0000921895-16-004699.txt : 20160526 0000921895-16-004699.hdr.sgml : 20160526 20160526172855 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000921895-16-004699 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 20160526 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20160526 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ASTA FUNDING INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001001258 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6153] IRS NUMBER: 223388607 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-44713 FILM NUMBER: 161679323 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 210 SYLVAN AVE CITY: ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS STATE: NJ ZIP: 07632 BUSINESS PHONE: 2015675648 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 210 SYLVAN AVE CITY: ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS STATE: NJ ZIP: 07632 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Mangrove Partners Master Fund, Ltd. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001569227 IRS NUMBER: 981083428 STATE OF INCORPORATION: E9 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: MAPLES CORP. SVCS, PO BOX 309 STREET 2: UGLAND HOUSE, S. CHURCH STREET CITY: GEORGE TOWN STATE: E9 ZIP: KY1-1104 BUSINESS PHONE: 1 345 949 8066 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: MAPLES CORP. SVCS, PO BOX 309 STREET 2: UGLAND HOUSE, S. CHURCH STREET CITY: GEORGE TOWN STATE: E9 ZIP: KY1-1104 SC 13D/A 1 sc13da808511008_05262016.htm AMENDMENT NO. 8 TO THE SCHEDULE 13D sc13da808511008_05262016.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. 8)1

Asta Funding, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.01 par value
(Title of Class of Securities)

046220109
(CUSIP Number)
 
STEVE WOLOSKY, ESQ.
OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP
1325 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

May 25, 2016
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box x.

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.


_______________
1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 
 
 

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS MASTER FUND, LTD.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
4,005,701
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
4,005,701
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
4,005,701
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
33.3%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
2

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND, L.P.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
4,005,701
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
4,005,701
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
4,005,701
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
33.3%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN

 
3

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND (CAYMAN), LTD.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
4,005,701
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
4,005,701
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
4,005,701
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
33.3%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
4

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
MANGROVE PARTNERS
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
4,005,701
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
4,005,701
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
4,005,701
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
33.3%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
5

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
MANGROVE CAPITAL
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
4,005,701
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
4,005,701
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
4,005,701
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
33.3%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
6

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
NATHANIEL AUGUST
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
4,005,701
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
4,005,701
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
4,005,701
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
33.3%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 
7

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
This Amendment No. 8 (this “Amendment No. 8”) amends Items 6 and 7 to reflect changes to the Schedule 13D filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 2, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 17, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 22, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 5, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 15, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 6 to the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 12, 2016, and as amended by Amendment No.7 to the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 19, 2016 (as so amended, the “Schedule 13D”). Except as specifically provided herein, this Amendment No. 8 does not modify any of the information previously reported on the Schedule 13D. Capitalized terms used herein which are not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Schedule 13D.
 
Item 6.
Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
 
Item 6 is hereby amended to add the following:
 
On May 25, 2016, the Reporting Persons and the Issuer entered into a confidentiality agreement whereby the Reporting Persons and Issuer agreed to certain confidentiality provisions, as well as certain standstill provisions (the “Confidentiality Agreement”). Pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement, the Issuer will make available to the Reporting Persons certain confidential information relating to the Issuer and the Reporting Persons will make available to the Issuer certain confidential information about the Reporting Persons.
 
The Confidentiality Agreement includes, among other items, certain standstill provisions that prohibit each party from: (i) commencing any litigation against the other party, (ii) making any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a proxy solicitation materials, preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement or otherwise or call any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Issuer, (iii) publicly referring to: (a) the Confidential Information or Discussion Information (each as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement), (b) any annual or special meetings of stockholders of the Issuer or (c) any prior discussions between the Parties, including in any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including any proxy solicitation materials, preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement or otherwise), in any press release or in any other written or oral disclosure to a third party, (iv) making any purchases of the Issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, pursuant to any stock buyback plans, tender offers, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, (v) making or proposing to make any amendments to the Issuer’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended or By-laws, as amended, (vi) adopting, renewing, proposing or otherwise entering into a Shareholder Rights Plan with respect to the Issuer’s securities, (vii) adopting or proposing any changes to the Issuer’s capital structure or (viii) negotiating, discussing, entering into, proposing or otherwise transacting in any extraordinary transactions with respect to the Issuer, outside the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, any mergers, asset sales or asset purchases. The standstill provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement will expire 30 days following the tenth business day after either party has given written notice ending the discussions. The following description of the Confidentiality Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Confidentiality Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.10 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
8

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
Item 7.
Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
 
 
99.10
Confidentiality Agreement, dated May 25, 2016, by and between the Reporting Persons and the Issuer.
 
 
9

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
SIGNATURES
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
Dated: May 26, 2016
 
 
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS MASTER FUND, LTD.
   
