-----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, Bq18sm37uTNau/CNqMNhOUlcRo/4hR//tG1K87qpjqDDRexCPdVT/A190KAE1P0l gIuZaMO3ZLgIi/tEeRRiig== 0000950123-10-088462.txt : 20100923 0000950123-10-088462.hdr.sgml : 20100923 20100923151843 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-10-088462 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-1 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 37 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100923 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Fortegra Financial Corp CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001495925 IRS NUMBER: 581461399 STATE OF INCORPORATION: GA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-1 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169550 FILM NUMBER: 101086686 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 WEST BAY STREET CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 BUSINESS PHONE: 800-888-2738 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 WEST BAY STREET CITY: JACKSONVILLE STATE: FL ZIP: 32202 S-1 1 b81561sv1.htm FORM S-1 sv1
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2010
Registration No. 333-      
 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Form S-1
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
         
Georgia (prior to reincorporation)
Delaware (after reincorporation)
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  6411
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  58-1461399
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
Fortegra Financial Corporation
100 West Bay Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(866)-961-9529
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Richard S. Kahlbaugh
President and Chief Executive Officer
Fortegra Financial Corporation
100 West Bay Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(866)-961-9529
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
 
 
Copies to:
 
     
Alexander D. Lynch, Esq.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153
(212) 310-8000 (Phone)
(212) 310-8007 (Fax)
  Michael Groll, Esq.
Richard B. Spitzer, Esq.
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 259-8000 (Phone)
(212) 259-6333 (Fax)
 
 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer þ Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
             
      Proposed Maximum
     
Title of Each Class of
    Aggregate
    Amount of
Securities to be Registered     Offering Price(1)(2)     Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
    $125,000,000     $8,913
             
 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.
(2) Includes shares of common stock that may be purchased by the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.
 
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
 


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither we nor the selling stockholders may sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
Subject to Completion, dated September 23, 2010
          Shares
 
(Fortegra Financial logo)
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Common Stock
$      per share
 
     
•   Fortegra Financial Corporation is offering          shares and the selling stockholders, which consist of certain of our executive officers and entities affiliated with members of our board of directors, are offering     shares. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the selling stockholders.
  •   This is our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for our shares.

•   Proposed trading symbol: New York Stock Exchange — FRF
•   We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between $     and $     per share.
   
 
 
 
 
This investment involves risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14.
 
                 
 
 
   
Per Share
    Total  
 
Public offering price
  $             $          
Underwriting discount
  $       $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to Fortegra Financial Corporation
  $       $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders
  $       $    
 
The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to           additional shares of common stock from us and up to           additional shares of common stock from the selling stockholders to cover over-allotments, if any.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved of anyone’s investment in these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
Piper Jaffray SunTrust Robinson Humphrey
 
 
William Blair & Company  
  FBR Capital Markets  
  Keefe, Bruyette & Woods  
  Macquarie Capital
 
 
The date of this prospectus is          , 2010


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
         
    Page
 
    1  
    14  
    41  
    42  
    42  
    43  
    44  
    46  
    48  
    50  
    90  
    96  
    127  
    133  
    154  
    159  
    162  
    166  
    168  
    171  
    177  
    178  
    178  
    178  
    180  
    F-1  
 EX-2.1
 EX-2.2
 EX-2.3
 EX-10.1
 EX-10.3
 EX-10.5
 EX-10.6
 EX-10.7
 EX-10.8
 EX-10.9
 EX-10.10
 EX-10.11
 EX-10.12
 EX-10.13
 EX-10.14
 EX-10.15
 EX-10.16
 EX-10.17
 EX-16.1
 EX-16.2
 EX-21.1
 EX-23.1
 EX-23.2
 EX-99.1
 EX-99.2
 EX-99.3
 EX-99.4
 
 
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, the selling stockholders have not and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, the selling stockholders are not and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is only accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
 
“Fortegra Financial,” “Bliss & Glennon,” “Consecta,” “Life of the South,” “LOTSolutions” and “Universal Equipment Recovery Group” and their respective logos are our trademarks. Solely for convenience, we refer to our trademarks in this prospectus without the tm and ® symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our trademarks. Other service marks, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. As indicated in this prospectus, we have included market data and industry forecasts that were obtained from industry publications and other sources.


i


Table of Contents

 
 
SUMMARY
 
The items in the following summary are described in more detail later in this prospectus. This summary provides an overview of selected information and does not contain all of the information you should consider. Therefore, you should also read the more detailed information set out in this prospectus, including the risk factors, the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, and the other documents to which this prospectus refers before making an investment decision. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Fortegra Financial,” “we,” “us,” “our company” or similar terms refer to Fortegra Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries.
 
Overview
 
We are an insurance services company that provides distribution and administration services and insurance-related products to insurance companies, insurance brokers and agents and other financial services companies in the United States. We sell our services and products directly to businesses rather than directly to consumers.
 
We began nearly 30 years ago as a provider of credit insurance products and, through our transformational efforts, have evolved into a diversified insurance services company. We now leverage our proprietary technology infrastructure, internally developed best practices and access to specialty insurance markets to provide our clients with distribution and administration services and insurance-related products. Our services and products complement consumer credit offerings, provide outsourcing solutions designed to reduce the costs associated with the administration of insurance and other financial products and facilitate the distribution of excess and surplus lines insurance products through insurance companies, brokers and agents. These services and products are designed to increase revenues, improve customer value and loyalty and reduce costs for our clients.
 
We generally target market segments that are niche and specialty in nature, which we believe are underserved by competitors and have high barriers to entry. We focus on building quality client relationships and emphasizing customer service. This focus, along with our ability to help clients enhance revenue and reduce costs, has enabled us to develop and maintain numerous long-term client relationships. Over 80% of our clients have been with us for more than five years.
 
Our fee-driven revenue model is focused on delivering a high volume of recurring transactions through our clients and producing attractive profit margins and operating cash flows. Historically, our business has grown both organically and through acquisitions of complementary businesses. Our total net revenues have grown 48.4% from $56.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $83.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our adjusted earnings before interest expense, taxes, non-controlling interest and depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) has grown 30.7% from $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $31.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our net income has grown 44.0% from $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Our Businesses
 
We operate in three business segments. In each segment, we deliver services and products that generate incremental revenues and utilize technology to reduce operating costs. Our businesses benefit from efficiencies by sharing accounting, compliance, legal, technology, human resources and administrative services.
 
Payment Protection.  Our Payment Protection segment, marketed under our Life of the South brand, delivers credit insurance, debt protection, warranty, service contract and car club solutions along with
 


1


Table of Contents

 
administrative services to consumer finance companies, regional banks, community banks, retailers, small loan companies, warranty administrators, automobile dealers, vacation ownership developers and credit unions. Our clients then offer these products to their customers in conjunction with consumer finance transactions. Our Payment Protection segment specializes in providing products that protect consumer lenders and their borrowers from death, disability or other events that could otherwise impair their borrowers’ ability to repay a debt. We typically maintain long-term business relationships with our clients. From 2005 to 2009, our annual client retention rates averaged approximately 95% in our Payment Protection business.
 
We own and operate insurance company subsidiaries to facilitate, on behalf of our Payment Protection clients, the distribution of credit insurance and payment protection services and products. This allows our clients to sell these services and products to their customers without having to establish their own insurance companies, which saves our clients the cost and time of undertaking and complying with substantial regulatory and licensing requirements. Our clients typically retain the underwriting risk related to such products either through retrospective commission arrangements or fully-collateralized reinsurance companies owned by them, which we administer on their behalf. While the majority of our Payment Protection revenue is fee-based, we assume insurance underwriting risk in select instances to meet our clients’ needs and to enhance our profitability.
 
Our Payment Protection business generates service and administrative fees for distributing and administering payment protection products on behalf of our clients. We also earn ceding commissions in our Payment Protection business for credit insurance that we cede to reinsurers through coinsurance arrangements. We elect to cede to reinsurers a significant portion of the credit insurance that we distribute to participate in the underwriting profits of these products and to maximize our return on capital. We also generate net investment income from our invested assets portfolio as well as net underwriting revenue from the limited portion of insurance premiums that we retain. For the year ended December 31, 2009, service and administrative fees, ceding commissions, net investment income and net underwriting revenue represented 20.7%, 56.2%, 11.1% and 12.0%, respectively, of the net revenues of our Payment Protection business. In 2009, the Payment Protection business represented approximately 51.5% of our total net revenues and 57.7% of our pre-tax income.
 
BPO.  Our business process outsourcing (BPO) segment, marketed under our Consecta brand, provides a broad range of administrative services tailored to insurance and other financial services companies. Our BPO business is our most technology-driven segment. Through our operating platform, which utilizes our proprietary technology, we provide ongoing sales and marketing support, electronic underwriting, premium billing and collections, policy administration, claims adjudication and call center management services on behalf of our clients. In 2009, our platform and technology enabled our insurance administration team of 35 individuals on a daily basis to bill approximately 38,000 customers, process and deliver approximately 5,500 policies, fulfill approximately 900 customer service calls and process approximately 900 claims.
 
Our proprietary administrative technology platform allows our clients to outsource the fixed costs and complexity associated with internal development and ongoing administration of insurance products at a lower cost than if our client performs these functions on its own. In addition, the scalability of our operating platform allows us to add new clients or additional services for clients without incurring significant incremental costs.
 
Our BPO business generates service and administrative fees and other income under fixed-price and per-unit priced contracts. Service and administrative fees for our BPO business are based on the complexity and volume of business that we manage on behalf of our clients. We do not take any
 


2


Table of Contents

 
insurance underwriting risk in our BPO business. In 2009, the BPO business represented approximately 28.3% of our total net revenues and 48.4% of our pre-tax income.
 
Wholesale Brokerage.  Our Wholesale Brokerage segment, marketed under our Bliss & Glennon brand, is one of the largest wholesale insurance brokers in California and ranked in the top 20 in the United States in 2009 by premium volume. This business segment uses a wholesale model to sell specialty property and casualty (P&C) and surplus lines insurance through retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies. We believe that our emphasis on customer service, rapid responsiveness to submissions and underwriting integrity in this segment has resulted in high customer satisfaction among retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies.
 
Our Wholesale Brokerage business provides retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies the ability to obtain various types of commercial insurance coverages outside of their core areas of focus, broader access to insurance markets and the expertise to place complex risks. We also provide underwriting services for ancillary or niche insurance products as a managing general agent (MGA) for specialized insurance carriers. We believe that insurance carriers value their relationship with us because we provide them with access to new markets without the need for costly distribution infrastructure. Our Wholesale Brokerage business also utilizes our technology platform to provide its clients with administrative services, including policy underwriting, premium and claim administration and actuarial analysis.
 
Our Wholesale Brokerage business earns wholesale brokerage commissions and fees for the placement of specialty insurance products. We also earn profit commissions in our Wholesale Brokerage business, which are commissions that we receive from carriers based upon the ultimate profitability of the insurance policies that we place with those carriers. We do not take any insurance underwriting risk in our Wholesale Brokerage business. We acquired Bliss & Glennon in April 2009, and our Wholesale Brokerage business represented approximately 20.2% of our total net revenues and 11.8% of our pre- tax income in 2009.
 
Market Opportunity
 
We operate in the insurance, consumer finance and commercial finance industries in the United States, offering our services and products through the brands and distribution bases of our clients. We believe that we are well positioned to capitalize on several key industry trends.
 
Growth of Outsourcing in the Insurance Industry.  By outsourcing business functions that can be more efficiently and cost effectively provided by specialized service providers, we believe that insurance companies can increase productivity, focus on core competencies and reduce operating costs. According to Celent, an independent research firm, the size of the North American insurance outsourcing market is expected to grow from approximately $2.0 billion in 2008 to over $4.0 billion in 2013, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 14.9%.
 
Financial Performance of Financial Services Companies and Retailers.  Financial services companies and retailers offer complementary services and products, including payment protection and insurance-related services and products, which we believe increase their revenues, enhance customer value and loyalty and improve their profitability. According to the Consumer Credit Industry Association, net written premium for credit-related insurance was $6.5 billion in the United States in 2008.
 
Growth of the Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance Market.  The market for specialty P&C insurance products has grown. We believe this market has grown as a result of increased acceptance of these products by insured parties and the development of new risk management products by insurance carriers. Insurance carriers operating in the surplus lines market generally distribute their products
 


3


Table of Contents

 
through wholesale insurance brokers, such as Bliss & Glennon. According to A.M. Best, premiums written by surplus lines focused insurance carriers increased from $9.9 billion to $34.4 billion from 1998 to 2008. While this market fluctuates based on the trends generally affecting the insurance industry, we believe that demand for surplus lines insurance will increase if economic conditions in the United States improve.
 
Our Competitive Strengths
 
Strong Value Proposition for Our Clients and Their Customers.  We believe that our services and products enable our clients to generate high-margin, incremental revenues, enter new markets without making significant capital investments, mitigate risk and improve operating efficiencies. Additionally, we believe that by using our services and products, our clients benefit from enhanced customer loyalty, which can lead to better customer retention, new customer acquisitions and additional cross-selling opportunities. Our comprehensive, turn-key solutions also manage all of the essential aspects of insurance distribution and administration, providing low-cost access to complex, often highly-regulated markets.
 
Proprietary Technology and Low-Cost Operating Platform.  We use our proprietary technology infrastructure to deliver low-cost, highly automated services to our clients. Our customizable software platform integrates with our clients’ businesses, providing them with access to insurance products without significant up-front investments. Our Payment Protection and BPO services are highly automated. We process most of our Payment Protection product transactions electronically and also provide automated Payment Protection product management tools to our clients. Our Automated Insurance Reporting (AIR) technology provides single point policy data entry and electronic underwriting data transmission to our Payment Protection clients. In our BPO business, we manage high volume direct marketing and product distribution programs for a wide variety of insurance and other financial products, automate core business processes and reduce our clients’ operating costs.
 
Scalability.  We believe that our scalable and flexible technology infrastructure enables us to add new clients and launch new services and products quickly and easily without significant incremental expense. Our existing investment in software systems and hardware, as well as our highly trained and knowledgeable information technology personnel and consultants provide us with substantial capabilities to handle a significant increase in transaction volume in each of our businesses.
 
High Barriers to Entry.  We believe that each of our businesses would be time consuming and expensive for new market participants to replicate. We also have strong, long-term relationships with clients and other market participants and substantial experience in the markets that we serve. In our Payment Protection business, we provide insurance products on behalf of our clients through regulated entities that are time consuming and expensive to establish. In addition, we embed our information systems within our clients’ business, and it would be costly, time consuming and disruptive for our clients to replace our services with those of another provider or to develop similar capabilities internally.
 
Experienced Management Team.  We have an experienced management team with extensive operating and industry experience in the markets that we serve. As of December 31, 2009, our named executive officers had a combined 44 years of experience with us and our subsidiaries and over 108 years of collective experience in the insurance and other financial services industries. Our management team has successfully developed profitable new services and products and completed the acquisition of seven complementary businesses since January 1, 2008.
 


4


Table of Contents

 
Key Attributes of Our Business Model
 
We believe the following are the key attributes of our business model:
 
Recurring Revenue Generation.  Our business model has historically generated substantial recurring revenues, high profit margins and significant operating cash flows. The services and products that we provide to our clients are generally sold to their customers on a recurring monthly, quarterly or annual basis. In addition, we have per unit contracts with clients that provide additional recurring revenue opportunities with our existing clients. By deploying our technology with many of our clients, we become an integral part of their businesses and systems and a key source of incremental revenues, which further enhances our client relationships and supports our recurring revenue streams.
 
Long-Term Customer Relationships.  By delivering value-added services and products to our clients’ customers, we become an important part of their businesses. We believe that by managing our clients’ services and products we integrate our operations into theirs, thereby increasing the value of our solutions and limiting our clients’ desire and ability to change providers. In other instances, particularly in our BPO business, we have fixed-term contracts. Over 80% of our clients have been with us for more than five years.
 
Wholesale Distribution.  We provide most of our services and products to businesses on a wholesale basis rather than directly to consumers and businesses on a retail basis. Our Payment Protection business provides services and products through financial institutions and retailers who, in turn, sell financial services and products on a retail basis to their customers. Our BPO business provides services that leverage third-party brands and distribution to allow our clients to reach their customers more effectively. Our Wholesale Brokerage business provides services and products through retail insurance brokers and agents who sell to insurance buyers. This sell-through model leverages the retail distribution capabilities, brands and customer relationships of our clients and limits our investment in the offices, staff, infrastructure and brand development that would be required to support a retail distribution model. Our wholesale distribution model also provides us with opportunities to take advantage of economies of scale.
 
Business Diversification.  Our businesses and results of operations are highly diversified. Our Payment Protection, BPO and Wholesale Brokerage businesses generated 51.5%, 28.3% and 20.2% of our total net revenues in 2009, respectively. Each of our businesses has a separate and distinct client base and generates revenue from both the consumer and business sectors of the economy. We believe that this diversification positions us to take advantage of emerging industry trends and to better manage business, economic and insurance cycles than companies that operate in only one sector of the financial services industry. We intend to continue to invest in each of our businesses and to acquire additional complementary businesses in order to enhance our diversification.
 
Our Growth Strategy
 
Provide High Value Solutions.  We intend to continue to focus on servicing our clients through the development of services and products that will allow them to generate incremental revenues while reducing the costs of providing insurance and other financial products. We intend to accomplish this through the addition and enhancement of systems, technologies and processes and by continuing to focus on more closely integrating our operations with those of our clients.
 
Increase Revenue from Our Existing Clients.  We intend to leverage our long-standing relationships with our existing clients by providing them with additional services and products and introducing new services and products for them to market to their customers. As our clients’ businesses grow due to
 


5


Table of Contents

 
improved economic conditions, increasing market prices and premiums for our products and the introduction of new services and products, we also expect to generate additional revenue under our volume-based fee arrangements.
 
Expand Client Base in Existing Markets.  We believe that there is a substantial opportunity to expand our client base in each of our businesses. We intend to develop new client relationships through the efforts of our direct sales force, from referrals from existing clients and business partners, by responding to requests for proposals and through our participation in industry events.
 
Enter New Geographic Markets.  Our Payment Protection and Wholesale Brokerage businesses have historically targeted specific geographic markets in the United States. We intend to expand our market presence in new geographic markets in the United States and internationally, as opportunities arise. We also intend to continue to broaden the jurisdictions in which we operate by hiring new employees, opening new offices, seeking additional licenses and regulatory approvals and pursuing acquisition opportunities.
 
Pursue Strategic Acquisitions.  We have a track record of successfully identifying, evaluating, acquiring and integrating complementary businesses. Since January 1, 2008, we have acquired seven businesses. We believe that our centralized infrastructure and established customer base enable us to enhance the revenue opportunities from the businesses that we acquire. We intend to continue pursuing acquisitions of complementary businesses in each of our segments to expand our service offerings, access new markets and expand our client base.
 
Risks Affecting Our Business
 
Investing in our common stock involves substantial risk. Before participating in this offering, you should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus, including risks discussed in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14. The following is a list of some of our most significant risks.
 
  •  General economic and financial market conditions may have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations and financial condition of all of our business segments.
 
  •  We face significant competitive pressures in each of our businesses, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
  •  Our results of operations may fluctuate significantly, which makes future results of operations difficult to predict. If our results of operations fall below expectations, the price of our common stock could decline.
 
  •  Our results of operations could be adversely affected if we fail to retain our existing clients, cannot sell additional services and products to our existing clients, do not introduce new or enhanced services and products or are not able to attract and retain new clients.
 
  •  We typically face a long selling cycle to secure new clients in each of our businesses as well as long implementation periods that require significant resource commitments, which result in a long lead time before we receive revenues from new client relationships.
 
  •  Acquisitions are a significant part of our growth strategy and we may not be successful in identifying suitable acquisition candidates, completing such acquisitions or integrating the acquired businesses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or growth.
 


6


Table of Contents

 
 
  •  Our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity may be materially adversely affected by errors and omissions and the outcome of certain actual and potential claims, lawsuits and proceedings.
 
  •  We may lose clients or business as a result of consolidation within the financial services industry.
 
  •  Our Payment Protection business relies on independent financial institutions, lenders and retailers to distribute its services and products, and the loss of these distribution sources, or the failure of our distribution sources to sell our Payment Protection products could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
 
  •  A significant portion of our BPO revenues are attributable to one client, and any loss of business from, or change in our relationship with this client could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
  •  We may not be able to accurately forecast our commission revenues because our commissions depend on premiums charged by insurance companies, which historically have varied and, as a result, have been difficult to predict.
 
  •  We are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations, which increase our costs and could restrict the conduct of our business.
 
  •  Our indebtedness may limit our financial and operating activities and may adversely affect our ability to incur additional debt to fund future needs.
 
  •  As a public company, we will become subject to additional financial and other reporting and corporate governance requirements that may be difficult for us to satisfy.
 
Summit Partners Transactions
 
In June 2007, entities affiliated with Summit Partners, a growth equity investment firm, acquired 91.2% of our capital stock. The acquisition was financed through (i) $20.0 million of subordinated debentures maturing in 2013 issued to affiliates of Summit Partners, (ii) $35.0 million of preferred trust securities maturing in 2037 and (iii) an equity investment of $43.1 million by affiliates of Summit Partners. In connection with the acquisition, all of our $11.5 million of redeemable preferred stock outstanding prior to the acquisition remained outstanding and certain stockholders prior to the acquisition continued to hold such shares after the acquisition. In addition to acquiring our capital stock in the acquisition, the proceeds from the equity and debt financings were used to repay pre-transaction indebtedness of $10.1 million and pay transaction costs of $5.8 million. We refer to the foregoing transactions collectively as the “Summit Partners Transactions.”
 
In April 2009, in connection with our acquisition of Bliss and Glennon, Inc., affiliates of Summit Partners acquired additional shares of our capital stock for $6.0 million. As of June 30, 2010, affiliates of Summit Partners beneficially owned 88.6% of our capital stock.
 
Office Location
 
We were incorporated in Georgia in 1981 under the name Life of the South Corporation. In 2009, we changed our name to Fortegra Financial Corporation. We will be reincorporated in Delaware prior to consummation of this offering. Our principal executive offices are located at 100 West Bay Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Our telephone number at that address is (866)-961-9529. Our corporate website is www.fortegra.com. The information that appears on our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus.
 


7


Table of Contents

 
The Offering
 
Common stock offered by us
          shares of common stock
 
Common stock offered by the selling stockholders
          shares of common stock
 
Total offering
          shares of common stock
 
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering
          shares of common stock
 
Over-allotment option
The underwriters have an option to purchase a maximum of           additional shares of common stock to cover over-allotments. Of the shares subject to the over-allotment option,          shares would be sold by the selling stockholders and          shares would be sold by us. The underwriters can exercise this option at any time within 30 days from the date of this prospectus.
 
Use of proceeds
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from our sale of          shares of common stock in this offering will be approximately $      million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us in connection with this offering. This assumes a public offering price of $      per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus. We intend to use $      million of the net proceeds from shares that we sell in this offering to redeem all of our outstanding redeemable preferred stock, $      million to repay in full our outstanding subordinated debentures, $      million to repay the $      million outstanding under our revolving credit facility, $      million to pay the conversion amount on our Class A common stock and any remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”
 
Dividend policy
We do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.”
 
Risk factors
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in our common stock.
 
Proposed New York Stock Exchange symbol
“FRF”
 


8


Table of Contents

 
 
The number of shares of common stock outstanding after this offering is based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2010. Unless otherwise indicated, this number:
 
  •  excludes shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options that will be outstanding upon completion of this offering, at a weighted average exercise price of $     per share; and
 
  •  excludes           shares of our common stock reserved for future grants under our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan and           shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
 
Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this prospectus:
 
  •  gives effect to the automatic conversion of our outstanding Class A common stock into           shares of common stock prior to the consummation of this offering;
 
  •  gives effect to the redemption of our outstanding redeemable preferred stock;
 
  •  gives effect to a           for 1 stock split of our common stock prior to the consummation of this offering;
 
  •  gives effect to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will be in effect prior to the consummation of this offering;
 
  •  assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to     additional shares from us and           shares from the selling stockholders; and
 
  •  assumes an initial public offering price of $      per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus.
 


9


Table of Contents

 
Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data
 
The following table sets forth our summary historical consolidated financial and other data for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The consolidated statement of income and other data as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the consolidated statement of income and other data for (i) the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, (ii) the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and (iii) the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007 from our audited consolidated financial statements for such periods included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited consolidated financial information set forth below on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and have included all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results for such periods. The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.
 
On June 20, 2007, affiliates of Summit Partners acquired a majority of our capital stock. The period prior to June 20, 2007 is referred to as “Predecessor,” and all periods including and after such date are referred to as “Successor.” The consolidated financial statements for all Successor periods are not comparable to those of the Predecessor period.
 
Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. You should read the information set forth below in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 


10


Table of Contents

 
                                                             
      Successor       Predecessor  
                                      Period from
      Period from
 
      Six Months Ended
                      June 20, 2007
      January 1,
 
      June 30,       Years Ended December 31,       to December
      2007 to June
 
      2010       2009       2009       2008       31, 2007       19, 2007  
      (unaudited)       (unaudited)                                  
              (in thousands, except share and per share data)                  
Consolidated statement of income data:
                                                           
Revenues:
                                                           
Service and administrative fees
    $ 16,817       $ 14,826       $ 31,829       $ 24,279       $ 10,686       $ 8,165  
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees
      13,134         5,138         16,309                          
Ceding commissions
      13,013         11,973         24,075         26,215         13,733         10,753  
Net underwriting revenue
      1,870         1,168         5,101         1,694         2,620         1,044  
Net investment income
      1,935         2,509         4,759         5,560         3,411         2,918  
Net realized gains (losses)
      49                 54         (1,921 )       (348 )       516  
Other income
      126         303         971         178         28         353  
                                                             
Total net revenues
      46,944         35,917         83,098         56,005         30,130         23,749  
                                                             
Expenses:
                                                           
Personnel costs
      18,413         13,948         31,365         21,742         10,722         9,409  
Other operating expenses
      11,027         10,339         22,291         12,225         8,508         7,118  
Depreciation and amortization
      2,117         1,504         3,507         2,629         1,292         221  
Interest expense
      3,876         3,807         7,800         7,255         4,130         1,169  
                                                             
Total expenses
      35,433         29,598         64,963         43,851         24,652         17,917  
                                                             
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
      11,511         6,319         18,135         12,154         5,478         5,832  
Income taxes
      4,296         2,380         6,551         4,208         1,761         1,983  
                                                             
Income before non-controlling interest
      7,215         3,939         11,584         7,946         3,717         3,849  
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
      (31 )       7         26         (82 )       64         34  
                                                             
Net income
    $ 7,246       $ 3,932       $ 11,558       $ 8,028       $ 3,653       $ 3,815  
                                                             
Net income per common share:
                                                           
Basic
    $ 2.42       $ 1.37       $ 3.94       $ 2.90       $ 1.32       $ 1.00  
Diluted
      2.23         1.27         3.65         2.72         1.24         0.95  
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                                                           
Basic
      2,998,540         2,865,609         2,931,182         2,771,372         2,766,565         3,819,265  
Diluted
      3,244,135         3,087,862         3,170,653         2,956,211         2,955,381         4,028,242  
                                                             
Consolidated statement of cash flows data:
                                                           
Operating activities
    $ 2,349       $ 5,120       $ 13,393       $ 12,998       $ 10,265       $ 2,518  
Investing activities
      (20,109 )       (40,891 )       (26,532 )       (26,069 )       (10,297 )       22,424  
Financing activities
      6,922         34,572         20,997         (1,875 )       (571 )       (474 )
                                                             
Other data:
                                                           
Capital expenditures
    $ (4,192 )     $ (889 )     $ (1,974 )     $ (1,227 )     $ (303 )     $ (433 )
EBITDA(1)
      17,504         11,630         29,442         22,038         10,900         7,222  
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
      18,328         13,164         31,519         24,076         13,825         8,966  
 
                 
    As of June 30, 2010
        Pro Forma
    Actual   as Adjusted(2)
    (unaudited)
    (in thousands)
 
Consolidated balance sheet data:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 19,102              
Total assets
    484,381          
Notes payable
    38,509          
Preferred trust securities
    35,000          
Redeemable preferred stock
    11,440          
Total stockholders’ equity
    89,453          
(1) We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in this prospectus to provide investors with a supplemental measure of our operating performance and, in the case of Adjusted EBITDA, information utilized in the calculation of the financial covenants under our revolving credit facility and in the
 
footnotes continued on following page
 


11


Table of Contents

 
determination of compensation. EBITDA, as used in this prospectus, is defined as net income before interest expense, income taxes, non-controlling interest and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA differs from the term “EBITDA” as it is commonly used. Adjusted EBITDA, as used in this prospectus, means “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” as that term is defined under our revolving credit facility, which is generally consolidated net income before consolidated interest expense, consolidated amortization expense, consolidated depreciation expense and consolidated tax expense, in each case as defined more fully in the agreement governing our revolving credit facility. The other items excluded in this calculation include, but are not limited to, specified acquisition costs and unusual or non-recurring charges. The calculation below does not give effect to certain additional adjustments that are permitted under our revolving credit facility which, if included, would increase the amount reflected in this table.
 
In addition to the financial covenant requirements under our revolving credit facility, management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as measures of operating performance for planning purposes, including the preparation of budgets and projections, the determination of bonus compensation for our executive officers and the analysis of the allocation of resources and to evaluate the effectiveness of business strategies. Further, we believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in industries similar to ours.
 
Adjusted EBITDA is also used by management to measure operating performance and by investors to measure a company’s ability to service its debt and other cash needs. Management believes the inclusion of the adjustments to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are appropriate to provide additional information to investors about certain material non-cash items and about unusual items that we do not expect to continue at the same level in the future.
 
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. Accordingly, they should not be used as an indicator of, or alternative to, net income as a measure of operating performance. Although we use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as measures to assess the operating performance of our business, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have significant limitations as analytical tools because they exclude certain material costs. For example, they do not include interest expense, which has been a necessary element of our costs. Since we use capital assets, depreciation expense is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate service revenues. In addition, the omission of the substantial amortization expense associated with our intangible assets further limits the usefulness of this measure. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA also do not include the payment of taxes, which is also a necessary element of our operations. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not account for these expenses, its utility as a measure of our operating performance has material limitations. Due to these limitations, management does not view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as a primary performance measure and also uses other measures, such as net income. Because the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (or similar measures) may vary among companies and industries, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.
 
footnotes continued on following page
 


12


Table of Contents

 
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented on an unaudited basis:
 
                                                             
      Successor       Predecessor  
                                      Period from
      Period from
 
      Six Months Ended
                      June 20, 2007 to
      January 1,
 
      June 30,       Years Ended December 31,       December 31,
      2007 to June 19,
 
      2010       2009       2009       2008       2007       2007  
      (unaudited)       (unaudited)                                  
      (in thousands, except per share data)       
Net income
    $ 7,246       $ 3,932       $ 11,558       $ 8,028       $ 3,653       $ 3,815  
Interest expense
      3,876         3,807         7,800         7,255         4,130         1,169  
Depreciation and amortization
      2,117         1,504         3,507         2,629         1,292         221  
Income taxes
      4,296         2,380         6,551         4,208         1,761         1,983  
Non-controlling interest
      (31 )       7         26         (82 )       64         34  
                                                             
EBITDA
      17,504         11,630         29,442         22,038         10,900         7,222  
Transaction expenses(a)
      374         1,534         2,077         2,038         2,289          
Legacy costs(b)
                                      636         1,744  
Re-audit expenses
      450                                          
                                                             
Adjusted EBITDA
    $ 18,328       $ 13,164       $ 31,519       $ 24,076       $ 13,825       $ 8,966  
                                                             
 
 
  (a) Represents transaction costs associated with acquisitions.
  (b) Represents legacy costs that include compensation, insurance, legal and other miscellaneous expenses associated with the historical operation of our business prior to the Summit Partners Transactions.
 
(2) Pro forma information gives effect to (i) the automatic conversion of our outstanding Class A common stock into           shares of common stock prior to the consummation of this offering, (ii) a           for 1 stock split prior to the consummation of this offering and (iii) the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering by us at an assumed initial public offering price of $      per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of the net proceeds from this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds.”
 


13


Table of Contents

 
RISK FACTORS
 
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus, before making an investment in our company. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, results of operations or financial condition may be materially and adversely affected. In such an event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment. Additional risks that we currently do not know about or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations.
 
Risks Related to Our Businesses and Industries
 
General economic and financial market conditions may have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition of all of our business segments.
 
General economic and financial market conditions, including the availability and cost of credit, the loss of consumer confidence, reduction in consumer or business spending, inflation, unemployment, energy costs and geopolitical issues, have contributed to increased uncertainty and volatility as well as diminished expectations for the U.S. economy and the financial markets. These conditions could materially and adversely affect each of our businesses. Adverse economic and financial market conditions could result in:
 
  •  a reduction in the demand for, and availability of, consumer credit, which could result in reduced demand by consumers for our Payment Protection products and our Payment Protection clients opting to no longer make such products available;
 
  •  higher than anticipated loss ratios on our Payment Protection products due to rising unemployment or disability claims;
 
  •  higher risk of increased fraudulent insurance claims;
 
  •  individuals terminating loans or canceling credit insurance policies, thereby reducing our revenues;
 
  •  businesses reducing the amount of coverage under surplus lines and specialty admitted insurance policies or allowing such policies to lapse thereby reducing our premium or commission income in our Wholesale Brokerage business;
 
  •  a reduction in demand for new surplus lines and specialty insurance policies from retail insurance brokers and agents or retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies ceasing to offer our surplus lines and specialty insurance products and related services from our Wholesale Brokerage business;
 
  •  our clients being more likely to experience financial distress or declare bankruptcy or liquidation, which could have an adverse impact on demand for our services and products and the remittance of premiums from such customers, as well as the collection of receivables from such clients for items such as unearned premiums, commissions or BPO-related accounts receivable, which could make the collection of receivables from our clients more difficult;
 
  •  increased pricing sensitivity or reduced demand for our services and products;


14


Table of Contents

 
  •  increased costs associated with, or the inability to obtain, debt financing to fund acquisitions or the expansion of our businesses; and
 
  •  defaults in our fixed income investment portfolio or lower than anticipated rates of return as a result of low interest rate environments.
 
If we are unable to successfully anticipate changing economic or financial market conditions, we may be unable to effectively plan for or respond to such changes, and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
 
We face significant competitive pressures in each of our businesses, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
We face significant competition in each of our businesses. Competition in our businesses is based on many factors, including price, industry knowledge, quality of client service, the effectiveness of our sales force, technology platforms and processes, the security and integrity of our information systems, the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, office locations, breadth of services and products and brand recognition and reputation. Some competitors may offer a broader array of services and products, may have a greater diversity of distribution resources, may have better brand recognition, may have lower cost structures or, with respect to insurers, may have higher financial strength or claims paying ratings. Some competitors also have larger client bases than we do. In addition, new competitors could enter our markets in the future. The competitive landscape for each of our businesses is described below.
 
Payment Protection — In our Payment Protection business, we compete with insurance companies, financial institutions and other insurance service providers. The principal competitors for our Payment Protection business include Aon Corporation, Assurant, Inc., Asurion Corporation and smaller regional companies. As a result of state and federal regulatory developments and changes in prior years, certain financial institutions are able to offer debt cancellation plans and are also able to affiliate with other insurance companies in order to offer services similar to those in our Payment Protection business. This has resulted in new competitors, some of whom have significant financial resources, entering some of our markets. As financial institutions gain experience with payment protection programs, their reliance on our services and products may diminish.
 
BPO — Our BPO business competes with a variety of companies, including large multinational firms that provide consulting, technology and/or business process services, off-shore business process service providers in low-cost locations like India, and in-house captives of potential clients. Our principal business process outsourcing competitors include Aon Corporation, Computer Sciences Corporation, Direct Response Insurance Administration Services, Inc., Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., Perot Systems Corporation (a subsidiary of Dell, Inc.) and Unisys Corporation. The trend toward outsourcing and technological changes may also result in new and different competitors entering our markets. There could also be newer competitors with strong competitive positions as a result of consolidation of smaller competitors or of companies that each provide different services or serve different industries.
 
Wholesale Brokerage — Our Wholesale Brokerage business competes for retail insurance clients with numerous firms, including AmWINS Group, Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Brown & Brown, Inc. and The Swett & Crawford Group, Inc. Many of our Wholesale Brokerage competitors have relationships with insurance companies or have a significant presence in niche insurance markets that may give them an advantage over us. Because relationships between insurance intermediaries and insurance companies or clients are often local or regional in nature, this potential competitive disadvantage is particularly pronounced outside of California. This could also impact our ability to compete effectively in any new states or regions that we enter. A number of standard market insurance companies are


15


Table of Contents

engaged in the sale of products that compete with those products we offer. These carriers sell their products directly through retail agents and brokers without the involvement of a wholesale broker, which may yield higher commissions to retail agents and brokers and may impact our ability to compete.
 
We expect competition to intensify in each of our businesses. Increased competition may result in lower prices and volumes, higher personnel and sales and marketing costs, increased technology expenditures and lower profitability. We may not be able to supply clients with services that they deem superior and at competitive prices and we may lose business to our competitors. If we are unable to compete effectively in any of our business segments, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Our results of operations may fluctuate significantly, which makes our future results of operations difficult to predict. If our results of operations fall below expectations, the price of our common stock could decline.
 
Our annual and quarterly results of operations have fluctuated in the past and may fluctuate significantly in the future due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, our expenses as a percentage of revenues may be significantly different than our historical rates. As a result, comparing our results of operations on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful.
 
Factors that may cause our results of operations to fluctuate from period-to-period include:
 
  •  demand for our services and products;
 
  •  the length of our sales cycle;
 
  •  the amount of sales to new clients;
 
  •  the timing of implementations of our services and products with new clients;
 
  •  pricing and availability of surplus lines and other specialty insurance products coverages;
 
  •  seasonality;
 
  •  the timing of acquisitions;
 
  •  competitive factors;
 
  •  prevailing interest rates;
 
  •  pricing changes by us or our competitors;
 
  •  transaction volumes in our clients’ businesses;
 
  •  the introduction of new services and products by us and our competitors;
 
  •  changes in regulatory and accounting standards; and
 
  •  our ability to control costs.


16


Table of Contents

 
In addition, our Payment Protection revenues can vary depending on the level of consumer activity and the success of our clients in selling payment protection products. In our Wholesale Brokerage business, our commission income can vary due to the timing of policy renewals, as well as the timing and amount of the receipt of profit commission payments and the net effect of new and lost business production. We do not control the factors that cause these variations. Specifically, customers’ demand for insurance products can influence the timing of renewals, new business, lost business (which includes policies that are not renewed) and cancellations. In addition, we rely on retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies for the payment of certain commissions. Because these payments are processed internally by these companies, we may not receive a payment that is otherwise expected from a particular firm in one period until after the end of that period, which can adversely affect our ability to budget for such period.
 
Our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if we fail to retain our existing clients, cannot sell additional services and products to our existing clients, do not introduce new or enhanced services and products or are not able to attract and retain new clients.
 
Our revenue and revenue growth are dependent on our ability to retain clients, to sell them additional services and products, to introduce new services and products and to attract new clients in each of our businesses. Our ability to increase revenues will depend on a variety of factors, including:
 
  •  the quality and perceived value of our product and service offerings by existing and new clients;
 
  •  the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts;
 
  •  the speed with which our Wholesale Brokerage business can respond to requests for price quotes from retail insurance agents and brokers, and the availability of competitive services and products from our carriers;
 
  •  the successful installation and implementation of our services and products for new and existing Payment Protection and BPO clients;
 
  •  availability of capital to complete investments in new or complementary products, services and technologies;
 
  •  the availability of adequate reinsurance for us and our clients, including the ability of our clients to form, capitalize and operate captive reinsurance companies;
 
  •  our ability to find suitable acquisition candidates, successfully complete such acquisitions and effectively integrate such acquisitions;
 
  •  our ability to integrate technology into our services and products to avoid obsolescence and provide scalability;
 
  •  the reliability, execution and accuracy of our services, particularly our BPO services; and
 
  •  client willingness to accept any price increases for our services and products.
 
In addition, we are subject to risks of losing clients due to consolidation in each of the markets we serve. Our inability to retain existing clients, sell additional services and products, or successfully develop and implement new and enhanced services and products and attract new clients and, accordingly, increase our revenues could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.


17


Table of Contents

We typically face a long selling cycle to secure new clients in each of our businesses as well as long implementation periods that require significant resource commitments, which result in a long lead time before we receive revenues from new client relationships.
 
The industries in which we compete generally consist of mature businesses and markets and the companies that participate in these industries have well-established business operations, systems and relationships. Accordingly, each of our businesses typically faces a long selling cycle to secure a new client. Even if we are successful in obtaining a new client engagement, that is generally followed by a long implementation period in which the services are planned in detail and we demonstrate to the client that we can successfully integrate our processes and resources with their operations. We also typically negotiate and enter into a contractual relationship with the new client during this period. There is then a long implementation period in order to commence providing the services.
 
We typically incur significant business development expenses during the selling cycle. We may not succeed in winning a new client’s business, in which case we receive no revenues and may receive no reimbursement for such expenses. Even if we succeed in developing a relationship with a potential client and begin to plan the services in detail, such potential client may choose a competitor or decide to retain the work in-house prior to the time a final contract is signed. If we enter into a contract with a client, we will typically receive no revenues until implementation actually begins. In addition, a significant portion of our revenue is based upon the success of our clients’ marketing programs, which may not generate the transaction volume we anticipate. Our clients may also experience delays in obtaining internal approvals or delays associated with technology or system implementations, thereby further lengthening the implementation cycle. If we are not successful in obtaining contractual commitments after the selling cycle, in maintaining contractual commitments after the implementation cycle or in maintaining or reducing the duration of unprofitable initial periods in our contracts, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, the time and effort required to complete the implementation phases of new contracts makes it difficult to accurately predict the timing of revenues from new clients as well as our costs.
 
Acquisitions are a significant part of our growth strategy and we may not be successful in identifying suitable acquisition candidates, completing such acquisitions or integrating the acquired businesses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or growth.
 
Historically, acquisitions have played a significant role in our expansion into new businesses and in the growth of some of our businesses. Acquiring complementary businesses is a significant component of our growth strategy. Accordingly, we frequently evaluate possible acquisition transactions for our business. However, we may not be able to identify suitable acquisitions, and such transactions may not be financed and completed on acceptable terms. Furthermore, any future acquisitions may not be successful. In addition, we may be competing with larger competitors with substantially greater resources for acquisition targets. Any deficiencies in the process of integrating companies we may acquire could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Acquisitions entail a number of risks including, among other things:
 
  •  failure to achieve anticipated revenues, earnings or cash flow;
 
  •  increased expenses;
 
  •  diversion of management time and attention;
 
  •  failure to retain customers or personnel;
 
  •  difficulties in realizing projected efficiencies,


18


Table of Contents

 
  •  ability to realize synergies and cost savings;
 
  •  difficulties in integrating systems and personnel; and
 
  •  inaccurate assessment of liabilities.
 
Our failure to adequately address these acquisition risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and growth. Future acquisitions may reduce our cash resources available to fund our operations and capital expenditures and could result in increased amortization expense related to any intangible assets acquired, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities or the incurrence of debt, which could increase our interest expense.
 
Our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity may be materially and adversely affected by errors and omissions and the outcome of certain actual and potential claims, lawsuits and proceedings.
 
We are subject to various actual and potential claims, lawsuits and other proceedings relating principally to alleged errors and omissions in connection with our conduct in each of our businesses, including the handling and adjudicating of claims and the placement of insurance. Because such placement of insurance and handling claims can involve substantial amounts of money, clients may assert errors and omissions claims against us alleging potential liability for all or part of the amounts in question. Claimants may seek large damage awards, and these claims may involve potentially significant legal costs. Such claims, lawsuits and other proceedings could, for example, include claims for damages based on allegations that our employees or sub-agents improperly failed to procure coverage, report claims on behalf of clients, provide insurance companies with complete and accurate information relating to the risks being insured or appropriately apply funds that we hold for our clients on a fiduciary basis.
 
While we would expect most of the errors and omissions claims made against us (subject to our self-insured deductibles) to be covered by our professional indemnity insurance, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may be materially and adversely affected if, in the future, our insurance coverage proves to be inadequate or unavailable, or if there is an increase in liabilities for which we self-insure. Our ability to obtain professional indemnity insurance in the amounts and with the deductibles we desire in the future may be materially and adversely impacted by general developments in the market for such insurance or our own claims experience. In addition, claims, lawsuits and other proceedings may harm our reputation or divert management resources away from operating our business.
 
We may lose clients or business as a result of consolidation within the financial services industry.
 
There has been considerable consolidation in the financial services industry, driven primarily by the acquisition of small and mid-size organizations by larger entities. We expect this trend to continue. As a result, we may lose business or suffer decreased revenues from retail insurance brokerage firms that are acquired by other firms. Similarly, we may lose business or suffer decreased revenues if one or more of our Payment Protection clients or distributors consolidate or align themselves with other companies. To date, our business has not been materially affected by consolidation. However, we may be affected by industry consolidation that occurs in the future, particularly if any of our significant clients are acquired by organizations that already possess the operations, services and products that we provide.


19


Table of Contents

Our ability to implement and execute our strategic plans may not be successful and, accordingly, we may not be successful in achieving our strategic goals, which may materially and adversely affect our business.
 
We may not be successful in developing and implementing our strategic plans for our businesses or the operational plans that have been or need to be developed to implement these strategic plans. If the development or implementation of such plans is not successful, we may not produce the revenue, margins, earnings or synergies that we need to be successful. We may also face delays or difficulties in implementing product, process and system improvements, which could adversely affect the timing or effectiveness of margin improvement efforts in our businesses and our ability to successfully compete in the markets we serve. The execution of our strategic and operating plans will, to some extent, also be dependent on external factors that we cannot control. In addition, these strategic and operational plans need to continue to be assessed and reassessed to meet the challenges and needs of our businesses in order for us to remain competitive. The failure to implement and execute our strategic and operating plans in a timely manner or at all, realize the cost savings or other benefits or improvements associated with such plans, have financial resources to fund the costs associated with such plans or incur costs in excess of anticipated amounts, or sufficiently assess and reassess these plans could have a material and adverse effect on our business or results of operations.
 
We may not effectively manage our growth, which could materially harm our business.
 
The growth of our business has placed and may continue to place significant demands on our management, personnel, systems and resources. To manage our growth, we must continue to improve our operational and financial systems and managerial controls and procedures, and we will need to continue to expand, train and manage our personnel. We must also maintain close coordination among our technology, compliance, risk management, accounting, finance, marketing and sales organizations. We may not manage our growth effectively, and if we fail to do so, our business could be materially and adversely harmed.
 
If we continue to grow, we may be required to increase our investment in facilities, personnel and financial and management systems and controls. Continued growth may also require expansion of our procedures for monitoring and assuring our compliance with applicable regulations and that we recruit, integrate, train and manage a growing employee base. The expansion of our existing businesses, our expansion into new businesses and the resulting growth of our employee base increase our need for internal audit and monitoring processes that are more extensive and broader in scope than those we have historically required. We may not be successful in implementing all of the processes that are necessary. Further, unless our growth results in an increase in our revenues that is proportionate to the increase in our costs associated with this growth, our operating margins and profitability will be materially and adversely affected.
 
As a holding company, we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us to pay dividends and to meet our obligations.
 
We act as a holding company for our subsidiaries and do not have any significant operations of our own. Dividends from our subsidiaries are our principal sources of cash to meet our obligations and pay dividends, if any, on our common stock. These obligations include our operating expenses and interest and principal payments on our current and any future borrowings. The agreement governing one of our revolving credit facilities restricts one of our subsidiary’s ability to pay dividends or otherwise transfer cash to us. If the cash we receive from our subsidiaries pursuant to dividends or otherwise is insufficient for us to fund any of these obligations, or if a subsidiary is unable to pay dividends to us, we may be required to raise cash through the incurrence of debt, the issuance of additional equity or the sale of assets.


20


Table of Contents

The payment of dividends and other distributions to us by each of the regulated insurance company subsidiaries in our Payment Protection segment is regulated by insurance laws and regulations of the states in which they operate. In general, dividends in excess of prescribed limits are deemed “extraordinary” and require insurance regulatory approval. Ordinary dividends, for which no regulatory approval is generally required, are limited to amounts determined by a formula, which varies by state. Some states have an additional stipulation that dividends may only be paid out of earned surplus. States also regulate transactions between our insurance company subsidiaries and our other subsidiaries, such as those relating to the shared services, and in some instances, require prior approval of such transactions within the holding company structure. If insurance regulators determine that payment of an ordinary dividend or any other payments by our insurance subsidiaries to us (such as payments for employee or other services) would be adverse to policyholders or creditors, the regulators may block or otherwise restrict such payments that would otherwise be permitted without prior approval. In addition, there could be future regulatory actions restricting the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends or share services.
 
Our success is dependent upon the retention and acquisition of talented people and the skills and abilities of our management team and key personnel.
 
Our business depends on the efforts, abilities and expertise of our senior executives. These individuals are important to our success because they have been instrumental in setting our strategic direction, operating our business, identifying, recruiting and training key personnel and identifying business opportunities. The loss of one or more of these key individuals could impair our business and development until qualified replacements are found. We may not be able to replace these individuals quickly or with persons of equal experience and capabilities. Although we have employment agreements with certain of these individuals, we cannot prevent them from terminating their employment with us. If we are unable to attract and retain talented employees, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
 
We may need to raise additional capital in the future, but there is no assurance that such capital will be available on a timely basis, on acceptable terms or at all.
 
We may need to raise additional funds in order to grow our businesses or fund our strategy or acquisitions. Additional financing may not be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us and may be dilutive to existing stockholders if raised through additional equity offerings. Additionally, any securities issued to raise such funds may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our existing stockholders. If adequate funds are not available on a timely basis or on acceptable terms, our ability to expand, develop or enhance our services and products, enter new markets, consummate acquisitions or respond to competitive pressures could be materially limited.
 
Risks Related to Our Payment Protection Business
 
Our Payment Protection business relies on independent financial institutions, lenders and retailers to distribute its services and products, and the loss of these distribution sources, or the failure of our distribution sources to sell our Payment Protection products could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
 
We distribute our Payment Protection products through financial institutions, lenders and retailers. Our contracts with these clients are typically not exclusive and many of these clients offer payment protection services and products of our competitors. Our relationships with these clients can be cancelled on relatively short notice. In addition, the distributors typically do not have any minimum performance or sales requirements and our Payment Protection revenue is dependent on the level of


21


Table of Contents

business conducted by the distributor as well as the effectiveness of their sales efforts for our Payment Protection products, each of which is beyond our control. The impairment of our distribution relationships, the loss of a significant number of our distribution relationships, the failure to establish new distribution relationships, the increase in sales of competitors’ services and products by these distributors or the decline in their overall business activity or the effectiveness of their sales of our Payment Protection products could materially reduce our Payment Protection sales and revenues. Also, the growth of our Payment Protection business is dependent in part on our ability to identify, attract and retain new distribution relationships and successfully implement our information systems with those of our new distributors.
 
Reinsurance may not be available or adequate to protect us against losses, and we are subject to the credit risk of reinsurers.
 
As part of our overall risk and capacity management strategy, we purchase reinsurance for a substantial portion of the risks underwritten by our Payment Protection business through captive reinsurance companies owned by our Payment Protection clients as well as third party reinsurance companies. Market conditions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection we seek to renew or purchase. Our clients may face difficulties forming, capitalizing and operating captive reinsurance companies, which could impact their ability to reinsure future business that we typically cede to them. States also could impose restrictions on these reinsurance arrangements, such as requiring the insurance company subsidiary to retain a minimum amount of underwriting risk, which could affect our profitability and results of operations. Reinsurance for certain types of catastrophes generally could become unavailable or prohibitively expensive for some of our businesses. Such changes could substantially increase our exposure to the risk of significant losses from natural or man-made catastrophes and could hinder our ability to write future business.
 
Although the reinsurer is liable to the respective insurance subsidiary to the extent of the ceded reinsurance, the insurance company remains liable to the insured as the direct insurer on all risks reinsured. Ceded reinsurance arrangements, therefore, do not eliminate our insurance company obligation to pay claims. While the captive reinsurance companies owned by our clients are generally required to maintain trust accounts with sufficient assets to cover the reinsurance liabilities and we manage these trust accounts on behalf of these reinsurance companies, we are subject to credit risk with respect to our ability to recover amounts due from reinsurers. The inability to collect amounts due from reinsurers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our financial position.
 
Our reinsurance facilities are generally subject to annual renewal. We may not be able to maintain our current reinsurance facilities and our clients may not be able to continue to operate their captive reinsurance companies. As a result, even where highly desirable or necessary, we may not be able to obtain other reinsurance facilities in adequate amounts and at favorable rates. If we are unable to renew our expiring facilities or to obtain or structure new reinsurance facilities, either our net exposures would increase or, if we are unwilling to bear an increase in net exposures, we may have to reduce the level of our underwriting commitments. Either of these potential developments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Due to the structure of some of our commissions, we are exposed to risks related to the creditworthiness of some of our agents.
 
We are subject to the credit risk of some of the agents with which we contract within our Payment Protection business. We typically advance agents’ commissions as part of our product offerings. These advances are a percentage of the premium charged. If we over-advance such commissions to agents, they may not be able to fulfill their payback obligations, and it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.


22


Table of Contents

A downgrade in the ratings of our insurer subsidiaries may materially and adversely affect relationships with clients and adversely affect our results of operations.
 
Claims paying ability and financial strength ratings are each a factor in establishing the competitive position of our insurance company subsidiaries. A ratings downgrade, or the potential for such a downgrade, could, among other things, materially and adversely affect relationships with clients, brokers and other distributors of our services and products, thereby negatively impacting our results of operations, and materially and adversely affect our ability to compete in our markets. Rating agencies can be expected to continue to monitor our financial strength and claims paying ability, and no assurances can be given that future ratings downgrades will not occur, whether due to changes in our performance, changes in rating agencies’ industry views or ratings methodologies, or a combination of such factors.
 
Our actual claims losses may exceed our reserves for claims, which may require us to establish additional reserves that may materially and adversely reduce our business results of operations and financial condition.
 
We maintain reserves to cover our estimated ultimate exposure for claims with respect to reported claims and incurred but not reported claims as of the end of each accounting period. Reserves, whether calculated under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or statutory accounting principles, do not represent an exact calculation of exposure. Instead, they represent our best estimates, generally involving actuarial projections, of the ultimate settlement and administration costs for a claim or group of claims, based on our assessment of facts and circumstances known at the time of calculation. The adequacy of reserves will be impacted by future trends in claims severity, frequency, judicial theories of liability and other factors. These variables are affected by external factors such as changes in the economic cycle, unemployment, changes in the social perception of the value of work, emerging medical perceptions regarding physiological or psychological causes of disability, emerging health issues, new methods of treatment or accommodation, inflation, judicial trends, legislative changes, as well as changes in claims handling procedures. Many of these items are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis. Reserve estimates are refined as experience develops. Adjustments to reserves, both positive and negative, are reflected in the statement of income of the period in which such estimates are updated. Because establishment of reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates of future losses, there can be no certainty that ultimate losses will not exceed existing claims reserves. In general, future loss development could require reserves to be increased, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings in the periods in which such increases were made.
 
Our investment portfolio is subject to several risks that may diminish the value of our invested assets and cash and may materially and adversely affect our business and profitability.
 
Investment returns are an important part of our overall profitability and significant interest rate fluctuations, or prolonged periods of low interest rates, could impair our profitability. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. We have a significant portion of our investments in cash and highly liquid short-term investments. Accordingly, during prolonged periods of declining or low market interest rates, such as those we have been experiencing since 2008, the interest we receive on such investments decreases and affects our profitability. Fixed maturity and short-term investments represented 97.4% of the fair value of our total investments as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. In addition, certain factors affecting our business, such as volatility of claims experience, could force us to liquidate securities prior to maturity, causing us to incur capital losses. If we do not structure our investment portfolio so that it is appropriately matched with our insurance liabilities, we may be forced to liquidate investments prior to maturity at a significant loss to cover such liabilities.


23


Table of Contents

The fair market value of the fixed maturity securities in our portfolio and the investment income from these securities fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions. Because all of our fixed maturity securities are classified as available for sale, changes in the market value of these securities are reflected on our balance sheet. The fair market value generally increases or decreases in an inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates, while net investment income realized by us from future investments in fixed maturity securities will generally increase or decrease with interest rates. In addition, actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk may differ from those anticipated at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations.
 
We employ asset/liability management strategies to reduce the adverse effects of interest rate volatility and to increase the likelihood that cash flows are available to pay claims as they become due. Our asset/liability management strategies may fail to eliminate or reduce the adverse effects of interest rate volatility, and significant fluctuations in the level of interest rates may therefore have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
We are subject to credit risk in our investment portfolio, primarily from our investments in corporate bonds and municipal bonds. Defaults by third parties in the payment or performance of their obligations could reduce our investment income and realized investment gains or result in the recognition of investment losses. The value of our investments may be materially and adversely affected by increases in interest rates, downgrades in the corporate bonds included in the portfolio and by other factors that may result in the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments. Each of these events may cause us to reduce the carrying value of our investment portfolio.
 
Further, the value of any particular fixed maturity security is subject to impairment based on the creditworthiness of a given issuer. As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, fixed maturity securities represented 64.3% and 61.1%, respectively, of the fair value of our total invested assets and cash. Our fixed maturity portfolio also includes below investment grade securities (rated “BB” or lower by nationally recognized securities rating organizations). These investments comprise approximately 0% and 4.0%, respectively, of the fair value of our total investments as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and generally provide higher expected returns, but present greater risk and can be less liquid than investment grade securities. A significant increase in defaults and impairments on our fixed maturity investment portfolio could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Risks Related to Our BPO Business
 
A significant portion of our BPO revenues are attributable to one client, and any loss of business from, or change in our relationship with this client could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
We have derived and are likely to continue to derive a significant portion of our BPO revenues from a limited number of clients. Specifically, in our BPO business, services provided to National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA (NUFIC) accounted for 63.7%, 56.8%, 52.4% and 47.8% of our BPO revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
The loss of business from any of our significant clients, particularly NUFIC, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.


24


Table of Contents

The profitability of our BPO business will suffer if we are not able to price our outsourcing services appropriately, maintain asset utilization levels and control our costs.
 
The profitability of our BPO business is largely a function of the efficiency with which we utilize our assets and the pricing that we are able to obtain for our services. Our utilization rates are affected by a number of factors, including hiring and assimilating new employees, forecasting demand for our services and our need to devote time and resources to training, professional development and other typically non-chargeable activities. The prices we are able to charge for our services are affected by a number of factors, including our clients’ perceptions of our ability to add value through our services, competition, the introduction of new services or products by us or our competitors and general economic conditions. Our ability to accurately estimate, attain and sustain revenues over increasingly longer contract periods could negatively impact our margins and cash flows. Therefore, if we are unable to price appropriately or manage our asset utilization levels, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The profitability of our BPO business is also a function of our ability to control our costs and improve our efficiency. As we increase the number of our employees and grow our business, we may not be able to manage the significantly larger workforce that may result and our profitability may not improve.
 
We enter into fixed-term contracts and fixed-price contracts with our BPO clients, and our failure to correctly price these contracts may negatively affect our profitability.
 
The pricing of our services is usually included in contracts entered into with our clients, many of which are for terms of between one and three years. In certain cases, we have committed to pricing over this period with only limited sharing of risk regarding inflation. If we fail to estimate accurately future wage inflation rates or our costs, or if we fail to accurately estimate the productivity benefits we can achieve under a contract, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Some of our BPO contracts contain provisions which, if triggered, could result in the payment of penalties or lower future revenues and could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Many of our BPO contracts contain service level and performance provisions, including standards relating to the quality of our services, that would provide our clients with the right to terminate their contract if we do not meet pre-agreed service level requirements and in the case of our contract with NUFIC, require us to pay penalties. Our contract with NUFIC also provides that, during the term of the contract and for 18 months thereafter, we may not develop or service products for NUFIC’s competitors that are substantially similar to those we administer on behalf of NUFIC. Failure to meet these requirements could result in the payment of significant penalties by us to our clients which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Risks Related to our Wholesale Brokerage Business
 
We may not be able to accurately forecast our commission revenues because our commissions depend on premiums charged by insurance companies, which historically have varied and, as a result, have been difficult to predict.
 
Our Wholesale Brokerage business derives revenue principally from commissions paid by insurance companies, brokers and agents. Commissions are based upon a percentage of premiums paid by customers for insurance products. The amount of such commissions is therefore highly dependent on premium rates charged by insurance companies. We do not determine insurance premium rates. Premium rates are determined by insurance companies based on a fluctuating market and in many cases


25


Table of Contents

are regulated by the states in which they operate. We have generally encountered declining rates for property and casualty insurance since late 2006.
 
Premium pricing within the commercial property and casualty insurance market in which we operate historically has been cyclical based on the underwriting capacity of the insurance carriers operating in this market and has been impacted by general economic conditions. In a period of decreasing insurance capacity, insurance carriers typically raise premium rates. This type of market frequently is referred to as a “hard” market. In a period of increasing insurance capacity, insurance carriers tend to reduce premium rates. This type of market frequently is referred to as a “soft” market, which the commercial P&C market has been experiencing since 2006. Because our commission rates usually are calculated as a percentage of the gross premium charged for the insurance products that we place, our revenues are affected by the pricing cycle of the market and the amount of risk that is insured. General economic conditions may impact the amount of risk that is insured by companies by affecting the value of the insured properties, the size of company workforces and the willingness of companies to self-insure certain risks to reduce insurance expenses. The frequency and severity of natural disasters and other catastrophic events can affect the timing, duration and extent of industry cycles for many of the product lines we distribute. It is very difficult to predict the severity, timing or duration of these cycles. The cyclical nature of premium pricing in the commercial property and casualty insurance market may make our results of operations volatile and unpredictable. To the extent that an economic downturn and/or “soft” market persist for an extended period of time, our wholesale brokerage commissions and fees, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
 
We may experience reductions in the commission revenues we receive from risk-bearing insurance companies as these insurance companies seek to reduce their expenses by reducing commission rates payable to non-affiliated brokers or agents such as us, which may significantly affect the profitability of our Wholesale Brokerage business.
 
As traditional risk-bearing insurance companies continue to outsource the production of premium revenues to non-affiliated brokers or agents such as us, those insurance companies may seek to reduce further their expenses by reducing the commission rates payable to those insurance agents or brokers. The reduction of these commission rates, along with general volatility and/or declines in premiums, may significantly affect the profitability of our Wholesale Brokerage business. Because we do not determine the timing or extent of premium pricing changes, we may not be able to accurately forecast our commission revenues, including whether they will significantly decline. As a result, we may have to adjust our budgets to account for unexpected changes in revenues, and any decreases in premium rates may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
The loss of the services of any of our highly qualified brokers could harm our business and operating results.
 
Our future performance depends on our ability to recruit and retain highly qualified brokers, including brokers who work in the businesses that we have acquired or may acquire in the future. Competition for productive brokers is intense, and our inability to recruit or retain these brokers could harm our business and operating results. While many of our senior brokers own an equity interest in us and many have entered into employment agreements with us, these brokers may not serve the term of their employment agreements or renew their employment agreements upon expiration. Moreover, any of the brokers who leave our firm may not comply with the provisions of their employment agreements that preclude them from competing with us or soliciting our customers and employees, or these provisions may not be enforceable under applicable law or sufficient to protect us from the loss of any business. In addition, we do not have employment, non-competition or non-solicitation agreements with all of our brokers. We may not be able to retain or replace the business generated by a broker who leaves our firm or replace that broker with an equally qualified broker who is acceptable to our clients.


26


Table of Contents

Because our Wholesale Brokerage business is highly concentrated in California, adverse economic conditions or regulatory changes in that state could materially and adversely affect our financial condition.
 
A significant portion of our Wholesale Brokerage business is concentrated in California. For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2009, $8.6 million and $15.9 million, respectively, or 71.7% and 70.5%, respectively, of Bliss & Glennon’s wholesale brokerage commissions and fees that are attributable to a specific office were generated by its California offices. We believe the regulatory environment for insurance intermediaries in these states currently is no more restrictive than in other states. The insurance business is a state-regulated industry, and therefore, state legislatures may enact laws, and state insurance regulators may adopt regulations, that adversely affect the profitability of insurance industries in their states. Because our Wholesale Brokerage business is concentrated in a few states, we face greater exposure to unfavorable changes in regulatory conditions in those states than insurance intermediaries whose operations are more diversified through a greater number of states. In addition, the occurrence of adverse economic conditions, natural or other disasters, or other circumstances specific to or otherwise significantly impacting these states could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
If insurance carriers begin to transact business without relying on wholesale insurance brokers, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could suffer.
 
Our Wholesale Brokerage business acts as an intermediary between retail agents and insurance carriers that, in some cases, will not transact business directly with retail insurance brokers and agents. If insurance carriers change the way they conduct business and begin to transact business with retail agents without including us or if retail agents are enabled to transact business directly with insurance carriers as a result of changes in the surplus lines and specialty insurance markets, technological advancements or other factors, our role in the distribution of surplus lines and specialty insurance products could be eliminated or substantially reduced, and our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could suffer.
 
Our growth strategy may involve opening or acquiring new offices and will involve hiring new brokers and underwriters for our Wholesale Brokerage business, which will require substantial investment by us and may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows in a particular period.
 
Our ability to grow our Wholesale Brokerage business organically depends in part on our ability to open or acquire new offices and recruit new brokers and underwriters. We may not be successful in any efforts to open new offices or hire new brokers or underwriters. The costs of opening a new office and hiring the necessary personnel to staff the office can be substantial, and we often are required to commit to multi-year, noncancelable lease agreements. It has been our experience that our new Wholesale Brokerage offices may not achieve profitability on a stand-alone basis until they have been in operation for at least three years. In addition, we often hire new brokers and underwriters with the expectation that they will not become profitable until 12 months after they are hired. The cost of investing in new offices, brokers and underwriters may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows in future periods. Moreover, we may not be able to recover our investments or these offices, brokers and underwriters may not achieve profitability.
 
Our financial results may be materially and adversely affected by the occurrence of catastrophes.
 
Portions of our Wholesale Brokerage business involve the placement of insurance policies that cover losses from unpredictable events such as hurricanes, windstorms, hailstorms, earthquakes, fires, industrial explosions, freezes, riots, floods and other man-made or natural disasters, including acts of terrorism. The incidence and severity of these catastrophes in any given period are inherently


27


Table of Contents

unpredictable. We are generally eligible to earn profit commissions, which are commissions we receive from carriers based upon the ultimate profitability of the business that we place with those carriers. The occurrence and severity of catastrophes could impair the amount of profit commissions that we receive in the future which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
We are subject to risks related to our profit commission arrangements and other compensation arrangements.
 
We derive a portion of our Wholesale Brokerage revenues from profit commissions based on the profitability of the insurance business we place with a carrier. Due to the inherent uncertainty of loss in our industry and changes in underwriting criteria due in part to the high loss ratios experienced by some carriers, we cannot predict the receipt of these profit commissions and the amount of such profit commissions may be less than we anticipated. Because profit commissions affect our revenues, any decrease in such amounts could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
In addition, profit commission arrangements have been the subject of investigations by various governmental authorities within the past several years. The legislatures of various states may adopt new laws addressing profit commission arrangements, including laws limiting or prohibiting such arrangements, and adding new or different disclosure of such arrangements to insureds. Various state departments of insurance may also adopt new regulations addressing these matters. While we cannot predict the outcome of future governmental actions regarding commission payment practices or the responses by the market and government regulators, any unfavorable resolution of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
Risks Related to Regulatory and Legal Matters
 
We are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations, which increase our costs and could restrict the conduct of our business.
 
Our operating subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulation and supervision in the jurisdictions in which they do business. Such regulation or compliance could reduce our profitability or limit our growth by increasing the costs of compliance, limiting or restricting the products or services we sell, or the methods by which we sell our services and products, or subjecting our businesses to the possibility of regulatory actions or proceedings. In all jurisdictions, the applicable laws and regulations are subject to amendment or interpretation by regulatory authorities. Generally, such authorities have broad discretion to grant, renew or revoke licenses and approvals and to implement new regulations. We may be precluded or temporarily suspended from carrying on some or all of our activities or otherwise fined or penalized in any jurisdiction in which we operate. No assurances can be made that our businesses can continue to be conducted in each jurisdiction as they have been in the past. Such regulation is generally designed to protect the interests of policyholders. To that end, the laws of the various states establish insurance departments with broad powers with respect to matters, such as:
 
  •  licensing and authorizing companies and agents to transact business;
 
  •  regulating capital and surplus and dividend requirements;
 
  •  regulating underwriting limitations;
 
  •  regulating the ability of companies to enter and exit markets;
 
  •  imposing statutory accounting requirements and annual statement disclosures;
 
  •  approving changes in control of insurance companies;


28


Table of Contents

 
  •  regulating premium rates, including the ability to increase or maintain premium rates;
 
  •  regulating trade and claims practices;
 
  •  regulating certain transactions between affiliates;
 
  •  regulating reinsurance arrangements, including the balance sheet credit that may be taken by the ceding or direct insurer;
 
  •  mandating certain insurance benefits;
 
  •  regulating the content of disclosures to consumers;
 
  •  regulating the type, amounts and valuation of investments;
 
  •  mandating assessments or other surcharges for guaranty funds and the ability to recover such assessments in the future through premium increases;
 
  •  regulating market conduct and sales practices of insurers and agents, including compensation arrangements; and
 
  •  regulating a variety of other financial and non-financial components of an insurer’s business.
 
Our non-insurance operations and certain aspects of our insurance operations are subject to various federal and state regulations, including state and federal consumer protection, privacy and other laws. An insurer’s ability to write new business is partly a function of its statutory surplus. Maintaining appropriate levels of surplus as measured by Statutory Accounting Principles is considered important by insurance regulatory authorities and the private agencies that rate insurers’ claims-paying abilities and financial strength. Failure to maintain certain levels of statutory surplus could result in increased regulatory scrutiny, a downgrade by rating agencies, or enforcement action by regulatory authorities.
 
We may be unable to maintain all required licenses and approvals and, despite our best efforts, our business may not fully comply with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations or the relevant regulators’ interpretation of such laws and regulations. Also, some regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to grant, renew or revoke licenses and approvals or to limit or restrain operations in their jurisdiction. If we do not have the requisite licenses and approvals or do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the insurance regulatory authorities could preclude or temporarily suspend us from operating, limit some or all of our activities or financially penalize us. These types of actions could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Failure to protect our clients’ confidential information and privacy could result in the loss of reputation and customers, reduction in our profitability and subject us to fines, penalties and litigation.
 
We retain confidential information in our information systems, and we are subject to a variety of privacy regulations and confidentiality obligations. For example, some of our activities are subject to the privacy regulations of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. We also have contractual obligations to protect confidential information we obtain from our clients. These obligations generally require us, in accordance with applicable laws, to protect such information to the same extent that we protect our own confidential information. We have implemented physical, administrative and logical security systems with the intent of maintaining the physical security of our facilities and systems and protecting our, our clients’ and their customers’ confidential information and personally-identifiable individuals against unauthorized access through our information systems or by other electronic transmission or through the misdirection, theft or loss of data. Despite such efforts, we are subject to a breach of our security systems which may result in unauthorized access to our facilities and/or the information we are


29


Table of Contents

trying to protect. Anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures and penetrate our information systems could access, view, misappropriate, alter, or delete any information in the systems, including personally identifiable customer information and proprietary business information. In addition, most states require that customers be notified if a security breach results in the disclosure of personally identifiable customer information. Any compromise of the security of our information systems that results in inappropriate disclosure of such information could result in, among other things, unfavorable publicity and damage to our reputation, governmental inquiry and oversight, difficulty in marketing our services, loss of clients, significant civil and criminal liability and the incurrence of significant technical, legal and other expenses, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Changes in regulation may reduce our profitability and limit our growth.
 
Legislation or other regulatory reform that increases the regulatory requirements imposed on us or that changes the way we are able to do business may significantly harm our business or results of operations in the future. If we were unable for any reason to comply with these requirements, it could result in substantial costs to us and may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Legislative or regulatory changes that could significantly harm us and our subsidiaries include, but are not limited to:
 
  •  prohibiting retailers from providing debt cancellation policies;
 
  •  prohibiting insurers from fronting captive reinsurance arrangements;
 
  •  placing or reducing interest rate caps on the consumer finance products our clients offer;
 
  •  limitations or imposed reductions on premium levels or the ability to raise premiums on existing policies;
 
  •  increases in minimum capital, reserves and other financial viability requirements;
 
  •  impositions of increased fines, taxes or other penalties for improper licensing, the failure to promptly pay claims, however defined, or other regulatory violations;
 
  •  increased licensing requirements;
 
  •  restrictions on the ability to offer certain types of products;
 
  •  new or different disclosure requirements on certain types of products; and
 
  •  imposition of new or different requirements for coverage determinations.
 
In recent years, the state insurance regulatory framework has come under increased federal scrutiny and some state legislatures have considered or enacted laws that may alter or increase state authority to regulate insurance companies and insurance holding companies. Further, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and state insurance regulators are re-examining existing laws and regulations, specifically focusing on modifications to holding company regulations, interpretations of existing laws and the development of new laws and regulations. Additionally, there have been attempts by the NAIC and several states to limit the use of discretionary clauses in policy forms. The elimination of discretionary clauses could increase our costs under our Payment Protection products. New


30


Table of Contents

interpretations of existing laws and the passage of new legislation may harm our ability to sell new services and products and increase our claims exposure on policies we issued previously. In addition, the NAIC’s proposed expansion of the Market Conduct Annual Statement could increase the likelihood of examinations of insurance companies operating in niche markets. Court decisions that impact the insurance industry could result in the release of previously protected confidential and privileged information by departments of insurance, which could increase the risk of litigation.
 
Traditionally, the U.S. federal government has not directly regulated the business of insurance. However, federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas can significantly and adversely affect insurance companies. These areas include financial services regulation, securities regulation, privacy, tort reform legislation and taxation. In view of recent events involving certain financial institutions and the financial markets, Congress recently passed and the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Dodd-Frank Act.” The Dodd-Frank Act provides for the enhanced federal supervision of financial institutions, including insurance companies in certain circumstances, and financial activities that represent a systemic risk to financial stability or the U.S. economy.
 
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Insurance Office will be established within the U.S. Treasury Department to monitor all aspects of the insurance industry and its authority would likely extend to all lines of insurance that our insurance subsidiaries write. The director of the Federal Insurance Office will serve in an advisory capacity to the Financial Stability Oversight Council and have the ability to recommend that an insurance company or an insurance holding company be subject to heightened prudential standards by the Federal Reserve, if it is determined that financial distress at the company could pose a threat to the financial stability of the U.S. economy. The Dodd-Frank Act also provides for the preemption of state laws when inconsistent with certain international agreements and would streamline the regulation of reinsurance and surplus lines insurance. At this time, we cannot assess whether any other proposed legislation or regulatory changes will be adopted, or what impact, if any, the Dodd-Frank Act or any other legislation or changes could have on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
 
Further, in a time of financial uncertainty or a prolonged economic downturn, regulators may choose to adopt more restrictive insurance laws and regulations. For example, insurance regulators may choose to restrict the ability of insurance subsidiaries to make payments to their parent companies or reject rate increases due to the economic environment.
 
With respect to the property and casualty insurance policies our Payment Protection business underwrites, federal legislative proposals regarding National Catastrophe Insurance, if adopted, could reduce the business need for some of the related products we provide. Additionally, as the U.S. Congress continues to respond to the recent housing foreclosure crisis, it could enact legislation placing additional barriers on creditor-placed insurance.
 
With regard to payment protection products, there are federal and state laws and regulations that govern the disclosures related to lenders’ sales of those products. Our ability to administer those products on behalf of financial institutions is dependent upon their continued ability to sell those products. To the extent that federal or state laws or regulations change to restrict or prohibit the sale of these products, our administration services and fees revenues would be adversely affected. The Dodd-Frank Act created a new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection within the Federal Reserve, which will add new regulatory oversight for these lender products. The full impact of this oversight cannot be determined until the Bureau has been established and implementing regulations are put in place.
 
In recent years, several large organizations became subjects of intense public scrutiny due to high-profile data security breaches involving sensitive financial and health information. These events focused


31


Table of Contents

national attention on identity theft and the duty of organizations to notify impacted consumers in the event of a data security breach. Existing legislation in most states requires customer notification in the event of a data security breach. In addition, some states are adopting laws and regulations requiring minimum information security practices with respect to the collection and storage of personally-identifiable consumer data, and several bills before Congress contain provisions directed to national information security standards and breach notification requirements. Several significant legal, operational and reputational risks exist with regard to a data breach and customer notification. A breach of data security requiring public notification can result in regulatory fines, penalties or sanctions, civil lawsuits, loss of reputation, loss of clients and reduction of our profitability.
 
Our business is subject to risks related to litigation and regulatory actions.
 
We may be materially and adversely affected by judgments, settlements, unanticipated costs or other effects of legal and administrative proceedings now pending or that may be instituted in the future, or from investigations by regulatory bodies or administrative agencies. From time to time, we have had inquiries from regulatory bodies and administrative agencies relating to the operation of our business. Such inquiries may result in various audits, reviews and investigations. An adverse outcome of any investigation by, or other inquiries from, such bodies or agencies could have a material adverse effect on us and result in the institution of administrative or civil proceedings, sanctions and the payment of fines and penalties, changes in personnel, and increased review and scrutiny of us by our clients, regulatory authorities, potential litigants, the media and others.
 
In particular, our insurance-related operations are subject to comprehensive regulation and oversight by insurance departments in jurisdictions in which we do business. These insurance departments have broad administrative powers with respect to all aspects of the insurance business and, in particular, monitor the manner in which an insurance company offers, sells and administers its products. Therefore, we may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to our current and past business operations, including, but not limited to:
 
  •  disputes over coverage or claims adjudication;
 
  •  disputes over claim payment amounts and compliance with individual state regulatory requirements;
 
  •  disputes regarding sales practices, disclosures, premium refunds, licensing, regulatory compliance, underwriting and compensation arrangements;
 
  •  disputes with taxation and insurance authorities regarding our tax liabilities;
 
  •  periodic examinations of compliance with applicable federal and state laws; and
 
  •  industry-wide investigations regarding business practices including, but not limited to, the use of finite reinsurance and the marketing and refunding of insurance policies or certificates of insurance.
 
The prevalence and outcomes of any such actions cannot be predicted, and such actions or any litigation may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we were to experience difficulties with our relationship with a regulatory body in a given jurisdiction, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to do business in that jurisdiction.
 
In addition, plaintiffs continue to bring new types of legal claims against insurance and related companies. Current and future court decisions and legislative activity may increase our exposure to these types of claims. Multiparty or class action claims may present additional exposure to substantial economic, non-economic and/or punitive damage awards. The success of even one of these claims, if it resulted in a significant damage award or a detrimental judicial ruling could have a material adverse


32


Table of Contents

effect on our results of operations and financial condition. This risk of potential liability may make reasonable settlements of claims more difficult to obtain. We cannot determine with any certainty what new theories of liability or recovery may evolve or what their impact may be on our businesses.
 
We cannot predict at this time the effect that current litigation, investigations and regulatory activity will have on the industries in which we operate or our business. In light of the regulatory and judicial environments in which we operate, we will likely become subject to further investigations and lawsuits from time to time in the future. Our involvement in any investigations and lawsuits would cause us to incur legal and other costs and, if we were found to have violated any laws, we could be required to pay fines and damages, perhaps in material amounts. In addition, we could be materially and adversely affected by the negative publicity for the insurance and other financial services industries related to any such proceedings and by any new industry-wide regulations or practices that may result from any such proceedings.
 
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
 
Our indebtedness may limit our financial and operating activities and may materially and adversely affect our ability to incur additional debt to fund future needs.
 
As of June 30, 2010, we had total indebtedness and redeemable preferred stock of $84.9 million. Although we believe that our current cash flow will be sufficient to cover our annual interest expense, any increase in our indebtedness or any decline in the amount of cash available increases the possibility that we could not pay, when due, the principal of, interest on or other amounts due in respect of our indebtedness. In addition, our indebtedness and any future indebtedness we may incur could:
 
  •  make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, including financial and other restrictive covenants, which could result in an event of default under the agreements governing our indebtedness;
 
  •  make us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;
 
  •  require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
 
  •  limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
 
  •  place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to competitors that have less debt; and
 
  •  limit our ability to borrow additional amounts for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy or other purposes.
 
Any of the above-listed factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Increases in interest rates could increase interest payable under our variable rate indebtedness.
 
We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our variable rate indebtedness. Interest rate changes could increase the amount of our interest payments and thus negatively impact our future


33


Table of Contents

earnings and cash flows. If we do not have sufficient earnings, we may be required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, borrow more money or sell more securities, none of which we can guarantee we will be able to do.
 
Despite our indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur more indebtedness, which could further exacerbate the risks described above.
 
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness. If we or our subsidiaries incur additional debt, the risks that we and they now face as a result of our indebtedness could intensify.
 
Restrictive covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies.
 
The agreements governing our indebtedness contain a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and may limit our ability to pursue our business strategies or undertake actions that may be in our best interests. The agreements governing our indebtedness include covenants restricting, among other things, our ability to:
 
  •  incur or guarantee additional debt;
 
  •  incur liens;
 
  •  complete mergers, consolidations and dissolutions;
 
  •  sell certain of our assets that have been pledged as collateral; and
 
  •  undergo a change in control.
 
Our assets have been pledged to secure some of our existing indebtedness.
 
Some of our existing indebtedness is secured by certain of our assets. In the event of a default under our indebtedness, the lender could foreclose against the assets securing such obligations. A foreclosure on these assets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Risks Related to Our Technology and Intellectual Property
 
Our information systems may fail or their security may be compromised, which could damage our business and materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Our business is highly dependent upon the effective operation of our information systems and our ability to store, retrieve, process and manage significant databases and expand and upgrade our information systems. We rely on these systems throughout our businesses for a variety of functions, including marketing and selling our Payment Protection products, providing our BPO services, managing our operations, processing claims and applications, providing information to clients, performing actuarial analyses and maintaining financial records. The interruption or loss of our information processing capabilities through the loss of stored data, programming errors, the breakdown or malfunctioning of computer equipment or software systems, telecommunications failure or damage caused by weather or natural disasters or any other significant disruptions could harm our business, ability to generate revenues, client relationships, competitive position and reputation. Although we have additional data processing locations in Jacksonville, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia, disaster recovery procedures and insurance to protect against certain contingencies, such measures may not be effective or insurance may


34


Table of Contents

not continue to be available at reasonable prices, cover all such losses or be sufficient to compensate us for the loss of business that may result from any failure of our information systems. In addition, our information systems may be vulnerable to physical or electronic intrusions, computer viruses or other attacks which could disable our information systems and our security measures may not prevent such attacks. The failure of our systems as a result of any security breaches, intrusions or attacks could cause significant interruptions to our operations, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
The failure to effectively maintain and modernize our systems to keep up with technological advances and could materially and adversely affect our business.
 
Our businesses are dependent upon our ability to ensure that our information systems keep up with technological advances. Our ability to keep our systems integrated with those of our clients is critical to the success of our businesses. If we do not effectively maintain our systems and update them to address technological advancements, our relationships and ability to do business with our clients may be materially and adversely affected. Our businesses depend significantly on effective information systems, and we have many different information systems for our various businesses. We must commit significant resources to maintain and enhance existing information systems and develop new systems that allow us to keep pace with continuing changes in information processing technology, evolving industry, regulatory and legal standards and changing client preferences. A failure to maintain effective and efficient information systems, or a failure to efficiently and effectively consolidate our information systems and eliminate redundant or obsolete applications, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition or our ability to do business in particular jurisdictions. If we do not effectively maintain adequate systems, we could experience adverse consequences, including:
 
  •  the inability to effectively market and price our services and products and make underwriting and reserving decisions;
 
  •  the loss of existing clients;
 
  •  difficulty attracting new clients;
 
  •  regulatory problems such as a failure to meet prompt payment obligations;
 
  •  internal control problems;
 
  •  exposure to litigation;
 
  •  security breaches resulting in loss of data; and
 
  •  increases in administrative expenses.
 
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and our ability not to infringe upon the intellectual property rights of third parties.
 
The success of our business will depend, in part, on preserving our trade secrets, maintaining the security of our know-how and data and operating without infringing upon patents and proprietary rights held by third parties. Failure to protect, monitor and control the use of our intellectual property rights could cause us to lose a competitive advantage and incur significant expenses. We rely on a combination of contractual provisions, confidentiality procedures and copyright, trademark, service mark and trade secret laws to protect the proprietary aspects of our brands, technology and data. These legal measures afford only limited protection, and competitors or others may gain access to our intellectual property and proprietary information.


35


Table of Contents

Our trade secrets, data and know-how could be subject to unauthorized use, misappropriation, or disclosure. Our trademarks could be challenged, forcing us to re-brand our services or products, resulting in loss of brand recognition and requiring us to devote resources to advertising and marketing new brands or licensing. If we are found to have infringed upon the intellectual property rights of third parties, we may be subject to injunctive relief restricting our use of affected elements of intellectual property used in the business, or we may be required to, among other things, pay royalties or enter into licensing agreements in order to obtain the rights to use necessary technologies, which may not be possible on commercially reasonable terms, or redesign our systems, which may not be feasible.
 
