.     6   
    3.07    Gross Asset Value.     7   
ARTICLE IV       ALLOCATION OF PROFITS AND LOSSES     8   
    4.01    Profits and Losses.     8   
ARTICLE V       DISTRIBUTIONS     8   
    5.01    Time of Distributions.     8   
    5.02    Distributions.     8   
    5.03    Tax Distribution Amount.     9   
    5.04    Withholding.     9   
ARTICLE VI       MANAGEMENT     9   
    6.01    Management.     9   
    6.02    Meetings of the Board.     10   
    6.03    Action by Written Consent.     11   
    6.04    Officers.     12   
    6.05    Actions Requiring Approval by the Board or the Members.     13   
    6.06    Duties; Liability of Parties.     18   
    6.07    Indemnification of Managers.     19   
ARTICLE VII       RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS     19   
    7.01    Other Ventures.     19   
    7.02    Confidentiality.     20   

 

i


    7.03    Covenant Against Competition     21   
    7.04    Covenant Against Solicitation of Customers     21   
    7.05    Covenant Against Solicitation of Employees and Others     21   
    7.06    Assignment of Inventions     22   
    7.07    Severability     22   
    7.08    Reasonableness; Injunction     22   
ARTICLE VIII   RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS; PUT AND CALL RIGHTS     22   
    8.01    Restrictions on Transfers.     22   
    8.02    Permitted Transfers.     23   
    8.03    Conditions to Transfer.     23   
    8.04    Rights of Unadmitted Transferee.     23   
    8.05    Admission of Transferee as Member.     24   
    8.06    Effect of Disposition.     24   
    8.07    Skyrm and Goodman’s Put Right.     24   
    8.08    Company’s Call Right.     25   
    8.09    Drag-Along.     25   
    8.10    Tag-Along.     26   
    8.11    Right of First Refusal.     28   
    8.12    Conversion of Units.     28   
    8.13    Prohibited Transfers.     28   
ARTICLE IX   WITHDRAWAL     28   
    9.01    Restrictions on Withdrawal.     28   
    9.02    Withdrawal Payment; Reserves.     29   
    9.03    Withdrawing Member’s Rights.     29   
ARTICLE X   DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION, AND TERMINATION     29   
    10.01    Dissolution.     29   
    10.02    Liquidation.     30   
ARTICLE XI   ALLOCATION RULES     30   
    11.01    Special Allocations.     30   
    11.02    Code Section 704(c).     31   
    11.03    Other Allocation Rules.     31   
ARTICLE XII   ANNUAL BUDGET; BOOKS AND RECORDS, ACCOUNTING, AND TAX ELECTIONS     32   
    12.01    Annual Budget.     32   
    12.02    Maintenance of Records.     32   
    12.03    Reports to Members.     32   
    12.04    Tax Elections; Determinations Not Provided for in Agreement.     33   
    12.05    Tax Matters Partner.     33   
ARTICLE XIII   GENERAL PROVISIONS     33   
    13.01    Notices.     33   
    13.02    Interpretation.     34   

 

ii


    13.03    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue.     34   
    13.04    Binding Agreement.     34   
    13.05    Severability.     35   
    13.06    Entire Agreement.     35   
    13.07    Further Action.     35   
    13.08    Amendment or Modification.     35   
    13.09    Counterparts; Electronic Delivery.     35   
    13.10    Representation.     36   
EXHIBIT A   MEMBERS AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS     A-1         
EXHIBIT B   DEFINITIONS     B-1         
EXHIBIT C   OPTION AGREEMENT     C-1         

 

iii


AMENDED AND RESTATED OPERATING AGREEMENT OF

CBC SETTLEMENT FUNDING, LLC

This Amended and Restated Operating Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) of CBC Settlement Funding, LLC (the “ Company ”), a limited liability company organized pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “ Act ”), is entered into by and among the persons listed on Exhibit A hereto and made effective as of December 31, 2013 (the “ Effective Date ”).

Background . CBC Holding Company, LLC (the “ Original Member ”) currently is the sole member of the Company pursuant to the Operating Agreement of CBC Settlement Funding, LLC dated as of December, 2012 (the “ Existing Operating Agreement ”). Pursuant to the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated as of December 31, 2013 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) among the Company, the Original Member, Asta, CBC Holding Company, LLC (the “ Holding Company ”), and certain other parties, CBC Acquisition LLC (“ CBC Acquisition ”) has acquired all of the membership interest in the Company from the Holding Company. This Agreement is entered into pursuant to Section 1.03 of the Purchase Agreement to reflect that purchase and the admission of two additional members.

This Agreement amends and restates the Existing Operating Agreement in its entirety as follows:

1.

DEFINITIONS

Certain defined terms used in this Agreement are set forth in Exhibit B .

2.

ORGANIZATION

A. Formation.

The Company has been organized as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of a Certificate of Formation on December 20, 2012 pursuant to the Act.

B. Name.

The name of the Company is “CBC Settlement Funding, LLC” and all Company business shall be conducted under that name or such other names as comply with applicable law that the Members may select from time to time.


C. Registered Agent; Registered Office.

The registered agent of the Company shall be Monarch Entity Services, LLC and the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be located at 500 Delaware Avenue, 11 th Floor, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Board may designate from time to time in the manner provided by law.

D. Principal Office; Other Offices.

The principal office of the Company shall be at such place as the Board may designate from time to time, which need not be in the State of Delaware. The initial principal office of the Company shall be at One West First Avenue, Suite 310, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428. The Company may change its principal office or have such other offices as the Members may designate from time to time to the extent required by Section 6.05(b)(xxiii).

E. Purposes.

The purposes of the Company are to engage in any activity in which limited liability companies may engage under the Act.

F. Term.

The Company commenced its existence on December 20, 2012 and shall have perpetual existence, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

G. No State Law Partnership.

The Members intend that the Company shall not be a partnership or joint venture, and that no Member shall be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member in connection with this Agreement, for any purpose other than federal, state, and local tax purposes, and the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed otherwise.

H. Liability to Third Parties.

No Member shall be liable for the debts, obligations, or liabilities of the Company, except to the extent required under the Act with respect to amounts distributed to the Member at a time when the Company was insolvent or was rendered insolvent by virtue of the distribution.

3.

MEMBERSHIP; CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; REVALUATIONS

A. Units.

1. Membership Interests in the Company are represented by units (“ Units ”), with each Unit representing a fractional part of the Membership Interests of all Members (or permitted assignees, as the case may be) equal to the quotient of one divided by the total number of Units outstanding at any time, except as otherwise provided herein. Units may be expressed in whole or in fractions.

 

2


2. Each of the Units and the corresponding Membership Interests of each Member in the Company has the same rights, responsibilities, privileges, and obligations as all other Units in the Company, except (i) as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement; and (ii) certain Units may be subject to additional rights, restrictions, terms, and conditions, including without limitation, certain forfeiture provisions and/or anti-dilution protections, as expressly permitted in this Agreement and specified in the particular agreement or other document which memorializes the grant or issuance of, or which governs the grant or issuance of, such Units; provided , however , that in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any such other agreement or other document, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

3. For the avoidance of doubt, voting by Members shall be based on the Profit Percentages outstanding at the time such vote is taken or approval or consent provided.

B. Members and Capital Contributions.

The Members of the Company are listed on Exhibit A hereto, each of which has executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date and is hereby admitted to the Company as a Member. The Members have been credited with the Units and Initial Capital Account Balances specified in Exhibit A . The Board shall cause Exhibit A to be updated as necessary to reflect any change in the ownership of Units. Updates to Exhibit A pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be deemed an amendment to this Agreement.

C. Additional Members; Additional Capital Contributions.

1. No Person shall be admitted to the Company as an additional Member without the consent of Members holding at least a majority of the Membership Interests of the Company.

2. No Member shall be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Company. However, if a Member shall make contributions to the Company in addition to the Capital Contributions set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto opposite such Member’s name, such contributions shall, absent a different understanding between the Member and the Company, be considered a short-term loan from the Member to the Company, which loan shall bear interest (compounded on a daily basis based on a 365 day year) at the Prime Rate plus two hundred (200) basis points, per annum, and shall have such other commercially reasonable arm’s length terms as are mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Member. Such additional contributions (other than an additional Capital Contribution that is pro rata , among all existing Members) shall only be made with the consent of Members holding at least a majority of the Membership Interests of the Company.

 

3


D. Preemptive Rights.

1. Each Member shall have preemptive rights with respect to the issuance of new Membership Interests or rights to acquire Membership Interests(the “ Offered Interests ”) to the extent provided by this Section 3.04, the effect of which will be that each Member shall have the right to purchase a portion of such Offered Interests equal to such Member’s Profit Percentage. Solely with respect to Skyrm and Goodman, the Offered Interests shall include any issuances of Membership Interests (or the reservation of any Membership Interests) pursuant to any equity incentive plans for employees to the extent Skyrm or Goodman, as applicable, are not participants therein.

2. In the event the Board shall determine to issue Offered Interests, the Company shall give each then-existing Member notice (a “ Preemptive Notice ”) of such issuance describing in reasonable detail the proposed terms and conditions of such issuance, including the amount of the Offered Interests to be issued, the terms and conditions thereof and the purchase price therefor. Each then-existing Member shall have twenty (20) days from the date such notice is given to elect to purchase a portion of the Offered Interests equal to such Member’s Profit Percentage, at the same price, on the same terms and conditions and at the same time as the Offered Interests are sold to the other Members by giving notice to such effect to the Company (such notice, an “ Election ” and such Member making an Election, an “ Electing Member ”). Member’s failure to make an Election as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an irrevocable waiver by such Member of its rights under this Section 3.04 in respect of such Offered Interests. Any Election made in accordance with this Section 3.04 shall be deemed to be an irrevocable commitment by the Electing Member to purchase the Offered Interests subject to such Election on the terms and conditions set forth in the Preemptive Notice.

3. Following the expiration of the twenty (20) day notice period referred to in Section 3.04(b), the Company shall sell to each Electing Member the Membership Interests subject to such Electing Member’s Election, and may sell to the prospective purchaser(s) identified in the Preemptive Notice any Offered Interests which the Members did not elect to purchase. The closing of such sale shall be within sixty (60) days after the expiration of the twenty (20) day notice period specified above, on a date determined by the Board, and the consideration paid for and the other terms and conditions upon which such Offered Interests are sold shall not be any more favorable to prospective purchaser(s) than those specified in the Preemptive Notice.

4. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary:

 

  a) The rights of the Members under this Section 3.04 shall not apply to the issuance of Offered Interests (“ Exempt Issuances ”): (A) in connection with any Membership Interest split, dividend, recapitalization or distribution by the Company, pursuant to which all Members are treated in accordance with this Agreement; (B) in or after an initial public offering of the Company’s securities; (C) as part or all of the consideration for the acquisition by the Company of the business, at least a majority of the equity interests or all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person who is not an Affiliate of the Company; and (D) as part of a loan provided to the Company by any Person who is not an Affiliate of the Company; and

 

4


  b) in addition to the exceptions set forth in clause (i) above, but subject to Section 3.04(d)(iii) below, the Company may issue and sell Offered Interests to any Person without first complying with this Section 3.04; provided , however , that the following conditions are met: (A) the Board has determined in good faith that (1) the Company needs a cash investment, (2) no alternative financing is readily available under reasonable timing and on reasonable terms for the Company and (3) the delay caused by compliance with this Section 3.04 in connection with such investment would be reasonably likely to cause harm to the Company or its Subsidiaries; and (B) the Company gives prompt prior notice to all the Members of such investment, which notice describes in reasonable detail the Offered Interests being issued.

 

  c) In the event that the Company issues Offered Interests pursuant to Section 3.04(d)(ii) hereof (an “ Emergency Funding Offering ”), the Company shall promptly following the closing of the Emergency Funding Offering offer to each Member the opportunity to purchase up to the number of new Units that would allow such Member to preserve the Profit Percentage such Member held immediately prior to the consummation of the Emergency Funding Offering (the “ Post-Offering Interests ”). Each Member electing to exercise such Member’s rights pursuant to this Section 3.04(d)(iii) shall have twenty (20) days from the date the Company delivers notice of the offering of Post-Offering Interests (the “ Post-Offer Notice ”) to elect to purchase such Member’s Post-Offering Interests, at the price and on the terms set forth in the Post-Offer Notice, by giving notice to such effect to the Company. A Member’s failure to notify the Company as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an irrevocable waiver by such Member of its rights under this Section 3.04(d)(iii) in respect of such Post-Offering Interests. Any election by a Member made in accordance with this Section 3.04(d)(iii) shall be deemed to be an irrevocable commitment by such Member to purchase the Post-Offering Interests indicated in such Member’s notice on the terms set forth in the Post-Offer Notice. The closing of any sale of Post-Offering Interests pursuant to this Section 3.04(d)(iii) shall be held within forty-five (45) days after the Company’s delivery of the Post-Offer Notice, on a date determined by the Company.

 

5


E. Return of Capital Contributions; Special Rules.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no Member shall be entitled to the return of any part of his, her, or its Capital Contribution or to be paid interest in respect of either his, her, or its Capital Account balance or its Capital Contribution; no Member shall have any personal liability for the return of the Capital Contribution of any other Member; and no Member shall have any priority over any other Member with respect to the return of any Capital Contribution.

F. Capital Accounts.

A Capital Account shall be established and maintained for each Member in accordance with the following provisions:

1. To each Member’s Capital Account, there shall be credited such Member’s Capital Contributions, such Member’s distributive share of Profits, and any items in the nature of income or gain that are specially allocated pursuant to this Agreement, and the amount of any liabilities of the Company that are assumed by such Member, or that are secured by any assets of the Company distributed to such Member.

2. To each Member’s Capital Account, there shall be debited the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any Company assets distributed to such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, such Member’s distributive share of Losses, and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are specially allocated pursuant to this Agreement, and the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or that are secured by any property contributed by such Member to the Company.

3. If ownership of any Membership Interest in the Company is assigned in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the assignee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the assignor to the extent it relates to the assigned Membership Interest.

4. In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of Subsections 3.06(a) and 3.06(b) above, there shall be taken into account Code section 752(c) and any other applicable provisions of the Code and Regulations.

5. To each Member’s Capital Account, there shall be debited or credited, as the case may be, such adjustments as are necessary to reflect a revaluation of Company assets to reflect the Gross Asset Value of all Company assets, as required by Regulations section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and Section 3.07 hereof.

The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Code section 704 and Regulations section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. The Company shall make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of Company capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as computed for book purposes in accordance with Regulations section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q).

 

6


G. Gross Asset Value.

The Gross Asset Value of any asset of the Company shall be equal to the asset’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

1. The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross fair market value of such asset, as reasonably determined by the contributing Member and the Company.

2. The Gross Asset Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values in connection with (and to be effective immediately prior to) the following events: (i) the acquisition of an additional Membership Interest in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (ii) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of property (including cash) as consideration for an interest in the Company; (iii) the grant of an interest in the Company (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company by an existing Member acting in the capacity of a Member or by a new Member acting in the capacity of a Member or in anticipation of being a Member; (iv) the Liquidation of the Company; or (v) any other time, in the discretion of the Board, for which an adjustment would be necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company; provided , however , that an adjustment pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) above shall be made only if such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company.

3. The Gross Asset Value of any Company asset distributed to any Member shall be the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of distribution.

4. The Gross Asset Values of Company assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted bases of such assets pursuant to Code section 734(b) or Code section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and Section 11.01 hereof; provided , however , that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this Subsection to the extent they were adjusted pursuant to Subsections 3.07(b) or 3.07(c) above in connection with a transaction that otherwise would result in an adjustment pursuant to this Subsection.

5. If the Gross Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to this Section 3.07, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Profits and Losses.

 

7


4.

ALLOCATION OF PROFITS AND LOSSES

A. Profits and Losses.

After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 11.01 and subject to the other provisions of ARTICLE XI, Profits or Losses for any Accounting Period shall be allocated among the Members in such a manner that, as of the end of such Accounting Period, with respect to each Member, the sum of (i) the Capital Account of such Member, (ii) such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain, and (iii) such Member’s Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain shall, as nearly as possible, be equal to the net amount, positive or negative, that would be distributed to such Member or for which such Member would be liable to the Company under this Agreement, determined as if the Company were to, on the last day of the Accounting Period, (1) sell all of the assets of the Company for an amount equal to their respective Gross Asset Values, (2) satisfy all debts in accordance with their terms (limited, with respect to each Nonrecourse Liability, to the Gross Asset Value of the assets securing such liability), and (3) distribute the remaining proceeds of such sale in Liquidation pursuant to Section 5.02, all of the foregoing computed after all actual distributions or Capital Contributions have been made for such Accounting Period.

5.

DISTRIBUTIONS

A. Time of Distributions.

Distributions of Available Cash shall be made from the Company to the Members at the times recommended by the Board and approved by the Members holding at least a majority of the Membership Interests of the Company; provided , however , that for any calendar year, unless the Members determine otherwise, the Company shall distribute in cash no less than the Tax Distribution Amount.

B. Distributions.

The Company may make distributions of Available Cash in such amounts as may be determined by the Members holding at least a majority of the Membership Interests of the Company, in accordance with the following order or priority:

1. first , to CBC Acquisition until the aggregate amount of distributions received by CBC Acquisition pursuant to this Section 5.02(a) equals (i) $2,337,189.00 less (ii) the aggregate dollar amount of (A) all cash flows derived from the portfolio assets owned by the Company as of September 30, 2013 to the extent such cash flow has been applied from October 1, 2013 through the Effective Date to the reduction of the Company’s indebtedness for borrowed money reduced by (B) all accrued interest and costs and fees incurred by the Company for such indebtedness from October 1, 2013 through the Effective Date (the “ Original Assets Proceeds ”); and

 

8


2. second , after payment of the Original Assets Proceeds to CBC Acquisition, all Available Cash is to be distributed to the Members in proportion to their Profit Percentages at the time at which the distribution is made.

C. Tax Distribution Amount.

For purposes of this Agreement, the “ Tax Distribution Amount ” for any calendar year shall be an amount equal to (a) the aggregate income of the Company (including items that are separately stated under Code section 702) taxed to the Members for federal income tax purposes for such calendar year multiplied by (b) (i) the highest marginal federal individual or corporate income tax rate, as applicable, in effect for that calendar year (taking into account any surtax and any reduced rate on long-term capital gains (to the extent that the Company’s income will be so taxed) plus (ii) either (x) the highest marginal State of Pennsylvania individual income tax rate in effect for that calendar year with regard to Members who are individuals or (y) the highest marginal State of New Jersey corporate income tax rate in effect for that calendar year with regard to Members who are corporate entities. The Company shall endeavor to make such minimum distributions at such times during the calendar year and during the seventy-five (75) days following the end of the calendar year as shall enable the Members to use such distributions to satisfy their estimated and final income tax liabilities for the calendar year. Any distributions to a Member pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be treated as an advance on the distributions to be made to such Member pursuant to Section 5.02, and shall reduce such distributions accordingly.

D. Withholding.

Each Member hereby authorizes the Company to withhold and to pay over any taxes payable by the Company as a result of such Member’s participation in the Company. If and to the extent that the Company shall be required to withhold any such taxes, such Member shall be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to have received a distribution from the Company equal to the amount withheld. To the extent that the aggregate amount withheld on behalf of a Member for any period exceeds the distribution to which such Member is entitled for such period, the amount of such excess shall be considered a demand loan from the Company to such Member with interest at five percent (5%) per annum accruing from the date of payment by the Company until discharged by such Member by repayment. The Members may, in their sole and absolute discretion, satisfy any such obligation of a Member out of future distributions to such Member.

6.

MANAGEMENT

A. Management.

1. Subject only to the express provisions of this Agreement or requirements of the Act, management and control of the Company shall be vested exclusively in the Board, and the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board. Unless the Act expressly requires the approval of one or more Members or unless this Agreement expressly requires the approval, consent or other action by a requisite percentage of Members (or class of Members) for any action, the Board may take or cause the Company to take any action without the approval of any Member. The Board shall retain always the authority to make management decisions notwithstanding any delegation of duties by the Board to officers, employees or agents. In managing the business and affairs of the Company and in exercising its powers, the Board shall act through meetings and written consents pursuant to this ARTICLE VI. Except as specifically authorized by the Board or as expressly provided in this Agreement, no Person or Manager, in his capacity as such, shall have the authority to bind the Company. Similarly, no Member in his capacity as such shall have the authority or capacity to bind the Company or conduct its business, but shall have only such voting and other management and participation rights as are specifically set forth herein.

 

9


2. Except as otherwise expressly required in this Agreement or in the Act, whenever any action, including any approval, consent, determination, resolution, or decision, is to be taken or given by the Board or the Company under this Agreement or under the Act, it shall be authorized by a majority of the Managers, unless otherwise agreed by all of the Managers. Such an authorization may be evidenced by a vote taken at a meeting of the Board or by a written consent pursuant to this Agreement. If, at any time, there is no Manager of the Company, the Members shall select one or more Persons to serve as the Manager by a Majority Vote.

3. A Person shall cease to serve as a Manager upon his death, bankruptcy, or a ruling by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is incompetent. Subject to Section 6.01(d), an individual also may be removed as a Manager at any time upon a Majority Vote. A Manager may withdraw voluntarily from such position at any time upon thirty (30) days’ advance notice to the Members.

4. The duly elected members of the Board are referred to as the “ Managers .” The Board shall consist of five (5) individuals. The initial Managers shall be Skyrm, Goodman, Gary Stern, Ricky Stern and Seth Berman. Members of the Board will be elected by a Majority Vote; provided , each of Skyrm and Goodman shall have the right to nominate one Manager so long as each of them owns the Requisite Percentage, in which case, the Members shall elect each of Skyrm and Goodman, as applicable, or their nominees, as Managers. The majority of the Managers shall elect a Chairman of the Board. The initial Chairman shall be Gary Stern.

