-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, NLs9EhwxgtbSoDcgt3vrPPCaln06fUwlfUbOiU7DPMGPUq2OoclvO23XNkAbpFFD 4nMzBKdIWZaE4LXnyYeF+g== 0001157523-08-002632.txt : 20080331 0001157523-08-002632.hdr.sgml : 20080331 20080331161819 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001157523-08-002632 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20071231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080331 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080331 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AFFINITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001007508 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PATENT OWNERS & LESSORS [6794] IRS NUMBER: 570991269 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-28152 FILM NUMBER: 08724823 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8807 A TWO NOTCH ROAD STREET 2: SUITE A CITY: COLUMBIA STATE: SC ZIP: 29223 BUSINESS PHONE: 8037582511 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8807 A TWO NOTCH ROAD STREET 2: SUITE A CITY: COLUMBIA STATE: SC ZIP: 29223 10-K 1 a5644917.txt AFFINITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. 10-K UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 [_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ____________ to _____________. Commission file number 0-28152 Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 57-0991269 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 1310 Lady Street, Suite 601 Columbia, SC 29201 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) (803) 758-2511 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share (Title of class) Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [_] No [X] Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [_] No [X] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [_] 1 Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [_] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large Accelerated Filer [_] Accelerated Filer [_] Non-Accelerated Filer [_] Smaller Reporting Company [X] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [_] No [X] The aggregate market value of the Registrant's outstanding Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $2,991,000 as of June 29, 2007. For purposes of such calculation, persons who hold more than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, directors and officers of the Registrant and certain of their immediate family members have been treated as affiliates. This determination is not conclusive. There were 47,142,398 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of March 15, 2008. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Certain portions of the Registrant's proxy statement with respect to the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Registrant have been incorporated by reference herein in response to certain Items in Part III of this report. 2 Introduction As used in this report, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "we," "our," "us" (or similar terms), the "Company" or "Affinity" include Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except that when used with reference to common stock or other securities described herein and in describing the positions held by management of the Company, the term includes only Affinity Technology Group, Inc. The Company maintains a web site at http://www.affi.net, although the contents of such web site are not incorporated into this report. The Company has made its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports available through its web site free of charge through a link to the SEC's web site. These documents are available for access as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these documents with the SEC. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this report, including in Part I, Item 1, "Business" and Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," that are not descriptions of historical facts, such as statements about the Company's future prospects and cash requirements, are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "believe," predict," "potential," "intend," "continue" and similar expressions, although some forward-looking statements may be expressed differently. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, assumptions that may prove inaccurate, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth below in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no ongoing obligation to update these forward-looking statements if we learn that any of the forward-looking statements or the underlying assumptions are incorrect. Part I Item 1. Business Overview Affinity Technology Group, Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1994. Its principal executive offices are located at 1310 Lady Street, Suite 601, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, and its telephone number is (803) 758-2511. Affinity was formed to develop and market technologies that enable financial institutions and other businesses to provide consumer financial services electronically with reduced or no human intervention. Products and services previously offered by Affinity include its DeciSys/RT loan processing system, which automated the processing and consummation of consumer financial services transactions; the Affinity Automated Loan Machine (the ALM), which allowed an applicant to apply for and, if approved, obtain a loan in as little as ten minutes; the Mortgage ALM, which allowed an applicant to apply for a mortgage loan; e-xpertLender, which permitted a financial institution to make automated lending decisions through its call centers and branches; iDEAL, which permitted automobile lenders to make automobile lending decisions for loan applications originated at automobile dealers; and rtDS, which permitted lenders to deliver credit decisions to applicants over the Internet. Due to capital constraints, we have suspended all efforts to further develop, market and operate these products and services. Our last processing contract terminated in late 2002, and we have no plans in the near term to engage in further sales or other activities related to our products or services, other than to attempt to license certain of the patents that we own. Currently, our business activities consist exclusively of attempting to enter into license agreements with third parties to license our rights under certain of our patents and in pursuing the patent litigation described below in an effort to protect our intellectual property and obtain recourse against alleged infringement of our patents. In 2007, our sole revenues from operations were generated from one outstanding license of our patents. 3 Patents and Legal Matters In conjunction with our product development activities, we applied for and obtained three patents. We have been granted two patents covering our fully-automated loan processing systems (U.S. Patent Nos. 5,870,721 C1 and 5,940,811 C1). In August 2000, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") issued to us a patent covering the fully-automated establishment of a financial account including credit accounts (U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007 C1). All of these patents have been subject to reexamination by the PTO as a result of challenges to such patents by third parties. On January 28, 2003, we received a Reexamination Certificate (U. S. Patent No. 5,870,721 C1) from the PTO which formally concluded the reexamination of U. S. Patent No. 5,870,721. On December 20, 2005, we received a Reexamination Certificate (U.S. Patent No. 5,940,811 C1) from the PTO which formally concluded the reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 5,940,811. On July 25, 2006, we received a Reexamination Certificate (U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007 C1) from the PTO which formally concluded the reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007 and which indicated that the reexamination resulted in the full allowance of all the claims of this patent. It is possible that third parties may bring additional actions to contest all or some of our patents. We can give no assurances that we will not lose all or some of the claims covered by our existing patents. In June 2003, we filed a lawsuit against Federated Department Stores, Inc. ("Federated"), and certain of its subsidiaries alleging that Federated infringed one of our patents (U. S. Patent No. 6,105,007). In September 2003, we filed a similar lawsuit against Ameritrade Holding Corporation and its subsidiary, Ameritrade, Inc. (collectively "Ameritrade"), alleging infringement of the same patent. Both lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court in Columbia, South Carolina (the "Columbia Federal Court"), and both sought unspecified damages. In 2004, at the request of Federated and Ameritrade, the PTO determined to reexamine U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007. As a result of the reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007, we, jointly with Federated and Ameritrade, requested the Columbia Federal Court to stay the lawsuits against Federated and Ameritrade pending resolution of the reexamination of U. S. Patent No. 6,105,007. In March 2006, we were notified that the PTO had concluded the reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007 and that such reexamination resulted in the full allowance of all the claims of this patent. As a result of the completion of the PTO's reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007, the stay of these lawsuits against Federated and Ameritrade was automatically lifted, and the lawsuits proceeded. In November 2003, Household International, Inc. ("Household") filed a declaratory judgment action against us in the United States District Court in Wilmington, Delaware (the "Delaware Federal Court"). In its complaint Household requested the Delaware Federal Court to rule that Household was not infringing any of the claims of our patents (U.S. Patent No. 5,870,721 C1, No. 5,940,811, and No. 6,105,007) and that the patents were not valid. We filed counterclaims against Household claiming that Household infringed U. S. Patent No. 5,870,721 C1, No. 5,940,811, and No. 6,105,007. We also filed a motion with the Delaware Federal Court to transfer the case to the Columbia Federal Court. In April 2004, the Delaware Federal Court granted our motion to transfer the case to Columbia Federal Court. As a result of the reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007, we, jointly with Household, requested and received a stay of the Household action from the Columbia Federal Court pending the resolution of the PTO's reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007. As discussed above, the PTO subsequently concluded the reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007. Accordingly, the stay of this lawsuit was automatically lifted, and the lawsuit proceeded. In accordance with the patent infringement lawsuits with Federated, TD Ameritrade (formerly Ameritrade) and HSBC (formerly Household), as described above, a "Markman Hearing" was held in December 2006. Markman hearings are proceedings under U.S. patent law in which plaintiffs and defendants present their arguments to the court as to how they believe the patent claims - which define the scope of the patent holder's rights under the patent - should be interpreted for purposes of determining at trial whether the patents have been infringed. For purposes of the Markman hearing, the Federated, TD Ameritrade and HSBC cases were consolidated into one hearing and held by the Columbia Federal Court. As a result of the Markman proceedings the Columbia Federal Court interpreted and construed the meaning of numerous claim terms which bear on the scope of our patents. Although most claim terms were construed in a manner we believe are favorable, the trial judge interpreted and construed certain claim terms, most notably those related to the term "remote interface" as claimed in our second loan processing patent (U.S. Patent No. 5,940,811 C1) and our financial account patent (U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007 C1), in a manner unacceptable and unfavorable to us. In these patents, the Court interpreted and construed "remote interface" to mean computer equipment, including personal computer equipment, that is not owned by a consumer. The Court applied no such limitation in construing the term "remote interface" under our first loan processing patent (U.S. Patent No. 5,870,721 C1). 4 Subsequent to the Markman ruling, Federated, Ameritrade and HSBC filed summary judgment motions with the Columbia Federal Court requesting that the lawsuits be dismissed. In March 2007, the Columbia Federal Court granted the summary judgment motions filed by Federated and Ameritrade and in April 2007 it granted the summary judgment motions filed by HSBC. Accordingly, our lawsuit with each of the defendants was dismissed. The basis of the Columbia Federal Court's rulings stemmed from the interpretation and application of certain claim terms the Court interpreted and defined as part of the Markman Hearing, as discussed above. We have appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the "Federal Appeals Court") and have requested the Federal Appeals Court to reverse certain of the Markman rulings made by the Columbia Federal Court and grant to us more favorable interpretations and definitions related to certain of the claim terms in our patents. Additionally, the defendants have requested the Federal Appeals Court to reverse certain Markman rulings that we believe were favorable to us. Oral arguments in our cases were heard by the Federal Appeals Court on December 3, 2007. Unless we can obtain a more favorable interpretation of certain claim terms and maintain the favorable rulings we obtained during the Markman hearing, it is possible the scope of our patents could be significantly limited. Furthermore, we believe it is unlikely that the U.S. Supreme Court, the only further appeals body beyond the Federal Appeals Court, will review or reconsider their rulings and, therefore, we believe that the Federal Appeals Court's rulings will be dispositive and will probably determine the outcome of our business. Moreover, we believe that the rulings made by the Columbia Federal Court, including the Markman rulings that necessitated our appeal to the Federal Appeals Court, has and will continue to hinder our ability to license our patents. Further, our appeal will likely require substantial resources and may require an extended period of time to complete, which will in turn likely increase the already significant costs and expected time required to prosecute our existing infringement actions. We do not believe that our existing cash resources will be sufficient to enable us to complete our appeal and, if successful, to complete the prosecution of our lawsuits against the alleged infringers. Accordingly, to remain viable in the near term, it is likely that we will be required to raise additional capital through the sale of debt and/or equity securities or from licensing our patents. We can give no assurance that, in such event, we will be able to raise the resources necessary to complete our appeal. We also can give no assurance that, even if we are able to finance our appeal to completion, such appeal will result in a favorable outcome. Even if we are successful in pursuing our appeal to completion and a favorable outcome, we cannot assure you that we will then have sufficient funding to continue our underlying lawsuits or that such lawsuits would succeed in obtaining a favorable outcome for us. In addition, we and our founder, Jeff Norris, were defendants in a lawsuit filed by Temple Ligon on November 30, 1996 in the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Richland in Columbia, South Carolina. Mr. Ligon claimed, among other things, that Affinity and Mr. Norris breached an agreement to give him a 1% equity interest in Affinity in consideration of services Mr. Ligon claims to have performed in 1993 and 1994 in conjunction with the formation of Affinity, and sought monetary damages of $5,463,000. This lawsuit initially resulted in a jury verdict against us of $68,000. However, Mr. Ligon subsequently requested and was granted a new trial. In January 2004, this lawsuit resulted in another jury verdict against us of $382,148. In connection with the litigation and the resulting jury verdict, we filed post-trial motions with the trial court in which, among other things, we claimed that the jury verdict should be set aside. On July 23, 2004, the trial judge granted our motions, set aside the jury verdict, and ordered entry of a judgment in favor of us. The plaintiff appealed the trial judge's ruling to the South Carolina Court of Appeals (the "South Carolina Appeals Court"). On October 30, 2006, the South Carolina Appeals Court reversed the trial judge's decision and reinstated the jury verdict of $382,148. Our petition to the South Carolina Appeals Court for a rehearing of this case was denied, and we petitioned the South Carolina Supreme Court to hear this case and to grant us relief from this ruling. In October 2007, we were notified that the South Carolina Supreme Court had denied our petition to hear this case. Accordingly, we have no further legal recourse and a judgment will be entered against us of $382,148, plus accrued interest. At this time, we do not have the cash resources to pay this judgment. We will continue to evaluate our options to resolve or postpone any payments related to this matter; however, if we are required to pay more than an insignificant amount in connection with this judgment in the near term, we would be forced to consider alternatives for winding down our business, which may include offering our patents for sale or filing for bankruptcy protection. 