Furthermore, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets and to determine the validity and scope of our proprietary rights. The intellectual property laws and other statutory and contractual arrangements we currently depend upon may not provide sufficient protection in the future to prevent the infringement, use or misappropriation of our trademarks, data, technology and other services and products. Policing unauthorized use of intellectual property rights can be difficult and expensive, and adequate remedies may not be available. Any future litigation, regardless of outcome, could result in substantial expense and diversion of resources with no assurance of success and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.
 
Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering
 
There may not be an active, liquid trading market for our common stock.
 
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for shares of our common stock. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our company will lead to the development of a trading market on the New York Stock Exchange or how liquid that market may become. If an active trading market does not develop, you may have difficulty selling any of our common stock that you purchase. The initial public offering price of shares of our common stock will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail following the completion of this offering. The market price of shares of our common stock may decline below the initial public offering price, and you may not be able to resell your shares of our common stock at or above the initial offering price.
 
As a public company, we will become subject to additional financial and other reporting and corporate governance requirements that may be difficult for us to satisfy.
 
We have historically operated our business as a private company. After this offering, we will be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission annual and quarterly information and other reports that are specified in Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. We will also be required to ensure that we have the ability to prepare financial statements that are fully compliant with all Securities and Exchange Commission reporting requirements on a timely basis. We will also become subject to other reporting and corporate governance requirements, including the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, and certain provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, which will impose significant compliance obligations upon us. As a public company, we will be required to:
 
  •  prepare and distribute periodic public reports and other stockholder communications in compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws and New York Stock Exchange rules;
 
  •  create or expand the roles and duties of our board of directors and committees of the board;


36


Table of Contents

 
  •  institute more comprehensive financial reporting and disclosure compliance functions;
 
  •  supplement our internal accounting and auditing function, including hiring additional staff with expertise in accounting and financial reporting for a public company;
 
  •  enhance and formalize closing procedures at the end of our accounting periods;
 
  •  enhance our internal audit and tax functions;
 
  •  enhance our investor relations function;
 
  •  establish new internal policies, including those relating to disclosure controls and procedures; and
 
  •  involve and retain to a greater degree outside counsel and accountants in the activities listed above.
 
Our internal control over financial reporting does not currently meet the standards required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and we have identified a material weakness in our internal controls, and the failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or to remedy the material weakness could materially and adversely affect us.
 
Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal controls and procedures over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting does not currently meet the standards required by Section 404, standards that we will be required to meet in the course of preparing our 2011 financial statements. We do not currently have comprehensive documentation of our internal controls, nor do we document or test our compliance with these controls on a periodic basis in accordance with Section 404. Furthermore, we have not tested our internal controls in accordance with Section 404 and, due to our lack of documentation, such a test would not be possible to perform at this time.
 
In preparing our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007, a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting was identified, as defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Accounting Oversight Board. The material weakness identified resulted from an ineffective control environment over financial reporting due to our failure to adequately staff our financial reporting function with a sufficient number of staff experienced in preparing GAAP-based consolidated financial statements, related footnote disclosures and public company reports.
 
To remedy this material weakness, we are in the process of implementing several measures to improve our internal control over financial reporting, including (i) hiring a chief financial officer; (ii) increasing the headcount of qualified financial reporting personnel; (iii) improving the capabilities of existing financial reporting personnel through training and education in the reporting requirements and deadlines set under GAAP, SEC rules and regulations and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and (iv) engaging an independent consultant to assist in establishing processes and oversight measures to comply with the requirements under GAAP, SEC rules and regulations and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
In addition to the remediation efforts noted above, we are in the early stages of addressing our internal control procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, which requires an annual management assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If, as a public company,


37


Table of Contents

we are not able to implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, may suffer adverse regulatory consequences or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules and may breach the covenants under our credit facilities. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements.
 
In addition, we will incur additional costs in order to improve our internal control over financial reporting and comply with Section 404, including increased auditing and legal fees and costs associated with hiring additional accounting and administrative staff.
 
After this offering, our principal stockholder will continue to have substantial control over us.
 
After the consummation of this offering, affiliates of Summit Partners will collectively beneficially own approximately     % of our outstanding common stock (approximately     % if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). See “Principal and Selling Stockholders.” As a consequence, Summit Partners or its affiliates will continue to be able to exert a significant degree of influence or actual control over our management and affairs and matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and any other significant transaction. The interests of this stockholder may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of our other stockholders. For instance, this concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us otherwise favored by our other stockholders and could depress our stock price.
 
We expect that our stock price will fluctuate significantly, which could cause the value of your investment to decline, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.
 
Securities markets worldwide have experienced, and are likely to continue to experience, significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions, could reduce the market price of our common stock regardless of our operating performance. The trading price of our common stock is likely to be volatile and subject to wide price fluctuations in response to various factors, including:
 
  •  market conditions in the broader stock market;
 
  •  actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial and operating results;
 
  •  introduction of new products or services by us or our competitors;
 
  •  issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations;
 
  •  investor perceptions of us and the industries in which we operate;
 
  •  sales, or anticipated sales, of large blocks of our stock;
 
  •  additions or departures of key personnel;
 
  •  regulatory or political developments;
 
  •  litigation and governmental investigations; and
 
  •  changing economic conditions.


38


Table of Contents

 
These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for our common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares of common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our common stock. In addition, in the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders brought a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management from our business, which could significantly harm our profitability and reputation.
 
If a substantial number of shares become available for sale and are sold in a short period of time, the market price of our common stock could decline.
 
If our existing stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market following this offering, the market price of our common stock could decrease significantly. The perception in the public market that our existing stockholders might sell shares of common stock could also depress the market price of our common stock. Upon the consummation of this offering, we will have           shares of common stock outstanding. Our directors, executive officers, the selling stockholders and substantially all of our other stockholders will be subject to the lock-up agreements described in “Underwriting” and are subject to the Rule 144 holding period requirements described in “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.” After these lock-up agreements have expired and holding periods have elapsed, additional shares will be eligible for sale in the public market. The market price of shares of our common stock may drop significantly when the restrictions on resale by our existing stockholders lapse. A decline in the price of shares of our common stock might impede our ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or other equity securities.
 
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, publish research or reports containing negative information about our business, adversely change their recommendations regarding our stock or if our results of operations do not meet their expectations, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
 
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our stock, or if our results of operations do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
 
Some provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may deter third parties from acquiring us and diminish the value of our common stock.
 
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for, among other things:
 
  •  restrictions on the ability of our stockholders to call a special meeting and the business that can be conducted at such meeting;
 
  •  restrictions on the ability of our stockholders to remove a director or fill a vacancy on the board of directors;
 
  •  our ability to issue preferred stock with terms that the board of directors may determine, without stockholder approval;
 
  •  the absence of cumulative voting in the election of directors;


39


Table of Contents

 
  •  a prohibition of action by written consent of stockholders unless such action is recommended by all directors then in office; and
 
  •  advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations.
 
These provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our company that is in the best interest of our non-controlling stockholders. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if they are viewed as discouraging future takeover attempts.
 
Applicable insurance laws may make it difficult to effect a change in control of us.
 
State insurance regulatory laws contain provisions that require advance approval, by the state insurance commissioner, of any change in control of an insurance company that is domiciled, or, in some cases, having such substantial business that it is deemed to be commercially domiciled, in that state. We own, directly or indirectly, all of the shares of stock of insurance companies domiciled in Delaware, Georgia and Louisiana, and 85% of the shares of stock of an insurance company domiciled in Kentucky. Because any purchaser of shares of our common stock representing 10% or more of the voting power of our capital stock generally will be presumed to have acquired control of these insurance company subsidiaries, the insurance change in control laws of Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana and Kentucky would apply to such a transaction.
 
In addition, the laws of many states contain provisions requiring pre-notification to state agencies prior to any change in control of a non-domestic insurance company subsidiary that transacts business in that state. While these pre-notification statutes do not authorize the state agency to disapprove the change in control, they do authorize issuance of cease and desist orders with respect to the non-domestic insurer if it is determined that conditions, such as undue market concentration, would result from the change in control.
 
These laws may discourage potential acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change of control of our company, including through transactions, and in particular unsolicited transactions, that some or all of our shareholders might consider to be desirable.
 
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future.
 
We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for the foreseeable future, to repay indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. We do not intend to pay any dividends to holders of our common stock. As a result, capital appreciation in the price of our common stock, if any, will be your only source of gain on an investment in our common stock. See “Dividend Policy.”
 
New investors in our common stock will experience immediate and substantial book value dilution after this offering.
 
The initial public offering price of our common stock will be substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of the outstanding common stock immediately after the offering. Based on our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2010, if you purchase our common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution in net tangible book value per share of approximately $      per share. See “Dilution.”


40


Table of Contents

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “should,” “can have,” “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.
 
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our industry experience and our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider this prospectus, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. We believe these factors include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.
 
Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.


41


Table of Contents

 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from our sale of           shares of common stock in this offering will be approximately $      million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us in connection with this offering. This assumes a public offering price of $      per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus. We intend to use $      million of the net proceeds from shares that we sell in this offering to redeem all our outstanding redeemable preferred stock, $      million to repay in full our outstanding subordinated debentures, $      million to repay the $      million outstanding under our revolving credit facility, $      million to pay the conversion amount on our Class A common stock and any remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes.
 
As of June 30, 2010, we had $7.4 million, $2.1 million and $1.9 million outstanding of our Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock, respectively; and $20.0 million of our subordinated debentures outstanding. We entered into our $35.0 million revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank on June 16, 2010, and there was $18.5 million outstanding under the facility on June 30, 2010. Any outstanding Series A and B redeemable preferred stock must be redeemed in full on December 31, 2034 and any outstanding Series C redeemable preferred stock must be redeemed in full on December 31, 2035. Our Series A and C redeemable preferred stock each accrue cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.25% per annum of the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of such series of redeemable preferred stock. Our Series B redeemable preferred stock accrues cash dividends at a rate per annum of 4.0% plus 90 day LIBOR times the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of Series B redeemable preferred stock. As of June 30, 2010, the dividend rate on our Series B redeemable preferred stock was 4.3% of the liquidation preference. Our subordinated debentures bear interest at a rate of 14% per annum and mature on December 13, 2013. Loans under our revolving credit agreement bear interest based upon a base rate or adjusted LIBO rate (as defined in the revolving credit agreement) plus an applicable margin. As of June 30, 2010, the interest rate applicable to our revolving loans was 5.8%. The maturity date for loans under our revolving credit agreement is June 16, 2013.
 
A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $      per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by $      million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.
 
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders, which include entities affiliated with members of our board of directors.
 
DIVIDEND POLICY
 
We have not declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock in the past two years. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to reduce debt and fund the development and growth of our business.
 
Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will take into account:
 
  •  restrictions in our debt instruments;
 
  •  general economic business conditions;
 
  •  our financial condition and results of operations;
 
  •  the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends and make distributions to us; and
 
  •  such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant.


42


Table of Contents

 
CAPITALIZATION
 
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization on an actual basis as of June 30, 2010 and on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to:
 
  •  the automatic conversion of our outstanding Class A common stock into shares of common stock prior to the consummation of this offering;
 
  •  a           for 1 stock split of our common stock prior to the consummation of this offering; and
 
  •  the sale of           shares of our common stock in this offering by us at an assumed initial public offering price of $      per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of the net proceeds from this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds.”
 
This table should be read in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds,” “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
                 
    As of June 30, 2010  
    (unaudited)  
          Pro Forma
 
    Actual     As Adjusted(1)  
    (in thousands, except share and per share data)  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 19,102     $             
                 
Debt:
               
SunTrust line of credit for $35.0 million(2)
  $ 18,509     $    
Preferred trust securities
    35,000          
Subordinated debentures(3)
    20,000          
Series A redeemable preferred stock due 2034, Series B redeemable preferred stock due 2034 and Series C redeemable preferred stock due 2035
    11,440          
                 
Total debt
    84,949          
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, par value $0.331/3 per share (6,000,000 authorized and 3,007,031 outstanding shares)
    1,002          
Treasury stock (8,491 shares)
    (176 )        
Additional paid-in capital
    53,747          
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax (expense) of $(1,599)
    2,896          
Retained earnings
    30,456          
Non-controlling interest
    1,528          
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    89,453          
                 
Total capitalization
  $ 174,402     $    
                 
 
(1) Assuming the number of shares sold by us in this offering remains the same as set forth on the cover page, a $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price would increase (decrease) our total capitalization by approximately $      million.
 
(2) We entered into a $35.0 million revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank in June 2010. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Revolving Credit Facilities — SunTrust Revolving Credit Facility.”
 
(3) On June 16, 2010, we amended the maturity date for our subordinated debentures from June 20, 2012 to December 13, 2013.


43


Table of Contents

 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
The unaudited pro forma financial information set forth below is derived from our historical consolidated statement of income, as adjusted to give pro forma effect to our acquisition of Bliss & Glennon as if it had occurred as of January 1, 2009.
 
The information shown in the column labeled “Fortegra” for the year ended December 31, 2009 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
The acquisition of Bliss & Glennon has been accounted for in accordance with the authoritative guidance related to business combinations. Under the purchase method of accounting, the total estimated purchase price is allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values.
 
The pro forma financial information has been prepared based upon available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable. However, the pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative and informational purposes only and does not purport to represent what our results of operations or financial condition would have been if the acquisition had occurred on the assumed date nor are they necessarily indicative of our future performance.
 
You should read this unaudited pro forma financial information together with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto of Fortegra and Bliss & Glennon included elsewhere in this prospectus, as well as the information contained under “Risk Factors,” “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”


44


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
 
                                 
          Period from
             
          January 1, 2009
             
          to April 14, 2009
    Adjustments for
       
    Fortegra     Bliss & Glennon     Bliss & Glennon     Pro Forma  
    (audited)     (unaudited)              
    (in thousands, except share and per share data)  
 
Revenues:
                               
Service and administrative fees
  $ 31,829     $     $     $ 31,829  
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees
    16,309       8,104             24,413  
Ceding commissions
    24,075                   24,075  
Net underwriting revenue
    5,101                   5,101  
Net investment income
    4,759       22             4,781  
Net realized gains
    54                   54  
Other income
    971       7             978  
                                 
Total net revenues
    83,098       8,133             91,231  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Personnel costs
    31,365       4,170       (363 )(1)     35,172  
Other operating expenses
    22,291       2,762       (1,714 )(2)     23,339  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,507       88               3,595  
Interest expense
    7,800                     7,800  
                                 
Total expenses
    64,963       7,020       (2,077 )     69,906  
                                 
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    18,135       1,113       2,077       21,325  
Income taxes
    6,551       436       273 (3)     7,260  
                                 
Income before non-controlling interest
    11,584       677       1,804       14,065  
Less: net income attributable to the non-controlling interest
    26                   26  
                                 
Net income
  $ 11,558     $ 677     $ 1,804     $ 14,039  
                                 
Net income per common share
                               
Basic
  $ 3.94                     $ 4.67  
Diluted
    3.65                       4.32  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
                               
Basic
    2,931,182                       2,995,614  
Diluted
    3,170,653                       3,235,085  
(1) Represents personnel costs associated with our hiring of a group of insurance brokers after the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon, who were only retained for a limited period of time.
 
(2) Represents transaction expenses, including professional fees, incurred in connection with the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon.
 
(3) Represents the increase in income tax expense associated with the increase in income before income taxes and non-controlling interest.


45


Table of Contents

 
DILUTION
 
If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock upon the completion of this offering.
 
As of June 30, 2010, our net tangible book value was approximately $(14.6) million, or $(4.50) per share. Our net tangible book value per share represents our total tangible assets less total liabilities divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding. Dilution in the net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of common stock in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after the consummation of this offering.
 
After giving effect to (i) the automatic conversion of our outstanding Class A common stock into shares of common stock prior to the consummation of this offering; (ii) a          for 1 stock split of our common stock prior to the consummation of this offering; (iii) the sale of our common stock at the initial public offering price of $      per share, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and (iv) the application of the net proceeds from the offering as described in “Use of Proceeds,” our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2010 would have been approximately $      million, or $      per share.
 
This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $      per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $      per share to new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price.
 
The following table illustrates this dilution to new investors on a per share basis:
 
                 
Assumed initial public offering price per share
          $             
Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2010
  $                     
                 
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to the sale of shares in this offering
               
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering
               
                 
Dilution per share to new investors
          $    
                 
 
A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $      per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering by $      million and increase (decrease) the dilution to new investors by $      per share, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.


46


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes, as of June 30, 2010, the total number of shares of our common stock we issued and sold, the total consideration we received and the average price per share paid to us by our existing stockholders and to be paid by new investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering. The table assumes an initial public offering price of $      per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) and deducts underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us:
 
                                         
    Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average Price
 
    Number     Percent     Amount     Percent     Per Share  
 
Existing stockholders
            %   $             %   $    
New investors
                                  $        
                                         
Total
            100 %           $ 100 %   $  
                                         
 
Sales by the selling stockholders in this offering will reduce the number of shares held by existing stockholders to          , or     % of the total number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after the offering, and will increase the number of shares held by new investors to          , or     %, of the total number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after the offering. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, the percentage of shares of common stock held by existing stockholders will decrease to     % of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding after the offering, and the number of shares of our common stock held by new investors will increase to          , or     %, of the total shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering.
 
A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $      per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) the total consideration paid by new investors and all stockholders by $          .
 
In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.


47


Table of Contents

 
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial data for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The selected historical consolidated financial and other data as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the consolidated statement of income and other data for each of (i) the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, (ii) the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and (iii) the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and the consolidated statement of income and other data for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are derived from our audited financial statements and not included in this prospectus.
 
We have prepared the unaudited consolidated financial information set forth below on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and have included all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results for such periods. The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.
 
On June 20, 2007, affiliates of Summit Partners acquired a majority of our capital stock. All periods prior to June 20, 2007 are referred to as “Predecessor,” and all periods including and after such date are referred to as “Successor.” The consolidated financial statements for all Successor periods are not comparable to those of the Predecessor periods.
 
The results indicated below and elsewhere in this prospectus are not necessarily indicative of our future performance. You should read this information together with “Capitalization,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 


48


Table of Contents

                                                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                                    Period
             
                            Period
      from
             
                            from June 20,
      January 1,
             
                Years Ended
    2007 to
      2007 to
             
    Six Months Ended June 30,     December 31,     December 31,
      June 19,
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2009     2008     2007       2007     2006     2005  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)                                        
                                                   
    (in thousands, except share data and per share data)  
Consolidated statement of income data:
Revenues:
                                                                 
Service and administrative fees
  $ 16,817     $ 14,826     $ 31,829     $ 24,279     $ 10,686       $ 8,165     $ 16,708     $ 15,521  
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees
    13,134       5,138       16,309                                  
Ceding commissions
    13,013       11,973       24,075       26,215       13,733         10,753       19,538       13,190  
Net underwriting revenue
    1,870       1,168       5,101       1,694       2,620         1,044       5,067       8,680  
Net investment income
    1,935       2,509       4,759       5,560       3,411         2,918       5,308       3,899  
Net realized gains (losses)
    49             54       (1,921 )     (348 )       516       962       110  
Other income
    126       303       971       178       28         353       1,587       1,228  
                                                                   
Total net revenues
    46,944       35,917       83,098       56,005       30,130         23,749       49,168       42,628  
                                                                   
Expenses:
                                                                 
Personnel costs
    18,413       13,948       31,365       21,742       10,722         9,409       20,834       17,963  
Other operating expenses
    11,027       10,339       22,291       12,225       8,508         7,118       15,093       15,548  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,117       1,504       3,507       2,629       1,292         221       513       461  
Interest expense
    3,876       3,807       7,800       7,255       4,130         1,169       1,973       1,597  
                                                                   
Total expenses
    35,433       29,598       64,963       43,851       24,652         17,917       38,413       35,569  
                                                                   
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    11,511       6,319       18,135       12,154       5,478         5,832       10,755       7,059  
Income taxes
    4,296       2,380       6,551       4,208       1,761         1,983       3,530       2,173  
                                                                   
Income before non-controlling interest
    7,215       3,939       11,584       7,946       3,717         3,849       7,225       4,886  
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
    (31 )     7       26       (82 )     64         34       161       385  
                                                                   
Net income
  $ 7,246     $ 3,932     $ 11,558     $ 8,028     $ 3,653       $ 3,815     $ 7,064     $ 4,501  
                                                                   
Net income per common share:
                                                                 
Basic
  $ 2.42     $ 1.37     $ 3.94     $ 2.90     $ 1.32       $ 1.00     $ 1.87     $ 1.22  
Diluted
    2.23       1.27       3.65       2.72       1.24         0.95       1.73       1.11  
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                                                                 
Basic
    2,998,540       2,865,609       2,931,182       2,771,372       2,766,565         3,819,265       3,777,345       3,701,148  
Diluted
    3,244,135       3,087,862       3,170,653       2,956,211       2,955,381         4,028,242       4,077,936       4,047,162  
Consolidated statement of cash flows data:
Operating activities
  $ 2,349     $ 5,120     $ 13,393     $ 12,998     $ 10,265       $ 2,518     $ 8,592     $ 11,806  
Investing activities
    (20,109 )     (40,891 )     (26,532 )     (26,069 )     (10,297 )       22,424       (8,208 )     (19,150 )
Financing activities
    6,992       34,572       20,997       (1,875 )     (571 )       (474 )     (1,925 )     8,865  
 
                                                   
    Successor     Predecessor
    As of
                     
    June 30,
  As of December 31,     As of December 31,
    2010   2009   2008   2007     2006   2005
    (unaudited)                      
    (in thousands)
Consolidated balance sheet data:
                                                 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 19,102     $ 29,940     $ 22,082     $ 43,495       $ 16,836     $ 18,377  
Total assets
    484,381       478,626       442,369       416,300         297,317       248,731  
Notes payable
    38,509       31,487       20,000       21,079         7,400       2,200  
Preferred trust securities
    35,000       35,000       35,000       35,000                
Redeemable preferred securities
    11,440       11,540       11,540       11,540         21,740       20,340  
Total stockholders’ equity
    89,453       80,793       57,021       51,473         35,747       29,426  

49


Table of Contents

 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, based on current expectations and related to future events and our future financial performance, that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
Overview
 
We are an insurance services company that provides distribution and administration services and insurance-related products to insurance companies, insurance brokers and agents and other financial services companies in the United States. We sell our services and products directly to businesses rather than directly to consumers.
 
We began nearly 30 years ago as a provider of credit insurance products and, through our transformational efforts, have evolved into a diversified insurance services company. We now leverage our proprietary technology infrastructure, internally developed best practices and access to specialty insurance markets to provide our clients with distribution and administration services and insurance-related products. Our services and products complement consumer credit offerings, provide outsourcing solutions designed to reduce the costs associated with the administration of insurance and other financial products and facilitate the distribution of excess and surplus lines insurance products through insurance companies, brokers and agents. These services and products are designed to increase revenues, improve customer value and loyalty and reduce costs for our clients.
 
We intend to take advantage of embedded growth opportunities and new market development through geographic expansion, expanding our products and service presence with existing clients and acquiring complementary businesses. To support our growth initiatives, we continue to focus on adding enhanced features to our existing information systems and developing new processes to enhance efficiency, drive economies of scale and provide additional competitive advantages.
 
Our company is comprised of three business segments: Payment Protection, BPO and Wholesale Brokerage.
 
  •  Our Payment Protection segment, marketed under our Life of the South brand, delivers credit insurance, debt protection, warranty, service contract and car club solutions, along with administrative services to consumer finance companies, regional banks, community banks, retailers, small loan companies, warranty administrators, automobile dealers, vacation ownership developers and credit unions. Our Payment Protection segment specializes in providing products that protect consumer lenders and their borrowers from death, disability or other events that could otherwise impair their borrowers’ ability to repay a debt.
 
  •  Our BPO segment, marketed under our Consecta brand, provides a broad range of administrative services tailored to insurance and other financial services companies. Our BPO segment is our most technology-driven segment. Through our operating platform, which utilizes our proprietary technology, we provide ongoing sales and marketing support, electronic underwriting, premium billing and collections, policy administration, claims adjudication and call center management services on behalf of our clients. In 2009, our platform and technology enabled our insurance administration team of 35 individuals on a


50


Table of Contents

  daily basis to bill approximately 38,000 customers, process and deliver approximately 5,500 policies, fulfill approximately 900 customer service calls and process approximately 900 claims. Our BPO segment also includes our asset recovery business.
 
  •  Our Wholesale Brokerage segment, marketed under our Bliss & Glennon brand, is one of the largest wholesale insurance brokers in California and ranked in the top 20 in the United States in 2009 by premium volume. This business segment uses a wholesale model to sell specialty property and casualty (P&C) and surplus lines insurance through retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies. We believe that our emphasis on customer service, rapid responsiveness to submissions and underwriting integrity in this segment has resulted in high customer satisfaction among retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies.
 
Corporate History
 
We were incorporated in 1981 and initially provided credit life and disability insurance for financial institutions, primarily small community banks in Georgia, and their customers under our Life of the South brand. From 1994 to 2003, through a series of strategic acquisitions and organic growth, we expanded our payment protection client, or producer, base to include consumer finance companies, retailers, automobile dealers, credit card issuers, credit unions and regional and community banks throughout the United States. During this period, we expanded our product and service offerings to include credit property, debt cancellation and warranty products.
 
In 2003, we continued the expansion of our administrative capabilities for insurance and payment protection products to customers of financial institutions. We utilized our proprietary technology enhancements to support mass marketing and began providing fulfillment of life and health insurance products. We previously operated our BPO business under the LOTSolutions brand. In 2007, we expanded our BPO segment to provide services to finance companies owned by industrial equipment manufacturers. We entered into the asset recovery business in December 2008 through our acquisition of CIRG, a third-party administrator serving commercial lending institutions for pre-collections, recovery, deficiency collections, dealer inventory seizures and management of asset portfolio run-off. Our asset recovery business is part of our BPO segment.
 
In March 2008, we acquired Gulfco Life Insurance Company to expand the presence of our Payment Protection segment in the Louisiana market. In December 2008, we acquired Darby & Associates, a wholesale provider of payment protection products in North Carolina. This acquisition expanded our Payment Protection segment in North Carolina, which is that segment’s third largest state in terms of 2009 revenues and an important foothold with our consumer finance company clients (our largest distribution channel within the Payment Protection segment). In April 2009, we acquired Bliss & Glennon, an excess and surplus lines wholesale insurance broker, and entered into the wholesale brokerage business, which continued our strategic expansion of specialized and administration services for insurance carriers and other financial services businesses.
 
Through our February 2010 acquisition of South Bay Acceptance Corporation, we expanded into premium finance to support our Wholesale Brokerage segment. In 2010, we commenced marketing our BPO segment under the Consecta brand. In May 2010, we acquired Continental Car Club to enable our Payment Protection segment to expand into the roadside assistance market. Continental Car Club provides car club memberships through consumer finance companies. In September 2010, we acquired United Motor Club, which also provides car club memberships through consumer finance companies.


51


Table of Contents

We historically have used a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under our lines of credit to pay the purchase price of our acquisitions. The following table summarizes our acquisition activity for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
 
                                 
    Six Months Ended
  Years Ended December 31,
    June 30, 2010   2009   2008   2007
    (in thousands, except number of acquisitions closed)
 
Number of acquisitions closed(1)
    2       1       3       2  
Total cash consideration(1)
  $ 12,744     $ 40,500     $ 2,265     $ 7,366  
(1) Includes the purchase of three shell insurance companies, American Guaranty Insurance Company and Triangle Life Insurance Company in 2007, and Gulfco Life Insurance Company in 2008. Each of these companies was acquired for cash consideration equal to its statutory surplus and the value of the single state licenses. As of December 31, 2009, each company had been merged into one of our other subsidiaries.
 
Summit Partners Transactions
 
In June 2007, entities affiliated with Summit Partners, a global growth equity investment firm, acquired 91.2% of our capital stock. The acquisition was financed through (i) $20.0 million of subordinated debentures maturing in 2013 issued to affiliates of Summit Partners, (ii) $35.0 million of preferred trust securities maturing in 2037 and (iii) an equity investment of $43.1 million by affiliates of Summit Partners. In connection with the acquisition, all of our $11.5 million of redeemable preferred stock outstanding prior to the acquisition remained outstanding and certain stockholders prior to the acquisition continued to hold such shares after the acquisition. In addition to acquiring our capital stock in the acquisition, the proceeds from the equity and debt financings were used to repay pre-transaction indebtedness of $10.1 million and pay transaction costs of $5.8 million. We refer to the foregoing transactions collectively as the “Summit Partners Transactions.”
 
In April 2009, in connection with our acquisition of Bliss & Glennon, affiliates of Summit Partners acquired additional shares of our capital stock for $6.0 million. As of June 30, 2010, affiliates of Summit Partners beneficially owned 88.6% of our capital stock.
 
Components of Net Revenues and Expenses
 
Net Revenues
 
Service and Administrative Fees.  We earn service and administrative fees from two of our business segments. Such fees are typically positively correlated with transaction volume and are recognized as revenue as they become both realized and earned. See “— Critical Accounting Policies — Service and Administrative Fees.”
 
  •  Payment Protection.  Our Payment Protection products are sold as complementary products to consumer retail and credit transactions and are thus subject to the volatility of volume of consumer purchase and credit activities. We receive service and administrative fees for administering Payment Protection products that are sold by our clients, such as credit insurance, debt protection, car club and warranty solutions. We earn administrative fees for administering debt cancellation plans, facilitating the distribution and administration of warranty or extended service contracts, providing car club membership benefits and providing related services for our clients. For credit insurance products, our clients typically retain the revenue and risk associated with credit insurance products that they sell to their customers through economic arrangements with us. Our Payment Protection revenue includes revenue earned from reinsurance arrangements with producer owned reinsurance companies (PORCs) owned by our clients. Our clients own PORCs that assume the credit insurance premiums


52


Table of Contents

  and associated risk that they originate in exchange for fees paid to us for ceding the premiums. In addition, our Payment Protection revenue includes administrative fees charged by us under retrospective commission arrangements with producers. Under these arrangements, our insurance companies receive the insurance premiums and administer the policies that are distributed by our clients. The producer of the credit insurance policies receives a variable commission that is equal to the profits from the insurance policies after the payment of claims and our administrative fee. Revenues in our Payment Protection business may fluctuate seasonally based on consumer spending trends, where consumer spending has historically been higher in April, September and December, corresponding to Easter, back-to-school and the holiday season. Accordingly, our Payment Protection revenues may reflect higher second, third and fourth quarters than in the first quarter. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, Payment Protection contributed 26.1%, 42.7% and 50.0% of overall service and administrative fees, respectively.
 
  •  BPO.  Our BPO revenues consist exclusively of service and administrative fees for providing a broad set of administrative services tailored to insurance and other financial services companies including ongoing sales and marketing support, electronic underwriting, premium billing and collections, policy administration, claims adjudication and call center management services. Our BPO revenues are based on the volume of business that we manage on behalf of our clients. Our BPO segment typically charges fees on a per-unit of service basis as a percentage of our client’s insurance premiums. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, BPO contributed 73.9%, 57.3% and 50.0% of overall service and administrative fees, respectively.
 
Wholesale Brokerage Commissions and Fees.  Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees consist of commissions paid to us by insurance companies, net of the portion of the commissions we share with retail insurance brokers and agents. The commissions we receive from insurance carriers are typically calculated as a percentage of the premiums paid for the specialized and complex insurance products (commonly known as “surplus lines”) we distribute. We typically earn our commissions on the later of the effective date of the policy or the date coverage is bound. We pay our retail insurance agent and broker clients a portion of the gross commissions we receive from insurance carriers for placing insurance. In certain cases, our Wholesale Brokerage segment also charges fees for policy issuance, inspections and other types of transactions.
 
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees are generally affected by fluctuations in the amount of premium charged by insurance carriers. The premiums charged fluctuate based on, among other factors, the amount of capital available in the insurance marketplace, the type of risk being insured, the nature of the insured party and the terms of the insurance purchased. If premiums increase or decrease, our revenues are typically affected in a corresponding fashion. In a declining premium rate environment, the resulting decline in our revenue may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in commission rates from insurance carriers and by an increased likelihood that insured parties may use the savings generated by the reduction in premium rates to purchase greater coverage. In an increasing pricing environment, the resulting increase in our revenue may be offset, in whole or in part, by a decrease in commission rates by insurance carriers and by an increased likelihood that insured parties may determine to reduce the amount of coverage they purchase. The market for P&C insurance products is cyclical from a capacity and pricing perspective. We refer to a period of reduced capacity and rising premium rates as a “hard” market and a period of increased capacity and declining premium rates as a “soft” market.
 
Gross commission rates for the products that we distribute in our Wholesale Brokerage segment, whether acting as a wholesale broker or as an MGA, generally range from 15% to 25% of the annual


53


Table of Contents

premium for the policy. Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees net of commissions paid to our retail insurance agent and broker clients are typically approximately 10%.
 
Demand for surplus lines insurance products also affects our premium volume and net commissions. State regulations generally require a buyer of insurance to have been turned down by three or more traditional carriers before being eligible to purchase the surplus lines distributed by us. As standard insurance carriers eliminate non-core lines of business and implement more conservative risk selection techniques, demand for excess and surplus lines insurance improves. The surplus lines market has increased from approximately 6.7% of total P&C commercial lines insurance premiums in 1998 to approximately 13.8% in 2008, as reported by A.M. Best. Premiums written by surplus lines property and casualty insurers increased from $9.9 billion to $34.4 billion over the same time period.
 
Our wholesale brokerage commission and fee revenues fluctuate seasonally based on policy renewal dates. Our wholesale brokerage commissions and fees in the first two calendar quarters of any year historically have been higher than in the last two calendar quarters. In addition, our quarterly wholesale brokerage revenues may be affected by new placements and cancellations or non-renewals of large insurance policies as the revenue stream related to this policy is recognized once per year, as opposed to ratably throughout the year.
 
We also receive profit commissions for certain arrangements with certain insurance carriers on binding authority business. These profit commissions are based on the profitability of the business that we underwrite or broker on the insurance carrier’s behalf. Profit commissions typically range from 0.6% to 1.7% of the annual premium and are paid periodically based on the terms of the individual carrier contract.
 
Ceding Commissions.  We elect to cede to reinsurers under coinsurance arrangements a significant portion of the credit insurance that we distribute on behalf of our clients. We continue to provide all policy administration for credit insurance that we cede to reinsurers. Ceding commissions consist of commissions paid to us by our reinsurers to reimburse us for costs related to the acquisition, administration and servicing of policies that we cede to reinsurers. A portion of the ceding commission is determined based on the underwriting profits of the ceded credit insurance. The credit insurance that we distribute has historically generated attractive underwriting profits. Additionally, some reinsurers pay to us a portion or all of the investment income earned on reserves that are maintained in trust accounts.
 
Ceding commissions are generally positively correlated with our credit insurance transaction and premium volumes. The portion of our ceding commissions that is related to the underwriting profits of the ceded credit insurance also fluctuates based on the claims made on such policies. The portion of our ceding commissions that is related to investment income can be impacted by the amount of reserves that are maintained in trust accounts and changes in interest rates. Ceding commissions are earned over the life of the policy. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, ceding commissions represented 29.0%, 46.8% and 45.6% of total revenue. Ceding commissions are generated by the Payment Protection segment only for credit insurance.
 
Net Underwriting Revenue.  While we generally limit the underwriting risk that we take, where we do take such risk, net underwriting revenue consists of revenue generated by net premiums earned from our retained Payment Protection products less the costs of settling claims and commissions on such products. Any policies that we underwrite fit within our risk management policies. We utilize reinsurance agreements to limit our catastrophic exposure on the underwriting risk that we assume. Our net underwriting revenue fluctuates based on the amount of underwriting risk we retain, the premiums associated with the related policies, the claims made on such policies, and the commission rates paid to distributors. The applicable commission rates vary by type of product and are often set by state regulation.


54


Table of Contents

Net Investment Income.  Net investment income consists of investment income from our invested assets portfolio. We recognize investment income from interest payments and dividends less portfolio management expenses. Our investment portfolio is primarily invested in fixed maturity securities. The fair market value of the fixed maturity securities in our portfolio and the investment income from these securities fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions. The fair market value generally increases or decreases in an inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates. Investment income can be significantly impacted by changes in interest rates. Interest rate volatility can increase or reduce unrealized gains or unrealized losses in our portfolios. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. Fluctuations in interest rates affect our returns on, and the market value of, fixed maturity and short-term investments.
 
We also have investments that carry prepayment risk, such as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk may differ from estimates at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations. In periods of declining interest rates, mortgage prepayments generally increase and mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage obligations and bonds are more likely to be prepaid or redeemed as borrowers seek to borrow at lower interest rates. Therefore, we may be required to reinvest those funds in lower interest-bearing investments.
 
We earn realized gains when invested assets are sold for an amount greater than the amortized cost in the case of fixed maturity securities and recognize realized losses when investment securities are written down as a result of an other-than-temporary impairment or sold for an amount less than their carrying cost.
 
Other Income.  Other income primarily consists of miscellaneous fees generated by our Wholesale Brokerage and Payment Protection segments. In 2009, it also included income in our Wholesale Brokerage segment that was derived from the reversal of a cancellation reserve that was no longer deemed to be applicable subsequent to our acquisition of Bliss & Glennon.
 
Expenses
 
Our most significant operating expenses are personnel costs, including salaries, bonuses and benefits. In addition to our general personnel costs, some of the employees in our Wholesale Brokerage segment are paid a percentage of commissions and fees they generate. Accordingly, compensation for brokers in our Wholesale Brokerage segment is predominantly variable. Bonuses for the remaining employees are discretionary and are based on an evaluation of their individual performance and the performance of their particular business segment, as well as our entire firm.
 
Other operating expenses consist primarily of rent, insurance, investigation fees, transaction expenses, professional fees, technology costs, travel and entertainment and advertising, and they are also a significant portion of our expenses. In addition, we have variable costs that are based on the volume of business we process.
 
A substantial portion of our depreciation and amortization expense consists of amortization of definite-lived intangible assets, such as purchased customer accounts and non-compete agreements, which were acquired as part of our business acquisitions. Our depreciation and amortization expense increased in 2007 as a result of the amortization of intangible assets recorded in connection with the Summit Partners Transactions and likewise increased the amortization of intangible assets in relation to our subsequent acquisitions.
 
We also have interest expense relating to our credit facilities and preferred trust securities. Our interest expense increased as result of our increased indebtedness resulting from the Summit Partners Transactions and recent acquisitions.


55


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth our expenses as a percentage of net revenues for the periods indicated on an unaudited basis:
 
                                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                            Period from
      Period from
 
                            June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Six Months Ended
    Years Ended
    2007 to
      2007 to
 
    June 30,     December 31,     December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2010     2009     2009     2008     2007       2007  
Personnel costs
    39.2 %     38.8 %     37.7 %     38.8 %     35.6 %       39.6 %
Other operating expenses
    23.5 %     28.8 %     26.8 %     21.8 %     28.2 %       30.0 %
Depreciation and amortization
    4.5 %     4.2 %     4.2 %     4.7 %     4.3 %       0.9 %
Interest expense
    8.3 %     10.6 %     9.4 %     13.0 %     13.7 %       4.9 %
                                                   
 
Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense is comprised of federal and state taxes based on income in multiple jurisdictions and changes in uncertain tax positions. Our effective tax rate was 37%, 36%, 35% and 33% in the six months ended June 30, 2010 and the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in the effective income tax rate is a result of our shift into the 35% corporate income tax bracket, the reduction in available federal small life insurance company tax deductions associated with the growth in our statutory life insurance companies, and the expansion of our business into states with higher corporate income tax rates.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
For purposes of the following discussion and analysis of our consolidated statements of income, the consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2007 reflect our consolidated statements of income for the predecessor period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007 (the “2007 predecessor period”) combined with our consolidated statements of income for the successor period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007 (the “2007 successor period”).
 
Overview
 
The following tables set forth our consolidated statements of income in dollars and as a percentage of net revenues for the periods presented on an unaudited basis:
 
                                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                            Period from
      Period from
 
                            June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Six Months Ended
                2007 to
      2007 to
 
    June 30,     Years Ended December 31,     December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2010     2009     2009     2008     2007       2007  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)                            
    (in thousands)  
Revenues:
                                                 
Service and administrative fees
  $ 16,817     $ 14,826     $ 31,829     $ 24,279     $ 10,686       $ 8,165  
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees
    13,134       5,138       16,309                      
Ceding commissions
    13,013       11,973       24,075       26,215       13,733         10,753  
Net underwriting revenue
    1,870       1,168       5,101       1,694       2,620         1,044  
Net investment income
    1,935       2,509       4,759       5,560       3,411         2,918  
Net realized gains (losses)
    49             54       (1,921 )     (348 )       516  
Other income
    126       303       971       178       28         353  
                                                   


56


Table of Contents

                                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                            Period from
      Period from
 
                            June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Six Months Ended
                2007 to
      2007 to
 
    June 30,     Years Ended December 31,     December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2010     2009     2009     2008     2007       2007  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)                            
    (in thousands)  
Total net revenues
    46,944       35,917       83,098       56,005       30,130         23,749  
                                                   
Expenses
                                                 
Personnel costs
    18,413       13,948       31,365       21,742       10,722         9,409  
Other operating expenses
    11,027       10,339       22,291       12,225       8,508         7,118  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,117       1,504       3,507       2,629       1,292         221  
Interest expense
    3,876       3,807       7,800       7,255       4,130         1,169  
                                                   
Total expenses
    35,433       29,598       64,963       43,851       24,652         17,917  
                                                   
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    11,511       6,319       18,135       12,154       5,478         5,832  
Income taxes
    4,296       2,380       6,551       4,208       1,761         1,983  
                                                   
Income before non-controlling interest
    7,215       3,939       11,584       7,946       3,717         3,849  
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
    (31 )     7       26       (82 )     64         34  
                                                   
Net income
  $ 7,246     $ 3,932     $ 11,558     $ 8,028     $ 3,653       $ 3,815  
                                                   
 
                                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                            Period from
      Period from
 
                            June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Six Months Ended
                2007 to
      2007 to
 
    June 30,     Years Ended December 31,     December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2010     2009     2009     2008     2007       2007  
Revenues:
                                                 
Service and administrative fees
    35.8 %     41.3 %     38.3 %     43.4 %     35.5 %       34.4 %
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees
    28.0 %     14.3 %     19.6 %                    
Ceding commissions
    27.8 %     33.3 %     29.0 %     46.8 %     45.6 %       45.3 %
Net underwriting revenue
    4.0 %     3.2 %     6.1 %     3.0 %     8.7 %       4.4 %
Net investment income
    4.1 %     7.0 %     5.7 %     9.9 %     11.3 %       12.3 %
Net realized gains (losses)
                0.1 %     (3.4 )%     (1.2 )%       2.2 %
Other income
    0.3 %     0.9 %     1.2 %     0.3 %     0.1 %       1.4 %
                                                   
Total net revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %       100 %
Expenses:
                                                 
Personnel costs
    39.2 %     38.8 %     37.8 %     38.8 %     35.6 %       39.6 %
Other operating expenses
    23.5 %     28.8 %     26.8 %     21.8 %     28.2 %       30.0 %
Depreciation and amortization
    4.5 %     4.2 %     4.2 %     4.7 %     4.3 %       0.9 %
Interest expense
    8.3 %     10.6 %     9.4 %     13.0 %     13.7 %       4.9 %
                                                   
Total expenses
    75.5 %     82.4 %     78.2 %     78.3 %     81.8 %       75.4 %
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    24.5 %     17.6 %     21.8 %     21.7 %     18.2 %       24.6 %
Income taxes
    9.1 %     6.6 %     7.9 %     7.5 %     5.8 %       8.3 %
                                                   
Income before non-controlling interest
    15.4 %     11.0 %     13.9 %     14.2 %     12.4 %       16.3 %
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
                      (0.1 )%     0.2 %       0.1 %
                                                   
Net income
    15.4 %     11.0 %     13.9 %     14.3 %     12.2 %       16.2 %
                                                   

57


Table of Contents

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
 
Service and administrative fees increased $2.0 million, or 13.4%, to $16.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $14.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The increase was due to our BPO segment which generated an additional $0.7 million in fees from our insurance company customers, as well as a $1.3 million increase in administrative fees from our Payment Protection segment, including $0.7 million from our recent acquisition of Continental Car Club in May 2010.
 
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees increased $8.0 million, or 155.6%, to $13.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This increase resulted from a full six month period of results for Bliss & Glennon in 2010 not reflected in 2009 due to the acquisition of the company on April 15, 2009. Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees for the six months ended June 30, 2010 included $11.9 million in standard commissions plus $1.2 million in profit commissions. Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees for the six months ended June 30, 2009 included $4.9 million in standard commissions plus $0.2 million in profit commissions.
 
Ceding commissions increased $1.0 million, or 8.7%, to $13.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $12.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This increase was primarily due to growth in credit insurance premium production in 2010 in our Payment Protection segment.
 
Net underwriting revenue increased $0.7 million, or 60.1%, to $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The increase resulted from favorable loss experience in our Payment Protection products, which increased net underwriting revenue.
 
Net investment income decreased $0.6 million, or 22.9%, to $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This decrease was due to lower prevailing interest rates on our cash and cash equivalent balances, which lowered the overall yield from 3.62% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 to 3.16% for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
Personnel costs increased $4.5 million, or 32.0%, to $18.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $13.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This increase was attributable to the Bliss & Glennon acquisition, which added personnel costs of $4.5 million.
 
Other operating expenses increased $0.7 million, or 6.7%, to $11.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $10.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This increase related in part to the BPO segment and resulted from $0.4 million in increased variable costs for processing and fulfillment of policies and $0.1 million in increased investigation fees related to our asset recovery services. Payment Protection accounted for the remainder and had an increase of $0.4 million due to deferred acquisition cost and $0.1 million due to the Continental Car Club acquisition offset by lower transaction and re-audit expenses.
 
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $0.6 million, or 40.1%, to $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The increase was primarily due to the amortization of other intangible assets aggregating $0.5 million relating to the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon and the depreciation and amortization on purchased equipment and developed software.
 
Interest expense increased $0.1 million, or 1.8%, to $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $3.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This increase was attributable to the increased borrowings under our lines of credit due to the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon and Continental Car Club that added $0.1 million of interest expense.
 
Income tax expense was $4.3 million and $2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The effective tax rate was 37.3% and 37.7% for the six months ended June 30,


58


Table of Contents

2010 and 2009, respectively. The effective tax rate increased due to the phase out of the tax deduction in our statutory life insurance companies and increased state income taxes from the Bliss & Glennon acquisition.
 
Net income increased $3.3 million, or 84.3%, to $7.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009 to Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
Service and administrative fees increased $7.5 million, or 31.1%, to $31.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was due to organic growth in our BPO segment that generated an additional $9.6 million in service fee revenue offset, in part, by a $2.1 million decrease in service and administrative fees in our Payment Protection segment.
 
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees were $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, and relate to Bliss & Glennon, which we acquired in April 2009. We did not have a Wholesale Brokerage segment prior to the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon. Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees in 2009 include standard commissions and fees of $16.0 million and profit commissions of $0.3 million.
 
Ceding commissions decreased $2.1 million, or 8.2%, to $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease primarily resulted from lower credit insurance premium production in 2009. In 2008, we assumed two blocks of credit insurance business that increased credit insurance premium during that period. No such transaction was completed in 2009.
 
Net underwriting revenue increased $3.4 million, or 201.1%, to $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase resulted from a $10.8 million reduction in commissions paid to our clients due to a change in the Payment Protection product mix they sold, a reduction in net earned premiums of $4.7 million and an increase in incurred claims of $2.7 million.
 
Net investment income decreased $0.8 million, or 14.4%, to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease resulted from lower prevailing interest rates on our cash and cash equivalents, which decreased our overall yield by 93 basis points from 4.12% for the year ended December 31, 2008, to 3.19% for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, our net realized gain was $0.1 million and included a realized loss of $0.8 million on a sale of a bond for a distressed company, which was offset by a $0.8 million gain on the sale of various fixed income and equity securities. Net realized losses as of December 31, 2008 reflected a $1.9 million write-down of an other-than-temporary impairment of a separate bond investment of $1.2 million and 15 equity securities of $0.7 million.
 
Other income increased $0.8 million to $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was driven by the reversal of a cancellation reserve that was no longer deemed to be applicable subsequent to our acquisition of Bliss & Glennon in April 2009 that resulted in the recognition of $0.5 million in revenues and miscellaneous income generated by our Payment Protection segment.
 
Personnel costs increased $9.7 million, or 44.3%, to $31.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, from $21.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase is attributable to the growth in headcount associated with the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon, which produced an increase of $10.3 million, partially offset by an $0.8 million decrease in personnel costs in our other business segments.


59


Table of Contents

Other operating expenses increased $10.1 million, or 82.3%, to $22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, from $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase resulted from the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon, which accounted for $2.9 million, increased costs associated with other acquisitions of $0.7 million, and increased variable expenses resulting from the growth in our BPO segment of $4.2 million.
 
Depreciation and amortization increased $0.9 million, or 33.4%, to $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, from $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase resulted primarily from the amortization of other intangible assets of $1.0 million related to the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon.
 
Interest expense increased $0.5 million, or 7.5%, to $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, from $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase was driven by $11.5 million of increased indebtedness incurred in connection with our acquisition of Bliss & Glennon, which was offset in part by lower interest rates on our indebtedness.
 
Income tax expense was $6.6 million and $4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 36% and 35% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in our effective tax rate was due to higher applicable state tax rates resulting from our acquisition of Bliss & Glennon, which conducts business in California, and the decrease in the federal small life deduction applicable to our statutory life insurance companies as a result of increased business by those insurance companies.
 
Net income increased $3.5 million, or 44.0%, to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008 to Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
Service and administrative fees increased $5.4 million, or 28.8%, to $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $18.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase primarily resulted from growth in service and administrative fee revenue of $4.5 million in our BPO segment and $0.9 million in our Payment Protection segment.
 
Ceding commissions increased $1.7 million, or 7.1% to $26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $24.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase primarily resulted from growth in credit insurance premium production in 2008. In 2008, we assumed two blocks of credit insurance business that increased credit insurance premium during that period. No such transaction was completed in 2007.
 
Net underwriting revenue decreased $2.0 million, or 53.8%, to $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease resulted from a reduction in earned premium of $20.4 million, offset by lower incurred losses of $11.7 million, and decreased commissions of $6.7 million.
 
Net investment income decreased $0.7 million, or 12.2%, to $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease primarily resulted from lower prevailing interest rates on our cash and cash equivalents, which decreased our overall yield by 84 basis points from 4.96% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to 4.12% for the year ended December 31, 2008.


60


Table of Contents

Personnel costs increased $1.6 million, or 8.0%, to $21.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $20.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was due to increased staffing to support growth in our BPO segment, which was offset in part by a reduction of $0.7 million of expenses in our Payment Protection segment, primarily as a result of a reduction in headcount.
 
Other operating expenses decreased $3.4 million, or 21.8%, to $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. These expenses were lower due to one-time costs experienced in 2007 related to the Summit Partners Transactions of $2.3 million, $2.4 million in expense reductions in 2008 associated with increased efficiencies realized in our Payment Protection operations, as well as the reduction of operating expenses after the consummation of the Summit Partners Transactions and $1.8 million of additional deferred acquisition costs in 2008 reflecting our investment in marketing efforts for our Payment Protection segment. These expense reductions were offset by $2.0 million in transaction expenses in 2008 for acquisitions that were not consummated.
 
Depreciation and amortization increased $1.1 million, or 73.8%, to $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase resulted primarily from the full year recognition of other intangible assets amortization due to the Summit Partners Transactions. The full year amortization of intangible assets was $2.1 million in 2008, as compared to the half year total in 2007 of $1.0 million. The controlling interest of the company was purchased in the Summit Partners Transactions on June 20, 2007.
 
Interest expense increased $2.0 million, or 36.9%, to $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was primarily due to a higher average of principal outstanding, which was attributable to the Summit Partners Transactions.
 
Income tax expense was $4.2 million and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The effective tax rate was 35% and 33% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in tax rate was due to the reduction in the available federal small life deduction as a result of increased business in our statutory life insurance companies.
 
Net income increased $0.6 million, or 7.5%, to $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Segment Results
 
We conduct our business through three business segments: (i) Payment Protection; (ii) BPO; and (iii) Wholesale Brokerage. We do not allocate certain revenues and costs to our segments. These items primarily consist of corporate-related income, transaction related costs, executive stock compensation and other overhead expenses, which are reflected as “Corporate” in the following table. We measure the profitability of our business segments without allocation of Corporate income and expenses and without taking into account amortization, depreciation, interest expense and income taxes. We refer to these performance measures as segment EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and segment EBITDA margin (segment EBITDA divided by segment net revenues). The variability of our segment EBITDA and segment EBITDA margin is significantly affected by our segment net revenues because a large portion of our operating expenses are fixed. For additional information regarding segment revenues and operating expenses, refer to Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.


61


Table of Contents

The following table reconciles segment information to our consolidated statements of income and provides a summary of other key financial information for each of our segments on an unaudited basis:
 
                                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                            Period from
      Period from
 
                            June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Six Months Ended
                2007 to
      2007 to
 
    June 30,     Years Ended December 31,     December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2010     2009     2009     2008     2007       2007  
    (in thousands)  
Payment Protection:
                                                 
Net revenues
  $ 22,115     $ 20,108     $ 42,806     $ 44,052     $ 25,366       $ 19,442  
Operating expenses
    11,285       12,780       23,814       24,676       14,443         12,287  
                                                   
EBITDA
    10,830       7,328       18,992       19,376       10,923         7,155  
EBITDA margin
    49.0 %     36.4 %     44.4 %     44.0 %     43.1 %       36.8 %
Depreciation and amortization
    1,055       953       1,815       2,164       994         170  
Interest
    3,365       3,359       6,709       6,252       3,577         979  
                                                   
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    6,410       3,016       10,468       10,960       6,352         6,006  
                                                   
BPO:
                                                 
Net revenues
    11,282       10,638       23,521       13,904       5,112         4,307  
Operating expenses
    7,511       6,110       13,753       7,136       2,128         2,496  
                                                   
EBITDA
    3,771       4,528       9,768       6,768       2,984         1,811  
EBITDA margin
    33.4 %     42.6 %     41.5 %     48.7 %     58.4 %       42.0 %
Depreciation and amortization
    265       220       566       465       298         51  
Interest
    198       214       428       1,003       553         190  
                                                   
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    3,308       4,094       8,774       5,300       2,133         1,570  
                                                   
Wholesale Brokerage:
                                                 
Net revenues
    13,547       5,171       16,820                      
Operating expenses
    9,802       3,563       12,890                      
                                                   
EBITDA
    3,745       1,608       3,930                      
EBITDA margin
    27.6 %     31.1 %     23.4 %                    
Depreciation and amortization
    797       331       1,126                      
Interest
    313       234       663                      
                                                   
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    2,635       1,043       2,141                      
                                                   


62


Table of Contents

                                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                            Period from
      Period from
 
                            June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Six Months Ended
                2007 to
      2007 to
 
    June 30,     Years Ended December 31,     December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2010     2009     2009     2008     2007       2007  
    (in thousands)  
Corporate:
                                                 
Net revenues
                (49 )     (1,951 )     (348 )        
Operating expenses
    842       1,834       3,199       2,155       2,659         1,744  
                                                   
EBITDA
    (842 )     (1,834 )     (3,248 )     (4,106 )     (3,007 )       (1,744 )
Depreciation and amortization
                                     
Interest
                                     
                                                   
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    (842 )     (1,834 )     (3,248 )     (4,106 )     (3,007 )       (1,744 )
                                                   
Total income before taxes and non-controlling interest
    11,511       6,319       18,135       12,154       5,478         5,832  
Income taxes
    (4,296 )     (2,380 )     (6,551 )     (4,208 )     (1,761 )       (1,983 )
Less: non-controlling interest
    (31 )     7       26       (82 )     64         34  
                                                   
Net income
  $ 7,246     $ 3,932     $ 11,558     $ 8,028     $ 3,653       $ 3,815  
                                                   
                                                   
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
 
Payment Protection.  Net revenues increased $2.0 million, or 10.0%, to $22.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $20.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The increase in net underwriting revenue resulted from favorable claims experience for products sold through our consumer finance clients.
 
Operating expenses decreased $1.5 million, or 11.7%, to $11.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $12.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The year over year decrease in operating expenses was the result of a $1.0 million increase in deferred acquisition cost expenses to reflect an adjustment of the deferred acquisition costs to correspond with the timing of the corresponding revenue. In addition, our Payment Protection segment decreased its operating expenses year over year by $0.5 million as a result of reduced personnel costs resulting from personnel reductions undertaken in 2009.
 
EBITDA increased $3.5 million, or 47.8%, to $10.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $7.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. As a result, EBITDA margin for our Payment Protection segment was 49.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to 36.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
 
BPO.  Net revenues increased $0.7 million, or 6.1%, to $11.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $10.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The increase was driven by increased service and administrative fees for our insurance company clients, partially offset by a reduction in administrative fees on debt cancellation programs of credit card companies.

63


Table of Contents

Segment operating expenses increased $1.4 million, or 22.9%, to $7.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $6.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This increase primarily resulted from $0.4 million in increased variable costs for processing and fulfillment of policies and $0.1 million in investigation fees for our asset recovery business. The increase also reflected a $0.8 million investment in our information technology, sales and administrative infrastructure to handle anticipated growth in this segment.
 
EBITDA decreased $0.7 million, or 16.7%, to $3.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 from $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. As a result, EBITDA margin for our BPO segment was 33.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to 42.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
 
Wholesale Brokerage. We acquired our Wholesale Brokerage segment in April 2009, and therefore, period to period comparisons are not meaningful.
 
Net revenues of $13.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 were comprised of $11.9 million in standard commissions plus $1.2 million in profit commissions. Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees for the six months ended June 30, 2009 of $5.2 million included $4.9 million in standard commissions plus $0.2 million in profit commissions.
 
Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2010 were $9.8 million. The majority of our expenses in this segment are personnel costs, which totaled $7.4 million, or 75.7% of total operating expenses. Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 were $3.6 million. The majority of our expenses were for personnel costs, amounting to $2.9 million, or 81.0% of total operating expenses.
 
EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $3.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively. As a result, EBITDA margin for our Wholesale Brokerage segment was 27.6% and 31.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Corporate. We did not attribute any net revenues to Corporate during these periods.
 
Operating expenses attributed to Corporate were $0.8 million and $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Segment operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2010 were attributable to a combination of acquisition and re-audit professional fees and travel costs. Segment operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 were primarily attributable to acquisition-related professional fees and travel costs.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009 to Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
Payment Protection.  Net revenues decreased $1.3 million, or 2.8%, to $42.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $44.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily the result of lower administrative fees of $1.7 million, ceding commissions of $2.1 million and investment income decline of $0.8 million, respectively, offset by improved net underwriting revenue of $3.4 million. The administrative fee decline was due to adverse market conditions in the consumer lending environment. The ceding commissions decline was due, in part, to lower credit insurance premium production in 2009. In 2008, we assumed two blocks of credit business that increased credit insurance premium during that period. No such transaction was completed in 2009. The investment income decline was due to lower yields on our investment portfolio. The improvement in net underwriting revenue was primarily due to reduced commissions resulting from a change in product mix sold by our clients.


64


Table of Contents

Operating expenses decreased $0.9 million, or 3.5%, to $23.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $24.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease primarily resulted from a $2.8 million reduction in personnel costs and other operating expenses due to cost cutting initiatives and a $0.3 million tax savings related to the re-domestication to Delaware of one of our P&C insurance companies. The savings was offset by an increase in the amortization of deferred acquisition costs of $1.6 million which was caused by an increase in marketing and sales expenses in prior periods.
 
EBITDA decreased $0.4 million, or 2.0%, to $19.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $19.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
BPO.  Net revenues increased $9.6 million, or 69.2%, to $23.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was due to incremental growth in our administrative services for insurance companies of $6.3 million and administrative fees for asset recovery services of $3.3 million.
 
Segment operating expenses increased $6.7 million, or 92.7%, to $13.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The key factors driving this result were increased call center expenses of $1.8 million for claims and marketing initiatives, a $2.2 million increase in salaries and benefits related to the addition of employees to support the growth of our BPO segment and a $1.6 million increase in investigation fees for our asset recovery business.
 
EBITDA increased $3.0 million, or 44.3%, to $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Wholesale Brokerage.  We acquired our Wholesale Brokerage segment in April 2009 and, as a result, period-to-period comparisons are not meaningful.
 
Net revenues were $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 and were comprised of $16.0 million of standard commission and $0.3 million of profit commission revenue. In addition, we recorded a reserve reversal of $0.5 million in 2009 for canceled policy commission reserves that were deemed excessive.
 
Operating expenses were $12.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The majority of our operating expenses in our Wholesale Brokerage segment are personnel costs, which totaled $10.3 million or 80% of total operating expenses.
 
Corporate.  Net revenues were less than $(0.1) million and $(1.9) million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The 2009 net revenues loss was due to the sale of a distressed bond investment resulting in a $0.8 million realized loss, offset by $0.8 million of gains from the sale of fixed maturity securities. The 2008 net revenues loss was due to the write-down of $1.2 million of a separate bond investment and 15 equity securities of $0.7 million that were classified as an other-than-temporarily impaired securities. In both years, these amounts were not allocated to our individual business segments.
 
Operating expenses attributable to Corporate were $3.2 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The 2009 expenses were primarily for the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon in April 2009, other miscellaneous acquisitions costs and executive stock compensation expense not allocated back to business segments. The 2008 expenses were for acquisition related professional fees for non-consummated acquisitions and executive stock compensation expense not allocated back to individual business segments.


65


Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31, 2008 to Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
Payment Protection net revenues decreased $0.7 million, or 1.7%, to $44.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $44.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily the result of a $0.8 million decrease in investment income and a $2.0 million decrease in underwriting revenues, offset by a $1.7 million increase in ceding commissions and $0.3 million growth in administrative fees. The ceding commissions increase was due to growth in credit insurance premium. This growth was the result of the assumption of two blocks of credit insurance business in 2008. The decrease in investment income was due to lower yields on our investment portfolio. The decrease is underwriting revenue resulted from a reduction in earned premium of $20.4 million, offset by lower incurred losses of $11.7 million and decreased ceding commissions of $6.7 million.
 
Segment operating expenses decreased $2.0 million, or 7.7%, to $24.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $26.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease reflected a $0.3 million reduction of compensation expenses and a $1.8 million decrease in deferred acquisition costs caused by an initial deferral of marketing and sales expenses.
 
EBITDA increased $1.3 million, or 7.2%, to $19.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $18.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
BPO.  Net revenues increased $4.5 million, or 47.6%, to $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was primarily the result of increased services provided to our largest customer and expansion of our debt cancellation programs to our credit card company customers.
 
Segment operating expenses increased $2.5 million, or 54.3%, to $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase resulted predominantly from salaries and benefits related to additional headcount of $0.9 million and $1.3 million of increased variable costs to support growth in our BPO segment.
 
EBITDA increased $2.0 million, or 41.1%, to $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Corporate.  Net revenues were $(1.9) million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $(0.3) million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The 2008 net revenues loss was due to the write-down of a bond investment of $1.2 million and 15 equity securities of $0.7 million that were classified as an other-than-temporarily impaired security. This amount was not allocated to the individual reporting segments. The 2007 net revenue loss was due to the write-down of 14 equity securities that were classified as other-than-temporarily impaired securities.
 
Segment operating expenses were $2.2 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The 2008 expenses were for acquisition related costs of non-consummated company acquisitions and executive stock compensation expense not allocated back to business segments. The 2007 expenses were primarily for professional fees for the Summit Partners Transactions in the amount of $2.3 million and $2.4 million in reduced other operating expenses.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principals (GAAP) requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Significant accounting policies employed by us, including the use of estimates, are presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


66


Table of Contents

contained elsewhere in this prospectus. We periodically evaluate our estimates, which are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. If actual performance should differ from historical experience or if the underlying assumptions were to change, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially impacted. In addition, some accounting policies require significant judgment to apply complex principles of accounting to certain transactions, such as acquisitions, in determining the most appropriate accounting treatment. We believe that the significant accounting estimates and policies described below are material to our financial reporting and are subject to a degree of subjectivity and/or complexity.
 
Investments
 
We regularly monitor our investment portfolio to ensure investments that may be other-than-temporarily impaired are identified in a timely fashion, properly valued, and charged against earnings in the proper period. The determination that a security has incurred an other-than-temporary decline in value requires the judgment of management. We evaluate our investment portfolio on a regular basis to identify securities that may be other-than-temporarily impaired. When such impairments occur, the decrease in fair value is reported in net income as a realized investment loss and a new cost basis is established. The analysis takes into account relevant factors, both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Among the factors considered are the following:
 
•  the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost;
 
•  issuer-specific considerations, including an issuer’s short-term prospects and financial condition, recent news that may have an adverse impact on its results, and an event of missed or late payment or default;
 
•  the occurrence of a significant economic event that may affect the industry in which an issuer participates; and
 
•  for loan-backed and structured securities, the undiscounted estimated future cash flows as compared to the current book value.
 
With respect to securities where the decline in fair value is determined to be temporary and the security’s value is not written down, a subsequent decision may be made to sell that security and realize a loss. If we do not expect for a security’s decline in fair value to be fully recovered prior to the expected time of sale, we would record an other-than-temporary impairment in the period in which the decision to sell is made.
 
There are inherent risks and uncertainties involved in making these judgments. Changes in circumstances and critical assumptions such as a continued weak economy, a more pronounced economic downturn or unforeseen events which affect one or more companies, industry sectors or countries could result in additional impairments in future periods for other-than-temporary declines in value. See also Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Payment Protection Business — Our investment portfolio is subject to several risks that may diminish the value of our invested assets and affect our business and profitability” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Invested Assets” contained elsewhere in this prospectus.


67


Table of Contents

Reinsurance
 
Reinsurance receivables include amounts related to paid benefits and estimated amounts related to unpaid policy and contract claims, future policyholder benefits and policyholder contract deposits. The cost of reinsurance is accounted for over the terms of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the policies. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves and are reported in our consolidated balance sheets.
 
In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in both the assumption and cession of reinsurance with non-affiliated companies, including reinsurance companies owned by our clients. The following table provides details of the reinsurance receivables balance as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
    (in thousands)  
 
Ceded unearned premiums:
                       
Life
  $ 60,281     $ 82,358     $ 92,157  
Accident and health
    29,844       32,980       25,155  
Property
    57,379       53,160       45,687  
                         
Total ceded unearned premiums
    147,504       168,498       162,999  
                         
Ceded claim reserves:
                       
Life
    1,929       2,089       2,050  
Accident and health
    9,981       8,616       7,767  
Property
    10,608       12,697       11,528  
                         
Total ceded claim reserves recoverable
    22,518       23,402       21,345  
Other reinsurance settlements recoverable
    3,776       7,123       3,634  
                         
Reinsurance receivables
  $  173,798     $  199,023     $  187,978  
                         
 
We utilize reinsurance for loss protection and capital management. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Payment Protection Business — Reinsurance may not be available or adequate to protect us against losses, and we are subject to credit risk of reinsurers.”
 
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
 
The costs of acquiring new business and retaining existing business, principally commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting and marketing costs that vary with and are primarily related to the processing of new business, have been deferred and are amortized as the related premium is earned. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs for the six months ended June 30, 2010, the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period totaled $29.8 million, $57.7 million, $60.6 million, $28.2 million and $15.0 million, respectively. We consider investment income in determining whether deferred acquisition costs are recoverable at year-end. No write-offs for unrecoverable deferred acquisition costs were recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2010 or the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 or during the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Gains and losses on sales and disposals of property and equipment are based on the net book value of the related asset at the


68


Table of Contents

disposal date using the specific identification method. Maintenance and repairs, which do not materially extend asset useful life and minor replacements, are charged to earnings when incurred. We recognize depreciation expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets with three years for computers and five years for furniture and fixtures, equipment and software. Leasehold improvements and capitalized leases are depreciated over the remaining life of the lease.
 
We capitalize internally developed software costs on a project-by-project basis in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350-40, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other: Internal-Use Software. All costs to establish the technological feasibility of computer software development is expensed to operations when incurred. Internally developed software development costs are carried at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value and are amortized based on the current and estimated useful life of the software. Amortization over the estimated useful life of five years begins when the software is ready for its intended use.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill resulting from the Summit Partners Transactions and from acquisitions of other businesses is carried as an asset on the balance sheet and is not amortized, but is evaluated at least once a year to determine whether impairment exists. Management assessed goodwill as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and determined that no impairment existed as of those dates. During the third quarter of 2008, the amount of goodwill recognized as part of the Summit Partners Transactions was determined to be $31.7 million as part of the remeasurement period. During 2008, we recognized approximately $0.6 million of goodwill related to our acquisition of Darby & Associates, Inc. and approximately $1.3 million related to our acquisition of CIRG. As part of the purchase of Bliss & Glennon in April 2009, we recognized $29.9 million of goodwill and $8.7 million of other intangible assets. As part of the purchase of South Bay Acceptance Corporation in February 2010, we recognized $0.5 million of goodwill. In addition, we recognized $11.5 million of goodwill and $0.05 million of other intangible assets for the purchase of Continental Car Club in May 2010. We recorded amortization expense of $1.6 million, $2.7 million, $2.1 million and $1.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2010, the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the 2007 successor period, respectively, related to other intangible assets.
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets represented $104.0 million, $93.6 million and $57.7 million of our total assets as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We review our goodwill annually in the fourth quarter for impairment or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. We regularly assess whether any indicators of impairment exist. Such indicators include, but are not limited to, a sustained significant decline in our market value or a significant decline in our expected future cash flows due to changes in company-specific factors or the broader business climate. The evaluation of such factors requires considerable judgment by management. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of goodwill and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
When required, we test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. Following the goodwill guidance, which is included within ASC Topic 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other, we have concluded that our reporting units for goodwill testing are equivalent to our reported business segments, excluding the corporate segment.


69


Table of Contents

The following table illustrates the amount of goodwill assigned to each business segment as of December 31, 2009:
 
         
    Goodwill Assigned
 
    by Segment  
    (in thousands)  
 
Payment Protection:
       
Summit Partners Transactions
  $ 22,763  
Darby & Associates
    642  
         
Total Payment Protection
    23,405  
         
BPO:
       
Summit Partners Transactions
    8,902  
CIRG
    1,337  
         
Total BPO
    10,239  
         
Wholesale Brokerage:
       
Bliss & Glennon
    29,917  
         
Total Wholesale Brokerage
    29,917  
         
Total Goodwill
  $ 63,561  
         
 
Unpaid Claims
 
Unpaid claims include estimates for benefits reported prior to the close of the applicable accounting period and other estimates, including amounts for incurred but not reported benefits. These liabilities are continuously reviewed and updated by management. Management believes that such liabilities are adequate to cover the estimated cost of the related benefits. When management determines that changes in estimates are required, such changes are reflected in our statement of income.
 
Unearned Premiums
 
Premiums written are earned over the period that coverage is provided. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums that will be earned in the future and are generally calculated using the pro rata method. A premium deficiency reserve is recorded if anticipated losses, loss adjustment expenses and maintenance costs exceed the recorded unearned premium reserve and anticipated investment income. As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, no reserve was recorded.
 
Income Taxes
 
We file a consolidated federal income tax return with all majority owned subsidiaries except for Triangle Life Insurance Company which files a separate federal income tax return. We have a tax sharing agreement with our subsidiaries where each company is apportioned the amount of tax equal to that which would be reported on a separate company basis. Income taxes are recorded in accordance with the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes, referred to as temporary differences.
 
Deferred income taxes are recorded for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which we expect the temporary differences to reverse. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that an amount will not be realized. The detailed components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


70


Table of Contents

ASC Topic 740 states that a deferred tax asset should be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The valuation allowance should be sufficient to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In determining whether our deferred tax asset is realizable, we considered all available evidence, including both positive and negative evidence. The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income of the same character during the carry-back or carry-forward period. We considered all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry forwards, taxable income in carry-back years and tax-planning strategies.
 
We believe it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has not been established.
 
Contingencies
 
We follow the requirements of the contingencies guidance, which is included within ASC Topic 450, Contingencies. This requires management to evaluate each contingent matter separately. A loss is reported if reasonably estimable and probable. We establish reserves for these contingencies at the best estimate, or, if no one estimated number within the range of possible losses is more probable than any other, we report an estimated reserve at the midpoint of the estimated range. Contingencies affecting us include litigation matters which are inherently difficult to evaluate and are subject to significant changes.
 
Service and Administrative Fees
 
We earn service and administrative fees for a variety of activities. This includes providing administrative services for other insurance companies, debt cancellation programs, collateral tracking and asset recovery services.
 
The administrative service revenue for the administration of insurance and debt cancellation programs is recognized consistent with the earnings pattern of the policy or contract that is being administered. The BPO service fee revenue is recognized as the services are performed. These services include fulfillment, BPO software development and claims handling for our customers. Collateral tracking fee income is recognized when the service is performed and billed. Asset recovery service revenue is recognized upon the location of a recovered unit.
 
Wholesale Brokerage Commissions and Fees
 
We earn wholesale brokerage commission and fee income by providing wholesale brokerage services to retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies. Wholesale brokerage commission income is primarily recognized when the underlying insurance policies are issued. A portion of the wholesale brokerage commission income is derived from profit agreements with insurance carriers. Profit commission income is generally recognized as revenue on the receipt of cash based on the terms of the respective carrier contracts. In certain instances, profit commission income may be recognized in advance of cash receipt where the profit commission income due to be received has been calculated or has been confirmed by the insurance carrier.
 
Ceding Commissions
 
Ceding commissions earned under coinsurance agreements are based on contractual formulas that take into account, in part, underwriting performance and investment returns experienced by the assuming companies. As experience changes, adjustments to the ceding commissions are reflected in the period incurred.


71


Table of Contents

 
Net Underwriting Revenue
 
Net underwriting revenue consists of revenue generated by premiums from our Payment Protection products less the costs of settling claims and commissions on such products. Our net underwriting revenue fluctuates based on the amount of underwriting risk we retain, the premiums associated with the related products, the claims made on such products, and the commissions paid to distributors.
 
Net Investment Income
 
Net investment income consists of investment income from our invested assets portfolio. We recognize investment income from interest payments and dividends less portfolio management expenses. Our investment portfolio is primarily invested in fixed maturity securities. Investment income can be significantly impacted by changes in interest rates. Interest rate volatility can increase or reduce unrealized gains or unrealized losses in our portfolios. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. Fluctuations in interest rates affect our returns on, and the market value of, fixed maturity and short-term investments.
 
The fair market value of the fixed maturity securities in our portfolio and the investment income from these securities fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions. The fair market value generally increases or decreases in an inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates. We also have investments that carry prepayment risk, such as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk may differ from estimates at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations. In periods of declining interest rates, mortgage prepayments generally increase and mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage obligations and bonds are more likely to be prepaid or redeemed as borrowers seek to borrow at lower interest rates. Therefore, we may be required to reinvest those funds in lower interest-bearing investments.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
ASC 718 — Compensation — Stock Compensation, addresses accounting for share-based awards, including stock options, with compensation expense measured using fair value and recorded over the requisite service or performance period of the awards.
 
We have outstanding options under our Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995) and 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. In addition, we have outstanding options that were granted outside of those plans.
 
The Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995), which was effective January 26, 1995, permits awards of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options. We were permitted to issue up to 210,000 shares under this plan. Each option granted under this plan has a maximum contractual term of 10 years. The 1995 plan (but not the outstanding options granted under the plan) terminated on January 25, 2005. As of December 31, 2009, there were 52,200 options outstanding under the 1995 plan.
 
The 2005 Equity Incentive Plan was established on October 18, 2005 and permits awards of (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonqualified Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock and (v) Restricted Stock Units. We were permitted to issue up to 250,000 shares under this plan. Each option granted under this plan has a maximum contractual term of 10 years. As of December 31, 2009, there were 250,000 options outstanding under the 2005 plan.
We also have 69,907 options outstanding as of December 31, 2009 that were issued outside of our existing plans.
 
During 2009, no options were granted, while in 2008, and the 2007 successor period, 7,972 and 161,935 options were granted, respectively. No options were granted during the 2007 predecessor period.


72


Table of Contents

We measure stock-based compensation using the calculated value method. Under that method, we estimate the fair value of each option on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model incorporating the assumptions noted in the following table. We used historical data to estimate expected employee behavior related to stock award exercises and forfeitures. Since there is not an active internal market for shares of our stock, we have chosen to estimate its volatility by using the volatility of a similar publicly traded company operating in the same industry. Expected dividends are based on the assumption that no dividends were expected to be distributed in the near future. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the options.
 
Assumptions related to stock option awards:
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period of
      Period of
 
                June 20,
      January 1,
 
                2007 to
      2007 to
 
    Years Ended     December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
Expected term (years)
    *     5.0       5.0         *
Expected volatility
    *     32.87 %     22.43 %       *
Expected dividends
    *   $     $         *
Risk-free rate
    *     4.96 %     5.24 %       *
* No options were granted during 2009 or the period of January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007.
 
A summary of options granted, exercised and cancelled under these agreements for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
 
                                 
    Options
    Exercise
    Options
       
    Outstanding     Price     Exercisable     Exercise Price  
 
Balance, December 31, 2007
    472,135     $ 13.64       220,200     $ 10.21  
Granted
    7,972       23.11              
Vested
                90,220       16.69  
Exercised
    (105,000 )     7.99       (105,000 )     7.99  
Cancelled
                       
                                 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    375,107       15.42       205,420       14.16  
Granted
                       
Vested
                73,639       16.86  
Exercised
    (3,000 )     8.12       (3,000 )     8.12  
Cancelled
                       
                                 
Balance, December 31, 2009
    372,107     $ 15.48       276,059     $ 14.95  
                                 
Weighted-average remaining contractual term at December 31, 2009 (years)
    6.12               5.73          


73


Table of Contents

Additional information regarding options granted, vested and exercised is presented below:
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period of
      Period of
 
                June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Years Ended
    2007 to
      2007 to
 
    December 31,     December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
    (in thousands except weighted-average fair values)          
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted
    *     $ 7.90     $ 4.69         *  
Total fair value of options vested during the year
  $ 209     $ 244     $ 56       $ 2  
Total intrinsic value of options exercised
  $ 112     $ 1,327     $       $ 1,890  
Cash received from option exercises
  $ 24     $ 846     $       $ 1,044  
Tax benefits realized from exercised stock options
  $     $     $       $  
Cash used to settle equity instruments granted under stock-based compensation awards
  $     $ 2,069     $ 1,400       $ —   
* No options were granted during 2009 or the period of January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007.
 
The intrinsic value reported above is calculated as the difference between the market value as of the exercise date and the exercise price of the shares.
 
Our policy is to issue new shares upon the exercise of stock options. Shares of Company stock issued upon the exercise of stock options in 2009, 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period were 3,000, 105,000, 129,400 and 0, respectively.
 
Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is typically recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. Total stock-based compensation recognized on the consolidated statements of income was as follows:
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period of
      Period of
 
                June 20,
      January 1,
 
                2007 to
      2007 to
 
    Years Ended     December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
    (in thousands)          
Other operating expenses
  $ 209     $ 244     $ 56       $ 2  
Income tax benefit
                         
                                   
Net share-based compensation
  $ 209     $ 244     $ 56       $ 2  
                                   
 
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share based compensation at December 31, 2009 was $327 with a weighted-average recognition period of 1.4 years.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Liquidity
 
Liquidity describes the ability of a company to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of its business operations, including working capital needs, capital expenditures, debt


74


Table of Contents

service, acquisitions and other commitments and contractual obligations. We historically have derived our liquidity from our invested assets, cash flow from operations, ordinary and extraordinary dividend capacity from our insurance companies, our credit facilities and additional equity investments. When considering our liquidity, it is important to note that we hold cash in a fiduciary capacity as a result of premiums received from insured parties that have not yet been paid to insurance carriers. The fiduciary cash is recorded as an asset on our balance sheet with a corresponding liability, net of our commissions, to insurance carriers.
 
Our primary cash requirements include the payment of our operating expenses, interest and principal payments on our debt, and capital expenditures. We also have used cash for acquisitions and to make dividend payments and tax-related distributions to our equity holders. We may also incur unexpected costs and operating expenses related to any unforeseen disruptions to our facilities and equipment, the loss of key personnel or changes in the credit markets and interest rates, which could increase our immediate cash requirements or otherwise impact our liquidity.
 
Our primary sources of liquidity are our invested assets, our cash and cash equivalent balances and availability under our revolving credit facilities. At June 30, 2010, we had invested assets of $85.9 million, cash and cash equivalents of $19.1 million and $16.5 million of availability under our two revolving credit facilities. Our total indebtedness and redeemable preferred stock was $84.9 million at June 30, 2010. At December 31, 2009, we had total invested assets of $84.4 million, cash and cash equivalents of $29.9 million and $18.5 million of availability under our two revolving credit facilities. Our total indebtedness and redeemable preferred stock was $78.0 million at December 31, 2009. We believe that our cash flow from operations and our availability under our credit facilities combined with our low capital expenditure requirements will provide us with sufficient capital to continue to grow our business, but we will use a portion of our cash flow to pay interest on our outstanding debt, limiting the amount available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. As we continue to expand our business and make acquisitions, we may in the future require additional working capital for increased costs.
 
We anticipate that cash flow from operations, the funds available under our revolving credit facilities and the net proceeds that we receive from this offering, will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements and to finance capital expenditures over the next several years. There can be no assurance, however, that cash resources will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and other capital requirements, including capital expenditures and acquisitions, will depend upon our future results of operations and our ability to obtain additional debt or equity capital and our ability to stay in compliance with our financial covenants, which, in turn, will be subject to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other conditions, many of which are beyond our control. We may also need to obtain additional funds to finance acquisitions, which may be in the form of additional debt or equity. Although we believe we have sufficient liquidity under our revolving credit facilities, as discussed above, under extreme market conditions or in the event of a default under either of our revolving credit facilities, there can be no assurance that such funds would be available or sufficient, and in such a case, we may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing on favorable terms, or at all. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Indebtedness.”
 
Regulatory Requirements
 
We are a holding company and have limited direct operations. Our holding company assets consist primarily of the capital stock of our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our future cash flows depend upon the availability of dividends and other payments from our subsidiaries, including statutorily permissible payments from our insurance company subsidiaries, as well as payments under our tax allocation agreement and management agreements with our subsidiaries. The ability of our insurance company


75


Table of Contents

subsidiaries to pay such dividends and to make such other payments will be limited by applicable laws and regulations of the states in which our subsidiaries are domiciled, which vary from state to state and by type of insurance provided by the applicable subsidiary. These laws and regulations require, among other things, our insurance subsidiaries to maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay to the holding company. Along with solvency regulations, the primary factor in determining the amount of capital available for potential dividends is the level of capital needed to maintain desired financial strength ratings from A.M. Best for our insurance company subsidiaries. Given recent economic events that have affected the insurance industry, both regulators and rating agencies could become more conservative in their methodology and criteria, including increasing capital requirements for our insurance subsidiaries which, in turn, could negatively affect our capital resources. For 2010, based on financial information for Life of the South Insurance Company; Southern Financial Life Insurance Company; Bankers Life of Louisiana; Lyndon Southern Insurance Company; and Insurance Company of the South, the maximum amount of distributions our insurance company subsidiaries could pay, under applicable laws and regulations without prior regulatory approval, would be approximately $11.7 million.
 
The following table sets forth the ordinary and extraordinary dividends paid to us by our insurance company subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
          Period from
      Period from
 
          June 20,
      January 1,
 
          2007 to
      2007 to
 
    Years Ended December 31,     December 31,       June 19,  
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
    (in thousands)  
Ordinary dividends
  $ 2,432     $ 3,124     $       $  
Extraordinary dividends
    16,293       8,000                
                                   
Total dividends
  $ 18,725     $ 11,124     $       $  
                                   
                                   
 
Revolving Credit Facilities
 
SunTrust Revolving Credit Facility
 
In June 2010, we entered into a $35.0 million revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, which matures in June 2013. We may, so long as no default is continuing under the revolving credit facility, request that the existing lenders or, with the consent of the administrative agent, new lenders increase the revolving commitment by an additional $50.0 million. Any increase will be subject to the consent of (i) the new or existing lenders actually providing such increased or additional commitments, as the case may be, and (ii) to the extent any additional commitment is provided by a new lender, the administrative agent.
 
The obligations under our revolving credit facility are unconditional and are guaranteed by substantially all of our domestic subsidiaries, other than South Bay Acceptance Corporation and our regulated insurance subsidiaries. The revolving credit facility and related guarantees are secured by a perfected first priority security interest (subject to liens permitted under the revolving credit facility) in substantially all property and assets, subject to certain exceptions, owned by us, LOTS Intermediate Co., our co-borrower under the revolving credit facility, and the subsidiary guarantors, including a pledge of all the capital stock of LOTS Intermediate Co. and, when the indenture governing the preferred trust securities described below is no longer in effect, all other capital stock owned by us, LOTS Intermediate Co. or any guarantor.
 
In the case of base rate loans, borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at the highest of (i) the per annum rate announced by the administrative agent as its prime lending rate, (ii) the federal


76


Table of Contents

funds rate plus 0.50% per annum and (iii) the adjusted LIBO rate (as defined below) for a period of one month plus 1.00% per annum, in each case, plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for base rate loans is 3.00% per annum when our total leverage ratio (as defined in the revolving credit agreement) is greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00 (“leverage level 1”), 2.75% per annum when our total leverage ratio is less than 2.50 to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 (“leverage level 2”), 2.50% per annum when our total leverage ratio is less than 2.00 to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 (“leverage level 3”) and 2.25% per annum when our total leverage ratio is less than 1.50 to 1.00 (“leverage level 4”).
 