 
By:
MANGROVE PARTNERS
   
as Investment Manager
     
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director
   
 
 
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND, L.P.
   
 
By:
MANGROVE CAPITAL
   
as General Partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director
   
 
 
MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND (CAYMAN), LTD.
   
 
By:
MANGROVE PARTNERS
   
as Investment Manager
     
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director
   
 
 
MANGROVE PARTNERS
   
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director
 
 
10

 
CUSIP NO. 046220109
 
 
MANGROVE CAPITAL
   
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director
 
   
 
/s/ Nathaniel August
 
NATHANIEL AUGUST
 
 
11

 
 
EX-99.10 2 ex9910to13da808511008_052616.htm CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT ex9910to13da808511008_052616.htm
Exhibit 99.10
 
ASTA Funding, Inc.
210 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632


May 25, 2016


Mangrove Partners
645 Madison Avenue
14th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attention:  Nathaniel August

 
Re:
Mutual Confidentiality Agreement
 
Dear Mr. August:

To facilitate discussions (the “Discussions”) between ASTA Funding, Inc. (the “Company”) and Mangrove Partners and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “you” or “Mangrove”), (i) the Company agrees to make available to Mangrove and its representatives certain confidential information relating to the Company or its subsidiaries (the “Company Confidential Information”) and (ii) Mangrove agrees to make available to the Company and its representatives certain confidential information relating to Mangrove or its affiliates (the “Mangrove Confidential Information” and together with the Company Confidential Information, the “Confidential Information”) for a period commencing on the date hereof and ending ten (10)  business days following prior written notice at any time by either the Company or Mangrove to the other Party (as defined below) (the “Discussion Period”).  The Discussion Period is for the purpose of allowing Mangrove and the Company to have good-faith discussions regarding the Company (the “Purpose”).  We refer to each of the Company and Mangrove as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties.”  This letter agreement sets forth the confidentiality obligations of the Parties with respect to these Discussions and any such Confidential Information.
 
Except as provided in this letter agreement or as required by applicable law, including, but not limited to, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, each Party agrees that it will not, and will cause its representatives not to, disclose to any other person the existence of this letter agreement, the fact that the Discussions are taking place or have taken place, or the status, terms or conditions of, or other facts or matters with respect to, the Discussions (collectively, “Discussion Information”); provided, however, the Parties hereby agree and acknowledge that (i) a copy of this letter agreement and the fact that discussions are occuring between the Parties will be disclosed in an Amendment to Mangrove’s Schedule 13D to be filed promptly hereafter and may be disclosed by the Company and its principal stockholders who are also representatives (as defined below) in a Form 8-K to be filed by the Company promptly hereafter, by the Company in a Form 10-Q, and in any filing or amendment to such stockholders’ Schedule 13D, or that of any entity holding the Company’s securities over which such stockholder has control,  and in any proxy statement or proxy soliciting material filed by the Company or by Mangrove or its affiliates following the expiration of the Discussion Period and the Extended Period (as defined below).  In addition, except as provided in this letter agreement or as required by applicable law, each of Mangrove and the Company agrees, as the case may be, (i) to treat, and to cause its representatives to treat, the Confidential Information as strictly confidential and to refrain, and to cause its representatives to refrain, from disclosing the Confidential Information to any person other than in accordance with this letter agreement and (ii) that the Confidential Information will be used solely for the Purpose set forth herein.  For purposes of this letter agreement, Confidential Information does not include information that (a) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Company or Mangrove or their respective representatives, as the case may be, in violation of this letter agreement, (b) becomes available to the Company or Mangrove or their respective representatives, as the case may be, from a source other than the Company or Mangrove, as the case may be, provided that such disclosure is not, to the knowledge of the Company or Mangrove, as the case may be, in violation of a confidentiality obligation to the Company or Mangrove, as the case may be, with respect to such information, or (c) is independently developed by the Company or Mangrove or their respective representatives, as the case may be, without reference to the Confidential Information.  For purposes of this letter agreement, references to the “representatives” of a Party shall include only such Party’s directors, officers, partners, managers, members, affiliates, direct and indirect owners and stockholders, employees and legal counsel and other advisors, as applicable.  References to a “person” shall be broadly interpreted to include the media and any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, group, individual or other entity.
 