5 To date, we have generated substantial operating losses and have been required to use a substantial amount of cash resources to fund our operations. At December 31, 2007, we had cash and cash equivalents of $50,217 and a working capital deficit of $4,257,741. We generally have been unable to enter into licensing agreements with potential licensees upon terms that are acceptable to us and, as discussed above, we have sought recourse through litigation with alleged infringers of our patents. Additionally and as also discussed above, our lawsuits against the alleged infringers have been dismissed by the Columbia Federal Court, and we have appealed to the Federal Appeals Court. We are not certain as to the length of time it will take to complete our appeal. We do not believe that our existing cash resources will be sufficient to complete the appeals process and, if successful, to allow us to complete the prosecution of our lawsuits against the alleged infringers. Accordingly, to remain viable in the near term, it is likely that we will be required to raise additional capital through the sale of debt and/or equity securities or from licensing our patents. We can give no assurances, however, that we will be able to raise additional capital or generate capital from our patent licensing business at all or in amounts sufficient to complete our appeal. Unless we raise additional capital, we may have to consider alternatives for winding down our business, which may include offering our patents for sale or filing for bankruptcy protection. Patent Licensing Agent On May 27, 2003, our decisioning.com, Inc. subsidiary, which owns our patent portfolio, entered into a legal representation agreement with Withrow & Terranova, PLLC ("W&T"), pursuant to which decisioning.com appointed W&T as its exclusive representative for the solicitation and negotiation of agreements to license our patents. (This arrangement replaced the former patent licensing agent agreement between decisioning.com and Information Ventures LLC d/b/a LPS Group, which was terminated on April 30, 2003.) Under the agreement, W&T agreed to promote, market, solicit, and negotiate the licensing of our patents with third parties and to represent decisioning.com as legal counsel in connection with any patent litigation associated with the enforcement of our patents. As compensation for its services under the agreement, W&T was to receive 25% of all revenues received by decisioning.com under any patent agreements and 25% of all amounts paid in settlement of any patent litigation commenced by decisioning.com. The term of the agreement is for the life of the patents, subject to either party's right to terminate the agreement for "cause," as specified in the agreement, and without cause following the third anniversary of the agreement. If the agreement is terminated by decisioning.com, W&T will be entitled to continue to receive compensation attributable to patent agreements negotiated prior to termination and, if such termination is without cause, compensation for certain future patent agreements. In July 2006, we engaged McBride Law, PC (the "McBride Firm") to assist us and W&T in connection with our patent licensing program and related litigation. In conjunction with the engagement of the McBride Firm we amended our agreement with W&T and agreed to pay W&T and the McBride Firm a fee equal to 19% and 6%, respectively, of all amounts received from parties against whom we have commenced litigation, all other revenues received by us pursuant to any patent agreements (subject to reduction in certain events), and all amounts received from the sale of our patents. We have also agreed to pay W&T and the McBride Firm 50% of their billing rates for their services. Otherwise, the terms of the agreements with W&T and McBride Law are consistent with the terms discussed above. Competition The market for technologies that enable electronic commerce is highly competitive and is subject to rapid innovation and technological change, shifting consumer preferences, new product introductions and competition from traditional methods having all or some of the same features as technologies enabling electronic commerce. Competitors in this market have frequently taken different strategic approaches and have launched substantially different products or services in order to exploit the same perceived market opportunity. Until the market actually validates a strategy through widespread acceptance of a product or service, it is difficult to identify all current or potential market participants. There can be no assurance that the technologies covered by our patents will be competitive technologically or otherwise. 6 Electronic commerce technologies in general, including the methods covered by our patents, compete with traditional methods for processing financial transactions. The success of our patent licensing efforts will depend in part on consumer acceptance of electronic commerce and industry use of systems that are covered by our patents. Intellectual Property We were issued two patents in 1999 covering systems and methods for real-time loan processing over a computer network without human intervention ("System and Method for Real-time Loan Approval," U.S. Patent No. 5,870,721, and "Closed-loop Financial Transaction Method and Apparatus," U.S. Patent No. 5,940,811). Both of our patents covering fully automated loan processing systems expire in 2013 and have been subject to reexamination by the PTO at the request of third parties who challenged the validity of the patents. On January 28, 2003, we received a Reexamination Certificate (U.S. Patent No. 5,870,721 C1) relating to the completion of the PTO's reexamination of U. S. Patent No. 5,870,721. On December 20, 2005, we received a Reexamination Certificate (U.S. Patent No. 5,940,811 C1) relating to the completion of the PTO's reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 5,940,811. In August 2000, we were issued a patent covering the automated establishment of a financial account without human intervention ("Automatic Financial Account Processing System," U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007). This patent also expires in 2013. On June 23, 2004, we were notified by the PTO that it had granted a reexamination request previously filed by Federated and Ameritrade to reexamine U. S. Patent No. 6,105,007. On July 25, 2006, we received a Reexamination Certificate (U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007 C1) from the PTO which formally concluded the reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007 and which indicated that the reexamination resulted in the full allowance of all the claims of this patent. As discussed above, we had lawsuits pending against Federated and Ameritrade in the Columbia Federal Court involving our claim that both Federated and Ameritrade infringed U. S. Patent No. 6,105,007 C1. We had similar litigation pending against Household International, Inc. ("Household"), involving our claim that Household infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,870,721 C1, No. 5,940,811 C1 and No. 6,105,007 C1. As also explained above, the Columbia Federal Court has dismissed those lawsuits and we are in the process of appealing certain Markman rulings made by the Columbia Federal Court which we believe were the basis of the dismissal of our lawsuits. Other parties may take actions to challenge our patents. We can make no assurances that we will not lose all or some of the claims covered by our existing patents as the result of such challenges or other litigation, including actions initiated by us, regarding our patents. Our success is completely dependent upon our ability to defend and license our patents. There can be no assurance that we will be able to protect our intellectual property rights under our patents. Moreover, there can be no assurance that new technological innovations will not be developed and widely accepted by the market which will render obsolete the types of systems and methods over which we believe we have proprietary intellectual property rights. Employees At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we employed 2 full-time employees. We have no collective bargaining agreements. 7 Item 1A. Risk Factors An investment in our common stock involves numerous types of risks and a high degree of risk generally. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information contained in this report, in evaluating our Company and any potential investment in our common stock. If any of the following risks or uncertainties occurs, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially and adversely affected, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or a part of your investment in our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described in this section are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. We have limited capital resources and have continued to incur significant operating losses, all of which threaten and raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We have generated net losses of $73,422,095 since our inception and have financed our operations primarily through net proceeds from our initial public offering in May 1996 and cash generated from operations and other financing transactions. Net proceeds from our initial public offering were $60,088,516. Our substantial operating losses have required us to use a substantial amount of cash resources to fund our operations. Net cash used by operations during the year ended December 31, 2007, was $976,761, and at December 31, 2007, we had a working capital deficit of $4,257,741. See Part 1, Item 1, "Business" and Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity." We generally have been unable to enter into licensing agreements with potential licensees upon terms that are acceptable to us, and have pursued litigation against alleged infringers, as described further in Part 1, Item 1, "Business." To pursue an appeal of unfavorable rulings issued in December 2006 in a Markman hearing, and to continue vigorously pursue these lawsuits generally, we anticipate that we will need to increase our operating expenses due to, among other things, increased litigation costs and related expenses. Accordingly, to remain viable through 2008, it is critical that we raise additional capital through the sale of debt and/or equity securities or from licensing our patents. No assurances can be given that we will be able to raise additional capital or generate capital from our patent licensing business. Unless we raise additional capital, we may have to consider alternatives for winding down our business, which may include offering our patents for sale or filing for bankruptcy protection. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our audited financial statements included with this report contains a statement noting that our recent history of losses, combined with other factors, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Although our plans to address these issues are discussed in Note 1 to the audited financial statements included in this report and elsewhere in this report, these plans are subject to numerous risks and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and we can give no assurance as to whether or how long we may be able to succeed in addressing these issues and maintaining our viability as a going concern. We have incurred and continue to incur significant debt relative to our revenues and if we are unable to repay this debt when due, as we have experienced in the past, our operations and flexibility may be restricted and the viability of our Company may be threatened. In 2002, we initiated a convertible note program under which we were authorized to issue up to $1,500,000 principal amount of our 8% convertible secured notes (the "notes"). In February 2006, the convertible note program was amended to allow us to issue up to $3,000,000 of our notes. Prior to August 2006, we had issued an aggregate of $1,575,336 principal amount of notes under this program, including notes with an aggregate principal amount of $536,336 that have been converted into shares of our common stock. These notes bear interest at 8%, are convertible into our common stock at a conversion rate of $.20 per share (for notes issued prior to the April 2006 amendment to the program) or $.50 per share (for notes issued in May 2006), and are secured by our equity interest in our decisioning.com, Inc. subsidiary, which owns our patent portfolio. Principal and interest under these notes generally becomes payable in full on the second anniversary of the date on which these notes were issued. However, under the terms of the notes, the full amount of principal and interest under all notes may be declared immediately due and payable in certain events, including bankruptcy or similar proceedings involving us, a default in the payment of principal and interest under any note, or a change in control of the Company. 8 From June 2004 through August 2006, we were in default regarding payment of principal and interest due under certain of the notes. Accordingly, the full amount of principal and interest outstanding under all notes was payable at the option of all noteholders. At December 31, 2005, the amount of principal and accrued interest outstanding under all of the notes was $1,595,906. In August 2006, we and the holders of all outstanding notes entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement under which such holders agreed to extend the maturity date of such notes by exchanging them (including all interest accrued thereon) for new two-year notes due in August 2008 in the aggregate principal amount of $1,268,027. Under the amended note purchase agreement, we may issue notes in the aggregate principal amount of up to $5,000,000 (including the notes issued to current noteholders, as described in the preceding sentence) having an exercise price determined by us and each investor at the time of issuance. The new notes issued in August 2006 have the same terms as the old notes exchanged therefor, except that the new notes will mature in August 2008. Of the new notes issued, notes with a principal amount of $1,115,068 are convertible into shares of our common stock at $.20 per share, and notes with a principal amount of $152,959 are convertible into shares of our common stock at $.50 per share. The new notes include a note in the principal amount of $166,863 issued to our Chief Executive Officer and a note in the principal amount of $122,115 issued to a subsidiary of The South Financial Group. The South Financial Group Foundation, a non-profit foundation established by the South Financial Group, owns approximately 10% of our outstanding capital stock. In September 2006, we sold additional convertible notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,905,000. The terms of these notes are the same as the notes we previously issued, except that they may be converted into our common stock at a rate of $.42 per share. Although our refinancing in August 2006 (due in August 2008) of the notes under which we were previously in default and our additional issuance of notes in September 2006 (due in September 2008) have afforded us additional time and resources to execute our business strategy, we can give no assurance that we will be successful in doing so or in generating revenues sufficient to repay this indebtedness when due. In such an event, the lenders under these notes would have the option to declare all amounts under the notes due and payable, and our resulting inability to pay could force us to liquidate or otherwise wind down our business operations, including our possible filing for bankruptcy protection and the potential loss of our patents through sale or foreclosure by the holders of the notes pursuant to their security interest in our patents. Our business depends exclusively on the success of our patent licensing program, which if unsuccessful, will threaten our survival. Due to capital constraints, we have suspended efforts to deploy our loan processing products and services. Our business activities currently consist exclusively of attempting to license certain of our patents. Our prospects are wholly dependent on our ability to finance and execute a sustainable patent licensing program. Even though we believe there are companies that may be using systems, processes and methods covered by our patents, it is not known whether we will be able to enter into any new licensing agreements. Moreover, we may not have the resources to sustain our patent licensing program, enforce our patent rights, finance any related litigation, or successfully negotiate patent licenses on terms that will generate meaningful future revenues. We are further subject to the risk that negotiations to license our patents may be lengthy and that it may be necessary for us to become involved in additional litigation to assert and protect our intellectual property rights. To date, we generally have been unable to enter into licensing agreements with potential licensees upon terms that are acceptable to us. As a result, we have been forced to become involved in litigation with alleged infringers. Currently, we are involved in the appeal of adverse rulings related to three patent litigation actions. We believe that this appeal and, if successful, the related lawsuits, may take an extended period of time to complete. We can give no assurance that we will have the resources necessary to complete our appeal and, if successful, the related lawsuits or that we will be successful in obtaining a favorable outcome. Prolonged patent litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial position. 