In the case of Eurodollar loans, borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate (the “adjusted LIBO rate”) determined by dividing (i) LIBOR for such period by (ii) a percentage equal to 1.00 minus the Eurodollar reserve percentage, plus 4.00% per annum in the case of leverage level 1, 3.75% per annum in the case of leverage level 2, 3.50% per annum in the case of leverage level 3 and 3.25% per annum in the case of leverage level 4. If we default on the payment of any amounts due under our revolving credit facility, or another event of default has occurred and is continuing, we will be obligated to pay default interest on all outstanding obligations. The default interest rate will equal the interest rate then in effect with respect to the applicable loan or, in the case of obligations other than loans, base rate loans plus 2.00% per annum.
 
In addition, we are required to pay a commitment fee at a rate equal to 0.60% per annum in the case of leverage level 1, 0.55% per annum in the case of leverage level 2, 0.50% per annum in the case of leverage level 3 and 0.45% per annum in the case of leverage level 4 on the unused commitments available to be drawn under the facility.
 
We are generally required to prepay borrowings under the revolving credit facility with (i) 100% of net cash proceeds from certain asset sales or insurance proceeds as a result of casualty or condemnation and (ii) 50% of the net cash proceeds from issuances of debt or equity securities (other than proceeds of certain issuances permitted under the revolving credit agreement, including proceeds from the issuance of equity securities that are applied to repayment of the subordinated debentures and redeemable preferred stock described below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not required to make mandatory prepayments with proceeds from issuances of debt or equity securities if our total leverage ratio, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the use of proceeds from such issuance, is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00.
 
The revolving credit facility requires us and LOTS Intermediate Co. to maintain certain financial ratios, including a total leverage ratio (based upon the ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA, in each case of us, LOTS Intermediate Co. and our restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the revolving credit agreement)), a senior leverage ratio (based upon the ratio of consolidated senior debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA, in each case of us, LOTS Intermediate Co. and our restricted subsidiaries), a fixed charge coverage ratio (based upon consolidated adjusted EBITDA less the actual amount paid in cash on account of capital expenditures, less cash taxes, to consolidated fixed charges, in each case of us, LOTS Intermediate Co. and our restricted subsidiaries) and a reinsurance ratio (based upon the aggregate amounts recoverable from reinsurers divided by the sum of (i) policy and claim liabilities plus (ii) unearned premiums, in accordance with GAAP, in each case of us, LOTS Intermediate Co. and our restricted subsidiaries), each of which is tested quarterly. Based upon the formulas set forth under the revolving credit facility, we are required to maintain a total leverage ratio of no more than 3.50 to 1.00, a senior leverage ratio of no more than 2.50 to 1.00, a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1.00 and a reinsurance ratio of not less than 60%. As of June 30, 2010, we were in compliance with such requirements.
 
The revolving credit facility contains a number of affirmative and restrictive covenants, including limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, liens on property, sale and leaseback transactions, investments, loans and advances, mergers, consolidations or dissolutions, asset sales, acquisitions,


77


Table of Contents

transactions with affiliates, prepayments of subordinated indebtedness, restricted payments, hedging transactions, modifications to certain material documents, lease obligations (including obligations under operating leases) and ERISA events. As of June 30, 2010 we were in compliance with such requirements.
 
Our obligations under the revolving credit facility may be accelerated or the commitments terminated upon the occurrence of an event of default under the revolving credit facility, including payment defaults, defaults in the performance of affirmative and negative covenants, the inaccuracy of representations or warranties, bankruptcy and insolvency related defaults, cross defaults to other material indebtedness, defaults arising in connection with changes in control and other customary events of default.
 
We entered into our revolving credit facility on June 16, 2010. As of June 30, 2010, we had approximately $18.5 million in principal amount of debt outstanding under the revolving credit facility and the interest rate was 5.8%.
 
CB&T Lines of Credit
 
We had one $15.0 million and one $6.0 million line of credit with Columbus Bank and Trust Company (“CB&T”) that were terminated when we entered into the $35.0 million revolving credit facility described above. The lines of credit with CB&T were secured with pledges of stock of various subsidiaries. Under both lines of credit, we could not assign, sell, transfer or dispose of any collateral or effectuate certain changes to our capital structure and the capital structure of our subsidiaries without CB&T’s prior consent. The purpose of the lines were for working capital and acquisitions. In connection with the refinancing of the CB&T lines of credit, Lyndon Southern Insurance Company posted $2.0 million of cash collateral to secure our reimbursement obligations (and those of certain of our subsidiaries) in respect of four letters of credit that were secured under the line of credit entered into in 2007, the face of which currently total $5.1 million. We entered into one of the revolving lines of credit at the time of the Summit Partners Transactions ($15.0 million, the “2007 line of credit”) and the other line of credit in April 2009 ($15.0 million, which was reduced to $6.4 million, the “2009 line of credit”). The interest rate, in the case of the 2007 line of credit, was based on CB&T’s prime lending rate and, in the case of the 2009 line of credit, was based on CB&T’s prime lending rate plus 1.0%, with a minimum interest rate threshold of 5.0%. As of June 30, 2010, we had paid off the $11.5 million balance and closed the line of credit.
 
Preferred Trust Securities
 
In connection with the Summit Partners Transactions, LOTS Intermediate Co. issued $35.0 million of fixed/floating rate preferred trust securities due 2037. The preferred trust securities bear interest at a rate of 9.61% per annum until the June 2012 interest payment date. Thereafter, interest on the preferred trust securities will be at a rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 4.10% for each interest rate period.
 
We are not permitted to redeem the preferred trust securities until after the June 2012 interest payment date. After such date, we may redeem the preferred trust securities, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such preferred trust securities outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest. Interest is payable quarterly.
 
The indenture governing the preferred trust securities contains various affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on the sale of capital stock of our significant subsidiaries, mergers and consolidations and the ability to grant a lien on the capital stock of our significant subsidiaries unless such security interests are secured indebtedness of not more than $20 million, in the aggregate, at any one time. The limitation on the ability to issue, sell or dispose of the capital stock of significant subsidiaries are not applicable if such transactions are made at fair value and we retain at least 80% of the ownership of such subsidiary.


78


Table of Contents

The indenture governing the preferred trust securities also contains customary events of default, including failure to pay any principal or interest when due, failure to comply with covenants or agreements contained in the indenture or preferred trust securities, cross defaults with other indebtedness of payment of principal or acceleration of principal payments and bankruptcy events.
 
Subordinated Debentures
 
In connection with the Summit Partners Transactions, LOTS Intermediate Co. also issued $20.0 million of subordinated debentures to affiliates of Summit Partners. The subordinated debentures mature on December 13, 2013 and bear interest at 14% per annum of the principal amount of such subordinated debentures.
 
We may redeem the subordinated debentures, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such subordinated debentures outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest.
 
The agreement governing the subordinated debentures contains customary events of default, including failure to pay any principal or interest when due; failure to comply with covenants or agreements contained in the agreement or subordinated debentures, cross defaults with other indebtedness of payment of principal or acceleration of principal payments, unsatisfied judgments and bankruptcy events.
 
We intend to use a portion of the proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our outstanding subordinated debentures.
 
South Bay Acceptance Corporation Loan and Security Facility
 
On June 10, 2010, our subsidiary South Bay Acceptance Corporation entered into a loan and security agreement with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, for a $40.0 million revolving credit facility. The loan and security facility is guaranteed by us, but only to the extent of losses incurred by Wells Fargo as a result of fraudulent activity by South Bay Acceptance Corporation or any of its affiliates, and is secured by substantially all of South Bay Acceptance Corporation’s tangible and intangible assets, subject to exceptions. The loan and security facility bears interest, with respect to LIBOR rate loans, at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR rate plus 3.0% and, with respect to base rate loans, at a rate equal to, the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, and (ii) the rate of interest announced by Wells Fargo as its prime rate plus 3.0%. The default interest rate applicable to the obligations outstanding under the facility will equal the interest rate applicable to the relevant obligation plus 2.0% per annum. Under the loan and security agreement, South Bay Acceptance Corporation is generally prohibited from making dividend payments or other distributions. However, subject to specified conditions, South Bay Acceptance Corporation may make quarterly distributions on its stock.
 
Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
As of both June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had $11.4 million and $11.5 million outstanding of each of our Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock, respectively. Our Series A and C redeemable preferred stock each accrue cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.25% per annum of the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of such series of redeemable preferred stock. Our Series B redeemable preferred stock accrues cash dividends at a rate per annum of 4.0% plus 90 day LIBOR times the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of Series B redeemable preferred stock. As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the dividend rate on our Series B redeemable preferred stock was 4.29% and 4.25%, respectively, of the liquidation preference. We pay dividends on our Series A, B and C stock quarterly in arrears. Any outstanding Series A and B redeemable preferred stock must be redeemed in full on December 31, 2034 and any outstanding Series C redeemable preferred stock must be redeemed in full on December 31, 2035.


79


Table of Contents

We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our outstanding Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock.
 
Invested Assets
 
Our invested assets consist in large part of high quality (minimum of AA rating), fixed maturity securities and short-term investments with a smaller allocation to common and preferred equity securities. We believe that prudent levels of investments in equity securities within our investment portfolio are likely to enhance long term after-tax total returns without significantly increasing the risk profile of the portfolio. We regularly review our entire portfolio in the context of macroeconomic and capital market conditions.
 
Regulatory Requirements
 
Our investments must comply with applicable laws and regulations which prescribe the kind, quality and concentration of investments. In general, these laws and regulations permit investments, within specified limits and subject to some qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common equity securities, mortgage loans, real estate and some other investments.
 
Investment Strategy
 
Our investment strategy seeks long-term returns through disciplined security selection, portfolio diversity and an integrated approach to risk management. We select and monitor investments to balance the goals of safety, stability, liquidity, growth and after-tax total return with the need to comply with regulatory investment requirements. Our investment portfolio is managed by Conning Asset Management, a third-party provider of asset management services to the insurance sector. Asset liability management is accomplished by setting an asset target duration range that is influenced by the following factors: (i) the estimated reserve payout pattern, (ii) the inclusion of our tactical capital market views into the investment decision making process and (iii) our overall risk tolerance. We aim to achieve a relatively safe and stable income stream by maintaining a broad-based portfolio of investment grade fixed maturity securities. These holdings are supplemented by investments in additional asset types with the objective of further enhancing the portfolio’s diversification and expected returns. These additional asset types include common and redeemable preferred stock. We manage our investment risks through consideration of duration of liabilities, diversification, credit limits, careful analytic review of each investment decision, and comprehensive risk assessments of the overall portfolio.
 
Our investment policy and strategy are reviewed and approved by the board of directors of each of our insurance subsidiaries, which meet on a regular basis to review and consider investment activities, tactics and new investment classes.


80


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes our net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
          Period from
      Period from
 
          June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Years Ended
    2007 to
      2007 to
 
    December 31,     December 31,       June 19,  
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
    (in thousands)  
Fixed income securities
  $ 4,520     $ 4,600     $ 1,757       $ 1,412  
Cash on hand and on deposit
    557       1,035       1,631         947  
Common and preferred stock dividends
    28       77       40         135  
Debenture interest
    162       247       206         302  
Other income
    2       124       (101 )       223  
Investment expenses
    (510 )     (523 )     (122 )       (101 )
                                   
Net investment income
  $ 4,759     $ 5,560     $ 3,411       $ 2,918  
                                   
                                   
 
The following table summarizes our invested assets at fair value by asset category as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
    (in thousands)  
 
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. Government agencies
  $ 19,480     $ 27,809     $ 30,256  
Municipal securities
    14,582       16,048       10,626  
Corporate securities
    36,511       36,848       18,882  
Mortgage-backed securities
    5,691       7,496       13,607  
Asset-backed securities
    4,684       8,204        
                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 80,948     $ 96,405     $ 73,370  
                         
Common stock — publicly traded
  $ 369     $ 423     $ 1,298  
Preferred stock — publicly traded
    177       155       50  
Common stock — non-publicly traded
    662       586       706  
Preferred stock — non-publicly traded
    1,002       10       10  
                         
Total equity securities
  $ 2,210     $ 1,174     $ 2,064  
                         


81


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes our allocation of fixed maturities by maturity date as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 2,384     $ 7,058     $ 17,140  
Due after one year through five years
    19,290       16,800       24,229  
Due after five years through ten years
    30,973       34,517       16,381  
Due after ten years through twenty years
    3,898       4,020       2,013  
Due after twenty years
    14,028       18,310        
Mortgage-backed securities
    5,691       7,496       13,607  
Asset-backed securities
    4,684       8,204        
                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 80,948     $ 96,405     $ 73,370  
                         
 
The following tables summarize our net realized investment gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period from
      Period from
 
                June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Years Ended
    2007 to
      2007 to
 
    December 31,     December 31,       June 19,  
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
    (in thousands)  
Realized gains on sales of fixed maturity securities
  $ 824     $ 30     $       $ 23  
Realized losses on sales of fixed maturity securities
    (787 )     (14 )              
Realized gains on sales of equity securities
    70       14               493  
Realized losses on sales of equity securities
    (53 )                    
Impairment write-downs (Other-than-temporarily impaired)
          (1,951 )     (348 )        
                                   
Total realized investment gains (losses)
  $ 54     $ (1,921 )   $ (348 )     $ 516  
                                   
                                   
 
During 2009, there were no impairment write-downs. During 2008, we determined the decline in fair value of our investment in a bond of a distressed company to be other-than-temporarily impaired. This resulted in recording an impairment write-down of $1.2 million as part of net realized losses on investments. In addition, we recorded an impairment write-down of $0.8 million on 15 publicly traded equity securities. For the 2007 successor period, we recorded an impairment write-down of $0.3 million on 16 publicly traded equity securities.
 
On January 1, 2008, we adopted accounting guidance for reporting fair values. There were no adjustments required to the fair value of investments as a result of adopting the new guidance. The market approach was the valuation technique used to measure fair value of the investment portfolio. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets.
 
The guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs


82


Table of Contents

(Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy and those investments included in each are as follows:
 
Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.
 
Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.
 
Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement. Pricing is derived from sources such as Interactive Data Corporation, Bloomberg L.P., private placement matrices, broker quotes and internal calculations.
 
The following table presents our investment securities within the fair value hierarchy, and the related inputs used to measure those securities at December 31, 2009:
 
                                 
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
    (in thousands)  
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 80,948     $     $ 79,440     $ 1,508  
Common stock, marketable
    369       369              
Preferred stock, marketable
    177       177              
Common stock, other
    662                   662  
Preferred stock, other
    1,002                   1,002  
Short-term investments
    1,220       1,220              
                                 
Total
  $ 84,378     $ 1,766     $ 79,440     $ 3,172  
                                 
 
Our use of Level 3 of “unobservable inputs” included 19 securities that accounted for 3.8% of total investments at December 31, 2009.
 
The following table presents our investment securities within the fair value hierarchy and the related inputs used to measure those securities at December 31, 2008:
 
                                 
Type of Security (Fair Value)
  Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 96,405     $     $ 96,405        
Common stock, marketable
    423       423              
Preferred stock, marketable
    155       155              
Common stock, other
    586                   586  
Preferred stock, other
    10                   10  
Short-term investments
    2,180       2,180              
                                 
Total
  $ 99,759     $ 2,758     $ 96,405     $ 596  
                                 
 
Our use of Level 3 of “unobservable inputs” included 23 securities that accounted for less than 2% of total investments at December 31, 2008.


83


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008  
    (in thousands)  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 596     $ 608  
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
               
Included in net income
    16        
Included in comprehensive loss
    367       (163 )
Amortization/accretion
          7  
Purchases, issuance and settlements
    862       39  
Net transfers into Level 3
    1,331       105  
                 
Ending balance
  $ 3,172     $ 596  
                 
 
Cash Flows
 
We monitor cash flows at the consolidated, holding company and subsidiary levels. Cash flow forecasts at the consolidated and subsidiary levels are provided on a monthly basis, and we use trend and variance analyses to project future cash needs making adjustments to the forecasts when needed.
 
The table below shows our cash flows for the periods presented:
 
                                                             
      Successor       Predecessor  
                                      Period from
      Period from
 
      Six Months
      Years Ended
      June 20 to
      January 1, 2007
 
      Ended June 30,       December 31,       December 31,       to June 19,  
      2010       2009       2009       2008       2007       2007  
      (in thousands)  
Cash provided by
(used in):
                                                           
Operating activities
    $ 2,349       $ 5,120       $ 13,393       $ 12,998       $ 10,265       $ 2,518  
Investing activities
      (20,109 )       (40,891 )       (26,532 )       (26,069 )       (10,297 )       22,424  
Financing activities
      6,922         34,572         20,997         (1,875 )       (571 )       (474 )
                                                             
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    $ (10,838 )     $ (1,199 )     $ 7,858       $ (14,946 )     $ (603 )     $ 24,468  
                                                             
 
Operating Activities
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and $5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Our net cash provided by operations reflected our net income and our reinsurance receivables, which more than offset our policy liabilities.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $13.4 million, $13.0 million, $10.3 million and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively. In 2009, our net cash provided by operating activities reflected our net income and reinsurance receivables offset in part by policy liabilities and commissions payable. In 2008, the successor period from June 20, 2007 through December 31, 2007 and the predecessor period from January 1, 2007 through June 19, 2007, our net cash provided by operating activities reflected our net income and policy liabilities offset by growth in our reinsurance receivables.


84


Table of Contents

Investing Activities
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $(20.1) million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and $(40.9) million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Net cash used in investing activities was $(26.5) million, $(26.1) million, $(10.3) million and $22.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, net cash used in investing activities primarily reflected cash used for purchases of fixed maturity securities, the acquisitions of South Bay Acceptance Corporation and Continental Car Club and purchases of property, equipment and other non-operating assets and change in restricted cash. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net cash used in investing activities primarily reflected the maturity of fixed maturity securities offset by the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon, purchases of property, equipment and other non-operating assets and change in restricted cash. In 2009, net cash used in investing activities primarily reflected the use of cash for acquisitions and change in restricted cash offset in part by cash from the sale or maturity of our securities investments. In 2008, net cash used in investing activities primarily reflected the increased purchases of investment securities that was only partially offset by the receipt of proceeds from the maturity of investment securities and change in restricted cash. For the 2007 successor period, net cash used in investing activities primarily reflected the increased purchase of investment securities and change in restricted cash that was only partially offset by the receipt of proceeds from the maturity of our investment securities. For the 2007 predecessor period, the net cash provided by investing activities primarily reflected the proceeds derived from the maturity of investments and repayment on the mortgage loan, offset partially by the purchase of investments and change in restricted cash.
 
Financing Activities
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $6.9 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and $34.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $21.0 million, $(1.9) million, $(0.6) million and $(0.5) million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, net cash provided by financing activities reflected additional borrowings under our lines of credit offset by the redemption of a preferred security. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net cash provided by financing activities reflected additional borrowings under our lines of credit and the issuance of common and treasury stock. In 2009, net cash provided by financing activities reflected additional borrowings under our lines of credit offset in part by repayments of other indebtedness, proceeds from the issuance of equity securities. In 2008, net cash used in financing activities reflected our purchase of equity securities and the repayment of indebtedness. For the successor period from June 20, 2007 through December 31, 2007, cash provided by financing activities reflected additional borrowings under our lines of credit, preferred trust securities and subordinated debentures, offset in part by repayments to prior shareholders as well as proceeds from the issuance of equity securities. For the 2007 predecessor period, the cash used in financing activities primarily reflects dividends paid on common stock.
 
Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
 
We have obligations and commitments to third parties as a result of our operations.


85


Table of Contents

These obligations and commitments, as of December 31, 2009, are detailed in the table below by maturity date as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
 
                                         
    Payments Due by Period  
          Less Than
                More Than
 
    Total     1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
 
Long-term debt
  $ 78,027     $ 5,087     $ 26,400     $     $ 46,540  
Operating leases
    7,694       2,924       4,760       10        
                                         
Total contractual obligations
  $ 85,721     $ 8,011     $ 31,160     $ 10     $ 46,540  
                                         
 
We intend to apply certain net proceeds from the offering to repay debt as described in “Use of Proceeds.”
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources.
 
Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Effective risk management is fundamental to our ability to protect both our customers’ and stockholders’ interests. We are exposed to potential loss from various market risks, in particular interest rate risk and credit risk. Additionally, we are exposed to inflation risk, concentration risk and to a lesser extent foreign currency risk.
 
Interest rate risk is the possibility that the fair value of liabilities will change more or less than the market value of investments in response to changes in interest rates, including changes in the slope or shape of the yield curve and changes in spreads due to credit risks and other factors.
 
Credit risk is the possibility that counterparties may not be able to meet payment obligations when they become due. We assume counterparty credit risk in many forms. A counterparty is any person or entity from which cash or other forms of consideration are expected to extinguish a liability or obligation to us. Primarily, our credit risk exposure is concentrated in our fixed maturity investment portfolio and, to a lesser extent, in our reinsurance receivables.
 
Inflation risk is the possibility that a change in domestic price levels produces an adverse effect on earnings. This typically happens when either invested assets or liabilities, but not both are indexed to inflation.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Interest rate risk arises as we invest substantial funds in interest-sensitive fixed income assets, such as fixed maturity securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage loans, primarily in the United States. There are two forms of interest rate risk: price risk and reinvestment risk. Price risk occurs when fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these investments. As interest rates rise, the market value of these investments falls, and conversely, as interest rates fall, the market value of these investments rises. Reinvestment risk occurs when fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on expected cash flows from mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. As interest rates fall, an increase in prepayments on these assets results in earlier than expected receipt of cash flows forcing us to reinvest the proceeds in an unfavorable lower interest rate environment. Conversely, as interest rates rise, a decrease in prepayments on these assets results in later than expected receipt of cash flows forcing us to forgo reinvesting in a favorable higher interest rate environment.


86


Table of Contents

We manage interest rate risk by selecting investments with characteristics such as duration, yield, currency and liquidity tailored to the anticipated cash outflow characteristics of our insurance and reinsurance liabilities.
 
Increases in interest rates could also increase interest payable under our variable rate indebtedness. As of December 31, 2009, we had $11.5 million of senior unsubordinated debt tied to the prime interest rate; $5.1 million of this $11.5 million had an interest rate floor of 5%.
 
Credit Risk
 
We have exposure to credit risk primarily from customers, as a holder of fixed maturity securities and by entering into reinsurance cessions.
 
Our risk management strategy and investment policy is to invest in debt instruments of high credit quality issuers and to limit the amount of credit exposure with respect to any one issuer. We attempt to limit our credit exposure by imposing fixed maturity portfolio limits on individual issuers based upon credit quality.
 
We are also exposed to the credit risk of our reinsurers. When we reinsure, we are still liable to our insureds regardless of whether we get reimbursed by our reinsurer. As part of our overall risk and capacity management strategy, we purchase reinsurance for certain risks underwritten by our various business segments as described above under “— Critical Accounting Policies — Reinsurance.”
 
For 71.7% of our $173.8 million of reinsurance receivables at December 31, 2009, we are protected from the credit risk by using various types of risk mitigation mechanisms such as collateral trusts, letters of credit or by withholding the assets in a modified coinsurance or co-funds-withheld arrangement. For recoverables that are not protected by these mechanisms, we are dependent solely on the ability of the reinsurer to satisfy claims. Occasionally, the creditworthiness of the reinsurer becomes questionable. The majority of our reinsurance exposure has been ceded to companies rated A- or better by A.M. Best. For a discussion of reinsurance related risks, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Payment Protection Business — Reinsurance may not be available or adequate to protect us against losses, and we are subject to the credit risk of reinsurers.”
 
Concentration Risk
 
A significant portion (56.8% for the year ended December 31, 2009) of our BPO revenues are attributable to one client, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, and any loss of business from or change in our relationship with this client could have a material adverse effect on our business. To mitigate this risk, we intend to expand our BPO client base.
 
We have two additional forms of concentration risk: (a) geographic (almost two-thirds of our Wholesale Brokerage segment is in California) and (b) channel distribution risk (almost half of our Payment Protection revenue is in the consumer finance distribution channel). Our risk mitigation strategies are to expand geographically (in our Wholesale Brokerage segment) and increase the volume of business through other distribution channels (in our Payment Protection segment).
 
Effects of Inflation
 
Inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations in the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
On April 1, 2009, we adopted the new guidance ASC Topic 105, GAAP. The new guidance establishes a single source of authoritative accounting and reporting guidance recognized by the FASB for nongovernmental


87


Table of Contents

entities (the “Codification”). The Codification does not change current GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative GAAP by providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification will be considered non-authoritative. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. References to accounting guidance contained in our consolidated financial statements and disclosures have been updated to reflect terminology consistent with the Codification. Plain English references to the accounting guidance have been made along with references to the ASC topic number and name.
 
On December 31, 2009, we adopted the new guidance on measuring the fair value of liabilities, which is within ASC Topic 820. When the quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, this new guidance requires that either the quoted price of the identical or similar liability when traded as an asset or another valuation technique that is consistent with the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance be used to fair value the liability. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
On December 31, 2009, we adopted the new subsequent events guidance, which is within ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events. This new guidance establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
On December 31, 2009, we adopted the new other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) guidance, which is within ASC Topic 320. This new guidance amends the previous guidance for debt securities and modifies the presentation and disclosure requirements for debt and equity securities. In addition, it amends the requirement for an entity to positively assert the intent and ability to hold a debt security to recovery to determine whether an OTTI exists and replaces this provision with the assertion that an entity does not intend to sell or it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell a security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this new guidance modifies the presentation of certain OTTI debt securities to only present the impairment loss within the results of operations that represents the credit loss associated with the OTTI with the remaining impairment loss being presented within other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). At adoption, there was no cumulative effect adjustment to reclassify the non-credit component. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for further information.
 
On January 1, 2008, we adopted the new guidance on determining fair value in illiquid markets, which is within ASC Topic 820. This new guidance clarifies how to estimate fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased. This new guidance also clarifies how to identify circumstances indicating that a transaction is not orderly. Under this new guidance, significant decreases in the volume and level of activity of an asset or liability, in relation to normal market activity, requires further evaluation of transactions or quoted prices and exercise of significant judgment in arriving at fair values. This new guidance also requires additional interim and annual disclosures. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
On January 1, 2008, we adopted the new fair value of financial instruments guidance, which is within ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments. This new guidance requires disclosure of the methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.


88


Table of Contents

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the revised business combinations guidance, which is within ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. The revised guidance retains the fundamental requirements of the previous guidance in that the acquisition method of accounting is used for all business combinations, that an acquirer be identified for each business combination and for goodwill to be recognized and measured as a residual. The revised guidance expands the definition of transactions and events that qualify as business combinations to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. The revised guidance broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. It also increases the disclosure requirements for business combinations in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of the revised guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, for any business combination in 2010 or beyond, our financial position, results of operations or cash flows could incur a significantly different impact than had it recorded the acquisition under the previous business combinations guidance. Earnings volatility could result, depending on the terms of the acquisition.
 
On January 1, 2009, we adopted the new consolidations guidance, which is within ASC Topic 810, Consolidation. The new guidance requires that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary be separately reported within equity and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the non-controlling interest be presented in the statement of income. The new guidance also calls for consistency in reporting changes in the parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary and necessitates fair value measurement of any non-controlling equity investment retained in a deconsolidation. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
On December 31, 2009, we applied the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, which is within ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, for all non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The application of this guidance for those assets and liabilities did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Our non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill and intangible assets. In a business combination, the non-financial assets and liabilities of the acquired company would be measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance. The requirements of this guidance include using an exit price based on an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date assuming the highest and best use of the asset by market participants. To perform a market valuation, we are required to use a market, income or cost approach valuation technique(s). We performed our annual impairment analyses of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in the fourth quarter of 2009. There was no impairment of intangible assets for 2008 and 2009.
 
In September 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on multiple deliverable revenue arrangements, which is within ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. This new guidance requires entities to use their best estimate of the selling price of a deliverable within a multiple deliverable revenue arrangement if the entity and other entities do not sell the deliverable separate from the other deliverables within the arrangement. This new guidance requires both qualitative and quantitative disclosures. This new guidance will be effective for new or materially modified arrangements in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year. Assuming we do not apply the guidance early, we are required to adopt this new guidance on January 1, 2011. We are currently evaluating the requirements of this new guidance and the potential impact, if any, on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.


89


Table of Contents

 
INDUSTRY
 
Industry and Market Data
 
This prospectus includes industry and market data that we obtained from periodic industry publications, third-party studies and surveys, filings of public companies in our industry and internal company surveys. These sources include A.M. Best, Celent and Consumer Credit Industry Association. We have received permission to include the A.M. Best data provided herein. Industry publications and surveys generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Although we believe the industry and market data to be reliable as of the date of this prospectus, this information could prove inaccurate. Industry and market data could be wrong because of the method by which sources obtained their data and because information cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to the limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties. In addition, we do not know all of the assumptions regarding general economic conditions or growth that were used in preparing the forecasts from sources cited herein.
 
Market Overview
 
We operate in the insurance, consumer finance and commercial finance industries in the United States, offering our services and products through the brands and distribution bases of our clients. Insurance, lending and other financial products are developed, marketed, underwritten or managed by financial services companies, retailers and manufacturers in the United States. We provide a range of specialized product development, marketing and distribution and administration services to these companies with a focus on the following specific markets.
 
Payment Protection
 
Payment protection products provide protection for borrowers from debt payments and other financial obligations upon the occurrence of certain unanticipated events, as well as credit enhancement to the corresponding lenders. Payment protection products include regulated insurance products such as credit insurance and other financial products, including debt cancellation and warranty products, as well as car club memberships.
 
Financial services companies, such as finance companies and banks, market specialized credit insurance products to their customers in connection with consumer loan transactions. These products enable consumers to meet their credit obligations if specific life events occur, such as death, disability or unemployment. Non-insurance products, including product warranties, debt cancellation contracts and car club memberships are also marketed to consumers by retailers and consumer lenders in connection with product purchases and loan transactions. Payment protection products provide consumer lenders and retailers with complementary products that can increase the revenue and profitability of consumer transactions.
 
Credit Insurance.  Credit insurance products, including credit-related property, life, disability, accident and health insurance, involve the issuance of insurance coverage to consumers to provide protection against the loss of loan collateral or the inability of a borrower to repay an outstanding loan due to the occurrence of a specific event such as death or disability. On the occurrence of such an event, the insured party’s scheduled debt payments are paid under the insurance policy. The premium rates for credit insurance products are typically determined by state insurance regulators and usually do not vary significantly between insurers or insured parties. Premium rates are typically expressed as the amount of premium to be paid per $100 of outstanding debt. Thus, in the case of revolving credit accounts, the


90


Table of Contents

amount of premium paid by a consumer varies, based on the consumer’s outstanding debt. Credit insurance premium rates are generally not subject to market or competitive pressures.
 
Credit property insurance provides protection against the loss of the value of loan collateral due to physical damage to or disappearance of property. Credit property insurance may be required by a consumer lender if the borrower does not have adequate insurance or other assets sufficient to repay the loan if the collateral is impaired. The amount of the benefit paid upon the occurrence of a loss of property value is typically limited to the outstanding amount of the loan.
 
Credit involuntary unemployment insurance provides a level monthly benefit that allows a borrower to continue to make consumer loan payments if the insured becomes involuntarily unemployed. The monthly benefit typically equals the monthly loan payment and is paid for a pre-determined number of months as long as the insured party remains on involuntary unemployment.
 
Credit life and credit disability products are typically sold in conjunction with consumer loans. Credit life insurance pays a benefit equal to the outstanding loan balance to the lender in the event the borrower dies during the term of the loan. Credit disability insurance provides a benefit equal to the monthly loan payments to the lender if the borrower becomes disabled for the amount of time that the borrower remains disabled or for the term of the loan.
 
Credit insurance is often purchased by uninsured or underinsured borrowers that have limited liquid assets and are assuming a financial obligation that they may not be able to repay in the event of death, disability, unemployment or damage to the underlying collateral. In some cases obtaining adequate credit insurance may be a pre-requisite for receiving a consumer loan. Credit insurance also provides consumer lenders with additional protection that enhances the credit of their consumer receivables.
 
Credit insurance is a regulated insurance product that can only be provided by licensed insurance companies. Most consumer lenders and retailers choose to offer credit insurance through third-party insurance companies to avoid the cost and regulatory complexities of operating state-licensed insurance companies. Consumer lenders and retailers generally retain the majority of the revenue, losses and profits from credit insurance products that they sell to their customers. Some companies operate offshore reinsurers, called producer owned reinsurance companies (PORCs), which assume the credit insurance premiums that they originate in exchange for ceding commissions that are paid to a licensed primary insurer. PORCs typically pay all losses associated with the insurance policies that they assume, but are administered by a third-party administrator that also manages the assets of the PORC.
 
Consumer lenders and retailers that do not own PORCs typically retain the profits from credit insurance products through retrospective commission arrangements with primary insurance companies that receive the insurance premiums and administer the policies. Under retrospective commission arrangements the producer of the insurance policies receives a variable commission that is equal to the profits from the insurance policies after the payment of claims and an administrative fee to the primary insurance company.
 
According to the Consumer Credit Industry Association, net written premium for credit-related insurance was $6.5 billion in the United States in 2008, compared to $4.9 billion of net premium that was written in 2003.
 
Debt Cancellation.  Debt cancellation plans provide benefits that are similar to credit insurance products. Similar to credit insurance, debt cancellation plans provide protection to borrowers if certain events occur that could impact the ability of a borrower to repay their loan obligations. Debt cancellation plans stipulate that the lender will defer, suspend or cancel certain debt payments, or in some cases the principal balance, without increasing interest or fees, if a covered event occurs. Covered


91


Table of Contents

events may include death, disability, involuntary unemployment, total loss of a vehicle and other contingencies.
 
Debt cancellation plans offered by lenders may be customized to include combinations of debt deferment, debt suspension or debt cancellation to suit a specific customer base. These plans can be highly customized to provide individual consumers with the specific benefits that they want. Similar to credit insurance, debt cancellation plans provide financial security to borrowers if certain events occur that could impair a borrower’s ability to meet their financial obligations.
 
Community banks, state chartered banks, credit unions and thrifts are permitted to offer debt cancellation plans without being subject to insurance regulations. In most states debt cancellation plans can be offered directly by lenders as part of certain credit products, such as credit cards, lines of credit and installment loans, without a requirement that the lending company be an insurance company. Certain consumer lenders now offer debt cancellation plans to their customers instead of credit insurance. For example, most large credit card lenders provide debt cancellation plans to their borrowers. Because of the specific capabilities required to administer debt cancellation plans, consumer lenders often contract with insurance services companies to manage these plans on their behalf.
 
Warranty Products.  Warranty products provide consumers with product repair, replacement or refund in the event of product defect, damage or failure. Warranty products must expressly exclude coverage of damage or failure due to accidental events in order for such products not to be regulated as insurance. Manufacturer’s warranties provide consumers with basic protection covering parts and labor costs for periods typically ranging from one to two years and are typically included as part of the cost of the consumer product. Extended service and product replacement plans are offered to consumers to enhance and extend the manufacturer’s warranty protection on consumer products. These products are offered by third-party providers and retailers and typically provide parts and labor coverage or product replacement for between one and five years beyond a manufacturer’s warranty. The scope of the coverage offered by extended service plans usually exceeds that offered by a manufacturer’s warranty and typically covers accidental damage and damage that is not covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty.
 
Extended warranties are marketed and distributed to consumers by retailers, insurance companies, manufacturers and warranty administrators. Retailers and manufacturers that offer extended warranty products typically contract with a warranty administrator to manage the administration of the product. Warranty administrators manage the program design, marketing strategy, contract administration, claims handling, billing and collection, reinsurance processing and reporting of warranty products on behalf of marketers and distributors. These products are sold to consumers either in connection with the product purchase or after the product has been purchased. Third-party warranty products typically have a single upfront fee to provide protection against product failures and damage over the term of the warranty. Extended warranty products provide retailers and manufacturers with incremental revenues and increase the profitability of consumer retail transactions and product purchases.
 
Car Clubs.  Car club memberships are generally sold by consumer finance companies as part of a consumer finance transaction. Car club memberships typically last one year and can extend for longer periods depending on state regulations. These memberships provide towing reimbursement and other roadside assistance services, depending on the package purchased by the consumer.
 
Business Process Outsourcing
 
The U.S. financial services industry faces significant operating challenges and increasing complexity arising from various economic, competitive and regulatory factors. Financial services companies continue to look for ways to grow revenue, improve operational efficiencies and increase profitability while meeting the needs and expectations of customers and distributors. Due to market-based pricing


92


Table of Contents

pressures, many insurance carriers are particularly focused on controlling costs and gaining market share to maintain profitability and acceptable returns on capital.
 
One of the primary benefits of outsourcing business processes for financial services companies is the ability to pay a variable fee based on the amount of services used instead of building and managing internal operations with a fixed cost structure. Business process outsourcing providers are generally also able to provide these services at a lower cost because they have larger scale operations that serve many clients. In addition to reducing overall costs and increasing financial flexibility, financial services companies use business process outsourcing services to improve new business and origination cycle times, improve the quality of processing, ensure consistency of service quality, accelerate product development and reduce the time to market for new products. By outsourcing certain business processes, we believe that financial services companies can focus on product innovation and leveraging specific core competencies to differentiate themselves from competitors in the market.
 
Within the financial services market, there are a wide range of services that often can be better managed by business process outsourcing vendors. Business process outsourcing providers typically offer integrated solutions designed to perform a specific business process, such as:
 
  •  product engineering;
 
  •  new product development;
 
  •  direct and mass marketing;
 
  •  data management and analysis;
 
  •  claims processing;
 
  •  policy administration and billing;
 
  •  customer service and technical support;
 
  •  call center management;
 
  •  payment and settlement management;
 
  •  collection of receivables;
 
  •  finance and accounting; and
 
  •  document management.
 
Financial services companies often outsource certain technical, administrative and support functions so that they can focus their financial and operational resources on core business functions such as developing and managing customer relationships, designing and pricing new products and managing risk. The outsourcing of certain business processes to more efficient providers with more advanced capabilities also often enhances the ability of financial services companies to serve customers through better access to information, more effective customer support and increased responsiveness. Business process outsourcing also allows companies to decrease the capital expenditures and fixed operating costs typically required to design, develop and operate sophisticated information technology systems. The time, effort and cost required to operate disparate information technology systems at an acceptable level


93


Table of Contents

of performance often creates operational inefficiencies and additional costs that adversely impact financial performance.
 
Wholesale Insurance Brokerage
 
Commercial insurance products, including property and casualty and life and health insurance, are generally marketed and sold by retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies. Property and casualty insurance carriers in the United States that are licensed in a state in which the insured risk is located are otherwise known as “admitted” carriers. Admitted insurance carriers generally offer standard insurance products with rates and forms that are regulated and coverages that are relatively uniform. Businesses that are unable to obtain insurance coverage from admitted insurance carriers because of their risk profile or their unique size or nature can typically seek to obtain insurance coverage in the surplus lines market. Surplus lines (also known as “non-admitted”) insurance carriers sell specialty insurance products that are not subject to the same degree of regulation of prices or coverage. To access and obtain insurance in the surplus lines market, state insurance regulations often require parties seeking insurance for a particular type of risk to first be declined by three or more admitted carriers.
 
Surplus lines insurance carriers generally cover irregular, unique and unusual risks that often have limited loss experience and data. Less stringent policy form and rate regulation allows surplus lines insurance carriers to tailor insurance products and premium rates to the specific needs of the insured party. Insurance carriers in the surplus lines market maintain coverage and rate flexibility that enables them to be responsive to the needs of insured parties and react quickly to changes and opportunities in the marketplace. The surplus lines market provides insured parties with the following benefits:
 
  •  acceptance of unfamiliar and new business risks;
 
  •  availability of coverage when the standard market declines the risk;
 
  •  flexibility to tailor coverage to meet the needs of policyholders;
 
  •  a stable market with new products to cover specialized risk exposures;
 
  •  a competitive and voluntary alternative to residual insurance markets;
 
  •  additional capacity for property and casualty exposures; and
 
  •  insurance products that are responsive to market needs.
 
Surplus lines insurance carriers generally depend on licensed wholesale and retail insurance brokers and agents to distribute their products to insured parties. Wholesale insurance brokers often serve as an intermediary between insurance carriers and retail insurance agents and brokers to facilitate the placement of specialized, customized or complex commercial insurance products. Wholesale insurance brokers typically focus on specialty insurance products provided by “non-admitted” carriers. Retail insurance agents rely upon wholesale insurance brokers for placement expertise, access to specific markets and other value-added services required to obtain coverage for “hard-to-place” commercial risks in the surplus lines market. Retail insurance agents select wholesale brokers based on their expertise with specific risks and products, relationships with carriers and market knowledge. Typically, the retail insurance brokers and agents retain control of the relationship with the insured party. Many specialty insurance carriers distribute products primarily through wholesale insurance brokers to avoid the cost and complexity of dealing directly with a large number of retail insurance agents.


94


Table of Contents

Wholesale insurance brokers can also operate as MGAs on behalf of insurance carriers under binding authority agreements. Binding authority agreements provide wholesale brokers with the ability to quote, bind and issue policies on behalf of an insurance carrier based on the carrier’s detailed underwriting guidelines. In addition to underwriting guidelines, binding authority agreements dictate policy pricing, commission rates and the scope of the binding authority.
 
Market Opportunity
 
The services that we provide help our clients meet the challenges of operating in competitive and dynamic markets. We believe that we are well positioned to capitalize on several key industry trends.
 
Financial Performance of Financial Services Companies and Retailers.  Financial services companies and retailers offer complementary services and products, including payment protection and insurance-related services and products, which we believe increase their revenue, enhance customer value and loyalty and improve their profitability. We believe that reduced insurance purchases, a generally “soft” property and casualty (P&C) environment, declining payrolls and decreasing sales have contributed to recent declines in premium volumes and returns on capital in the P&C industry. The revenue growth and profitability of consumer lenders, including banks, finance companies and other lenders, has been negatively impacted by declining lending activity and increased losses on loans. In the retail industry, increased competition, rising input costs, volatile customer traffic, high unemployment and adverse economic conditions have constrained revenue growth and profitability. As a result of these challenging market conditions and declining financial performance, we believe that financial services and retail companies will continue to focus on offering complementary services and products to their customers. Selling these products enables financial services and retail companies to increase their revenues and improve their profitability. According to the Consumer Credit Industry Association, net written premium for credit-related insurance was $6.5 billion in the United States in 2008, compared to $4.9 billion of net premium that was written in 2003.
 
Growth of the Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance Market.  The market for specialty insurance products has grown. We believe this market has grown as a result of increased acceptance of these products by insured parties and the development of new risk management products by insurance carriers. Insurance carriers operating in the surplus lines market generally distribute their products through wholesale insurance brokers such as Bliss & Glennon, creating growth opportunities for our business. According to A.M. Best, the surplus lines market increased from approximately 6.7% of total commercial P&C insurance premiums in 1998 to approximately 13.8% in 2008, and premiums written by surplus lines focused insurance carriers increased from $9.9 billion to $34.4 billion over the same time period. While this market fluctuates based on trends generally affecting the insurance industry, we believe that demand for surplus lines insurance will increase if economic conditions in the United States improve.
 
Growth of Outsourcing in the Insurance Industry.  By outsourcing business functions that can be more efficiently and cost effectively provided by specialized service providers, we believe that insurance companies can increase productivity, focus on core competencies and reduce operating costs. Functions that are typically being outsourced to third party service providers include product distribution, program management, underwriting, claims management and administration, loss mitigation and investment management. In addition, we believe that many insurers are outsourcing the implementation of business and product development projects to avoid the associated startup costs.
 
According to Celent, the size of the North American insurance outsourcing market is expected to grow from approximately $2.0 billion in 2008 to over $4.0 billion in 2013, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 14.9%. The continued shift towards outsourced solutions will create growth opportunities for our business.


95


Table of Contents

 
BUSINESS
 
Overview
 
We are an insurance services company that provides distribution and administration services and insurance-related products to insurance companies, insurance brokers and agents and other financial services companies in the United States. We sell our services and products directly to businesses rather than directly to consumers.
 
We began nearly 30 years ago as a provider of credit insurance products and, through our transformational efforts, have evolved into a diversified insurance services company. We now leverage our proprietary technology infrastructure, internally developed best practices and access to specialty insurance markets to provide our clients with distribution and administration services and insurance-related products. Our services and products complement consumer credit offerings, provide outsourcing solutions designed to reduce the costs associated with the administration of insurance and other financial products and facilitate the distribution of excess and surplus lines insurance products through insurance companies, brokers and agents. These services and products are designed to increase revenues, improve customer value and loyalty and reduce costs for our clients.
 
We generally target market segments that are niche and specialty in nature, which we believe are underserved by competitors and have high barriers to entry. We focus on building quality client relationships and emphasizing customer service. This focus, along with our ability to help clients enhance revenue and reduce costs, has enabled us to develop and maintain numerous long-term client relationships. Over 80% of our clients have been with us for more than five years.
 
Our fee-driven revenue model is focused on delivering a high volume of recurring transactions through our clients and producing attractive profit margins and operating cash flows. Historically, our business has grown both organically and through acquisitions of complementary businesses. Our total net revenues have grown 48.4% from $56.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $83.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our Adjusted EBITDA has grown 30.7% from $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $31.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our net income has grown 44.0% from $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Our Competitive Strengths
 
Strong Value Proposition for Our Clients and Their Customers.  We believe that our services and products enable our clients to generate high-margin, incremental revenues, enter new markets without making significant capital investments, mitigate risk and improve operating efficiencies. Additionally, we believe that by using our services and products, our clients benefit from enhanced customer loyalty, which can lead to better customer retention, new customer acquisitions and additional cross-selling opportunities. Our comprehensive, turn-key solutions also manage all of the essential aspects of insurance distribution and administration, providing low-cost access to complex, often highly-regulated markets. In our Payment Protection business, we facilitate the marketing of financial products that increase the revenues and profits that our clients earn from transactions with their customers. Our BPO solutions assist our clients in developing, marketing and administering insurance and other financial products without requiring them to make significant capital investments. Our Wholesale Brokerage business allows retail insurance brokers and agents to provide insurance coverage to their customers for risks that they otherwise might not be able to secure. This provides our Wholesale Brokerage clients with increased commission revenue, high customer satisfaction and greater customer retention. We believe that facilitating increased revenues and operating profits provides a strong value proposition for our clients.


96


Table of Contents

Proprietary Technology and Low-Cost Operating Platform.  We use our proprietary technology infrastructure to deliver low-cost, highly automated services to our clients. Our customizable software platform integrates with our clients’ businesses, providing them with access to insurance products without significant up-front investments. Our Payment Protection and BPO services, in particular, are highly automated. We process most of our Payment Protection product transactions electronically and also provide automated Payment Protection product management tools to our clients. Our Automated Insurance Reporting (AIR) technology provides single point policy data entry and electronic underwriting data transmission to our Payment Protection clients. In our BPO business, we manage high volume direct marketing and product distribution programs for a wide variety of insurance and other financial products. Our proprietary BPO technology platform automates many of these functions, including customer solicitation, customer inquiry, policy form issuance and policy underwriting. By utilizing our platform, clients can automate core business processes and reduce their operating costs.
 
Our centralized hosted software platform provides services via the Internet, which is more cost effective than systems that require on-site installation and maintenance. The costs of our corporate, finance and management functions are shared across each of our business units, which results in lower operating costs for each of our individual businesses than would be possible if they operated on a stand-alone basis. As our businesses grow and we acquire new businesses, we expect to be able to continue to benefit from our low-cost operating platform.
 
Scalability.  We believe that our scalable and flexible technology infrastructure enables us to add new clients and launch new services and products quickly and easily without significant incremental expense. Our existing investment in software systems and hardware, as well as our highly trained and knowledgeable information technology personnel and consultants provide us with substantial capabilities to handle a significant increase in transaction volume in each of our businesses. We have been able to increase the number of specialty insurance distribution and administration clients in each of the last three years without incurring significant additional costs or capital expenditures.
 
High Barriers to Entry.  We believe that each of our businesses would be time consuming and expensive for new market participants to replicate. We also have strong, long-term relationships with clients and other market participants and substantial experience in the markets that we serve. In our Payment Protection business, we provide insurance products on behalf of our clients through regulated entities that are time consuming and expensive to establish. In addition, we embed our information systems within our clients’ business, and it would be costly, time consuming and disruptive for our clients to replace our services with those of another provider or to develop similar capabilities internally.
 
Experienced Management Team.  We have an experienced management team with extensive operating and industry experience in the markets that we serve. As of December 31, 2009, our named executive officers had a combined 44 years of experience with us and our subsidiaries and over 108 years of collective experience in the insurance and other financial services industries. Our management team has successfully developed profitable new services and products and completed the acquisition of seven complementary businesses since January 1, 2008. We believe that the extensive operating and industry experience of our management allows us to identify attractive market opportunities and provides market expertise to our clients, giving us a significant competitive advantage.
 
Key Attributes of Our Business Model
 
We believe the following are the key attributes of our business model:
 
Recurring Revenue Generation.  Our business model has historically generated substantial recurring revenues, high profit margins and significant operating cash flows. The services and products that we provide to our clients are generally sold to their customers on a recurring monthly, quarterly or annual


97


Table of Contents

basis. In addition, we have per unit contracts with clients that provide additional recurring revenue opportunities with our existing clients. By deploying our technology with many of our clients, we become an integral part of their businesses and systems and a key source of incremental revenues, which further enhances our client relationships and supports our recurring revenue streams.
 
Long-Term Customer Relationships.  By delivering value-added services and products to our clients’ customers, we become an important part of their businesses. We believe that by managing our clients’ services and products we integrate our operations into theirs, thereby increasing the value of our solutions and limiting our clients’ desire and ability to change providers. In other instances, particularly in our BPO business, we have fixed-term contracts. Over 80% of our clients have been with us for more than five years.
 
Wholesale Distribution.  We provide most of our services and products to businesses on a wholesale basis rather than directly to consumers and businesses on a retail basis. Our Payment Protection business provides services and products through financial institutions and retailers who, in turn, sell financial services and products on a retail basis to their customers. Our BPO business provides services that leverage third-party brands and distribution to allow our clients to reach their customers more effectively. Our Wholesale Brokerage business provides services and products through retail insurance brokers and agents who sell to insurance buyers. This sell-through model leverages the retail distribution capabilities, brands and customer relationships of our clients and limits our investment in the offices, staff, infrastructure and brand development that would be required to support a retail distribution model. Our wholesale distribution model also provides us with opportunities to take advantage of economies of scale.
 
Business Diversification.  Our businesses and results of operations are highly diversified. Our Payment Protection, BPO and Wholesale Brokerage businesses generated 51.5%, 28.3% and 20.2% of our total net revenues in 2009, respectively. Each of our businesses has a separate and distinct client base and generates revenue from both the consumer and business sectors of the economy. We believe this diversification positions us to take advantage of emerging industry trends and to better manage business, economic and insurance cycles than companies that operate in only one sector of the financial services industry. We intend to continue to invest in each of our businesses and to acquire additional complementary businesses in order to enhance our diversification.
 
Our Growth Strategy
 
Provide High Value Solutions.  We intend to continue to focus on servicing our clients through the development of services and products that will allow them to generate incremental revenues while reducing the costs of providing insurance and other financial products. We intend to accomplish this through the addition and enhancement of systems, technologies and processes and by continuing to focus on more closely integrating our operations with those of our clients. One of our significant technology initiatives is our continued refinement of our Automated Insurance Reporting (AIR) technology, which eliminates the need for dual point data entry by both us and our Payment Protection clients. Single point data entry by our clients and the electronic transmission and inputting of underwriting data has greatly increased our scalability and efficiency and allowed us to reduce our operating costs. We intend to continue to automate our claims processing so that we will be completely automated in the future, which would enhance accuracy in processing claims and reduce our operating costs. We are continuing to develop the technology and information systems necessary to support the mass marketing and distribution of a broad range of insurance products. These systems will allow us to distribute and administer life and health insurance products and to more effectively serve property and casualty insurers, agents and reinsurers, as well as insurance companies providing term life, universal life and specialty property and casualty products. We expect that our continued investment in the technology in our BPO business will create greater flexibility in our pricing structure, which will create


98


Table of Contents

new market opportunities and allow us to better serve mid-size life, health and property and casualty insurers.
 
Increase Revenue from Our Existing Clients.  We intend to leverage our long-standing relationships with our existing clients by providing them with additional services and products and introducing new services and products for them to market to their customers. By aggressively marketing our services and products and expanding our service and product offering, we believe we can increase revenue from existing clients in each of our businesses. In our Wholesale Brokerage business, we are seeking to offer our clients across the country access to more services and products through the use of national practice groups, which will allow us to generate additional revenues from our existing retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies by expanding the types of insurance products that they can offer to their customers. As our clients’ businesses grow due to improved economic conditions, increasing market prices and premiums for our products and the introduction of new services and products, we also expect to generate additional revenue under our volume-based fee arrangements.
 
Expand Client Base in Existing Markets.  We believe that there is a substantial opportunity to expand our client base in each of our businesses. We intend to develop new client relationships through the efforts of our direct sales force, from referrals from existing clients and business partners, by responding to requests for proposals and through our participation in industry events. We will seek to continue to expand our client base and our presence in our existing target markets by continually developing new client relationships, increasing our sales force, opening new offices and expanding our product and service offerings. We expect to continue to develop new clients in our Payment Protection business through increased penetration of geographic markets that we have recently entered. Additionally, we intend to enhance our existing information technology systems and capabilities to allow us to effectively provide business process outsourcing services to smaller clients in our existing markets. In our Wholesale Brokerage business, we intend to add specific market expertise in additional specialty product lines and client industries, which we believe will provide new client opportunities in our existing markets.
 
Enter New Geographic Markets.  Our Payment Protection and Wholesale Brokerage businesses have historically targeted specific geographic markets in the United States. We intend to expand our market presence into new geographic markets in the United States and internationally, as opportunities arise. Since 2003, we have obtained the requisite licenses to support the expansion of our Payment Protection business from eight states to over 40 states. We also intend to continue to broaden the jurisdictions in which our Payment Protection business operates by hiring new employees, opening new offices, seeking additional licenses and regulatory approvals and pursuing acquisition opportunities. Payment protection services and products are available throughout the world, and we believe there are significant opportunities to market and sell our payment protection and warranty administration services in international markets. We may consider opening offices, obtaining approvals, acquiring established complementary payment protection businesses, or establishing strategic relationships in international markets, such as Canada. We also intend to expand our Wholesale Brokerage business into new states and markets to develop a national presence. We are specifically targeting developing a presence in the wholesale brokerage market in the New York City metropolitan area, one of the largest excess and surplus lines insurance markets in the United States, along with expanding in key wholesale markets in California, Florida, Illinois and Texas. We also expect to increase our BPO sales force in order to focus on clients in new geographic areas.
 
Pursue Strategic Acquisitions.  We have a track record of successfully identifying, evaluating, acquiring and integrating complementary businesses. Since January 1, 2008, we have acquired seven businesses. We believe that our centralized infrastructure and established customer base enable us to enhance the revenue opportunities from the businesses that we acquire. Specifically, in our Payment Protection business, we are seeking to leverage our experience and domain expertise by acquiring administration


99


Table of Contents

businesses that specialize in similar financial products, including warranty products, identity theft prevention services and automobile service contracts. We also intend to expand our BPO business through strategic acquisitions of companies that enable us to expand our service offering to include services such as equipment subrogation and salvage and life and health insurance claims management. We also expect to pursue acquisitions of insurance distribution companies that have underwriting and program management capabilities, provide new product and industry expertise and expand the geographic presence of our Wholesale Brokerage business.
 
Our Businesses
 
We operate in three business segments. In each segment we deliver services and products that generate incremental revenues for our clients and utilize technology to reduce our operating costs. Our businesses benefit from efficiencies created by sharing accounting, compliance, legal, technology, human resources and administrative services.
 
Payment Protection
 
Our Payment Protection segment, marketed under our Life of the South brand, delivers credit insurance, debt protection, warranty, service contract and car club solutions along with administrative services to consumer finance companies, regional banks, community banks, retailers, small loan companies, warranty administrators, automobile dealers, vacation ownership developers and credit unions. Our clients then offer these products to their customers in conjunction with consumer finance transactions. Our Payment Protection segment specializes in providing products that protect consumer lenders and their borrowers from death, disability or other events that could otherwise impair their borrowers’ ability to repay a debt. By offering payment protection products to their customers through our wholesale distribution platform, our clients are able to generate additional revenue while mitigating their credit risk and the risk of non-payment by borrowers. As of June 30, 2010, our Payment Protection business had 121 full-time and part-time employees.
 
We own and operate insurance company subsidiaries to facilitate, on behalf of our Payment Protection clients, the distribution of credit insurance and payment protection services and products. See “— Insurance Companies and Ratings.” This allows our clients to sell these services and products to their customers without having to establish their own insurance companies, which saves our clients the cost and time of undertaking and complying with the substantial regulatory and licensing requirements. Our clients typically retain the underwriting risk related to such products either through retrospective commission arrangements or fully-collateralized reinsurance companies owned by them, which we administer on their behalf. While the majority of our Payment Protection revenue is fee-based, we assume insurance underwriting risk in select instances to meet our clients’ needs and to enhance our profitability.
 
Our Payment Protection business generates service and administrative fees, as well as net investment income earned on insurance premiums collected. We also generate net underwriting revenue from the limited portion of insurance premiums that we retain. For the year ended December 31, 2009, service and administrative fees, ceding commissions, net investment income and net underwriting revenue represented 20.7%, 56.2%, 11.1% and 12.0%, respectively of the net revenues of our Payment Protection business. In 2009, the Payment Protection business represented approximately 51.5% of our total net revenues and 57.7% of our pre-tax income.
 


100


Table of Contents

Products and Services
 
The chart below highlights our Payment Protection products and services:
 
     
Products
 
Services
 
•   Credit Property
  •   Policy and Claims Administration
•   Credit Life & Credit Disability
  •   Captive Reinsurance Management
•   Debt Cancellation
  •   Training — Products, Sales, Compliance
•   Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
  •   Transition Management
•   Policy Tracking Services
•   Car Club Membership
   
•   Warranty & Extended Service Plans
   
•   Involuntary Unemployment
   
•   Collateral Protection
   
•   Single Interest Auto
   
 
We offer a wide range of regulated insurance products, including credit property, credit life, credit disability, AD&D, involuntary unemployment, collateral protection and single interest auto. We offer administration services for similar financial products that are not regulated as insurance products, including debt cancellation plans, warranty products and car club memberships. We also provide policy and claims administration, captive reinsurance management, training, transition management and policy tracking services to our clients.
 
While we believe we are not dependent on any single payment protection product, almost half of our Payment Protection revenues are derived from consumer finance distribution channels.
 
Credit Insurance.  Our credit insurance products offer protection related to life events and uncertainties that may occur following purchasing and borrowing transactions. Credit insurance programs generally offer consumers the option to protect an installment loan in the event of death, involuntary unemployment, disability or loss or impairment of collateral and are generally available to all consumers without the underwriting restrictions that apply to traditional insurance. We distribute our life, disability and property and casualty credit insurance primarily through our insurance company subsidiaries.
 
Our clients typically retain the revenue and risk associated with credit insurance products that they sell to their customers through economic arrangements with us. The majority of our clients retain the profits from credit insurance products they sell through retrospective commission arrangements. Under these arrangements, our insurance companies receive the insurance premiums and administer the policies that are distributed by our clients. Under retrospective commission arrangements, we receive a fee for administration services. If the economic results are favorable for the business generated by our clients, they receive a variable commission payment that equals the profits from the policies sold after the payment of claims and premium tax. In the event the economic results are negative, we adjust future commissions and/or retrospective commissions so we receive our entire fee. The administrative fees earned by us are recognized as service and administrative revenue.


101


Table of Contents

Retrospective Commission Arrangement
 
(FLOW CHART)
 
Our clients also own PORCs that assume the credit insurance premiums and associated risk that they originate in exchange for ceding commissions that are paid to our insurance companies. The PORCs owned and controlled by our clients typically pay all losses associated with the insurance policies that they assume. We administer the PORCs on behalf of our clients and oversee the investment assets of the PORCs. The ceding commissions paid to our insurance companies are recognized as service and administrative revenue.
 
Producer Owned Reinsurance Companies
(PORCs)
 
(FLOW CHART)
 
We assume insurance underwriting risk on a limited portion of our credit insurance policies and retain the related premiums when our clients do not want or are unable to retain the risk. Any policies that we underwrite fit within our risk management policies. We cede a significant portion of these policies to third-party reinsurers through quota share or coinsurance arrangements. We also utilize reinsurance agreements to limit our catastrophic exposure on the insurance underwriting risk that we assume. Service and administrative fees that we receive for administering the ceded credit insurance premiums and investment income that we receive from the reserves maintained in trust accounts are recognized as ceding commissions. Experience refunds arising from our reinsurance arrangements are also included in ceding commissions. Net premiums earned from our retained Payment Protection products less the costs of settling claims and commissions paid on such products is recognized as net underwriting revenue. See “— Enterprise Risk Management” below.


102


Table of Contents

Retained Premium
 
(FLOW CHART)
 
Debt Cancellation.  Debt cancellation plans are offered by lenders in conjunction with lines of credit, installment loans and credit cards. Debt cancellation plans waive or defer all or a portion of the monthly payments, monthly interest or the actual debt for the account holder for a covered event such as death, disability or job loss. These plans are similar to credit life, disability and involuntary unemployment insurance but, when provided by certain financial institutions, are not required to be underwritten by an insurance company. We earn fees for administering debt cancellation plans and related services for our clients.
 
Warranties and Service Contracts.  Through relationships with retailers, manufacturers, third party administrators and authorized service providers, we provide insurance to warranty administrators. These contracts provide consumers with coverage on appliances, electronics, computers, mobile devices, furniture and specialty products, protecting them from certain covered losses. Under these contracts, our clients pay the cost of repairing or replacing customers’ property in the event of damages due to mechanical breakdown, accidental damage, and casualty losses such as theft, fire, and water damage. We provide services that facilitate the distribution and administration of warranty or extended service contracts, including program design and marketing strategy.
 
Car Club Memberships.  Car club memberships are generally sold by consumer finance companies as part of a consumer finance transaction. Car club memberships typically last one year and can extend for longer periods depending on state regulations. These memberships provide towing reimbursement and other roadside assistance services, depending on the package purchased by the consumer. Under these contracts, our clients earn a commission related to the sale of memberships, and we earn fees related to the provision of membership benefits over the term of each membership.
 
Marketing and Distribution
 
We focus on establishing strong, long-term relationships with our clients, which are the distributors of our Payment Protection services and products, particularly lenders and retailers in niche markets. We market our services and products through a dedicated national sales team, which consisted of 14 people as of June 30, 2010, and general agents. We work closely with general agents specializing in the community bank and automotive markets who maintain relationships with our existing clients and


103


Table of Contents

assist us in developing new client relationships in these markets. As of June 30, 2010, we had life insurance products licenses in 45 states and property and casualty products licenses in 41 states.
 
Our marketing efforts typically involve a long selling cycle to secure a new client. Our efforts may begin through our sales efforts, referrals, a request for proposal or otherwise.
 
Clients
 
Our Payment Protection clients include consumer finance companies, community banks, regional banks, retailers, small loan companies, warranty administrators, automobile dealers, vacation ownership developers and credit unions. We had 1,111 Payment Protection clients as of December 31, 2009. We typically maintain long-term business relationships with our clients. From 2005 to 2009, our annual client retention rates averaged 95% in our Payment Protection business. Our Payment Protection business is not dependent on a particular client. Our top ten Payment Protection clients accounted for approximately 48.6% and 46.3% of our Payment Protection net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
BPO
 
Our BPO segment, marketed under our Consecta brand, is a leading provider of business process outsourcing services tailored to insurance companies and commercial lenders. We previously operated our BPO business under the LOTSolutions brand. In 2010, we re-branded our BPO business to reflect our broader BPO capabilities and to give it a distinct identity from our Life of the South brand. Through our operating platform, which utilizes our proprietary technology, we offer our clients versatile, turn-key solutions that enable them to test, launch, distribute and administer new insurance and other financial products at lower costs than if our client performs these functions on its own. Our proprietary administrative technology platform allows our clients to outsource the fixed costs and complexity associated with internal development and ongoing administration of insurance products. As of June 30, 2010, our BPO business had 59 full-time employees. We can also utilize up to 30 independent contractors to support our BPO business based on the needs of the business at any given time.
 
Insurance companies manage a wide variety of business functions to develop, market, distribute and administer insurance products. They also manage the regulatory, compliance and capital requirements of being an insurance company, as well as the assets and liabilities associated with their insurance policies. Insurance companies typically distribute their products to consumers through a variety of distribution intermediaries, including retail agents and brokers, wholesale brokers and MGAs. Insurance companies have traditionally managed internally all or most of these business functions and distribution partnerships.


104


Table of Contents

Traditional Insurance Company Model
 
(FLOW CHART)
 
We provide a broad set of insurance administration services that enable insurance companies to outsource many of these business functions to us. Our services cover many phases of insurance business processes including product development, sales and marketing support, electronic underwriting, premium billing and collections, policy administration, claims adjudication and call center management.
 
We utilize our established, scalable infrastructure and technological capabilities to provide our clients with low-cost solutions that would otherwise be costly and time consuming for our clients to replicate themselves or obtain through another provider. Our technology platform and expertise allow us to reach our clients’ end-customers in an efficient and cost-effective manner. In addition, the scalability of our operating platform allows us to add new clients or additional services for clients without incurring incremental costs.
 
We use our analytics capabilities to help our clients devise new models for underwriting, risk management and actuarial analysis. While we have significant industry knowledge and experience that is valuable to our BPO clients, we do not compete with them, which is a key competitive factor. Our insurance company clients manage many of the regulatory and compliance functions, and also maintain responsibility for managing the assets, policy reserves and capital of their insurance companies. We do not take any insurance underwriting risk in our BPO business.


105


Table of Contents

Consecta Insurance Company BPO Model
 
(FLOW CHART)
 
Our BPO solutions facilitate the implementation and administration of integrated, multi-party insurance marketing campaigns that provide incremental revenue opportunities and enhance customer relationships. We distribute and administer insurance and other financial products that are marketed to the end-customers of large financial institutions. We typically partner with leading insurance companies, financial service companies and direct marketing services firms to deliver our solutions. We work closely with these partners to develop and implement an integrated solution.
 
In providing our solutions, we seek to address the needs of each of these primary partners. The direct marketing services firms with which we partner, develop and design the marketing strategy for the insurance and other financial products that we distribute and administer on behalf of insurance companies. These mass marketing campaigns leverage the existing customer relationships and brand names of large financial institutions to provide new products and services to their customers, enhance their customer relationships and increase the value of their existing customer base. By partnering with these parties and providing our services, we provide insurance companies with access to new product distribution channels and create new product opportunities.
 
BPO Transaction Flow
 
(FLOW CHART)
 
Our BPO business generates service and administrative fees and other income under fixed-price and per-unit priced contracts that typically have a term of between one and three years. Our service and administrative fees for our BPO business are based on the complexity and volume of business that we


106


Table of Contents

manage on behalf of our clients. In 2009, the BPO business represented approximately 28.3% of our total net revenues and 48.4% of our pre-tax income.
 
Services
 
Our BPO segment provides a number of outsourcing, administrative, marketing and technology services. We market, develop and administer insurance and other financial products on behalf of our clients, including life and health insurance products, debt cancellation, identity theft protection and fee revenue programs and membership clubs.
 
Marketing and Strategy Execution.  We provide marketing consulting, statistical modeling and segmentation, list processing, campaign execution and other marketing services.
 
Enrollment and New Business Processing.  We can manage all aspects of our clients’ enrollment and new business processing. Our services include managing multiple customer response channels, such as Web-based systems, inbound call centers, mail and interactive voice response (IVR) systems.
 
Producer Services.  We offer our clients services and a flexible platform that manages all aspects of the life insurance processing cycle, including licensing and appointment and user defined compensation structures. Our services include commissions processing, recoupment, chargeback and adjustments.
 
Customer Materials.  We manage communications with our insurance company clients’ customers, including the automated production and distribution of policy delivery kits and receipts, welcome letters, underwriting endorsements and amendments to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements. We also manage communications between policy owners and carriers.
 
Customer Care and Support.  We manage customer care and support on behalf of our clients. Our customer care services include account servicing, handling queries, general servicing and dispute resolution.
 
Billing and Premium Processing.  We provide a range of billing services that can be customized for each client, which includes processing premium payments through credit cards, electronic funds transfers, mortgage escrow and direct billing.
 
Claims and Benefit Adjudication.  We utilize our proprietary, rules-based platforms to provide claim and benefit adjudication for life insurance, health benefits, debt cancellation and other programs on behalf of our clients.
 
Reporting and Business Intelligence.  We help our clients identify and manage valuable business data and provide periodic business reviews with specific recommendations for testing, strategies and business initiatives designed to help clients improve efficiencies, production, customer care and profitability.
 
Systems and Platforms.  We have proprietary and exclusively licensed processing platforms with the capability to provide automated core insurance business process outsourcing services, including but not limited to product quotation and illustrations, binding new policies, underwriting, billing, post issuance transactional activity, qualified plan distributions and claim processing associated with the administration of life insurance products.
 
Conversions.  We utilize industry knowledge, methodology and proprietary software to efficiently and effectively convert our clients’ data to our platform.


107


Table of Contents

Product Advisory.  We advise clients in the development and execution of new product ideas that enable our clients to bring new products to market in an effective, timely and efficient manner.
 
Capital Advisory.  We provide comprehensive reviews of client capital structures and advise our clients on alternate solutions to improve the economic efficiency of runoff insurance operations. Once a particular solution has been chosen, we assist our clients with the structuring, implementation and execution of more efficient capital solutions.
 
Asset Recovery and Commercial Collections.  Through our Universal Equipment Recovery Group (UERG) brand, we provide pre-collection, asset recovery, deficiency collection and repossession management services to banks and commercial lending institutions.
 
Marketing and Distribution
 
We market our BPO services to both existing and potential clients through our dedicated sales team, which consisted of five people as of June 30, 2010. In addition to adding new clients, we also market new services and products to our existing clients. We are licensed as a third party insurance administrator in all 50 states.
 
We assign each of our clients a relationship manager who serves as the primary point of contact, ensuring that our services are being delivered effectively and that we are meeting or exceeding client expectations. The relationship manager is supported by an operations manager that has responsibility for all service delivery and is an integral part of the establishment of processes for a new client and a new product.
 
Our marketing efforts typically involve a relatively long selling cycle in which it can take 12 to 18 months to secure a new client. Our efforts may begin in response to a perceived opportunity, referrals, a request for proposal or otherwise. As our relationship with a client grows, the time required to win an engagement for additional products or services often gradually declines. In addition, as we become more knowledgeable about a client’s business and processes, our ability to identify opportunities to create value for the client typically increases. In particular, productivity benefits and greater business impact can often be achieved by focusing on processes that are “upstream” or “downstream” from the processes we initially handle, or by applying our analytical and technological capabilities to re-engineer processes. In addition, we have the opportunity to take over more complex and critical processes from our clients as we demonstrate our capabilities.
 
Our strong relationships with leading financial services companies and direct marketing services firms enable us to provide our solutions to our clients. Leading financial services companies, which are the companies that market the insurance and other financial products that we distribute and administer to their customers, rely on us to manage their customer information and provide a high-level of service to their customers. We enhance their customer relationships through our interaction with their customers. We believe that our strong relationships with these companies are an important component of our ability to deliver our solutions to our clients. As of December 31, 2009, we worked with more than 500 financial services companies to provide insurance and other financial services products to their customers. We also maintain strong relationships with direct marketing services firms that develop and design the marketing strategy for our clients and financial services company partners. Through our strong relationships with these companies we are introduced to potential new clients and business opportunities for our BPO business.
 
Our Clients
 
Our BPO clients include leading insurance companies, finance companies, banks and retailers. In 2009, we administered mass marketing campaigns on behalf of clients that generated over $184 million in gross written premium and net billed fees for the administration of insurance and debt cancellation


108


Table of Contents

programs. In 2009, our platform and technology enabled our team of 35 individuals on a daily basis to bill approximately 38,000 customers, process and deliver 5,500 policies, fulfill approximately 900 customer service calls and process approximately 900 claims.
 
We derive a substantial portion of our BPO business from insurance companies. Our largest BPO client, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA (NUFIC), accounted for approximately 56.8% and 52.4% of our BPO revenues and 16.1% and 13.0% of our total net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
We currently have two agreements with NUFIC. Both agreements automatically renew for successive one year terms unless either party elects not to renew and provide the required notice of termination to the other party at least 180 days prior to the expiration of the term.
 
The NUFIC agreements allow for earlier termination by either party upon the occurrence of specified events, which vary by agreement. Such termination provisions include events such as a merger, change in control, bankruptcy or the suspension, revocation or termination of necessary licenses. In addition, under one agreement, we are required to pay a $750,000 penalty fee if we terminate the agreement within two years of certain merger or change in control events. Additionally, one agreement contains force majeure termination provisions. Both of these agreements contain provisions that would require us to pay penalties or provide the client the right to terminate the contract if we do not meet pre-agreed service level requirements.
 
For the term of one of the agreements and 18 months thereafter, we have agreed not to develop, market, solicit or offer any insurance programs or products that are similar to certain insurance programs or products that NUFIC provides, except for certain programs or products that we offered through third parties at the time we entered into the agreements.
 
Wholesale Brokerage
 
Our Wholesale Brokerage segment, marketed under our Bliss & Glennon brand, uses a sell-through model to sell specialty P&C and surplus lines insurance. We also provide underwriting services for ancillary or niche insurance products as a MGA for surplus lines and other specialty insurance carriers. In April 2009, we acquired Bliss & Glennon, founded in 1965, which was being divested by Willis North America Inc. because it was a non-strategic business unit. We purchased Bliss & Glennon, in order to diversify our revenue at what we believed was an attractive time to enter the wholesale brokerage business. We believe our emphasis on customer service, rapid responsiveness to submissions and underwriting integrity in this segment has resulted in high customer satisfaction among retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies. As of June 30, 2010, our Wholesale Brokerage business had 188 full-time and part-time employees, including 67 brokers.


109


Table of Contents

Wholesale Brokerage
 
(FLOW CHART)
 
We receive applications for insurance directly from retail insurance brokers and agents. If the insurance need fits our binding authorities, we evaluate the price of available insurance products, make underwriting decisions regarding the risks that are covered, bind coverage and issue insurance policies on behalf of an insurance carrier. If the insurance need is complex or large and exceeds our binding authorities, we seek quotes for coverage from carriers through our brokerage arrangements. We believe that our ability to respond rapidly to such submissions is a key competitive factor. In addition, we aim to differentiate our Wholesale Brokerage services by offering creative solutions, exceptional client service, access to high quality insurance carriers and a full range of services and products for hard to place risks. Our Wholesale Brokerage business provides retail insurance agent and broker clients with the ability to obtain various types of commercial insurance coverages outside of the agent or broker’s core areas of focus, broader access to insurance markets and the expertise to place complex risks. Without assistance from a wholesale broker like Bliss & Glennon, many of the agents and brokers that we support would not have access to these specialized types of insurance policies. Moreover, we believe that insurance carriers value their relationship with us because we provide them with access to new markets without the need for costly distribution infrastructure. We also utilize our technology platforms to provide our clients with administrative services, including policy underwriting, premium and claim administration and actuarial analysis.
 
Our Wholesale Brokerage business is licensed to operate in 37 states with its principal operations in California, one of the largest surplus lines markets in the United States by premium volume. We are among the top 20 largest surplus lines wholesalers in the United States and the seventh largest in California. We also have offices in Texas, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire and Alabama. We have binding authority relationships with 25 insurance carriers and have relationships with over 130 insurance carriers.


110


Table of Contents

Our Wholesale Brokerage business earns wholesale brokerage commissions and fees for the placement of specialty insurance products. Following our acquisition of Bliss & Glennon in April 2009, the Wholesale Brokerage business generated $16.8 million in revenues and $2.1 million in pre-tax income, which represented approximately 20.2% of our total net revenues and 11.8% of our pre-tax income for the year ended December 31, 2009. In 2009, net commissions and fees income represented 94.7% of the Wholesale Brokerage net revenues and profit commissions represented 5.3% of the Wholesale Brokerage net revenues. In 2009, 52.6% of net commissions and fees were from brokerages, 44.2% from binding authority programs and 3.2% from underwriting personal lines.
 
Products and Services
 
We offer a broad portfolio of specialty surplus lines and property and casualty insurance products, as well as other specialty coverages. Our surplus lines insurance products include many insurance coverages for businesses, including commercial property, liability, package, automobile, garage, transportation and professional and management liability. In addition, we offer insurance to individuals, including personal liability and homeowners products. We provide underwriting services to insurance carriers for niche insurance products under binding authority agreements. We also provide insurance premium financing services and products to our clients, which they offer to their customers.
 
The chart below highlights our Wholesale Brokerage products and services:
 
                         
Products and Services
            Professional &
           
            Management
      Personal
  Premium
Commercial Property
 
Casualty
 
Construction
 
Liability
 
Transportation
 
Lines
 
Finance
 
•   Earthquake/DIC
  •   Construction   •   Business Owners Policies (BOPs)   •   Errors & Omissions   •   Commercial Auto   •   Property   •   Commercial Property & Casualty
•   Wind
  •   Environmental & Pollution   •   Multi-line Policies   •   Directors & Officers   •   Truck Liability   •   Umbrella   •   Personal Lines
•   Flood
  •   General Liability       •   Employment Practices Liability   •   Cargo        
•   Large Layered
  •   Product Liability       •   Fiduciary   •   Garage        
•   Inland Marine
  •   Liquor Liability                    
   
•   Umbrella & Excess
                   
 
Commercial Property.  We offer property insurance products and related risk management services, including coverages that are difficult to insure in the standard market. These include coverages for earthquake, wind, flood, fire, difference in conditions, builders risk, vacant properties and large layered accounts.
 
Casualty.  We have substantial expertise in providing strategically focused risk insurance products for businesses, including general liability, product liability, umbrella and excess liability and special events coverage. Our general liability lines products cover risks that the standard marketplace is often unwilling or unable to cover, such as amusement parks, apartment buildings, artisan contractors, clothing and cosmetic manufacturing, day care centers, nightclubs, restaurants and bars, health/exercise clubs and vacant buildings. Our product liability lines products focus on liability exposure for local, regional, national and multi-national businesses. We have expertise with large umbrella and excess liability insurance risks. We also place insurance for risks associated with special events, including sporting events, theatrical performances, entertainment events, contests, conventions and other large gatherings.


111


Table of Contents

Construction.  We offer construction-related surplus lines insurance products to general and artisan contractors, including general liability, excess liability, pollution, commercial/municipal, residential, owner and contractor protection, self-insured retention coverage, liability and workers compensation “wrap-up” policies for construction projects. We also provide owner or contractor controlled liability insurance policies and other construction project specific liability policies.
 
Professional and Management Liability.  We provide a broad range of professional liability coverages, including errors and omissions liability, director & officers liability, employment practices liability, fiduciary liability, crime insurance and fidelity bonds.
 
Environmental & Pollution.  We place policies that insure against a wide range of environmental and pollution risks, including site pollution, construction related pollution and underground storage tank risks.
 
Transportation.  The transportation related coverages that we place include garage insurance, inland marine, cargo coverage and non-truck liability, as well as commercial auto and truck liability and physical damage coverage.
 
Personal Lines.  We provide personal liability coverages to individuals, including umbrella coverage, home business coverage, vacant dwelling insurance, fire insurance, special events coverage and excess liability coverage.
 
Premium Finance.  With each insurance quote, we also automatically provide terms for financing the related premium through our South Bay Acceptance Corporation subsidiary. We offer retail brokers access to their finance accounts through our website and through our customer service call center. South Bay Acceptance Corporation also offers financing through retail agents and brokers on other insurance policies not provided through Bliss & Glennon.
 
Marketing and Distribution
 
We develop and maintain relationships with retail insurance brokers and agents of insurance carriers who underwrite the products that we distribute. We have longstanding relationships with our retail broker and agent clients as well as a variety of leading insurance carriers. We are continually seeking to expand our network of retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies. Our wholesale brokers target retail insurance agents who can benefit from our expertise and access to insurance carriers.
 
Clients
 
During 2009, we placed business for retail insurance brokerage firms of varying sizes, ranging from large, multinational and domestic brokers such as Willis Group Holdings PLC, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., BB&T Corporation, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. and Brown & Brown, Inc., to small, local agencies. Although we do business with many of the large, national and regional retail insurance brokerage firms, we derive a substantial part of our business from small to mid-size retail insurance agencies. In 2009, our largest retail insurance brokerage client, Willis, represented approximately 14% of our direct written premium placed. Our ten largest retail insurance brokerage clients represented approximately 28.8% of our direct written premium placed.
 
Willis accounted for approximately 11.1% and 11.3% of our Wholesale Brokerage net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
We acquired Bliss & Glennon from Willis on April 15, 2009. The purchase agreement governing this acquisition included provisions for Bliss & Glennon to remain an approved wholesale insurance broker for at least seven years from the closing of the acquisition subject to our compliance with various


112


Table of Contents

approved wholesaler requirements. In addition, the purchase agreement provides certain other provisions that support a long-term relationship with Willis. We are currently in compliance with the approved wholesaler requirements and believe we are in good standing with Willis.
 
Insurance Carriers
 
We have commercial relationships with over 130 insurance carriers, including large insurance carriers who distribute a wide range of products and operate internationally as well as smaller insurance carriers who focus on certain specialty niches or products and who operate nationally or regionally in the United States.
 
We act as an MGA under binding authority agreements for more than 25 insurance carriers. Binding authority agreements provide wholesale brokers with the ability to quote, bind and issue policies on behalf of an insurance carrier based on the carrier’s detailed underwriting guidelines. In addition to underwriting guidelines, binding authority agreements dictate policy pricing, commission rates and the scope of the binding authority.
 
We monitor the financial strength ratings of the insurance carriers with which we do business, and we generally advise our Wholesale Brokerage clients to conduct business with insurance carriers that maintain satisfactory financial strength ratings from A.M. Best.
 
Enterprise Risk Management
 
We manage risks by employing controls in our insurance, investment and operational functions. These controls are designed to both place limits on our operating activities and provide information and reports that help identify any needed adjustments to our existing controls. Senior management supports the discussion and enforcement of risk controls in the management of our businesses. In order to coordinate risk management efforts and ensure alignment between our risk-taking activities and our strategic objectives, we have a formal enterprise-wide risk management program. As part of our risk management program, we appointed a Chief Risk Officer who reports directly to our Chief Executive Officer.
 
In the ordinary course of our Payment Protection business, we enter into reinsurance agreements with reinsurers owned by our clients, which are referred to as PORCs. Under these agreements, the PORCs are liable to us to the extent of the reinsurance ceded, or transferred, to them. However, we remain liable as the direct insurer on all risks reinsured. We have established risk management practices and policies to minimize our potential exposure to PORCs. We typically require each PORC to hold cash and cash equivalents as collateral in excess of any reinsurance recoverable amount (i.e. the statutory credit reinsurance requirement) in a trust account managed by us. This amount is typically 110% of the statutory reserve. We also have the ability to collect unpaid reinsurance receivables from PORCs by withholding cash flows from future insurance policies.
 
We underwrite a limited portion of our credit-insurance policies in our Payment Protection business and retain the related premiums. We typically underwrite such policies when our clients do not want to or are unable to retain the risk. All policies that we underwrite are within our established underwriting guidelines and risk management policies. We also purchase reinsurance to further control our exposure to potential losses and to protect the capital resources of our insurance subsidiaries. We utilize a variety of reinsurance agreements to control our exposure to large losses on individual insurance policies and to limit our exposure to catastrophic events.
 
We purchase per risk excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance from high-quality, highly rated reinsurers. Our property per risk excess of loss reinsurance covers losses in excess of $200,000 up to as much as $1.8 million. Less than 5% of the insurance policies that we underwrite have a policy limit


113


Table of Contents

that exceeds our retention of $200,000. We also purchase property catastrophe reinsurance that covers 100% of aggregate property losses between $1.75 million and $3.5 million, which we believe provides adequate coverage for a 1-in-100 year catastrophic event at an attractive cost. Our life per risk excess of loss reinsurance covers losses in excess of $45,000 up to as much as $155,000. We also purchase life catastrophe reinsurance that covers 100% of aggregate life losses in excess of $135,000 up to $2.0 million. We believe that the life per risk excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance that we purchase provides adequate coverage for the low policy limit credit insurance that we underwrite.
 
The investments of our insurance company subsidiaries must comply with applicable laws and regulations which prescribe the kind, quality and concentration of investment. In general, these laws and regulations permit investments, within specified limits and subject to some qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common equity securities, mortgage loans, real estate and some other investments. Our enterprise risk management practices include the determination of our investment strategy and management of our formal investment policy. Our investment strategy seeks long-term returns with asset price stability through disciplined security selection and portfolio diversity. Our investment policy and strategy are reviewed and approved by our board of directors annually. Pursuant to our investment policy and the terms of an investment management agreement, and with the oversight of our senior management, Conning Asset Management Company manages our insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios with an experienced team of investment professionals.
 
For further information regarding our disaster recovery plans for our technology systems, see “— Technology and Operations — Data Center and Network Facilities.” We also have plans in place to comply with privacy laws and protect consumer data, which are described in further detail under “— Regulation.”
 