B. Meetings of the Board.

1. The Board will hold regular meetings four (4) times a year on dates designated by the Chairman of the Board and special meetings, as called by any Manager. Meetings of the Board will be held upon no less than fifteen (15) days’ notice by certified mail or by e-mail sent with a “Read Receipt” request or five (5) business days’ notice delivered personally. The notice shall specify the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the Board, stating the agenda for such meeting, and include any supporting materials necessary or required for purposes of making any decision listed on the agenda. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Manager who signs a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes of the meeting, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such Manager. All such waivers, consents and approvals will be filed with the Company records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

10


2. A majority of the Managers present, whether or not a quorum is present, or the Chairman of the Board may adjourn any meeting to another time and place. If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, notice of any adjournment to another time or place shall be given prior to the time of the meeting to the Managers who were not present at the time of the adjournment.

3. Meetings of the Board may be held at any location designated by the Chairman or at any place as agreed to by a majority of the Managers. Managers may attend a meeting through use of conference telephone or similar communications equipment, so long as all Managers participating can hear and be heard by one another, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 6.02 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except when a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

4. The quorum necessary to constitute a meeting of the Board shall be at least two (2) Managers if there are three (3) Managers on the Board, at least three (3) Managers if there are four (4) or five (5) Managers on the Board; provided , that if within thirty (30) minutes of the time fixed for a Board meeting, a quorum is not present because of insufficient representation by the Managers, the Board meeting shall stand adjourned until the same time and place on the tenth (10 th ) business day following the date originally fixed for such a meeting.

5. A written resolution signed by the number of Managers required to approve such action at a meeting whereby all Managers are present (provided, that, the action to be taken by written consent was provided to all Managers prior to the taking of such action by written consent) shall be as effective as a resolution passed at a meeting of the Board duly convened and held and may consist of several documents in the same form each signed by one or more of the Managers and a document sent by telex or facsimile (confirmed by letter) shall suffice for such purpose. Written consents will be filed with the minutes of the Board. Action by written consent has the same force and effect as a vote by the same Managers in a meeting.

6. At each Meeting of the Board, each of the Managers present shall have one (1) vote.

C. Action by Written Consent.

Any action permitted or required by the Act or this Agreement to be taken by the Members or the Managers may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action taken, is signed by (a) all of the Members or all of the Managers, as the case may be; or (b) by Members holding the minimum Profit Percentage necessary to authorize such action. If action is taken by written consent pursuant to clause (b) of the preceding sentence, the Company shall notify promptly all non-consenting Members of such action.

 

11


D. Officers.

1. The Board may, but shall not be required to, designate one or more officers or other agents who shall have such duties and shall perform such functions as set forth in Section 6.04(b) and as may be delegated to them by the Board from time to time, and who shall serve at the sole discretion of the Board, subject to any employment agreement between the Company and such officer. Any officers or other agents who are appointed by the Board may be removed, at any time and from time to time, by the Board, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement between the Company and such officer. Until further action by the Board and subject to any employment agreement between the Company and such officer, the following officers are hereby appointed: Skyrm as Chief Executive Officer and Goodman as President.

2. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Board may appoint a chief executive officer (the “ CEO ”), a president (the “ President ”), one or more executive vice presidents and vice president, a treasurer, a secretary and any other officers it deems necessary, whose duties and authority shall be as follows, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement:

 

  a) Duties and Authority of Chief Executive Officer . Subject to this Agreement and any employment agreement between the Company and such officer, the chief executive officer shall have general charge of, supervision over and responsibility for the business and affairs of the Company. Unless otherwise directed by the Board, all other officers shall be subject to the authority and supervision of the chief executive officer. The chief executive officer may enter into and execute in the name of the Company contracts or other instruments in the regular course of business or contracts or other instruments not in the regular course of business which are authorized, either generally or specifically, by this Agreement, by the Board or by any employment agreement between the Company and the CEO.

 

  b) Duties and Authority of President . The President shall be the chief operating officer and chief marketing officer of the Company. Subject to this Agreement, the authority and direction of the chief executive officer (if such office is occupied by an individual other than the individual occupying the office of president) and subject to any employment agreement between the Company and such officer, the President shall have the authority and the duty to supervise the business and activities of the Company, to instruct and direct its other officers, agents and employees, and to perform such other duties as the Board or the chief executive officer shall direct. The President may enter into and execute in the name of the Company contracts or other instruments in the regular course of business or contracts or other instruments not in the regular course of business which are authorized, either generally or specifically, by this Agreement, by the Board or by any employment agreement between the Company and the President. In the absence of the chief executive officer, or in the event of the chief executive officer’s death, inability, or refusal to act, (unless the Board determines otherwise) the President shall perform the duties vested with the authority of the chief executive officer.

 

12


  c) Duties and Authority of Executive Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents . Each executive vice president and vice president shall perform the duties and have the authority as from time to time may be delegated to him or her by the Board, the chief executive officer or the President (or, in the case of a vice president, by an executive vice president). In the absence of the President, or in the event of the president’s death, inability, or refusal to act, (unless the Board determines otherwise) the executive vice president designated as successor for these purposes by the Board or, if there is none, the most senior executive vice president, shall perform the duties vested with the authority of the President.

 

  d) Duties and Authority of Treasurer . Subject generally to the authority and direction of the CEO and the President, the treasurer shall have custody of the funds and securities of the Company and shall keep or cause to be kept regular books of account for the Company. The treasurer shall perform such other duties and possess such other powers as are incident to the office of treasurer or as shall be assigned to him or her by the Board, the chief executive officer or the President.

 

  e) Duties and Authority of Secretary . The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept the minutes of all meetings and written consents of the Board. The secretary shall perform such other duties and possess such other powers as are incident to the office of secretary or as shall be assigned to him or her by the Board, the chief executive officer or the President.

E. Actions Requiring Approval by the Board; Actions Requiring Approval by the Members.

1. Notwithstanding Section 6.04, the approval by the Board shall be required to authorize each of the following actions of the Company:

 

  a) Admission of any Person to the Company as an additional Member, subject to further approval to the extent required by Section 6.05(b)(i);

 

  b) The creation or adoption of an equity incentive plan for employees of the Company or the cancellation, renewal, amendment or other modification, or extension by the Company of any existing equity incentive plan;

 

13


  c) The commencement, settlement, or compromise by the Company of any material litigation;

 

  d) The entry by the Company into any employment contract, membership services agreement, or other arrangement with any Member, or the adoption by the Company of any material amendment or other material modification to any such contract, agreement, or arrangement; provided , however , that any such contract, agreement or arrangement on less than arm’s length terms and conditions are subject to further approval to the extent required by Section 6.05(b)(v);

 

  e) Other than in connection with structured settlements or annuity cash flows pursuant to clause (vi) of this Section 6.05(a), the entry by the Company into contracts or the adoption by the Company of any material amendment or other material modification to such a contract or the waiver by the Company of a right under a contract, (A) outside the ordinary course of business, or (B) which concerns or contemplates an expenditure or commitment by the Company exceeding Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) or (C) having a term longer than two (2) years (unless terminable without cost on thirty (30) or fewer days’ notice);

 

  f) The purchase by the Company of individual, or groups of related, structured settlements or annuity cash flows (A) exceeding Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) or (B) having an internal discount rate of less than seven percent (7%) or (C) that materially vary from the Company’s underwriting standards;

 

  g) The sale of any structured settlement or annuity cash flows in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) or an aggregate of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) in any rolling six (6) month period;

 

  h) The individual expenditure by the Company (or any series of expenditures for a common or related purpose) either not included in the Annual Budget or exceeding Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000);

 

  i) The allocation of Profits and Losses to the Members in accordance with Section 11.03;

 

  j) The establishment by the Company of any employee benefit plan or the adoption by the Company of any material amendment or other material modification thereto;

 

14


  k) The appointment, removal, or change by the Company of the Company’s accountants or attorneys, other than attorneys obtaining court approval of the Company’s acquisitions of structured settlements or annuity cash flows in the ordinary course of business;

 

  l) The establishment of salaries and approval of salary increases, to the extent not specifically included in the Annual Budget;

 

  m) The entry by the Company into any contract or other transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and any Member or any Affiliate or Family Member of such Member, on the other, including without limitation, the making of any loan or advance by the Company, including any such loans or advance to any employee or third-party, including a Member or the Family Member of a Member, or the adoption by the Company of any amendment or other modification or the waiver by the Company of any material rights under any such agreement or transaction; provided , however , that any such contract or transaction on less than arm’s length terms and conditions are subject to approval to the extent required by Section 6.05(b)(vii);

 

  n) The entry by the Company into any guaranty, indemnity or surety contract or any contract of a similar nature in favor or for the benefit of any employee, third-party, including a Member or the Family Member of a Member, other than an indemnity covenant in a contract entered into in the ordinary course of business; or the adoption by the Company of any amendment or other modification thereto or the waiver by the Company of any material rights under such a contract, other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

  o) The entry by the Company into any contract that by its terms would materially restrict, geographically or otherwise, the Company’s ability to conduct business;

 

  p) The purchase or discontinuance by the Company of liability insurance (other than in connection with the purchase of structured settlements or annuity cash flows in the ordinary course of business);

 

  q) The purchase, license, or sale by the Company of any real property; the rental by the Company of any real property; the entry by the Company into any other type of real property lease or license; or the cancellation, renewal, material amendment or other material modification, or extension by the Company of any existing real property lease or license;

 

15


  r) The incurrence by the Company of any indebtedness, or the entering into or amending of any agreement involving the incurrence by the Company of any indebtedness, or the purchase, redemption, early retirement, or other acquisition by the Company of any such indebtedness, except (A) trade credit or equipment financing done in the ordinary course of business, so long as such trade credit or equipment financing does not at any time exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year except if specifically set forth in the Approved Budget, (B) indebtedness associated with the payment of insurance premiums, or (C) indebtedness related to the acquisition of structured settlements or annuity cash flows;

 

  s) The appointment or removal by the Company, with or without cause, of any officer;

 

  t) The revision by the Company of any accounting policy or procedure employed or to be employed by the Company, which could reasonably be expected to have a negative effect on the Company or any Member, including any change of the Company’s Fiscal Year;

 

  u) The adoption by the Company of any change in the location of the principal executive offices; provided , that for three (3) years from the Effective Date, so long as they remain employed by the Company and continue to own the Requisite Percentage, Skyrm and Goodman shall have the right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to approve any move of the Company’s principal office outside of the Philadelphia metropolitan area;

 

  v) The entry by the Company into any transaction with a current employee of the Company or any Affiliate or Family Member of a current employee, other than an at-will employment arrangement in the ordinary course of business with an employee who is not an Affiliate or a Family Member;

 

  w) The grant by the Company of any lien on any of its assets other than with respect to equipment financing done in the ordinary course of business (and only to the extent that such lien is on the equipment so financed) or in connection with any indebtedness of the Company permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.04(c) by the President or CEO;

 

  x) The establishment by the Company of any relationship with a banking or other financial institution or any change to such a relationship, or the grant or revocation by the Company of signatory powers with respect to such a relationship;

 

16


  y) The making by the Company of any political contributions or charitable contributions (A) in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) individually or (B) in related transactions and in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) in the aggregate for all transactions for any rolling twelve (12) month period;

 

  z) Approving the Annual Budget;

 

  aa) Spending more than fifteen percent (15%) in excess of the average monthly operating expenses provided in the Annual Budget for any rolling three (3) month period;

 

  bb) Exceeding any Annual Budget item by fifteen percent (15%) or exceeding the overall Annual Budget by more than ten percent (10%);

 

  cc) Establishing, or making any material changes to, its underwriting policies;

 

  dd) Engaging in any joint venture, partnership, or royalty, franchise, distribution or licensing agreement or arrangement;

 

  ee) Making an equity investment in any other business venture; or

 

  ff) Entering into, assuming or becoming bound by any contract to do any of the foregoing.

