-----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, VCeweMdWeypBHTM70IQCtOABv6cUSk0kVEOqI++DQ19jY5N4u+UK6t29sfpycfLN +kAxPH8wx9y5RjvndCv5Kg== /in/edgar/work/20000815/0000891554-00-500006/0000891554-00-500006.txt : 20000922 0000891554-00-500006.hdr.sgml : 20000921 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000891554-00-500006 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20000630 FILED AS OF DATE: 20000814 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001024339 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [7371 ] IRS NUMBER: 521549401 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-21735 FILM NUMBER: 702064 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5950 SYMPHONY WOODS RD CITY: COLUMBIA STATE: MD ZIP: 21044 BUSINESS PHONE: 4107401000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5950 SYMPHONY WOODS RD STREET 2: SUITE 301 CITY: COLUMBIA STATE: MD ZIP: 21044 10-Q 1 0001.htm QUARTERLY REPORT Credit Management Solutions, Inc.


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2000

OR

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

For the transition period from ______________ to _______________

Commission file number 000-21735

CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

135 National Business Parkway, Annapolis Junction, MD
(Address of principal executive offices)
52-1549401
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

20701
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (301) 362-6000

     FORMER NAME, FORMER ADDRESS AND FORMER FISCAL YEAR, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT.

     Indicate by check 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 [_]

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 7,822,081 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding as of August 4, 2000.



CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
Index to June 30, 2000 Form 10-Q


Page
   Part I — Financial Information 
 
Item 1.   Financial Statements    
 
   Consolidated Balance Sheets — June 30, 2000 (unaudited) and December 31, 1999  3  
 
   Consolidated Statements of Operations — Three Months Ended June 30,
2000 (unaudited) and 1999 (unaudited) and Six Months Ended June 30, 2000 (unaudited) and 1999 (unaudited)
  4  
 
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Six Months Ended
June 30, 2000 (unaudited) and 1999 (unaudited)
  5
 
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  6  
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
  8  
 
   Part II — Other Information 
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings  22  
 
Item 2.  Changes in Securities  22  
 
Item 3.  Defaults upon Senior Securities  22  
 
Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  22  
 
Item 5.  Other Information  22  
 
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K  22  
 
   Signatures  24  
 


Item I.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Credit Management Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets

June 30,
2000

December 31,
1999

(unaudited)
                                                       Assets      
Current assets: 
      Cash and cash equivalents  $   2,054,014   $   3,594,328  
      Investments available-for-sale  1,954,210   1,316,470  
      Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $192,602 and 
          $311,583 in 2000 and 1999, respectively  6,769,529   5,724,256  
      Costs and estimated earnings in excess of 
          billings on uncompleted contracts  54,755   5,891  
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets  416,249   474,725  

Total current assets  11,248,757   11,115,670  
Property and equipment: 
      Computer equipment and software  5,687,289   5,234,084  
      Office furniture and equipment  1,223,036   1,458,793  
      Leasehold improvements  2,775,460   2,769,926  

   9,685,785   9,462,803  
      Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (3,817,928 ) (3,065,136 )

   5,867,857   6,397,667  
      Software development costs, net of accumulated amortization  2,823,987   1,932,867  
      Other non current assets  36,800   46,386  

Total assets  $ 19,977,401   $ 19,492,590  

  
                                                       Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 
Current liabilities: 
      Accounts payable  $   2,417,595   $   2,163,044  
      Accrued payroll and related expenses  852,777   722,389  
      Billings in excess of costs and estimated 
          earnings on uncompleted contracts  595,626   101,046  
      Deferred revenue  2,767,004   2,920,904  
      Current portion of deferred tenant allowance  144,866   144,866  
      Short-term borrowings  798,000   798,000  
      Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations  2,887   25,402  

Total current liabilities  7,578,755   6,875,651  
 
Deferred tenant allowance, less current portion  1,068,385   1,140,818  

Total liabilities  8,647,140   8,016,469  
Shareholders’ equity: 
      Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 
          no shares issued or outstanding     
      Common stock, $.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 
          7,820,988 and 7,689,570 shares issued and outstanding at 
          June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999, respectively  78,210   76,896  
      Additional paid-in capital  27,758,287   27,034,049  
      Accumulated deficit  (16,506,236 ) (15,634,824 )

Total shareholders’ equity  11,330,261   11,476,121  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $ 19,977,401   $ 19,492,590  


THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.




CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2000
1999
2000
1999
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Revenues:          
  License and software development fees  $ 3,229,165   $   3,759,727   $   5,831,399   $   7,312,826  
  Maintenance fees  1,637,464   1,429,934   3,124,777   2,621,131  
  Computer hardware sales  116,592   282,298   165,595   1,061,125  
  Service bureau revenues  1,661,982   669,090   2,720,844   1,277,698  

   6,645,203   6,141,049   11,842,615   12,272,780  

 
Costs of revenues: 
  Cost of license and software development fees  2,037,913   1,899,819   3,429,441   3,604,360  
  Cost of maintenance fees  430,990   300,562   720,886   571,042  
  Cost of computer hardware sales  199,542   433,912   283,678   1,218,752  
  Cost of service bureau  1,162,372   699,554   2,189,328   1,506,021  

   3,830,817   3,333,847   6,623,333   6,900,175  

Gross profit  2,814,386   2,807,202   5,219,282   5,372,605  
 
Other Operating Expenses: 
  Selling, general and administrative expenses  2,948,208   2,546,015   5,633,065   5,445,587  
  Research and development costs  306,138   327,062   543,217   683,885  

   3,254,346   2,873,077   6,176,282   6,129,472  

Loss from operations  (439,960 ) (65,875 ) (957,000 ) (756,867 )
 
Other income (expense): 
  Interest expense  (24,853 ) 112   (47,638 ) (9,620 )
  Interest income  69,198   119,460   133,226   174,579  

 
   44,345   119,572   85,588   164,959  

Net income (loss)  $  (395,615 ) $        53,697   $    (871,412 ) $    (591,908 )

 
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share  $        (0.05 ) $            0.01   $          (0.11 ) $          (0.08 )

Weighted average shares used in computation  7,820,524   7,658,119   7,774,849   7,655,841  


THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.




CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


Six Months Ended June 30,
2000
1999
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Operating activities:      
     Net loss  $  (871,412 ) $  (591,908 )
     Adjustments: 
        Depreciation  895,765   881,412  
        Amortization of software development costs    59,860  
        Amortization of deferred tenant allowance  (72,433 )  
        Loss on disposal of property and equipment  76,295   23,826  
        Other lease obligations    (334,547 )
 
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
        Accounts receivable, net  (1,045,273 ) (276,924 )
        Prepaid expenses and other current assets  58,476   (271,187 )
        Accounts payable  254,551   (2,064,152 )
        Accrued payroll and related expenses  130,387   512,062  
        Net billings in excess of costs and estimated gross profit on uncompleted
           contracts
  445,716   (556,516 )
        Deferred revenue  (153.900 ) (592,437 )

     Net cash used in operating activities  (281,827 ) (3,210,511 )
 
Investing activities: 
     Purchase of investments available-for-sale  (8,380,994 ) (9,916,902 )
     Sale of investments available-for-sale  7,743,254   14,072,867  
     Proceeds from sale of property and equipment  7,373   29,458  
     Purchase of property and equipment  (449,623 ) (304,363 )
     Capitalized software development costs  (891,120 ) (1,093,121 )
     Increase in other assets  9,587   (287 )

     Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (1,961,524 ) 2,787,652  
 
Financing activities: 
     Payments under capital lease obligations  (22,515 ) (34,936 )
     Proceeds from credit line    798,000  
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock and exercise of stock options   725,552   32,390  

     Net cash provided by financing activities  703,037   795,454  

 
     Net change in cash and cash equivalents  (1,540,314 ) 372,595  

 
     Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  3,594,328   3,090,565  

 
     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $ 2,054,014   $   3,463,160  


THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.




CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2000. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereof included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 1999. Certain amounts in the 1999 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2000 presentation.



NOTE 2.   COST AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS ON UNCOMPLETED CONTRACTS

Uncompleted contracts consist of the following components:


BALANCE SHEET CAPTION
COSTS AND ESTIMATED
EARNINGS IN
EXCESS OF BILLINGS

BILLINGS IN EXCESS
OF COSTS AND
ESTIMATED EARNINGS

TOTAL
December 31, 1999:        
    Cost and estimated earnings  $ 169,923   $    261,742   $    431,665  
    Billings  164,032   362,788   526,820  

   $     5,891   $  (101,046 ) $   (95,155 )

June 30, 2000: 
    Cost and estimated earnings  $ 472,707   $ 922,013   $ 1,394,720  
    Billings  417,952   1,517,639   1,935,591  

   $   54,755   $  (595,626 ) $  (540,871 )


All receivables on contracts in progress are expected to be collected within twelve months.

NOTE 3.   SEGMENT REPORTING

Segment Reporting

The Company manages its business by focusing on distinct products and services. Previously the Company was organized into three distinct business lines; Credit Decisioning Systems, e-Commerce and Service Bureau Alliances. In February 2000, the Company formed two new wholly-owned subsidiaries; Credit Online Inc. and CMSI Systems Inc. and reorganized its three business lines into these new subsidiaries.


Three months ended June 30, 2000
CMSI Systems
Credit Online
Total
Revenues   $5,685,860   $ 959,343   $6,645,203  
Segment profit (loss)  2,282,268   (843,666 ) 1,438,602  

Three months ended June 30, 1999
CMSI Systems
Credit Online
Total
Revenues   $5,642,039   $ 499,010   $6,141,049  
Segment profit (loss)  2,567,536   (819,374 ) 1,748,162  


A reconciliation of segment profit for all segments to net income (loss) before income taxes is as follows:


Three months ended June 30,
2000
1999
Total segment profit   $ 1,438,602   $ 1,748,162  
Unallocated corporate, general and administrative expenses  (1,459,286 ) (1,360,927 )
Depreciation and amortization  (419,276 ) (453,110 )
Net interest income  44,345   119,572)  

Net income (loss)  $  (395,615 ) $      53,697  




Six months ended June 30, 2000
CMSI Systems
Credit Online
Total
Revenues   $9,967,002   $ 1,875,613   $11,842,615  
Segment profit (loss)  4,299,282   (1,468,998 ) 2,830,282  

Six months ended June 30, 1999
CMSI Systems
Credit Online
Total
Revenues   $11,338,821   $    933,959   $12,272,780  
Segment profit (loss)  5,000,941   (2,070,828 ) 2,930,113  


A reconciliation of segment profit for all segments to net income (loss) before income taxes is as follows:


Six months ended June 30,
2000
1999
Total segment profit   $ 2,830,284   $ 2,930,113  
Unallocated corporate, general and administrative expenses  (2,963,951 ) (2,745,708 )
Depreciation and amortization  (823,333 ) (941,242 )
Net interest income  85,588   164,959  

Net Loss   $  (871,412 ) $  (591,908 )


Substantially all of the revenues and assets or the Company’s reportable segments are attributed to or located in the United States.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the Company’s interim results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. This report contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or the future financial performance of the Company. Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating such statements, investors should carefully consider the various factors identified in this Report which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including the matters set forth in “—Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results, Financial Condition and the Market Price of Securities.”

OVERVIEW

The Company was incorporated in 1987 to commercialize an automated credit processing system developed by James R. DeFrancesco, the Company’s co-founder, and Scott L. Freiman, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder while they were employed by American Financial Corporation (“AFC”), an automobile finance servicing company owned by Mr. DeFrancesco. AFC was acquired in October 1987 by Perpetual Savings Bank, FSB. Mr. DeFrancesco and Mr. Freiman retained ownership of AFC’s credit processing software which formed the basis for CreditRevue. CreditRevue was initially released in 1988. Since its initial release, the Company has continually enhanced CreditRevue in response to the needs of its customers. CreditConnection became commercially available in July 1996. The Dun & Bradstreet OneScore product was commercially released in October 1997. The CreditRevue Service Bureau was introduced in January 1998. The Company’s original strategy was to enter into marketing alliances with established service bureau providers whereby such providers would re-market CreditRevue Service Bureau to their clients on a transaction fee basis. The Company is changing its strategy to focus on an application service provider (ASP) or other service bureau model built around it’s eValuate product and an enhanced CreditRevue product offering. New licenses for the original CreditRevue Service Bureau are no longer being offered. Dun & Bradstreet Portfolio Monitoring was introduced in June 1998 and the CreditOnline network, was announced in February 1999. In March 1999, the Company announced Credit the introduction of CreditRevue Maestro, an automated analysis engine for evaluating and decisioning consumer and small business credit applications. During 1999, the CreditRevue Maestro product was renamed eValuate. The Company currently expects eValuate to be released in the third quarter of 2000.




     In February 2000, the Company announced the formation of two new wholly-owned subsidiaries: Credit Online, Inc. and CMSI Systems, Inc. Credit Online, Inc., focusing on the Company’s e-commerce strategy, intends to expand and enrich the Company’s offerings in online lending for the automotive industry. Credit Online, Inc. also may leverage investments made in infrastructure to expand into additional vertical markets in the business-to-business Internet credit arena. CMSI Systems, Inc. intends to continue to provide the Company’s line of licensed credit management software solutions, including CreditRevue.

License fees for CreditRevue are recognized based on a percentage-of-completion method, measured generally on a cost-incurred basis. The Company typically charges a nonrefundable fee of 25% of the preliminary estimate of the total license fee to develop an analysis of the customer’s credit operations and a plan for the configuration and implementation of CreditRevue according to the customer’s requirements. Costs consist primarily of direct labor, temporary contract labor and office space. Contracts in progress are reviewed periodically, and revenues and earnings are adjusted based on revisions in contract value and estimated time to completion. The Company recognizes revenue for maintenance fees pro rata over the term of the related agreement, which is generally one year. Maintenance fees received in advance of revenue recognition are included in deferred revenue. In addition, as a convenience to its customers, the Company offers third-party computer hardware through various reseller arrangements. However, neither third-party hardware nor third-party software sales are a focus of the Company’s overall marketing strategy. For the six months ended June 30, 2000, revenues from third-party hardware and software sales accounted for 1.0% and 1.8% of total revenues, respectively. Revenues from resales of third-party computer hardware and software are recognized at the time of shipment and installation.

Certain of the Company’s products and services, including CreditConnection, CreditRevue Service Bureau and Dun & Bradstreet’s OneScore and the CreditOnline network are charged on a per transaction basis. As a result, the Company anticipates that transaction-based revenue will represent an increasing proportion of the Company’s revenue. The Company’s sales and marketing efforts will no longer be exclusively targeted at generating license-based revenue but will be increasingly focused on generating transaction-based revenue from prospective customers. The Company’s anticipated future growth is based, in large part, on the success of these products and services and the transition to a transaction-based revenue stream. Accordingly, the failure by the Company to generate demand for the CreditConnection service, Dun & Bradstreet’s OneScore, Dun & Bradstreet’s Portfolio Monitoring, CreditOnline network, eValuate, the occurrence of any significant technological problems, such as a system failure incurred prior to the implementation of a back-up computer system, any inadequacy of the Company’s business interruption insurance to cover costs associated with system failure or business interruptions, or the failure of the Company to successfully manage the transition to a transaction-based revenue stream would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Since 1987, the Company has continually invested in the development and introduction of new products, services and enhancements to its software. Research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred. Certain software development costs are capitalized subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed”. Based on the Company’s current research and development process, technological feasibility is established upon completion of a working model. The Company intends to continue to expend substantial resources on developing new products and services and enhancements to its software to incorporate technological developments and satisfy evolving customer needs.