Competition
 
Our businesses focus on niche segments within broader insurance markets. While we face competition in each of our businesses, we believe that no single competitor competes against us in all of our segments and the markets in which we operate are generally characterized by a limited number of competitors. Competition in our operating segments is based on many factors, including price, industry knowledge, quality of client service, the effectiveness of our sales force, technology platforms and processes, the security and integrity of our information systems, the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, office locations, breadth of product and services and brand recognition and reputation. Some competitors may offer a broader array of services and products, may have a greater diversity of distribution resources, may have a better brand recognition, may have lower cost structures or, with respect to insurers, may have higher financial strength or claims paying ratings. Some competitors also have larger client bases than we do. In addition, new competitors could enter our markets in the future. The relative importance of these factors varies by product and market. The competitive landscape for each of the businesses is described below.
 
In our Payment Protection business, we compete with insurance companies, financial institutions and other insurance service providers. The principal competitors for our Payment Protection business include the payment protection groups of Aon Corporation, Assurant, Inc., Asurion Corporation and smaller regional companies. As a result of state and federal regulatory developments and changes in prior years, certain financial institutions are able to offer debt cancellation plans and are also able to affiliate with other insurance companies in order to offer services similar to those in our Payment Protection business. As financial institutions gain experience with payment protection programs, their reliance on our services and products may diminish.


114


Table of Contents

Our BPO business competes with a variety of companies, including large multinational firms that provide consulting, technology and/or business process services, off-shore business process service providers in low-cost locations like India, and in-house captives of potential clients. Our principal business process outsourcing competitors include Aon Corporation, Computer Sciences Corporation, Direct Response Insurance Administration Services, Inc., Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., Perot Systems Corporation (a subsidiary of Dell, Inc.) and Unisys Corporation. The trend toward outsourcing and technological changes may also result in new and different competitors entering our markets. There could also be newer competitors with strong competitive positions as a result of strategic consolidation of smaller competitors or of companies that each provide different services or serve different industries. In addition, a client or potential client may choose not to outsource its business, including by setting up captive outsourcing operations or by performing formerly outsourced services themselves.
 
Our Wholesale Brokerage business competes with numerous firms for retail insurance clients, including AmWINS Group, Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Brown & Brown, Inc. and The Swett & Crawford Group, Inc. Many of our Wholesale Brokerage competitors have relationships with insurance companies or have a significant presence in niche insurance markets that may give them an advantage over us. Because relationships between insurance intermediaries and insurance companies or clients are often local or regional in nature, this potential competitive disadvantage is particularly pronounced outside of California. This could also impact our ability to compete effectively in any new states or regions that we enter. A number of standard market insurance companies are engaged in the sale of products that compete with those products we offer. These carriers sell their products directly through retail agents and brokers, without the involvement of a wholesale broker, which may yield higher commissions to retail agents and brokers and may impact our ability to compete. In addition, the Internet continues to evolve as a source for direct placement of personal lines business.
 
In addition, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 and regulations enacted thereunder permit banks, securities firms and insurance companies to affiliate. As a result, the financial services industry has experienced and may continue to experience consolidation, which in turn has resulted and could continue to result in increased competition from diversified financial institutions, including competition for acquisition prospects.
 
Insurance Companies and Ratings
 
The following table sets forth our insurance subsidiaries:
 
         
Name
 
Domicile
 
Licensed States
 
Life of the South Insurance Company
  Georgia   45 states
Southern Financial Life Insurance Company
  Kentucky   Kentucky
Bankers Life of Louisiana
  Louisiana   Louisiana
Lyndon Southern Insurance Company
  Delaware   41 states
Insurance Company of the South
  Georgia   Georgia and North Carolina
 
Rating organizations periodically review the financial strength of insurers, including our insurance subsidiaries. Insurance companies are assigned financial strength ratings based upon factors relevant to policyholders such as financial strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet ongoing obligations to policyholders. Ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. All of our insurance subsidiaries have a financial strength rating of B++ with a positive outlook from A.M. Best. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to periodic review by rating organizations and may be revised upward, downward or revoked at their sole discretion. In our Payment Protection business, we generally target markets that are not ratings sensitive. Accordingly, we do not consider obtaining upgraded ratings to be a strategic focus.


115


Table of Contents

Regulation
 
Our Payment Protection, BPO and Wholesale Brokerage businesses are subject to extensive regulation and supervision, including at the federal, state and local level and, to a limited degree, by foreign authorities. We cannot predict the impact of future state, federal or foreign laws or regulations on our business. Future laws and regulations, or the interpretation thereof, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Payment Protection
 
State Regulation
 
Our insurance operations and subsidiaries are subject to regulation in the various states and jurisdictions in which they transact business. State insurance laws and regulations regulate most aspects of our insurance businesses, and our insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the insurance departments of the states in which they are domiciled and licensed. Our non-U.S. insurance operations are principally regulated by insurance regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which they are domiciled (i.e., Turks and Caicos). Our insurance products and thus our businesses also are affected by U.S. federal, state and local tax laws, and the tax laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions.
 
The extent of U.S. state insurance regulation varies, but generally derives from statutes that delegate regulatory, supervisory and administrative authority to a department of insurance in each state. The purpose of the laws and regulation affecting our insurance operations is primarily to protect the policyholders and not our stockholders or our agents (i.e., the financial institutions that sell our products to their customers). The regulation, supervision and administration by state departments of insurance relate, among other things, to: standards of solvency that must be met and maintained; the payment of dividends; changes in control of insurance companies; the licensing of insurers and their agents and other producers; the types of insurance that may be written; privacy practices; the ability to enter and exit certain insurance markets; the nature of and limitations on investments and premium rates, or restrictions on the size of risks that may be insured under a single policy; reserves and provisions for unearned premiums, losses and other obligations; deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders; payment of sales compensation to third parties; approval of policy forms; and the regulation of market conduct, including underwriting and claims practices. Further, state legislators and insurance regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) continually re-examine laws and regulations, which may result in changes to existing laws or regulations or interpretations thereof that adversely affect our business. Although we believe we are in compliance in all material respects with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that more restrictive laws or regulations will not be adopted in the future that could make compliance more difficult or expensive.
 
State insurance departments also conduct periodic examinations of the affairs of insurance companies and require the filing of annual statements and other reports, prepared under statutory accounting principles (SAP), relating to the financial condition of companies and other matters. Financial examinations completed during the past three years with respect to our operating insurance company subsidiaries have not resulted in material negative adjustments to statutory surplus, and pending financial and market conduct examinations with respect to these subsidiaries have not identified any material findings to date.
 
At the present time, our insurance company subsidiaries are collectively licensed to transact business in 45 states including the District of Columbia, although three of our insurance subsidiaries individually are licensed in only one or a few states. We have insurance subsidiaries domiciled in the states of Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky and Louisiana.


116


Table of Contents

Insurance Holding Company Statutes.  All U.S. jurisdictions in which our insurance subsidiaries conduct insurance business have enacted laws that generally require each insurance company in a holding company system to register with the insurance regulatory authority of its jurisdiction of domicile and to furnish that regulatory authority financial and other information concerning the operations of, and the interrelationships and transactions among, companies within its holding company system that may materially affect the operations, management or financial conditions of the insurers within the system.
 
As a holding company, we are not regulated as an insurance company, but because we own capital stock in insurance subsidiaries, we are subject to the state insurance holding company statutes, as well as certain other laws of each of the states of domicile of our insurance subsidiaries. All holding company statutes, as well as other laws, require disclosure and in many instances, prior regulatory approval of material transactions between an insurance company and an affiliate. The holding company statutes as well as other laws also require, among other things, prior regulatory approval of an acquisition of control of a domestic insurer, certain transactions between affiliates and payments of extraordinary dividends or distributions. Transactions within the holding company system affecting insurers must be fair and reasonable, and each insurer’s policyholder surplus following any such transaction must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate for its needs.
 
Change in Control Requirements.  State insurance regulatory laws intended primarily for the protection of policyholders contain provisions that require advance approval, by the state insurance commissioner, of any change in control of an insurance company that is domiciled, or in some cases, having such substantial business that it is deemed to be commercially domiciled, in that state. Prior to granting such approval, the state insurance commissioner will consider such factors as the financial strength of the applicant, the integrity of the applicant’s board of directors and executive officers, the applicant’s plans for the future operations of the domestic insurer and any anti-competitive results that may arise from the consummation of the acquisition of control. We own, directly or indirectly, all of the shares of stock of insurance companies domiciled in Delaware, Georgia and Louisiana. We own 85% of the shares of stock of an insurance company domiciled in Kentucky, with 15% owned by a private party. “Control” is generally presumed to exist through the ownership of 10% or more of the voting securities of a domestic insurance company or of any company that controls a domestic insurance company. Any purchaser of shares of common stock representing 10% or more of the voting power of our capital stock generally will be presumed to have acquired control of our domestic insurance company subsidiaries unless, following application for exemption by that purchaser in each insurance subsidiary’s state of domicile, the relevant insurance commissioner determines otherwise.
 
In addition, the laws of many states contain provisions requiring pre-notification to state agencies prior to any change in control of a non-domestic insurance company subsidiary that transacts business in that state. While these pre-notification statutes do not authorize the state agency to disapprove the change in control, they do authorize issuance of cease and desist orders with respect to the non-domestic insurer if it is determined that conditions, such as undue market concentration, would result from the change in control.
 
Any future transactions that would constitute a change in control of any of our insurance company subsidiaries would generally require prior approval by the insurance departments of the states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled or commercially domiciled and may require pre-acquisition notification in those states that have adopted pre-acquisition notification provisions and in which one or more of such insurance subsidiaries are admitted to transact business. These requirements may deter, delay or prevent transactions affecting the control of our common stock, including transactions that could be advantageous to our stockholders.


117


Table of Contents

Dividends Limitations.  As an insurance holding company, our ability to meet our obligations and pay operating expenses and dividends depends on the receipt of sufficient funds from our primary operating insurance company subsidiaries. The inability of these companies to pay dividends to us in an amount sufficient to meet obligations and pay expenses and dividends could have a negative effect on us.
 
The payment of dividends to us by any of our insurance company subsidiaries in excess of a certain amount (i.e., extraordinary dividends) must be approved by the subsidiary’s domiciliary state department of insurance. For example, Georgia, the state of domicile of our largest insurance company subsidiary, Life of the South Insurance Company, prohibits the payment of any dividend, the amount of which, together with all dividends made in the preceding twelve months, exceeds the greater of (i) 10% of Life of the South Insurance Company’s statutory surplus as of the end of the prior calendar year or (ii) Life of the South Insurance Company’s statutory net gains from operations from the prior calendar year, without prior approval from the Georgia insurance regulator. Under this restriction, the maximum dividend permitted to be paid by Life of the South Insurance Company without prior regulatory approval in 2010 would be $8.3 million. In the event the insurance regulatory authorities of any such state were to prohibit the payment of dividends to us, such dividends would not be available for our other businesses or potential investments. In addition, Delaware prohibits Lyndon Southern Insurance Company, a Delaware domestic insurer, from paying a dividend from any source other than earned surplus without the prior approval of the Delaware insurance regulator. “Earned surplus” is defined as an amount equal to the insurer’s unassigned funds as set forth in its most recent annual statement submitted to the Delaware insurance department including all or part of its surplus arising from unrealized capital gains or revaluation of assets. Ordinary dividends, for which regulatory approval is generally not required, are limited to amounts determined by a formula, which varies by state. If insurance regulators determine that payment of an ordinary dividend or any other payments by our insurance company subsidiaries to us (such as payments under a tax sharing agreement or payments for employee or other services) would be adverse to policyholders or creditors, the regulators may block or restrict such payments that would otherwise be permitted without prior approval.
 
Our insurance company subsidiaries also must give ten days’ prior notice to the state commissioner of insurance of an intention to pay a dividend or make a distribution other than an extraordinary dividend or extraordinary distribution and/or notify the commissioner shortly after declaration of such dividend or distribution. Following any payment of a dividend, the insurer’s policyholder surplus must be reasonable in relation to the insurer’s outstanding liabilities and adequate for its financial needs.
 
Regulation of Investments.  Our insurance company subsidiaries must comply with their respective state of domicile’s laws regulating insurance company investments. These laws prescribe the kind, quality and concentration of investments and while unique to each state, the laws are modeled on the standards promulgated by the NAIC. Such investment laws are generally permissive with respect to federal, state and municipal obligations, and more restrictive with respect to corporate obligations, particularly non-investment grade obligations, foreign investment, equity securities and real estate investments. Each insurance company is therefore limited by the investment laws of its state of domicile from making excessive investments in any given security (such as single issuer limitations) or in certain classes or riskier investments (such as aggregate limitation in non-investment grade bonds). The diversification requirements are broadly consistent with our investment strategies. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would cause investments exceeding regulatory limitations to be treated as non-admitted assets for the purpose of measuring surplus, and, in some instances, would require divesture of such non-complying investments. We believe the investments made by our insurance subsidiaries comply with these laws and regulations.
 
Risk-Based Capital Requirements.  The NAIC has adopted a model act with risk-based capital (RBC) formulas to be applied to insurance companies. RBC is a method of measuring the amount of capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations in light of its size and


118


Table of Contents

risk profile. RBC standards are used by state insurance regulators to determine appropriate regulatory actions relating to insurers that show signs of weak or deteriorating conditions. The domiciliary states of our insurance subsidiaries have adopted laws substantially similar to the NAIC’s RBC model act. RBC requirements determine minimum capital requirements and are intended to raise the level of protection for policyholder obligations. RBC levels are not intended as a measure to rank insurers generally, and the insurance laws in our domiciliary states generally restrict the public dissemination of insurers’ RBC levels. Under laws adopted by individual states, insurers having total adjusted capital less than that required by the RBC calculation will be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, depending on the level of capital inadequacy.
 
Under laws adopted by individual states, insurers having less total adjusted capital (generally, as defined by the NAIC), than that required by the relevant RBC formula will be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, depending on the level of capital inadequacy. The RBC laws provide for four levels of regulatory action. The extent of regulatory intervention and action increases as the ratio of total adjusted capital to RBC falls. The first level, the company action level, requires an insurer to submit a plan of corrective action to the regulator if total adjusted capital falls below 200% of the RBC amount (or below 250%, when the insurer has a “negative trend” as defined under the RBC laws). The second level, the regulatory action level, requires an insurer to submit a plan containing corrective actions and requires the relevant insurance commissioner to perform an examination or other analysis and issue a corrective order if total adjusted capital falls below 150% of the RBC amount. The third level, the authorized control level, authorizes the relevant insurance commissioner to take whatever regulatory action is considered necessary to protect the best interests of the policyholders and creditors of the insurer, which may include the actions necessary to cause the insurer to be placed under regulatory control (i.e., rehabilitation or liquidation) if total adjusted capital falls below 100% of the RBC amount. The fourth action level is the mandatory control level, which requires the relevant insurance commissioner to place the insurer under regulatory control if total adjusted capital falls below 70% of the RBC amount.
 
The formulas have not been designed to differentiate among adequately capitalized companies that operate with higher levels of capital. At December 31, 2009, all of our insurance subsidiaries had total adjusted capital in excess of amounts requiring company or regulatory action at any prescribed RBC action level.
 
Statutory Accounting Principles.  Statutory accounting principles (SAP) is a basis of accounting developed by U.S. insurance regulators to monitor and regulate the solvency of insurance companies. In developing SAP, insurance regulators were primarily concerned with assuring an insurer’s ability to pay all its current and future obligations to policyholders. As a result, statutory accounting focuses on conservatively valuing the assets and liabilities of insurers, generally in accordance with standards specified by the insurer’s domiciliary jurisdiction. Uniform statutory accounting practices are established by the NAIC and generally adopted by regulators in the various U.S. jurisdictions. These accounting principles and related regulations determine, among other things, the amounts our insurance subsidiaries may pay to us as dividends.
 
GAAP is designed to measure a business on a going-concern basis. It gives consideration to matching of revenue and expenses and, as a result, certain expenses are capitalized when incurred and then amortized over the life of the associated policies. The valuation of assets and liabilities under GAAP is based in part upon best estimate assumptions made by the insurer. Stockholder’s equity represents both amounts currently available and amounts expected to emerge over the life of the business. As a result, the values for assets, liabilities and equity reflected in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP may be different from those reflected in financial statements prepared under SAP.


119


Table of Contents

Policy and Contract Reserve Sufficiency Analysis.  Under the laws and regulations of their jurisdictions of domicile, our insurance company subsidiaries are required to conduct annual analyses of the sufficiency of statutory reserves. In addition, other jurisdictions in which the subsidiaries are licensed may have certain reserve requirements that differ from those of their domiciliary jurisdictions. In each case, a qualified actuary must submit an opinion that states that the aggregate statutory reserves, when considered in light of the assets held with respect to such reserves, make good and sufficient provision for the associated contractual obligations and related expenses of the insurer. If such an opinion cannot be provided, the insurer must set up additional reserves by moving funds from surplus. Our insurance subsidiaries most recently submitted these opinions without qualification as of December 31, 2009 to applicable insurance regulatory authorities.
 
Assessments for Guaranty Funds.  Virtually all states require insurers licensed to do business in their state to bear a portion of the loss suffered by some insured’s as a result of the insolvency of other insurers. Depending upon state law, insurers can be assessed an amount that is generally equal to between 1% and 3% of premiums written for the relevant lines of insurance in that state each year to pay the claims of an insolvent insurer. A portion of these payments is recoverable through premium rates, premium tax credits or policy surcharges. Significant increases in assessments could limit the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to recover such assessments through tax credits or other means. In addition, there have been some legislative efforts to limit or repeal the tax offset provisions, which efforts, to date, have been generally unsuccessful. These assessments may increase in the future, depending on the rate of insurance company insolvencies. We cannot predict the amount or timing of any future assessments for guaranty funds.
 
Market Conduct Regulation.  State insurance laws and regulations include numerous provisions governing the marketplace activities of insurers and insurance producers, including provisions governing the form and content of disclosure to consumers, product illustrations, agent and licensing, advertising, sales and underwriting practices, complaint handling and claim handling. The state regulatory authorities generally enforce these provisions through periodic market conduct examinations.
 
Statutory Financial Examinations.  As part of their regulatory oversight process, state insurance departments conduct periodic detailed examination of the books, records, accounts and business practices of insurers domiciled in their jurisdictions. These examinations generally are conducted under guidelines promulgated by the NAIC.
 
Regulation of Credit Insurance Products.  Most states and other jurisdictions in which our insurance subsidiaries do business have enacted laws and regulations that apply specifically to consumer credit insurance. The methods of regulation vary but generally relate to, among other things, the amount and term of coverage, the content of required disclosures to borrowers, the filing and approval of policy forms and rates, the ability to provide creditor-placed insurance and limitations on the amount of premiums that may be charged and on the amount of compensation that may be paid in connection with the sale of such insurance.
 
The regulation of credit insurance is also affected by judicial activity. For example, federal court decisions have enhanced the ability of community banks to engage in activities that effectively compete with our credit insurance business without being subject to various aspects of state insurance regulation; however, we perform administration services for banks that offer those debt cancellation products.
 
Regulation of Service Contracts and Extended Warranties.  The regulation of the sale of service contracts and extended warranties varies considerably from state to state. In all states, the terms of service contract or extended warranty contracts must be structured in such a way so as not to be considered to be insurance. In addition, in many states, prior to transacting business, obligors, and in some states administrators, must register with a state regulatory agency, most often the state’s insurance


120


Table of Contents

department, subject to the agency’s prior approval of the registration. In order to register, obligors must demonstrate compliance with certain minimum financial strength criteria. Many states also require that certain mandatory disclosures be included in the terms and conditions of a service contract or extended warranty and that the form of the contract be filed with the state prior to being offered. Some states require persons who sell service contracts or extended warranties to be licensed by or registered with the state. Any material changes to the manner in which service contracts and extended warranties are regulated, or in the ability of the obligors to provide these products under state laws and regulations, could have a material adverse impact on our business.
 
Policy Forms.  Our insurance subsidiaries’ policy forms are subject to regulation in every state jurisdiction in which they are licensed to transact insurance business. In most U.S. jurisdictions, policy forms must be filed prior to use, and in some U.S. jurisdictions, forms must also be approved prior to use.
 
Privacy Laws.  Most states have enacted general privacy legislation regarding the protection of customer and consumer information (including state laws implementing the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act with respect to the insurance industry) and requiring notification to consumers in the event of a security breach if the consumers’ or employees’ personal information may have been compromised as a result of the breach. We have adopted privacy policies and practices in our business which address the requirements of such laws and we have implemented physical, administrative and logical security measures with the intent of maintaining the security of our facilities and systems and protecting our, our clients’ and their customers’ confidential information and personally-identifiable information against unauthorized access through the misdirection, theft or loss of data.
 
Reinsurance.  Our insurance company subsidiaries typically do not retain underwriting risk. Instead, they typically reinsure most of the business they write. The business is reinsured either with offshore reinsurers that are owned by our Payment Protection clients, our Turks and Caicos subsidiary reinsurer or unaffiliated reinsurers. Some states have laws or practices that restrict such reinsurance arrangements to instances where the direct (or ceding) insurer retains a minimum percentage of the underwriting risk, for example, 10%. A state could impose new or different limitations or prohibitions on reinsurance that could negatively impact our business and results of operations.
 
Federal Regulation
 
In 1945 the U.S. Congress enacted the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which declared the regulation of insurance to be primarily the responsibility of the individual states. Although repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act is debated in the U.S. Congress from time to time, the federal government generally does not directly regulate the insurance business. However, federal legislation and administration policies in several areas, including healthcare, pension regulation, age and sex discrimination, financial service regulation, securities regulation, privacy laws, terrorism and federal taxation do affect the insurance business.
 
Traditionally, the U.S. federal government has not directly regulated the insurance business. Congress recently passed and the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act providing for the enhanced federal supervision of financial institutions, including insurance companies in certain circumstances, and financial activities that represent a systemic risk to financial stability or the U.S. economy. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Insurance Office will be established within the U.S. Treasury Department to monitor all aspects of the insurance industry and its authority will extend to all lines of insurance except health insurance, long-term care insurance that is not included with life or annuity insurance components and crop insurance. The director of the Federal Insurance Office will have the ability to recommend that an insurance company or insurance holding company be subject to heightened prudential standards by the Federal Reserve, if it is determined that financial distress at the company could pose a threat to the financial stability of the U.S. economy. Notwithstanding the creation of the


121


Table of Contents

Federal Insurance Office, the Dodd-Frank Act provides that state insurance regulators will remain the primary regulatory authority over insurance and expressly withholds from the Federal Insurance Office and the U.S. Treasury Department general supervisory or regulatory authority over the business of insurance. The Dodd-Frank Act also provides for the preemption of state laws when inconsistent with certain international agreements and would streamline the regulation of reinsurance and surplus lines insurance. At this time, we cannot assess whether any other proposed legislation or regulatory changes will be adopted, or what impact, if any, the Dodd-Frank Act, NAIC initiatives or any other legislation or changes could have on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
 
With regard to payment protection products, there are federal and state laws and regulations that govern the disclosures related to lenders’ sales of those products. Our ability to administer those products on behalf of financial institutions is dependent upon their continued ability to sell those products. To the extent that federal or state laws or regulations change to restrict or prohibit the sale of these products, our administration services and fees revenues would be adversely affected. The Dodd-Frank Act created a new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection within the Federal Reserve, which would add new regulatory oversight for these lender products. The full impact of this oversight cannot be determined until the Bureau has been established and implementing regulations are put in place.
 
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.  On November 12, 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 became law, implementing fundamental changes in the regulation of the financial services industry in the United States. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act permits the transformation of the already converging banking, insurance and securities industries by permitting mergers that combine commercial banks, insurers and securities firms under one holding company. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, community banks retain their existing ability to sell insurance products in some circumstances. Privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act became fully effective in 2001. These provisions established consumer protections regarding the security and confidentiality of nonpublic personal information and, as implemented through state insurance laws and regulations, require us to make full disclosure of our privacy policies to customers. See “— Enterprise Risk Management.”
 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).  Through HIPAA, the Department of Health and Human Services imposes obligations for issuers of health and dental insurance coverage and health and dental benefit plan sponsors. HIPAA established requirements for maintaining the confidentiality and security of individually identifiable health information and new standards for electronic health care transactions. The Department of Health and Human Services promulgated final HIPAA regulations in 2002. The privacy regulations required compliance by April 2003, the electronic transactions regulations by October 2003 and the security regulations by April 2005. Recently, parts of HIPAA were amended under the HITECH Act, and pursuant to these amendments, new regulations have been issued requiring notification of government agencies and consumers in the event of certain security breaches involving personal health information.
 
HIPAA is far-reaching and complex and proper interpretation and practice under the law continue to evolve. Consequently, our efforts to measure, monitor and adjust our business practices to comply with HIPAA are ongoing. Failure to comply could result in regulatory fines and civil lawsuits. Knowing and intentional violations of these rules may also result in federal criminal penalties.
 
Furthermore, we are subject to laws and regulations arising out of our services for our clients, particularly in the area of banking, financial services and insurance, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Right to Financial Privacy Act, the USA Patriot Act, the Bank Service Company Act, the Home Owners Loan Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 as well as regulation by U.S. agencies such as the SEC, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union


122


Table of Contents

Administration, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision. We are also subject to regulation under the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the Communications Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and applicable regulations in the area of health and other personal information that we process as part of our services.
 
Foreign Jurisdictions.  A portion of our business is ceded to our reinsurance subsidiary domiciled in Turks and Caicos. That subsidiary must satisfy local regulatory requirements. The license issued by the regulatory authority in Turks and Caicos is subject to modification or revocation by such authority, and this subsidiary could be prevented from conducting such business.
 
BPO
 
We are subject to federal and state laws and regulations, particularly related to our administration of insurance products on behalf of other insurers. In order for us to process and administer insurance products of other companies, we are required to maintain licenses of a third party administrator in the states where those insurance companies operate. With regard to our third party administration operations, we also must comply with the related federal and state privacy laws that similarly apply to our insurance operations.
 
We are also subject to laws and regulations on direct marketing, such as the Telemarketing Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act and rules promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission and the CAN-SPAM Act. Failure to comply with the provisions of such acts and rules could result in fines and penalties.
 
As a business process outsourcer for insurers and financial institutions, we are subject to data protection and privacy laws, such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act as well as HIPAA and certain state data privacy laws. In addition, the terms of our contracts typically require us to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If we fail to comply with any applicable laws or regulations, we may be restricted in our ability to provide services and may also be subject to civil or criminal penalties, litigation as well as contract termination.
 
Wholesale Brokerage
 
Our Wholesale Brokerage and premium finance operations are subject to regulation at the federal, state and local levels. Bliss & Glennon and our designated employees must be licensed to act as agents, brokers, producers and/or agencies by state regulatory authorities in the states where we conduct business. Regulations and licensing laws vary by state and are often complex and subject to interpretation and enforcement by the relevant departments of insurance.
 
The applicable licensing laws and regulations in all states are subject to amendment or reinterpretation by state regulatory authorities, and such authorities are generally vested with broad discretion as to the granting, revocation, suspension and renewal of licenses. Failure to comply with relevant requirements (including interpretations thereof by the state regulatory authorities) could result in us and/or our employees being prevented or temporarily suspended from carrying on some or all of our activities in a particular state.
 
Our premium finance operations are subject to federal and state regulation, with the state of domicile having authority over change in control, licensing, operating rules and affiliated transactions. State departments of insurance where we operate also have licensing authority over our contracts with insureds or borrowers, as well as operating rules which provide certain contractual terms and guidelines for compensation. In addition, premium finance companies are subject to certain federal regulation, including review and audit authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.


123


Table of Contents

Our insurance brokerage and administrative service activities are subject to regulation and supervision by state authorities. These requirements are generally designed to protect insured parties by establishing minimum standards of conduct and practice. Although the scope of regulation and form of supervision may vary from state to state, insurance laws generally grant broad discretion to supervisory authorities in adopting regulations and supervising regulated activities. Generally, in every state in which we do business as an insurance broker, we are required to be licensed or to have received regulatory approval to conduct business. In addition, most states require that our employees who engage in brokerage activities in that state be licensed personally or operate under an agency license.
 
We also are required in many states to report, collect and remit surplus lines taxes to state taxing authorities for insurance policies placed in the surplus lines market. The laws and regulations regarding the calculation of surplus lines taxes vary significantly from state to state, and it can be difficult and time consuming to determine the amount of surplus lines taxes due to a particular state, especially for insurance policies covering risks located in more than one state. From time to time, we and our licensed employees are subject to inspection by state governmental authorities with regard to our compliance with state insurance laws and regulations and the collection and payment of surplus lines taxes. We also are affected by the governmental regulation and supervision of insurance carriers. For example, if we act as an MGA for an insurance carrier, we may be required to comply with laws and regulations affecting the insurance carrier. Moreover, regulation affecting the insurance carriers with which we place business can affect how we conduct operations.
 
Laws and regulations vary from state to state and are always subject to amendment or interpretation by regulatory authorities. These authorities have substantial discretion as to the decision to grant, renew and revoke licenses and approvals. Our continuing ability to do business in the states in which we currently operate depends on the validity of and continued good standing under the licenses and approvals pursuant to which we operate. More restrictive laws, rules or regulations may be adopted in the future that could make compliance more difficult and expensive or adversely affect our business. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Businesses and Industries — We are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations, which increase our costs and could restrict the conduct of our business.”
 
Technology and Operations
 
Technology Platform Architecture
 
Our technology infrastructure has been designed and built to support reliability and scalability. Our technology systems are specifically designed, built and/or acquired to support each of our unique segments, business processing units and distribution channels. In many areas, we have built our systems from the ground up to provide the most flexible and robust solutions to meet our needs and service our clients. For example, our Automated Insurance Reporting (AIR) technology provides single point policy data entry and electronic underwriting data transmission by our Payment Protection clients. We believe this approach allows us to maximize efficiency and maintain the highest possible service levels. In addition to building our own systems, we have also capitalized on state of the art, industry software products from IBM, Oracle and others to support both ours and our clients’ needs.
 
We develop our own technology solutions when we need to, using industry standard software development methods and best practices such as Microsoft .NET. However, when solutions already exist, we seek out the top providers of these solutions and incorporate them into our infrastructure. Many of our solutions are provided via the Internet, using web services and portals. Our web solutions are built using state of the art methodologies, such as Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). Our web services provide the flexibility we need to interact with other systems for purposes of automation, customer convenience and to maximize efficiencies through batch processing.


124


Table of Contents

Our technology platform is fault tolerant and scalable through the use of virtualization techniques, storage area networks, blade hardware and replication solutions. Due to the nature of the information we receive from our clients and their customers, many of our technology solutions must pass the most stringent security requirements. Many of our BPO solutions, as well as the systems and networks they operate on, are SAS 70 certified, Payment Card Industry (PCI) Tier 1 Certified and undergo several other security reviews by our clients.
 
Data Center and Network Facilities
 
We operate and maintain several data centers. Our primary data center is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and our data center in Atlanta, Georgia provides remote replication and high availability capabilities for our most critical applications. Our data centers in Jacksonville and Atlanta are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also have data centers in Redondo Beach, California and Conroe, Texas. All centers are physically secured, and our Jacksonville and Atlanta centers also utilize monitoring, environmental alarms, closed circuit television and redundant power sources. All of our systems and centers are on regular backup schedules and data is stored off site at secure locations.
 
Our network is managed by both internal personnel and outsourced to a managed service provider for added reliability. Our network is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All critical systems within our network are fully monitored for reporting continuity and fault isolation.
 
Staff
 
As of June 30, 2010, we employed 25 full-time IT personnel. Our staff is divided into programming, systems operations, network operations, governance and compliance and our project management office (PMO). Our PMO includes our project managers and business analysts. In addition to our full-time staff, we have several contract employees supporting specific project needs at any time.
 
Intellectual Property
 
We own or license a number of trademarks, trade names, copyrights, service marks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights that relate to our services and products. Although we believe that these intellectual property rights are, in the aggregate, of material importance to our businesses, we believe that none of our businesses are materially dependent upon any particular trademark, trade name, copyright, service mark, license or other intellectual property right. U.S. trademark and service mark registrations are generally for a term of 10 years, renewable every 10 years as long as the trademark or service mark is used in the regular course of trade.
 
We have entered into confidentiality agreements with our clients. These agreements impose restrictions on these customers’ use of our proprietary software and other intellectual property rights.
 
Seasonality
 
Our financial results may be affected by seasonal variations. Revenues in our Payment Protection business may fluctuate seasonally based on consumer spending trends, where consumer spending has historically been higher in April, September and December, corresponding to Easter, back-to-school and the holiday season. Accordingly, our Payment Protection revenues may reflect higher second, third and fourth quarters than in the first quarter.
 
Revenues in our Wholesale Brokerage business may fluctuate seasonally based on policy renewal dates, which are typically concentrated in July and December, during our third and fourth quarters. In addition, our quarterly revenues may be affected by new placements, cancellations or non renewals of large policies because commission revenues are earned on the effective date as opposed to ratably over the year. Our Wholesale Brokerage quarterly revenues may also be affected by the amount of profit


125


Table of Contents

commission that we receive from insurance carriers, because profit commissions are primarily received in the first and second quarter of each year.
 
Properties
 
We lease our principal executive offices, which are located in Jacksonville, Florida and consist of approximately 50,000 square feet. We lease an additional office space located in Jacksonville, Florida, which consists of 600 square feet. In addition, we lease approximately, 100,000 square feet of office space in approximately 20 locations throughout the United States.
 
Most of our leases have lease terms of three to five years with provisions for renewals.
 
We believe our properties are adequate for our business as presently conducted.
 
Employees
 
As of June 30, 2010, we employed approximately 447 people on a full or part-time basis. None of our employees are represented by unions or trade organizations. We believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
We are a party to claims and litigation in the normal course of our operations. We believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In our Payment Protection business, we are currently a defendant in lawsuits which relate to marketing and/or pricing issues that involve claims for punitive, exemplary or extracontractual damages in amounts substantially in excess of the covered claim. We consider such litigation customary in our line of business. While in our opinion, the ultimate resolution of such litigation, which we are vigorously defending, should not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. It should be noted that large punitive damage awards, bearing little relation to actual damages sustained by plaintiffs, have been awarded in certain states against other companies in the credit insurance business.


126


Table of Contents

 
MANAGEMENT
 
Executive Officers and Directors
 
The following table sets forth the names and ages, as of September 15, 2010, of our executive officers and directors.
 
             
Name
 
Age
 
Position
 
Richard S. Kahlbaugh*
    50     Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael Vrban
    51     Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Acting Chief Financial Officer
Daniel A. Reppert
    50     Executive Vice President and President, Bliss & Glennon
W. Dale Bullard
    51     Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Alan E. Kaliski
    62     Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer
Joseph R. McCaw
    58     Executive Vice President and President, Life of the South
Robert S. Fullington
    63     Executive Vice President and President, Consecta
Paul S. Romano
    50     Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
John G. Short*
    47     Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
John R. Carroll
    42     Director
J.J. Kardwell
    34     Director
Alfred R. Berkeley, III
    66     Director nominee
Francis M. Colalucci
    65     Director nominee
Frank P. Filipps
    63     Director nominee
Ted W. Rollins
    48     Director nominee
* Richard S. Kahlbaugh and John G. Short are brothers-in-law.
 
Set forth below is a description of the business experience of the foregoing persons.
 
Richard S. Kahlbaugh has been our President and Chief Executive Officer and a director since June 2007 and has been our Chairman since June 2010. Prior to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kahlbaugh was our Chief Operating Officer from 2003 to 2007. He also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of all of our insurance subsidiaries. Prior to joining us in 2003, Mr. Kahlbaugh served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Volvo’s Global Insurance Group. He also served as the first General Counsel of the Walshire Assurance Group, a publicly traded insurance company, and practiced law with McNees, Wallace and Nurick. Mr. Kahlbaugh holds a J.D. from Delaware Law School of Widener University and a B.A. from the University of Delaware. Mr. Kahlbaugh was selected to serve on our board of directors in light of his significant knowledge of our products and markets and his ability to provide valuable insight to our board of directors as to day-to-day business issues we face in his role as our Chief Executive Officer.
 
Michael Vrban has been our Executive Vice President since July 2008, Chief Accounting Officer since January 2010 and our Treasurer since July 2007. Mr. Vrban is also our Acting Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Vrban served as our Chief Financial Officer from July 2007 to December 2009 and as Senior Vice President from July 2007 to July 2008. Prior to joining us, Mr. Vrban served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Commerce West Insurance Company from November 1999 to February 2007 where he was responsible for the management of the finances and operations. Mr. Vrban holds a B.S. from Baldwin-Wallace College.


127


Table of Contents

Daniel A. Reppert has been our Executive Vice President and President of Bliss & Glennon (our Whole Distribution business) since May 2009. Mr. Reppert has been an Executive Vice President since January 2008. He served as our Chief Operating Officer from September 2007 to April 2010 and our Chief Actuary from July 2006 to September 2007. Prior to joining us, Mr. Reppert served as Senior Risk Officer of Insurance at Wachovia Corporation from July 2004 to June 2006. He has more than 25 years of experience in insurance and financial services. He is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Mr. Reppert holds a B.S. from Lebanon Valley College.
 
W. Dale Bullard has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer since May 2006. Mr. Bullard joined us in 1994 as our Senior Vice President and has over 27 years of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining us, Mr. Bullard held various positions at Independent Insurance Group from 1979 to 1994, most recently as a Senior Vice President in 1988. Mr. Bullard holds a B.S. from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Bullard currently serves on the board of directors of the Consumer Credit Insurance Association and previously served as its president.
 
Alan E. Kaliski has been our Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer since May 2010. He also serves as the appointed actuary for our statutory property and casualty insurance companies. Prior to joining us, Mr. Kaliski spent 32 years with Royal Insurance Group where he held various executive positions, including most recently as its Chief Actuary. Mr. Kaliski holds an M.A. from the University of Georgia and a B.S. from the Virginia Military Institute. In addition, he is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
 
Joseph R. McCaw has been our Executive Vice President and President of Life of the South since November 2008. Mr. McCaw joined us in 2003 as our First Vice President of Finance/Retail. Prior to joining us, Mr. McCaw served as President of Financial Institution Group Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Protective Life Corporation. Mr. McCaw holds an M.B.A. from Lindenwood University and a B.A. from Westminster College.
 
Robert S. Fullington has been our Executive Vice President since May 2006 and President of Consecta since 2002. Prior to joining us in 1996 as Vice President and Chief Information Officer, he was a principal in the IBM Management Consulting Group and initially served as an outsourcing manager for IBM. Mr. Fullington holds an M.B.A. and a B.S. from the University of Florida.
 
Paul S. Romano has been our Senior Vice President, Corporate Development since February 2009. Prior to joining us permanently, Mr. Romano was an independent consultant for us beginning in 2007. Mr. Romano was a business consultant with his own firm after selling Cross Keys Capital, LLC, a construction finance company that he founded with four other partners in 1995. He practiced real estate, banking and finance law with Buchanan Ingersoll, PC in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and he clerked for the Honorable Richard B. Wiskersham of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. In addition, he is a member of the Pennsylvania Golf Association Executive Committee and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Mr. Romano holds a J.D. from Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law and a B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.
 
John G. Short joined us in September 2007 as our Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and became our Senior Vice President in May 2010. Prior to joining us, Mr. Short served as Vice President of State External Affairs at Embarq Corporation from May 2006 to February 2007, and Sprint Corporation from June 1995 to May 2006. Mr. Short holds a J.D. from the College of William and Mary and a B.S. from the University of Richmond.
 
John R. Carroll has served on our board of directors since June 2007. Mr. Carroll currently serves as a Managing Director of Summit Partners, which he joined in 1998. Prior to joining Summit Partners,


128


Table of Contents

Mr. Carroll worked as a consultant at Bain & Company from June 1997 to September 1997 and worked as a commercial banker at BayBanks, Inc. from March 1991 to March 1993. Mr. Carroll currently serves on the board of directors of FleetCor Technologies, Inc. and numerous other private companies. Mr. Carroll holds an M.B.A. from Northwestern University and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. Mr. Carroll was selected to serve on our board of directors in light of his experiences in banking, investment banking and private equity financing, and his experiences as a director with private companies.
 
J.J. Kardwell has served on our board of directors since June 2007. Mr. Kardwell joined Summit Partners in 2003 as a Vice President and currently serves as a Principal. Prior to joining Summit Partners, Mr. Kardwell worked as a Director at Windhorst New Technologies from May 2000 to August 2001 and in various finance roles at The Walt Disney Company from August 1998 to May 2000. Mr. Kardwell holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and an A.B. from Harvard University. Mr. Kardwell serves on the board of directors of numerous private companies. Mr. Kardwell was selected to serve on our board of directors in light of his experiences with private equity financing, his experiences as a director with private companies and his management and leadership experience.
 
Alfred R. Berkeley, III will become a member of our board of directors upon the consummation of this offering. Mr. Berkeley is currently the Chairman of Pipeline Financial Group, Inc., the parent of Pipeline Trading Systems, L.L.C., a block trading brokerage service, where he also served as Chief Executive Officer from December 2003 to March 2010. He also serves as a trustee of Johns Hopkins University and a as a member of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, LLC. He formerly served as Vice Chairman of the Nomination Evaluation Committee for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, which makes candidate recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Berkeley also serves as Vice Chairman of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council for the President of the United States and served as the Chairman of XBRL US, the non-profit organization established to set data standards for the modernization of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR reporting system, from 2007 until January 2010. Prior to that, he served as the Vice Chairman of NASDAQ from July 2000 to July 2003 and President of NASDAQ from 1996 until 2000. From 1972 to 1996, Mr. Berkeley served in a number of capacities at Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, which was acquired by Bankers Trust New York Corporation and later by Deutsche Bank AG. Most recently, he was Managing Director in the corporate finance department where he financed computer software and electronic commerce companies. He joined Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated as a Research Analyst in 1972 and became a general partner in 1983. From 1985 to 1987, he served as Head of Information Services for the firm. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. Berkeley took a leave of absence from Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Rabbit Software Inc., a public telecommunications software company. He served as a captain in the United States Air Force and a major in the United States Air Force Reserve. Mr. Berkeley has served as a director of ACI Worldwide, Inc. since 2007. He also currently serves as a director of RealPage Inc. and XBRL US. Mr. Berkeley was previously a director of Kintera, Inc., a provider of software for non-profit organizations, from September 2003 until it was acquired by Blackbaud, Inc.; Webex Communications Inc., a provider of meeting and web event software, until it was acquired by Cisco Systems, Inc. and National Research Exchange Inc., a registered broker dealer, until it ceased operations. Mr. Berkeley holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from the University of Virginia. Mr. Berkeley was selected to serve on our board of directors in light of his experiences as a director of a number of public companies, his capital markets experience and his management and leadership experiences.
 
Francis M. Colalucci will become a member of our board of directors upon the consummation of this offering. Mr. Colalucci was the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Tower Group, Inc., from February 2002 until his retirement in March 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Colalucci was employed by the Empire Insurance Company from 1996 until 2001, a property and casualty insurance


129


Table of Contents

company, and ultimately served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Colalucci served as a director of Tower Group, Inc. from March 2002 until he retired from the board in May 2010, and was previously a director of Empire Insurance Company from 1996 until 2001. Mr. Colalucci holds a B.B.A. from St. John’s University and is a New York State licensed Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Colalucci was selected to serve on our board of directors in light of his 40 years of relevant accounting and financial experience and more than 30 years of insurance industry-related experience.
 
Frank P. Filipps will become a member of our board of directors upon the consummation of this offering. Mr. Filipps served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clayton Holdings, Inc., a mortgage services company, from April 2005 to July 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Filipps served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Radian Group, Inc. and its principal subsidiary, Radian Guaranty, Inc. from June 1999 to April 2005. Mr. Filipps has been a director and a member of the compensation committee of the Board of Directors of Primus Guaranty, Ltd., a holding company primarily engaged in selling credit protection against investment grade credit obligations of corporate and sovereign entities, since September 2004. He has also been a director of Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. since August 1995. Mr. Filipps holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and an M.A. from New York University. Mr. Filipps was selected to serve on our board of directors in light of his diversified background of managing companies and his past senior executive positions and operating experience.
 
Ted W. Rollins will become a member of our board of directors upon the consummation of this offering. Mr. Rollins currently serves as the co-chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Campus Crest Communities, Inc., a company he co-founded in 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Rollins co-founded and managed several companies that developed and operated housing properties and directed several private real estate focused investment funds. From 1998 through 2002, he served as president of St. James Capital, an investment company focused on research-based, structural land investment and niche income property opportunities. Mr. Rollins holds a B.S.B.A. from The Citadel and an M.B.A. from Duke University. Mr. Rollins was selected to serve on our board of directors in light of his management and leadership experiences, including his senior executive positions.
 
Board of Directors
 
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors. Our bylaws will provide that our board of directors will consist of between three and 15 directors. Upon the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will consist of seven directors.
 
Our executive officers and key employees serve at the discretion of our board of directors and will serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.
 
Our board of directors has affirmatively determined Messrs. Berkeley, Colalucci, Filipps and Rollins are independent directors under the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange and as such term is defined in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act.
 
Board Committees
 
Our board of directors has the authority to appoint committees to perform certain management and administration functions. Upon the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will have four committees: the audit committee, the compensation committee, the nominating and corporate governance committee and the executive committee.


130


Table of Contents

Audit Committee
 
The primary purpose of the audit committee is to assist the board’s oversight of:
 
  •  the integrity of our financial statements;
 
  •  our systems of control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;
 
  •  our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
 
  •  our independent auditors’ qualifications and independence;
 
  •  the performance of our independent auditors and our internal audit function;
 
  •  all related person transactions for potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis; and
 
  •  the preparation of the report required to be prepared by the committee pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
 
Messrs. Carroll and Kardwell currently serve on our audit committee. After this offering, Messrs. Colalucci, Filipps and Rollins will serve on the audit committee. Mr. Colalucci will serve as chairman of the audit committee and also qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term has been defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. Our board of directors has affirmatively determined that all members of the audit committee meet the definition of “independent directors” for the purposes of serving on the audit committee under the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange rules.
 
Compensation Committee
 
The primary purpose of our compensation committee is to:
 
  •  recommend to our board of directors for consideration, the compensation and benefits of our executive officers and key employees;
 
  •  monitor and review our compensation and benefit plans;
 
  •  administer our stock and other incentive compensation plans and programs and prepare recommendations and periodic reports to the board of directors concerning such matters;
 
  •  prepare the compensation committee report required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules to be included in our annual report;
 
  •  prepare recommendations and periodic reports to the board of directors as appropriate; and
 
  •  handle such other matters that are specifically delegated to the compensation committee by our board of directors from time to time.
 
Messrs. Carroll and Kardwell currently serve on our compensation committee. After this offering, Messrs. Berkeley, Colalucci and Filipps will serve on the compensation committee, and Mr. Berkeley will serve as the chairman. Each member of the compensation committee is independent within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange rules and the relevant federal securities laws and regulations.


131


Table of Contents

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
 
The primary purpose of the nominating and corporate governance committee is to:
 
  •  identify and recommend to the board individuals qualified to serve as directors of our company and on committees of the board;
 
  •  advise the board with respect to the board composition, procedures and committees;
 
  •  develop and recommend to the board a set of corporate governance guidelines and principles applicable to us; and
 
  •  review the overall corporate governance of our company and recommend improvements when necessary.
 
After this offering, Messrs. Colalucci, Berkeley and Rollins will serve on the nominating and corporate governance committee, and Mr. Colalucci will serve as the chairman. Each member of the nominating and corporate governance committee is independent within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange rules and the relevant federal securities laws and regulations.
 
Executive Committee
 
The primary purpose of the executive committee is to handle such matters that are specifically delegated to the executive committee by our board of directors from time to time.
 
After this offering, Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Berkeley and Kardwell will serve on the executive committee, and Mr. Kahlbaugh will serve as the chairman.
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
Upon the completion of this offering, none of our executive officers will serve on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other company of which any of the members of our compensation committee is an executive officer.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, our compensation committee consisted of John R. Carroll, J.J. Kardwell and Robert M. Clements. Mr. Clements resigned from our board of directors in February 2010.
 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
 
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. These standards are designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct. The code of business conduct and ethics will be available on our internet site at www.fortegra.com. Any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed on our website.


132


Table of Contents

 
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
Named Executive Officers
 
For 2009, our named executive officers were:
 
  •  Richard S. Kahlbaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer;
 
  •  Michael Vrban, Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer and our Chief Financial Officer in 2009;
 
  •  W. Dale Bullard, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer;
 
  •  Robert S. Fullington, Executive Vice President and President, Consecta; and
 
  •  Daniel A. Reppert, Executive Vice President and President, Bliss & Glennon.
 
Evolution of Our Compensation Approach
 
Our compensation approach is necessarily tied to our stage of development. Historically, our board of directors approved the compensation of our named executive officers in part in reliance on the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer and the compensation committee of our board of directors, which included the input of our largest equity holders. Our other named executive officers’ compensation was determined in the sole discretion of our board of directors in reliance on recommendations made by our Chief Executive Officer and our compensation committee. Bonus payments and grants of options and restricted stock were determined in the sole discretion of our board of directors.
 
In connection with the Summit Partners Transactions, Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington entered into employment agreements with us, and in 2009, Messrs. Vrban and Reppert entered into employment agreements with us. Each employment agreement provides for a base salary that is reviewed annually. Salary adjustments, in the case of Mr. Kahlbaugh, may be made in the sole discretion of our compensation committee, and, in the case of Messrs. Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert, may be made in the sole discretion of our compensation committee upon the recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer. Each employment agreement also provides for bonus compensation and eligibility to receive stock options at the discretion of our board of directors.
 
Our compensation committee reviews and approves the compensation of our named executive officers and oversees and administers our executive compensation programs and initiatives. We expect that the specific direction, emphasis and components of our executive compensation program will continue to evolve.
 
Principles of Our Executive Compensation Program
 
We have sought to create an executive compensation program that balances short-term versus long-term payments and awards, cash payments versus equity awards and fixed versus contingent payments and awards in ways that we believe are most appropriate to motivate our named executive officers. Our executive compensation program is designed to:
 
  •  attract and retain talented and experienced executives in the competitive insurance and other financial services industries;


133


Table of Contents

 
  •  motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success;
 
  •  align the interests of our named executive officers and stockholders by motivating named executive officers to increase stockholder value and rewarding named executive officers when stockholder value increases;
 
  •  ensure fairness among the executive management team by recognizing the contributions each executive makes to our success;
 
  •  foster a shared commitment among executives by aligning their individual goals with the goals of the executive management team and our company; and
 
  •  compensate our executives in a manner that incentivizes them to manage our business to meet our long-range objectives.
 
The compensation committee meets outside the presence of all of our named executive officers to consider and determine the appropriate level of compensation for our Chief Executive Officer. For all other named executive officers, our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the compensation committee and meets with the chairman of the compensation committee to discuss those recommendations. The compensation committee then determines the appropriate level of compensation for those named executive officers. Going forward, our Chief Executive Officer will review annually each other named executive officer’s performance with the compensation committee and recommend for each the appropriate base salary, cash performance awards and grants of long-term equity incentive awards. Based on these recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer and in consideration of the objectives described above and the principles described below, the compensation committee will approve the annual compensation packages of our named executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer. The compensation committee also will annually review our Chief Executive Officer’s performance and determine his base salary, cash performance awards and grants of long-term equity incentive awards based on its assessment of his performance with input from any consultants engaged by the compensation committee.
 
In determining the compensation of our named executive officers, we are guided by the following key principles:
 
  •  Competition.  Compensation should reflect the competitive marketplace, so we can retain, attract and motivate talented executives.
 
  •  Accountability for Business Performance.  Compensation should be tied to our financial performance to hold executives accountable for their contributions to our performance as a whole through the performance of aspects of our business for which they are responsible.
 
  •  Accountability for Individual Performance.  Compensation should be tied to the individual’s performance to encourage and reflect individual contributions to our performance. We consider individual performance as well as performance of the businesses and responsibility areas that an individual oversees, and we weigh these factors as we consider appropriate in assessing a particular individual’s performance.
 
  •  Alignment with Stockholder Interests.  Compensation should be tied to our financial performance through equity awards to align the interests of our named executive officers and key employees with those of our stockholders.


134


Table of Contents

 
  •  Fair and Equitable Compensation.  The total compensation program should be fair and equitable to both our named executive officers and our stockholders and should be fair relative to the compensation paid to other professionals in our organization.
 
Components of Our Executive Compensation Program
 
Our executive compensation program currently consists of:
 
  •  base salary;
 
  •  cash incentive awards linked to corporate performance as set forth by the compensation committee or board of directors;
 
  •  deferred compensation provided to certain executives;
 
  •  periodic grants of stock options under our equity incentive plans;
 
  •  other executive benefits and perquisites; and
 
  •  employment agreements, which contain termination and change of control benefits.
 
We combine these elements in order to formulate compensation packages that provide competitive pay, reward the achievement of financial, operational and strategic objectives and align the interests of our named executive officers and other senior personnel with those of our equityholders.
 
Base Salary
 
The primary component of compensation of our executives has historically been base salary. We believe that the base salary element is required in order to provide our named executive officers with a stable income stream that is commensurate with their responsibilities and competitive market conditions. The base salary of our named executive officers is set by their respective employment agreement and is reviewed and adjusted accordingly on an annual basis by our compensation committee.
 
Our compensation committee increases the base salaries paid to our named executive officers, based on:
 
  •  our performance relative to the annual financial objectives set for us;
 
  •  our expectations as to the performance and contribution of such named executive officer and our judgment as to his potential future value to us;
 
  •  our knowledge of the competitive factors within the industries in which we operate;
 
  •  the job responsibilities of the named executive officer; and
 
  •  the background and circumstances of the named executive officers, including experience and skill.
 
Historically, we have not applied specific formulas to set the base salary of our Chief Executive Officer, nor have we sought to benchmark his base salary against similarly situated companies. In 2009, our Chief Executive Officer reviewed publicly available information of companies operating in similar industries and geographies before making his recommendations for base salaries for the other named executive officers to the compensation committee.


135


Table of Contents

As of January 1, 2009, Mr. Kahlbaugh’s base salary was $350,000, which was increased on July 1, 2009 to $380,000 in recognition of his responsibilities as our President and Chief Executive Officer. For the fiscal year 2009, Mr. Vrban’s base salary was $215,000; Messrs. Bullard’s and Fullington’s base salaries were $255,000; and Mr. Reppert’s base salary was $250,000.
 
The base salaries paid to our named executive officers in 2009 are set forth below in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
Cash Incentive Awards
 
We believe that cash incentive awards focus our named executive officers’ efforts and reward named executive officers for annual results of operations that help create value for our stockholders. For 2009, our Chief Executive Officer’s cash incentive award was set by our board of directors and tied to the adjusted EBITDA target. For our other named executive officers, cash incentive awards in 2009 were tied to the achievement of adjusted EBITDA targets and such named executive officer’s achievement of individual annual performance objectives recommended by our Chief Executive Officer and approved by our board of directors.
 
The financial performance criteria established for Richard S. Kahlbaugh in 2009 were as follows:
 
     
    Bonus Available as Percent of
Percent of Target Adjusted EBITDA
  Base Salary
 
Less than 100%
  0%
100%
  50%
At or above 150%
  100%
 
In 2009, Messrs. Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert would only receive a bonus if we met our overall adjusted EBITDA target and such executive met his individual performance objectives. If we did not meet our adjusted EBITDA target, such executives would receive no cash incentive award. If we met our adjusted EBITDA target, Messrs Vrban and Reppert could earn up to 36.5% of their respective base salaries and Messrs. Bullard and Fullington could earn up to 32.5% of their respective base salaries if they met all their individual performance objectives.
 
If we met our adjusted EBITDA target and any of Messrs. Vrban, Bullard, Fullington or Reppert did not meet individual objectives, they were eligible to receive a pro rata portion of their award based on based on the named executive officer’s achievement of his individual annual performance objectives. Our Chief Executive Officer then recommends to the compensation committee the bonus to be paid to each other named executive officer. The compensation committee then approves the final cash compensation award.
 
In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the target adjusted EBITDA was $34.5 million. Our actual adjusted EBITDA for the year was $34.6 million.
 
Our board of directors may from time to time exercise its discretion and award additional annual cash performance bonuses. Our board of directors exercised this discretion in 2009 and granted cash bonuses to each of our named executive officers in 2009 above the amounts earned pursuant to the achievement of the adjusted EBITDA target and personal performance objectives based on our operating performance. Our board of directors also granted additional cash bonuses to Messrs. Kahlbaugh and Vrban in the amount $25,000 and $20,000, respectively, for completing a significant financial transaction. Furthermore, each named executive officer received a holiday bonus of $1,346.


136


Table of Contents

The Summary Compensation Table includes the cash bonus amounts earned for each named executive officer in 2009 pursuant to their financial performance criteria and performance objectives in the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” and the discretionary bonus awards granted by our board of directors in the column entitled “Bonus.”
 
Deferred Compensation
 
Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington are also eligible to receive a deferred bonus award under their respective employment agreements that is paid in accordance with their respective deferred compensation agreements. The deferred bonus award is granted on or before May 1 of each year for which we achieve our annual EBITDA target for the preceding calendar year. In 2009, each of Messrs. Bullard and Fullington was entitled to a deferred bonus award of $15,000, an amount that could be increased by $1,000 for every 1% that our actual EBITDA exceeds the annual EBITDA target, up to a maximum of $30,000. Mr. Kahlbaugh was entitled to a deferred bonus award of between $20,000 and $40,000, as determined by the compensation committee.
 
The deferred bonus awarded to each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington is paid to a trust account that was set up pursuant to their respective deferred compensation agreements and deferred compensation trust agreements. See “— Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.” The deferred compensation agreements provide for certain payments from the trust upon the occurrence of retirement, death or termination upon a change of control. See “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control.” As of 2010, Mr. Kahlbaugh no longer receives this additional bonus as deferred compensation, and any future awards will be paid directly to him.
 
Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation
 
We believe that our long-term performance is fostered by a compensation methodology that compensates named executive officers through the use of equity-based awards, such as stock options, restricted stock awards and other rights to receive compensation based on the value of our equity. We also believe that when our named executive officers possess an ownership interest in us, they have a continuing stake in our long-term success.
 
Certain of our named executive officers currently own outstanding options that were issued under our Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995) and our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, in addition to options granted outside of such plans. All outstanding unvested options granted under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as well as the options granted outside of the plans, will be fully vested on July 31, 2011. See “— Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End.” Additionally, unvested options granted under this plan become fully vested and exercisable upon the occurrence of certain change of control events. See “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control.” All options granted under the Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995) to our named executive officers were fully vested upon the consummation of the Summit Partners Transactions. We did not grant any stock-based awards to our named executive officers in 2009 and no future options will be granted under the Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995) and the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. We intend to adopt an equity plan in connection with this offering. See “— 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.” All of our outstanding options are subject to certain forfeiture rights contained within each individual stock option agreement.
 
Generally, the stock option agreements provide for termination of the option upon the earliest of certain events to occur including: (i) the term of the option; (ii) one or two years following the executive’s termination due to death or disability; (iii) one year following the executive’s termination without cause or for good reason; (iv) three months following the executive’s retirement; or (v) the date the executive voluntarily terminates his employment or is terminated with cause.


137


Table of Contents

Other Executive Benefits and Perquisites
 
We provide various benefits and perquisites to our named executive officers. We offer all full-time employees the opportunity to participate in a 401(k) plan. The general purpose of our 401(k) plan is to provide employees with an incentive to make regular savings in order to provide additional financial security during retirement. Our 401(k) plan provides that we match an employee’s contribution, up to an employee contribution of 5% of salary. Our named executive officers participate in this 401(k) plan on the same basis as all of our other participating employees. We provide to all eligible employees, including our named executive officers, insurance coverage, including, medical, dental and group life insurance plans and programs. We also provide our named executive officers with an executive medical reimbursement plan as an additional benefit. Each named executive officer also receives an automobile allowance under his respective employment agreement, which is consistent with industry practice.
 
Employment Agreements and Termination and Change of Control Benefits
 
We have employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. We entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington in connection with the Summit Partners Transactions. We also entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Vrban and Reppert on January 1, 2009.
 
The primary purpose of the agreements is to establish the terms of employment and to protect both us and the executive. We are provided with reasonable protections that the executive will perform at acceptable levels and will not compete with or recruit employees from us during or after the termination of employment. The executive is provided financial protection in the event of certain reasons for termination of employment in recognition of the executive’s professional career and a forgoing of present and future career options. The employment agreements provide for severance payments in the event of certain categories of termination. See “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control” and “— Employment Agreements.”
 
Risk Review
 
As part of its oversight of our executive compensation program, our compensation committee considers the impact of the program and the incentives created by the compensation awards that the program administers on our risk profile. In addition, we review all of our compensation policies and procedures, including the incentives that they create and factors that may reduce the likelihood of excessive risk taking to determine whether they present a significant risk to us. Based on this review, we have concluded that our compensation policies and procedures are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.


138


Table of Contents

Summary Compensation Table
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation for the year ended December 31, 2009 earned by or paid to our named executive officers.
 
                                                 
                Non-Equity
       
                Incentive Plan
  All Other
   
        Salary
  Bonus
  Compensation
  Compensation
  Total
Name and Principal Position
  Year   ($)(1)   ($)(2)   ($)(3)   ($)(4)   ($)
 
Richard S. Kahlbaugh
    2009     $ 379,615     $ 76,346     $ 230,000     $ 45,458     $ 731,419  
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
                                               
Michael Vrban
    2009     $ 223,269     $ 24,261     $ 47,085     $ 33,882     $ 328,497  
Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer(5)
                                               
W. Dale Bullard
    2009     $ 264,807     $ 1,552     $ 52,294     $ 42,809     $ 361,464  
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
                                               
Robert Fullington
    2009     $ 264,807     $ 4,217     $ 82,129     $ 36,007     $ 387,161  
Executive Vice President and President, Consecta
                                               
Daniel A. Reppert
    2009     $ 259,615     $ 12,565     $ 38,781     $ 37,807     $ 348,768  
Executive Vice President and President, Bliss & Glennon
                                               
(1) The amounts reported in this column reflect the base salaries paid in 2009 to each named executive officer. Forecasted annual salaries are generally based on 26 bi-weekly pay periods. In the year ended December 31, 2009, our named executive officer’s were paid their normal bi-weekly pay for 27 pay periods.
 
(2) “Bonus” represents discretionary cash amounts awarded by our board of directors to named executive officers. Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert earned $50,000, $2,915, $206, $2,871 and $11,219, respectively, as a discretionary bonus above the amounts they earned under our non-equity incentive plan compensation. See “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of our Executive Compensation Program — Cash Incentive Awards.” Messrs. Kahlbaugh and Vrban earned a one-time 2009 payment of $25,000 and $20,000, respectively, in connection with a significant financial transaction. Each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert earned additional bonus compensation of $1,346 for the holidays. Other bonus amounts paid in 2009 were made under each executive’s employment agreement and are included in the column “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”
 
(3) Reflects annual performance bonuses earned by the named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2009 based upon the named executive officers’ respective base salaries as of December 31, 2009. For Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington, such amount includes $40,000, $15,000 and $15,000, respectively, earned in 2009, pursuant to the deferred compensation arrangements. Such amounts are payable in the following year once the respective year’s financial statements have been audited. See “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of our Executive Compensation Program — Deferred Compensation.” Mr. Kahlbaugh elected to take his $40,000 bonus as a cash payment rather than as deferred compensation.
 
(4) This column includes the following:
 
footnotes continued on following page
 
 


139


Table of Contents

                                 
            Medical
  Other Health and
        Automobile
  Reimbursement
  Wellness
Name
  401(k) Match(a)   Allowance(b)   Plan(c)   Benefits(d)
 
Richard S. Kahlbaugh
  $ 9,846     $ 13,200     $ 13,317     $ 9,095  
Michael Vrban
  $ 6,202     $ 12,000     $ 6,543     $ 9,137  
W. Dale Bullard
  $ 7,356     $ 13,200     $ 13,187     $ 9,066  
Robert S. Fullington
  $ 7,356     $ 13,200     $ 11,051     $ 4,400  
Daniel A. Reppert
  $ 7,212     $ 12,000     $ 9,514     $ 9,081  
  (a) Reflects amounts of contributions paid to such executive under 401(k) matching for eligible employees.
 
  (b) Represents the automobile allowance payable under such executive’s employment agreement
 
  (c) Represents the amount of reimbursement for eligible expenses not covered by available group health, dental or vision plans.
 
  (d) Reflects amounts paid to various vendors on behalf of our named executive officer’s for insurance coverage such as health, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, long term care, and short term and long term disability.
 
(5) Mr. Vrban served as our Chief Financial Officer in 2009 and is currently our Acting Chief Financial Officer.
 
2009 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to grants of plan-based awards for the year ended December 31, 2009 with respect to the named executive officers.
 
                                 
        Estimated Future Payouts Under
        Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
        Threshold
  Target
  Maximum
Name
  Grant Date   ($)   ($)   ($)
 
Richard S. Kahlbaugh
                               
Deferred Bonus(1)
    n/a           $ 20,000     $ 40,000  
Cash Incentive Award(2)
    n/a           $ 190,000     $ 380,000  
Michael Vrban
                               
Cash Incentive Award(2)
    n/a           $ 78,475     $ 78,475  
W. Dale Bullard
                               
Deferred Bonus(1)
    n/a           $ 15,000     $ 30,000  
Cash Incentive Award(2)
    n/a           $ 82,875     $ 82,875  
Robert S. Fullington
                               
Deferred Bonus(1)
    n/a           $ 15,000     $ 30,000  
Cash Incentive Award(2)
    n/a           $ 82,875     $ 82,875  
Daniel A. Reppert
                               
Cash Incentive Award(2)
    n/a           $ 91,250     $ 91,250  
(1) Reflects annual deferred compensation awards as estimated payments to Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington under deferred compensation arrangements. The amounts in the “threshold,” “target” and “maximum” columns reflect a certain bonus award amount based on the achievement of certain adjusted EBITDA targets, which we discussed above under “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of our Executive Compensation Program — Deferred Compensation.” If actual performance in any fiscal year does not exceed the “target,” then no deferred bonus is granted to a named executive officer for that fiscal year.
 
(2) Reflects annual cash performance awards as estimated payments to the named executive officers under our non-equity incentive plan. The amounts in the “threshold,” “target” and “maximum” columns reflect a percentage of base salary for such named executive officer, which we discussed above under “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of our Executive Compensation Program — Cash Incentive Awards.” Any level of our performance which falls between two specific points shall entitle the named executive to receive a percentage of base salary determined on a straight-line basis between two such points. If actual performance in any fiscal year does not exceed the “target,” then no cash award is granted to a named executive officer for that fiscal year, except for the Chief Executive Officer who may be awarded a discretionary bonus if such target is not met.
 
For additional information, see “— Employment Agreements.”

140


Table of Contents

 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2009.
 
                                 
    Option Awards(1)
    Number of
  Number of
       
    Securities
  Securities
       
    Underlying
  Underlying
       
    Unexercised
  Unexercised
  Option
   
    Options
  Options
  Exercise
  Option
    (#)
  (#)
  Price
  Expiration
Name
  Exercisable   Unexercisable   ($)   Date
 
Richard S. Kahlbaugh
                               
Options
    50,000.00           $ 15.92       11/17/2015  
Options(2)
    32,386.88       19,432.12     $ 17.07       10/24/2017  
Michael Vrban
                               
Options(3)
    7,337.60       4,807.40     $ 17.07       10/24/2017  
W. Dale Bullard
                               
Options
    5,200.00           $ 8.12       3/8/2011  
Options
    50,000.00           $ 15.92       11/17/2015  
Options(2)
    26,820.63       16,092.237     $ 17.07       10/24/2017  
Robert S. Fullington
                               
Options
    47,000.00           $ 8.12       3/8/2011  
Options
    50,000.00           $ 15.92       11/17/2015  
Options(2)
    26,820.63       16,092.237     $ 17.07       10/24/2017  
Daniel A. Reppert
                               
Options(3)
    7,337.60       4,807.40     $ 17.07       10/24/2017  
(1) Does not give effect to the conversion of our Class A common stock or stock split of our common stock that will occur prior to the consummation of this offering.
 
(2) Of the shares subject to the option, 25% vested on June 20, 2008. The remaining shares subject to the option vested ratably on a monthly basis over the 36 months thereafter and will vest in full as of June 30, 2011.
 
(3) Of the shares subject to the option, 25% vested on July 25, 2008. The remaining shares subject to the option vested ratably on a monthly basis over the 36 months thereafter and will vest in full as of July 31, 2011.
 
Option Exercises
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2009 by our named executive officers. Only Mr. Fullington exercised options in 2009.
 
                 
    Option Awards
        Value
    Number of
  Realized
    Shares
  on
    Acquired on Exercise
  Exercise
Name
  (#)(1)   ($)(2)
 
Robert S. Fullington
    3,000     $ 111,960  
(1) Does not give effect to the conversion of our Class A common stock or stock split of our common stock that will occur prior to the consummation of this offering.
 
(2) The aggregate dollar value realized on exercise is the difference between the fair market value of shares of common stock on December 31, 2009 based upon an internal valuation model and the $8.12 per share exercise price of the options, multiplied by the number of shares subject to the option exercised.


141


Table of Contents

 
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
 
Each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington are entitled to deferred compensation pursuant to their respective employment agreements. See “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Our Executive Compensation Program — Deferred Compensation” above. Earnings on the nonqualified deferred compensation are not considered above market or preferential.
 
The following table presents information regarding nonqualified deferred compensation to the applicable named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
                                 
    Registrant
  Aggregate
  Aggregate
  Aggregate
    Contributions
  Earnings
  Withdrawals/
  Balance as Last
    in Last FY
  in Last FY
  Distributions
  FYE
Name
  ($)(1)   ($)(2)   ($)   ($)
 
Richard S. Kahlbaugh
  $ 27,000     $ 9,585       n/a     $ 76,302  
W. Dale Bullard
  $ 17,000     $ 3,206       n/a     $ 291,287  
Robert S. Fullington
  $ 17,000     $ 12,923       n/a     $ 95,927  
(1) Amounts in this column reflect deferrals of annual cash awards earned in 2008 and deferred in 2009. For Mr. Kahlbaugh, the amount includes $5,000 previously earned but not deferred from the prior year.
 
(2) Each participating named executive officer credits his investment gains and/or losses against the “Vanguard Index — Trust 500 Portfolio” or a similar index fund. We may provide alternative “deemed” investment vehicles from time to time and permit the named executive officers to select which “deemed” investment vehicle against which they will credit their investments. Gains and/or losses are based on the actual investment experience of the underlying investment. In addition, all or a portion of a named executive officer’s plan assets may be held in our common stock. The fair market values of such shares has been determined as of December 31, 2009 based upon an internal valuation model.
 
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
 
The information below describes and quantifies certain compensation that would become payable under each named executive officer’s employment agreement if, as of December 31, 2009, his employment had been terminated. Due to the number of factors that affect the nature and amount of any benefits provided upon the events discussed below, any actual amounts paid or distributed may be different. Factors that could affect these amounts include the timing during the year of any such event.
 
Each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert are entitled to termination payments and benefits pursuant to their employment agreements. In the event of death or physical or mental disability rendering any of these executives substantially unable to perform their duties in any material respect for a period of at least 180 days out of any 12-month period, their employment agreements will automatically terminate. In such instances, Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban and Reppert will be entitled to receive: (i) accrued but unused vacation pay and unpaid base salary; (ii) any payments and benefits to which he is entitled under any of our arrangements or plans; (iii) a pro-rated annual bonus, based on the executive’s date of termination, for the current fiscal year and any unpaid annual bonus for the prior fiscal year; and (iv) continued coverage by the same medical, dental and life insurance coverage as in effect immediately prior to termination for a period of one year. If Mr. Bullard or Mr. Fullington is terminated due to death or disability, each is entitled to receive: (i) accrued but unused vacation pay; (ii) unpaid base salary; (iii) any unpaid annual bonus for the prior fiscal year; and (iv) any payments and benefits to which he is entitled under any of our arrangements or plans. In the case of death, each of the named executive officer’s base salary will continue through the end of the month in which death occurs. In addition, each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington will be entitled to receive his deferred bonus from the prior year.
 
If any executive is terminated for cause, or if any executive voluntarily terminates his employment without good reason, the executive is entitled to receive only his unpaid base salary, accrued but unused


142


Table of Contents

vacation pay, his prior year annual bonus and any payments and benefits to which he is entitled under any of our arrangements or plans. In addition, each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington will be entitled to receive his deferred bonus from the prior year.
 
If any executive’s employment is terminated without cause or by the executive for good reason, the executive is entitled to receive: (i) provided he does not violate the non-compete and non-solicitation clauses in his employment agreement, severance pay equal to the executive’s monthly base salary at the time of termination for 12 months from the date of termination (or in the case of Messrs. Bullard and Fullington, 18 months from the date of termination); (ii) in the case of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban and Reppert, a pro-rated annual bonus based on the executive’s date of termination, for the current fiscal year and unpaid base salary and any unpaid annual bonus for the prior fiscal year; (iii) paid vacation accrued up until the date of termination; and (iv) continued coverage by the same medical, dental and life insurance coverages as in effect immediately prior to the termination of his employment and continuing until his severance pay expires or he commences new employment and becomes eligible for comparable benefits. In addition, each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington will be entitled to receive his deferred bonus from the prior year.
 
Under each executive’s employment agreement, “cause” generally means that we have determined that any or more than one of the following has occurred: (i) the executive has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude or misrepresentation; (ii) the executive failed to carry out any reasonable and lawful instructions and this failure or refusal continued for a period of ten days following written notice; (iii) the executive violated any of the various non-compete clauses in his employment agreement; (iv) the executive committed fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of our funds, misrepresentation, breached his fiduciary duty or engaged in any other material act of dishonesty against us; or (v) the executive engaged in any gross or willful misconduct resulting in a substantial loss to us or substantial damage to our reputation.
 
Under each executive’s employment agreement, “good reason” generally means (i) assignment to the executive of any duties inconsistent in any substantial respect with his position, authority or responsibilities as contemplated in his employment agreement, or any duties which are illegal or unethical, subject to a 30-day cure period after notice has been given; (ii) any material failure to pay the compensation or benefits set out in his employment agreement; or (iii) relocation of the executive’s primary place of employment to a location not within a 50-mile radius of Jacksonville, Florida.
 
In addition, each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington are entitled to payments pursuant to their deferred compensation agreements. In the event of death during their employment and the achievement of certain adjusted EBITDA targets, we are obligated to contribute the executive’s deferred bonus award for the prior fiscal year to the executive’s deferred compensation trust account. See “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Our Executive Compensation Program — Deferred Compensation.” Additionally, the designated recipients of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington are entitled to a lump sum payment of the account balance of the deferred compensation trust account. Upon a change of control and termination without cause or with good reason within 12 months of the change of control, Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington are entitled to a lump sum payment of the account balance of their respective deferred compensation trust account. Upon any other termination of employment, Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Bullard and Fullington are entitled to the balance of their respective deferred compensation trust account paid out in a lump sum or 120 substantially equal monthly installments at their respective normal retirement date. These payments are conditioned upon the executive rendering reasonable business consulting and advisory services as our board of directors may require.
 
Pursuant to the stock options we issued under our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and outside of our existing plans to Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert, all unvested options


143


Table of Contents

immediately vest and become exercisable upon a transaction where (i) a person of group of persons, other than Summit Partners or certain permitted transferees, owns more than 50% of our securities or (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, our compensation committee may provide for: (i) continuation of such options by us or the surviving company; (ii) substitution of the options by the surviving company with substantially the same terms; (iii) upon written notice, provide that all outstanding options must be exercised within 15 days or such other determined period; or (iv) cancellation of all or any portion of outstanding options for fair value.
 
The following table summarizes the potential payments to Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert assuming that such events occurred as of December 31, 2009:
 
                                                                 
            Deferred
  Deferred
      Accelerated
       
    Severance
      Compensation
  Compensation
  Paid
  Vesting of
  Benefit
   
    Amounts
  Bonus
  Bonus(1)
  Account(1)(2)
  Vacation
  Options
  Continuation
  Total
    ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)(3)   ($)(4)   ($)   ($)
 
Richard S. Kahlbaugh
                                                               
Termination with cause or without good reason
          190,000       40,000             29,231                   259,231  
Termination without cause or for good reason
    380,000       190,000       40,000             29,231             22,412       661,643  
Termination upon death or disability
          190,000       40,000       76,302       29,231             22,412       357,945  
Termination upon change of control(5)
    380,000       190,000       40,000       76,302       29,231       551,260       22,412       1,289,205  
Michael Vrban
                                                               
Termination with cause or without good reason
          47,085                   16,538                   63,623  
Termination without cause or for good reason
    215,000       47,085                   16,538             15,680       294,303  
Termination upon death or disability
          47,085                   16,538             15,680       79,303  
Termination upon change of control(5)
    215,000       47,085                   16,538       136,379       15,680       430,682  
W. Dale Bullard
                                                               
Termination with cause or without good reason
          37,294       15,000             19,615                   71,909  
Termination without cause or for good reason
    382,500       37,294       15,000             19,615             33,380       487,789  
Termination upon death or disability
          37,294       15,000       291,287       19,615                   363,196  
Termination upon change of control(5)
    382,500       37,294       15,000       291,287       19,615       456,512       33,380       1,235,588  
Robert S. Fullington
                                                               
Termination with cause or without good reason
          67,129       15,000             19,615                   101,744  
Termination without cause or for good reason
    382,500       67,129       15,000             19,615             23,177       507,421  
Termination upon death or disability
          67,129       15,000       95,927       19,615                   197,671  
Termination upon change of control(5)
    382,500       67,129       15,000       95,927       19,615       456,512       23,177       1,059,860  


144


Table of Contents

                                                                 
            Deferred
  Deferred
      Accelerated
       
    Severance
      Compensation
  Compensation
  Paid
  Vesting of
  Benefit
   
    Amounts
  Bonus
  Bonus(1)
  Account(1)(2)
  Vacation
  Options
  Continuation
  Total
    ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)(3)   ($)(4)   ($)   ($)
 
Daniel A. Reppert
                                                               
Termination with cause or without good reason
          38,781                   19,231                   58,012  
Termination without cause or for good reason
    250,000       38,781                   19,231             18,595       326,607  
Termination upon death or disability
          38,781                   19,231             18,595       76,607  
Termination upon change of control(5)
    250,000       38,781                   19,231       136,379       18,595       462,986  
 
(1) The amounts reported in the Deferred Compensation Bonus column reflect the deferred bonus award earned by such executive in 2009. See “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Our Executive Compensation Program — Deferred Compensation.” The amounts reported in the Deferred Compensation Account column reflect a lump sum payment of the balance of such executive’s deferred compensation trust account.
 
(2) The amounts reported in this column for termination upon a change of control are only applicable if, after a change of control, such executive was terminated without cause or by the executive for good reason. If such executive is terminated for any other reason, his deferred compensation account is paid out at his normal retirement date.
 
(3) The amounts reported in this column assume that no vacation by such executive has been taken for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
(4) The amounts reported in this column reflect the aggregate dollar value of unvested stock options held by such executive on December 31, 2009 that would accelerate upon such change of control. The aggregate dollar value is the difference between the fair market value of shares of common stock on December 31, 2009 based upon an internal valuation model and the $17.07 per share exercise price of the options, multiplied by the number of shares subject to the unvested option.
 
(5) Assumes the executive is terminated without cause or for good reason in connection with such change of control.
 
Employment Agreements
 
We have entered into employment agreements with each of Mr. Kahlbaugh, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Vrban, our Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer; Mr. Bullard, our Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer; Mr. Fullington, our Executive Vice President and President, Consecta; and Mr. Reppert, our Executive Vice President and President, Bliss & Glennon. Each agreement provides for a rolling three-year term of employment, with each agreement automatically renewing for an additional year upon every anniversary of the agreement, unless either party gives at least 90 days notice prior to the anniversary of the agreement that no extension is desired. If notice is given, the agreement will terminate three years from the anniversary of the agreement that next follows such notice.
 
The salaries of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert were initially established pursuant to their respective employment agreements. Our compensation committee reviews the salary of Mr. Kahlbaugh annually and may, at its sole discretion, make any increases in his annual base salary, as it deems appropriate. Our Chief Executive Officer reviews and recommends changes to the salaries of Messrs. Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert annually and the compensation committee may, at its sole discretion, make any increases in any of their annual base salaries, as it deems appropriate. Each named executive officer is eligible to receive an annual performance bonus, periodic grants of long-term equity incentive awards and deferred compensation. See “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Our Executive Compensation Program.” The employment agreements also provide that each executive is entitled to participate in any benefits plan comparable to our other executives, and to receive a monthly automobile allowance.

145


Table of Contents

Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert are entitled to certain benefits if their employment is terminated. See “— Potential Payments upon Termination and Change of Control” above.
 
Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation
 
Pursuant to their respective employment agreements, each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert are subject to non-competition and non-solicitation clauses. Each executive has agreed not to engage or participate in, directly or indirectly, any business that offers products or provides related services and products or engages in any other business that we are engaged in or have taken steps to engage in prior to termination. Mr. Kahlbaugh has agreed not to compete with us anywhere in the world for a period of 12 months after termination. Messrs. Vrban and Reppert have agreed not to compete with us in the United States for a period of 24 months after termination. Messrs. Bullard and Fullington have agreed not to compete with us anywhere in the world for a period of 18 months after termination. Mr. Bullard is also subject to the non-competition clauses contained in the merger agreement related to the Summit Partners Transactions. See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — Merger Agreement and Related Transactions.” However, in the event that Mr. Bullard is terminated without cause or voluntarily terminates his employment with good reason, the non-competition clauses in the merger agreement are no longer applicable.
 
Additionally, Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington and Reppert have agreed to not solicit or attempt to directly solicit any of our officers, directors, consultants or executives (other than immediate family members) to leave, unless such solicitation relates solely to a business that is not competitive with us. Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban and Reppert have agreed to a non-solicitation period of 24 months; Messrs. Bullard and Fullington have agreed to a non-solicitation period of 18 months.
 
2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan
 
We intend to adopt our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Omnibus Plan), in connection with this offering. The Omnibus Plan will become effective prior to the consummation of this offering and a total of          shares of our common stock will be reserved for sale. The Omnibus Plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other stock-based awards and performance-based compensation. Directors and employees of us and our subsidiaries, as well as other individuals performing services for us, will be eligible for grants under the Omnibus Plan. The purpose of the Omnibus Plan is to provide incentives that will attract, retain and motivate highly competent officers, directors, employees and other service providers by providing them with appropriate incentives and rewards either through a proprietary interest in our long-term success or compensation based on their performance in fulfilling their personal responsibilities. The following is a summary of the material terms of the Omnibus Plan, but does not include all of the provisions of the Omnibus Plan. For further information about the Omnibus Plan, we refer you to the complete copy of the Omnibus Plan, which we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
 
Administration
 
The Omnibus Plan provides for its administration by the compensation committee of our board of directors or any committee designated by our board of directors to administer the Omnibus Plan. The committee is empowered to determine the form, amount and other terms and conditions of awards, clarify, construe or resolve any ambiguity in any provision of the Omnibus Plan or any award agreement and adopt such rules, forms, instruments and guidelines for administering the Omnibus Plan as it deems necessary or proper. All actions, interpretations and determinations by the committee or by our board of directors are final and binding.


146


Table of Contents

Shares Available
 
The Omnibus Plan makes available an aggregate of          shares of our common stock, subject to adjustments. In the event that any outstanding award expires, is forfeited, cancelled or otherwise terminated without the issuance of shares or is otherwise settled for cash, shares of our common stock allocable to such award, to the extent of such forfeiture, cancellation, expiration, termination or settlement for cash, shall again be available for the purposes of the Omnibus Plan. If any award is exercised by tendering shares of our common stock to us, either as full or partial payment, in connection with the exercise of such award under the Omnibus Plan or to satisfy our withholding obligation with respect to an award, only the number of shares of our common stock issued net of such shares tendered will be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of our common stock then available for delivery under the Omnibus Plan.
 
Eligibility for Participation
 
Members of our board of directors, as well as employees of, and service providers to, us or any of our subsidiaries and affiliates are eligible to participate in the Omnibus Plan. The selection of participants is within the sole discretion of the committee.
 
Types of Awards
 
The Omnibus Plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other stock-based awards and performance-based compensation, collectively, the “awards.” The committee will, with regard to each award, determine the terms and conditions of the award, including the number of shares subject to the award, the vesting terms of the award, and the purchase price for the award. Awards may be made in assumption of or in substitution for outstanding awards previously granted by us or our affiliates, or a company acquired by us or with which we combine.
 
Award Agreement
 
Awards granted under the Omnibus Plan shall be evidenced by award agreements (which need not be identical) that provide additional terms and conditions associated with such awards, as determined by the committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Omnibus Plan and any such award agreement, the provisions of the Omnibus Plan shall prevail.
 
Options
 
An option granted under the Omnibus Plan will permit a participant to purchase from us a stated number of shares at an option price established by the committee, subject to the terms and conditions described in the Omnibus Plan, and such additional terms and conditions, as established by the committee, in its sole discretion, that are consistent with the provisions of the Omnibus Plan. Options shall be designated as either a nonqualified stock option or an incentive stock option. An option granted as an incentive stock option shall, to the extent it fails to qualify as an incentive stock option, be treated as a nonqualified option. The exercise price of an option granted under the Omnibus Plan may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant, provided the exercise price of an incentive stock option granted to a person holding greater than 10% of our voting power may not be less than 110% of such fair market value on such date. The committee will determine the term of each option at the time of grant in its discretion; however, the term may not exceed ten years (or, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a ten percent stockholder, five years).