2. Notwithstanding Sections 6.01, 6.04 and 6.05(a), the approval of all of the Members shall be required to authorize each of the following actions of the Company until the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date, after which time each of the following actions shall require approval of Members holding at least a majority of the Membership Interests of the Company:

 

  (i) Admission of any Person to the Company as an additional Member, other than an Affiliate of Asta, provided that Skyrm and Goodman hold the Requisite Percentage;

 

  (ii) The merger or consolidation of the Company with any other Person;

 

  (iii) The sale, license or other transfer by the Company of all or substantially all, or a material portion, of its assets or the Transfer by any Member of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Membership Interests in the Company in one or more series of related transactions other than to an Affiliate of such Member;

 

  (iv) The reorganization, dissolution, Liquidation, or other winding up of the Company;

 

17


  (v) The institution by the Company of any proceedings to adjudicate it bankrupt; the consent by the Company to the filing of any bankruptcy proceedings against it; the filing by the Company of any petition or answer or consent seeking its reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or any other similar applicable federal or state law, or the consent by the Company to the filing of any such petition against it; the consent by the Company to the appointment of a receiver or liquidator or trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency over the Company or its property; the assignment by the Company for the benefit of its creditors; or the admission by the Company of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due;

 

  (vi) The entry by the Company into any employment contract, membership services agreement, or other arrangement with any Member, or the adoption by the Company of any material amendment or other material modification to any such contract, agreement, or arrangement, if any such contract, agreement or arrangement is on less than arm’s length terms and conditions;

 

  (vii) The entry by the Company into any contract or other transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and any Member or any Affiliate or Family Member of such Member, on the other, or the adoption by the Company of any amendment or other modification or the waiver by the Company of any material rights under any such agreement, if any such contract or transaction is on less than arm’s length terms and conditions;

 

  (viii) Engaging in any business other than the Business; or

 

  (ix) Entering into, assuming or becoming bound by any contract to do any of the foregoing.

F. Duties; Liability of Parties.

No Member, Manager or officer, or any Representative of a Member, Manager or officer shall be liable to the Company or to any other Member for (a) the performance of, or the omission to perform, any act or duty on behalf of the Company if, in good faith, such Person determined that such conduct was in the best interests of the Company, and such conduct did not constitute fraud, gross negligence, or reckless or intentional misconduct; (b) the termination of the Company and this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof; or (c) the performance of, or the omission to perform, any act on behalf of the Company in good-faith reliance on the advice of legal counsel, accountants, or other professional advisors to the Company; provided , however , that upon actual knowledge thereof, William Skyrm and James Goodman shall promptly report to the Board, or the Chairman, any default or breach by the Company of any agreement that is material to the Company including, without limitation, the Purchase Agreement.

 

18


G. Indemnification of Managers.

The Company, its receiver, or its trustee shall indemnify, defend, and hold each Manager and officer and their respective heirs, personal representatives, and successors (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”) harmless from and against any expense, loss, damage, or liability incurred or connected with any claim, suit, demand, loss, judgment, liability, cost, or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to the Company or any act or omission of the Indemnified Parties on behalf of the Company (exclusive of acts taken as an independent contractor for the Company) and amounts paid in settlement of any of the foregoing; provided , that the same were not the result of fraud, gross negligence, or reckless or intentional misconduct on the part of the Indemnified Party against whom a claim is asserted. The Company may advance to any Indemnified Party the costs of defending any claim, suit, or action against such Indemnified Party if the Indemnified Party undertakes to repay the funds advanced, with interest, should it later be determined that the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 6.07.

7.

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

A. Other Ventures.

1. For so long as each of Skyrm and Goodman is a Member of the Company, the Company shall be the exclusive vehicle of Asta, directly or indirectly, and Skyrm and Goodman for the conduct of the Business.

2. Except as otherwise limited herein and subject to this ARTICLE VII, each Member of the Company at any time and from time to time may engage in and possess interests in other business ventures of any and every type and description, independently or with others with no obligation to offer to the Company or to any other Member the right to participate therein.

3. Subject to the other express provisions of this Agreement, the Company may transact business with any Member or a party related to any Member in accordance with this Agreement.

 

19


B. Confidentiality.

1. Each Member may develop or acquire, through the Member’s work or from the officers, members, employees, agents, or consultants of the Company (for purposes of this Section 7.02, the term “Company” shall include any Affiliates of the Company after the Effective Date, unless otherwise noted herein), knowledge of Confidential Information relating to the Company or its prospects, Business or Confidential Information relating to the Company’s customers. As used herein, “ Confidential Information ” means the terms of this Agreement and all oral and written non-public, confidential, or proprietary information concerning the Company that the Company or any officers, employees, Representatives, advisors, contractors, or agents of the Company provide to the Members at any time, together with analyses, compilations, studies, notes, or other documents that contain or otherwise reflect such Confidential Information. With respect to any information that the Members may receive from the Company, or may develop or of which the Members may acquire knowledge directly as a result of their relationship with the Company, Confidential Information specifically includes, but is not limited to, the following: (i) all organizational documents of the Company; (ii) any contract between the Company and any of its Members, Affiliates, customers, clients, employees, vendors, independent contractors, or other parties; (iii) trade secrets; (iv) know-how; (v) the identity of and any information concerning any of the Company’s Affiliates, customers, potential customers, or referral sources; (vi) marketing and sales information; (vii) information received from others that the Company is obligated to treat as confidential or proprietary; (viii) business plans; and (ix) any other technical, operating, financial, and other business information that has commercial value, in each case relating to the Company or the business, potential business(es), operations, or finances of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Member shall have any obligation to maintain the confidentiality of information that: (1) is in the public domain at the time it was disclosed; (2) enters the public domain other than by breach of this Agreement; (3) is already known to the receiving party at the time of its disclosure to it by the disclosing party; (4) is developed by the receiving party independently of any disclosure by the disclosing party hereunder; or (5) relates to the Excluded Businesses.

2. A Member shall not provide to any third-party, nor divulge, distribute, or disseminate, nor use for his, her, or its own benefit, any Confidential Information, except (i) as required to be used by such Member, in his capacity as a Manager or officer of the Company in performing his, her, or its duties for the Company, (ii) as expressly permitted in writing by the Members, or (iii) as required to be disclosed by law, regulation, court order, or other legal process after notice to the other Members or the Board. Upon receipt of the notice specified in (iii) above, the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other appropriate remedy. Each Member agrees to cooperate, at the Company’s cost, with the Company to obtain such a protective order or other remedy. If such order or other remedy is not obtained, or the Company waives compliance with the provisions of this Section 7.02(b) in connection with such law, regulation, court order, or other legal process, then the Member shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that the Member, on the advice of legal counsel, is legally required to so disclose and shall exercise reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment shall be accorded such Confidential Information so disclosed. All memoranda, notes, lists, records, and other documents (and all copies thereof) constituting Confidential Information hereunder or hereafter made or compiled by the Member or made available to the Member shall be the property of the Company, shall be kept confidential in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.02(b), and shall be delivered to the Company promptly upon the dissolution or Liquidation of the Company or at any earlier or later time upon the request of the other Members.

3. The Members acknowledge that they and their respective directors, members, managers, officers, Representatives and Affiliates during the course of this Agreement may be deemed to be in possession of material, non-public information under United States securities laws and other applicable securities laws, and that such Persons purchasing or trading in Asta’s common stock while in possession of such information could be subject to civil and criminal penalties under United States securities laws and other applicable securities laws.

 

20


C. Covenant Against Competition . Each Member acknowledges and understands that the Members collectively have expended substantial effort and made substantial financial contributions to the development of the business and goodwill of the Company and the Member’s relationship with the Company will afford the Member the opportunity to benefit from such goodwill and have extensive access to the Confidential Information of the Company. Each Member therefore covenants and agrees that, subject to dissolution of the Company and except as otherwise expressly provided herein, while such Member remains a Member of the Company and for a period thereafter, if any, equal to (a) any comparable restrictive period remaining in such Member’s employment agreement with the Company or any Affiliate thereof or (b) two (2) years after a Member ceases to be associated with the Company as a Member, whichever ends earlier (such period, the “ Restricted Period ”), the Member will not, anywhere in the United States of America or in any other country in which the Company then conducts or proposes to conduct business, other than on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates, engage in any business or other commercial activity that competes with the Business, whether the Member does so directly or indirectly, and whether as an owner, stockholder, member, Manager, manager, partner, joint venturer, officer, Manager, consultant, advisor, independent contractor, agent, or employee. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties expressly agree and acknowledge that nothing in this Section 7.03 shall in any way be deemed to limit each Member’s right or ability to own, directly or indirectly, (i) any interest in the stock of Asta or (ii) mutual funds or other investment vehicles operated by money managers for multiple investors.

D. Covenant Against Solicitation of Customers . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each Member covenants and agrees that, for a period of twenty-four (24) months after a Member ceases to be associated with the Company as a Member (the “ Non-Solicit Period ”), the Member will not, directly or indirectly, either on the Member’s own behalf or on behalf of any other individual or commercial enterprise, contact, communicate, solicit, or transact any business with or assist any third-party in contacting, communicating, soliciting, or transacting any business with (i) any current customer or client, including, without limitation, any referral source (each, a “ Referral Source ”) of the Company; (ii) any prospective customer, client, or Referral Source of the Company who or that was being solicited at the beginning of the Non-Solicit Period; or (iii) any individual or entity who or that was within the most recent twelve (12) month period a customer, client or Referral Source of the Company, for the purpose of inducing such customer, client, potential customer or Referral Source to be connected to or to benefit from any business or other commercial activity that competes with the Business or to terminate its or their business relationship with the Company, excluding general solicitations or general announcements on social media platforms.

