Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017

 

OR

 

☐ 

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

 

For the transition period from                     to                      

 

Commission file number: 001-35637

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

 

(Exact Name of Registrant Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

22-3388607

(State or Other Jurisdiction of   Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer   Identification No.)

     

210 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood

Cliffs, NJ

 

07632

(Zip Code)

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

  

 

Registrant ' s telephone number, including area code: (201) 567-5648

 

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

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

 

NASDAQ Global Select Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act

   Yes   ☐          No   ☑

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act  

  Yes   ☐         No     ☑

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    

Yes   ☐       No   ☑

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     ☑

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer ☐

 

Accelerated Filer ☐

     

Non-Accelerated Filer ☑ 

 

Smaller reporting company ☑

     

 Emerging growth company ☐

 

 

 

    We qualified as a “Smaller Reporting Company” and would have qualified as a non-accelerated filer as of the due date of this report, and qualify as a “Smaller Reporting Company” and a non-accelerated filer as of the date hereof, in each case, based on the rules and regulations of the SEC then in effect with respect to such terms and/or categorizations .

 

 If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.☐

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of voting and nonvoting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $19,937,378 and $9,641,265 as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

 

As of October 11, 2018 , the registrant had 6,685,415 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

  

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

PART I

Item 1.

Business

3

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

12

Item 2.

Properties

21

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

22

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

22

 

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

23

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

23

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

35

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

35

Item 9A

Controls and Procedures

36

Item 9B.

Other Information

38

 

PART III

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

39

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

41

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

44

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

46

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

46

 

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

48

  

 

 

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

 This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) . All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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. 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 there on 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, the restatement of previously issued financial statements, the identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and our ability to remediate those material weaknesses, our ability to timely file our periodic reports, our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, 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” and “Item 7—Management’s Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” below.

 

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.

 

2

 

Part I

 

Item 1.

Business.  

 

Overview

 

Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Asta”), was formed in August 1995. Asta together with its wholly owned significant operating subsidiaries Palisades Collection, LLC, Palisades Acquisition XVI, LLC (“Palisades XVI”), Palisades Acquisition XIX, LLC (“Palisades XIX”), Palisades Acquisition XXIII, LLC (“Palisades XXIII”), VATIV Recovery Solutions LLC (“VATIV”), ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC (“APH”), Fund Pegasus, LLC (“Fund Pegasus”), GAR Disability Advocates, LLC (“GAR Disability Advocates”), Five Star Veterans Disability, LLC (“Five Star”), Simia Capital, LLC (“Simia”) and other subsidiaries, which are not all wholly owned (the “Company,” “we” or “us”), is engaged in several business segments in the financial services industry including funding of personal injury claims, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Simia, social security and disability advocacy through our wholly owned subsidiaries GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star and the business of purchasing, managing for its own account and servicing distressed consumer receivables, including charged off receivables, and semi-performing receivables. The Company started out in the consumer receivable business in 1995 as a subprime auto lender.

 

For the periods covered by these financial statements, Pegasus Funding, LLC (“Pegasus”), which engaged in the funding of personal injury claims prior to entering liquidation in April 2017, was 80% owned and 50% controlled, and accounted for under the equity method. On January 12, 2018, the Company acquired the remaining 20% minority shareholder's interest in Pegasus, and now currently owns 100% of Pegasus. Commencing in the quarter ending March 31, 2018, the Company will consolidate the financial results of this entity. Pegasus remains in operation to liquidate its current portfolio of advances, but will not fund any new advances.

 

 We operate principally in the United States in three reportable business segments: consumer receivables, GAR disability advocates and personal injury claims. We previously operated a fourth segment when we engaged in the structured settlements business through our wholly owned subsidiary CBC Settlement Funding, LLC (“CBC”), which we sold on December 13, 2017.

 

As a result of the sale of CBC all prior periods presented herein account for CBC as a discontinued operation. This determination resulted in the reclassification of the assets and liabilities comprising the structured settlement business to assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets, and a corresponding adjustment to our consolidated statements of operations to reflect discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations in the Company's notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

  

Financial Information about Operating Segments

 

The Company operates through strategic business units that are aggregated into three reportable segments: consumer receivables, personal injury claims, and GAR Disability Advocates. The three reportable segments consist of the following:

 

 

Consumer receivables -   This segment is engaged in the business of purchasing, managing for its own account and servicing distressed consumer receivables, including judgment receivables, charged off receivables and semi-performing receivables. Judgment receivables are accounts where outside attorneys have secured judgments directly against the consumer. Primary charged-off receivables are accounts that have been written-off by the originators and may have been previously serviced by collection agencies. Semi-performing receivables are accounts where the debtor is currently making partial or irregular monthly payments, but the accounts may have been written-off by the originators. Distressed consumer receivables are the unpaid debts of individuals to banks, finance companies and other credit providers. A large portion of our distressed consumer receivables are MasterCard ® , Visa ® and other credit card accounts which were charged-off by the issuers or providers for non-payment. We acquire these and other consumer receivable portfolios at substantial discounts to their face values. The discounts are based on the characteristics (issuer, account size, debtor location and age of debt) of the underlying accounts of each portfolio. The business conducts its activities primarily under the name Palisades Collection, LLC.

 

 

Personal injury claims  – Pegasus Funding, LLC, purchased interests in personal injury claims from claimants who are a party to personal injury litigation. Pegasus advanced to each claimant funds on a non-recourse basis at an agreed upon interest rate, in anticipation of a future settlement. The interest in each claim purchased by Pegasus consists of the right to receive, from such claimant, part of the proceeds or recoveries which such claimant receives by reason of a settlement, judgment or award with respect to such claimant’s claim. Effective January 2017, Simia commenced funding personal injury settlement claims while Pegasus will not fund any new advances, and will remain in operation to liquidate its current portfolio of advances. Simia's activity for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are included in this segment, along with that of the Company's equity method investment in Pegasus.

  

 

Social Security benefit advocacy – GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star are advocacy groups which represent individuals nationwide in their claims for social security disability and supplemental security income benefits from the Social Security Administration.

 

 

The consumer receivable segment and the GAR Disability Advocates segment each accounted for more than 10% of revenues in fiscal year 2017 and 2016. Pegasus is accounted for under the equity method within the personal injury claims segment. The following table summarizes the net revenues by percentage from the three lines of business for the fiscal years 2017 and 2016:

 

   

Year Ended September 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

Finance income (consumer receivables)

    74.3

%

    82.5

%

Personal injury claims income

    2.0        

GAR Disability Advocates

    23.7       17.5  
                 

Total revenues

    100.0

%

    100.0

%

 

Information about the results of each of the Company’s reportable segments for the last two fiscal years and total assets as of the end of the last two fiscal years, reconciled to the consolidated results, is set forth below. Separate segment MD&A is not provided, as segment revenue corresponds to the revenue presented in the Company's consolidated statement of operations, and material expense items are not allocable to any specific segment.

 

Certain non-allocated administrative costs, interest income, interest expense and various other non-operating income and expenses are reflected in Corporate. Corporate assets include cash and cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities, property and equipment, goodwill, deferred taxes, other assets, and assets related to discontinued operations.

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Consumer
Receivables

   

GAR

Disability
Advocates

   

Personal

Injury

Claims (2)

   

Corporate (3)

   

Total

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

                                       

2017:

                                       

Revenues

  $ 15.9     $ 5.1     $ 0.4     $     $ 21.4  

Other income

                      (0.1 )     (0.1 )

Segment profit (loss)

    12.5       (1.7 )     4.1       (22.2 )     (7.3 )

Segment Assets (1) (4)

 

20.4

      3.9       55.0       122.2       201.5  

2016:

                                       

Revenues

    18.9       4.0                   22.9  

Other income

                      1.7       1.7  

Segment profit (loss)

    14.2       (7.3 )     10.5       (11.7 )     5.7  

Segment Assets (1) (4)

    18.9       2.0       48.6       185.5       255.0  

 

The Company does not have any intersegment revenue transactions.

 

(1)

Includes other amounts in other line items on the consolidated balance sheet.

(2)

The Company records Pegasus as an equity investment in its consolidated financial statements. For segment reporting the Company has included its pro-rated share of the earnings and losses from its investment under the Personal Injury Claims segment, and the carrying value of the investment is included in segment assets. Commencing in fiscal 2017, the consolidated results of Simia are included in this segment.

(3) Corporate is not part of the three reportable segments, as certain expenses and assets are not earmarked to any specific operating segment.

(4)

Included in Corporate are approximately $92.2 million and $91.5 million of assets related to discontinued operations as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations in the Company's notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

  Principal Markets and Methods of Distribution

 

All of the Company’s lines of business are principally conducted in the United States, with approximately $6.2 million of the receivables originating and being serviced overseas.

 

  Consumer receivables

 

Prior to purchasing a portfolio, we perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the underlying receivables and calculate the purchase price which is intended to offer us an adequate return on our investment after servicing expenses. After purchasing a portfolio, we actively monitor performance and review and adjust our collection and servicing strategies accordingly.

 

We purchase receivables from credit grantors and others through privately negotiated direct sales, brokered transactions and auctions in which sellers of receivables seek bids from several pre-qualified debt purchasers. We fund portfolios through internally generated cash flow.

 

Our objective is to maximize our return on investment in acquired consumer receivable portfolios. As a result, before acquiring a portfolio, we analyze the portfolio to determine how to best maximize collections in a cost efficient manner and decide whether to use our internal servicing and collection department, third-party collection agencies, attorneys, or a combination of all three options.

 

When we outsource the servicing of receivables, our management typically determines the appropriate third-party collection agencies and attorneys based on the type of receivables purchased. Once a group of receivables is sent to third-party collection agencies and attorneys, our management actively monitors and reviews the third-party collection agencies’ and attorneys’ performance on an ongoing basis. Based on portfolio performance considerations, our management will either (i) move certain receivables from one third-party collection agency or attorney to another, or (ii) sell portions of the portfolio accounts. Our internal collection unit, which currently employs five collection-related staff, including senior management, assists us in benchmarking our third-party collection agencies and attorneys, and provides us with greater flexibility for servicing a percentage of our consumer receivable portfolios in-house.

 

We have increased our focus on purchasing consumer receivables internationally from foreign banks via direct sales or auctions, similar to the domestic purchase process. We have established relationships with agencies and attorneys in our selected countries, particularly Colombia and Peru, and we are committed to continue acquiring foreign consumer receivables to maximize our return on investment. 

 

Personal injury claims

 

Simia commenced operation in January 2017, and conducts its business solely in the United States. Simia obtains its business from external brokers and internal sales professionals soliciting individuals with personal injury claims. Business is also obtained from the its website and through attorneys. Pegasus has not funded new cases since April 2017, but remains in business to liquidate its existing personal injury claim advance portfolio.

  

GAR Disability Advocates

 

GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star provide its disability advocacy services throughout the United States. It relies upon search engine optimization (“SEO”) to bring awareness to its intended market.

 

Industry Overview

 

Consumer receivables

 

The purchasing, servicing and collection of charged-off, semi-performing and performing consumer receivables is an industry that is driven by:

 

 

increasing levels of consumer debt;

  

increasing defaults of the underlying receivables; and

  

increasing utilization of third-party providers to collect such receivables.

 

 

Personal injury claims

 

The funding of personal injury claims is driven by the growth of the market for financing personal injury claims. Individuals with personal injury claims incur current cash obligations which will not be recouped until insurance settlements are paid, if at all. The demand for providing financing to individuals in need of short term funds pending insurance settlements of their personal injury claims is driven by the long periods of time taken by the insurance industry to settle and pay such claims, primarily due to lengthy litigation and the court process.

  

GAR Disability Advocates  

 

The disability advocate industry is driven by the increasing number of disability applicants who find it difficult to obtain such benefits without the aid of third party assistance.

 

Strategy  

 

Consumer receivables

 

Our primary objective both domestically and internationally is to utilize our management’s experience and expertise by identifying, evaluating, pricing and acquiring consumer receivable portfolios and maximizing collections of such receivables in a cost efficient manner. Our strategies include:

 

 

managing the collection and servicing of our consumer receivable portfolios, including outsourcing those activities to maintain low fixed overhead by partnering with experienced collection and debt buying firms;

 

 

selling accounts on an opportunistic basis, generally when our efforts have been exhausted through traditional collecting methods, or when we can capitalize on pricing during times when we feel the pricing environment is high; and

 

 

capitalizing on our strategic relationships to identify and acquire consumer receivable portfolios as pricing, financing and conditions permit.

 

Personal injury claims

 

Simia attracts new business through its attorneys, brokers and sales contacts. Since April 2017 Pegasus has not funded new cases, but remains in business to collect on its portfolio of personal injury claim advances.

 

 

GAR Disability Advocates  

 

GAR Disability Advocates intends to explore expansion into related businesses. In fiscal year 2017, GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star continue to assist claimants in securing disability benefits from the Social Security and Veteran's administration.

  

Operations

 

Consumer Receivables

 

      The Operations Servicing Division of consumer receivables consists of the Collection Department, which handles disputes and correspondence, and the Accounting and Finance Department.

 

Collection Department

 

The Collection Department is responsible for making contact with and receiving calls from consumers for the purpose of collecting upon the accounts contained in our consumer receivables portfolios. Collection efforts are specific to accounts that are not yet being serviced by our network of external agencies and attorneys. The Collection Department uses a friendly, customer service approach to collect receivables and utilizes collection software, a dialer and telephone system to accomplish this goal. Each collector is responsible for:

 

Initiating outbound collection calls and handling incoming calls from the consumer;

 

Identifying the debt and iterating the benefits of paying the obligation;

 

Working with the customer to develop acceptable means of satisfying the obligation; and

 

Offering (if necessary, and based upon the individual situation) an obligor a discount on the overall obligation.

 

 

Accounting and Finance Department

 

In addition to customary accounting activities, the Accounting and Finance Department is responsible for:

  

Making daily deposits of customer payments;

 

Posting payments to customers accounts; and

 

Providing senior management with daily, weekly and monthly receivable activity and performance reports.

 

Additionally, the Accounting Department reviews the results of the collection of consumer receivable portfolios that are being serviced by third-party collection agencies and attorneys. The Accounting and Finance Department also participates in the internal auditing and consolidation of all business segments.

   

Personal Injury Claims

 

The operations structure of the personal injury claims unit of Simia includes:

 

Sales — the sales group is responsible for business development and generating leads for possible funding of personal injury cases.

 

Underwriting — The underwriting group is responsible for analyzing the merits of the personal injury claims presented for possible funding.

 

Accounting — The accounting group is responsible for the reporting of all the financial operations of the personal injury claims unit.

 

  GAR Disability Advocates  

 

GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star utilize SEO to bring more awareness to prospective clients. In particular, through substantial use of the internet, it intends to increase consumer awareness of its existence on various government websites.

 

Marketing — The Marketing Group is responsible for researching various court records to secure information to follow up for possible structured settlement cases.

 

Sales — The Sales Group is responsible for the sales strategy and advertising campaigns.

 

Accounting — The accounting group is responsible for the reporting of all the financial operations of the structured settlement unit.

 

GAR Disability Advocates consists of the following departments:

 

Intake — The Intake Department is responsible for client development, including screening leads and developing information on individual cases.

 

Case Management — The Case Management Department processes approved cases through the Social Security Disability process. 

 

Marketing

 

Consumer receivables

 

The Company made three portfolio consumer debt purchases in fiscal year 2017. We have expanded relationships with credit providers internationally, as well as maintained our existing relationships domestically with brokers, finance companies and other credit providers. We are working to expand our name recognition internationally by attending international conferences, utilizing email solicitations and attending face-to-face bank meetings.

 

Personal injury claims

 

Simia will not invest in a formal marketing program at this time. It will rely on external brokers, internal sales professionals and attorneys to acquire market share.

 

 

  GAR Disability Advocates

 

GAR Disability Advocates utilizes SEO to bring more awareness to prospective clients. In particular, through substantial use of the internet, it intends to increase consumer awareness of its existence on various government websites.

 

Competition

 

Consumer receivables

 

With the competitive nature of the domestic market, there are strategic advantages of acquiring portfolios internationally in specific foreign countries with less established competition. We feel our expertise in establishing alliances with third-party collection agencies and attorneys can be leveraged in the international sector to be successful against our competitors; however, we cannot assure that the international competition will not increase in the future, affecting our consumer receivables financial performance.

 

We compete with:

 

 

other purchasers of consumer receivables, including third-party collection companies; and

 

 

other financial services companies who purchase consumer receivables.

 

Some of our competitors are larger and more established and may have substantially greater financial, technological, personnel and other resources than we have, including greater access to the credit and capital markets.

      

We compete in the marketplace for consumer receivable portfolios based on many factors, including:

 

 

purchase price;

 

 

representations, warranties and indemnities requested;

 

 

timeliness of purchase decisions; and

 

 

reputation.

 

Our strategy is designed to capitalize on the market’s lack of a dominant industry player. We believe that our management’s experience and expertise in identifying, evaluating, pricing and acquiring consumer receivable portfolios and managing collections, coupled with our strategic alliances with third-party collection agencies and attorneys and our sources of financing, give us a competitive advantage. However, we cannot assure that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors or that competition will not increase in the future. 

 

Personal injury claims

 

The litigation funding business is highly competitive and fragmented, and we expect that competition from new and existing companies will continue. We compete in the litigation funding marketplace based on many factors, including:

 

cost of funds lent;

 

application fee costs;

 

brokers’ commissions and bonuses paid;

 

reputation; and

 

direct and on-line marketing.

 

We believe that Simia's management team has expertise and experience in identifying, evaluating, pricing, managing and acquisition of litigating funding cases. However, we cannot assure that our litigation funding businesses will be able to compete against current or future competitors or that competition will not increase in the future.

   

 

GAR Disability Advocates  

 

The social security benefit advocacy environment is competitive. We believe that the management of GAR Disability Advocates has the knowledge to compete in this environment. Nevertheless, we can offer no assurance that the business will remain competitive against current and future competitors.

 

  Seasonality and Trends

 

Consumer receivables

 

Our management believes that our operations may, to some extent, be affected by high delinquency rates and by lower recoveries on consumer receivables acquired for liquidation during or shortly following certain holiday periods and during the summer months.

 

Personal injury claims

 

There are no discernible trends to indicate seasonality in the personal injury claims business.

 

 

GAR Disability Advocates  

 

There is no indication that seasonality has any noticeable impact on the social security disability process.

    

Technology

 

Consumer receivables

 

We believe that a high degree of automation is necessary to enable us to grow and successfully compete with other finance companies. Accordingly, we continually look to upgrade our technology systems to support the servicing and recovery of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation. Our telecommunications and technology systems allow us to quickly and accurately process large amounts of data necessary to purchase and service consumer receivable portfolios. In addition, we rely on the information technology of our third-party collection agencies and attorneys and periodically review their systems to ensure that they can adequately service the consumer receivable portfolios outsourced to them.

 

Due to our desire to increase productivity through automation, we periodically review our systems for possible upgrades and enhancements. We began the process of enhancing our international systems capabilities during fiscal year 2016, and during fiscal year 2017 we increased our system capabilities enabling us to effectively compete in the international marketplace.

 

Personal injury claims

 

Simia is dependent on its website to maintain and increase its business and, therefore, must remain current in its technology.

  

GAR Disability Advocates  

 

GAR Disability Advocates relies on substantial use of the internet and, therefore, endeavors to remain current technologically. We completed the installation of a new client software system in fiscal year 2016, which has improved management reporting capabilities.

 

Government Regulation

 

Consumer receivables

 

Our businesses are subject to extensive federal and state regulations. The relationship of a consumer and a creditor is extensively regulated by federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances. These laws include, but are not limited to, the following federal statutes and regulations: the Federal Truth-In-Lending Act, the Fair Credit Billing Act (“FCBA”), the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), as well as comparable statutes in states where consumers reside and/or where creditors are located. Among other things, the laws and regulations applicable to various creditors impose disclosure requirements regarding the advertisement, application, establishment and operation of credit card accounts or other types of credit programs. Federal law requires a creditor to disclose to consumers, among other things, the interest rates, fees, grace periods and balance calculation methods associated with their accounts. In addition, consumers are entitled to have payments and credits applied to their accounts promptly, to receive prescribed notices and to request that billing errors be resolved promptly. Moreover, some laws prohibit certain discriminatory practices in connection with the extension of credit. Further, state laws may limit the interest rate and the fees that a creditor may impose on consumers. Failure by creditors to comply with applicable laws could create claims and rights of offset by consumers that would reduce or eliminate their obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Pursuant to agreements under which we purchase receivables, we are typically indemnified against losses resulting from the failure of the creditor to have complied with applicable laws relating to the receivables prior to our purchase of such receivables.

 

 

Certain laws, including the laws described above, may limit our ability to collect amounts owing with respect to the receivables regardless of any act or omission on our part. For example, under the FCBA, a credit card issuer may be subject to certain claims and defenses arising out of certain transactions in which a credit card is used if the consumer has made a good faith attempt to obtain satisfactory resolution of a problem relative to the transaction and, except in cases where there is a specified relationship between the person honoring the card and the credit card issuer, the amount of the initial transaction exceeds $50 and the place where the initial transaction occurred was in the same state as the consumer’s billing address or within 100 miles of that address. Accordingly, as a purchaser of defaulted receivables, we may purchase receivables subject to valid defenses on the part of the consumer. Other laws provide that, in certain instances, consumers cannot be held liable for, or their liability is limited to $50 with respect to, charges to the credit card credit account that were a result of an unauthorized use of the credit card account. No assurances can be given that certain of the receivables were not established as a result of unauthorized use of a credit card account, and, accordingly, the amount of such receivables may not be collectible by us.

 

Several federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances, including, but not limited to, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) and the Federal Trade Commission Act and comparable state statutes, regulate consumer debt collection activity. Although, for a variety of reasons, we may not be specifically subject to the FDCPA or certain state statutes that govern third-party debt collectors, it is our policy to comply with laws in our collection activities. Additionally, our third-party collection agencies and attorneys may be subject to these laws. To the extent that some or all of these laws apply to our collection activities or our third-party collection agencies’ and attorneys’ collection activities, failure to comply with such laws could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

In order to comply with the foregoing laws and regulations, we provide a comprehensive development training program for our new collection/dispute department representatives and on-going training for all collection/dispute department associates. All collection and dispute representatives are tested annually on their knowledge of the FDCPA and other applicable laws. Account representatives not achieving our minimum standards are required to complete a FDCPA review session and are then retested. In addition, annual supplemental instruction in the FDCPA and collection techniques is provided to all our account representatives.

 

There are significant corporate governance and executive compensation-related provisions in the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Provision Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) that required the SEC to adopt additional rules and regulations in areas such as corporate governance, and executive compensation . Our efforts to comply with these requirements have resulted in an increase in expenses and a diversion of management’s time from other business activities. We are subject to changing rules and regulations of federal and state governments, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and the NASDAQ Global Market, all of which have issued a significant number of new and increasingly complex requirements and regulations over the course of the last several years and continue to develop additional regulations and requirements in response to laws enacted by Congress.

 

The Dodd-Frank Act subjects us to substantial additional federal regulation, and we cannot predict the effect of such regulation on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. Through the Dodd-Frank Act, Congress established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), which has regulatory, supervisory and enforcement authority over entities involved in consumer financial markets. The CFPB has the authority to conduct periodic examinations of “larger participants” in each market, and we believe it is likely that we will be subject to an examination.

 

The CFPB published a final rule that allows the agency to federally supervise the larger consumer debt collectors. The CFPB also released the field guide that examiners will use to ensure that companies and banks engaging in debt collection are following the law.

 

The consumer debt collection market covered by the rule includes three main types of debt collectors: first, firms that may buy defaulted debt and collect the proceeds for themselves; second, firms that may collect defaulted debt owned by another company in return for a fee; and third, debt collection attorneys that collect through litigation. A single company may be involved in any or all of these activities.

  

The CFPB’s supervisory authority over these entities began when the rule took effect on January 2, 2013. Under the rule, any firm that has more than $10 million in annual receipts from consumer debt collection activities will be subject to the CFPB’s supervisory authority. This authority will extend to about 175 debt collectors, which, according to the CFPB, account for over 60 percent of the industry’s annual receipts in the consumer debt collection market.

 

 

Pursuant to the CFPB’s supervisory authority, examiners assess potential risks to consumers and whether debt collectors are complying with requirements of federal consumer financial law. Among other things, examiners evaluate whether debt collectors provide required disclosures; use accurate information; maintain a consumer complaint and dispute resolution process; and communicate with consumers in the manner required by law.

 

The CFPB’s general Supervision and Examination Manual, as well as its examination manual specific to the debt collection market, provide guidance on how the bureau conducts its monitoring of debt collection activities. Examiners will evaluate the quality of the regulated entity’s compliance management systems, review practices to ensure they comply with federal consumer financial law, and identify risks to consumers throughout the debt collection process. The CFPB can seek relief that includes: rescission or reformation of contracts, restitution, disgorgement of profits, payment of damages, limits on activities and civil money penalties of up to $1 million per day for knowing violations.

 

As a company that engages in debt collection, we need to understand the oversight that the CFPB brings. Preparing for a CFPB audit will cost time and money. Additionally, the CFPB has the power to bring an enforcement action or cause a required settlement. In addition, the amount of privileged and confidential information the CFPB could release, can lead to private lawsuits, including class and mass actions, as well as other state and federal agency oversight.

 

The CFPB is expressly charged with prohibiting unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices. Through its broad powers to regulate and enforce federal consumer financial laws, the CFPB could place restrictions on our business, the businesses of our customers and the business of our affiliates, if the CFPB were to determine through rulemaking, supervisory or enforcement actions, for example, that particular acts or practices were unfair, deceptive or abusive to consumers.

 

The CFPB thus exercises supervisory authority over us. At this time, it is not possible or practical to attempt to provide a comprehensive analysis of how these laws and regulations may impact debt collectors.

 

Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act empowers state attorneys general (or the equivalent thereof) to bring civil actions in federal district court (or a state court that is located in that state and that has jurisdiction over the defendant), to enforce Title X of the Act or regulations issued by the CFPB thereunder. Therefore, we could also be the subject of investigations and enforcement actions by the Federal Trade Commission or by state agencies (e.g., state attorneys general) with powers to enforce CFPB regulations and the FCRA. Additional laws or amendments to existing laws, may be enacted that could impose additional restrictions on the servicing and collection of receivables. Such new laws or amendments may adversely affect our ability to collect the receivables.

 

The Dodd-Frank Act authorized the CFPB to prescribe rules interpreting the FDCPA. On November 12, 2013, the CFPB signaled its intention to promulgate substantive rules under the FDCPA by publishing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) with regard to debt collection practices. The ANPR requested comments with regard to a wide array of issues relating to debt collection. The comment period closed on February 28, 2014. The CFPB has not yet issued a proposed rule. In its Spring 2018 rulemaking agenda, the CFPB stated that it intends to issue a proposed rule in March 2019.

   

The Company has and will continue to have a substantive compliance program and maintain procedures to ensure that the law is followed and that consumer complaints are dealt with in an appropriate fashion.

 

We currently hold a number of licenses issued under applicable consumer credit laws or other licensing statutes or regulations. Certain of our current licenses, and any licenses that we may be required to obtain in the future, may be subject to periodic renewal provisions and/or other requirements. Our inability to renew licenses or to take any other required action with respect to such licenses could have a material adverse effect upon our results of operation and financial condition.

 

Personal injury claims

 

Numerous states have recently introduced legislation with respect to the litigation funding business, which, up to now, has been largely unregulated.  Recently proposed laws, while varying from state to state, generally would establish requirements for contracts relating to litigation funding, including setting maximum amounts of interest, fees and other charges that may be imposed.

  

GAR Disability Advocates  

 

The availability of funds to pay Social Security disability and Veteran's benefits, are dependent on governmental regulation and budgetary constraints, which could have a material impact on the GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star business.

 

   Employees

 

As of September 30, 2017, we had a total of 86 full-time employees. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements.

 

 

Additional Information

 

Our web address is www.astafunding.com. Copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, amendments thereto, and other Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) reports are available on our website as soon as reasonably practical after filing electronically with the SEC. No part of our website is incorporated by reference into this report.

 

Item 1A.  

Risk Factors.  

 

Note Regarding Risk Factors

 

You should carefully consider the risk factors below as well as risks identified throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC in evaluating us. In addition to the following identified risks, there may also be risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial that may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks occur, or if risks that we do not yet know or that we currently think are minor occur, our business, results of operation or financial condition could be adversely affected, the trading price of our common stock could decline and stockholders might lose all or part of their investment. The risk factors presented below are those which we currently consider material. However, they are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks not presently known to us, or which we currently consider immaterial, may also adversely affect us. There may be risks that a particular investor views differently from us, and our analysis might be wrong. If any of the risks that we face actually occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected and could differ materially from any possible results suggested by any forward-looking statements that we have made or might make. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. Except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

We have restated prior consolidated financial statements, which may lead to additional risks and uncertainties, including loss of investor confidence and negative impacts on our stock price.

 

We have restated our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (including the quarterly periods within those years), as well our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2016, March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017, in order to correct certain accounting errors related to, among other items, our historical decision to consolidate the financial results of Pegasus.

 

As a result of those restatements and the circumstances giving rise to the restatements, we have become subject to a number of additional costs and risks, including accounting and legal fees incurred in connection with the restatement. In addition, the restatement may lead to a loss of investor confidence and have negative impacts on the trading price of our common stock.

 

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that, if not remediated, could result in additional material misstatements in our financial statements.

 

As described in “Part II, Item 9A — Controls and Procedures,” management has identified and evaluated the control deficiencies that gave rise to the accounting errors related to equity method accounting, foreign currency matters, related party transactions and accounting for significant and/or complex transactions, and has concluded that those deficiencies, represent material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As a result of those material weaknesses, management has concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017. See “Part II, Item 9A — Controls and Procedures.”

 

We are in the process of developing and implementing a remediation plan to address the material weaknesses. If our remediation efforts are insufficient or if additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to further restate our financial results, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, restrict our ability to access the capital markets, require us to expend significant resources to correct the material weaknesses, subject us to fines, penalties or judgments, harm our reputation or otherwise cause a decline in investor confidence.

 

Government regulations may limit our ability to recover and enforce the collection of our receivables.

 

Federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances may limit our ability to recover and enforce our rights with respect to the receivables acquired by us. These laws include, but are not limited to, the following federal statutes and regulations promulgated thereunder and comparable statutes in states and foreign jurisdictions such as Colombia and Peru where consumers reside and/or where creditors are located:

 

 

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act;

 

 

 

The Federal Trade Commission Act;

 

 

The Truth-In-Lending Act;

 

 

The Fair Credit Billing Act;

 

 

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act;

 

 

The Fair Credit Reporting Act;

 

 

The Financial Privacy Rule;

 

 

The Safeguards Rule;

 

 

Telephone Consumer Protection Act;

 

 

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”)/Health Information Technology for Economical and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”);

 

 

U.S. Bankruptcy Code; and

 

 

Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009.

 

We may be precluded from collecting receivables we purchase where the creditor or other previous owner or third-party collection agency or attorney failed to comply with applicable law in originating or servicing such acquired receivables. Laws relating to the collection of consumer debt also directly apply to our business. Our failure to comply with any laws applicable to us, including state licensing laws, could limit our ability to recover on receivables and could subject us to fines and penalties, which could reduce our earnings and result in a default under our loan arrangements. In addition, our third-party collection agencies and attorneys may be subject to these and other laws and their failure to comply with such laws could also materially adversely affect our finance income and earnings.

 

Additional laws or amendments to existing laws may be enacted that could impose additional restrictions on the servicing and collection of receivables. Such new laws or amendments may adversely affect the ability to collect on our receivables, which could also adversely affect our finance income and earnings.

 

Because our receivables are generally originated and serviced pursuant to a variety of federal, state and/or local laws by a variety of entities and may involve consumers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and South America, there can be no assurance that all originating and servicing entities have, at all times, been in substantial compliance with applicable law. Additionally, there can be no assurance that we or our third-party collection agencies and attorneys have been or will continue to be at all times in substantial compliance with applicable law. Failure to comply with applicable law could materially adversely affect our ability to collect our receivables and could subject us to increased costs, fines and penalties.

 

We are subject to changing rules and regulations of federal and state government as well as the stock exchange on which our common stock is listed. These entities, including PCAOB, the SEC and the NASDAQ Global Market, have issued a significant number of new and increasingly complex requirements and regulations over the course of the last several years and continue to develop additional regulations and requirements in response to laws enacted by Congress.

 

   Changes in governmental laws and regulations could increase our costs and liabilities or impact our operations.

 

Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act (also referred to as the Consumer Financial Protection Act) created a new independent regulator, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"). The CFPB has rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement and other authorities relating to consumer financial products and services, including debt collection, provided by covered persons. We are subject to the CFPB's supervisory and enforcement authority.

 

The relationship between consumers, lenders and credit card issuers is extensively regulated by consumer protection and related laws and regulations. Changes in laws and regulations or the manner in which they are interpreted or applied may alter our business environment. This could affect our results of operations or increase our liabilities. These negative impacts could result from changes in collection laws, laws related to credit reporting, statutes of limitation, laws related to consumer bankruptcy or insolvency, privacy protection, accounting standards, taxation requirements, employment laws and communications laws, among others.

 

 

The CFPB also accepts debt collection consumer complaints and has provided form letters for consumers to use in their correspondences with debt collectors. The CFPB makes publicly available its data on consumer complaints, and consumer complaints against us could result in reputational damage to us. The Dodd-Frank Act also mandates the submission of multiple studies and reports to Congress by the CFPB, and CFPB staff is regularly making speeches on topics related to credit and debt. All of these activities could trigger additional legislative or regulatory action.

 

The CFPB has rulemaking authority with respect to significant federal statutes that impact the debt collection industry, including the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"), the Fair Credit Reporting Act "FCRA", and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC Act"), which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices. As a result, the CFPB has the authority to adopt regulations that interpret the FDCPA, and the FTC Act, potentially describing specified acts and practices as being "unfair," "deceptive" or "abusive," impacting the manner in which we conduct our debt collection business.

 

The CFPB has the authority to conduct hearings and adjudication proceedings, impose monetary penalties for violations of applicable federal consumer financial laws (including Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act, FDCPA, and FCRA, among other consumer protection statutes) which may require remediation of practices and include enforcement actions. The CFPB also has the authority to obtain cease and desist orders (which can include orders for restitution or rescission of contracts, as well as other kinds of affirmative relief), costs, and monetary penalties. In addition, where a company has violated Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act or CFPB regulations implemented thereunder, the Dodd-Frank Act empowers state Attorneys General and other state regulators to bring civil actions to remedy violations under state law. The CFPB has been active in its supervision, examination and enforcement of financial services companies, most notably bringing enforcement actions imposing fines and mandating large refunds to customers of several financial institutions for practices relating to the extension and collection of consumer credit. If the CFPB, the FTC, acting under the FTC Act or other applicable statute such as the FDCPA, or one or more state Attorneys General or other state regulators make findings that we have violated any of the applicable laws or regulations, they could exercise their enforcement powers in ways that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.

 

We may become subject to additional costs or liabilities in the future resulting from our own, or our vendors' supervision or examination by the CFPB, or by changes in, or additions to laws and regulations that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Further, we cannot definitively predict the scope and substance of any such laws or regulations ultimately adopted by the CFPB related to our activities and the exact efforts required by us to comply therewith, nor can we have any way to know with certainty the ultimate impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition that such regulations may have.

 

Investigations or enforcement actions by governmental authorities may result in changes to our business practices; negatively impact our receivables portfolio purchasing volume; make collection of receivables more difficult or expose us to the risk of fines, penalties, restitution payments and litigation .

 

Our business practices are subject to review from time to time by various governmental authorities and regulators, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"), who may commence investigations or enforcement actions or reviews targeted at businesses in the financial services industry. These reviews may involve governmental authority consideration of individual consumer complaints, or could involve a broader review of our debt collection policies and practices. Such investigations could lead to assertions by governmental authorities that we are not complying with applicable laws or regulations. In such circumstances, authorities may request or seek to impose a range of remedies that could involve potential compensatory or punitive damage claims, fines, restitution payments, sanctions or injunctive relief, that if agreed to or granted, could require us to make payments or incur other expenditures that could have an adverse effect on our financial position. Government authorities could also request or seek to require us to cease certain of our practices or institute new practices.

   

We may also elect to change practices that we believe are compliant with applicable law and regulations in order to respond to the concerns of governmental authorities. In addition, we may become required to make changes to our internal policies and procedures in order to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act or other applicable laws. Such changes in practices or procedures could negatively impact our results of operations. Negative publicity relating to investigations or proceedings brought by governmental authorities could have an adverse impact on our reputation, could harm our ability to conduct business with industry participants, and could result in financial institutions reducing or eliminating sales of receivables portfolios to us which would harm our business and negatively impact our financial results. Moreover, changing or modifying our internal policies or procedures, responding to governmental inquiries and investigations and defending lawsuits or other proceedings could require significant efforts on the part of management and result in increased costs to our business. In addition, such efforts could divert management's full attention from our business operations. All of these factors could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

  

 

We are exposed to interest rate volatility risk as interest rates can fluctuate in the period between when we purchase structured settlements payment streams and when we securitize such payment streams.

 

We purchase structured settlements at a discount rate based on, among other factors, our then estimates of the future interest rate environment. Once a critical mass of payment streams is achieved, those payment streams are then securitized, generally through fixed rate private placements. The discount rate at which our securitization is sold to investors is based on the current interest rates as of the time of the securitization. Interest rates may fluctuate significantly during the period between the purchase and securitization of payment streams, which can increase or decrease the spread between the discount rate at which we purchase the payment streams and the discount rate at which we securitize such payment streams, which could increase or decrease our revenues. Volatile interest rate environments can lead to volatility in our results of operations.

 

We may not be able to purchase consumer receivable portfolios domestically and internationally at favorable prices or on sufficiently favorable terms if at all.

 

Our success in the consumer receivables business segment depends upon the continued availability of consumer receivable portfolios that meet our purchasing criteria and our ability to identify and finance the purchases of such portfolios. The availability of consumer receivable portfolios at favorable prices and on terms acceptable to us, if at all, depends on a number of factors outside of our control, including:

 

 

the growth in consumer debt;

 

 

the volume of consumer receivable portfolios available for sale;

   

 

availability of financing to fund purchases;

 

 

competitive factors affecting potential purchasers and sellers of consumer receivable portfolios; 

 

 

possible future changes in the bankruptcy laws, state laws and homestead acts which could make it more difficult for us to collect, and

 

 

The foreign exchange rate changes of the countries in which we do business

 

There is no assurance that we will realize the full value of the deferred tax asset.

 

As of September 30, 2017, we had a net deferred tax asset of $12.7 million. Our ability to use our deferred tax asset is dependent on our ability to generate future earnings within the operating loss carry-forward periods, which are generally 20 years. Some or all of our deferred tax asset could expire unused if we are unable to generate taxable income in the future sufficient to utilize the deferred tax asset, or we enter into transactions that limit our right to use it. If a material portion of our deferred tax asset expires unused, it could have a material adverse effect on our future business, results of operations, financial condition and the value of our common stock. Our ability to realize the deferred tax asset is periodically reviewed and any necessary valuation allowance is adjusted accordingly.