147


Table of Contents

Stock Appreciation Rights
 
A stock appreciation right entitles the holder to receive, upon its exercise, the excess of the fair market value of a specified number of shares of our common stock on the date of exercise over the grant price of the stock appreciation right. The payment of the value may be in the form of cash, shares of our common stock, other property or any combination thereof, as the committee determines in its sole discretion. Subject to the terms of the Omnibus Plan and any applicable award agreement, the grant price (which shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant), term, methods of exercise, methods of settlement, and any other terms and conditions of any stock appreciation right shall be determined by the committee. The term of a stock appreciation right may not exceed 10 years.
 
Restricted Stock
 
An award of restricted stock is a grant of a specified number of shares of our common stock, which are subject to forfeiture upon the occurrence of specified events. Each award agreement evidencing a restricted stock grant shall specify the period(s) of restriction, the number of shares of restricted stock subject to the award, the performance, employment or other conditions (including the termination of a participant’s service whether due to death, disability or other cause) under which the restricted stock may be forfeited to the company and such other provisions as the committee shall determine. The committee may require that the stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody or bear restrictive legends until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed. Unless otherwise determined by the committee and set forth in the award agreement, a participant holding restricted stock will not have the right to vote and will not receive dividends with respect to such restricted stock.
 
Other Stock-Based Awards
 
The committee, in its sole discretion, may grant awards of shares of our common stock and awards that are valued, in whole or in part, by reference to, or are otherwise based on the fair market value of, such shares (the “other stock-based awards”). Such other stock-based awards shall be in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the committee shall determine, including, without limitation, the right to receive one or more shares of our common stock (or the equivalent cash value of such stock) upon the completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of performance objectives. Subject to the provisions of the Omnibus Plan, the committee shall determine to whom and when other stock-based awards will be made, the number of shares of our common stock to be awarded under (or otherwise related to) such other stock-based awards, whether such other stock-based awards shall be settled in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and such shares, and all other terms and conditions of such awards.
 
Performance-Based Compensation
 
To the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code, the committee is authorized to design any award so that the amounts or shares payable and distributable thereunder are treated as “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The vesting, crediting and/or payment of performance-based compensation shall be based on the achievement of objective performance goals based on one or more of the following measures: (a) consolidated earnings before or after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (b) net income; (c) operating income; (d) earnings per share; (e) book value per share; (f) return on shareholders’ equity; (g) expense management; (h) return on investment; (i) improvements in capital structure; (j) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (k) maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (l) stock price; (m) market share; (n) revenues or sales; (o) costs; (p) cash flow; (q) working capital; (r) return on assets; (s) return on stockholders’ equity; (t) customer satisfaction; (u) measurable achievement in quality and compliance initiatives; (v) working capital; (w) debt; (x) business expansion; (y) objectively determinable measure of non-financial operating and


148


Table of Contents

management performance objectives; (z) stockholder returns, dividends and/or other distributions; (aa) operating efficiency or (bb) profit margin. Such measures may be used to measure our performance or the performance of any of our business units and may be used to compare our performance against the performance of a group of comparable companies, or a published index.
 
Transferability
 
Unless otherwise determined by the committee, an award shall not be transferable or assignable by a participant except in the event of his or her death (subject to the applicable laws of descent and distribution) and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against us or any of our subsidiaries or affiliates. Any permitted transfer of the awards to heirs or legatees of a participant shall not be effective to bind us unless the committee has been furnished with written notice thereof and a copy of such evidence as the committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and the acceptance by the transferee or transferees of the terms and conditions of the Omnibus Plan.
 
Stockholder Rights
 
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, a participant has no rights as a stockholder with respect to shares of our common stock covered by any award until the participant becomes the record holder of such shares.
 
Adjustment of Awards
 
In the event of any corporate event or transaction such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, separation, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, combination of shares of our common stock, exchange of shares of our common stock, dividend in kind, extraordinary cash dividend, or other like change in capital structure (other than normal cash dividends) to our stockholders, or any similar corporate event or transaction, the committee, to prevent dilution or enlargement of participants’ rights under the Omnibus Plan, shall substitute or adjust, in its sole discretion, the number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Omnibus Plan or under particular forms of awards, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding awards, the option price, grant price or purchase price applicable to outstanding awards, the annual award limits, and/or other value determinations applicable to the Omnibus Plan or outstanding awards.
 
Upon the occurrence of a change in control, unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges, or unless the committee shall determine otherwise in the award agreement, the committee is authorized (but not obligated) to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of outstanding awards, including without limitation the following (or any combination thereof): (i) continuation or assumption of such outstanding awards under the Omnibus Plan by us (if it is the surviving company or corporation) or by the surviving company or corporation or its parent; (ii) substitution by the surviving company or corporation or its parent of awards with substantially the same terms for such outstanding awards; (iii) accelerated exercisability, vesting and/or lapse of restrictions under all then outstanding awards immediately prior to the occurrence of such event; (iv) upon written notice, provide that any outstanding awards must be exercised, to the extent then exercisable, within fifteen days immediately prior to the scheduled consummation of the event, or such other period as determined by the committee (in either case contingent upon the consummation of the event), and at the end of such period, such awards shall terminate to the extent not so exercised within the relevant period; and (v) cancellation of all or any portion of outstanding awards for fair value (as determined in the sole discretion of the committee) which, in the case of options and stock appreciation rights, may equal the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration to be paid in the change of control transaction to holders of the same number of shares subject to such options or stock appreciation rights (or, if no such consideration is


149


Table of Contents

paid, fair market value of the shares subject to such outstanding awards or portion thereof being canceled) over the aggregate option price or grant price, as applicable, with respect to such awards or portion thereof being canceled.
 
Amendment and Termination
 
Our board of directors may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Omnibus Plan or any portion thereof or any award (or award agreement) thereunder at any time.
 
Compliance with Code Section 409A
 
To the extent that the Omnibus Plan and/or awards are subject to Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, or the Code, the committee may, in its sole discretion and without a participant’s prior consent, amend the Omnibus Plan and/or awards, adopt policies and procedures, or take any other actions (including amendments, policies, procedures and actions with retroactive effect) as are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Omnibus Plan and/or any award from the application of Section 409A of the Code, (b) preserve the intended tax treatment of any such award, or (c) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date of the grant. This plan shall be interpreted at all times in such a manner that the terms and provisions of the Omnibus Plan and awards are exempt from or comply with Section 409A guidance.
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
We intend to adopt our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) in connection with this offering. The purpose of the ESPP is to provide our eligible employees and employees of our subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. The ESPP is designed to provide an incentive to attract, retain and reward eligible employees. The ESPP will be generally available to all eligible employees, including our named executive officers, under the same offering and eligibility terms, and will not be tied to any performance criteria. The ESPP is not subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
 
The following is a summary of the material terms of the ESPP, but does not include all of the provisions of the ESPP. For further information about the ESPP, we refer you to a complete copy of the ESPP, which we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
 
Administration
 
The ESPP will be administered by the compensation committee of our board of directors or any other committee designated by the board to administer the ESPP. The plan administrator will have the authority to construe and interpret the terms of the ESPP and the purchase rights granted under it, to determine eligibility to participate and to establish policies and procedures for administration of the ESPP. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the administrator are final and binding upon the participants and the Company.
 
Shares Subject to the Plan
 
The shares of our common stock issuable under the ESPP may be either newly issued shares or shares we acquire, including by purchase on the open market. The number of shares reserved pursuant to the ESPP is          , subject to adjustment.
 
If any change is made to the Company’s outstanding common stock in connection with any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, or other like change, the


150


Table of Contents

committee shall make appropriate adjustments to, without limitation, the number or kind of shares subject to the ESPP and the purchase price of such shares in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of participants’ rights.
 
Eligibility
 
All full-time employees of us or of any subsidiary will generally be eligible to participate in the ESPP, except that an employee may not be granted a right to purchase stock under the ESPP if, immediately after the grant, the employee would own stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of our capital stock or of any parent or subsidiary entity.
 
Participation
 
Eligible employees who enroll in the ESPP may elect to have between one and ten percent of their eligible compensation withheld and accumulated for the purchase of shares at the end of each offering period in which they participate, unless otherwise determined by the administrator.
 
Each participant may cancel his or her election to participate in the ESPP by written notice to the committee in such form and at such times as the committee may require. Participation shall end automatically upon termination of employment for any reason.
 
Offerings
 
Shares of our common stock are offered for purchase under the ESPP pursuant to a series of six-month offering periods, which will commence on January 1 and July 1 of each year, unless otherwise determined by the administrator.
 
Purchase of Shares
 
Amounts accumulated for each participant will be used to purchase shares of our common stock at the end of each offering period at a price, unless otherwise determined by the administrator, equal to 85% of the lesser of (i) the fair market value on the first day of the offering period and (ii) the fair market value on the last day of the offering period. No participant may purchase shares at a rate which exceeds $25,000 per year or more than          shares per offering period.
 
Resale Restrictions
 
The ESPP is intended to provide our shares for investment by employees and not for resale. However, we do not intend to restrict or influence any participant from selling shares purchased under the ESPP at any time, subject to compliance with applicable laws.
 
Stockholder Rights
 
No participant will have any rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares covered by his or her purchase right until the shares are actually purchased on the participant’s behalf. No adjustment will be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such purchase.
 
Amendment and Termination
 
Our board of directors may amend or terminate the ESPP at any time, provided that no amendment may increase the number of shares reserved for purchase without the approval of our stockholders. Upon a termination, shares may be issued to participants and any amounts not applied to the purchase of shares shall be refunded to the participants.


151


Table of Contents

Director Compensation
 
Prior to this offering, our directors, other than the directors affiliated with Summit Partners, have received $5,000 in compensation for each board of directors meeting that they attend in person and receive $1,000 in compensation for each board of directors meeting that they attend telephonically. Committee chairs received an additional $10,000 in compensation annually.
 
The following table sets forth all director compensation information for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
                 
    Fees Earned
   
    or Paid in Cash
  Total
Name
  ($)   ($)
 
Kenneth N. Hamil(1)
  $ 10,000     $ 10,000  
John R. Carroll
           
J.J. Kardwell
           
Robert M. Clements(2)
  $ 15,000     $ 15,000  
Dean Jacobson(3)
           
(1) Mr. Hamil decided not to stand for election at our 2010 annual meeting of stockholders and resigned as chairman of our board of directors effective May 15, 2010.
 
(2) Mr. Clements resigned as a member of our board of directors effective February 24, 2010. As of December 31, 2009, Mr. Clements had an option to purchase 7,972 shares of our common stock. This option terminated upon Mr. Clements’ resignation.
 
(3) Mr. Jacobson resigned as a member of our board of directors effective February 1, 2009.
 
After this offering, directors who are our employees or employees of our subsidiaries or affiliated with Summit Partners will receive no compensation for their service as members of either our board of directors or board committees. All other non-employee directors not affiliated with Summit Partners will be paid quarterly in arrears:
 
  •  a base annual retainer of $25,000 in cash;
 
  •  an additional annual retainer of $10,000 in cash to the director who is the chair of the audit committee and an additional annual retainer of $10,000 in cash to each director who is the chair of a committee other than the audit committee; and
 
  •  a fee of $2,500 for each board and committee meeting attended or $1,000 for meetings attended telephonically.
 
We also intend to grant 15,000 shares of restricted stock, which will vest annually over three years, to each director that is not an employee or affiliated with Summit Partners.
 
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
 
Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL). We have established directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures such persons against the costs of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment under certain circumstances.
 
Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors will not be liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty, except for liability relating to any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,


152


Table of Contents

violations under Section 174 of the DGCL or any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
In addition, prior to the consummation of this offering, we will enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and named executive officers. These agreements, among other things, will require us to indemnify each director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer. At present, we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, named executive officers, employees, or agents in which indemnification would be required or permitted. We believe these indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and named executive officers.


153


Table of Contents

 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
 
Set forth below is a description of certain relationships and related person transactions between us and our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 5% of our voting securities to date in 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. We believe that all of the following transactions were entered into with terms as favorable as could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
 
Merger Agreement and Related Transactions
 
On March 7, 2007, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger with entities affiliated with Summit Partners, or the Summit Funds, LOS Acquisition Co., an entity formed by affiliates of Summit Partners, the stockholders party thereto, including current and former directors and executive officers, and N.G. Houston, III, as the stockholder representative, which was amended on June 20, 2007. The merger agreement provided for a series of transactions in which entities affiliated with Summit Partners acquired 2,522,598.71 shares of our Class A common stock, 91.2% of our capital stock. The acquisition was financed through (i) $20.0 million of subordinated debentures maturing in 2012 issued to affiliates of Summit Partners, (ii) $35.0 million of preferred trust securities maturing in 2037 and (iii) an equity investment of $43.1 million by affiliates of Summit Partners. In connection with the acquisition, all of our $11.5 million of redeemable preferred stock outstanding prior to the acquisition remained outstanding and certain stockholders prior the acquisition continued to hold such shares after the acquisition. In addition to acquiring our capital stock in the acquisition, the proceeds from the equity and debt financings were used to repay pre-transaction indebtedness of $10.1 million and pay transaction costs of $5.8 million. We consummated the merger on June 20, 2007. We refer to the acquisition of capital stock by affiliates of Summit Partners and the financing and other transactions related to such acquisition as the “Summit Partners Transactions.” In April 2009, in connection with our acquisition of Bliss and Glennon, Inc., affiliates of Summit Partners acquired additional shares of our capital stock for $6.0 million. As of June 30, 2010, affiliates of Summit Partners beneficially owned 88.6% of our capital stock.
 
Pursuant to the merger agreement, all of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock remained outstanding and certain stockholders, including Joseph R. McCaw, our Executive Vice President and President of our Payment Protection business, W. Dale Bullard, our Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Kenneth N. Hamil, our former Chairman and President, Barney A. Smith, Jr., a former director, and Prince Rental and Leasing Systems, Inc., which is an entity affiliated with our former director John B. Prince, III, who we refer to as rollover stockholders, continued to hold some of the shares of our common stock that they owned prior to the transaction. In addition, some of our current and former executive officers and directors, including Messrs. Hamil and Bullard, N.G. Houston, III, the former Chairman of our board of directors, some of Mr. Houston’s family members, and David Hardegree, our former Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, who owned shares of our stock prior to the Summit Partners Transactions and did not rollover all or a portion of their shares, received the same consideration for their holdings as the other stockholders in the Summit Partners Transactions, which was $22.67 per share.
 
Prior to the consummation of the merger and as required by the merger agreement, we cashed out 10,000 options held by Richard S. Kahlbaugh, our President and Chief Executive Officer, for approximately $145,000, 54,000 options held by Mr. Houston for approximately $785,000, and 17,700 options held by Robert H. Hudson, our former head of operations and premium/claim processing, for approximately $76,000. Also pursuant to the merger agreement, we made final payments to Messrs. Hamil and Houston of approximately $2.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, pursuant to the terms of their respective employment and deferred compensation agreements in effect at such time. In addition, prior to the consummation of the merger, we made payments of $125,000 to each of Messrs. Kahlbaugh and Bullard, and Robert Fullington, our Executive Vice President and President, Consecta, for bonuses that were fully accrued and payments of $275,000 and $350,000 to Messrs. Hamil and Houston, respectively, for bonuses that were fully accrued.


154


Table of Contents

As part of the financing for the merger, on June 20, 2007, our direct subsidiary LOTS Intermediate Co., which was formed by affiliates of Summit Partners in connection with the merger, issued $20.0 million of its subordinated debentures to entities affiliated with Summit Partners. LOTS Intermediate Co., which also issued $35.0 million of its preferred trust securities to an entity not affiliated with us, then made a dividend payment to us with the net proceeds from the issuances of the debentures of approximately $54.1 million, which we used to pay a portion of the merger consideration and other transaction fees and expenses.
 
The $20.0 million subordinated debentures issued by LOTS Intermediate Co. to the affiliates of Summit Partners bear interest at a rate of 14% per annum and mature on December 13, 2013. During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we paid interest on such subordinated debentures to the affiliates of Summit Partners of $1.4 million, $2.8 million, $2.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively. We intend to redeem the subordinated debentures for $      million, which includes accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date, with a portion of the proceeds from this offering.
 
Stockholders Agreement
 
On March 7, 2007, in connection with the Summit Partners Transactions and as a condition to the merger, we entered into a stockholders agreement with the Summit Funds, the rollover stockholders and our employee stockholders. The rollover stockholders and employee stockholders party to the agreement include Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Fullington, Hamil, Smith and Prince and Prince Rental and Leasing Systems, Inc.
 
The Stockholders Agreement includes provisions regarding the election of members of our board of directors, share transfer restrictions, rights of first refusal, tag-along rights and drag-along rights. All of these provisions will terminate in connection with this initial public offering.
 
The Stockholders Agreement also provides for (i) demand rights, which require us to effect a registration of registrable securities upon a written request from any of the Summit Funds; (ii) piggyback registration rights, which require us to register any registrable securities held by our stockholders party to the Stockholders Agreement if we propose to register any of our equity securities for sale to the public (whether for our account or the account of any stockholder); and (iii) shelf demand registration rights after 12 months following an initial public offering when we are eligible to use a registration statement on Form S-3.
 
Our obligation to effect any demand for registration by the Summit Funds is subject to certain conditions, including that we need not effect more than two demand registrations and the registrable securities to be sold by holders requesting such registration must represent more than 35% of the total number of registrable securities held by all holders party to the Stockholders Agreement. The Summit Funds have not used any of their demand registrations. In connection with any registration effected pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, we will be required to pay for all of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with such registration, including registration fees, filing fees and printing fees. However, the underwriting discounts, commissions and fees payable in respect of registrable securities included in any registration will be paid by the persons including such registrable securities in any such registration. We have also agreed to indemnify the holders of registrable securities against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities with respect to each registration effected pursuant to the registration rights agreement.
 
Notes receivable from current and former executive officers and directors
 
At various times from 2001 through 2006, we made loans to Messrs. Hamil, Bullard, Houston and Hudson and Lloyd L. Shaw, a former director, at varying interest rates to facilitate their exercise of stock options. The shares received upon the option exercises were pledged as collateral to secure the


155


Table of Contents

loans. Prior to the consummation of the Summit Partners Transactions in 2007, Messrs. Hamil, Bullard, Houston, Hudson and Shaw repaid us $1.7 million, $0.6 million, $2.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, in full satisfaction of such loans.
 
Issuances of Securities
 
In April 2009, in connection with our acquisition of Bliss and Glennon, Inc., affiliates of Summit Partners acquired 141,676,79 shares of our Class A common stock for $42.35 per share. In April 2009, we also issued 2,951.59 and 3,541.91 shares of our Class A common stock, respectively, to Michael Vrban, our Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, and John G. Short, our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, for $42.35 per share.
 
Class A Common Stock Conversion
 
Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we are required to pay each holder of our Class A common stock a conversion amount on each share of Class A common stock converted. The Class A conversion amount is $17.066 multiplied by 8% per annum (calculated daily), compounded annually from the date of issuance of such shares until the date of conversion. In connection with this offering and the conversion of Class A common stock to common stock, we will pay affiliates of Summit Partners, Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban, Bullard, Fullington, McCaw and Short, and Daniel A. Reppert, our Executive Vice President and President, Bliss & Glennon, and Paul S. Romano, our Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, approximately $          , $          , $          , $          , $          , $          , $          , $          and $          , respectively.
 
Bonus Pool
 
In connection with the Summit Partners Transactions, we established a one-time bonus pool for certain of our executive officers and key employees of our Payment Protection and BPO businesses. Under the plan, each participant was allocated a portion of the bonus pool. Upon the occurrence of Summit Partners beneficially owning less than 10% of our outstanding securities, each eligible participant employed by us at that time will receive their portion of the bonus pool as determined by their percentage interest in the bonus pool. The amount in the bonus pool is determined by the achievement of certain EBITDA targets by our Payment Protection and BPO businesses, including any EBITDA derived from any acquisitions falling within the scope of these businesses. The measurement period for the EBITDA target is the twelve months immediately prior to the month in which Summit Partners beneficially owns less than 10% of our outstanding securities, with the last day of the month prior being the measurement date for the EBITDA target. The EBITDA targets and the corresponding amount of the bonus pool is as follows:
 
         
EBITDA Target
 
Bonus Pool
 
Less than $36,500,000
     
$36,500,000
    $1,000,000  
$36,500,000 — $47,500,000
    Pro-rata, using a straight line interpolation  
$47,500,000 or greater
    $3,000,000  
 
The bonus pool has been fully allocated. Messrs. McCaw, Short and Romano hold a 30%, 15% and 5% interest, respectively, in the bonus pool for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Transactions with Others
 
Messrs. Kahlbaugh and Short are brothers-in-law. Mr. Short received aggregate compensation, including base salary, bonus and other compensation, of approximately $247,000, $246,000 and $85,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Mr. Short’s base salary as of July 2010 is $205,000. Mr. Short also received a 15% interest in our bonus pool that was established in connection with the Summit


156


Table of Contents

Partners Transactions, which is described further under “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Our Executive Compensation Program — Cash Incentive Awards.”
 
Kenneth N. Hamil’s son, Alan Hamil, is employed by us as a manager of purchasing. Alan Hamil received aggregate compensation, including base salary, bonus and management fees, of approximately $123,000, $131,000 and $120,600 during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Alan Hamil has received approximately $63,000 in aggregate compensation in 2010.
 
William Larry Lee, a director prior to the Summit Partners Transactions, was the president of Farmers & Merchants Bank in 2007. Pursuant to an agency agreement, we paid approximately $160,000 in commissions and fees to Farmers & Merchants Bank during the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Malcolm Skinner, a director prior to the Summit Partners Transactions and current employee, received aggregate compensation, including base salary, an automobile allowance and commissions earned, of approximately $225,000 during the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Indemnification Agreements
 
We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other things, will require us to indemnify each director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer.
 
In addition, in 2010 we entered into indemnity agreements with Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Vrban and Nicholas Santoro, our former Chief Financial Officer who resigned in April 2010, in connection with their service as agents for the plan administrators of the Fortegra Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan and as plan committee members. These agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify each plan committee member to the extent permitted by then-applicable law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, taxes and judgment or settlement amounts incurred by the executive officer in any action, suit or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of such person’s service as an agent of the plan administrators of the plan or a plan committee member. We will not indemnify such executive officers for violations of criminal law, transactions in which improper personal benefits were received or willful misconduct or gross negligence in performance of duties.
 
Policies for Approval of Related Person Transactions
 
In connection with this offering, we will adopt a written policy relating to the approval of related person transactions. Our audit committee will review and approve or ratify all relationships and related person transactions between us and (i) our directors, director nominees, executive officers or their immediate family members, (ii) any 5% record or beneficial owner of our common stock or (iii) any immediate family member of any person specified in (i) and (ii) above. Our general counsel will be primarily responsible for the development and implementation of processes and controls to obtain information from our directors and executive officers with respect to related party transactions and for determining, based on the facts and circumstances, whether we or a related person have a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction.
 
As set forth in the related person transaction policy, in the course of its review and approval or ratification of a related party transaction, the committee will consider:
 
  •  the nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction;
 
  •  the availability of other sources of comparable products or services;


157


Table of Contents

 
  •  the material terms of the transaction, including, without limitation, the amount and type of transaction; and
 
  •  the importance of the transaction to us.
 
Any member of the audit committee who is a related person with respect to a transaction under review will not be permitted to participate in the discussions or approval or ratification of the transaction. However, such member of the audit committee will provide all material information concerning the transaction to the audit committee.


158


Table of Contents

 
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
The following table shows information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock (i) immediately prior to and (ii) as adjusted to give effect to this offering by:
 
  •  each person or group who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock;
 
  •  each member of our board of directors and each of our named executive officers;
 
  •  all members of our board of directors and our named executive officers as a group; and
 
  •  the selling stockholders.
 
For further information regarding material transactions between us and our selling stockholders, see “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.”
 
Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. Except as noted by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe based on the information provided to us that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on          shares of common stock outstanding after giving effect to (i) the automatic conversion of our outstanding Class A common stock into           shares of common stock prior to the consummation of this offering; (ii) the redemption of our outstanding redeemable preferred stock using the proceeds of this offering; (iii) a           for 1 stock split of our common stock prior to the consummation of this offering; and (iv)           shares of common stock to be outstanding after the completion of this offering, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option, or           shares, assuming full exercise of the over-allotment option. Shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of computing the percentage of beneficial ownership of that person and any group of which that person is a member, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of beneficial ownership for any other person. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of capital stock held by them. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each holder listed below is Fortegra Financial Corporation, 100 West Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
 


159


Table of Contents

                                                         
                Shares Beneficially Owned
                After this Offering
    Shares Beneficially
          Assuming Full Exercise of
    Owned Before this
      Shares Beneficially Owned
  the Option to Purchase
    Offering       After this Offering   Additional Shares
    Number of
      Shares
  Number of
      Number of
   
Name of Beneficial Owner
  Shares   Percentage   Offered   Shares   Percentage   Shares   Percentage
 
5% Stockholders:
                                                       
Summit Partners(1)
                                                       
Named Executive Officers, Directors and Director Nominees:
                                                       
Richard S. Kahlbaugh(2)
                                                       
Michael Vrban(3)
                                                       
W. Dale Bullard(4)
                                                       
Robert S. Fullington(5)
                                                       
Daniel A. Reppert(6)
                                                       
John R. Carroll(7)
                                                       
J.J. Kardwell(8)
                                                       
Alfred R. Berkeley, III
                                                       
Francis M. Colalucci
                                                       
Frank P. Filipps
                                                       
Ted W. Rollins
                                                       
All named executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group (11 persons)
                                                       
Other Selling Stockholders:
                                                       
* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of our outstanding common stock.
 
(1) Includes           shares held by Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P., shares held by Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P.,          shares held by Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., shares held by Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P. and     shares held by Summit Investors VI, L.P. (such entities are collectively referred to as “Summit Partners”).
 
In connection with this offering, Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P., Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P. and Summit Investors VI, L.P. are selling          ,          ,          ,          and          shares of our common stock, respectively. Assuming full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P., Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P. and Summit Investors VI, L.P. will sell an additional          ,          ,          ,          and          shares of our common stock, respectively.
 
footnotes continued on following page

160


Table of Contents

 
Summit Partners, L.P. is (i) managing member of Summit Partners PE VII, LLC, which is the general partner of Summit Partners PE VII, L.P., which is the general partner of Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P. and Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P., (ii) the managing member of Summit Partners SD III, LLC, which is the general partner of Summit Partners SD III, L.P., which is the general partner of Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P. and Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P. and (iii) the managing member of Summit Partners VI (GP), LLC, which is the general partner of Summit Partners VI (GP), L.P., which is the general partner of Summit Investors VI, L.P. Summit Partners, L.P., through a two-person investment committee, currently composed of Martin J. Mannion and Bruce R. Evans, has voting and dispositive authority over the shares held by each of these entities and therefore beneficially owns such shares. The address for each of these entities is 222 Berkeley Street, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02116. Entities affiliated with Summit Partners hold private equity investments in one or more broker-dealers, and as a result Summit Partners is an affiliate of a broker- dealer. However, Summit Partners acquired the securities to be sold in this offering in the ordinary course of business for investment for its own account and not as a nominee or agent and, at the time of that purchase, had no contract, undertaking, agreement, understanding or arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any person to sell, transfer, distribute or grant participations to such person or to any third person with respect to those securities.
 
(2) Includes shares that are subject to           options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.
 
(3) Includes shares that are subject to           option that are exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus and           shares of common stock held by Mr. Vrban’s wife.
 
(4) Includes shares that are subject to           option that are exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus and           shares of common stock held by Mr. Bullard’s wife.
 
(5) Includes shares that are subject to           option that are exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus and           shares of common stock held by Robert Fullington Annuity Trust.
 
(6) Includes shares that are subject to           options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.
 
(7) Excludes           shares held by Summit Partners. Mr. Carroll is a member of the general partner of Summit Partners L.P. and as a result may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by Summit Partners. Mr. Carroll disclaims ownership of the shares held by Summit Partners, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
 
(8) Excludes           shares held by Summit Partners. Mr. Kardwell is a principal of Summit Partners L.P. and as a result may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by Summit Partners. Mr. Kardwell disclaims ownership of the shares held by Summit Partners, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.


161


Table of Contents

 
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
The following is a description of the material terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws as they will be in effect after our reincorporation in Delaware and immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual terms and provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, copies of which will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
 
Authorized Capitalization
 
Our authorized capital stock consists of           shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and          shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Immediately following the completion of this offering,          shares of common stock will be outstanding, and           shares of our redeemable Series A preferred stock,           shares of our redeemable Series B preferred stock and           shares of our redeemable Series C preferred stock will be outstanding.
 
Common Stock
 
Voting Rights
 
Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote. Our common stock votes as a single class on all matters relating to the election and removal of directors on our board of directors and as provided by law, with each share of common stock entitling its holder to one vote. Holders of our common stock will not have cumulative voting rights. Except in respect of matters relating to the election and removal of directors on our board of directors and as otherwise provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or required by law, all matters to be voted on by our stockholders must be approved by a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter. In the case of election of directors, all matters to be voted on by our stockholders must be approved by a plurality of the votes entitled to be cast by all shares of common stock.
 
Dividend Rights
 
Holders of common stock will share equally in any dividend declared by our board of directors, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding preferred stock.
 
Liquidation Rights
 
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, holders of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in our assets that are legally available for distribution to stockholders after payment of liabilities. If we have any preferred stock outstanding at such time, holders of the preferred stock may be entitled to distribution and/or liquidation preferences. In either such case, we must pay the applicable distribution to the holders of our preferred stock before we may pay distributions to the holders of our common stock.
 
Other Rights
 
Our stockholders have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for additional shares. All holders of our common stock are entitled to share equally on a share-for-share basis in any assets available for distribution to common stockholders upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. All outstanding shares are, and all shares offered by this prospectus will be, when sold, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.


162


Table of Contents

Registration Rights
 
Our existing stockholders have certain registration rights with respect to our common stock pursuant to a stockholders agreement. For further information regarding this agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — Stockholders Agreement.”
 
Preferred Stock
 
Our board of directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the preferences, powers and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including the dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and liquidation preference and to fix the number of shares to be included in any such series without any further vote or action by our stockholders. Any preferred stock so issued may rank senior to our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or both. In addition, any such shares of preferred stock may have class or series voting rights.
 
Series A, B and C Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
As of June 30, 2010, we had $7.4 million, $2.1 million and $1.9 million outstanding of our Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock, respectively. We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our outstanding redeemable preferred stock. See “Use of Proceeds.”
 
Holders of our Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock have no voting rights.
 
Our Series A and C redeemable preferred stock each accrue cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.25% per annum of the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of such series of redeemable preferred stock. Our Series B redeemable preferred stock accrues cash dividends at a rate per annum of 4.0% plus 90 day LIBOR times the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of Series B redeemable preferred stock. For any dividends declared by our board of directors, holders of our Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock will share equally in such dividend before any holders of all other classes or series of our common stock or other equity securities receive any dividends.
 
Our outstanding Series A and B redeemable preferred stock must be redeemed in full on December 31, 2034 and any outstanding Series C redeemable preferred stock must be redeemed in full on December 31, 2035. Additionally, we have the option to redeem our Series A and B redeemable preferred stock at certain redemption prices on or after January 1, 2010 and our Series C redeemable preferred stock at certain redemption prices on or after January 1, 2011, respectively.
 
Upon a change of control, any holder of each series of redeemable preferred stock may require that we redeem all or any portion of such holder’s redeemable preferred stock at a certain redemption price. A change of control for such purposes is: (i) if there is a change in the beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the shares of our common stock or voting power; (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets; or (iii) a merger where we are not the surviving corporation.
 
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, before any holders of all other classes or series of our common stock or other equity securities receive any distributions, holders of our Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock would be entitled to a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of Series A redeemable preferred stock and an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends. If there are insufficient assets to permit full payment to all holders of our Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock, holders of each series of redeemable preferred stock will share equally in any distribution.


163


Table of Contents

Anti-Takeover Effects of the DGCL and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
 
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may delay, defer or discourage another party from acquiring control of us. We expect that these provisions, which are summarized below, will discourage coercive takeover practices or inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors, which we believe may result in an improvement of the terms of any such acquisition in favor of our stockholders. However, they also give our board the power to discourage acquisitions that some stockholders may favor.
 
Undesignated Preferred Stock
 
The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock will make it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with super voting, special approval, dividend or other rights or preferences on a discriminatory basis that could impede the success of any attempt to acquire us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our company.
 
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Meetings, Nominations and Proposals
 
Our bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only upon the request of not less than a majority of the combined voting power of the voting stock, upon the request of a majority of the board, or upon the request of the chief executive officer. Our bylaws prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our company.
 
Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors. In order for any matter to be “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder will have to comply with advance notice requirements and provide us with certain information. Additionally, vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled only by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, and not by the stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that removal of a director without cause requires approval by at least 75% of shares of common stock entitled to vote. Our bylaws allow the presiding officer at a meeting of the stockholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed. These provisions may also defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.
 
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
 
Pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of our stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, unless the company’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders may be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of our stockholders and may not be effected by consent in writing by such stockholders, unless such action is recommended by all directors then in office.


164


Table of Contents

Business Combinations under Delaware Law
 
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation expressly states that we have elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, subject to certain exceptions, including if, prior to such time, the board of directors approved the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. “Business combinations” include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the “interested stockholder.” Subject to various exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with his or her affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock. These restrictions generally prohibit or delay the accomplishment of mergers or other takeover or change-in-control attempts that are not approved by a company’s board of directors. Although we have elected to opt out of the statute’s provisions, we could elect to be subject to Section 203 in the future.
 
Corporate Opportunities
 
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that Summit Partners and its affiliates have no obligation to offer us an opportunity to participate in business opportunities presented to Summit Partners or its respective affiliates even if the opportunity is one that we might reasonably have pursued (and therefore may be free to compete with us in the same business or similar businesses), and that neither Summit Partners nor its respective affiliates will be liable to us or our stockholders for breach of any duty by reason of any such activities unless, in the case of any person who is a director or officer of our company, such business opportunity is expressly offered to such director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as an officer or director of our company.
 
Listing
 
We intend to apply to have our common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FRF.”
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is          .


165


Table of Contents

 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
Prior to this offering, there was no public market for our common stock.
 
Sale of Restricted Securities
 
After this offering, there will be outstanding           shares (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares), or           shares (assuming full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares), of our common stock. Of these shares, all of the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless purchased by our “affiliates” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The remaining shares of common stock that will be outstanding after this offering are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if they are registered under the Securities Act or are sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which is summarized below. Subject to the lock-up agreements described below, shares held by our affiliates that are not restricted securities may be sold subject to compliance with Rule 144 of the Securities Act without regard to the prescribed one-year holding period under Rule 144.
 
Lock-Up Arrangements and Registration Rights
 
In connection with this offering, we, each of our directors, executive officers and the selling stockholders have entered into lock-up agreements described under “Underwriting” that restrict the sale of shares of our common stock for up to 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to an extension in certain circumstances.
 
In addition, following the expiration of the lock-up period, certain stockholders will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to require us to register the sale of their shares of our common stock under federal securities laws. If these stockholders exercise this right, our other existing stockholders may require us to register their registrable securities. By exercising their registration rights, and selling a large number of shares, the selling stockholders could cause the prevailing market price of our common stock to decline.
 
Following the lock-up periods described above, all of the shares of our common stock that are restricted securities or are held by our affiliates as of the date of this prospectus will be eligible for sale in the public market in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
 
Rule 144
 
The shares of our common stock sold in this offering will generally be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except that any shares of our common stock held by an “affiliate” of ours may not be resold publicly except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or under an exemption under Rule 144 or otherwise. Rule 144 permits our common stock that has been acquired by a person who is an affiliate of ours, or has been an affiliate of ours within the past three months, to be sold into the market in an amount that does not exceed, during any three-month period, the greater of:
 
  •  one percent of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding; or
 
  •  the average weekly reported trading volume of our common stock for the four calendar weeks prior to the sale.


166


Table of Contents

 
Such sales are also subject to specific manner of sale provisions, a six-month holding period requirement, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.
 
Approximately           shares of our common stock that are not subject to lock-up arrangements described above will be eligible for sale under Rule 144 immediately upon the closing of this offering.
 
Rule 144 also provides that a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has for at least six months beneficially owned shares of our common stock that are restricted securities, will be entitled to freely sell such shares of our common stock subject only to the availability of current public information regarding us. A person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned for at least one year shares of our common stock that are restricted securities, will be entitled to freely sell such shares of our common stock under Rule 144 without regard to the current public information requirements of Rule 144.
 
Additional Registration Statements
 
We intend to file one or more registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register shares of our common stock issued or reserved for issuance under our equity incentive plans, including the equity incentive plan we intend to adopt prior to the consummation of this offering. The first such registration statement is expected to be filed soon after the date of this prospectus and will automatically become effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statement will be available for sale in the open market, unless such shares are subject to vesting restrictions with us or the lock-up restrictions described above.


167


Table of Contents

 
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of common stock that may be relevant to you if you are a non-U.S. Holder. In general, a “non-U.S. Holder” is any person or entity that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual or a foreign estate or trust. This discussion is based on current law, which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is limited to non-U.S. Holders who hold shares of common stock as capital assets within the meaning of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Moreover, this discussion is for general information only and does not address all the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your personal circumstances, nor does it discuss special tax provisions, which may apply to you if you relinquished U.S. citizenship or residence or if you are a controlled foreign corporation or a passive foreign investment company.
 
If you are an individual, you may, in many cases, be deemed to be a resident alien, as opposed to a nonresident alien, by virtue of being present in the United States for at least 31 days in the calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current calendar year. For these purposes, all the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year, and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year are counted. Resident aliens are subject to U.S. federal income tax as if they were U.S. citizens.
 
If a partnership, including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a holder of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder that is a partnership, and the partners in such partnership, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock.
 
EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OF COMMON STOCK IS ADVISED TO CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO CURRENT AND POSSIBLE FUTURE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY U.S. STATE, MUNICIPALITY OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.
 
Dividends
 
We do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.” If distributions are paid on shares of our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will constitute a return of capital that reduces, but not below zero, a non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock. Any remainder will constitute gain from the sale or exchange of the common stock. If dividends are paid, as a non-U.S. Holder, you will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. To claim the benefit of a lower rate under an income tax treaty, you must properly file with the payor an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or successor form, claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under the applicable tax treaty. In addition, where dividends are paid to a non-U.S. Holder that is a partnership or other pass-through entity, persons holding an interest in the entity may need to provide certification claiming an exemption or reduction in withholding under the applicable treaty.
 
If dividends are considered effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by you within the United States and, if a tax treaty applies, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of


168


Table of Contents

yours, those dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates but will not be subject to withholding tax, provided an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, or successor form, is filed with the payor. If you are a foreign corporation, any effectively connected dividends may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a rate of 30% or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
 
You must comply with the certification procedures described above, or, in the case of payments made outside the United States with respect to an offshore account, certain documentary evidence procedures, directly or under certain circumstances through an intermediary, to obtain the benefits of a reduced rate under an income tax treaty with respect to dividends paid with respect to your common stock. In addition, if you are required to provide an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or successor form, as discussed above, you must also provide your U.S. tax identification number.
 
If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Gain on Disposition of Common Stock
 
As a non-U.S. Holder, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain recognized on a sale or other disposition of common stock unless:
 
  •  the gain is considered effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by you within the United States and, where a tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of yours (in which case you will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. person, and if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty);
 
  •  you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case you will be subject to a 30% (or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) tax on the amount by which your capital gains allocable to U.S. sources exceed capital losses allocable to U.S. sources during the taxable year of the sale or other disposition); or
 
  •  we are or become a U.S. real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”). We believe that we are not currently, and are not likely to become, a USRPHC. Even if we were to become a USRPHC, gain on the sale or other disposition of common stock by you generally would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax provided:
 
  •  the common stock is “regularly traded on an established securities market”; and
 
  •  you do not actually or constructively own more than 5% of the common stock during the shorter of (i) the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition or (ii) the period of time during which you held such shares.
 
Federal Estate Tax
 
Individuals, or an entity the property of which is includable in an individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, should note that common stock held at the time of such individual’s death will be included in such individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes and may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.


169


Table of Contents

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax
 
We generally must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each of you the amount of dividends paid to you and the tax withheld with respect to those dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting those dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or other applicable agreements. Backup withholding is generally imposed (currently at a 28% rate) on certain payments to persons that fail to furnish the necessary identifying information to the payor. You generally will be subject to backup withholding tax with respect to dividends paid on your common stock unless you certify your non-U.S. status or you otherwise establish an exemption. Dividends subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax as described above in “— Dividends” would not be subject to backup withholding.
 
The payment of proceeds of a sale of common stock effected by or through a U.S. office of a broker is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless you provide the payor with your name and address and you certify your non-U.S. status or you otherwise establish an exemption. In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to the payment of the proceeds of a sale of common stock by or through a foreign office of a broker. If, however, such broker is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. person, a controlled foreign corporation, a foreign person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the United States or a foreign partnership that at any time during its tax year either is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States or has as partners one or more U.S. persons that, in the aggregate, hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership, backup withholding will not apply but such payments will be subject to information reporting, unless such broker has documentary evidence in its records that you are a non-U.S. Holder and certain other conditions are met or you otherwise establish an exemption.
 
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Recent Legislation
 
In addition to withholding taxes discussed above, recent legislation generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on payments to certain foreign entities, after December 31, 2012, of dividends on and the gross proceeds of dispositions of U.S. common stock, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements generally relating to U.S. owners of and account holders with those entities have been satisfied. These new requirements are different from, and in addition to, the beneficial owner certification requirements described above. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in our common stock.


170


Table of Contents

 
UNDERWRITING
 
We are offering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus through a number of underwriters. Piper Jaffray & Co. and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers for this offering, and Piper Jaffray is acting as representative of the underwriters. We have entered into a firm commitment underwriting agreement with the representative. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has agreed to purchase, the number of shares of common stock listed next to its name in the following table:
 
         
    Number of
Underwriters
  Shares
 
Piper Jaffray & Co. 
                
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
       
William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
       
FBR Capital Markets & Co. 
       
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. 
       
Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc. 
       
         
Total
       
         
 
The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of common stock to the public at $      per share. The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock to certain dealers at the same price less a concession of not more than $      per share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a concession of not more than $      per share on sales to certain other brokers and dealers. After this offering, these figures may be changed by the underwriters.
 
We have granted to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional          shares of common stock from us and up to an additional           shares of common stock from the selling stockholders at the same price to the public, and with the same underwriting discount, as set forth above. The underwriters may exercise this option any time during the 30-day period after the date of this prospectus, but only to cover over-allotments, if any. To the extent the underwriters exercise the option, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of the additional shares as it was obligated to purchase under the purchase agreement.
 
We estimate that the total fees and expenses payable by us, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $      million. We are paying the expenses of the selling stockholders in connection with this offering.
 
The following table shows the underwriting fees to be paid to the underwriters by us and the selling stockholders in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the over-allotment option.
 
                 
    No
    Full
 
    Exercise     Exercise  
 
Per share underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us
  $           $        
Per share underwriting discounts and commissions paid by the selling stockholders
  $       $    
Total underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us
  $       $    
Total underwriting discounts and commissions paid by the selling stockholders
  $       $  


171


Table of Contents

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
 
Piper Jaffray has informed us that neither it, nor any other underwriter participating in the distribution of this offering, will make sales of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the customer.
 
We and each of our directors, executive officers and the selling stockholders are subject to lock-up agreements that prohibit us and them from offering for sale, selling, contracting to sell, granting any option for the sale of, transferring or otherwise disposing of any shares of common stock, options or warrants to acquire shares of our common stock or any security or instrument related to such shares of common stock, options or warrants for a period of at least 180 days following the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of Piper Jaffray. The lock-up agreement provides exceptions for (1) sales to underwriters pursuant to the purchase agreement and (2) certain other exceptions.
 
The 180-day lock-up period in all of the lock-up agreements is subject to extension if, (1) during the last 17 days of the lock-up period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the lock-up period or (2) we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the lock-up period, in which case the restrictions imposed in these lock-up agreements shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, unless Piper Jaffray waives the extension in writing.
 
We will apply to have our common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FRF.” Prior to this offering, there has been no established trading market for our common stock. The initial public offering price for our common stock offered by this prospectus was negotiated by us and the underwriters. The factors considered in determining the initial public offering price include the history of and the prospects for the industry in which we compete, our past and present operations, our historical results of operations, our prospects for future earnings, the recent market prices of securities of generally comparable companies and the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering and other relevant factors. There can be no assurance that the initial public offering price of our common stock will correspond to the price at which our common stock will trade in the public market subsequent to this offering or that an active public market for our common stock will develop and continue after this offering.
 
To facilitate this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the shares of common stock during and after this offering. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot or otherwise create a short position in the common stock for their own account by selling more shares of common stock than we have sold to them. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of this option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the


172


Table of Contents

underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.
 
In addition, the underwriters may stabilize or maintain the price of the shares by bidding for or purchasing shares in the open market and may impose penalty bids. If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in this offering are reclaimed if shares previously distributed in this offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the shares at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid may also affect the price of the shares to the extent that it discourages resales of the shares. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. Some underwriters and selling group members may also engage in passive market making transactions in our shares. Passive market making consists of displaying bids on the New York Stock Exchange limited by the prices of independent market makers and effecting purchases limited by those prices in response to order flow. Rule 103 of Regulation M promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission limits the amount of net purchases that each passive market maker may make and the displayed size of each bid. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the shares at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering and one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses and prospectus supplements electronically.
 
From time to time in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have in the past and may in the future engage in commercial banking or investment banking transactions with us and our affiliates for which they received and will receive customary fees and expenses. In particular, an affiliate of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. is a lender under our revolving credit facility, and we intend to use $      million of our net proceeds from this offering to repay borrowings under such facility.
 
Selling Restrictions
 
Sales outside the United States
 
No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the common stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus or any other material relating to us or the common stock in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offering of the common stock may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction. Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell common stock offered hereby in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where they are permitted to do so.
 
European Economic Area
 
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State, no offer of our shares has been made or will be made to the public in that Relevant Member State, except that, with effect


173


Table of Contents

from and including such date, an offer of our shares may be made to the public in the Relevant Member State at any time:
 
(a) to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
 
(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (i) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (ii) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (iii) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;
 
(c) to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive); or
 
(d) in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
 
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of our shares to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.
 
Notice to Investors in the United Kingdom
 
The Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees that it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of our shares in circumstances in which Section 21 of such Act does not apply to us and it has complied with and will comply with all applicable provisions of such Act with respect to anything done by it in relation to our shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
 
Switzerland
 
This document does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Art. 652a of the Swiss Code of Obligations. Our shares may not be sold directly or indirectly in or into Switzerland except in a manner which will not result in a public offering within the meaning of the Swiss Code of Obligations. Neither this document nor any other offering materials relating to our shares may be distributed, published or otherwise made available in Switzerland except in a manner which will not constitute a public offer of our shares in Switzerland.
 
Notice to prospective investors in France
 
The prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or replacement thereto) has not been prepared in connection with the offering of our securities that has been approved by the Autorité des marchés financiers or by the competent authority of another State that is a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des marchés financiers; no security has been offered or sold and will be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France except to permitted investors, or Permitted Investors, consisting of persons licensed to provide the investment service of portfolio management for the account of third parties, qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting for their own account and/or corporate investors meeting one of the four criteria


174


Table of Contents

provided in article D. 341-1 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier and belonging to a limited circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs) acting for their own account, with “qualified investors” and “limited circle of investors” having the meaning ascribed to them in Article L. 411-2, D. 411-1, D. 411-2, D. 734-1, D. 744-1, D. 754-1 and D. 764-1 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier; none of this prospectus or any other materials related to the offer or information contained therein relating to our securities has been released, issued or distributed to the public in France except to Permitted Investors; and the direct or indirect resale to the public in France of any securities acquired by any Permitted Investors may be made only as provided by articles L. 411-1, L. 411-2, L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 to L. 621-8-3 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier and applicable regulations thereunder.
 
Notice to prospective investors in Italy
 
The offering of the securities has not been registered pursuant to the Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, we have not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, our common stock in the Republic of Italy in a solicitation to the public, and that sales of our common stock in the Republic of Italy shall be effected in accordance with all Italian securities, tax and exchange control and other applicable laws and regulations. In any case, our common stock cannot be offered or sold to any individuals in the Republic of Italy either in the primary market or the secondary market.
 
We will not offer, sell or deliver any securities or distribute copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to our common stock in the Republic of Italy except to “Professional Investors”, as defined in Article 31.2 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11522 of 2 July 1998 as amended (“Regulation No. 11522”), pursuant to Article 30.2 and 100 of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998 as amended (“Decree No. 58”), or in any other circumstances where an expressed exemption to comply with the solicitation restrictions provided by Decree No. 58 or Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999 as amended applies, provided, however, that any such offer, sale or delivery of our common stock or distribution of copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to our common stock in the Republic of Italy must be:
 
(a) made by investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993 as amended (“Decree No. 385”), Decree No. 58, CONSOB Regulation No. 11522 and any other applicable laws and regulations;
 
(b) in compliance with Article 129 of Decree No. 385 and the implementing instructions of the Bank of Italy, pursuant to which the issue, trading or placement of securities in Italy is subject to a prior notification to the Bank of Italy, unless and exemption, depending, inter alia, on the aggregate amount and the characteristics of our common stock issued or offered in the Republic of Italy, applies; and
 
(c) in compliance with any other applicable notification requirement or limitation which may be imposed by CONSOB or the Bank of Italy.
 
Notice to prospective investors in Germany
 
This prospectus has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements for a securities or sales prospectus under the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz), the German Sales Prospectus Act (Verkaufsprospektgesetz), or the German Investment Act (Investmentgesetz). Neither the German Federal Financial Services Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht — BaFin) nor any other German authority has been notified of the intention to distribute shares of our common stock in Germany. Consequently, shares of our common stock may not be distributed in Germany by way of public offering, public advertisement or in any similar manner AND THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENT RELATING TO THE OFFERING, AS WELL AS INFORMATION OR STATEMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN, MAY NOT BE SUPPLIED TO THE


175


Table of Contents

PUBLIC IN GERMANY OR USED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFER FOR SUBSCRIPTION OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK TO THE PUBLIC IN GERMANY OR ANY OTHER MEANS OF PUBLIC MARKETING. Shares of our common stock are being offered and sold in Germany only to qualified investors which are referred to in Section 3, paragraph 2 no. 1, in connection with Section 2, no. 6, of the German Securities Prospectus Act, Section 8f paragraph 2 no. 4 of the German Sales Prospectus Act, and in Section 2 paragraph 11 sentence 2 no. 1 of the German Investment Act. This prospectus is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.
 
Notice to prospective investors in Norway
 
Shares of our common stock will not be offered in Norway other than (i) to investors who are deemed professional investors under Section 5-4 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act of 1997 as defined in Regulation no. 1424 of 9 December 2005 (“Professional Investors”), (ii) to fewer than 100 investors that are not Professional Investors or with a total consideration of less than EUR 100,000 calculated over a period of 12 months, or (iii) with a minimum subscription amount of EUR 50,000. Consequently, no public offering will be made in Norway and this prospectus has not been filed with or approved by any Norwegian authority. The prospectus must not be reproduced or otherwise distributed to others by the recipient.
 
Notice to prospective investors in Finland
 
This prospectus has not been prepared to comply with the standards and requirements regarding public offering set forth in the Finnish Securities Market Act (1989/495, as amended) and it has not been approved by the Finnish Financial Supervision Authority. Shares of our common stock may not be offered, sold, advertised or otherwise marketed in Finland under circumstances which constitute public offering of securities under Finnish law.
 
Notice to prospective investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
 
This prospectus relates to an exempt offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in those rules. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with exempt offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The shares of our common stock which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial adviser.
 
Hong Kong
 
Our shares may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than: (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or other document relating our shares may be issued, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, where such document is directed at, or the contents are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong), other than with respect to such shares that is intended to be disposed of only to persons outside of Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules thereunder.


176


Table of Contents

Singapore
 
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
 
Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is:
 
(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
 
(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except:
 
(i) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such rights or interest are acquired at a consideration of not less than $200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets;
 
(ii) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or
 
(iii) by operation of law.
 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
 
SunTrust Bank, an affiliate of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., a managing underwriter for this offering, is a lender under our revolving credit facility and is expected to receive more than 5% of the net proceeds to us from this offering in connection with repayment of borrowings under that facility. Because SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. is an underwriter and its affiliate is expected to receive 5% or more of net offering proceeds, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” under Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., which is administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Accordingly, this offering will be made in compliance with the applicable provisions of Rule 2720. Rule 2720 requires that a “qualified independent underwriter” meeting certain standards participate in the preparation of the registration statement and prospectus and exercise the usual standards of due diligence with respect thereto. Piper Jaffray has agreed to act as a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of Rule 2720 in connection with this offering. Piper Jaffray will not receive any additional compensation for acting as a qualified independent underwriter. SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. will not confirm any sales to accounts over which it exercises discretionary authority without first receiving specific written approval for the transaction from those accounts. We have agreed to indemnify Piper Jaffray against certain liabilities incurred in connection with acting as a “qualified independent underwriter,” including liabilities under the Securities Act.


177


Table of Contents

 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York, New York, has passed upon the validity of the common stock offered hereby on behalf of us. Certain legal matters will be passed upon on behalf of the underwriters by Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, New York, New York. Certain partners of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP have ownership interests in funds operated by Summit Partners.
 
EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements for Fortegra Financial Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 and 2008, for each of the two years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP, an independent registered certified public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
The financial statements for Bliss and Glennon, Inc. at December 31, 2008 (Successor) and 2007 (Predecessor), for the period from October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 (Successor), for the period from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008 (Predecessor) and for the year ended December 31, 2007 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered certified public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS
 
On September 14, 2010, we re-appointed Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP as our independent accounting firm. Johnson Lambert &Co. LLP previously audited our 2009, 2008 and 2007 financial statements, and we dismissed them as our independent accountants on April 20, 2010. On March 26, 2010, we engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to re-audit our 2009, 2008 and 2007 financial statements. We dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on September 13, 2010 as a result of unresolved independence issues arising from services that they had performed for overseas affiliates of Summit Partners, our largest stockholder. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP audited the financial statements of Bliss and Glennon, Inc. at December 31, 2008 (Successor) and 2007 (Predecessor), for the period from October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 (Successor), for the period from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008 (Predecessor) and for the year ended December 31, 2007, which are included herein. The members of our audit committee participated in and approved the decisions to appoint and dismiss PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and dismiss and re-appoint Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP.
 
The report of Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP on our financial statements at December 31, 2009 and 2008, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007, which appears herein, contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not issue any reports with respect to the Company’s financial statements. Accordingly, there were no reports issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with respect to us that contained an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007, the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007 and through April 20, 2010, there were no disagreements with Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP, would have caused it to make reference thereto in its


178


Table of Contents

reports on the financial statements for such periods. During the period from March 26, 2010 through September 13, 2010, there were no disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, would have caused it to make reference thereto in any reports issued on our financial statements.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007, the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007 and through April 20, 2010, there have been no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K) involving Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP. Except as disclosed in the second paragraph under the heading “Risk Factors — Our internal control over financial reporting does not currently meet the standards required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and we have identified a material weakness in our internal controls, and the failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or to remedy the material weakness could materially and adversely affect us,” during the period from March 26, 2010 through September 13, 2010, there have been no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K) involving PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
 
We have requested that Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP each furnish us with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements. A copy of such letters, each dated September 23, 2010, are filed as Exhibits 16.1 and 16.2 to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007, the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007 and through March 26, 2010, we had not consulted with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP regarding any of the matters described in Item 304(a)(2)(i) or Item 304(a)(2)(ii) of Regulation S-K. During the period from April 20, 2010 through September 14, 2010, we had not consulted with Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP regarding any of the matters described in Item 304(a)(2)(i) or Item 304(a)(2)(ii) of Regulation S-K.


179


Table of Contents

 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the stock we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not include all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits for additional information. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are not necessarily complete and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document. When we complete this offering, we will also be required to file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
You can read our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http:www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section at the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.
 
You may obtain a copy of any of our filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:
 
Fortegra Financial Corporation
100 West Bay Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Attn: General Counsel
(866) 961-9529
 


180


 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
         
    Page
 
Fortegra Financial Corporation
       
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
       
    F-2  
    F-3  
    F-4  
    F-5  
    F-6  
    F-7  
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
       
    F-50  
    F-51  
    F-52  
    F-53  
    F-54  
       
Bliss and Glennon, Inc.
       
Audited Financial Statements
       
    F-71  
    F-72  
    F-73  
    F-74  
    F-75  
    F-76  
Unaudited Financial Statements
       
    F-85  
    F-86  
    F-87  
    F-88  
    F-89  

F-1


Table of Contents

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
Board of Directors
Fortegra Financial Corporation
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Fortegra Financial Corporation
(the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, for the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007 (Successor) and for the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007 (Predecessor). Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of condensed financial information of registrant appearing under Item 16(b). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fortegra Financial Corporation at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, for the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007 (Successor) and for the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007 (Predecessor), in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
/s/ Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP
 
Jacksonville, Florida
September 23, 2010


F-2


Table of Contents

FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Assets:
               
Invested assets and cash:
               
Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $78,548 and $97,926 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
  $ 80,948     $ 96,405  
Equity securities available for sale (cost of $2,155 and $1,276 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
    2,210       1,174  
Short-term investments
    1,220       2,180  
Cash and cash equivalents
    29,940       22,082  
Restricted cash
    18,090       5,170  
                 
Total invested assets and cash
    132,408       127,011  
Accrued investment income
    910       1,195  
Notes receivable
    2,138       2,159  
Other receivables
    28,116       11,446  
Reinsurance receivables
    173,798       199,023  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    41,083       38,987  
Property and equipment
    4,140       2,574  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    93,558       57,686  
Other assets
    2,475       2,288  
                 
Total assets
  $ 478,626     $ 442,369  
                 
Liabilities:
               
Unpaid claims
  $ 36,152     $ 36,363  
Unearned premiums
    215,652       242,535  
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    45,117       16,901  
Commissions payable
    2,157       7,231  
Notes payable
    31,487       20,000  
Preferred trust securities
    35,000       35,000  
Redeemable preferred stock
    11,540       11,540  
Guaranteed investment contract
          1,010  
Deferred income taxes
    20,728       14,768  
                 
Total liabilities
    397,833       385,348  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
               
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Common stock, par value $0.331/3 per share (6,000,000 shares authorized and 3,007,031 and 2,871,563 shares issued at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
    1,002       957  
Treasury stock (8,491 and 100,000 shares at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
    (176 )     (2,069 )
Additional paid-in capital
    53,675       45,894  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (provision) benefit of $(865) and $552 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    1,607       (1,072 )
Retained earnings
    23,210       11,652  
                 
Stockholders’ equity before non-controlling interest
    79,318       55,362  
                 
Non-controlling interest
    1,475       1,659  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    80,793       57,021  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 478,626     $ 442,369  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.


F-3


Table of Contents

FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period from
      Period from
 
                June 20, 2007
      January 1, 2007
 
    Years Ended December 31,     to December
      to June 19,
 
    2009     2008     31, 2007       2007  
Revenues:
                                 
Service and administrative fees
  $ 31,829     $ 24,279     $ 10,686       $ 8,165  
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees
    16,309                      
Ceding commission
    24,075       26,215       13,733         10,753  
Net underwriting revenue
    5,101       1,694       2,620         1,044  
Net investment income
    4,759       5,560       3,411         2,918  
Net realized gains (losses)
    54       (1,921 )     (348 )       516  
Other income
    971       178       28         353  
                                   
Total net revenues
    83,098       56,005       30,130         23,749  
                                   
Expenses:
                                 
Personnel costs
    31,365       21,742       10,722         9,409  
Other operating expenses
    22,291       12,225       8,508         7,118  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,507       2,629       1,292         221  
Interest expense
    7,800       7,255       4,130         1,169  
                                   
Total expenses
    64,963       43,851       24,652         17,917  
                                   
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    18,135       12,154       5,478         5,832  
Income taxes
    6,551       4,208       1,761         1,983  
                                   
Income before non-controlling interest
    11,584       7,946       3,717         3,849  
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
    26       (82 )     64         34  
                                   
Net income
  $ 11,558     $ 8,028     $ 3,653       $ 3,815  
                                   
Net income per common share:
                                 
Basic
  $ 3.94     $ 2.90     $ 1.32       $ 1.00  
Diluted
    3.65       2.72       1.24         0.95  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
                                 
Basic
    2,931,182       2,771,372       2,766,565         3,819,265  
Diluted
    3,170,653       2,956,211       2,955,381         4,028,242  
 
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.


F-4


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
 
                                                                                 
                                        Accumulated
                   
    Shares           Additional
                Other
                Total
 
    Common
    Treasury
    Common
    Paid-In
    Treasury
    Receivables
    Comprehensive
    Retained
    Non-controlling
    Stockholders’
 
    Stock     Stock     Stock     Capital     Stock     from Officers     Income (Loss)     Earnings     Interest     Equity  
 
Predecessor
                                                                               
                                                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2006
    3,840,488       (36,464 )   $ 1,280     $ 5,756     $ (590 )   $ (5,272 )   $ (16 )   $ 32,591     $ 1,998     $ 35,747  
Net income for the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007
                                              3,815       34       3,849  
Change in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax benefit of $50
                                        (98 )                 (98 )
                                                     
                                                     
Comprehensive income (loss)
                                        (98 )     3,815       34       3,751  
                                                     
                                                     
Dividends
                                              (428 )           (428 )
Options exercised
    33,650             11       262                                     273  
Stock based compensation
                      2                                     2  
                                                                                 
Balance, June 19, 2007 prior to Acquisition Transactions
    3,874,138       (36,464 )     1,291       6,020       (590 )     (5,272 )     (114 )     35,978       2,032       39,345  
                                                                                 
Effect of acquisition by Summit
    (1,107,575 )     36,464       (369 )     38,336       590       5,272       114       (35,978 )           7,965  
 
                                                                                 
Successor
                                                                               
                                                                                 
Balance, June 20, 2007
    2,766,563             922       44,356                               2,032       47,310  
Net income for the period from June 20, 2007 to December 31, 2007
                                              3,653       64       3,717  
Change in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax expense of $(288)
                                        446             (56 )     390  
                                                     
                                                     
Comprehensive income
                                        446       3,653       8       4,107  
                                                     
                                                     
Stock based compensation
                      56                                     56  
                                                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2007
    2,766,563             922       44,412                   446       3,653       2,040       51,473  
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2008
                                              8,028       (82 )     7,946  
Change in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax benefit of $764
                                        (1,518 )           9       (1,509 )
                                                     
                                                     
Comprehensive income (loss)
                                        (1,518 )     8,028       (73 )     6,437  
                                                     
                                                     
Dividends
                                              (29 )     (308 )     (337 )
Stock based compensation
                      244                                     244  
Options exercised
    105,000             35       1,238                                     1,273  
Repurchased stock
          (100,000 )                 (2,069 )                             (2,069 )
                                                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    2,871,563       (100,000 )     957       45,894       (2,069 )           (1,072 )     11,652       1,659       57,021  
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2009
                                              11,558       26       11,584  
Change in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax expense of $(1,400)
                                        2,679             1       2,680  
                                                     
                                                     
Comprehensive income
                                        2,679       11,558       27       14,264  
                                                     
                                                     
Dividends
                                                    (211 )     (211 )
Stock based compensation
                      209                                     209  
Treasury stock sold
          91,509             1,982       1,893                               3,875  
Options exercised
    3,000             1       23                                     24  
Issuance of common stock
    132,468             44       5,567                                     5,611  
                                                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2009
    3,007,031       (8,491 )   $ 1,002     $ 53,675     $ (176 )   $     $ 1,607     $ 23,210     $ 1,475     $ 80,793  
                                                                                 
 
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.


F-5


Table of Contents

FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period from
      Period from
 
    Years Ended
    June 20, 2007
      January 1, 2007
 
    December 31,     to December 31,
      to June 19,
 
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
Operating Activities:
                                 
Net income
  $ 11,558     $ 8,028     $ 3,653       $ 3,815  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
                                 
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs
    (2,096 )     (11,218 )     (3,841 )       (559 )
Depreciation and amortization
    3,507       2,629       1,292         221  
Deferred income taxes (benefit)
    3,411       144       (90 )       (394 )
Net realized gains (losses)
    (54 )     1,921       348         (516 )
Stock based compensation expense
    209       244       56         2  
Amortization of premiums and discounts on investments, net
    197       (11 )     (75 )       (55 )
Non-controlling interest
    (184 )     (380 )     8         34  
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts
    (100 )     (425 )     (80 )        
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions:
                                 
Accrued investment income
    285       (262 )     544         (485 )
Other receivables
    1,148       624       5,639         (926 )
Reinsurance receivables
    25,225       (11,046 )     (21,216 )       (26,168 )
Other assets
    (109 )     185       530         650  
Unpaid claims
    (211 )     (1,918 )     3,794         4,892  
Unearned premiums
    (27,894 )     21,959       19,913         25,782  
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    3,724       4,010       (154 )       (4,664 )
Commissions payable
    (5,223 )     (1,486 )     (56 )       889  
                                   
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
    13,393       12,998       10,265         2,518  
                                   
Investing Activities:
                                 
Proceeds from maturities of investments
    12,323       26,113       25,497         17,125  
Proceeds from sales of investments
    14,376       8,210       310         3,645  
Proceeds from maturities of short term investments
    960       350       1,701         160  
Purchases of investments
    (8,326 )     (60,131 )     (38,763 )       (10,985 )
Purchases of short term investments
          (5 )             (50 )
Repayments on mortgage loans
                39         9,589  
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
                (7 )       283  
Purchases of property and equipment
    (1,974 )     (1,227 )     (303 )       (433 )
Net (paid) received for acquisitions of subsidiaries
    (38,577 )     (1,936 )             2,706  
Proceeds from notes receivable
    120       1,259       1,711         2,696  
Change in restricted cash
    (5,434 )     1,298       (482 )       (2,312 )
                                   
Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities
    (26,532 )     (26,069 )     (10,297 )       22,424  
                                   
Financing Activities:
                                 
Repayment of notes payable and capitalized lease obligations
    (13,600 )     (1,079 )     (16,202 )       (319 )
Additional borrowings under notes payable
    25,087             20,000          
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and preferred trust securities
    5,611             34,122          
Dividends paid on common stock
                        (428 )
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
    24       846       771         273  
Excess tax benefits from shared based compensation
          427                
Issuance (purchase) of treasury stock
    3,875       (2,069 )              
Stockholder funds disbursed at purchase
                (39,262 )        
                                   
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
    20,997       (1,875 )     (571 )       (474 )
                                   
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    7,858       (14,946 )     (603 )       24,468  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    22,082       37,028       37,631         13,163  
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 29,940     $ 22,082     $ 37,028       $ 37,631  
                                   
Supplemental disclosures of cash payments for:
                                 
Interest
  $ 7,728     $ 7,184     $ 4,521       $ 727  
Income taxes
  $ 3,806     $ 1,212     $ 1,709       $ 3,142  
 
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.


F-6


Table of Contents

FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
1.  Basis of Presentation and Organization
 
These consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidated financial statements of Fortegra Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). The consolidated financial statements presented for the period from January 1, 2007 through June 19, 2007 (the “2007 predecessor period”), represent the Company prior to its acquisition by entities affiliated with Summit Partners, a growth equity investment firm, referred to as the “predecessor” entity. The consolidated financial statements for the period from June 20 through December 31, 2007 (the “2007 successor period”) and the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 represent the “successor” entity.
 
The Company has evaluated for disclosure events that occurred up to the date the Company’s financial statements were issued.
 
The Company operates in three business segments: Payment Protection, Business Process Outsourcing (“BPO”) and Wholesale Brokerage. Payment Protection specializes in protecting lenders and their consumers from death, disability or other events that could otherwise impair their ability to repay a debt. BPO provides an assortment of administrative services tailored to insurance and other financial services companies through a virtual insurance company platform. Wholesale Brokerage uses a pure wholesale sell-through model to sell specialty casualty and surplus lines insurance.
 
Organization
 
The Company is a diversified insurance services company that provides distribution and administration services on a wholesale basis to insurance companies, insurance brokers and agents and other financial services companies in the United States. During 2008, the Company changed to its name from Life of the South Corporation. Most of the Company’s insurance business is generated through networks of small to mid-sized community and regional banks, small loan companies and automobile dealerships. The consolidated financial statements include the Company and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, including:
 
  •  Bliss and Glennon, Inc.
 
  •  Creative Investigations Recovery Group, LLC
 
  •  CRC Reassurance Company, Ltd.
 
  •  Insurance Company of the South
 
  •  LOTS Intermediate Co.
 
  •  Life of the South Insurance Company and its subsidiary, Bankers Life of Louisiana
 
  •  LOTS Reassurance Company
 
  •  LOTSolutions, Inc.


F-7


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
  •  Lyndon Southern Insurance Company
 
  •  Southern Financial Life Insurance Company
 
Non-controlling interest includes third party ownership of 15% of the common stock of Southern Financial Life Insurance Company and 52% of the preferred stock of CRC Reassurance Company, Ltd.
 
On March 31, 2008, Bankers Life of Louisiana acquired all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Gulfco Life Insurance Company for a price equal to the statutory capital and surplus applicable to such common stock. Gulfco is a life, accident and health insurer domiciled in the State of Louisiana. Gulfco Life Insurance Company merged with and into Bankers Life of Louisiana on December 31, 2008. The purchase price was $437.
 
The following presents assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the acquisition of Gulfco based on their fair values as of March 31, 2008. This acquisition is part of the Payment Protection business segment.
 
         
Assets:
       
Cash
  $ 374  
Investments
    615  
Other receivables
    38  
Property and equipment
    57  
Liabilities:
       
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    (622 )
Net deferred tax liability
    (25 )
         
Net assets acquired
    437  
Purchase consideration
    437  
         
Goodwill
  $  
         
 
On December 18, 2008, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding stock ownership interests of Creative Investigations Recovery Group, LLC (“CIRG”). CIRG provides front-end customer service, pre-collection, nationwide collateral location and recovery, severe skip investigations and deficiency portfolio collections to commercial finance companies.


F-8


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The following presents assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the acquisition of CIRG based on their fair values as of December 18, 2008. This acquisition is part of the BPO business segment.
 
         
Assets:
       
Cash
  $ 1  
Other receivables
    343  
Property and equipment
    14  
Liabilities:
       
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    (490 )
Net deferred tax liability
    (5 )
         
Net assets acquired
    (137 )
Purchase consideration
    1,200  
         
Goodwill
  $ 1,337  
         
 
On December 18, 2008, the Company recognized approximately $642 of goodwill related to its acquisition of Darby & Associates, Inc. The purchase price was $642. This acquisition is part of the Payment Protection business segment.
 
On April 15, 2009, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding stock ownership interests of Bliss and Glennon, Inc., an excess and surplus wholesale insurance broker.
 
The following presents assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the acquisition of Bliss & Glennon, Inc., based on their fair values as of April 15, 2009. This acquisition is part of the Wholesale Brokerage business segment:
 
         
Assets:
       
Cash
  $ 10,966  
Other receivables
    17,818  
Property and equipment
    393  
Other intangible assets
    8,661  
Other assets
    77  
Liabilities:
       
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    (641 )
Brokered insurance payable
    (23,851 )
Commissions payable
    (149 )
Net deferred tax liability
    (1,133 )
         
Net assets acquired
    12,141  
Purchase consideration
    42,058  
         
Goodwill
  $ 29,917  
         
 
On November 3, 2009, Triangle Life Insurance Company merged into Life of the South Insurance Company and American Guaranty Insurance Company merged into Insurance Company of the South.


F-9


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
On December 31, 2009, Darby & Associates, Inc. and Gulfco Insurance Services, Inc. merged into LOTSolutions, Inc.
 
Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements
 
The Company revised its consolidated financial statements to correct errors related to other-than-temporary impairments, stock options and other items. The following table reconciles assets, stockholders’ equity and net income of the Company as presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to assets, stockholders’ equity and net income as previously presented.
 
                 
    2009     2008  
 
Total assets, as previously reported
  $  474,686     $  439,321  
Adjustment to correct the classification of investments from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale
          (1,791 )
Adjustment to correct the classification of reinsurance receivables
          1,800  
Adjustment to correct goodwill
    3,543       2,795  
Other adjustments
    397       244  
                 
Total assets, as reported herein
  $ 478,626     $ 442,369  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity, as previously reported
  $ 80,278     $ 57,421  
Adjustment to correct the classification of investments from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale
          (1,110 )
Adjustment to correct goodwill
    402       402  
Other adjustments
    113       308  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity, as reported herein
  $ 80,793     $ 57,021  
                 
 


F-10


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period from
      Period from
 
    Years Ended December 31,     June 20, 2007 to
      January 1, 2007 to
 
    2009     2008     December 31, 2007       June 19, 2007  
Net income, as previously reported
  $  12,034     $  8,764     $  3,731       $  3,680  
Adjustment to record stock based compensation
    (209 )     (244 )     (56 )       (2 )
Adjustment to record other-than-temporary impairments of investments
          (521 )     (237 )        
Other adjustments
    (267 )     29       215         137  
                                   
Net income, as reported herein
  $ 11,558     $ 8,028     $ 3,653       $ 3,815  
                                   
 
2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or “the guidance”). Preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated.
 
The third party ownership of 15% of the common stock of Southern Financial Life Insurance Company and 52% of the preferred stock of CRC Reassurance Company, Ltd. has been reflected as non-controlling interest on the consolidated balance sheets. Income attributable to those companies’ minority shareholders has been reflected on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as income attributable to non-controlling interest.
 
Investments
 
Marketable debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reflected in other comprehensive income, net of tax. Marketable equity securities are also classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reflected in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

F-11


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
During 2009, the Company adopted the new accounting standards related to other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) that provide guidance in determining whether impairments in debt securities are other-than-temporary and require additional disclosures relating to OTTI and unrealized losses on investments. All investments in an unrelated loss position are reviewed at the individual security level to determine whether a credit or interest rate-related impairment is other-than-temporary. For fixed maturity securities, impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary if we have the intent to sell the security prior to recovery, if it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security prior to recovery, or if we don’t believe the value of the security will recover. The Company impairment analysis takes into account factors, both qualitative and quantitative in nature.
 
Among the factors the Company considers are the following:
 
•  the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost;
 
•  if an investment’s fair value declines below cost, we determine if there is adequate evidence to overcome the presumption that the decline is other-than-temporary. Supporting evidence could include a recovery in the investment’s fair value subsequent to the date of the statement of financial position, a return of the investee to profitability and the investee’s improved financial performance and future prospects (such as earnings trends or recent dividend payments), or the improvement of financial condition and prospects for the investee’s geographic region and industry.
 
•  issuer-specific considerations, including an event of missed or late payment or default, adverse changes in key financial ratios, an increase in nonperforming loans, a decline in earnings substantially below that of the investee’s peers, downgrading of the investee’s debt rating or suspension of trading in the security;
 
•  the occurrence of a significant economic event that may affect the industry in which an issuer participates, including a change that might adversely impact the investee’s ability to achieve profitability in its operations;
 
•  the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a sufficient period to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value; and
 
•  with regards to commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), the Company also evaluates key statistics such as breakeven constant default rates and credit enhancement levels. The breakeven constant default rate indicates the percentage of the pool’s outstanding loans that must default each and every year with 40 percent loss severity (i.e., a recovery rate of 60 percent) for a CMBS class/tranche to experience its first dollar of principal loss. Credit enhancements indicate how much protection, or “cushion,” there is to absorb losses in a particular deal before an actual loss would impact a specific security.
 
The new standards did not change the impairment model for equity securities which are assessed for OTTI when they experience market-related declines which are not reasonably expected to be recovered


F-12


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
under historical market conditions when the security has been in a loss position for four consecutive quarters.
 
The new guidance required that, at the date of adoption, the Company record a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle to reclassify the non-credit component of a previously recognized OTTI from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income. Based on its review, the Company had no OTTI losses to reclassify.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of highly liquid investments, with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. At various times throughout the year, the Company has cash deposited with financial institutions that exceed the federally insured deposit amount. Management reviews the financial viability of these institutions on a periodic basis and does not anticipate nonperformance by the financial institutions.
 
Restricted Cash
 
Restricted cash represents primarily unremitted premiums received from agents, unremitted claims received from insurers, fiduciary cash for reinsurers and pledged assets for the protection of policy holders in various state jurisdictions. Restricted cash is generally required to be kept in certain bank accounts subject to guidelines which emphasize capital preservation and liquidity; pursuant to the laws of certain states in which the Company’s subsidiaries operate and applicable contractual obligations, such funds are not available to service the Company’s debt or for other general corporate purposes. The Company is entitled to retain investment income earned on fiduciary funds. Included in restricted cash are cash and cash equivalents.
 
Other Receivables
 
Other receivables consist primarily of advance commissions and agents’ balances in course of collection and billed but not collected policy premium. For policy premiums that have been billed but not collected, the Company records a receivable on its balance sheet for the full amount of the premium billed, with a corresponding liability, net of its commission, to insurance carriers. The Company earns interest on the premium cash during the period of time between receipt of the funds and payment of these funds to insurance carriers.
 
Reinsurance
 
Balances recoverable from reinsurers and amounts ceded to reinsurers relating to the unexpired portion of reinsured policies are presented as assets. Experience refunds from reinsurers are recognized based on the underwriting experience of the underlying contracts.
 
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
 
The costs of acquiring new business and retaining existing business, principally commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting and marketing costs that vary with and are primarily related to the production of new business, have been deferred and are being amortized as the related premium is


F-13


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
earned. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period totaled $57,657, $60,594, $28,209 and $14,965, respectively. The Company considers investment income in determining whether deferred acquisition costs are recoverable at year-end. No write-offs for unrecoverable deferred acquisition costs were recognized during 2009, 2008, the 2007 successor period or the 2007 predecessor period.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain indicators arise. The goodwill impairment review is a two-step process. Step one consists of a comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment loss may be recognized if the review indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined by using discounted cash flows. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two requires the fair value of the reporting unit to be allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities of that reporting unit, resulting in an implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess.
 
The impairment review is highly judgmental and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions have a significant impact on the amount of any impairment charge recorded. Discounted cash flow methods are dependent upon assumption of future sales trends, market conditions and cash flows of each reporting unit over several years. Actual cash flows in the future may differ significantly from those previously forecasted. Other significant assumptions include growth rates and the discount rate applicable to future cash flows.
 
The Company’s reporting units for impairment testing purposes are identical to our operating segments. The Company calculated the fair value of each reporting unit at December 31, 2009 and 2008 utilizing a discount rate of 10%, projected earnings and a forecasted annual growth rate of 4%. The calculations resulted in a fair value for each of our operating segments which exceeded their respective carrying values. Therefore, step two of the impairment test was not necessary and an impairment charge was not recorded.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Gains and losses on sales and disposals of property and equipment are based on the net book value of the related asset at the disposal date using the specific identification method. Maintenance and repairs, which do not materially extend asset useful life and minor replacements, are charged to income when incurred. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets with three years for computers and five years for furniture, fixtures, equipment and software. Leasehold improvements and capitalized leases are depreciated over the remaining life of the lease.
 
The Company capitalizes internally developed software costs on a project-by-project basis in accordance with ASC 350-40, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other: Internal-Use Software. All costs to establish the


F-14


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
technological feasibility of computer software development is expensed to operations when incurred. Internally developed software development costs are carried at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value and are amortized based on the current and estimated useful life of the software. Amortization over the estimated useful life of five years begins when the software is ready for its intended use.
 
Unpaid Claims
 
Unpaid claims include estimates for benefits reported prior to the close of the accounting period and other estimates, including amounts for incurred but not reported benefits. These liabilities are continuously reviewed and updated by management. Management believes that such liabilities are adequate to cover the estimated cost of the related benefits. When management determines that changes in estimates are required, such changes are included in current income.
 
Unearned Premiums
 
Premiums written are earned over the period that coverage is provided. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums that will be earned in the future and are generally calculated using the pro rata method. A premium deficiency reserve is recorded if anticipated losses, loss adjustment expenses and policy maintenance costs exceed the recorded unearned premium reserve and anticipated investment income. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, no reserve was recorded.
 
Service and Administrative Fees
 
The Company earns service and administrative fees for a variety of activities. This includes providing administrative services for other insurance companies, debt cancellation programs, collateral tracking and asset recovery services.
 
The administrative service revenue for the administration of insurance and debt cancellation programs is recognized consistent with the earnings pattern of the policy or contract that is being administered. The BPO service fee revenue is recognized as the services are performed. These services include fulfillment, BPO software development, and claims handling for the Company’s customers. Collateral tracking fee income is recognized when the service is performed and billed. Asset recovery service revenue is recognized upon the location of a recovered unit and or the location and delivery of a unit.
 
Wholesale Brokerage Commissions and Fees
 
The Company earns wholesale brokerage commission and fee income by providing wholesale brokerage services to retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies. Wholesale brokerage commission income is primarily recognized when the underlying insurance policies are issued. A portion of the wholesale brokerage commission income is derived from profit commission agreements with insurance carriers. Profit commission income is generally recognized as revenue on the receipt of cash based on the terms of the respective carrier contracts. In certain instances, profit commission income may be recognized in advance of cash receipt where the profit commission income due to be received has been calculated or has been confirmed by the insurance carrier.


F-15


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
Ceding Commissions
 
Ceding commissions earned under coinsurance agreements are based on contractual formulas that take into account, in part, underwriting performance and investment returns experienced by the assuming companies. As experience changes, adjustments to the ceding commissions are reflected in the period incurred.
 
Net Underwriting Revenue
 
Net underwriting revenue consists of revenue generated by premiums from the Company’s Payment Protection products less the costs of settling claims and commissions on such products. The Company’s net underwriting revenue fluctuates based on the amount of underwriting risk the Company retains, the premiums associated with the related policies, the claims made on such policies and the commissions paid to distributors.
 
Net Investment Income
 
Net investment income consists of investment income from the Company’s investment portfolio. The Company recognized investment income from interest payments and dividends less portfolio management expenses. The Company’s investment portfolio is primarily invested in fixed maturity securities. Investment income can be significantly impacted by changes in interest rates. Interest rate volatility can increase or reduce unrealized gains or unrealized losses in the Company’s portfolios. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond the Company’s control. Fluctuations in interest rates affect the Company’s returns on, and the market value of, fixed maturity and short-term investments.
 
The fair market value of the fixed maturity securities in the Company’s portfolio and the investment income from these securities fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions. The fair market value generally increases or decreases in an inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates. The Company also has investments that carry pre-payment risk, such as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk may differ from estimates at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations. In periods of declining interest rates, mortgage prepayments generally increase and mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage obligations and bonds are more likely to be prepaid or redeemed as borrowers seek to borrow at lower interest rates. Therefore, the Company may be required to reinvest those funds in lower interest-bearing investments.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with all majority owned subsidiaries except for Triangle Life Insurance Company, which files a separate federal income tax return. The Company has a tax sharing agreement with its subsidiaries where each company is apportioned the amount of tax equal to that which would be reported on a separate company basis. Income taxes are recorded in accordance with the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes, referred to as temporary differences.


F-16


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
Deferred income taxes are recorded for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the Company expects the temporary differences to reverse. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that an amount will not be realized.
 
In determining whether the Company’s deferred tax asset is realizable, the Company considered all available evidence, including both positive and negative evidence. The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income of the same character during the carry-back or carry-forward period. The Company considered all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry forwards, taxable income in carry-back years and tax-planning strategies.
 
In June 2006, authoritative guidance was issued on income taxes. The guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification of interest and penalties and other matters. Under the guidance, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is “more likely than not” the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based upon the technical merits of the position. The guidance was effective for fiscal year 2009, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements for 2009.
 
Comprehensive Income
 
Comprehensive income includes both net income and other items of comprehensive income. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, comprehensive income was comprised of unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as available for sale. The Company has elected to disclose comprehensive income in its consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.
 
Net Income Per Common Share
 
Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income available to stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Basic net income per common share excludes the effect of potentially dilutive options. Diluted net income per common share reflects potential dilution that could occur if stock options were exercised and excludes anti-dilutive shares.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
On December 31, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance on GAAP, which is within ASC Topic 105, GAAP. The new guidance establishes a single source of authoritative accounting and reporting guidance recognized by the FASB for nongovernmental entities (the “Codification”). The Codification does not change current GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative GAAP by


F-17


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification will be considered non-authoritative. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. References to accounting guidance contained in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures have been updated to reflect terminology consistent with the Codification. Plain English references to the accounting guidance have been made along with references to the number and name.
 
On December 31, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance on measuring the fair value of liabilities. When the quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, this new guidance requires that either the quoted price of the identical or similar liability when traded as an asset or another valuation technique that is consistent with the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance be used to fair value the liability. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
On December 31, 2009, the Company adopted the new subsequent events guidance. This new guidance establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) guidance. This new guidance amends the previous guidance for debt securities and modifies the presentation and disclosure requirements for debt and equity securities. In addition, it amends the requirement for an entity to positively assert the intent and ability to hold a debt security to recovery to determine whether an OTTI exists and replaces this provision with the assertion that an entity does not intend to sell or it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell a security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this new guidance modifies the presentation of certain OTTI debt securities to only present the impairment loss within the results of operations that represents the credit loss associated with the OTTI with the remaining impairment loss being presented within other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). At adoption, there was no cumulative effect adjustment to reclassify the non-credit component.
 