E. Covenant Against Solicitation of Employees and Others . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each Member covenants and agrees that while such Member remains a Member of the Company and for the Non-Solicit Period, the Member will not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, induce, or assist any third-party in soliciting or inducing, any individual or entity who or that is then (or was at any time within the preceding twelve (12) months) an employee, consultant, independent contractor, or agent of the Company to leave the employment of the Company or to cease performing services for the Company; (ii) hire, engage, or assist any third-party in hiring or engaging, any individual or entity that is or was (at any time within the preceding twelve (12) months) an employee, consultant, independent contractor, or agent of the Company; or (iii) solicit, induce, or assist any third-party in soliciting or inducing, any other Person to terminate its relationship with the Company or otherwise interfere with such relationship, except (A) general solicitations of employment by such Member or his or its Affiliates (including general solicitations through employee search firms or similar agents) not specifically directed towards employees of the Company and (B) solicitations of former employees of the Company or any of their respective Affiliates.

 

21


F. Assignment of Inventions . On or prior to the date hereof, each Member shall enter into an assignment of invention agreement or similar agreement with the Company, in a form reasonable satisfactory to the Company.

G. Severability . The Members acknowledge and agree that the restrictions contained in this ARTICLE VII are reasonable and are being relied upon by the Members and the Company. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any covenant under this ARTICLE VII is unenforceable, it shall be modified to the extent necessary to permit it to be enforceable.

H. Reasonableness; Injunction . Each Member acknowledges and agrees that (a) the Member has had an opportunity to seek advice of counsel in connection with this Agreement; (b) the restrictive covenants set forth in this ARTICLE VII (collectively, the “Restrictive Covenants”) are reasonable in scope and in all other respects; (c) any violation of the Restrictive Covenants will result in irreparable injury to the Company; (d) money damages would be an inadequate remedy at law for the Company in the event of a breach of any of the Restrictive Covenants by the Member; and (e) specific performance in the form of injunctive relief would be an adequate remedy for the Company. If any Member breaches or threatens to breach a Restrictive Covenant, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies, to seek an injunction restraining any such breach, without any bond or other security being required and without the necessity of showing actual damages. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Restricted Period or the Non-Solicit Period, as applicable, shall, automatically without further action, deed or notice, be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days in which a Member is in breach of his, her, or its obligations under this 6.07.

8.

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS; PUT AND CALL RIGHTS

A. Restrictions on Transfers.

Except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, no Member may Transfer all or any portion of his, her, or its Membership Interest in the Company, except as authorized by (a) all Members if such Transfer is to occur on or prior to the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (b) a Majority Vote of the Members if such Transfer is to occur after the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the date of this Agreement, in either case, other than the Member proposing such Transfer, prior to such Transfer, which authorization may be granted or withheld in the absolute and unreviewable discretion of the Members.

 

22


B. Permitted Transfers.

A Member shall be free at any time to Transfer all or any portion of his, her, or its Membership Interest to (a) a Person who already is a Member at the time of Transfer; (b) any one or more of an existing Member’s equity holders, on dissolution of the Member entity or otherwise; (c) any one or more of an existing, non-individual Member’s equity holders or Affiliates and (d) in the case of a Member that is a natural Person, to any one or more trusts so long as such Member is and remains the trustee of such trust and the primary beneficiaries of such trust are the Member or the Member’s Family Members. A trust or estate that has received a Membership Interest from a Member may not Transfer the Membership Interest to a beneficiary of the trust or estate.

C. Conditions to Transfer.

Notwithstanding any other provision of Sections 8.01, 8.02 or 8.09, no Transfer shall be permitted, except in the case of a Transfer on death or involuntarily by operation of law, unless the following additional conditions precedent are satisfied (or waived by the Board or a Majority Vote of the Members, other than the Member proposing such Transfer):

1. The transferor and transferee shall execute and deliver to the Company such documents and instruments of conveyance as may be necessary or appropriate in the opinion of counsel to the Company to effect such Transfer and to confirm the agreement of the transferee to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement (including this ARTICLE VIII); and

2. The transferor, if required by the Board, shall provide an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company to the effect that such Transfer will not violate any applicable securities laws regulating the Transfer of securities or any of the provisions of any agreement to which the Company is a party.

D. Rights of Unadmitted Transferee.

A transferee of a Membership Interest who is not admitted as a Member pursuant to Section 8.05 shall be entitled to allocations and distributions attributable to the Membership Interest Transferred to the same extent as if the transferee were a Member, but shall have no right to participate in the management of the Company, or to vote or give a consent on any matter calling for the approval or consent of the Members (and any requisite percentage or majority shall be computed as if the Transferred Membership Interest did not exist), shall have no right to any information or accounting of the affairs of the Company, shall not be entitled to inspect the books or records of the Company, and shall not have any of the other rights of a Member under the Act or this Agreement.

 

23


E. Admission of Transferee as Member.

Subject to the other provisions of this ARTICLE VIII, a transferee of a Membership Interest may be admitted to the Company as a Member only upon satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

1. The Members (other than the Member proposing such Transfer) shall consent to such admission, by a Majority Vote of the Members, prior to such Transfer which consent may be granted or withheld in the absolute and unreviewable discretion of the Members;

2. The Membership Interest with respect to which the transferee is admitted was acquired by means of a Transfer permitted under Sections 8.01, 8.02 or 8.09;

3. The transferee becomes a party to this Agreement as a Member and executes such documents and instruments as the Company reasonably may request as necessary or appropriate to confirm such transferee as a Member in the Company and such transferee’s agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions hereof; and

4. The transferee furnishes copies of all instruments effecting the Transfer, opinions of counsel, and such other certificates, instruments, and documents as the Company may require.

F. Effect of Disposition.

Following any Transfer (whether or not permitted) of a Member’s entire Membership Interest, the Member shall have no further rights as a Member of the Company. In addition, following any Transfer (whether or not permitted) of a portion of a Member’s Membership Interest, the Member shall have no further rights as a Member of the Company with respect to that portion Transferred.

G. Skyrm and Goodman’s Put Right.

So long as (a) Skyrm or Goodman continues to own the Requisite Percentage and (b) the Company is not insolvent, each of Skyrm and Goodman, as applicable, shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all but not less than all of his Membership Interests should he be terminated under his Employment Agreement, other than “for cause” (the “ Put Right ”). Each of Skyrm and Goodman, as applicable, shall give notice (the “ Put Notice ”) to the Company of his intention to exercise the Put Right within twenty (20) days of the effective date of any such termination. If Skyrm or Goodman elects to exercise the Put Right, each of Skyrm and Goodman, as applicable, shall sell all but not less than all of his Membership Interests, free and clear of all encumbrances, at the purchase price for his Membership Interests determined by an External Valuation, no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the Put Notice. The closing shall take place within ninety (90) days after the date of notice and payment shall be made as follows either (a) if there is Available Cash as determined in good faith by the Board, in which case, up to twenty-five percent (25%) of such Available Cash will be paid in a lump sum with the balance paid in eight (8) equal quarterly installments of principal, or (b) if there is no Available Cash, as determined in good faith by the Board, in which case, in twelve (12) equal quarterly installments of principal, the first of which shall be paid on the date of closing, together with interest on the unpaid principal balance at a rate equal to the Prime Rate. Interest shall accrue from the date of closing.

 

24


H. Company’s Call Right.

Should either Skyrm or Goodman be terminated for any reason and the Company is not insolvent, the Company shall have the right to require Skyrm or Goodman, as applicable, to sell all but not less than all of his Membership Interests (the “ Call Right ”) to the Company. The Company shall give notice (the “ Call Notice ”) to Skyrm or Goodman, as applicable, of its intention to exercise the Call Right within twenty (20) days of the effective date of any such termination. If the Company elects to exercise the Call Right, Skyrm or Goodman, as applicable, shall sell all but not less than all of his Membership Interests and the Company shall purchase all but not less than all of Skyrm’s or Goodman’s, as applicable, Membership Interests, free and clear of all encumbrances, at the purchase price for his Membership Interests determined by an External Valuation no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the Call Notice. If Skyrm or Goodman are terminated “For Cause,” then the External Valuation used to determine the value of the Membership Interest shall be required to incorporate the Discount Factors, but in no event shall such discounts be in excess of twenty percent (20%). The closing shall take place within ninety (90) days after the date of notice with payment made in twelve (12) equal quarterly installments of principal, the first of which shall be paid on the date of closing, together with interest on the unpaid principal balance at a rate equal to the Prime Rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal as of the date of closing. Interest shall accrue from the date of closing. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 8.08, should the Company terminate Skyrm or Goodman “For Cause” then the closing shall take place within ninety (90) days after the date of notice with payment made in twenty (20) equal quarterly installments of principal, the first of which shall be paid on the date of closing and no interest shall be owed on the principal.

I. Drag-Along.

If at any time CBC Acquisition proposes to Transfer, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of its Membership Interests in the Company to a prospective purchaser in one or more series of related transactions other than to an Affiliate of Asta, and such Transfer is approved to the extent required under Section 6.05(b)(iii), CBC Acquisition shall, at least ten (10) business days prior to the closing of the Transfer, have the right to give notice to all of the other Members (specifying the identity of the prospective purchaser, the proposed purchase price, the scheduled date of the closing, and all other relevant material information), and in such event, each of the other Members shall also sell to the proposed purchaser, simultaneously with the sale by CBC Acquisition and on the same terms and conditions as CBC Acquisition, all of their respective Membership Interests in the Company. Upon request of CBC Acquisition or the prospective purchaser, each of the other Members shall execute and deliver a definitive purchase and sale agreement, in substantially the same form and substance as the definitive agreement executed and delivered by CBC Acquisition; provided , however , (a) any indemnification obligation of any Member in connection with the sale shall be several and not joint and shall be limited to the gross proceeds received by that Member in the sale and (b) such Member shall only be obligated to make such representations and warranties in connection with the sale as to itself (as opposed to the business and condition of the Company) as are customary for such transactions. If any such Member shall fail to execute and deliver such definitive agreement, CBC Acquisition shall have a power of attorney (which may be relied upon by the purchaser(s) in any such sale) and for that purpose the Member, without any further action or deed, shall be deemed to have appointed CBC Acquisition as the Member’s agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for the purpose of executing and delivering the definitive agreement in the name and on behalf of the Member and performing all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to consummate the sale of the Member’s interest pursuant to that agreement.

 

25


J. Tag-Along.

1. If at any time after the date of this Agreement CBC Acquisition proposes to Transfer, directly or indirectly, any of its Membership Interests in the Company to a prospective purchaser in one or more series of related transactions other than to an Affiliate of Asta, and CBC Acquisition cannot or has not elected to exercise its drag-along rights pursuant to Section 8.09, each of Skyrm and Goodman (each, a “ Tag-along Member ”), so long as he continues to own the Requisite Percentage, shall be permitted to participate in such sale (a “ Tag-along Sale ”) on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8.10.

2. Prior to the consummation of the sale described in Section 8.10(a), CBC Acquisition shall deliver to the Company and each Tag-along Member a notice (a “ Sale Notice ”) of the proposed sale subject to this Section 8.10(b) no more than ten (10) business days after the execution and delivery by all the parties thereto of the definitive agreement entered into with respect to the Tag-along Sale and, in any event, no later than twenty (20) business days prior to the closing date of the Tag-along Sale. The Tag-along Notice shall make reference to the Tag-along Members’ rights hereunder and shall describe in reasonable detail: (i) the number of Units to be sold by CBC Acquisition; (ii) the name of the prospective purchaser; (iii) the per Unit purchase price and the other material terms and conditions of the sale, including a description of any non-cash consideration in sufficient detail to permit the valuation thereof; (iv) the proposed date, time and location of the closing of the sale; and (v) a copy of any form of agreement proposed to be executed in connection therewith.