9 Challenges to our patents could significantly diminish or eliminate any potential value these patents may have to us. All of our patents have been subject to reexamination by the PTO as a result of challenges to such patents by third parties. Additionally, we have pursued lawsuits against alleged infringers of our patents. For more information regarding these reexaminations and lawsuits, see Part I, Item 1, "Business." In conjunction with these lawsuits, a Markman hearing was held in December 2006, in which the court interpreted certain of our patent's claim terms in a manner unacceptable and unfavorable to us. Unless we can obtain a more favorable interpretation of the claim terms, through our appeal of the ruling, which may require substantial resources and extended time to complete, it is likely that the scope of our patents would be significantly limited. Defendants in these lawsuits have challenged the validity of our patents by requesting reexaminations and otherwise, and we expect that current or future defendants will continue to challenge the validity of our patents and assert non-infringement as a defense. It is also possible that other third parties may bring additional actions to contest all or some of our patents. We may lose all or some of the claims covered by our existing patents as a result of existing or future challenges. The loss of all or some of our claims or a significant limitation of such claims could have a material adverse effect on our ability to execute a successful patent licensing program. Moreover, if other parties request reexaminations of or otherwise challenge our patents in the future, we are subject to the risk that such proceeding may not be resolved to our satisfaction on a timely basis, if at all. Any such proceeding may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial position. Further, in the event a challenge to our patents results in a significant loss of all or some of our claims, our only remedy may be to contest the decision, which would likely be a lengthy process. Due to our limited capital resources, we do not believe that we could successfully contest such a decision without additional cash resources. If the e-commerce channels and processes on which our patents depend are rendered obsolete, incompatible, or undesirable due to changes in technology, the underlying laws governing patents, shifting consumer preferences or competition from products and services delivered by more traditional or other means, our business and the potential value of our patents would be materially and adversely affected. Our patents are specific to the e-commerce businesses of the financial services industry and generally cover the automated establishment of loans, financial accounts and credit accounts using specific e-commerce related systems, processes and methods. The market for products and services that enable e-commerce is subject to change and technological development, shifting consumer preferences, new product introductions and competition from traditional products and services having all or some of the same features as products and services which enable e-commerce. It is possible that new products or technologies may be developed that may render obsolete the systems, processes and methods over which we believe we have intellectual property rights. Moreover, the delivery of products and services through e-commerce channels is not fully developed, and competition from traditional channels to deliver these same products and services is intense. Any wide-scale rejection of e-commerce channels by consumers will have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial position. Because of the highly technical and specialized business of patent licensing, our success depends on the expertise and efforts of third parties we engage at significant expense. Patent licensing is a highly technical and specialized business which requires that we rely on the services of third parties. We have appointed Withrow & Terranova, PLLC ("W&T") as our exclusive patent licensing agent. Under the terms of the agreement, W&T has agreed, among other things, to perform market research, initiate the sales of patent license agreements, negotiate patent licensing arrangements with third parties, and represent us as legal counsel in connection with the enforcement of our patents. Accordingly, we are dependent on the efforts of W&T to successfully execute our patent licensing program. Additionally, the agreement requires W&T to coordinate the engagement of experts, on terms satisfactory to us, if litigation becomes necessary to enforce our patent rights. Moreover, experts frequently request and charge significant fees. In addition, because of the specialized knowledge required to perform these duties, we may not be able to critically evaluate the advice, efforts, judgments and recommendations of these experts and to know whether our interests would be better served by additional or different advice or expertise. To the extent the advice, efforts, judgments or recommendations of our third party experts prove inferior to other alternatives, our patent licensing program, business prospects and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected. 10 Our quarterly results tend to fluctuate significantly, which could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Since inception, our quarterly results have fluctuated and have not been susceptible to meaningful period-to-period comparisons. We believe that we may continue to experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results in the foreseeable future. We anticipate that our period-to-period revenue and operating results will depend on numerous factors, including our ability to successfully negotiate and enter into patent licensing agreements and the timing, terms and the pricing attributes of any such agreements. We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results are not meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. The uncertainty regarding the extent and timing of our revenues, coupled with the risk of substantial fluctuations in our quarterly operating results may have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock. The loss of the services of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer could have a material adverse effect on our business and our existing financial condition and adversely affect our ability to recruit and retain key employees and executives to further our business interests. We are highly dependent on the services of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph A. Boyle, but do not have an employment agreement with Mr. Boyle or "key man" insurance on his life. The complete loss of the services of Mr. Boyle could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. Based on our existing financial condition, we maintain a minimal staff and have not sought to recruit new key employees and executives who possess the experience, knowledge and skills to assist us in furthering our business interests or expanding our operations. In any event, we believe that it would be difficult to attract and retain such employees in light of our existing financial condition. We have a significant number of securities outstanding that are convertible into our common stock, and the conversion of these securities could result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders. We have issued notes that are convertible into common stock at $0.20, $0.50 and $0.42 per share, which conversion prices could be substantially less than the market price of the common stock at the time of conversion. The issuance of stock at a price that is less than the market price could have an immediate adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, we have issued options and warrants to acquire shares of our common stock. See Notes 4 & 5 to our audited financial statements included in this report for more information regarding these convertible notes, options and warrants. We may issue additional convertible notes or warrants in connection with financing arrangements and may grant additional stock options that may further dilute our common stock. The exercise of such securities would have a dilutive effect on our common stock. Also, to the extent that persons who acquire shares under all the foregoing agreements sell those shares in the open market, the price of our shares may decrease due to additional shares in the market. Our common stock is subject to significant fluctuations in price and volume, which could cause rapid and significant losses in the value of our common stock and subject us to litigation from stockholders. Our common stock price has been volatile and has experienced substantial and sudden fluctuations in response to a number of events and factors. In addition, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have especially affected the market prices of equity securities of many companies directly and indirectly involved in the technology sector, and that often have been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. These broad market fluctuations have adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against such a company. The institution of such litigation against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and resources, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. 11 Our common stock is considered a penny stock and is not traded on a regulated market such as NASDAQ or a major stock exchange. Accordingly, our common stock may be more difficult to trade, and investors may lose the benefit of certain rules and regulations that govern securities traded in regulated markets. Our common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. Securities in the OTC market are generally more difficult to trade than those on the NASDAQ National Market, the NASDAQ SmallCap Market or the major stock exchanges. In addition, accurate price quotations are also more difficult to obtain. The trading market for our common stock is also subject to special regulations governing the sale of penny stock. A "penny stock" is defined by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission as an equity security with a market price of less than $5.00 per share. If you buy or sell a penny stock from a broker or dealer, these regulations require that you receive, prior to the transaction, a disclosure explaining the penny stock market and associated risks. Furthermore, trading in our common stock is generally subject to Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act. Under this rule, broker-dealers who recommend our securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must make a special written suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to a transaction prior to sale. Penny stock regulations tend to reduce market liquidity of our common stock, because they limit the broker-dealers' ability to trade, and a purchaser's ability to sell the stock in the secondary market. The low price of our common stock will have a negative effect on the amount and percentage of transaction costs paid by individual shareholders. The low price of our common stock may also limit our ability to raise additional capital by issuing additional shares. In addition, companies whose securities are listed on NASDAQ or other major stock exchanges are required to comply with certain corporate governance and disclosure requirements that are designed to protect investors in those stocks. Because our common stock is not so regulated, our observance of many of these requirements and practices is not mandated, and to the extent we determine not to observe such practices or are unable to do so because of cost constraints, investors in our common stock will not have the benefit of these protections, and the price of our common stock may be materially and adversely affected. Certain provisions of Delaware law and our governing documents could prevent or delay a change in control of our Company, and could adversely affect the value of our common stock. Certain provisions of Delaware law and the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company. Such provisions could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions of Delaware law and our Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws may also have the effect of discouraging or preventing certain types of transactions involving an actual or threatened change of control of the Company (including unsolicited takeover attempts), even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price. Certain of these provisions allow us to issue preferred stock with rights senior to those of the common stock and other rights that could adversely affect the interests of holders of common stock without any further vote or action by our stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock, for example, could decrease the amount of earnings or assets available for distribution to the holders of common stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of the common stock. In certain circumstances, such issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common stock, as well as having the anti-takeover effects discussed above. 12 Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments Not applicable. Item 2. Properties Our principal executive offices are located at 1310 Lady Street, Suite 601, in Columbia, South Carolina. Such office space encompasses approximately 900 square feet and is currently under a prepaid two-year lease which will expire in December 2008. We also lease warehouse space located in Columbia, South Carolina, which encompasses approximately 4,000 square feet. Such space is under a month-to-month lease. Item 3. Legal Proceedings The information above in Part I, Item 1, "Business--Patents and Legal Matters," is incorporated herein by reference in response to this Item 3. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Not applicable. Item 4A. Executive Officers The information regarding our executive officers set forth in Part III, Item 10 of this report under "Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant" is incorporated herein in response to this Item 4A. 13 Part II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (a) Since February 12, 2001, our common stock has traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "AFFI." Our common stock traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market from March 27, 2000 to February 12, 2001. Prior to March 27, 2000, the Company's common stock was traded on the Nasdaq National Market. The following table presents the high and low sales prices of our Common Stock for the periods indicated during 2007 and 2006 as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not represent actual transactions. As of March 13, 2008, there were approximately 415 stockholders of record of our Common Stock. Sales Price Per --------------- Share ----- High Low ---- --- 2007 First Quarter 0.20 0.07 Second Quarter 0.16 0.06 Third Quarter 0.10 0.07 Fourth Quarter 0.19 0.07 2006 First Quarter 0.85 0.08 Second Quarter 0.82 0.16 Third Quarter 0.60 0.15 Fourth Quarter 0.50 0.15 On March 13, 2008, the high and low sales prices of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board were $ 0.14 and $ 0.13, respectively. We have never paid dividends on our capital stock. We intend to retain earnings, if any, for use in our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. On November 22, 2007, The Company issued 1,875,000 shares of its common stock to Withrow and Terranova, PLLC ("W&T), the Company's patent agent and counsel in consideration of $150,000 in legal services provided in connection with our appeal to the Federal Appeals Court of the adverse rulings of the Columbia Federal Court as described under Part I, Item I, "Business - Patents and Legal Matters." These securities were issued in an exempt private transaction not involving any public offering in reliance on exemptions under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. (b) Not applicable (c) Not applicable 14 Item 6. Selected Financial Data The following table presents selected financial data of the Company for the periods indicated. The following financial data should be read in conjunction with the information set forth under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and other information included elsewhere in this report.