As of June 30, 2000, the Company had 20 employees in its sales and marketing organization. The Company intends to hire additional sales and marketing personnel in the future to help the Company expand its market presence. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company can retain its existing sales personnel or that it can attract, assimilate or retain additional highly qualified sales persons in the future. If the Company is unable to hire such personnel on a timely basis, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Total Revenues. Total revenues increased 8.2% from $6.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 1999 to $6.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2000. The primary factors affecting revenue growth in the quarter relate to increases in maintenance and service bureau revenues. The Company’s revenues are derived from four sources: license and software development fees, maintenance fees, computer hardware sales and service bureau revenues.

Total revenues decreased 3.5% from $12.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $11.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 1999. Year to year revenue performance was affected by lower revenues in the first quarter due in large part to delays in buying decisions resulting from Year 2000.

License and Software Development Fees. CreditRevue accounted for virtually all of the Company’s license and software development fee revenue through June 30, 2000. License and software development fees decreased 14.1% from $3.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 1999 to $3.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2000. The decrease in license and software development fee revenue through June 30, 2000 was the result of longer related spending than expected sales cycles for the CreditRevue product during the last half of 1999, due in part to Year 2000 related spending freezes implemented by many of the Company’s prospective customers. The slower sales cycle resulted in fewer new license contracts and lower license revenues. Compared to the first quarter of 2000, license and software development fees increased 24.2% from $2.6 million to $3.2 million.

License and software development fees decreased 20.3% from $7.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $5.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000, primarily due to Year 2000 related spending freezes implemented by many of the Company’s prospective customers.

Maintenance Fees. Maintenance fees include fees from software maintenance agreements. Maintenance fees increased 14.5% from $1.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 1999 to $1.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2000. The growth in these revenues during the periods presented was the result of increased maintenance fees associated with the increased number of licenses of CreditRevue outstanding during such periods. New system implementations coupled with increases of professional services license enhancements resulted in increased base licenses subject to maintenance fees.

Maintenance fees increased 19.2% from $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000. In addition to a growing installed base of CreditRevue systems, maintenance agreements include annual increases for increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Company increased its standard maintenance fees to 18% from 15% of the license fee for CreditRevue systems installed after 1998. Maintenance fees related to third party software are included in this category and with the increased number of installed CreditRevue systems, maintenance on the required third party software is also increasing. The increased system base, increases in the consumer price index and increases to annual maintenance fees, all contributed to this growth in maintenance fee revenue on a year to year basis.




Computer Hardware Sales. Computer hardware sales revenues decreased 58.7% from $0.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 1999 to $0.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2000. Computer hardware sales revenue consists of revenues received from resales of third-party hardware in connection with the license and installation of the Company’s software. The fluctuation in such revenues during these periods is the result of customer purchase preferences for computer hardware systems. In certain instances, CreditRevue customers have volume discount arrangements with hardware resellers making them eligible for discounts greater than those offered by the Company.

Computer hardware sales for the six months ended June 30, 2000 decreased 84.4% to $0.2 million as compared to $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999. Because hardware sales typically occur in conjunction with the sale and implementation of new CreditRevue systems, the higher number of CreditRevue sales during the first six months of 1999 had a direct impact on the higher level of hardware sales during that period.

Service Bureau Fees. Service Bureau revenues originate from several sources including: CreditConnection transaction and interface fees, Credit Online network fees, Dun & Bradstreet OneScore and Portfolio Management transaction and implementation fees and CreditRevue Service Bureau. Total service bureau revenues increased 148.4% from $0.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 1999, as compared to $1.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2000. The CreditConnection service and Credit Online network generated $0.9 million of revenue in the quarter ended June 30, 2000 compared to $0.4 million for the period ended June 30, 1999, an increase of 202.5%. Revenue increases are the result of increases in the number of dealers and lenders enrolled in the CreditConnection service and the resulting growth in transaction volume. At June 30, 2000 there were approximately 340 dealers enrolled in the service compared to approximately 170 dealers at June 30, 1999.

Dun & Bradstreet OneScore was commercially released in the fourth quarter of 1997. Portfolio Monitoring and CreditRevue Service Bureau were commercially released in the first quarter of 1999. These products account for an aggregate revenue of $0.8 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2000, which represents an increase of 336.8% compared to the $0.2 million recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 1999. The increase in 2000 over 1999 relates to one-time revenues of approximately $0.6 million associated with the winding down of the CreditRevue Service Bureau business.

Service bureau revenues increased 112.9% from $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000. Of the total $2.7 million in 2000, CreditConnection–related revenues accounted for $1.7 million, up 214.8% from the $0.8 million reported for the first six months of 1999. The growth in CreditConnection® revenue related to the increased number of dealers and lenders active on the system at June 30, 2000. The balance of service bureau fees for the first six months of 2000, totaling $0.9 million, represent revenues related to the CreditRevue® service bureau and the Dun & Bradstreet OneScore and Portfolio monitoring services. These other service bureau revenues increased 200.4% from $0.5 million to $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively. Approximately $0.6 million of the increase in other service bureau revenues is attributable to one-time revenues associated with the winding-down of the CreditRevue Service Bureau business.

Cost of License and Software Development Fees. Cost of license and software development fees consists primarily of salaries and benefits for in-house programmers, the cost of temporary contract labor and costs for office space. Cost of license and software development fees increased 7.3% from $1.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 1999 to $2.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2000. As a percentage of license fee and software development revenue, cost of license and software development fees were 50.5% and 63.1% in the three months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively. The increase in cost of license and software fees as a percentage of license and software development fees relates to the fluctuation in the Company’s quarterly revenues and the costs associated with in-house programmers and temporary contract labor. Revenue fluctuations result in corresponding fluctuations in the extent to which the Company employs temporary contractors and may also result in increases or decreases in-house programmer staffing as revenues increase or decrease. The net increase in costs of $0.1 million is the result of increased costs associated with temporary contractors.




The cost of license and software development fees decreased 4.9% from $3.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000. As a percentage of license and software development revenue, the cost of license and software development fees were 49.3% and 58.8% for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively. The use of temporary contractors is primarily responsible for the increase in costs as a percentage of revenue. In order to help ensure that required skills and knowledge are available to implement new systems, the Company retains a core pool of skilled programmers and analysts with expertise in implementing CreditRevue® systems. In periods of rapid revenue growth the employee pool is supplemented with temporary contractors. The costs of temporary contractors exceeds the cost of permanent employees and in those instances where temporary contractors must be employed to meet project deadlines, costs as a percent of revenue will increase.

Costs of Maintenance Fees. Cost of maintenance fees consists primarily of personnel and related costs for customer maintenance and support. Cost of maintenance fees increased 43.4% from $0.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 1999 to $0.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2000. As a percentage of maintenance fee revenue, cost of maintenance fees was 21.0% and 26.3% in the three months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively. The dollar increase in the cost of maintenance fees reflects increased costs associated with maintenance for third party software for which the Company is a reseller. As the number of CreditRevue systems in use increases, the base of installed third party software is likewise increasing. Compared to second quarter 1999, there were a greater number of third party software systems under contract. The costs associated with maintenance for these third party software products resulted in increased costs of maintenance for the current year.

Cost of maintenance fees increased 26.2% from $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000. This increase in costs related directly to the increase in revenues and the increase in third party software maintenance costs. Cost of maintenance as a percentage of maintenance revenues were 21.8% and 23.1% for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively.

Cost of Computer Hardware Sales. Cost of computer hardware sales consists of the Company’s cost of computer hardware resold to the Company’s customers that are licensing CreditRevue and salaries and benefits for systems integration employees. Cost of computer hardware sales decreased 54.0% from $0.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 1999 to $0.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2000. As a percentage of computer hardware sales revenue, cost of computer hardware sales was 153.7% and 171.7% in the three months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively. The increase in the cost of computer hardware sales as a percent of revenue is the result of decreased hardware margins resulting from decreased hardware sales, while fixed expenses, primarily personnel-related in nature, remained relatively constant during the same period.

Cost of computer hardware sales decreased 76.7% from $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000. As a percentage of hardware revenues, costs were 114.9% and 171.3% for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively. During the period that costs decreased 76.7%, corresponding revenues decreased 84.4%. Costs of computer hardware sales exceeded associated revenues because the Company has certain fixed costs for salaries and benefits for the systems integration staff required to support hardware sales activities.

Cost of Service Bureau Revenues. Cost of service bureau fees consists primarily of personnel costs associated with the operation and support of the service bureau. Other costs of service bureau revenues include equipment rental expenses, communications network costs from third parties and hardware and software pass–through expenses. Service bureau costs increased 66.2% from $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 1999 to $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2000. Cost of service bureau revenues as a percent of service bureau revenues were 104.6% and 69.9% for the three months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively. While service bureau costs increased 66.2%, corresponding service bureau revenues increased 148.4%.




Cost of service bureau revenues increased 52.5% from $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30 1999 to $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000. As a percentage of revenues, costs of service bureau were 112.4% and 80.5% for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively. While costs increased 52.5%, corresponding revenues increased 112.9%. The increase in costs relates to increased labor costs related to one-time software deliveries for the CreditRevue service bureau and fees associated with alliance partner revenue sharing arrangements for the Credit Connection service.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 15.8% from $2.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 1999 to $2.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2000. Of this $0.4 million increase, approximately $0.3 million related to office rental expense. During 1999 the Company successfully subleased previously abandoned office space for which approximately $0.3 of loss reserves had been established in 1998. The reversal of these loss reserves in 1999 is responsible for the increase when comparing 2000 to 1999. Approximately $0.1 million of the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses relates to non-salary based administrative expenses, consisting primarily of advertising and repairs and maintenance expenses.

Selling general and administrative expenses increased 2.1% from $5.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $5.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000. As a percentage of total revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were 44.9% and 47.6% for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $0.1 million on a period to period basis relates to the reversal in 1999 of loss reserves on office space abandoned in 1998 of approximately $0.3 million. Excluding the reversal of the loss reserve, selling, general and administrative expenses on a year-to-year basis would reflect a decrease of approximately $0.2 million, resulting primarily from reduced labor related expenses.

Research and Development Costs. Research and development costs consist primarily of salaries and benefits for in-house programmers. These costs remained constant at $0.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2000 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 1999. Overall research and development staffing at June 30, 2000 was 26 compared to 35 at June 30, 1999. The Company is continuing to capitalize certain development costs associated with the eValuate product until commercial release, which is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2000. During the three months ended June 30, 2000, approximately $0.5 million of expenses related to the development of eValuate were capitalized which compares to approximately $0.4 million which was capitalized during the second quarter of 1999. See Note 1 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

Research and development costs decreased 20.6% from $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 to $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000. This decrease is attributable primarily to slightly higher levels of capitalized software development expenses during 2000.

Interest Income (Expense). For the three months ended June 30, 2000, net interest income was approximately $44,000 compared to approximately $120,000 for the same period in 1999. The decline in net interest income is the result of lower average cash balances during the respective periods, and increased interest expense resulting from increased borrowings against the Company’s working capital line of credit.

Net interest income decreased 48.1% from $0.2 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 1999 to $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999. Lower average invested cash balances and increased average outstanding borrowings against the Company’s working capital line of credit are responsible for the decline in net interest income.




LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company has primarily funded its working capital needs, operating losses and investments in property and equipment from the net proceeds from the Company’s initial public offering completed in December 1996. During the six months ended June 30, 1999, the Company consumed net cash in operating activities of $3.2 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2000, the Company consumed $0.3 million of cash in . The improvement in cash flow from operations results primarily from decreases in working capital investments. The working capital components effecting the greatest change during the quarter were accounts payable and accrued expenses, which consumed $2.3 million less in 2000, and net billings in excess of costs and estimated gross profit on uncompleted contracts, which reflected a net improvement of $1.0 million in 2000 compared to 1999.

The Company’s cash used in investing activities consists principally of investments in property and equipment and capitalized software expenses. During the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, the Company invested a total of $0.3 and $0.5 million in property and equipment, respectively. These investments were directly attributable to the Company’s growth in operations. The Company does not have any material commitments for the purchase of property and equipment at June 30, 2000. During the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 2000, the Company invested a total of $1.1 and $0.9 million in capitalized software expenses, respectively.

The Company has historically relied principally on its bank line of credit and proceeds from its initial public offering completed in December 1996 for its financing needs. The Company received $22.6 million of net proceeds from its initial public offering. The Company maintains a secured bank line of credit in the amount of $1.5 million, of which the balance outstanding at June 30, 2000 was approximately $0.8 million. The line of credit bears interest at the bank’s prime rate per annum (9.5% at June 30, 2000). Further, the bank’s line of credit requires the bank’s written consent prior to, among other things, the payment of cash dividends, the Company’s engagement in a substantially different business activity, or the purchase by the Company of any interest in another enterprise or entity.

The Company currently anticipates that its available cash resources, expected cash flows from operations, and its bank line of credit will be sufficient to meet its presently anticipated working capital, capital expenditure and debt repayment requirements through 2001.

Impact of Year 2000.

The Year 2000 issue is a result of computer programs which store or process date-related information using only two digits to represent the year. These programs may not be able to properly distinguish between a year in the 1900s and a year in the 2000s. Failure of these programs to distinguish between the two centuries could cause the programs to yield erroneous results or even to fail.

The Company recognizes the significance of the year 2000 issue and has implemented a formal year 2000 program to minimize the impact of the year 2000 on the Company and its customers.

As of June 30, 2000, the analysis, remediation, testing and implementation had been substantially completed for (i) the Company’s customers’ credit decisions systems, (ii) the software and systems comprising the Company’s e-commerce systems, (iii) the Company’s service bureau customers’ systems, and (iv) the Company’s internal products and systems. The Company has not experienced any material disruption to its business associated with the Year 2000 issue. To the Company’s knowledge, none of the Company’s customers has experienced any material disruption to its business which has been associated with the Year 2000 issue in connection with the Company’s products.




For the Year 2000 and beyond, the Company continues to code according to its Year 2000 coding standards. In addition, because system clocks are now in the Year 2000, all testing necessarily includes testing of dates in the Year 2000.

CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND THE MARKET PRICE OF SECURITIES.