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the new guidance on determining fair value in illiquid markets. This new guidance clarifies how to estimate fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased. This new guidance also clarifies how to identify circumstances indicating that a transaction is not orderly. Under this new guidance, significant decreases in the volume and level of activity of an asset or liability, in relation to normal market activity, requires further evaluation of transactions or quoted prices and exercise of significant judgment in arriving at fair values. This new guidance also requires additional interim and annual disclosures. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the new fair value of financial instruments guidance. This new guidance requires disclosure of the methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value. The


F-18


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the revised business combinations guidance. The revised guidance retains the fundamental requirements of the previous guidance in that the acquisition method of accounting is used for all business combinations, that an acquirer be identified for each business combination and for goodwill to be recognized and measured as a residual. The revised guidance expands the definition of transactions and events that qualify as business combinations to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. The revised guidance broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. It also increases the disclosure requirements for business combinations in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of the revised guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, for any business combination in 2010 or beyond, the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows could incur a significantly different impact than had it recorded the acquisition under the previous business combinations guidance. Earnings volatility could result depending on the terms of the acquisition.
 
On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new consolidations guidance. The new guidance requires that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary be separately reported within equity and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the non-controlling interest be presented in the statements of income. The new guidance also calls for consistency in reporting changes in the parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary and necessitates fair value measurement of any non-controlling equity investment retained in a deconsolidation. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
On December 31, 2009, the Company applied the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance for all non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The application of this guidance for those assets and liabilities did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill and intangible assets. In a business combination, the non-financial assets and liabilities of the acquired company would be measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance. The requirements of this guidance include using an exit price based on an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date assuming the highest and best use of the asset by market participants. To perform a market valuation, the Company is required to use a market, income or cost approach valuation technique(s). The Company performed its annual impairment analyses of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in the fourth quarter of 2009. There was no impairment of intangible assets for 2009 and 2008.
 
In September 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on multiple deliverable revenue arrangements. This new guidance requires entities to use their best estimate of the selling price of a deliverable within a multiple deliverable revenue arrangement if the entity and other entities do not sell the deliverable separate from the other deliverables within the arrangement. This new guidance requires both qualitative and quantitative disclosures. This new guidance will be effective for new or materially modified


F-19


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
arrangements in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year. Assuming the Company does not apply the guidance early, the Company is required to adopt this new guidance on January 1, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this new guidance and the potential impact, if any, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
3.  Investments
 
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair values of fixed maturity securities available for sale and equity securities available for sale at December 31, 2009 are as follows:
 
                                 
    Cost or
    Gross
    Gross
       
    Amortized
    Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agencies
  $ 18,832     $ 674     $ (26 )   $ 19,480  
Municipal securities
    14,343       336       (97 )     14,582  
Corporate securities
    35,276       1,506       (271 )     36,511  
Mortgage-backed securities
    5,594       97             5,691  
Asset-backed securities
    4,503       181             4,684  
                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 78,548     $ 2,794     $ (394 )   $ 80,948  
                                 
Common stock — publicly traded
  $ 423     $ 100     $ (154 )   $ 369  
Preferred stock — publicly traded
    199       1       (23 )     177  
Common stock — non-publicly traded
    528       179       (45 )     662  
Preferred stock — non-publicly traded
    1,005             (3 )     1,002  
                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 2,155     $ 280     $ (225 )   $ 2,210  
                                 


F-20


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair values of fixed maturity securities available for sale and equity securities available for sale at December 31, 2008 are as follows:
 
                                 
    Cost or
    Gross
    Gross
       
    Amortized
    Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agencies
  $ 26,860     $ 949     $     $ 27,809  
Municipal securities
    16,084       270       (306 )     16,048  
Corporate securities
    38,273       267       (1,692 )     36,848  
Mortgage-backed securities
    8,096             (600 )     7,496  
Asset-backed securities
    8,613             (409 )     8,204  
                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 97,926     $ 1,486     $ (3,007 )   $ 96,405  
                                 
Common stock — publicly traded
  $ 423     $     $     $ 423  
Preferred stock — publicly traded
    199             (44 )     155  
Common stock — non-publicly traded
    651       63       (128 )     586  
Preferred stock — non-publicly traded
    3       7             10  
                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 1,276     $ 70     $ (172 )   $ 1,174  
                                 
 
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2009 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities as borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
                 
    Amortized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Value  
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 2,358     $ 2,384  
Due after one year through five years
    18,552       19,290  
Due after five years through ten years
    29,966       30,973  
Due after ten years through twenty years
    3,944       3,898  
Due after twenty years
    13,631       14,028  
Mortgage-backed securities
    5,594       5,691  
Asset-backed securities
    4,503       4,684  
                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 78,548     $ 80,948  
                 
 
During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, the Company realized gains on sales of fixed maturity securities of $824, $30, $0 and $23, respectively. Realized losses on the sale of fixed maturity securities totaled $787, $14, $0 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively. Gross proceeds from the sale of these fixed maturity securities total $14,237, $7,556, $247 and $300 in 2009, 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively.


F-21


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, the Company realized gains on sales of equity securities of $70, $14, $0 and $493, respectively. Realized losses on the sales of equity securities totaled $53, $0, $0 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively. Gross proceeds from the sales of these equity securities total $139, $535, $63 and $3,345 in 2009, 2008, the 2007 successor period and 2007 predecessor period, respectively.
 
Fixed maturity securities are assessed for other-than-temporarily impairment (“OTTI”) when the decline in fair value is below the amortized cost basis and determined to be other-than-temporary by management. Equity securities are assessed for OTTI when they experience a market-related decline which is not reasonably expected to be recovered under historical market conditions when the security has been in a loss position for four consecutive quarters. OTTI losses related to (i) the credit component of the impairment on fixed maturity securities and (ii) equity securities, are recorded in the consolidated statement of income as realized losses on investments and result in a permanent reduction of the cost basis of the underlying investment. Losses relating to the non-credit component of OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities are recorded in OCI. The determination of OTTI is a subjective process, and different judgments and assumptions could affect the timing of loss realization.
 
During 2009, there were no OTTIs. During 2008, the Company determined the decline in fair value of its investment in both a bond investment and 15 equity securities to be OTTI. This resulted in recording an impairment write-down of $1,153 on the bond and $797 on the equity securities as part of net realized gain/losses on investments. In the 2007 successor period, the Company determined the decline in fair value of its investment in 16 equity securities to be OTTI. This resulted in recording an impairment writedown of $348 as part of net realized gain/losses on investments.


F-22


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the aggregate amount of unrealized losses and the aggregate related fair values of investments with unrealized losses were segregated into the following time periods during which the investments had been in unrealized loss positions:
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2009  
    Less than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater     Total  
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
 
Description of Security
  Value     Losses     Value     Losses     Value     Losses  
 
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies
  $ 4,510     $ (26 )   $     $     $ 4,510     $ (26 )
Municipal securities
    4,226       (81 )     544       (16 )     4,770       (97 )
Corporate securities
                1,894       (271 )     1,894       (271 )
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 8,736     $ (107 )   $ 2,438     $ (287 )   $ 11,174     $ (394 )
                                                 
Common stock — publicly traded
  $     $     $ 186     $ (154 )   $ 186     $ (154 )
Preferred stock — publicly traded
                126       (23 )     126       (23 )
Common stock — non-publicly traded
    42       (3 )     78       (42 )     120       (45 )
Preferred stock — non-publicly traded
          (3 )                       (3 )
                                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 42     $ (6 )   $ 390     $ (219 )   $ 432     $ (225 )
                                                 
 


F-23


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2008  
    Less than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater     Total  
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
 
Description of Security
  Value     Losses     Value     Losses     Value     Losses  
 
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies
  $     $     $     $     $     $  
Municipal securities
    4,141       (306 )                 4,141       (306 )
Corporate securities
    21,757       (1,692 )                 21,757       (1,692 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    7,496       (600 )                 7,496       (600 )
Asset backed securities
    8,204       (409 )                 8,204       (409 )
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 41,598     $ (3,007 )   $     $     $ 41,598     $ (3,007 )
                                                 
Preferred stock — publicly traded
  $ 155     $ (44 )               $ 155     $ (44 )
Common stock — non-publicly traded
    166       (93 )     85       (35 )     251       (128 )
                                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 321     $ (137 )   $ 85     $ (35 )   $ 406     $ (172 )
                                                 
 
As of December 31, 2009, there were 13 fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position. The Company does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. As such, management considers the impairments (i.e., excess of cost over fair value) to be temporary.
 
As of December 31, 2009, there were 21 equity securities in an unrealized loss position. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the estimated fair value of an investment is considered to be “other-than-temporary,” the investment is written down to its estimated fair value. Any such write-downs are reported as realized losses on investments. There were no such write-downs during 2009. In 2008, 15 equity securities were written down as realized losses totaling $797. In the 2007 successor period, 16 equity securities were written down as realized losses totaling $348.
 
Pursuant to certain reinsurance agreements and statutory licensing requirements, the Company has deposited invested assets in custody accounts or insurance department safekeeping accounts. The Company is not permitted to remove invested assets from these accounts without prior approval of the contractual party or regulatory authority. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had restricted investments with carrying values of $20,292 and $23,736, respectively, of which $14,860 and $11,659 related to special deposits required by various state insurance departments.

F-24


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
Net investment income is as follows:
 
                                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    Years Ended
    Period from
    Period from
 
    December 31,     June 20, 2007 to
    January 1, 2007 to
 
    2009     2008     December 31, 2007     June 19, 2007  
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 4,520     $ 4,600     $ 1,757     $ 1,412  
Cash on hand and on deposit
    557       1,035       1,631       947  
Common and preferred stock dividends
    28       77       40       135  
Debenture interest
    162       247       206       302  
Other income
    2       124       (101 )     223  
Investment expenses
    (510 )     (523 )     (122 )     (101 )
                                 
Net investment income
  $ 4,759     $ 5,560     $ 3,411     $ 2,918  
                                 
 
4.  Other Receivables
 
Other receivables consist primarily of advance commissions and agents’ balances in course of collection.
 
                 
    At
 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Wholesale brokerage agent balances (premium receivable)
  $ 15,691     $  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (139 )      
Advanced commissions
    10,334       11,061  
Insurance agent balances (premium receivable)
    1,115        
Notes receivable
    356        
Accounts receivable asset recovery
    487       370  
Reimbursable expenses asset recovery
    158        
Other receivables
    114       15  
                 
Total
  $ 28,116     $ 11,446  
                 
 
5.  Reinsurance
 
The Company has various reinsurance agreements in place whereby the amount of risk in excess of the Company’s retention is reinsured by unrelated domestic and foreign insurance companies. The Company remains liable to policyholders in the event that the assuming companies are unable to meet their obligations.
 
Fronting arrangements — These arrangements are typically with insurance companies affiliated with banks, auto dealers or financial institutions whereby the Company cedes up to 100% of the business written. The Company generally retains a fee for issuing the policies and for providing administrative services.


F-25


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
Coinsurance — Under coinsurance arrangements, the Company cedes a fixed percentage of business written to reinsurers while continuing to provide all policy administration. The Company receives an administration fee and generally participates in the underwriting profits, in accordance with a contractual formula.
 
Excess of loss arrangements — The Company seeks to protect itself from the financial impact of large individual claims by reinsuring credit life exposures in excess of $45 and forced placed mortgage insurance exposures in excess of $150.
 
The following is a breakdown of net earned premiums included in net underwriting revenue:
 
                                   
   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period from
      Period from
 
    Years Ended December 31,     June 20, 2007 to
      January 1, 2007 to
 
    2009     2008     December 31, 2007       June 19, 2007  
Net earned premium:
                                 
Direct
  $ 273,849     $ 277,102     $ 138,868       $ 107,400  
Assumed
    26,370       38,464       21,046         23,443  
Ceded
    (192,103 )     (202,792 )     (91,695 )       (65,937 )
                                   
Total net earned premium
    108,116       112,774       68,219         64,906  
Net incurred claims
    (32,566 )     (29,854 )     (20,324 )       (21,224 )
Commissions
    (70,449 )     (81,226 )     (45,275 )       (42,638 )
                                   
Total net underwriting revenue
  $ 5,101     $ 1,694     $ 2,620       $ 1,044  
                                   
 
The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and earned and losses and loss and adjustment expense (LAE) are presented in the table below:
 
Premiums
 
                                                                   
   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period from
      Period from
 
    Years Ended December 31,     June 20, 2007 to
      January 1, 2007 to
 
    2009     2008     December 31, 2007       June 19, 2007  
    Written     Earned     Written     Earned     Written     Earned       Written     Earned  
Direct and assumed
  $ 273,276     $ 300,219     $ 337,341     $ 315,566     $ 181,773     $ 159,914       $ 141,240     $ 130,843  
Ceded
    (172,638 )     (192,103 )     (208,235 )     (202,792 )     (106,493 )     (91,695 )       (73,296 )     (65,937 )
                                                                   
Net
  $ 100,638     $ 108,116     $ 129,106     $ 112,774     $ 75,280     $ 68,219       $ 67,944     $ 64,906  
                                                                   


F-26


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
Losses and LAE
 
                                   
   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period from
      Period from
 
    Years Ended December 31,     June 20, 2007 to
      January 1, 2007 to
 
    2009     2008     December 31,2007       June 19, 2007  
Direct and assumed
  $ 80,383     $ 76,067     $ 48,477       $ 42,640  
Ceded
    (47,817 )     (46,213 )     (28,153 )       (21,416 )
                                   
Net losses and LAE incurred
  $ 32,566     $ 29,854     $ 20,324       $ 21,224  
                                   
 
Reinsurance receivables include amounts related to paid and unpaid benefits as well prepaid reinsurance premiums. The following reflects the components of the reinsurance receivables:
 
                 
    At December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Ceded unearned premiums:
               
Life
  $ 60,281     $ 82,358  
Accident and health
    29,844       32,980  
Property
    57,379       53,160  
                 
Total ceded unearned premiums
    147,504       168,498  
                 
Ceded claim reserves:
               
Life
    1,929       2,089  
Accident and health
    9,981       8,616  
Property
    10,608       12,697  
                 
Total ceded claim reserves recoverable
    22,518       23,402  
Other reinsurance settlements recoverable
    3,776       7,123  
                 
Reinsurance receivables
  $ 173,798     $ 199,023  
                 
 
These receivables are based upon estimates and are reported on the balance sheet separately as assets, as reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its legal liability to policyholders. The Company is required to pay losses even if a reinsurer fails to meet its obligations under the applicable reinsurance agreement. Management continually monitors the financial condition and agency ratings of the Company’s reinsurers and believes that the reinsurance receivables accrued are collectible. Included in reinsurance receivables for 2009 and 2008 are $132,735 and $151,878 recoverable from three unrelated reinsurers. These amounts are collateralized by assets held in trust and letters of credit. At December 31, 2009, the Company does not believe there is a risk of loss as a result of the concentration of credit risk in the reinsurance program.


F-27


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
6.  Property and Equipment
 
The components of property and equipment are as follows:
 
                 
    At December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
  $ 745     $ 403  
Computer equipment
    1,058       248  
Software
    2,937       1,779  
Leasehold improvements
    513       462  
                 
      5,253       2,892  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,113 )     (318 )
                 
    $ 4,140     $ 2,574  
                 
 
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period totaled $662, $512, $244 and $221, respectively. Amortization expense related to capitalized software costs for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and 2007 predecessor period totaled $133, $20, $0 and $0, respectively.
 
7.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill resulting from the Company’s acquisition by Summit Partners, L.P. and from acquisitions of subsidiaries is carried as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets and is not amortized, but is evaluated to determine whether impairment exists.
 
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain indicators arise. The Company uses an income approach to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit. The impairment review is highly judgmental and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions have a significant impact on the amount of any impairment charge recorded. The Company completed its annual assessment of goodwill in 2009, 2008 and 2007 and concluded that the value of its goodwill was not impaired.
 
During the third quarter of 2008, the amount of goodwill recognized as part of the Summit Partners acquisition was determined to be $31.7 million. In December 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of Darby & Associates, Inc. for approximately $0.6 million resulting in goodwill of $0.6 million. The Company also completed the acquisition of CIRG in December 2008 for $1.2 million and recorded goodwill of $1.3 million. In April 2009, the Company acquired Bliss and Glennon, Inc. (B&G), for $42.1 million resulting in goodwill of $29.9 million and other intangible assets of $8.7 million.
 
The Company recognized $1.7 million of transaction costs associated with the B&G acquisition in 2009 and an immaterial amount of transaction costs in 2008. Transaction costs of $3.2 million were recognized in the 2007 successor period related to the acquisition by Summit Partners. Finally, an


F-28


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
immaterial amount of transaction costs were recognized in the 2007 predecessor period. Transaction costs are included in other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
 
Bliss and Glennon financial results have been included in the Company’s results beginning April 15, 2009. Revenue and net income since the acquisition date included in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2009 are as follows:
 
         
Revenue
  $ 16,820  
         
Net income*
  $ (156 )
         
* This result included $1,245 of transaction expenses.
 
The following unaudited pro forma summary presents the Company’s consolidated financial information as if Bliss and Glennon had been acquired on January 1, 2009. These amounts have been calculated after applying the Company’s accounting policies and adjusting the results of Bliss and Glennon to reflect the additional amortization that would have been charged assuming the intangible assets would have existed on January 1, 2009 and excluding the transaction costs, together with the consequential tax effect.
 
         
Revenue
  $ 91,231  
         
Net income
  $ 14,039  
         
 
The Company recognized amortization on intangibles of $2,706, $2,097, $1,049 and $0 during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively.
 
Changes in goodwill balances are as follows:
 
                                         
    Payment
          Wholesale
             
    Protection     BPO     Brokerage     Total        
 
Balance at January 1, 2008
  $ 23,587     $ 9,223     $     $ 32,810          
Measurement period purchase accounting adjustments
    (824 )     (321 )           (1,145 )        
Goodwill acquired during 2008
    642       1,337             1,979          
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
    23,405       10,239             33,644          
Goodwill acquired during 2009
                29,917       29,917          
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 23,405     $ 10,239     $ 29,917     $ 63,561          
                                         


F-29


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
Other intangible assets consisted of the following:
 
                                                         
          Year Ended December 31, 2009     Year Ended December 31, 2008  
    Amortization
    Gross
          Net
    Gross
          Net
 
    Period
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
 
    (Years)     Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount     Amortization     Amount  
 
Customer and agent relationships
    7 - 10     $ 18,457     $ (3,822 )   $ 14,635     $ 13,131     $ (1,969 )   $ 11,162  
Tradename
    Indefinite       10,910             10,910       9,505             9,505  
Software
    10       3,971       (993 )     2,978       3,971       (596 )     3,375  
Non-compete agreements
    1.5 - 3       2,511       (1,037 )     1,474       581       (581 )      
                                                         
Total
          $ 35,849     $ (5,852 )   $ 29,997     $ 27,188     $ (3,146 )   $ 24,042  
                                                         
 
Changes in other intangible assets are as follows:
 
         
December 31, 2007
  $ 26,139  
Amortization
    (2,097 )
         
December 31, 2008
    24,042  
Intangible assets of acquired businesses
    8,661  
Amortization
    (2,706 )
         
December 31, 2009
  $ 29,997  
         
 
The estimated amortization of intangible assets for each of the next five years ended December 31 is as follows:
 
         
2010
  $ 3,114  
2011
    3,114  
2012
    2,659  
2013
    2,471  
2014
    2,471  
Thereafter
    5,257  
         
Total
  $ 19,086  
         


F-30


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
8.  Accrued Expenses and Accounts Payable
 
Accrued expenses and accounts payable consisted of the following:
 
                 
    At December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Wholesale brokerage premiums payable to insurance carriers
  $ 24,404     $  
Premiums collected on behalf of administered clients
    9,823       7,543  
Reinsurance payable
    6,069       4,521  
Income taxes payable
    769       1,228  
Premium tax payable
    2,267       2,051  
Unclaimed property
    798       737  
Deferred compensation
    458        
Interest payable — Preferred Trust Funds
    140       140  
Other accrued expenses and accounts payable
    389       681  
                 
Total
  $ 45,117     $ 16,901  
                 
 
9.  Indebtedness
 
Notes payable consist of the following:
 
                 
    At December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Line of credit — Columbus Bank & Trust at effective rate of 3.25%. Credit line of $15 million. Matures 2012. Repaid June 2010
  $ 6,400     $  
Line of credit — Columbus Bank & Trust — effective interest rate of 5% floor. Credit line of $15 million. Repaid June 2010
    5,087        
Subordinated debentures — Summit Partners — fixed rate of 14%. Matures 2012
    20,000       20,000  
                 
Total notes payable
  $ 31,487     $ 20,000  
                 
 
The $20,000 subordinated debentures are held by affiliates of Summit Partners, a related party. Interest expense on these debentures was $2,839, $2,847, $1,517 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively.
 
On June 16, 2010, the Company amended the maturity date of the subordinated debentures from June 2012 to December 2013.


F-31


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
Preferred securities consist of the following:
 
                 
    At December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Preferred trust securities — FTN Financial — interest rate of 9.61%. Matures 2037
  $ 35,000     $ 35,000  
Redeemable preferred stock — dividends paid quarterly:
               
Series A — fixed rate of 8.25%. Matures 2034
    7,440       7,440  
Series B — floating rate at 90 day LIBOR plus 4%. Matures 2034
    2,100       2,100  
Series C — fixed rate of 8.25%. Matures 2035
    2,000       2,000  
                 
    $ 46,540     $ 46,540  
                 
 
Aggregate maturities of debt instruments are as follows:
 
         
    At December
 
    31, 2009  
 
2010
  $ 5,087  
2011
     
2012
    26,400  
2013
     
2014
     
Thereafter
    46,540  
         
    $ 78,027  
         
 
The interest rates of debt instruments are as follows:
 
                 
    As of December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Prime Rate — Columbus Bank & Trust
    3.25 %     3.25 %
Subordinated Debentures — Summit Partners
    14.00 %     14.00 %
Preferred Trust Securities — FTN Financial
    9.61 %     9.61 %
Redeemable Preferred Stock — Series A & C
    8.25 %     8.25 %
Redeemable Preferred Stock — Series B
    4.29 %     7.88 %
 
Columbus Bank & Trust lines of credit
 
The lines of credit with Columbus Bank & Trust are secured with pledges of stock of various subsidiaries. Under both lines of credit, the Company may not assign, sell, transfer or dispose of any collateral or effect certain changes to its capital structure and the capital structure of its subsidiaries


F-32


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
without Columbus Bank & Trust’s prior consent. The purpose of the lines is for working capital and acquisitions. Interest on the lines of credit is payable monthly.
 
The following includes a summary of the Company’s more significant financial covenants related to its lines of credit with Columbus Bank & Trust:
 
                 
    Covenant     At December 31, 2009  
 
Minimum debt service charge ratio
    2.25       4.44  
Maximum debt to EBITDA ratio
    4.75       2.25  
Minimum audited net worth
  $ 50.0 million     $ 80.8 million  
 
The Company is in compliance with the above covenants.
 
On June 16, 2010, the lines of credit with Columbus Bank & Trust were repaid and closed in connection with the entry into a new revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank, discussed in Note 21.
 
Subordinated Debentures
 
In connection with the Summit Partners Transactions, LOTS Intermediate Co. issued $20.0 million of subordinated debentures to affiliates of Summit Partners. The subordinated debentures mature on June 20, 2012 and bear interest at 14% per annum of the principal amount of such subordinated debentures and is payable quarterly.
 
The Company may redeem the subordinated debentures, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such subordinated debentures outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest. The agreement governing the subordinated debentures contains non-competition and non-solicitation clauses for a period of five years after the closing date.
 
The agreement governing the subordinated debentures also contains customary events of default, including failure to pay any principal or interest when due, failure to comply with covenants or agreements contained in the agreement or subordinated debentures, cross defaults with other indebtedness of payment of principal or acceleration of principal payments, unsatisfied judgments and bankruptcy events.
 
Preferred Trust Securities
 
In connection with the Summit Partners Transactions, LOTS Intermediate Co. issued $35.0 million of fixed/floating rate preferred trust securities due 2037. The preferred trust securities bear interest at a rate of 9.61% per annum until the June 2012 interest payment date. Thereafter, interest on the preferred trust securities will be at a rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 4.10% for each interest rate period.


F-33


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The Company may not redeem the preferred trust securities until after the June 2012 interest payment date. After such date, the Company may redeem the preferred trust securities, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such preferred trust securities outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest. Interest is payable quarterly.
 
The indenture governing the preferred trust securities contains various affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on the sale of capital stock of our significant subsidiaries, mergers and consolidations and the ability to grant a lien on the capital stock of our significant subsidiaries unless such security interests are secured indebtedness of not more than $20 million, in the aggregate, at any one time. The limitation on the ability to issue, sell or dispose of the capital stock of significant subsidiaries are not applicable if such transactions are made at fair value and the Company retains at least 80% of the ownership of such subsidiary.
 
The indenture governing the preferred trust securities also contains customary events of default, including failure to pay any principal or interest when due, failure to comply with covenants or agreements contained in the indenture or preferred trust securities, cross defaults with other indebtedness of payment of principal or acceleration of principal payments and bankruptcy events.
 
Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
The Company has Series A, Series B and Series C redeemable preferred stock outstanding. The Series A and Series B redeemable preferred stock were issued in 2005, and the Series C redeemable preferred stock was issued in 2006. The Company’s Series A and C redeemable preferred stock each accrue cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.25% per annum of the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of such series of redeemable preferred stock. The Series B redeemable preferred stock accrues cash dividends at a rate per annum of 4.0% plus 90 day LIBOR times the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of Series B redeemable preferred stock. The Company pays dividends on its Series A, B and C stock quarterly in arrears. Any outstanding Series A and B redeemable preferred stock must be redeemed in full on December 31, 2034 and any outstanding Series C redeemable preferred stock must be redeemed in full on December 31, 2035.
 
On or after January 1, 2010, the Company may redeem the Series A and Series B redeemable preferred stock, in whole or in part, based on the following timeframes at the redemption prices set forth below (expressed in percentages of the liquidation amount), plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to the redemption date:
 
         
Year
  Redemption Price  
 
2010
    103 %
2011
    102 %
2012
    101 %
2013 and thereafter
    100 %


F-34


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
On or after January 1, 2011, the Company may redeem the Series C redeemable preferred stock, in whole or in part, based on the following timeframes at the redemption prices set forth below (expressed in percentages of the liquidation amount), plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to the redemption date:
 
         
Year
  Redemption Price  
 
2011
    103 %
2012
    102 %
2013
    101 %
2014 and thereafter
    100 %
 
In addition, the Series A, B and C redeemable preferred stock has optional redemption provisions for the holders upon the death of the holder or if a change in control of the Company occurs.
 
10.  Leases
 
The Company leases certain office space and equipment under operating leases. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period was $2,753, $1,724, $811 and $752, respectively. The future minimum lease payments for the years ending December 31 are as follows:
 
         
2010
  $ 2,924  
2011
    2,698  
2012
    1,413  
2013
    649  
2014
    10  
Thereafter
     
         
    $ 7,694  
         
 
11.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted accounting guidance for reporting fair values in accordance with ASC 820-10 — Fair Value Measurements. There were no adjustments required to the fair value of investments as a result of adopting the new guidance. The market approach was the valuation technique used to measure fair value of the investment portfolio. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets.
 
The guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability and transparency


F-35


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy and those investments included in each are as follows:
 
Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.
 
Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.
 
Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement. Pricing is derived from sources such as Interactive Data Corporation, Bloomberg L.P., private placement matrices, broker quotes and internal calculations.
 
The financial instruments guidance, ASC Topic 825, defines the fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The guidance requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate such fair value along with the significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value.
 
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
 
Short-term investments
 
The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturities of these instruments.
 
Fixed maturity securities
 
Fair values of fixed maturity securities were obtained from an independent pricing service.
 
Common and preferred stock
 
The fair value of publicly traded common and preferred stocks were obtained from market value quotations provided by an independent pricing service. The values of common stocks that are not publicly traded were based on prices obtained from an independent pricing service.
 
Notes receivable
 
The carrying amounts approximate fair value because the interest rates charged approximate current market rates for similar credit risks. These values are net of allowance for doubtful accounts.


F-36


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
Notes payable, preferred trust securities, redeemable preferred stock and guaranteed investment contracts
 
The carrying amounts approximate fair value because the applicable interest rates approximate current rates offered to the Company for similar instruments.
 
The following table presents the Company’s investment securities within the fair value hierarchy, and the related inputs used to measure those securities at December 31, 2009:
 
                                 
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 80,948     $     $ 79,440     $ 1,508  
Common stock, marketable
    369       369              
Preferred stock, marketable
    177       177              
Common stock, other
    662                   662  
Preferred stock, other
    1,002                   1,002  
Short-term investments
    1,220       1,220              
                                 
Total
  $ 84,378     $ 1,766     $ 79,440     $ 3,172  
                                 
 
The Company’s use of Level 3 of “unobservable inputs” included 19 securities that accounted for 3.8% of total investments at December 31, 2009.
 
The following table presents the Company’s investment securities within the fair value hierarchy and the related inputs used to measure those securities at December 31, 2008:
 
                                 
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 96,405     $     $ 96,405     $  
Common stock, marketable
    423       423              
Preferred stock, marketable
    155       155              
Common stock, other
    586                   586  
Preferred stock, other
    10                   10  
Short-term investments
    2,180       2,180              
                                 
Total
  $ 99,759     $ 2,758       96,405     $ 596  
                                 
 
The Company’s use of Level 3 of “unobservable inputs” included 23 securities that accounted for less than 2% of total investments at December 31, 2008.


F-37


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The following table summarizes changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value for the year ended December 31:
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 596     $ 608  
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
               
Included in net income
    16        
Included in comprehensive loss
    367       (163 )
Amortization/accretion
          7  
Purchases, issuance and settlements
    862       39  
Net transfers into Level 3
    1,331       105  
                 
Ending balance
  $ 3,172     $ 596  
                 
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The carrying value and fair value of financial instruments as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are presented in the following table.
 
                                 
    As of December 31, 2009     As of December 31, 2008  
    Carrying Value     Fair Value     Carrying Value     Fair Value  
 
Financial assets:
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 29,940     $ 29,940     $ 22,082     $ 22,082  
Fixed maturity securities
    80,948       80,948       96,405       96,405  
Common stock, marketable
    369       369       423       423  
Preferred stock, marketable
    177       177       155       155  
Common stock, other
    662       662       586       586  
Preferred stock, other
    1,002       1,002       10       10  
Notes receivable
    2,138       2,138       2,159       2,159  
Other receivables
    28,116       28,116       11,446       11,446  
Short term investments
    1,220       1,220       2,180       2,180  
                                 
Total financial assets
  $ 144,572     $ 144,572     $ 135,446     $ 135,446  
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
Notes payable
  $ 31,487     $ 31,487     $ 20,000     $ 20,000  
Preferred trust securities
    35,000       35,000       35,000       35,000  
Redeemable preferred stock
    11,540       11,540       11,540       11,540  
Guaranteed investment contract
                1,010       1,010  
                                 
Total financial liabilities
  $ 78,027     $ 78,027     $ 67,550     $ 67,550  
                                 


F-38


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
12.  Income Taxes
 
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
 
                                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    Years Ended
    Period from June 20,
    Period from
 
    December 31,     2007 to December
    January 1, 2007
 
    2009     2008      31, 2007     to June 19, 2007  
Current
  $ 3,140     $ 4,064     $ 1,851     $ 2,377  
Deferred
    3,411       144       (90 )     (394 )
                                 
    $ 6,551     $ 4,208     $ 1,761     $ 1,983  
                                 
 
The reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate of 35% in 2009 and 34% in 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively, to the effective income tax expense is as follows:
 
                                                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
          Period from
      Period from
 
    Years Ended December 31,     June 20, 2007
      January 1, 2007 to
 
    2009     2008     to December 31, 2007       June 19, 2007  
          Percent of
          Percent of
          Percent of
            Percent of
 
          Pre-Tax
          Pre-Tax
          Pre-Tax
            Pre-Tax
 
    Amount     Income     Amount     Income     Amount     Income       Amount     Income  
Income taxes at federal income tax rate
  $ 6,347       35.00 %   $ 4,132       34.00 %   $ 1,862       34.00 %     $ 1,983       34.00 %
Effect of:
                                                                 
Small life deduction
    (489 )     (2.70 )     (414 )     (3.41 )     (259 )     (4.73 )       (259 )     (4.44 )
Non deductible expenses
    602       3.32       175       1.44       58       1.06         604       10.36  
Non deductible preferred dividends
    308       1.70       319       2.62       212       3.87         126       2.16  
Tax exempt interest
    (99 )     (0.55 )     (190 )     (1.56 )     (44 )     (0.80 )       (44 )     (0.75 )
State taxes
    314       1.73       49       0.40       8       0.15         9       0.15  
Prior year tax true up
    (324 )     (1.79 )     145       1.19       (28 )     (0.51 )       (362 )     (6.21 )
Other, net
    (108 )     (0.59 )     (8 )     (0.06 )     (48 )     (0.89 )       (74 )     (1.27 )
                                                                   
Income tax expense
  $ 6,551       36.12 %   $ 4,208       34.62 %   $ 1,761       32.15 %     $ 1,983       34.00 %
                                                                   
 
The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
The Company has reviewed its uncertain tax positions and has concluded that they are immaterial and that they did not require an adjustment to equity upon adoption of ASC 740-10.
 
The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state tax examinations by tax authorities for 2005 or prior years.


F-39


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows:
 
                 
    At December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Gross deferred tax assets
               
Reinsurance funds payable
  $     $ 225  
Unearned premiums
    5,128       5,565  
Retro reserves
          119  
Unpaid claims
    146       90  
Deferred compensation
    236       225  
General expense reserves
          139  
Bad debt allowance
    135       114  
Unrealized losses on investments
          552  
Other basis differences in investments
    161       551  
                 
Total gross deferred tax assets
    5,806       7,580  
                 
Gross deferred tax liabilities
               
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    13,567       12,457  
Intangible assets
    9,776       9,126  
Advanced commissions
    1,465       216  
Depreciation on fixed assets
    466       273  
Unrealized gains on investments
    865        
Other
    395       276  
                 
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
    26,534       22,348  
                 
Net deferred tax liability
  $ 20,728     $ 14,768  
                 
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company did not have any non-life regular tax operating loss carryforwards available to offset future non-life federal taxable income and life federal taxable income with certain limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 1503(c)(6)(1).
 
13.  Stock Options
 
The Company currently has outstanding options under its Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995) and 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
The Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995), which was effective January 26, 1995, permits awards of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options. The Company was permitted to issue up to 210,000 shares under this plan. Each option granted under this plan has a maximum contractual term of 10 years. The 1995 plan (but not the outstanding options granted under the plan) terminated on January 25, 2005. As of December 31, 2009, there were 52,200 options outstanding under the 1995 plan.
 
The 2005 Equity Incentive Plan was established on October 18, 2005 and permits awards of (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonqualified Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock and (v) Restricted Stock Units. The Company was permitted to issue up to 250,000 shares under this


F-40


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
plan. Each option granted under this plan has a maximum contractual term of 10 years. As of December 31, 2009, there were 250,000 options outstanding under the 2005 plan.
 
The Company also has 69,907 options outstanding as of December 31, 2009 that were issued outside of its existing plans.
 
During 2009, no options were granted while in 2008 and the 2007 successor period 7,972 and 161,935 options were granted, respectively. No options were granted during the 2007 predecessor period.
 
The Company measures stock-based compensation using the calculated value method. Under that method, the Company estimates the fair value of each option on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model incorporating the assumptions noted in the following table. The Company used historical data to estimate expected employee behavior related to stock award exercises and forfeitures. Since there is not an active market for shares of the Company’s stock, the Company has chosen to estimate its volatility, by using the volatility of a similar publicly traded companies operating in the same industry. Expected dividends are based on the assumption that no dividends were expected to be distributed in the near future. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the options.
 
Assumptions related to stock option awards:
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period of
      Period of
 
                June 20,
      January 1,
 
    Year Ended
    2007 to
      2007
 
    December 31,     December 31,
      to June 19,
 
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
Expected term (years)
    *       5.0       5.0         *  
Expected volatility
    *       32.87 %     22.43 %       *  
Expected dividends
    *     $     $         *  
Risk-free rate
    *       4.96 %     5.24 %       *  
* No options were granted during 2009 or the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007.


F-41


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
A summary of options granted, exercised and cancelled under these agreements for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
 
                                 
    Options
    Exercise
    Options
    Exercise
 
    Outstanding     Price     Exercisable     Price  
 
Balance, December 31, 2007
    472,135     $ 13.64       220,200     $ 10.21  
Granted
    7,972       23.11              
Vested
                90,220       16.69  
Exercised
    (105,000 )     7.99       (105,000 )     7.99  
Cancelled
                       
                                 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    375,107       15.42       205,420       14.16  
Granted
                       
Vested
                73,639       16.86  
Exercised
    (3,000 )     8.12       (3,000 )     8.12  
Cancelled
                       
                                 
Balance, December 31, 2009
    372,107     $ 15.48       276,059     $ 14.95  
                                 
Weighted average remaining contractual term at December 31, 2009 (years)
    6.12             5.73        
 
Additional information regarding options granted, vested and exercised is presented below:
 
                                   
    Successor     Predecessor
            Period of
    Period of
    Years Ended
  June 20,
    January 1, 2007
    December 31,   2007 to
    to June 19,
    2009   2008   December 31, 2007     2007
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars)
    *     $ 7.90     $ 4.69         *  
Total fair value of options vested during the year
  $ 209     $ 244     $ 56       $ 2  
Total intrinsic value of options exercised
  $ 112     $ 1,327     $       $ 1,890  
Cash received from option exercises
  $ 24     $ 846     $       $ 1,044  
Tax benefits realized from exercised stock options
  $     $     $       $  
Cash used to settle equity instruments granted under stock-based compensation awards
  $     $ 2,069     $ 1,400       $ —   
 
The intrinsic value reported above is calculated as the difference between the market value as of the exercise date and the exercise price of the shares.
 
 
* No options were granted during 2009 or the period from January 1, 2007 to June 19, 2007.


F-42


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
The Company’s policy is to issue new shares upon the exercise of stock options. Shares of Company stock issued upon the exercise of stock options in 2009, 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period were 3,000, 105,000, 129,400 and 0, respectively.
 
Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is typically recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. Total stock-based compensation recognized on the consolidated statements of income was as follows:
 
                                   
    Successor     Predecessor
            Period of
    Period of
            June 20,
    January 1, 2007
    Years Ended   2007 to
    to June 19,
    2009   2008   December 31, 2007     2007
Other operating expenses
  $ 209     $ 244     $ 56       $ 2  
Income tax benefit
                         
                                   
Net share-based compensation
  $ 209     $ 244     $ 56       $ 2  
                                   
 
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share based compensation at December 31, 2009 was $327 with a weighted-average recognition period of 1.4 years.
 
14.  Deferred Compensation Plan
 
The Company has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for certain officers. Provision has been made for the compensation which is payable upon their retirement or death. The deferred compensation is to be paid to the individual or their heirs over a period of ten years commencing with the first year following retirement or death.
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, total liabilities of $21 and $51 were accrued under the plan. The liabilities were estimated using a discount rate of 5.00% for both 2009 and 2008. The amounts are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued expenses and accounts payable.
 
The Company also has deferred bonus agreements with several key executives whereby funds are contributed to “rabbi” trusts held for the benefit of the executives. The funds held in the rabbi trusts are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as cash and cash equivalents. The corresponding deferred compensation obligation is recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued expenses and accounts payable. In 2009, the executives elected to invest a portion of the funds held in the rabbi trusts in shares of common stock of the Company. Pursuant to GAAP, the portion of the rabbi trusts invested in shares of the Company has been reflected as treasury stock in the consolidated balance sheet for 2009.
 
15.  Statutory Reporting and Dividend Restrictions
 
The Company’s insurance subsidiaries may pay dividends to the Company, subject to statutory restrictions. Payments in excess of statutory restrictions (extraordinary dividends) to the Company are permitted only with prior approval of the insurance departments of the applicable states of domicile. In 2009, Life of the South Insurance Company, Insurance Company of the South and Southern Financial Life Insurance Company received approval from the insurance departments of their respective states of domicile to pay


F-43


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
extraordinary dividends of $7,920, $3,500 and $683, respectively, to the Company. Also in 2009, Bankers Life of Louisiana and Insurance Company of the South received approval from the insurance departments of their respective states of domicile to pay an extraordinary dividend of $2,550 and $1,500, respectively, to Life of the South Insurance Company. Southern Financial Life Insurance Company also received approval from the Kentucky Department of Insurance and paid an extraordinary dividend of $124 to its non-controlling interest stockholder in 2009. All dividends were eliminated in the consolidated financial statements except for the $124 dividend paid to the non-controlling interest stockholder.
 
The combined statutory capital and surplus of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries was $48,210 and $57,077 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The combined amount available for ordinary dividends of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries was $1,486 and $6,129 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are required by the laws of the states in which they are domiciled to maintain certain statutory capital and surplus requirements. The required statutory capital and surplus totaled $13,000 and $11,800 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Under the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) Risk-Based Capital Act of 1995, a company’s risk-based capital (“RBC”) is calculated by applying certain risk factors to various asset, claims and reserve items. If a company’s adjusted surplus falls below calculated RBC thresholds, regulatory intervention or oversight is required. The insurance companies’ RBC level as calculated in accordance with the NAIC’s RBC instructions exceeded all RBC thresholds as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
 
16.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company is party to claims and litigation in the normal course of its operations. Management believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
 
In its Payment Protection business, the Company is currently a defendant in lawsuits which relate to marketing and/or pricing issues that involve claims for punitive, exemplary or extracontractual damages in amounts substantially in excess of the covered claim. Management considers such litigation customary in the Company’s line of business. In management’s opinion, the ultimate resolution of such litigation, which the Company is vigorously defending, will not be material to the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
 
17.  Unpaid Claims
 
The liability for unpaid claims includes estimates of the ultimate cost of known claims plus supplemental reserves calculated based upon loss projections utilizing certain actuarial assumptions and historical and industry data. In establishing its liability for unpaid claims, the Company utilizes the findings of actuaries.
 
Considerable uncertainty and variability are inherent in such estimates, and accordingly, the subsequent development of these reserves may not conform to the assumptions inherent in the determination. Management believes that the amounts recorded as the liability for policy and claim liabilities represent its best estimate of such amounts. However, actual loss experience may not conform to the assumptions used in determining the estimated amounts for such liability at the balance sheet date. Accordingly, such ultimate amounts could be significantly in excess of or less than the amounts indicated in the


F-44


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
consolidated financial statements. As adjustments to these estimates become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in the then current statement of income.
 
The changes in unpaid claims for each of the years ending December 31 are summarized as follows:
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Balance at January 1
  $ 36,363     $ 38,279  
Less reinsurance recoverable
    (23,402 )     (21,344 )
                 
Net balance at January 1
    12,961       16,935  
                 
Incurred related to
               
Current year
    33,186       32,155  
Prior years
    (620 )     (2,301 )
                 
Total incurred
    32,566       29,854  
                 
Paid related to
               
Current year
    26,083       26,394  
Prior years
    5,810       7,434  
                 
Total paid
    31,893       33,828  
                 
Net balance at December 31
    13,634       12,961  
Plus reinsurance receivables
    22,518       23,402  
                 
Balance at December 31
  $ 36,152     $ 36,363  
                 
 
Prior years incurred decreased $620 during 2009 due to the favorable development in payment patterns for the credit property lines of business in both the auto and collateral distribution channels. The $2,301 decrease during 2008 primarily resulted from a single bank customer that assumed the exposure on their block of business.
 
18.  Segment Results
 
The Company conducts its business through three business segments: (i) Payment Protection; (ii) Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO); and (iii) Wholesale Brokerage. The Company does not allocate certain revenues and costs to its segments. These items primarily consist of corporate-related income and overhead expenses, which are reflected as “Corporate” in the following table, amortization, depreciation, interest income and expense and income taxes. The Company measures the profitability of its operating segments without allocation of these expenses. The Company refers to this measure of profitability as segment EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and segment EBITDA margin. The variability of segment EBITDA and segment EBITDA margin is significantly affected by segment net revenues because a large component of operating expenses are fixed.


F-45


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The following table reconciles segment information to the Company’s consolidated results of operations and provides a summary of other key financial information for each of the Company’s segments:
 
                                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
          Period from
    Period from
 
          June 19 to
    January 1 to
 
    Years Ended December 31,     December 31,
    June 19,
 
    2009     2008     2007     2007  
Net Revenue
                               
Payment Protection
  $ 42,806     $ 44,052     $ 25,366     $ 19,442  
BPO
    23,521       13,904       5,112       4,307  
Wholesale Brokerage
    16,820                    
Corporate
    (49 )     (1,951 )     (348 )      
                                 
Total
    83,098       56,005       30,130       23,749  
                                 
Operating Expenses
                               
Payment Protection
    23,814       24,676       14,443       12,287  
BPO
    13,753       7,136       2,128       2,496  
Wholesale Brokerage
    12,890                    
Corporate
    3,199       2,155       2,659       1,744  
                                 
Total
    53,656       33,967       19,230       16,527  
                                 
EBITDA
                               
Payment Protection
    18,992       19,376       10,923       7,155  
BPO
    9,768       6,768       2,984       1,811  
Wholesale Brokerage
    3,930                    
Corporate
    (3,248 )     (4,106 )     (3,007 )     (1,744 )
                                 
Total
    29,442       22,038       10,900       7,222  
                                 
Depreciation and amortization
                               
Payment Protection
    1,815       2,164       994       170  
BPO
    566       465       298       51  
Wholesale Brokerage
    1,126                    
Corporate
                       
                                 
Total
    3,507       2,629       1,292       221  
                                 
Interest
                               
Payment Protection
    6,709       6,252       3,577       979  
BPO
    428       1,003       553       190  
Wholesale Brokerage
    663                    
Corporate
                       
                                 
Total
    7,800       7,255       4,130       1,169  
                                 
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
                               
Payment Protection
    10,468       10,960       6,352       6,006  
BPO
    8,774       5,300       2,133       1,570  
Wholesale Brokerage
    2,141                    
Corporate
    (3,248 )     (4,106 )     (3,007 )     (1,744 )
                                 
Total
  $ 18,135     $ 12,154     $ 5,478     $ 5,832  
                                 


F-46


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income
 
                                 
    Successor     Predecessor  
    Years Ended
    June 20 to
    January 1 to
 
    December 31,     December 31,
    June 19,
 
    2009     2008     2007     2007  
EBITDA:
                               
Payment Protection
  $ 18,992     $ 19,376     $ 10,923     $ 7,155  
BPO
    9,768       6,768       2,984       1,811  
Wholesale Brokerage
    3,930                    
Corporate
    (3,248 )     (4,106 )     (3,007 )     (1,744 )
                                 
Total EBITDA
    29,442       22,038       10,900       7,222  
                                 
Depreciation and amortization:
                               
Payment Protection
    1,815       2,164       994       170  
BPO
    566       465       298       51  
Wholesale Brokerage
    1,126                    
Corporate
                       
                                 
Total depreciation and amortization
    3,507       2,629       1,292       221  
                                 
Interest:
                               
Payment Protection
    6,709       6,252       3,577       979  
BPO
    428       1,003       553       190  
Wholesale Brokerage
    663                    
Corporate
                       
                                 
Total interest
    7,800       7,255       4,130       1,169  
                                 
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest:
                               
Payment Protection
    10,468       10,960       6,352       6,006  
BPO
    8,774       5,300       2,133       1,570  
Wholesale Brokerage
    2,141                    
Corporate
    (3,248 )     (4,106 )     (3,007 )     (1,744 )
                                 
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    18,135       12,154       5,478       5,832  
                                 
Income taxes
    (6,551 )     (4,208 )     (1,761 )     (1,983 )
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
    26       (82 )     64       34  
                                 
Net income
  $ 11,558     $ 8,028     $ 3,653     $ 3,815  
                                 
 
19.  Related Party Transactions
 
In connection with the Summit Partners acquisition of the Company on June 20, 2007, $20 million of subordinated debentures were issued to affiliates of Summit Partners and reported on the notes payable line of the balance sheet with the corresponding interest expense recorded in the consolidated statements


F-47


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
of income of $2,839, $2,847 and $1,517 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The subordinated debentures mature on December 13, 2013 and bear interest at 14% per annum of the principal amount of such subordinated debentures. The Company may redeem the subordinated debentures, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such subordinated debentures outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest.
 
20.  401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
 
The Company has a 401(k) plan that is available to employees upon meeting certain eligibility requirements. The plan allows employees to contribute to the plan a percentage of their pre-tax annual compensation. Under the terms of the plan, the Company will match 100% of each dollar of the employee contribution up to the maximum of 5% of the employee’s annual compensation. The contributions of the plan are invested at the election of the employee in one or more investment option by a third party plan administrator. The Company contributions to the plan totaled $240, $532, $293 and $349 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 2007 successor period and the 2007 predecessor period, respectively.
 
401(k) Plan Curtailment.  In July 2009, the Company froze the matching of the employee contribution up to a maximum of 5% of the employee’s annual compensation. This contribution was put back in place in January 2010.
 
The approach for the Company 401(k) plan involves making an array of investment opportunities available from which employees may select, based on their individual investment goals and risk tolerances. The Company does endeavor to maintain reasonable parameters to ensure that prudence and care are exercised in the investment options that are made available within the 401(k) plan. The individual equity, bond and other investment alternatives are monitored on an ongoing basis by the plan trustees through periodic portfolio reviews. The investment options may change over time.
 
21.  Subsequent Events
 
On February 1, 2010, the Company purchased all of the stock for South Bay Acceptance Corporation for $800. South Bay Acceptance Corporation is a California premium finance company. On May 15, 2010, the Company purchased all of the stock for Continental Car Club, a Tennessee car club company, for $11,900. On September 1, 2010, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of United Motor Club, a Kentucky car club company, for $9,096.
 
In June 2010, the Company entered into a $35,000 revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank, which matures in June 2013 (the “Facility”). The Facility bears interest at a variable rate determined based upon the higher of (i) the prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or (iii) LIBOR plus 1%, plus a margin tied to the Company’s leverage ratio. The Company is required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.45% and 0.60% (based upon the Company’s leverage ratio) on the unused portion of the Facility.
 
The Company’s obligations under the Facility are guaranteed by substantially all of its domestic subsidiaries, other than South Bay Acceptance Corporation and the regulated insurance subsidiaries.


F-48


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008 AND THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR) AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007
THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The Company’s obligations under the Facility may be accelerated or the commitments terminated upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Facility, including payment defaults, defaults in the performance of affirmative and negative covenants, the inaccuracy of representations or warranties, bankruptcy and insolvency related defaults, cross defaults to other material indebtedness, defaults arising in connection with changes in control and other customary events of default. As of June 30, 2010, the Company was in compliance with such requirements.
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Company had $18,500 outstanding under the Facility and the interest rate was 5.8%.
 
The Company has evaluated subsequent events for disclosure and recognition through the date on which the consolidated financial statements were issued.


F-49


Table of Contents

 
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
 
Assets:
               
Invested assets and cash:
               
Fixed maturity securities available for sale at fair value (amortized cost of $78,005 and $78,548 at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009), respectively
  $ 82,478     $ 80,948  
Equity securities available for sale (cost of $2,151 and $2,155 at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    2,248       2,210  
Short-term investments
    1,170       1,220  
Cash and cash equivalents
    19,102       29,940  
Restricted cash
    23,187       18,090  
                 
Total invested assets and cash
    128,185       132,408  
Accrued investment income
    838       910  
Notes receivable
    1,713       2,138  
Other receivables
    31,835       28,116  
Reinsurance receivables
    162,502       173,798  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    41,972       41,083  
Property and equipment
    7,863       4,140  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    104,046       93,558  
Other assets
    5,427       2,475  
                 
Total assets
  $ 484,381     $ 478,626  
                 
Liabilities:
               
Unpaid claims
  $ 33,015     $ 36,152  
Unearned premiums
    204,079       215,652  
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    49,491       45,117  
Commissions payable
    1,197       2,157  
Notes payable
    38,509       31,487  
Preferred trust securities
    35,000       35,000  
Redeemable preferred securities
    11,440       11,540  
Deferred income taxes
    22,197       20,728  
                 
Total liabilities
    394,928       397,833  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
               
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Common stock, par value $0.331/3 per share (6,000,000 shares authorized and 3,007,031 and 3,007,031 issued at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    1,002       1,002  
Treasury stock (8,491 shares at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    (176 )     (176 )
Additional paid-in capital
    53,747       53,675  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax (provision) of $(1,599) and $(865) at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
    2,896       1,607  
Retained earnings
    30,456       23,210  
                 
Stockholders’ equity before non-controlling interest
    87,925       79,318  
                 
Non-controlling interest
    1,528       1,475  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    89,453       80,793  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 484,381     $ 478,626  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.


F-50


Table of Contents

 
 
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
Revenues:
               
Service and administrative fees
  $ 16,817     $ 14,826  
Wholesale brokerage commissions and fees
    13,134       5,138  
Ceding commissions
    13,013       11,973  
Net underwriting revenue
    1,870       1,168  
Net investment income
    1,935       2,509  
Net realized gains
    49        
Other income
    126       303  
                 
Total net revenues
    46,944       35,917  
                 
Expenses:
               
Personnel costs
    18,413       13,948  
Other operating expenses
    11,027       10,339  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,117       1,504  
Interest expense
    3,876       3,807  
                 
Total expenses
    35,433       29,598  
                 
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    11,511       6,319  
Income taxes
    4,296       2,380  
                 
Income before non-controlling interest
    7,215       3,939  
Less: net income(loss)attributable to the non-controlling interest
    (31 )     7  
                 
Net income
  $ 7,246     $ 3,932  
                 
Net income per common share:
               
Basic
  $ 2.42     $ 1.37  
Diluted
    2.23       1.27  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
               
Basic
    2,998,540       2,865,609  
Diluted
    3,244,135       3,087,862  
 
See accompanying notes to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.


F-51


Table of Contents

 
 
 
                                                                         
                                  Accumulated
                   
    Shares           Additional
          Other
                Total
 
    Common
    Treasury
    Common
    Paid-In
    Treasury
    Comprehensive
    Retained
    Non-controlling
    Stockholders’
 
    Stock     Stock     Stock     Capital     Stock     Income (Loss)     Earnings     Interest     Equity  
 
Balances, December 31, 2009
    3,007,031       (8,491 )   $ 1,002     $ 53,675     $ (176 )   $ 1,607     $ 23,210     $ 1,475     $ 80,793  
Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2010
                                        7,246       (31 )     7,215  
Change in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax expense of $694
                                  1,289             84       1,373  
                                                                         
Comprehensive income
                                  1,289       7,246       53       8,588  
Stock based compensation
                      72                               72  
                                                                         
Balances, June 30, 2010
    3,007,031       (8,491 )   $ 1,002     $ 53,747     $ (176 )   $ 2,896     $ 30,456     $ 1,528     $ 89,453  
                                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2008
    2,871,563       (100,000 )   $ 957     $ 45,894     $ (2,069 )   $ (1,072 )   $ 11,652     $ 1,659     $ 57,021  
Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2009
                                        3,932       7       3,939  
Change in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax expense of $628
                                  1,166             15       1,181  
                                                                         
Comprehensive income
                                  1,166       3,932       22       5,120  
Dividends declared
                                              (210 )     (210 )
Treasury stock sold
          91,509             1,982       1,893                         3,875  
Issuance of common stock
    132,468             44       5,567                               5,611  
                                                                         
Stock based compensation
                      105                               105  
                                                                         
Balance, June 30, 2009
    3,004,031       (8,491 )   $ 1,001     $ 53,548     $ (176 )   $ 94     $ 15,584     $ 1,471     $ 71,522  
                                                                         
 
See accompanying notes to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.


F-52


Table of Contents

 
 
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
Operating Activities:
               
Net income
  $ 7,246     $ 3,932  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
               
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs
    (889 )     (1,030 )
Depreciation and amortization
    2,117       1,504  
Deferred income taxes
    942       686  
Net realized (gains) losses
    (49 )      
Stock based compensation expense
    72       105  
Amortization of premiums and discounts on investments, net
    147       51  
Non-controlling interest
    53       (188 )
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts
          (50 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisition:
               
Accrued investment income
    72       152  
Other receivables
    (3,360 )     (4,984 )
Reinsurance receivables
    11,296       21,792  
Other assets
    (2,887 )     (702 )
Unpaid claims
    (3,136 )     (2,622 )
Unearned premiums
    (11,573 )     (23,495 )
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    3,257       12,484  
Commissions payable
    (959 )     (2,515 )
                 
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
    2,349       5,120  
                 
Investing Activities:
               
Proceeds from maturities of investments
    6,372       7,429  
Proceeds from sales of investments
    4,299        
Proceeds from maturities of short term investments
    50       660  
Purchase of investments
    (10,262 )      
Purchase of property and equipment
    (4,192 )     (889 )
Acquisitions
    (11,704 )     (38,577 )
Proceeds from notes receivable
    425       445  
Change in restricted cash
    (5,097 )     (9,959 )
                 
Net cash flows used in investing activities
    (20,109 )     (40,891 )
                 
Financing Activities:
               
Additional borrowings under notes payable
    25,531       25,088  
Repayment of notes payable
    (18,509 )        
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
          5,610  
Repayment of preferred securities
    (100 )      
Issuance of treasury stock
          3,874  
                 
Net cash flows provided by financing activities
    6,922       34,572  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (10,838 )     (1,199 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    29,940       22,082  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 19,102     $ 20,883  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash payments for interest
  $ 3,742     $ 3,725  
Income taxes
    4,076       1,330  
 
See accompanying notes to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.


F-53


Table of Contents

FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009

(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
1.   Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
Organization
 
The Company is a diversified insurance services company that provides distribution and administration services on a wholesale basis to insurance brokers and agents and other financial services companies in the United States. Most of the Company’s insurance business is generated through networks of small to mid-sized community and regional banks, small loan companies and automobile dealerships.
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The Company operates in three business segments: Payment Protection, Business Process Outsourcing (“BPO”) and Wholesale Brokerage. Payment Protection specializes in protecting lenders and their consumers from death, disability or other events that could otherwise impair their ability to repay a debt. BPO provides an assortment of administrative services tailored to insurance and other financial services companies through a virtual insurance company platform. Wholesale Brokerage uses a pure wholesale sell-through model to sell specialty casualty and surplus lines insurance.
 
The consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. The third party ownership of 15% of the common stock of Southern Financial Life Insurance Company and 52% of the preferred stock of CRC Reassurance Company, Ltd. has been reflected as non-controlling interest on the consolidated balance sheets. Income attributable to those companies’ minority shareholders has been reflected on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as income attributable to non-controlling interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The December 31, 2009 balance sheet amounts have been derived from the Company’s December 31, 2009 audited financial statements.
 
On February 1, 2010, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding stock ownership interests of South Bay Acceptance Corporation. South Bay Acceptance Corporation is a property casualty commercial lines premium financing company and is included in the Company’s Wholesale Brokerage segment.
 
The following presents assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the acquisition of South Bay Acceptance Corporation, based on their fair values as of February 1, 2010:
 
         
Assets:
       
Cash
  $ 79  
Other receivables
    360  
Other assets
    21  
Net deferred tax asset
    167  
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    (305 )
         
Net assets acquired
    322  
Purchase consideration
    800  
         
Goodwill
  $ 478  
         


F-54


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
On May 15, 2010, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding stock ownership interests of Continental Car Club Inc., a Tennessee car club company.
 
The following presents assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the acquisition of Continental Car Club Inc., based on their fair values as of May 15, 2010:
 
         
Assets:
       
Cash
  $ 961  
Property and equipment
    181  
Other intangible assets
    50  
Other assets
    44  
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    (811 )
         
Net assets acquired
    425  
Purchase consideration
    11,944  
         
Goodwill
  $ 11,519  
         
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
 
The statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair statement of the information contained herein. The consolidated interim statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company adheres to the same accounting policies in preparation of its interim financial statements.
 
The Company has evaluated for disclosure events that occurred up to the date the Company’s financial statements were issued.


F-55


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
 
3.  Investments
 
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair values of fixed maturity securities available for sale and equity securities available for sale at June 30, 2010 are as follows:
 
                                 
    Cost or
    Gross
    Gross
       
    Amortized
    Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agencies
  $ 20,661     $ 1,031     $ (2 )   $ 21,690  
Municipal securities
    12,487       336       (19 )     12,804  
Corporate securities
    37,463       2,910       (210 )     40,163  
Mortgage-backed securities
    3,919       145             4,064  
Asset-backed securities
    3,475       282             3,757  
                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 78,005     $ 4,704     $ (231 )   $ 82,478  
                                 
Common stock — publicly traded
  $ 492     $ 2     $ (79 )   $ 415  
Preferred stock — publicly traded
    199       9             208  
Common stock — non-publicly traded
    456       179       (11 )     624  
Preferred stock — non-publicly traded
    1,004             (3 )     1,001  
                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 2,151     $ 190     $ (93 )   $ 2,248  
                                 
 
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair values of fixed maturity securities available for sale and equity securities available for sale at December 31, 2009 are as follows:
 
                                 
    Cost or
    Gross
    Gross
       
    Amortized
    Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agencies
  $ 18,832     $ 674     $ (26 )   $ 19,480  
Municipal securities
    14,343       336       (97 )     14,582  
Corporate securities
    35,276       1,506       (271 )     36,511  
Mortgage-backed securities
    5,594       97             5,691  
Asset-backed securities
    4,503       181             4,684  
                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 78,548     $ 2,794     $ (394 )   $ 80,948  
                                 
Common stock — publicly traded
  $ 423     $ 100     $ (154 )   $ 369  
Preferred stock — publicly traded
    199       1       (23 )     177  
Common stock — non-publicly traded
    528       179       (45 )     662  
Preferred stock — non-publicly traded
    1,005             (3 )     1,002  
                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 2,155     $ 280     $ (225 )   $ 2,210  
                                 
 
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2010 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities as borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 


F-56


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
                 
    Amortized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Value  
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 5,217     $ 5,316  
Due after one year through five years
    21,855       22,809  
Due after five years through ten years
    26,325       28,541  
Due after ten years through twenty years
    4,351       4,404  
Due after twenty years
    12,863       13,587  
Mortgage-backed securities
    3,919       4,064  
Asset backed securities
    3,475       3,757  
                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 78,005     $ 82,478  
                 
 
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2009 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities as borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
                 
    Amortized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Value  
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 2,358     $ 2,384  
Due after one year through five years
    18,552       19,290  
Due after five years through ten years
    29,966       30,973  
Due after ten years through twenty years
    3,944       3,898  
Due after twenty years
    13,631       14,028  
Mortgage-backed securities
    5,594       5,691  
Asset backed securities
    4,503       4,684  
                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 78,548     $ 80,948  
                 
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company realized gains on sales of fixed maturity securities of $147 and $0, respectively. Realized losses on the sale of fixed maturity securities totaled $96 and $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. Gross proceeds from the sale of these fixed maturity securities total $4,299 and $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company realized gains on sales of equity securities of $0 and $0, respectively. Realized losses on the sale of equity securities totaled $2 and $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Fixed maturity securities are assessed for other-than-temporarily impairment (“OTTI”) when the decline in fair value is below the amortized cost basis and determined to be other-than-temporary by management. Equity securities are assessed for OTTI when they experience a market-related decline which is not reasonably expected to be recovered under historical market conditions when the security has been in a loss position for four consecutive quarters. OTTI losses related to (i) the credit component of the impairment on fixed maturity securities and (ii) equity securities, are recorded in the consolidated statement of income as realized losses on investments and result in a permanent reduction of the cost basis of the underlying investment. Losses relating to the non-credit component of OTTI losses on fixed

F-57


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
maturity securities are recorded in OCI. The determination of OTTI is a subjective process, and different judgments and assumptions could affect the timing of loss realization.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, there were no impairment write-downs.
 
At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the aggregate amount of unrealized losses and the aggregate related fair values of investments with unrealized losses were segregated into the following time periods during which the investments had been in unrealized loss positions:
 
                                                 
    June 30, 2010  
    Less Than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater     Total  
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
 
Description of Security
  Value     Losses     Value     Losses     Value     Losses  
 
                                                 
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies
  $ 1,653     $ (2 )   $     $     $ 1,653     $ (2 )
Municipal securities
    479       (6 )     1,039       (13 )     1,518       (19 )
Corporate securities
    1,808       (203 )     408       (7 )     2,216       (210 )
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 3,940     $ (211 )   $ 1,447     $ (20 )   $ 5,387     $ (231 )
                                                 
Common stock — publicly traded
  $     $     $ 412     $ (79 )   $ 412     $ (79 )
Preferred stock — publicly traded
                                   
Common stock — non-publicly traded
    42       (3 )     42       (8 )     84       (11 )
Preferred stock — non-publicly traded
                      (3 )           (3 )
                                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 42     $ (3 )   $ 454     $ (90 )   $ 496     $ (93 )
                                                 
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2009  
    Less Than Twelve Months     Twelve Months or Greater     Total  
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
 
Description of Security
  Value     Losses     Value     Losses     Value     Losses  
 
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies
  $ 4,510     $ (26 )   $     $     $ 4,510     $ (26 )
Municipal securities
    4,226       (81 )     544       (16 )     4,770       (97 )
Corporate securities
                1,894       (271 )     1,894       (271 )
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 8,736     $ (107 )   $ 2,438     $ (287 )   $ 11,174     $ (394 )
                                                 
Common stock — publicly traded
  $     $     $ 186     $ (154 )   $ 186     $ (154 )
Preferred stock — publicly traded
                126       (23 )     126       (23 )
Common stock — non-publicly traded
    42       (3 )     78       (42 )     120       (45 )
Preferred stock — non-publicly traded
          (3 )                       (3 )
                                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 42     $ (6 )   $ 390     $ (219 )   $ 432     $ (225 )
                                                 


F-58


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
As of June 30, 2010, there were 10 fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position. The Company does not intend to sell and the company is not required to sell these securities prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. As such, management considers the impairments (i.e., excess of cost over fair value) to be temporary.
 
As of December 31, 2009, there were 13 fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position. The Company does not intend to sell and the company is not required to sell these securities prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. As such, management considers the impairments (i.e., excess of cost over fair value) to be temporary.
 
As of June 30, 2010, there were 18 equity securities in an unrealized loss position. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the estimated fair value of an investment is considered to be “other-than-temporary”, the investment is written down to its estimated fair value. Any such write-downs are reported as realized losses on investments.
 
As of December 31, 2009, there were 21 equity securities in an unrealized loss position. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the estimated fair value of an investment is considered to be “other-than-temporary”, the investment is written down to its estimated fair value. Any such write-downs are reported as realized losses on investments. There were no such write-downs during the six months ended June 30, 2010 or 2009.
 
Pursuant to certain reinsurance agreements and statutory licensing requirements, the Company has deposited invested assets in custody accounts or insurance department safekeeping accounts. The Company is not permitted to remove invested assets from these accounts without prior approval of the contractual party or regulatory authority. At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had restricted investments with carrying values of $21,024 and $20,292, respectively of which $12,859 and $14,860 relates to special deposits required by various state insurance departments.
 
Net investment income for the six months ended June 30 is as follows:
 
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 1,885     $ 2,357  
Cash on hand and on deposit
    189       330  
Common and preferred stock dividends
    28       10  
Debenture interest
    80       75  
Investment expenses
    (247 )     (263 )
                 
Net investment income
  $ 1,935     $ 2,509  
                 
 
4.  Reinsurance
 
The Company has various reinsurance agreements in place whereby the amount of risk in excess of the Company’s retention is reinsured by unrelated domestic and foreign insurance companies. The Company


F-59


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
remains liable to policyholders in the event that the assuming companies are unable to meet their obligations.
 
Fronting arrangements — These arrangements are typically with insurance companies affiliated with banks, auto dealers or financial institutions whereby the Company cedes up to 100% of the business written. The Company generally retains a fee for issuing the policies and for providing administrative services.
 
Coinsurance — Under coinsurance arrangements, the Company cedes a fixed percentage of business written to reinsurers while continuing to provide all policy administration. The Company receives an administration fee and generally participates in the underwriting profits, in accordance with a contractual formula.
 
Excess of loss arrangements — The Company seeks to protect itself from the financial impact of large individual claims by reinsuring credit life exposures in excess of $45 and forced placed mortgage insurance exposures in excess of $200.
 
The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and earned and incurred claims are presented in the table below:
 
Premiums
 
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
    Written     Earned     Written     Earned  
 
Direct and assumed
  $ 138,646     $ 150,590     $ 124,371     $ 147,964  
Ceded
    (85,815 )     (95,429 )     (76,076 )     (93,704 )
                                 
Net
  $ 52,831     $ 55,161     $ 48,295     $ 54,260  
                                 
 
Incurred Claims
 
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
Direct and assumed
  $ 37,626     $ 39,361  
Ceded
    (21,533 )     (22,382 )
                 
Incurred claims
  $ 16,093     $ 16,979  
                 


F-60


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
The following is a breakdown of net underwriting revenue:
 
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
Net earned premiums
               
Direct
  $ 139,152     $ 134,571  
Assumed
    11,439       13,393  
Ceded
    (95,429 )     (93,704 )
                 
Total net earned premiums
    55,162       54,260  
Incurred claims
    (16,093 )     (16,979 )
Commissions
    (37,199 )     (36,113 )
                 
Total net underwriting revenue
  $ 1,870     $ 1,168  
                 
 
Reinsurance receivables include amounts related to paid and unpaid benefits as well ceded unearned premiums. The following reflects the components of the reinsurance recoverables:
 
                 
    At June 30,
    At December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
 
Ceded unearned premium:
               
Life
  $ 53,066     $ 60,281  
Accident and health
    28,484       29,844  
Property
    56,461       57,379  
                 
Total ceded unearned premium
    138,011       147,504  
                 
Ceded claim reserves:
               
Life
    1,674       1,929  
Accident and health
    9,644       9,981  
Property
    9,992       10,608  
                 
Total ceded claim reserves recoverable
    21,310       22,518  
Other reinsurance settlements recoverable
    3,181       3,776  
                 
Reinsurance receivables
  $ 162,502     $ 173,798  
                 
 
These receivables are based upon estimates and are reported on the consolidated balance sheet separately as assets, as reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its legal liability to policyholders. The Company is required to pay losses even if a reinsurer fails to meet its obligations under the applicable reinsurance agreement. Management continually monitors the financial condition and agency ratings of the Company’s reinsurers and believes that the reinsurance receivables accrued are collectible. Included in reinsurance receivables for June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are $120,913 and $132,735 recoverable from three unrelated reinsurers. These amounts are collateralized by assets held in trust and letters of credit. At June 30, 2010, the Company does not believe there is a risk of loss as a result of the concentration of credit risk in the reinsurance program.


F-61


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
5.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Changes in goodwill balances are as follows:
 
         
December 31, 2009
  $ 63,561  
Goodwill of South Bay Acceptance Corporation acquisition
    478  
Goodwill of Continental Car Club acquisition
    11,519  
         
June 30, 2010
  $ 75,558  
         
 
Goodwill as assigned by segment is as follows:
 
         
Payment Protection:
       
Summit Transaction
  $ 22,763  
Darby & Associates
    642  
Continental Car Club
    11,519  
         
Total Payment Protection
    34,924  
BPO:
       
Summit Transaction
    8,902  
CIRG
    1,337  
         
Total BPO
    10,239  
Wholesale Brokerage:
       
Bliss & Glennon
    29,917  
South Bay Acceptance Corporation
    478  
         
Total Wholesale Brokerage
    30,395  
         
Total goodwill
  $ 75,558  
         
 
Changes in other intangible assets are as follows:
 
         
December 31, 2009
  $ 29,997  
Intangible assets Continental Car Club
    50  
Intangible assets amortized
    (1,559 )
         
June 30, 2010
  $ 28,488  
         
 
6.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted accounting guidance for reporting fair values in accordance with ASC 820-10 — Fair Value Measurements. There were no adjustments required to the fair value of investments as a result of adopting the new guidance. The market approach was the valuation technique used to measure fair value of the investment portfolio. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets.
 
The guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the


F-62


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability.
 
Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy and those investments included in each are as follows:
 
Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.
 
Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.
 
Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement. Pricing is derived from sources such as Interactive Data Corporation, Bloomberg L.P., private placement matrices, broker quotes and internal calculations by the investment portfolio manager.
 
The following table presents the Company’s investment securities within the fair value hierarchy, and the related inputs used to measure those securities at June 30, 2010:
 
                                 
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 82,478     $     $ 80,850     $ 1,628  
Common stock, marketable
    415       378             37  
Preferred stock, marketable
    208               208        
Common stock, other
    624                   624  
Preferred stock, other
    1,001                   1,001  
Short-term investments
    1,170       1,170              
                                 
Total
  $ 85,896     $ 1,548     $ 81,058     $ 3,290  
                                 
 
The Company’s use of Level 3 of “unobservable inputs” included 19 securities that accounted for 3.8% of total investments at June 30, 2010.


F-63


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
The following table presents the Company’s investment securities within the fair value hierarchy and the related inputs used to measure those securities at December 31, 2009:
 
                                 
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 80,948     $     $ 79,440     $ 1,508  
Common stock, marketable
    369       369              
Preferred stock, marketable
    177       177              
Common stock, other
    662                   662  
Preferred stock, other
    1,002                   1,002  
Short-term investments
    1,220       1,220              
                                 
Total
  $ 84,378     $ 1,766     $ 79,440     $ 3,172  
                                 
 
The Company’s use of Level 3 of “unobservable inputs” included 19 securities that accounted for 3.8% of total investments at December 31, 2009.
 
The following table summarizes changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value:
 
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 3,172     $ 596  
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
               
Included in net income
    (2 )      
Included in comprehensive loss
    120       254  
Purchases, issuance and settlements
           
Net transfers (out of) into Level 3
          1,331  
                 
Ending balance
  $ 3,290     $ 2,181  
                 
 
The carrying value and fair value of financial instruments as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are presented in the following table. For more information regarding the fair value of financial instruments see Note 3.
 


F-64


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
                                 
    As of June 30, 2010     As of December 31, 2009  
    Carrying Value     Fair Value     Carrying Value     Fair Value  
 
Financial assets:
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 19,102     $ 19,102     $ 29,940     $ 29,940  
Short-term investments
    1,170       1,170       1,220       1,220  
Restricted cash
    23,187       23,187       18,090       18,090  
Notes receivable
    1,713       1,713       2,138       2,138  
Other receivables
    31,835       31,835       28,116       28,116  
                                 
Total financial assets
  $ 77,007     $ 77,007     $ 79,504     $ 79,504  
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
Notes payable
  $ 38,509     $ 38,509     $ 31,487     $ 31,487  
Preferred trust securities
    35,000       35,000       35,000       35,000  
Redeemable preferred stock
    11,440       11,440       11,540       11,540  
                                 
Total financial liabilities
  $ 84,949     $ 84,949     $ 78,027     $ 78,027  
                                 
 
7.  Income Taxes
 
The Company determined there are no material unrecognized tax benefits and no adjustments to liabilities or operations were required.
 
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
 
                 
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
Current income tax
  $ 3,401     $ 1,568  
Deferred income tax
    895       812  
                 
Total income taxes
  $ 4,296     $ 2,380  
                 

F-65


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
Reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate of 35% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 to the effective income tax expense is as follows:
 
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
          Percent
          Percent
 
          of Pre-Tax
          of Pre-Tax
 
    Amount     Income     Amount     Income  
 
Income taxes at federal income tax rate
  $ 4,029       35.00 %   $ 2,212       35.00 %
Effect of:
                               
Small life deduction
    (208 )     (1.81 )     (202 )     (3.20 )
Non deductible preferred dividends
    149       1.29       150       2.37  
Tax exempt interest
    (64 )     (0.56 )     (96 )     (1.52 )
State income taxes
    291       2.53       115       1.82  
Other, net
    99       0.87       201       3.16  
                                 
Income tax expense
  $ 4,296       37.32 %   $ 2,380       37.66 %
                                 
 
The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state tax examinations by tax authorities for 2005 or prior years.
 
The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows:
 
                 
    At June 30,
    At December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
 
Gross deferred tax assets:
               
Unearned premiums
  $ 4,892     $ 5,128  
Unpaid claims
    133       146  
Basis difference in investments
    129       161  
Deferred compensation
    251       236  
Bad debt allowance
    135       135  
Net operating loss carryforward
    153        
                 
Total gross deferred tax assets
    5,693       5,806  
                 
Gross deferred tax liabilities:
               
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    13,969       13,567  
Intangible assets
    9,316       9,776  
Advanced commissions
    1,528       1,465  
Depreciation on fixed assets
    1,071       466  
Unrealized gains on investments
    1,599       865  
Other deferred tax liabilities
    407       395  
                 
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
    27,890       26,534  
                 
Net deferred tax liability
  $ 22,197     $ 20,728  
                 


F-66


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
8.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company is party to claims and litigation in the normal course of its operations. Management believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. In its Payment Protection business, the Company is currently a defendant in lawsuits which relate to marketing and/or pricing issues that involve claims for punitive, exemplary or extracontractual damages in amounts substantially in excess of the covered claim. Management considers such litigation customary in the Company’s line of business. In management’s opinion, the ultimate resolution of such litigation, which the Company is vigorously defending, will not be material to the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
 
9.  Unpaid Claims
 
The claims liabilities includes estimates of the ultimate cost of known claims plus supplemental reserves calculated based upon loss projections utilizing certain actuarial assumptions and historical and industry data. In establishing its liability for policy and claim liabilities, the Company utilizes the findings of actuaries.
 
Considerable uncertainty and variability are inherent in such estimates, and accordingly, the subsequent development of these reserves may not conform to the assumptions inherent in the determination. Management believes that the amounts recorded as the liability for policy and claim liabilities represent its best estimate of such amounts. However, actual loss experience may not conform to the assumptions used in determining the estimated amounts for such liability at the balance sheet date. Accordingly, such ultimate amounts could be significantly in excess of or less than the amounts indicated in the consolidated financial statements. As adjustments to these estimates become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in the then current statement operations.
 
Prior years incurred increased as of June 30, 2010 as a result of unfavorable claim results relative to our prior estimates and decreased $137 as of December 31, 2009 due to the favorable development in payment patterns for the credit property lines of business in both the auto and collateral distribution channels.
 
10.  Segment Results
 
The Company conducts its business through three business segments: (i) Payment Protection; (ii) Business Process Outsourcing (BPO); and (iii) Wholesale Brokerage. The Company does not allocate certain revenues and costs to its segments. These items primarily consist of corporate-related income and overhead expenses, which are reflected as “Corporate” in the following table, amortization, depreciation, interest income and expense and income taxes. The Company measures the profitability of its operating segments without allocation of these expenses. The Company refers to this measure of profitability as segment EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and segment EBITDA margin. The variability of segment EBITDA and segment EBITDA margin is significantly affected by segment net revenues because a large component of operating expenses are fixed.


F-67


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
The following table reconciles segment information to the Company’s consolidated statements of income and provides a summary of other key financial information for each of the Company’s segments:
 
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
Net Revenue:
               
Payment Protection
  $ 22,115     $ 20,108  
BPO
    11,282       10,638  
Wholesale Brokerage
    13,547       5,171  
Corporate
           
                 
Total
    46,944       35,917  
                 
Operating Expenses:
               
Payment Protection
    11,285       12,780  
BPO
    7,511       6,110  
Wholesale Brokerage
    9,802       3,563  
Corporate
    842       1,834  
                 
Total
    29,440       24,287  
                 
EBITDA:
               
Payment Protection
    10,830       7,328  
BPO
    3,771       4,528  
Wholesale Brokerage
    3,745       1,608  
Corporate
    (842 )     (1,834 )
                 
Total
    17,504       11,630  
                 
Depreciation and amortization:
               
Payment Protection
    1,055       953  
BPO
    265       220  
Wholesale Brokerage
    797       331  
Corporate
           
                 
Total
    2,117       1,504  
                 
Interest:
               
Payment Protection
    3,365       3,359  
BPO
    198       214  
Wholesale Brokerage
    313       234  
Corporate
           
                 
Total
    3,876       3,807  
                 
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest:
               
Payment Protection
    6,410       3,016  
BPO
    3,308       4,094  
Wholesale Brokerage
    2,635       1,043  
Corporate
    (842 )     (1,834 )
                 
Total income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    11,511       6,319  
                 
Income Taxes
    (4,296 )     (2,380 )
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
    (31 )     7  
                 
Net income
  $ 7,246     $ 3,932  
                 


F-68


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income
 
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
                 
EBITDA:
               
Payment Protection
  $ 10,830     $ 7,328  
BPO
    3,771       4,528  
Wholesale Brokerage
    3,745       1,608  
Corporate
    (842 )     (1,834 )
                 
Total EBITDA
    17,504       11,630  
                 
Depreciation and amortization:
               
Payment Protection
    1,055       953  
BPO
    265       220  
Wholesale Brokerage
    797       331  
Corporate
           
                 
Total depreciation and amortization
    2,117       1,504  
                 
Interest:
               
Payment Protection
    3,365       3,359  
BPO
    198       214  
Wholesale Brokerage
    313       234  
Corporate
           
                 
Total interest
    3,876       3,807  
                 
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest:
               
Payment Protection
    6,410       3,016  
BPO
    3,308       4,094  
Wholesale Brokerage
    2,635       1,043  
Corporate
    (842 )     (1,834 )
                 
Total income before income taxes and non-controlling interest
    11,511       6,319  
                 
Income Taxes
    (4,296 )     (2,380 )
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
    (31 )     7  
                 
Net income
  $ 7,246     $ 3,932  
                 
 
11.  Related Party Transactions
 
In connection with the Summit Partners acquisition of Fortegra Financial Corporation on June 20, 2007, $20,000 of subordinated debentures were issued to affiliates of Summit Partners and reported on the Notes Payable line of the Balance Sheet with the corresponding interest expense recorded in the Statement of Income of $1,408 and $1,408 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The subordinated debentures mature on December 13, 2013 and bear interest at 14% per annum of the principal amount of such subordinated debentures. The Company may redeem the subordinated debentures, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such subordinated debentures outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.


F-69


Table of Contents

 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
 
12.  401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
 
The Company has a 401(k) plan that is available to employees upon meeting certain eligibility requirements. The plan allows employees to contribute to the plan a percentage of their pre-tax annual compensation. Under the terms of the plan, the Company will match 100% of each dollar of the employee contribution up to the maximum of five percent of the employee’s annual compensation. The contributions of the plan are invested at the election of the employee in one or more investment option by a third party plan administrator. The Company contributions to the plan totaled $425 and $243 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The approach for the Company 401(k) plan involves making an array of investment opportunities available from which employees may select, based on their individual investment goals and risk tolerances. The Company does endeavor to maintain reasonable parameters to ensure that prudence and care are exercised in the investment options that are made available within the 401(k) plan. The individual equity, bond and other investment alternatives are monitored on an ongoing basis by the plan trustees through periodic portfolio reviews. The investment options may change over time.
 
13.  Subsequent Events
 
On September 1, 2010, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of United Motor Club, a Kentucky car club company, for $9,096.
 
The Company has evaluated subsequent events for disclosure and recognition through the date on which these financial statements were issued.


F-70


Table of Contents

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Board of Directors and Stockholder of
Bliss and Glennon, Inc.:
 
In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements of income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bliss and Glennon, Inc. (the “Company”) at December 31, 2008 (Successor) and 2007 (Predecessor), and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 (Successor), for the period from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008 (Predecessor), and for the year ended December 31, 2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Jacksonville, Florida
September 23, 2010


F-71


Table of Contents

BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
 
                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
    December 31,       December 31,  
    2008       2007  
Assets:
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 9,809       $ 12,879  
Restricted cash
    7,806         9,473  
                   
Subtotal invested assets and cash
    17,615         22,352  
Other receivables, net of allowance of $93 and $140 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively
    16,204         15,009  
Other assets
    76         207  
Property and equipment
    1,373         974  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    25,042         45,103  
                   
Total assets
  $ 60,310       $ 83,645  
                   
Liabilities:
                 
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
  $ 26,597       $ 26,330  
Commissions payable
    166         172  
Deferred income taxes
    1,059         3,667  
                   
Total liabilities
    27,822         30,169  
                   
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
                 
Stockholder’s Equity:
                 
Additional paid-in capital
    32,118         50,399  
Retained earnings
    370         3,077  
                   
Total stockholders’ equity
    32,488         53,476  
                   
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 60,310       $ 83,645  
                   
 
See accompanying notes to these financial statements.


F-72


Table of Contents

BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
 
                           
    Successor       Predecessor  
    Period from
      Period from
       
    October 1,
      January 1,
    Year
 
    2008 to
      2008 to
    Ended
 
    December 31,
      September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008       2008     2007  
Revenues:
                         
Wholesale brokerage commissions
  $ 5,829       $ 22,981     $ 29,516  
Net investment income
    173         632       788  
Other income
    37         50       98  
                           
Total net revenues
    6,039         23,663       30,402  
                           
Expenses:
                         
Personnel costs
    3,583         11,423       14,663  
Other operating expenses
    1,680         4,854       7,907  
Depreciation and amortization
    127         1,806       2,481  
Interest expense
            6       55  
                           
Total expenses
    5,390         18,089       25,106  
                           
Income before income taxes
    649         5,574       5,296  
Income taxes
    279         2,399       2,130  
                           
Net income
  $ 370       $ 3,175     $ 3,166  
                           
 
See accompanying notes to these financial statements.