Year Ended December 31, 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Statement of Operations Data: Revenues $ 33,333 $ 33,333 $ 20,261 $ 287,298 $ 517,647 ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Cost and expenses: Cost of revenues 3,333 3,333 2,026 64,265 1,765 General and administrative expenses 1,271,864 2,606,386 486,607 732,285 996,711 ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total costs and expenses 1,275,197 2,609,719 488,633 796,550 998,476 ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Operating loss (1,241,864) (2,576,386) (468,372) (509,252) (480,829) Interest income 14,964 17,907 182 1,967 694 Interest expense (251,254) (141,043) (98,197) (95,990) (80,373) Litigation accrual reversal - - - 386,148 - ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Net loss $(1,478,154) $ (2,699,522) $ (566,387) $ (217,127) $ (560,508) ============= ============== ============== ============== ============== Loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.03) $ (0.06) $ (0.01) $ (0.01) $ (0.01) ============= ============== ============== ============== ============== Shares used in computing net loss per share 45,467,740 44,194,562 42,207,884 41,926,272 41,512,897 ============= ============== ============== ============== ==============
December 31, 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 ----------------- -------------- -------------- ----------------- -------------------- Balance Sheet Data: Cash and cash equivalents $ 50,217 $ 1,026,978 $ 13,776 $ 62,756 $ 578,398 Working capital (4,257,741) (34,451) (1,992,056) (1,524,772) (909,356) Total assets 133,712 1,112,246 152,311 121,240 618,002 Convertible notes and accrued interest 3,476,342 (2) 3,225,089 1,595,906 (2) 1,383,149 (2) 1,291,841 (1) Stockholder's deficiency (4,251,364) (3,279,752) (2,048,371) (1,513,523) (1,329,579)
- -------------------------------- (1) Of the amount outstanding under the convertible notes as of December 31, 2003, $756,336 was classified as a current liability and, accordingly, is included in the working capital of the Company at December 31, 2003, set forth above. (2) All amounts outstanding under the convertible notes as of December 31, 2007, 2005 and 2004, were classified as a current liability and, accordingly, are included in the working capital of the Company at December 31, 2007, 2005 and 2004, set forth above. 15 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Overview Affinity was formed in 1994 to develop and market technologies that enable financial institutions and other businesses to provide consumer financial services electronically with reduced or no human intervention. Due to capital constraints, we have suspended efforts to deploy products and services that use our loan processing system, DeciSys/RT, in order to focus our efforts exclusively on attempting to license certain of our patents. Currently, our business activities consist exclusively of attempting to enter into license agreements with third parties to license our rights under certain of our patents and in pursuing patent litigation in an effort to protect our intellectual property and obtain recourse against alleged infringement of our patents. Accordingly, our prospects are wholly dependent on these efforts to finance and execute a sustainable patent licensing program. As more fully described above in Part I, Item 1, "Business--Patents and Legal Matters" in conjunction with our product development activities, we applied for and obtained three patents, two of which cover fully-automated loan processing systems and one of which covers the fully-automated establishment of a financial account, including credit accounts.. All of these patents have been subject to reexamination by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") as a result of third party challenges. It is possible that third parties may bring additional actions to contest all or some of our patents, and we can give no assurance that we will not lose all or some of the claims covered by our existing patents. In addition, as described more fully above in Part I, Item 1, "Business--Patents and Legal Matters," we have been involved in lawsuits to determine whether our patents are being infringed. In December 2006, a "Markman Hearing" was held in connection with these infringement actions. Markman hearings are proceedings under U.S. patent law in which plaintiffs and defendants present their arguments to the court as to how they believe the patent claims - which define the scope of the patent holder's rights under the patent - should be interpreted for purposes of determining at trial whether the patents have been infringed. For purposes of the Markman hearing, the Federated, TD Ameritrade and HSBC cases were consolidated into one hearing and held by the United States District Court for the State of South Carolina (the "Columbia Federal Court"). As a result of the Markman proceedings, the Columbia Federal Court interpreted and construed the meaning of numerous claim terms which bear on the scope of the patents. Although most claim terms were construed in a manner we believe are favorable, the trial judge interpreted and construed certain claim terms, most notably those related to the term "remote interface" as claimed in our second loan processing patent (U.S. Patent No. 5,940,811 C1) and our financial account patent (U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007 C1), in a manner unacceptable and unfavorable to us. In these patents, the Court interpreted and construed "remote interface" to mean computer equipment, including personal computer equipment, that is not owned by a consumer. The Court applied no such limitation in construing the term "remote interface" under our first loan processing patent (U.S. Patent No. 5,870,721 C1). We appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the "Federal Appeals Court") and have requested the Federal Appeals Court to reverse certain of the Markman rulings made by the Columbia Federal Court and grant to us more favorable interpretations and definitions related to certain of the claim terms in our patents. Additionally, the defendants have requested the Federal Appeals Court to reverse certain Markman rulings that we believe were favorable to us. Oral arguments in our cases were heard by the Federal Appeals Court on December 3, 2007. Unless we can obtain a more favorable interpretation of certain claim terms and maintain the favorable rulings we obtained during the Markman hearing, it is possible the scope of our patents could be significantly limited. Furthermore, we believe it is unlikely that the U.S. Supreme Court, the only further appeals body beyond the Federal Appeals Court, will review or reconsider their rulings and, therefore, we believe that the Federal Appeals Court's rulings will be dispositive and will probably determine the outcome of our business. Moreover, we believe that the rulings made by the Columbia Federal Court, including the Markman rulings that necessitated our appeal to the Federal Appeals Court, has and will continue to hinder our ability to license our patents. Further, our appeal will likely require substantial resources and may require an extended period of time to complete, which will in turn likely increase the already significant costs and expected time required to prosecute our existing infringement actions. We do not believe that our existing cash resources will be sufficient to enable us to complete our appeal and, if successful, to complete the prosecution of our lawsuits against the alleged infringers. Accordingly, to remain viable in the near term, it is likely that the Company will be required to raise additional capital through the sale of debt and/or equity securities or from licensing our patents. We can give no assurance that, in such event, we will be able to raise the resources necessary to complete our appeal. We also can give no assurance that, even if we are able to finance our appeal to completion, such appeal will result in a favorable outcome. Even if we are successful in pursuing our appeal to completion and a favorable outcome, we cannot assure you that we will then have sufficient funding to continue our underlying lawsuits or that such lawsuits would succeed in obtaining a favorable outcome for us. 16 In addition, we and our founder, Jeff Norris, were defendants in a lawsuit filed by Temple Ligon on November 30, 1996 in the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Richland in Columbia, South Carolina. Mr. Ligon claimed, among other things, that Affinity and Mr. Norris breached an agreement to give him a 1% equity interest in Affinity in consideration of services Mr. Ligon claims to have performed in 1993 and 1994 in conjunction with the formation of Affinity, and sought monetary damages of $5,463,000. This lawsuit initially resulted in a jury verdict against us of $68,000. However, Mr. Ligon subsequently requested and was granted a new trial. In January 2004, this lawsuit resulted in another jury verdict against us of $382,148. In connection with the litigation and the resulting jury verdict, we filed post-trial motions with the trial court in which, among other things, we claimed that the jury verdict should be set aside. On July 23, 2004, the trial judge granted our motions, set aside the jury verdict, and ordered entry of a judgment in favor of us. The plaintiff appealed the trial judge's ruling to the South Carolina Court of Appeals (the "South Carolina Appeals Court"). On October 30, 2006, the South Carolina Appeals Court reversed the trial judge's decision and reinstated the jury verdict of $382,148. Our petition to the South Carolina Appeals Court for a rehearing of this case was denied, and we petitioned the South Carolina Supreme Court to hear this case and to grant us relief from this ruling. In October 2007, we were notified that the South Carolina Supreme Court had denied our petition to hear this case. Accordingly, we have no further legal recourse and a judgment will be entered against us of $382,148, plus accrued interest. At this time, we do not have the cash resources to pay this judgment. We will continue to evaluate our options to resolve or postpone any payments related to this matter; however, if we are required to pay more than an insignificant amount in connection with this judgment in the near term, we would be forced to consider alternatives for winding down our business, which may include offering our patents for sale or filing for bankruptcy protection. To date, we have generated substantial operating losses and have been required to use a substantial amount of cash resources to fund our operations. At December 31, 2007, we had cash and cash equivalents of $50,217 and a working capital deficit of $4,257,741. We generally have been unable to enter into licensing agreements with potential licensees upon terms that are acceptable to us and, as discussed above, we have sought recourse through litigation with alleged infringers of our patents. Additionally and as also discussed above, our lawsuits against the alleged infringers have been dismissed by the Columbia Federal Court, and we have initiated an appeal to the Federal Appeals Court. We are not certain as to the length of time it will take to complete our appeal. We do not believe that our existing cash resources will be sufficient to complete the appeals process and, if successful, to allow us to complete the prosecution of our lawsuits against the alleged infringers. Accordingly, to remain viable in the near term, it is likely that we will be required to raise additional capital through the sale of debt and/or equity securities or from licensing our patents. We can give no assurances, however, that we will be able to raise additional capital or generate capital from our patent licensing business at all or in amounts sufficient to complete our appeal. Unless we raise additional capital, we may have to consider alternatives for winding down our business, which may include offering our patents for sale or filing for bankruptcy protection. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our audited financial statements included with this report contains a statement noting that our recent history of losses, combined with other factors, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Although our plans to address these issues are discussed in Note 1 to the audited financial statements included in this report and elsewhere in this report, these plans are subject to numerous risks and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and we can give no assurance as to whether or how long we may be able to succeed in addressing these issues and maintaining our viability as a going concern. Critical Accounting Policies We apply certain accounting policies which are important in understanding our results of operations and the information presented in the consolidated financial statements. We consider critical accounting policies to be those that require more significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our financial statements and include the valuation reserve on net deferred tax assets. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that we estimate is more likely than not to be realized. As of December 31, 2007, we recorded a valuation allowance that reduced our deferred tax assets to zero. 17 Results of Operations Revenues. Our revenues from continuing operations were $33,333, $33,333 and $20,261 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The types of revenue we recognized are as follows:
Years ended December 31, 2007 2006 2005 ----------------------- ---------------------- --------------------------- Amount % of Amount % of Amount % of Total Total Total -------------- -------- ------------ --------- ------------- ------------- Patent license revenue $ 33,333 100.0 $ 33,333 100.0 $ 20,261 100.0
Patent license revenue. We recognized patent licensing revenue of $33,333, $33,333 and $20,261 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, we recognized patent licensing revenue associated with the annual fee from one patent license agreement executed in 1999. Costs and Expenses Costs of Revenues. Costs of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were $3,333 $3,333 and $2,026, respectively. Cost of revenues consists of commissions paid to our patent licensing agents. General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative ("G&A") expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $1,271,864, compared to $2,606,386 and $486,607 for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. G&A expenses have fluctuated significantly over the past three years and depend to a great extent on the level of our business activities and particularly, the level of litigation in which we are involved in a period. The components of G&A expenses incurred in 2007, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
Years ended December 31, 2007 2006 2005 ---------------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- Amount % of Amount % of Amount % of Total Total Total ------------- -------------- -------------- ------- ----------- ----------- Salaries and benefits $ 400,846 31.5 $268,381 10.3 $ 248,415 51.1 Stock-based compensation 356,542 28.0 874,081 33.5 - - Professional fees 416,583 32.8 971,773 37.3 138,768 28.5 Litigation accrual - - 382,148 14.7 - - Insurance 47,530 3.7 47,078 1.8 54,251 11.1 Rent 29,184 2.3 20,518 0.8 25,820 5.3 Other 21,179 1.7 42,407 1.6 19,353 4.0 ------------- -------------- -------------- ------- ----------- ----------- $ 1,271,864 100.0 $2,606,386 100.0 $ 486,607 100.0 ============= ============== ============== ======= =========== ===========