Uncertainty of Future Results of Operations; Fluctuations in Quarterly Results of Operations. Prior growth rates in the Company’s revenue and net income should not be considered indicative of future results of operations. Future results of operations will depend upon many factors, including market acceptance of the Company’s CreditConnection service, the demand for the Company’s licensed software products and related services, the successful distribution and implementation of the Company’s products and services, the successful transition from predominantly license fee-based revenue to predominantly transaction fee-based revenue, the timing of new product and service development and introductions and software enhancements by the Company or its competitors, the level of product, service and price competition, the length of the Company’s sales cycle, the size and timing of individual transactions, the delay or deferral of customer implementations, the Company’s success in expanding its customer support organization, direct sales force and indirect distribution channels, the nature and timing of significant marketing programs, the mix of products and services sold, the timing of new hires, the ability of the Company to timely develop and successfully market new products and services and control costs, competitive conditions in the industry and general economic conditions. In addition, the decision to implement the Company’s products or services typically involves a significant commitment of customer resources and is subject to the budget cycles of the Company’s customers. Licenses of CreditRevue generally reflect a relatively high amount of revenue per order. The loss or delay of individual orders, therefore, would have a significant impact on the Company’s revenue and quarterly results of operations. The timing of revenue is difficult to predict because of the length and variability of the Company’s sales cycle, which has ranged to date from two to 18 months from initial customer contact to the execution of a license agreement. In addition, since a substantial portion of the Company’s revenue is recognized on a percentage-of-completion basis, the timing of revenue recognition for its licenses may be materially and adversely affected by delays or deferrals of customer implementations. Such delays or deferrals may also increase expenses associated with such implementations which would materially and adversely affect related operating margins. The Company’s operating expenses are based in part on planned product and service introductions and anticipated revenue trends and, because a high percentage of these expenses are relatively fixed, a delay in the recognition of revenue from a limited number of transactions could cause significant variations in operating results from quarter-to-quarter and could result in operating losses. To the extent such expenses precede, or are not subsequently followed by, increased revenues, the Company’s results of operations would be materially and adversely affected. As a result of these and other factors, revenues for any quarter are subject to significant variation, and the Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of its results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of future performance. There can be no assurance that the Company will be profitable in any future quarter or that such fluctuations in results of operations will not result in volatility in the price of the Company’s Common Stock. Due to all of the foregoing factors, it is likely that in some future quarter the Company’s results of operations will be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In such event, the market price of the Company’s Common Stock will be materially and adversely affected.

Dependence on CreditRevue Product Line. License fees, maintenance fees and third-party computer hardware sales associated with licenses and installations of CreditRevue accounted for the majority of the Company’s revenues through June 30, 2000. Although the Company has introduced its CreditConnection service, the Company expects that revenues generated from licenses and installations of CreditRevue will continue to account for a significant portion of the Company’s revenues for the foreseeable future. The life cycles of the Company’s products and services are difficult to predict due to the effect of new product and service introductions or software enhancements by the Company or its competitors, market acceptance of new and enhanced versions of the Company’s products and services, and competition in the Company’s marketplace. A decline in the demand for CreditRevue, whether as a result of competition, technological change, price reductions or otherwise, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.



Lengthy Sales and Implementation Cycle. The licensing of the Company’s software products and services is often an enterprise-wide decision by prospective customers and generally requires the Company to provide a significant level of education to prospective customers regarding the use and benefits of the Company’s products and services. In addition, the implementation of the Company’s software products involves a significant commitment of resources by prospective customers and is commonly accompanied by substantial reengineering efforts and a review of the customer’s credit analysis, decisioning and funding processes. The cost to the customer of the Company’s products and services is typically only a portion of the related hardware, software, development, training and integration costs associated with implementing a large-scale automated credit origination information system. For these and other reasons, the period between initial customer contact and the implementation of the Company’s products is often lengthy (ranging from between two and 18 months) and is subject to a number of significant delays over which the Company has little or no control. The Company’s implementation cycle could be lengthened by increases in the size and complexity of its license transactions and by delays or deferrals in its customers’ implementation of appropriate interfaces and networking capabilities. Delays in the sale or implementation of a limited number of license transactions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition and cause the Company’s results of operations to vary significantly from quarter to quarter.

Market Acceptance of CreditOnline and CreditConnection; Transition to Transaction-Based Revenue. The Company’s CreditConnection service was commercially introduced in 1996, the Company’s CreditOnline network was introduced in February 1999, and the Company’s CreditRevue Service Bureau service was commercially introduced in January 1998. The CreditConnection service, CreditOnline network and CreditRevue Service Bureau product (which may be introduced in new ASP or other formats, based on the eValuate and CreditRevue software in development) are projected to account for a significant portion of the Company’s revenues in the future. As a result, demand and market acceptance for these services are subject to a high level of uncertainty, and the Company will be heavily dependent on their market acceptance. There can be no assurance that these products and services will be commercially successful. The failure of the Company to generate demand for the CreditConnection service, CreditOnline network or CreditRevue Service Bureau product, or the occurrence of any significant technological problems with such products or services, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Historically, virtually all of the Company’s revenues have been derived from license fees, maintenance fees and hardware sales associated with licenses and installations of CreditRevue. Under the terms of its license agreements, a majority of the Company’s revenues are realized during the configuration and installation of CreditRevue. However, the Company anticipates that a significant portion of the Company’s future revenues will be derived from per-usage transaction-based fees and subscription fees charged to credit originators and financial institutions for transactions originated through the CreditConnection service, CreditOnline network and CreditRevue Service Bureau product. There can be no assurance that the Company will successfully manage the transition of a significant portion of its revenues from license-based revenue to transaction-based revenue. The failure of the Company to successfully manage the transition to a transaction-based revenue stream would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Reliance on Certain Relationships. The Company has established relationships with a number of companies that it believes are important to its sales, marketing and support activities, as well as to its product, service and software development efforts. The Company has relationships with automated scorecard companies, hardware vendors and credit bureaus. There can be no assurance that these companies, most of which have significantly greater financial and marketing resources than the Company, will not develop or market products and services which will compete with the Company’s products and services in the future. Furthermore, since many of these relationships are informal in nature, they are terminable by either party at will. Other relationships are terminable by either party after a relatively short notice period. There can be no assurance that these companies will not otherwise discontinue their relationships with or support of the Company. The failure by the Company to maintain its existing relationships or to establish new relationships in the future, because of a divergence of interests, acquisition of one or more of these third parties or other reasons, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.



In addition, the Company has formed strategic alliances with Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Universal Computer Systems (UCS) for remarketing CreditConnection and with Dun & Bradstreet for the marketing of OneScore. There can be no assurance that these relationships will be successful. Moreover, there can be no assurance that these companies will actively remarket CreditConnection or OneScore. The failure by the Company to leverage and maintain its existing relationships ADP, UCS and Dun & Bradstreet, or to establish new relationships in the future, because of a divergence of interests, acquisition of one or more of these third parties or other reasons, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Dependence on Large License Fee Contracts and Customer Concentration. A relatively small number of customers have accounted for a significant percentage of the Company’s revenues. License fees for CreditRevue are based on a percentage-of-completion method on a cost-incurred basis with the final installment being paid in full upon acceptance of the Company’s software. The Company receives continuing revenues on CreditRevue from annual maintenance agreements which commence upon acceptance of the software by the customer. Maintenance agreements are renewable annually by the customer, and the license agreements are generally co-terminous with the maintenance agreements. Although the Company has experienced a high degree of customer loyalty, the Company cannot predict how many maintenance agreements will be renewed or the number of years of renewal. Revenues generated by the Company’s 10 largest customers accounted for 55.1% and 55.4% of total revenues in 1999 and 1998, respectively. None of the Company’s customers individually accounted for 10% or more of total revenues in 1999 and one customer accounted for 10% of revenues in 1998. The Company expects that a limited number of customers will continue to account for a significant percentage of revenue for the foreseeable future. The loss of any major customer or any reduction or delay in orders by any such customer, delay or deferral in configurations or enhancements by such customers or the failure of the Company to successfully market its products or services to new customers, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Dependence on Consumer Retail Lending Industry; Cyclical Nature of Consumer Lending. The Company’s business is currently concentrated in the consumer lending industry and is expected to be so concentrated for the foreseeable future, thereby making the Company susceptible to a downturn in the consumer lending industry. For example, a decrease in consumer lending could result in a smaller overall market for the Company’s products and services. Furthermore, banks in the United States are continuing to consolidate, decreasing the overall potential number of customers for the Company’s products and services. In addition, demand for consumer loans has been historically cyclical, in large part based on general economic conditions and cycles in overall consumer indebtedness levels. Changes in general economic conditions that adversely affect the demand for consumer loans, the willingness of financial institutions to provide funds for such loans, changes in interest rates and the overall consumer indebtedness level, as well as other factors affecting the consumer lending industry, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Management of Changing Business. The Company has experienced significant changes in its business, such as a reduction in the Company’s staff and an expansion in the Company’s customer base and the development of new products, services and enhancements to its software. Such changes have placed and may continue to place a significant strain upon the Company’s management, systems and resources. As of June 30, 2000, the Company had 181 employees down from 191 employees at June 30, 1999. The Company’s ability to compete effectively and to manage future changes will require the Company to continue to improve its financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures and budgeting and forecasting capabilities on a timely basis and expand its sales and marketing work force, and train and manage its employee work force. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to manage such changes successfully. The Company’s failure to do so could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.




Dependence on Key Personnel. The Company’s future performance depends in significant part upon the continued service of its key technical, sales and senior management personnel, particularly, Scott L. Freiman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The Company has obtained for key-person life insurance on the life of Mr. Freiman. The loss of the services of one or more of the Company’s executive officers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company retains its key employees through the use of equity incentive programs, including stock option plans, employee stock purchase plans, and competitive compensation packages. In addition to entering into an employment agreement with Mr. Freiman, the Company entered into employment agreements with Mr. Miles Grody, the Company’s Senior Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s CMSI Systems subsidiary, Mr. Howard Tischler, the Company’s Senior Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s Credit Online subsidiary and Mr. Robert Vollono, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer . The Company’s future success also depends on its continuing ability to attract and retain highly qualified technical, customer support, sales and managerial personnel. In particular, the Company has encountered difficulties in hiring sufficient numbers of programmers and technical personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to retain its key technical, sales and managerial employees or that it can attract, assimilate or retain other highly qualified technical, sales and managerial personnel in the future.

Rapid Technological Change; Risk Associated with New Products, Services or Enhancements. The credit processing software products and services industry in which the Company competes is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent introductions of new products and services, changes in customer demands and evolving industry standards. The introduction or announcement of new products, services or enhancements by the Company or one or more of its competitors embodying new technologies or changes in industry standards or customer requirements could render the Company’s existing products or services obsolete or unmarketable. Accordingly, the life cycles of the Company’s products are difficult to estimate. The Company’s future results of operations will depend, in part, upon its ability to enhance its products and services and to develop and introduce new products and services on a timely and cost-effective basis that will keep pace with technological developments and evolving industry standards, as well as address the increasingly sophisticated needs of the Company’s customers. There can be no assurance that these new products and services will gain market acceptance or that the Company will be successful in developing and marketing new products or services that respond to technological change, evolving industry standards and changing customer requirements, that the Company will not experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and marketing of these products or services, or that its new products or services will adequately meet the requirements of the marketplace and achieve any significant degree of market acceptance. In addition, a majority of the Company’s current products operate in the UNIX operating system. Although the Company’s software is designed to work with other operating environments, a requirement to port to a different operating system could be costly and time consuming and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Failure of the Company to develop and introduce, for technological or other reasons, new products and services in a timely and cost-effective manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, the introduction or announcement of new product or service offerings or enhancements by the Company or the Company’s competitors may cause customers to defer or forgo purchases of the Company’s products or services, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

System Interruption and Security Risks; Potential Liability; Possible Lack of Adequate Insurance; and System Inadequacy. The Company’s operations are dependent, in part, on its ability to protect its system from interruption by damage from fire, earthquake, power loss, telecommunication failure, unauthorized entry or other events beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s computer equipment constituting its central computer system, including its processing operations, is located at a single site. The Company is currently in the process of acquiring and implementing a back-up, off-site processing system capable of fully supporting its operations in the event of system failure. The Company relocated operations to new leased facilities in Annapolis Junction, MD in late 1998. The new facilities, which include a state of the art data center, is primary production center for the Company’s data processing needs. Prior to full implementation of the back up facility, the Company’s operations are subject to substantial risks, including temporary interruptions resulting from damage caused by any one or more of the foregoing factors or due to other causes including computer viruses, hackers or similar disruptive problems. While the Company maintains $1.6 million of property insurance coverage, business interruption insurance coverage, $2.0 million of errors and omissions insurance coverage and $10.0 million of umbrella insurance coverage, such insurance may not be adequate to compensate the Company for all losses that may occur or to provide for costs associated with system failure or business interruption. Any damage or failure that causes interruptions in the Company’s operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.



Persistent problems continue to affect public and private data networks. For example, in a number of networks, hackers have bypassed firewalls and have appropriated confidential information. Such computer break-ins and other disruptions may jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through the computer systems of the parties utilizing the Company’s services, which may result in significant liability to the Company and also may deter potential customers from using the Company’s services. In addition, while the Company attempts to be careful with respect to the employees it hires and maintain controls through software design and security systems to prevent unauthorized employee access, it is possible that, despite such safeguards, an employee of the Company could obtain access, which would also expose the Company to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability to users. The Company attempts to limit its liability to customers, including liability arising from the failure of the security features contained in the Company’s system and services, through contractual provisions. However, there can be no assurance that such limitations will be enforceable. There can be no guarantee that the growth of the Company’s customer base will not strain or exceed the capacity of its computer and telecommunications systems and lead to degradations in performance or system failure. Any damage, failure or delay that causes interruptions in the Company’s operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risk of Defects, Development Delays and Lack of Market Acceptance. Software products and services as sophisticated as those offered by the Company often encounter development delays and may contain defects or failures when introduced or when new versions are released. The Company has in the past and may in the future experience delays in the development of software and has discovered, and may in the future discover, software defects in certain of its products. Such delays and defects may result in lost revenues during the time corrective measures are being taken. Although the Company has not experienced material adverse effects resulting from any such defects to date, there can be no assurance that, despite testing by the Company, errors will not be found in its existing software in future releases or enhancements, or that the Company will not experience development delays, resulting in delays in the commercial release of new products and services, the loss of market share or the failure to achieve market acceptance. Any such occurrence could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Future Capital Needs; Uncertainty of Additional Financing. The Company currently anticipates that its available cash resources combined with anticipated funds from operations will be sufficient to meet its presently anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements through 2001. Thereafter, the Company may need to raise additional funds.

The Company may need to raise additional funds sooner in order to fund more rapid expansion, to develop new or enhanced products and services, to respond to competitive pressures or to acquire complementary businesses or technologies. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of the stockholders of the Company will be reduced, stockholders may experience additional dilution, or such equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available when needed on terms favorable to the Company or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, the Company may be unable to develop or enhance its products and services, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.




Government Regulation and Uncertainties of Future Regulation. The Company’s current and prospective customers, which consist of state and federally chartered banks, saving and loan associations, credit unions, consumer finance companies and other consumer lenders, as well as customers in the industries that the Company may target in the future, operate in markets that are subject to extensive and complex federal and state regulations. While the Company is not itself directly subject to such regulations, the Company’s products and services must be designed to work within the extensive and evolving regulatory constraints in which its customers operate. These constraints include federal and state truth-in-lending disclosure rules, state usury laws, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Community Reinvestment Act. Furthermore, some consumer groups have expressed concern regarding the privacy and security of automated credit processing, the use of automated credit scoring tools in credit underwriting, and whether electronic lending is a desirable technological development in light of the current level of consumer debt. The failure by the Company’s products and services to support customers’ compliance with current regulations and to address changes in customers’ regulatory environment, or to adapt to such changes in an efficient and cost-effective manner, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Control by Existing Stockholders. Assuming no exercise of outstanding options, James R. DeFrancesco, the Company’s co-founder and Scott L. Freiman, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer collectively beneficially own approximately 55% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. As a result, these stockholders will be able to exercise control over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, and the approval of mergers, consolidations and sales of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. This may prevent or discourage tender offers for the Company’s Common Stock unless the terms are approved by such stockholders.