3. Each Tag-along Member shall exercise its right to participate in a sale of Units by CBC Acquisition subject to this Section 8.10 by delivering to CBC Acquisition a notice (a “ Tag-along Notice ”) stating its election to do so and specifying the number of Units to be sold by it no later than five (5) business days after receipt of the Sale Notice (the “ Tag-along Period ”). The offer of each Tag-along Member set forth in a Tag-along Notice shall be irrevocable, and, to the extent such offer is accepted, such Tag-along Member shall be bound and obligated to sell in the proposed sale on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8.10. Each Tag-along Member shall have the right to sell in a sale subject to this Section 8.10 the number of Units equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the number of Units held by the Tag-along Member by (y) a fraction (A) the numerator of which is equal to the number of Units CBC Acquisition proposes to sell or transfer to the prospective purchaser and (B) denominator of which is equal to the number of Units then owned by CBC Acquisition and all of its permitted Transferees.

4. CBC Acquisition shall use its reasonable efforts to include in the proposed sale to the prospective purchaser all of the Units that the Tag-along Members have requested to have included pursuant to the applicable Tag-along Notices, it being understood that the prospective purchaser shall not be required to purchase Units in excess of the number set forth in the Sale Notice. In the event the prospective purchaser elects to purchase less than all of the Units sought to be sold by the Tag-along Members, the number of Units to be sold to the prospective purchaser by the Selling Member and each Tag-along Member shall be reduced so that each such Member is entitled to sell a pro-rata portion of the number of Units the prospective purchaser elects to purchase (which in no event may be less than the number of Units set forth in the Sale Notice), based on the percentage of Units each such Member wishes to sell of the total number of Units to be sold.

 

26


5. Any Tag-along Member who does not deliver a Tag-along Notice in compliance with Section 8.10(c) above shall be deemed to have waived all of such Tag-along Member’s rights to participate in such sale, and CBC Acquisition shall (subject to the rights of any participating Tag-along Member) thereafter be free to sell to the prospective purchaser its Units at a per Unit price that is no greater than the per Unit price set forth in the Sale Notice and on other same terms and conditions which are not materially more favorable to CBC Acquisition than those set forth in the Sale Notice, without any further obligation to the non-accepting Tag-along Members.

6. Each Member participating in a sale pursuant to this Section 8.10 shall receive the same consideration per Unit after deduction of such Member’s proportionate share of the related expenses in accordance with paragraph (h) below.

7. Each Tag-along Member shall make or provide the same representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements as CBC Acquisition makes or provides in connection with the Tag-along Sale (except that in the case of representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements pertaining specifically to CBC Acquisition, the Tag-along Member shall make the comparable representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements pertaining specifically to itself); provided , that all representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities shall be made by CBC Acquisition and each other Tag-along Member severally and not jointly and any indemnification obligation in respect of breaches of representations and warranties that do not relate to such Tag-along Member shall be in an amount not to exceed the aggregate proceeds received by such Tag-along Member in connection with any sale consummated pursuant to this Section 8.10.

8. The fees and expenses of CBC Acquisition incurred in connection with a sale under this Section 8.10 and for the benefit of all Members (it being understood that costs incurred by or on behalf of CBC Acquisition for its sole benefit will not be considered to be for the benefit of all Members), to the extent not paid or reimbursed by the Company or the prospective purchaser, shall be shared by all the Members on a pro rata basis, based on the consideration received by each Member; provided , that no Member shall be obligated to make any out-of-pocket expenditure prior to the consummation of the transaction consummated pursuant to this Section 8.10.

9. Each Member shall take all actions as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the Tag-along Sale, including, without limitation, entering into agreements and delivering certificates and instruments, in each case, consistent with the agreements being entered into and the certificates being delivered by CBC Acquisition.

 

27


K. Right of First Refusal.

For two (2) years from the Effective Date, notwithstanding the provisions of this ARTICLE VIII other than Section 8.01, a Member may Transfer all or any portion of such Member’s Membership Interest in the Company to any Person pursuant to a bona fide offer from a third party to purchase such Membership Interest as provided herein. Upon receipt of an acceptable offer, the Member (the “ Transferring Member ”) shall give the Company, the Managers, and the other Members notice of the terms and conditions of the offer and of such Member’s intention to Transfer such Membership Interest in accordance with the offer. The Members shall then have the right to acquire all, but not less than all, of the Membership Interest upon the same terms and conditions as set forth in the offer. The Members shall have the right to acquire the Membership Interest upon the same terms and conditions as set forth in the offer by giving notice to the Transferring Member within sixty (60) days of delivery of notice of the third-party offer from the Transferring Member. If more than one other Member shall accept the offer, then such Members shall purchase the Transferring Member’s Membership Interest pro rata based on the percentage of Units each applicable Member owns of the total number of Units to be purchased. If no other Member shall accept the offer within the sixty (60)-day period, or if the Members together have not subscribed for the entire interest, then the Transferring Member shall be free to Transfer such Membership Interest in accordance with the terms of the offer. If the Transferring Member shall fail to complete the Transfer in accordance with the offer within one hundred eighty days (180) days following the expiration of the sixty (60)-day period described herein, then any future Transfer by such Transferring Member shall require a re-offering to the other Members as provided for above.

L. Conversion of Units.

Skyrm and Goodman shall each be a party to the Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C .

M. Prohibited Transfers.

Any purported Transfer that is not permitted under Sections 8.01, 8.02 or 8.09, shall be null and void and of no effect whatsoever. In the case of a Transfer or attempted Transfer that is not such a permitted Transfer, the parties engaging or attempting to engage in such Transfer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the other Members from all cost, liability, and damage that any of such indemnified persons may incur (including incremental tax liability and attorneys’ fees and expenses) as a result of such Transfer or attempted Transfer and efforts to enforce the indemnity granted hereby.

9.

WITHDRAWAL

A. Restrictions on Withdrawal.

Except as otherwise expressly permitted in this Agreement, without the consent of Members holding at least a majority of the Membership Interests, a Member does not have the right to withdraw from the Company as a Member or terminate his, her, or its Membership Interest.

 

28


B. Withdrawal Payment; Reserves.

Upon a permitted withdrawal, the withdrawing Member shall be entitled to receive his, her or its Capital Account balance in the Company as of the withdrawal date (as determined after giving effect to the revaluation of Company assets pursuant to Section 3.07), payable in cash and subject to the limitations and other provisions of this Section 9.02. The payment to a withdrawing Member shall be made in twenty (20) equal quarterly installments of principal, the first of which shall be paid within ninety (90) days after the date of withdrawal, together with interest on the unpaid principal balance at a rate equal to the mid-term applicable federal rate under Code section 1274 (for quarterly compounding periods) as of the date of withdrawal. If installment payment is elected, interest shall accrue from the date of withdrawal and shall be paid together with each quarterly installment of principal, and the Company at any time may prepay, in whole or in part, the amount owing, which prepayment shall be applied first to accrued but unpaid interest and then to principal installments in their inverse order of maturity. The amount payable to a withdrawing Member under this Section 9.02 may, as the Board shall determine, be subject to reserves for subsequent adjustments in the computation of the withdrawal amount and reserves for contingencies, including contingent liabilities relating to pending or anticipated litigation or to Internal Revenue Service examinations, and to a reasonable charge to cover the cost of selling or liquidating assets in order to effect payment to the withdrawing Member. Any amount withheld as a reserve shall reduce the amount payable under this Section 9.02 and shall be invested at interest by the Company in a segregated account (which may be commingled with similar accounts). The unused portion of any reserve shall be distributed with interest thereon after the Board shall have determined that the need therefor shall have ceased.

C. Withdrawing Member’s Rights.

Following the date of a withdrawal, the withdrawing Member shall have no further rights as a Member of the Company and, in the event that any money is still owed to the withdrawing Member after the date of withdrawal, the withdrawing Member shall have only the rights of an unsecured creditor of the Company.

10.

DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION, AND TERMINATION

A. Dissolution.

The Company shall be dissolved automatically and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following:

1. at any time upon the written consent of the sole remaining Member;

2. at any time upon the approval of the Board following a vote in accordance with this Agreement; or

 

29


3. ninety (90) days after the date on which the Company no longer has at least one (1) Member, unless a new Member is admitted to the Company during such ninety (90) day period.

B. Liquidation.

1. Upon a dissolution of the Company requiring the winding-up of its affairs, the Managers (or, in their absence, the Members) shall wind-up its affairs. The assets of the Company shall be sold within a reasonable period of time to the extent necessary to pay or to provide for the payment of all debts and liabilities of the Company, and may be sold to the extent deemed practicable and prudent by the Managers.

2. The net assets of the Company remaining after satisfaction of all such debts and liabilities and the creation of any reserves under Subsection 10.02(d) shall be distributed to the Members in accordance with Section 5.02.

3. Distributions to Members pursuant to this ARTICLE X shall be made by the end of the taxable year of the Liquidation, or, if later, ninety (90) days after the date of such Liquidation in accordance with Regulations section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g).

4. The Members may withhold from a distribution under this Section 10.02 such reserves as are required by applicable law and such other reserves for subsequent computation adjustments and for contingencies, including contingent liabilities relating to pending or anticipated litigation or to IRS examinations. Any amount withheld as a reserve shall reduce the amount payable under this Section 10.02 and shall be held in a segregated interest-bearing account (which may be commingled with similar accounts). The unused portion of any reserve shall be distributed with interest thereon pursuant to this Section 10.02 after the Members shall have determined that the need therefor shall have ceased.

5. If a Member has a deficit balance in his, her, or its Capital Account after giving effect to all contributions, distributions, and allocations for all taxable years, including the year in which the Liquidation occurs or the year in which a Member ceases to have any Membership Interests, the Member shall have no obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Company with respect to such deficit, and such deficit shall not be considered a debt owed by such Member to the Company or to any other Person, for any purpose whatsoever.

11.

ALLOCATION RULES

A. Special Allocations.

Notwithstanding the provisions of ARTICLE IV or any other provision of this Agreement, the Board shall have the discretion to modify the allocations of Profits and Losses, and all items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit, in such manner as the Members shall determine based on advice of tax counsel to be necessary to comply with Code section 704 and the Regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

30


B. Code Section 704(c).

The Members shall make such allocations for tax purposes, and any modifications to this Agreement, as may be required to comply with Code section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder.