G&A expenses decreased by $1,334,522 in 2007 compared to 2006. The overall decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in stock-based compensation, professional fees and a nonrecurring litigation accrual which was recognized in 2006 and explained further below. The overall decrease was offset by an increase of $132,465 in salaries and benefits expenses in 2007 compared to 2006. This increase was due to the full-time employment of our Chief Executive Officer in 2007 (compared to part-time employment in 2006) and higher rates of pay for our employees in 2007 compared to 2006. Professional fees decreased in 2007 as a result of lower levels of activity associated with our patent litigation in 2007 compared to 2006. In 2007, stock-based compensation consisted solely of the recognition of expenses associated with stock options issued in periods prior to 2007. As more fully explained below, we issued a substantive number of stock options and warrants in 2006. 18 G&A expenses increased $2,119,779 in 2006 compared to 2005. As indicated in the above table, G&A expenses increased $2,089,234 as a result of an increase in stock compensation, professional fees and a litigation accrual. In 2006, we issued options to our executives and directors in conjunction with a non-qualified option plan adopted by our Board of Directors. We also issued warrants to our investment advisor for services associated with the investment advisor's assistance in raising capital and other advisory services. As a result of the option and warrant grants, we recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $874,081. Professional fees increased $833,005 in 2006 compared to 2005, most of which was related to our patent infringement lawsuits. In March 2006, we were notified by the PTO that the reexamination of our U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007 had been concluded. The conclusion of the reexamination resulted in the lifting of the stays of our patent infringement lawsuits with Federated, TD Ameritrade and HSBC. The lawsuits proceeded during the remainder of 2006 with a corresponding increase in legal and other professional fees. We also accrued $382,148 to reflect the reinstatement by the South Carolina Court of Appeals of a jury verdict previously set aside by the trial judge in 2004. Interest Income Interest income was $14,964, $17,907 and $182 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and primarily reflects interest income attributable to our cash balances. The decrease in interest income in 2007 compared to 2006 is related to lower average cash balances in 2007. The increase in interest income in 2006 over 2005, is related to the interest earned on cash balances associated with the sale of our convertible notes in September 2006 in the aggregate principal amount of $1,905,000. Interest Expense Interest expense was $251,254, $141,043 and $98,197 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Interest expense is primarily associated with the interest on $3,480,336 aggregate principal amount of convertible notes issued in installments in June 2002 ($830,336), March 2003 ($200,000), August 2003 ($25,000), November 2003 ($150,000), December 2003 ($50,000), January 2004 ($25,000), May 2005 ($75,000), August 2005 ($45,000) and December 2005 ($25,000), May 2006 ($150,000) and September 2006 ($1,905,000). Of the aggregate note principal issued, aggregate principal in the amount of $568,697 has been converted into shares of our common stock. Additionally, in August 2006, and in accordance with the issuance of new notes in satisfaction of our then outstanding notes, $229,027 of accrued interest was converted into note principal. The increase in interest expense in 2007 compared to 2006 and 2006 compared to 2005 is attributable to the increase in the average amounts of the convertible notes outstanding. Litigation Accrual Reversal We have been a defendant in a lawsuit which resulted in a jury verdict against us in January 2004. We had recorded a reserve in 2003 for the estimated loss in this litigation of $386,148 as a result of the jury verdict. In July 2004, the trial judge ruled on post-trial motions submitted by us and set aside the jury verdict, and accordingly, in the third quarter of 2004, the Company reversed the $386,148 accrual and recognized a like amount as other income. As discussed above under the caption "General and Administrative Expenses," the South Carolina Court of Appeals reinstated the jury verdict in 2006. Income Taxes We have recorded a valuation allowance for the full amount of our net deferred income tax assets as of December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, based on management's evaluation of the recognition criteria as set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." 19 Liquidity and Capital Resources We have generated net losses of $73,422,095 since our inception and have financed our operations primarily through net proceeds from our initial public offering in May 1996 and cash generated from operations and other financing transactions. Net proceeds from our initial public offering were $60,088,516. Net cash used by operations during the year ended December 31, 2007, was $976,761, compared to $1,058,217 and $194,285 used by operations in 2006 and 2005, respectively. The decrease in cash used by operations in 2007 compared to 2006 was primarily the result of a decrease in professional fees associated with our patent litigation, offset by an increase in employee compensation expense. Our patent lawsuits were stayed in 2004 and during 2005 pending the conclusion of the reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,105,007, our patent covering the automated establishment of financial accounts. As discussed in Part 1, Item 1, "Business--Patents and Legal Matters," the reexamination was concluded in 2006, the stay of the lawsuits was lifted and the lawsuits proceeded. As further discussed in Part 1, Item 1, "Business--Patents and Legal Matters," we received an adverse Markman ruling in December 2006 which led to less legal activity in 2007. At December 31, 2007, cash and liquid investments were $50,217, as compared to $1,026,978 at December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2007, working capital was a deficit of $4,257,741 as compared to a deficit of $34,451 at December 31, 2006. For purposes of determining working capital at December 31, 2007, $3,476,342 of principal and accrued interest under our convertible notes are included as current liabilities. At December 31, 2006 such amounts were classified as non-current liabilities. To date, we have generated substantial operating losses and have been required to use a substantial amount of cash resources to fund our operations. At December 31, 2007, we had cash and cash equivalents of $50,217 and a working capital deficit of $4,257,741. We generally have been unable to enter into licensing agreements with potential licensees upon terms that are acceptable to us and, as discussed above, we have sought recourse through litigation with alleged infringers of our patents. Additionally and as also discussed above, our lawsuits against the alleged infringers have been dismissed by the Columbia Federal Court, and we have appealed to the Federal Appeals Court. We are not certain as to the length of time it will take to complete our appeal. We do not believe that our existing cash resources will be sufficient to complete the appeals process and, if successful, to allow us to complete the prosecution of our lawsuits against the alleged infringers. Accordingly, to remain viable in the near term, it is likely that we will be required to raise additional capital through the sale of debt and/or equity securities or from licensing our patents. We can give no assurances, however, that we will be able to raise additional capital or generate capital from our patent licensing business at all or in amounts sufficient to complete our appeal. Unless we raise additional capital, we may have to consider alternatives for winding down our business, which may include offering our patents for sale or filing for bankruptcy protection. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our audited financial statements included with this report contains a statement noting that our recent history of losses, combined with other factors, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Although our plans to address these issues are discussed in Note 1 to the audited financial statements included in this report and elsewhere in this report, these plans are subject to numerous risks and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and we can give no assurance as to whether or how long we may be able to succeed in addressing these issues and maintaining our viability as a going concern. In 2002, we initiated a convertible note program under which we were authorized to issue up to $1,500,000 principal amount of our 8% convertible secured notes (the "notes"). In February 2006, the convertible note program was amended to allow us to issue up to $3,000,000 of our notes. Prior to August 2006, we had issued an aggregate of $1,575,336 principal amount of notes under this program, including notes with an aggregate principal amount of $536,336 that have been converted into shares of our common stock. These notes bear interest at 8%, are convertible into our common stock at a conversion rate of $.20 per share (for notes issued prior to the April 2006 amendment to the program) or $.50 per share (for notes issued in May 2006), and are secured by our equity interest in our decisioning.com, Inc. subsidiary, which owns our patent portfolio. Principal and interest under these notes generally becomes payable in full on the second anniversary of the date on which these notes were issued. However, under the terms of the notes, the full amount of principal and interest under all notes may be declared immediately due and payable in certain events, including bankruptcy or similar proceedings involving us, a default in the payment of principal and interest under any note, or a change in control of the Company. 20 From June 2004 through August 2006, we were in default regarding payment of principal and interest due under certain of the notes. Accordingly, the full amount of principal and interest outstanding under all notes was payable at the option of all noteholders. At December 31, 2005, the amount of principal and accrued interest outstanding under all of the notes was $1,595,906. In August 2006, we and the holders of all outstanding notes entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement under which such holders agreed to extend the maturity date of such notes by exchanging them (including all interest accrued thereon) for new two-year notes due in August 2008 in the aggregate principal amount of $1,268,027. Under the amended note purchase agreement, we may issue notes in the aggregate principal amount of up to $5,000,000 (including the notes issued to current noteholders, as described in the preceding sentence) having an exercise price determined by us and each investor at the time of issuance. The new notes issued in August 2006 have the same terms as the old notes for which they were exchanged, except that the new notes will mature in August 2008. Of the new notes issued, notes with a principal amount of $1,115,068 are convertible into shares of our common stock at $.20 per share, and notes with a principal amount of $152,959 are convertible into shares of our common stock at $.50 per share. The new notes include a note in the principal amount of $166,863 issued to our Chief Executive Officer and a note in the principal amount of $122,115 issued to a subsidiary of The South Financial Group. The South Financial Group Foundation, a non-profit foundation established by the South Financial Group, owns approximately 10% of the Company's outstanding capital stock. In September 2006, we sold additional convertible notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,905,000. The terms of these notes are the same as the notes previously issued by us, except that they may be converted into our common stock at a rate of $.42 per share. Contractual Obligations The following table sets forth our long-term debt and other obligations at December 31, 2007.
Payment Due By Period ------------------------------------------------ Total Less than 1 1-3 3-5 years More than year years 5 years -------------- --------------- ------------ --------- --------- Convertible Notes (1) $ 3,476,342 $ 3,476,342 - $ - $ - Operating Lease Obligations 1,200 1,200 - - - -------------- --------------- ------------ --------- --------- Total $ 3,477,542 $ 3,477,542 $ - $ - $ - ============== =============== ============ ========= =========
(1) Convertible notes consist of the Company's convertible notes, including accrued interest. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk Not applicable. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data The report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and consolidated financial statements are set forth below (see item 15(a) for list of financial statements): 21 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Board of Directors and Shareholders Affinity Technology Group, Inc. Columbia, South Carolina We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity (deficiency), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. We were not engaged to examine management's assertion about the effectiveness of Affinity Technology Group, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 included in the accompanying Form 10-K and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion thereon. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has limited capital resources, has incurred recurring operating losses and has an accumulated deficit. These matters raise substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also discussed in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. /s/ SCOTT McELVEEN, L.L.P. Columbia, South Carolina March 26, 2008 22
Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2007 2006 ----------------------------------- Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 50,217 $ 1,026,978 Prepaid expenses 77,118 77,702 ----------------------------------- Total current assets 127,335 1,104,680 Property and equipment, net 6,377 7,566 ----------------------------------- Total assets $ 133,712 $ 1,112,246 =================================== Liabilities and stockholders' deficiency Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 19,681 $ 248,834 Accrued expenses 786,046 445,284 Accrued compensation and related benefits 410,905 411,680 Convertible notes 3,140,666 - Current portion of deferred revenue 27,778 33,333 ----------------------------------- Total current liabilities 4,385,076 1,139,131 Non-current liabilities: Convertible notes - 3,140,666 Accrued interest - 84,423 Deferred revenue - 27,778 ----------------------------------- Total non-current liabilities - 3,252,867 ----------------------------------- Total liabilities 4,385,076 4,391,998 ----------------------------------- Commitments and contingent liabilities Stockholders' deficiency: Common stock, par value $0.0001; authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 49,310,406 shares in 2007 and 47,435,406 shares in 2006 4,931 4,744 Additional paid-in capital 72,671,087 72,164,732 Treasury stock, at cost (2,168,008 shares at December 31, 2007 and 2006) (3,505,287) (3,505,287) Accumulated deficit (73,422,095) (71,943,941) ----------------------------------- Total stockholders' deficiency (4,251,364) (3,279,752) ----------------------------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency $ 133,712 $ 1,112,246 ===================================
See accompanying notes. 23 Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years ended December 31, 2007 2006 2005 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- Revenues: Patent license revenue $ 33,333 $ 33,333 $ 20,261 Costs and expenses: Cost of revenues 3,333 3,333 2,026 General and administrative expenses 1,271,864 2,606,386 486,607 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- 1,275,197 2,609,719 488,633 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- Operating loss (1,241,864) (2,576,386) (468,372) Other income (expenses): Interest income 14,964 17,907 182 Interest expense (251,254) (141,043) (98,197) ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- Net loss $ (1,478,154) $ (2,699,522) $ (566,387) ================== ================= ================= Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.03) $ (0.06) $ (0.01) ================== ================= ================= Shares used in computing net loss per share 45,467,740 44,194,562 42,207,884 ================== ================= =================
See accompanying notes. 24 Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency)
Common Stock -------------------------- Shares Amount Additional Paid- Treasury Stock Accumulated Total in Capital Deficit Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency) -------------- ----------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ----------------- Balance at December 31, 2004 44,230,910 $ 4,423 $ 70,665,373 $ (3,505,287) $ (68,678,032) $ (1,513,523) Note payable conversion to common stock 152,194 15 30,424 - - 30,439 Issuance of common stock as finder's fees 10,000 1 1,099 - - 1,100 Net loss - - - - (566,387) (566,387) -------------- ----------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ----------------- Balance at December 31, 2005 44,393,104 4,439 70,696,896 (3,505,287) (69,244,419) (2,048,371) Note payable conversion to common stock 2,834,302 284 566,576 - - 566,860 Issuance of common stock as finder's fees 8,000 1 3,199 - - 3,200 Stock option exercise 200,000 20 23,980 - - 24,000 Amortization of stock options - - 674,081 - - 674,081 Amortization of warrants - - 200,000 - - 200,000 Net loss - - - - (2,699,522) (2,699,522) -------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ----------------- Balance at December 31, 2006 47,435,406 4,744 72,164,732 (3,505,287) (71,943,941) (3,279,752) Amortization of stock options - - 356,542 - - 356,542 Issuance of common stock as legal fees 1,875,000 187 149,813 - - 150,000 Net loss - - - - (1,478,154) (1,478,154) -------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ----------------- Balance at December 31, 2007 49,310,406 $ 4,931 $ 72,671,087 $ (3,505,287) $ (73,422,095) $ (4,251,364) ============== =========== ================ =============== ================ =================
See accompanying notes. 25 Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2007 2006 2005 ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Operating activities Net loss $ (1,478,154) $ (2,699,522) $ (566,387) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 1,189 4,360 6,453 Common stock issued for legal services 150,000 - - Amortization of stock compensation 356,542 874,081 - Deferred revenue (33,333) (33,333) 79,738 Other - 3,651 796 Changes in current assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable - 100,000 (100,000) Prepaid expenses 584 (43,963) 13,496 Accounts payable (229,153) 129,066 98,266 Accrued expenses 256,339 518,880 90,127 Accrued compensation and related benefits (775) 88,563 183,226 ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Net cash used in operating activities (976,761) (1,058,217) (194,285) ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Investing activities Purchases of property and equipment - (7,581) - Proceeds from sale of property and equipment - - 305 ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities - (7,581) 305 ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Financing activities Proceeds from convertible notes - 2,055,000 145,000 Exercise of stock options - 24,000 - ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Net cash provided by financing activities - 2,079,000 145,000 ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Net increase (decrease) in cash (976,761) 1,013,202 (48,980) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,026,978 13,776 62,756 ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 50,217 $ 1,026,978 $ 13,776 ================= ================== ==================