Possible Volatility of Stock Price. The trading price of the Company’s Common Stock could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to variations in quarterly operating results, the gain or loss of significant orders, changes in earning estimates by analysts, announcements of technological innovations or new products by the Company or its competitors, general conditions in the consumer lending and software industries, credit processing software and services and other events or factors. In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations which have affected the market price for many companies in industries similar or related to that of the Company and which have been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. These market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Company’s Common Stock.

Effect of Certain Charter Provisions; Anti-takeover Effects of Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Delaware Law. The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights of those shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The Preferred Stock could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to those of the Common Stock. The rights of the holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of any Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of Preferred Stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company. Further, certain provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, including provisions that create a classified Board of Directors, and certain provisions of the Company’s Bylaws and of Delaware law could delay or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving the Company.




PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     The Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings.

ITEM 2.   CHANGES IN SECURITIES

     None.

ITEM 3.   DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

     None.

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

(a)   The Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on June 29, 2000.

(b) Not applicable

(c) Motions before stockholders

(1) Election of One Director


Name
Votes For
Votes Against
Non Votes
Abstentions
Robert P. Vollono   7,455,014   64,182   0   0  

(2) Approval and Adoption of Amendment to the Company’s 1997 Stock Incentive Plan


  Votes For
Votes Against
Non Votes
Abstentions
  7,360,775   148,067   0   354  

(3) Ratification of Ernst & Young, LLP as Auditors


  Votes For
Votes Against
Non Votes
Abstentions
  7,506,298   2,100   0   150  



ITEM 5.   OTHER INFORMATION

     None.

ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a) EXHIBITS.


    3.1   Certificate of Incorporation*  
 
   3.2  Bylaws of the Company* 
 
   4.1  Specimen certificate for Common Stock of the Company* 
 
   4.2  See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company defining rights of holders of Common Stock of the Company  
 
   10.1  Form of Project Commencement Agreement* 
 
   10.2  Form of Software License Agreement* 
 
   10.3  Form of Software Maintenance Agreement* 
 
   10.4  Form of Professional Services Agreement* 
 
   10.5  Form of CreditConnection Lender Agreement (for CreditRevue Licensees)* 
 
   10.6  Form of CreditConnection Lender Agreement (for non-CreditRevue Licensees)* 
 
   10.7  Form of CreditConnection Dealer Subscription Agreement* 
 
   10.8.1  Office Building Lease between Symphony Woods Limited Partnership and the    
      Company dated October 29, 1993* 
 
   10.8.2  Office Building Lease between Symphony Woods Limited Partnership and the    
      Company dated February 10, 1995* 
 
   10.8.3  First Amendment to Lease dated March 29, 1995* 
 
   10.8.4  Second Amendment to Lease dated August 12, 1996* 
 
   10.8.5  135 National Business Parkway Lease between Constellation Real Estate, Inc.    
      and the Company dated April 27, 1998 
 
   10.8.6  First Amendment of 135 National Business Parkway Lease dated December 23, 1998 
 
   10.9  Promissory Note dated December 31, 1995 given by the Company to James R.    
      DeFrancesco* 
 
   10.10  Business Loan Agreement between The Columbia Bank and the Company    
      dated June 10, 1994* 
 
   10.11  1996 Credit Management Solutions, Inc. Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan* 
 
   10.12  1996 Credit Management Solutions, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan* 
 
   10.13  1996 Credit Management Solutions, Inc. Long-Term incentive Plan* 
 
   10.14  Form of Tax Indemnification Agreement* 
 
   10.15  1996 Credit Management Solutions, Inc. Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan* 
 
   10.16  1997 Credit Management Solutions, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan** 
 
   10.17  Employment Agreement between Miles Grody and the Company 
 
   10.18  Employment Agreement between Scott Freiman and the Company 
 
   10.19  Employment Agreement between Robert Vollono and the Company 
 
   27  Financial Data Schedule 
 

     (b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

     No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter for which this report is filed.


* Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, File NO. 333-14007.

** Incorporated by reference to the Company’s 1997 Proxy Statement, file no. 000-21735



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 thereunto duly authorized.


 


Date: August 14, 2000
CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
                             (Registrant)

By: /s/ Scott L. Freiman
————————————————————
Scott L. Freiman
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 

Date: August 14, 2000
 

By: /s/ Robert P. Vollono
————————————————————
Robert P. Vollono
Senior Vice President, Treasurer, Chief
Financial Officer and Director (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
EX-10.17 2 0002.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT--MILES GRODY Credit Management Solutions, Inc.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), is made and entered into this 27th day of June, 2000, by and between Credit Management Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation with principal offices located at 135 National Business Parkway, Annapolis Junction, Maryland 20701 (the “Company”), and Miles Grody (the “Executive”).

WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS, the Company has a need for the Executive’s personal services in an executive capacity; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive possesses the necessary strategic, financial, planning, operational and managerial skills necessary to fulfill those needs; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company desire to enter into a formal Employment Agreement to fully recognize the contributions of the Executive to the Company and to assure continuous harmonious performance of the affairs of the Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, terms, provisions, and conditions contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

     a. “Affiliate” means any person or entity (i) that directly or indirectly owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock (as defined below) of the Company, or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock of which is directly or indirectly owned by the Company, or (iii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock of which is directly or indirectly owned by another person or entity that directly or indirectly owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock of the Company.

     b. “Change of Control” of a company means the occurrence of any of the following:


       (i) any “person,” as such term is currently used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, becomes a “beneficial owner,” as such term is currently used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under that Act of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Voting Stock of the company;

       (ii) a majority of the Board of Directors of the company consists of individuals other than Incumbent Directors, which term means the members of the Board on the date hereof; provided that any individual becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election was supported by two-thirds of the directors who then comprised the Incumbent Directors shall be considered to be an Incumbent Director;


       (iii) the Board of Directors of the company adopts any plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of the company’s assets;

       (iv) all or substantially all of the assets or business of the company are disposed of in any one or more transactions pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other transaction (unless the shareholders of the company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned the Voting Stock of the company, all of the Voting Stock or other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any, that succeed to the business of the company); provided, however, that this subsection (iv) shall not apply in the event of a merger or consolidation of the Company with an Affiliate; or

       (v) the company combines with another company and is the surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the shareholders of the company immediately prior to the combination hold, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or less of the Voting Stock of the combined company, (there being excluded from the number of shares held by such shareholders, but not from the Voting Stock of the combined company, any shares received by affiliates of such other company in exchange for securities of such other company); provided, however, that this subsection (v) shall not apply in the event of a combination of the Company with an Affiliate.


     c. “Good Reason” means any of the following events:


       (i) a reduction in annual Salary (as defined below);

       (ii) a failure by the Company, or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed, to provide fringe benefits comparable to those offered to the Executive’s peer executives;

       (iii) the failure of the Company, or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed, to obtain by operation of law or otherwise the assumption of its obligations to perform this Agreement from any successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or such Affiliate; or

       (iv) a relocation of the Executive’s worksite to a location which increases the distance from the Executive’s home to his worksite by more than fifty (50) miles.

      “Good Reason Upon Change In Control” means any of the following events provided the event occurs either (i) less than eighteen (18) months after a Change in Control of the Company, or an Affiliate if the Executive is employed at that time by such Affiliate or the Company, or (ii) during the one-hundred and eighty (180) day or shorter time period between (x) the execution by Company (or such Affiliate) and a third party of a letter of intent or term sheet reflecting the terms of such Change in Control, or receipt by the Company (or such Affiliate) of a written offer from a third party reflecting such Change in Control, and (y) the effective date of such Change in Control:


  (A) any of the events which constitute Good Reason under Section 1(c) above;

  (B) a material diminution in the Executive’s duties or responsibilities; provided that a diminution shall not be deemed to have occurred solely because that Executive no longer has duties and responsibilities for a particular Affiliate as long as the Executive continues to have the same level, type and scope of duties and responsibilities as he had prior to the Change in Control; or

  (C) the assignment to the Executive of duties that materially impair his ability to perform the duties normally assigned to a person of his title and position at a corporation of the size and nature of the Company or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed (as applicable).

     e. “Voting Stock” means the issued and outstanding capital stock or other securities of any class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances, in the absence of contingencies, to elect the directors of a corporation.

     f. “Termination Without Cause Upon Change in Control” means termination of the Executive’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in Section 5(a) below) either (i) less than eighteen (18) months after a Change in Control of the Company , or an Affiliate if the Executive is employed at that time by such Affiliate or the Company, or (ii) during the one-hundred and eighty (180) day or shorter time period between (x) the execution by Company (or such Affiliate) and a third party of a letter of intent or term sheet reflecting the terms of such Change in Control, or receipt by the Company (or such Affiliate) of a written offer from a third party reflecting such Change in Control, and (y) the effective date of such Change in Control.

2. Position.

     The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ the Executive to serve in the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of CMSI Systems, Inc. The Company reserves the right to change the Executive’s title, duties and/or responsibilities, and to reassign the Executive to or from any Affiliate. The Executive accepts such employment upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, and further agrees to perform to the best of his abilities the duties generally associated with his position, as well as such other duties as may be reasonably assigned by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), the Chief Executive Officer or President of the Company, and, if the Executive is employed by an Affiliate, the Chief Executive Officer, President or Board of Directors of such Affiliate. The Executive shall perform his duties diligently and faithfully and shall devote his full business time and attention to such duties. Each party’s rights and obligations under this Section 2 are subject to Section 5 below.

3. Term of Employment and Renewal.

     The term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) will commence on the date of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”) and continue until terminated in accordance with Section 5 below.



4. Compensation and Benefits.

     (a) Salary. Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company agrees to pay the Executive a base salary at an annual rate of one hundred and seventy-five thousand Dollars ($175,000), payable in such installments as is the policy of the Company (the “Salary”), but no less frequently than monthly. Thereafter, the Company shall evaluate the Executive’s Salary from time to time and make adjustments, in its discretion, subject to the rights and obligations set forth in Section 5 below.

     (b) Bonus. In its sole discretion, the Company may make the Executive eligible to receive bonuses based on criteria to be determined by the Company and issued to the Executive in writing, in which event the Executive shall be entitled to receive such bonuses in accordance with such criteria.

     (c) Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans which the Company provides or may establish from time to time for the benefit of its employees, including, without limitation, group life, medical, surgical, dental and other health insurance, short and long-term disability, deferred compensation, profit-sharing and similar plans. The Executive shall also be entitled to one hundred eighty four (184) hours of paid leave per year of employment, plus sick leave in accordance with standard Company policy. Two-thirds of any unused portion of such paid leave shall be considered to be vacation and, therefore, shall be paid to the Executive upon his cessation of employment with the Company. The Company will provide term life insurance for the Executive with benefits equal to his annual Salary, up to a maximum of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000). The Company may also purchase one or more “key man” insurance policies on the Executive’s life, each of which will be payable to and owned by the Company. The Company, in its sole discretion, may select the amount and type of key man life insurance purchased, and the Executive will have no interest in any such policy. The Executive will cooperate with the Company in securing this key man insurance, by submitting to all required medical examinations, supplying all information and executing all documents required in order for the Company to secure the insurance.

     (d) Stock Options. In the sole discretion of the Board, the Company may from time to time issue the Executive stock option grants under the Company’s stock option plan and a stock option agreement, in which event the Executive shall be entitled to such options in accordance with such plan and agreement(s), subject however to the provisions of this Agreement regarding stock options.

     (e) Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by the Executive during the Term in performing services hereunder, provided that the Executive properly accounts for such expenses in accordance with the Company’s policies. The Company shall pay the Executive an automobile allowance of no less than five hundred dollars ($500) per month through normal payroll procedures, and such allowance shall be reported as income on the Executive’s year-end W-2 form. The Executive shall be responsible for submitting automobile expense reimbursement requests to the extent he wishes to convert any portion of the allowance to an expense reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for cellular telephone expenses associated with business use.



5. Termination and Severance; Certain Events.

     (a) Termination by the Company for Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause at any time, upon written notice to the Executive setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of such Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” is defined as (i) the Executive’s continued failure to perform his duties (other than due to physical incapacity or illness) after thirty (30) days’ written notice and opportunity to cure; (ii) the Executive’s conviction of any felony; (iii) the Executive’s material misrepresentation of his professional qualifications; (iv) willful or reckless conduct by the Executive injurious to the Company or any Affiliate; or (v) the Executive’s commission of fraud or malfeasance. Upon the termination for Cause of the Executive’s employment, the Company and its Affiliates shall have no further obligation or liability to the Executive other than for Salary earned prior to the date of termination and any accrued but unused vacation.

     (b) Termination by the Company Without Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated at any time without Cause by the Company upon fourteen (14) days’ written notice to the Executive, provided, however, that if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause the Company shall (i) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned and unpaid Salary, earned and unpaid bonuses, and accrued and unused vacation; (ii) continue to pay the Executive the Salary and shall provide medical, life and disability coverage, under the same conditions as exist at the time of termination, for a six (6) month period beginning on the effective date of the termination; and (iii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination, and the Executive may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred and seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of his employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5(b), if the termination constitutes a Termination Without Cause Upon Change in Control, then the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in Section 5(d) below rather than as set forth in this Section 5(b).

     (c) Termination by the Executive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive may terminate his employment hereunder upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company provided that the Company may pay the Executive his Salary in lieu of any portion of such notice period. The Executive may also terminate his employment hereunder after giving the Company written notice no more than thirty (30) days after the occurrence of an event which constitutes Good Reason, in which event the Company shall (i) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned and unpaid Salary, earned and unpaid bonuses, and accrued and unused vacation; (ii) continue to pay the Executive the Salary and shall provide medical, life and disability coverage, under the same conditions as exist at the time of termination, for a six (6) month period beginning on the effective date of the termination, provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive; and (iii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination, and the Executive may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred and seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of his employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, provided the Company shall execute such release and deliver an executed counterpart to the Executive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5(c), if the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason Upon Change in Control, then the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in Section 5(d) below rather than as set forth in this Section 5(c).



     (d) Termination By Company or Executive After Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event of a Termination Without Cause Upon Change in Control, or termination by the Executive for Good Reason Upon Change in Control, the Company shall provide the Executive the following benefits: (i) all earned and unpaid Salary and bonuses; (ii) all accrued and unused vacation; (iii) a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times the Executive’s average annual cash compensation during the previous five (5) years (or, if the Executive has been employed by the Company for a shorter period, then the average during such shorter period); (iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, upon the Executive acknowledging in a signed writing the surrender of all his rights to vested and unvested stock options granted to him by the Company, a lump sum equal to the difference between the exercise price of such stock options and the higher of (x) the fair market value of the option shares on the effective date of the termination, or (y) the highest effective price paid for the Company’s common stock by any acquirer in connection with the Change in Control; (v) medical, life and disability coverage for a period of twelve (12) months after the effective date of the termination, or until the Executive receives comparable coverage from another employer, whichever occurs first; and (vi) all accrued retirement and deferred compensation plans vest in full. Items (i) through (iv) shall be paid to the Executive within twenty (20) days after the effective date of the termination. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, provided the Company shall execute such release and deliver an executed counterpart to the Executive.

     (e) Death. In the event of the Executive’s death during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment hereunder shall immediately and automatically terminate, and the Company shall (i) pay the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries within a reasonable period after the effective date of termination all earned, unpaid Salary, all earned, unpaid bonuses and all accrued unused vacation; and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the recipient(s) of benefits under this subsection shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, provided the Company shall execute such release and deliver an executed counterpart to such recipient(s).



