-----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, DGulxeCVndN731VTSdTgRDslNWMEmuCakUNFka/sxn1oYdTgjtvK4udeY7bjy5u+ zsjXHM4K6IOzdLJjkRaiZQ== 0001047469-03-040833.txt : 20031215 0001047469-03-040833.hdr.sgml : 20031215 20031215144446 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-03-040833 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20031215 ITEM INFORMATION: Other events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20031215 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LIBERTE INVESTORS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001017907 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BLANK CHECKS [6770] IRS NUMBER: 751328153 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-12117 FILM NUMBER: 031054198 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 200 CRESCENT COURT STREET 2: SUITE 1365 CITY: DALLAS STATE: TX ZIP: 75201 BUSINESS PHONE: 2148715935 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 200 CRESCENT COURT STREET 2: SUITE 1365 CITY: DALLAS STATE: TX ZIP: 75201 8-K 1 a2124990z8-k.htm 8-K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):

December 15, 2003

Liberté Investors Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
(State of incorporation)

 

1-6802
(Commission File No.)

 

75-1328153
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

200 Crescent Court, Suite 1365
Dallas, Texas 75201
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (214) 871-5935





Item 5.    Other Events

        Enclosed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the Registrant's press release dated December 15, 2003, announcing that the Registrant has entered into a definitive merger agreement under which the Registrant will acquire USAuto Holdings, a Tennessee-based provider of non-standard consumer automobile insurance. The press release contained in Exhibit 99.1 is incorporated herein by reference.

        Also enclosed herewith as Exhibit 99.2 is a copy of the Registrant's press release dated December 15, 2003, announcing that that the Registrant has filed a registration statement relating to a $50 million rights offering. The purpose of the rights offering is to partially fund the proposed acquisition of USAuto Holdings. The press release contained in Exhibit 99.2 is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 7.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

99.1   Press Release dated December 15, 2003.

99.2

 

Press Release dated December 15, 2003.

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SIGNATURES

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

    Liberté Investors Inc.

Date: December 15, 2003

 

By:

/s/  
ELLEN V. BILLINGS      
Name: Ellen V. Billings
Title: Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
  Description

99.1   Press Release dated December 15, 2003.

99.2

 

Press Release dated December 15, 2003.

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SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-99.1 3 a2124990zex-99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1
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Exhibit 99.1

    Investors contact:   Donald J. Edwards: (312) 327-4531
or Ellen Billings: (214) 871-5937

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


LIBERTÉ INVESTORS, INC. AGREES TO ACQUIRE USAUTO HOLDINGS

        Dallas, TX, December 15, 2003—Liberté Investors, Inc. (NYSE: LBI) today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Liberté will acquire USAuto Holdings, a Tennessee-based provider of non-standard consumer automobile insurance. As a result of the contemplated merger, Liberté will acquire 100% of the stock of USAuto for $76 million in cash and 13.25 million newly issued shares of Liberté. Up to an additional 750,000 shares will be issued to USAuto's stockholders if certain operating performance criteria are achieved in 2004. Liberté will finance the cash portion of the merger consideration by using the proceeds of a new equity issuance and existing cash. The acquisition, which has been approved by Liberté's Board of Directors, is contingent upon various conditions, including approval by Liberté's stockholders and approval by certain state insurance authorities. Gerald J. Ford, Liberté's Chairman and 45% stockholder, has agreed to vote his shares in favor of the acquisition. Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc. served as a financial advisor to Liberté and rendered a fairness opinion to its Board of Directors.

        Upon closing of the transaction, which is expected in approximately 90 days, Liberté will change its name to First Acceptance Corporation and relocate its headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, Stephen J. Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of USAuto, will replace Donald J. Edwards as Chief Executive Officer of Liberté, and Thomas M. Harrison, Chief Operating Officer of USAuto, will become Executive Vice President of Liberté. Gerald J. Ford will remain Chairman of the Board and Donald J. Edwards will remain a Director and enter into a four year advisory relationship with the Company.

        "We are very excited to announce the acquisition of USAuto," said Mr. Edwards. "This transaction provides Liberté with a premier platform in the rapidly growing area of non-standard auto insurance. In USAuto we have acquired one of the most dynamic and highly profitable companies in the industry. USAuto has developed a unique business model, based on a proprietary technology platform, which vertically integrates the agency, underwriting and servicing components of auto insurance."

        Mr. Ford commented, "I am very pleased to say that in this transaction we have acquired not only an excellent company, but an outstanding new Chief Executive Officer as well. Steve Harrison is one of the most experienced auto insurance executives in the United States, and I am confident he, with support from the Board, will lead Liberté into an era of growth. Steve and Tom have shown a great commitment to our company and our stockholders by taking almost 90% of the consideration for their USAuto shares in the form of Liberté stock." Mr. Ford added, "At this time I also wish to thank Don for his service and for establishing a new foundation at Liberté with this acquisition. I look forward to continuing to work with him as a Director."

        Mr. Harrison commented, "I am excited to be part of a new era for both Liberté and USAuto. In the combined company we have a great operating platform, significant capital for future growth and a strong, experienced Board. I look forward to working with Jerry and Don to build the company into one of the leading auto insurance companies in the U.S."