 
 

 
 
The Company hereby agrees that, unless otherwise instructed by Mangrove, the Company will not share with Mangrove or its representatives Confidential Information that the Company does not plan to release publicly, in an SEC filing or otherwise, on or prior to the end of the Extended Period (“Non-Cleansed Information”).  If instructed by Mangrove, the Company will provide Non-Cleansed Information only to independent advisors (the “Advisors”) retained by Mangrove who have entered into separate confidentiality agreements with the Company.  For purposes of this letter agreement, such Advisors will not be deemed affiliates or representatives of Mangrove.  Following the Advisors’ receipt of Non-Cleansed Information, the Advisors will prepare one or more presentations (each a “Presentation” and, collectively, the “Presentations”) containing summaries of Non-Cleansed Information to be shared with the Company and, subsequent and subject to the Company’s approval, with Mangrove.  The Company acknowledges that the Advisors will discuss the Presentations with Mangrove and answer questions related to the information presented in the Presentations and that the confidentiality agreements between the Company and the Advisors will permit the Advisors to express to Mangrove their views of the completeness, accuracy, and fairness of the information contained in the Presentations. The Company agrees to release all material non-public information contained in any Presentation publicly, in an SEC filing or otherwise, on or prior to the end of the Extended Period. To the extent that the Company does not release publicly all such material non-public information as provided in this letter agreement and provide Mangrove with a written confirmation thereof, Mangrove shall be permitted, without the need to obtain any further approvals from the Company, to publicly release, in whatever manner in its sole discretion it deems appropriate, the Presentations.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Discussion Information and Confidential Information may be disclosed by a Party (i) to such Party’s representatives who need to know such Discussion Information or Confidential Information, as applicable, solely for the Purpose set forth herein (it being understood that such representatives shall be informed by such Party of the confidential nature of such Discussion Information and Confidential Information and shall be directed by such Party to treat such Discussion Information and Confidential Information confidentially in accordance with this letter agreement), and (ii) subject to the notice and cooperation provisions of this letter agreement, solely as and to the extent such disclosure is required by applicable law.  Each Party shall cause its representatives who receive Discussion Information or Confidential Information, as applicable, to observe the terms and conditions of this letter agreement, and, in any event, such Party shall be responsible for any breach by such representatives of the terms of this letter agreement applicable to such representatives.
 
 
2

 
 
If any Party is, on the advice of counsel, required (orally or in writing) by applicable law, statute, rule, regulation or legal process (including any subpoena or other similar process relating to any legal proceeding, investigation, hearing or otherwise), and including as required by any applicable stock exchange, to disclose any Discussion Information or any Confidential Information, such Party will, (i) to the extent legally permissible, provide the other Parties with prompt written notice of such requirement so that such other Parties may seek, at their sole expense, a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with this letter agreement and (ii) reasonably cooperate with the other Parties to seek an appropriate protective order and/or minimize the required disclosure.  In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained and disclosure is required by a Party, such Party will furnish, without liability hereunder, only such Discussion Information and/or Confidential Information as it is advised is legally required and will exercise its reasonable best efforts to obtain reasonable assurance that the existence and terms of the Discussion Information and the Confidential Information will be accorded confidential treatment.
 
Each Party agrees that for the Discussion Period and for a period of thirty (30) days thereafter (the “Extended Period”), unless consented to by the other Party or required by applicable law or as otherwise permitted by this letter agreement, such party will not, and shall cause its affiliates and representatives not to, (i) commence any litigation against the other Party, (ii) make any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of  proxy solicitation materials, preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement or otherwise or call any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, (iii) publicly refer to: (a) the Confidential Information or Discussion Information, (b) any annual or special meetings of stockholders of the Company or (c) any prior discussions between the Parties, including in any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including any proxy solicitation materials, preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement or otherwise), in any press release or in any other written or oral disclosure to a third party, (iv) make any purchases of the Company’s securities, including, but not limited to, pursuant to any stock buyback plans, tender offers, open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, (v) make any demand under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, (vi) make or propose to make any amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or By-laws, as amended, (vii) adopt, renew, propose or otherwise enter into a Shareholder Rights Plan with respect to the Company’s securities, (viii) adopt or propose any changes to the Company’s capital structure or (ix) negotiate, discuss, enter into, propose or otherwise transact in any extraordinary transactions with respect to the Company, outside the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, any mergers, asset sales or asset purchases (collectively, the “Restricted Activities”).
 