C. Other Allocation Rules.

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, items of taxable income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit shall be allocated among the Members for income tax purposes in the same manner as the corresponding items are allocated for “book purposes” under ARTICLE IV and this ARTICLE XI. Taxable income or loss for any Accounting Period that is not allocated pursuant to the preceding sentence and that is not otherwise allocated pursuant to ARTICLE IV or this ARTICLE XI shall be allocated among the Members for tax purposes in the same proportion that Profit or Loss has been allocated for that Accounting Period under Section 4.01. Notwithstanding the other provisions of ARTICLE IV or this ARTICLE XI, the Board is authorized to make any adjustment in the allocation of Profits or Losses provided for in such Articles if the Board considers, in good faith, based on advice of tax counsel, that the adjustment is necessary and equitable to address issues not specifically dealt with in such Articles, to correct errors in allocations caused by errors in unaudited financial information, or to correct inequities that may arise under this Agreement.

 

31


12.

ANNUAL BUDGET; BOOKS AND RECORDS, ACCOUNTING, AND TAX ELECTIONS

A. Annual Budget.

For each Fiscal Year, the Board shall cause its officers and agents to prepare an annual budget that sets forth specific categories and parameters for Company expenditures (the “ Annual Budget ”), which shall be, in form and substance, subject to revision by, and the approval of, the Board; provided , however , that, unless otherwise agreed by Members holding at least a majority of the Membership Interests of the Company, for any Fiscal Year after Fiscal Year 2016, the Annual Budget shall have a level of detail consistent with standard financial reporting and sets forth specific categories and parameters for Company expenditures and revenues. A draft of the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 shall be prepared within twenty (20) days of the Effective Date and considered by the Board within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date. A draft of the Annual Budget for each subsequent Fiscal Year shall be prepared no later than September 1st of each Fiscal Year and considered by the Board no later than September 15th of each Fiscal Year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 and Fiscal Year 2015, the budgeted expenditures and revenues shall be consistent with the projections included in the “CBC Settlement Funding Business Overview” delivered to Asta. If the Board does not approve an Annual Budget within fifteen (15) days of the applicable consideration date set forth above, then the Annual Budget for the subsequent Fiscal Year shall be the immediately preceding year’s Annual Budget.

B. Maintenance of Records.

The Company shall maintain true and correct books and records, in which shall be entered all transactions of the Company, and shall maintain all other records necessary, convenient, or incidental to recording the Company’s business and affairs, which shall be sufficient to record the allocation of Profits and Losses and distributions as provided for herein. All decisions as to accounting principles, accounting methods, and other accounting matters shall be made by the Board. The Company shall keep a current list of all Members and their Capital Contributions, adjusted for any withdrawals, which shall be available for inspection by all Members. Each Member or his, her, or its authorized Representative may examine any of the books and records of the Company during normal business hours upon reasonable notice for a proper purpose reasonably related to the Member’s interest in the Company.

C. Reports to Members.

As soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal quarter, but in no event later than forty-five (45) days from the end of such fiscal quarter, and each Fiscal Year, but in no event later than ninety (90) days from the end of such Fiscal Year, the Company shall cause to be prepared and sent to each Member a balance sheet and a statement of income for the Company that may, but need not, be audited by a certified public accountant. In addition, as soon as practicable after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Company shall cause to be prepared and sent to each Member a report setting forth in sufficient detail all such information and data with respect to the Company for such Fiscal Year as shall enable each Member to prepare his, her, or its income tax returns. Any financial statements, reports, and tax returns required pursuant to this Section 12.03 shall be prepared at the expense of the Company.

 

32


D. Tax Elections; Determinations Not Provided for in Agreement.

The Board shall be empowered to make or revoke any elections now or hereafter required or permitted to be made by the Code or any state or local tax law, and to decide in a fair and equitable manner any accounting procedures and other matters arising with respect to the Company or under this Agreement that are not expressly provided for in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, absent the unanimous consent of all Members to the contrary, the Company and all Members shall take any steps that may be necessary to elect partnership status for purposes of the Code and any applicable state or local tax law.

E. Tax Matters Partner.

CBC Acquisition is hereby designated the “Tax Matters Partner” of the Company for purposes of the Code.

13.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. Notices.

Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, all notices, consents, waivers, requests, or other instruments or communications given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing, shall be signed by the party giving the same, and shall be delivered personally by hand; sent by certified United States mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or sent by a recognized overnight delivery service. Such notices, instruments, or communications shall be addressed, in the case of the Company or the Board, to the Company at its principal place of business and, in the case of any of the Members, to the address set forth in the Company’s books and records; except that any Member may, by notice to the Company and each other Member, specify any other address for the receipt of such notices, instruments, or communications. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, any notice, instrument, or other communication shall be deemed properly given when sent in the manner prescribed in this Section 13.01. In computing the period of time for the giving of any notice, the day on which the notice is given shall be excluded and the day on which the matter noticed is to occur shall be included. If notice is given by personal delivery, then it shall be deemed given on the date personally delivered to such Person. If notice is given by mail, it shall be deemed given when deposited in the mail addressed to the Person to whom it is directed at the last address of the Person as it appears on the records of the Company, with prepaid postage thereon. If notice is given by nationally recognized overnight courier delivery service, then it shall be deemed given on the date delivered to such nationally recognized overnight courier delivery service. If notice is given in any other manner authorized herein or by law, it shall be deemed given when actually delivered, unless otherwise specified herein or by law. The substance of any such notice shall be deemed to have been fully acknowledged in the event of refusal of acceptance by the party to whom the notice is addressed.

 

33


B. Interpretation.

1. Article, Section, and Subsection headings are not to be considered part of this Agreement, are included solely for convenience of reference and are not intended to be full or accurate descriptions of the contents thereof.

2. Use of the terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” and like terms shall be deemed to refer to this entire Agreement and not merely to the particular provision in which the term is contained, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

3. Use of the word “including” or a like term shall be construed to mean “including, but not limited to.”

4. Exhibits and schedules to this Agreement are an integral part of this Agreement.

5. Words importing a particular gender shall include every other gender, and words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

6. Any reference to a provision of the Code, Regulations, or the Act shall be construed to be a reference to any successor provision thereof.

C. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue.

This Agreement and all matters arising herefrom or with respect hereto, including, without limitation, tort claims (the “ Covered Matters ”) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the choice or conflict of law principles thereof. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the co-exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the State of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of the Covered Matters. Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on each party hereto anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and to the laying of venue in such court. Each party hereto irrevocably waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in such courts and irrevocably waives any claim that any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

D. Binding Agreement.

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Members and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, and successors.

 

34


E. Severability.

Each item and provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. If any term or provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, that term or provision shall be modified only to the extent necessary to be enforced, such term or provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, and the validity of the remainder of this Agreement shall not be adversely affected thereby.

F. Entire Agreement.

This Agreement (including the exhibits hereto) supersedes any and all other understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the Members with respect to the Membership Interests and constitutes the sole agreement between the Members with respect to the Membership Interests.

G. Further Action.

Each Member shall execute and deliver all papers, documents, and instruments and perform all acts that are necessary or appropriate to implement the terms of this Agreement and the intent of the Members.

H. Amendment or Modification.

This Agreement (including the exhibits hereto) may be amended or modified from time to time only by the consent of all Members.

I. Counterparts; Electronic Delivery.

This Agreement may be executed in original or by facsimile in several counterparts and, as so executed, shall constitute one agreement, binding on all of the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all of the parties are not signatory to the original or to the same counterpart. Signatures on this Agreement may be communicated by facsimile transmission or in portable document format (.pdf) by electronic mail and shall be binding upon the parties so transmitting their signatures. Counterparts with original signatures shall be provided to the other parties following the applicable facsimile or electronic mail transmission; provided , however , that the failure to provide the original counterpart shall have no effect on the validity or the binding nature of this Agreement.

 

35


J. Representation.

This Agreement was prepared by Lowenstein Sandler LLP in its capacity as legal counsel to the Company. In connection with its preparation of this Agreement, each of the Members acknowledge that Lowenstein Sandler LLP has advised each Member that (a) such Member’s individual interests may be different than the interests of the Company; and (b) it would be in each such Member’s best interest to retain independent counsel for the purpose of advising such Member how this Agreement affects such Member’s personal interests.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Members have executed and adopted this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

 /s/ William J. Skyrm

William J. Skyrm

 

 /s/ James Goodman

James Goodman

 

CBC ACQUISITION LLC
By:  

 /s/ Gary Stern

Name:   Gary Stern
Title:   Manager

[ Signature Page to the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement ]


EXHIBIT A

MEMBERS, CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS,

PROFIT PERCENTAGES AND UNITS

 

Member   

Initial Capital

Account Balance

   Profit Percentages   Units

James Goodman

   $0.00    10%   10

William J. Skyrm, Esq.

   $0.00    10%   10

CBC Acquisition

   $5,650,000.00    80%   80

 

A-1


Exhibit B

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Accounting Period ” means the following fiscal periods: the initial Accounting Period shall commence on the day on which a Certificate of Formation is filed with the State of Delaware. Each subsequent Accounting Period shall commence immediately after the close of the next preceding Accounting Period. Each Accounting Period shall close at the close of business on the first to occur of (a) the last day of a Fiscal Year of the Company; (b) the day immediately preceding the effective date of the acceptance of a Capital Contribution from a new or existing Member, other than a Capital Contribution that is pro rata among all existing Members; (c) the day immediately preceding the grant of an interest in the Company (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company by an existing Member acting in the capacity of a Member or by a new Member acting in the capacity of a Member or in anticipation of being a Member; (d) the effective date of the partial or complete withdrawal of a Member; or (e) the date of the Company’s Liquidation.

Act ” means the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware and any successor statute, as amended from time to time.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person; in such context, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management or policies of another, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

Agreement ” means this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, as it may be amended or restated from time to time.

Asta ” means Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Available Cash ” means all cash proceeds received by the Company (or released from reserves) during any period, whether pursuant to operations or capital transactions or otherwise, as reduced by (a) all costs and expenses incurred during such period, including expenses incurred in any sale or disposition transaction, (b) the discharge during such period of any indebtedness or liabilities of the Company for which such proceeds are to be used and (c) the setting aside during such period of such reserves as the Board may deem reasonably necessary for the discharge of known or existing liabilities or obligations of the Company.

Board ” means the Board of Managers of the Company elected pursuant to this Agreement.

Business ” means the acquiring, brokering, securitizing, or servicing of direct to consumer structured settlements and annuity cash flows.

Call Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.08.

 

B-1


Call Right ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.08.

Capital Account ” means, with respect to any Member, the Member’s Capital Contribution, increased or decreased as provided in this Agreement.

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the initial Gross Asset Value of any property other than cash contributed to the Company by that Member.

CBC Acquisition ” means CBC Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

CEO ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 6.04(b).

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Company ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the preamble of the Agreement.

Company Minimum Gain ” has the meaning given to “Partnership Minimum Gain” in Regulations sections 1.704 2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

Confidential Information ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 7.02(a).

Covered Matters ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 13.03.

Depreciation ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the definition of “Profit and Losses.”

Discount Factors ” means, for purposes of an External Valuation, any discounts deemed appropriate by the evaluator with respect to minority holdings, lack of transferability, lack of marketability, private company, or otherwise.

Effective Date ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the preamble of the Agreement.