 

Additionally, on December 22, 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. Among other provisions, the Act reduces the Federal statutory corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. This rate reduction is expected to have a significant impact on our provisions for income taxes for periods beginning after September 30, 2017, including a one-time impact resulting from the revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the new lower rate. Based on our initial assessment of the Act, we expect that it will result in a charge to income taxes of approximately $3.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

 

We may not be able to collect sufficient amounts on our consumer receivable portfolios to recover the costs associated with the purchase of those portfolios and to fund our operations.

 

We acquire and collect on consumer receivable portfolios that contain charged-off receivables. In order to operate profitably over the long term, we must continually purchase and collect on a sufficient volume of receivables to generate revenue that exceeds our purchase costs. For accounts that are charged-off or semi-performing, the originators or interim owners of the receivables generally have:

 

 

made numerous attempts to collect on these obligations, often using both their in-house collection staff and third-party collection agencies; and

 

 

 

subsequently deemed these obligations as uncollectible.

 

These receivable portfolios are purchased at significant discounts to the amount the consumers owe. These receivables are difficult to collect and actual recoveries may be less than the amount expected. In addition, our collections may worsen in a weak economic cycle. We may not recover amounts in excess of our acquisition and servicing costs.

 

Our ability to recover the purchase costs on our portfolios and produce sufficient returns can be negatively impacted by the quality of the purchased receivables. In the normal course of our portfolio acquisitions, some receivables may be included in the portfolios that fail to conform to certain terms of the purchase agreements and we may seek to return these receivables to the seller for payment or replacement receivables. However, we cannot guarantee that any of such sellers will be able to meet their payment obligations to us. Accounts that we are unable to return to sellers may yield no return. If cash flows from operations are less than anticipated as a result of our inability to collect sufficient amounts on our receivables, our ability to satisfy our debt obligations, purchase new portfolios, and achieve future growth and profitability may be materially adversely affected.

 

We may be subject to competition for the purchase of international consumer receivable portfolios which may result in an increase in prices of such portfolios.

 

We compete with other purchasers of consumer receivable portfolios, with third-party collection agencies and with financial services companies that manage their own consumer receivable portfolios. We compete on the basis of price, reputation, industry experience and performance. Some of our competitors have greater capital, personnel and other resources than we have. The possible entry of new competitors, including competitors that historically have focused on the acquisition of different asset types, and the expected increase in competition from current market participants may reduce our access to consumer receivable portfolios. Aggressive pricing by our competitors has raised the price of consumer receivable portfolios above levels that we are willing to pay, which could reduce the number of consumer receivable portfolios suitable for us to purchase or if purchased by us, reduce the profits, if any, generated by such portfolios. If we are unable to purchase receivable portfolios at favorable prices or at all, our finance income and earnings could be materially reduced.

  

We depend upon third parties to service a significant portion of our domestic and international consumer receivable portfolios. The loss of certain servicers could have an adverse effect on our financial position and results of operation.

 

As of September 30, 2017, 35% of our portfolio face value, which represents approximately 90% of our portfolio face value at all third party collection agencies and attorneys, was serviced by five organizations domestically. We are dependent upon the efforts of these collection agencies and attorneys to service and collect our consumer receivables. Any failure by our third-party collection agencies and attorneys to adequately perform collection services for us or remit such collections to us could materially reduce our finance income and our profitability. In addition, our finance income and profitability could be materially adversely affected if we are not able to secure replacement third party collection agencies and attorneys and redirect payments from the customers to our new third party collection agencies and attorneys promptly in the event our agreements with our third-party collection agencies and attorneys are terminated, our third-party collection agencies and attorneys fail to adequately perform their obligations or if our relationships with such third-party collection agencies and attorneys adversely change.

 

We may rely on third parties to locate, identify and evaluate consumer receivable portfolios available for purchase.

 

We may rely on third parties, including brokers and third-party collection agencies and attorneys, to identify consumer receivable portfolios and, in some instances, to assist us in our evaluation and purchase of these portfolios. As a result, if such third parties fail to identify receivable portfolios or if our relationships with such third parties are not maintained, our ability to identify and purchase additional receivable portfolios could be materially adversely affected. In addition, if we, or such parties, fail to correctly or adequately evaluate the value or collectability of these consumer receivable portfolios, we may pay too much for such portfolios and suffer an impairment, which would negatively impact our earnings.

 

We rely on our third party collectors to comply with all rules and regulations and maintain proper internal controls over their accounting and operations.

 

Because the receivables were originated and serviced pursuant to a variety of federal and/or state laws by a variety of entities and involved consumers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Columbia and Peru, there can be no assurance that all original servicing entities have, at all times, been in substantial compliance with applicable law. Additionally, there can be no assurance that we or our third-party collection agencies and attorneys have been or will continue to be at all times in substantial compliance with applicable law. The failure to comply with applicable law and not maintain proper controls in accounting and operations could materially adversely affect our ability to collect our receivables and could subject us to increased costs, fines and penalties.

 

 

Our collections may decrease if bankruptcy filings increase.

 

During times of economic uncertainty, the amount of defaulted consumer receivables generally increases, which contributes to an increase in the amount of personal bankruptcy filings. Under certain bankruptcy filings, a debtor’s assets are sold to repay credit originators, but since the defaulted consumer receivables we purchase are generally unsecured, we may not be able to collect on those receivables. Our collections may decline with an increase in bankruptcy filings. If our actual collection experience with respect to a defaulted consumer receivable portfolio is significantly lower than we projected when we purchased the portfolio, our earnings could be negatively affected.

 

We are subject to various risks in connection with our litigation funding business.

 

Risks of the litigation funding business include the potential regulation or limitation of interest rates and other fees advanced by our litigation funding subsidiaries under federal and/or state regulation, a change in statutory or case law which limits or restricts the ability of our litigation funding subsidiaries to charge or collect fees and interest at anticipated levels, claimants being unsuccessful in whole or in part in the personal injury claims or divorce settlement upon which our funds are provided, the continued services of the senior management of our litigation funding subsidiaries to source and analyze cases in accordance with the subsidiaries’ respective underwriting guidelines.

 

  The loss of any of our executive officers may adversely affect our operations and our ability to successfully acquire receivable portfolios.

 

Our executive officers are responsible for making substantially all management decisions, including determining which portfolios to purchase, the purchase price and other material terms of such portfolio acquisitions. These decisions are instrumental to the success of our business. Significant losses of the services of our executive officers or the inability to replace our officers with individuals who have experience in the industry or with the Company could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our ability to successfully acquire receivable portfolios.

   

The Stern family effectively controls the Company, substantially reducing the influence of our other stockholders.

 

Members of the Stern family own directly or indirectly, approximately 59% of our outstanding shares of common stock as of September 30, 2017. Through January 2019, the Stern family, in conjunction with a voting agreement signed with an activist shareholder in January 2017; is limited to voting up to 49% of the outstanding shares. As a result, the Stern family is able to significantly influence the actions that require stockholder approval, including:

 

 

the election of our directors; and

 

 

the approval of mergers, sales of assets or other corporate transactions or matters submitted for stockholder approval.

 

As a result, our other stockholders may have reduced influence over matters submitted for stockholder approval. In addition, the Stern family’s influence could discourage any unsolicited acquisition of the Company and, consequently, materially adversely affect the price of our common stock.

 

Negative press regarding the debt collection industry may have a negative impact on a customer’s willingness to pay the debt we acquire.

 

Consumers are exposed to information from a number of sources that may cause them to be more reluctant to pay their debts or to pursue legal actions against us. Online, print and other media publish stories about the debt collection industry which cite specific examples of abusive collection practices. These stories can lead to the rapid dissemination of the story, adding to the level of exposure to negative publicity about our industry. Various internet sites are maintained where consumers can list their concerns about the activities of debt collectors and seek guidance from other website posters on how to handle the situation. Advertisements by debt relief attorneys and credit counseling centers are becoming more common, adding to the negative attention given to our industry. As a result of this negative publicity, customers may be more reluctant to pay their debts or could pursue legal action against us regardless of whether those actions are warranted. These actions could impact our ability to collect on the receivables we acquire and affect our revenues and profitability.

 

Class action suits and other litigation could divert our management’s attention from operating our business and increase our expenses.

 

Originators, debt purchasers and third-party collection agencies and attorneys in the consumer credit industry are frequently subject to putative class action lawsuits and other litigation. Claims include failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations and improper or deceptive origination and servicing practices. Being a defendant in such class action lawsuits or other litigation could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. As of September 30, 2017, we had set up a reserve for settlement costs of $2.3 million to cover a class action lawsuit.  

 

 

Economic slowdowns increase our credit losses.  

 

During periods of economic slowdown or recession, we experience an increase in rates of delinquencies and frequency and severity of credit losses. Our actual rates of delinquencies and frequency and severity of credit losses may be comparatively higher during periods of economic slowdown or recession than those experienced by more traditional providers of consumer credit because of our focus on the financially underserved consumer market, which may be disproportionately impacted.

 

Because a significant portion of our reported income is based on management’s estimates of the future performance of our asset portfolios and fees receivable, differences between actual and expected performance of the receivables may cause fluctuations in net income.

 

Significant portions of our reported income (or losses) are based on management’s estimates of cash flows we expect to receive on our asset portfolios and fees receivable, particularly for such assets that we report based on fair value. The expected cash flows are based on management’s estimates of interest rates, default rates, payment rates, cardholder purchases, servicing costs, and discount rates. These estimates are based on a variety of factors, many of which are not within our control. Substantial differences between actual and expected performance of the receivables will occur and cause fluctuations in our net income. For instance, higher than expected rates of delinquencies and losses could cause our net income to be lower than expected. Similarly, levels of loss and delinquency can result in our being required to repay our lenders earlier than expected, thereby reducing funds available to us for future growth.

 

We may determine to incur near-term losses based on longer-term strategic considerations.

 

We may consider long-term strategic considerations more important than near-term economic gains when assessing business arrangements and opportunities. For example, we expect the structure and pricing terms in near-term future securitization transactions, if any, to be substantially different from our past transactions, including lower revenues and lower advance rates. We may nevertheless determine to participate in, or structure, future financing transactions based on longer-term strategic considerations. As a result, net cash flows over the life of a future securitization trust, particularly any trust that we may facilitate in the near-term as we re-enter the securitization market, could be negative as a result of transaction size, transaction expenses or financing costs.

 

We may experience losses on portfolios consisting of new types of receivables or receivables in new geographies due to our lack of collection experience with these receivables, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

We continually look for opportunities to expand the classes of assets that make up the portfolios we acquire. Therefore, we may acquire portfolios consisting of assets with which we have little or no collection experience or portfolios of receivables in new geographies where we do not historically maintain an operational footprint. Our lack of experience with these assets may hinder our ability to generate expected levels of profits from these portfolios. Further, our existing methods of collections may prove ineffective for these new receivables, and we may not be able to collect on these portfolios. Our inexperience with these receivables may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

  

We may not be able to manage our growth effectively, including the expansion of our foreign operations.

 

Continued growth will place additional demands on our resources, and we cannot be sure that we will be able to manage our growth effectively. For example, continued growth could place strains on our management, operations, and financial resources that our infrastructure, facilities, and personnel may not be able to adequately support. In addition, the recent expansion of our foreign operations subjects us to a number of additional risks and uncertainties, including:

 

 

compliance with and changes in international laws, including regulatory and compliance requirements that could affect our business;            

 

 

increased exposure to U.S. laws that apply abroad, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;

 

 

social, political and economic instability or recessions;

 

 

fluctuations in foreign economies and currency exchange rates;

 

 

 

difficulty in hiring, staffing and managing qualified and proficient local employees and advisors to run international operations;

 

 

the difficulty of managing and operating an international enterprise, including difficulties in maintaining effective communications with employees due to distance, language, and cultural barriers;

 

 

difficulties implementing and maintaining effective internal controls and risk management and compliance initiatives;

 

 

potential disagreements with our joint venture business partners;

 

 

differing labor regulations and business practices; and

 

 

foreign tax consequences.

 

To support our growth and improve our international operations, we continue to make investments in infrastructure, facilities, and personnel in our operations; however, these additional investments may not be successful or our investments may not produce profitable results. If we cannot manage our growth effectively, our business, financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected.  

 

  We may seek to make acquisitions that prove unsuccessful or strain or divert our resources.  

 

We may seek to grow through acquisitions of related businesses in the financial services sector. Such acquisitions present risks that could materially adversely affect our business and financial performance, including:

 

 

the diversion of our management’s attention from our everyday business activities;

 

 

the assimilation of the operations and personnel of the acquired business;

 

 

the contingent and latent risks associated with the past operations of, and other unanticipated problems arising in, the acquired business; and

 

 

the need to expand management, administration and operational systems.

 

If we make such acquisitions, we cannot predict whether:

 

 

we will be able to successfully integrate the operations of any new businesses into our business;

 

 

we will realize any anticipated benefits of completed acquisitions; or

 

 

there will be substantial unanticipated costs associated with acquisitions.

  

In addition, future acquisitions by us may result in:

 

 

potentially dilutive issuances of our equity securities;

 

 

the incurrence of additional debt; and

 

 

the recognition of significant charges for depreciation and impairment charges related to goodwill and other intangible assets.

 

 

If our technology infrastructure is not operational, our operations could be disrupted and our ability to successfully operate the business could be compromised.

 

Our success depends, in part, on sophisticated telecommunications and computer systems. The temporary loss of our computer or telecommunications systems, through casualty, operating malfunction or service provider failure, could disrupt our operations. In addition, we must record and process significant amounts of data quickly and accurately to properly bid on prospective acquisitions of receivable portfolios and to access, maintain and expand the databases we use for our collection and monitoring activities. Any failure of our information systems and their backup systems could interrupt our operations. We may not have adequate backup arrangements for all of our operations and we may incur significant losses if an outage occurs. In addition, we rely on third-party collection agencies and attorneys who also may be adversely affected in the event of an outage in which the third-party collection agencies and attorneys do not have adequate backup arrangements. Any interruption in our operations or our third-party collection agencies’ and attorneys’ operations could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. We have implemented a disaster recovery program to mitigate this risk.

 

A cyber security incident could have a negative effect on our business as we outsource a significant amount of the collection accounts with personal information electronically.

 

A security breach could have a detrimental effect on our business as we maintain a significant amount of personal information in our electronic files. A breach of our system or a leak of the personal information we maintain could leave us vulnerable to, among other things, loss of information and potential litigation each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Our organizational documents and Delaware law may make it harder for us to be acquired without the consent and cooperation of our board of directors and management.

 

Several provisions of our organizational documents and Delaware law may deter or prevent a takeover attempt, including a takeover attempt in which the potential purchaser offers to pay a per share price greater than the current market price of our common stock. Under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. The ability to issue shares of preferred stock could tend to discourage takeover or acquisition proposals not supported by our current board of directors. In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which restricts business combinations with some stockholders once the stockholder acquires 15% or more of our common stock.

  

Future sales of our common stock by our affiliates or other stockholders may depress our stock price.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could cause a decrease in the market price of our common stock. We had 6,685,415 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of October 11, 2018. Of these shares, 3,998,727 are owned by affiliates of the company, which are defined as in Rule 405 under the Act as a “person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with”, an issuer. In addition, options to purchase 555,100 shares of our common stock were outstanding as of September 30, 2017, of which 555,100 were exercisable. We may also issue additional shares in connection with our business and may grant additional stock options or restricted shares to our employees, officers, directors and consultants under our present or future equity compensation plans or we may issue warrants to third parties outside of such plans. As of September 30, 2017, there were 1,293,343 shares available for such purpose with such shares available under the 2012 Stock Option and Performance Award Plan. If a significant portion of these shares were sold in the public market, the market value of our common stock could be adversely affected.

 

We have the ability to issue preferred shares, warrants, convertible debt and other securities without stockholder approval which could dilute the relative ownership interest of current stockholders and adversely affect our share price.

 

Future sales of our equity-related securities in the public market, could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock and our ability to raise funds in new stock offerings. Our common shares may be subordinate to classes of preferred shares issued in the future in the payment of dividends and other distributions made with respect to common shares, including distributions upon liquidation or dissolution. Our certificate of incorporation permits our board of directors to issue preferred shares without first obtaining stockholder approval. If we issued preferred shares, these additional securities may have dividend or liquidation preferences senior to our common shares. If we issue convertible preferred shares, a subsequent conversion may dilute the current common stockholders’ interest. We have similar abilities to issue convertible debt, warrants and other equity securities.

 

Climate change and related regulatory responses may adversely impact our business.

 

Climate change as a result of emissions of greenhouse gases is a significant topic of discussion and may generate federal and other regulatory responses in the near future, including the imposition of a so-called “cap and trade” system. It is impracticable to predict with any certainty the impact on our business of climate change or the regulatory responses to it, although we recognize that they could be significant. The most direct impact is likely to be an increase in energy costs, which would increase slightly our operating costs, primarily through increased utility and transportations costs. In addition, increased energy costs could impact consumers and their ability to incur and repay indebtedness. However, it is too soon for us to predict with any certainty the ultimate impact, either directionally or quantitatively, of climate change and related regulatory responses.

  

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate and cause our stock price to decline.

 

Because of the nature of our business, our quarterly operating results may fluctuate, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Our results may fluctuate as a result of any of the following:

 

 

the timing and amount of collections on our consumer receivable portfolios;

 

 

 

our inability to identify and acquire additional consumer receivable portfolios;

 

 

a decline in the estimated future value of our consumer receivable portfolio recoveries;

 

 

increases in operating expenses associated with the growth of our operations;

 

 

general and economic market conditions; and within various jurisdictions; and

 

 

prices we are willing to pay for consumer receivable portfolios.

 

  Our financial performance is subject to risks associated with changes in the value of the U.S. dollar versus local currencies.

 

Our primary exposure to movements in foreign currency exchange rates relates to non- U.S. dollar denominated sales and operating expenses worldwide. The Company does not use derivative instruments, such as foreign currency forward and option contracts, to hedge certain exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Our business could be negatively affected as a result of actions of activist shareholders, and such activism could impact the trading value of our securities.

 

Responding to activist shareholders can be costly and time-consuming, disrupting our operations and diverting the attention of management and our employees. Such activities could interfere with our ability to execute our strategic plan. In addition, a proxy contest for the election of directors at our annual meeting would require us to incur significant legal fees and proxy solicitation expenses and require significant time and attention by management and our board of directors. The perceived uncertainties as to our future direction also could affect the market price and volatility of our securities.

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” and, as such, are allowed to provide less disclosure than larger public companies.

 

We are currently a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. As a “smaller reporting company,” we have certain decreased disclosure obligations in our SEC filings, which may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects and may result in less investor confidence.

 

Continued delays in the filing of our periodic reports with the SEC could result in the delisting of our common stock, which would materially and adversely affect our stock price, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

As a result of the restatement of certain of our previously issued financial statements, we were unable to file this report with the SEC on a timely basis. We also have yet to file our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended December 31, 2017, March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018, which were due in February, May and August of 2018, respectively. As a result, we remain non-compliant with NASDAQ listing rules requiring the timely filing of periodic reports, which may result in the delisting of our common stock should we fail to file such reports by November 30, 2018 (the deadline set forth in the extension granted to us by the Nasdaq hearings panel). In addition, the fact that we were not able to file the financial statements contained in this report on a timely basis has also caused us to delay our annual meeting of stockholders, which could serve as an additional basis for delisting our common stock. Delisting would likely have a significant material adverse effect on us by, among other things, reducing:

 

 

The liquidity of our common stock;

 

The market price of our common stock;

 

The number of institutional and other investors that will consider investing in our common stock;

 

The number of market makers in our common stock;

 

The availability of information concerning the trading prices and volume of our common stock;

 

The number of broker-dealers willing to execute trades in shares of our common stock;

 

Our ability to access the public markets to raise debt or equity capital;

 

Our ability to use our equity as consideration in any merger transaction; and

 

The effectiveness of equity-based compensation plans for our employees used to attract and retain individuals important to our operations.

 

 

Item 2.  

Properties  

 

Our executive and administrative offices are located in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, where we lease approximately 13,400 square feet of general office space. The lease was renewed September 1, 2015 and expires on August 31, 2020. 

 

 

Our office in Houston, Texas occupies approximately 900 square feet of general office space. The lease expires on August 31, 2019.

 

We believe that our existing facilities are adequate for our current needs.

 

Item 3.  

Legal Proceedings.  

 

In the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in numerous legal proceedings. We regularly initiate collection lawsuits, using third party law firms, against consumers. Also, consumers occasionally initiate litigation against us, in which they allege that we have violated a federal or state law in the process of collecting on their account. We do not believe that these ordinary course matters are material to our business and financial condition. As of the date of this report, we were not involved in any material litigation in which we were a defendant.

 

Originators, debt purchasers and third-party collection agencies and attorneys in the consumer credit industry are frequently subject to putative class action lawsuits and other litigation. Claims include failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations and improper or deceptive origination and servicing practices. Being a defendant in such class action lawsuits or other litigation could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Currently the Company has set up a reserve for settlement costs of $2.3 million to cover a class action lawsuit.

 

Legal proceedings are subject to substantial uncertainties concerning the outcome of material factual and legal issues relating to the litigation. Accordingly, we cannot currently predict the manner and timing of the resolution of some of these matters and may be unable to estimate a range of possible losses or any minimum loss from such matters.

 

Item 4.  

Mine Safety Disclosures.  

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

PART II

 

Item 5.  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.   

 

Market for Our Common Stock  

 

Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ASFI.” High and low sales prices of our common stock since October 1, 2015 as reported by NASDAQ are set forth below (such quotations reflect inter-dealer prices without retail markup, markdown, or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions):

  

   

High

   

Low

 

Fiscal Year 2016

               

October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015

  $ 8.85     $ 7.51  

January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016

    9.25       6.82  

April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016

    10.98       9.42  

July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016

    11.97       9.35  

Fiscal Year 2017

               

October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016

  $ 10.47     $ 8.65  

January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017

    10.35       7.75  

April 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017

    9.05       6.15  

July 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017

    8.40       6.80  

  

Dividends  

 

Future dividend payments will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements and any other factors our board of directors deems relevant. In addition, our agreements with our lender may, from time to time, restrict our ability to pay dividends. Currently there are no restrictions in place. We did not declare any dividends during fiscal years 2017 and 2016. However, on February 5, 2018, we declared a special cash dividend in the amount of $5.30 per share with respect to our common stock, which was paid on February 28, 2018 to holders of record at the close of business on February 16, 2018. The aggregate payment to shareholders was approximately $35 million.

 

Holders of Our Common Stock

 

On September 28, 2018, there were 18 holders of record of our common stock.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2017.

 

 

Item 7.  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.  

 

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” contained in this report and elsewhere herein. The following should be read in conjunction with our annual financial statements contained elsewhere in this report.

 

Overview  

 

We are engaged in the businesses of acquiring, managing, servicing and recovering on portfolios of consumer receivables, funding of personal injury claims through Simia and assisting claimants in the process of disability and social security claims through GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star Veterans Disability LLC.

 

For the periods covered by these financial statements, Pegasus, which engaged in the funding of personal injury claims prior to entering liquidation in April 2017, was 80% owned and 50% controlled, and accounted for under the equity method. On January 12, 2018, we acquired the remaining 20% minority shareholder’s interest in Pegasus, and now currently own 100% of Pegasus. Commencing in the quarter ending March 31, 2018, we will consolidate the financial results of this entity. Pegasus remains in operation to liquidate its current portfolio of advances, but will not fund any new advances.

 

 

Consumer Receivables

 

The consumer receivable portfolios generally consist of one or more of the following types of consumer receivables:

 

 

charged-off receivables — accounts that have been written-off by the originators and may have been previously serviced by collection agencies; and

 

 

semi-performing receivables — accounts where the debtor is making partial or irregular monthly payments, but the accounts may have been written-off by the originators.

 

We acquire these consumer receivable portfolios at a significant discount to the amount actually owed by the borrowers. We acquire these portfolios after a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the underlying receivables and calculate the purchase price so that our estimated cash flow offers us an adequate return on our investment after servicing expenses. After purchasing a portfolio, we actively monitor its performance and review and adjust our collection and servicing strategies accordingly.

 

We purchase receivables from credit grantors and others through privately negotiated direct sales, brokered transactions and auctions in which sellers of receivables seek bids from several pre-qualified debt purchasers. We pursue new acquisitions of consumer receivable portfolios on an ongoing basis through:

 

 

our relationships with industry participants, financial institutions, collection agencies, investors and our financing sources;

 

 

brokers who specialize in the sale of consumer receivable portfolios; and

 

 

other sources.

 

Personal Injury Claims

 

In 2011, the Company purchased an 80% interest in Pegasus. Pegasus Legal Funding LLC (“PLF”), an unrelated third party, held the other 20% interest until we purchased the interest in January 2018. For the periods covered by this report, the Company and PLF each maintained 50% voting rights in this entity. For the periods covered by this report, we accounted for our investment in Pegasus under the equity method of accounting.

 

The Pegasus business model entails the outlay of non-recourse advances to a plaintiff with an agreed-upon fee structure to be repaid from the plaintiff’s recovery. Typically, such advances to a plaintiff approximate 10-20% of the anticipated recovery. These funds are generally used by the plaintiff for a variety of urgent necessities, ranging from surgical procedures to everyday living expenses.

 

As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company had a net invested balance of approximately $50.5 million and $48.3 million in Pegasus, respectively.

 

 On November 8, 2016, the Company entered into a binding Term Sheet (the “Term Sheet”) with ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC, Fund Pegasus, LLC, Pegasus Funding, LLC, Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC, Max Alperovich and Alexander Khanas. The Company and PLF have decided not to renew the Pegasus joint venture that, by its terms, terminated on December 28, 2016. The Term Sheet amends certain provisions to Pegasus’ operating agreement dated as of December 28, 2011 and governs the terms relating to the liquidation of the existing Pegasus portfolio.

 

Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the parties thereto have agreed that Pegasus will continue in existence to collect advances on its Portfolio. The Company will fund overhead expenses relating to its Portfolio based on a budget agreed upon by the Company and PLF. Any cash received by Pegasus will be distributed to its members in the order provided for in the operating agreement. The Company will be allocated an amount equal to 20% of all principal collected on each investment paid back beginning October 1, 2016 and continuing through the collection of the Portfolio, which will be applied against the outstanding balance of overhead expenses previously advanced by the Company to Pegasus. After January 2, 2017, additional overhead expenses advanced will be paid back monthly as incurred by the Company prior to the calculation and distribution of any profits.

 

In connection with the Term Sheet, the parties thereto have also entered into a customary mutual release and non-disparagement agreement as well as a release from the non-competition obligations under the operating agreement.

 

The Company filed for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") against PLF in April 2017 for breaches in the Operating and Term Sheet. On April 18, 2017, the Company was granted an Emergent Award restraining the cash in Pegasus, until a formal arbitration panel is confirmed and can review the case. As of June 30, 2017 there was approximately $24.7 million in cash that was restrained under the Emergent Award, and is classified as restricted on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The Company has as equity method investment in Pegasus. See Note 5 - Litigation Funding.

 

 

On July 17, 2017, an arbitration panel was confirmed, and a hearing date has been scheduled for August 25, 2017 on the Company's motion to have PLF removed from managing Pegasus and replacing them with Company designated representatives, and to permit disbursements to the Company in accordance with the Operating and Liquidation Agreements.

 

On January 12, 2018, the Company, ASFI and Fund Pegasus entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”) by and among the Company, ASFI, Fund Pegasus, Pegasus, the Seller, Max Alperovich, Alexander Khanas, Larry Stoddard, III, Louis Piccolo and A.L. Piccolo & Co., Inc., a New York corporation. The Settlement Agreement releases certain claims in exchange for, among other things, the parties' entry into the Purchase Agreement.

 

Additionally, on January 12, 2018, ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC (“ASFI”), a Delaware limited liability company and a subsidiary of Asta Funding, Inc. (the “Company” or “Asta”), a Delaware corporation, entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement) with Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller”). Under the Purchase Agreement, ASFI bought the Seller’s ownership interests of Pegasus Funding, LLC (“Pegasus”), which was 20% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Pegasus, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.8 million. As a result of the execution of the Purchase Agreement, ASFI became the owner of 100% of the limited liability company interests of Pegasus.

 

As of January 12, 2018, the Company owns 100% of Pegasus, and commencing in the quarter ending March 31, 2018, the financial activity of Pegasus will be consolidated into the financial statements of the Company. As of January 12, 2018, the Company is entitled to 100% of all distributions made from Pegasus.

  

On November 11, 2016, the Company formed Simia, a wholly owned subsidiary. Simia commenced funding personal injury settlement claims in January 2017. Simia was formed in response to the Company’s decision not to renew its joint venture with PLF. As of September 30, 2017, Simia had a personal injury claims portfolio of $3.4 million 

  

Divorce Funding

 

On May 8, 2012, the Company formed EMIRIC, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. EMIRIC, LLC entered into a joint venture with California-based Balance Point Divorce Funding, LLC (“BP Divorce Funding”). The Venture provides non-recourse funding to a spouse in a matrimonial action where the marital assets exceed $2,000,000. Such funds can be used for legal fees, expert costs and necessary living expenses. The Venture receives an agreed percentage of the proceeds received by such spouse upon final resolution of the case. BP Divorce Funding's profits and losses will be distributed 60% to BPCM and 40% to BP Divorce Funding, after the return of BPCM’s investment on a case by case basis and after a 15% preferred return to us. BPCM’s initial investment in the Venture consisted of up to $15 million to fund divorce claims to be fulfilled in three tranches of $5 million each. Each investment tranche is contingent upon a minimum 15% cash-on-cash return to us. At BPCM’s option, there could be an additional $35 million investment in divorce claims in tranches of $10 million, $10 million, and $15 million, also with a 15% preferred return and such investments may even exceed a total of $50 million, at BPCM’s sole option. Should the preferred return be less than 15% on any $5 million tranche, the 60%/40% profit and loss split would be adjusted to reflect BPCM’s priority to a 15% preferred return. As of September 30, 2017, BPCM had fully reserved against its invested amount of $2.5 million, in cases managed by this Venture.

 

In 2012, the Company provided a $1.0 million revolving line of credit to partially fund BP Divorce Funding’s operations with such loan bearing interest at the prevailing prime rate with an initial term of twenty four months. In September 2014, the agreement was revised to extend the term of the loan to August 2016, increase the credit line to $1.5 million and include a personal guarantee of the principal of BP Divorce Funding. The revolving line of credit is collateralized by BP Divorce Funding’s profits share in the venture and other assets. Effective August 14, 2016, BPCM extended its revolving line of credit with BP Divorce Funding until March 31, 2017, at substantially the same terms as the September 2014 amendment. On April 1, 2017, BP Divorce Funding defaulted on this agreement, and as such, the loan balance of approximately $1.5 million was deemed uncollectible and was written off in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations during the year ended September 30, 2017.  

  

Disability Advocacy Business

 

GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star are disability advocacy groups, which for a fee obtains and represents individuals in their claims for social security disability, supplemental security income benefits from the Social Security Administration and veterans benefits with the Veteran's Administration.

 

 

Structured Settlement Business - Discontinued Operations

 

On December 13, 2017, we sold all of our issued and outstanding equity capital in CBC Settlement Funding, LLC (“CBC”), our wholly owned subsidiary engaging in structured settlements. As a result of this sale, all prior periods presented in our consolidated financial statements will account for CBC as a discontinued operation. This determination resulted in the reclassification of the assets and liabilities comprising our structured settlement business to assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets, and a corresponding adjustment to our consolidated statements of operations to reflect discontinued operations for all periods presented. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had total assets related to discontinued operations of $92.2 million, and total liabilities related to discontinued operations of $81.8 million. Total revenues for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $7.2 million and $14.4 million, respectively. See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations in the Company's notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

  Critical Accounting Policies

 

We may account for our investments in consumer receivable portfolios, using either:

 

 

The interest method; or

 

 

The cost recovery method.

 

Our extensive liquidating experience in certain asset classes such as distressed credit card receivables, consumer loan receivables and mixed consumer receivables has matured, we use the interest method when we believe we can reasonably estimate the timing of the cash flows. In those situations where we diversify our acquisitions into other asset classes in which we do not possess the same expertise or history, or we cannot reasonably estimate the timing of the cash flows, we utilize the cost recovery method of accounting for those portfolios of receivables.

 

The Company accounts for certain of its investments in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of FASB ASC Topic 310, Receivables — Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, (“ASC 310”). Under the guidance of ASC 310, static pools of accounts are established. These pools are aggregated based on certain common risk criteria. Each static pool is recorded at cost and is accounted for as a single unit for the recognition of income, principal payments and loss provision. Due to the substantial reduction of portfolios reported under the interest method, and the inability to reasonably estimate cash collections required to account for those portfolios under the interest method, the Company concluded the cost recovery method is the appropriate accounting method under the circumstances.  

 

Under the guidance of ASC 310, the Company must analyze a portfolio upon acquisition to ensure which method is appropriate, and once a static pool is established for a quarter, individual receivable accounts are not added to the pool (unless replaced by the seller) or removed from the pool (unless sold or returned to the seller).  

 

The Company uses the cost recovery method when collections on a particular pool of accounts cannot be reasonably predicted. Under the cost recovery method, no income is recognized until the cost of the portfolio has been fully recovered. A pool can become fully amortized (zero carrying balance on the balance sheet) while still generating cash collections. In this case, all cash collections are recognized as revenue when received. 

 

The Company accounts for its impairments in accordance with ASC 310, which provides guidance on how to account for differences between contractual and expected cash flows from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. The recognition of income under ASC 310 is dependent on the Company having the ability to develop reasonable expectations of both the timing and amount of cash flows to be collected. In the event the Company cannot develop a reasonable expectation as to both the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be collected, ASC 310 permits the change to the cost recovery method. The Company will recognize income only after it has recovered its carrying value.

 

If collection projections indicate the carrying value will not be recovered, an impairment is required. The impairment will be equal to the difference between the carrying value at the time of the forecast and the corresponding estimated remaining future collections. The Company believes it has significant experience in acquiring certain distressed consumer receivable portfolios at a significant discount to the amount actually owed by underlying customers. The Company invests in these portfolios only after both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the underlying receivables are performed and a calculated purchase price is paid so that it believes its estimated cash flow offers an adequate return on acquisition costs after servicing expenses. Additionally, when considering larger portfolio purchases of accounts, or portfolios from issuers with whom the Company has limited experience, it has the added benefit of soliciting its third party collection agencies and attorneys for their input on liquidation rates and, at times, incorporates such input into the estimates it uses for its expected cash flows.

 

 

Management assesses the quality of the personal injury claims portfolio through an analysis of the underlying personal injury fundings on a case by case basis. Cases are reviewed through periodic updates with attorneys handling the cases, as well as with third party research tools which monitor public filings, such as motions or judgments rendered on specific cases. The Company specifically reserves for those fundings where the underlying cases are identified as uncollectible, due to anticipated non-favorable verdicts and/or settlements at levels where recovery of the advance outstanding is unlikely. For cases that have not exhibited any specific negative collection indicators, the Company establishes reserves based on the historical collection rates of the Company’s fundings. Fee income on advances is reserved for on all cases where a specific reserve is established on the initially funded amount. In addition, management also monitors its historical collection rates on fee income and establishes reserves on fee income consistent with the historically experienced collection rates. Management regularly analyzes and updates the historical collection rates of its initially funded cases as well as its fee income.

 

Investee companies that are not consolidated, but over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to an investee depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation on the investee company's board of directors and ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in voting securities of the investee company. Under the equity method of accounting, an investee company's accounts are not reflected within the Company's consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations, however, the Company's share of the earnings of the investee company is reflected as earnings and loss from equity method investment in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. The Company's carrying value in an equity method investee company is reflected on the Company's consolidated balance sheet, as equity method investment.

 

When the Company's carrying value in an equity method investee company is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in the Company's consolidated financial statements unless the Company guaranteed obligations of the investee company or has committed additional funding. When the investee company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of its share of losses not previously recognized.

 

 CBC purchases periodic payments under structured settlements and annuity policies from individuals in exchange for a lump sum payment. The Company elected to carry structured settlements at fair value. Unearned income on structured settlements is recognized as interest income using the effective interest method over the life of the related settlement. Changes in fair value are recorded in unrealized gain (loss) in structured settlements in our statements of income. 

 

US GAAP requires the results of operations of a component of an equity that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale to be reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements if the sale or disposition represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results.

 

The Company recognizes revenue for GAR Disability Advocates when cases close and fees are collected.

 

Results of Operations

 

 The following discussion of our operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. In these discussions, most percentages and dollar amounts have been rounded to aid in its presentation. 

 

   

Years Ended September 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

Finance income, net

  $ 15,920,000     $ 18,890,000  

Personal injury claim income (1)

    434,000       -  

Disability fee income

    5,085,000       4,011,000  
                 

Total revenues

    21,439,000       22,901,000  

Other (expense) income

    (94,000

)

    1,704,000  
                 
      21,345,000       24,605,000  
                 

General and administrative expenses

    31,900,000       29,308,000  

Interest expense

    240,000       -  

Impairments of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation

    1,129,000       164,000  

Earnings from equity method investment (2)

    (4,619,000

)

    (10,551,000

)

                 
      28,650,000       18,921,000  
                 

(Loss) income before income taxes from continuing operations

    (7,305,000

)

    5,684,000  

Income tax expense

    1,077,000       1,017,000  
                 

(Loss) income from continuing operations

    (8,382,000

)

    4,667,000  

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

    (4,620,000

)

    2,906,000  
                 

Net (loss) income attributable to Asta Funding, Inc.

  $ (13,002,000

)

  $ 7,573,000  

 

(1) This line item is comprised of the personal injury claims revenue from Simia

 

(2) This line item is comprised of the net earnings from Pegasus under the equity method of accounting.

 

 

  Year Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to the Year Ended September 30, 201 6  

 

Finance income.     For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 (“fiscal year 2017”), finance income from consumer receivables decreased $3.0 million, or 15.7%, to $15.9 million from $18.9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 (“fiscal year 2016”). During fiscal year 2017, we acquired $35.0 million in face value of new portfolios at a cost of $2.2 million as compared to $162.9 million of face value portfolios at a cost of approximately $8.2 million, during fiscal year 2016. The portfolios purchased during fiscal year 2017 and 2016 are accounted for on the cost recovery method. 

 

Net collections decreased $5.3 million, or 18.4%, to $23.5 million for fiscal year 2017 from $28.8 million for fiscal year 2016. During fiscal year 2017, gross collections decreased 13.4% to $42.5 million from $49.0 million for fiscal year 2016, reflecting the lower level of purchases over the last few years. Commissions and fees associated with gross collections from our third party collection agencies and attorneys decreased $1.2 million, or 6.1% for fiscal year 2017, as compared to the same period in the prior year and averaged 44.6% of collections for fiscal year 2017 as compared to 41.1% in the same prior year period.  

 

Disability Fee income. Disability fee income increased 26.8% or $1.1 million to $5.1 million in fiscal year 2017, compared to $4.0 million in fiscal year 2016 as a result of a significant increase in disability claimants cases being settled in the current year, translating into a significant increase in closed cases.