Forward Looking Statements

        Statements in this release that are not historical, including without limitation statements regarding the plans, expectations, assumptions and estimations with respect to the transaction and the results thereof, are considered forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date hereof. These statements can be identified by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe" and other such words and terms of similar meaning. As such,



these statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the receipt and timing of regulatory approvals for the transaction, the risk that the companies may be required to modify aspects of the transaction to obtain regulatory approvals, the possibility that the transaction will not close or that a delay in the timing thereof will be experienced, the individual risks faced by each company, including as a result of the announcement of the transaction. More information about these risks and uncertainties and other risks and uncertainties facing Liberté may be found in the most recent Form 10-K and in the subsequent Form 10-Qs and other periodic filings of Liberté with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Liberté does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein even if experience or future changes or circumstances make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

Additional Information

        Liberté will file a joint proxy statement/prospectus and other related documents concerning the proposed merger transaction with the SEC. Investors are urged to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available and any other related documents filed with the SEC because such will contain important information regarding Liberté, USAuto and the transaction. These documents, and the annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy and information statements and other filings of Liberté can be obtained free of charge at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC by Liberté may be obtained free of charge by directing a request to Ellen Billings, Secretary, by mail at 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1365, Dallas, Texas 75201 or telephone (214) 871-5935. Certain directors and executive officers of Liberté and USAuto may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Liberté in connection with the merger. Information about such directors and executive officers of Liberté and their ownership of Liberté stock is set forth in the proxy statement for the 2003 annual meeting of its stockholders. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such participants by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.

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LIBERTÉ INVESTORS, INC. AGREES TO ACQUIRE USAUTO HOLDINGS
EX-99.2 4 a2124990zex-99_2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2
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Exhibit 99.2


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investors contact:

 

Donald J. Edwards: (312) 327-4531
or Ellen Billings: (214) 871-5937

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


LIBERTÉ INVESTORS, INC. APPROVES RIGHTS OFFERING

        Dallas, TX, December 15, 2003—Liberté Investors, Inc. (NYSE: LBI) announced today that it has filed a registration statement relating to a $50 million rights offering. The purpose of the rights offering is to partially fund the proposed acquisition of USAuto Holdings, a Tennessee-based provider of non-standard consumer automobile insurance, and to provide the combined company with capital to support its future growth. Each Liberté stockholder of record on the record date will receive, for every share owned, a right to purchase 0.61 newly-issued shares of Liberté for $4.00 per share, for an aggregate issuance of approximately 12.5 million newly-issued shares. In connection with the transaction, Gerald J. Ford, the Company's Chairman and 45% stockholder, has agreed to cause his affiliate, Hunter's Glen/Ford Ltd., to backstop the rights offering, thereby assuring its completion. Under the terms of the backstop agreement, Hunter's Glen/Ford Ltd. will purchase all shares that remain unsold under the offering at the same price per share. The acquisition and the rights offering (both of which have been approved by Liberté's Board of Directors) are contingent upon various conditions, including approval by Liberté's stockholders and approval by certain state insurance authorities. Gerald J. Ford, Liberté's Chairman and 45% stockholder, has agreed to vote his shares in favor of the acquisition and the issuance of shares.

Not a Prospectus

        The rights offering will be made only by means of a prospectus that Liberté has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of a registration statement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such sate or jurisdiction.

Forward Looking Statements

        Statements in this release that are not historical, including without limitation statements regarding the plans, expectations, assumptions and estimations with respect to the transaction and the results thereof, are considered forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date hereof. These statements can be identified by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe" and other such words and terms of similar meaning. As such, these statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the receipt and timing of regulatory approvals for the transaction, the risk that the companies may be required to modify aspects of the transaction to obtain regulatory approvals, the possibility that the transaction will not close or that a delay in the timing thereof will be experienced, the individual risks faced by each company, including as a result of the announcement of the transaction. More information about these risks and uncertainties and other risks and uncertainties facing Liberté may be found in the most recent Form 10-K and in the subsequent Form 10-Qs and other periodic filings of Liberté with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Liberté does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein even if experience or future changes or circumstances make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.



Additional Information

        Liberté will file a joint proxy statement/prospectus and other related documents concerning the proposed rights offering with the SEC. Investors are urged to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available and any other related documents filed with the SEC because such will contain important information regarding Liberté, USAuto and the transaction. These documents, and the annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy and information statements and other filings of Liberté can be obtained free of charge at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC by Liberté may be obtained free of charge by directing a request to Ellen Billings, Secretary, by mail at 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1365, Dallas, Texas 75201 or telephone (214) 871-5935. Certain directors and executive officers of Liberté and USAuto may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Liberté in connection with the merger. Information about such directors and executive officers of Liberté and their ownership of Liberté stock is set forth in the proxy statement for the 2003 annual meeting of its stockholders. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such participants by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.

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LIBERTÉ INVESTORS, INC. APPROVES RIGHTS OFFERING
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