 
3

 
 
Each Party acknowledges that (i) the Discussion Information and the Confidential Information (which, with respect to the Non-Cleansed Information, will be provided only to the Advisors, as detailed above), may contain or may itself be material non-public information concerning the Company, and (ii) the United States securities laws prohibit any person who has received material non-public information concerning the Company from purchasing or selling securities of the Company or from communicating such information to any other person under circumstances in which it is reasonably foreseeable that such person is likely to purchase or sell such securities.  The Company agrees that it shall promptly notify Mangrove if and when members of the Company’s Board of Directors are notified that directors are permitted to trade in the Company’s securities under the Company’s insider trading policy, which opening of such insider trading period shall occur no later than two (2) business days following (a) the Company’s release of earnings for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016, or (b) the end of the Extended Period, whichever is later.
 
Following the Discussion Period and the Extended Period, nothing in this letter agreement shall prohibit any party from taking any of the activities referred to as the Restricted Activities, and specifically nothing shall restrict Mangrove or its representatives from calling a special meeting, nominating one or more candidates to serve as directors of the Company or commencing, or announcing its intention to commence, a “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are used in Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act) to vote with respect to any meeting of stockholders of the Company.
 
It is understood and agreed that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of this letter agreement by a Party or any of its representatives and, accordingly, that each non-breaching Party shall be entitled to equitable relief, including, without limitation, injunction and specific performance, as a remedy for any such actual or potential breach.  Such remedies shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedies for a breach of this letter agreement but shall be in addition to all other remedies available at law or equity.  Each Party agrees not to raise as a defense or objection to the request or granting of such relief that any breach of this letter agreement is or would be compensable by an award of money damages, and each Party further agrees to waive any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy.
 
Promptly at the end of the Extended Period, the Company or Mangrove, as applicable, shall promptly redeliver (or, at the sole option of the receiver of Confidential Information, destroy and certify such destruction in writing) to the Company or Mangrove, as applicable, all written Confidential Information and any other written material, including memoranda, notes and other writings whatsoever prepared by the Company or Mangrove, as the case may be, based on the Confidential Information, containing or reflecting any information in the Confidential Information (regardless of who prepared such Confidential Information), provided, however, that the Company or Mangrove and their representatives, as the case may be, shall be permitted to retain such Confidential Information as is necessary to enable them to comply with any applicable document retention requirements under applicable law or regulation and to retain information that is maintained on routine computer system backup tapes, disks or other backup storage devices as long as such backed-up information is not used, disclosed, or otherwise recovered from such backup devices, provided further that any Confidential Information that is retained shall be used solely for such purpose and shall continue to be held in compliance with the terms and conditions herein.  Notwithstanding the return or destruction of the Confidential Information, each of the Company and Mangrove shall continue to be bound by the obligations of confidentiality hereunder.
 
 
4

 
 
This letter agreement shall terminate on the date that is two (2) years following the date hereof, except that the limitations on Mangrove’s and the Company’s taking any Restricted Activity shall terminate as of the close of business on the last calendar day of the Extended Period.
 
This letter agreement (i) shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof, , (ii) may not be amended except in writing signed by each Party, (iii) is binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and assigns and (iv) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
 
5

 
 
Please confirm your understanding and agreement to this letter agreement by signing and returning a copy of this letter agreement to the Company.
 
 
ASTA Funding, Inc.
   
 
By:
/s/ Gary Stern
   
Name:
Gary Stern
   
Title:
President, Chief Executive Officer

 
Acknowledged and Agreed to
this 25th day of May, 2016
 
   
   
Mangrove Partners
 
   
By:
/s/ Ward Dietrich
 
Name:
Ward Dietrich
 
 
Title:
Authorized Person
 
 
 
 
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