  

Other income.     The following table summarizes other income for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:

 

   

201 7

   

201 6

 

Interest and dividend income

  $ 765,000     $ 1,302,000  

Realized gains

    (833,000

)

    29,000  

Other

    (26,000

)

    373,000  
                 
    $ (94,000

)

  $ 1,704,000  

 

General and administrative expenses.     For fiscal year 2017, general and administrative expenses increased $2.6 million, or 8.8%, to $31.9 million from $29.3 million for the prior year. The increase in general and administrative expenses is related to increased bad debt expenses related to our investment in BP Case Management of $2.6 million and the write off our investment in the Topaz fund of $3.4 million and, increased professional fees primarily related to the Mangrove matter of $3.5 million, partially offset by a decrease in collection expenses of $2.0 million, reduction in stock compensation expenses of $0.6 million and various cost reductions in GAR (office salaries $2.5 million, advertising $1.4 million, rent expense $0.2 million and postage $0.2 million).

 

Impairments.      For fiscal year 2017, the Company recorded an impairment of $1.1 million of its consumer receivable portfolio, compared to $0.2 million for fiscal year 2016.

 

Earnings from equity method investment. For the fiscal year 2017, earnings from equity method investment decreased $6.0 million to $4.6 million, compared to earnings from equity method of $10.6 million for fiscal year 2016, due to increased bad debt write offs, and reduced interest income earned on personal injury claim advances as the underlying portfolios are being liquidated.

 

Net income before taxes — Consumer Receivables.     Net income before taxes decreased $1.7 million, to $12.5 million for fiscal year 2017, as compared to $14.2 million for fiscal year 2016, primarily due to decreased revenue of $3.0 million, and increased impairment charges of $0.9 million, partially offset by a class action suit settlement of $2.0 million during fiscal year 2017.

 

Net loss before taxes — GAR Disability Advocates.     Net loss before taxes decreased $5.6 million to $1.7 million for fiscal year 2017, compared to a net loss of $7.3 million for fiscal year 2016, as a result of increased revenues of $1.1 million, and various planned cost reduction measures (office salaries $2.5 million, advertising $1.4 million, rent expense $0.2 million and postage of $0.2 million) .

 

Income tax expense (benefit).     Income tax benefit of $2.3 million was recorded for fiscal year 2017, consisting of a $5.0 million current income tax benefit and a $2.7 million deferred income tax expense. The tax benefit on discontinued operations was $3.4 million, and there was income tax of $1.1 million on continuing operations. The state portion of the income tax provision for the fiscal year 2016 has been offset against state net operating loss carry forwards, and, as a result, no state taxes were payable.

 

 

Discontinued operations. Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, decreased $7.5 million or 259.0% to a loss from discontinued operations of $4.6 million in fiscal year 2017, compared to earnings from discontinued operations of $2.9 million in fiscal year 2016. The current year loss was primarily attributed to a loss on sale of CBC, as well as a loss on sale of various structured settlements.

 

Net (loss) income.     As a result of the above, the Company had net loss of $13.0 million for fiscal year 2017, compared to net income of $7.6 million for fiscal year 2016.

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At September 30, 2017, the Company had $17.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, as well as $5.5 million in level 1 securities that are classified as available for sale, on hand.  In addition, the Company had working capital of $114.8 million at September 30, 2017.


         On December 13, 2017, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding equity capital of CBC for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $10.5 million. Additionally, on January 12, 2018, the Company acquired the remaining 20% controlling interest in Pegasus Funding, LLC.  As a result of this transaction, and the related settlement agreement, the $35.4 million of restricted cash on hand at Pegasus at September 30, 2017 became unrestricted and was available to the Company. See Note 5 - Litigation Funding and Note 21 - Subsequent Events in the Company's notes to its consolidated financial statements.

 

On February 5, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a special cash dividend in the amount of $5.30 per share with respect to its Common Stock, payable on February 28, 2018 to holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock at the close of business on February 16, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of March 1, 2018. The aggregate payment to shareholders was approximately $35 million.

 

We believe that our available cash resources and expected cash inflows from operations will be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months.

 

Receivables Financing Agreement

 

In March 2007, Palisades XVI borrowed approximately $227 million under the Receivables Financing Agreement, as amended in July 2007, December 2007, May 2008, February 2009, October 2010 and August 2013 from BMO, in order to finance the Great Seneca Portfolio Purchase (the “Portfolio Purchase”) which had a purchase price of $300 million. The original term of the agreement was three years. This term was extended by each of the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth Amendments and the most recent agreement signed in August 2013, discussed below.

 

Financing Agreement . The Settlement Agreement and Omnibus Amendment (“Settlement Agreement”) was in effect on August 7, 2013, Palisades XVI, a 100% owned bankruptcy remote subsidiary, entered into a Settlement Agreement with BMO as an amendment to the Receivables Financing Agreement. In consideration for a $15 million prepayment funded by the Company, BMO has agreed to significantly reduce minimum monthly collection requirements and the interest rate. If and when BMO were to receive the next $15 million of collections from the Portfolio Purchase, (the “Remaining Amount”) less certain credits for payments made prior to the consummation of the Settlement Agreement, the Company would be entitled to recover from future net collections the $15 million prepayment that it funded. Thereafter, BMO would have the right to receive 30% of future net collections. Upon repayment of the Remaining Amount to BMO, the Company would be released from the remaining contractual obligation of the Receivables Financing Agreement (“RFA”) and the Settlement Agreement.

 

On June 3, 2014, Palisades XVI finished paying the Remaining Amount. The final principal payment of $2.9 million included a voluntary prepayment of $1.9 million provided from funds of the Company. Accordingly, Palisades XVI was entitled to receive $16.9 million of future collections from the Portfolio Purchase before BMO is entitled to receive any payments with respect to its Income Interest. During the month of June 2016, the Company received the balance of the $16.9 million, and, as of September 30, 2017, the Company recorded a liability to BMO of approximately $148,000. The funds were subsequently remitted to BMO on October 10, 2017. The liability to BMO is recorded when actual collections are received.

 

With the payment of the Remaining Amount and upon completion of the documents granting the Palisades XVI Income Interest, including a written confirmation from BMO that the obligation has been paid in full, Palisades XVI has been released from further debt obligations from the RFA.

 

 

Bank Hapoalim B.M. (“Bank Hapoalim”) Line of Credit

 

On May 2, 2014, the Company obtained a $20 million line of credit facility from Bank Hapoalim, pursuant to a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) among the Company and its subsidiary, Palisades Collection, LLC, as borrowers, and Bank Hapoalim, as agent and lender. The Loan Agreement provides for a $20.0 million committed line of credit and an accordion feature providing an increase in the line of credit of up to $30 million, at the discretion of the lenders. The facility is for a term of three years at an interest rate of either LIBOR plus 275 basis points or prime, at the Company’s option. The Loan Agreement includes covenants that require the Company to maintain a minimum net worth of $150 million and pay an unused line fee. The facility is secured pursuant to a Security Agreement among the parties to the Loan Agreement. On March 30, 2016, the Company signed the First Amendment to the Loan Agreement (the “First Amendment”) with Bank Hapoalim which amended certain terms of their banking arrangement. The First Amendment includes (a) the reduction of the interest rate to LIBOR plus 225 basis points; (b) a decrease in the Net Equity requirement by $50 million, to $100 million and (c) modifies the No Net Loss requirement from a quarterly to an annual basis. All other terms of the original agreement remain in effect. The Company borrowed $9.6 million in February 2017 against the facility. There was a $10.0 million aggregate balance on deposit at Bank Hapoalim which served as collateral for the line of credit. On April 28, 2017, the Company renewed the line of credit facility with the new maturity date of August 2, 2017, under the existing terms and conditions. On August 2, 2017, the Bank Hapoalim $9.6 million line of credit expired and the Company satisfied the debt with cash that was held in deposit as collateral with the bank. As of September 30, 2017, there were no outstanding balances on this facility.

 

Personal Injury Claims  

 

Pegasus - Equity Method Investment

 

On December 28, 2011, we formed the joint venture Pegasus. Pegasus purchased interests in personal injury claims from claimants who are a party to personal injury litigation with the expectation of a settlement in the future. Pegasus advanced to each claimant funds on a non-recourse basis at an agreed upon interest rate in anticipation of a future settlement. The interest purchased by Pegasus in each claim consists of the right to receive from such claimant part of the proceeds or recoveries which such claimant receives by reason of a settlement, judgment or award with respect to such claimant’s claim. The profits from the joint venture are distributed based on the ownership percentage of the parties, with Asta Funding, Inc. receiving 80% and PLF receiving 20%. Each of the entities maintains 50% voting rights. 

 

On November 8, 2016, the Company entered into a binding Term Sheet (the “Term Sheet”) with Pegasus and PLF. The Company and PLF have decided not to renew the Pegasus joint venture that by its terms terminated on December 28, 2016. The Term Sheet amends certain provisions of Pegasus’ operating agreement dated as of December 28, 2011 (as amended, the “Operating Agreement”) and governs the terms relating to the collection of its existing Pegasus portfolio (the “Portfolio”). 

 

Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the parties thereto have agreed that Pegasus will continue in existence in order to collect advances on its existing Portfolio. The Company will fund overhead expenses relating to the collection of the Portfolio based on a budget agreed upon by the Company and PLF. Any cash received by Pegasus will be distributed to its members in the order provided for in the Operating Agreement. The Company will be allocated an amount equal to 20% of all principal collected on each investment paid back beginning October 1, 2016 and continuing through the collection of the Portfolio, which will be applied against the outstanding balance of overhead expenses previously advanced by the Company to Pegasus. After January 2, 2017, additional overhead expenses advanced will be paid back monthly as incurred by the Company prior to the calculation and distribution of any profits.  

 

The Company filed for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") against PLF in April 2017 for breaches in the Operating Agreement and Term Sheet. On April 18, 2017, the Company was granted an Emergent Award restraining the cash in Pegasus, until a formal arbitration panel is confirmed and can review the case. As of September 30, 2017 there was approximately $24.7 million in cash that was restrained under the Emergent Award. The Company has as equity method investment in Pegasus for the periods covered by this report. See Note 5 - Litigation Funding.

 

On July 17, 2017, an arbitration panel was confirmed, and a hearing date was scheduled for August 25, 2017 on the Company's motion to have PLF removed from managing Pegasus and replacing them with Company designated representatives, and to permit disbursements to the Company in accordance with the Operating and Liquidation Agreements.

 

On January 12, 2018, the Company, ASFI and Fund Pegasus entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”) by and among the Company, ASFI, Fund Pegasus, Pegasus, the Seller, Max Alperovich, Alexander Khanas, Larry Stoddard, III, Louis Piccolo and A.L. Piccolo & Co., Inc., a New York corporation. The Settlement Agreement releases certain claims in exchange for, among other things, the parties' entry into the Purchase Agreement.

 

Additionally, on January 12, 2018, ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC (“ASFI”), a Delaware limited liability company and a subsidiary of Asta Funding, Inc. (the “Company” or “Asta”), a Delaware corporation, entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement) with Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller”). Under the Purchase Agreement, ASFI bought the Seller’s ownership interests of Pegasus Funding, LLC (“Pegasus”), which was 20% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Pegasus, for an aggregate purchase price of $1,800,000. As a result of the execution of the Purchase Agreement, ASFI became the owner of 100% of the limited liability company interests of Pegasus.

 

 

As a result of the purchase of the Seller’s 20% interest in Pegasus on January 12, 2018 under the Purchase Agreement, beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company will consolidate the financial statements of Pegasus. The Company currently accounts for its investment in Pegasus under the equity method of accounting.

 

Simia

 

On November 11, 2016, the Company announced that it will continue its personal injury claims funding business through the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary, Simia. 

 

On March 24, 2017, Simia purchased a portfolio of personal injury claims from a third party for approximately $3.0 million, The Company plans to grow the business organically, but may from time to time purchase portfolios of personal injury claims from third parties if the opportunity presented aligns with the Company's strategic growth plans.   

 

Divorce Funding  

 

On May 8, 2012, the Company formed EMIRIC, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. EMIRIC, LLC entered into a joint venture with California-based Balance Point Divorce Funding, LLC (“BP Divorce Funding”) to create BP Case Management, LLC (“BPCM”). BPCM is 60% owned by the Company and 40% owned by BP Divorce Funding. BPCM provides non-recourse funding to a spouse in a matrimonial action. The Company provided a $1.5 million revolving line of credit to partially fund BP Divorce Funding’s operations, with such loan bearing interest at the prevailing prime rate, with an initial term of twenty-four months. The term of the loan was to end in May 2014, but had been extended to August 2016. Effective August 14, 2016, the Company extended its revolving line of credit with BP Divorce Funding until March 31, 2017, at substantially the same terms as the September 14, 2014 amendment. The revolving line of credit is collateralized by BP Divorce Funding’s profit share in BPCM and other assets. On April 1, 2017, this loan was in default as BPCM failed to make the required payments due under the loan agreement. Accordingly, the loan balance of $1.5 million was deemed uncollectible and written off during the second quarter of fiscal 2017 with a charge to general and administrative expenses.

 

Structured Settlements - Discontinued Operations  

 

On December 31, 2013, the Company acquired 80% 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 each issued a 10% interest in CBC. In addition, the Company agreed to provide financing to CBC of up to $5 million, amended to $7.5 million in March 2015. Through the transaction we acquired structured settlements valued at $30.4 million and debt that totaled $23.4 million, consisting of $9.6 million of a revolving line of credit with a financial institution and $13.8 million of non-recourse notes issued by CBC’s subsidiaries. On December 31, 2015, the Company acquired the remaining 20% ownership of CBC for $1.8 million, through the issuance of restricted stock valued at approximately $1.0 million and $0.8 million in cash. Each of the two original principals received 61,652 shares of restricted stock at fair market value of $7.95 per share and $400,000 in cash. An aggregate of 123,304 shares of restricted stock was issued. As of September 30, 2017, CBC had structured settlements valued at $87.0 million and debt of $78.9 million, consisting of a $8.6 million line of credit and an aggregate of $70.3million of non-recourse notes.  

 

 On April 28, 2017, CBC entered into an Assignment Agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”) by and among CBC and an unrelated third party (“Assignee”). The Assignment Agreement provided for the sale of the Company’s entire life contingent asset portfolio included in the Company’s structured settlements to the Assignee for a purchase price of $7.7 million. The Company realized a loss from the sale of $5.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2017.

 

On December 13, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement) with CBC Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Buyer”). Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding equity capital of CBC for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $10.3 million. Of the aggregate purchase price, approximately $4.5 million was paid in cash, and $5.8 million was paid under a promissory note at an annual interest rate of 7% to be paid quarterly to the Company and secured by a first priority security interest in and lien on such Buyer’s affiliates’ rights to certain servicing fees. The remaining amount of the aggregate purchase price was paid as reimbursement of certain invoices of CBC. The Company recognized a loss of approximately $2.4 million on the above sale of CBC as of September 30, 2017.

 

Cash Flow

 

As of September 30, 2017, our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased $1.3 million to $17.6 million, from $16.3 million at September 30, 2016.

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $11.9 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as compared to $9.3 million used in operating activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. Net cash provided by investing activities was $55.6 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as compared to $0.5 million used in investing activities during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. The increase in cash provided by investing activities is primarily due to proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities. Net cash used in financing activities was $42.7 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $5.9 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. The increase in cash used in financing activities during the current year was primarily due to the purchase of Company stock, partially offset by an increase in the cash provided by financing activities of the discontinued operations.

 

Our cash requirements have been and will continue to be significant and include external financing to operate various lines of business. Significant requirements include investment in personal injury claims, costs involved in the collections of consumer receivables and investment in consumer receivable portfolios. In addition, dividends could be paid if and when approved by the Board of Directors. Acquisitions recently have been financed through cash flows from operating activities. We believe we will be less dependent on a credit facility in the short-term, as our cash balances will be sufficient to invest in personal injury claims, purchase portfolios and finance the disability advocacy business.

 

We believe our available cash resources and expected cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months. We do not expect to incur any material capital expenditures during the next twelve months.

 

We are cognizant of the current market fundamentals in the debt purchase and company acquisition markets which, because of significant supply and tight capital availability, could result in increased buying opportunities. The outcome of any future transaction(s) is subject to market conditions. In addition, due to these opportunities, we continue to seek opportunities with banking organizations and others on a possible financing loan facility.

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

 On August 11, 2015, the Board approved the repurchase of up to $15,000,000 of the Company’s common stock and authorized management of the Company to enter into the Shares Repurchase Plan under Sections 10b-18 and 10b5-1 of the  Exchange Act (the “Shares Repurchase Plan”). The Shares Repurchase Plan was to have been effective to December 31, 2015. On December 17, 2015 the Board approved the extension of the Shares Repurchase Plan to March 31, 2016 and reset the maximum to an additional $15 million in repurchases. On March 17, 2016, having repurchased approximately $9.9 million of the Company’s common stock, the Board approved further extension of the Shares Repurchase Plan to December 31, 2016 and reset the maximum to $15 million in repurchases. On March 22, 2016, a Company shareholder commenced a tender offer on the Company’s common stock. Per the provisions of the Shares Repurchase Plan, it terminated immediately, and no further purchases were permitted under the Shares Repurchase Plan. Through September 30, 2016, the Company purchased approximately 1,186,000 shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $10.1 million under the Shares Repurchase Plan.  

 

On May 25, 2016, the Company entered into a Mutual Confidentiality Agreement (the “Agreement”) with MPF InvestCo 4, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Mangrove Partners Master Fund, Ltd. (“Mangrove”), pursuant to which Mangrove and the Company agreed to (1) provide certain Confidential Information (as defined below) to the other party to the Agreement and the other party’s representatives, (2) the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, and (3) certain restrictions on the activities of the parties to the Agreement.  

 

 Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company made available to Mangrove and its representatives certain confidential information relating to the Company or its subsidiaries, and Mangrove agreed to make available to the Company and its representatives certain confidential information relating to Mangrove and its affiliates (collectively, the “Confidential Information”). The Company and Mangrove agreed not to disclose the Confidential Information, and to cause each of their representatives, respectively, not to disclose the Confidential Information, except as required by law. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company provided information requested by Mangrove to one or more of Mangrove’s representatives and such representatives prepared summaries of such information (the “Summaries”). The Company approved the Summaries, and the approved Summaries were provided to Mangrove. The Company agreed to release the approved Summaries publicly on or prior to the end of the Extended Period (as defined in the Agreement), to the extent that the information contained in the Summaries has not already been disclosed. 

 

 Further, under the terms of the Agreement, Mangrove and the Company had agreed to certain restrictions during the Discussion Period, which began on May 25, 2016 and the Extended Period, including that, unless consented to by the other party to the Agreement or required by applicable law, neither party will, and shall cause its affiliates and representatives not to, (i) commence any litigation against the other party, (ii) make any filing with the SEC of proxy solicitation materials, preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement or otherwise or call any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, (iii) publicly refer to: (a) the Confidential Information or Discussion Information (as defined in the Agreement), (b) any annual or special meetings of stockholders of the Company or (c) any prior discussions between the parties, including in any filing with the SEC (including any proxy solicitation materials, preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement or otherwise), in any press release or in any other written or oral disclosure to a third party, (iv) make any purchases of the Company’s securities, including, but not limited to, pursuant to any stock buyback plans, tender offers, open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, (v) make any demand under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, (vi) make or propose to make any amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or By-laws, as amended, (vii) adopt, renew, propose or otherwise enter into a Shareholder Rights Plan with respect to the Company’s securities, (viii) adopt or propose any changes to the Company’s capital structure or (ix) negotiate, discuss, enter into, propose or otherwise transact in any extraordinary transactions with respect to the Company, outside the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, any mergers, asset sales or asset purchases.

 

 

On November 21, 2016, Mangrove notified the Company that Mangrove was terminating the Agreement with the Company. Under the Agreement, the Company and Mangrove agreed to (1) provide certain Confidential Information (as defined below) to the other party to the Agreement and the other party’s representatives, (2) maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, and (3) certain restrictions on the activities of the parties to the Agreement. Upon termination of the Discussion Period, the agreement provides for a period of 30 days thereafter (the “Extended Period”). Throughout the Extended Period of the Agreement, the parties are subject to the standstill provisions of the Agreement. Following the Discussion Period and the Extended Period, nothing in the Agreement shall prohibit any party from taking any of the activities referred to as the Restricted Activities, and specifically nothing shall restrict Mangrove or its representatives from calling a special meeting, nominating one or more candidates to serve as directors of the Company or commencing, or announcing its intention to commence, a “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are used in Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act) to vote with respect to any meeting of stockholders of the Company. The effective termination date of this Agreement was January 6, 2017. 

 

On January 6, 2017, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the “ Settlement Agreement ”) with Mangrove and, for limited purposes stated therein, Gary Stern, Ricky Stern, Emily Stern, Arthur Stern, Asta Group, Incorporated and GMS Family Investors LLC (collectively, the “ Stern Family ”). 

 

The Settlement Agreement provided that, within ten business days following the date of the Settlement Agreement, the Company would commence a self-tender offer (“ Tender Offer ”) to repurchase for cash 5,314,009 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $10.35 per share. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Mangrove tendered its 4,005,701 shares for purchase by the Company. The Stern Family has agreed not to tender any of their shares in the Tender Offer. In addition, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement dated January 6, 2017 between Mangrove and Gary Stern (the “Purchase Agreement”), Gary Stern purchased the remaining shares owned by Mangrove eleven business days following the closing of the Tender Offer for $10.35 per share.   

 

The Settlement Agreement includes customary standstill and related provisions. Mangrove and the Company also agreed on a mutual release of claims. Additionally, the Company indemnified Mangrove from and against any excise tax imposed as a result of this Settlement Agreement.  

 

In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Company also entered into a Voting Agreement dated January 6, 2017 (the “ Voting Agreement ”) with Gary Stern, Ricky Stern, Emily Stern, Asta Group, Incorporated and GMS Family Investors LLC (collectively, the “ Stern Stockholders ”). The Voting Agreement provides that the Stern Stockholders will not have the right to vote more than 49% of the Company’s total outstanding shares, and any additional shares held by the Stern Stockholders will be voted in a manner proportionate to the votes of the outstanding shares not held by the Stern Stockholders.  

 

The tender offer expired on February 15, 2017, at 11:59 p.m., New York City time. Based on the final count by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC ("AMSTOCK"), the depositary for the tender offer, a total of approximately 6,022,253 shares of the Company’s common stock were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. Because the tender offer was oversubscribed by 708,244 shares, the Company purchased only a prorated portion of the shares properly tendered by each tendering stockholder. The depositary had informed the Company that the final proration factor for the tender offer was approximately 88.24% of the shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. AMSTOCK promptly issued payment for the 5,314,009 shares accepted pursuant to the tender offer and returned all other shares tendered and not purchased. The shares acquired represented approximately 44.7% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding as of February 6, 2017. As a result of this tender offer, the Company recorded during the second quarter an additional $54.2 million in treasury stock, and $797,000 was charged to general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations which represent the excess of the current market price of the Company’s common stock on January 18, 2017 of $10.20 per share. Additionally, the Ricky Stern Family 2012 Trust (as Gary Stern's permitted assignee), acquired 471,086 Shares under the Purchase Agreement on March 10, 2017 for $4.9 million.

 

As of December 31, 2016 and for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, through February 14, 2017, Mangrove due to their ownership in the Company's common stock, which was acquired in a series of OTC transactions, was deemed to be a related party. Effective on February 15, 2017, the date Mangrove tendered its shares, they were no longer deemed to be a related party.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of September 30, 2017, we did not have any off balance sheet arrangements.

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued an update to ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” that will supersede virtually all existing revenue guidance. Under this update, an entity is required to recognize revenue upon transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the entitled consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the customer contracts. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Given the changes in the Company's business management is continuing to assess this new standard and the impact it will have on accounting for its revenues.  

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued Update No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The main objective in developing this update is enhancing the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The amendments in this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The effective date for this update is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements. 

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. For a lease with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability. Additionally, when measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, optional payments should be included only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease, exercise a purchase option or not exercise an option to terminate the lease. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842. ASU 2018-01 was issued to address concerns about the cost and complexity of complying with the transition provisions of ASU 2018-01. The standard becomes effective in for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of reviewing its existing leases, including service contracts for embedded leases to evaluate the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and the impact on regulatory capital.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued Update No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share Based Payment Accounting, to simplify and improve areas of generally accepted accounting principles for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. The effective date for this update is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.  The ASU requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Additionally, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.  For the Company, this update will be effective for interim periods and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Upon adoption, the Company will accelerate the recording of its credit losses in its financial statements. 

 

In August 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments."  This ASU will make eight targeted changes to how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard will require adoption on a retrospective basis unless it is impracticable to apply, in which case the Company would be required to apply the amendments prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of the ASU, but does not expect it to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows. 

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The main objective in developing this update is enhancing the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The amendments in this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The effective date for this update is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The objective of this update is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not believe this update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Employee Share Based Payment Accounting, to simplify and improve areas of generally accepted accounting principles for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. The effective date for this update is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income , which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017, and requires certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. ASU 2018-02 will be effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Act is recognized.  The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's its consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The ASU removes the requirement to disclose: the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for timing of transfers between levels; and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU requires disclosure of changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income (loss) for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 8 .  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .  

 

The information called for by Item 8 is included following the index to the financials statements of the Company on page F-1 of this Form 10-K.

 

 

Item 9.  

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.  

 

On March 9, 2017, the Audit Committee approved the dismissal of Mazars USA LLP (“Mazars”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Such dismissal was effective after Mazars’s review of the Company’s unaudited quarterly financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 and the filing of the related Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC on May 10, 2017. Also on March 9, 2017, after reviewing proposals from several accounting firms, the Audit Committee selected EisnerAmper LLP (“EisnerAmper”) to be appointed following the filing of the Form 10-Q related to the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. 

 

The audit report of Mazars on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2016, did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion with respect to the Company’s financial statements, nor was such report qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

 

During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2016, and the subsequent interim period through May 10, 2017, there were no disagreements with Mazars on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to its satisfaction, would have caused it to make reference in connection with its opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement. 

 

During the Company’s fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2016, and the subsequent interim period through May 10, 2017, were no “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K. However, on September 18, 2018, the Company filed Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, for the purpose of amending and restating certain of the Company’s previously issued financial statements. In connection with the restatement, Mazars re-audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015 and 2016, and expressed an adverse opinion thereon due to the presence of several material weaknesses, each as described more fully therein. Such material weaknesses constituted “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee has discussed these material weaknesses with Mazars and EisnerAmper, and has authorized Mazars to respond fully to the inquiries of EisnerAmper concerning such material weaknesses.

 

During the Company’s fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2016, and the subsequent interim period through May 10, 2017, the Company did not consult with EisnerAmper regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K. 

 

The Company provided Mazars a copy of the foregoing disclosures and requested that Mazars furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not Mazars agrees with the statements made herein. A copy of that letter dated, October 12, 2018, furnished by Mazars is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this report.

 

 

  Item 9A.  

  Controls and Procedures.  

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  

 

Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2017 due to the existence of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below (which we view as an integral part of our disclosure controls and procedures). 

 

(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d(f) under the Exchange Act) is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets, (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, (c) provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorization of management and the board of directors, and (d) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO 2013”) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, issued in 2013. Based on management’s assessment, and based on the criteria in COSO 2013, management concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017 due to the material weaknesses identified below.

 

( c ) Management Identified Material Weaknesses In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Management identified material weaknesses resulting from the lack of timely and effective review of the Company’s period-end closing process. Specifically, management concluded that the material weakness relates to the Company not having adequate personnel and resources in place to perform a timely and effective review of our period-end closing process. Additionally, management identified material weaknesses resulting from the following:

 

1.             The Company lacked a process to review key inputs into the period end valuation using underlying benchmark interest rates in determining fair value of the Company’s structured settlements.  The material weakness was first reported by the Company in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (Amendment No. 1) for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the SEC on May 26, 2017, and was also identified as a material weakness in connection with the preparation of this report.

 

 

Planned Remedial Actions:

 

 

Since the original determination regarding this material weakness, the Company retained and intends to continue to retain third-party specialists to perform independent valuations of its assets and liabilities, when warranted, particularly with respect to, those assets and liabilities which involve specific complex or intricate valuation techniques, and/or are outside the Company's traditional business model.

 

The Company plans on hiring additional personnel with financial reporting experience to supplement its existing accounting/finance department. Additionally, management will develop and train accounting/finance personnel in the use of formalized checklists, to identify key inputs associated with period end valuations.

 

2.             The Company did not maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting disclosures specifically associated with concentrations, foreign transactions, significant entities and related party transactions.  The material weaknesses related to financial reporting disclosures associated with significant and related party transactions at the subsidiary level, were first reported by the Company in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on August 9, 2017, and was also identified as a material weakness in connection with the preparation of this report .

 

Planned Remedial Actions:

 

 

The Company has retained and intends to continue to retain the services of outside consultants, with relevant accounting experience, skills and knowledge, working under the supervision and direction of the Company’s management, to supplement the Company’s existing accounting personnel.

 

The Company plans to develop policies, procedures, and controls for the specific areas identified in this material weakness. The Company will also hire additional accounting and finance personnel with significant accounting and SEC reporting experience to join its finance team to ensure consistent application of these accounting principles and adherence to the Company’s newly adopted policies, procedures, and controls. The Company plans to review the current financial controls to assess if additional management review controls are necessary and work with all finance personnel to establish the appropriate documentation criteria for the existing controls including evidence of review, timeliness and variance thresholds.

 

The Company plans to have the Disclosure Committee, which now meets on a quarterly basis, meet more frequently throughout the year to assure that our SEC filings and other public disclosures are complete, accurate, and otherwise comply with applicable accounting principles and regulations. The Company’s Disclosure Committee reports to our Chief Executive Officer with oversight provided by our Audit Committee, and includes individuals knowledgeable about, among other things, SEC rules and regulations, financial reporting, and internal control matters. The Company will also document a formal disclosure policy and procedures to govern the work of the Disclosure Committee.

 

Since the original determination regarding the material weakness associated with significant and related party transactions at the subsidiary level, the Company has installed contract management software to manage all of its contracts and associated obligations under those contracts. Management from each department has been trained on the software, and all contracts require approvals of designated managers and the accounting department prior to execution. All contracts are reviewed by accounting personnel with requisite experience in identifying complex accounting transactional and disclosure issues,

 

3.           The Company did not maintain effective internal controls over regulatory compliance; specifically the Company did not have an effective whistleblower hotline or a formalized Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy.

 

Planned Remedial Actions:

 

 

In 2018, the Company implemented a whistleblower hotline it believes will be effective. Management will develop a formalized plan to test the independent system on a regular basis to ensure regulatory compliance.

 

 

The Company will formalize its Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy, and will ensure all employees are trained on, and adhere to the policy.

 

4.        The Company lacks a formal policy to assess the adequacy of the design and operating effectiveness of controls related to certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, third party service providers and third party advocates.

 

Planned Remedial Actions:

 

The Company will increase the frequency of onsite inspections of third party servicers and advocates throughout the year, utilizing existing accounting/finance personnel familiar with the specific accounting processes involved at each location. The Company will provide training to accounting personnel at subsidiary locations, and will develop detailed checklist and processes that can be used, and reviewed by management during period ends. Additionally, management will routinely visit subsidiary locations to ensure that the processes and guidelines developed are being strictly adhered to.

 

 

 5.        The Company did not maintain effective internal controls over accounting for complex transactions specifically associated with equity method investment.

 

Planned Remedial Actions:

 

 

The Company plans to develop policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the proper accounting for complex technical issues are identified, researched and brought to management's attention. The Company will also ensure that the appropriate personnel are appropriately trained on new and existing accounting pronouncements, Company policies, procedures, and controls.

 

6.        The Company did not maintain effective internal controls over accounting for foreign transactions specifically associated with accounting for transaction and translation adjustments, unallocated payments and cutoff.

 

Planned Remedial Actions:

 

 

The Company plans to develop and implement improved policies, procedures, processes and controls, as well as, conduct trainings to ensure the proper accounting for foreign currency matters in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters .

 

 

The Company plans to utilize an accounting system to ensure that all transactions are systematically re-measured and translated at the applicable foreign currency exchange rate and the associated gain or loss is appropriately recognized in earnings.

 

 

The Company plans to appropriately reconcile the AOCI account in a timely manner to ensure that the proper amounts for foreign currency transactions are being recorded in the Company's financial statements.

 

( d ) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting.   

 

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurring during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting, and have concluded that there have been no changes that occurred during such quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B.  

Other Information.  

 

None.

 

 

PART III

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.  

 

Board of Directors

 

The members of our Board of Directors as of October 8, 2018, positions and their respective ages on that date were:

 

Name

 

Age

 

 

Position

Gary Stern

 

65

 

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Mark Levenfus

 

68

 

 

Director, Audit Committee Chair, Compensation Committee Member, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member and Special Committee Member

Louis A. Piccolo   66     Director

Timothy H. Bishop

 

68

 

 

Director, Audit Committee Member, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair and Special Committee Member

David Slackman

 

71

 

 

Director, Audit Committee Member, Compensation Committee Chair, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member and Special Committee Chair

 

The Business Experience and Qualifications of Each Director

 

We believe that our Board of Directors should be composed of individuals with sophistication and experience in many substantive areas that impact our business. We believe that experience, qualifications, or skills in the following areas are most important: experience in the distressed consumer credit industry; regulatory; accounting and finance; capital markets; strategic planning; human resources and development practices; and board practices of other corporations. These areas are in addition to the personal qualifications described in this section. We believe that all of our current Board members possess the professional and personal qualifications necessary for board service, and have highlighted particularly noteworthy attributes for each Board member in the individual biographies below. The principal occupation and business experience, for at least the past five years, of each current director is as follows:

 

Gary Stern has been a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since our inception in July 1994. Mr. Stern assumed the role of Chairman in January 2009. Mr. Stern had been Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and a director of Asta Group since 1980 and held other positions with Asta Group prior thereto. In such capacities, he has obtained substantial experience in distressed consumer credit analysis and receivables collections. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Stern possesses particular knowledge and experience in financial management and collections which strengthens the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

 

Mark Levenfus has been a director of the Company since August 2016. Mr.Levenfus is Managing Partner Emeritus of Marks Paneth LLP, a nationally recognized accounting and advisory firm, and is Chairman of Morison KSi Limited, a global association of independent accounting firms. From 2008 until December 31, 2015, he was Managing Partner of Marks Paneth LLP. During his tenure, he oversaw the firm's operations, managed business development efforts and consulted on key accounts. He also played a major role in developing strategy, setting policy and overseeing acquisitions. Mr. Levenfus has extensive experience in the financial, media and entertainment, and professional services industries. Mr. Levenfus currently serves as a member of the board of directors of several nonprofit organizations including: Delivering Good, Inc., Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, New York Road Runners Club and Friends of Israel Sci-Tech Schools. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Levenfus possesses particular knowledge and experience in accounting and management which strengthens the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

 

Louis A. Piccolo has been a director of the Company since June 2004. Mr. Piccolo has served as President of A.L. Piccolo & Co., Inc., a business consulting firm specializing in management and financial consulting, since 1988. Mr. Piccolo was an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Alfred Dunhill of London, Inc. from 1983 to 1988, and held the same positions at Debenham’s PLC, from 1981 to 1983. From 1977 to 1981, Mr. Piccolo was a senior accountant at KPMG Peat Marwick. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Piccolo possesses particular knowledge and experience in accounting and management which strengthens the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

 

Timothy H. Bishop has been a director of the Company since July 2018. Mr. Bishop has served Southampton College for 29 years, leaving the position of Provost in 2002 to make his first-ever run for office, when he was elected to represent New York's 1st Congressional District in one of the closest elections in the nation. He was re-elected to the House of Representatives five times. Congressman Bishop graduated from Southampton High School and holds a BA in History from Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Long Island University. During his time in Congress, Mr. Bishop served on the House Budget Committee for 4 years, and served as either the Vice-Chair or Co-Chair of the Democratic Budget group for all twelve years he was in Congress. Additionally, Mr. Bishop served as the budget officer for Southampton College for approximately 22 years. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Bishop possesses particular knowledge and experience in budget preparation, control and analysis, which strengthens the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

 

 

David Slackman has been a director of the Company since May 2002. Mr. Slackman has served as Managing Director at HT Capital Advisors LLC from August 2008 to present. Mr. Slackman served as President, Manhattan Market (New York) of Commerce Bank from January 2001 through June 2008. Mr. Slackman was an Executive Vice President of Atlantic Bank of New York from 1994 to 2001 and a Senior Vice President of the Dime Savings Bank from 1986 to 1994. Since 2012, Mr. Slackman has served as Chairman of the New York City Advisory Board of Sterling National Bank. In 2015, Mr. Slackman was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York League of Independent Bankers until September 2016, a non-profit trade association for commercial banks in the New York metropolitan area.As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Slackman possesses particular knowledge and experience in financial services and management which strengthens the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

 

No director serves or has served in the prior five years as a director of a company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or a company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

 

Our executive officers as of September 28, 2018, who are not directors of the Company, their positions and their respective ages on that date are:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Bruce R. Foster

 

58

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ricky Stern

 

34

 

Senior Vice President

Seth Berman

 

55

 

Secretary and General Counsel

 

Our executive officers serve at the discretion of the board of directors, subject to rights, if any, under contracts of employment.

 

Bruce R. Foster, CPA serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since March 2016. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Foster served as Chief Financial Officer from January 2014 to February 2016 of 4Licensing Corporation, formerly known as 4Kids Entertainment, Inc., a NYSE traded company, where he was employed since 2002. He also worked in public accounting for 15 years with Deloitte, an international public accounting firm, as well as other regional public accounting firms.

 

Ricky Stern was appointed as Senior Vice President in March 2014. Prior to this appointment, Ricky served as our Assistant Treasurer from 2011 to 2014. Prior to joining the Company he was an analyst with a brokerage firm from 2008 to 2009. From 2009 to 2011 he earned his Master’s Degree. He is a Certified Financial Planner, Certified Investment Management Analyst, licensed health insurance producer in both New York and New Jersey and has attained the Accredited Disability Representative designation.

 

Seth Berman has served as our General Counsel since 2005, was named Chief Compliance Officer in April 2013 and became Secretary of the Company in May 2016. From 1997 through 2004, Mr. Berman was an associate at Weil Gotshal &Manges LLP.

 

There are no events or legal proceedings material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of any director or executive officer, or any nominee therefore, of the Company. Moreover, no director or executive officer of the Company, nor any nominee, is a party adverse to the Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company in any legal proceeding.

 

Family Relationships

 

Gary Stern is the father of Ricky Stern.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of Asta Funding, Inc. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

 

To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were filed in a timely manner.

 

C ode of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Ethics is available without charge upon written request directed to Asta Funding, Inc., Attn: Bruce R. Foster, 210 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632. Additionally, our code of ethics is available on our website at www.astafunding.com . Any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of our code of ethics that applies to our directors or executive officers will be disclosed on our website.

 

Changes in Governance and Nominating Committee Procedures

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend individuals for consideration by the Governance and Nominating Committee as potential nominees for director since such procedures were last described in our proxy statement, filed with the SEC on April14, 2017.