      Disability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder, upon written notice to the Executive, in the event that the Executive becomes disabled during the Term through any condition of either a physical or psychological nature and, as a result, is, with or without reasonable accommodation, unable to perform the essential functions of the services contemplated hereunder for (a) a period of ninety (90) consecutive days, or (b) for shorter periods aggregating one hundred twenty (120) days during any twelve (12) month period during the Term. Any such termination shall become effective upon mailing or hand delivery of notice that the Company has elected its right to terminate under this subsection 5(f), and the Company shall (i) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned, unpaid Salary; (ii) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned, unpaid bonuses; (iii) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all accrued unused vacation; (iv) continue to pay the Executive the Salary and shall provide medical, life and disability coverage, under the same conditions as exist at the time of termination, for a six (6) month period beginning on the effective date of the termination, and (v) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, provided the Company shall execute such release and deliver an executed counterpart to the Executive.

     (f) Certain Events. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option plan or agreement, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed, all unvested stock options in the Company granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full upon the Change in Control. As a condition of the foregoing benefit, the Executive agrees that, if so requested by the Company, or such Affiliate, prior to the Change in Control, he shall continue to be employed by the Company or such Affiliate for a period of one (1) year, subject to all of the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, and if he fails to satisfy such obligation he shall pay to the Company as liquidated damages a sum equal to the difference between the exercise price of such stock options and the higher of (x) the fair market value of the option shares on the effective date of the Change in Control, or (y) the highest effective price paid for the Company’s common stock by any acquirer in connection with the Change in Control. As a further condition of the foregoing benefit, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefit a general release of claims up to the date of the Change in Control, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, provided the Company shall execute such release and deliver an executed counterpart to the Executive.

     (g) Tax Deductability. If it is determined by the Company or the Internal Revenue Service that any payment or benefit received or deemed received by the Executive from the Company (pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise) is or will become subject to any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and, therefore, that the Company will not be entitled to a federal tax deduction in connection with such payments and benefits or any portion thereof, then such payments and/or benefits shall be reduced, in a form and amount agreed to by the parties in good faith, in the amount necessary to allow the Company a federal tax deduction in connection with all payments and benefits provided to the Executive.



6. Choice of Law.

     The validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal law of Maryland, without giving effect to conflict of law principles.

7. Miscellaneous.

     (a) Assignment; Delegation. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned by the Company to any successors in interest. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that the Company may delegate performance of its obligations to any Affiliate provided that the Company shall retain liability for any breach of its obligations under this Agreement. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement is personal to the Executive and that the Executive may not assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder.

     (b) Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to withholding taxes, social security and other payroll deductions in accordance with the Company’s policies applicable to employees of the Company at the Executive’s level.

     (c) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Executive’s employee nondisclosure/noncompetition agreement with the Company, and any stock option agreement(s) between the parties, set forth the entire agreement between the parties on the subject matter contained herein and supersede any prior communications, agreements and understandings, written or oral, with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment.

     (d) Amendments. Any attempted modification of this Agreement will not be effective unless signed by an officer of the Company and the Executive.

     (e) Waiver of Breach. The Executive understands that a breach of any provision of this Agreement may only be waived by an officer of the Company. The waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

     (f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement should, for any reason, be held invalid or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, and the application of such provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each such provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.



     (g) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective when delivered (i) in hand by private messenger, or (ii) by a nationally known and reputable overnight mail service, as follows (or to such other address as either party shall designate by notice in writing to the other in accordance herewith):


  If to the Company:

  135 National Business Parkway
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
Attn: CEO
With a copy to General Counsel

  If to Executive:

  __________________________

  __________________________

  __________________________

  __________________________

     (h) Survival. The Executive and the Company agree that certain provisions of this Agreement shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement and the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company. Such provisions shall be limited to those within this Agreement which, by their express and implied terms, obligate either party to perform beyond the termination of the Executive’s employment or termination of this Agreement.

     (i) Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement or any aspect of the Executive’s relationship with the Company including the cessation thereof shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the then existing Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association, in Washington, D.C., and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The parties shall split equally the costs of arbitration, except that each party shall pay its own attorneys’ fees. The parties agree that the award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding.

     (j) Rights of Other Individuals. This Agreement confers rights solely on the Executive and the Company. This Agreement is not a benefit plan and confers no rights on any individual or entity other than the undersigned.

     (k) Headings. The parties acknowledge that the headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of this Agreement.



     (l) Advice of Counsel. The Executive and the Company hereby acknowledge that each party has had adequate opportunity to review this Agreement, to obtain the advice of counsel with respect to this Agreement, and to reflect upon and consider the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The parties further acknowledge that each party fully understands the terms of this Agreement and has voluntarily executed this Agreement. The Company shall pay the legal fees and costs incurred by the Executive in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement, upon the presentation of invoices in appropriate form.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth below.


          EXECUTIVE CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.

__________________________________ By: ______________________________

Title:_____________________________

Dated:________________________, 2000 Dated:________________________, 2000



EXHIBIT A

SEPARATION AGREEMENT
AND GENERAL RELEASE

     This Separation Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this ____ day of _____, _____, by and between Credit Management Solutions, Inc. (hereinafter the “Company” or “Employer”) and [EMPLOYEE NAME] (“Employee”) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties”), and is made and entered into with reference to the following facts.

RECITALS

     WHEREAS, Employee was hired by the Company on or about ________, as a ____________; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and Employee have agreed to terminate their employment relationship effective ______, ____; and

     WHEREAS, the Parties have entered into a written employment agreement, dated _________ (the “Employment Agreement”), under which Employee is entitled to certain severance benefits conditioned upon his/her execution of this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the Parties each desire to resolve any potential disputes which exist or may exist arising out of Employee’s employment with the Company and/or the termination thereof.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

     1. Agreement By the Employee. In exchange for the payments described in paragraph 2 below, Employee agrees to the following:


(a) that his/her employment with the Company is terminated effective _________, ____ (hereinafter the “Termination Date”); and

(b) to be bound by the terms of this entire Agreement.

     2. Agreement By the Company. In exchange for Employee’s agreement to be bound by the terms of this entire Agreement, including but not limited to the Release of Claims in paragraph 3, the Company agrees to provide Employee with a severance benefits as provided for in the Employment Agreement.

     Employee acknowledges that, absent this Agreement, s/he has no legal, contractual or other entitlement to the consideration set forth in this paragraph and that the amount set forth in this paragraph constitute valid and sufficient consideration for Employee’s release of claims and other obligations set forth herein.



     3. The Company and its divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, parents, related entities, hereby expressly waive, release, acquit and forever discharge Employee and his agents, attorneys, representatives, successors, heirs and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Employee Releasees”), from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action which Employee has or claims to have, whether known or unknown, of whatever nature, which exist or may exist on Employee’s behalf from the beginning of time up to and including the date of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph 3, “claims,” “demands,” and “causes of action” include, but are not limited to, claims based on contract, whether express or implied, fraud, stock fraud, defamation, wrongful termination, estoppel, equity, tort, retaliation, intellectual property, personal injury, spoliation of evidence, emotional distress, public policy, wage and hour law, statute or common law, claims for severance pay, claims related to stock options and/or fringe benefits, claims for attorneys’ fees, vacation pay, debts, accounts, compensatory damages, punitive or exemplary damages, liquidated damages, and any and all claims arising under any federal, state, or local statute, law, or ordinance prohibiting discrimination on account of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability or national origin, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; provided, however, that, this release does not include any claim, demand or cause of action arising out of Executive’s malfeasance, fraud, embezzlement, intentional torts, breach of his duties under his employee nondisclosure/noncompetition agreement with the Company, violation of any other duties with respect to confidential or proprietary information or intellectual property (including without limitation patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks), noncompetition, nonsolicitation or loyalty, or violation of the Company’s employee policies, including without limitation its Human Resources and securities trading policies.

     4. Last Date of Employment. It is understood and agreed that Employee’s last date of employment with Employer is _________, ____.



     5. Receipt of Wages and Other Compensation. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, prior to his/her execution of this Agreement, s/he has received payment for all wages, salary, bonuses, accrued vacation, and all other compensation owed to Employee by the Company.

     6. Company Property/Proprietary Information. Employee agrees to continue to abide by the terms of his employee nondisclosure/noncompetition agreement with the Company, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

     7. Acceptance of Agreement/[Revocation]. This Agreement was received by Employee on ______, ____. Employee may accept this Agreement by returning a signed original to the Company. This Agreement shall be withdrawn if not accepted in the above manner on or before _____.

     8. Non-Admission of Liability. The Company denies any wrongdoing whatsoever in connection with its dealings with Employee, including but not limited to Employee’s employment and termination. It is expressly understood and agreed that nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute or be treated as an admission of any wrongdoing or liability on the part of the Company or the Employee.

     9. No Filing of Claims. Employee represents and warrants that s/he does not presently have on file, and further represents and warrants that s/he will not hereafter file, any claims, charges, grievances or complaints against any of the Releasees (defined above) in or with any administrative, state, federal or governmental entity, agency, board or court, or before any other tribunal or panel or arbitrators, public or private, based upon any actions or omissions by the Releasees occurring prior to the date of this Agreement.

     10. Ownership of Claims. Employee represents and warrants that s/he is the sole and lawful owner of all rights, title and interest in and to all released matters, claims and demands referred to herein. Employee further represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any such matters, claims or demands which she may have against the Releasees.

     11. Confidentiality. Employee understands and agrees that this Agreement, and the matters discussed in negotiating its terms, are entirely confidential. It is therefore expressly understood and agreed that Employee will not reveal, discuss, publish or in any way communicate any of the terms, amount or fact of this Agreement to any person, organization or other entity, with the exception of his/her immediate family members and professional representatives, unless required by subpoena or court order. Employee further agrees that s/he will not, at any time in the future, make any statements to any third parties that disparage any of the Releasees personally or professionally.

     12. Tax Indemnification. It is understood and agreed that Employee is liable for all tax obligations, if any, with respect to the settlement payments provided for herein. Employee agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Employer from any and all taxes, assessments, penalties, loss, costs, attorneys’ fees, expenses or interest payments that Employer may at any time incur by reason of any demand, proceeding, action or suit brought against Employer arising out of or in any manner related to any local, state or federal taxes allegedly due from Employee in connection with this Agreement.

     13. Maryland Law Applies. This Agreement, in all respects, shall be interpreted, enforced and governed by and under the laws of the State of Maryland. Any and all actions relating to this Agreement shall be filed and maintained in the federal and/or state courts located in the State of Maryland, and the parties consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. In any action arising out of this Agreement, or involving claims barred by this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all costs of suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.



     14. Successors and Assigns. The Parties expressly understand and agree that this Agreement, and all of its terms, shall be binding upon their representatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

     15. Consultation with Counsel. Employee acknowledges that s/he has been advised to consult with legal counsel of her choice prior to execution and delivery of this Agreement.

     16. Integration. Except as otherwise specifically provided for, this Agreement constitutes an integrated, written contract, expressing the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. In this regard, Employee represents and warrants that s/he is not relying on any promises or representations which do not appear written herein. Employee further understands and agrees that this Agreement can be amended or modified only by a written agreement, signed by all of the Parties hereto.

     17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts and by facsimile, and each such counterpart shall be deemed an original with the same effect as if all Parties had signed the same document.

     18. Headings. The headings in each paragraph herein are for convenience of reference only and shall be of no legal effect in the interpretation of the terms hereof.

     19. Severability. If any provision in this Agreement is held to be invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected by such a determination.

     20. Voluntary Agreement. EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT S/HE MAY BE WAIVING SIGNIFICANT LEGAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, AND REPRESENTS THAT S/HE HAS ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY, WITH A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF AND IN AGREEMENT WITH ALL OF ITS TERMS.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the dates provided below.


DATED: _____________________,____ CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.

By: __________________________

Its: __________________________

DATED: _____________________, ____ [EMPLOYEE NAME]

__________________________

EX-10.18 3 0003.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Credit Management Solutions, Inc.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), is made and entered into this 27th day of June, 2000, by and between Credit Management Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation with principal offices located at 135 National Business Parkway, Annapolis Junction, Maryland 20701 (the “Company”), and Scott Freiman (the “Executive”).

WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS, the Company has a need for the Executive’s personal services in an executive capacity; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive possesses the necessary strategic, financial, planning, operational and managerial skills necessary to fulfill those needs;

     WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company desire to have a formal Employment Agreement to fully recognize the contributions of the Executive to the Company and to assure continuous harmonious performance of the affairs of the Company.

     WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement dated March 22, 2000, and whereas the parties wish to amend and replace that agreement with this Agreement, as set forth in Section 7(m) below.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, terms, provisions, and conditions contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

     1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

     a. “Affiliate” means any person or entity (i) that directly or indirectly owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock (as defined below) of the Company, or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock of which is directly or indirectly owned by the Company, or (iii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock of which is directly or indirectly owned by another person or entity that directly or indirectly owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock of the Company.

     b. “Change of Control” of a company means the occurrence of any of the following:


       (i) any “person,” as such term is currently used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, becomes a “beneficial owner,” as such term is currently used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under that Act of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Voting Stock of the company;

       (ii) a majority of the Board of Directors of the company consists of individuals other than Incumbent Directors, which term means the members of the Board on the date hereof; provided that any individual becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election was supported by two-thirds of the directors who then comprised the Incumbent Directors shall be considered to be an Incumbent Director;



       (iii) the Board of Directors of the company adopts any plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of the company’s assets;

       (iv) all or substantially all of the assets or business of the company are disposed of in any one or more transactions pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other transaction (unless the shareholders of the company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned the Voting Stock of the company, all of the Voting Stock or other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any, that succeed to the business of the company); provided, however, that this subsection (iv) shall not apply in the event of a merger or consolidation of the Company with an Affiliate; or

       (v) the company combines with another company and is the surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the shareholders of the company immediately prior to the combination hold, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or less of the Voting Stock of the combined company, (there being excluded from the number of shares held by such shareholders, but not from the Voting Stock of the combined company, any shares received by affiliates of such other company in exchange for securities of such other company); provided, however, that this subsection (v) shall not apply in the event of a combination of the Company with an Affiliate.


     c. “Good Reason” means any of the following events:


       (i) a reduction in annual Salary (as defined below);

       (ii) a failure by the Company, or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed, to provide fringe benefits comparable to those offered to the Executive’s peer executives;

       (iii) the failure of the Company, or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed, to obtain by operation of law or otherwise the assumption of its obligations to perform this Agreement from any successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or such Affiliate; or

       (iv) a relocation of the Executive’s worksite to a location which increases the distance from the Executive’s home to his worksite by more than fifty (50) miles.

d.  “Good Reason Upon Change In Control” means any of the following events provided the event occurs either (i) less than eighteen (18) months after a Change in Control of the Company, or an Affiliate if the Executive is employed at that time by such Affiliate or the Company or (ii) during one-hundred and eighty (180) days or shorter time period between (x) the execution by Company (or such Affiliate) and a third party of a letter of intent or term sheet reflecting the terms of such Change in Control, or receipt by the Company (or such Affiliate) of a written offer from a third party reflecting such Change in Control, and (y) the effective date of such Change in Control:

  (A) any of the events which constitute Good Reason under Section 1(c) above;

  (B) a material diminution in the Executive’s duties or responsibilities; provided that a diminution shall not be deemed to have occurred solely because that Executive no longer has duties and responsibilities for a particular Affiliate as long as the Executive continues to have the same level, type and scope of duties and responsibilities as he had prior to the Change in Control; or



  (C) the assignment to the Executive of duties that materially impair his ability to perform the duties normally assigned to a person of his title and position at a corporation of the size and nature of the Company or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed (as applicable).

     e. “Voting Stock” means the issued and outstanding capital stock or other securities of any class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances, in the absence of contingencies, to elect the directors of a corporation.

     f. “Termination Without Cause Upon Change in Control” means termination of the Executive’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in Section 5(a) below) either (i) less than eighteen (18) months after a Change in Control of the Company or an Affiliate if the Executive is employed at that time by such Affiliate or the Company, (ii) during one-hundred and eighty (180) days or shorter time period between (x) the execution by Company (or such Affiliate) and a third party of a letter of intent or a term sheet reflecting the terms of such Change in Control, or receipt by the Company (or such Affiliate) of a written offer from a third party reflecting such Change in Control, and (y) the effective date of such Change in Control.

2. Position.

     The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ the Executive to serve in the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company reserves the right to change the Executive’s title, duties and/or responsibilities, and to reassign the Executive to or from any Affiliate. The Executive accepts such employment upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, and further agrees to perform to the best of his abilities the duties generally associated with his position, as well as such other duties as may be reasonably assigned by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), the Chief Executive Officer or President of the Company, and, if the Executive is employed by an Affiliate, the Chief Executive Officer, President or Board of Directors of such Affiliate. The Executive shall perform his duties diligently and faithfully and shall devote his full business time and attention to such duties. Each party’s rights and obligations under this Section 2 are subject to Section 5 below.

3. Term of Employment and Renewal.

     The term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) will commence on the date of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”) and continue until terminated in accordance with Section 5 below.

4. Compensation and Benefits.

     (a) Salary. Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company agrees to pay the Executive a base salary at an annual rate of two hundred and twenty thousand Dollars ($220,000), payable in such installments as is the policy of the Company (the “Salary”), but no less frequently than monthly. Thereafter, the Company shall evaluate the Executive’s Salary from time to time and make adjustments, in its discretion, subject to the rights and obligations set forth in Section 5 below.



     (b) Bonus. In its sole discretion, the Company may make the Executive eligible to receive bonuses based on criteria to be determined by the Company and issued to the Executive in writing, in which event the Executive shall be entitled to receive such bonuses in accordance with such criteria.

     (c) Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans which the Company provides or may establish from time to time for the benefit of its employees, including, without limitation, group life, medical, surgical, dental and other health insurance, short and long-term disability, deferred compensation, profit-sharing and similar plans. The Executive shall also be entitled to one hundred eighty four (184) hours of paid leave per year of employment, plus sick leave in accordance with standard Company policy. Two-thirds of any unused portion of such paid leave shall be considered to be vacation and, therefore, shall be paid to the Executive upon his cessation of employment with the Company. The Company will provide term life insurance for the Executive with benefits equal to his annual Salary, up to a maximum of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000). The Company may also purchase one or more “key man” insurance policies on the Executive’s life, each of which will be payable to and owned by the Company. The Company, in its sole discretion, may select the amount and type of key man life insurance purchased, and the Executive will have no interest in any such policy. The Executive will cooperate with the Company in securing this key man insurance, by submitting to all required medical examinations, supplying all information and executing all documents required in order for the Company to secure the insurance

     (d) Stock Options. In the sole discretion of the Board, the Company may from time to time issue the Executive stock option grants under the Company’s stock option plan and a stock option agreement, in which event the Executive shall be entitled to such options in accordance with such plan and agreement(s), subject however to the provisions of this Agreement regarding stock options.

     (e) Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by the Executive during the Term in performing services hereunder, provided that the Executive properly accounts for such expenses in accordance with the Company’s policies. The Company shall pay the Executive an automobile allowance of no less than five hundred dollars ($500) per month through normal payroll procedures, and such allowance shall be reported as income on the Executive’s year-end W-2 form. The Executive shall be responsible for submitting automobile expense reimbursement requests to the extent he wishes to convert any portion of the allowance to an expense reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for cellular telephone expenses associated with business use.

5. Termination and Severance.

     (a) Termination by the Company for Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause at any time, upon written notice to the Executive setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of such Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” is defined as (i) the Executive’s continued failure to perform his duties (other than due to physical incapacity or illness) after thirty (30) days’ written notice and opportunity to cure; (ii) the Executive’s conviction of any felony; (iii) the Executive’s material misrepresentation of his professional qualifications; (iv) willful or reckless conduct by the Executive injurious to the Company or any Affiliate; or (v) the Executive’s commission of fraud or malfeasance. Upon the termination for Cause of the Executive’s employment, the Company and its Affiliates shall have no further obligation or liability to the Executive other than for Salary earned prior to the date of termination and any accrued but unused vacation.



     (b) Termination by the Company Without Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated at any time without Cause by the Company upon fourteen (14) days’ written notice to the Executive, provided, however, that if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause the Company shall (i) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned and unpaid Salary, earned and unpaid bonuses, and accrued and unused vacation; (ii) continue to pay the Executive the Salary and shall provide medical, life and disability coverage, under the same conditions as exist at the time of termination, for a six (6) month period beginning on the effective date of the termination; and (iii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination, and the Executive may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of his employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5(b), if the termination constitutes a Termination Without Cause Upon Change in Control, then the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in Section 5(d) below rather than as set forth in this Section 5(b).

     (c) Termination by the Executive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive may terminate his employment hereunder upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company provided that the Company may pay the Executive his Salary in lieu of any portion of such notice period. The Executive may also terminate his employment hereunder after giving the Company written notice no more than thirty (30) days after the occurrence of an event which constitutes Good Reason, in which event the Company shall (i) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned and unpaid Salary, earned and unpaid bonuses, and accrued and unused vacation; (ii) continue to pay the Executive the Salary and shall provide medical, life and disability coverage, under the same conditions as exist at the time of termination, for a six (6) month period beginning on the effective date of the termination provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive; and (iii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination and the Executive may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of his employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5(c), if the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason Upon Change in Control, then the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in Section 5(d) below rather than as set forth in this Section 5(c).



     (d) Termination By Company or Executive After Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event of a Termination Without Cause Upon Change in Control, or termination by the Executive for Good Reason Upon Change in Control, the Company shall provide the Executive the following benefits: (i) all earned and unpaid Salary and bonuses; (ii) all accrued and unused vacation; (iii) a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times the Executive’s average annual cash compensation during the previous five (5) years (or, if the Executive has been employed by the Company for a shorter period, then the average during such shorter period); (iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, upon the Executive acknowledging in a signed writing the surrender of all his rights to vested and unvested stock options granted to him by the Company, a lump sum equal to the difference between the exercise price of such stock options and the higher of (x) the fair market value of the option shares on the effective date of the termination, or (y) the highest effective price paid for the Company’s common stock by any acquirer in connection with the Change in Control; (v) medical, life and disability coverage for a period of twelve (12) months after the effective date of the termination, or until the Executive receives comparable coverage from another employer, whichever occurs first; and (vi) all accrued retirement and deferred compensation plans vest in full. Items (i) through (iv) shall be paid to the Executive within twenty (20) days after the effective date of the termination. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive.

     (e) Death. In the event of the Executive’s death during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment hereunder shall immediately and automatically terminate, and the Company shall (i) pay the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries within a reasonable period after the effective date of termination all earned, unpaid Salary, all earned, unpaid bonuses and all accrued unused vacation; and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination and the recipients of such benefits may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of the Executives’ employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the recipient(s) of benefits under this subsection shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

      Disability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder, upon written notice to the Executive, in the event that the Executive becomes disabled during the Term through any condition of either a physical or psychological nature and, as a result, is, with or without reasonable accommodation, unable to perform the essential functions of the services contemplated hereunder for (a) a period of ninety (90) consecutive days, or (b) for shorter periods aggregating one hundred twenty (120) days during any twelve (12) month period during the Term. Any such termination shall become effective upon mailing or hand delivery of notice that the Company has elected its right to terminate under this subsection 5(f), and the Company shall (i) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned, unpaid Salary; (ii) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned, unpaid bonuses; (iii) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all accrued unused vacation; (iv) continue to pay the Executive the Salary and shall provide medical, life and disability coverage, under the same conditions as exist at the time of termination, for a six (6) month period beginning on the effective date of the termination, and (v) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination and the Executive may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of his employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive.



     (f) Certain Events. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option plan or agreement, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed, all unvested stock options in the Company granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full upon the Change in Control. As a condition of the foregoing benefit, the Executive agrees that, if so requested by the Company, or such Affiliate, prior to the Change in Control, he shall continue to be employed by the Company or such Affiliate for a period of one (1) year, subject to all of the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, and if he fails to satisfy such obligation he shall pay to the Company as liquidated damages a sum equal to the difference between the exercise price of such stock options and the higher of (x) the fair market value of the option shares on the effective date of the Change in Control, or (y) the highest effective price paid for the Company’s common stock by any acquirer in connection with the Change in Control. As a further condition of the foregoing benefit, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefit a general release of claims up to the date of the Change in Control, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, provided the Company shall execute such release and deliver an executed counterpart to the Executive.

     (g) Tax Deductability. If it is determined by the Company or the Internal Revenue Service that any payment or benefit received or deemed received by the Executive from the Company (pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise) is or will become subject to any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and, therefore, that the Company will not be entitled to a federal tax deduction in connection with such payments and benefits or any portion thereof, then such payments and/or benefits shall be reduced, in a form and amount agreed to by the parties in good faith, in the amount necessary to allow the Company a federal tax deduction in connection with all payments and benefits provided to the Executive.

6. Choice of Law.

     The validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal law of Maryland, without giving effect to conflict of law principles.

7. Miscellaneous.

     (a) Assignment; Delegation. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned by the Company to any successors in interest. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that the Company may delegate performance of its obligations to any Affiliate provided that the Company shall retain liability for any breach of its obligations under this Agreement. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement is personal to the Executive and that the Executive may not assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder.

     (b) Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to withholding taxes, social security and other payroll deductions in accordance with the Company’s policies applicable to employees of the Company at the Executive’s level.

     (c) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Executive’s employee nondisclosure/noncompetition agreement with the Company, and any stock option agreement(s) between the parties, set forth the entire agreement between the parties on the subject matter contained herein and supersede any prior communications, agreements and understandings, written or oral, with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment.

     (d) Amendments. Any attempted modification of this Agreement will not be effective unless signed by an officer of the Company and the Executive.



     (e) Waiver of Breach. The Executive understands that a breach of any provision of this Agreement may only be waived by an officer of the Company. The waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

     (f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement should, for any reason, be held invalid or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, and the application of such provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each such provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

     (g) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective when delivered (i) in hand by private messenger, or (ii) by a nationally known and reputable overnight mail service, as follows (or to such other address as either party shall designate by notice in writing to the other in accordance herewith):


  If to the Company:

  135 National Business Parkway
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
Attn: CEO
With a copy to General Counsel

  If to Executive:

  __________________________

  __________________________

  __________________________

  __________________________

     (h) Survival. The Executive and the Company agree that certain provisions of this Agreement shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement and the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company. Such provisions shall be limited to those within this Agreement which, by their express and implied terms, obligate either party to perform beyond the termination of the Executive’s employment or termination of this Agreement.

     (i) Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement or any aspect of the Executive’s relationship with the Company including the cessation thereof shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the then existing Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association, in Washington, D.C., and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The parties shall split equally the costs of arbitration, except that each party shall pay its own attorneys’ fees. The parties agree that the award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding.



     (j) Rights of Other Individuals. This Agreement confers rights solely on the Executive and the Company. This Agreement is not a benefit plan and confers no rights on any individual or entity other than the undersigned.

     (k) Headings. The parties acknowledge that the headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of this Agreement.

     (l) Advice of Counsel. The Executive and the Company hereby acknowledge that each party has had adequate opportunity to review this Agreement, to obtain the advice of counsel with respect to this Agreement, and to reflect upon and consider the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The parties further acknowledge that each party fully understands the terms of this Agreement and has voluntarily executed this Agreement. The Company shall pay the legal fees and costs incurred by the Executive in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement, upon the presentation of invoices in appropriate form.

     (m) Amendment and Replacement. Effective June 30, 2000, this Agreement amends and replaces the Employment Agreement between the parties dated March 22, 2000.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth below.


EXECUTIVE CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.

__________________________________ By: ______________________________

__________________________________
SCOTT FREIMAN
Title:_____________________________

Dated:________________________, 2000 Dated:________________________, 2000



EXHIBIT A

SEPARATION AGREEMENT
AND GENERAL RELEASE

     This Separation Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this ____ day of _____, _____, by and between Credit Management Solutions, Inc. (hereinafter the “Company” or “Employer”) and [EMPLOYEE NAME] (“Employee”) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties”), and is made and entered into with reference to the following facts.

RECITALS

     WHEREAS, Employee was hired by the Company on or about ________, as a ____________; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and Employee have agreed to terminate their employment relationship effective ______, ____; and

     WHEREAS, the Parties have entered into a written employment agreement, dated _________ (the “Employment Agreement”), under which Employee is entitled to certain severance benefits conditioned upon his/her execution of this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the Parties each desire to resolve any potential disputes which exist or may exist arising out of Employee’s employment with the Company and/or the termination thereof.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

     1. Agreement By the Employee. In exchange for the payments described in paragraph 2 below, Employee agrees to the following:


(a) that his/her employment with the Company is terminated effective _________, ____ (hereinafter the “Termination Date”); and

(b) to be bound by the terms of this entire Agreement.

     2. Agreement By the Company. In exchange for Employee’s agreement to be bound by the terms of this entire Agreement, including but not limited to the Release of Claims in paragraph 3, the Company agrees to provide Employee with a severance benefits as provided for in the Employment Agreement.

     Employee acknowledges that, absent this Agreement, s/he has no legal, contractual or other entitlement to the consideration set forth in this paragraph and that the amount set forth in this paragraph constitute valid and sufficient consideration for Employee’s release of claims and other obligations set forth herein.

     3. Release of Claims.

     (a) Employee hereby expressly waives, release, acquits and forever discharges the Company and its divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, parents, related entities, partners, officers, directors, shareholders, investors, executives, managers, employees, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Releasees”), from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action which Employee has or claims to have, whether known or unknown, of whatever nature, which exist or may exist on Employee’s behalf from the beginning of time up to and including the date of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph 3, “claims,” “demands,” and “causes of action” include, but are not limited to, claims based on contract, whether express or implied, fraud, stock fraud, defamation, wrongful termination, estoppel, equity, tort, retaliation, intellectual property, personal injury, spoliation of evidence, emotional distress, public policy, wage and hour law, statute or common law, claims for severance pay, claims related to stock options and/or fringe benefits, claims for attorneys’ fees, vacation pay, debts accounts, compensatory damages, punitive or exemplary damages, liquidated damages, and any and all claims arising under any federal, state, or local statute, law, or ordinance prohibiting discrimination on account of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability or national origin, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

     (b) The Company and its divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, parents, related entities, hereby expressly waive, release, aquit and forever discharge Employee and his agents, attorneys, representatives, successors, heirs and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Employee Releasees”), from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action which Employee has or claims to have, whether known or unknown, of whatever nature, which exist or may exist on Employee’s behalf from the beginning of time up to and including the date of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph 3, “claims,” “demands,” and “causes of action” include, but are not limited to, claims based on contract, whether expressed or implied, fraud, stock fraud, defamation, wrongful termination, estoppel, equity, tort, retaliation, intellectual property, personal injury, spoliation of evidence, emotional distress, public policy, wage and hour law, statute or common law, claims for severance pay, claims related to stock options and/or fringe benefits, claims for attorneys’ fees, vacation pay, debts, accounts, compensatory damages, punitive or exemplary damages, liquidated damages, and any and all claims arising under any federal state, or local statute, law, or ordinance prohibiting discrimination on account of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability or national origin, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; provided, however, that, this release does not include any claim, demand or cause of action arising out of Executive’s malfeasance, fraud, embezzlement, intentional torts, breach of his duties under his employee nondisclosure/noncompetition agreement with the Company, violation of any other duties with respect to confidential or proprietary information or intellectual property (including without limitation patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks), noncompetition, nonsolicitation or loyalty, or violation of the Company’s employee policies, including without limitation its Human Resources and securities trading policies.



     4. Last Date of Employment. It is understood and agreed that Employee’s last date of employment with Employer is _________, ____.

     5. Receipt of Wages and Other Compensation. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, prior to his/her execution of this Agreement, s/he has received payment for all wages, salary, bonuses, accrued vacation, and all other compensation owed to Employee by the Company.

     6. Company Property/Proprietary Information. Employee agrees to continue to abide by the terms of the Company’s Proprietary Information Agreement the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

     7. Acceptance of Agreement/[Revocation]. This Agreement was received by Employee on ______, ____. Employee may accept this Agreement by returning a signed original to the Company. This Agreement shall be withdrawn if not accepted in the above manner on or before _____.

     8. Non-Admission of Liability. The Company denies any wrongdoing whatsoever in connection with its dealings with Employee, including but not limited to Employee’s employment and termination. It is expressly understood and agreed that nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute or be treated as an admission of any wrongdoing or liability on the part of the Company or the Employee.

     9. No Filing of Claims. Employee represents and warrants that s/he does not presently have on file, and further represents and warrants that s/he will not hereafter file, any claims, charges, grievances or complaints against any of the Releasees (defined above) in or with any administrative, state, federal or governmental entity, agency, board or court, or before any other tribunal or panel or arbitrators, public or private, based upon any actions or omissions by the Releasees occurring prior to the date of this Agreement.

     10. Ownership of Claims. Employee represents and warrants that s/he is the sole and lawful owner of all rights, title and interest in and to all released matters, claims and demands referred to herein. Employee further represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any such matters, claims or demands which she may have against the Releasees.

     11. Confidentiality. Employee understands and agrees that this Agreement, and the matters discussed in negotiating its terms, are entirely confidential. It is therefore expressly understood and agreed that Employee will not reveal, discuss, publish or in any way communicate any of the terms, amount or fact of this Agreement to any person, organization or other entity, with the exception of his/her immediate family members and professional representatives, unless required by subpoena or court order. Employee further agrees that s/he will not, at any time in the future, make any statements to any third parties that disparage any of the Releasees personally or professionally.



     12. Tax Indemnification. It is understood and agreed that Employee is liable for all tax obligations, if any, with respect to the settlement payments provided for herein. Employee agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Employer from any and all taxes, assessments, penalties, loss, costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses or interest payments that Employer may at any time incur by reason of any demand, proceeding, action or suit brought against Employer arising out of or in any manner related to any local, state or federal taxes allegedly due from Employee in connection with this Agreement; provided (a) Employer promptly notifies Employee of any such claim, demand or cause of action against the Company, and (b) keeps Employee fully informed of all material facts and events with respect to such proceedings (to the extent such information does not waive any privileges).

     13. Maryland Law Applies. This Agreement, in all respects, shall be interpreted, enforced and governed by and under the laws of the State of Maryland. Any and all actions relating to this Agreement shall be filed and maintained in the federal and/or state courts located in the State of Maryland, and the parties consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. In any action arising out of this Agreement, or involving claims barred by this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all costs of suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

     14. Successors and Assigns. The Parties expressly understand and agree that this Agreement, and all of its terms, shall be binding upon their representatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

     15. Consultation with Counsel. Employee acknowledges that s/he has been advised to consult with legal counsel of her choice prior to execution and delivery of this Agreement.

     16. Integration. Except as otherwise specifically provided for, this Agreement constitutes an integrated, written contract, expressing the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. In this regard, Employee represents and warrants that s/he is not relying on any promises or representations which do not appear written herein. Employee further understands and agrees that this Agreement can be amended or modified only by a written agreement, signed by all of the Parties hereto.

     17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts and by facsimile, and each such counterpart shall be deemed an original with the same effect as if all Parties had signed the same document.

     18. Headings. The headings in each paragraph herein are for convenience of reference only and shall be of no legal effect in the interpretation of the terms hereof.

     19. Severability. If any provision in this Agreement is held to be invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected by such a determination.

     20. Voluntary Agreement. EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT S/HE MAY BE WAIVING SIGNIFICANT LEGAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, AND REPRESENTS THAT S/HE HAS ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY, WITH A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF AND IN AGREEMENT WITH ALL OF ITS TERMS.



DATED: _____________________,____ CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.

By: __________________________

Its: __________________________

DATED: _____________________, ____ [EMPLOYEE NAME]

__________________________

EX-10.19 4 0004.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Credit Management Solutions, Inc.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), is made and entered into this 27th day of June, 2000, by and between Credit Management Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation with principal offices located at 135 National Business Parkway, Annapolis Junction, Maryland 20701 (the “Company”), and Robert Vollono (the “Executive”).

WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS, the Company has a need for the Executive’s personal services in an executive capacity; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive possesses the necessary strategic, financial, planning, operational and managerial skills necessary to fulfill those needs;

     WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company desire to have a formal Employment Agreement to fully recognize the contributions of the Executive to the Company and to assure continuous harmonious performance of the affairs of the Company.

     WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement dated March 22, 2000, and whereas the parties wish to amend and replace that agreement with this Agreement, as set forth in Section 7(m) below.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, terms, provisions, and conditions contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

     1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

     a. “Affiliate” means any person or entity (i) that directly or indirectly owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock (as defined below) of the Company, or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock of which is directly or indirectly owned by the Company, or (iii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock of which is directly or indirectly owned by another person or entity that directly or indirectly owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Stock of the Company.

     b. “Change of Control” of a company means the occurrence of any of the following:


       (i) any “person,” as such term is currently used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, becomes a “beneficial owner,” as such term is currently used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under that Act of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Voting Stock of the company;

       (ii) a majority of the Board of Directors of the company consists of individuals other than Incumbent Directors, which term means the members of the Board on the date hereof; provided that any individual becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election was supported by two-thirds of the directors who then comprised the Incumbent Directors shall be considered to be an Incumbent Director;



       (iii) the Board of Directors of the company adopts any plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of the company’s assets;

       (iv) all or substantially all of the assets or business of the company are disposed of in any one or more transactions pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other transaction (unless the shareholders of the company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned the Voting Stock of the company, all of the Voting Stock or other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any, that succeed to the business of the company); provided, however, that this subsection (iv) shall not apply in the event of a merger or consolidation of the Company with an Affiliate; or

       (v) the company combines with another company and is the surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the shareholders of the company immediately prior to the combination hold, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or less of the Voting Stock of the combined company, (there being excluded from the number of shares held by such shareholders, but not from the Voting Stock of the combined company, any shares received by affiliates of such other company in exchange for securities of such other company); provided, however, that this subsection (v) shall not apply in the event of a combination of the Company with an Affiliate.


     c. “Good Reason” means any of the following events:


       (i) a reduction in annual Salary (as defined below);

       (ii) a failure by the Company, or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed, to provide fringe benefits comparable to those offered to the Executive’s peer executives;

       (iii) the failure of the Company, or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed, to obtain by operation of law or otherwise the assumption of its obligations to perform this Agreement from any successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or such Affiliate; or

       (iv) a relocation of the Executive’s worksite to a location which increases the distance from the Executive’s home to his worksite by more than fifty (50) miles.

d.  “Good Reason Upon Change In Control” means any of the following events provided the event occurs either (i) less than eighteen (18) months after a Change in Control of the Company, or an Affiliate if the Executive is employed at that time by such Affiliate or the Company or (ii) during one-hundred and eighty (180) days or shorter time period between (x) the execution by Company (or such Affiliate) and a third party of a letter of intent or term sheet reflecting the terms of such Change in Control, or receipt by the Company (or such Affiliate) of a written offer from a third party reflecting such Change in Control, and (y) the effective date of such Change in Control:

  (A) any of the events which constitute Good Reason under Section 1(c) above;

  (B) a material diminution in the Executive’s duties or responsibilities; provided that a diminution shall not be deemed to have occurred solely because that Executive no longer has duties and responsibilities for a particular Affiliate as long as the Executive continues to have the same level, type and scope of duties and responsibilities as he had prior to the Change in Control; or



  (C) the assignment to the Executive of duties that materially impair his ability to perform the duties normally assigned to a person of his title and position at a corporation of the size and nature of the Company or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed (as applicable).

     e. “Voting Stock” means the issued and outstanding capital stock or other securities of any class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances, in the absence of contingencies, to elect the directors of a corporation.

     f. “Termination Without Cause Upon Change in Control” means termination of the Executive’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in Section 5(a) below) either (i) less than eighteen (18) months after a Change in Control of the Company or an Affiliate if the Executive is employed at that time by such Affiliate or the Company, (ii) during one-hundred and eighty (180) days or shorter time period between (x) the execution by Company (or such Affiliate) and a third party of a letter of intent or a term sheet reflecting the terms of such Change in Control, or receipt by the Company (or such Affiliate) of a written offer from a third party reflecting such Change in Control, and (y) the effective date of such Change in Control.

2. Position.

     The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ the Executive to serve in the role of Chief Financial Officer of the Company and each of its Affiliates. The Company reserves the right to change the Executive’s title, duties and/or responsibilities, and to reassign the Executive to or from any Affiliate. The Executive accepts such employment upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, and further agrees to perform to the best of his abilities the duties generally associated with his position, as well as such other duties as may be reasonably assigned by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), the Chief Executive Officer or President of the Company, and, if the Executive is employed by an Affiliate, the Chief Executive Officer, President or Board of Directors of such Affiliate. The Executive shall perform his duties diligently and faithfully and shall devote his full business time and attention to such duties. Each party’s rights and obligations under this Section 2 are subject to Section 5 below.

3. Term of Employment and Renewal.

     The term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) will commence on the date of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”) and continue until terminated in accordance with Section 5 below.

4. Compensation and Benefits.

     (a) Salary. Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company agrees to pay the Executive a base salary at an annual rate of one hundred and seventy-five thousand Dollars ($175,000), payable in such installments as is the policy of the Company (the “Salary”), but no less frequently than monthly. Thereafter, the Company shall evaluate the Executive’s Salary from time to time and make adjustments, in its discretion, subject to the rights and obligations set forth in Section 5 below.



     (b) Bonus. In its sole discretion, the Company may make the Executive eligible to receive bonuses based on criteria to be determined by the Company and issued to the Executive in writing, in which event the Executive shall be entitled to receive such bonuses in accordance with such criteria.

     (c) Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans which the Company provides or may establish from time to time for the benefit of its employees, including, without limitation, group life, medical, surgical, dental and other health insurance, short and long-term disability, deferred compensation, profit-sharing and similar plans. The Executive shall also be entitled to one hundred eighty four (184) hours of paid leave per year of employment, plus sick leave in accordance with standard Company policy. Two-thirds of any unused portion of such paid leave shall be considered to be vacation and, therefore, shall be paid to the Executive upon his cessation of employment with the Company. The Company will provide term life insurance for the Executive with benefits equal to his annual Salary, up to a maximum of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000). The Company may also purchase one or more “key man” insurance policies on the Executive’s life, each of which will be payable to and owned by the Company. The Company, in its sole discretion, may select the amount and type of key man life insurance purchased, and the Executive will have no interest in any such policy. The Executive will cooperate with the Company in securing this key man insurance, by submitting to all required medical examinations, supplying all information and executing all documents required in order for the Company to secure the insurance

     (d) Stock Options. In the sole discretion of the Board, the Company may from time to time issue the Executive stock option grants under the Company’s stock option plan and a stock option agreement, in which event the Executive shall be entitled to such options in accordance with such plan and agreement(s), subject however to the provisions of this Agreement regarding stock options.

     (e) Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by the Executive during the Term in performing services hereunder, provided that the Executive properly accounts for such expenses in accordance with the Company’s policies. The Company shall pay the Executive an automobile allowance of no less than five hundred dollars ($500) per month through normal payroll procedures, and such allowance shall be reported as income on the Executive’s year-end W-2 form. The Executive shall be responsible for submitting automobile expense reimbursement requests to the extent he wishes to convert any portion of the allowance to an expense reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for cellular telephone expenses associated with business use.

5. Termination and Severance.

     (a) Termination by the Company for Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause at any time, upon written notice to the Executive setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of such Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” is defined as (i) the Executive’s continued failure to perform his duties (other than due to physical incapacity or illness) after thirty (30) days’ written notice and opportunity to cure; (ii) the Executive’s conviction of any felony; (iii) the Executive’s material misrepresentation of his professional qualifications; (iv) willful or reckless conduct by the Executive injurious to the Company or any Affiliate; or (v) the Executive’s commission of fraud or malfeasance. Upon the termination for Cause of the Executive’s employment, the Company and its Affiliates shall have no further obligation or liability to the Executive other than for Salary earned prior to the date of termination and any accrued but unused vacation.



     (b) Termination by the Company Without Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated at any time without Cause by the Company upon fourteen (14) days’ written notice to the Executive, provided, however, that if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause the Company shall (i) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned and unpaid Salary, earned and unpaid bonuses, and accrued and unused vacation; (ii) continue to pay the Executive the Salary and shall provide medical, life and disability coverage, under the same conditions as exist at the time of termination, for a six (6) month period beginning on the effective date of the termination; and (iii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination, and the Executive may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of his employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5(b), if the termination constitutes a Termination Without Cause Upon Change in Control, then the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in Section 5(d) below rather than as set forth in this Section 5(b).

     (c) Termination by the Executive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive may terminate his employment hereunder upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company provided that the Company may pay the Executive his Salary in lieu of any portion of such notice period. The Executive may also terminate his employment hereunder after giving the Company written notice no more than thirty (30) days after the occurrence of an event which constitutes Good Reason, in which event the Company shall (i) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned and unpaid Salary, earned and unpaid bonuses, and accrued and unused vacation; (ii) continue to pay the Executive the Salary and shall provide medical, life and disability coverage, under the same conditions as exist at the time of termination, for a six (6) month period beginning on the effective date of the termination provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive; and (iii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination and the Executive may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of his employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5(c), if the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason Upon Change in Control, then the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in Section 5(d) below rather than as set forth in this Section 5(c).