See accompanying notes. 26 Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 1. The Company - Going Concern Affinity Technology Group, Inc., (the "Company") was formed to develop and market technologies that enable financial institutions and other businesses to provide consumer financial services electronically with reduced or no human intervention. Products and services previously offered by the Company include its DeciSys/RT loan processing system, which automated the processing and consummation of consumer financial services transactions; the Affinity Automated Loan Machine (the "ALM"), which allowed an applicant to apply for and, if approved, obtain a loan in as little as ten minutes; the Mortgage ALM, which allowed an applicant to apply for a mortgage loan; e-xpertLender, which permitted a financial institution to make automated lending decisions through its call centers and branches; iDEAL, which permitted automobile lenders to make automobile lending decisions for loan applications originated at automobile dealers; and rtDS, which permitted lenders to deliver credit decisions to applicants over the Internet. Due to capital constraints, the Company has suspended all efforts to further develop, market and operate these products and services. The Company's last processing contract terminated in late 2002, and the Company has no plans in the near term to engage in further sales or other activities related to its products or services, other than to attempt to license certain of the patents that it owns. Currently, the Company's business activities consist exclusively of attempting to enter into license agreements with third parties to license the Company's rights under certain of its patents and in pursuing the patent litigation in an effort to protect this intellectual property and obtain recourse against alleged infringement of these patents. To date, the Company has generated substantial operating losses and has been required to use a substantial amount of cash resources to fund its operations. At December 31, 2007, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $50,217 and a working capital deficit of $4,257,741. The Company generally has been unable to enter into licensing agreements with potential licensees upon terms that are acceptable to it and has sought recourse through litigation with alleged infringers of its patents. The Company's lawsuits against the alleged infringers have been dismissed by the United States District Court in Columbia, South Carolina, and the Company has appealed to United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the "Federal Court of Appeals"). The Company is not certain as to the length of time it will take to complete its appeal. The Company does not believe that its existing cash resources will be sufficient to complete the appeals process and, if successful, to allow it to complete the prosecution of its lawsuits against the alleged infringers. Accordingly, to remain viable in the near term, it is likely that the Company will be required to raise additional capital through the sale of debt and/or equity securities or from licensing its patents. The Company can give no assurances, however, that it will be able to raise additional capital or generate capital from its patent licensing business at all or in amounts sufficient to complete its appeal. Unless it raises additional capital, the Company may have to consider alternatives for winding down its business, which may include offering its patents for sale or filing for bankruptcy protection. In addition, the Company and its founder, Jeff Norris, were defendants in a lawsuit filed by Temple Ligon on November 30, 1996 in the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Richland in Columbia, South Carolina. Mr. Ligon claimed, among other things, that Affinity and Mr. Norris breached an agreement to give him a 1% equity interest in Affinity in consideration of services Mr. Ligon claims to have performed in 1993 and 1994 in conjunction with the formation of Affinity, and sought monetary damages of $5,463,000. This lawsuit initially resulted in a jury verdict against us of $68,000. However, Mr. Ligon subsequently requested and was granted a new trial. In January 2004, this lawsuit resulted in another jury verdict against us of $382,148. In connection with the litigation and the resulting jury verdict, the Company filed post-trial motions with the trial court in which, among other things, it claimed that the jury verdict should be set aside. On July 23, 2004, the trial judge granted the Company's motions, set aside the jury verdict, and ordered entry of a judgment in favor of the Company. The plaintiff appealed the trial judge's ruling to the South Carolina Court of Appeals (the "South Carolina Appeals Court"). On October 30, 2006, the South Carolina Appeals Court reversed the trial judge's decision and reinstated the jury verdict of $382,148. The Company's petition to the South Carolina Appeals Court for a rehearing of this case was denied, and it petitioned the South Carolina Supreme Court to hear this case and to grant it relief from this ruling. In October 2007, the Company was notified that the South Carolina Supreme Court had denied its petition to hear this case. Accordingly, the Company has no further legal recourse and a judgment will be entered against it of $382,148, plus accrued interest. At this time, the Company does not have the cash resources to pay this judgment. The Company will continue to evaluate its options to resolve or postpone any payments related to this matter; however, if it is required to pay more than an insignificant amount in connection with this judgment in the near term, it would be forced to consider alternatives for winding down its business, which may include offering its patents for sale or filing for bankruptcy protection. 27 Management's plans with respect to addressing the matters discussed above are to continue to pursue its appeal through the Federal Court of Appeals, and if successful, to continue its patent infringement lawsuits. The Company's currently limited capital resources will not be sufficient to enable the Company to complete its appeal and, if successful, to complete its prosecution of its infringement lawsuits. In the event the Company's current capital resources are not sufficient, management intends to attempt to raise additional capital to continue the prosecution of its appeal and patent infringement lawsuits. No assurance can be given that management will be successful in raising additional capital if needed to continue the operations of the Company. There is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from this uncertainty. However, management believes that any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets and amounts of liabilities would not materially change the Company's financial position. 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Affinity Bank Technology Corporation, Affinity Clearinghouse Corporation, Affinity Credit Corporation, Affinity Processing Corporation, Affinity Mortgage Technology, Inc., decisioning.com, Inc. ("decisioning.com"), and Multi Financial Services, Inc. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and notes payable approximate their fair values. 28 Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives range from five to ten years for office furniture and fixtures and three to five years for all other depreciable assets. Depreciation expense was approximately $1,000, $4,000 and $6,000 during 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Revenue Recognition Patent licensing - The Company recognizes revenue from patent licensing activities pursuant to the provisions of each license agreement which specify the periods to which the related license and corresponding revenue applies. Deferred revenues - Deferred revenues relate to unearned revenue associated with cash received for patent licenses. Such revenue is recognized in the period the patent license entitles the licensee to use technology covered by the Company's patents. Cost of Revenues Cost of revenues consists solely of commissions paid to the Company's patent licensing agents. Commissions paid or accrued by the Company totaled $3,333, $3,333 and $2,026 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. Stock Based Compensation The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123R, "Share-Based Payments" ("SFAS 123R"), on January 1, 2006. This statement requires the Company to recognize the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for the stock options it has awarded. Under SFAS 123R the Company is required to recognize compensation expense over an award's vesting period based on the award's fair value at the date of grant. The Company has elected to adopt SFAS 123R on a modified prospective basis; accordingly, the financial statements for the periods prior to January 1, 2006 do not include stock based compensation under the fair value method. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value its stock option grants. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company applied APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" for measurement and recognition of stock based transactions with its employees and directors. If the Company had recognized compensation expense for its stock based transactions based on the fair value method prescribed by SFAS 123R, net loss and net loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2005 would have been as follows: 2005 --------------------- Net loss: As reported $ (566,387) Add: stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income - Deduct: stock-based compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards (6,543) --------------------- Pro forma net loss $ (572,930) ===================== Net loss per common share: As reported: Basic and diluted $ (0.01) ===================== Pro forma: Basic and diluted $ (0.01) ===================== 29 See Note 5 for more information regarding the Company's stock compensation plans and the assumptions used to prepare the pro forma information presented above. Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock All net loss per share of Common Stock amounts presented have been computed based on the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding in accordance with SFAS 128. Stock warrants and stock options are not included in the calculation of dilutive loss per common share because the Company has experienced operating losses in all periods presented and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive. New Accounting Standards The following is a summary of recent authoritative pronouncements that affect accounting, reporting, and disclosure of financial information by the Company: In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 157, "Fair Value Measurement," effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement does not require any new fair value measurements, but simplifies and codifies related guidance within GAAP. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. The Company does not expect this pronouncement to have a material impact on its financial statements. In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("SFAS No. 159"), which gives companies the option to measure eligible financial assets, financial liabilities and firm commitments at fair value (i.e., the fair value option), on an instrument-by-instrument basis, that are otherwise not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other accounting standards. The election to use the fair value option is available when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability or upon entering into a firm commitment. Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in earnings. SFAS No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impacts, if any, of adopting this pronouncement. Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements upon adoption. Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"). Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company is not exposed to any concentration of credit risk. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 30 Reclassification Certain amounts in 2005 and 2006 have been reclassified to conform to 2007 presentations for comparability. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported stockholders' equity (deficiency) or net loss. 3. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consists of the following:
December 31, 2007 2006 ------------------------------------- Data processing equipment $ 22,032 $ 22,032 Office furniture and fixtures 19,087 19,087 Other equipment 11,038 11,038 Purchased software 3,770 3,770 ------------------------------------- 55,927 55,927 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (49,550) (48,361) ------------------------------------- $ 6,377 $ 7,566 =====================================
4. Convertible Notes The contractual maturities of the principal outstanding related to the Company's convertible notes at December 31, 2007 are as follows: Contractual Maturity Date Principal Outstanding - ------------------------- ------------------------ August 2008 $ 1,235,666 September 2008 1,905,000 ----------------------- Total $ 3,140,666 ======================= In 2002, the Company initiated a convertible note program under which it was authorized to issue up to $1,500,000 principal amount of its 8% convertible secured notes (the "notes"). In February 2006, the convertible note program was amended to allow the Company to issue up to $3,000,000 of its notes. Prior to August 2006, the Company had issued an aggregate of $1,575,336 principal amount of notes under this program, including notes with an aggregate principal amount of $536,336 that have been converted into shares of the Company's common stock. These notes bear interest at 8%, are convertible into the Company's common stock at a conversion rate of $.20 per share (for notes issued prior to the April 2006 amendment to the program) or $.50 per share (for notes issued in May 2006), and are secured by the Company's equity interest in its decisioning.com, Inc. subsidiary, which owns the Company's patent portfolio. Principal and interest under these notes generally becomes payable in full on the second anniversary of the date on which these notes were issued. However, under the terms of the notes, the full amount of principal and interest under all notes may be declared immediately due and payable in certain events, including bankruptcy or similar proceedings involving the Company, a default in the payment of principal and interest under any note, or a change in control of the Company. From June 2004 through August 2006, the Company was in default regarding payment of principal and interest due under certain of the notes. Accordingly, the full amount of principal and interest outstanding under all notes was payable at the option of all noteholders. 31 In August 2006, the Company and the holders of all outstanding notes entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement under which such holders agreed to extend the maturity date of such notes by exchanging them (including all interest accrued thereon) for new two-year notes due in August 2008 in the aggregate principal amount of $1,268,027. Under the amended note purchase agreement, the Company may issue notes in the aggregate principal amount of up to $5,000,000 (including the notes issued to current noteholders, as described in the preceding sentence) having an exercise price determined by the Company and each investor at the time of issuance. The new notes issued in August 2006 have the same terms as the old notes for which they were exchanged, except that the new notes will mature in August 2008. Of the new notes issued, notes with a principal amount of $1,115,068 are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at $.20 per share, and notes with a principal amount of $152,959 are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at $.50 per share. The new notes include a note in the principal amount of $166,863 issued to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and a note in the principal amount of $122,115 issued to a subsidiary of The South Financial Group. The South Financial Group Foundation, a non-profit foundation established by the South Financial Group, owns approximately 10% of the Company's outstanding capital stock. In September 2006, The Company sold additional convertible notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,905,000. The terms of these notes are the same as the notes previously issued by the Company, except that they may be converted into the Company's common stock at a rate of $.42 per share. 5. Stockholders' Deficiency Preferred Stock Pursuant to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. At December 31, 2007 and 2006 there are no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding. Stock Option Plans During 2007, the Company had one stockholder-approved stock option plan, the 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan. Prior to 2007, the Company additionally had the 1995 Stock Option Plan. Under the 1995 Stock Option Plan the Company granted incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options to employees, directors, consultants and independent contractors. This plan closed in April 1996. In 2006, all outstanding and unexercised stock options granted under the plan expired. Accordingly, at December 31, 2006, there were no outstanding options under the 1995 Stock Option Plan. In April 1996, the Company adopted the 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan. This plan closed in April 2006. Under the terms of the plan, incentive options were issued at an exercise price not less than the estimated fair market value on the date of grant. Generally, options granted vest ratably over a 60 month term. The 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan was amended and restated effective May 28, 1999, to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance from 1,900,000 to 2,900,000 and to permit non-employee directors to participate in the 1996 Stock Option Plan. Under the Company's director compensation program in effect from April 1999 to March 2002, non-employee directors received options under the 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock of the Company on the 5th business day after each annual shareholder meeting. In March 2002, the Company adopted a new director compensation program as a component of the 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan under which all non-employee directors received a one-time grant of options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's stock at the closing sales price of the Company's common stock on the business day immediately prior to the date of grant. Such options vested ratably over a two-year period. Under the program, all non-employee directors on the Board were granted options to purchase 100,000 shares on March 20, 2002. 32 Additionally, on July 14, 2006, the Board of Directors granted to executives of the Company and to its non-employee directors an additional 4,350,000 options to purchase the Company's common stock ("The 2006 Stock Option Grant"). Included in the 2006 Stock Option Grant were options granted to executive officers to purchase 3,350,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $0.50. One-third of the options granted to the executive officers vested at the date of grant and the remainder vest in two annual installments on the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant. The 2006 Stock Option Grant also included options granted to non-employee directors to purchase 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Of these options, 500,000 options are exercisable at $0.35 per share and vested at the grant date. The remaining 500,000 options granted to non-employee directors are exercisable at $0.50, and vest in two equal installments on the first and second anniversaries of the grant date. The closing price of the Company's common stock was $0.35 on the day immediately preceding the date of the 2006 Stock Option Grant. All the options granted pursuant to the 2006 Stock Option Grant have a contractual term of 10 years and a remaining contractual term of 8.5 years at December 31, 2007. During 2007, none of the options were exercised or forfeited. At the grant date and at December 31, 2007, the weighted-average exercise price was $0.48. At December 31, 2006, the weighted-average exercise price of the 2,983,332 options exercisable pursuant to the 2006 Stock Option Grant was $0.47. At the date of grant, the options granted had a weighted-average fair value of $0.26 and total compensation cost was $1,136,000. Of the total compensation costs related to the 2006 Stock Option Grant, the Company recognized compensation expense of $671,556 and $355,333 in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and will recognize $109,111 in 2008. At December 31, 2007, the closing price of the Company's common stock was less than the weighted-average exercise price of options which were outstanding and which were exercisable; accordingly, there was no intrinsic value associated with such options. A summary of activity under the 1996 Option Plans is as follows: Options Outstanding ----------------- -------------- Shares Weighted Available Number Average Price For Grant of Shares Per Share ---------------- ----------------- -------------- 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan Balance at December 31, 2004 594,750 2,133,320 $ 0.50 Options granted - - $ 0.00 Options cancelled/forfeited 99,620 (99,620) $ 0.34 ---------------- ----------------- -------------- Balance at December 31, 2005 694,370 2,033,700 $ 0.51 Plan Closed (694,370) - - Options exercised - (200,000) $ 0.12 Options cancelled/forfeited - (100,000) $ 1.47 ---------------- ----------------- -------------- Balance at December 31, 2006 - 1,733,700 $ 0.50 Options cancelled/forfeited - (70,000) $ 3.75 ---------------- ----------------- -------------- Balance at December 31, 2007 - 1,663,700 $ 0.37 ================ ================= ============== 33 A summary of stock options exercisable and stock options outstanding under the 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan is as follows:
1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Options Exercisable Options Outstanding at December 31, 2007 At December 31, 2007 ================================== ==================================================== Weighted Weighted Weighted Average Range of Average Average Remaining Exercise Number Price Number Price Contractual Prices Exercisable Per Share Outstanding Per Share Life (years) - -------------- ---------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------------ $0.09 - $0.94 1,415,000 $ 0.20 1,440,000 $ 0.20 3.6 $1.06 - $3.75 223,700 $ 1.43 223,700 $ 1.43 2.2 ---------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------------ $0.09 - $3.75 1,638,700 $ 0.37 1,663,700 $ 0.37 3.4 ================ ================= ================ ================ ==================
At December 31, 2007, the closing price of the Company's common stock was less than the weighted-average exercise price of options granted in accordance with the 1996 Stock Option Plan which were outstanding and which were exercisable; accordingly, there was no intrinsic value associated with such options. In 2007, the Company recognized $1,208 of compensation expense associated with options granted under this plan and additional compensation cost of $350 will be recognized in 2008. The fair value of each option award is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing at the date of grant. The following table sets forth the assumptions used by the Company to estimate the fair value of options granted in 2006. Expected volatility is based on historical monthly stock prices starting on April 26, 1996. Historical data and other factors that could affect the Company and its options programs are used to estimate the expected option life. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant. 2006 --------------- Dividend yield - Expected volatility 138% Risk-free rate of return 4.82% Expected option life, years 3 For purposes of preparing its pro forma stock-based compensation disclosures as set forth in Note 2, the Company estimated the fair value at the date of grant for the options issued prior to 2006 using the following assumptions: expected volatility, 85% to 142%; risk free rate of return, 1.99% to 6.60%; dividend yield, 0%; and expected option life, 3 years. The Black-Scholes and other option pricing models were developed for use in estimating fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option-pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions. The Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different than those of traded options, and changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate. Stock Warrants In July 2006, the Company engaged Morgan Keegan & Company ("Morgan Keegan") to act as its exclusive financial advisor to assist the Company in raising capital and with the Company's patent licensing program and strategic and financial alternatives. Under the terms of the engagement, the Company issued to Morgan Keegan, as an advisory fee, a warrant with a five-year term to purchase 2,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock for $0.50 per share. The warrant was exercisable at the date of issuance and the Company recognized the estimated fair value of the warrant as an expense of $200,000. The Company estimated the fair value of the warrant in a manner consistent with its method for estimating the fair value of its stock options as discussed above. 34 6. Employee Benefit Plans The Company has an employee savings plan (the Savings Plan) that qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Savings Plan, participating employees may defer a portion of their pretax earnings, up to the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limit. 7. Leases The Company has a prepaid two-year lease on its principal office space. The lease expires in December 2008. Additionally, the Company has a month-to-month operating lease for the rental of its warehouse. Future minimum lease payments under these leases at December 31, 2007 are approximately $1,200, all of which is payable in 2008. In 2007, 2006, and 2005 the Company incurred rent expense, including rent associated with cancelable rental agreements, of approximately $29,000, $21,000 and $24,000, respectively. 8. Income Taxes As of December 31, 2007, the Company had federal and state tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $71,411,000. The net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2009, if not utilized. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following: December 31, 2007 2006 ------------------- ------------------- Deferred tax assets: Net operating loss carryforwards $ 26,636,000 $ 26,091,000 Accrued expenses 43,000 37,000 Other - - ------------------- ------------------- Total deferred tax assets 26,679,000 26,128,000 ------------------- ------------------- Deferred tax liabilities: Other - - ------------------- ------------------- Total deferred tax liabilities - - ------------------- ------------------- Less: Valuation allowance (26,679,000) (26,128,000) ------------------- ------------------- Total net deferred taxes $ - $ - =================== =================== The Company has recorded a valuation allowance for the full amount of its net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, based on management's evaluation of the evidential recognition requirements under the criteria of SFAS 109. The main component of the evidential recognition requirements was the Company's cumulative pretax losses since inception. The provision for income taxes at the Company's effective rate did not differ from the provision for income taxes at the statutory rate for 2007, 2006, and 2005. 9. Segment Information The Company conducts its business within one industry segment - financial services technology. To date, all revenues generated have been from transactions with North American customers. Single entities accounted for 100% of revenues in 2007, 2006, and 2005. 35 10. Related Party Transactions In December 2003, the Company sold a two year convertible note in the principal amount of $100,000 to a subsidiary of The South Financial Group, which at that time owned approximately 12% of the Company's outstanding common stock. In June 2002, the Company sold a two year convertible secured note to its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer in the principal amount of $125,000. These notes bear interest at 8%, and principal and accrued interest were due in December 2005 and June 2004, respectively. As discussed more fully in Note 4, in August 2006 the Company exchanged its outstanding convertible notes for new convertible notes. In accordance with the exchange the Company issued new convertible notes to a subsidiary of The South Financial Group, Inc. and to the Company's Chief Executive Officer in the principal amounts of $122,115 and $166,863, respectively. In 2006 and 2005 the Company leased office space from a holder of a portion of its convertible notes. The lease was on a month-to-month basis and was terminated in January 2007. Rental expense for the office space was $6,000 and $9,250 in 2006 and 2005, respectively. 11. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities The Company and its founder, Jeff Norris, were defendants in a lawsuit filed by Temple Ligon on November 30, 1996 in the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Richland in Columbia, South Carolina. Mr. Ligon claimed, among other things, that Affinity and Mr. Norris breached an agreement to give him a 1% equity interest in Affinity in consideration of services Mr. Ligon claims to have performed in 1993 and 1994 in conjunction with the formation of Affinity, and sought monetary damages of $5,463,000. This lawsuit initially resulted in a jury verdict against us of $68,000. However, Mr. Ligon subsequently requested and was granted a new trial. In January 2004, this lawsuit resulted in another jury verdict against us of $382,148. In connection with the litigation and the resulting jury verdict, the Company filed post-trial motions with the trial court in which, among other things, it claimed that the jury verdict should be set aside. On July 23, 2004, the trial judge granted the Company's motions, set aside the jury verdict, and ordered entry of a judgment in favor of the Company. The plaintiff appealed the trial judge's ruling to the South Carolina Court of Appeals (the "South Carolina Appeals Court"). On October 30, 2006, the South Carolina Appeals Court reversed the trial judge's decision and reinstated the jury verdict of $382,148. The Company's petition to the South Carolina Appeals Court for a rehearing of this case was denied, and it petitioned the South Carolina Supreme Court to hear this case and to grant it relief from this ruling. In October 2007, the Company was notified that the South Carolina Supreme Court had denied its petition to hear this case. Accordingly, the Company has no further legal recourse and a judgment will be entered against it of $382,148, plus accrued interest. At this time, the Company does not have the cash resources to pay this judgment. The Company will continue to evaluate its options to resolve or postpone any payments related to this matter; however, if it is required to pay more than an insignificant amount in connection with this judgment in the near term, it would be forced to consider alternatives for winding down its business, which may include offering its patents for sale or filing for bankruptcy protection. 36 12. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
First Second Third Fourth Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter ------------ ---------------- ----------------- --------------- Year ended December 31, 2007 Revenue $ 8,333 $ 8,334 $ 8,333 $ 8,333 Gross profit 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 Net loss (442,691) (476,016) (309,876) (249,571) Net loss per share - basic and diluted (0.01) (0.01) (0.01) (0.01) Year ended December 31, 2006 Revenue $ 8,333 $ 8,334 $ 8,333 $ 8,333 Gross profit 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 Net loss (89,946) (219,965) (1,610,054) (779,557) Net loss per share - basic and diluted (0.00) (0.00) (0.04) (0.02) The sum of certain net loss per share amounts differs from the annual reported total due to rounding.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Not applicable Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Disclosure Controls and Procedures The Company has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Based upon that evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2007, in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting information required to be disclosed by the Company (including consolidated subsidiaries) in the Company's Exchange Act filings. There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Management has assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting using the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use, or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 37 Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Based on the testing performed using the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the COSO, management of the Company believes that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007. This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report is not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules by the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report. This report of management on internal control over financial reporting shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Item 9B. Other Information Not applicable 38 Part III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Executive Officers and Directors of the Registrant Name Age Position with the Company ---- --- ------------------------- Joseph A. Boyle 54 Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer S. Sean Douglas 39 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Robert M. Price 77 Director Peter R. Wilson 55 Director Joseph A. Boyle became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in January 2000 and Chairman in March 2001. Mr. Boyle has also served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since September 1996. Mr. Boyle also held the title of Senior Vice President from September 1996 to January 2000. Mr. Boyle has previously served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Company. To conserve the Company's limited financial resources, Mr. Boyle has from time to time reduced his time commitment to and compensation received from the Company. From January 2005 until June 2006, Mr. Boyle performed consulting services for a local financial institution. From April 2003 to August 2004, Mr. Boyle also was a partner of Elliott Davis, LLC, a South Carolina public accounting firm. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Boyle served as Price Waterhouse, LLP's engagement partner for most of its Kansas City, Missouri, financial services clients and was a member of the firm's Mortgage Banking Group. Mr. Boyle was employed by Price Waterhouse, LLP from June 1982 to August 1996. Mr. Boyle is a director of UCI Medical Affiliates, Inc. and serves as the chairman of its Audit Committee. S. Sean Douglas became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in March 2003. Mr. Douglas also held the title of Senior Vice President of Finance, Operations and Administration of the Company from March 2002 to March 2003. From January 2000 to March 2002, Mr. Douglas held the title of Vice President and Controller of the Company. From November 1995 to January 2000, Mr. Douglas was the Company's accounting manager. Robert M. Price has served as a director of the Company since November 1994. He has been President of PSV, Inc., a technology consulting business located in Burnsville, Minnesota, since 1990. Between 1961 and 1990, Mr. Price served in various executive positions, including Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, with Control Data Corporation, a mainframe computer manufacturer and business services provider. Mr. Price is a graduate of Duke University, and earned a master's degree at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Mr. Price is a director of PNM Resources and Datalink Corporation. Dr. Peter R. Wilson has been a director of the Company since March 1994. Dr. Wilson served as Secretary of the Company from March 1994 until February 1996 and has been an Associate Professor at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University since September 1991. He was an Assistant Professor at New York University's Stern School of Business between January 1983 and August 1991. Dr. Wilson teaches in the areas of financial accounting, financial reporting, financial statement analysis and strategic cost management. He earned a bachelor's degree and a Ph.D. in accounting at the University of North Carolina. Board of Directors The business and affairs of the Company are managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, as provided by Delaware law and our By-Laws. The directors establish overall policies and standards for the Company and review the performance of management. The directors are kept informed of our operations at meetings of the Board, through reports and analyses and through discussions with management. 39 Meetings of the Board The Board of Directors met five times during the year ended December 31, 2007. All directors participated in at least 100% of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees of the Board of Directors on which they served during 2007. Committees of the Board The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. There is no nominating committee of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee, established in 1996, has the authority to appoint and remove our independent public accounting firm, with whom the Audit Committee reviews the scope of audit and non-audit assignments and related fees, the accounting principles used by us in financial reporting and the adequacy of our internal control procedures. The members of the Audit Committee, which met once during the year ended December 31, 2007, are Dr. Peter R. Wilson (Chairman) and Robert M. Price. The Compensation Committee has the authority, among other things, to: (i) determine the cash and non-cash compensation of each of our executive officers and any other employee with an annual salary in excess of $100,000; (ii) consider and recommend to the Board such general and specific employee equity and other incentives as it may from time to time deem advisable; and (iii) administer our stock option plans. The members of the Compensation Committee, which met one time during the year ended December 31, 2007, are Robert M. Price (Chairman) and Dr. Peter R. Wilson. The Board of Directors has not established a nominating committee primarily because it believes that the current composition and size of the Board permit candid and open discussion regarding potential new candidates for director. The entire Board of Directors currently operates as our nominating committee, and all directors participate in the consideration of director nominees. Of the three directors currently serving on the Board, we believe that Dr. Peter R. Wilson and Robert M. Price are independent directors within the meaning of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules applicable to directors and audit, compensation and nominating committee members of companies listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. The Company does not believe that Messrs. Wilson or Price are parties to other transactions, relationships or arrangements not otherwise disclosed in this report that affect their independence. There is no formal process or policy that governs the manner in which we identify potential candidates for director, and the Board of Directors has not adopted any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met to be nominated to serve as a director. Historically, however, the Board of Directors has considered several factors in evaluating candidates for nomination to the Board, including the candidate's knowledge of our business, the candidate's business experience and credentials, and whether the candidate would represent the interests of all our stockholders as opposed to a specific group of stockholders. We do not have a formal policy with respect to our consideration of director nominees recommended by our stockholders because the Board of Directors believes that it has been able to give appropriate consideration to candidates recommended by stockholders in prior years on a case-by-case basis. Audit Committee Financial Expert The Board of Directors has determined that Dr. Peter R. Wilson is an "audit committee financial expert" for purposes of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Mr. Wilson also is an independent director within the meaning of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules applicable to audit committee members of companies listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. Additional information required by this Item will be contained in the Registrant's definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions "Board of Directors - Code of Ethics," "Board of Directors--Nominees for Director," and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," which are incorporated by reference herein. 40 Item 11. Executive Compensation The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to information in the registrant's proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Executive Compensation." Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Certain information required by this Item will be contained in the Registrant's definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners," which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number of securities Number of securities Weighted-average remaining available to be issued upon exercise price of for future issuance exercise of outstanding options, under equity Plan Category outstanding options, warrants and rights compensation plans warrants and rights (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) - -------------------- --------------------- --------------------- --------------------- (a) (b) (c) - -------------------- --------------------- --------------------- --------------------- Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 1,663,700 $0.37 - - -------------------- --------------------- --------------------- --------------------- Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders 6,850,000 $0.49 - - -------------------- --------------------- --------------------- --------------------- Total 8,513,700 $0.47 - - -------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
The table set forth above does not include any information with respect to shares of common stock that may be issued upon the conversion of convertible notes that have been issued by the Company. At December 31, 2007, there was $3,476,342 of principal and accrued interest outstanding under these notes, which could be converted into an aggregate of 11,364,171 shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price of $0.20 ($1,203,466 principal and accrued interest), $0.42 ($2,102,859 principal and accrued interest) or $0.50 ($170,017 principal and accrued interest) per share. As set forth in the above table, we issued stock options and warrants exercisable into 6,850,000 of shares of our common stock. Of such amount, 4,350,000 were stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors. The grant of these stock options will be discussed in detail in Part III, Item 11., "Executive Compensation," and Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included herein also discusses these stock options and warrants to purchase 2,500,000 shares of our common stock issued to Morgan Keegan & Company for advisory and other services. Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence Related Transactions Since June 2002, we have primarily financed our operations from the proceeds received through the issuance of convertible notes. In June 2002, our Chief Executive Officer purchased a convertible note in the principal amount of $125,000. Additionally, in December 2003, we sold a two-year convertible note in the principal amount of $100,000 to a subsidiary of The South Financial Group ("TSFG"), which at the time owned approximately 12%of our common stock. In June 2004, all of our then outstanding convertible notes, including the note issued to our Chief Executive Officer and the subsidiary of TFSG, went into default. In August 2006, we reached an agreement with the holders of our notes outstanding at that time (the "existing notes"), under which we exchanged the existing notes, all of which were in default, for new notes. The principal of the new notes included the original principal of the existing notes plus the accrued interest on the existing notes and matured in August 2008. In accordance with the exchange, we issued to our Chief Executive Officer and the subsidiary of TSFG new notes in the amount of $166,863 and $122,115, respectively. Additional information regarding our convertible notes and this transaction with our Chief Executive Officer is discussed in Part II, Item 7., "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" and in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included herein. 41 Director Independence Information regarding the independence of our outside directors is contained in Part III, Item 10., "Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant - Board of Directors." Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to information in the Registrant's definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the caption "Accounting Fees." 42 Part IV Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules (a) (1) The following consolidated financial statements of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and subsidiaries included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are included in Item 8. i. Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006. ii. Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005. iii. Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency) for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005. iv. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005. v. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. (2) Exhibits: Documents incorporated by reference to exhibits that have been filed with the Company's reports or proxy statements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available to the public over the Internet from the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any such document at the SEC's public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549 under the Company's SEC file number (0-28152). Exhibit Number Description - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Affinity Technology Group, Inc., which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333-1170). 3.2 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 3.3 Bylaws of Affinity Technology Group, Inc., which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333-1170). 4.1 Specimen Certificate of Common Stock, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333-1170). 4.2 Sections 4, 7 and 8 of the Certificate of Incorporation of Affinity Technology Group, Inc., as amended, and Article II, Sections 3, 9 and 10 of the Bylaws of Affinity Technology Group, Inc., as amended, which are incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333- 1170). 4.3 Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 3, 2002, between Affinity Technology Group, Inc., and certain investors, which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 2002. 4.4 Amended and Restated Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 9, 2006, among the Company and the investors named therein, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. 4.5 Form of 8% Convertible Secured Note, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. 4.6 Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated August 9, 2006, among the Company and the investors named therein, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. 43 4.7 Letter Agreement, dated as of September 12, 2006, among Affinity Technology Group, Inc. and certain purchasers of convertible notes under the Amended and Restated Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2006, among the Company and the investors named therein, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 20, 2006. 10.1* Form of Stock Option Agreement (1995 Stock Option Plan), which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333-1170). 10.2* Form of Stock Option Agreement (1996 Stock Option Plan), which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333- 1170). 10.3* Form of Stock Option Agreement (Directors' Stock Option Plan), which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333-1170). 10.4* 1995 Stock Option Plan of Affinity Technology Group, Inc., which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333-1170). 10.5* Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan of Affinity Technology Group, Inc., which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999. 10.6* Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan of Affinity Technology Group, Inc., which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333-1170). 10.7 Stock Rights Agreement, dated October 20, 1995, between Affinity Technology Group, Inc., and certain investors, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (File No. 333-1170). 10.8* Declaration of First Amendment to 1996 Stock Option Plan of Affinity Technology Group, Inc., and 1995 Stock Option Plan of Affinity Technology Group, Inc., which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. 10.9* Restricted Stock Agreement between Affinity Technology Group, Inc., and Joseph A. Boyle, which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. 10.10* Stock Agreement between Affinity Technology Group, Inc., and Wade H. Britt, III, which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. 10.13 Legal Representation Agreement, dated May 27, 2003, between decisioning.com, Inc., and Withrow & Terranova, PLLC, which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003. 10.14 Letter Agreement, effective as of April 17, 2006, between Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (the "Company") and the holders of the 8% convertible secured notes issued under the Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 3, 2002, among the Company and the investors named there in, which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 17, 2006. 10.15 Letter Agreement, dated July 10, 2006, between the Company and Morgan Keegan & Company, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2006. 10.16 Amended and Restated Legal Representation Agreement, dated July 10, 2006, among the Company, decisioning.com, Inc. and Withrow & Terranova, PLLC, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2006. 10.17 Engagement Agreement, dated July 10, 2006, among the Company, decisioning.com, Inc. and McBride Law, PC, which is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2006. 44 14 Code of Ethics, which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. 21 Subsidiaries of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. 23.1 Consent of Scott McElveen, L.L.P. 31 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification. 32 Section 1350 Certification. * Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. (b) Exhibits The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are filed herewith and incorporated by reference herein. The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted under Item 15(a) (2). 45 Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Affinity Technology Group, Inc. Date: March 31, 2008 By: /s/ Joseph A. Boyle --------------------------------------- Joseph A. Boyle President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date - --------------------------- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- /s/ Joseph A. Boyle March 31, 2008 - --------------------------- Joseph A. Boyle Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Director (principal executive and financial officer) /s/ Robert M. Price, Jr. March 31, 2008 - --------------------------- Robert M. Price, Jr. Director /s/ Peter R. Wilson, Ph.D. March 31, 2008 - --------------------------- Peter R. Wilson, Ph.D. Director /s/ S. Sean Douglas March 31, 2008 - --------------------------- S. Sean Douglas Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (principal accounting officer)
46 Exhibit Index Exhibit Number Description - --------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- 21 Subsidiaries of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. 23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 31 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications 32 Section 1350 Certifications 47 EX-21 2 a5644917ex21.txt EXHIBIT 21 Exhibit 21 - Subsidiaries of Affinity Technology Group, Inc.
Name Jurisdiction of Incorporation Percent Owned - --------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- --------------------------- Affinity Bank Technology Corporation Delaware, USA 100% Affinity Clearinghouse Corporation Delaware, USA 100% Affinity Credit Corporation Delaware, USA 100% Affinity Processing Corporation Delaware, USA 100% Affinity Mortgage Technology Corporation Delaware, USA 100% decisioning.com, Inc. Delaware, USA 100% Multi Financial Services, Inc. Delaware, USA 100%
48 EX-23.1 3 a5644917ex23_1.txt EXHIBIT 23.1 Exhibit 23.1 - Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-10435) pertaining to the Affinity Technology Group, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan, of our report dated March 26, 2008, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2007. /s/ SCOTT McELVEEN, L.L.P. Columbia, South Carolina March 26, 2008 49 EX-31 4 a5644917ex31.txt EXHIBIT 31 Exhibit 31 CERTIFICATIONS I, Joseph A. Boyle, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Affinity Technology Group, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. March 31, 2008 /s/ Joseph A. Boyle ----------------------------------------------------- Joseph A. Boyle Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (principal executive and financial officer) 50 EX-32 5 a5644917ex32.txt EXHIBIT 32 Exhibit 32 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Annual Report of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Joseph A. Boyle, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Joseph A. Boyle Joseph A. Boyle Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer March 31, 2008 51 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----