 

Audit Committee

 

We have a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with the Exchange Act. Our Audit Committee generally assists our board of directors in its oversight of our accounting, financial reporting and internal control functions. The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Levenfus, who serves as Chairman, Mr. Bishop and Mr. Slackman. Mr. Celano previously served as the third member of our Audit Committee prior his passing in June 2018. As required by Nasdaq rules, the members of the Audit Committee each qualify as “independent” under special standards established for members of audit committees. To qualify as “independent” to serve on the Audit Committee, the Nasdaq rules and the applicable rules of the SEC require that a director does not accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from us, other than for service as a director, or be an affiliated person of us. Our board of directors has concluded that the current composition of the Audit Committee meets the requirements for independence under the rules and regulations of Nasdaq and of the SEC. In accordance with SEC rules, the Audit Committee also includes at least one member who is determined by the board of directors to meet the qualifications of an “audit committee financial expert.” Mr. Levenfus and Mr. Slackman are the directors who have been determined by the board of directors to be the audit committee financial experts.

 

Director Independence

 

Nasdaq’s listing standards require that our board of directors consist of a majority of independent directors, subject to certain cure periods, as determined under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. Our board of directors, consistent with the determination of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has determined that each of Mr. Levenfus, Mr. Bishop and Mr. Slackman qualify as independent directors. In addition, as further required by Nasdaq rules, the board of directors, consistent with the determination of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist which, in the opinion of the board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our directors reviewed and discussed information provided by our directors and us with regard to each director’s business and personal activities as they may relate to us and our management.

 

 

I tem  11.

E xecutive Compensation

 

Executive Compensation Table

 

We are currently considered a smaller reporting company for purposes of the SEC’s executive compensation disclosure rules. In accordance with such rules, we are required to provide a Summary Compensation Table (reporting two fiscal years of compensation) and an Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table, as well as limited narrative disclosures. Further, current reporting obligations extend only to our “Named Executive Officers” with respect to the 2017 year, which included Mr. Gary Stern, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and our two most highly compensated executive officers other than Mr. Gary Stern, Messrs. Foster and Berman, who were serving as of September 30, 2017. Additionally, while we are not required to disclose compensation for any other executive officers, we are choosing to voluntarily report compensation paid to Ricky Stern because he is considered an integral part of our executive management team as the manager of GAR Disability Advocacy, LLC, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries.

 

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table shows for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 compensation awarded to or paid to our Named Executive Officers.

 

Name and principal position

Year

 

Salary

($)

   

Bonus

($)

   

Stock

Awards

($)

   

Option

Awards

($)

   

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

($)

   

All Other

Compensation

($)( * )

   

Total ($)

 

Gary Stern

2017

  $ 600,000     $     $     $     $     $ 51,395     $ 651,295  

President and Chief Executive Officer

2016

  $ 600,000     $     $     $     $     $ 75,488     $ 675,488  

Bruce Foster

2017

  $ 275,000     $ 150,000     $     $     $     $ 32,398     $ 457,398  

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

2016

  $ 158,655     $     $     $     $     $ 9,808     $ 168,463  

Ricky Stern

2017

  $ 280,000     $     $     $     $     $ 27,636     $ 307,636  

Senior Vice President and President of GAR Disability

2016

  $ 280,000     $     $     $     $     $ 39,118     $ 319,118  

Seth Berman

2017

  $ 275,000     $ 20,000     $     $     $     $ 34,241     $ 329,241  

General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary

2016

  $ 275,000     $ 7,500     $     $     $     $ 34,963     $ 317,463  

 

                                                                                                        

 

(*)

The following table summarizes "All Other Compensation" for purposes of the Summary Compensation Table above.

 

Name

Year

 

401(k)
Company
Match
($)

   

Life
Insurance
Premium
($)

   

Health
Insurance
Premiums
($)(1)

   

Auto Fringe
($)

   

Severance
($)

   

Total ($)

 

Gary Stern

2017

  $ 10,600     $ 12,491     $ 23,641     $ 4,563     $     $ 51,295  

Bruce R Foster

2017

  $ 4,653     $     $ 23,641     $ 4,104     $     $ 32,398  

Ricky Stern

2017

  $ 10,600           $ 10,137     $ 6,899     $     $ 27,636  

Seth Berman

2017

  $ 10,600     $     $ 23,641     $     $     $ 34,241  

 

Narrative Following Summary Compensation Table

 

Total compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers is generally divided among three principal components. Base salary is generally fixed and does not vary based on our financial and other performance. Other components, such as cash bonuses and stock options or other equity or equity-based awards, are variable and dependent upon our market performance. Historically, judgments about these elements have been made subjectively. In the case of stock options, the value is dependent upon our future stock price and, accordingly, such awards are intended to reward the Named Executive Officers for favorable Company-wide performance. Our Compensation Committee reviews total compensation to see if it falls in line with peer companies and may also look at overall market data. For fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee determined that our compensation program was generally competitive with the members of our peer group. Our goal to promote pay for performance emphasizes the variable elements of overall compensation over fixed base salaries. In this regard, it is our policy to emphasize long-term equity awards over short-term cash bonuses, as the long-term awards are intended to align with goals such as total shareholder return. In previous years, the Compensation Committee engaged a professional compensation consultant, Adams Consulting Group, LLC (“Adams”) to provide benchmarking data and assist in the compensation process. Adams issued a report to the Compensation Committee in October 2015 (the “2015 Adams Report”). Each of the three elements of executive compensation has been determined by evaluating the recommendations set forth in the 2015 Adams Report, as well as our analysis of our financial performance, overall economic conditions and certain individual achievements, such as successful completion of assigned tasks.

 

With respect to the 2017 year, we held base salaries consistent with 2016 levels. We did not grant stock options or other equity-based compensation awards to our Named Executive Officers during the 2017 year, although each of our Named Executive Officers held outstanding stock option awards as detailed below. Our executive bonuses are dependent on meeting corporate objectives.  Our annual performance-based bonus opportunities for all of our Named Executive Officers are dependent upon our achievement of annual corporate objectives established each year and, in the case of our Named Executive Officers other than our Chief Executive Officer, the individual officer’s contributions towards such corporate objectives.  Our Board of Directors may choose to award additional bonuses based on significant corporate achievements that occur during the year. We maintain a reasonable limit on the maximum performance bonus that may be paid.

 

 

Severance and Change-in-Control Benefits. Currently, we have an employment agreement with our Chief Financial Officer, Bruce R. Foster. None of our other Named Executive Officers are providing services under an employment agreement, and would not receive severance benefits pursuant to any formal plan or program. Under his agreement, Mr. Foster will receive a base salary of $275,000, subject to annual increase, and be eligible to receive cash and non-cash bonuses at the discretion of the Board of Directors or a duly constituted committee of the Board. He will also be entitled to participate in any other benefit plans established by the Company for executive employees. Mr. Foster’s agreement has an 18 month non-compete and non-solicitation provision. The agreement has a one (1) year term, and the term will be extended by one year on each anniversary date of the agreement unless either party, at least 90 days prior to an anniversary dates, provides the other party with notice of its intention not to extend the term of the agreement. Under the agreement, Mr. Foster can be terminated with or without “cause,” as defined in the Agreement. In the event he is terminated without “cause,” he will receive severance equal to three (3) months of his then current base salary. In the event of a change in control of the Company, Mr. Foster will receive a lump sum payment equal to two times his then current base salary.

 

O utstanding Option Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table provides information on exercisable options held by the named executive officers on September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017 none of the Named Executive Officers held unvested stock option or stock awards.

 

   

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable

   

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable

   

Option
Exercise Price
($)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Number of Shares or
Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested (#)

   

Market Value of
Shares or Units of
Stock That
Have Not Vested
($)

 

Gary Stern

    60,000           $ 7.63  

12/15/20

        $  
      100,000           $ 7.77  

12/13/21

           
      50,000           $ 8.49  

12/12/23

           
                                           

Ricky Stern

    10,000           $ 8.36  

12/22/21

           
      20,000           $ 9.57  

12/18/22

           
      20,000           $ 8.49  

12/12/23

           
                                           

Seth Berman

    2,500           $ 2.95  

5/5/19

           
      100           $ 8.07  

12/11/19

           
      30,000           $ 7.63  

12/15/20

           
      30,000           $ 7.77  

12/13/21

           
      20,000           $ 9.57  

12/18/22

           
      20,000           $ 8.49  

12/12/23

           

 

 

Director Compensation

 

Mr. Gary Stern received no compensation for serving as a director, except that he, like all directors, is eligible to be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in attending Board and committee meetings. All compensation that Mr. Gary Stern received during 2017 has been reported above in his employee capacity within the Summary Compensation Table. For fiscal year 2017, the total annual fees that a director, other than Mr. Gary Stern, could have received for serving on our Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors were set as follows:

 

 

$45,000 for each member of the Board of Directors;

 

 

$35,000 for the Chairman of the Audit Committee;

     
 

$10,000 for Audit Committee Members;

 

 

$15,000 for Chairman of the Compensation Committee;

     
 

$7,500 for Compensation Committee Members;

 

 

$15,000 for Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee;

 

 

$7,500 for Nominating and Governance Committee Members.

 

 

 

$35,000 for Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors (serving on a non-recurring basis); and

     
 

$15,000 for Special Committee Members of the Board of Directors (serving on a non-recurring basis).

 

The following table summarizes compensation paid to outside directors in fiscal 2017:

 

Name

 

Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)

     

Option
Awards
($)(1)

   

Total ($)

 

Edward Celano (7)

  $ 93,750   (2)   $     $ 93,750  

Mark Levenfus

  $ 120,625   (3)    $     $ 120,625  

Louis Piccolo

  $ 45,000   (4)    $     $ 45,000  

David Slackman

  $ 112,500   (5)    $     $ 112,500  

Harvey Leibowitz

  $ 117,403   (6)    $     $ 117,403  

 

(1)

No stock option awards were granted in fiscal year 2017.

(2)

Includes, in addition to $45,000 director retainer, $10,000 for being a member of the Audit Committee, $7,500 for being a member of the Compensation Committee, $7,500 for being a member of the Governance Committee, and $23,750 for being member of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors.

(3)

Includes, in addition to $45,000 director retainer, $35,000 for being Chairman of the Audit Committee, $3,750 for his prorated fee for being a member of the Compensation Committee, $15,000 for being Chairman of the Governance Committee, and $21,875 for being member of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors.

(4)

Mr. Piccolo is not an independent director.

(5)

Includes, in addition to $45,000 director retainer, $10,000 for being a member of the Audit Committee, $3,750 for his prorated fee for being a member of the Governance Committee, $15,000 for being Chairman of the Compensation Committee, and $38,750 for being the Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors.

(6)

Mr. Leibowitz did not seek re-election to the Board for fiscal 2017. Includes, $28,350 for his prorated share of the director retainer, $7,623 for his prorated share for being a member of the Audit Committee, $5,715 for his prorated share for being a member of the Governance Committee, $5,715 for his prorated share for being a member of the Compensation Committee. Additionally, Mr. Leibowitz was awarded a payment of $70,000 for his 18 years of distinguished service to the Board of Directors.

(7)

Mr. Celano passed away unexpectedly on June 4, 2018.

 

Item  12.

Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The following table sets forth information as of October 1, 2018 with respect to beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by (i) each director and executive officer, including any person holding the position of CEO or CFO at any time during the fiscal year of 2016, (ii) each person known by us to own beneficially more than five percent of our outstanding Common Stock, and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group. This table has been prepared based on 6,685,415 shares of Common Stock outstanding on October 11, 2018. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o Asta Funding, Inc., 210 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632. All persons listed have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares unless otherwise indicated.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership

     

Percentage(1)

 

GMS Family Investors LLC

    862,000  

(2)(10)

    12.9

%

Asta Group, Incorporated

    842,000  

(3)(10)

    12.6

%

Officers and Directors:

                 

Ricky Stern

    2,521,250  

(4)(10)

    37.4

%

Gary Stern

    2,212,657  

(5)(10)

    32.1

%

Louis A. Piccolo

    138,500  

(6)

    2.0

%

Seth Berman

    102,600  

(7)

    1.5

%

David Slackman

    82,000  

(8)

    1.2

%

Mark Levenfus

    3,000          

Timothy H. Bishop

             

Bruce R. Foster

             
                   

All executive officers and directors as a group (8 persons)

    4,553,827  

(9)

    62.9

%

 

 

(1)

Any shares of Common Stock that any person named above has the right to acquire within 60 days of October 1, 2018, are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the ownership percentage of such person, but are not deemed to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the beneficial ownership percentage of any other person not named in the table above.

   

(2)

A limited liability company over which Ricky Stern has sole voting and investment power. Gary Stern has a 79.46% beneficial interest in the LLC, trusts for the benefit of the children of Gary Stern and of which Ricky Stern is the trustee have a combined 20.43% beneficial interest (10.215% each), and Arthur Stern has a .11% beneficial interest in the LLC.

   

(3)

Asta Group, Incorporated (“Asta Group”) is owned by Arthur Stern, our former Chairman Emeritus and Director, Gary Stern, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and other members of the Stern family.

   

(4)

Includes 50,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options. Includes 145,428 shares directly owned and 318,590 shares held in the Ricky Stern 2012 GST Trust for which he serves as co-trustee with Gary Stern, and has joint voting and investment power, and which are also reported as beneficially owned by Gary Stern. Includes 862,000 shares owned by GMS Family Investors LLC. Ricky Stern is the Manager of the LLC and as such has sole voting and investment power of such shares. Also includes 243,278 shares held in the Emily Stern Family 2012 Trust for which he is trustee, and has sole voting and investment power over such shares, and 714,364 shares held in the Ricky Stern Family 2012 Trust, for which he is trustee, and has sole voting and investment power over such shares. Also includes 187,590 shares held in the Emily Stern 2012 GST Trust for which he is co-trustee with Gary Stern, and which are also reported as beneficially owned by Gary Stern, and has joint voting and investment power over such shares.

   

(5)

Includes 210,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options, 509,049 shares directly owned, and 842,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Asta Group, which shares are attributable to Gary Stern based on his role as an officer, director, and stockholder of Asta Group. Gary Stern disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by Asta Group. Also includes 145,428 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Stern’s adult child who shares his home, and for which he disclaims beneficial ownership, as well as 187,590 shares held in the Emily Stern 2012 GST Trust for which he is co-trustee with Ricky Stern, and which are also reported as beneficially owned by Ricky Stern, and has joint voting and investment power over such shares. Also includes 318,590 shares held in the Ricky Stern 2012 GST Trust for which he serves as co-trustee with Ricky Stern and has joint voting and investment power, and which are also reported as beneficially owned by Ricky Stern.

   

(6) 

Includes 127,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of October1, 2018.

 

(7)

Includes 100,100 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of October1, 2018.

   

(8)

Includes 67,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of October1, 2018.

   

(9)

Includes 555,100 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of October1, 2018.

   

(10)

On January 6, 2017, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with The Mangrove Partners Master Fund Ltd and its affiliates (collectively, “Mangrove”). The Settlement Agreement provided that, within ten business days of the Settlement Agreement, the Company would commence a self-tender offer (“Tender Offer”) to repurchase for cash up to 5,314,009 shares of its Common Stock at a purchase price of $10.35 per share. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Mangrove tendered its 4,005,701 shares for purchase by the Company. In addition, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement dated January 6, 2017 between Mangrove and Gary Stern, Gary Stern purchased the remaining shares owned by Mangrove eleven business days following the close of the Tender Offer for $10.35 per share. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Company entered into a Voting Agreement on January 6, 2017, with Gary Stern, Ricky Stern, Emily Stern, Asta Group, Incorporated and GMS Family Investors LLC, collectively known as the "Voting Group", who are subject to a Share Voting Cap (the “Cap”). Under the Cap, the Voting Group is subject to a voting threshold constituting no more than forty-nine percent (49%) of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock at the time any matters are to be voted on by the Stockholders of the Company. The Voting Agreement expires on January 6, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table gives information about our Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under our 2012 Stock Option and Performance Award Plan, our Equity Compensation Plan and our 2002 Stock Option Plan, as of September 30, 2017.

 

Plan

Category

 

(a)
Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights

   

(b)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights

   

(c)
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected In
Column(a))

 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders

    880,567     $ 8.05       1,293,343  

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders

                 
                         

Total

    880,567     $ 8.05       1,293,343  

 

 

  Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.  

 

On December 28, 2011, the Company, through a newly-formed indirect subsidiary, ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC (“APH”), entered into a joint venture (the “Venture”) with Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC (“PLF”) to form Pegasus Funding, LLC (“Pegasus”) for a period of five (5) years (the “Term”) in accordance with an Operating Agreement between PLF and APH. The Venture purchases interests in personal injury claims from claimants who are a party to a personal injury litigation with the expectation of a settlement in the future. In connection with the Venture, Piccolo Business Advisory, which is owned by Louis Piccolo, a non-independent director of the Company, receives a fee from Pegasus, which is calculated at $350,000 per $10,000,000 loaned to Pegasus by Fund Pegasus, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, up to a maximum of $700,000, including interest at 4% per annum, payable over six years with payments being made in part from Pegasus’s operating expenses during the Term and thereafter by PLF and its affiliates. Piccolo Business Advisory has been paid $690,000 as of September 30, 2017. One of the Company’s subsidiaries is advancing to Pegasus funds to cover Pegasus’s operating expenses, which include payments to Piccolo Business Advisory. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid Piccolo Business Advisory $133,000 in each year. The Company paid its final payment to Piccolo Business Advisory in March 2018, and has no further obligations under this arrangement.

 

On September 17, 2015, the Company agreed to terms on a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) for a two-year, $80,000 contract with Piccolo Business Advisory. The Consulting Agreement provides that Piccolo Business Advisory will provide consulting services to the Company, which includes analysis of proposed debt and equity transactions, due diligence and financial analysis and management consulting services. The compensation is paid quarterly. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid Mr. Piccolo approximately $80,000 each year for such services. The Consulting Agreement expired on September 30, 2017, and was not renewed by the Company.

 

On July 1, 2015, Mr. Arthur Stern, former Chairman Emeritus of the Company, retired from the Board of Directors of the Company and became a consultant to the Company. As of April 30, 2016, the consulting agreement with Mr. Stern was terminated. There were no amounts paid to Mr. Stern for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, Mr. Stern was paid $88,000.

 

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services.  

 

 On March 9, 2017, we dismissed Mazars as our independent registered public accounting firm. The decision to change independent registered public accounting firms was approved by the audit committee of our board of directors. Such dismissal was effective after Mazars review of our unaudited quarterly financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 and the filing of the related Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC on May 10, 2017. 

 

Also on March 9, 2017, after reviewing proposals from several accounting firms, the audit committee of our board of directors selected EisnerAmper to be appointed following the filing of the Form 10-Q related to the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.  

 

 

The fees billed by EisnerAmper for professional services rendered for the period from March 9, 2017, the date of its appointment, through the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 are reflected in the following table:

 

   

March 9, 2017 through

September 30, 2017

 

Audit Fees:

  $ 158,000  

Audit-Related Fees:

    -  

Tax Fees:

    -  

All Other Fees:

    -  

Total Fees:

  $ 158,000  

 

The fees billed by Mazars for professional services rendered for: (i) the period from October 1, 2016, the beginning of our 2017 fiscal year, through March 9, 2017 the date that Mazars was dismissed as our independent registered public accounting firm, and (ii) the 2016 fiscal year are reflected in the following table:

 

   

October 1, 2016

through March

9, 2017

   

2016

 

Audit Fees:

  $ 132,000     $ 477,000  

Audit-Related Fees:

    -        

Tax Fees:

    -        

All Other Fees:

    -        

Total Fees:

  $ 132,000     $ 477,000  

 

All of the services described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

 

Part IV

 

Item 15.  

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.  

 

(a) The following documents are filed or furnished as part of this report:

 

Exhibit

Number

 

2.1#

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated December 31, 2013, by and among CBC Settlement Funding, LLC, CBC Management Services Group, LLC, Asta Funding, Inc. and the other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2014).

   

2.2

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 13, 2017, by and between Asta Funding, Inc., and CBC Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 19, 2017).

   

2.3

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated January 12, 2018, by and between ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC and Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 18, 2018).

   

2.4

Term Sheet, dated November 8, 2016, by and among Asta Funding, Inc., ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC, Fund Pegasus, LLC, Pegasus Funding, LLC, Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC, Max Alperovich and Alexander Khanas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 15, 2016).

   

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation of Asta Funding, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 9, 2016).

   

3.2

Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Asta Funding, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed May 15, 2002).

   

3.3

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Preferred Stock of Asta Funding, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 24, 2012).

   

3.4

Certificate of Elimination of the Series A Junior Preferred Stock of Asta Funding, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2017).

   

3.5

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Asta Funding, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2017).

   

3.6

Amended and Restated By-laws of Asta Funding, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 9, 2016).

   

3.7

Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of Asta Funding, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 9, 2017).

   

4.1

Rights Agreement, dated May 5, 2017, by and between Asta Funding, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Asta Funding Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2017).

   

10.1+

Asta Funding, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed May 15, 2002).

   

10.2+

Asta Funding, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 3, 2006).

   

10.3+

Asta Funding, Inc. 2012 Stock Option and Performance Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed February 17, 2012 for the March 21, 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders).

   

10.4

Form of Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008).

   

10.5

Amended and Restated Management Agreement, dated January 16, 2009, by and between Palisades Collection, L.L.C. and the other party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008).

   

10.6

Amended and Restated Master Servicing Agreement, dated January 16, 2009, by and between Palisades Collection, L.L.C. and the other party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008).

 

 

10.7

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Master Servicing Agreement, by and among Palisades Collection and the other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008).

   

10.8

Indemnification Agreement, by and among Asta Funding, Inc., GMS Family Investors LLC and Judith R. Feder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009).

   

10.9

Settlement Agreement and Omnibus Amendment, dated August 7, 2013, by and among Asta Funding, Inc., Palisades Acquisition XVI, LLC, Palisades Collection, L.L.C., Palisades Acquisition XV, LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Fairway Finance Company, LLC and Bank of Montreal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 9, 2013).

   

10.10

Revolving Credit Agreement, dated December 28, 2011, by and between Pegasus Funding, LLC and Fund Pegasus, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 4, 2012).

   

10.11

Security Agreement, dated December 28, 2011, by and between Pegasus Funding, LLC and Fund Pegasus, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 4, 2012).

   

10.12

Secured Revolving Credit Note, dated December 28, 2011, by Pegasus Funding, LLC in favor of Fund Pegasus, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 4, 2012).

   

10.13

Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Pegasus Funding, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 4, 2012).

   

10.14#

Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of CBC Settlement Funding, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2014).

   

10.15

Lease Agreement, dated October 27, 2015, by and between ESL 200, LLC and Asta Funding, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 29, 2015).

   

10.16

First Amendment to Loan Documents, dated March 30, 2016, by and among Asta Funding, Inc., Palisades Collection, L.L.C. and Bank Hapoalim B.M. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 31, 2016).

   

10.17

Loan Agreement, dated May 2, 2014, by and among Asta Funding, Inc., Palisades Collection, L.L.C. and Bank Hapoalim B.M., dated May 2, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 8, 2014).

   

10.18

Security Agreement, dated May 2, 2014, by among Asta Funding, Inc., Palisades Collection, L.L.C., and Bank Hapoalim B.M. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 8, 2014).

   

10.19

Mutual Confidentiality Agreement, dated May 25, 2016, by and between Asta Funding, Inc. and Mangrove Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 26, 2016).

   

10.20+

Employment Agreement, dated March 15, 2016, by and between Asta Funding, Inc. and Bruce Foster (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 15, 2016).

   

10.21

Settlement Agreement, dated January 6, 2017, by and among Asta Funding. Inc., The Mangrove Partners Master Fund Ltd., The Mangrove Partners Fund, L.P., Mangrove Partners Fund (Cayman), Ltd., Mangrove Partners, Mangrove Capital and Nathaniel August and, solely for purposes of Section 1(c), 1(d), 2 and 8 thereof, Gary Stern, Ricky Stern, Emily Stern, Arthur Stern, Asta Group, incorporated and GMS Family Investors LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 9, 2017).

   

10.22

Voting Agreement, dated January 6, 2017, by and among Asta Funding, Inc., Gary Stern, Ricky Stern, Emily Stern, Asta Group, incorporated and GMS Family Investors LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 9, 2017).

   

10.23

Assignment Agreement, dated April 28, 2017, by and between CBC Settlement Funding, LLC and the other party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Asta Funding, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2017).

   

10.24*

Indemnification Agreement, dated September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding Inc. and Bruce Foster.

   

10.25*

Indemnification Agreement, dated September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding Inc. and Seth Berman.

 

 

10.26*

Indemnification Agreement, dated September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding Inc. and Mark Levenfus.

   

10.27*

Indemnification Agreement, dated September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding Inc. and Louis A. Piccolo.

   

10.28*

Indemnification Agreement, dated September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding Inc. and David Slackman.

   

10.29*

Indemnification Agreement, dated September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding Inc. and Ricky Stern.

   

16.1*

Letter, dated October 11, 2018, addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission from Mazars USA LLP.

   

21.1*

Subsidiaries of Asta Funding, Inc.

   

23.1*

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

   
23.2* Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

31.1*

Certification of Gary Stern, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

31.2*

Certification of Bruce R. Foster, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

32.1**

Certification of the Gary Stern, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

32.2**

Certification of Bruce R. Foster, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

101.INS

XBRL Instance.

   

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.

   

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation.

   

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition.

   

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels.

   

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation.

 

 

*

Filed herewith 

**

This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act.

+

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

#

Indicates schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 6.01(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. Asta Funding Inc. agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Contents

 

 

Page

 

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

 

F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 and 2016

 

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

 

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

 

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

 

F-7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

 

F-8

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-9

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Asta Funding, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Asta Funding, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company") as of September 30, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2017. The financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Asta Funding, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2017, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

 

/s/ EisnerAmper LLP

 

Iselin, New Jersey

October 12, 2018

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

 

Asta Funding, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Asta Funding, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

 

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

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2016, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

/s/ Mazars USA LLP

 

Edison, New Jersey

 

September 17, 2018

 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   

September 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

ASSETS

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 17,591,000     $ 6,282,000  

Restricted cash

          10,000,000  

Available-for-sale investments (at fair value)

    5,511,000       56,763,000  

Consumer receivables acquired for liquidation (at net realizable value)

    6,841,000       13,427,000  

Investment in personal injury claims, net

    3,704,000        

Other investments, net

          3,590,000  

Due from third party collection agencies and attorneys

    819,000       1,050,000  

Prepaid and income taxes receivable

    9,090,000       714,000  

Furniture and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $1,759,000 at September 30, 2017 and $1,662,000 at September 30, 2016)

    124,000       196,000  

Equity method investment

    50,474,000       48,582,000  

Deferred income taxes

    12,696,000       14,903,000  

Goodwill

    1,410,000       1,410,000  

Other assets

    1,043,000       6,585,000  

Assets related to discontinued operations

    92,235,000       91,506,000  
                 

Total assets

  $ 201,538,000     $ 255,008,000  
                 
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Other liabilities

  $ 4,980,000     $ 3,987,000  

Liabilities related to discontinued operations

    81,751,000       69,238,000  
                 

Total liabilities

    86,731,000       73,225,000  
                 

Commitments and contingencies

               

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000; issued and outstanding — none

           

Preferred stock, Series A Junior Participating, $.01 par value; authorized 30,000 shares; issued and outstanding — none

           

Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 13,398,108 at September 30, 2017 and 13,336,508 at September 30, 2016; and outstanding 6,623,815 at September 30, 2017 and 11,876,224 at September 30, 2016

    134,000       133,000  

Additional paid-in capital

    68,047,000       67,034,000  

Retained earnings

    113,736,000       126,738,000  

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes

    18,000       803,000  

Treasury stock (at cost), 6,774,293 shares at September 30, 2017 and 1,460,284 shares at September 30, 2016

    (67,128,000

)

    (12,925,000

)

Total stockholders’ equity

    114,807,000       181,783,000  
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 201,538,000     $ 255,008,000  

 

See notes to accompanying consolidated financial statements

  

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Revenues:

               

Finance income, net

  $ 15,920,000     $ 18,890,000  

Personal injury claims income

    434,000        

Disability fee income

    5,085,000       4,011,000  
                 

Total revenues

    21,439,000       22,901,000  

Other income (expense) (includes ($1,011,000) and ($63,000) during the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications for realized net losses on securities)

    (94,000 )     1,704,000  
                 
      21,345,000       24,605,000  
                 

Expenses:

               

General and administrative expenses

    31,900,000       29,308,000  

Interest expense

    240,000        

Impairments of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation

    1,129,000       164,000  

Earnings from equity method investment

    (4,619,000

)

    (10,551,000

)

                 
      28,650,000       18,921,000  
                 

(Loss) income before income tax from continuing operations

    (7,305,000

)

    5,684,000  

Income tax expense (includes tax (benefit) expense of $404,000 and $24,000 during the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications for realized net (losses) gains on available for sales securities)

    1,077,000       1,017,000  
                 

(Loss) income from continuing operations

    (8,382,000

)

    4,667,000  

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

    (4,620,000

)

    2,906,000  
                 

Net (loss) income

  $ (13,002,000

)

  $ 7,573,000  
                 

Net (loss) income per basic shares:

               

Continuing operations

  $ (0.97

)

  $ 0.39  

Discontinued operations

  $ (0.53

)

  $ 0.24  
    $ (1.50

)

  $ 0.63  

Net (loss) income per diluted shares:

               

Continuing operations

  $ (0.97

)

  $ 0.37  

Discontinued operations

  $ (0.53

)

  $ 0.24  
    $ (1.50

)

  $ 0.61  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:                

Basic

    8,692,668       11,996,500  
Diluted     8,692,668       12,508,561  

                                                               

See notes to accompanying consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

   

Year Ended September 30,

   

2017

   

2016

   

Comprehensive (loss) income is as follows:

                 

Net (loss) income

  $ (13,002,000

)

  $ 7,573,000    
                   

Net unrealized securities gain/ (loss), net of tax benefit / (expense) of $8,000 and ($528,000) during the years ended September 30, 2017and 2016 respectively.

    (10,000

)

    867,000    

Reclassification adjustments for securities sold, net of tax benefit of $404,000 and $25,000, during the years ended September 30, 2017and 2016 respectively.

    (607,000

)

    (38,000

)

 

Foreign currency translation, net of tax (expense) benefit of $112,000, and $31,000, during the years ended September 30, 2017and 2016 respectively.

    (168,000

)

    (46,000

)

 
                   

Other comprehensive (loss) income

    (785,000

)

    783,000    
                   

Total comprehensive (loss) income

  $ (13,787,000

)

  $ 8,356,000    

 

See notes to accompanying consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity  

 

For the years ended September 30, 201 7 and 201 6

 

   

Common Stock

   

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

   

Retained

Earnings

   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

   

Treasury

Stock

   

Non-

Controlling

Interests

   

Total

Stockholders’

Equity

 
   

Issued

Shares

   

Amount

                                                 

Balance, September 30, 2015

    13,061,673     $ 131,000     $ 65,049,000     $ 119,165,000     $ 20,000     $ (1,751,000

)

  $ 793,000     $ 183,407,000  

Exercise of options

    146,531       1,000       1,203,000                               1,204,000  

Stock based compensation expense

                686,000                               686,000  

Restricted stock

    5,000                                            

Net income

                      7,573,000                         7,573,000  

Unrealized gain on marketable securities

                            867,000                   867,000  

Amount reclassified from other comprehensive (loss) income

                            (38,000

)

                (38,000

)

Purchase of treasury stock

                                  (11,174,000

)

          (11,174,000

)

Foreign currency translation, net

                            (46,000

)

                (46,000

)

Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interest

    123,304       1,000       96,000                         (793,000

)

    (696,000

)

Balance, September 30, 2016

    13,336,508     $ 133,000     $ 67,034,000     $ 126,738,000     $ 803,000     $ (12,925,000

)

  $     $ 181,783,000  

Stock based compensation expense

                58,000                               58,000  

Net loss

                      (13,002,000

)

                      (13,002,000

)

Amount reclassified from other comprehensive (loss) income

                            (607,000

)

                (607,000

)

Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net

                            (10,000

)

                (10,000

)

Purchase of treasury stock

                                  (54,203,000

)

          (54,203,000

)

Foreign currency translation, net

                            (168,000

)

                (168,000

)

Forgiveness of debt

                552,000                               552,000  

Issuance of unrestricted stock

    61,600       1,000       403,000                               404,000  

Balance, September 30, 2017

    13,398,108     $ 134,000     $ 68,047,000     $ 113,736,000     $ 18,000     $ (67,128,000

)

  $     $ 114,807,000  

  

See notes to accompanying consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   

Year Ended September 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net (loss) from continuing operations

  $ (8,382,000

)

  $ 4,667,000  

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations

    (4,620,000

)

    2,906,000  

Net (loss) income

    (13,002,000

)

    7,573,000  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    97,000       377,000  

Deferred income taxes

    2,619,000       (1,972,000

)

Impairments of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation

    1,129,000       164,000  

Stock based compensation

    101,000       686,000  

Loss on sale of available-for-sale securities

    1,011,000       63,000  

Unrealized gain on other investments

          (359,000

)

Unrealized foreign exchange loss on other investments

          8,000  

Loss on other investment

    3,590,000       1,000,000  

Forgiveness of debt

    552,000        

Operating lease adjustment

          21,000  

Earnings from equity method investment

    (4,619,000

)

    (10,551,000

)

Changes in:

               

Prepaid and income taxes receivable

    (8,376,000

)

    6,398,000  

Due from third party collection agencies and attorneys

    228,000       297,000  

Other assets

    5,550,000       (1,582,000

)

Other liabilities

    825,000       1,566,000  

Changes in net assets related to discontinued operations

    (1,568,000

)

    (13,007,000

)

                 

Net cash used in operating activities

    (11,863,000

)

    (9,318,000

)

                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Purchase of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation

    (2,214,000

)

    (8,162,000

)

Principal collected on consumer receivables acquired for liquidation

    7,624,000       9,628,000  

Principal collected on consumer receivable accounts represented by account sales

    197,000        

Purchase of available-for-sale securities

    (13,193,000

)

    (12,019,000

)

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities

    62,406,000       16,302,000  

Change in equity method investment

    2,727,000       2,720,000  

Purchase of non-controlling interest

          (800,000

)

Investments in personal injury claims — advances

    (4,369,000

)

     

Investments in personal injury claims — receipts

    665,000        

Capital expenditures

    (25,000

)

    (168,000

)

Change in investing activities related to discontinued operations

    1,793,000       (8,002,000

)

                 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    55,611,000       (501,000

)

                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

          1,204,000  

Purchase of treasury stock

    (54,203,000

)

    (11,174,000

)

Change in financing activities related to discontinued operations

    11,500,000       15,824,000  
                 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (42,703,000

)

    5,854,000  

Foreign currency effect on cash

    (155,000

)

     

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash including cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash classified within assets related to discontinued operations

    890,000       (3,965,000

)

Less: net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash classified within assets related to discontinued operations

    419,000       300,000  
                 

Net increase ( decrease ) in cash , cash equivalents and restricted cash

    1,309,000       (3,665,000

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year

    16,282,000       19,947,000  
                 

Cash , cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year

  $ 17,591,000     $ 16,282,000  
                 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

               
Continuing operations:                

Cash paid for:

               

Interest

  $ 149,000     $  
                 

Income taxes

  $ 6,200,000     $ 307,000  
                 
Discontinued operations:                
Cash paid for:                
Interest   $ 3,929,000     $ 3,252,000  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:                

Continuing operations:

               

Issuance of restricted stock to purchase subsidiary shares from non-controlling interest

  $     $ 1,000,000  

Disc ontinu ed operations:

               
                 

Issuance of unrestricted stock

  $ 404,000     $  

 

See notes to accompanying consolidated financial statements 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2017 and 201 6

 

 

NOTE 1  — THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

[1] The Company:

 

Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Asta”), was formed in August 1995. Asta together with its wholly owned significant operating subsidiaries Palisades Collection, LLC, Palisades Acquisition XVI, LLC (“Palisades XVI”), Palisades Acquisition XIX, LLC (“Palisades XIX”), Palisades Acquisition XXIII, LLC (“Palisades XXIII”), VATIV Recovery Solutions LLC (“VATIV”), ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC (“APH”), Fund Pegasus, LLC (“Fund Pegasus”), GAR Disability Advocates, LLC (“GAR Disability Advocates”), Five Star Veterans Disability, LLC (“Five Star”), Simia Capital, LLC (“Simia”) and other subsidiaries, which are not all wholly owned (the “Company,” “we” or “us”), is engaged in several business segments in the financial services industry including funding of personal injury claims, through our 80% owned, 50% controlled equity investment in Pegasus and our wholly owned subsidiary, Simia, social security and disability advocacy through our wholly owned subsidiaries GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star and the business of purchasing, managing for its own account and servicing distressed consumer receivables, including charged off receivables, and semi-performing receivables.

 

For the period covered by these financial statements, Pegasus was 80% owned, and accounted for under the equity method. On January 12, 2018, the Company acquired the remaining 20% minority shareholder's interest in Pegasus, and now currently owns 100% of Pegasus. Commencing in the quarter ending March 31, 2018, the Company will consolidate the financial results of this entity.

 

We operate principally in the United States in three reportable business segments: consumer receivables, GAR disability advocates and personal injury claims. We previously operated a fourth segment when we engaged in the structured settlements business through our wholly owned subsidiary CBC Settlement Funding, LLC (“CBC”), which we sold on December 13, 2017.

 

As a result of the sale of CBC all prior periods presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements account for CBC as a discontinued operation. This determination resulted in the reclassification of the assets and liabilities comprising the structured settlement business to assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets, and a corresponding adjustment to our consolidated statements of operations to reflect discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations.

 

Consumer receivables

 

The Company started out in the consumer receivable business in 1995. Recently, our effort has been in the international areas (mainly South America), as we have curtailed our active purchasing of consumer receivables in the United States. We define consumer receivables as primary charged-off, semi-performing and distressed depending on their collectability. We acquire these consumer receivables at substantial discounts to their face values, based on the characteristics of the underlying accounts of each portfolio.

 

Personal injury claims

   

Simia commenced operations in January 2017, and conducts its business solely in the United States. Simia obtains its business from external brokers and internal sales professionals soliciting individuals with personal injury claims. Business is also obtained from its website and through attorneys. Our equity method investment in Pegasus operates in the personal injury claims business.

 

  Social security benefit advocacy

 

GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star provide disability advocacy services throughout the United States. It relies upon search engine optimization (“SEO”) to bring awareness to its intended market.

 

[2] Basis of Presentation:

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and industry practices. All intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 1  — THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED):

 

[3] Use of estimates:  

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. With respect to income recognition the Company takes into consideration the relative credit quality of the underlying receivables constituting the portfolio acquired, the strategy involved to maximize the collections thereof, the time required to implement the collection strategy as well as other factors to estimate the anticipated cash flows. Actual results could differ from those estimates including management’s estimates of future cash flows and the resultant allocation of collections between principal and interest resulting there from. Downward revisions to estimated cash flows will result in impairments.

 

[ 4 ] Liquidity:  

 

At September 30,  2017, the Company had $17.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, as well as $5.5 million in level 1 securities that are classified as available for sale, on hand.  In addition, the Company had working capital of $114.8 million at September 30,  2017.


         As discussed in Note 2, on December 13,  2017, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding equity capital of CBC for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $10.5 million. Additionally, as discussed in Note 5, on January 12,  2018, the Company acquired the remaining 20% controlling interest in Pegasus Funding, LLC (see Note 5 ).  As a result of this transaction, and the related settlement agreement (see note 21 ), the $35.4 million of restricted cash on hand at Pegasus at September 30,  2017  became unrestricted and was available to the Company.

 

On February 5, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a special cash dividend in the amount of $5.30 per share with respect to its Common Stock, payable on February 28, 2018 to holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock at the close of business on February 16, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of March 1, 2018. The aggregate payment to shareholders was approximately $35 million.

 

We believe that our available cash resources and expected cash inflows from operations will be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months.

 

[ 5 ] Concentration of Credit Risk — Cash and Restricted Cash :  

 

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

 

Cash balances are maintained at various depository institutions and are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company had cash balances with 11 banks that exceeded the balance insured by the FDIC by approximately $11.1 million at September  30, 2017. Additionally, three foreign banks with an aggregate $3.4 million balances are not FDIC insured.

 

As of September 30, 2017 and 2016 there is $0.5 million, of cash in a domestic bank that is classified as restricted. These amounts are included in net assets related to discontinued operations on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk due to concentration of cash. 

 

As of September 30, 2016, there was a $10.0 million aggregate balance in a domestic bank that is also not FDIC insured and has been reflected as restricted cash in the balance sheet since these assets serve as collateral for the line of credit (see Note 8 – Non-Recourse Debt).

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016  

 

NOTE 1  — THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED):

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the statement of financial position that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

   

Year Ended September 30

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 17,591,000     $ 6,282,000  

Restricted cash

    -       10,000,000  

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows

  $ 17,591,000     $ 16,282,000  

 

The amount included in restricted cash represents a $10.0 million deposit at Bank Hapoalim that served as collateral for the line of credit - (see Note 8 – Non-Recourse Debt). On April 28, 2017, the Company renewed the line of credit facility with the new maturity date of August 2, 2017, under the existing terms and conditions as of June 30, 2017. On August 2, 2017, the Bank Hapoalim $9.6 million line of credit expired and the Company satisfied the debt with cash that was held in deposit as collateral with the bank.

 

[ 6 ] Available-for-Sale Investments:  

 

Investments that the Company intends to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity, are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are determined using the specific-identification method. 

 

Declines in the fair value of individual available-for-sale securities below their respective costs that are other than temporary will result in write-downs of the individual securities to their fair value. Factors affecting the determination of whether another-than-temporary impairment has occurred include: a downgrading of the security by a rating agency, a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer, or that management would not have the ability to hold a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. 

 

[7 ] Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination, and is accounted for under ASC 350. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment at the reporting-unit level on an annual basis during the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment between annual measurement dates. The Company has the option of performing a qualitative assessment of impairment to determine whether any further quantitative testing for impairment is necessary. The qualitative approach assesses whether the existence of events or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than carrying value, a two step quantitative impairment test is performed. A step 1 analysis involves calculating the fair value of the associated reporting unit and comparing it to the reporting unit’s carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit including goodwill and the carrying value of the reporting unit is positive, goodwill is considered not to be impaired and no further analysis is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, step 2 of the impairment test must be performed. Step 2 involves calculating and comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with its carrying value. Impairment is recognized if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its net book value. Such loss is calculated as the difference between the estimated impaired fair value of goodwill and its carrying amount. The goodwill of the Company consists of $1.4 million from the purchase of VATIV. Additionally, the Company has goodwill of $1.4 million from the purchase of CBC, which is included under assets related to discontinued operations on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

[ 8 ] Income recognition, Impairments and Accretable yield adjustments:  

 

Income Recognition  

 

The Company accounts for certain of its investments in finance receivables using the guidance of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Receivables — Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310” ). Under the guidance of ASC 310, static pools of accounts are established. These pools are aggregated based on certain common risk criteria. Each static pool is recorded at cost and is accounted for as a single unit for the recognition of income, principal payments and loss provision. Due to the substantial reduction of portfolios reported under the interest method, and the inability to reasonably estimate cash collections required to account for those portfolios under the interest method the Company concluded the cost recovery method is the appropriate accounting method under the circumstances. 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 1  — THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED):

 

[ 8 ] Income recognition, Impairments and Accretable yield adjustments (Continued):

 

Under the guidance of ASC 310 - 30, the Company must analyze a portfolio upon acquisition to ensure which method is appropriate, and once a static pool is established for a quarter, individual receivable accounts are not added to the pool (unless replaced by the seller) or removed from the pool (unless sold or returned to the seller).  

 

The Company uses the cost recovery method when collections on a particular pool of accounts cannot be reasonably predicted. Under the cost recovery method, no income is recognized until the cost of the portfolio has been fully recovered. A pool can become fully amortized ( zero carrying balance on the balance sheet) while still generating cash collections. In this case, all cash collections are recognized as revenue when received. 

 

The Company accounts for its investments in personal injury claims at an agreed upon interest rate, in anticipation of a future settlement. The interest purchased by Pegasus in each claim will consist of the right to receive from such claimant part of the proceeds or recoveries which such claimant receives by reason of a settlement, judgment or reward with respect to such claimant’s claim. Open case revenue is estimated, recognized and accrued at a rate based on the expected realization and underwriting guidelines and facts and circumstances for each individual case. These personal injury claims are non-recourse. When a case is closed and the cash is received for the advance provided to a claimant, revenue is recognized based upon the contractually agreed upon interest rate, and, if applicable, adjusted for any changes due to a settled amount and fees charged to the claimant. 

 

The funding of matrimonial actions is on a non-recourse basis. Revenue from matrimonial actions is recognized under the cost recovery method. 

 

 The Company recognizes revenue for GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star Veterans when disability claimants cases close with the social security administration and the applicable fees are collected.

 

Impairments and accretable yield adjustments  

 

The Company accounts for its impairments in accordance with ASC 310, which provides guidance on how to account for differences between contractual and expected cash flows from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. The recognition of income under ASC 310 is dependent on the Company having the ability to develop reasonable expectations of both the timing and amount of cash flows to be collected. In the event the Company cannot develop a reasonable expectation as to both the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be collected, ASC 310 permits the change to the cost recovery method. The Company will recognize income only after it has recovered its carrying value.

 

If collection projections indicate the carrying value will not be recovered, an impairment is required. The impairment will be equal to the difference between the carrying value at the time of the forecast and the corresponding estimated remaining future collections. The Company believes it has significant experience in acquiring certain distressed consumer receivable portfolios at a significant discount to the amount actually owed by underlying customers. The Company invests in these portfolios only after both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the underlying receivables are performed and a calculated purchase price is paid so that it believes its estimated cash flow offers an adequate return on acquisition costs after servicing expenses. Additionally, when considering larger portfolio purchases of accounts, or portfolios from issuers with whom the Company has limited experience, it has the added benefit of soliciting its third party collection agencies and attorneys for their input on liquidation rates and, at times, incorporates such input into the estimates it uses for its expected cash flows.

 

In October 2014, the Company invested $5.0 million in Class A shares of the Topaz MP Fixed Income Fund (“Topaz Fund”), a closed end fund. The Topaz Fund invests indirectly in various portfolios of Non-Performing Small Consumer Loans. The objective of the fund is to obtain a fixed return cash flow representing interest on the invested capital. According to the investment memorandum of the fund, the Topaz Fund proposed to make semi-annual distributions of 14% annual compounded interest on June and December of each year. Since December 2015, no distribution has been received by the Company. The Company received letters from the fund’s General Partner explaining that the distributions were not made due to the negative performance of the fund for the periods. 

 

 During the fiscal year 2016, the Company recorded an impairment loss on this investment of $1.0 million, which was included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. In fiscal year 2017, the Company received an announcement that the investment was being liquidated. After careful consideration, the $3.4 million carrying value of this investment was written off as of March 31, 2017. 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 1  — THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED):

 

[ 9 ] Equity method investment

 

Investee companies that are not consolidated, but over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to an investee depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation on the investee company's board of directors and ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in voting securities of the investee company. Under the equity method of accounting, an investee company's accounts are not reflected within the Company's consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations, however, the Company's share of the earnings of the investee company is reflected as earnings and loss from equity method investment in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. The Company's carrying value in an equity method investee company is reflected on the Company's consolidated balance sheet, as equity method investment.

 

Pegasus is the Company's 50% controlled equity investment with Pegasus legal Funding (“PLF”). Under the operating agreement, the Company and PLF, each maintain 50% voting rights of the entity, and is 80% owned by Asta. Based on these shared voting rights with PLF, the Company lacks requisite control of Pegasus, and therefore accounts for its investment in Pegasus under the equity method of accounting.

 

On January 12, 2018, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement) with PLF. Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company bought PLF's interest in Pegasus, which was 20% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Pegasus, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.8 million. As a result of this purchase, the Company owns 100% of Pegasus. Accordingly, based on the purchase of PLF's interest, the Company now has full voting control of the entity. Therefore, commencing on January 12, 2018, the Company will no longer account for this entity under the equity method, but instead will consolidate the entity into its financial statements.

 

Serlefin BPO&O Peru S.A.C. (“Serlefin Peru”) is the Company's 49% owned joint venture. The other 51% is owned by three individuals who share common ownership with Serlefin BPO&O Serlefin S.A. (“Serlefin”). Each owner maintains voting rights equivalent to their share ownership, and the 51% shareholders collectively manage the operations of the business. Based on the Company's ownership and voting rights, the Company lacks requisite control of Serlefin Peru, and therefore accounts for its investment in Serlefin Peru under the equity method of accounting.

 

Additionally, the Company and Serlefin jointly purchase international consumer debt portfolios under a purchase agreement. The Company and Serlefin purchase the portfolios on a pro-rata basis of 80% and 20%, respectively. The purchased portfolios are transferred to an administrative and payment trust, where the Company and Serlefin are trustees. Serlefin provides collection services to the trust, and receives a performance fee determined by the parties for each loan portfolio acquired. Serlefin received approximately $554,000 and $268,000 in performance fees for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

The carrying value of the investment in Serlefin Peru was $0.2 million as of September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016. The Company has included the carrying value of this investment in other assets on its consolidated balance sheets. The cumulative net loss from our investment in Serlefin Peru through September 30, 2017 was approximately $0.1 million, and was not significant to the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

 

When the Company's carrying value in an equity method investee company is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in the Company's consolidated financial statements unless the Company guaranteed obligations of the investee company or has committed additional funding. When the investee company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of its share of losses not previously recognized. There were no impairment losses recorded on our equity method investments for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

[ 10 ] Personal Injury Claim Advances

 

Management assesses the quality of the personal injury claims portfolio through an analysis of the underlying personal injury fundings on a case by case basis. Cases are reviewed through periodic updates with attorneys handling the cases, as well as with third party research tools which monitor public filings, such as motions or judgments rendered on specific cases. The Company specifically reserves for those fundings where the underlying cases are identified as uncollectible, due to anticipated non-favorable verdicts and/or settlements at levels where recovery of the advance outstanding is unlikely. For cases that have not exhibited any specific negative collection indicators, the Company establishes reserves based on the historical collection rates of the Company’s fundings. Fee income on advances is reserved for on all cases where a specific reserve is established on the initially funded amount. In addition, management also monitors its historical collection rates on fee income and establishes reserves on fee income consistent with the historically experienced collection rates. Management regularly analyzes and updates the historical collection rates of its initially funded cases as well as its fee income.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 1  — THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED):

 

  [ 11 ] Commissions and fees:

 

 Commissions and fees are the contractual commissions earned by third party collection agencies and attorneys, and direct costs associated with the collection effort- generally court costs. The Company expects to continue to purchase portfolios and utilize third party collection agencies and attorney networks.

 

  [ 1 2 ] Furniture and equipment:  

 

Furniture and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ( 3 to 7  years). Amortization on leasehold improvements is provided by the straight line-method of the remaining life of the respective lease. An accelerated depreciation method is used for tax purposes.

 

[1 3 ] Income taxes:  

 

Deferred federal and state taxes arise from (i) recognition of finance income collected for tax purposes, but not yet recognized for financial reporting; (ii) provision for impairments/credit losses, all resulting in timing differences between financial accounting and tax reporting; (iii) amortization of leasehold improvements resulting in timing differences between financial accounting and tax reporting; (iv) stock based compensation; and (v) partnership investments.   

 

[14] Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

 

FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments, (“ASC 825” ), requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized on the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. Because there are a limited number of market participants for certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities, fair value estimates are based upon judgments regarding credit risk, investor expectation of economic conditions, normal cost of administration and other risk characteristics, including interest rate and prepayment risk. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of judgment, which significantly affect the estimates.

 

The Company recorded its available-for-sale investments at estimated fair value on a recurring basis. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include estimated fair value information regarding its available-for-sale investments as of September  30, 2017, as required by FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820” ). ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to assess at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

  

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities that are developed using the reporting entities’ estimates and assumptions, which reflect those that market participants would use.

 

[15] Discontinued Operations :

 

US GAAP requires the results of operations of a component of an equity that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale to be reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements if the sale or disposition represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 1  — THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED):

 

[1 6 ] Net income (loss) per share:  

 

Basic per share data is determined by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted per share data is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding, assuming all dilutive potential common shares were issued. The assumed proceeds from the exercise of dilutive options are calculated using the treasury stock method based on the average market price for the period.  

 

[1 7 ] Stock-based compensation:  

 

The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation under FASB ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation , (“ASC 718” ). ASC 718 requires that compensation expense associated with stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards be recognized in the statement of operations.    

 

[1 8 ] Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or stockholders' equity.

 

[1 9 ] Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards:  

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued an update to ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” that will supersede virtually all existing revenue guidance. Under this update, an entity is required to recognize revenue upon transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the entitled consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the customer contracts. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December  15, 2017 including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December  15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Given the changes in the Company's business management is continuing to assess this new standard and the impact it will have on accounting for its revenues.  

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued Update No.   2016 - 01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The main objective in developing this update is enhancing the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The amendments in this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The effective date for this update is for annual reporting periods beginning after December  15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements. 

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 - 02, Leases (Topic 842 ) which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. For a lease with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability. Additionally, when measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, optional payments should be included only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease, exercise a purchase option or not exercise an option to terminate the lease. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018 - 01, Leases (Topic 842 ): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842. ASU 2018 - 01 was issued to address concerns about the cost and complexity of complying with the transition provisions of ASU 2018 - 01. The standard becomes effective in for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of reviewing its existing leases, including service contracts for embedded leases to evaluate the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and the impact on regulatory capital.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued Update No.   2016 - 09, Improvements to Employee Share Based Payment Accounting, to simplify and improve areas of generally accepted accounting principles for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. The effective date for this update is for annual reporting periods beginning after December  15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 - 13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326 ): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.  The ASU requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Additionally, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.  For the Company, this update will be effective for interim periods and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Upon adoption, the Company will accelerate the recording of its credit losses in its financial statements. 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 1  — THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED):

 

[19] Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards (continued) :  

 

In August 2016 the FASB issued ASU  2016 - 15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230 ): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments."  This ASU will make eight targeted changes to how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard will require adoption on a retrospective basis unless it is impracticable to apply, in which case the Company would be required to apply the amendments prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of the ASU, but does not expect it to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows. 

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017 - 01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825 - 10 ) Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The main objective in developing this update is enhancing the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The amendments in this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The effective date for this update is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017 - 04 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350 ): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The objective of this update is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not believe this update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017 - 09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718 ) Improvements to Employee Share Based Payment Accounting, to simplify and improve areas of generally accepted accounting principles for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. The effective date for this update is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018 - 02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income , which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017, and requires certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. ASU 2018 - 02 will be effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Act is recognized.  The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's its consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018 - 13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820 ): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The ASU removes the requirement to disclose: the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for timing of transfers between levels; and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU requires disclosure of changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income (loss) for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

[ 20 ] Foreign Currency Translation  

 

Most of the Company's operations use their local currency as their functional currency. Financial statements of subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and a weighted average exchange rate for each period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses. Translation adjustments for subsidiaries whose local currency is their functional currency are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within equity. Transaction gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recognized as incurred in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

 

 

NOTE 2 — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

 On December  31, 2013, the Company acquired 80% ownership of CBC and its affiliate, CBC Management Services, LLC for approximately $5.9 million.

 

On December  31, 2015, the Company acquired the remaining 20% ownership of CBC for $1,800,000, through the issuance of restricted stock valued at approximately  $1,000,000 and $800,000 in cash. Each of the two original principals received 61,652 shares of restricted stock at a fair market value of $8.11 per share and $400,000 in cash. An aggregate of 123,304 shares of restricted stock were issued as part of the transaction.

 

On January  1, 2016, the Company renewed the expiring two -year employment agreements of the two CBC principals for one year terms. The employment contracts of the original two principals expired at the end of December 2016. The Company did not renew those contracts. Ryan Silverman has been appointed CEO/General Counsel effective January 1, 2017.

 

During November 2017, a competitor of CBC alleged that CBC had unlawfully purchased certain of the competitor's trade secrets and customer lists from intermediaries who allegedly arranged and/or paid for said materials from the competitor.  CBC denied any wrongdoing and disclaimed liability.  The parties settled the matter for a payment of $0.5 million on or about November 22, 2017, in exchange for a complete release.

 

On December 13, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement) with CBC Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Buyer”). Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding equity capital of CBC for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $10.3 million. Of the aggregate purchase price, approximately $4.5 million was paid in cash, and $5.8 million was paid under a promissory note at an annual interest rate of 7% to be paid quarterly to the Company and secured by a first priority security interest in and lien on such Buyer’s affiliates’ rights to certain servicing fees. The remaining amount of the aggregate purchase price was paid as reimbursement of certain invoices of CBC. The Company subsequently recognized a loss of approximately $2.4 million on the above sale of CBC as of September 30, 2017.

 

As a result of the sale of CBC all prior periods presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements will account for CBC as a discontinued operation. This determination resulted in the reclassification of the assets and liabilities comprising the structured settlement business to assets related to discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets, and a corresponding adjustment to our consolidated statements of operations to reflect discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

As of September 30, 2017, the components of the Company designated as discontinued operations had assets and liabilities of $92.2 million and $81.8 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, the components of the Company designated as discontinued operations had assets and liabilities of $91.5 million and $69.2 million respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company designated as discontinued operations reported a income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $3.4 million and income tax expense of $2.6 million, respectively, of ( $4.6 ) million and $2.9 million, respectively.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 2 — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED):

 

The major components of assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations are as follows:

 

   

September 30,

 
   

201 7

   

201 6

 

ASSETS

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,617,000   (1)   $ 1,198,000  

Restricted cash

    499,000       499,000  

Structured Settlements

    86,971,000       86,091,000  

Furniture and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $111,000 at September 30, 2017 and $96,000 at September 30, 2016)

    34,000       47,000  

Goodwill

          1,405,000  

Other assets

    3,114,000       2,266,000  
                 

Total assets related to discontinued operations

  $ 92,235,000     $ 91,506,000  
                 

LIABILITIES AND MEMB ERS’ EQUITY

               

Other debt - CBC

  $ 78,935,000     $ 67,435,000  

Other liabilities

    2,816,000       1,803,000  
                 

Total liabilities related to discontinued operations

  $ 81,751,000     $ 69,238,000  

 

( 1 ) Cash balance with one bank at September 30, 2017 that exceeded the balance insured by the FDIC by approximately $0.5 million.

 

The following table presents the operating results, for the years ended September 30, 2017  and  2016, for the components of the Company designated as discontinued operations:

 

   

201 7

   

201 6

 

Revenues:

               

Unrealized gain on structured settlements

  $ 4,326,000     $ 8,384,000  

Interest income on structured settlements

    8,224,000       6,062,000  

Loss on sale of structured settlements

    (5,353,000

)

     

Total revenues

    7,197,000       14,446,000  

Other income

    58,000        
      7,255,000       14,446,000  

Expenses:

               

General and administrative expenses

    9,954,000       5,623,000  

Interest expense

    3,927,000       3,214,000  

Impairment

    1,405,000        
      15,286,000       8,837,000  
                 

(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income tax

    (8,031,000

)

    5,609,000  

Income tax (benefit) expense from discontinued operations

    (3,411,000

)

    2,599,000  

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations before non-controlling interest

    (4,620,000

)

    3,010,000  

Non-controlling interest

          104,000  

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income tax

  $ (4,620,000

)

  $ 2,906,000  

 

Prior to its sale, we, through CBC purchased periodic payments under structured settlements and annuity policies from individuals in exchange for a lump sum payment. The Company elected to carry the structured settlements at fair value. Unearned income on structured settlements is recognized as interest income using the effective interest method over the life of the related structured settlement. Changes in fair value are recorded in unrealized gain (loss) on structured settlements in the Company’s statements of operations. Unrealized gains on structured settlements is comprised of both unrealized gains resulting from fair market valuation at the date of acquisition of the structured settlements and the subsequent fair value adjustments resulting from the change in the discount rate. Of the $4.3 million of unrealized gains recognized in the fiscal year ended September  30, 2017, approximately $6.9 million is due to day one gains on new structured settlements financed during the period, $0.2 million due to a change in the discount rate, offset by a decrease of $2.1 million in realized gains recognized as realized interest income on structured settlements during the period and a fair value adjustment of $0.7 million. There were no other changes in assumptions during the period. 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 2 — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED):

 

We elected the fair value treatment under ASC 825 - 10 - 50 - 28 through 50 - 32 to be transparent to the user regarding the underlying fair value of the structured settlement which collateralizes the debt of CBC. The Company believes any change in fair value is driven by market risk as opposed to credit risk associated with the underlying structured settlement annuity issuer. 

 

The purchased personal injury structured settlements result in payments over time through an annuity policy. Most of the annuities acquired involve guaranteed payments with specific defined ending dates. CBC also purchases a small number of life contingent annuity payments with specific ending dates but the actual payments to be received could be less due to the mortality risk associated with the measuring life. CBC records a provision for loss each period. The life contingent annuities are not a material portion of assets at June 30, 2017.

 

CBC purchased structured settlement and annuity policies through privately negotiated direct consumer purchases and brokered transactions across the United States. CBC funds the purchases primarily from cash, its revolving line of credit, and its securitized debt, issued through its Blue Bell Receivables (“BBR”) subsidiaries. 

 

On April 7, 2017, CBC, through its subsidiary BBRVII, LLC, issued approximately $18,340,000 of fixed rate asset backed notes with a yield of 5.0% and a stated maturity date of January 15, 2069. 

 

On April 28, 2017, CBC entered into an Assignment Agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”) by and among CBC and an unrelated third party (“Assignee”). The Assignment Agreement provided for the sale of a portion of the Company’s life contingent asset portfolio included in the Company’s structured settlements to the Assignee for a purchase price of $7.7 million. The Company realized a loss from the sale of $5.4 million for the three months and nine months ended June 30, 2017.

 

On April 28, 2017, CBC entered into the Tenth Amendment, extending the line of credit to June 30, 2017. Other terms and conditions of the Ninth Amendment, in effect as of March 31, 2017, remains unchanged. 

 

Structured settlements consist of the following as of September  30, 2017 and 2016:

 

   

September 30,

2017

   

September 30,

201 6

 

Maturity(1)(2)

  $ 139,107,000     $ 133,059,000  

Unearned income

    (52,136,000

)

    (46,968,000

)

                 

Net carrying value

  $ 86,971,000     $ 86,091,000  

 

( 1 )

The maturity value represents the aggregate unpaid principal balance at September  30, 2017 and 2016.

 

 

( 2 )

There is approximately $0.3 million of structured settlements that are past due, or in non-accrual status at September  30, 2017.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 2 — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED):

 

Encumbrances on structured settlements as of September  30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

 

   

Interest Rate

   

September 30,

2017

   

September 30,

2016

 

Notes payable secured by settlement receivables with principal and interest outstanding payable until June 2025

    8.75

%

  $ 1,607,000     $ 1,862,000  

Notes payable secured by settlement receivables with principal and interest outstanding payable until August 2026

    7.25

%

    3,612,000       4,242,000  

Notes payable secured by settlement receivables with principal and interest outstanding payable until April 2032

    7.125

%

    3,891,000       3,987,000  

Notes payable secured by settlement receivables with principal and interest outstanding payable until February 2037

    5.39

%

    17,390,000       18,979,000  

Notes payable secured by settlement receivables with principal and interest outstanding payable until March 30, 2034

    5.07

%

    13,389,000       14,507,000  

Notes payable secured by settlement receivables with principal and interest outstanding payable until February 2043

    4.85

%

    13,001,000       13,705,000  

Notes payable secured by settlement receivables with principal and interest outstanding payable until January 2069

    5.00

%

    17,456,000        

$25,000,000 revolving line of credit

    4.25

%

    8,589,000       10,153,000  
                         

Encumbered structured settlements

            78,935,000       67,435,000  

Structured settlements not encumbered

            8,036,000       18,656,000  
                         

Total structured settlements

          $ 86,971,000     $ 86,091,000  

  

  

At September  30, 2017, the expected cash flows of structured settlements based on maturity value are as follows:

 

September 30, 2018

  $ 9,233,000  

September 30, 2019

    9,757,000  

September 30, 2020

    9,474,000  

September 30, 2021

    9,727,000  

September 30, 2022

    9,401,000  

Thereafter

    91,515,000  
         

Total

  $ 139,107,000  

   

The Company assumed $25.9 million of debt related to the CBC acquisition on December  31, 2013, including a $12.5 million line of credit with an interest rate floor of 5.5%. Between March  27, 2014 and September  29, 2014, CBC entered into three amendments (Sixth Amendment through Eighth Amendment), resulting in the line of credit increasing to $22.0 million and the interest rate floor reduced to 4.75%. On March  11, 2015, CBC entered into the Ninth Amendment. This amendment, effective March  1, 2015, extended the maturity date on its credit line from February  28, 2015 to March  1, 2017. Additionally, the credit line was increased from $22.0 million to $25.0  million and the interest rate floor was decreased from 4.75% to 4.1%. Other terms and conditions were materially unchanged. In March 2017, the credit line was extended to April 28, 2017. On April 28, 2017, CBC entered into the Tenth Amendment, extending the credit line maturity date to June 30, 2017. On July 27, 2017 CBC entered into the Eleventh Amendment, extending the credit line maturity date to June 30, 2019.

 

On November  26, 2014, CBC completed its fourth private placement, backed by structured settlement and fixed annuity payments. CBC issued, through its subsidiary, BBR IV, LLC, approximately $21.8 million of fixed rate asset-backed notes with a yield of 5.4%. On September  25, 2015, CBC completed its fifth private placement, backed by structured settlement and fixed annuity payments. CBC issued, through its subsidiary, BBR V, LLC, approximately $16.6 million of fixed rate asset-backed notes with a yield of 5.1%. On July 8, 2016, CBC issued, through its subsidiary, BBR VI, approximately $14.8 million of fixed rate asset-backed notes with a yield of 4.85%. On April 7, 2017, CBC completed its seventh private placement, through its subsidiary, BBR VII, and issued approximately $18.3 million of fixed rate asset-backed notes with a yield of 5.0%.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

  

NOTE 2 — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED):

 

As of September  30, 2017, the remaining debt amounted to $78.9 million, which consisted of $8.6 million drawdown from a line of credit from an institutional source and $70.3 million notes issued by entities 100% -owned and consolidated by CBC. These entities are bankruptcy-remote entities created to issue notes secured by structured settlements.

 

CBC leases its facility in Conshocken, PA. The lease is an operating leases, and the Company incurred related rent expense in the amount of $163,000, for the years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016. The future minimum lease payments are as follows:

 

Year Ending September 30,

       

2018

  $ 181,000  

2019

    185,000  

2020

    63,000  
    $ 429,000  

   

 

NOTE 3 — AVAILABLE - FOR - SALE INVESTMENTS

 

Investments classified as available-for-sale at September  30, 2017 and 2016 consist of the following:

 

   

Amortized
Cost

   

Unrealized
Gains

   

Unrealized
Losses

   

Fair Value

 

2017

  $ 5,500,000     $ 11,000     $     $ 5,511,000  

2016

  $ 55,724,000     $ 1,088,000     $ (49,000 )   $ 56,763,000  

 

The available-for-sale investments do not have any contractual maturities. The Company sold six investments during the year ended September  30, 2017, with an aggregate realized loss of $1,011,000. Additionally, the Company received $177, 000 in capital gains distributions during fiscal year 2017. The Company sold three investments during the year ended September  30, 2016, with an aggregate realized loss of $63,000. Additionally, the Company received $92,000 in capital gains distributions during fiscal year 2016.

 

At September 30, 2017 there was one investment, which was in unrealized gain position. At September  30, 2016, there were six investments, two of which were in an unrealized loss position that had existed for 12 months or more. Based on the evaluation of the available evidence at that time, including changes in market rates and credit rating information, management believed that any decline in fair value for these instruments would be temporary. In addition, management had the ability but did not believe it would be required to sell those investment securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery or maturity. Should the impairment of any of those securities become other than temporary, the cost basis of the

investment will be reduced and the resulting loss recognized in net income in the period in which the other-than-temporary impairment were identified.  

 

Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities are included in other income (loss) and, when applicable, are reported as a reclassification adjustment in other comprehensive income (loss).

  

 

NOTE 4 — CONSUMER RECEIVABLES ACQUIRED FOR LIQUIDATION

  

Accounts acquired for liquidation are stated at their net estimated realizable value and consist primarily of defaulted consumer loans to individuals primarily throughout the United States.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 4 — CONSUMER RECEIVABLES ACQUIRED FOR LIQUIDATION (CONTINUED):

 

The Company may account for its investments in consumer receivable portfolios, using either:

 

 

the interest method; or

 

 

the cost recovery method.

 

Prior to October  1, 2013 the Company accounted for certain of its investments in finance receivables using the interest method in accordance with the guidance of ASC 310 - 30. Under the guidance of ASC 310 - 30, static pools of accounts are established. These pools are aggregated based on certain common risk criteria. Each static pool is recorded at cost and is accounted for as a single unit for the recognition of income, principal payments and loss provision. Effective October  1, 2013, due to the substantial reduction of portfolios reported under the interest method, and the ability to reasonably estimate cash collections required to account for those portfolios under the interest method, the Company concluded the cost recovery method is the appropriate accounting method in the circumstances.

 

Although the Company has switched to the cost recovery method on its current inventory of portfolios, the Company must still analyze a portfolio upon acquisition to ensure which method is appropriate, and once a static pool is established for a quarter, individual receivable accounts are not added to the pool (unless replaced by the seller) or removed from the pool (unless sold or returned to the seller).

 

The Company uses the cost recovery method when collections on a particular pool of accounts cannot be reasonably predicted. Under the cost recovery method, no income is recognized until the cost of the portfolio has been fully recovered. A pool can become fully amortized ( zero carrying balance on the balance sheet) while still generating cash collections. In this case, all cash collections are recognized as revenue when received.

 

The Company has extensive liquidating experience is in the field of distressed credit card receivables, telecommunication receivables, consumer loan receivables, retail installment contracts, consumer receivables, and auto deficiency receivables.

 

The Company aggregates portfolios of receivables acquired sharing specific common characteristics which were acquired within a given quarter. In addition, the Company uses a variety of qualitative and quantitative factors to estimate collections and the timing thereof. The Company obtains and utilizes, as appropriate, input, including but not limited to, monthly collection projections and liquidation rates, from third party collection agencies and attorneys, as further evidentiary matter, to assist in evaluating and developing collection strategies and in evaluating and modeling the expected cash flows for a given portfolio.

 

The following tables summarize the changes in the balance sheet account of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation during the following periods:

 

   

For the Year Ended September 30,

 
   

201 7

   

201 6

 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 13,427,000     $ 15,057,000  

Acquisitions of receivable portfolio

    2,213,000       8,207,000  

Net cash collections from collection of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation

    (23,331,000 )     (28,756,000 )

Net cash collections represented by account sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation

    (197,000 )     (84,000 )

Impairment

    (1,129,000 )     (166,000 )

Effect of foreign currency translation

    (62,000 )     279,000  

Finance income recognized

    15,920,000       18,890,000  
                 

Balance, end of period

  $ 6,841,000     $ 13,427,000  
                 

Finance income as a percentage of collections

    67.7

%

    65.5

%

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 4 — CONSUMER RECEIVABLES ACQUIRED FOR LIQUIDATION (CONTINUED):

 

During the year ended September  30, 2017, the Company purchased $35.0 million in face value receivables at a cost of $2.2 million. During the year ended September  30, 2016, the Company purchased $162.9 million in face value receivables at cost of $8.2 million.

 

As of September 30, 2017, the Company held consumer receivables acquired for liquidation from Peru and Colombia of $3.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The total amount of foreign consumer receivables acquired for liquidation was $6.2 million, or 89.9% of the total consumer receivables held of $6.8 million at September 30, 2017. Of the total consumer receivables 3 individual portfolios comprise 18%, 10% and 10% of the overall asset balance at September 30, 2017.

 

As of September 30, 2016, the Company held consumer receivables acquired for liquidation from Peru and Colombia of $4.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The total amount of foreign consumer receivables acquired for liquidation was $8.3 million, or 61.4% of the total consumer receivables held of $13.4 million at September 30, 2016.

 

As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, 5.0% and 3.8% of the Company's total assets were related to its international operation, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, 2.6% and 0.8% of the Company's total revenue related to its international operation, respectively.

 

 The following table summarizes collections received by the Company’s third -party collection agencies and attorneys, less commissions and direct costs for the years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Gross collections(1)

  $ 42,456,000     $ 49,002,000  

Less: commissions and fees(2)

    18,928,000       20,162,000  
                 

Net collections

  $ 23,528,000     $ 28,840,000  

 

( 1 )

Gross collections include collections from third -party collection agencies and attorneys, collections from in-house efforts and collections represented by account sales.

 

( 2 )

Commissions are earned by third party collection agencies and attorneys, and include direct costs associated with the collection effort, generally court costs. In December 2007 an arrangement was consummated with one servicer who also received a 3% fee on gross collections received by the Company in connection with the related portfolio purchase. The fee is charged for asset location, skip tracing and ultimately suing debtors in connection with this portfolio purchase.

 

 

NOTE 5 — LITIGATION FUNDING  

 

Equity Method Investment

 

On December  28, 2011, the Company entered into a joint venture, Pegasus Funding, LLC ("Pegasus") with Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC (“PLF”). Until 2018, the Company had an 80% non-controlling interest and 50% voting control in the joint venture. Pegasus purchases interests in claims from claimants who are a party to personal injury litigation. Pegasus advances, to each claimant, funds, on a non-recourse basis at an agreed upon interest rate, in anticipation of a future settlement. The interest in each claim purchased by Pegasus consists of the right to receive, from such claimant, part of the proceeds or recoveries which such claimant receives by reason of a settlement, judgment or award with respect to such claimant’s claims. Pegasus, earned $11.4 million and $20.3 million in interest and fees for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Equity method investments as of September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 are as follows: 

 

 

   

September 30, 201 7

   

September 30, 201 6

 
   

Carrying

Value

   

Ownership

Percentage

   

Carrying

Value

   

Ownership

Percentage

 

Pegasus Funding, LLC

    50,474,000       80 %     48,582,000       80 %

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 5 — LITIGATION FUNDING(CONTINUED):  

 

Equity Method Investment (continued)

 

The carrying value of the Company's equity investment at September 30, 2017 was $50,474,000, an increase of $1,892,000 over the prior year's carrying value of $48,582,000. The increase in carrying value was attributed to current year equity earnings of $4,619,000, less net distributions of $2,727,000 during fiscal 2017.

 

The carrying value of the Company's equity investment at September 30, 2016 was $48,582,000, an increase of $7,831,000 over the prior year's carrying value of $40,751,000. The increase in carrying value was attributed to current year equity earnings of $10,551,000, less net distributions of $2,720,000 during fiscal 2016.

 

 On November 8, 2016, the Company entered into a binding Term Sheet (the “Term Sheet”) with ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC, Fund Pegasus, LLC, Pegasus Funding, LLC, Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC, Max Alperovich and Alexander Khanas. Pegasus is currently the Company’s personal injury claims funding business and is a joint venture that is 80% owned by the Company and 20% owned by PLF. The Company and PLF have decided not to renew the Pegasus joint venture that, by its terms, terminates on December 28, 2016. The Term Sheet amends certain provisions to Pegasus’ operating agreement dated as of December 28, 2011 ( as amended, the “Operating Agreement”) and governs the terms relating to the collection of its existing Pegasus portfolio (the “Portfolio”).

 

Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the parties thereto have agreed that Pegasus will continue in existence in order to collect advances on its existing Portfolio. The Company will fund overhead expenses relating to the collection of its Portfolio based on a budget agreed upon by the Company and PLF. Any cash received by Pegasus will be distributed to its members in the order provided for in the Operating Agreement. The Company will be repaid an amount equal to 20% of all principal collected on each investment paid back beginning October 1, 2016 and continuing through the collection of the Portfolio, which will be applied against the outstanding balance of overhead expenses previously advanced by the Company to Pegasus. After January 2, 2017, additional overhead expenses advanced will be paid back monthly as incurred by the Company prior to the calculation and distribution of any profits. 

 

In connection with the Term Sheet, the parties thereto have also entered into a customary mutual release and non-disparagement agreement as well as a release from the non-competition obligations under the Operating Agreement.

 

On January 12, 2018, the Company, ASFI and Fund Pegasus entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”) by and among the Company, ASFI, Fund Pegasus, Pegasus, the Seller, Max Alperovich, Alexander Khanas, Larry Stoddard, III, Louis Piccolo and A.L. Piccolo & Co., Inc., a New York corporation. The Settlement Agreement releases certain claims in exchange for, among other things, the parties' entry into the Purchase Agreement.

 

Additionally, on January 12, 2018, ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC (“ASFI”), a Delaware limited liability company and a subsidiary of Asta Funding, Inc. (the “Company” or “Asta”), a Delaware corporation, entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement) with Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller”). Under the Purchase Agreement, ASFI bought the Seller’s ownership interests of Pegasus Funding, LLC (“Pegasus”), which was 20% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Pegasus, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.8 million. As a result of the execution of the Purchase Agreement, ASFI became the owner of 100% of the limited liability company interests of Pegasus.

 

As a result of the purchase of the Seller’s 20% interest in Pegasus on January 12, 2018 under the Purchase Agreement, beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company will consolidate the financial statements of Pegasus. The Company currently accounts for its investment in Pegasus under the equity method of accounting. See Note 21 - Subsequent Events.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 5 — LITIGATION FUNDING (CONTINUED):  

 

Equity Method Investment (Continued )

 

The results of operations and financial position of the Company’s equity investment in Pegasus are summarized below:

 

   

Condensed Statement of Operations Information

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

Personal injury claims income

  $ 11,554,000     $ 20,339,000  

Operating expenses

    5,780,000       7,151,000  

Income from operations

  $ 5,774,000     $ 13,188,000  
                 

Earnings from equity method investment

  $ 4,619,000     $ 10,551,000  

 

 

   

Condensed Balance Sheet Information

 
   

September 30,

201 7

     

September 30,

201 6

 

Cash

  $ 35,631,000   (1)   $ 539,000  

Investment in personal injury claims

    16,855,000         48,289,000  

Other assets

    109,000         188,000  

Total Assets

  $ 52,595,000       $ 49,016,000  
                   

Due to Asta

  $ 31,677,000       $ 34,404,000  

Other liabilities

    1,952,000         1,053,000  

Equity

    18,966,000         13,559,000  

Total Liabilities and Equity

  $ 52,595,000       $ 49,016,000  

 

( 1 ) Included in cash is $35.4 million in restricted cash. The restriction has been put in place during the Company’s arbitration with PLF, see Note 21 – Subsequent Events.

 

Simia

 

On November 11, 2016, the Company formed Simia, a wholly owned subsidiary, to continue its personal injury claims funding business.  Simia commenced operation in January 2017, and conducts its business solely in the United States.  As of September 30, 2017, Simia had a personal injury claims portfolio of $3.4 million, and recognized revenue for the year then ended of $0.4 million.  

 

 

NOTE 6 — MATRIMONIAL CLAIMS  

 

On May  8, 2012, the Company formed EMIRIC, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. EMIRIC, LLC entered into a joint venture with California-based Balance Point Divorce Funding, LLC (“BP Divorce Funding”) to create the operating subsidiary BP Case Management, LLC (“BPCM”). BPCM is 60% owned by the Company and 40% owned by BP Divorce Funding. BPCM provides non-recourse funding to a spouse in a matrimonial action. In 2012, the Company provided a $1.0 million revolving line of credit to partially fund BPCM’s operations, with such loan bearing interest at the prevailing prime rate, with an initial term of twenty-four months. In September 2014, the agreement was revised to extend the term of the loan to August 2016, increase the credit line to $1.5 million and include a personal guarantee of the principal of BP Divorce Funding. Effective August 14, 2016, the Company extended its revolving line of credit with BP Divorce Funding until March 31, 2017, at substantially the same terms as the September 2014 amendment. On April 1, 2017, BP Divorce Funding defaulted on this agreement, and as such, the loan balance of approximately $1.5 million was deemed uncollectible and was written off in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations during the second quarter of fiscal 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s investment in cases through BPCM was approximately $1.7 million. There was no income recognized for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and the Company recorded bad debt expense of $0.7 million during the year ended September 30, 2017.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 6 — MATRIMONIAL CLAIMS   (CONTINUED):  

 

As of September  30, 2017,  BPCM had fully reserved against its invested amount of $2.5 million, in cases managed by this Venture.  A net loss of approximately $4.0 has been recognized by BPCM during the year ended September 30, 2017, which included bad debt expense of approximately $4.0 million. There was no income recognized for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

 

NOTE 7 — FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

 

Furniture and equipment as of September  30, 2017 and 2016 consist of the following:

 

   

201 7

   

201 6

 

Furniture

  $ 273,000     $ 273,000  

Equipment

    241,000       235,000  

Software

    1,369,000       1,350,000  
                 
      1,883,000       1,858,000  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

    1,759,000       1,662,000  
                 
    $ 124,000     $ 196,000  

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016 was $97,000, and $377,000, respectively.

 

 

   NOTE 8 — NON RECOURSE DEBT  

 

Non-Recourse Debt — Bank of Montreal (“BMO”)  

 

In March 2007, Palisades XVI borrowed approximately $227  million under the Receivables Financing Agreement, as amended in July 2007,  December 2007,  May 2008,  February 2009,  October 2010 and August 2013 ( the “RFA”) from Bank of Montreal (“BMO”), in order to finance the Portfolio Purchase which had a purchase price of $300 million. The original term of the agreement was three years. This term was extended by each of the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Amendments and the most recent agreement signed in August 2013. 

 

On August  7, 2013, Palisades XVI, a 100% owned bankruptcy remote subsidiary, entered into a Settlement Agreement and Omnibus Amendment (the “Settlement Agreement”) with BMO as an amendment to the RFA. In consideration for a $15 million prepayment funded by the Company, BMO agreed to significantly reduce minimum monthly collection requirements and the interest rate. If and when BMO receives the next $15 million of collections from the Portfolio Purchase or from voluntary prepayments by Asta Funding, Inc., less certain credits for payments made prior to the consummation of the Settlement Agreement (the “Remaining Amount”), Palisades XVI and its affiliates would be automatically released from liability in connection with the RFA (subject to customary exceptions). A condition to the release was Palisade XVI’s agreement to grant BMO, as of the time of the payment of the Remaining Amount, the right to receive 30% of net collections from the Portfolio Purchase once Palisades XVI has received from future net collections, the sum of $15 million plus voluntary prepayments included in the payment of the Remaining Amount (the “Income Interest”). On June  3, 2014, Palisades XVI paid the Remaining Amount. The final principal payment of $2,901,199 included a voluntary prepayment of $1,866,036 provided from funds of the Company. Accordingly, Palisades XVI was entitled to receive $16.9 million of future collections from the Portfolio Purchase before BMO would be entitled to receive any payments with respect to its Income Interest. 

 

During the month of June 2016, the Company received the balance of the $16.9 million, and, as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded a liability to BMO of approximately $148,000 and $159,000, respectively. The funds were subsequently remitted to BMO in October 2017 and 2016, respectively. The liability to BMO is recorded when actual collections are received. 

 

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 8 — NON RECOURSE DEBT  (CONTINUED)

 

Bank Hapoalim B.M. (“Bank Hapoalim”) Line of Credit  

 

On May  2, 2014, the Company obtained a $20 million line of credit facility from Bank Hapoalim, pursuant to a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) among the Company and its subsidiary, Palisades Collection, LLC, as borrowers (“the Borrowers”), and Bank Hapoalim, as agent and lender. The Loan Agreement provides for a $20.0 million committed line of credit and an accordion feature providing an increase in the line of credit of up to $30 million, at the discretion of the lenders. The facility was for a term of three years at an interest rate of either LIBOR plus 275 basis points or prime, at the Company’s option. The Loan Agreement included covenants that require the Company to maintain a minimum net worth of $150 million and pay an unused line fee. The facility was secured pursuant to a Security Agreement among the parties to the Loan Agreement, with property of the borrowers serving as collateral. On March  30, 2016, the Company signed the First Amendment to the Loan Agreement (the “First Amendment”) with Bank Hapoalim which amended certain terms of their banking arrangement. The First Amendment includes (a) the reduction of the interest rate to LIBOR plus 225 basis points; (b) a decrease in the Net Equity requirement by $50 million, to $100 million and (c) modifies the No Net Loss requirement from a quarterly to an annual basis. All other terms of the original agreement remain in effect. The Company borrowed $9.6 million in February 2017 against the facility. There was a $10.0 million aggregate balance on deposit at Bank Hapoalim which served as collateral for the line of credit, and was reflected as restricted cash. On April 28, 2017, the Company renewed the line of credit facility with the new maturity date of August 2, 2017, under the existing terms and conditions. On August 2, 2017, the $9.6 million line of credit expired and the Company satisfied the debt with cash that was held in deposit as collateral with the bank. As of September  30, 2017, there was no outstanding facility.

 

 

  NOTE 9 — OTHER LIABILITIES

 

Other liabilities as of September  30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $ 1,835,000     $ 1,638,000  

Lawsuit reserve (see Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies – Legal Matters )

    3,145,000       2,345,000  

Other

          4,000  
                 

Total other liabilities

  $ 4,980,000     $ 3,987,000  

 

 

NOTE 10  — INCOME TAXES  

 

The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

 

   

2017

   

201 6

 

Current:

               

Federal

  $ (5,065,000

)

  $ 5,385,000  

State

          645,000  

Interest on IRS payment

          9,000  
                 
      (5,065,000

)

    6,039,000  
                 

Deferred:

               

Federal

    2,322,000       (3,256,000

)

State

    409,000       833,000  
                 
      2,731,000       (2,423,000

)

                 

Sub-total

    (2,334,000

)

    3,616,000  
                 
                 

Less: income tax (benefit) expense on discontinued operations

    (3,411,000

)

    2,599,000  
                 

Provision for income taxes

  $ 1,077,000     $ 1,017,000  

 

 

   ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 10  — INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)  

 

The difference between the statutory federal income tax rate on the Company’s pre-tax income and the Company’s effective income tax rate is summarized for the years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016 as follows:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Statutory federal income tax rate

    35.0

%

    35.0

%

State income tax, net of federal benefit

    (2.7

)

    8.6  

State tax rate change

          (21.4

)

Permanent difference in municipal interest

    1.3       (6.9

)

Permanent difference other

    (4.1

)

    3.1  

Federal prior year provision to return difference

          (1.7

)

Deferred adjustments

          12.5  

Change in valuation allowance

    (14.0

)

    (10.4

)

Other

    (0.3

)

    (0.9

)

                 

Effective income tax rate

    15.2

%

    17.9

%

 

The Company recognized a net deferred tax asset of $12,696,000 and $14,903,000 as of September  30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The components are as follows:

 

   

September 30,
201
7

   

September 30,
201
6

 

Impairments/bad debt reserves

  $ 4,380,000     $ 3,353,000  

Revenue recognition pertaining to the cost over estimated collections method

    8,572,000       13,514,000  

State tax net operating loss carry forward

    9,603,000       7,793,000  

Stock based compensation

    3,520,000       3,477,000  

Unrealized gain on structured settlements

    (5,187,000

)

    (6,496,000

)

Capital loss carry forward

    2,597,000        

Foreign currency

    472,000       515,000  

Depreciation, amortization and other

    193,000       (129,000

)

                 

Deferred income taxes

    24,150,000       22,027,000  

Deferred tax valuation allowance

    (11,454,000

)

    (7,124,000

)

                 

Deferred income taxes

  $ 12,696,000     $ 14,903,000  

 

The Company files consolidated Federal and state income tax returns. Substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries are single member limited liability companies and, therefore, do not file separate tax returns. Majority and minority owned subsidiaries file separate partnership tax returns. The expiration date for state net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards (from September  30, 2009 ) is September  30, 2029. The New Jersey NOL carry forward balance as of September  30, 2017 is approximately $88.5 million. In addition, the Company has New York State and City NOL of approximately $19.4 million and $4.3 million as of September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company has generated approximately $2.0 million of foreign NOL’s, all of which are fully valued, due to cummulative losses in those jurisdictions. Included in the Federal current tax provision is the effect of an IRS audit, taking into consideration the adjustment affected in fiscal year 2013 for the tax periods 2009 through 2013, coupled with the Federal tax refund carry back claim resulting from the carry back of the current net operating loss. This current tax provision was offset by a deferred tax provision of the same amount because the IRS adjustment was temporary in nature. The Company has a federal capital loss carry forward of $6.1 million expiring in 2022 that has been fully reserved.

 

  

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

  NOTE 10  — INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED):

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and, if applicable, deferred tax liabilities, for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and, if applicable, liabilities. Additionally, the Company would adjust deferred taxes to reflect estimated tax rate changes, if applicable. The Company conducts periodic evaluations to determine whether it is more likely than not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Among the factors considered in this evaluation are estimates of future earnings, the future reversal of temporary differences and the impact of tax planning strategies that the Company can implement, if warranted. The Company is required to provide a valuation allowance for any portion of our deferred tax assets that, more likely than not, will not be realized at September  30, 2017. Based on this evaluation, the Company has recorded a deferred tax asset valuation allowance on their state NOL’s and capital loss carryforwards of approximately $11.5 million as of September  30, 2017 as compared to $7.1 million reported on September  30, 2016. Although the carry forward period for state income tax purposes is up to twenty years, given the economic conditions, such economic environment could limit growth over a reasonable time period to realize the deferred tax asset. The Company determined the time period allowance for carry forward is outside a reasonable period to forecast full realization of the deferred tax asset, therefore recognized the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The Company continually monitors forecast information to ensure the valuation allowance is at the appropriate value. As required by FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than- not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50  percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.

 

Interest and penalties are presented as a component of income taxes. $0 and $9,000 of interest was recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for 2017 and 2016 respectively.

 

The Company's amended federal tax return for the year ended September 30, 2014 and 2015 is currently being audited by the Internal Revenue Service. The tax returns for the 2016 fiscal year is subject to examination. The Company does not have any uncertain tax positions.

 

On December 22, 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. Among other provisions, the Act reduces the Federal statutory corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. This rate reduction is expected to have a significant impact on our provisions for income taxes for periods beginning after September 30, 2017, including a one -time impact resulting from the revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the new lower rate. While we have not yet determined the net amount of the revaluation, we expect that it will be a significant component of our income tax provision for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

 

 

  NOTE 11  — NET INCOME PER SHARE :

 

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted per share data for the fiscal years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations

  $ (8,382,000 )   $ 4,667,000

 

                 

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

    (4,620,000 )     2,906,000  
                 

Net (loss) income

  $ (13,002,000 )   $ 7,573,000  
                 

Basic (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations

  $ (0.97 )   $ 0.39  

Basic (loss) earnings per common share from discontinued operations

    (0.53 )     0.24  

Basic (loss) earnings per share

  $ (1.50 )   $ 0.63  
                 
                 
                 

Diluted (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations

  $ (0.97 )   $ 0.37  

Diluted (loss) earnings per common share from discontinuing operations

    (0.53 )     0.24  

Diluted (loss) earnings per share

  $ (1.50 )   $ 0.61  
                 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

               

Basic

    8,692,668       11,996,500  

Dilutive effect of stock options

          512,061  

Diluted

    8,692,668       12,508,561  

 

At September  30, 2016, 300,470 options at a weighted average exercise price of $9.82 were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation as they were anti-dilutive.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

 

NOTE 1 2  — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Leases

 

The Company leases its facilities in (i) Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, (ii) Houston, Texas, and (iii) Louisville, Kentucky. The leases are operating leases, and the Company incurred related rent expense in the amounts of $360,000, and $516,000 during the years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The future minimum lease payments are as follows:

 

Year Ending September 30,

       

2018

  $ 282,000  

2019

    265,000  

2020

    224,000  
    $ 771,000  

   

Employment Agreement

 

On March  10, 2016, the Company entered into an employment agreement with an executive of the Company. Under this Agreement, he will receive a base salary of $275,000, subject to annual increases, and will be eligible to receive cash and non-cash bonuses. The Agreement has an 18 month non-compete and non-solicitation provision and has a one ( 1 ) year term, and the term will be extended by one year on each anniversary date of the Agreement.

 

On November 11, 2016, the Company announced that it would continue its personal injury claims funding business through the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary Simia. In connection with its formation, Simia entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Patrick F. Preece to serve as its Chief Executive Officer. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Preece received an annual base salary of $250,000, subject to annual increases at the discretion of the compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). Mr. Preece was eligible to receive an annual cash or non-cash bonus in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Preece was also eligible to receive a cash or non-cash profit bonus of an aggregate amount up to 15% of the profit of the business of Simia (the “Business”) for each fiscal year in which the Business achieves an internal rate of return of at least 18%. In the event that the Business was sold to a third party solely for cash consideration during Mr. Preece’s employment period, he was eligible to receive a cash or non-cash sale profit bonus of up to 15% of the closing consideration received by the Company. He was also entitled to participate in any other benefit plans established by the Company for management employees. The Employment Agreement had a five year term. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Preece could be terminated with or without “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreement) and may resign with or without “good reason” (as defined in the Employment Agreement). If Mr. Preece was terminated without “cause” or resigns for “good reason” he would receive severance equal to two years of his base salary. He was also entitled to a pro-rata share of the profit bonus and his deferred compensation would vest immediately. Mr. Preece was also subject to a non-compete and non-solicitation provision during the term of his employment and, unless his employment was terminated without “cause” or he resigns for “good reason,” for two years thereafter. 

 

As of July 17, 2017, Patrick F. Preece is no longer employed as Chief Executive Officer of Simia. Gary Stern, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, assumed the responsibilities of Simia’s Chief Executive Officer. No amounts were paid for any severance or bonus under his contract. 

 

On January  1, 2016, the Company renewed the expiring two -year employment agreements of the two CBC principals for one year terms. The new agreements provide each of the two CBC principals with a base salary of $250,000. Other terms remain unchanged from the original agreement, including:

 

 

Sixty day notification required by either party to terminate the employment agreement; and

 

 

Standard non-compete clause during the term of the employment agreement and for two years thereafter.

 

The employment contracts of the original two principals expire at the end of December 2016. The Company did not renew those contracts. Ryan Silverman was appointed CEO/General Counsel, effective January 1, 2017.   

 

 

  ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 12  — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED):

 

 

Legal Matters  

 

In June 2015, a punitive class action complaint was filed against the Company, and one of its third -party law firm servicers, alleging violation of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practice Act and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (“RICO”) and state law arising from debt collection activities and default judgments obtained against certain debtors.

 

The Company filed a motion to strike the class action allegations and compel arbitration or, to the extent the court declines to order arbitration, to dismiss the RICO claims. On or about March  31, 2015, the court denied the Company’s motion. The Company filed an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. A mediation session was held in July 2015, at which the Company agreed to settle the action on an individual basis for a payment of $13,000 to each named plaintiff, for a total payment of $39,000. Payment was made on or about July  24, 2015. The third -party law firm servicer has not yet settled and remains a defendant in the case.

 

 The plaintiffs’ attorneys advised that they are contemplating the filing of another punitive class action complaint against the Company alleging substantially the same claims as those that were asserted in this matter. In anticipation of such an eventuality, the Company agreed to non-binding mediation in order to reach a global settlement with other putative class members, which would avert the possibility of further individual or class actions with respect to the affected accounts. Through March 31, 2016, the parties had attended two mediation sessions and were continuing to discuss a global settlement. In connection with such discussions, the settlement demand from plaintiffs was $4 million and the counteroffer from the Company and its third -party law firm servicer was $3.875 million (which would be split equally between the Company and the law firm servicer). The Company and law firm servicer had also offered, as part of the counteroffer, to cease collection activity on the affected accounts. Accordingly, the Company set up a reserve for settlement costs of $2.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016, which was included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s statement of operations.

 

The Company reassessed the situation as of September 30, 2016 and deemed that an additional $0.3 million was necessary to account for legal expenses, which were made during the three month period ended September 30, 2016 ( see Note 9 – Other Liabilities). See Note 21 - Subsequent Events.

 

The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Montana state court alleging fraud and abuse of process arising from the Company’s business relationship with an entity that finances divorce litigation proceedings. As of September 30, 2017, and based on its assessments of current facts and circumstances, the Company believes that it has recorded adequate reserves to cover future obligations associated with this lawsuit. See Note 21 - Subsequent Events.

 

The Company filed a lawsuit in Delaware state court against a third party servicer arising from the third party servicer’s failure to pay the Company certain amounts that are due the Company under a servicing agreement. The third party servicer filed a counterclaim in the Delaware action alleging that the Company owes certain amounts to the third party servicer for court costs pursuant to an alleged arrangement between the companies. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses against this counterclaim and will continue to vigorously defend itself against any such action. See Note 21 - Subsequent Events.

 

In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, it is involved in numerous legal proceedings. The Company regularly initiates collection lawsuits, using its network of third party law firms, against consumers. Also, consumers occasionally initiate litigation against the Company, in which they allege that the Company has violated a federal or state law in the process of collecting their account. The Company does not believe that these ordinary course matters are material to its business and financial condition. The Company is not involved in any other material litigation in which it is a defendant.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

 

NOTE 1 3 — CONCENTRATIONS

 

At September  30, 2017, approximately 35% of the Company’s portfolio face value was serviced by 5 collection organizations. The Company has servicing agreements in place with these 5 collection organizations, as well as all of the Company’s other third party collection agencies and attorneys that cover standard contingency fees and servicing of the accounts. While the 5 collection organizations represent only 35% of the Company’s portfolio face value, it does represent approximately 90% of the Company’s portfolio face value at all third party collection agencies and attorneys.

 

At September  30, 2016, approximately 14% of the Company’s portfolio face value was serviced by 3 collection organizations. The Company has servicing agreements in place with these 3 collection organizations, as well as all of the Company’s other third party collection agencies and attorneys that cover standard contingency fees and servicing of the accounts. While the 3 collection organizations represent only 14% of the Company’s portfolio face value, it does represent approximately 84% of the Company’s portfolio face value at all third party collection agencies and attorneys.

 

 

NOTE 1 4 — STOCK OPTION PLANS  

 

2012 Stock Option and Performance Award Plan  

 

On February  7, 2012, the Board of Directors adopted the Company’s 2012 Stock Option and Performance Award Plan (the “2012 Plan”), which was approved by the stockholders of the Company on March  21, 2012. The 2012 Plan replaces the Equity Compensation Plan (as defined below). 

 

The 2012 Plan provides the Company with flexibility with respect to equity awards by also providing for grants of stock awards (i.e., restricted or unrestricted), stock purchase rights and stock appreciation rights, in addition to the granting of stock options.

 

The Company authorized 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the 2012 Plan. As of September  30, 2017, the Company has granted 540,800 options and 245,625 shares of restricted stock since inception of the 2012 Plan. Additionally, 78,768 options have been cancelled during that time period, leaving 1,293,343  shares available as of September  30, 2017. As of September  30, 2017, approximately 86 of the Company’s employees were eligible to participate in the 2012 Plan.   

 

Equity Compensation Plan

 

 On December  1, 2005, the board of directors adopted the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan (the “Equity Compensation Plan”), which was approved by the stockholders of the Company on March  1, 2006. The Equity Compensation Plan was adopted to supplement the Company’s 2002 Stock Option Plan (as defined below). 

 

In addition to permitting the grant of stock options as are permitted under the 2002 Stock Option Plan, the Equity Compensation Plan allows the Company flexibility with respect to equity awards by also providing for grants of stock awards (i.e., restricted or unrestricted), stock purchase rights and stock appreciation rights.

 

The Company authorized 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the Equity Compensation Plan. As of March  21, 2012, no more awards could be issued under this plan. 

 

2002 Stock Option Plan  

 

On March  5, 2002, the board of directors adopted the Company’s 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”), which was approved by the Company’s stockholders on May  1, 2002. The 2002 Plan was adopted in order to attract and retain qualified directors, officers and employees of, and consultants to, the Company. 

 

The 2002 Plan authorized the granting of incentive stock options (as defined in Section  422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the “Code”)) and non-qualified stock options to eligible employees of the Company, including officers and directors of the Company (whether or not employees) and consultants of the Company. 

 

The Company authorized 1,000,000  shares of Common Stock for issuance under the 2002 Plan. As of March  5, 2012, no more awards could be issued under this plan.

 

  Stock Based Compensation  

 

The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation under ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (“ASC 718” ). ASC 718 requires that compensation expense associated with stock options and other stock based awards be recognized in the income statement rather than a disclosure in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 14 — STOCK OPTION PLANS (CONTINUED):

 

Stock Based Compensation (Continued)

 

On June  8, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted 56,600 stock options to an officer and employees of the Company, of which 10,000 options vested immediately, 10,000 options vest on January 1, 2018, 10,000 options vest on January 1, 2019 and the remaining 26,600 stock options vest in three equal annual installments and accounted for as one graded vesting award. The exercise price of these options was at the market price on that date. The weighted average assumptions used in the option pricing model were as follows:

 

Risk-free interest rate

    1.86

%

Expected term (years)

    5.97  

Expected volatility

    26.27

%

Forfeiture rate

    3.49

%

Dividend yield

    0.00

%

 

On December  16, 2015, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Compensation Committee”) granted 67,100 stock options, with a grant date fair value of $7.93 to non-officer employees of the Company, of which 9,100 options vested immediately and the remaining 58,000 stock options vest in three equal annual installments and accounted for as one graded vesting award. The exercise price of these options was at the market price on that date. The weighted average assumptions used in the option pricing model were as follows:

 

Risk-free interest rate

    0.24

%

Expected term (years)

    6.25  

Expected volatility

    23.4

%

Dividend yield

    0.00

%

 

On December  16,   2015, the Compensation Committee granted 5,000 restricted shares to a non-officer employee of the Company. These shares vested fully in March, 2016.  

 

In February  2015, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Compensation Committee”) granted 45,400 options with a grant date fair value of $8.37 to employees of the Company. The exercise price of these options, issued on February  23, 2015, was at the market price on that date. The options generally vest in three equal annual installments and are accounted for as one graded vesting award. The weighted average assumptions used in the option pricing model were as follows:

 

Risk-free interest rate

    0.12

%

Expected term (years)

    5.9  

Expected volatility

    32.7

%

Dividend yield

    0.00

%

 

 

  ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 14 — STOCK OPTION PLANS (CONTINUED):

 

Stock Based Compensation (Continued)

 

Summary Of The Plan

 

Compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock is recognized over the vesting period. Compensation expense for restricted stock is based upon the market price of the shares underlying the awards on the grant date.

 

The following table summarizes stock option transactions under the plans:

 

   

Year Ended September 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
   

Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

   

Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 

Outstanding options at the beginning of year

    949,667     $ 8.47       1,043,566     $ 8.47  

Options granted

    56,600       6.55       67,100       7.93  

Options forfeited/cancelled

    (125,700

)

    10.59       (14,468

)

    8.12  

Options exercised

                  (146,531

)

    8.22  
                                 

Outstanding options at the end of year

    880,567     $ 8.05       949,667     $ 8.47  
                                 

Exercisable options at the end of year

    796,962     $ 8.14       830,326     $ 8.51  

 

The Company recognized $58,000 and $558,000 of compensation expense related to stock options, for the fiscal years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016 respectively. As of September  30, 2017, there was $110,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options. The weighted average remaining period over which such costs are expected to be recognized is 1.8 years.

 

The intrinsic value of the outstanding and exercisable options as of September  30, 2017 was approximately $78,000 and $32,000 respectively. There were no options exercised during the fiscal year 2017.The intrinsic value of the options exercised during fiscal year 2016 was approximately $338,000. The fair value of the options exercised during the fiscal year ended September  30, 2016 was $918,000. The proceeds from the exercise of stock options during the fiscal years ended September  30, 2016 were approximately $1,205,000. The weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable options as of September  30, 2017 is 4.6 years. The fair value of the stock options that vested during the 2017 and 2016 fiscal years was approximately $685,000 and $1,359,000, respectively. The fair value of options granted during the fiscal years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $371,000 and $532,000, respectively.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 1 4 — STOCK OPTION PLANS (CONTINUED):

 

Stock Based Compensation (Continued)

 

 The following table summarizes information about the plans’ outstanding options as of September  30, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

 

Options Exercisable

 

Range of

Exercise Price

 

 

Number

Outstanding

 

 

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life (In Years)

 

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 

 

Number

Exercisable

 

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 

$2.8751

-

$5.7500

 

 

 

3,800

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

$

2.95

 

 

 

3,800

 

 

$

2.95

 

$5.7501

-

$8.6250

 

 

 

759,767

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

7.87

 

 

 

676,162

 

 

 

7.95

 

$8.6251

-

$11.5000

 

 

 

117,000

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

9.39

 

 

 

117,000

 

 

 

9.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

880,567

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

$

8.05

 

 

 

796,962

 

 

$

8.14

 

 

The following table summarizes information about restricted stock transactions:

 

   

Year Ended

Sept ember 30, 2017

Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

   

Year Ended

September 30, 2016

Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 

Unvested at the beginning of period

        $       44,107     $ 9.28  

Awards granted

                5,000       7.89  

Vested

                (49,107

)

    9.36  

Forfeited

                      0.00  
                                 

Unvested at the end of period

        $           $ 8.00  

 

The Company did not recognize any compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards during the fiscal year 2017. The Company recognized $128,000 of compensation expense during the fiscal year ended September  30, 2016 for restricted stock. As of September 30, 2017, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards. An aggregate of 5,000 shares of restricted stock were granted during the fiscal year 2016, with a fair value of $40,000, all of which were granted to a non-officer employee. The fair value of the restricted stock awards vested during the fiscal year ended September  30, 2016 was approximately $460,000.

 

The Company recognized an aggregate total of $ 58,000 and $686,000 in compensation expense for the fiscal years ended September  30, 2017and 2016, respectively, for the stock options and restricted stock grants. As of September  30, 2017, there was a total of $110,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and restricted stock grants. The method used to calculate stock based compensation is the straight line pro-rated method.  

 

 

NOTE 1 5  — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 The Company has 5,000,000 authorized preferred shares with a par value of $0.01 per share.  The Board of Directors are authorized to divide the authorized shares of Preferred Stock into one or more series, each of which shall be so designated as to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other series and classes.

 

There were no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 15  — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED):

 

Dividends are declared at the discretion of the Board of Directors and depend upon the Company’s financial condition, operating results, capital requirements and other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant. In addition, agreements with the Company’s lenders may, from time to time, restrict the ability to pay dividends. As of September 30, 2017, there were no such restrictions. No dividends were declared for fiscal years 2017 and 2016.

 

On August  11, 2015, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $15,000,000 of the Company’s common stock and authorized management of the Company to enter into the Shares Repurchase Plan under Sections 10b - 18 and 10 (b) 5 - 1 of the Securities and Exchange Act (“the Shares Repurchase Plan”). The Shares Repurchase Plan was to have been effective to December  31, 2015. On December  17, 2015 the Board of Directors approved the extension of the Plan to March  31, 2016 and reset the maximum to an additional $15 million in repurchases. On March  17, 2016, after the Company Had repurchased approximately $9.9 million of the Company’s common stock, the Board of Directors approved further extension of the Shares Repurchase Plan to December  31, 2016 and reset the maximum to  $15 million in repurchases. On March  22, 2016, a Company shareholder commenced a tender offer on the Company’s common stock. Per the provisions of the Shares Repurchase Plan, it terminated immediately, and no further purchases were permitted under the Shares Repurchase Plan. Through September 30, 2016, the Company purchased approximately 1,186,000 shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $10.1 million under the Shares Repurchase Plan.

 

On May  25, 2016, the Company entered into a Mutual Confidentiality Agreement (the “Agreement”) with MPF InvestCo 4, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Mangrove Partners Master Fund, Ltd. (“Mangrove”), pursuant to which Mangrove and the Company agreed to ( 1 ) provide certain Confidential Information (as defined below) to the other party to the Agreement and the other party’s representatives, ( 2 ) the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, and ( 3 ) certain restrictions on the activities of the parties to the Agreement. 

  

Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company made available to Mangrove and its representatives certain confidential information relating to the Company or its subsidiaries, and Mangrove agreed to make available to the Company and its representatives certain confidential information relating to Mangrove and its affiliates (collectively, the “Confidential Information”). The Company and Mangrove agreed not to disclose the Confidential Information, and to cause each of their representatives, respectively, not to disclose the Confidential Information, except as required by law. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company provided information requested by Mangrove to one or more of Mangrove’s representatives and such representatives prepared summaries of such information (the “Summaries”). The Company approved the Summaries, the approved Summaries were provided to Mangrove. The Company agreed to release the approved Summaries publicly on or prior to the end of the Extended Period (as defined in the Agreement), to the extent that the information contained in the Summaries has not already been disclosed. 

 

Further, under the terms of the Agreement, Mangrove and the Company have agreed to certain restrictions during the Discussion Period, which began on May 25, 2016  and the Extended Period, including that, unless consented to by the other party to the Agreement or required by applicable law, neither party will, and shall cause its affiliates and representatives not to, (i) commence any litigation against the other party, (ii) make any filing with the SEC of proxy solicitation materials, preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement or otherwise or call any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, (iii) publicly refer to: (a) the Confidential Information or Discussion Information (as defined in the Agreement), (b) any annual or special meetings of stockholders of the Company or (c) any prior discussions between the parties, including in any filing with the SEC (including any proxy solicitation materials, preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement or otherwise), in any press release or in any other written or oral disclosure to a third party, (iv) make any purchases of the Company’s securities, including, but not limited to, pursuant to any stock buyback plans, tender offers, open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, (v) make any demand under Section  220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, (vi) make or propose to make any amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or By-laws, as amended, (vii) adopt, renew, propose or otherwise enter into a Shareholder Rights Plan with respect to the Company’s securities, (viii) adopt or propose any changes to the Company’s capital structure or (ix) negotiate, discuss, enter into, propose or otherwise transact in any extraordinary transactions with respect to the Company, outside the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, any mergers, asset sales or asset purchases.  

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 15  — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED):

 

On November 21, 2016, Mangrove notified the Company that Mangrove was terminating the Agreement with the Company. Under the Agreement, the Company and Mangrove agreed to ( 1 ) provide certain Confidential Information (as defined below) to the other party to the Agreement and the other party’s representatives, ( 2 ) maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, and ( 3 ) certain restrictions on the activities of the parties to the Agreement. Upon termination of the Discussion Period, the agreement provides for a period of 30 days thereafter (the “Extended Period”). Throughout the Extended Period of the Agreement, the parties are subject to the standstill provisions of the Agreement. Following the Discussion Period and the Extended Period, nothing in the Agreement shall prohibit any party from taking any of the activities referred to as the Restricted Activities, and specifically nothing shall restrict Mangrove or its representatives from calling a special meeting, nominating one or more candidates to serve as directors of the Company or commencing, or announcing its intension to commence, a “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are used in Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) to vote with respect to any meeting of stockholders of the Company. The effective termination date of this Agreement is January 6, 2017.

 

On January 6, 2017, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the “ Settlement Agreement ”) with Mangrove and, for limited purposes stated therein, Gary Stern, Ricky Stern, Emily Stern, Arthur Stern, Asta Group, Incorporated and GMS Family Investors LLC (collectively, the “ Stern Family ”). 

 

The Settlement Agreement provided that, within ten business days following the date of the Settlement Agreement, the Company will commence a self-tender offer (“ Tender Offer ”) to repurchase for cash 5,314,009 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $10.35 per share. The Tender Offer will expire no later than February 28, 2017. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Mangrove will tender its 4,005,701 shares for purchase by the Company. The Stern Family has agreed not to tender any of their shares in the Tender Offer. In addition, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement dated January 6, 2017 between Mangrove and Gary Stern (the “Purchase Agreement”), Gary Stern will purchase any remaining shares owned by Mangrove eleven business days following the closing of the Tender Offer for $10.35 per share.  

 

The Settlement Agreement included customary standstill and related provisions. Mangrove and the Company also agreed on a mutual release of claims. Additionally, the Company indemnified Mangrove from and against any excise tax imposed as a result of this Settlement Agreement.   

 

The Settlement Agreement was terminable by either the Company or Mangrove by written notice at any time after the close of business on the second anniversary of the Settlement Agreement. The Settlement Agreement would also terminate if the Tender Offer did  not close on or before February 28, 2017 or the Company amended the terms of the Tender Offer in a manner adverse to Mangrove.   

 

In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Company also entered into a Voting Agreement dated January 6, 2017 ( the “ Voting Agreement ”) with Gary Stern, Ricky Stern, Emily Stern, Asta Group, Incorporated and GMS Family Investors LLC (collectively, the “ Stern Stockholders ”). The Voting Agreement provides that the Stern Stockholders will not have the right to vote more than 49% of the Company’s total outstanding shares, and any additional shares held by the Stern Stockholders will be voted in a manner proportionate to the votes of the outstanding shares not held by the Stern Stockholders. 

 

On January 19, 2017, the Company commenced a self-tender offer to purchase for cash up to 5,314,009 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $10.35 per share, less applicable withholding taxes and without interest. The Company made the tender offer pursuant to the Settlement Agreement dated as of January 6, 2017, by and among the Company, Mangrove and certain of their respective affiliates, pursuant to which Mangrove and its affiliates would tender their 4,005,701 shares. The tender offer would reduce the number of shares in the public market.  

 

If more than 5,314,009 shares had been tendered, the Company would have purchased all tendered shares on a pro rata basis, subject to the conditional tender provisions described in the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Gary Stern (or his permitted assignees) had unconditionally agreed to purchase from Mangrove and its affiliates any shares owned by Mangrove and its affiliates that the Company did not purchase in the tender offer. 

 

The tender offer expired on February 15, 2017, at 11:59 p.m., New York City time. Based on the final count by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC ("AMSTOCK"), the depositary for the tender offer, a total of approximately 6,022,253 shares of the Company’s common stock were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. Because the tender offer was oversubscribed by 708,244 shares, the Company purchased only a prorated portion of the shares properly tendered by each tendering stockholder. The depositary had informed the Company that the final proration factor for the tender offer was approximately 88.24% of the shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. AMSTOCK promptly issued payment for the 5,314,009 shares accepted pursuant to the tender offer and returned all other shares tendered and not  purchased. The shares acquired represented approximately 44.7% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding as of February 6, 2017. As a result of this tender offer, the Company recorded during the second quarter an additional $54.2 million in treasury stock, and $797,000 was charged to general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations which represent the excess of the current market price of the Company’s common stock on January 18, 2017 of $10.20 per share. Additionally, the Ricky Stern Family 2012 Trust (as Gary Stern's permitted assignee), acquired 471,086 Shares under the Purchase Agreement on March 10, 2017 for $4.9 million.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016  

 

NOTE 15  — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED):

 

As of December 31, 2016 and for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, through February 14, 2017, Mangrove due to their ownership in the Company's common stock, which was acquired in a series of OTC transactions, was deemed to be a related party. Effective on February 15, 2017, the date Mangrove tendered its shares, they were no longer deemed to be a related party.

 

Stockholder Rights Agreement

 

On May 5, 2017, the Board of the Company adopted a stockholder rights plan (the “Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company declared a dividend of one right (a “Right”) for each of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock. The dividend was paid to the stockholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2017. Each Right entitles the holder, subject to the terms of the Rights Agreement, to purchase from the Company one one -thousandth of a share of the Company’s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) at a price of $28.60, subject to certain adjustments. 

 

The Rights generally become exercisable on the earlier of (i)  ten business days after any person or group obtains beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock (an “Acquiring Person”), or (ii)  ten business days after commencement of a tender or exchange offer resulting in any person or group becoming an Acquiring Person.  

 

The exercise price payable and the number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution. In the event that, after a person or a group has become an Acquiring Person, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction (or 50% or more of the Company’s assets or earning power are sold), proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then-current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company having a market value at the time of that transaction equal to two times the exercise price. The Company may redeem the Rights at any time before a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person at a price of $0.01 per Right, subject to adjustment. At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, the Company may generally exchange each Right in whole or in part at an exchange ratio of one shares of common stock per outstanding Right, subject to adjustment.  

 

Unless terminated on an earlier date pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement, the Rights was set to expire on  June 1, 2018, or such later date as may be established by the Board as long as any such extension is approved by a vote of the stockholders of the Company by June 1, 2018. The Company concluded any value associated with the Right given to shareholders as a dividend is deemed deminimus.

 

The Rights and Rights Agreement expired on June 1, 2018.

 

 

NOTE 1 6 — RETIREMENT PLAN

 

The Company maintains a 401 (k) Retirement Plan covering all of its eligible employees. Matching contributions made by the employees to the plan are made at the discretion of the board of directors each plan year. Contributions for the years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016 were $139,000 and $140,000, respectively.

 

 

  ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

 

NOTE 1 7 — FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES:

 

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments   

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is summarized as follows:

 

   

September 30, 2017

   

September 30, 2016

 
   

Carrying

Amount

   

Fair

Value

   

Carrying

Amount

   

Fair

Value

 

Financial assets

                               

Cash equivalents (Level 1)

  $ 68,000     $ 68,000     $ 923,000     $ 923,000  

Available-for-sale investments (Level 1)

    5,511,000       5,511,000       56,763,000       56,763,000  

Other investments(Level 1)

                3,590,000       3,590,000  

Consumer receivables acquired for liquidation (Level 3)

    6,841,000       32,603,000       13,427,000       47,233,000  

 

The following assets have been reclassified to discontinued operations as of September  30, 2017 and 2016:

 

   

September 30, 2017

   

September 30, 2016

 
   

Carrying
Amount

   

Fair
Value

   

Carrying
Amount

   

Fair
Value

 

Financial asset

                               

Structured settlements (Level 3)

    86,971,000       86,971,000       86,091,000       86,091,000  

 

Disclosure of the estimated fair values of financial instruments often requires the use of estimates. The Company uses the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of financial instruments:

 

Cash equivalents – The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value.

 

Available-for-sale investments — The available-for-sale securities consist of mutual funds that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets.

 

The Company’s available-for-sale investments are classified as Level 1 financial instruments based on the classifications described above. The Company did not have any transfers into (out of) Level 1 investments during the fiscal year ended September  30, 2017. The Company had no Level 2 or Level 3 available-for-sale investments during the fiscal year ended September  30, 2017.

 

Other investments — The Company estimated the fair value using the net asset value per share of the investment. There are no unfunded commitments and the investment cannot be redeemed for 5 years.

 

Consumer receivables acquired for liquidation — The Company computed the fair value of the consumer receivables acquired for liquidation using its proprietary forecasting model. The Company’s forecasting model utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis. The Company’s cash flows are an estimate of collections for consumer receivables based on variables fully described in Note 4 - Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation. These cash flows are discounted to determine the fair value. 

 

Structured settlements — The Company determined the fair value based on the discounted forecasted future collections of the structured settlements. Unrealized gains on structured settlements is comprised of both unrealized gains resulting from fair market valuation at the date of acquisition of the structured settlements and the subsequent fair value adjustments resulting from the change in the discount rate. Of the $4.3 million of unrealized gains recognized in the fiscal year ended September  30, 2017, approximately $6.9 million is due to day one gains on new structured settlements financed during the period, $0.2 million due to a change in the discount rate, offset by a decrease of $2.1 million in realized gains recognized as realized interest income on structured settlements during the period and fair value adjustment of $0.7 million. There were no other changes in assumptions during the period.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 17 — FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES (CONTINUED):

 

Fair Value Hierarchy (Continued)  

 

A significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of structured settlements is the discount rate. Significant increases and decreases in the discount rate used to estimate the fair value of structured settlements could decrease or increase the fair value measurement of the structured settlements. The discount rate could be affected by factors, which include, but are not limited to, creditworthiness of insurance companies, market conditions, specifically competitive factors, credit quality of receivables purchased, the diversity of the payers of the receivables purchased, the weighted average life of receivables, current benchmark rates (i.e. 10 year treasury or swap rate) and the historical portfolio performance of the originator and/or servicer.

 

 The following table sets forth the Company’s quantitative information about its Level 3 fair value measurements as of September  30, 2017:

 

   

Fair Value

 

Valuation

Technique

Unobservable

Input

 

Rate

 

Structured settlements at fair value

  $ 86,971,000  

Discounted cash flow

Discount rate

    4.81 5.82%

 

 

The changes in structured settlements at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 ) during the year ended September  30, 2017 were as follows:

 

Balance at September 30, 2016

  $ 86,091,000  

Fair market value adjustment

    (3,958,000

)

Purchases

    15,749,000  

Sales

    (7,485,000

)

Interest accreted

    6,389,000  

Payments received

    (9,815,000

)

         

Total

  $ 86,971,000  

 

   Realized and unrealized gains and losses on structured settlements included in earnings in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended September 30, 2017 are reported in the following revenue categories:

 

The amount of total gains for the year included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to assets held at September 30, 2017

  $ 4,326,000  
         

Realized loss relating to assets sold during the year ended September 30, 2017

  $ (5,353,000

)

         

Total losses included in the year ended September 30, 2017

  $ (1,027,000

)

 

 

NOTE 1 8  — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

On December  12, 2011, the Company and Piccolo Business Advisory (“Piccolo”), which is owned by Louis Piccolo, a director of the Company, entered into a Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which Piccolo provided consulting services which included, but was not limited to, analysis of proposed debt and equity transactions, due diligence and financial analysis and management consulting services (“Services”). The Consulting Agreement was for a period of two years, which ended on December  31, 2013 and Piccolo received compensation of $150,000 per annum payable monthly, a bonus of $25,000 per new transaction closed by the Company with Piccolo’s assistance (if any), and 30,000 options per year, with such options vesting in three equal annual installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the first grant date. The Company paid Piccolo  $25,000 in the fiscal year ended September  30, 2014. This agreement was not immediately renewed.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 18  — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

 

On September  17, 2015, the Company and Piccolo agreed to terms to a new two -year, $80,000 contract, pursuant to which Piccolo will provide consulting services, as described above. The compensation is to be paid quarterly. For the years ended September  30, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid Piccolo approximately $80,000 per annum for such services. The consulting agreement with Piccolo terminated on September 30, 2017.

 

In addition, A. L. Piccolo & Co., Inc. (“ALP”), which is also owned by Louis Piccolo, receives a fee from Pegasus which is calculated based on amounts loaned to Pegasus by Fund Pegasus up to maximum of $700,000. The fee is payable over six years including interest at 4% per annum from Pegasus during the term of the Pegasus Operating Agreement that expires December 28, 2016, and, thereafter, by PLF and its affiliates.  For fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, Pegasus paid ALP $133,000 each year, which includes fees and interest paid during the periods. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company owed Piccolo $66,000 and $193,000, respectively, which has been recorded in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2017. 

 

In June 2015, CBC entered into an asset purchase agreement with Fortress Funding, LLC (“Fortress”) to acquire an interest in certain tangible and intangible assets of Fortress, which included customer lists, equipment and other intellectual property. In consideration for these assets CBC agreed to pay Fortress $0.5 million, as well as up to an additional $1.2 million based on conversion of customers from the acquired lists obtained in the transaction. Fortress is owned by Michelle Silverman, the wife of Ryan Silverman, who in connection with the agreement was offered employment as General Counsel of CBC. Effective January 2017, Silverman was appointed as CEO, and currently serves as the CEO/General Counsel of CBC.

 

For the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid Fortress $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

 

In June 2017, CBC reached an agreement with Fortress; to settle the remaining $0.6 million owed under the agreement, which included any future amounts that could have been paid under the agreement in exchange for shares of Asta's common stock. Under the settlement agreement the Company issued Fortress 55,000 unrestricted shares of the Company's common stock as a complete release of any future obligations under the agreement. In conjunction with this transaction the Company recognized a charge to expense of $0.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2017, which represents the market price of the shares at the date of issuance. The Company did not recognize a gain on the settlement of this obligation.

  

On July  1, 2015, Mr. Arthur Stern, former Chairman Emeritus of the Company, retired from the Board of Directors and became a consultant to the Company. As of April 30, 2016, the consulting agreement with Mr. Stern was terminated. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, Mr. Stern was paid $88,000.

  

 

NOTE 19 — SEGMENT REPORTING

  

The Company operates through strategic business units that are aggregated into three reportable segments: consumer receivables, personal injury claims, and GAR Disability Advocates. The three reportable segments consist of the following:

 

 

Consumer receivables -   This segment is engaged in the business of purchasing, managing for its own account and servicing distressed consumer receivables, including judgment receivables, charged off receivables and semi-performing receivables. Judgment receivables are accounts where outside attorneys have secured judgments directly against the consumer. Primary charged-off receivables are accounts that have been written-off by the originators and may have been previously serviced by collection agencies. Semi-performing receivables are accounts where the debtor is currently making partial or irregular monthly payments, but the accounts may have been written-off by the originators. Distressed consumer receivables are the unpaid debts of individuals to banks, finance companies and other credit providers. A large portion of our distressed consumer receivables are MasterCard ® , Visa ® and other credit card accounts which were charged-off by the issuers or providers for non-payment. We acquire these and other consumer receivable portfolios at substantial discounts to their face values. The discounts are based on the characteristics (issuer, account size, debtor location and age of debt) of the underlying accounts of each portfolio. The business conducts its activities primarily under the name Palisades Collection, LLC.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

NOTE 19 — SEGMENT REPORTING (CONTINUED)

 

 

Personal injury claims ( including Equity Method Investment )    – Pegasus Funding, LLC, purchases interests in personal injury claims from claimants who are a party to personal injury litigation. Pegasus advances to each claimant funds on a non-recourse basis at an agreed upon interest rate, in anticipation of a future settlement. The interest in each claim purchased by Pegasus consists of the right to receive, from such claimant, part of the proceeds or recoveries which such claimant receives by reason of a settlement, judgment or award with respect to such claimant’s claim. Effective January 2017, Simia commenced funding personal injury settlement claims while Pegasus will not fund any new advances, and will remain in operation to liquidate its current portfolio of advances. Simia's activity for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are included in this segment, along with that of the Company's equity investment in Pegasus.

  

 

Social Security benefit advocacy – GAR Disability Advocates and Five Star are advocacy groups which represent individuals nationwide in their claims for social security disability and supplemental security income benefits from the Social Security Administration.

 

Certain non-allocated administrative costs, interest income, interest expense and various other non-operating income and expenses are reflected in Corporate. Corporate assets include cash and cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities, property and equipment, goodwill, deferred taxes, other assets and assets related to discontinued operations.

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Consumer
Receivables

   

GAR Disability
Advocates

   

Personal Injury Claims (2)

   

C orporate (3)

   

Total

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

                                       

2017:

                                       

Revenues

  $ 15.9     $ 5.1     $ 0.4     $     $ 21.4  

Other income

                      (0.1 )     (0.1 )

Segment profit (loss)

    12.5       (1.7 )     4.1       (22.2 )     (7.3 )

Segment Assets (1) (4)

 

20.4

      3.9       55.0       122.2       201.5  

2016:

                                       

Revenues

    18.9       4.0                   22.9  

Other income

                      1.7       1.7  

Segment profit (loss)

    14.2       (7.3 )     10.5       (11.7 )     5.7  

Segment Assets (1) (4)

    18.9       2.0       48.6       185.5       255.0  

 

The Company does not have any intersegment revenue transactions.

 

( 1 )

Includes other amounts in other line items on the consolidated balance sheet.

( 2 )

The  Company records Pegasus as an equity investment in its consolidated financial statements. For segment reporting the Company has included its pro-rated share of the earnings and losses from its investment under the Personal Injury Claims segment.

( 3 )

Corporate is not part of the three reportable segments, as certain expenses and assets are not earmarked to any specific operating segment.

( 4 )

Included in Corporate are approximately $92.8 million and $91.5 million of assets related to discontinued operations as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September  30, 2017 and 2016

 

 

NOTE 2 0 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
   

Unrealized

gain on

marketable

securities

   

Foreign

currency

translation, net

   

Total

   

Unrealized

gain on

marketable

securities

   

Foreign

currency

translation, net

   

Total

 

Beginning Balance

  $ 624,000     $ 179,000     $ 803,000     $ (205,000

)

  $ 225,000     $ 20,000  
                                                 

Change in unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency translation, net

    -       (168,000

)

    (168,000

)

    -       (46,000

)

    (46,000

)

Change in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities

    (10,000

)

    -       (10,000

)

    868,000       -       868,000  

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

    (607,000

)

    -       (607,000

)

    (39,000

)

    -       (39,000

)

                                                 

Net current-period other comprehensive income

    (617,000

)

    (168,000

)

    (785,000

)

    829,000       (46,000

)

  $ 783,000  
                                                 

Ending balance

  $ 7,000     $ 11,000     $ 18,000     $ 624,000     $ 179,000     $ 803,000  

 

 

NOTE  2 1 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Pegasus

 

The Company filed for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") against Pegasus in April 2017 for breaches in the Operating and Term Sheet. On April 18, 2017, the Company was granted an Emergent Award restraining the cash in Pegasus, until a formal arbitration panel is confirmed and can review the case. As of June 30, 2017 there was approximately $24.7 million in cash that was restrained under the Emergent Award, and is classified as restricted on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The Company has as equity method investment in Pegasus. See Note 5 - Litigation Funding.

 

On July 17, 2017, an arbitration panel was confirmed, and a hearing date has been scheduled for August 25, 2017 on the Company's motion to have PLF removed from managing Pegasus and replacing them with Company designated representatives, and to permit disbursements to the Company in accordance with the Operating and Liquidation Agreements.

 

On January 12, 2018, the Company, ASFI and Fund Pegasus entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”) by and among the Company, ASFI, Fund Pegasus, Pegasus, the Seller, Max Alperovich, Alexander Khanas, Larry Stoddard, III, Louis Piccolo and A.L. Piccolo & Co., Inc., a New York corporation. The Settlement Agreement releases certain claims in exchange for, among other things, the parties' entry into the Purchase Agreement.

 

Additionally, on January 12, 2018, ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC (“ASFI”), a Delaware limited liability company and a subsidiary of Asta Funding, Inc. (the “Company” or “Asta”), a Delaware corporation, entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement) with Pegasus Legal Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller”). Under the Purchase Agreement, ASFI bought the Seller’s ownership interests of Pegasus Funding, LLC (“Pegasus”), which was 20% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Pegasus, for an aggregate purchase price of $1,800,000. As a result of the execution of the Purchase Agreement, ASFI became the owner of 100% of the limited liability company interests of Pegasus.

 

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 2 1 —Subsequent Events  (Continued)

 

Pegasus (continued)

 

As a result of the purchase of the Seller’s 20% interest in Pegasus on January 12, 2018 under the Purchase Agreement, beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company will consolidate the financial statements of Pegasus. The Company currently accounts for its investment in Pegasus under the equity method of accounting. See Note 5 - Litigation Funding.

 

Legal Matters

 

On November 24, 2017, the Company paid $0.8 million as a settlement in conjunction with the lawsuit filed against the Company in Montana state court alleging, fraud and abuse of process arising from the Company's business relationship with an entity that finances divorce proceedings. See Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies.

 

On January 23, 2018, the Company paid $2.3 million as a global settlement in conjunction with the punitive class action complaint filed against the Company, and one of its third -party law firm servicers. This payment represented the Company's portion of the total settlement of $4.6 million, which was split with the third -party law firm. See Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies.

 

The Company filed a lawsuit in Delaware state court against a third party servicer arising from the third party servicer’s failure to pay the Company certain amounts that are due the Company under a servicing agreement.  The third party servicer filed a counterclaim in the Delaware action alleging that the Company owes certain amounts to the third party servicer for court costs pursuant to an alleged arrangement between the companies.  On or about July 12, 2018, the parties agreed to settle the action pursuant to a settlement agreement and release, which provides for, among other things, the payment by the third party servicer of $4.4 million to the Company pursuant to an agreed upon schedule.  See Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies.

 

Special Dividend  

 

On February 5, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a special cash dividend in the amount of $5.30 per share with respect to its Common Stock, payable on February 28, 2018 to holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock at the close of business on February 16, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of March 1, 2018. The aggregate payment to shareholders was approximately $35 million.

 

IRS Examination

 

The Company's amended federal tax return for the year ended September 30, 2014 and 2015 is currently being audited by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

US Tax Reform  

   

On December 22, 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. Among other provisions, the Act reduces the Federal statutory corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. This rate reduction is expected to have a significant impact on our provisions for income taxes for periods beginning after September 30, 2017, including a one -time impact resulting from the revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the new lower rate. Based on our initial assessment of the Act, we expect that it will result in a charge to income taxes of approximately $3.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Gary Stern

 

 

Gary Stern

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Dated: October 12, 2018

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Sig na ture

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Gary Stern

 

Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive

 

October 12, 2018

Gary Stern

  

 Officer

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Bruce R. Foster

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

October 12, 2018

Bruce R. Foster

  

(Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)

  

 

 

 

 

/s/ David Slackman 

  

Director

  

October 12, 2018

David Slackman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Louis A. Piccolo

  

Director

  

October 12, 2018

Louis A. Piccolo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Mark Levenfus

  

Director

  

October 12, 2018

Mark Levenfus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Timothy H. Bishop

  

Director

  

October 12, 2018

Timothy H. Bishop

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.24

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Bruce Foster (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increasing difficulty in obtaining liability insurance for directors, officers and key employees, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, and to indemnify its directors, officers and key employees so as to provide them with the maximum protection permitted by law;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, it is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company and the Indemnitee desire to set forth certain indemnification rights and obligations in more details as is set forth herein in order to induce the Indemnity to continue his service to the Company free from undue concern that Indemnitee will not be so indemnified.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

 

1.

Indemnification .

 

 

1.

Third-Party Proceedings .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor), against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

 

3.

Success on the Merits .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1(1) or Section 1(2) or the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such successfully resolved claims, issues or matters to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.  If any Proceeding (or issue, claim or matter therein) is disposed of on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that Indemnitee was liable to the Company, (iii) a plea of guilty by Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and (v) with respect to any criminal Proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto. The indemnification provided by this Section 1(3) shall be in addition to any right to indemnification for Expenses set forth elsewhere herein (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1(1) and 1(2)).

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Additional Indemnification . In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for above in this Section 1, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth herein) to be unlawful.

 

 

5.

Witness Expenses To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding by virtue of his Corporate Status to which Indemnitee is not a party (including responding to discovery requests), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding.

 

 

2.

Indemnification Procedure .

 

 

1.

Advancement of Expenses .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall advance all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a statement requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.  Such advances shall be unsecured and interest free and shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall be entitled to continue to receive advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Section 2(1) unless and until the matter of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder has been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists.  Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it ultimately is determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which shall constitute the requisite undertaking with respect to repayment of advances made hereunder and no other form of undertaking shall be required to qualify for advances made hereunder other than the execution of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee .   Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement.  Such notice to the Company shall include a description of the nature of, and facts underlying, the Proceeding, shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(4) below.  In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such additional information and cooperation as the Company may reasonably request.  Indemnitee’s failure to so notify, provide information and otherwise cooperate with the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Company is adversely affected by such failure.

 

 

3.

Determination of Entitlement .   Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.  Subject to the foregoing, promptly after receipt of a statement requesting payment with respect to the indemnification rights set forth in Section 1, to the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall take the steps necessary to authorize such payment in the manner set forth in Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.  The Company shall pay any claims made under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification or advancement of Expenses, within thirty (30) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, and if such claim is not paid in full within such thirty (30) day-period, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 12, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with bringing such action.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for advancement of Expenses under Section 2(1)) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed.  In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion to overcome that presumption with clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.  The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.  In addition, it is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.  If any requested determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder has not been made within ninety (90) days after the final disposition of the Proceeding, the requisite determination that Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Payment Directions .   To the extent payments are required to be made hereunder, the Company shall, in accordance with Indemnitee’s request (but without duplication), (i) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (ii) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (iii) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses.

 

 

5.

Notice to Insurers .   If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 2(2) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

 

6.

Defense of Claim and Selection of Counsel .   In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 2(1) hereof to advance Expenses with respect to any Proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do.  After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of separate and supplemental counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or (C) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.  In addition, if there exists a potential, but not an actual conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee, the actual and reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Indemnitee for separate counsel retained by Indemnitee to monitor the Proceeding (so that such counsel may assume Indemnitee’s defense if the conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee becomes an actual conflict of interest) shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.  The existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, and whether such conflict may be waived, shall be determined pursuant to the rules of attorney professional conduct and applicable law.  The Company shall not be required to obtain the consent of Indemnitee for the settlement of any Proceeding the Company has undertaken to defend if the Company assumes full and sole responsibility for each such settlement; provided, however, that the Company shall be required to obtain Indemnitee’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, before entering into any settlement which (i) does not grant Indemnitee a complete release of liability, (ii) would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee, or (iii) would admit any liability or misconduct by Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Independent Counsel Under Section 145 . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 2(7). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined below, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures herein, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Additional Indemnification Rights .

 

 

1.

Scope .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute.  In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be deemed to be within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.  In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the General Corporation Law of Delaware and public policy of the State of Delaware.

     
 

2.

Nonexclusivity .   The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors, the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

     
 

3.

Interest on Unpaid Amounts .   If any payment to be made by the Company to Indemnitee hereunder is delayed by more than ninety (90) days from the date the duly prepared request for such payment is received by the Company, interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies or is obligated to indemnify for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee actually incurs such Expense or pays such judgment, fine or amount in settlement and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company. 

 

 

4.

Third-Party Indemnification .   The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee has or may from time to time obtain certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more third parties (collectively, the “ Third-Party Indemnitors ”).  The Company hereby agrees that it will not assert that the Indemnitee must seek expense advancement or reimbursement, or indemnification, from any Third-Party Indemnitor before the Company must perform its expense advancement and reimbursement, and indemnification obligations, under this Agreement. 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Partial Indemnification .   If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a Proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

 

5.

Director and Officer Liability Insurance .

 

 

1.

D&O Policy .   The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the directors and officers of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.  Among other considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage.  In all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a parent or subsidiary of the Company.

     
 

2.

Tail Coverage .   In the event of a Change of Control or the Company’s becoming insolvent (including being placed into receivership or entering the federal bankruptcy process and the like), the Company shall maintain in force any and all insurance policies then maintained by the Company in providing insurance (directors’ and officers’ liability, fiduciary, employment practices or otherwise) in respect of Indemnitee, for a period of six years thereafter.

 

 

6.

Severability .   Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law.  The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.  If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Exclusions .   Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

 

1.

Claims Initiated by Indemnitee .   To indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish, enforce or interpret a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate; provided , however , that the exclusion set forth in the first clause of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to any investigation initiated or brought by Indemnitee to the extent reasonably necessary or advisable in support of Indemnitee’s defense of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party;

     
 

2.

Insured Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses to the extent such Expenses have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under an insurance policy maintained by the Company; or

     
 

3.

Certain Exchange Act Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any similar successor statute or any similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); provided , however , that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise with respect to any such Proceeding, the Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.

 

 

8.

Contribution Claims .

 

 

1.

If the indemnification provided in Section 1 is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason other than those set forth in Section 7, then in respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction or events from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the transaction or events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

     
 

3.

With respect to a Proceeding brought against directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from any claims for contribution that may be brought by any such directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee) who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee, to the same extent Indemnitee would have been entitled to such indemnification under this Agreement if such Proceeding had been brought against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth elsewhere herein (including Sections 8(1) and 8(2) above), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification or contribution rights provided for elsewhere in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

 

9.

No Imputation .   The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or the Company itself shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any rights under this Agreement.

     
 

10.

Determination of Good Faith .   For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any counsel selected by any committee of the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, investment banker, compensation consultant, or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any committee thereof.  The provisions of this Section 10 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct.  Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

     
 

11.

Defined Terms and Phrases .   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

 

1.

Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Change of Control ” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest of any of the following events:

 

 

1.

Acquisition of Stock by Third Party .  Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (i) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change of Control under part (3) of this definition.

     
 

2.

Change in Board of Directors .  Individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”), and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “ Continuing Directors ”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board.

     
 

3.

Corporate Transaction .  The effective date of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination:  (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of the surviving entity; (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Liquidation .  The approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions).

     
 

5.

Other Events .  There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item or any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

 

3.

Company ” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

 

4.

Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Enterprise or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company

     
 

5.

Enterprise ” means the Company and any other enterprise that Indemnitee was or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent.

     
 

6.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Expenses ” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payment under this Agreement (including taxes that may be imposed upon the actual or deemed receipt of payments under this Agreement with respect to the imposition of federal, state, local or foreign taxes), fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.  Expenses also shall include any of the forgoing expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any costs bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent.  Expenses also shall include any interest, assessment or other charges imposed thereon and costs incurred in preparing statements in support of payment requests hereunder.  Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

 

8.

Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto

     
 

9.

Person ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company’s stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company (an “ Employee Benefit Plan ”); and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an Employee Benefit Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Proceeding ” shall include any actual, threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by a third party, a government agency, the Company or its Board of Directors or a committee thereof, whether in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, legislative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by Indemnitee or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

     
 

11.

In addition, references to “ other enterprise ” shall include another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; references to “ serving at the request of the Company ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the Company ” as referred to in this Agreement; references to “ include ” or “ including ” shall mean include or including, without limitation; and references to Sections, paragraphs or clauses are to Sections, paragraphs or clauses in this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

 

12.

Attorneys’ Fees .   In the event that any Proceeding is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such Proceeding were not made in good faith or were frivolous.  In the event of a Proceeding instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.

 

 

 

 

 

13.

Miscellaneous .

 

 

1.

Governing Law .   This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

     
 

2.

Binding Effect; Survival .   Without limiting the provisions of Section 3, this Agreement shall be deemed supplemental to any indemnification rights granted to Indemnitee, and shall not be deemed to abrogate or limit, or be abrogated or limited by, any other such rights. The indemnification provided under this Agreement applies with respect to events occurring before or after the effective date of this Agreement, and shall continue to apply even after Indemnitee has ceased to serve the Company or the Enterprise in any and all indemnified capacities.

     
 

3.

Amendments and Waivers .   No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.  The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

     
 

4.

Security . To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

     
 

5.

Notices .   Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by fax or 48 hours after being sent by nationally-recognized courier or deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Counterparts .   This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

     
 

7.

Successors and Assigns .   This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns.  The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

     
 

8.

No Employment Rights .   Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment.

     
 

9.

Company Position .   The Company shall be precluded from asserting, in any Proceeding brought for purposes of establishing, enforcing or interpreting any right to indemnification under this Agreement, that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement and is precluded from making any assertion to the contrary.

     
 

10.

Subrogation .   In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

 

 

 

The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

Asta Funding, Inc.

 

 

By: /s/ Gary Stern  
 

Gary Stern

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Fax: (201) 683-5612

 

 

 

/s/ Bruce Foster  

Bruce Foster

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632


Fax: (201) 308-9278

 

Exhibit 10.25

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Seth Berman (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increasing difficulty in obtaining liability insurance for directors, officers and key employees, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, and to indemnify its directors, officers and key employees so as to provide them with the maximum protection permitted by law;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, it is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company and the Indemnitee desire to set forth certain indemnification rights and obligations in more details as is set forth herein in order to induce the Indemnity to continue his service to the Company free from undue concern that Indemnitee will not be so indemnified.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

 

1.

Indemnification .

 

 

1.

Third-Party Proceedings .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor), against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

 

3.

Success on the Merits .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1(1) or Section 1(2) or the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such successfully resolved claims, issues or matters to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.  If any Proceeding (or issue, claim or matter therein) is disposed of on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that Indemnitee was liable to the Company, (iii) a plea of guilty by Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and (v) with respect to any criminal Proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto. The indemnification provided by this Section 1(3) shall be in addition to any right to indemnification for Expenses set forth elsewhere herein (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1(1) and 1(2)).

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Additional Indemnification . In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for above in this Section 1, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth herein) to be unlawful.

     
 

5.

Witness Expenses To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding by virtue of his Corporate Status to which Indemnitee is not a party (including responding to discovery requests), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding.

 

 

2.

Indemnification Procedure .

 

 

1.

Advancement of Expenses .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall advance all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a statement requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.  Such advances shall be unsecured and interest free and shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall be entitled to continue to receive advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Section 2(1) unless and until the matter of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder has been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists.  Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it ultimately is determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which shall constitute the requisite undertaking with respect to repayment of advances made hereunder and no other form of undertaking shall be required to qualify for advances made hereunder other than the execution of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee .   Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement.  Such notice to the Company shall include a description of the nature of, and facts underlying, the Proceeding, shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(4) below.  In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such additional information and cooperation as the Company may reasonably request.  Indemnitee’s failure to so notify, provide information and otherwise cooperate with the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Company is adversely affected by such failure.

 

 

3.

Determination of Entitlement .   Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.  Subject to the foregoing, promptly after receipt of a statement requesting payment with respect to the indemnification rights set forth in Section 1, to the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall take the steps necessary to authorize such payment in the manner set forth in Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.  The Company shall pay any claims made under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification or advancement of Expenses, within thirty (30) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, and if such claim is not paid in full within such thirty (30) day-period, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 12, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with bringing such action.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for advancement of Expenses under Section 2(1)) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed.  In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion to overcome that presumption with clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.  The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.  In addition, it is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.  If any requested determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder has not been made within ninety (90) days after the final disposition of the Proceeding, the requisite determination that Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Payment Directions .   To the extent payments are required to be made hereunder, the Company shall, in accordance with Indemnitee’s request (but without duplication), (i) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (ii) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (iii) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses.

     
 

5.

Notice to Insurers .   If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 2(2) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

     
 

6.

Defense of Claim and Selection of Counsel .   In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 2(1) hereof to advance Expenses with respect to any Proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do.  After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of separate and supplemental counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or (C) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.  In addition, if there exists a potential, but not an actual conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee, the actual and reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Indemnitee for separate counsel retained by Indemnitee to monitor the Proceeding (so that such counsel may assume Indemnitee’s defense if the conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee becomes an actual conflict of interest) shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.  The existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, and whether such conflict may be waived, shall be determined pursuant to the rules of attorney professional conduct and applicable law.  The Company shall not be required to obtain the consent of Indemnitee for the settlement of any Proceeding the Company has undertaken to defend if the Company assumes full and sole responsibility for each such settlement; provided, however, that the Company shall be required to obtain Indemnitee’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, before entering into any settlement which (i) does not grant Indemnitee a complete release of liability, (ii) would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee, or (iii) would admit any liability or misconduct by Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Independent Counsel Under Section 145 . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 2(7). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined below, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures herein, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Additional Indemnification Rights .

 

 

1.

Scope .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute.  In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be deemed to be within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.  In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the General Corporation Law of Delaware and public policy of the State of Delaware.

     
 

2.

Nonexclusivity .   The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors, the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

     
 

3.

Interest on Unpaid Amounts .   If any payment to be made by the Company to Indemnitee hereunder is delayed by more than ninety (90) days from the date the duly prepared request for such payment is received by the Company, interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies or is obligated to indemnify for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee actually incurs such Expense or pays such judgment, fine or amount in settlement and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company. 

     
 

4.

Third-Party Indemnification .   The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee has or may from time to time obtain certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more third parties (collectively, the “ Third-Party Indemnitors ”).  The Company hereby agrees that it will not assert that the Indemnitee must seek expense advancement or reimbursement, or indemnification, from any Third-Party Indemnitor before the Company must perform its expense advancement and reimbursement, and indemnification obligations, under this Agreement. 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Partial Indemnification .   If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a Proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

 

5.

Director and Officer Liability Insurance .

 

 

1.

D&O Policy .   The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the directors and officers of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.  Among other considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage.  In all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a parent or subsidiary of the Company.

     
 

2.

Tail Coverage .   In the event of a Change of Control or the Company’s becoming insolvent (including being placed into receivership or entering the federal bankruptcy process and the like), the Company shall maintain in force any and all insurance policies then maintained by the Company in providing insurance (directors’ and officers’ liability, fiduciary, employment practices or otherwise) in respect of Indemnitee, for a period of six years thereafter.

 

 

6.

Severability .   Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law.  The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.  If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Exclusions .   Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

 

1.

Claims Initiated by Indemnitee .   To indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish, enforce or interpret a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate; provided , however , that the exclusion set forth in the first clause of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to any investigation initiated or brought by Indemnitee to the extent reasonably necessary or advisable in support of Indemnitee’s defense of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party;

     
 

2.

Insured Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses to the extent such Expenses have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under an insurance policy maintained by the Company; or

     
 

3.

Certain Exchange Act Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any similar successor statute or any similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); provided , however , that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise with respect to any such Proceeding, the Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.

 

 

8.

Contribution Claims .

 

 

1.

If the indemnification provided in Section 1 is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason other than those set forth in Section 7, then in respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction or events from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the transaction or events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

     
 

3.

With respect to a Proceeding brought against directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from any claims for contribution that may be brought by any such directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee) who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee, to the same extent Indemnitee would have been entitled to such indemnification under this Agreement if such Proceeding had been brought against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth elsewhere herein (including Sections 8(1) and 8(2) above), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification or contribution rights provided for elsewhere in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

 

9.

No Imputation .   The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or the Company itself shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any rights under this Agreement.

     
 

10.

Determination of Good Faith .   For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any counsel selected by any committee of the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, investment banker, compensation consultant, or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any committee thereof.  The provisions of this Section 10 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct.  Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

     
 

11.

Defined Terms and Phrases .   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

 

1.

Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Change of Control ” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest of any of the following events:

 

 

1.

Acquisition of Stock by Third Party .  Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (i) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change of Control under part (3) of this definition.

     
 

2.

Change in Board of Directors .  Individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”), and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “ Continuing Directors ”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board.

     
 

3.

Corporate Transaction .  The effective date of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination:  (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of the surviving entity; (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Liquidation .  The approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions).

     
 

5.

Other Events .  There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item or any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

 

3.

Company ” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

 

4.

Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Enterprise or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company

     
 

5.

Enterprise ” means the Company and any other enterprise that Indemnitee was or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent.

     
 

6.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Expenses ” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payment under this Agreement (including taxes that may be imposed upon the actual or deemed receipt of payments under this Agreement with respect to the imposition of federal, state, local or foreign taxes), fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.  Expenses also shall include any of the forgoing expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any costs bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent.  Expenses also shall include any interest, assessment or other charges imposed thereon and costs incurred in preparing statements in support of payment requests hereunder.  Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

 

8.

Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto

     
 

9.

Person ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company’s stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company (an “ Employee Benefit Plan ”); and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an Employee Benefit Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Proceeding ” shall include any actual, threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by a third party, a government agency, the Company or its Board of Directors or a committee thereof, whether in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, legislative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by Indemnitee or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

 

11.

In addition, references to “ other enterprise ” shall include another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; references to “ serving at the request of the Company ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the Company ” as referred to in this Agreement; references to “ include ” or “ including ” shall mean include or including, without limitation; and references to Sections, paragraphs or clauses are to Sections, paragraphs or clauses in this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

 

12.

Attorneys’ Fees .   In the event that any Proceeding is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such Proceeding were not made in good faith or were frivolous.  In the event of a Proceeding instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.

 

 

 

 

 

13.

Miscellaneous .

 

 

1.

Governing Law .   This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

     
 

2.

Binding Effect; Survival .   Without limiting the provisions of Section 3, this Agreement shall be deemed supplemental to any indemnification rights granted to Indemnitee, and shall not be deemed to abrogate or limit, or be abrogated or limited by, any other such rights. The indemnification provided under this Agreement applies with respect to events occurring before or after the effective date of this Agreement, and shall continue to apply even after Indemnitee has ceased to serve the Company or the Enterprise in any and all indemnified capacities.

     
 

3.

Amendments and Waivers .   No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.  The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

     
 

4.

Security . To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

     
 

5.

Notices .   Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by fax or 48 hours after being sent by nationally-recognized courier or deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Counterparts .   This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

     
 

7.

Successors and Assigns .   This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns.  The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

     
 

8.

No Employment Rights .   Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment.

     
 

9.

Company Position .   The Company shall be precluded from asserting, in any Proceeding brought for purposes of establishing, enforcing or interpreting any right to indemnification under this Agreement, that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement and is precluded from making any assertion to the contrary.

     
 

10.

Subrogation .   In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

 

 

 

The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

Asta Funding, Inc.

 

 

By: /s/ Gary Stern  
 

Gary Stern

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Fax: (201) 683-5612

 

 

 

/s/ Seth Berman  

Seth Berman

Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Exhibit 10.26

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Mark Levenfus (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increasing difficulty in obtaining liability insurance for directors, officers and key employees, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, and to indemnify its directors, officers and key employees so as to provide them with the maximum protection permitted by law;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, it is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company and the Indemnitee desire to set forth certain indemnification rights and obligations in more details as is set forth herein in order to induce the Indemnity to continue his service to the Company free from undue concern that Indemnitee will not be so indemnified.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

 

1.

Indemnification .

 

 

1.

Third-Party Proceedings .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor), against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

     
 

3.

Success on the Merits .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1(1) or Section 1(2) or the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such successfully resolved claims, issues or matters to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.  If any Proceeding (or issue, claim or matter therein) is disposed of on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that Indemnitee was liable to the Company, (iii) a plea of guilty by Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and (v) with respect to any criminal Proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto. The indemnification provided by this Section 1(3) shall be in addition to any right to indemnification for Expenses set forth elsewhere herein (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1(1) and 1(2)).

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Additional Indemnification . In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for above in this Section 1, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth herein) to be unlawful.

     
 

5.

Witness Expenses To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding by virtue of his Corporate Status to which Indemnitee is not a party (including responding to discovery requests), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding.

 

 

2.

Indemnification Procedure .

 

 

1.

Advancement of Expenses .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall advance all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a statement requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.  Such advances shall be unsecured and interest free and shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall be entitled to continue to receive advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Section 2(1) unless and until the matter of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder has been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists.  Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it ultimately is determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which shall constitute the requisite undertaking with respect to repayment of advances made hereunder and no other form of undertaking shall be required to qualify for advances made hereunder other than the execution of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee .   Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement.  Such notice to the Company shall include a description of the nature of, and facts underlying, the Proceeding, shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(4) below.  In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such additional information and cooperation as the Company may reasonably request.  Indemnitee’s failure to so notify, provide information and otherwise cooperate with the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Company is adversely affected by such failure.

     
 

3.

Determination of Entitlement .   Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.  Subject to the foregoing, promptly after receipt of a statement requesting payment with respect to the indemnification rights set forth in Section 1, to the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall take the steps necessary to authorize such payment in the manner set forth in Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.  The Company shall pay any claims made under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification or advancement of Expenses, within thirty (30) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, and if such claim is not paid in full within such thirty (30) day-period, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 12, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with bringing such action.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for advancement of Expenses under Section 2(1)) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed.  In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion to overcome that presumption with clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.  The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.  In addition, it is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.  If any requested determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder has not been made within ninety (90) days after the final disposition of the Proceeding, the requisite determination that Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Payment Directions .   To the extent payments are required to be made hereunder, the Company shall, in accordance with Indemnitee’s request (but without duplication), (i) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (ii) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (iii) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses.

     
 

5.

Notice to Insurers .   If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 2(2) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

     
 

6.

Defense of Claim and Selection of Counsel .   In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 2(1) hereof to advance Expenses with respect to any Proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do.  After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of separate and supplemental counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or (C) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.  In addition, if there exists a potential, but not an actual conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee, the actual and reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Indemnitee for separate counsel retained by Indemnitee to monitor the Proceeding (so that such counsel may assume Indemnitee’s defense if the conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee becomes an actual conflict of interest) shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.  The existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, and whether such conflict may be waived, shall be determined pursuant to the rules of attorney professional conduct and applicable law.  The Company shall not be required to obtain the consent of Indemnitee for the settlement of any Proceeding the Company has undertaken to defend if the Company assumes full and sole responsibility for each such settlement; provided, however, that the Company shall be required to obtain Indemnitee’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, before entering into any settlement which (i) does not grant Indemnitee a complete release of liability, (ii) would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee, or (iii) would admit any liability or misconduct by Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Independent Counsel Under Section 145 . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 2(7). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined below, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures herein, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Additional Indemnification Rights .

 

 

1.

Scope .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute.  In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be deemed to be within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.  In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the General Corporation Law of Delaware and public policy of the State of Delaware.

     
 

2.

Nonexclusivity .   The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors, the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

     
 

3.

Interest on Unpaid Amounts .   If any payment to be made by the Company to Indemnitee hereunder is delayed by more than ninety (90) days from the date the duly prepared request for such payment is received by the Company, interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies or is obligated to indemnify for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee actually incurs such Expense or pays such judgment, fine or amount in settlement and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company. 

     
 

4.

Third-Party Indemnification .   The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee has or may from time to time obtain certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more third parties (collectively, the “ Third-Party Indemnitors ”).  The Company hereby agrees that it will not assert that the Indemnitee must seek expense advancement or reimbursement, or indemnification, from any Third-Party Indemnitor before the Company must perform its expense advancement and reimbursement, and indemnification obligations, under this Agreement. 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Partial Indemnification .   If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a Proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

 

5.

Director and Officer Liability Insurance .

 

 

1.

D&O Policy .   The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the directors and officers of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.  Among other considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage.  In all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a parent or subsidiary of the Company.

     
 

2.

Tail Coverage .   In the event of a Change of Control or the Company’s becoming insolvent (including being placed into receivership or entering the federal bankruptcy process and the like), the Company shall maintain in force any and all insurance policies then maintained by the Company in providing insurance (directors’ and officers’ liability, fiduciary, employment practices or otherwise) in respect of Indemnitee, for a period of six years thereafter.

 

 

6.

Severability .   Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law.  The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.  If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Exclusions .   Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

 

1.

Claims Initiated by Indemnitee .   To indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish, enforce or interpret a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate; provided , however , that the exclusion set forth in the first clause of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to any investigation initiated or brought by Indemnitee to the extent reasonably necessary or advisable in support of Indemnitee’s defense of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party;

     
 

2.

Insured Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses to the extent such Expenses have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under an insurance policy maintained by the Company; or

     
 

3.

Certain Exchange Act Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any similar successor statute or any similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); provided , however , that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise with respect to any such Proceeding, the Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.

 

 

8.

Contribution Claims .

 

 

1.

If the indemnification provided in Section 1 is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason other than those set forth in Section 7, then in respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction or events from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the transaction or events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

     
 

3.

With respect to a Proceeding brought against directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from any claims for contribution that may be brought by any such directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee) who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee, to the same extent Indemnitee would have been entitled to such indemnification under this Agreement if such Proceeding had been brought against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth elsewhere herein (including Sections 8(1) and 8(2) above), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification or contribution rights provided for elsewhere in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

 

9.

No Imputation .   The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or the Company itself shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any rights under this Agreement.

     
 

10.

Determination of Good Faith .   For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any counsel selected by any committee of the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, investment banker, compensation consultant, or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any committee thereof.  The provisions of this Section 10 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct.  Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

     
 

11.

Defined Terms and Phrases .   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

 

1.

Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Change of Control ” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest of any of the following events:

 

 

1.

Acquisition of Stock by Third Party .  Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (i) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change of Control under part (3) of this definition.

     
 

2.

Change in Board of Directors .  Individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”), and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “ Continuing Directors ”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board.

     
 

3.

Corporate Transaction .  The effective date of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination:  (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of the surviving entity; (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Liquidation .  The approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions).

     
 

5.

Other Events .  There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item or any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

 

3.

Company ” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

     
 

4.

Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Enterprise or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company

     
 

5.

Enterprise ” means the Company and any other enterprise that Indemnitee was or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent.

     
 

6.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Expenses ” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payment under this Agreement (including taxes that may be imposed upon the actual or deemed receipt of payments under this Agreement with respect to the imposition of federal, state, local or foreign taxes), fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.  Expenses also shall include any of the forgoing expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any costs bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent.  Expenses also shall include any interest, assessment or other charges imposed thereon and costs incurred in preparing statements in support of payment requests hereunder.  Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

 

8.

Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto

     
 

9.

Person ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company’s stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company (an “ Employee Benefit Plan ”); and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an Employee Benefit Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Proceeding ” shall include any actual, threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by a third party, a government agency, the Company or its Board of Directors or a committee thereof, whether in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, legislative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by Indemnitee or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

     
 

11.

In addition, references to “ other enterprise ” shall include another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; references to “ serving at the request of the Company ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the Company ” as referred to in this Agreement; references to “ include ” or “ including ” shall mean include or including, without limitation; and references to Sections, paragraphs or clauses are to Sections, paragraphs or clauses in this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

 

12.

Attorneys’ Fees .   In the event that any Proceeding is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such Proceeding were not made in good faith or were frivolous.  In the event of a Proceeding instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.

 

 

 

 

 

13.

Miscellaneous .

 

 

1.

Governing Law .   This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

     
 

2.

Binding Effect; Survival .   Without limiting the provisions of Section 3, this Agreement shall be deemed supplemental to any indemnification rights granted to Indemnitee, and shall not be deemed to abrogate or limit, or be abrogated or limited by, any other such rights. The indemnification provided under this Agreement applies with respect to events occurring before or after the effective date of this Agreement, and shall continue to apply even after Indemnitee has ceased to serve the Company or the Enterprise in any and all indemnified capacities.

     
 

3.

Amendments and Waivers .   No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.  The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

     
 

4.

Security . To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

     
 

5.

Notices .   Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by fax or 48 hours after being sent by nationally-recognized courier or deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Counterparts .   This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

     
 

7.

Successors and Assigns .   This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns.  The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

     
 

8.

No Employment Rights .   Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment.

     
 

9.

Company Position .   The Company shall be precluded from asserting, in any Proceeding brought for purposes of establishing, enforcing or interpreting any right to indemnification under this Agreement, that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement and is precluded from making any assertion to the contrary.

     
 

10.

Subrogation .   In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

 

 

 

The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

Asta Funding, Inc.

 

 

By: /s/ Gary Stern  
 

Gary Stern

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Fax: (201) 683-5612

 

 

 

/s/ Mark Levenfus  

Mark Levenfus

Director

 

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Exhibit 10.27

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Louis A. Piccolo (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increasing difficulty in obtaining liability insurance for directors, officers and key employees, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, and to indemnify its directors, officers and key employees so as to provide them with the maximum protection permitted by law;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, it is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company and the Indemnitee desire to set forth certain indemnification rights and obligations in more details as is set forth herein in order to induce the Indemnity to continue his service to the Company free from undue concern that Indemnitee will not be so indemnified.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

 

1.

Indemnification .
 

 

1.

Third-Party Proceedings .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor), against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

 

3.

Success on the Merits .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1(1) or Section 1(2) or the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such successfully resolved claims, issues or matters to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.  If any Proceeding (or issue, claim or matter therein) is disposed of on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that Indemnitee was liable to the Company, (iii) a plea of guilty by Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and (v) with respect to any criminal Proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto. The indemnification provided by this Section 1(3) shall be in addition to any right to indemnification for Expenses set forth elsewhere herein (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1(1) and 1(2)).

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Additional Indemnification . In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for above in this Section 1, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth herein) to be unlawful.

 

 

5.

Witness Expenses To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding by virtue of his Corporate Status to which Indemnitee is not a party (including responding to discovery requests), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding.

 

 

2.

Indemnification Procedure .

 

 

1.

Advancement of Expenses .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall advance all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a statement requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.  Such advances shall be unsecured and interest free and shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall be entitled to continue to receive advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Section 2(1) unless and until the matter of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder has been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists.  Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it ultimately is determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which shall constitute the requisite undertaking with respect to repayment of advances made hereunder and no other form of undertaking shall be required to qualify for advances made hereunder other than the execution of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee .   Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement.  Such notice to the Company shall include a description of the nature of, and facts underlying, the Proceeding, shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(4) below.  In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such additional information and cooperation as the Company may reasonably request.  Indemnitee’s failure to so notify, provide information and otherwise cooperate with the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Company is adversely affected by such failure.

 

 

3.

Determination of Entitlement .   Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.  Subject to the foregoing, promptly after receipt of a statement requesting payment with respect to the indemnification rights set forth in Section 1, to the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall take the steps necessary to authorize such payment in the manner set forth in Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.  The Company shall pay any claims made under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification or advancement of Expenses, within thirty (30) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, and if such claim is not paid in full within such thirty (30) day-period, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 12, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with bringing such action.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for advancement of Expenses under Section 2(1)) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed.  In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion to overcome that presumption with clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.  The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.  In addition, it is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.  If any requested determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder has not been made within ninety (90) days after the final disposition of the Proceeding, the requisite determination that Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Payment Directions .   To the extent payments are required to be made hereunder, the Company shall, in accordance with Indemnitee’s request (but without duplication), (i) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (ii) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (iii) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses.

 

 

5.

Notice to Insurers .   If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 2(2) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

 

6.

Defense of Claim and Selection of Counsel .   In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 2(1) hereof to advance Expenses with respect to any Proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do.  After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of separate and supplemental counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or (C) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.  In addition, if there exists a potential, but not an actual conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee, the actual and reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Indemnitee for separate counsel retained by Indemnitee to monitor the Proceeding (so that such counsel may assume Indemnitee’s defense if the conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee becomes an actual conflict of interest) shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.  The existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, and whether such conflict may be waived, shall be determined pursuant to the rules of attorney professional conduct and applicable law.  The Company shall not be required to obtain the consent of Indemnitee for the settlement of any Proceeding the Company has undertaken to defend if the Company assumes full and sole responsibility for each such settlement; provided, however, that the Company shall be required to obtain Indemnitee’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, before entering into any settlement which (i) does not grant Indemnitee a complete release of liability, (ii) would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee, or (iii) would admit any liability or misconduct by Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Independent Counsel Under Section 145 . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 2(7). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined below, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures herein, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Additional Indemnification Rights .

 

 

1.

Scope .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute.  In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be deemed to be within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.  In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the General Corporation Law of Delaware and public policy of the State of Delaware.
 

 

2.

Nonexclusivity .   The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors, the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
 

 

3.

Interest on Unpaid Amounts .   If any payment to be made by the Company to Indemnitee hereunder is delayed by more than ninety (90) days from the date the duly prepared request for such payment is received by the Company, interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies or is obligated to indemnify for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee actually incurs such Expense or pays such judgment, fine or amount in settlement and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company. 

 

 

4.

Third-Party Indemnification .   The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee has or may from time to time obtain certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more third parties (collectively, the “ Third-Party Indemnitors ”).  The Company hereby agrees that it will not assert that the Indemnitee must seek expense advancement or reimbursement, or indemnification, from any Third-Party Indemnitor before the Company must perform its expense advancement and reimbursement, and indemnification obligations, under this Agreement.  

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Partial Indemnification .   If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a Proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

 

5.

Director and Officer Liability Insurance .

 

 

1.

D&O Policy .   The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the directors and officers of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.  Among other considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage.  In all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a parent or subsidiary of the Company.

 

 

2.

Tail Coverage .   In the event of a Change of Control or the Company’s becoming insolvent (including being placed into receivership or entering the federal bankruptcy process and the like), the Company shall maintain in force any and all insurance policies then maintained by the Company in providing insurance (directors’ and officers’ liability, fiduciary, employment practices or otherwise) in respect of Indemnitee, for a period of six years thereafter.

 

 

6.

Severability .   Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law.  The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.  If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Exclusions .   Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

 

1.

Claims Initiated by Indemnitee .   To indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish, enforce or interpret a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate; provided , however , that the exclusion set forth in the first clause of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to any investigation initiated or brought by Indemnitee to the extent reasonably necessary or advisable in support of Indemnitee’s defense of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party;

 

 

2.

Insured Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses to the extent such Expenses have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under an insurance policy maintained by the Company; or

 

 

3.

Certain Exchange Act Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any similar successor statute or any similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); provided , however , that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise with respect to any such Proceeding, the Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.

 

 

8.

Contribution Claims .

 

 

1.

If the indemnification provided in Section 1 is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason other than those set forth in Section 7, then in respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction or events from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the transaction or events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

 

 

3.

With respect to a Proceeding brought against directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from any claims for contribution that may be brought by any such directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee) who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee, to the same extent Indemnitee would have been entitled to such indemnification under this Agreement if such Proceeding had been brought against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth elsewhere herein (including Sections 8(1) and 8(2) above), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification or contribution rights provided for elsewhere in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

 

9.

No Imputation .   The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or the Company itself shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any rights under this Agreement.

 

 

10.

Determination of Good Faith .   For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any counsel selected by any committee of the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, investment banker, compensation consultant, or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any committee thereof.  The provisions of this Section 10 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct.  Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

 

 

11.

Defined Terms and Phrases .   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

 

1.

Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Change of Control ” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest of any of the following events:

 

 

1.

Acquisition of Stock by Third Party .  Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (i) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change of Control under part (3) of this definition.

 

 

2.

Change in Board of Directors .  Individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”), and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “ Continuing Directors ”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board.

 

 

3.

Corporate Transaction .  The effective date of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination:  (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of the surviving entity; (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Liquidation .  The approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions).

 

 

5.

Other Events .  There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item or any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

 

3.

Company ” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

 

4.

Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Enterprise or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company

 

 

5.

Enterprise ” means the Company and any other enterprise that Indemnitee was or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent.

 

 

6.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Expenses ” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payment under this Agreement (including taxes that may be imposed upon the actual or deemed receipt of payments under this Agreement with respect to the imposition of federal, state, local or foreign taxes), fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.  Expenses also shall include any of the forgoing expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any costs bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent.  Expenses also shall include any interest, assessment or other charges imposed thereon and costs incurred in preparing statements in support of payment requests hereunder.  Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

 

8.

Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto

 

 

9.

Person ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company’s stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company (an “ Employee Benefit Plan ”); and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an Employee Benefit Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Proceeding ” shall include any actual, threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by a third party, a government agency, the Company or its Board of Directors or a committee thereof, whether in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, legislative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by Indemnitee or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

 

11.

In addition, references to “ other enterprise ” shall include another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; references to “ serving at the request of the Company ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the Company ” as referred to in this Agreement; references to “ include ” or “ including ” shall mean include or including, without limitation; and references to Sections, paragraphs or clauses are to Sections, paragraphs or clauses in this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

 

12.

Attorneys’ Fees .   In the event that any Proceeding is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such Proceeding were not made in good faith or were frivolous.  In the event of a Proceeding instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.

 

 

 

 

 

13.

Miscellaneous .

 

 

1.

Governing Law .   This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

 

2.

Binding Effect; Survival .   Without limiting the provisions of Section 3, this Agreement shall be deemed supplemental to any indemnification rights granted to Indemnitee, and shall not be deemed to abrogate or limit, or be abrogated or limited by, any other such rights. The indemnification provided under this Agreement applies with respect to events occurring before or after the effective date of this Agreement, and shall continue to apply even after Indemnitee has ceased to serve the Company or the Enterprise in any and all indemnified capacities.

 

 

3.

Amendments and Waivers .   No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.  The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

 

 

4.

Security . To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

 

 

5.

Notices .   Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by fax or 48 hours after being sent by nationally-recognized courier or deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Counterparts .   This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

 

7.

Successors and Assigns .   This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns.  The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

 

8.

No Employment Rights .   Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment.

 

 

9.

Company Position .   The Company shall be precluded from asserting, in any Proceeding brought for purposes of establishing, enforcing or interpreting any right to indemnification under this Agreement, that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement and is precluded from making any assertion to the contrary.

 

 

10.

Subrogation .   In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

 

 

 

The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

 

Asta Funding, Inc.

 

 

 

By: /s/ Gary Stern                                                                     

Gary Stern

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Fax: (201) 683-5612

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Louis A. Piccolo                                                                    

Louis A. Piccolo

Director

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Exhibit 10.28

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and David Slackman (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increasing difficulty in obtaining liability insurance for directors, officers and key employees, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, and to indemnify its directors, officers and key employees so as to provide them with the maximum protection permitted by law;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, it is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company and the Indemnitee desire to set forth certain indemnification rights and obligations in more details as is set forth herein in order to induce the Indemnity to continue his service to the Company free from undue concern that Indemnitee will not be so indemnified.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

 

1.

Indemnification .

 

 

1.

Third-Party Proceedings .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor), against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

 

3.

Success on the Merits .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1(1) or Section 1(2) or the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such successfully resolved claims, issues or matters to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.  If any Proceeding (or issue, claim or matter therein) is disposed of on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that Indemnitee was liable to the Company, (iii) a plea of guilty by Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and (v) with respect to any criminal Proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto. The indemnification provided by this Section 1(3) shall be in addition to any right to indemnification for Expenses set forth elsewhere herein (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1(1) and 1(2)).

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Additional Indemnification . In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for above in this Section 1, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth herein) to be unlawful.

 

 

5.

Witness Expenses To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding by virtue of his Corporate Status to which Indemnitee is not a party (including responding to discovery requests), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding.

 

 

2.

Indemnification Procedure .

 

 

1.

Advancement of Expenses .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall advance all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a statement requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.  Such advances shall be unsecured and interest free and shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall be entitled to continue to receive advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Section 2(1) unless and until the matter of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder has been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists.  Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it ultimately is determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which shall constitute the requisite undertaking with respect to repayment of advances made hereunder and no other form of undertaking shall be required to qualify for advances made hereunder other than the execution of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee .   Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement.  Such notice to the Company shall include a description of the nature of, and facts underlying, the Proceeding, shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(4) below.  In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such additional information and cooperation as the Company may reasonably request.  Indemnitee’s failure to so notify, provide information and otherwise cooperate with the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Company is adversely affected by such failure.

 

 

3.

Determination of Entitlement .   Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.  Subject to the foregoing, promptly after receipt of a statement requesting payment with respect to the indemnification rights set forth in Section 1, to the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall take the steps necessary to authorize such payment in the manner set forth in Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.  The Company shall pay any claims made under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification or advancement of Expenses, within thirty (30) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, and if such claim is not paid in full within such thirty (30) day-period, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 12, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with bringing such action.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for advancement of Expenses under Section 2(1)) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed.  In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion to overcome that presumption with clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.  The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.  In addition, it is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.  If any requested determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder has not been made within ninety (90) days after the final disposition of the Proceeding, the requisite determination that Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Payment Directions .   To the extent payments are required to be made hereunder, the Company shall, in accordance with Indemnitee’s request (but without duplication), (i) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (ii) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (iii) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses.

 

 

5.

Notice to Insurers .   If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 2(2) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

 

6.

Defense of Claim and Selection of Counsel .   In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 2(1) hereof to advance Expenses with respect to any Proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do.  After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of separate and supplemental counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or (C) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.  In addition, if there exists a potential, but not an actual conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee, the actual and reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Indemnitee for separate counsel retained by Indemnitee to monitor the Proceeding (so that such counsel may assume Indemnitee’s defense if the conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee becomes an actual conflict of interest) shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.  The existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, and whether such conflict may be waived, shall be determined pursuant to the rules of attorney professional conduct and applicable law.  The Company shall not be required to obtain the consent of Indemnitee for the settlement of any Proceeding the Company has undertaken to defend if the Company assumes full and sole responsibility for each such settlement; provided, however, that the Company shall be required to obtain Indemnitee’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, before entering into any settlement which (i) does not grant Indemnitee a complete release of liability, (ii) would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee, or (iii) would admit any liability or misconduct by Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Independent Counsel Under Section 145 . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 2(7). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined below, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures herein, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Additional Indemnification Rights .

 

 

1.

Scope .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute.  In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be deemed to be within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.  In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the General Corporation Law of Delaware and public policy of the State of Delaware.

 

 

2.

Nonexclusivity .   The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors, the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

 

3.

Interest on Unpaid Amounts .   If any payment to be made by the Company to Indemnitee hereunder is delayed by more than ninety (90) days from the date the duly prepared request for such payment is received by the Company, interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies or is obligated to indemnify for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee actually incurs such Expense or pays such judgment, fine or amount in settlement and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company. 

 

 

4.

Third-Party Indemnification .   The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee has or may from time to time obtain certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more third parties (collectively, the “ Third-Party Indemnitors ”).  The Company hereby agrees that it will not assert that the Indemnitee must seek expense advancement or reimbursement, or indemnification, from any Third-Party Indemnitor before the Company must perform its expense advancement and reimbursement, and indemnification obligations, under this Agreement.  

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Partial Indemnification .   If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a Proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

 

5.

Director and Officer Liability Insurance .

 

 

1.

D&O Policy .   The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the directors and officers of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.  Among other considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage.  In all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a parent or subsidiary of the Company.

 

 

2.

Tail Coverage .   In the event of a Change of Control or the Company’s becoming insolvent (including being placed into receivership or entering the federal bankruptcy process and the like), the Company shall maintain in force any and all insurance policies then maintained by the Company in providing insurance (directors’ and officers’ liability, fiduciary, employment practices or otherwise) in respect of Indemnitee, for a period of six years thereafter.

 

 

6.

Severability .   Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law.  The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.  If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Exclusions .   Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

 

1.

Claims Initiated by Indemnitee .   To indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish, enforce or interpret a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate; provided , however , that the exclusion set forth in the first clause of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to any investigation initiated or brought by Indemnitee to the extent reasonably necessary or advisable in support of Indemnitee’s defense of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party;

 

 

2.

Insured Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses to the extent such Expenses have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under an insurance policy maintained by the Company; or

 

 

3.

Certain Exchange Act Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any similar successor statute or any similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); provided , however , that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise with respect to any such Proceeding, the Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.

 

 

8.

Contribution Claims .

 

 

1.

If the indemnification provided in Section 1 is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason other than those set forth in Section 7, then in respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction or events from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the transaction or events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

 

 

3.

With respect to a Proceeding brought against directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from any claims for contribution that may be brought by any such directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee) who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee, to the same extent Indemnitee would have been entitled to such indemnification under this Agreement if such Proceeding had been brought against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth elsewhere herein (including Sections 8(1) and 8(2) above), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification or contribution rights provided for elsewhere in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

 

9.

No Imputation .   The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or the Company itself shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any rights under this Agreement.

 

 

10.

Determination of Good Faith .   For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any counsel selected by any committee of the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, investment banker, compensation consultant, or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any committee thereof.  The provisions of this Section 10 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct.  Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

 

 

11.

Defined Terms and Phrases .   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

 

1.

Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Change of Control ” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest of any of the following events:

 

 

1.

Acquisition of Stock by Third Party .  Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (i) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change of Control under part (3) of this definition.

 

 

2.

Change in Board of Directors .  Individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”), and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “ Continuing Directors ”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board.

 

 

3.

Corporate Transaction .  The effective date of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination:  (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of the surviving entity; (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination.
 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Liquidation .  The approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions).

 

 

5.

Other Events .  There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item or any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

 

3.

Company ” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

 

4.

Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Enterprise or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company

 

 

5.

Enterprise ” means the Company and any other enterprise that Indemnitee was or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent.

 

 

6.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Expenses ” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payment under this Agreement (including taxes that may be imposed upon the actual or deemed receipt of payments under this Agreement with respect to the imposition of federal, state, local or foreign taxes), fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.  Expenses also shall include any of the forgoing expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any costs bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent.  Expenses also shall include any interest, assessment or other charges imposed thereon and costs incurred in preparing statements in support of payment requests hereunder.  Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

 

8.

Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto

 

 

9.

Person ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company’s stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company (an “ Employee Benefit Plan ”); and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an Employee Benefit Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Proceeding ” shall include any actual, threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by a third party, a government agency, the Company or its Board of Directors or a committee thereof, whether in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, legislative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by Indemnitee or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

 

11.

In addition, references to “ other enterprise ” shall include another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; references to “ serving at the request of the Company ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the Company ” as referred to in this Agreement; references to “ include ” or “ including ” shall mean include or including, without limitation; and references to Sections, paragraphs or clauses are to Sections, paragraphs or clauses in this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

 

12.

Attorneys’ Fees .   In the event that any Proceeding is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such Proceeding were not made in good faith or were frivolous.  In the event of a Proceeding instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.

 

 

 

 

 

13.

Miscellaneous .

 

 

1.

Governing Law .   This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

 

2.

Binding Effect; Survival .   Without limiting the provisions of Section 3, this Agreement shall be deemed supplemental to any indemnification rights granted to Indemnitee, and shall not be deemed to abrogate or limit, or be abrogated or limited by, any other such rights. The indemnification provided under this Agreement applies with respect to events occurring before or after the effective date of this Agreement, and shall continue to apply even after Indemnitee has ceased to serve the Company or the Enterprise in any and all indemnified capacities.

 

 

3.

Amendments and Waivers .   No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.  The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

 

 

4.

Security . To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

 

 

5.

Notices .   Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by fax or 48 hours after being sent by nationally-recognized courier or deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Counterparts .   This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

 

7.

Successors and Assigns .   This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns.  The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

 

8.

No Employment Rights .   Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment.

 

 

9.

Company Position .   The Company shall be precluded from asserting, in any Proceeding brought for purposes of establishing, enforcing or interpreting any right to indemnification under this Agreement, that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement and is precluded from making any assertion to the contrary.

 

 

10.

Subrogation .   In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

 

 

 

The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

 

Asta Funding, Inc.

 

 

 

By: /s/ Gary Stern                                                                               

Gary Stern

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Fax: (201) 683-5612

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David Slackman                                                                             

David Slackman                                      

Director

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Exhibit 10.29

 

ASTA FUNDING, INC.

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of September 11, 2017, by and between Asta Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Ricky Stern (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increasing difficulty in obtaining liability insurance for directors, officers and key employees, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, and to indemnify its directors, officers and key employees so as to provide them with the maximum protection permitted by law;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, it is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company and the Indemnitee desire to set forth certain indemnification rights and obligations in more details as is set forth herein in order to induce the Indemnity to continue his service to the Company free from undue concern that Indemnitee will not be so indemnified.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

 

1.

Indemnification .

 

 

1.

Third-Party Proceedings .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor), against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

 

3.

Success on the Merits .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1(1) or Section 1(2) or the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such successfully resolved claims, issues or matters to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.  If any Proceeding (or issue, claim or matter therein) is disposed of on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that Indemnitee was liable to the Company, (iii) a plea of guilty by Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and (v) with respect to any criminal Proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto. The indemnification provided by this Section 1(3) shall be in addition to any right to indemnification for Expenses set forth elsewhere herein (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1(1) and 1(2)).

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Additional Indemnification . In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for above in this Section 1, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth herein) to be unlawful.

 

 

5.

Witness Expenses To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding by virtue of his Corporate Status to which Indemnitee is not a party (including responding to discovery requests), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding.

 

 

2.

Indemnification Procedure .

 

 

1.

Advancement of Expenses .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall advance all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a statement requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.  Such advances shall be unsecured and interest free and shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall be entitled to continue to receive advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Section 2(1) unless and until the matter of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder has been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists.  Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it ultimately is determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the other provisions of this Agreement.  Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which shall constitute the requisite undertaking with respect to repayment of advances made hereunder and no other form of undertaking shall be required to qualify for advances made hereunder other than the execution of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee .   Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement.  Such notice to the Company shall include a description of the nature of, and facts underlying, the Proceeding, shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(4) below.  In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such additional information and cooperation as the Company may reasonably request.  Indemnitee’s failure to so notify, provide information and otherwise cooperate with the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Company is adversely affected by such failure.

 

 

3.

Determination of Entitlement .   Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.  Subject to the foregoing, promptly after receipt of a statement requesting payment with respect to the indemnification rights set forth in Section 1, to the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall take the steps necessary to authorize such payment in the manner set forth in Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.  The Company shall pay any claims made under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification or advancement of Expenses, within thirty (30) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, and if such claim is not paid in full within such thirty (30) day-period, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 12, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with bringing such action.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for advancement of Expenses under Section 2(1)) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed.  In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion to overcome that presumption with clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.  The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.  In addition, it is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.  If any requested determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder has not been made within ninety (90) days after the final disposition of the Proceeding, the requisite determination that Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Payment Directions .   To the extent payments are required to be made hereunder, the Company shall, in accordance with Indemnitee’s request (but without duplication), (i) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (ii) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (iii) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses.

 

 

5.

Notice to Insurers .   If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 2(2) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

 

6.

Defense of Claim and Selection of Counsel .   In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 2(1) hereof to advance Expenses with respect to any Proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do.  After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of separate and supplemental counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or (C) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.  In addition, if there exists a potential, but not an actual conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee, the actual and reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Indemnitee for separate counsel retained by Indemnitee to monitor the Proceeding (so that such counsel may assume Indemnitee’s defense if the conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee becomes an actual conflict of interest) shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.  The existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, and whether such conflict may be waived, shall be determined pursuant to the rules of attorney professional conduct and applicable law.  The Company shall not be required to obtain the consent of Indemnitee for the settlement of any Proceeding the Company has undertaken to defend if the Company assumes full and sole responsibility for each such settlement; provided, however, that the Company shall be required to obtain Indemnitee’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, before entering into any settlement which (i) does not grant Indemnitee a complete release of liability, (ii) would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee, or (iii) would admit any liability or misconduct by Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Independent Counsel Under Section 145 . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 2(7). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined below, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 145(d) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures herein, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Additional Indemnification Rights .

 

 

1.

Scope .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute.  In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be deemed to be within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.  In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the General Corporation Law of Delaware and public policy of the State of Delaware.

 

 

2.

Nonexclusivity .   The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors, the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

 

3.

Interest on Unpaid Amounts .   If any payment to be made by the Company to Indemnitee hereunder is delayed by more than ninety (90) days from the date the duly prepared request for such payment is received by the Company, interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies or is obligated to indemnify for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee actually incurs such Expense or pays such judgment, fine or amount in settlement and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company. 

 

 

4.

Third-Party Indemnification .   The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee has or may from time to time obtain certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more third parties (collectively, the “ Third-Party Indemnitors ”).  The Company hereby agrees that it will not assert that the Indemnitee must seek expense advancement or reimbursement, or indemnification, from any Third-Party Indemnitor before the Company must perform its expense advancement and reimbursement, and indemnification obligations, under this Agreement.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Partial Indemnification .   If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a Proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

 

5.

Director and Officer Liability Insurance .

 

 

1.

D&O Policy .   The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the directors and officers of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.  Among other considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage.  In all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a parent or subsidiary of the Company.

 

 

2.

Tail Coverage .   In the event of a Change of Control or the Company’s becoming insolvent (including being placed into receivership or entering the federal bankruptcy process and the like), the Company shall maintain in force any and all insurance policies then maintained by the Company in providing insurance (directors’ and officers’ liability, fiduciary, employment practices or otherwise) in respect of Indemnitee, for a period of six years thereafter.

 

 

6.

Severability .   Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law.  The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.  If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Exclusions .   Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

 

1.

Claims Initiated by Indemnitee .   To indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish, enforce or interpret a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate; provided , however , that the exclusion set forth in the first clause of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to any investigation initiated or brought by Indemnitee to the extent reasonably necessary or advisable in support of Indemnitee’s defense of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party;

 

 

2.

Insured Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses to the extent such Expenses have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under an insurance policy maintained by the Company; or

 

 

3.

Certain Exchange Act Claims .   To indemnify Indemnitee in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any similar successor statute or any similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); provided , however , that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise with respect to any such Proceeding, the Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.

 

 

8.

Contribution Claims .

 

 

1.

If the indemnification provided in Section 1 is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason other than those set forth in Section 7, then in respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction or events from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the transaction or events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

 

 

3.

With respect to a Proceeding brought against directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from any claims for contribution that may be brought by any such directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee) who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee, to the same extent Indemnitee would have been entitled to such indemnification under this Agreement if such Proceeding had been brought against Indemnitee.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth elsewhere herein (including Sections 8(1) and 8(2) above), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification or contribution rights provided for elsewhere in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

 

9.

No Imputation .   The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or the Company itself shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any rights under this Agreement.

 

 

10.

Determination of Good Faith .   For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any counsel selected by any committee of the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, investment banker, compensation consultant, or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any committee thereof.  The provisions of this Section 10 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct.  Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

 

 

11.

Defined Terms and Phrases .   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

 

1.

Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Change of Control ” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest of any of the following events:

 

 

1.

Acquisition of Stock by Third Party .  Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (i) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change of Control under part (3) of this definition.

 

 

2.

Change in Board of Directors .  Individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”), and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “ Continuing Directors ”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board.

 

 

3.

Corporate Transaction .  The effective date of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination:  (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of the surviving entity; (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Liquidation .  The approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions).

 

 

5.

Other Events .  There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item or any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

 

3.

Company ” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

 

4.

Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Enterprise or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company

 

 

5.

Enterprise ” means the Company and any other enterprise that Indemnitee was or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent.

 

 

6.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Expenses ” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payment under this Agreement (including taxes that may be imposed upon the actual or deemed receipt of payments under this Agreement with respect to the imposition of federal, state, local or foreign taxes), fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.  Expenses also shall include any of the forgoing expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any costs bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent.  Expenses also shall include any interest, assessment or other charges imposed thereon and costs incurred in preparing statements in support of payment requests hereunder.  Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

 

8.

Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto

 

 

9.

Person ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company’s stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company (an “ Employee Benefit Plan ”); and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an Employee Benefit Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Proceeding ” shall include any actual, threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by a third party, a government agency, the Company or its Board of Directors or a committee thereof, whether in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, legislative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by Indemnitee or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

 

11.

In addition, references to “ other enterprise ” shall include another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; references to “ serving at the request of the Company ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the Company ” as referred to in this Agreement; references to “ include ” or “ including ” shall mean include or including, without limitation; and references to Sections, paragraphs or clauses are to Sections, paragraphs or clauses in this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

 

12.

Attorneys’ Fees .   In the event that any Proceeding is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such Proceeding were not made in good faith or were frivolous.  In the event of a Proceeding instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.
 

 

 

 

 

 

13.

Miscellaneous .

 

 

1.

Governing Law .   This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

 

2.

Binding Effect; Survival .   Without limiting the provisions of Section 3, this Agreement shall be deemed supplemental to any indemnification rights granted to Indemnitee, and shall not be deemed to abrogate or limit, or be abrogated or limited by, any other such rights. The indemnification provided under this Agreement applies with respect to events occurring before or after the effective date of this Agreement, and shall continue to apply even after Indemnitee has ceased to serve the Company or the Enterprise in any and all indemnified capacities.

 

 

3.

Amendments and Waivers .   No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.  The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

 

 

4.

Security . To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

 

 

5.

Notices .   Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by fax or 48 hours after being sent by nationally-recognized courier or deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address or fax number as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Counterparts .   This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

 

7.

Successors and Assigns .   This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns.  The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

 

8.

No Employment Rights .   Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment.

 

 

9.

Company Position .   The Company shall be precluded from asserting, in any Proceeding brought for purposes of establishing, enforcing or interpreting any right to indemnification under this Agreement, that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement and is precluded from making any assertion to the contrary.

 

 

10.

Subrogation .   In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

 

 

 

The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

 

Asta Funding, Inc.

 

 

 

By: /s/ Seth Berman                                                        

Seth Berman

Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Fax: (201) 683-5612

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Ricky Stern                                                               

Ricky Stern

Senior Vice President

 

Address:

 

210 Sylvan Ave.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

 

Exhibit 16.1

   

 

October 12, 2018

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Office of the Chief Accountant

100 F Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Re:

Asta Funding, Inc.

Commission File Number 001-35637

 

 

Dear Sir or Madam:

 

We have read the statements included in the Form 10-K dated October 12, 2018, of Asta Funding, Inc. to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained in Item 9 insofar as they relate to our Firm.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ Mazars USA LLP

Mazars USA LLP

Edison, NJ

 

Exhibit 21.1

 

Subsidiary Companies

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction

Under

Which Organized

 

Percentage

Owned

 

Asta Funding, Inc.

 

Delaware

       

Asta Funding Acquisition I, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Asta Funding Acquisition II, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Asta Commercial, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Asta Funding.com, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition I, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition II, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition IV, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

CBC Settlement Funding, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Computer Finance, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Collection, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition VIII, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Option Card, LLC

 

Colorado

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition IX, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

VATIV Recovery Solutions LLC

 

Texas

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition X, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Cliffs Portfolio Acquisition I, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Sylvan Acquisition I, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XI LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XII LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XIII LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XIV LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XV LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XVI LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XVII LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XVIII LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

LBLINY, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Prestiga Funding, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

ASFI Litigation Holdings LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

ASFI Pegasus Holdings, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Pegasus Funding, LLC

 

Delaware

    80

%

GAR Disability Advocates, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

EMIRIC LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Snappy Rent, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XIX, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XXII, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades Acquisition XXIII, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Palisades XXIV SpA

 

Delaware

    100 %

Simia Capital, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Blue Bell Receivables I, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Blue Bell Receivables II, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Blue Bell Receivables III, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Blue Bell Receivables IV, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Blue Bell Receivables V, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Blue Bell Receivables VI, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

Five Star Veterans Disability, LLC

 

Delaware

    100

%

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of Asta Funding, Inc. on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-185175, 333-142201, 333-99911, and 333-38836) of our report dated October 12, 2018, on our audit of the consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2017 and for the year then ended, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed on or about October 12, 2018.

 

 

 

/s/ EisnerAmper LLP

 

Iselin, New Jersey

October 12, 2018

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (File No. 333-185175, File No. 333-142201, File No. 333-99911 and File No. 333-38836) of our report dated September 17, 2018 on the consolidated financial statements of Asta Funding, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2016 and for the year then ended, which appears in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Asta Funding, Inc. for the year ended September 30, 2017.

 

/s/ Mazars USA LLP

 

Edison, New Jersey

 

October 12, 2018

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I,   Gary Stern, certify that:

 

1.  I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Asta Funding, Inc.:

 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

/s/    Gary Stern

Gary Stern

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: October 12, 2018

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 302 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff per request.

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Bruce R. Foster, certify that:

 

1.  I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Asta Funding, Inc.:

 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

/s/    Bruce R. Foster

Bruce R. Foster

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Date: October 12, 2018

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 302 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff per request. 

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Asta Funding, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Gary Stern, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the company as of the dates presented and the consolidated result of operations of the Company for the periods presented.

 

 

/s/    Gary Stern

Gary Stern

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Dated: October 12, 2018

 

This certification has been furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and is not being filed as part of the 10-K as a separate disclosure statement.

 

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Asta Funding, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Bruce R. Foster, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the dates presented and the consolidated result of operations of the Company for the periods presented.

 

 

/s/    Bruce R. Foster

Bruce R. Foster

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Dated: October 12, 2018

 

This certification has been furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and is not being filed as part of the 10-K as a separate disclosure statement.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff per request.