Electing Member ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3.04(b).

Election ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3.04(b).

Emergency Funding Offering ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3.04(d)(iii).

Employment Agreement ” means the employment agreement of either Skyrm or Goodman with CBC Management Services Group, LLC, dated as of December 31, 2013, as it may be amended or restated from time to time.

Exempt Issuances ” has the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 3.04(d)(i).

Existing Operating Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the preamble of the Agreement.


External Valuation ” means a determination of the fair value of the Company as of the close of the month prior to the month in which the event triggering a buy-out right occurs, determined by an unrelated third party with at least fifteen (15) years’ experience and expertise in private company valuations and an “ABV” (Accredited in Business Valuation), “ASA” (Accredited Senior Appraiser), “CVA” (Certified Valuation Analyst), “AVA” (Accredited Valuation Analyst) or “CBA” (Certified Business Appraiser) credential, jointly selected by Representatives selected by each party (one by the purchaser and one by the seller), which Representatives also must have at least fifteen (15) years’ experience and expertise in private company valuations and an ABV, ASA, CVA, AVA or CBA credential. The Representatives will provide the evaluator with information and materials they deem relevant to value the Company; the valuation issued by the jointly-selected evaluator will be final and binding on all parties. To the extent necessary or appropriate, the Company’s accountants shall determine the value of the respective Membership Interests once the evaluator has made its determination of the Company value. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the expense of the External Valuation will be borne by the Company; provided , however , that any External Valuation conducted in connection with the “For Cause” termination of Skyrm or Goodman shall be borne by the terminated party and paid in full at Closing, setoff against the amount owed by the Company.

Family Member ” means a Member’s spouse, ancestors, issue (including adopted children and their issue) and trusts or custodianships for the primary benefit of the Member himself or such spouse, ancestors, or issue (including adopted children and their issue).

Fiscal Year ” means the calendar year; but, upon the organization of the Company, “Fiscal Year” means the period from the first day of the term of the Company to the next following December 31 and, upon dissolution of the Company, shall mean the period from the end of the last preceding Fiscal Year to the date of such dissolution.

Goodman ” means James Goodman.

Gross Asset Value ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3.07.

Holding Company ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the preamble of the Agreement.

Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 6.07.

Liquidation ” has the meaning as set forth in Regulations section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g).

Majority Vote ” means the approval, given at a meeting of Members or by written consent in accordance with Section 6.02, of Members holding at least a majority of the Membership Interests outstanding at the time such approval is given.

Member ” means each Person executing this Agreement as a Member or hereafter admitted to the Company as a Member as provided in this Agreement, but does not include any Person who has ceased to be a Member of the Company. For purposes of interpreting this Agreement, references to the term “Member” in ARTICLE IV, ARTICLE V, and ARTICLE XI shall be deemed to refer to a transferee of an interest in the Company who is not admitted as a Member under Section 8.05 unless such interpretation is inconsistent with the provisions of Section 8.04.


Member Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning given to “partner nonrecourse debt” in Regulations section 1.704 2(b)(4).

Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” means an amount, with respect to each Member Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result if such Member Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Regulations section 1.704-2(i)(3).

Membership Interest ” means the entire interest of a Member in the Company, including, without limitation, rights to distributions (liquidating or otherwise), allocations, information, and the right to participate in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, including the right to vote on, consent to, or otherwise participate in any decision or action of or by the Members granted by this Agreement or the Act.

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations sections 1.704-2(b)(3) and 1.752-1(a)(2).

Non-Solicit Period ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 7.04.

Offered Interests ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3.04(a).

Original Assets Proceeds ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 5.02(a).

Original Member ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the preamble of the Agreement.

Person ” means an individual, corporation, association, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, or any other legal entity.

Post-Offer Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3.04(d)(iii).

Post-Offering Interests ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3.04(d)(iii).

Preemptive Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3.04(b).

President ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 6.04(b).

Prime Rate ” means the interest rate announced from time to time in The Wall Street Journal , Eastern edition, as the prime rate, and in the event such rate is no longer quoted in The Wall Street Journal , Eastern edition, then in such other nationally circulated financial publication as is selected by the Board.


Profit Percentage ” means, with respect to a Member, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the number of Units held by that Member by (ii) the total number Units held by all Members.

Profits and Losses ” means, for each Accounting Period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such Accounting Period, determined in accordance with Code section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:

1. Income that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss.

2. Any expenditures of the Company described in Code section 705(a)(2)(B), or that are treated as Code section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Regulations section 1.704 1(b)(2)(iv)(i) and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses pursuant to this Section, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss.

3. If the Gross Asset Value of any asset is adjusted pursuant to Section 3.07(b) or 3.07(c), the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Profits and Losses.

4. Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of assets with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value of the assets disposed of (as adjusted under this Agreement), notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Gross Asset Value.

5. In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost-recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Accounting Period as defined hereinafter. For such purposes “ Depreciation ” means, for each Accounting Period, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization, or other cost-recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such Accounting Period, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Accounting Period, Depreciation shall be any amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost-recovery deduction for such Accounting Period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided , however , that if the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost-recovery deduction for such Accounting Period is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the Company.

6. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset pursuant to Code section 734(b) or Code section 743(b) is required pursuant to Regulations section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) from the disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits and Losses.


7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition, any items that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 11.01 shall not be taken into account in computing Profits and Losses. The amounts of the items of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction available to be so specially allocated shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in this definition.

8. The Company’s distributive share of any Profits and Losses (as defined herein) from any partnership (including any limited liability company or other entity treated as a partnership for tax purposes) in which it holds an interest, adjusted to avoid taking into account any items otherwise reflected in the Company’s Profits and Losses, shall be included in the Company’s Profits and Losses.

Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the preamble of the Agreement.

Put Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.07.

Put Right ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.07.

Referral Source ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 7.04.

Regulations ” means the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, as such Regulations may be amended from time to time.

Representative ” of a Person means that Person’s Managers, officers, partners, members, managers, employees, and agents.

Requisite Percentage ” means (a) with respect to Skyrm and Goodman, together, at least twenty percentage (20%) of the Membership Interests or (b) with respect to each of Skyrm and Goodman, individually, at least ten percentage (10%) of the Membership Interests, representing, in each case, the Profit Percentages as of the Effective Date; provided , however , that in the event (i) either Skyrm or Goodman, or both, elect not to purchase any Offered Interests pursuant to Section 3.04(a) in connection with delivery of any Preemptive Notices, (ii) the Company undertakes Exempt Issuances pursuant to Section 3.04(d), or (iii) either Skyrm or Goodman, or both, elect not to purchase any Post-Offering Interests pursuant to Section 3.04(d)(iv) in connection with an Emergency Funding Offering, then, in each case, the Requisite Percentage for Skyrm and Goodman shall be reduced to the Profit Percentages held by Skyrm and Goodman, together and individually, immediately resulting from each occurrence described in subsections (i)-(iii) above, but in no event shall the Requisite Percentage (A) for Skyrm and Goodman, collectively, be less than ten percentage (10%), or (B) for each of Skyrm and Goodman, individually, be less than five percentage (5%).

Restricted Period ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 7.03.


Restrictive Covenants ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 7.08.

Sale Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.10(b).

Skyrm ” means William J. Skyrm.

Tag-along Member ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.10(a).

Tag-along Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.10(c).

Tag-along Period ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.10(c).

Tag-along Sale ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.10(a).

Tax Distribution Amount ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 5.03.

Transfer ” means, as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary transfer, sale, pledge, hypothecation, gift, or other disposition and, as a verb, voluntarily or involuntarily to transfer, sell, pledge, hypothecate, give, or otherwise dispose of.

Transferring Member ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.11.

Units ” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3.0

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

NASDAQ: ASFI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Robert J. Michel, CFO

Asta Funding, Inc.

(201) 567-5648

Asta Funding, Inc. Announces the Acquisition of CBC Settlement Funding, LLC, a Structured Settlement Financing Company

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., January 7, 2014 – Asta Funding, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASFI) (the “Company” or “Asta”), a financial services receivable asset management and liquidation company, today announced the acquisition of an 80% ownership interest in CBC Settlement Funding, LLC (“CBC”), a structured settlement financing company whose primary office is located in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. On December 31, 2013, the Company, through a subsidiary acquired 100% of the ownership of CBC and its affiliate, CBC Management Services, LLC, for approximately $5.9 million. At the closing, the operating principals of CBC, namely William J. Skyrm, Esq. and James Goodman, were issued a 20% interest in CBC (10% to Mr. Skyrm, and 10% to Mr. Goodman). William J. Skyrm, Esq. and James Goodman, have over 30 years combined experience in the structured settlement industry.

CBC purchases periodic payments under a structured settlement and annuity from individuals in exchange for a lump sum payment. In addition, the Company, through another subsidiary has agreed to provide financing to CBC of up to $5 million.

CBC has a portfolio of structured settlements with a present value of more than $30 million, which is financed by approximately $25 million of debt, including a $12.5 million line of credit from an institutional source and notes issued by CBC. The value of the future payments of the portfolio is over $44 million.

As the Company has acquired and managed charged off and non-performing receivables since its inception, and more recently has been financing personal injury claims, acquiring a structured settlement business is a further step in diversifying the Asta portfolio that utilizes the expertise developed over the last fifty years since the inception of its predecessor, Asta Group, Inc.

Gary Stern, Chairman, President and CEO of the Company commented, “We are very excited about our investment in CBC Settlement Funding, LLC and the future prospects of the structured settlement space. Structured settlements are an asset class that has tremendous growth potential for us and is a synergistic business that works well with our overall business model.” Mr. Stern continued, “We welcome Bill Skyrm and James Goodman to the management team and look forward to working with them well into the future to further grow CBC Settlement Funding.”


Mr. Goodman commented, “It is an exciting time in the structured settlement space as the consumer need for liquidity has never been greater due to scarcity of consumer lending from traditional banks.” Mr. Skyrm continued, “The investment by Asta will allow CBC to accelerate our growth plans to increase market share. CBC will further benefit from Asta’s ability to access capital markets efficiently.”

 

 

Based in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Asta Funding, Inc ., is a leading consumer receivable asset management company that specializes in the purchase, management and liquidation of performing and non-performing consumer and other receivables. For additional information, please visit our website at http://www.astafunding.com.

Important Information about Forward-Looking Statements: All statements in this new release other than statements of historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected revenues, projected costs, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” or “believes” or the negative thereof, or any variation thereon, or similar terminology or expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors which could materially affect our results and our future performance include, without limitation, our ability to purchase defaulted consumer receivables at appropriate prices, changes in government regulations that affect our ability to collect sufficient amounts on our defaulted consumer receivables, our ability to employ and retain qualified employees, changes in the credit or capital markets, changes in interest rates, deterioration in economic conditions, negative press regarding the debt collection industry which may have a negative impact on a debtor’s willingness to pay the debt we acquire, and statements of assumption underlying any of the foregoing, as well as other factors set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013 and other filings with the SEC. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing. Except as required by law, we assume no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements.