UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8‑K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): June 10, 2019
Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Cayman Islands
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000-54627
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27-5466079
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(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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953 American Lane, 3rd Floor
Schaumburg, IL
(Address of principal executive offices)
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60173
(Zip Code)
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(847) 472-6700
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Title of each class
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Trading Symbol(s)
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common Shares, $0.003 par value per share
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AFH
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Nasdaq Stock Market
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6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022
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AFHBL
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Nasdaq Stock Market
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging Growth Company
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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.
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1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Effective June 10, 2019, Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries American Insurance Acquisition, Inc. (“American”) and Anchor Group Management, Inc. (“AGMI,” and, together with the Company and American, “Atlas Group”) entered into a Transaction Agreement with American Financial Group (“AFG”) and its subsidiary National Interstate Insurance Company (“NATL”) with regards to Atlas Group’s paratransit insurance business (the “Business”) and certain related matters (the “Transaction Agreement”). Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, AGMI, NATL and certain affiliates of NATL entered into an Underwriting Management Agreement under which AGMI will act as exclusive underwriting manager for NATL and certain of its affiliates with respect to new or renewal insurance policies for the Business for an initial period of fourteen months (subject to a twelve month extension at NATL’s option), and shall not write new or renewal insurance policies for the Business for the account of the Atlas Group and its affiliates or otherwise compete with NATL or its affiliates with respect to the Business. AGMI will receive a commission based on the gross written premium written for NATL and its affiliates. In addition, upon the expiration of the initial term of the Underwriting Management Agreement, or any time during the twelve month extension of the Underwriting Management Agreement, if applicable, NATL shall have the option of acquiring from the Atlas Group all of the Atlas Group’s renewal rights, books and records relating to the Business for a cash payment equal to 15% of the in-force gross written premium related to the Business.
Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, the Company and Great American Insurance Company, a subsidiary of AFG (“GAIC”), also entered into (i) a Warrant Agreement dated June 10, 2019 (the “Warrant Agreement”), pursuant to which GAIC has the right to acquire, until June 10, 2024, up to 2,387,368 common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”), which equals 19.9% of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares as of June 10, 2019, for an exercise price of $0.69 per share, with both the number of Common Shares subject to the Warrant Agreement and the exercise price subject to adjustment as set forth in the Warrant Agreement, and (ii) a Registration Rights Agreement which provides GAIC certain rights to cause the Company to register the Common Shares subject to the Warrant Agreement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), whether by requiring the Company to file one or more registration statements under the Securities Act or by allowing the holder of the Common Shares subject to the Warrant Agreement to participate in registered offerings by the Company, all subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Warrant Agreement was, and Common Shares issuable pursuant to the Warrant, if not registered, will be, issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
The descriptions of each of the agreements described herein are summary descriptions only, and are qualified in their entirety by the terms of such agreements.
3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
See the description of the Warrant Agreement under Item 1.01.
7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On June 10, 2019, the Company issued a press release announcing the Transaction Agreement. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The information disclosed under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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ATLAS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
(Registrant)
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By:
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/s/ Paul A. Romano
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Name:
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Paul A. Romano
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Title:
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Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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June 13, 2019
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EXHIBIT 10.1
TRANSACTION AGREEMENT
THIS TRANSACTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into effective as of June 10, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) by and among National Interstate Insurance Company, an Ohio corporation (“NATL”); American Financial Group, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“AFG”); Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands corporation (“Atlas”); American Insurance Acquisition Inc., a Delaware corporation (“American”); and Anchor Group Management, Inc. (“AGMI” and together with Atlas, and American, “Atlas Group”).
WHEREAS, Atlas Group desires to enter into a transaction with NATL under which AGMI becomes an underwriting manager for NATL in order to renew certain of AGMI’s lines of business;
WHEREAS, in order to induce NATL to appoint AGMI as its underwriting manager, NATL requires an option to purchase the renewal rights to such business from Atlas Group;
WHEREAS, in order to further induce NATL to appoint AGMI as its underwriting manager and renew such business, NATL requires that its parent, AFG, have a warrant to purchase the ordinary voting shares of Atlas; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement which, together with the exhibits to this Agreement, provides the terms of the various transactions among the parties.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
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1.
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Definitions
. The following term shall have the meanings set forth below throughout this Agreement:
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(a)
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“Affiliate” or “Affiliates” of a Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
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(b)
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“Ancillary Agreements” means collectively, the Underwriting Management Agreement and the Warrant Agreement.
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(c)
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“Asset Purchase Agreement” or “APA” means the Asset Purchase Agreement attached to this Agreement as Exhibit C.
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(d)
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“Books and Records” means all books, records, and data in possession or control of Atlas Group or its Affiliates that relates to the Paratransit Business, including, but not limited to, all current and historical administrative records, sales records, underwriting records, underwriting models, underwriting algorithms, underwriting analytics, financial records, compliance records, and other records, in whatever form maintained, and all know-how and/or trade secrets relating to such models, algorithms and analytics; provided, that, the Books and Records shall not include claim records, models or analytics.
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(e)
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“Confidentiality Agreement” means the Confidentiality Agreement, including all amendments thereto, between AFG and Atlas, effective April 24, 2019 and attached to this Agreement as Exhibit D.
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(f)
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“Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(b).
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(g)
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“Effective Date” means June 10, 2019.
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(h)
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“Knowledge of Atlas Group” or “Atlas Group’s Knowledge” shall mean the actual knowledge of Scott Wollney, Paul Romano, Bruce Giles, Joe Shugrue, and Leslie DiMaggio.
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(i)
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“Ordinary Course of Business” means, with respect to any Person, the ordinary course of such Person’s business consistent with such Person’s past practices (including with respect to quantity and frequency).
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(j)
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“Paratransit Book” means the Paratransit Business currently underwritten by Atlas Group and its Affiliates.
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(k)
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“Paratransit Business” means the paratransit insurance business.
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(l)
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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, governmental, judicial or regulatory body, business unit, division or other entity.
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(m)
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“Renewal Rights” means any and all rights to the expirations and renewals of the Paratransit Book and any Paratransit Business written by the parties after the Effective Date of this Agreement.
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(n)
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“Subject Policy” means an individual policy within the Paratransit Book.
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(o)
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“Transaction Documents” means the APA, the UMA, the Warrant, and all exhibits and schedules thereto and hereto and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.
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(p)
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“Underwriting Management Agreement” or “UMA” means the Underwriting Management Agreement attached as Exhibit A, to be effective as of the Effective Date.
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(q)
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“Warrant Agreement” or “Warrant” means the Warrant Agreement attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B, to be effective as of the Effective Date.
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2.
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The Transaction
. The parties agree as follows:
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(a)
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AGMI agrees to enter into a transaction with NATL whereby AGMI will become an underwriting manager for NATL and its affiliates with respect to the Paratransit Business, as provided in the UMA attached as Exhibit A.
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(b)
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Upon the expiration of the UMA, Atlas Group agrees to provide the Option (as defined below) to NATL to purchase the Renewal Rights, as provided in the APA attached to this Agreement as Exhibit C.
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(c)
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In relation to the transactions provided for in 2(a) and 2(b) above, Atlas agrees to issue the Warrant to AFG, attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B, that will give AFG the right to purchase up to 19.9% of the outstanding common shares of Atlas.
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3.
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Execution of Ancillary Agreements.
Concurrently with the execution of and as an express condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the applicable parties shall execute the following Ancillary Agreements:
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(a)
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The Warrant
. Atlas and AFG shall execute the Warrant concurrently with this Agreement.
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(b)
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The UMA
. AGMI and NATL shall execute the UMA concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.
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4.
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Option to Purchase Renewal Rights.
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(a)
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At the expiration of the UMA, whether expiring after its initial term or any extension thereof, NATL shall have the option to acquire all of Atlas Group’s interest in and to the Renewal Rights and any Books and Records pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Option”).
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(b)
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NATL may exercise its Option by sending a signed copy of the Asset Purchase Agreement to Atlas Group. Upon receipt of the signed APA, each of the Atlas Group entities shall sign and return the APA to NATL, at which point the transaction shall be governed by the terms of the APA (the “Renewal Rights Transaction”).
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(c)
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In the event that NATL does not exercise the Option, NATL shall have the ability to acquire the Books and Records (the “Data Option”) at a price mutually agreed upon by NATL and Atlas Group. NATL may exercise the Data Option by providing written notice to Atlas Group. Within 30 days of Atlas Group’s receipt of such notice, the parties shall execute a mutually agreeable asset purchase agreement with respect to such Data Option under terms that are substantially similar to those contained in the APA.
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(d)
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NATL may assign the Option or the Data Option to an Affiliate of NATL without the consent of Atlas Group.
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5.
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Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation
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(a)
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(i) During the term of the UMA, except pursuant to the terms of the UMA, and (ii) for a period of three (3) years commencing on the latter of (x) the termination of the UMA or (y) the closing date of the Renewal Rights Transaction: Atlas Group shall not, and shall cause their Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, (i) engage in or assist any other Person, except NATL and its Affiliates, in engaging in the Paratransit Business; (ii) have an interest in any Person that engages directly or indirectly in the Paratransit Business, including as a partner, shareholder, member, employee, principal, agent, trustee or consultant; or (iii) cause, or induce any Policyholder or Producer to terminate or modify any such actual or prospective relationship with Buyer. Notwithstanding the
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foregoing, any of the Sellers may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any Person engaged directly or indirectly in the Paratransit Business that are traded on any national securities exchange if Seller is not a controlling Person of, or a member of a group which controls, such Person and does not, directly or indirectly, own 5% or more of any class of securities of such Person.
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(a)
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The Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate as of the Effective Date and be of no further force or effect between Atlas and AFG.
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(b)
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From and after the Effective Date, Atlas Group shall, and shall cause their Affiliates and representatives to, maintain in strict confidence any written, oral, or other information relating to the Paratransit Business (“Confidential Information”), except to the extent that: (i) Atlas Group or its Affiliates are required to disclose such information by judicial or administrative process or pursuant to applicable law, provided that Atlas Group shall give NATL prior notice of such requirement and, if reasonably practicable and to the extent permissible by law, a reasonable opportunity to object to such disclosure; or (ii) such information can be shown to have been in the public domain through no direct or indirect breach of this Agreement or other wrong-doing of Atlas Group. From and after the Effective Date, no entity of Atlas Group shall use any Confidential Information for any purpose other than in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and to assist NATL in fulfilling the purpose of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements.
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(a)
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This Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements may be terminated by NATL or AFG, in their sole discretion, immediately upon notice to Atlas Group at any time in the event that:
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i.
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a third party, including, but not limited to, any shareholder of an entity of Atlas Group or any of their Affiliates or any regulator of an entity of Atlas Group or their Affiliates, attempts to prevent NATL or AFG from realizing the purposes of this Agreement in the manner contemplated by this Agreement; or
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ii.
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NATL is unable to secure a reinsurance structure substantially similar to the ASI Pool’s current reinsurance structure wherein NATL will retain 70% of the first $500,000, per occurrence.
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(b)
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If this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements are terminated pursuant to Section 7(a), all obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement will be of no further force or effect; provided, that, if any business has been underwritten pursuant to the UMA at the time of such termination then the UMA shall continue in force until the latest date of expiration of the Subject Policies underwritten pursuant thereto (or earlier pursuant to the terms of the UMA). In the event of a termination pursuant to Section 7(a), neither Atlas Group or its Affiliates nor NATL or AFG or their Affiliates shall have any liability or obligation remaining under this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, except (i) in the event that the UMA continues in force pursuant to the preceding sentence, in which case each party’s obligations shall continue pursuant to the terms of the UMA, and (ii) for Atlas Group’s indemnification obligations under Section 10(a)(iii) and (iv).
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8.
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Representations and Warranties
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Each entity of Atlas Group, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to NATL and AFG that the following representations and warranties are true and correct on the Effective Date:
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(a)
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Organization.
Each entity of Atlas Group is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its domiciliary state, and has the corporate power and authority to transact business and is duly qualified to conduct its business generally and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary to conduct its business under applicable law.
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(b)
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Authority.
Each entity of Atlas Group has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party thereto, and the APA, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This Agreement and each Ancillary
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Agreement, upon execution by each entity of Atlas Group and assuming due execution by NATL and AFG, will be valid and binding obligations of each such entity, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws from time to time in effect relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (b) equitable principles of general applicability (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
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(c)
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Consents and Authorizations.
The execution, delivery and performance by each entity of Atlas Group of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not: (a) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or default under, any provision of the Articles or Certificates of Incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents of any entity of Atlas Group; (b) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable law; or (c) require the consent, notice or other action by any Person under any Subject Policy or, conflict with, result in a material violation or material breach of, constitute a material default or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a material default under, result in the acceleration of or create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, materially modify or cancel, any Subject Policy.
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(d)
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Compliance with Laws; Litigation.
Each of the members of Atlas Group’s operation of the Paratransit Business has been in conformity with all applicable laws in all material respects, and, to the Knowledge of Atlas Group, no member of Atlas Group has received written notice of alleged noncompliance by such member relating to the Business. There is no (i) litigation pending, or to the Knowledge of Atlas Group, threatened (excepting claim litigation in the Ordinary Course of Business, such claims litigation shall not include extra contractual obligations or excess limits liabilities), nor (ii) any order, injunction, or decree outstanding nor to the Knowledge of Atlas Group, any proceeding, or governmental investigation existing or pending, in each case against any member of Atlas Group, that would impact the Paratransit Business, nor to the Knowledge of Atlas Group, is there any basis for any such litigation, proceeding or governmental investigation.
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9.
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Preservation of the Paratransit Business.
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(a)
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From the Effective Date through the last Subject Policy expiration date, Atlas Group shall use commercially reasonable efforts to renew Subject Policies in accordance with the UMA. In the event that NATL or its Affiliate determines in its sole discretion that a Subject Policy should not be renewed under the UMA, Atlas Group will have no liability for the failure to renew such Subject Policy under this Section.
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(b)
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In accordance with Section 9(a) above, from the Effective Date through the last Subject Policy expiration date, Atlas Group shall and shall cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonably efforts to preserve intact the Paratransit Business and its relationship with policyholders and producers.
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(a)
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Atlas Group shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless NATL, AFG, their Affiliates, and their and their Affiliates’ respective shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives at all times against any and all claims, actions, demands, losses, costs, expenses, liabilities, penalties, and damages, including legal fees incurred in attempting to avoid the same or oppose the imposition thereof, resulting to NATL or AFG (“NATL Damages”) from: (i) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of Atlas Group contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or instrument delivered by or on behalf of Atlas Group pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by Atlas Group pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) any claim by any third party based upon, resulting from or arising out of the business operations, properties, assets or obligations of Atlas Group or any of their Affiliates conducted, existing or arising on or prior to the Effective Date; or (iv) any cause of action, suit, proceeding or claim brought or made against such indemnitee by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of Atlas or any subsidiary of Atlas) or which otherwise involves such indemnitee that arises out of or results from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any of the
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Transaction Documents; provided, that, Atlas Group’s aggregate liability for any NATL Damages arising from clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 10(a) shall in no event exceed the greater of (x) the aggregate sum of the commissions paid to Atlas Group and its Affiliates pursuant to the UMA as of the date of such claim and (y) $12,250,000; and provided, further, that, in no event shall “NATL Damages” include any lost profits, damages based on a multiple, punitive damages or damages that are not reasonably foreseeable.
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(b)
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NATL and AFG shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless Atlas Group and their Affiliates, and their and their Affiliates’ respective shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives at all times against any and all claims, actions, demands, losses, costs, expenses, liabilities, penalties, and damages, including legal fees incurred in attempting to avoid the same or oppose the imposition thereof, resulting to Atlas Group (“Atlas Damages”) from any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by NATL or AFG pursuant to this Agreement; provided that, NATL and AFG’s aggregate liability for any Atlas Damages arising from this Section 10(b) shall in no event exceed the greater of (x) the aggregate sum of the commissions paid to Atlas Group and its Affiliates pursuant to the UMA as of the date of such claim and (y) $12,250,000; and provided, further, that, in no event shall “Atlas Damages” include any lost profits, damages based on a multiple, punitive damages or damages that are not reasonably foreseeable.
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11.
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Injunctive Relief
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Each entity of Atlas Group acknowledges and agrees that NATL would be irreparably damaged in the event that Atlas Group fails to comply with, breaches, violates, or does not fulfill its obligations under Sections 2, 4, 5 and 6. Accordingly, Atlas Group agrees that NATL shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent noncompliance with, or breaches or violations of, Sections 2, 4, 5 and 6 and to enforce specifically those Sections in addition to any other remedy to which NATL may be entitled at law or in equity. In the event that any action is brought in equity to enforce Sections 2, 4, 5 and 6, Atlas Group waives the defense or counterclaim that there is adequate remedy at law. Atlas Group further agrees that: (i) by seeking the remedies provided for in this Section 11, NATL shall not in any respect waive its right to seek any other form of relief that may be available to NATL under this Agreement or in the event that the remedies provided for in this Section 11 are not available or otherwise are not granted; and (ii) nothing contained in this Section 11 shall require NATL to institute any action for (or limit NATL’s right to institute any action for) specific performance under this Section 11 before exercising any other remedies under this Agreement that may be available then or thereafter.
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12.
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Notices
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All notices and other communications required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered by hand or mailed by registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested or by a nationally recognized overnight courier, to the appropriate party at the following address (or such other address as a party shall specify by notice pursuant to this section), with a copy sent to email, which shall not constitute notice:
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If to Atlas Group, to
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Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.
953 American Lane, 3rd floor
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Attention: President
Email: swollney@atlas-fin.com
With a copy to, which shall not constitute notice, to:
DLA Piper LLP (U.S.)
444 West Lake Street
Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: David Mendelsohn
Email: david.mendelsohn@dlapiper.com
If to NATL or AFG, to
:
National Interstate Insurance Company
3250 Interstate Dr.
Richfield, OH 44286
Attention: Anthony J. Mercurio
Email:
tony.mercurio@natl.com
With a copy to, which shall not constitute notice:
Great American Insurance Company
301 East Fourth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Attention: General Counsel
Email:
clegal@gaig.com
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13.
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Assignment
. Except with respect to the Option and Data Option provided for in Section 4, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any party without the prior written consent of the counterparty or counterparties, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void.
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14.
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Entire Agreement
. This Agreement together with the Ancillary Agreements sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, arrangements and understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement.
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15.
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Amendment and Waiver
. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, and no provision of this Agreement may be waived, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each party and otherwise as expressly set forth in this Agreement.
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16.
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Regulatory Approval
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In the event that any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement require regulatory approval, Atlas Group shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to assist NATL, AFG and their Affiliates in their attempt to obtain such regulatory approval, including, but not limited to, supplying promptly any additional information and documentary material that may be requested by NATL, AFG, their Affiliates, or any governmental authority.
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17.
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Further Assurances
. The parties shall execute and deliver any and all documents, instruments, and agreements reasonably requested by the other party or parties in addition to those expressly provided for in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement that are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, whether on or after the Effective Date. Each party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take such other actions and do such other things, as may be necessary, in the opinion of NATL or its Affiliates, to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
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18.
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Announcements
. The parties agree that neither party will publicly disclose any material, non-public information relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of the other party.
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19.
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Headings.
The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not define or limit any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.
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20.
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No Third Party Beneficiaries
. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the parties to this Agreement, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained in this Agreement.
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21.
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Governing Law.
This Agreement, and all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, statute, or otherwise, are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Ohio, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of Ohio.
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22.
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Submission to Jurisdiction
. Each of the parties irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Hamilton County, Ohio and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, with regard to any such action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The parties agree that any of them may file a copy of this Section with any court as written evidence of the knowing, voluntary and bargained agreement among the parties irrevocably to waive any objections to venue or to the convenience of forum. Each of the parties further agrees that notice as provided in this Agreement shall constitute sufficient service of process and the parties further waive any argument that such service is insufficient.
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23.
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Offset
. Any party may offset any amount owed (“Offsetting Party”) to the other (“Owing Party”) under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement against any amount owed by Offsetting Party or any of its Affiliates to the Owing Party or any of its Affiliates under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
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24.
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Binding Effect
. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, Atlas Group, NATL, AFG and their respective legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
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25.
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Severability
. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, that provision shall be interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.
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26.
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Interpretation
. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (b) the word “or” is not exclusive. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Agreement: (x) to sections, schedules and exhibits mean the sections of, and schedules and exhibits attached to, this Agreement; (y) to an agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof; and (z) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation and any regulations promulgated under the statute. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted. The schedules and exhibits referred to in this Agreement shall be construed with, and as an integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim in this Agreement. All references to “$” or “dollars” mean the lawful currency of the United States of America.
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27.
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Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one agreement. Photocopies, facsimile transmissions, or email transmissions of Adobe portable document format files (also known as “PDF” files) of signatures shall be deemed original signatures and shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as original signatures.
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[INTENTIONALLY BLANK - SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
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National Interstate Insurance Company
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Anchor Group Management, Inc.
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By:
/s/ Anthony J. Mercurio
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By:
/s/ Scott D. Wollney
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Name:Anthony J. Mercurio
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Name:Scott D. Wollney
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Title:President
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Title:President and Chief Executive Officer
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American Financial Group, Inc.
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Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.
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By:
/s/ Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino
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By:
/s/ Scott D. Wollney
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Name:Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino
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Name:Scott D. Wollney
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Title:Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
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Title:President and Chief Executive Officer
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American Insurance Acquisition Inc.
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By:
/s/ Scott D. Wollney
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Name:Scott D. Wollney
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Title:President and Chief Executive Officer
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Exh
EXHIBIT 10.2
WARRANT
THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “
ACT
”), OR QUALIFIED UNDER ANY STATE OR FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED UNLESS (I) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT COVERING SUCH SHARES IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE ACT AND IS QUALIFIED UNDER APPLICABLE STATE AND FOREIGN LAW OR (II) THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ACT AND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER APPLICABLE STATE AND FOREIGN LAW AND, IF THE CORPORATION REQUESTS, AN OPINION SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION TO SUCH EFFECT HAS BEEN RENDERED BY COUNSEL.
Warrant Certificate No.: 1
Original Issue Date: June 10, 2019
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ATLAS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC., a Cayman Islands corporation (the “
Company
”), hereby certifies that GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, an Ohio corporation, or its registered assigns (the “
Holder
”) is entitled to purchase from the Company 2,387,368 duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Common Shares on or after the Original Issue Date at a purchase price per share equal to $0.69 (subject to adjustment as provided in this Warrant, the “
Exercise Price
”), all subject to the terms, conditions and adjustments set forth below in this Warrant. Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 1 hereof.
This Warrant has been issued pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2019 (the “
Transaction Agreement
”), between the Company, certain of its affiliates, and the Holder and its affiliate.
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1.
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Definitions
. As used in this Warrant, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:
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“
Aggregate Exercise Price
” means an amount equal to the product of (a) the number of Warrant Shares in respect of which this Warrant is then being exercised pursuant to Section 3 hereof, multiplied by (b) the Exercise Price in effect as of the Exercise Date in accordance with the terms of this Warrant.
“
Board
” means the board of directors of the Company.
“
Business Day
” means any day, except a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, on which banking institutions in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“
Common Shares
” means the ordinary voting shares, par value $0.003 per share, of the Company, and any capital stock into which such Common Shares shall have been converted, exchanged or reclassified following the date hereof.
“
Common Shares Deemed Outstanding
” means, at any given time, the sum of (a) the number of Common Shares actually outstanding at such time plus (b) all Common Shares issuable pursuant to options either granted or available to be granted under any option plans, equity-based bonus plans, share plans, phantom stock rights, stock appreciation rights plan or similar contractual obligations of the Company, warrants, other securities exercisable into, convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares, and other rights that represent the right to receive Common Shares or other securities, in each case whether or not exercisable or vested at such time;
provided
that the Common Shares issuable pursuant to this Warrant shall not be included in Common Shares Deemed Outstanding.
“
Company
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“
Convertible Securities
” means any securities (directly or indirectly) or purchase rights convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares, with or without the payment of any consideration, but excluding Options.
“
Exercise Date
” means, for any given exercise of this Warrant, the date on which the conditions to such exercise as set forth in Section 3 shall have been satisfied at or prior to 5:00 p.m. in Cincinnati, Ohio, on a Business Day, including, without limitation, the receipt by the Company of the Exercise Notice, the Warrant and the Aggregate Exercise Price.
“
Exercise Notice
” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(i).
“
Exercise Period
” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
“
Exercise Price
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“
Fair Market Value”
means, as of any particular date: (a) the volume weighted average of the closing sales prices of the Common Shares for such day on all domestic securities exchanges on which the Common Shares may at the time be listed; (b) if there have been no sales of the Common Shares on any such exchange on any such day, the average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices for the Common Shares on all such exchanges at the end of such day; (c) if on any such day the Common Shares is not listed on a domestic securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Common Shares as quoted on the
OTC Bulletin Board, the Pink OTC Markets or similar quotation system or association for such day; or (d) if there have been no sales of the Common Shares on the OTC Bulletin Board, the Pink OTC Markets or similar quotation system or association on such day, the average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices for the Common Shares quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, the Pink OTC Markets or similar quotation system or association at the end of such day; in each case, averaged over twenty (20) consecutive Business Days ending on the Business Day immediately prior to the day as of which “Fair Market Value” is being determined;
provided
, that if the Common Shares is listed on any domestic securities exchange, the term “Business Day” as used in this sentence means Business Days on which such exchange is open for trading. If at any time the Common Shares is not listed on any domestic securities exchange or quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, the Pink OTC Markets or similar quotation system or association, the “Fair Market Value” of the Common Shares shall be the fair market value per share as determined jointly by the Board and the Holder;
provided
, that if the Board and the Holder are unable to agree on the fair market value per share of the Common Shares within a reasonable period of time (not to exceed 10 days from the Company’s receipt of the Exercise Notice), such fair market value shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking, accounting or valuation firm jointly selected by the Board and the Holder. The determination of such firm shall be final and conclusive, and the fees and expenses of such valuation firm shall be borne by the Company.
In determining the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares, an orderly sale transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller shall be assumed, using valuation techniques then prevailing in the securities industry without regard to the lack of liquidity of the Common Shares due to any restrictions (contractual or otherwise) applicable thereto or any discount for minority interests and assuming full disclosure of all relevant information and a reasonable period of time for effectuating such sale and assuming the sale of all of the issued and outstanding Common Shares (including fractional interests) calculated on a fully diluted basis to include the conversion or exchange of all securities then outstanding that are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares and the exercise of all rights and warrants then outstanding and exercisable to purchase shares of Common Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Shares;
provided
, that such assumption shall not include those securities, rights and warrants (a) owned or held by or for the account of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (b) convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares where the conversion, exchange or exercise price per share is greater than the Fair Market Value.
“
Holder
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“
Options
” means any warrants or other rights or options to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares or Convertible Securities.
“
Original Issue Date
” means the date on which the Warrant was issued by the Company pursuant to the Transaction Agreement.
“
OTC Bulletin Board
” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority OTC Bulletin Board electronic inter-dealer quotation system.
“
Person
” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust, incorporated organization or government or department or agency thereof.
“
Pink OTC Markets
” means the OTC Markets Group Inc. electronic inter-dealer quotation system, including OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink.
“
Transaction Agreement
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“
Warrant
” means this Warrant and all warrants issued upon division or combination of, or in substitution for, this Warrant.
“
Warrant Shares
” means the shares of Common Shares or other capital stock of the Company then purchasable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant.
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2.
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Term of Warrant
. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at any time or from time to time after the date hereof and prior to 5:00 p.m. in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the fifth (5
th
) anniversary of the date hereof or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next Business Day (the “
Exercise Period
”), the Holder of this Warrant may exercise this Warrant for all or any part of the Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder (subject to adjustment as provided herein).
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3.
Exercise of Warrant
.
(a)
Exercise Procedure
. This Warrant may be exercised from time to time on any Business Day during the Exercise Period, for all or any part of the unexercised Warrant Shares, upon:
(i)
surrender of this Warrant to the Company at its then principal executive offices (or an indemnification undertaking with respect to this Warrant in the case of its loss, theft or destruction), together with written notice that the Holder intends to exercise the Warrant (each, an “
Exercise Notice
”), duly completed (including specifying the number of Warrant Shares to be purchased) and executed; and
(ii)
payment to the Company of the Aggregate Exercise Price in accordance with Section 3(b).
(b)
Payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price
. Payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price shall be made, at the option of the Holder as expressed in the Exercise Notice, by the following methods:
(i)
by delivery to the Company of a certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Company or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Company, in the amount of such Aggregate Exercise Price;
(ii)
by instructing the Company to withhold a number of Warrant Shares then issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant with an aggregate Fair Market Value as of the Exercise Date equal to such Aggregate Exercise Price;
(iii)
by surrendering to the Company (x) Warrant Shares previously acquired by the Holder with an aggregate Fair Market Value as of the Exercise Date equal to such Aggregate Exercise Price and/or (y) other securities of the Company having a value as of the Exercise Date equal to the Aggregate Exercise Price (which value in the case of debt securities shall be the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, in the case of preferred stock shall be the liquidation value thereof plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and in the case of shares of Common Shares shall be the Fair Market Value thereof); or
(iv)
any combination of the foregoing.
In the event of any withholding of Warrant Shares or surrender of other equity securities pursuant to clause (ii), (iii) or (iv) above where the number of shares whose value is equal to the Aggregate Exercise Price is not a whole number, the number of shares withheld by or surrendered to the Company shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share and the Company shall make a cash payment to the Holder (by delivery of a certified or official bank check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds) based on the incremental fraction of a share being so withheld by or surrendered to the Company in an amount equal to the product of (x) such incremental fraction of a share being so withheld or surrendered multiplied by (y) in the case of Common Shares, the Fair Market Value per Warrant Share as of the Exercise Date, and, in all other cases, the value thereof as of the Exercise Date determined in accordance with Section 3(b)(iii)(y) above.
(c)
Regulatory Approval
. The parties agree and acknowledge that the exercise of this Warrant may be subject to prior regulatory approval, including approval by the applicable departments of insurance (or similar governmental authorities) in states in which certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are domiciled and/or conduct business (the “Regulatory Approvals”). Prior to the surrender of this Warrant, delivery of an Exercise Notice and/or payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price, the Company and the Holder shall (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to make all filings and notifications that may be or may become reasonably necessary or required under applicable law to consummate and make effective the exercise of this Warrant, including the Holder causing a “Form A” or similar acquisition of control application to be filed
with the applicable state departments of insurance or similar applicable state governmental authorities, and (ii) have received all required Regulatory Approvals. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Holder in its attempt to obtain such Regulatory Approval, including, but not limited to, supplying promptly any additional information and documentary material that may be requested.
(d)
Delivery of Stock Certificates
. Upon receipt by the Company of the Exercise Notice, surrender of this Warrant, payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price, and receipt of all Regulatory Approvals, if applicable, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, and in any event within five (5) Business Days thereafter, execute (or cause to be executed) and deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, together with cash in lieu of any fraction of a share, as provided in Section 3(e) hereof or, in lieu of delivery of such certificate or certificates, the Company shall deliver such Warrant Shares in book-entry form. The stock certificate or certificates so delivered, if any, shall be, to the extent possible, in such denomination or denominations as the exercising Holder shall reasonably request in the Exercise Notice and shall be registered in the name of the Holder or, subject to compliance with Section 9 below, such other Person’s name as shall be designated in the Exercise Notice. This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised and such certificate or certificates of Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have been issued, and the Holder or any other Person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a holder of record of such Warrant Shares for all purposes, as of the Exercise Date.
(e)
Fractional Shares
. The Company shall not be required to issue a fractional Warrant Share upon exercise of any Warrant. As to any fraction of a Warrant Share that the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall pay to such Holder an amount in cash (by delivery of a certified or official bank check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds) equal to the product of (i) such fraction multiplied by (ii) the Exercise Price of one Warrant Share on the Exercise Date.
(f)
Delivery of New Warrant
. Unless the purchase rights represented by this Warrant shall have expired or shall have been fully exercised, the Company shall, at the time of delivery of the certificate or certificates representing the Warrant Shares being issued in accordance with Section 3(c) hereof, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unexpired and unexercised Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant. Such new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical to this Warrant.
(g)
Valid Issuance of Warrant and Warrant Shares; Payment of Taxes
. With respect to the exercise of this Warrant, the Company hereby represents, covenants and agrees:
(i)
This Warrant is, and any Warrant issued in substitution for or replacement of this Warrant shall be, upon issuance, duly authorized and validly issued.
(ii)
All Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant pursuant to the terms hereof shall be, upon issuance, and the Company shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that such Warrant Shares are, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, issued without violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Shareholder of the Company and free and clear of all taxes, liens and charges, other than any taxes, liens or charges imposed due to any action of the Holder.
(iii)
Without duplication of the provisions of Section 3(c) hereof, the Company shall take all such actions as may be reasonably necessary to ensure that all such Warrant Shares are issued without violation by the Company of any applicable law or governmental regulation or any requirements of any domestic securities exchange upon which shares of Common Shares or other securities constituting Warrant Shares may be listed at the time of such exercise (except for official notice of issuance which shall be immediately delivered by the Company upon each such issuance).
(iv)
The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Warrant Shares, immediately upon such exercise, to be listed on any domestic securities exchange upon which shares of Common Shares or other securities constituting Warrant Shares are listed at the time of such exercise.
(v)
The Company shall pay all expenses in connection with, and all taxes and other governmental charges that may be imposed with respect to, the issuance or delivery of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant; provided, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed with respect to any applicable withholding or the issuance or delivery of the Warrant Shares to any Person other than the Holder, and no such issuance or delivery shall be made unless and until the Person requesting such issuance has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.
(h)
Conditional Exercise
. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if an exercise of any portion of this Warrant is to be made in connection with a public offering or a sale of the Company (pursuant to a merger, sale of stock, or otherwise), such exercise may at the election of the Holder be conditioned upon the consummation of such transaction, in which case such exercise shall not be deemed to be effective until immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction.
(i)
Reservation of Shares
. During the Exercise Period, the Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Common Shares or other securities constituting Warrant Shares, solely for the purpose of issuance upon the exercise of this Warrant, the maximum number of Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant, and the par value per Warrant Share
shall at all times be less than or equal to the applicable Exercise Price. The Company shall not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the Exercise Price then in effect, and shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant.
4.
Effect of Certain Events on Exercise Price
. In order to prevent dilution of the purchase rights granted under this Warrant, the Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 4 (in each case, after taking into consideration any prior adjustments pursuant to this Section 4).
(a)
Adjustment to Exercise Price Upon Change in Common Shares Deemed Outstanding.
If, at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date, any event increases the Common Shares Deemed Outstanding, then immediately upon such event, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted to an Exercise Price equal to the product of the Exercise Price in effect prior to such event multiplied by the quotient of (i) the Common Shares Deemed Outstanding prior to such event divided by (ii) the Common Shares Deemed Outstanding after giving effect to such event.
(b)
Adjustment to Number of Warrant Shares Upon Adjustment to Exercise Price.
Upon any and each adjustment of the Exercise Price as provided in Section 4(a), the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to any such adjustment shall be increased to a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the product of (A) the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to any such adjustment multiplied by (B) the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to any such adjustment, by (ii) the Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment;
provided
that the number of Warrant Shares issuable after such increase shall not exceed the number that would otherwise result in shareholder approval being required pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 5635.
(c)
Adjustment to Warrant Shares Upon Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation or Merger
. In the event of any (i) capital reorganization of the Company, (ii) reclassification of the stock of the Company (other than a change in par value or from par value to no par value or from no par value to par value or as a result of a stock dividend or subdivision, split-up or combination of shares), (iii) consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another Person, (iv) sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another Person or (v) other similar transaction, in each case which entitles the holders of Common Shares to receive (either directly or upon subsequent liquidation) stock, securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Shares, each Warrant shall, immediately after such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction, remain outstanding and shall thereafter, in lieu of or in addition to (as the case may be) the number of Warrant Shares then
exercisable under this Warrant, be exercisable for the kind and number of shares of stock or other securities or assets of the Company or of the successor Person resulting from such transaction to which the Holder would have been entitled upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction if the Holder had exercised this Warrant in full immediately prior to the time of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction and acquired the applicable number of Warrant Shares then issuable hereunder as a result of such exercise (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the exercisability of this Warrant); and, in such case, appropriate adjustment (in form and substance satisfactory to the Holder) shall be made with respect to the Holder’s rights under this Warrant to insure that the provisions of this Warrant shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as possible, to any shares of stock, securities or assets thereafter acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 4(c) shall similarly apply to successive reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, sales or similar transaction. The Company shall not effect any such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction unless, prior to the consummation thereof, the successor Person (if other than the Company) resulting from such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or similar transaction, shall assume, by written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant and satisfactory to the Holder, the obligation to deliver to the Holder such shares of stock, securities or assets which, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such Holder shall be entitled to receive upon exercise of this Warrant. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to any corporate event or other transaction contemplated by the provisions of this Section 4(c), the Holder shall have the right to elect prior to the consummation of such event or transaction, to give effect to the exercise rights contained in Section 3 instead of giving effect to the provisions contained in this Section 4(c) with respect to this Warrant.
(d)
Dividends and Distributions
. If the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date, make or declare, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Common Shares entitled to receive, a dividend or any other distribution payable in securities of the Company (other than a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Shares, Options or Convertible Securities in respect of outstanding shares of Common Shares), cash or other property, then, and in each such event, provision shall be made so that the Holder shall receive upon exercise of the Warrant, in addition to the number of Warrant Shares receivable thereupon, the kind and amount of securities of the Company, cash or other property which the Holder would have been entitled to receive had the Warrant been exercised in full into Warrant Shares on the date of such event and had the Holder thereafter, during the period from the date of such event to and including the Exercise Date, retained such securities, cash or other property receivable by them as aforesaid during such period, giving application to all adjustments called for during such
period under this Section 4(d) with respect to the rights of the Holder; provided, that no such provision shall be made if the Holder receives, simultaneously with the distribution to the holders of Common Shares, a dividend or other distribution of such securities, cash or other property in an amount equal to the amount of such securities, cash or other property as the Holder would have received if the Warrant had been exercised in full into Warrant Shares on the date of such event.
(e)
Certificate as to Adjustment
.
(i)
As promptly as reasonably practicable following any adjustment of the kind of Warrant Shares pursuant to the provisions of Section 4, but in any event not later than ten (10) Business Days thereafter, the Company shall furnish to the Holder a certificate of an executive officer setting forth in reasonable detail such adjustment and the facts upon which it is based and certifying the calculation thereof.
(ii)
As promptly as reasonably practicable following the receipt by the Company of a written request by the Holder, but in any event not later than ten (10) Business Days thereafter, the Company shall furnish to the Holder a certificate of an executive officer certifying the amount of other shares of stock, securities or assets then issuable upon exercise of the Warrant.
(f)
Notices
. In the event:
(i)
that the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Shares (or other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon exercise of the Warrant) for the purpose of entitling or enabling them to receive any dividend or other distribution, to vote at a meeting (or by written consent), to receive any right to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or any other securities, or to receive any other security; or
(ii)
of any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification of the Common Shares of the Company, any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another Person, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another Person; or
(iii)
of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company;
then, and in each such case, the Company shall send or cause to be sent to the Holder at least thirty (30) days prior to the applicable record date or the applicable expected effective date, as the case may be, for the event, a written notice specifying, as the case may be, (A) the record date for such dividend, distribution, meeting or consent or other right or action, and a description of such dividend, distribution or other right or action to be taken at such meeting or by written consent, or (B) the effective date on which such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is proposed to take place, and the date, if any is to be fixed, as of which the books of the Company shall
close or a record shall be taken with respect to which the holders of record of Common Shares (or such other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon exercise of the Warrant) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Shares (or such other capital stock or securities) for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, and the amount per share and character of such exchange applicable to the Warrant and the Warrant Shares.
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5.
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Transfer of Warrant
. Subject to the transfer conditions referred to in the legend endorsed hereon, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable to any affiliate of the Holder, in whole or in part, by the Holder without charge to the Holder, upon surrender of this Warrant to the Company at its then principal executive offices with a duly executed written assignment, together with funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes described in Section 3(g)(v) in connection with the making of such transfer. Upon such compliance, surrender and delivery and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees and in the denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant, if any, not so assigned and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled.
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6.
Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder; Limitations on Liability
. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, prior to the issuance to the Holder of the Warrant Shares to which the Holder is then entitled to receive upon the due exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall not be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed the holder of shares of capital stock of the Company for any purpose, nor shall anything contained in this Warrant be construed to confer upon the Holder, as such, any of the rights of a Shareholder of the Company or any right to vote, give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether any reorganization, issue of stock, reclassification of stock, consolidation, merger, conveyance or otherwise), receive notice of meetings, receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise. In addition, nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any liabilities on the Holder to purchase any securities (upon exercise of this Warrant or otherwise) or as a Shareholder of the Company, whether such liabilities are asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company. Notwithstanding this Section 6, the Company shall provide the Holder with copies of the same notices and other information given to the Shareholders of the Company generally, contemporaneously with the giving thereof to the Shareholders.
7.
Replacement on Loss; Division and Combination
.
(a)
Replacement of Warrant on Loss
. Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and upon delivery of an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (it being understood that a written indemnification agreement or affidavit of
loss of the Holder shall be a sufficient indemnity) and, in case of mutilation, upon surrender of such Warrant for cancellation to the Company, the Company at its own expense shall execute and deliver to the Holder, in lieu hereof, a new Warrant of like tenor and exercisable for an equivalent number of Warrant Shares as the Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed; provided, that, in the case of mutilation, no indemnity shall be required if this Warrant in identifiable form is surrendered to the Company for cancellation.
(b)
Division and Combination of Warrant
. Subject to compliance with the applicable provisions of this Warrant as to any transfer or other assignment which may be involved in such division or combination, this Warrant may be divided or, following any such division of this Warrant, subsequently combined with other Warrants, upon the surrender of this Warrant or Warrants to the Company at its then principal executive offices, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the respective Holders or their agents or attorneys. Subject to compliance with the applicable provisions of this Warrant as to any transfer or assignment which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall at its own expense execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants so surrendered in accordance with such notice. Such new Warrant or Warrants shall be of like tenor to the surrendered Warrant or Warrants and shall be exercisable in the aggregate for an equivalent number of Warrant Shares as the Warrant or Warrants so surrendered in accordance with such notice.
8.
No Impairment
. The Company shall not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or amended memorandum of association, or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed by it hereunder, but shall at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Warrant and in the taking of all such action as may reasonably be requested by the Holder in order to protect the exercise rights of the Holder against dilution or other impairment, consistent with the tenor and purpose of this Warrant.
9.
Compliance with the Securities Act
.
(a)
Agreement to Comply with the Securities Act; Legend
. The Holder, by acceptance of this Warrant, agrees to comply in all respects with the provisions of this Section
9 and the restrictive legend requirements set forth on the face of this Warrant and further agrees that such Holder shall not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of this Warrant or any Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise hereof except under circumstances that will not result in a violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “
Securities Act
”). This Warrant and all Warrant Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant (unless registered under the Securities Act) shall be stamped or imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:
“THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR QUALIFIED UNDER ANY STATE OR FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED UNLESS (I) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT COVERING SUCH SHARES IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE ACT AND IS QUALIFIED UNDER APPLICABLE STATE AND FOREIGN LAW OR (II) THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ACT AND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER APPLICABLE STATE AND FOREIGN LAW AND, IF THE CORPORATION REQUESTS, AN OPINION SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION TO SUCH EFFECT HAS BEEN RENDERED BY COUNSEL.”
(b)
Representations of the Holder
. In connection with the issuance of this Warrant, the Holder specifically represents, as of the date hereof, to the Company by acceptance of this Warrant as follows:
(i)
The Holder is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. The Holder is acquiring this Warrant and the Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise hereof for investment for its own account and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution of this Warrant or the Warrant Shares, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
(ii)
The Holder understands and acknowledges that this Warrant and the Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise hereof are “restricted securities” under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that, under such laws and applicable regulations, such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances. In addition, the Holder represents that it is familiar with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.
(iii)
The Holder acknowledges that it can bear the economic and financial risk of its investment for an indefinite period, and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Warrant and the Warrant Shares. The Holder has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Warrant and the business, properties, prospects and financial condition of the Company, and has been provided with all information and material related thereto as requested by the Holder.
10.
Warrant Register
. The Company shall keep and properly maintain at its principal executive offices books for the registration of the Warrant and any transfers thereof. The Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Warrant is registered on such register as the Holder thereof for all purposes, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary, except any assignment, division, combination or other transfer of the Warrant effected in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.
11.
Expenses
. Unless otherwise provided in the Transaction Agreement, the Company shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by the Holder or on the Holder’s behalf in connection with the Warrant, including fees and expenses of the Holder’s financial or other consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel.
12.
Notices
. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given: (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by facsimile or e-mail of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the third Business Day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the addresses indicated below (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 12).
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If to the Company:
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Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.
953 American Lane, 3rd floor
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Attention: President
Email: swollney@atlas-fin.com
With a copy to, which shall not constitute notice, to:
DLA Piper LLP (U.S.)
444 West Lake Street
Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: David Mendelsohn
Email: david.mendelsohn@dlapiper.com
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If to the Holder:
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Great American Insurance Company
Address:301 East Fourth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
E-mail: clegal@gaig.com
Attention: General Counsel
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with a copy to, which shall not constitute notice, to:
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Address:Four Times Square
New York, NY 10036
E-mail: dwight.yoo@skadden.com
Attention: Dwight Yoo
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13.
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Participation Right
. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 4 above, if at any time the Company, directly or indirectly, proposes to grant, issue or sell any Common Shares, any securities exercisable into, convertible into, exchangeable for Common Shares, or any right to purchase or otherwise acquire Common Shares (the "
Participation Securities
"), then the Company shall first or concurrently offer to grant, issue or sell such Participation Securities to the Holder of this Warrant up to the Holder's 19.99% pro rata share (the "
Participation Offer
"), which Participation Offer shall be on the same terms as the proposed grant, issuance or sale and will allow the Holder of this Warrant a reasonable amount of time to elect to participate, which shall in no event be less than seven (7) Business Days from receipt of the notice of the Participation Offer;
provided
,
however
, that the Holder of this Warrant shall not be entitled to participate in any grant of equity awards under the equity incentive and compensation plans of the Company (or issuances pursuant to outstanding awards under such plans) existing on the date of this Warrant and described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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14.
Cumulative Remedies
. Except to the extent expressly provided in Section 6 to the contrary, the rights and remedies provided in this Warrant are cumulative and are not exclusive of, and are in addition to and not in substitution for, any other rights or remedies available at law, in equity or otherwise.
15.
Equitable Relief
. Each of the Company and the Holder acknowledges that a breach or threatened breach by such party of any of its obligations under this Warrant would give rise to irreparable harm to the other party hereto for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy and hereby agrees that in the event of a breach or a threatened breach by such party of any such obligations, the other party hereto shall, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies that may be available to it in respect of such breach, be entitled to equitable relief, including a restraining order, an injunction, specific performance and any other relief that may be available from a court of competent jurisdiction.
16.
Entire Agreement
. This Warrant, together with the Transaction Agreement, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the parties to this Warrant with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between the statements in the body of this Warrant and the Transaction Agreement, the statements in the body of this Warrant shall control.
17.
Successor and Assigns
. This Warrant and the rights evidenced hereby shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of the Holder. Such successors and/or permitted assigns of the Holder shall be deemed to be a Holder for all purposes hereunder.
18.
No Third-Party Beneficiaries
. This Warrant is for the sole benefit of the Company and the Holder and their respective successors and, in the case of the Holder, permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Warrant.
19.
Headings
. The headings in this Warrant are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Warrant.
20.
Amendment and Modification; Waiver
. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Warrant may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by the Company or the Holder of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No waiver by any party shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Warrant shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.
21.
Severability
. If any term or provision of this Warrant is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Warrant or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction.
22.
Governing Law
. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of Ohio.
23.
Submission to Jurisdiction
. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United
States of America or the courts of the State of Illinois in each case located in the city Chicago, IL, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by certified or registered mail to such party’s address set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or any proceeding in such courts and irrevocably waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
24.
Waiver of Jury Trial
. Each party acknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may arise under this Warrant is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues and, therefore, each such party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any legal action arising out of or relating to this Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby.
25.
Counterparts
. This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Warrant delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Warrant.
26.
No Strict Construction
. This Warrant shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed this Warrant on the Original Issue Date.
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ATLAS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
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By:
/s/ Scott D. Wollney
Name: Scott D. Wollney
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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Accepted and agreed,
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GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY
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By:
/s/ Gary J. Gruber
Name: Gary J. Gruber
Title: President
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EXHIBIT 10.3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this “
Agreement
”) is made and entered into as of June 10, 2019 among ATLAS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC., a Cayman Islands corporation (the “
Company
”), and GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, an Ohio corporation (the “
Investor
”).
WHEREAS, the Company, certain Affiliates of the Company and Affiliates of Investor are parties to a certain Transaction Agreement dated as of June 10, 2019 (the “
Transaction Agreement
”) and exhibits and schedules thereto and other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated thereunder;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, the Company issued to the Investor a Warrant dated June 10, 2019 (the “
Warrant
”) providing the Investors with the opportunity to purchase initially 2,387,368 Common Shares (which number of shares is subject to adjustment as provided in the Warrant);
WHEREAS, in connection with the execution of the Transaction Agreement and the issuance of the Warrant, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement in order to grant certain registration rights to the Investors as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual and dependent covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
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1.
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Defined Terms
. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
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“
Affiliate
” of a Person means any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
"
Agreement
" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“
Board
” means the board of directors (or any successor governing body) of the Company.
“
Commission
” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency administering the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at the time.
“
Common Shares
” means the ordinary voting shares, par value $0.003 per share, of the Company and any other shares issued or issuable with respect thereto (whether by way of a stock dividend or stock
split or in exchange for or upon conversion of such shares or otherwise in connection with a combination of shares, distribution, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, other corporate reorganization or other similar event with respect to the Common Shares).
“
Company
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble and includes the Company’s successors by merger, acquisition, reorganization or otherwise.
“
Controlling Person
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 5(g)
.
“
Exchange Act
” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“
Excluded Registration
” means (i) a registration relating
to the sale of securities to employees of the Company or a subsidiary pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase or similar plan; (ii) a registration relating to a Rule 145 transaction; (iii) a registration on any form that does not include substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the Registrable Securities; or (iv) a registration in which the only equity securities being registered are equity securities issuable upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered.
“
Investor
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“
Person
” means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, association or other governmental or legal entity.
“
Piggyback Registration
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a)
.
“
Piggyback Takedown
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a)
.
“
Prospectus
” means the prospectus or prospectuses included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and by all other amendments and supplements to the prospectus, including post-effective amendments and all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus or prospectuses.
“
Registrable Securities
” means (a) any Common Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrant, and (b) any Common Shares issued or issuable with respect to any shares described in subsection (a) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in exchange for or upon conversion of such shares or otherwise in connection with a combination of shares, distribution, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, other reorganization or other similar event with respect to the Common Shares (it being
understood that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person has the right to then acquire or obtain from the Company any Registrable Securities, whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected);
provided
, that any Common Shares shall cease to be deemed Registrable Securities at such time as such Common Shares may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144.
“
Registration Statement
” means any registration statement of the Company, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“
Rule 144
” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto.
“
Rule 145
” means Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto.
“
Securities Act
” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“
Selling Expenses
” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and fees and disbursements of counsel for any holder of Registrable Securities, except for the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the holders of Registrable Securities required to be paid by the Company pursuant to
Section 7
.
“
Shelf Registration Statement
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 2(a)
.
“
Shelf Takedown
” means an underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective Shelf Registration Statement.
“
Warrant
” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
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2.
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Shelf Registration Statement
.
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(a)
At any time after September 30, 2019, holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding may request registration under the Securities Act with respect to at least forty percent (40%) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (or on Form S-3 when eligible) or any successor form thereto pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto (a “
Shelf Registration Statement
”). Each request for a Shelf Registration Statement shall specify the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement. Upon receipt of any such request, the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than ten (10) days following receipt thereof) deliver notice of such request to all other holders of Registrable Securities who shall then have ten (10) days from the date such notice is given to notify the Company in writing of their desire to be included in such registration. The Company shall prepare and file
with the Commission a Shelf Registration Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities that the holders thereof have requested to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement within sixty (60) days after the date on which the initial request is given and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as practicable thereafter.
(b)
The Company shall not include in any Shelf Registration Statement any securities which are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the holders of 50% of the Registrable Securities included in such Shelf Registration Statement, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. With respect to a Shelf Takedown, if the managing underwriter of the requested Shelf Registration Statement advises the Company and the holders of Registrable Securities in writing that in its reasonable and good faith opinion the number of Common Shares proposed to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement, including all Registrable Securities and all other Common Shares proposed to be included in such underwritten offering, exceeds the number of Common Shares which can be sold in such underwritten offering and/or the number of Common Shares proposed to be included in such Shelf Takedown would adversely affect the price per share of the Common Shares proposed to be sold in such underwritten offering, the Company shall include in such Shelf Takedown (i) first, the Common Shares that the holders of Registrable Securities propose to sell, and (ii) second, the Common Shares proposed to be included therein by any other Persons (including Common Shares to be sold for the account of the Company and/or other holders of Common Shares) allocated among such Persons in such manner as they may agree. If the managing underwriter determines that less than all of the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold can be included in such offering, then the Registrable Securities that are included in such offering shall be allocated pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such holder.
(c)
The Company shall not be required to file a Shelf Registration Statement or effect Shelf Takedowns more than three times for the holders of Registrable Securities as a group;
provided
, for these purposes a Shelf Takedown shall be deemed to have not occurred (and shall not count towards the limit of three Shelf Takedowns) unless and until such Shelf Takedown has been completed through the underwritten sale of Registrable Securities.
(d)
Notwithstanding the foregoing obligations, if the Company furnishes to holders requesting a registration pursuant to this
Section 2
a certificate signed by the Company’s chief executive officer stating that in the good faith judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its security holders for such registration statement to either become effective or remain effective for as long as such registration statement otherwise would be required to remain effective, because such action would (i) materially interfere with a significant acquisition,
corporate reorganization, or other similar transaction involving the Company, (ii) require premature disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential, or (iii) render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, then the Company shall have the right to defer taking action with respect to such filing, and any time periods with respect to filing or effectiveness thereof shall be tolled correspondingly, for a period of not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the request of the holders requesting a registration pursuant to this
Section 2
is given;
provided
, however, that the Company may not invoke this right more than once in any twelve (12) month period; and
provided
, further that the Company shall not register any securities for its own account or that of any other security holder during such one hundred twenty (120) day period other than an Excluded Registration.
(e)
The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to this
Section 2
(i) during the period that is sixty (60) days before the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date that is one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated registration, provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective, (ii) after the Company has effected two (2) registrations pursuant to this
Section 2
, or (iii) if the holders requesting a registration pursuant to this
Section 2
propose to dispose of Registrable Securities that may be immediately registered on Form S-3 pursuant to a request made pursuant to this
Section 2
. A registration shall not be counted as “effected” for purposes of this
Section 2(e)
until such time as the applicable registration statement has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, unless the holders requesting a registration pursuant to this
Section 2
withdraw their request for such registration, in which case such withdrawn registration statement shall be counted as “effected” for purposes of this
Section 2(e)
.
3.
Piggyback Registration
.
(a)
Whenever the Company proposes, other than an Excluded Registration, (i) to register any of its Common Shares under the Securities Act, whether for its own account or for the account of one or more shareholders of the Company, and the registration form to be used may be used for any registration of Registrable Securities (a “
Piggyback Registration
”), or (ii) to file a prospectus supplement to an effective shelf registration statement relating to the sale of equity securities of the Company (a “
Piggyback Takedown
”), the Company shall give prompt (but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such registration statement or such prospectus supplement) written notice to all holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration or filing, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing underwriter, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer
to all holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the same of such number of Registrable Securities as such holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice from the Company. The Company shall, subject to
Section 3(b)
, include in such registration or offering all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within five (5) days after the receipt of the Company’s notice. The Company may postpone or withdraw the filing or the effectiveness of a Piggyback Registration at any time in its sole discretion upon reasonable notice to any participating holders.
(b)
If a Piggyback Registration or Piggyback Shelf Takedown is initiated as a primary underwritten offering on behalf of the Company and the managing underwriter advises the Company and the holders of Registrable Securities (if any holders of Registrable Securities have elected to include Registrable Securities in such Piggyback Registration or Piggyback Shelf Takedown) in writing that in its reasonable and good faith opinion the number of Common Shares proposed to be included in such registration or takedown, including all Registrable Securities and all other Common Shares proposed to be included in such underwritten offering, exceeds the number of Common Shares which can be sold in such offering and/or that the number of Common Shares proposed to be included in any such registration or takedown would adversely affect the price per share of the Common Shares to be sold in such offering, the Company shall include in such registration or takedown (i) first, the Common Shares that the Company proposes to sell; (ii) second, the Common Shares requested to be included therein by holders of Registrable Securities, allocated pro rata among all such holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such holder or in such manner as they may otherwise agree; and (iii) third, the Common Shares requested to be included therein by holders of Common Shares other than holders of Registrable Securities, allocated among such holders in such manner as they may agree.
(c)
If any Piggyback Registration or Piggyback Shelf Takedown is initiated as a primary underwritten offering on behalf of the Company, the Company shall select the investment banking firm or firms to act as the managing underwriter or underwriters in connection with such offering.
4.
Lock-up Agreement
. If requested by the Company, the Investors agree to execute customary lock-up agreements with the managing underwriter(s) of an underwritten offering with a duration not to exceed a period beginning seven (7) days before and continuing for ninety (90) days (the “
Lock Up Period
”) following the effective date of the Registration Statement for such underwritten public offering of the Company’s Common Shares, provided, however, that in no event shall such Lock Up Period exceed in duration the shortest period applicable to any Company officer, director or holder of at least five percent (5%) of the Common Shares.
5.
Registration Procedures
. If and whenever the holders of Registrable Securities request that the offer and sale of any Registrable Securities be registered under the Securities Act or any Registrable
Securities be distributed in a Shelf Takedown pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the offer and sale of such Registrable Securities under the Securities Act in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall as soon as practicable and as applicable:
(a)
subject to
Section 2(a)
, prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective;
(b)
prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, post-effective amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective until all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended methods of disposition set forth in such Registration Statement;
(c)
within a reasonable time before filing such Registration Statement, Prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto with the Commission, furnish to one counsel selected by holders of a majority of such Registrable Securities copies of such documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review, comment and approval of such counsel;
(d)
notify each selling holder of Registrable Securities, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such Registration Statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any Prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission;
(e)
furnish to each selling holder of Registrable Securities such number of copies of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus) and any supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits and documents incorporated by reference therein), and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;
(f)
use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as any selling holder requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be necessary or advisable to enable such holders to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such holders;
provided
, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business, subject itself to general taxation or consent to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to do so but for this
Section 5(f)
;
(g)
notify each selling holder of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event that
would cause the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement to contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit any fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and, at the request of any such holder, the Company shall prepare a supplement or amendment to such Prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such Prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(h)
make available for inspection by any selling holder of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such holder or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Person in connection with such Registration Statement;
(i)
use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed;
(j)
in connection with an underwritten offering, enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting and lock-up agreements in customary form) and take all such other customary actions as the holders of such Registrable Securities or the managing underwriter of such offering reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, making appropriate officers of the Company available to participate in “road show” and other customary marketing activities (including one-on-one meetings with prospective purchasers of the Registrable Securities));
(k)
otherwise use its reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and make available to its shareholders an earnings statement (in a form that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) no later than thirty (30) days after the end of the 12-month period beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full fiscal quarter after the effective date of such Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall cover said 12-month period, and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto; and
(l)
furnish to each selling holder of Registrable Securities and each underwriter, if any, with (i) a written legal opinion of the Company’s outside counsel, dated the closing date of the offering, in form and substance as is customarily given in opinions of the Company’s counsel to underwriters in
underwritten registered offerings; and (ii) on the date of the applicable Prospectus, on the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the applicable Registration Statement and at the closing of the offering, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof, a “comfort” letter signed by the Company’s independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given in accountants’ letters to underwriters in underwritten registered offerings;
(m)
without limiting
Section 5(f)
, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company to enable the holders of such Registrable Securities to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with their intended method of distribution thereof;
(n)
notify the holders of Registrable Securities promptly of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of such Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information;
(o)
advise the holders of Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal at the earliest possible moment if such stop order should be issued;
(p)
cooperate with the holders of the Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to such Registration Statement or Rule 144 free of any restrictive legends and representing such number of Common Shares and registered in such names as the holders of the Registrable Securities may reasonably request within a reasonable period of time prior to sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement or Rule 144;
provided
, that the Company may satisfy its obligations hereunder without issuing physical stock certificates through the use of The Depository Trust Company’s Direct Registration System;
(q)
take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act;
provided
, that, to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Company, the Company will take all reasonable action to make any such prohibition inapplicable; and
(r)
otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.
6.
Furnish Information
. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling holder that such holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held
by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as is reasonably required to effect the registration of such holder’s Registrable Securities.
7.
Expenses
. All expenses (other than Selling Expenses) incurred by the Company in complying with its obligations pursuant to this Agreement and in connection with the registration and disposition of Registrable Securities shall be paid by the Company, including, without limitation, all (i) registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, any fees relating to filings required to be made with, or the listing of any Registrable Securities on, any securities exchange or over-the-counter trading market on which the Registrable Securities are listed or quoted); (ii) underwriting expenses (other than fees, commissions or discounts); (iii) expenses of any audits incident to or required by any such registration; (iv) fees and expenses of complying with securities and “blue sky” laws (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with “blue sky” qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities); (v) printing expenses; (vi) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses; (vii) fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and accountants; (viii) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. filing fees (if any); and (ix) reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket fees and expenses of one counsel for the holders of Registrable Securities participating in such registration as a group (selected by, in the case of a registration under
Section 2(a)
, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initially requesting such registration, and, in the case of all other registrations hereunder, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the registration). In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties) and the expense of any annual audits. All Selling Expenses relating to the offer and sale of Registrable Securities registered under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement shall be borne and paid by the holders of such Registrable Securities, in proportion to the number of Registrable Securities included in such registration for each such holder.
8.
Indemnification
.
(a)
The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, such holder’s officers, directors, managers, members, partners, shareholders and Affiliates, each underwriter, broker or any other Person acting on behalf of such holder of Registrable Securities and each other Controlling Person, if any, who controls any of the foregoing Persons, against all losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several, to which any of the foregoing Persons may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus,
preliminary Prospectus, free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus or free writing prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading; and shall reimburse such Persons for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, action, damage or liability, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such holder expressly for use therein or by such holder’s failure to deliver a copy of the Registration Statement, Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus, free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) or any amendments or supplements thereto (if the same was required by applicable law to be so delivered) after the Company has furnished such holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same prior to any written confirmation of the sale of Registrable Securities. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the Company may otherwise have.
(b)
In connection with any registration in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify and hold harmless, the Company, each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who shall sign such Registration Statement, each underwriter, broker or other Person acting on behalf of the holders of Registrable Securities and each Controlling Person who controls any of the foregoing Persons against any losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities or expenses resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus, free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus or free writing prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such holder;
provided
, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, for each holder and shall not exceed an amount equal to the net proceeds (after underwriting fees, commissions or discounts) actually received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the selling holder may otherwise have.
(c)
Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of any action involving a claim referred to in this
Section 8
, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect
thereof is made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such action. The failure of any indemnified party to notify an indemnifying party of any such action shall not (unless such failure shall have a material adverse effect on the indemnifying party) relieve the indemnifying party from any liability in respect of such action that it may have to such indemnified party hereunder. In case any such action is brought against an indemnified party, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense of the claims in any such action that are subject or potentially subject to indemnification hereunder, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after written notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof;
provided
, that, if (i) any indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified party which are additional to or conflict with those available to the indemnifying party, or that such claim or litigation involves or could have an effect upon matters beyond the scope of the indemnity provided hereunder, or (ii) such action seeks an injunction or equitable relief against any indemnified party or involves actual or alleged criminal activity, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party without such indemnified party’s prior written consent (but, without such consent, shall have the right to participate therein with counsel of its choice) and such indemnifying party shall reimburse such indemnified party and any Controlling Person of such indemnified party for that portion of the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the indemnified party which is reasonably related to the matters covered by the indemnity provided hereunder. If the indemnifying party is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim, it shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. In such instance, the conflicting indemnified parties shall have a right to retain one separate counsel, chosen by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the registration, at the expense of the indemnifying party.
(d)
If the indemnification provided for hereunder is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amounts paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as well as any other relevant equitable considerations;
provided
, that the maximum amount of liability in respect of such contribution shall be limited, in the case of each holder of Registrable Securities, to an amount equal to the net proceeds (after underwriting fees, commissions or discounts) actually received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities effected pursuant to such registration. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party, whether the violation of the Securities Act or any other similar federal or state securities laws or rule or regulation promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any applicable registration, qualification or compliance was perpetrated by the indemnifying party or the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant hereto were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method or allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to herein. No Person guilty or liable of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
9.
Participation in Underwritten Registrations
. No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements;
provided
, that no holder of Registrable Securities included in any underwritten registration shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding such holder, such holder’s ownership of its Common Shares to be sold in the offering and such holder’s intended method of distribution) or to undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto, except as otherwise provided in
Section 8
.
10.
Rule 144 Compliance
. With a view to making available to the holders of Registrable Securities the benefits of Rule 144 and any other rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit a holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to:
(a)
make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, at all times after the Registration Date;
(b)
file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, at any time after the Registration Date; and
(c)
furnish to any holder so long as the holder owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed or furnished by the Company as such holder may reasonably request in connection with the sale of Registrable Securities without registration.
11.
Acknowledgement
. The parties acknowledge that, as of the date of this Agreement, the Company is not in compliance with the Exchange Act.
12.
No Other Registration Rights; Preservation of Rights
. The Company represents and warrants that it has not granted any registration rights to any Person. The Company shall not (a) grant any registration rights to third parties which are more favorable than or inconsistent with the rights granted hereunder, or (b) enter into any agreement, take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to its securities that violates or subordinates the rights expressly granted to the holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement.
13.
Termination
. This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect when there shall no longer be any Registrable Securities outstanding;
provided
, that the provisions of
Section 7
and
Section 8
shall survive any such termination.
14.
Notices
. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); or (c) on the date sent by facsimile or e-mail of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next business day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient. Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the addresses indicated below (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this
Section 14
).
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If to the Company:
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Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.
953 American Lane, 3rd Floor
Schaumburg, IL 60173
E-mail: swollney@atlas-fin.com
Attention:President
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with a copy to:
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DLA Piper LLP (US)
444 West Lake Street
Suite 900
E-mail: david.mendelsohn@dlapiper.com
Attention:David Mendelsohn
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If to Investor;
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Great American Insurance Group Tower
301 East Fourth Street
38
th
Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
E-mail: clegal@gaig.com
Attention: General Counsel
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with a copy to:
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American Financial Group, Inc.
Great American Insurance Group Tower
301 East Fourth Street
40
th
Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
E-mail: jconsolino@amfin.com
Attention: Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino
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15.
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Entire Agreement
. This Agreement, together with the Warrant and any related exhibits and schedules thereto, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any conflict between the terms and provisions of this Agreement and those of the Warrant, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.
16.
Successor and Assigns
. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Each Investor may assign its rights hereunder to any purchaser or transferee of Registrable Securities that is an affiliate of such Investor;
provided
, that such purchaser or transferee shall, as a condition to the effectiveness of such assignment, be required to execute a counterpart to this Agreement agreeing to be treated as an Investor whereupon such purchaser or transferee shall have the benefits of, and shall be subject to the restrictions contained in, this Agreement as if such purchaser or transferee was originally included in the definition of an Investor herein and had originally been a party hereto.
17.
No Third-Party Beneficiaries
. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement;
provided
, however, the parties hereto hereby acknowledge that the Persons set forth in
Section 8
are express third-party beneficiaries of the obligations of the parties hereto set forth in
Section 8
.
18.
Headings
. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
19.
Amendment, Modification and Waiver
. The provisions of this Agreement may only be amended, modified, supplemented or waived with the prior written consent of the Company and the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities. No waiver by any party or parties shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.
20.
Severability
. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
21.
Remedies
. Each holder of Registrable Securities, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company acknowledges that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and the Company hereby agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
22.
Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction
. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio or any other jurisdiction). Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of State of Ohio in each case located in the city of Cincinnati and County of Hamilton, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or any proceeding in such courts and irrevocably waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
23.
Waiver of Jury Trial
. Each party acknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may arise under this Agreement is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues and, therefore, each such party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any legal action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party to this Agreement certifies and acknowledges that (a) no representative of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not seek to enforce the foregoing waiver in the event of a legal action, (b) such party has considered the implications of this waiver, (c) such party makes this waiver voluntarily, and (d) such party has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this
Section 23
.
24.
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.
25.
Further Assurances
. Each of the parties to this Agreement shall, and shall cause their Affiliates to, execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments, conveyances and assurances and take such
further actions as may be reasonably required to carry out the provisions hereof and to give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
[INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK - SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first written above.
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ATLAS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
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By
/s/ Scott D. Wollney
Name: Scott D. Wollney
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY
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By
/s/ Gary J. Gruber
Name: Gary J. Gruber
Title: President
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EXHIBIT 99.1
Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. Enters Into Agreement with American Financial Group, Inc.;
Continues Strategic Evaluation
Chicago, Illinois (June 10, 2019) - Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFH) (“Atlas” or the “Company”)
announced today that as an initial outcome of its strategic review, Atlas concluded that the utilization of its wholly owned Managing General Agency (“MGA”) operation to work with strategic external insurance and reinsurance partners will enable the Company to leverage its focus, experience and infrastructure to create value for stakeholders.
A definitive agreement was executed effective June 10, 2019 between Atlas and American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: AFG). Under this agreement Atlas will act as an underwriting manager for AFG’s National Interstate (“NATL”) subsidiary and transition new and renewal paratransit business to NATL paper for this book of business. This strategic arrangement will combine Atlas’ niche platform including the analytics and technology Atlas has developed based on decades of expertise and data in this specialized area of commercial automobile insurance with AFG and NATL’s strong financial position and disciplined underwriting focus. Starting in July 2019, Atlas’ wholly owned insurance subsidiaries will cease writing new paratransit business and begin writing both new business and transitioning the existing paratransit business to the underwriting management arrangement with NATL. Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. advised the Company on this transaction.
Under the agreement, AFG has certain rights including a warrant to acquire 19.9% of the outstanding AFH common stock for $0.69 per share and an option to purchase the renewal rights owned by the Company in the future. This program will continue to focus on small fleet operations in this unique and important niche market. In 2018, paratransit business represented approximately $110 million of the Company’s gross written premium. The Company estimates that the majority of this business will be eligible for quotation over the first twelve month of this arrangement.
Scott D. Wollney, Atlas’ President & CEO said “We are excited to partner with American Financial Group and National Interstate to transition this business in a strategic approach that we expect to benefit both companies. Continuing to provide our distribution partners and policyholders with the specialized customer-centric value proposition they expect from Atlas in partnership with one of the largest commercial auto focused companies in the country at a time when the market is hard is extremely valuable to all involved.”
Atlas is also working on additional arrangements with the objective of establishing MGA relationships in connection with the Company’s other lines of business as well.
The Company is continuing to work with its appointed strategic advisor, Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P., in an effort to maximize value for all shareholders and will provide additional updates as previously communicated.
About Atlas
The primary business of Atlas is commercial automobile insurance in the United States, with a niche market orientation and focus on insurance for the “light” commercial automobile sector including taxi cabs, non-emergency para-transit, limousine/livery (including certain transportation network company drivers) and business auto. The business of Atlas is carried on through its subsidiaries American Country Insurance Company, American Service Insurance Company, Inc., Gateway Insurance Company, Global Liberty Insurance Company of New York, Anchor Group Management, Inc., and optOn Insurance Agency Inc. Atlas’ insurance subsidiaries have decades of experience with a commitment to always being an industry leader in these specialized areas of insurance.
For more information about Atlas, please visit www.atlas-fin.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Atlas and its insurance subsidiaries and businesses. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of each entity. The words “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “may,” “should,” “estimate,” “project,” “outlook,” “forecast” or similar words are used to identify such forward looking information. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Companies, including risks regarding the insurance industry, economic factors and the equity markets generally and the risk factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Atlas and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Contact Information:
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At the Company
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Investor Relations
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Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.
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The Equity Group Inc.
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Scott Wollney, CEO
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Adam Prior, Senior Vice President
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847-700-8600
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212-836-9606
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swollney@atlas-fin.com
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aprior@equityny.com
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www.atlas-fin.com
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www.theequitygroup.com
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