F-73


Table of Contents

BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
 
                         
    Additional Paid-In
    Retained
    Total Stockholders’
 
    Capital     Earnings     Equity  
 
Balances, January 1, 2007 (Predecessor)
  $ 51,798     $ 4,039     $ 55,837  
Net income
          3,166       3,166  
Additional contribution to paid in capital
    4,601             4,601  
Dividends
          (4,128 )     (4,128 )
Return of capital
    (6,000 )           (6,000 )
                         
Balances, December 31, 2007 (Predecessor)
    50,399       3,077       53,476  
Net income for the period from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008
          3,175       3,175  
Dividends
          (3,138 )     (3,138 )
                         
Balances, September 30, 2008 (Predecessor)
    50,399       3,114       53,513  
Acquisition transactions
    (17,368 )     (3,114 )     (20,482 )
 
 
Balance, October 1, 2008 (Successor)
    33,031             33,031  
Net income for the period from October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
          370       370  
Return of capital
    (913 )           (913 )
                         
Balances at December 31, 2008 (Successor)
  $ 32,118     $ 370     $ 32,488  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to these financial statements.


F-74


Table of Contents

BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
 
                               
      Successor       Predecessor  
      Period from
      Period from
         
      October 1, 2008 to
      January 1, 2008 to
      Year Ended
 
      December 31,
      September 30,
      December 31,
 
      2008       2008       2007  
Operating Activities:
                             
Net income
    $ 370       $ 3,175       $ 3,166  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
                             
Depreciation and amortization
      135         1,806         2,481  
Deferred income taxes benefit
      114         (274 )       (410 )
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts
      15         (62 )       57  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition:
                             
Other receivables
      1,959         (3,107 )       3,017  
Other assets
      70         61         (95 )
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
      (1,871 )       2,138         (1,992 )
Commissions payable
      (23 )       17         44  
                               
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
      769         3,754         6,268  
                               
Investing Activities:
                             
Purchase of property, equipment and other non-operating assets
      (61 )       (730 )       (314 )
Change in restricted cash
      1,602         65         2  
                               
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
      1,541         (665 )       (312 )
Financing Activities:
                             
Dividends paid on common stock
              (3,138 )       (4,128 )
Return of capital
      (913 )               (6,000 )
Contributed capital
                      4,601  
Acquisitions
      (4,418 )                
                               
Net cash flows used in financing activities
      (5,331 )       (3,138 )       (5,527 )
                               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
      (3,021 )       (49 )       429  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
      12,830         12,879         12,450  
                               
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
    $ 9,809       $ 12,830       $ 12,879  
                               
Supplemental disclosures of cash payments for:
                             
Interest
    $       $ 6       $ 55  
Income taxes
      (1,568 )       3,640         2,957  
 
See accompanying notes to these financial statements.


F-75


Table of Contents

 
1.  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
Bliss and Glennon, Inc. (the “Company”) is a wholesale brokerage company domiciled in California. The Company was formed in 1965. It was purchased in 2003 by Hilb, Rogal, and Hobbs Company (“HRH”).
 
On October 1, 2008, the Company’s parent, HRH was acquired by Willis Group Holdings PLC (“Willis”).
 
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method. Under the purchase method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of HRH and its subsidiaries (including the Company) were recorded at their fair values at the acquisition date.
 
Consideration of $37,500 has been allocated to the Company. The following presents assets acquired and liabilities assumed by the indirect acquisition of the Company by Willis.
 
         
Assets:
       
Cash
  $ 12,830  
Restricted cash
    9,408  
Other receivables
    18,178  
Property and equipment
    1,447  
Other intangible assets
    8,661  
Other assets
    146  
Liabilities:
       
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    (644 )
Brokered insurance payable
    (27,822 )
Commissions payable
    (189 )
Net deferred tax liability
    (945 )
         
Net assets acquired
    21,070  
Purchase consideration
    37,500  
         
Goodwill
  $ 16,430  
         
 
The Company uses a wholesale model to sell specialty property and casualty (P&C) and surplus lines insurance through retail insurance brokers and agents. The Company puts an emphasis on customer service, rapid responsiveness to submissions and underwriting integrity.
 
The Company provides retail insurance brokers and agents the ability to obtain various types of commercial insurance coverages outside of the agent or broker’s core areas of focus, broader access to insurance markets and the expertise to place as a managing general agent (MGA) for surplus lines and other specialty insurance carriers. This enables the Company to provide insurance carriers with access to new complex risks. The Company also provides underwriting services for ancillary or niche insurance products markets without the need for costly distribution infrastructure.


F-76


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008
(SUCCESSOR) AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The Company utilizes its technology platform to provide its clients with administrative services, including policy underwriting, premium and claim administration and actuarial analysis.
 
The Company earns wholesale brokerage commissions and fees for the placement of specialty insurance products. The Company also earns contingent commissions, which are commissions that we receive from carriers based upon the ultimate profitability of the insurance policies that we place with those carriers. The Company does not take any insurance underwriting risk.
 
These financial statements reflect the financial statements of the Company. The financial statements presented are for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the period from January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008 (the “2008 predecessor period”) and the period from October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 (the “2008 successor period”). HRH is referred to as the “predecessor” entity.
 
2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or “the guidance”).
 
Preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of highly liquid investments, other than certificates of deposit, with original maturities of three months or less, when purchased. At various times throughout the year, the Company has cash deposited with financial institutions that exceed the federally insured deposit amount. Management reviews the financial viability of these institutions on a periodic basis and does not anticipate nonperformance by the financial institutions.
 
Restricted Cash
 
Restricted cash represents unremitted premiums received from agents and unremitted claims received from insurers. Restricted cash is generally required to be kept in certain regulated bank accounts subject to guidelines which emphasize capital preservation and liquidity pursuant to the laws of certain states in which the Company operates; such funds are not available to service the Company’s debt or for other general corporate purposes. The Company is entitled to retain investment income earned on fiduciary funds. Included in restricted cash are cash and cash equivalents.
 
Other Receivables and Accounts Payable
 
In its capacity as a wholesale broker, the Company collects premiums from agents and, after deducting its commissions, remits the premiums to the respective insurers; the Company also collects claims or refunds from insurers on behalf of insureds. Uncollected premiums from agents and uncollected claims or refunds from insurers are recorded as other receivables on the Company’s balance sheets. Unremitted


F-77


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008
(SUCCESSOR) AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
insurance premiums and claims are held in a fiduciary capacity. The obligation to remit these funds is recorded as accounts payable on the Company’s balance sheets. The period for which the Company holds such funds is dependent upon the date the agent remits the payment of the premium to the Company and the date the Company is required to forward such payment to the insurer.
 
Allowances are recorded, when necessary, in an amount considered by management to be sufficient to meet probable future losses related to uncollectible accounts.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Gains and losses on sales and disposals of property and equipment are based on the net book value of the related asset at the disposal date using the specific identification method. Maintenance and repairs, which do not materially extend asset useful life and minor replacements, are charged to earnings when incurred. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain indicators arise. The goodwill impairment review is a two-step process. Step one consists of a comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment loss may be recognized if the review indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined by using discounted cash flows. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two requires the fair value of the reporting unit to be allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities of that reporting unit, resulting in an implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess.
 
The impairment review is highly judgmental and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions have a significant impact on the amount of any impairment charge recorded. Discount cash flow methods are dependent upon the assumption of future sales trends, market conditions and cash flows of each reporting unit over several years. Actual cash flow in the future may differ significantly from those previously forecasted. Other significant assumptions include growth rates and the discount rate applicable to future cash flows.
 
The Company calculated the fair value at December 31, 2008 and 2007 utilizing a discount rate of 10%, projected earnings and a forecasted annual growth rate of 4%. The calculations resulted in a fair value which exceeded the respective carrying value. Therefore, step two of the impairment test was not necessary and an impairment charge was not recorded.
 
Wholesale Brokerage Commissions and Fees
 
The Company earns wholesale brokerage commission and fee income by providing wholesale brokerage services to retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies. Wholesale brokerage commission income is primarily recognized when the underlying insurance policies are issued. A portion of the wholesale brokerage commission income is derived from profit commission agreements with insurance


F-78


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008
(SUCCESSOR) AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
carriers. Profit commission income is generally recognized as revenue on the receipt of cash based on the terms of the respective carrier contracts. In certain instances, profit commission income may be recognized in advance of cash receipts when the profit commission income due to be received has been calculated or has been confirmed by the insurance carrier.
 
Net Investment Income
 
Net investment income consists of investment income from the Company’s investment portfolio. The Company recognized investment income from interest payments less portfolio management expenses. The Company’s investment portfolio is invested in cash and cash equivalents. Investment income can be significantly impacted by changes in interest rates. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond the Company’s control. Fluctuations in interest rates affect the Company’s returns.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company files its return on a separate company basis. Income taxes are recorded in accordance with the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes, referred to as temporary differences.
 
Deferred income taxes are recorded for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the Company expects the temporary differences to reverse. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that an amount will not be realized. In determining whether the Company’s deferred tax asset is realizable, the Company considered all available evidence, including both positive and negative evidence. The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income of the same character during the carry-back or carry-forward period. The Company considered all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry forwards, taxable income in carry-back years and tax-planning strategies. The detailed components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in Note 8.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the revised business combinations guidance. The revised guidance retains the fundamental requirements of the previous guidance in that the acquisition method of accounting is used for all business combinations, that an acquirer be identified for each business combination and for goodwill to be recognized and measured as a residual. The revised guidance expands the definition of transactions and events that qualify as business combinations to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. The revised guidance broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities


F-79


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008
(SUCCESSOR) AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
assumed and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. It also increases the disclosure requirements for business combinations in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of the revised guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
3.  Net Investment Income
 
                           
    Successor       Predecessor  
    Period from
      Period from
       
    October 1,
      January 1,
       
    2008 to
      2008 to
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,
      September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008       2008     2007  
Cash on hand and on deposit
  $ 173       $ 632     $ 788  
                           
Net investment income
  $ 173       $ 632     $ 788  
                           
                           
 
4.  Property and Equipment
 
The components of property and equipment at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
    At December 31,       At December 31,  
    2008       2007  
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
  $ 352       $ 795  
Computer equipment
    440         1,432  
Software
    640          
Leasehold improvements
    19         96  
                   
      1,451         2,323  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (78 )       (1,349 )
                   
    $ 1,373       $ 974  
                   
 
Depreciation expense for the successor period from October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 and the predecessor periods from January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008 and the year ended December 31, 2007 totaled $78, $257 and $321, respectively.


F-80


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008
(SUCCESSOR) AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
5.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Changes in goodwill balances are as follows:
 
         
December 31, 2006 (Predecessor)
  $ 35,275  
         
December 31, 2007 (Predecessor)
    35,275  
Elimination of purchased goodwill
    (35,275 )
         
Purchase price allocation
    16,430  
         
December 31, 2008 (Successor)
  $ 16,430  
         
 
Changes in other intangible assets are as follows:
 
         
December 31, 2006 (Predecessor)
  $ 11,976  
Amortization
    (2,148 )
         
December 31, 2007 (Predecessor)
    9,828  
Amortization for the period January 1, 2008 to October 1, 2008
    (672 )
Elimination of purchase intangible assets
    (9,156 )
Purchase price allocation
    8,661  
Amortization for the period October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
    (49 )
         
December 31, 2008 (Successor)
  $ 8,612  
         
 
6.  Accrued Expenses and Accounts Payable
 
Accrued expenses and accounts payable consist of the following:
 
                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
    At December 31,
      At December 31,
 
    2008       2007  
Premiums payable to insurance carriers
  $ 24,658       $ 24,540  
Accrued bonuses
    543         551  
Other accrued expenses and accounts payable
    1,396         1,239  
                   
Total accrued expenses and accounts payable
  $ 26,597       $ 26,330  
                   
 
7.  Leases
 
The Company leases certain office space and equipment under operating leases. Rent expense for the 2008 successor period and the 2008 predecessor period and the year ended December 31, 2007 was


F-81


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008
(SUCCESSOR) AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
$381, $976 and $1,233, respectively. The future minimum noncancelable lease payments for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
 
         
2010
  $ 1,312  
2011
    1,244  
2012
    1,039  
2013
    649  
2014
    10  
Thereafter
     
         
    $ 4,254  
         
 
8.  Income Taxes
 
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
 
                           
    Successor       Predecessor  
    Period from
      Period from
       
    October 1, 2008 to
      January 1, 2008 to
    Year Ended
 
    December 31, 2008       September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
Current income tax
  $ 165       $ 2,673     $ 2,540  
Deferred income tax (benefit)
    114         (274 )     (410 )
                           
Total income taxes
  $ 279       $ 2,399     $ 2,130  
                           
 
Reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate of 35% for the 2008 successor period, the 2008 predecessor period and the year ended December 31, 2007 to the effective income tax expense is as follow:
 
                                                   
            Predecessor  
    Successor       Period from
             
    Period from October 1, 2008 to
      January 1, 2008 to
    Year Ended
 
    December 31, 2008       September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
          Percent
            Percent
          Percent
 
          of Pre-
            of Pre-
          of Pre-
 
          Tax
            Tax
          Tax
 
    Amount     Income       Amount     Income     Amount     Income  
Income tax expense at 35% of pretax income
  $ 228       35.00 %     $ 1,951       35.00 %   $ 1,854       35.00 %
Effect of:
                                                 
State income taxes
    38       5.91         329       5.91       313       5.91  
Non deductible expenses
    6       0.90         28       0.51       42       0.79  
Other, net
    7       1.08         91       1.62       (79 )     (1.49 )
                                                   
Income tax expense
  $ 279       42.99 %     $ 2,399       43.04 %   $ 2,130       40.21 %
                                                   


F-82


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008
(SUCCESSOR) AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The Company’s practice is to recognize penalties and interest expense related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
 
The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state tax examination by tax authorities for 2005 or prior years.
 
The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows:
 
                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
    At December 31,       At December 31,  
    2008       2007  
Gross deferred tax asset
                 
Reserves
  $ 370       $ 351  
                   
Total gross deferred tax assets
    370         351  
                   
Gross deferred tax liabilities
                 
Amortization of intangible assets
    1,415         3,943  
Depreciation on fixed assets
    14         75  
                   
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
    1,429         4,018  
                   
Net deferred tax liability
  $ 1,059       $ 3,667  
                   
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company did not have any non-life regular tax operating loss carry-forwards available to offset future non-life federal taxable income and life federal taxable income with certain limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 1503(c)(6)(1).
 
9. Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company is party to claims and litigation in the normal course of its operations. Management believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
 
10.  Related Party Transactions
 
With the Willis acquisition of Bliss & Glennon, the successor company was charged from October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 a corporate overhead charge of $454 to cover expenses associated with various Willis corporate functions that included legal, insurance, corporate payroll, IT maintenance, office operations and facility expenses. In addition, the Company entered into transactions with brokers/agents who are subsidiaries of Willis. These transactions accounted for $677 in net commissions and fees.


F-83


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008
(SUCCESSOR) AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
HRH charged $1,363 to the predecessor from January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008 for corporate overhead charges to cover expenses associated with various HRH corporate functions that included legal, insurance, corporate payroll, IT maintenance, office operations and facility expenses. In addition, the Company entered into transactions with brokers/agents who are subsidiaries of HRH. These transactions accounted for $1,970 in net commissions fees revenue.
 
HRH charged $2,974 to the predecessor from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 for corporate overhead charges to cover expenses associated with various HRH corporate functions that included legal, insurance, corporate payroll, IT maintenance, office operations and facility expenses. In addition, the Company entered into transactions with brokers/agents who are subsidiaries of HRH. These transactions accounted for $2,719 in net commissions fees revenue.
 
11.  Subsequent Events
 
On April 15, 2009, all of the stock for the Company was purchased by Fortegra Financial Corporation. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for disclosure and recognition through the date on which these financial statements were issued.


F-84


Table of Contents

 
                 
    Successor  
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2009     2008  
 
Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 4,827     $ 9,809  
Restricted cash
    7,486       7,806  
                 
Subtotal invested assets and cash
    12,313       17,615  
Other receivables, net of allowance of $187 and $93 as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
    17,841       16,204  
Other assets
    196       76  
Property and equipment
    1,298       1,373  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    24,993       25,042  
                 
Total assets
  $ 56,641     $ 60,310  
                 
Liabilities:
               
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
  $ 27,065     $ 26,597  
Commissions payable
    120       166  
Deferred income taxes
    1,160       1,059  
                 
Total liabilities
    28,345       27,822  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)
               
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Additional paid-in capital
    27,287       32,118  
Retained earnings
    1,009       370  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    28,296       32,488  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 56,641     $ 60,310  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to these unaudited financial statements.


F-85


Table of Contents

 
                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
    Three Months Ended
      Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,       March 31,  
    2009       2008  
Revenues:
                 
Wholesale brokerage commissions
  $ 6,500       $ 8,748  
Net investment income
    83         246  
Other income
    29         17  
                   
Total net revenues
    6,612         9,011  
                   
Expenses:
                 
Personnel costs
    3,523         4,122  
Other operating expenses
    1,854         1,707  
Depreciation and amortization
    125         602  
Interest expense
            2  
                   
Total expenses
    5,502         6,433  
                   
Income before income taxes
    1,110         2,578  
Income taxes
    471         1,037  
                   
Net income
  $ 639       $ 1,541  
                   
 
See accompanying notes to these unaudited financial statements.


F-86


Table of Contents

 
                         
    Additional Paid-In
    Retained (Deficit)
    Total Stockholders’
 
    Capital     Earnings     Equity  
 
Balances, January 1, 2009 (Successor)
  $ 32,118     $ 370     $ 32,488  
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2009
          639       639  
Return of capital
    (4,831 )           (4,831 )
                         
Balances, March 31, 2009 (Successor)
  $ 27,287     $ 1,009     $ 28,296  
                         
 
 
                         
Balances, January 1, 2008 (Predecessor)
  $ 50,399     $ 3,077     $ 53,476  
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008
          1,541       1,541  
Return of capital
    (844 )           (844 )
Dividends
          (4,618 )     (4,618 )
                         
Balances, March 31, 2008 (Predecessor)
  $ 49,555     $     $ 49,555  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to these unaudited financial statements.


F-87


Table of Contents

 
                   
            Predecessor  
    Successor          
    Three Months Ended
      Three Months Ended
 
    March 31, 2009       March 31, 2008  
Operating Activities:
                 
Net income
  $ 639       $ 1,541  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
                 
Depreciation and amortization
    125         602  
Deferred income taxes
    101         275  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net effect of acquisition:
                 
Other receivables, net of allowance
    (1,637 )       (5,181 )
Other assets
    (120 )       (60 )
Accrued expenses and accounts payable
    467         5,841  
Commissions payable
    (46 )       97  
                   
Net cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities
    (471 )       3,115  
                   
Investing Activities:
                 
Purchase of property, equipment
            (529 )
Change in restricted cash
    320         348  
                   
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
    320         (181 )
                   
Financing Activities:
                 
Dividends paid on common stock
            (4,618 )
Return of capital
    (4,831 )       (844 )
                   
Net cash flows used in financing activities
    (4,831 )       (5,462 )
                   
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (4,982 )       (2,528 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    9,809         12,879  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 4,827       $ 10,351  
                   
Supplemental disclosures of cash payments for:
                 
Interest
  $       $ 2  
Income taxes
  $ 568       $ 383  
 
See accompanying notes to these unaudited financial statements.


F-88


Table of Contents

BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
1.   Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
Organization
 
Bliss and Glennon, Inc. (the “Company”) is a wholesale brokerage company domiciled in California. The Company was formed in 1965. It was purchased in 2003 by Hilb, Rogal, and Hobbs Company (“HRH”).
 
On October 1, 2008, the Company’s parent HRH was acquired by Willis Group Holdings PLC (“Willis”).
 
The Company uses a wholesale model to sell specialty property and casualty (P&C) and surplus lines insurance through retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies. The Company puts an emphasis on customer service, rapid responsiveness to submissions and underwriting integrity.
 
The Company provides retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies the ability to obtain various types of commercial insurance coverages outside of the agent or broker’s core areas of focus, broader access to insurance markets and the expertise to place as a managing general agent (MGA) for surplus lines and other specialty insurance carriers. This enables the Company to provide insurance carriers with access to new complex risks. The Company also provides underwriting services for ancillary or niche insurance products markets without the need for costly distribution infrastructure.
 
The Company utilizes its technology platform to provide its clients with administrative services, including policy underwriting, premium and claim administration and actuarial analysis.
 
The Company earns wholesale brokerage commissions and fees for the placement of specialty insurance products. The Company also earns contingent commissions, which are commissions that we receive from carriers based upon the ultimate profitability of the insurance policies that we place with those carriers. The Company does not take any insurance underwriting risk.
 
Basis of Presentation
 
These financial statements reflect the financial statements of the Company. The financial statements are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. HRH is referred to as the “predecessor” entity.
 
2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
 
The statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that, in the option of management, are necessary for the fair presentations of the information contained herein. The interim statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended


F-89


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 (SUCCESSOR) AND 2008 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
December 31, 2008. The Company adheres to the same accounting policies in preparation of its interim financial statements.
 
The Company has evaluated for disclosure events that occurred up to the date the Company’s financial statements were issued.
 
3.  Net Investment Income
 
                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
    Three Months
      Three Months
 
    Ended March 31,       Ended March 31,  
    2009       2008  
Cash on hand and on deposit
  $ 83       $ 246  
                   
Net investment income
  $ 83       $ 246  
                   
 
4.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Changes in goodwill balances are as follows:
 
         
December 31, 2008
  $ 16,430  
Adjustments
     
         
March 31, 2009
  $ 16,430  
         
 
Changes in other intangible assets are as follows:
 
         
December 31, 2008
  $ 8,612  
Amortization
    (49 )
         
March 31, 2009
  $ 8,563  
         
 
5.  Leases
 
The Company leases certain office space and equipment under operating leases. Rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $231 and $328, respectively.
 
6.  Income Taxes
 
The Company adopted the relevant provisions of GAAP concerning uncertainties in income taxes on January 1, 2009 in accordance with ASC 740 — Income Taxes. At the adoption date and as of March 31, 2009, the Company determined there are no material unrecognized tax benefits and no adjustments to liabilities or operations were required.


F-90


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 (SUCCESSOR) AND 2008 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
 
                   
       
    Successor       Predecessor  
    Three Months
      Three Months
 
    Ended
      Ended
 
    March 31, 2009       March 31, 2008  
Current income tax
  $ 370       $ 762  
Deferred income tax
    101         275  
                   
Total income tax
  $ 471       $ 1,037  
                   
                   
 
Reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate of 35% for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 to the effective income tax expense is as follows:
 
                                   
       
    Successor       Predecessor  
    Three Months Ended March 31,       Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2009       2008  
          Percent
            Percent
 
          of Pre-Tax
            of Pre-Tax
 
    Amount     Income       Amount     Income  
Income tax expense at 35% of pre-tax income
  $ 389       35.00 %     $ 903       35.00 %
Effect of:
                                 
State income taxes
    69       6.22         152       5.91  
Non-deductible expenses
    7       0.63         6       0.23  
Other, net
    6       0.54         (24 )     (0.93 )
                                   
Income tax expense
  $ 471       42.43 %     $ 1,037       40.22 %
                                   
 
The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state tax examinations by tax authorities for 2005 or prior years.


F-91


Table of Contents

 
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 (SUCCESSOR) AND 2008 (PREDECESSOR)
(All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Amounts, Per Share Amounts or Unless Otherwise Noted)
 
The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows:
 
                 
    Successor  
    At March 31,
    At December 31,
 
    2009     2008  
 
Gross deferred tax assets
               
Reserves
  $ 419     $ 370  
                 
Total gross deferred tax assets
    419       370  
                 
Gross deferred tax liabilities
               
Intangible assets
    1,555       1,415  
Depreciation on fixed assets
    24       14  
                 
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
    1,579       1,429  
                 
Net deferred tax liability
  $ 1,160     $ 1,059  
                 
 
At March 31, 2009, the Company did not have any non-life regular tax operating loss carry-forwards available to offset future non-life federal taxable income and life federal taxable income with certain limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 1503(c)(6)(1).
 
7.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company is party to claims and litigation in the normal course of its operations. Management believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
 
8.  Related Party Transactions
 
The successor company was charged from January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009 a corporate overhead charge of $433 to cover expenses associated with various Willis corporate functions that included legal, insurance corporate payroll, IT maintenance, office operations and facility expenses. In addition, the Company entered into transactions with brokers/agents who are subsidiaries of Willis. These transactions accounted for $525 in net commissions and fees.
 
HRH charged $454 to the predecessor from January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008 for corporate overhead charges to cover expenses associated with various HRH corporate functions that included legal, insurance corporate payroll, IT maintenance, office operations and facility expenses. In addition, the Company entered into transactions with brokers/agents who are subsidiaries of Willis. These transactions accounted for $590 in net commissions and fees revenue.
 
9.  Subsequent Events
 
On April 15, 2009, all of the stock for the Company was purchased by Fortegra Financial Corporation. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for disclosure and recognition through the date on which these financial statements were available to be issued.


F-92


Table of Contents

 
          Shares
 
Fortegra Financial Corporation
 
Common Stock
 
 
(Fortegra Financial logo)
 
 
PROSPECTUS
 
 
 
Until          , 2010 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
 
Piper Jaffray
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey
 
 
William Blair & Company
FBR Capital Markets
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
Macquarie Capital
 
 
          , 2010
 


Table of Contents

 
PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
Item 13.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
 
The expenses, other than underwriting commissions, expected to be incurred by Fortegra Financial Corporation (the “Registrant”) in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered under this Registration Statement are estimated to be as follows:
 
         
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee
  $ 8,913  
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Filing Fee
    13,000  
New York Stock Exchange Listing Fee
    *  
Printing and Engraving
    *  
Legal Fees and Expenses
    *  
Accounting Fees and Expenses
    *  
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees
    *  
Miscellaneous
    *  
         
Total
  $ *  
         
 
 
* To be completed by amendment.
 
Item 14.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
 
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
 
Section 145 further provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any such person serving in any such capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney’s fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.


II-1


Table of Contents

The Registrant’s bylaws authorize the indemnification of its officers and directors, consistent with Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended. The Registrant intends to enter into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other things, will require the Registrant to indemnify each director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of the Registrant, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer.
 
Reference is made to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, which enables a corporation in its original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director for violations of the director’s fiduciary duty, except (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, which provides for liability of directors for unlawful payments of dividends of unlawful stock purchase or redemptions or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
Reference is also made to Section 145 of the DGCL, which provides that a corporation may indemnify any person, including an officer or director, who is, or is threatened to be made, party to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of such corporation, by reason of the fact that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the corporation’s best interest and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any officer or director in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses that such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.
 
The Registrant expects to maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (i) to its directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (ii) to the Registrant with respect to indemnification payments that it may make to such directors and officers.
 
The proposed form of Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement provides for indemnification to the Registrant’s directors and officers by the underwriters against certain liabilities.
 
Item 15.  Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
 
During the last three years, we made sales of the following unregistered securities:
 
1. On December 22, 2009, we issued and sold 3,000 shares of our common stock to an employee for $8.12 per share pursuant to the exercise of a stock option under our 1995 Stock Option Plan.


II-2


Table of Contents

2. On April 15, 2009, we sold an aggregate of 141,676.79 shares of our Class A common stock to affiliates of Summit Partners for $42.35 per share.
 
3. On April 15, 2009, we sold an aggregate of 12,406.83 shares of our Class A common stock to certain members of Fortegra management or to a trust on their behalf for $42.35 per share.
 
4. On April 15, 2009, we sold an aggregate of 223,977.10 shares of our common stock to certain members of Bliss and Glennon management for $42.35 per share.
 
5. On May 22, 2008, we granted 7,972 stock options at an exercise price of $23.11 per share to one director.
 
6. On October 25, 2007, we granted 161,135 stock options at an exercise price of $17.07 per share to a total of five employees.
 
The sales of the above securities were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering or pursuant to benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. The recipients of the securities in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed upon the stock certificates issued in these transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with Fortegra Financial Corporation, to information about Fortegra Financial Corporation.
 
Item 16.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
(a) Exhibits
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
 
  1 .1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  2 .1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 7, 2007, by and among, Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P., Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P., Summit Investors VI, L.P., LOS Acquisition Co., the signing stockholders and Life of the South Corporation and N.G. Houston III, as Stockholder Representative.
  2 .2   First Amendment to Merger Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007 by and among Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P., Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P., Summit Investors VI, L.P., LOS Acquisition Co. and N.G. Houston, III, as Stockholder Representative.
  2 .3   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2009, by and among Willis HRH, Inc., Bliss and Glennon, Inc., LOTS Intermediate Co., Willis North America Inc. and Fortegra Financial Corporation.
  3 .1*   Certificate of Incorporation Fortegra Financial Corporation.
  3 .2*   Bylaws of Fortegra Financial Corporation.
  3 .3*   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Fortegra Financial Corporation to be in effect prior to the offering made under this Registration Statement.
  3 .4*   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Fortegra Financial Corporation to be in effect prior to the offering made under this Registration Statement.
  4 .1*   Form of Common Stock Certificate.


II-3


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
 
  4 .2*   Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, among Life of the South Corporation, the Rollover Stockholders (as defined therein), Employee Stockholders (as defined therein) and Investors (as defined therein).
  5 .1*   Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
  10 .1   Indenture, dated as of June 20, 2007, between LOTS Intermediate Co. and Wilmington Trust Company.
  10 .2   Form of Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Debenture (included in Exhibit 10.1).
  10 .3   Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007, among Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P., Summit Investors VI, L.P. and LOTS Intermediate Co.
  10 .4   Form of Subordinated Debenture (included in Exhibit 10.3).
  10 .5   Amended Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, dated June 16, 2010, among Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P., Summit Investors VI, L.P. and LOTS Intermediate Co.
  10 .6   Revolving Credit Agreement, dated June 16, 2010, among Fortegra Financial Corporation and LOTS Intermediate Co., as borrowers, and the lenders from time to time a party thereto and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
  10 .7   Revolving Credit Note, dated June 16, 2010, among Fortegra Financial Corporation and LOTS Intermediate Co., as borrowers, and SunTrust Bank, as lender.
  10 .8   Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, dated June 16, 2010, among Bliss and Glennon, Inc., LOTSolutions, Inc., as guarantors and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
  10 .9   Security Agreement, dated June 16, 2010, by Fortegra Financial Corporation and LOTS Intermediate Co., as borrowers and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
  10 .10   Pledge Agreement, dated June 16, 2010 by and among Fortegra Financial Corporation, as pledgor and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
  10 .11   Line of Credit Note of Fortegra Financial Corporation, dated April 6, 2009, issued to Columbus Bank and Trust Company.
  10 .12   Stock Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2009, by and between Fortegra Financial Corporation and Columbus Bank and Trust Company.
  10 .13   Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2010, by and between South Bay Acceptance Corporation, as borrower and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as lender.
  10 .14   General Continuing Guaranty, dated as of June 10, 2010, by Fortegra Financial Corporation, as guarantor, in favor of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC
  10 .15   Servicing and Management Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2010, by and between South Bay Acceptance Corporation, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC.
  10 .16   Line of Credit Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2009, by and among Columbus Bank and Trust Company, Fortegra Financial Corporation and LOTS Intermediate Co.
  10 .17   Modification Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2010, by and among Fortegra Financial Corporation, LOTS Intermediate Co. and Columbus Bank and Trust Company.
  10 .18*   Form of Fortegra Financial Corporation Director Indemnification Agreement for John R. Carroll and J.J. Kardwell.
  10 .19*   Form of Fortegra Financial Corporation Director Indemnification Agreement for Alfred R. Berkeley, III, Francis M. Colalucci, Frank P. Filipps and Ted W. Rollins.
  10 .20*   Form of Fortegra Financial Corporation Officer Indemnification Agreement.
  10 .21*   Form of Indemnity Agreement between Fortegra Financial Corporation and the executive officers serving as plan committee members for the Fortegra Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan.
  10 .22*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, by and between Life of the South Corporation and Richard S. Kahlbaugh.

II-4


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
 
  10 .23*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009, by and between Life of the South Corporation and Michael Vrban.
  10 .24*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009, by and between Life of the South Corporation and Daniel A. Reppert.
  10 .25*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, by and between Life of the South Corporation and W. Dale Bullard.
  10 .26*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, by and between Life of the South Corporation and Robert S. Fullington.
  10 .27*†   2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
  10 .28*†   Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995) Agreement.
  10 .29*†   Form of 2005 Equity Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement.
  10 .30*†   Form of Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995).
  10 .31*†   Form of 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
  10 .32*†   Form of Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  10 .33*†   Deferred Compensation Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2005 between Life of the South Corporation and W. Dale Bullard.
  10 .34*†   Deferred Compensation Agreement, dated January 1, 2006 between Life of the South Corporation and Richard S. Kahlbaugh.
  10 .35*†   Deferred Compensation Agreement, dated January 1, 2006 between Life of the South Corporation and Robert S. Fullington.
  11 .1   Statement Regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings (incorporated by reference to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of this Registration Statement).
  16 .1   Letter re change in certifying accountant.
  16 .2   Letter re change in certifying accountant.
  21 .1   List of Subsidiaries of Fortegra Financial Corporation.
  23 .1   Consent of Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  23 .2   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  23 .3*   Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
  24 .1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
  99 .1   Consent of Alfred R. Berkeley, III.
  99 .2   Consent of Francis M. Colalucci.
  99 .3   Consent of Frank P. Filipps.
  99 .4   Consent of Ted W. Rollins.
 
* To be filed by amendment
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
 
(b)  Financial Statement Schedules
 
Schedule I — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
 
Item 17.  Undertakings.
 
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

II-5


Table of Contents

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions referenced in Item 14 of this registration statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered hereunder, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


II-6


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Jacksonville, State of Florida, on September 23, 2010.
 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
  By: 
/s/  Richard S. Kahlbaugh
Name: Richard S. Kahlbaugh
  Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned constitutes and appoints each of Richard S. Kahlbaugh and Michael Vrban, or either of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement on Form S-1 (including all pre-effective and post-effective amendments and registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that any such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 23, 2010.
 
         
Signature
 
Title
 
/s/  Richard S. Kahlbaugh

Richard S. Kahlbaugh
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
     
/s/  Michael Vrban

Michael Vrban
  Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
     
/s/  John R. Carroll

John R. Carroll
  Director
     
/s/  J.J. Kardwell

J.J. Kardwell
  Director


II-7


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
 
  1 .1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  2 .1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 7, 2007, by and among, Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P., Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P., Summit Investors VI, L.P., LOS Acquisition Co., the signing stockholders and Life of the South Corporation and N.G. Houston III, as Stockholder Representative.
  2 .2   First Amendment to Merger Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007 by and among Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P., Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P., Summit Investors VI, L.P., LOS Acquisition Co. and N.G. Houston, III, as Stockholder Representative.
  2 .3   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2009, by and among Willis HRH, Inc., Bliss and Glennon, Inc., LOTS Intermediate Co., Willis North America Inc. and Fortegra Financial Corporation.
  3 .1*   Certificate of Incorporation Fortegra Financial Corporation.
  3 .2*   Bylaws of Fortegra Financial Corporation.
  3 .3*   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Fortegra Financial Corporation to be in effect prior to the offering made under this Registration Statement.
  3 .4*   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Fortegra Financial Corporation to be in effect prior to the offering made under this Registration Statement.
  4 .1*   Form of Common Stock Certificate.
  4 .2*   Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, among Life of the South Corporation, the Rollover Stockholders (as defined therein), Employee Stockholders (as defined therein) and Investors (as defined therein).
  5 .1*   Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
  10 .1   Indenture, dated as of June 20, 2007, between LOTS Intermediate Co. and Wilmington Trust Company.
  10 .2   Form of Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Debenture (included in Exhibit 10.1).
  10 .3   Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007, among Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P., Summit Investors VI, L.P. and LOTS Intermediate Co.
  10 .4   Form of Subordinated Debenture (included in Exhibit 10.3).
  10 .5   Amended Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, dated June 16, 2010, among Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P., Summit Investors VI, L.P. and LOTS Intermediate Co.
  10 .6   Revolving Credit Agreement, dated June 16, 2010, among Fortegra Financial Corporation and LOTS Intermediate Co., as borrowers, and the lenders from time to time a party thereto and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
  10 .7   Revolving Credit Note, dated June 16, 2010, among Fortegra Financial Corporation and LOTS Intermediate Co., as borrowers, and SunTrust Bank, as lender.
  10 .8   Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, dated June 16, 2010, among Bliss and Glennon, Inc., LOTSolutions, Inc., as guarantors and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
  10 .9   Security Agreement, dated June 16, 2010, by Fortegra Financial Corporation and LOTS Intermediate Co., as borrowers and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
  10 .10   Pledge Agreement, dated June 16, 2010 by and among Fortegra Financial Corporation, as pledgor and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
  10 .11   Line of Credit Note of Fortegra Financial Corporation, dated April 6, 2009, issued to Columbus Bank and Trust Company.
  10 .12   Stock Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2009, by and between Fortegra Financial Corporation and Columbus Bank and Trust Company.


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
 
  10 .13   Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2010, by and between South Bay Acceptance Corporation, as borrower and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as lender.
  10 .14   General Continuing Guaranty, dated as of June 10, 2010, by Fortegra Financial Corporation, as guarantor, in favor of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC
  10 .15   Servicing and Management Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2010, by and between South Bay Acceptance Corporation, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC.
  10 .16   Line of Credit Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2009, by and among Columbus Bank and Trust Company, Fortegra Financial Corporation and LOTS Intermediate Co.
  10 .17   Modification Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2010, by and among Fortegra Financial Corporation, LOTS Intermediate Co. and Columbus Bank and Trust Company.
  10 .18*   Form of Fortegra Financial Corporation Director Indemnification Agreement for John R. Carroll and J.J. Kardwell.
  10 .19*   Form of Fortegra Financial Corporation Director Indemnification Agreement for Alfred R. Berkeley, III, Francis M. Colalucci, Frank P. Filipps and Ted W. Rollins.
  10 .20*   Form of Fortegra Financial Corporation Officer Indemnification Agreement.
  10 .21*   Form of Indemnity Agreement between Fortegra Financial Corporation and the executive officers serving as plan committee members for the Fortegra Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan.
  10 .22*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, by and between Life of the South Corporation and Richard S. Kahlbaugh.
  10 .23*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009, by and between Life of the South Corporation and Michael Vrban.
  10 .24*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009, by and between Life of the South Corporation and Daniel A. Reppert.
  10 .25*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, by and between Life of the South Corporation and W. Dale Bullard.
  10 .26*†   Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, by and between Life of the South Corporation and Robert S. Fullington.
  10 .27*†   2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
  10 .28*†   Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995) Agreement.
  10 .29*†   Form of 2005 Equity Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement.
  10 .30*†   Form of Key Employee Stock Option Plan (1995).
  10 .31*†   Form of 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
  10 .32*†   Form of Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  10 .33*†   Deferred Compensation Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2005 between Life of the South Corporation and W. Dale Bullard.
  10 .34*†   Deferred Compensation Agreement, dated January 1, 2006 between Life of the South Corporation and Richard S. Kahlbaugh.
  10 .35*†   Deferred Compensation Agreement, dated January 1, 2006 between Life of the South Corporation and Robert S. Fullington.
  11 .1   Statement Regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings (incorporated by reference to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of this Registration Statement).
  16 .1   Letter re change in certifying accountant.
  16 .2   Letter re change in certifying accountant.
  21 .1   List of Subsidiaries of Fortegra Financial Corporation.
  23 .1   Consent of Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  23 .2   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  23 .3*   Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
  24 .1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
 
  99 .1   Consent of Alfred R. Berkeley, III.
  99 .2   Consent of Francis M. Colalucci.
  99 .3   Consent of Frank P. Filipps.
  99 .4   Consent of Ted W. Rollins.
 
 
* To be filed by amendment
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement


Table of Contents

Schedule I — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
 
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
PARENT COMPANY ONLY CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008, AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR)
AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007 THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period from
      Period from
 
                June 20
      June 1
 
                through
      through
 
                December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
Revenues
                                 
Management fee from subsidiaries*
  $     $ 23,702     $ 9,845       $ 10,073  
Net investment income
    294       343       311         429  
Other income
    84                      
                                   
Total net revenue
    378       24,045       10,156         10,502  
Expenses
                                 
Personnel costs*
          20,376       9,840         9,409  
Other operating expenses
    139       (26 )     241         2,559  
Interest expense
    926       1,022       679         798  
                                   
Total expenses
    1,065       21,372       10,760         12,766  
Income before interest and income taxes interest
    (687 )     2,673       (604 )       (2,264 )
Income taxes
    (267 )     1,015       (229 )       (859 )
                                   
Income before equity in net income in subsidiaries
    (420 )     1,658       (375 )       (1,405 )
Equity in net income of subsidiaries*
    11,978       6,370       4,028         5,220  
                                   
Net income
  $ 11,558     $ 8,028     $ 3,653       $ 3,815  
                                   
                                   
 
 
* Eliminated in consolidation


S-1


Table of Contents

FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
PARENT COMPANY ONLY CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
                 
    2009     2008  
 
Assets:
               
Investment in subsidiaries
  $ 78,315     $ 53,961  
Cash and cash equivalents
           
Due from subsidiaries, net*
    17,820       6,170  
Notes receivable*
    4,138       5,159  
Other assets
    2,525       3,931  
                 
Total assets
  $ 102,798     $ 69,221  
                 
Liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
  $ 23,027     $ 11,540  
Other liabilities
    453       2,319  
                 
Total liabilities
    23,480       13,859  
                 
Stockholder’s equity:
               
Common stock, par value $0.331/3 per share (6.000,000 shares authorized and $3,007,031 and 2,871,563 shares issued at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
    1,002       957  
Treasury stock (8,491 and 100,000 shares at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
    (176 )     (2,069 )
Additional paid-in-capital
    53,675       45,894  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (provision) benefit of $(865) and $552 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    1,607       (1,072 )
Retained earnings
    23,210       11,652  
                 
Total stockholder’s equity
    79,318       55,362  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity
  $ 102,798     $ 69,221  
                 
 
 
* Eliminated in consolidation


S-2


Table of Contents

FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
PARENT COMPANY ONLY CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008, AND
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 20, 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007 (SUCCESSOR)
AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007 THROUGH JUNE 19, 2007 (PREDECESSOR)
(IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                   
    Successor       Predecessor  
                Period from
      Period from
 
                June 19
      June 1
 
                through
      through
 
                December 31,
      June 19,
 
    2009     2008     2007       2007  
Operating Activities:
                                 
Net income
  $ 11,558     $ 8,028     $ 3,653       $ 3,815  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities
                                 
Equity in net income of subsidiaries*
    (11,978 )     (6,370 )     (4,028 )       (5,220 )
Cash dividend from subsidiaries
          10,481                
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
    36       738       595         (592 )
Stock based compensation
    209       244       56         2  
Other changes in assets and liabilities
                                 
Net due (to) from subsidiaries
    (11,650 )     (7,587 )     (477 )       939  
Other assets and other liabilities
    (2,487 )     (1,435 )     1,572         (1,431 )
                                   
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities
    (14,312 )     4,099       1,371         (2,487 )
                                   
Investing Activities:
                                 
Proceeds from maturities of investments
    2,139       (1,518 )     559         (485 )
Net (paid) received for acquisition of subsidiaries
    (9,845 )                   6,277  
Proceeds from notes receivable
    1,021       (741 )     711         2,390  
                                   
Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities
    (6,685 )     (2,259 )     1,270         8,182  
                                   
Financing Activities:
                                 
Repayments of notes payable and capitalized lease obligations
          (1,079 )     (16,201 )       (320 )
Additional borrowings under notes payable
    11,487                      
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
    5,610                      
Dividends paid on common stock
          (29 )             (428 )
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
    24       1,273       771         273  
Issuance (purchase) of treasury stock
    3,876       (2,069 )              
Shareholder funds disbursed at purchase
                7,080          
                                   
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
    20,997       (1,904 )     (8,350 )       (475 )
                                   
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
          (64 )     (5,709 )       5,220  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
          64       5,773         553  
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $     $     $ 64       $ 5,773  
                                   
                                   
* Eliminated in Consolidation


S-3

EX-2.1 2 b81561exv2w1.htm EX-2.1 exv2w1
Exhibit 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Dated as of March 7, 2007
among
SUMMIT PARTNERS PRIVATE EQUITY FUND VII-A, L.P.
SUMMIT PARTNERS PRIVATE EQUITY FUND VII-B, L.P.
SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT FUND III-A, L.P.
SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT FUND III-B, L.P.
SUMMIT INVESTORS VI, L.P.
LOS ACQUISITION CO.
THE SIGNING STOCKHOLDERS
and
LIFE OF THE SOUTH CORPORATION

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
        Page  
 
           
ARTICLE I
  DEFINITIONS     1  
1.1
  Certain Definitions     1  
1.2
  Terms Defined Elsewhere in this Agreement     8  
1.3
  Other Definitional and Interpretive Matters     10  
ARTICLE II
  THE MERGER     11  
2.1
  The Merger     11  
2.2
  Closing     11  
2.3
  Effective Time     12  
2.4
  Effects of the Merger     12  
2.5
  Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation     12  
2.6
  Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation     12  
ARTICLE III
  EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS;        
 
  EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES     12  
3.1
  Effect on Capital Stock     12  
3.2
  Exchange of Certificates     14  
3.3
  Adjustments     16  
3.4
  Company Stock Options     17  
ARTICLE IV
  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE SIGNING STOCKHOLDERS     18  
4.1
  Organization and Good Standing     18  
4.2
  Authorization of Agreement     18  
4.3
  Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties     18  
4.4
  Ownership and Transfer of Shares     19  
4.5
  Litigation     19  
4.6
  Financial Advisors     19  
4.7
  Taxes     19  
ARTICLE V
  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE COMPANY     19  
5.1
  Organization and Good Standing     19  
5.2
  Authorization of Agreement     20  

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
             
        Page  
5.3
  Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties     20  
5.4
  Capitalization     21  
5.5
  Subsidiaries     22  
5.6
  Corporate Records     22  
5.7
  Financial Statements and Statutory Statements     23  
5.8
  No Undisclosed Liabilities     24  
5.9
  Absence of Certain Developments     24  
5.10
  Taxes     26  
5.11
  Real Property     29  
5.12
  Tangible Personal Property     30  
5.13
  Technology and Intellectual Property     31  
5.14
  Material Contracts     32  
5.15
  Employee Benefits Plans     34  
5.16
  Labor     36  
5.17
  Litigation     37  
5.18
  Compliance with Laws; Permits     37  
5.19
  Environmental Matters     38  
5.20
  Insurance     39  
5.21
  Insurance Matters     39  
5.22
  Accounts and Notes Receivable and Payable     40  
5.23
  Related Party Transactions     41  
5.24
  Customers and Suppliers     41  
5.25
  Banks; Power of Attorney     41  
5.26
  Certain Payments     42  
5.27
  Financial Advisors     42  
5.28
  Reinsurance or Retrocessions     42  
5.29
  Regulatory Filings     42  
5.30
  No Dividend or Distribution Restrictions     43  
ARTICLE VI
  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OWNERS AND ACQUIRER     43  
6.1
  Organization, Standing and Corporate Power     43  

ii 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
             
        Page  
6.2
  Authority; Noncontravention     43  
6.3
  Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties     44  
6.4
  Ownership and Operations of Acquirer     44  
6.5
  Financing     44  
6.6
  Brokers and Other Advisors     45  
ARTICLE VII
  COVENANTS     45  
7.1
  Access to Information; Confidentiality     45  
7.2
  Conduct of the Business Pending the Closing     46  
7.3
  Third Party Consents     50  
7.4
  Governmental Consents and Approvals     50  
7.5
  Insurance Regulatory Consents     52  
7.6
  Further Assurances     52  
7.7
  No Shop     52  
7.8
  Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Confidentiality     53  
7.9
  Publicity     54  
7.10
  Use of Name     54  
7.11
  Cooperation with Financing     55  
7.12
  Related-Party Transactions with Non-Management Affiliates     55  
7.13
  Monthly Financial Statements     55  
7.14
  Fees and Expenses     55  
7.15
  Notification of Certain Matters     56  
7.16
  Debt     56  
7.17
  Stockholder Approval     56  
7.18
  Employment Matters     57  
7.19
  Pre-Closing Transactions     58  
ARTICLE VIII
  CONDITIONS TO CLOSING     58  
8.1
  Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger     58  
8.2
  Conditions Precedent to Obligations of The Owners     58  
8.3
  Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Signing Stockholders and        
 
  the Company     60  
ARTICLE IX
  INDEMNIFICATION     61  

iii 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
             
        Page  
9.1
  Survival of Representations and Warranties     61  
9.2
  Indemnification     61  
9.3
  Indemnification Procedures     63  
9.4
  Limitations on Indemnification for Breaches of Representations and Warranties     64  
9.5
  Indemnity Escrow     65  
9.6
  Tax Matters     67  
9.7
  Producer Debenture Indemnity     69  
9.8
  Tax Treatment of Indemnity Payments     71  
ARTICLE X
  TERMINATION     71  
10.1
  Termination of Agreement     71  
10.2
  Procedure Upon Termination     72  
10.3
  Effect of Termination     72  
ARTICLE XI
  MISCELLANEOUS     73  
11.1
  Expenses     73  
11.2
  Stockholder Representative     73  
11.3
  Action by Owners     75  
11.4
  Specific Performance     75  
11.5
  Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial     75  
11.6
  Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers     76  
11.7
  Governing Law     76  
11.8
  Notices     76  
11.9
  Severability     77  
11.10
  Binding Effect; Assignment     77  
11.11
        78  
11.12
  Counterparts     78  

iv 


 

[Exhibits and Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The exhibits and schedules will be provided to the SEC upon request.]
Exhibits
Exhibit A-1 — Form of Certificate of Incorporation
Exhibit A-2 — List of Directors
Exhibit B — Escrow Agreement
Exhibit C — Signing Stockholders Information
Exhibit D — The Loan and Line of Credit Agreement between Columbus Bank and Trust Company and the Company amendment terms
[Schedules
     
Schedule 1.1(a)
  Payments Excluded From Company Transaction Expenses
Schedule 1.1(b)
  Rollover Shares
Schedule 4.5
  Signing Stockholder Litigation
Schedule 4.6
  Signing Shareholders’ Financial Advisors
Schedule 5.3
  Conflicts, Consent
Schedule 5.4(a)
  Company Stock and Company Preferred Stock Ownership
Schedule 5.4(b)
  Option and Repurchase Obligations, Stock Appreciation Rights
Schedule 5.5
  Subsidiaries and Ownership of Other Entities
Schedule 5.7(e)
  Company and Subsidiary Reserves
Schedule 5.8
  Other Undisclosed Liabilities
Schedule 5.9
  Absence of Certain Developments
Schedule 5.10
  Taxes, Tax Returns and Jurisdictions
Schedule 5.11(a)
  Ownership Interests in Real Property
Schedule 5.12(b)
  Personal Property Leases
Schedule 5.13(a)
  Company Marks
Schedule 5.13(b)
  Intellectual Property Subject to Liens and Obligations, or to Which the Company and the Subsidiaries Do Not Have Valid Rights
Schedule 5.13(c)
  Intellectual Property Litigation and Potential Liability
Schedule 5.13(d)
  Intellectual Property Licenses
Schedule 5.14(a)
  Material Contracts
Schedule 5.14(b)
  Material Contracts Not Continuing in Full Force and Effect
Schedule 5.15(a)
  Employee Benefit, Bonus and Incentive Plans
Schedule 5.15(f)
  Options Subject to Section 409A of the Code
Schedule 5.15(g)
  Additional Tax Payments to Former Directors, Officers, Employees, Contractors and Consultants
Schedule 5.15(k)
  Post-Termination Life Insurance and Health Benefit Obligations of the Company
Schedule 5.15(l)
  Payments to Former Directors, Officers, Employees, Contractors and Consultants Occasioned by the Execution of the Agreement
Schedule 5.16
  Employment Claims and Actions Against the Company
Schedule 5.17
  Company Litigation
Schedule 5.18(b)
  Jurisdictions and Licenses
Schedule 5.18(c)
  Company Permits
Schedule 5.19
  Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.20
  Insurance Policies and Fidelity Bonds
Schedule 5.21
  Insurance Matters
Schedule 5.23
  Related Party Transactions
Schedule 5.24
  Customers and Suppliers
Schedule 5.25
  Banks and Powers of Attorney
Schedule 5.27
  Financial Advisors
Schedule 5.28
  Reinsurance or Retrocessions
Schedule 5.29
  Regulatory Filings
Schedule 5.30
  Dividend or Distribution Restrictions
Schedule 7.2(b)(i)
  Special Dividend
Schedule 7.8(a)
  Exceptions to Non-Competition
Schedule 7.12
  Related-Party Transactions with Non-Management Affiliates
Schedule 7.18(a)
  Employment Matters
Schedule 7.18(b)
  Deferred Compensation Payments
Schedule 8.2(f)
  Consents Obtained]

 


 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
          This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of March 7, 2007 (this Agreement), is among the Persons lists as “Owners” on the signature pages hereto (collectively the Owners), LOS Acquisition Co., a Georgia corporation (ACQUIRER), LIFE OF THE SOUTH CORPORATION, a Georgia corporation (the Company), the stockholders of the Company listed on the signature pages hereof under the heading “Signing Stockholders” (collectively, the “Signing Stockholders”) and N.G. Houston, III as the Stockholder Representative. Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 1.1.
          WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and Acquirer have approved and declared advisable, and have approved this Agreement and the merger of Acquirer with and into the Company (the Merger), on the terms and subject to the conditions provided for in this Agreement;
          WHEREAS, the Signing Stockholders as of the date hereof own beneficially and of record approximately 85% of the outstanding Company Common Stock, on a fully diluted basis (including shares convertible into Company Common Stock), as shown on Exhibit C hereto;
          WHEREAS, the Company, the holders of the Rollover Shares (as defined herein) and the Owners have entered into a Stockholders Agreement; and
          WHEREAS, Kenneth Ned Hamil, W. Dale Bullard, Richard Kahlbaugh and Robert S. Fullington have entered into Executive Employment and Non-Competition Agreements, which agreements shall become effective as of the Closing (as defined below);
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Owners, Acquirer, the Signing Stockholders and the Company hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
          1.1 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified in this Section 1.1:
          Affiliatemeans, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and the term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 


 

          Affiliated Groupmeans any affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code or any comparable or analogous group under applicable Law.
          Agencymeans Life of the South Agency, a Georgia corporation.
          Annuity Contractmeans any annuity contract, funding agreement, guaranteed investment contract or similar contract, including endorsements, riders and amendments thereto, and forms with respect thereto.
          Business Daymeans any day of the year on which national banking institutions in New York are open to the public for conducting business and are not required or authorized to close.
          Class A Common Stockmeans the Class A Common Stock, $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.
          Codemeans the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
          Company Intellectual Propertymeans all Intellectual Property owned, used or held for use as of the date hereof in connection with the business or operation of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.
          Company Transaction Expensesmeans the aggregate amount of all out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of, or paid or to be paid by, the Owners, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries for actions taken at or prior to the Closing in connection with the process of selling the Company or otherwise relating to the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or any documents or agreements contemplated hereby or the performance or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including (A) any fees associated with filings required by the HSR Act and (B) any fees and expenses associated with obtaining necessary or appropriate waivers, consents or approvals of any Governmental Body or third parties on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (C) any fees or expenses associated with obtaining the release and termination of any Liens; (D) all brokers’ or finders’ fees; (E) fees and expenses related to obtaining the financing for the Transaction; (F) fees and expenses of counsel, advisors, consultants, investment bankers, accountants, and auditors and experts, and (G) all sale, “stay-around,” retention, severance or similar bonuses or payments to current or former directors, officers, employees and consultants paid as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (but not including payments of deferred compensation included on Schedule 1.1(a)).
          Contractmeans any contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, loan, instrument, lease, license, commitment or other arrangement, understanding, undertaking, commitment or obligation, whether written or oral.
          Environmental Costs and Liabilitiesmeans, with respect to any Person, all liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, Remedial Actions, losses, damages (including punitive damages and consequential damages) costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts and consultants and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions and interest incurred as a result of any claim or

2


 

demand by any other Person or in response to any violation of Environmental Law, whether known or unknown, accrued or contingent, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute or otherwise, to the extent based upon, related to, or arising under or pursuant to any Environmental Law, Environmental Permit, Order or agreement with any Governmental Body or other Person, which relates to any environmental, health or safety condition, violation of Environmental Law or a Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials.
          Environmental Lawmeans any Law, as now or hereafter in effect, in any way relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or natural resources including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. App. § 1801 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.) the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. § 136 et seq.), and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), as each has been or may be amended and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
          Environmental Permitmeans any Permit required by Environmental Laws for the operation of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
          ERISAmeans the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
          Escrow Agentmeans a bank or financial institution reasonably acceptable to the Owners and the Stockholder Representative who shall become party to the Escrow Agreement as escrow agent thereunder.
          Escrow Agreementmeans the Escrow Agreement between the Owners, the Acquirer, the Stockholder Representative and the Escrow Agent substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.
          Excluded Indebtednessmeans indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in respect of (i) the revolving line of credit with Columbus Bank and Trust Corporation to the extent of the $7.4 million drawn down to finance the acquisition of Triangle Life Insurance Company and American Guaranty Insurance Company and (ii) $1,011,111 of guaranteed investment contracts related to the Synovus Guaranteed Investment Contract.
          GAAPmeans generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as of the date hereof.
          Governmental Bodymeans any government or governmental or regulatory body thereof, or political subdivision thereof, whether federal, state, local or foreign, or any agency, instrumentality or authority thereof, or any court or arbitrator (public or private).
          Hazardous Materialmeans any substance, material or waste that is regulated, classified, or otherwise characterized under or pursuant to any Environmental Law as

3


 

hazardous,” “toxic,” “pollutant,” “contaminant,” “radioactive,” or words of similar meaning or effect, including petroleum and its by-products, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, mold and urea formaldehyde insulation.
          HSR Actmeans the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
          Indebtednessof any Person means, without duplication, (i) the principal, accreted value, accrued and unpaid interest, prepayment and redemption premiums or penalties (if any), unpaid fees or expenses and other monetary obligations in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable and other accrued current liabilities arising in the Ordinary Course of Business (other than the current liability portion of any indebtedness for borrowed money)); (iii) all obligations of such Person under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP; (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction; (v) all obligations of such Person under interest rate or currency swap transactions (valued at the termination value thereof); (vi) the liquidation value, accrued and unpaid dividends; prepayment or redemption premiums and penalties (if any), unpaid fees or expenses and other monetary obligations in respect of any redeemable preferred stock of such Person; (vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of any Persons for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor, surety or otherwise, including guarantees of such obligations; and (viii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) of other Persons secured by (or for which the holder of such obligations has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person). With regards to the Company, Indebtedness shall also include the liquidation preference amount for each of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock.
          Insurance Companyshall mean Life of the South Insurance Company, Insurance Company of the South, Lyndon Southern Insurance Company, LOTS Reassurance Company, CRC Reassurance Company, Bankers Life of Louisiana, Southern Financial Life Insurance Company, Triangle Life Insurance Company and American Guaranty Insurance Company.
          Intellectual Propertymeans any rights available (including with respect to Technology) under patent, copyright, trade secret or trademark law or any other similar statutory provision or common law doctrine in the United States or anywhere else, and also domain names.
          IRSmeans the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
          Knowledgemeans, with respect to any Person that is not an individual, the

4


 

knowledge after due inquiry of such Person’s executive officers or, in the case of an individual, knowledge after due inquiry. References herein to the Knowledge of the Company shall mean the Knowledge of the following persons: N.G. Houston III, Kenneth Ned Hamil, Richard S. Kahlbaugh, David Hardegree, W. Dale Bullard.
          Lawmeans any foreign, federal, state or local law (including common law), statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, Order or other requirement.
          Legal Proceedingmeans any judicial, administrative or arbitral actions, suits, mediation, investigation, inquiry, proceedings or claims (including counterclaims) by or before a Governmental Body.
          Liabilitymeans any debt, loss, damage, adverse claim, fines, penalties, liability or obligation (whether direct or indirect, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, matured or unmatured, determined or determinable, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due, and whether in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise), and including all costs and expenses relating thereto including all fees, disbursements and expenses of legal counsel, experts, engineers and consultants and costs of investigation).
          Lienmeans any lien, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, claim, lease, charge, option, right of first refusal, easement, servitude, proxy, voting trust or agreement, transfer restriction under any Stockholder or similar agreement, encumbrance or any other restriction or limitation whatsoever.
          Life Insurance Contractmeans any life insurance contract, and any endorsements, riders, amendments and forms with respect thereto.
          Material Adverse Effectmeans a material adverse effect on the historical, near-term or long-term business, assets, properties, results of operations, or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, provided, however, that in no event shall any of the following, alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, nor shall any of the following be taken into account in determining whether there has been, or will be, a Material Adverse Effect on or with respect to the Company: (i) actions or omissions of the Company or any of its subsidiaries taken with the prior written consent or knowledge of the Owners or Acquirer, (ii) any effect to the extent (A) resulting from changes affecting the United States economy in general or (B) generally affecting the industries in which the Company operates, except, in the case of this clause (ii)(B), if the impact on the Company’s business is materially disproportionate to the impact on the business of other entities operating in such industries, (iii) any effect to the extent resulting from changes affecting general worldwide economic or capital market conditions or (iv) any effect to the extent resulting from the announcement or pendency of the Merger or the transactions contemplated thereby.
          Ordermeans any order, injunction, judgment, doctrine, decree, ruling, writ, assessment or arbitration award of a Governmental Body.
          Ordinary Course of Businessmeans the ordinary and usual course of day-to-day operations of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries through the date hereof consistent with past practice.

5


 

          Per Share Escrow Amountmeans a portion of the Per Share Price equal to $9 million divided by the number of Selling Stockholder Shares.
          Permitsmeans any approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses, permits or certificates of a Governmental Body.
          Permitted Exceptionsmeans (i) all defects, exceptions, restrictions, easements, rights of way and encumbrances and other similar matters of record affecting title to Company Property which do not materially impair the occupancy or use of the Company Property for the purposes for which it is currently used or proposed to be used in connection with the Company’s business; (ii) statutory liens for current Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet delinquent or the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided an appropriate reserve has been established therefor in the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP; (iii) mechanics’, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and similar statutory Liens arising or incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business that are not material to the business, operations and financial condition of the Company Property so encumbered; and (iv) zoning, entitlement, building and other land use and environmental regulations by any Governmental Body having jurisdiction over Company Property which are not violated by the current use and operation of the Company Property; and Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with, or to secure payment of, utilities or similar services, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or social security obligations and similar statutory requirements.
          Personmeans any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Body or other entity.
          Plantationmeans the plantation facility located in Berrien County, Georgia, consisting of 1,277.15 acres, more or less, and a lodge, together with other improvements located thereon sold by Life of the South Plantations, Inc. to Houston Plantation LLC pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated November 28, 2006.
          Producer Debenturesmeans the debentures existing as of Closing between the Company and its producers, together with any renewals, extensions or replacements thereof contemplated by Section 9.7(b)(ii).
          “Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, poring, injection, deposit, dumping, emptying, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the indoor or outdoor environment, or into or out of any property.
          Remedial Actionmeans all actions including any capital expenditures undertaken to (i) clean up, remove, treat or in any other way address any Hazardous Material; (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release, or minimize the further Release of any Hazardous Material so it does not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment; (iii) perform pre-remedial studies and investigations or post-remedial monitoring and care; or (iv) to correct a condition of noncompliance with Environmental Laws.

6


 

          Rollover Sharesmeans that number of shares of Company Common Stock listed on Schedule 1.1(b) owned by the Persons listed on Schedule 1.1(b), which stock shall remain outstanding following the Effective Time and not be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration as provided in Article III.
          SAPshall mean statutory accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the applicable insurance regulatory authority.
          Securities Actmeans the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
          “Selling Stockholders” means the shareholders of the Company owning Company Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time.
          “Selling Stockholder Expenses” means the aggregate amount of all out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of, or paid or to be paid by, the Signing Stockholders, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries for actions taken at or prior to the Closing in connection with the process of selling the Company or otherwise relating to the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or any documents or agreements contemplated hereby or the performance or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including (A) the fees and expenses of Cochran Caronia and Waller LLC, the Company’s financial advisor, and the fees and expenses of Bennett, Davidson & Associates, special advisor to the Company; (B) the fees and expenses of Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, the Company’s legal advisor; (C) any prepayment fees payable as a result of the Closing in connection with the Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Debenture due 2035 issued under that certain Indenture dated as of February 15, 2005, between Life of the South Corporation and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee; (D) any prepayment fees or premiums payable as a result of the Closing in connection with redemption of any Company Preferred Stock, (E) bonus payments to Company executive officers pursuant to change of control agreements and deferred compensation obligations not scheduled on Schedule 1.1(a) and (F) $200,000 of Company Transaction Expenses not included within clauses (A) — (E) above.
          Series A Preferred Stockmeans the Company’s 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
          Series B Preferred Stockmeans the Company’s Floating Rate Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
          Series C Preferred Stockmeans the Company’s 8.25% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
          Softwaremeans any and all computer programs, whether in source code or object code; databases and compilations, whether machine readable or otherwise; descriptions, flow-charts and other work product used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing; and all documentation including user manuals and other training documentation related to any of the foregoing.
          Subsidiarymeans any Person of which (i) a majority of the outstanding share capital, voting securities or other equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by the

7


 

Company or (ii) the Company is entitled, directly or indirectly, to appoint a majority of the board of directors, board of managers or comparable body of such Person.
          Surviving Corporation’s Common Stockmeans the Common Stock, par value $0.33 1/3 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.
          Taxesmeans (i) all federal, state, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments, including all income, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, property and estimated taxes, customs duties, fees, assessments and charges imposed by a Governmental Body of any kind whatsoever, (ii) all interest, penalties, fines, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any Taxing Authority in connection with any item described in clause (i) and (iii) any transferee liability in respect of any items described in clauses (i) or (ii) payable by reason of Contract, assumption, transferee liability, operation of Law, Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6(a) (or any predecessor or successor thereof of any analogous or similar provision under Law) or otherwise.
          Taxing Authoritymeans the IRS an any other Governmental Body responsible for the administration of any Tax.
          Tax Returnmeans any return, report or statement required to be filed with respect to any Tax (including any elections, declarations, schedules or attachments thereto, and any amendment thereof) including any information return, claim for refund, amended return or declaration of estimated Tax, and including, where permitted or required, combined, consolidated or unitary returns for any group of entities that includes the Company, any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their Affiliates.
          Technologymeans, collectively, designs, formulae, algorithms, procedures, methods, techniques, ideas, know-how, results of research and development, Software, tools, data, inventions, apparatus, creations, improvements, works of authorship and other similar materials, and all recordings, graphs, drawings, reports, analyses, and other writings, and any other embodiments of the above, in any form whether or not specifically listed herein, and all related technology, that are used, incorporated or embodied in or displayed by any of the foregoing or used in the design, development, reproduction, sale, marketing, maintenance or modification of any of the foregoing.
          Transaction Documentsmeans this Agreement and such other agreements contemplated hereby, as modified or amended from time to time.
          Transaction Indebtednessmeans all Indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis, as of the Closing, other than Excluded Indebtedness.
          WARNmeans the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended.
          1.2 Terms Defined Elsewhere in this Agreement. For purposes of this

8


 

Agreement, the following terms have meanings set forth in the sections indicated:
     
Term   Section
 
   
Acquirer
  Recitals
Acquisition Transaction
  7.7
Agreement
  Recitals
Antitrust Division
  7.4(a)
Antitrust Laws
  7.4(b)
Balance Sheet
  5.7(a)
Balance Sheet Date
  5.7(a)
Basket
  9.4(a)
Cap
  9.4(b)
Certificate
  3.1(c)
Certificate of Merger
  2.3
Closing
  2.2
Closing Date
  2.2
Company
  Recitals
Company Common Stock
  3.1
Company Documents
  5.2(a)
Company Licenses
  5.13(d)
Company Marks
  7.10
Company Permits
  5.18(c)
Company Plans
  5.15(a)
Company Preferred Stock
  5.4
Company Property
  5.11(a)
Company Properties
  5.11(a)
Company Stockholder Approval
  5.2(b)
Confidential Information
  7.1
Confidentiality Agreement
  7.1
Corporate Statutes
  2.1
Debenture Cap
  9.7(a)
Dissenting Shares
  3.1(d)
Dissenting Stockholders
  3.1(d)
DGCL
  2.1
Escrow Amount
  3.2(b)(ii)
Effective Time
  2.3
ELA Accounts
  5.10(o)
ERISA Affiliate
  5.15(a)
Financial Statements
  5.7(a)
Financing Condition
  6.5
Financing
  6.5
Financing Commitments
  6.5
FTC
  7.4(a)
GCC
  2.1
HSR
  5.3(b)
Indemnity Escrow Account
  9.5

9


 

     
Term   Section
 
   
Indemnity Escrow Amount
  3.2(b)(i)
Insurance Regulatory Approvals
  5.3(b)
Losses
  9.2(a)
Material Contracts
  5.14(a)
Merger
  Recitals
Merger Consideration
  3.1(c)
Options
  3.4(iii)
Owned Property
  5.11(a)
Owned Properties
  5.11(a)
Owner Indemnified Parties
  9.2(a)
Owners
  Recitals
Paying Agent
  3.4
Per Share Price
  3.1(c)
Personal Property Leases
  5.12(b)
Purchase Price
  2.2
Real Property Lease
  5.11(a)
Reinsurance Agreements
  5.28
Related Persons
  5.23
Representatives
  7.7
Restricted Business
  7.8(a)
Selling Stockholder Shares
  3.1(c)
Signing Stockholders
  Recitals
Signing Stockholder Documents
  4.2
Signing Stockholder Indemnified Parties
  9.2(b)
Statutory Statements
  5.7(c)
Stockholder Representative
  11.2(a)
Straddle Period
  9.6(c)
Survival Period
  9.1
Surviving Corporation
  2.1
Tax Claim
  9.6(d)(i)
Termination Date
  10.1(a)
Third Party Claim
  9.3(b)
Total Cash Merger Consideration
  3.1(c)
Unresolved Claims
  9.5
          1.3 Other Definitional and Interpretive Matters.
          (a) Unless otherwise expressly provided, for purposes of this Agreement, the following rules of interpretation shall apply:
          Calculation of Time Period. When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding

10


 

Business Day.
          Dollars. Any reference in this Agreement to $ shall mean U.S. dollars.
          Exhibits/Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement are hereby incorporated and made a part hereof and are an integral part of this Agreement. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule or Exhibit but not otherwise defined therein shall be defined as set forth in this Agreement.
          Gender and Number. Any reference in this Agreement to gender shall include all genders, and words imparting the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa.
          Headings. The provision of a Table of Contents, the division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections and other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect or be utilized in construing or interpreting this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to any “Section” are to the corresponding Section of this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
          Herein. The words such as “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not merely to a subdivision in which such words appear unless the context otherwise requires.
          Including. The word “including” or any variation thereof means “including, without limitation” and shall not be construed to limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it.
          (b) The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
          2.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the GCCor the Corporate Statutes), at the Effective Time, Acquirer shall be merged with and into the Company, and the separate corporate existence of Acquirer shall thereupon cease, and the Company shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (the Surviving Corporation).
          2.2 Closing. The closing of the Merger (the Closing) shall take place at 10:00 a.m. (Jacksonville, Florida time) on a date to be specified by the parties (the Closing Date), which date shall be no later than the second business day after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions at such time),

11


 

at the offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, unless another time, date or place is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.
          2.3 Effective Time. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, as soon as practicable on the Closing Date the parties shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia a certificate of merger, executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Corporate Statutes (the Certificate of Merger). The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger or at such later time as is agreed to by the parties hereto and specified in the Certificate of Merger (the time at which the Merger becomes effective is herein referred to as the Effective Time).
          2.4 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in the Corporate Statutes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the properties, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Acquirer shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Acquirer shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
          2.5 Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation.
          (a) The articles of incorporation of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended in the Merger to be in the form of Exhibit A hereto and, as so amended, such articles of incorporation shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.
          (b) The by-laws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.
          2.6 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation.
          (a) Each of the parties hereto shall take all necessary action to cause the directors listed on Exhibit A-2 hereto to be the directors of the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Effective Time, until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the articles of incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation.
          (b) The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors are duly appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the articles of incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE III
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
          3.1 Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger

12


 

and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of common stock, par value $0.33 1/3 per share, of the Company (Company Common Stock) or any shares of capital stock of Acquirer:
          (a) Capital Stock of Acquirer. All of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Acquirer shall be converted into and become an aggregate of 2,522,599 validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Class A Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation owned by the Owners ratably in accordance with the number of shares of common stock of Acquirer owned by them immediately prior to the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time, all certificates representing the common stock of Acquirer shall be deemed for all purposes to represent the number of shares of the Class A Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation into which they were converted in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence
          (b) Cancellation of Treasury Stock. Any shares of Company Common Stock that are owned by the Company as treasury stock shall be automatically canceled and shall cease to exist and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.
          (c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Each issued and outstanding share of Company Common Stock (other than Rollover Shares and shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 3.1(b) and Dissenting Shares) shall be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Price in cash to be paid to the holder of such Company Common Stock at the Closing, without interest (such aggregate amount referred to as the Merger Consideration). The shares of Company Common Stock to be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Price are referred to as the “Selling Stockholder Shares”). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of Company Common Stock (other than Rollover Shares) shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented any such shares of Company Common Stock (each, a Certificate) shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration to be paid in consideration therefore upon surrender of such Certificate in accordance with Section 3.2(b), without interest. The term Per Share Pricemeans (i) an amount equal to $100 million minus an amount equal to $100 million multiplied by the percentage of outstanding shares of Company Common Stock on a fully diluted basis represented by the Rollover Shares and the Options outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the Options referred to at Section 3.4(a)(i)) minus Selling Stockholder Expenses determined on and after giving effect to the Closing divided by (ii) the aggregate number of issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time minus the aggregate number of Rollover Shares plus the aggregate number of shares underlying the Options referred to at Section 3.4(a)(i). A portion of the Per Share Price, equal to the Per Share Escrow Amount, shall be deposited with Escrow Agent as set forth in this Article III.
          (d) Appraisal Rights. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and which are held by a stockholder who did not vote in favor of the Merger (or consent thereto in writing) and who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal of such shares pursuant to, and who complies in all respects with, the provisions of

13


 

Sections 14-2-1325 and 14-2-1327 of the GCC (the Dissenting Stockholders), shall not be converted into or be exchangeable for the right to receive the Merger Consideration (the Dissenting Shares), but instead such holder shall be entitled to payment of the fair value of such shares in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 of the GCC (and at the Effective Time, such Dissenting Shares shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and such holder shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the fair value of such Dissenting Shares in accordance with the provisions of Sections 14-2-1302 of the GCC), unless and until such holder shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost rights to appraisal under the GCC. If any Dissenting Stockholder shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost such right, such holder’s shares of Company Common Stock shall thereupon be treated as if they had been converted into and become exchangeable for the right to receive, as of the Effective Time, the Merger Consideration for each such share of Company Common Stock, in accordance with Section 3.1(c), without any interest thereon. The Company shall give the Owners (i) prompt notice of any written demands for appraisal of any shares of Company Common Stock, attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served pursuant to the GCC and received by the Company relating to stockholders’ rights of appraisal, and (ii) the opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for appraisal under the GCC. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of the Owners, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or settle, or offer or agree to settle, any such demand for payment not required by the GCC. Any portion of the Merger Consideration made available to the Company pursuant to Section 3.2 to pay for shares of Company Common Stock for which appraisal rights have been perfected shall be returned to the Owners upon demand.
          (e) Preferred Stock and Rollover Shares.
     (i) Each issued and outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at the Effective Time shall remain outstanding after the Effective Time (subject to rights of redemption following the Closing).
     (ii) Each issued and outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding at the Effective Time shall remain outstanding after the Effective Time (subject to rights of redemption following the Closing).
     (iii) Each issued and outstanding share of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding at the Effective Time shall remain outstanding after the Effective Time (subject to rights of redemption following the Closing).
     (iv) Each Rollover Share outstanding at the Effective Time shall remain outstanding as a share of the Surviving Corporation’s Common Stock after the Effective Time.
          3.2 Exchange of Certificates.
          (a) Paying Agent. Prior to the Effective Time, the Owners shall designate a bank or trust company to act as agent for the holders of the Company Common Stock in connection

14


 

with the Merger (the “Paying Agent) to receive, for the benefit of the holders of the Company Common Stock, the aggregate Merger Consideration to which the holders of the Company Common Stock shall become entitled pursuant to Section 3.1(c). Such aggregate Merger Consideration deposited with the Paying Agent shall, pending its disbursement to such holders, be invested by the Paying Agent as directed by the Company. Any net profits resulting from, or interest or income produced by, such amounts on deposit with the Paying Agent will be payable to Owners or as Owners otherwise direct.
          (b) Closing Payments. At the Closing, Acquirer will deliver, in the aggregate, cash by wire transfer of immediately available federal funds as follows:
     (i) to the Escrow Agent, an aggregate amount of Per Share Escrow Amount equal to Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) (together with any earnings thereon, the Escrow Amount) for deposit pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof;
     (ii) to the bank account designated in writing by the Paying Agent (such bank account to be designated not fewer than two Business Days prior to the scheduled Closing Date) an amount to the Paying Agent equal to (i) the aggregate Merger Consideration minus (ii) the Escrow Amount.
          (c) Payment Procedures. Not more than 5 days after the Effective Time, the Company shall mail to each holder of record of a Certificate (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Paying Agent, and which shall be in such form and shall have such other provisions as the Owners may reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for payment of the Per Share Price. Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Paying Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions (and such other customary documents as may reasonably be required by the Surviving Corporation), the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Per Share Price, without interest (less the Per Share Escrow Amount, which shall be deposited with the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 3.2(b)(i)), for the Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificate, and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. If payment of the Per Share Price is to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate is registered, it shall be a condition of payment that (x) the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or shall otherwise be in proper form for transfer and (y) the Person requesting such payment shall have paid any transfer and other taxes required by reason of the payment of the Per Share Price to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate surrendered or shall have established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such tax either has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 3.2, each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive the Per Share Price as contemplated by this Article III, without interest.
          (d) Transfer Books; No Further Ownership Rights in Company Stock. The Merger Consideration paid in respect of shares of Company Common Stock upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article III shall be deemed to

15


 

have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock previously represented by such Certificates, and at the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Certificates that evidenced ownership of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock, except as otherwise provided for herein or by applicable law. Subject to the last sentence of Section 3.2(e), if, at any time after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article III.
          (e) Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation, the posting by such Person of a bond, in such reasonable amount as the Owners may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against them with respect to such Certificate, the Surviving Corporation will pay, in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the applicable Merger Consideration to be paid in respect of the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificate, as contemplated by this Article III.
          (f) Termination of Fund. At any time following 180 days after the Closing Date, the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deliver to the Surviving Corporation any funds (including any interest received with respect thereto) that had been made available to the Paying Agent and which have not been disbursed to holders of Certificates, and thereafter such holders shall be entitled to look only to the Surviving Corporation (subject to abandoned property, escheat or other similar laws) as general creditors thereof with respect to the payment of any Merger Consideration that may be payable upon surrender of any Certificates held by such holders, as determined pursuant to this Agreement, without any interest thereon. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by such holders at such time at which such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property of any Governmental Authority shall become, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the property of the Owners, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.
          (g) No Liability. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, none of the parties hereto, nor the Surviving Corporation, shall be liable to any Person for Merger Consideration delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.
          (h) Withholding Taxes. The Owners, Acquirer and the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to a holder of shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as may be required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or under any provision of state, local or foreign tax Law. To the extent amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority, the withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

16


 

          3.3 Adjustments. Notwithstanding any provision of this Article III to the contrary, if between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class by reason of the occurrence or record date of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction, the Merger Consideration shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction.
          3.4 Company Stock Options.
          (a) Before the Closing, the Board of Directors of the Company (or, if appropriate, any committee of the Board of Directors of the Company administering the Company Stock Plans) shall adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to effect the following:
     (i) Cash out all of the outstanding Options held at that time by N.G. Houston III, Robert H. Hudson, Gary M. Simmons and Marcella Hughes and 5,000 outstanding Options held at that time by William Chastain Wardlaw under the Life of the South Corporation Key Employees Stock Option Plan (1995); and
     (ii) confirm the full vesting of all outstanding Options (as of immediately prior to the Effective Time) upon the consummation of the Merger; and
     (iii) cause all outstanding options to purchase shares of Company Common Stock granted under the Life of the South Corporation Key Employees Stock Option Plan (1995) and the Life of the South Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (collectively, the “Company Stock Plans”) (“Options”), other than the Options referred to at clause (i) above, to remain outstanding and represent an option to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the applicable Option, the number of shares of the Surviving Corporation’s Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Company Common Stock covered by such Option immediately prior to the Effective Time; and
     (iv) make such other changes to the Company Stock Plans as the Owners and the Company may agree are appropriate to give effect to the Merger.
          (b) The adjustments provided herein with respect to any Options (i) that are “incentive stock options” as defined in Section 422 of the Code shall be and are intended to be effected in a manner which is consistent with Section 424(a) of the Code, and (ii) will be and are intended to be effected in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code.
          (c) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without the need of any further corporate action, the Surviving Corporation shall assume the Company Stock Plans, with the result that all obligations of the Company under the Company Stock Plans, including with respect to Options outstanding at the Effective Time (adjusted pursuant to Section 3.4(a)), shall be obligations of the Surviving Corporation following the Effective Time.
          (d) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Surviving Corporation shall

17


 

deliver to the holders of Options appropriate notices setting forth such holders’ rights pursuant to the Company Stock Plans and the agreements, if any, evidencing the grants of such Options after giving effect to the Merger and the adjustments required by this Section 3.4.
          (e) Except as otherwise contemplated by this Section 3.4 and except to the extent required under the respective terms of the Options, all restrictions or limitations on transfer and vesting with respect to Options awarded under the Company Stock Plans or any other plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent that such restrictions or limitations shall not have already lapsed, shall remain in full force and effect with respect to such Options after giving effect to the Merger and the assumption by the Surviving Corporation as set forth above.
          (f) Other than with respect to those Options referred to in Section 3.4(a)(i) above, any Company Common Stock that is issued as a result of the exercise of any Option from the date hereof to the Effective Time shall be considered Rollover Shares and Schedule 1.1(b) will be amended without further action of the parties hereto to reflect the inclusion of such additional Rollover Shares.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE SIGNING STOCKHOLDERS
          Each Signing Stockholder, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to the Owners that:
          4.1 Organization and Good Standing If such Signing Stockholder is a corporation, such Signing Stockholder is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted. If such Signing Stockholder is a corporation, such Signing Stockholder is duly qualified or authorized to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases real property and each other jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties requires such qualification or authorization.
          4.2 Authorization of Agreement. Such Signing Stockholder has all requisite power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and each other agreement, document, or instrument or certificate contemplated by this Agreement or to be executed by such Signing Stockholder in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Signing Stockholder Documents”), and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Signing Stockholder Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, has been duly authorized and approved by all required action on the part of such Signing Stockholder. This Agreement has been, and each of the Signing Stockholder Documents will be at or prior to the Closing, duly and validly executed and delivered by such Signing Stockholder and (assuming due authorization, execution and

18


 

delivery by the Owners) this Agreement constitutes, and each of the Signing Stockholder Documents when so executed and delivered will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of such Signing Stockholder, enforceable against such Signing Stockholder in accordance with its terms.
          4.3 Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties.
          (a) None of the execution and delivery by such Signing Stockholder of this Agreement or the Signing Stockholder Documents, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or compliance by such Signing Stockholder with any of the provisions hereof or thereof will conflict with, or result in any violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination or cancellation under any provision of (i) the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or comparable organizational documents of such Signing Stockholder, if applicable; (ii) any Contract, or Permit to which any Signing Stockholder is a party or by which any of the properties or assets of such Signing Stockholder are bound; (iii) any Order of any Governmental Body applicable to such Signing Stockholder or by which any of the properties or assets of such Signing Stockholder are bound; or (iv) any applicable Law.
          (b) No consent, waiver, approval, Order, Permit or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notification to, any Person or Governmental Body is required on the part of such Signing Stockholder in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Signing Stockholder Documents, the compliance by such Signing Stockholder with any of the provisions hereof, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
          4.4 Ownership and Transfer of Shares. Such Signing Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of the Company Common Stock indicated as being owned by such Signing Stockholder on Exhibit C, free and clear of any and all Liens except for Liens shown on Exhibit C which will be released at or prior to Closing.
          4.5 Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.5, there is no Legal Proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of such Signing Stockholder, threatened against such Signing Stockholder or to which such Signing Stockholder is otherwise a party relating to this Agreement, the Signing Stockholder Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
          4.6 Financial Advisors. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6, no Person has acted, directly or indirectly, as a broker, finder or financial advisor for such Signing Stockholder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and no Person is or will be entitled to any fee or commission or like payment in respect thereof.
          4.7 Taxes. No Signing Stockholder is a foreign person within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE COMPANY

19


 

          The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Owners that:
          5.1 Organization and Good Standing. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Georgia and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified or authorized to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases real property and each other jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties requires such qualification or authorization, except where the failure to be so qualified, authorized or in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
          5.2 Authorization of Agreement.
          (a) The Company has all requisite power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and each other agreement, document, or instrument or certificate contemplated by this Agreement or to be executed by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Company Documents”), to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Company Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized and approved by its Board of Directors, and except for obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval for the adoption of this Agreement and approval of the Merger, no other corporate action on the part of the Company is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and each of the Company Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been, and each of the Company Documents will be at or prior to the Closing, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Owners and the Acquirer) this Agreement constitutes, and each of the Company Documents when so executed and delivered will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms.
          (b) The affirmative vote (in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock at a meeting of the Company’s Stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof in favor of the adoption of this Agreement (the Company Stockholder Approval) is the only vote or approval of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which is necessary to adopt this Agreement.
          5.3 Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties.
          (a) None of the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the Company Documents, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof or thereof will conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, conflict with or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any

20


 

obligation or to loss of a material benefit under, or give rise to any obligation of the Company to make any payment under, or to the increased, additional, accelerated or guaranteed rights or entitlements of any Person under, or result in the creation of any Liens upon any of the properties or assets of Company or any Subsidiary under, any provision of (i) the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or comparable organizational documents of the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) any material Contract or Permit to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary are bound; (iii) any Order applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary; or (iv) any applicable Law, in each case other than as set forth on Schedule 5.3.
          (b) No consent, waiver, approval, Order, Permit or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notification to, any Person or Governmental Body is required on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company Documents, respectively, the compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof and thereof, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (ii) the continuing validity and effectiveness immediately following the Closing of any Permit or Contract of the Company or any Subsidiary, except for (A) compliance with the applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “HSR Act”), (B) for Permits and filings required by the applicable insurance regulatory authorities as set forth on Schedule 5.3 hereto (“Insurance Regulatory Approvals”), (C) filings of the preacquisition statements required by applicable state insurance holding company system laws indicated on Schedule 6.3 hereto and (D) acquisition of control filing in all jurisdictions indicated on Schedule 6.3 hereto.
          5.4 Capitalization.
          (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 6,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 20,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Company Preferred Stock”). As of the date hereof, (i) there are 3,840,488 shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding and 36,464 shares of Company Common Stock are held by the Company as treasury stock, (ii) there are 7,890 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, (iii) there are 2,450 shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding and (iv) there are 1,400 shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights created by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company or any agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound. All of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock are owned of record by the holders and in the respective amounts as are set forth on Schedule 5.4(a).
          (b) Schedule 5.4(b) sets forth the holders of Options and the respective number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to each outstanding Option, and the applicable exercise price, expiration date and vesting date. Except for Options described in Schedule 5.4(b), there is no existing option, warrant, call, right or Contract to which any Signing Stockholder or the Company is a party requiring, and there are no securities of the Company outstanding which upon conversion or exchange would require, the issuance, sale or transfer of

21


 

any additional shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company or other securities convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for or purchase shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.4(b), there are no obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Company or any Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Company Common Stock or the capital stock or other equity interests of any Subsidiary. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.4(b), there are no outstanding stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights with respect to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiaries having the right to vote or consent (or, convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote or consent) on any matters on which stockholders (or other equityholders) of the Company of the Subsidiaries may vote. There are no voting trusts, irrevocable proxies or other Contracts or understandings to which the Company or any Subsidiary or any Signing Stockholder is a party or is bound with respect to the ownership, transfer, voting or consent of any shares of Common Stock or the equity interests of any Subsidiary.
          5.5 Subsidiaries. Schedule 5.5 sets forth the name of each Subsidiary, and, with respect to each Subsidiary, the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, the jurisdictions, if any, in which it is qualified to do business, the number of shares of its authorized capital stock, the number and class of shares thereof duly issued and outstanding, the names of all stockholders or other equity owners and the number of shares of stock owned by each stockholder or the amount of equity owned by each equity owner. Each Subsidiary is a duly organized and validly existing corporation, partnership or other entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and is duly qualified or authorized to do business as a foreign corporation or entity and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties requires such qualification or authorization, except where the failure to be so qualified, authorized or in good standing has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary has all requisite corporate or entity power and authority to own its properties and carry on its business as presently conducted. The outstanding shares of capital stock or equity interests of each Subsidiary are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and were not issued in violation of any purchase or call option, right of first refusal, subscription right, preemptive right or any similar right. All such shares or other equity interests represented as being owned by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries are owned by them free and clear of any and all Liens, except as set forth in Schedule 5.5. No shares of capital stock are held by any Subsidiary as treasury stock. There is no existing option, warrant, call, right or Contract to which any Subsidiary is a party requiring, and there are no convertible securities of any Subsidiary outstanding which upon conversion would require, the issuance of any shares of capital stock or other equity interests of any Subsidiary or other securities convertible into shares of capital stock or other equity interests of any Subsidiary. Except for equity securities acquired and held as part of its investment portfolio in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or equity securities of any Person other than the Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.5, the Company does not own any capital stock or equity securities of any Person (other than capital stock of the Subsidiaries) that is an Affiliate of any officer or director of the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.5, there are no material restrictions on the ability of the Subsidiaries to make distributions of cash to their respective equity holders.