     (d) Termination By Company or Executive After Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event of a Termination Without Cause Upon Change in Control, or termination by the Executive for Good Reason Upon Change in Control, the Company shall provide the Executive the following benefits: (i) all earned and unpaid Salary and bonuses; (ii) all accrued and unused vacation; (iii) a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times the Executive’s average annual cash compensation during the previous five (5) years (or, if the Executive has been employed by the Company for a shorter period, then the average during such shorter period); (iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, upon the Executive acknowledging in a signed writing the surrender of all his rights to vested and unvested stock options granted to him by the Company, a lump sum equal to the difference between the exercise price of such stock options and the higher of (x) the fair market value of the option shares on the effective date of the termination, or (y) the highest effective price paid for the Company’s common stock by any acquirer in connection with the Change in Control; (v) medical, life and disability coverage for a period of twelve (12) months after the effective date of the termination, or until the Executive receives comparable coverage from another employer, whichever occurs first; and (vi) all accrued retirement and deferred compensation plans vest in full. Items (i) through (iv) shall be paid to the Executive within twenty (20) days after the effective date of the termination. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive.

     (e) Death. In the event of the Executive’s death during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment hereunder shall immediately and automatically terminate, and the Company shall (i) pay the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries within a reasonable period after the effective date of termination all earned, unpaid Salary, all earned, unpaid bonuses and all accrued unused vacation; and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination and the recipients of such benefits may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of the Executives’ employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the recipient(s) of benefits under this subsection shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

      (e) Disability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder, upon written notice to the Executive, in the event that the Executive becomes disabled during the Term through any condition of either a physical or psychological nature and, as a result, is, with or without reasonable accommodation, unable to perform the essential functions of the services contemplated hereunder for (a) a period of ninety (90) consecutive days, or (b) for shorter periods aggregating one hundred twenty (120) days during any twelve (12) month period during the Term. Any such termination shall become effective upon mailing or hand delivery of notice that the Company has elected its right to terminate under this subsection 5(f), and the Company shall (i) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned, unpaid Salary; (ii) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all earned, unpaid bonuses; (iii) pay the Executive on the effective date of termination all accrued unused vacation; (iv) continue to pay the Executive the Salary and shall provide medical, life and disability coverage, under the same conditions as exist at the time of termination, for a six (6) month period beginning on the effective date of the termination, and (v) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option agreement, any unvested stock options granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full on the effective date of termination and the Executive may exercise such options at any time up to two-hundred seventy (270) days after the effective date of termination of his employment. As a condition of receiving such benefits pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefits a general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A provided the Company executes such release and delivers an executed counterpart to the Executive.



     (f) Certain Events. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any stock option plan or agreement, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, or Affiliate by which the Executive is employed, all unvested stock options in the Company granted to the Executive shall accelerate and vest in full upon the Change in Control. As a condition of the foregoing benefit, the Executive agrees that, if so requested by the Company, or such Affiliate, prior to the Change in Control, he shall continue to be employed by the Company or such Affiliate for a period of one (1) year, subject to all of the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, and if he fails to satisfy such obligation he shall pay to the Company as liquidated damages a sum equal to the difference between the exercise price of such stock options and the higher of (x) the fair market value of the option shares on the effective date of the Change in Control, or (y) the highest effective price paid for the Company’s common stock by any acquirer in connection with the Change in Control. As a further condition of the foregoing benefit, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company prior to his receipt of such benefit a general release of claims up to the date of the Change in Control, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, provided the Company shall execute such release and deliver an executed counterpart to the Executive.

     (g) Tax Deductability. If it is determined by the Company or the Internal Revenue Service that any payment or benefit received or deemed received by the Executive from the Company (pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise) is or will become subject to any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and, therefore, that the Company will not be entitled to a federal tax deduction in connection with such payments and benefits or any portion thereof, then such payments and/or benefits shall be reduced, in a form and amount agreed to by the parties in good faith, in the amount necessary to allow the Company a federal tax deduction in connection with all payments and benefits provided to the Executive.

6. Choice of Law.

     The validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal law of Maryland, without giving effect to conflict of law principles.

7. Miscellaneous.

     (a) Assignment; Delegation. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned by the Company to any successors in interest. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that the Company may delegate performance of its obligations to any Affiliate provided that the Company shall retain liability for any breach of its obligations under this Agreement. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement is personal to the Executive and that the Executive may not assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder.

     (b) Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to withholding taxes, social security and other payroll deductions in accordance with the Company’s policies applicable to employees of the Company at the Executive’s level.

     (c) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Executive’s employee nondisclosure/noncompetition agreement with the Company, and any stock option agreement(s) between the parties, set forth the entire agreement between the parties on the subject matter contained herein and supersede any prior communications, agreements and understandings, written or oral, with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment.

     (d) Amendments. Any attempted modification of this Agreement will not be effective unless signed by an officer of the Company and the Executive.



     (e) Waiver of Breach. The Executive understands that a breach of any provision of this Agreement may only be waived by an officer of the Company. The waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

     (f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement should, for any reason, be held invalid or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, and the application of such provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each such provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

     (g) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective when delivered (i) in hand by private messenger, or (ii) by a nationally known and reputable overnight mail service, as follows (or to such other address as either party shall designate by notice in writing to the other in accordance herewith):


  If to the Company:

  135 National Business Parkway
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
Attn: CEO
With a copy to General Counsel

  If to Executive:

  __________________________

  __________________________

  __________________________

  __________________________

     (h) Survival. The Executive and the Company agree that certain provisions of this Agreement shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement and the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company. Such provisions shall be limited to those within this Agreement which, by their express and implied terms, obligate either party to perform beyond the termination of the Executive’s employment or termination of this Agreement.

     (i) Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement or any aspect of the Executive’s relationship with the Company including the cessation thereof shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the then existing Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association, in Washington, D.C., and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The parties shall split equally the costs of arbitration, except that each party shall pay its own attorneys’ fees. The parties agree that the award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding.



     (j) Rights of Other Individuals. This Agreement confers rights solely on the Executive and the Company. This Agreement is not a benefit plan and confers no rights on any individual or entity other than the undersigned.

     (k) Headings. The parties acknowledge that the headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of this Agreement.

     (l) Advice of Counsel. The Executive and the Company hereby acknowledge that each party has had adequate opportunity to review this Agreement, to obtain the advice of counsel with respect to this Agreement, and to reflect upon and consider the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The parties further acknowledge that each party fully understands the terms of this Agreement and has voluntarily executed this Agreement. The Company shall pay the legal fees and costs incurred by the Executive in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement, upon the presentation of invoices in appropriate form.

     (m) Amendment and Replacement. Effective June 30, 2000, this Agreement amends and replaces the Employment Agreement between the parties dated March 22, 2000.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth below.


EXECUTIVE CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.

__________________________________ By: ______________________________

__________________________________
SCOTT FREIMAN
Title:_____________________________

Dated:________________________, 2000 Dated:________________________, 2000



EXHIBIT A

SEPARATION AGREEMENT
AND GENERAL RELEASE

     This Separation Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this ____ day of _____, _____, by and between Credit Management Solutions, Inc. (hereinafter the “Company” or “Employer”) and [EMPLOYEE NAME] (“Employee”) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties”), and is made and entered into with reference to the following facts.

RECITALS

     WHEREAS, Employee was hired by the Company on or about ________, as a ____________; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and Employee have agreed to terminate their employment relationship effective ______, ____; and

     WHEREAS, the Parties have entered into a written employment agreement, dated _________ (the “Employment Agreement”), under which Employee is entitled to certain severance benefits conditioned upon his/her execution of this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the Parties each desire to resolve any potential disputes which exist or may exist arising out of Employee’s employment with the Company and/or the termination thereof.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

     1. Agreement By the Employee. In exchange for the payments described in paragraph 2 below, Employee agrees to the following:


(a) that his/her employment with the Company is terminated effective _________, ____ (hereinafter the “Termination Date”); and

(b) to be bound by the terms of this entire Agreement.

     2. Agreement By the Company. In exchange for Employee’s agreement to be bound by the terms of this entire Agreement, including but not limited to the Release of Claims in paragraph 3, the Company agrees to provide Employee with a severance benefits as provided for in the Employment Agreement.

     Employee acknowledges that, absent this Agreement, s/he has no legal, contractual or other entitlement to the consideration set forth in this paragraph and that the amount set forth in this paragraph constitute valid and sufficient consideration for Employee’s release of claims and other obligations set forth herein.

     3. Release of Claims.

     (a) Employee hereby expressly waives, release, acquits and forever discharges the Company and its divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, parents, related entities, partners, officers, directors, shareholders, investors, executives, managers, employees, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Releasees”), from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action which Employee has or claims to have, whether known or unknown, of whatever nature, which exist or may exist on Employee’s behalf from the beginning of time up to and including the date of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph 3, “claims,” “demands,” and “causes of action” include, but are not limited to, claims based on contract, whether express or implied, fraud, stock fraud, defamation, wrongful termination, estoppel, equity, tort, retaliation, intellectual property, personal injury, spoliation of evidence, emotional distress, public policy, wage and hour law, statute of common law, claims for severance pay, claims related to stock options and/or fringe benefits, claims for attorneys’ fees, vacation pay, debts accounts, compensatory damages, punitive or exemplary damages, liquidated damages, and any and all claims arising under any federal, state, or local statute, law, or ordinance prohibiting discrimination on account of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability or national origin, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

     (b) The Company and its divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, parents, related entities, hereby expressly waive, release, aquit and forever discharge Employee and his agents, attorneys, representatives, successors, heirs and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Employee Releasees”), from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action which Employee has or claims to have, whether known or unknown, of whatever nature, which exist or may exist on Employee’s behalf from the beginning of time up to and including the date of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph 3, “claims,” “demands,” and “causes of action” include, but are not limited to, claims based on contract, whether expressed or implied, fraud, stock fraud, defamation, wrongful termination, estoppel, equity, tort, retaliation, intellectual property, personal injury, spoliation of evidence, emotional distress, public policy, wage and hour law, statute or common law, claims for severance pay, claims related to stock options and/or fringe benefits, claims for attorneys’ fees, vacation pay, debts, accounts, compensatory damages, punitive or exemplary damages, liquidated damages, and any and all claims arising under any federal state, or local statute, law, or ordinance prohibiting discrimination on account of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability or national origin, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; provided, however, that, this release does not include any claim, demand or cause of action arising out of Executive’s malfeasance, fraud, embezzlement, intentional torts, breach of his duties under his employee nondisclosure/noncompetition agreement with the Company, violation of any other duties with respect to confidential or proprietary information or intellectual property (including without limitation patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks), noncompetition, nonsolicitation or loyalty, or violation of the Company’s employee policies, including without limitation its Human Resources and securities trading policies.


     4. Last Date of Employment. It is understood and agreed that Employee’s last date of employment with Employer is _________, ____.

     5. Receipt of Wages and Other Compensation. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, prior to his/her execution of this Agreement, s/he has received payment for all wages, salary, bonuses, accrued vacation, and all other compensation owed to Employee by the Company.

     6. Company Property/Proprietary Information. Employee agrees to continue to abide by the terms of the Company’s Proprietary Information Agreement the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

     7. Acceptance of Agreement/[Revocation]. This Agreement was received by Employee on ______, ____. Employee may accept this Agreement by returning a signed original to the Company. This Agreement shall be withdrawn if not accepted in the above manner on or before _____.

     8. Non-Admission of Liability. The Company denies any wrongdoing whatsoever in connection with its dealings with Employee, including but not limited to Employee’s employment and termination. It is expressly understood and agreed that nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute or be treated as an admission of any wrongdoing or liability on the part of the Company or the Employee.

     9. No Filing of Claims. Employee represents and warrants that s/he does not presently have on file, and further represents and warrants that s/he will not hereafter file, any claims, charges, grievances or complaints against any of the Releasees (defined above) in or with any administrative, state, federal or governmental entity, agency, board or court, or before any other tribunal or panel or arbitrators, public or private, based upon any actions or omissions by the Releasees occurring prior to the date of this Agreement.

     10. Ownership of Claims. Employee represents and warrants that s/he is the sole and lawful owner of all rights, title and interest in and to all released matters, claims and demands referred to herein. Employee further represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any such matters, claims or demands which she may have against the Releasees.

     11. Confidentiality. Employee understands and agrees that this Agreement, and the matters discussed in negotiating its terms, are entirely confidential. It is therefore expressly understood and agreed that Employee will not reveal, discuss, publish or in any way communicate any of the terms, amount or fact of this Agreement to any person, organization or other entity, with the exception of his/her immediate family members and professional representatives, unless required by subpoena or court order. Employee further agrees that s/he will not, at any time in the future, make any statements to any third parties that disparage any of the Releasees personally or professionally.



     12. Tax Indemnification. It is understood and agreed that Employee is liable for all tax obligations, if any, with respect to the settlement payments provided for herein. Employee agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Employer from any and all taxes, assessments, penalties, loss, costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses or interest payments that Employer may at any time incur by reason of any demand, proceeding, action or suit brought against Employer arising out of or in any manner related to any local, state or federal taxes allegedly due from Employee in connection with this Agreement; provided (a) Employer promptly notifies Employee of any such claim, demand or cause of action against the Company, and (b) keeps Employee fully informed of all material facts and events with respect to such proceedings (to the extent such information does not waive any privileges).

     13. Maryland Law Applies. This Agreement, in all respects, shall be interpreted, enforced and governed by and under the laws of the State of Maryland. Any and all actions relating to this Agreement shall be filed and maintained in the federal and/or state courts located in the State of Maryland, and the parties consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. In any action arising out of this Agreement, or involving claims barred by this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all costs of suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

     14. Successors and Assigns. The Parties expressly understand and agree that this Agreement, and all of its terms, shall be binding upon their representatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

     15. Consultation with Counsel. Employee acknowledges that s/he has been advised to consult with legal counsel of her choice prior to execution and delivery of this Agreement.

     16. Integration. Except as otherwise specifically provided for, this Agreement constitutes an integrated, written contract, expressing the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. In this regard, Employee represents and warrants that s/he is not relying on any promises or representations which do not appear written herein. Employee further understands and agrees that this Agreement can be amended or modified only by a written agreement, signed by all of the Parties hereto.

     17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts and by facsimile, and each such counterpart shall be deemed an original with the same effect as if all Parties had signed the same document.

     18. Headings. The headings in each paragraph herein are for convenience of reference only and shall be of no legal effect in the interpretation of the terms hereof.

     19. Severability. If any provision in this Agreement is held to be invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected by such a determination.

     20. Voluntary Agreement. EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT S/HE MAY BE WAIVING SIGNIFICANT LEGAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, AND REPRESENTS THAT S/HE HAS ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY, WITH A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF AND IN AGREEMENT WITH ALL OF ITS TERMS.



DATED: _____________________,____ CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.

By: __________________________

Its: __________________________

DATED: _____________________, ____ [EMPLOYEE NAME]

__________________________

EX-27 5 0005.txt FDS --
5 6-MOS DEC-31-2000 JAN-01-1999 JUN-30-1999 2,054,014 1,954,210 6,962,131 (192,602) 0 11,248,757 9,685,785 (3,817,928) 19,977,401 7,578,755 0 0 0 78,210 16,506,236 19,977,401 165,595 11,842,615 283,678 6,623,333 6,176,282 0 85,588 (871,412) 0 (871,412) 0 0 0 (871,412) (.11) (.11)
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