22


 

          5.6 Corporate Records.
          (a) The Company has delivered to the Owners true, correct and complete copies of the certificates of incorporation (each certified by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of the applicable jurisdiction of organization) and by-laws (each certified by the secretary, assistant secretary or other appropriate officer) or comparable organizational documents of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries in each case as amended and in effect on the due date hereof, including all amendments thereto.
          (b) The minute books of the Company and each Subsidiary previously made available to the Owners contain true, correct and complete records of all meetings and accurately reflect all other corporate action of the stockholders and board of directors (including committees thereof) of the Company and the Subsidiaries. The stock certificate books and stock transfer ledgers of the Company and the Subsidiaries previously made available to the Owners are true, correct and complete. All stock transfer taxes levied, if any, or payable with respect to all transfers of shares of the Company and the Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof have been paid and appropriate transfer tax stamps affixed.
          5.7 Financial Statements and Statutory Statements.
          (a) The Company has delivered to the Owners copies of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and the Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and the related audited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows of the Company and the Subsidiaries for the years then ended and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and the Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2006 and January 31, 2007 and the related consolidated statements of income of the Company and the Subsidiaries for the 12 month period then ended and the 1 month period, respectively (such audited and unaudited statements, including the related notes and schedules thereto, are referred to herein as the “Financial Statements”). Each of the Financial Statements is complete and correct in all material respects as of the respective dates thereof, has been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied by the Company without modification of the accounting principles used in the preparation thereof throughout the periods presented (except as described in the Financial Statements) and presents fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and the Subsidiaries as at the dates and for the periods indicated therein, subject in the case of the Financial Statement referred to in clause (ii) above to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
          The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2005 is referred to herein as the “Balance Sheet” and December 31, 2005 is referred to herein as the “Balance Sheet Date.”
          (b) All books, records and accounts of the Company and the Subsidiaries are accurate and complete in all material respects and are maintained in all material respects in accordance with good business practice and all applicable Laws.
          (c) The Company has delivered to the Owners copies of the following statutory statements, in each case together with the exhibits, schedules and notes thereto and any

23


 

affirmations and certifications filed therewith (collectively, the “Statutory Statements”): the annual statements of each of the Insurance Companies as at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006, each as filed with the insurance regulatory authority of its jurisdiction of domicile, including the statutory basis financial statements of each Insurance Company, as audited as at December 31, 2005. No financial statements of the Insurance Companies were filed with respect to the periods covered in the preceding sentence in any jurisdiction that materially differ from the Statutory Statements. The Statutory Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the statutory financial condition and statutory results of operations and cash flows of each Insurance Company, as of the dates and for the periods therein specified, and were prepared in conformity with SAP as in effect as of the date thereof, in each case applied on a consistent basis during the periods presented.
          (d) No notice to the Company of deficiencies has been asserted by any Governmental Body with respect to the Statutory Statements, and the Statutory Statements comply in all respects with all Applicable Laws.
          (e) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.7(e), the reserves of the Company and each Subsidiary reflected in the Financial Statements and Statutory Statements, as of the dates thereof (i) were determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial standards, consistently applied and (ii) met the applicable requirements of the insurance laws of any applicable Governmental Body. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.7(e), the Company has made available to the Owners true and complete copies of all actuarial reports, actuarial certificates and loss and loss adjustment expense reserve reports prepared by any third party actuarial consultant on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, in each case relating to the adequacy of the reserves of an Insurance Company for any period ended on or before December 31, 2005. The information furnished to any third party actuarial consultant by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the preparation of such reports was true and complete in all material respects. The reported capital and surplus of the Company and the Subsidiaries reflected in the Financial Statements and Statutory Statements were reflected in accordance with SAP in effect as of the dates thereof.
          (f) The “incurred but not reported” losses of the Company and each Subsidiary reflected in the balance sheets contained in the Financial Statements and Statutory Statements, as of the dates thereof, were determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial standards, consistently applied. The process by which the Company and each Subsidiary processes and records incurred but not reported losses is in all respects in accordance with good industry practice.
          5.8 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.8, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any Indebtedness or Liabilities other than those (i) specifically reflected on and fully reserved against in the Balance Sheet or the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2006, or (ii) incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business since the Balance Sheet Date, or (iii) other Liabilities and obligations expressly disclosed in the Schedules referred to in this Article 5, such disclosure being clear enough to put Owners and Acquiror on notice of such Liability or obligation. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.8, the Company and the Subsidiaries have no Liabilities relating to the Company’s ownership or sale of the Agency.

24


 

          5.9 Absence of Certain Developments. Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2006 or on Schedule 5.9, since the Balance Sheet Date (i) the Company and the Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only in the Ordinary Course of Business and (ii) there has not been any event, change, occurrence or circumstance that, individually or in the aggregate with any such events, changes, occurrences or circumstances, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing (but subject to the overall qualifications in clauses (i) and (ii) above), since the Balance Sheet Date:
     (i) there has not been any material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, with respect to the property and assets of the Company or any Subsidiary;
     (ii) there has not been any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution in respect of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any repurchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of any outstanding shares of capital stock or other securities of, or other ownership interest in, the Company or any Subsidiary;
     (iii) with respect to its directors, officers, employees and consultants, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has (A) awarded or agreed to pay any bonuses with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (B) amended or entered into any employment, consulting, deferred compensation, bonus or other incentive compensation, change in control, retention, severance, termination or similar agreement, (C) increased the compensation or remuneration payable or to become payable, (D) increased the coverage or benefits under any deferred compensation, bonus or other incentive compensation, change in control, retention, severance, termination vacation, company awards, salary continuation, insurance, retirement or other benefit plan, payment or arrangement, or (E) forgiven any loan indebtedness or, except as required by any Company Plan, granted any loan;
     (iv) there has not been any change by the Company or any Subsidiary in Tax reporting principles, methods or policies;
     (v) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has made or rescinded any election relating to Taxes or settled or compromised any claim relating to Taxes;
     (vi) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has entered into any material transaction or Contract other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (vii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has failed to pay and discharge material current liabilities except where disputed in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
     (viii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has made any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person or paid any fees or expenses to any Signing Stockholder or any director, officer, partner, stockholder or Affiliate of any

25


 

Signing Stockholder;
     (ix) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has (A) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any Lien any of its assets, or (B) acquired any assets or sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed, leased or otherwise disposed of any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (x) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has discharged or satisfied any material Lien, or paid any material Liability, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (xi) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has canceled or compromised any debt or claim or amended, canceled, terminated, relinquished, waived or released any Contract or right except in the Ordinary Course of Business and which, in the aggregate, would not be material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
     (xii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has made or committed to make any capital expenditures or capital additions or betterments in excess of $50,000 individually or $1 million in the aggregate;
     (xiii) neither Company nor any Subsidiary has issued, created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed, endorsed or otherwise become liable or responsible with respect to (whether directly, contingently, or otherwise) any Indebtedness in an amount in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate;
     (xiv) the Company has not granted any license or sublicense of any rights under or with respect to any Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (xv) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has instituted or settled any Legal Proceeding except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (xvi) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any payments, or has obligated itself to make any payments, to any Signing Stockholder or their Affiliates or family members and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any payments, or has obligated itself to make any payments, to the Agency; and
     (xvii) the Company has not agreed, committed, arranged or entered into any understanding to do anything set forth in this Section 5.9.
          5.10 Taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.10:
          (a) (i) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of each of the Company, any Subsidiary and any Affiliated Group of which the Company or any Subsidiary is or was a member have been duly and timely filed with the appropriate Taxing Authority in all jurisdictions in which such Tax Returns are required to be filed (after giving effect to any valid extensions of time in which to make such filings), and all such Tax Returns are true, complete and correct in all material respects; and (ii) all Taxes payable by or on behalf of each of the Company, any Subsidiary and any Affiliated Group of which the Company or any Subsidiary is

26


 

or was a member have been fully and timely paid. With respect to any period for which Tax Returns have not yet been filed or for which Taxes are not yet due or owing, the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries has made due and sufficient accruals for such Taxes in the financial statements and its books and records. All required estimated Tax payments sufficient to avoid any underpayment penalties or interest have been made by or on behalf of the Company and each Subsidiary.
          (b) The Company and each Subsidiary has complied with all applicable Laws relating to the payment and withholding of Taxes and has duly and timely withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority all amounts required to be so withheld and paid under all applicable Laws.
          (c) The Owners have received complete copies of (i) all federal, state, local and foreign income or franchise Tax Returns of the Company and the Subsidiaries relating to the taxable periods since December 31, 2003 and (ii) any audit report issued within the last three years relating to any Taxes due from or with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary. No income or franchise Tax Returns filed by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary have been examined by any Taxing Authority.
          (d) Schedule 5.10 lists (i) all types of Taxes paid, and all types of Tax Returns filed by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (ii) all of the jurisdictions that impose such Taxes or with respect to which the Company or any Subsidiary has a duty to file such Tax Returns. No claim has been made by a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or any Subsidiary does not file Tax Returns such that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.
          (e) All deficiencies asserted or assessments made as a result of any examinations by any Taxing Authority of the Tax Returns of, or including, the Company or any Subsidiary have been fully paid, and there are no other audits or investigations by any Taxing Authority in progress, nor have the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or to the knowledge of the Signing Stockholders received any notice from any Taxing Authority that it intends to conduct such an audit or investigation. No issue has been raised by a Taxing Authority in any prior examination of the Company or any Subsidiary which, by application of the same or similar principles, could reasonably be expected to result in a proposed deficiency for any subsequent taxable period.
          (f) Neither the Company, any Subsidiary nor any other Person on their behalf has (i) agreed to or is required to make any adjustments pursuant to Section 481(a) or Section 807(f) of the Code or any similar provision of Law or has any knowledge that any Taxing Authority has proposed any such adjustment, or has any application pending with any Taxing Authority requesting permission for any changes in accounting methods that relate to the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) executed or entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision of Law with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) requested any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return, which Tax Return has since not been filed, (iv) granted any extension for the assessment or collection of Taxes, which Taxes have not since been paid, or (v) granted to any Person any power of attorney that is currently in force with respect to any Tax matter.

27


 

          (g) To the Knowledge of the Company, no property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary is (i) property required to be treated as being owned by another Person pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended and in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, (ii) “tax-exempt use property” within the meaning of Section 168(h)(1) of the Code or (iii) “tax-exempt bond financed property” within the meaning of Section 168(g) of the Code, (iv) “limited use property” within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 76-30, (v) subject to Section 168(g)(1)(A) of the Code, or (vi) subject to any provision of state, local or foreign Law comparable to any of the provisions listed above. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into an agreement or arrangement (whether or not in writing) that is subject to Section 470 of the Code.
          (h) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “United States real property holding corporation” and was not a “United States real property holding corporation” on any “determination date” (each within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code) that occurred in the five-year period preceding the Closing Date.
          (i) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any tax sharing, allocation, indemnity or similar agreement or arrangement (whether or not written) pursuant to which it will have any obligation to make any payments after the Closing Date.
          (j) There is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement covering any person that, individually or collectively, gives rise to the payment of any amount that would not be deductible by the Owners, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates by reason of Section 280G of the Code.
          (k) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any private letter ruling of the IRS or comparable rulings of any Taxing Authority.
          (l) There are no liens as a result of any unpaid Taxes upon any of the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, except for liens for ad valorem or other Taxes not yet due and payable.
          (m) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has ever been a member of any consolidated, combined, affiliated or unitary group of corporations for any Tax purposes other than a group of which the Company is the common owner.
          (n) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (A) in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement or (B) in a distribution which could otherwise constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
          (o) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has (i) engaged in any “intercompany transaction” in respect of which gain was and continues to be deferred pursuant to Treasury regulations Section 1.1502-13 or any analogous or similar provision of Law or (ii) has any “excess loss accounts” in respect of the stock of any Subsidiary pursuant to Treasury

28


 

Regulations Section 1.1502-19, or any analogous law or similar provision of law (an ELA Account”).
          (p) The Company and the Subsidiaries have disclosed on their federal income Tax Returns all positions taken therein that without such disclosure would give rise to substantial understatement of federal income tax within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code.
          (q) Any Life Insurance Contract or Annuity Contract issued, assumed, modified, exchanged, marketed, sold or administered by the Company or any Subsidiary that issues insurance policies qualifies for the Tax treatment and character as reported on the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries Tax Returns and qualifies in all material respects for the tax treatment described in the associated marketing materials designed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is in compliance with the requirements applicable to the Company and any its Subsidiaries, under, as relevant, Code Sections 72, 101, 130, 401, 403, 408, 457, 6047, 7702, 7702A and all other applicable Tax provisions, including, to the extend applicable, the diversification rules under Section 817(h), and satisfies all of the investor control and insurable interest rules. With respect to any reinsurance contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, no fact, circumstance or basis exists under which the IRS could make a reallocation, recharacterization or other adjustment under Section 845(a) of the Code, or make any adjustment arising from a determination that any reinsurance contract had or has a significant tax avoidance effect under Section 845(b) of the Code.
          (r) Each Subsidiary that is “a foreign corporation” has elected to be treated as a “domestic corporation” all within the meaning of Section 953(d) of the Code.
          5.11 Real Property.
          (a) Schedule 5.11(a) sets forth a complete list of (i) all real property and interests in real property, including improvements thereon and easements appurtenant thereto owned in fee by the Company and the Subsidiaries (individually, an “Owned Property” and collectively, the “Owned Properties”), (ii) all real property and interests in real property leased by the Company and the Subsidiaries (individually, a “Real Property Lease” and collectively, the “Real Property Leases” and, together with the Owned Properties, being referred to herein individually as a “Company Property” and collectively as the “Company Properties”) as lessee or lessor. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable fee title to all Owned Property, free and clear of all Liens of any nature whatsoever, except (A) those Liens set forth on Schedule 5.11(a) , (B) Permitted Exceptions and Liens reflected on the Balance Sheet. The Company Properties constitute all interests in real property currently used, occupied or currently held for use in connection with the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries and which are necessary for the continued operation of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries as the business is currently conducted. All of the Company Properties and buildings, fixtures and improvements thereon (i) are in good operating condition without structural defects, and to the Company’s knowledge all mechanical and other systems located thereon are in good operating condition, and to the Company’s knowledge no condition exists requiring material repairs, alterations or corrections and (ii) are suitable, sufficient and appropriate in all material respects for their current and contemplated uses. To the Company’s knowledge, none of the improvements located on the Company Properties constitute a legal non-

29


 

conforming use or otherwise require any special dispensation, variance or special permit under any Laws that has not been obtained. The Company has made available to the Owners true, correct and complete copies of (i) all deeds, title reports and surveys for the Owned Properties and (ii) the Real Property Leases, together with all amendments, modifications or supplements, if any, thereto. The Owned Properties are not subject to any leases, rights of first refusal, options to purchase or rights of occupancy, except the Real Property Leases set forth on Schedule 5.11(a).
          (b) Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries, as applicable, has a valid, binding and enforceable leasehold interest under each of the Real Property Leases under which it is a lessee, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Exceptions and other than Liens reflected on the Balance Sheet. Each of the Real Property Leases is in full force and effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default under any Real Property Lease, and no event has occurred and no circumstance exists which, if not remedied, and whether with or without notice or the passage of time or both, would result in such a default. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received or given any notice of any default or event that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under any of the Real Property Leases and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party is in default thereof, and no party to any Real Property Lease has exercised any termination rights with respect thereto.
          (c) The Company and the Subsidiaries have all certificates of occupancy and Permits of any Governmental Body necessary for the current use and operation of each Company Property, and the Company and the Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all material conditions of the Permits applicable to them. No default or violation, or event that with the lapse of time or giving of notice or both would become a default or violation, has occurred in the due observance of any material Permit.
          (d) There does not exist any actual or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated condemnation or eminent domain proceedings that affect any material Company Property or any part thereof, and the Company has not received any notice, oral or written, of the intention of any Governmental Body or other Person to take or use all or any part thereof.
          (e) The Company has not received any written notice from any insurance company that has issued a policy with respect to any Company Property requiring performance of any material structural or other repairs or alterations to such Company Property.
          (f) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary owns, holds, is obligated under or is a party to, any option, right of first refusal or other contractual right to purchase, acquire, sell, assign or dispose of any real estate or any portion thereof or interest therein.
          5.12 Tangible Personal Property.
          (a) The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all of the items of tangible personal property used in the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries (except as sold or disposed of subsequent to the date thereof in the Ordinary Course of Business

30


 

and not in violation of this Agreement), free and clear of any and all Liens, other than the Permitted Exceptions. All such items of tangible personal property which, individually or in the aggregate, are material to the operation of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries are in good condition and in a state of good maintenance and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and are suitable for the purposes used.
          (b) Schedule 5.12(b) sets forth all leases of personal property involving annual payments in excess of $15,000 relating to personal property used in the business of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which the properties or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is bound (“Personal Property Leases”). All of the items of personal property under the Personal Property Leases are in good condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and are suitable for the purposes used, and such property is in all material respects in the condition required of such property by the terms of the lease applicable thereto during the term of the lease. The Company has made available to the Owners true, correct and complete copies of the Personal Property Leases, together with all amendments, modifications or supplements thereto.
          (c) The Company and each of the Subsidiaries has a valid and enforceable leasehold interest under each of the Personal Property Leases under which it is a lessee. Each of the Personal Property Leases is in full force and effect and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received or given any notice of any default or event that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under any of the Personal Property Leases and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party is in default thereof, and no party to the Personal Property Leases has exercised any termination rights with respect thereto.
          5.13 Technology and Intellectual Property.
          (a) Schedule 5.13(a) sets forth a complete and correct list of all registered Company Intellectual Property, as well as all applications for registration of Company Intellectual Property. All Company Intellectual Property material to the business of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is valid, subsisting, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, enforceable. The Company Intellectual Property constitutes all the Intellectual Property rights necessary and sufficient for the conduct of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries as currently conducted.
          (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.13(b), the Company and the Subsidiaries own or have valid rights to use the Company Intellectual Property material to the business of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens or obligations to others.
          (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.13(c), there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened claim or dispute regarding (i) the ownership or use by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of any Company Intellectual Property, and (ii) the infringement, misappropriation, unauthorized use, or violation by the Company or any Subsidiary of any third party Intellectual Property, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary are aware of any grounds that may give rise to the same. None of the Company Intellectual Property is being infringed, impaired, misappropriated or otherwise violated by any

31


 

third party, except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
          (d) Schedule 5.13(d) sets forth a complete and accurate list of: (i) all agreements pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary has licensed a third party for any purpose any Company Intellectual Property or Technology; and (ii) all agreements pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary receives a license from any third party under any Intellectual Property or Technology (excluding Software generally available for an annual license fee of $20,000 or less) (collectively the Company Licenses). Except as set forth on Schedule 5.13(d), neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any counterparty is in breach of, or in material default under, any Company License, nor has there been any waiver or deferral or enforcement of the right of the Company or counterparty under any Company License, except for such breached, waivers, deferrals or enforcements that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
          (e) The consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the loss of use of any Company Intellectual Property or Software necessary for the business of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries as currently conducted.
          (f) The Company and the Subsidiaries have taken reasonable efforts, consistent with standard practices in the industry, to protect trade secrets.
          5.14 Material Contracts.
          (a) Schedule 5.14(a) sets forth, by reference to the applicable subsection of this Section 5.14(a), all of the following Contracts to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or their respective assets of properties are bound (collectively, the “Material Contracts”):
     (i) Contracts with any Signing Stockholder or Affiliate thereof or any current or former officer, director, stockholder or Affiliate of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;
     (ii) Contracts with any labor union or association representing any employee of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;
     (iii) Contracts for the sale of any of material assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries other than in the Ordinary Course of Business or for the grant to any Person of any preferential rights to purchase any of its material assets;
     (iv) Contracts for joint ventures, strategic alliances, partnerships, licensing arrangements, or sharing of profits or proprietary information;
     (v) Contracts containing covenants of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries not to compete in any line of business or with any Person in any geographical area or not to solicit or hire any person with respect to employment or covenants of any other Person not to compete with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in any line of business or in any geographical area or not to solicit or hire any person with respect to employment;

32


 

     (vi) Contracts relating to the acquisition (by merger, purchase of stock or assets or otherwise) by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of any operating business or material assets or the capital stock of any other Person;
     (vii) Contracts relating to the incurrence, assumption or guarantee of any Indebtedness or imposing a Lien on any of the material assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, including indentures, guarantees, loan or credit agreements, sale and leaseback agreements, purchase money obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, mortgages, pledge agreements, security agreements, or conditional sale or title retention agreements;
     (viii) purchase Contracts giving rise to Liabilities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in excess of $250,000;
     (ix) all Contracts providing for payments by or to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in excess of $250,000 in any fiscal year or $1,000,000 in the aggregate during the term thereof;
     (x) all Contracts obligating the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to provide or obtain products or services for a period of more than one year or requiring the Company to purchase or sell a stated portion of its requirements or outputs;
     (xi) Contracts under which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has made material advances or loans to any other Person;
     (xii) Contracts providing for severance, retention, change in control or other similar payments;
     (xiii) Contracts for the employment of any individual on a full-time, part-time or consulting or other basis providing annual compensation in excess of $125,000;
     (xiv) material management Contracts and material Contracts with independent contractors or consultants (or similar arrangements) that are not cancelable without penalty or further payment and without more than 30 days’ notice;
     (xv) outstanding Contracts of guaranty, surety or indemnification, direct or indirect, by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, other than insurance products issued in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (xvi) Contracts (or group of related Contracts) which involve the expenditure of more than $250,000 annually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate;
     (xvii) Contracts relating to any reinsurance arrangement or any similar agreements; and
     (xviii) Contracts that are otherwise material to the Company and the Subsidiaries.
          (b) Each of the Material Contracts is in full force and effect and is the legal, valid

33


 

and binding obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary which is party thereto, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, of the other parties thereto enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms and, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, shall, except as otherwise stated in Schedule 5.14(b), continue in full force and effect without penalty or other adverse consequence. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default under any Material Contract, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is any other party to any Material Contract in breach of or default thereunder, and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a breach or default by the Company, any Subsidiary or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereunder. Except as otherwise stated in Schedule 5.14(b), no party to any of the Material Contracts has delivered notice to the Company of the exercise of any termination rights with respect thereto, and no party has given notice to the Company of any significant dispute with respect to any Material Contract. The Company has made available to the Owners true, correct and complete copies of all of the Material Contracts, together with all amendments, modifications or supplements thereto.
          5.15 Employee Benefits Plans.
          (a) Schedule 5.15(a) sets forth a correct and complete list of: (i) all “employee benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), whether or not subject to ERISA, (ii) all bonus, incentive compensation, equity or equity-based compensation, deferred compensation, change in control, severance, retention, termination, retirement, profit sharing, post-retirement or post-termination, medical, dental, disability, life insurance or other death benefits, accident, sick leave, leave of absence, layoff, vacation, salary continuation, loan, educational assistance, scholarship, dependent care assistance, legal assistance, club membership, employee discount and fringe benefit plans, programs, agreements, policies, arrangements or payroll practices, and (iii) all employment, consulting, termination, individual compensation, and collective bargaining agreements or arrangements; in each case, which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has any obligation or liability (contingent or otherwise) (collectively, the “Company Plans”). Each Company Plan that is subject to ERISA is hereinafter referred to as a “Company ERISA Plan.” None of the Company ERISA Plans is subject to Title IV of ERISA, and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is under common control, or that is treated as a single employer, with any of them under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (each, an “ERISA Affiliate”) has ever had any obligation or liability (contingent or otherwise) with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title IV of ERISA.
          (b) Correct and complete copies of the following documents with respect to each of the Company Plan have been made available or delivered to the Owners by the Company, to the extent applicable: (i) the most recent document constituting the Company Plan, and related trust documents, insurance contracts or other funding arrangements, and all amendments thereto, (ii) the most recent summary plan description and all related summaries of material modifications, (iii) the most recent Form 5500 and all schedules thereto, (iv) the most recent IRS determination letter, (v) the most recent actuarial report and financial statements, and (vi) a written description of any non-written Company Plan.
          (c) Each Company Plan complies, and has been administered and operated in

34


 

compliance, in all material respects in accordance with its terms and all provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable Laws. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor any “party in interest” or “disqualified person” with respect to the Company ERISA Plans has engaged in a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA, and no fiduciary has any material liability for breach of fiduciary duty or any other failure to act or comply in connection with the administration or investment of the assets of any Company ERISA Plan.
          (d) There has been no material violation of ERISA or the Code with respect to the filing of applicable returns, reports, documents and notices regarding any of the Company ERISA Plans with the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of the Treasury or the furnishing of such notices or documents to the participants or beneficiaries of the Company ERISA Plans.
          (e) Each Company ERISA Plan intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code is so qualified and any trust intended to be exempt from Federal income taxation under Section 501 of the Code is so exempt, and the Company is not aware of any circumstance likely to cause the loss of such qualification or exemption or the imposition of any liability, penalty or tax under ERISA or the Code.
          (f) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15(f), each Option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code based upon the current “good faith” compliance standard under Section 409A and the regulations thereunder. Each Company Plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Code has been administered and operated in good faith compliance, in all material respects with Section 409A of the Code, taking into consideration the proposed regulations and rulings under Section 409A, including the transitional rules.
          (g) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15(g), no current or former director, officer, employee, contractor or consultant of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is entitled to any gross-up, make-whole or other additional payment from the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in respect of any Tax (including Federal, state, local and foreign income, excise and other taxes (including taxes imposed under Sections 280G or 409A of the Code)) or interest or penalty related thereto.
          (h) All contributions, premiums and other payments required by Law or by the terms of any Company ERISA Plan (including workers compensation) or any agreement relating to such Company ERISA Plan to any fund or trust established thereunder or in connection therewith have been made by the due date thereof (including any valid extension), and all contributions for any period ending on or before the Closing Date that are not yet due will have been paid or sufficient accruals for such contributions and other payments in accordance with GAAP are duly and fully provided for on the Balance Sheet.
          (i) None of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries, any ERISA Affiliate or any organization to which the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is a successor or the owner corporation within the meaning of Section 4069(b) of ERISA has engaged in any transaction within the meaning of Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.
          (j) There are no pending actions, claims or lawsuits that have been asserted or

35


 

instituted against the Company ERISA Plans, the assets of any of the trusts under the Company ERISA Plans, or the plan sponsor, plan administrator or any fiduciary of any of the Company ERISA Plans with respect to the administration or operation of any of the Company ERISA Plans (other than routine benefit claims), nor does the Company have any Knowledge of facts that could form the basis for any such claim or lawsuit.
          (k) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15(k), none of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries provides, or is obligated to provide, any life insurance or health benefits, including prescription drugs (whether or not insured) to any individual after his or her termination of employment or service with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, except as may be required under Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title of ERISA and at the expense of the individual or the individual’s beneficiary.
          (l) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15(l), neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will, either alone or in combination with another event, (i) result in any payment becoming due, increase the amount of compensation due, or result in any forgiveness of loan indebtedness to any current or former employee, officer, director or consultant of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Company Plan, or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such compensation or benefits.
          (m) Any individual who performs services for the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (other than through a contract with an organization other than such individual) and who is not treated as an employee of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is not an employee for such purposes.
          5.16 Labor.
          (a) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise bound by any labor or collective bargaining agreement and there are no labor or collective bargaining agreements which pertain to employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.
          (b) No labor organization or group of employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has made a pending demand for recognition, and there has been no representation or certification proceedings or petitions seeking a representation proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to be brought or filed, with the National Labor Relations Board or other labor relations tribunal. There is no organizing activity involving the Company or any of the Subsidiaries pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened by any labor organization or group of employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.
          (c) There have been no (i) strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, picketing, walkouts, lockouts, other job actions, arbitrations, grievances, unfair labor practice changes or complaints or other labor disputes pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no acts or circumstances which would likely form the basis for any of the foregoing.
          (d) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.16, there are no material complaints,

36


 

charges or claims against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries pending or, to Knowledge of the Company, threatened that are reasonably likely to be brought or filed, with any Governmental Body based on, arising out of, in connection with or otherwise relating to the employment or services, termination of employment of services, or failure to employ or retain any individual. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the employment of labor, including all such Laws relating to wages, hours, WARN and any similar state or local “mass layoff” or “plant closing” Law, collective bargaining, discrimination, civil rights, safety and health, workers’ compensation and the collection and payment of withholding and/or social security taxes and any similar tax. There has been no “mass layoff” or “plant closing” (as defined by WARN) with respect to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries within the six (6) months prior to Closing.
          5.17 Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.17, there is no Legal Proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (or to the Knowledge of the Company, pending or threatened, against any of the officers, directors or employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to their business activities on behalf of the Company), or to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is otherwise a party before any Governmental Body; nor to the Knowledge of the Company is there any reasonable basis for any such Legal Proceeding. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.17, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any Order, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in breach or violation of any Order. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.17, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any Legal Proceedings seeking to recover monies due it or for damages sustained by it. There are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or to which the Company is otherwise a party relating to this Agreement or any Company Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
          5.18 Compliance with Laws; Permits.
          (a) The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all Laws applicable to its business, operations or assets. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of or been charged with the violation of any Laws. To the Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is under investigation with respect to the violation of any Laws and there are no facts or circumstances which would reasonably be expected to form the basis for any such violation.
          (b) The Company has provided the Owners with a copy of licenses for each Insurance Company for each jurisdiction in which such Insurance Company is licenses to transact business and Schedule 5.18(b) contains a list of (i) all jurisdictions in which the Insurance Companies are licensed to transact insurance; (ii) (A) all jurisdictions in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are licensed as an insurance agent, broker or producer and (B) a copy of each license related thereto;
          (c) Schedule 5.18(c) contains a list of all Permits which are required for the operation of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries as presently conducted and as presently intended to be conducted (“Company Permits”), other than those the failure of which to possess is immaterial. The Company and the Subsidiaries currently have all Permits which are

37


 

required for the operation of their respective businesses as presently conducted and as presently intended to be conducted, other than those the failure of which to possess is immaterial. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default or violation, and no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or violation, in any material respect of any term, condition or provision of any Company Permit, and to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or circumstances which would reasonably be expected to form the basis for any such default or violation. There are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, relating to the suspension, revocation or modification of any material Company Permit. Provided that the Insurance Regulatory Approvals are obtained, none of the material Company Permits will be impaired or in any way affected by the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
          5.19 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.19 hereto:
          (a) the operations of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries are and have been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes obtaining, maintaining in good standing and complying in all material respects with all Environmental Permits, and no action or proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to revoke, modify or terminate any such Environmental Permit, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no facts, circumstances or conditions currently exist that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect such continued compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits or require currently unbudgeted material capital expenditures to achieve or maintain such continued compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits;
          (b) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is the subject of any outstanding written Order or Contract with any Governmental Body or Person with respect to (i) Environmental Laws, (ii) Remedial Action or (iii) any Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material;
          (c) no claim has been made or is pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary alleging either or both that the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is in material violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, or may have any material liability under any Environmental Law;
          (d) to the Knowledge of the Company, no facts, circumstances or conditions exist with respect to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any property currently or formerly owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any property to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries arranged for the disposal or treatment of Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to result in the Company or any of the Subsidiaries incurring material unbudgeted Environmental Costs and Liabilities;
          (e) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no investigations of the business, operations, or currently or, to the Knowledge of the Company, previously owned, operated or leased property of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened which would be reasonably likely to lead to the imposition of any material Environmental Costs and Liabilities or material Liens under

38


 

Environmental Law;
          (f) the transactions contemplated hereunder do not require the consent of or filings with any Governmental Body with jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to environmental matters, and none of the Owned Property or Real Property Leases is located in New Jersey, Indiana or Connecticut;
          (g) there is not located at any of the properties currently or (while owned, operated or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary) previously owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries any (i) underground storage tanks, (ii) landfill, (iii) surface impoundment, (iii) a material amount of asbestos-containing material or (iv) equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls; and
          (h) the Company has provided to the Owners all environmentally related audits, studies, reports, analyses, and results of investigations that have been performed on behalf of the Company with respect to the currently or previously owned, leased or operated properties of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.
          5.20 Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries have insurance policies in full force and effect (a) for such amounts as are sufficient for all requirements of Law and all material agreements to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound, and (b) which are in such amounts, with such deductibles and against such risks and losses, as are customary within the industry for the business, assets and properties of the Company and the Subsidiaries. Set forth in Schedule 5.20 is a list of all insurance policies and all fidelity bonds held by or applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.20, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event relating to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has occurred which could reasonably be expected to result in a retroactive upward adjustment in premiums under any such insurance policies or which could reasonably be expected to result in a prospective upward adjustment in such premiums. Excluding insurance policies that have expired and been replaced in the Ordinary Course of Business, no insurance policy has been cancelled within the last two years and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no threat has been made to cancel any insurance policy of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries during such period. Except as noted on Schedule 5.20, all such insurance will remain in full force and effect immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. No event has occurred, including the failure by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to give any notice or information or the Company or any of the Subsidiaries giving any inaccurate or erroneous notice or information, which limits or impairs any material rights of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries under any such insurance policies.
          5.21 Insurance Matters.
          (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.21, all insurance policy forms issued by the Insurance Companies, and all amendments, applications, brochures, illustrations and certificates pertaining thereto have, where required by applicable Law to have been approved or filed prior to the date hereof, been filed or approved by all applicable Government Bodies or filed with and not objected to by such Government Bodies within the period provided by applicable Law for objection. Except as indicated in Schedule 5.21, all such forms comply in all material respects

39


 

with, and have been administered in all material respects in accordance with, applicable Law. Any rates of any of the Insurance Companies which are required to be filed with or approved by any Government Body prior to the date hereof have been so filed or approved, and the rates used by the Insurance Companies conform in all material respects thereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.21, any contract or agreement to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party and which is required to be filed with or approved by any Government Body prior to the date hereof has been so filed or approved.
          (b) All payments which are in the aggregate material under insurance contracts made by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, by any other Person that is a party to or bound by any reinsurance, coinsurance or other similar agreement, have in all material respects been paid in accordance with the terms of the insurance contracts under which they arose, except for such exceptions for which the Company or the applicable Subsidiary believes there is a reasonable basis to contest payment.
          (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.21, all advertising, promotional and sales materials and other marketing practices used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any agent of the Company or any Subsidiary have complied and are currently in compliance in all material respects with applicable Law.
          (d) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.21, no provision in any insurance contract in force gives a policyholder the right to receive dividends or distributions on their policies or otherwise share in the benefits, revenue or profits of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
          (e) All insurance contracts written or issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been written or issued in compliance in all material respects with the standards and procedures utilized by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, with respect to any such insurance contract reinsured or co-insured in whole or in part, conform to the standards and procedures required pursuant to the terms of the related reinsurance, coinsurance or other similar contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party. The Company has made available to the Owners true and complete copies of the risk retention, claims settlement and other material operational policies and procedures of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have operated their respective businesses at all times in material compliance with these policies and procedures.
          (f) None of the Insurance Companies is subject to any restrictions imposed by any Governmental Body other than those generally applicable to similar insurance companies.
          (g) Since the Balance Sheet Date, except as set forth on Schedule 5.21(g), none of the following has occurred:
     (i) There have been no material price changes in any of the Company or its Subsidiaries policies nor in any reinsurance agreement to which they are a party;
     (ii) There have been no material changes in the commission paid to any channel partners or general agents by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
     (iii) There have been no material changes to the loss ratios for the Company or

40


 

any of its Subsidiaries;
     (iv) There have been no material changes to the loss reserves for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and
     (v) There have been no reverses to the balance sheet reserves for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which are material.
          5.22 Accounts and Notes Receivable and Payable
          (a) All accounts and notes receivable of the Company and the Subsidiaries have arisen from bona fide transactions in the Ordinary Course of Business consistent with past practice and are payable on ordinary trade terms. All accounts and notes receivable of the Company and the Subsidiaries reflected on the Balance Sheet are carried at values determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied. All accounts and notes receivable arising after the Balance Sheet Date are carried in the Financial Statements at values determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
          (b) All accounts payable of the Company and the Subsidiaries reflected in the Balance Sheet or arising after the date thereof are the result of bona fide transactions in the Ordinary Course of Business and have been paid or are not yet due and payable, or are being disputed in good faith.
          5.23 Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.23, no key employee, officer, director, stockholder, partner or member of the Company of any of the Subsidiaries, any member of his or her immediate family or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective Affiliates (“Related Persons”) (i) owes any amount to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries nor does the Company or any of the Subsidiaries owe any amount to, or has the Company or any of the Subsidiaries committed to make any loan or extend or guarantee credit to or for the benefit of, any Related Person, (ii) is involved in any business arrangement or other material relationship with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (whether written or oral), (iii) owns any property or right, tangible or intangible, that is used by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (iv) has any material claim or cause of action against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or (v) owns any direct or indirect material interest of any kind in, or controls or is a key employee, director, officer, or partner of, or consultant to, or lender to or borrower from or has the right to participate in the profits of, any Person which is a competitor, supplier, customer, landlord, tenant, creditor or debtor of the Company or any Subsidiary.
          5.24 Customers and Suppliers.
          (a) Schedule 5.24 sets forth a list of the reinsurance partners to the Company and its Subsidiaries, the general agents who produce more than $1,5000,000 in net written premium per year and the ten (10) largest customers selling the products of the Company and the Subsidiaries, as measured by the dollar amount of purchases therefrom or thereby, during each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006, showing the approximate total production by each general agent and amount of sales by each of such customers, during such period.

41


 

          (b) Since the Balance Sheet Date, no reinsurance partner, general agent or customer listed on Schedule 5.24 has terminated its relationship with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or materially reduced or changed the pricing or other terms of its business with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and to the Knowledge of the Company no reinsurance partners, general agent or customer listed on Schedule 5.24 intends to terminate or materially reduce or change the pricing or other terms of its business with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.
          5.25 Banks; Power of Attorney. Schedule 5.25 contains a complete and correct list of the names and locations of all banks in which Company or any Subsidiary has accounts or safe deposit boxes and the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon or to have access thereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.25, no person holds a power of attorney to act on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary.
          5.26 Certain Payments. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, or other Person associated with or acting on behalf of any of them, has directly or indirectly (a) made any contribution, gift, bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback, or other payment to any Person, private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property, or services (i) to obtain favorable treatment in securing business for the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) to pay for favorable treatment for business secured by the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) to obtain special concessions or for special concessions already obtained, for or in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iv) in violation of any Law, or (b) established or maintained any fund or asset with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary that has not been recorded in the books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
          5.27 Financial Advisors. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.27, no Person has acted, directly or indirectly, as a broker, finder or financial advisor for the Signing Stockholders, the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and no Person is or will be entitled to any fee or commission or like payment in respect thereof.
          5.28 Reinsurance or Retrocessions. Schedule 5.28 contains a true and complete list of all reinsurance and retrocession treaties and agreements (“Reinsurance Agreements”) in force to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, including (a) any terminated or expired Reinsurance Agreement under which there remains any outstanding liability, (b) the effective date of each such Reinsurance Agreement and (c) the termination date of any such Reinsurance Agreement that has a definite termination date. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in any material respect as to any provision of any Reinsurance Agreement or has failed to meet the underwriting standards for any business reinsured thereunder. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.28, (i) to the Knowledge of the Company, no such reinsurer is insolvent or the subject of a rehabilitation, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership, bankruptcy or similar proceeding; (ii) the financial condition of any such reinsurers is not impaired to the extent that a default thereunder is reasonably anticipated by the Company, (iii) no notice of intended cancellation has been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from any of such reinsurers and (iv) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is entitled under applicable Law to take full credit in its Statutory Statements for all amounts reflected in the

42


 

Statutory Statements as being recoverable by it pursuant to any Reinsurance Agreement, and all such amounts have been properly recorded in its books and records of account and are properly reflected in its Statutory Statements. No Reinsurance Agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party contains any provision providing that any party thereto may terminate, cancel, or commute the same by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. All Reinsurance Agreements to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party are valid, binding and in full force and effect in accordance with their terms and conform in all material respects to all applicable Laws.
          5.29 Regulatory Filings. The Company has heretofore made available for inspection by the Owners (a) with respect to the Company and the Insurance Companies, each material registration, filing or submission of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries with any insurance regulatory authority, (b) each annual statement filed with or submitted to insurance regulatory authorities of the State of Georgia, the State of Kentucky, the State of Louisiana or the State of North Carolina by an Insurance Company, and (c) any reports of examination (including, without limitation, financial, market conduct and similar examinations) of the Company or, as applicable, any of its Subsidiaries, issued by any state insurance regulatory authority, in any case, since December 31, 2003. All material deficiencies or violations noted in the examination reports described in clause (c) above have been resolved to the satisfaction of the insurance department that noted such deficiencies or violations. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.29, the Company and its Subsidiaries have each filed all reports, statements, documents, registrations, filings or submissions required to be filed with any Government Body since December 31, 2003, all such registrations, reports, statements, documents, filings and submissions were in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws when filed, and no material deficiencies have been asserted by any such Government Body with respect to such registrations, filings or submissions that have not been satisfied. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.29, none of the Insurance Companies is a “commercially domiciled insurer” under the laws of any jurisdiction or is otherwise treated as domiciled in a jurisdiction other than its jurisdiction of organization.
          5.30 No Dividend or Distribution Restrictions. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.30, the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions with respect to its capital stock is not restricted or limited in any manner, whether by contract or otherwise (except pursuant to any applicable Laws generally applicable to insurance companies).
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OWNERS AND ACQUIRER
          The Owners and Acquirer severally, but not jointly, represent and warrant to the Company:
          6.1 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Each of the Owners and Acquirer is a partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated.
          6.2 Authority; Noncontravention.

43


 

          (a) Each of the Owners and Acquirer has all requisite power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and each other agreement, document, or instrument or certificate contemplated by this Agreement or to be executed by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Owners and Acquirer and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company and the Signing Stockholders, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Owners and Acquirer, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms.
          6.3 Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties.
          (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 6.3 hereto, none of the execution and delivery by the Owners and Acquirer of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, or the compliance by the Owners and Acquirer with any of the provisions hereof or thereof will conflict with, or result in violation or default (with or without notice or laps of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination or cancellation under any provisions of (i) the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or comparable organizational documents of the Owners or Acquirer, (ii) any Contract, or Permit to which the Owners or Acquirer are party or by which any of the properties of the Owners or Acquirer are bound, (iii) any Order of any Governmental Body applicable to the Owners or Acquirer or by which any of the properties or assets of the Owners or Acquirer are bound, and (iv) any applicable Law.
          (b) No consent, waiver, approval, Order, Permit or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notification to, any Person or Governmental Body is required on the part of the Owners or Acquirer in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the compliance by the Owners and Acquirer with any of the provisions hereof except (A) compliance with the applicable requirements of the HSR Act, (B) filings of the preacquisition statements required by applicable state insurance holding company system laws indicated on Schedule 6.3 hereto and (C) acquisition of control filings in all jurisdictions indicated on Schedule 6.3 hereto.
          6.4 Ownership and Operations of Acquirer. The Owners own beneficially and of record all of the outstanding capital stock of Acquirer. Acquirer was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated herein, has engaged in no other business activities and has conducted its operations only as contemplated hereby.
          6.5 Financing. Owners and their affiliates have provided true and correct copies of equity and subordinated debt commitment letters (the Financing Commitments) evidencing their intention to provide up to $63,050,000 of financing to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Assuming that each of the conditions below are met (such conditions referred to collectively as the Financing Condition), the proceeds of the Financing Commitments will provide sufficient funds for the Owners to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement:
          (a) Holders of not less than $8,500,000 face amount of Series A, Series B and Series C Preferred Stock of the Company shall have irrevocably waived any rights they have to

44


 

redeem such stock in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
          (b) The Loan and Line of Credit Agreement between Columbus Bank and Trust Company and the Company, dated October 10, 2005, and the related documents shall have been amended as follows in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Owners:
     (i) the maturity date shall be extended to the fifth anniversary of the Closing;
     (ii) the maximum availability thereunder shall be increased to $15 million;
     (iii) the transactions contemplated hereby, including the payment of the Merger Consideration, the redemption of Series A, Series B and Series C Preferred Stock of the Company, the prepayment of the Company’s Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Debentures Due 2035 (the “JP Morgan Debt”), the new indebtedness from affiliates of the Owners contemplated to finance the transactions contemplated hereby and the new indebtedness arranged by First Tennessee Capital contemplated to finance the transactions contemplated hereby (the “FTN Debt”) shall be permitted thereunder;
     (iv) the events of default and other provisions thereof shall have been modified in accordance with Exhibit D hereto; and
     (v) the letter of credit facilities with Columbus Bank and Trust and the outstanding letters of credit issued pursuant thereto will remain in place;
          (c) The Indenture governing the Company’s Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Debentures Due 2035 shall be discharged at Closing in accordance with its terms or the transactions contemplated hereby shall not, with or without the passage of time or the giving of any notice, cause a default or event of default thereunder;
          (d) The Company shall have received $35 million of funding in accordance with the terms of the engagement letter from First Tennessee Capital, including the pricing terms set forth therein.
          6.6 Brokers and Other Advisors. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Owners or any of their Subsidiaries.
ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS
          7.1 Access to Information; Confidentiality. The Company shall, and the Company shall cause the Subsidiaries to, afford to the Owners and their accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives, and to prospective lenders, placement agents and other financing sources and each of their respective representatives, reasonable access, during

45


 

normal business hours upon reasonable notice throughout the period prior to the Closing, to the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ respective properties and facilities (including all owned or leased real property and the buildings, structures, fixtures, appurtenances and improvements erected, attached or located thereon), books, financial information (including working papers and data in the possession of the Company’s or the Subsidiaries’ or their respective independent public accountants, internal audit reports, and “management letters” from such accountants with respect to the Company’s or any of the Subsidiaries’ systems of internal control), Contracts and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries and, during such period, shall furnish promptly such information concerning the businesses, properties and personnel of the Company and the Subsidiaries as the Owners shall reasonably request; provided, however, such investigation shall not unreasonably disrupt the Company’s operations. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall generally keep the Owners informed as to all material matters involving the operations and businesses of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries. The Company shall make available the appropriate directors, managers and employees of each such Subsidiary to discuss matters involving the operations and business of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, with representatives of the Owners and their prospective lenders or placement agents and other financial sources, provided that all such discussions are coordinated under the direction of a designated officer of the Company. Each of the parties hereto shall (and shall cause each of its representatives to) not disclose any information provided by the other party with respect to the negotiation and execution of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including for the purposes of due diligence (“Confidential Information”), and shall (and shall cause each of its representatives to) use the Confidential Information only with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or as otherwise provided by this Agreement; provided, however, that the following shall be deemed not to be Confidential Information: (a) information that the receiving party can demonstrate was already in its possession prior to the disclosure thereof by the other party, (b) information that is generally known to the public and did not become so known through the violation of this paragraph by the receiving party or its representatives, (c) information that becomes available to the receiving party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the other party or its representatives, provided that such source is not known by the receiving party to be bound by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the other party with respect to that information, and (d) information that is required to be disclosed by law; provided further that the Owners and the Company may disclose such information as may be necessary in connection with (i) seeking necessary consents and approvals as contemplated hereby and (ii) the Financing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Subsidiaries shall not be required to disclose any information if such disclosure would contravene any applicable Law. No information provided to or obtained by the Owners pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to the Owners (including the Owners’ right to seek indemnification pursuant to Article IX), as the responsibilities or warranties of, or the conditions to the obligations of, the parties hereto.
          7.2 Conduct of the Business Pending the Closing.
          (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or with the prior written consent of the Owners, between the date hereof and the Closing, the Company shall, and the Company shall cause the Subsidiaries to:

46


 

     (i) conduct the respective businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries only in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (ii) use their commercially reasonable efforts to (A) preserve the present business operations, organization (including officers and employees) and goodwill of the Company and the Subsidiaries and (B) preserve the present relationships with Persons having business dealings with the Company and the Subsidiaries (including customers and suppliers);
     (iii) maintain (A) all of the material assets and properties of, or used by, the Company and the Subsidiaries in their current condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (B) insurance upon all of the properties and assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries in such amounts and of such kinds comparable to that in effect on the date of this Agreement;
     (iv) (A) maintain the books, accounts and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course of Business, (B) continue to collect accounts receivable and pay accounts payable utilizing normal procedures in the Ordinary Course of Business, and (C) comply with all contractual and other obligations of the Company and the Subsidiaries;
     (v) comply with the capital expenditure plan of the Company and the Subsidiaries for 2007, including making such capital expenditures in the amounts and at the times set forth in such plan; and
     (vi) comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws.
          (b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or with the prior written consent of the Owners, the Company shall not, and the Company shall cause the Subsidiaries not to:
     (i) except as set forth on Schedule 7.2(b)(i), declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital stock of, or other ownership interests in, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of the capital stock or other securities of, or other ownership interests in, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, other than regular quarterly dividend payments in respect of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock;
     (ii) transfer, issue, sell, pledge, encumber or dispose of any shares of capital stock or other securities of, or other ownership interests in, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or grant options, warrants, calls or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire shares of the capital stock or other securities of, or other ownership interests in, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;
     (iii) effect any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, combination or like change in the capitalization of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or amend the terms of any outstanding securities of the Company or any Subsidiary;

47


 

     (iv) amend the certificate of incorporation or by-laws or equivalent organizational or governing documents of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;
     (v) with respect to its directors, officers, employees and consultants (A) increase the salary or other compensation of any director or consultant or, other than for normal periodic increases in the Ordinary Course of Business increase the salary or compensation of any officer or other employee, (B) grant any unusual or extraordinary bonus, benefit or other direct or indirect compensation to any director, officer, employee or consultant, (C) other than changes required by Law, amend or enter into any employment, consulting, deferred compensation, bonus or other incentive compensation, change in control, retention, severance, termination or similar agreement, (D) increase the coverage or benefits available under any (or create any new) deferred compensation, bonus or other incentive compensation, change in control, retention, severance, termination, vacation, salary continuation, insurance, retirement plan, payment or arrangement, or (E) forgive any loan indebtedness or, except as required by any Company Plan, grant any loan;
     (vi) issue, create, incur, assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible with respect to (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) any material Indebtedness other than Transaction Indebtedness; (ii) except in the Ordinary Course of Business, pay, repay, discharge, purchase, repurchase or satisfy any Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; or (iii) modify the terms of any Indebtedness or other Liability;
     (vii) subject to any Lien or otherwise encumber or, except for Permitted Exceptions, permit, allow or suffer to be encumbered, any of the material properties or assets (whether tangible or intangible) of, or used by, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;
     (viii) acquire any material properties or assets or sell, assign, license, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of any of the material properties or assets of, or used by, the Company and the Subsidiaries, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (ix) enter into or agree to enter into any merger or consolidation with any corporation or other entity, or engage in any new line of business or invest in, make a loan, advance or capital contribution to, or otherwise acquire the securities, of any other Person;
     (x) cancel or compromise any material debt or claim or waive or release any material right of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (xi) enter into any new commitment for capital expenditures of the Company and the Subsidiaries in excess of $50,000 for any individual commitment and $500,000 for all commitments in the aggregate;
     (xii) enter into, modify or terminate any labor or collective bargaining agreement of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or, through negotiation or

48


 

otherwise, make any commitment or incur any liability to any labor organization with respect to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;
     (xiii) introduce any material change with respect to the operation of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, including any material change in the types, nature, composition or quality of its products or services, or, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, make any material change in product specifications or prices or terms of distributions of such products or change its pricing, discount, allowance or return policies or grant any pricing, discount, allowance or return terms for any customer or supplier not in accordance with such policies;
     (xiv) enter into any transaction or enter into, modify or renew any Contract by reason of its size, nature or otherwise is not in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (xv) except for transfers of cash pursuant to normal cash management practices in the Ordinary Course of Business, and except for agreements in effect on the date hereof, make any investments in or loans to, or pay any fees or expenses to, or enter into or modify any Contract with any Related Persons;
     (xvi) make, change or revoke any accounting or Tax election, reporting principles, methods or policies, settle or compromise any Tax claim or liability or enter into a settlement or compromise, or change (or make a request to any Taxing Authority to change) its method of accounting for Tax purposes;
     (xvii) enter into any Contract, understanding or commitment that restrains, restricts, limits or impedes the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary to compete with or conduct any business or line of business in any geographic area or solicit the employment of any persons;
     (xviii) terminate, amend, restate, supplement or waive any rights under any (A) Material Contract, Real Property Lease, Personal Property Lease or Intellectual Property License, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business or (B) material Permit;
     (xix) settle or compromise any pending or threatened Legal Proceeding or any claim or claims other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;
     (xx) change or modify its credit, collection or payment policies, procedures or practices, including acceleration of collections or receivables (whether or not past due) or fail to pay or delay payment of payables or other liabilities;
     (xxi) agree to do anything (A) prohibited by this Section 7.2, (B) which would make any of the representations and warranties of the Signing Stockholders in this Agreement or any of the Signing Stockholder Documents or Company Documents untrue or incorrect in any material respect or would cause any of the conditions to the Closing not being satisfied or (C) that would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
     (xxii) fail to pay any required maintenance or other similar fees or otherwise fail

49


 

to make required filings or payments required to maintain and further prosecute any applications for registration of Intellectual Property;
     (xxiii) other than as may be required as a result of a change in applicable Law, regulation or GAAP, change any of the Insurance Companies’ reserving methods (it being understood that the foregoing should not apply to changes in the amount of reserves);
     (xxiv) abandon, modify, waive, terminate or otherwise change any insurance licenses of the Insurance Companies, except (A) as may be required in order to comply with applicable Law or (B) such modifications or waivers of insurance licenses as would not, individually or in the aggregate, restrict the business or operations of such Insurance Company in any material respect;
     (xxv) take any action that would reasonably be expected to result in a reduction of any financial ratings of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including the insurer financial strength ratings of the Insurance Companies;
     (xxvi) make any material change in its underwriting, claims management, pricing, reserving or reinsurance practices;
     (xxvii) materially reduce the amount of insurance covering the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries provided by existing insurance policies;
     (xxviii) make any material modifications to any form of insurance contract other than in the Ordinary Course of Business; and
     (xxix) except for the payments contemplated by the Agreement, make any other payments, or obligate itself to make any payments, to any Signing Stockholder or their Affiliates or family members and make any payments, or obligate itself to make any payments, to the Agency
          7.3 Third Party Consents. The Company shall use, and the Company shall cause the Subsidiaries to use, their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain at the earliest practicable date all consents, waivers and approvals from, and provide all notices to, all Persons that are not a Governmental Body, which consents, waivers, approvals and notices are required to consummate, or in connection with, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the consents, waivers, approvals and notices referred to in Sections 4.3(b) and 5.3(b) hereof (except for such matters covered by Section 7.4). All such consents, waivers, approvals and notices shall be in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owners, and executed counterparts of such consents, waivers and approvals shall be delivered to the Owners promptly after receipt thereof, and copies of such notices shall be delivered to the Owners promptly after the making thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither the Owners nor any of their Affiliates (which for purposes of this sentence shall include the Company) shall be required to pay any amounts in connection with obtaining any consent, waiver or approval other than filing fees, fees and expenses of advisors, and similar amounts.

50


 

          7.4 Governmental Consents and Approvals.
          (a) Each of the Owners, the Signing Stockholders, the Acquirer and the Company shall use, and the Company shall cause each of the Subsidiaries to use, its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain at the earliest practical date all consents, waivers, approvals, Orders, Permits, authorizations and declarations from, make all filings with, and provide all notices to, all Governmental Bodies which are required to consummate, or in connection with, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the consents, waivers, approvals, Orders, Permits, authorizations, declarations, filings and notices referred to in Sections 4.3(b) and 5.3(b). Without limiting the foregoing, the Owners, Signing Stockholders and the Company shall (i) make all filings required of each of them or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates under the HSR Act or other Antitrust Laws with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable and, in any event, within ten (10) Business Days after the date of this Agreement in the case of all filings required under the HSR Act and within four (4) weeks in the case of all other filings required by other Antitrust Laws, (ii) comply at the earliest practicable date with any request under the HSR Act or other Antitrust Laws for additional information, documents, or other materials received by each of them or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (the “Antitrust Division”) or any other Governmental Body in respect of such filings or such transactions, and (iii) cooperate with each other in connection with any such filing (including, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, providing copies of all such documents to the non-filing parties prior to filing and considering all reasonable additions, deletions or changes suggested in connection therewith) and in connection with resolving any investigation or other inquiry of any of the FTC, the Antitrust Division or other Governmental Body under any Antitrust Laws with respect to any such filing or any such transaction. Each such party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to each other party hereto all information required for any application or other filing to be made pursuant to any applicable Law in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each such party shall promptly inform the other parties hereto of any oral communication with, and provide copies of written communications with, any Governmental Body regarding any such filings or any such transaction and permit the other party to review in advance any proposed communication by such party to any Governmental Body. No party hereto shall independently participate in any formal meeting with any Governmental Body in respect of any such filings, investigation, or other inquiry without giving the other parties hereto prior notice of the meeting and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Body, the opportunity to attend and/or participate. Subject to applicable Law, the parties hereto shall consult and cooperate with one another in connection with the matters described in this Section 7.4, including in connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations, memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions and proposals made or submitted by or on behalf of any party hereto relating to proceedings under the HSR Act or other Antitrust Laws.
          (b) Each of the Owners, the Signing Stockholders and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as may be asserted by any Governmental Body with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under any Law, including the HSR Act, the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, and any other Laws that are designed to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade

51


 

(collectively, the “Antitrust Laws”). In connection therewith, if any Legal Proceeding is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) challenging any transaction contemplated by this Agreement as in violation of any Law, the Signing Stockholders and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts, and the Owners shall cooperate with the Signing Stockholders and the Company, to contest and resist any such Legal Proceeding, and to have vacated, lifted, reversed, or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction or other order whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents, or restricts consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Owners, the Signing Stockholders and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as may be required to cause the expiration of the notice periods under the HSR Act or other Antitrust Laws with respect to such transactions as promptly as possible after the execution of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither the Owners nor any of their Affiliates (which for purposes of this sentence shall include the Company) shall be required, in connection with the matters covered by this Section 7.4, (i) to pay any amounts (other than the payment of filing fees and expenses and fees of counsel), (ii) to commence or defend any litigation, (iii) to hold separate (including by trust or otherwise) or divest any of their respective businesses, product lines or assets, (iv) to agree to any limitation on the operation or conduct of their or the Company’s or any of the Subsidiaries’ respective businesses or (v) to waive any of the conditions set forth in Article VIII of this Agreement.
          7.5 Insurance Regulatory Consents.
          (a) Each of the Company, the Signing Stockholders and the Owners shall cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts to obtain all consents, approvals and agreements of, and to give and make all notices and filings with, any Governmental Body necessary to authorize, approve or permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation, the Insurance Regulatory Approvals and the Permits set forth on Schedule 5.3 and Schedule 6.3 hereto. The Sellers and the Purchaser shall cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts to obtain all other approvals and consents to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the matters set forth on Schedule 5.3 or Schedule 6.3 hereto.
          (b) The Owners shall, as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, make (and cause its Affiliates to make) all necessary filings of preacquisition statements required by applicable state insurance holding company systems and acquisition of control filings in all jurisdictions indicated in Schedule 6.3.
          7.6 Further Assurances. Subject to, and not in limitation of, Section 7.4, each of the Signing Stockholders, the Company and the Owners shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary or appropriate to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) cause the fulfillment at the earliest practicable date of all of the conditions to their respective obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
          7.7 No Shop. The Signing Stockholders and the Company shall not, and shall not permit the Subsidiaries or any of the Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, representatives or agents of the Signing Stockholders, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (collectively, the

52


 

Representatives”) to, directly or indirectly, (i) discuss, encourage, negotiate, undertake, initiate, authorize, recommend, propose or enter into, whether as the proposed surviving, merged, acquiring or acquired corporation or otherwise, any transaction involving a merger, consolidation, business combination, purchase or disposition of any material amount of the assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any capital stock or other ownership interests of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (an “Acquisition Transaction”), (ii) facilitate, encourage, solicit or initiate discussions, negotiations or submissions of proposals or offers in respect of an Acquisition Transaction, (iii) furnish or cause to be furnished, to any Person, any information concerning the business, operations, properties or assets of the Company or the Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition Transaction, or (iv) otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, facilitate or encourage, any effort or attempt by any other Person to do or seek any of the foregoing.
          7.8 Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Confidentiality.
          (a) For a period of five (5) years from and after the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 7.8(a), the Signing Stockholders shall not, and shall cause their Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, own, manage, engage in, operate, control, work for, consult with, render services for, do business with, maintain any interest in (proprietary, financial or otherwise) or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, any business, whether in corporate, proprietorship or partnership form or otherwise, engaged in the business of issuing credit and disability insurance policies or that otherwise competes with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (a “Restricted Business”); provided, however, that the restrictions contained in this Section 7.8(a) shall not restrict the acquisition by any Signing Stockholder, directly or indirectly, of less than 2% of the outstanding capital stock of any publicly traded company engaged in a Restricted Business.
          (b) For a period of five (5) years from and after the Closing Date, the Signing Stockholders shall not, and shall cause their directors, officers, employees and Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly: (i) cause, solicit, induce or encourage any employees of the Company or the Subsidiaries to leave such employment or hire, employ or otherwise engage any such individual; or (ii) cause, induce or encourage any material actual or prospective client, customer, supplier, or licensor of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (including any existing or former customer of the Company or the Subsidiaries and any Person that becomes a client or customer of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries after the Closing) or any other Person who has a material business relationship with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, to terminate or modify any such actual or prospective relationship.
          (c) From and after the Closing Date, the Signing Stockholders shall not and shall cause their directors, officers, employees and Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, disclose, reveal, divulge or communicate to any Person other than authorized officers, directors and employees of the Owners or use or otherwise exploit for its own benefit or for the benefit of anyone other than the Owners, any Confidential Information (as defined below). The Signing Stockholders shall not have any obligation to keep confidential (or cause its officers, directors or Affiliates to keep confidential) any Confidential Information if and to the extent disclosure thereof is specifically required by applicable Law; provided, however, that in the event

53


 

disclosure is required by applicable Law, the Signing Stockholders shall, to the extent reasonably possible, provide the Owners with prompt notice of such requirement prior to making any disclosure so that the Owners may seek an appropriate protective order. For purposes of this Section 7.8(c), “Confidential Information” means any information with respect to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, including methods of operation, customer lists, products, prices, fees, costs, Technology, inventions, trade secrets, know-how, Software, marketing methods, plans, personnel, suppliers, competitors, markets or other specialized information or proprietary matters. “Confidential Information” does not include, and there shall be no obligation hereunder with respect to, information that (i) is generally available to the public on the date of this Agreement or (ii) becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure not otherwise permissible hereunder.
          (d) The covenants and undertakings contained in this Section 7.8 relate to matters which are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and a violation of any of the terms of this Section 7.8 will cause irreparable injury to the Owners, the amount of which will be impossible to estimate or determine and which cannot be adequately compensated. Accordingly, the remedy at law for any breach of this Section 7.8 will be inadequate. Therefore, the Owners will be entitled to a temporary and permanent injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in the event of any breach of this Section 7.8 without the necessity of proving actual damage or posting any bond whatsoever. The rights and remedies provided by this Section 7.8 are cumulative and in addition to any other rights and remedies which the Owners may have hereunder or at law or in equity.
          (e) The parties hereto agree that, if any court of competent jurisdiction determines that a specified time period, a specified geographical area, a specified business limitation or any other relevant feature of this Section 7.8 is unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, then a lesser period of time, geographical area, business limitation or other relevant feature which is determined by such court to be reasonable, not arbitrary and not against public policy may be enforced against the applicable party.
          7.9 Publicity.
          (a) None of the Owners, Signing Stockholders or the Company shall issue any press release or public announcement concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without obtaining the prior written approval of the other party hereto, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, unless disclosure is otherwise required by applicable Law, provided that, to the extent required by applicable Law, the party intending to make such release shall use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with such applicable Law to consult with the other party with respect to the text thereof.
          (b) Each of the Owners, the Signing Stockholders and the Company agrees that the terms of this Agreement shall not be disclosed or otherwise made available to the public and that copies of this Agreement shall not be publicly filed or otherwise made available to the public, except where such disclosure, availability or filing is required by applicable Law and only to the extent required by such Law..
          7.10 Use of Name. The Signing Stockholders hereby agree that upon the

54


 

Closing, the Signing Stockholders shall have no right to the use of the name “Life of the South,” “LOTS” or similar names and any service marks, trademarks, trade names, d/b/a names, fictitious names, identifying symbols, logos, emblems, signs or insignia related thereto or containing or comprising the foregoing, or otherwise used in the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, including any name or mark confusingly similar thereto and the trademarks and service marks listed on Schedule 5.13(a) (collectively, the “Company Marks”). The Signing Stockholders shall not, and shall not permit their respective Affiliates to, use such name or any variation or simulation thereof or any of the Company Marks. Each of the Signing Stockholders shall, and shall cause each its Affiliates to, immediately after the Closing, cease to hold itself out as having any affiliation with the Company or any of its Affiliates (except to the extent such Signing Stockholder has an affiliation that continues after the Closing).
          7.11 Cooperation with Financing. In order to assist with obtaining the Financing, the Signing Stockholders and the Company shall, and the Company shall cause the Subsidiaries to, provide such assistance and cooperation as the Owners and its Affiliates may reasonably request, including, if reasonably requested, (i) assisting with the preparation of any prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document or marketing material, and, cooperating with the Owners, initial purchasers or placement agents, (ii) making senior management of the Company and the Subsidiaries reasonably available for customary “roadshow” or syndication, presentations, lender or proposed financing source meetings and rating agencies presentations, (iii) cooperating with prospective lenders, underwriters, placement agents or initial purchasers and their respective advisors in performing their due diligence, (iv) providing all financial statements and financial and other information that would be required in an offering of securities on a Form S-1 under the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, including three full years of audited financial statements, any interim period financial statements that would be required by the SEC (reviewed in accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards (“SAS”) 100), and, if required in order to satisfy the Financing Condition, any pro forma financial statements that would be required by the SEC in the Form S-1, (v) causing the Company’s accountants to provide comfort letters to any underwriters or initial owners consistent with SAS 72 (as amended), including standard negative assurance on any interim period of pro forma financial statements, (vi) entering into customary agreements with effect from the Closing with lenders, underwriters, initial purchasers and placement agents and their respective advisors, and (vii) helping procure other definitive financing documents or other reasonably requested certificates or documents, including pledge and security documents, customary certificates (including a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Company with respect to solvency matters), legal opinions and real estate title documentation.
          7.12 Related-Party Transactions with Non-Management Affiliates. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company and the Subsidiaries shall (a) terminate all Contracts with any of the Signing Stockholders, other Stockholders of the Company or their respective Affiliates (other than (i) those Contracts set forth on Schedule 7.12 and (ii) Contracts between the Company and the Subsidiaries) and (b) if requested by the Owners, deliver releases executed by such Persons or such Affiliates with whom the Company has terminated such Contracts pursuant to this Section 7.12 providing that no further payments are due, or may become due, under or in respect of any such terminated Contacts; provided that in no event shall the Company or any of the Subsidiaries pay any fee or otherwise incur any expense or financial exposure with respect to any such termination or release.

55


 

          7.13 Monthly Financial Statements. As soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 30 days after the end of each calendar month during the period from the date hereof to the Closing, the Company shall provide the Owners with (i) unaudited monthly financial statements and (ii) operating or management reports (such reports to be in the form prepared by the Company in the Ordinary Course of Business) of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such preceding month.
          7.14 Fees and Expenses. No later than three Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to the Owners (i) pay-off letters or final invoices in respect of the Company Transaction Expenses from third-party service providers to whom payments are required to be made by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, and (ii) a certificate of the Company setting forth an estimate of the unpaid balance of all Company Transaction Expenses as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Closing. On the Closing Date prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver to the Owners a certificate of the Company setting forth the unpaid balance of all Company Transaction Expenses as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Closing. The Company shall pay and discharge all such Company Transaction Expenses at or prior to the Closing. All pay-off letters or final invoices shall provide that the amounts set forth therein represent payment in full for all fees and expenses payable by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
          7.15 Notification of Certain Matters. The Signing Stockholders shall give notice to the Owners and the Owners shall give notice to the Signing Stockholders, as promptly as reasonably practicable upon becoming aware of (a) any fact, change, condition, circumstance, event, occurrence or non-occurrence that has caused or is reasonably likely to cause any representation or warranty in this Agreement made by it to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at any time after the date hereof and prior to the Closing, (b) any material failure on its part to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder or (c) the institution of or the threat of institution of any Legal Proceeding against any of the Signing Stockholders, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 7.15 shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such notices or the responsibilities or warranties of, or as conditions to the obligation of, the parties hereof.
          7.16 Debt. No later than the third Business Day prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall provide the Owners with (i) a certificate of the Company setting forth an estimate of the balance of all Transaction Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Closing Date and (ii) customary pay-off letters from all holders of Transaction Indebtedness to be repaid as of or prior to the Closing. The Company shall also make arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Owners for such holders to provide to the Owners recordable form mortgage and lien releases, canceled notes and other documents reasonably requested by the Owners prior to the Closing such that all Liens on the assets or properties of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries that are not Permitted Exceptions shall be satisfied, terminated and discharged on or prior to the Closing Date. On the Closing Date prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver to the Owners a certificate of the Company setting forth all Transaction Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

56


 

          7.17 Stockholder Approval. At a time mutually agreeable to Owners and Company after the execution of this Agreement, but in any event within sixty days of the date hereof, the Company shall submit this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby to its stockholders at a special meeting for approval and adoption as provided by the GCC and its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Board of Directors of the Company shall approve this Agreement and declare its advisability, and recommend that the stockholders of the Company vote in favor of and adopt and approve this Agreement. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to solicit and obtain the approval of its stockholders to approve and adopt the Agreement and approve the Merger and to enable the Closing to occur at a special meeting of stockholders as promptly as practicable. In connection with such stockholder approval and as soon as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall prepare, with the cooperation of Owners, an information statement (the “Information Statement”) for purposes of soliciting such approval of the stockholders, which shall include a statement to the effect that the Board of Directors of the Company has recommended that the stockholders of the Company vote in favor of and adopt and approve this Agreement. The Information Statement shall specify that adoption of this Agreement or submission of the letter of transmittal shall constitute approval by the stockholders of the Company of: (i) the escrow and all other provisions of Article IX hereof and the deposit of that portion of the Merger Consideration equal to the Escrow Amount into the Escrow Fund and (ii) in favor of the appointment of N.G. Houston III as Stockholder Representative, under and as defined in this Agreement. In addition, the letter of transmittal shall contain representations and warranties of the stockholders as to ownership and authority. Each Signing Stockholder hereby covenants and agrees that, during the period commencing on the date hereof and continuing until the first to occur of (A) the Effective Time and (B) termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, at any meeting (whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting) of the stockholders of Company, however called, or in connection with any written consent of the stockholders of Company, such Signing Stockholder will appear at the meeting or otherwise cause the shares of Company Common Stock held by such Signing Stockholder to be counted as present thereat for purposes of establishing a quorum and vote or consent (or cause to be voted or consented) such shares in favor of the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger and the other actions contemplated by this Agreement and any actions required in furtherance thereof.
          7.18 Employment Matters.
          (a) The Company shall make payments to N.G. Houston III and Kenneth Ned Hamil in the amounts set forth on Schedule 7.18(a) pursuant to the terms of their existing employment agreements with the Company, as such agreements have been amended through the date hereof, in a lump sum in accordance with the provisions of such agreements within seven days of the Closing Date. By executing this Agreement, both N.G. Houston III and Kenneth Ned Hamil acknowledge and agree that upon receipt of the payments pursuant to Sections 7.18(a) and 7.18(b), all obligations owed to them by the Company or its Subsidiaries under such agreements or otherwise with respect to a change of control will be extinguished.
          (b) The Company shall make payments to N.G. Houston III and Kenneth Ned Hamil in the amounts set forth on Schedule 7.18(b) pursuant to the terms of their Deferred Compensation Agreements, as such agreements have been amended through the date hereof, in a

57


 

lump sum in accordance with the provisions of such agreements within seven days of the Closing Date. By executing this Agreement, both N.G. Houston III and Kenneth Ned Hamil acknowledge and agree that upon receipt of the payments pursuant to Sections 7.18(a) and 7.18(b), all obligations owed to them by the Company or its Subsidiaries under such agreements or otherwise with respect to deferred compensation will be extinguished.
          (c) Loyd Shaw shall receive severance payments of $75,000 per year for two years commencing after his termination of employment with the Company. The payments to Loyd Shaw shall be made monthly and shall be subject to all applicable withholding taxes. By executing this Agreement, Loyd Shaw acknowledges and agrees that upon receipt of the payment pursuant to this Section 7.18(c), all obligations owed to him by the Company or its Subsidiaries with regards to severance or deferred compensation will be extinguished.
          7.19 Pre-Closing Transactions. Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall at the request of the Owners effect the various steps laid out in Schedule 7.19.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
          8.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of each party hereto to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permissible under applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
          (a) Company Stockholder Approval. The Company Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained in accordance with applicable Law and the Company Charter Documents; and
          (b) No Injunctions or Restraints. No Law, injunction, judgment or ruling enacted, promulgated, issued, entered, amended or enforced by any Governmental Authority (collectively, Restraints) shall be in effect enjoining, restraining, preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Merger or making the consummation of the Merger illegal.
          8.2 Conditions Precedent to Obligations of The Owners. The obligation of the Owners to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the fulfillment, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions precedent (any or all of which may be waived by the Owners in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Law):
          (a) The representations and warranties of the Company and the Signing Stockholders contained in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct, and the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date;

58


 

          (b) the Signing Stockholders and the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all obligations and agreements required in this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the Closing Date;
          (c) there shall not have been or occurred any event, change, occurrence or circumstance that, individually or in the aggregate with any such events, changes, occurrences or circumstances, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect since the date hereof;
          (d) The Owners shall have received a certificate signed by each Signing Stockholder and by each of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owners, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that each of the conditions specified above in Sections 8.1(b) and 8.2(a)-(c) have been satisfied in all respects; provided that with respect to Section 8.2(a), the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company shall only be required to certify as to the representations and warranties contained in Article V.
          (e) (i) if applicable, the waiting period under the HSR Act shall have expired or early termination shall have been granted and the Signing Stockholders, the Company or the Subsidiaries shall have obtained or made any other consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Body required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) the Signing Stockholders, the Company or the Subsidiaries shall have obtained all consents, waivers and approvals under all Antitrust Laws and those consents, waivers and approvals referred to in Sections 4.3(b) and 5.3(b) hereof in a form satisfactory to the Owners and (iii) the Owners shall have obtained all consents, waivers and approvals referred to in Section 6.3(b);
          (f) the Signing Stockholders and the Company shall have obtained those consents listed on Schedule 8.2(f) in a form satisfactory to the Owners and copies thereof shall have been delivered to the Owners;
          (g) the Financing Condition shall have been met;
          (h) the Stockholder Representative and the Escrow Agent shall have entered into and executed the Escrow Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto;
          (i) the Company shall have obtained the issuance, reissuance or transfer of all Permits required under Law for it to conduct the operation of its business as of the Closing Date;
          (j) the pre-closing transaction described in Schedule 7.19 shall have been completed by the Company;
          (k) the Company shall have sold, or entered into a binding agreement satisfactory in form and substance to the Owners to sell, all of the instruments that are or would be included within the “mortgage loans” line item on the Balance Sheet for not more than a 3% discount from their aggregate book value, or as otherwise approved by the Owners;

59


 

          (l) each of the Selling Stockholders shall have provided the Owners with a certificate of non-foreign status within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b);
          (m) the Owners shall have received evidence satisfactory to them that the outstanding loans from the Company to certain of the Company’s officers and employees have been repaid in full, including any interest due and payable, by such officers or employees;
          (n) The agreements governing the Options that will not be cashed out at Closing pursuant to Section 3.4(a)(i) shall be amended in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Owners so as to provide that, in connection with any change in control of the Company following the Closing, the Options subject thereto shall be subject to being cashed out at fair market value at the option of the Company; and
          (o) the Owners shall have received a Statement of Actuarial Opinion together with the related actuarial reports for LOTS Reassurance Company and CRC Reassurance Company as of December 31, 2006, prepared by third party experts and using methodologies and actuarial assumptions in each case consistent with similar actuarial reports regularly prepared for the Company’s domestic regulated insurance subsidiaries, showing, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Owners, that the policyholder liabilities and related items set forth on the Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2006:
     (i) Are computed in accordance with presently accepted actuarial standards consistently applied, and are fairly stated in accordance with sound actuarial principles;
     (ii) Meet the requirements of applicable Law;
     (iii) Make good and sufficient provision for all unmatured obligations of the company guaranteed under the terms of its policies; and
     (iv) Include provision in the aggregate for all actuarial reserves and related items that prudent business practice requires be established.
This Section 8.2(m) shall be deemed waived by the Owners twenty-one days after their receipt of such Statement of Actuarial Opinion and related actuarial reports unless they shall have notified the Company in writing before the end of the twenty-first day after such receipt that such opinion and reports were not reasonably satisfactory to the Owners.
          8.3 Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Signing Stockholders and the Company. The obligations of the Signing Stockholders and the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, prior to or on the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions precedent (any or all of which may be waived by the Stockholder Representative and the Company in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Law):
          (a) the representations and warranties of the Owners set forth in this Agreement qualified as to materially shall be true and correct, and those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case, as of the date of this Agreement and as of

60


 

the Closing as though made at and as of the Closing, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties qualified as to materially shall be true and correct, and those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, on and as of such earlier date);
          (b) The Owners shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all obligations and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Owners on or prior to the Closing Date;
          (c) the waiting period under the HSR Act shall have expired or early termination shall have been granted and the Owners shall have obtained or made any other consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Body required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including those referred to in Section 6.3(b);
          (d) The Company and Stockholder Representative shall have received a certificate signed by a representative of the Owners, in form and substance satisfactory to the Stockholder Representative and the Company, to the effect that each of the conditions specified in Sections 8.3(a)-(c) have been satisfied in all respects.
          (e) The Owners and the Escrow Agent shall have entered into and executed the Escrow Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
          (f) The Escrow Amount shall have been deposited into the account designated by the Escrow Agent, and the remainder of the Merger Consideration shall have been deposited with the Paying Agent, in each case in cash by wire transfer of immediately available federal funds.
          8.4 None of the Company, the Signing Stockholders or the Owners may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 8.1, 8.2 or 8.3, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such party’s failure to use commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
          9.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the parties contained in this Agreement, any certificate delivered pursuant hereto or any Signing Stockholder Document or Company Document shall survive the Closing and continue until 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the date which is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date (the “Expiration Date”); provided, however, that the representations and warranties (a) of the Signing Stockholders set forth in Sections 4.1 (Organization), 4.2 (Authorization), 4.4 (Ownership), 4.6 (Financial Advisors), (b) of the Company in Sections 5.1 (Organization), 5.2 (Authorization), 5.4 (Capitalization), 5.5 (Subsidiaries) Sections 5.10 (Taxes), 5.15 (Employee Benefit Plans)and 5.28 (Financial Advisors) shall survive the Closing until 90 days following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations with respect to the

61


 

particular matter that is the subject matter thereof and (c) of the Owners set forth in Sections 6.1, (Organization), 6.2 (Authorization) and 6.6 (Brokers and Other Advisors) shall survive the Closing until 90 days following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations with respect to the particular matter that is the subject matter thereof (in each case, the “Survival Period”); provided, however, that any obligations under Sections 9.2(a)(i) and 9.2(b)(i) shall not terminate with respect to any Losses as to which the Person to be indemnified shall have given notice (stating in reasonable detail the basis of the claim for indemnification) to the indemnifying party in accordance with Section 9.3(a) before the termination of the applicable Survival Period.
          9.2 Indemnification.
          (a) Subject to Sections 9.1, 9.4 and 9.6 hereof, the Company and the Signing Stockholders agree that the Owners, the Company, and their respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates, stockholders, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Owners Indemnified Parties”) are entitled to indemnification from the Indemnity Escrow Account (as defined below) and the Selling Stockholders (severally, but not jointly) as provided in Section 9.5 herein, and are to be held harmless from and against, any and all losses, liabilities, claims, obligations, deficiencies, demands, judgments, damages (including incidental and consequential damages), interest, fines, penalties, claims, suits, actions, causes of action, assessments, awards, costs and expenses (including costs of investigation and defense and attorneys’ and other professionals’ fees), or any diminution in value, whether or not involving a third party claim (individually, a “Loss” and, collectively, “Losses”):
     (i) based upon, attributable to or resulting from the failure of any of the representations or warranties made by the Signing Stockholders or the Company in this Agreement or in any Signing Stockholder Document or Company Document to be true and correct in all respects at and as of the date hereof and at and as of the Closing Date;
     (ii) based upon, attributable to or resulting from the breach of any covenant or other agreement on the part of the Signing Stockholders;
     (iii) based upon, attributable to or resulting from the breach of any covenant or other agreement on the part of (prior to the Closing) the Company under this Agreement or any Transaction Document; and
     (iv) equal to any Transaction Indebtedness in excess of $21.74 million and any Selling Stockholder Expenses not taken into account in determining the Per Share Price.
          (b) Subject to Sections 9.1 and 9.4, the Owners hereby agree to indemnify and hold the Signing Stockholders and their respective Affiliates, stockholders, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors and permitted assigns (collectively, the “Signing Stockholder Indemnified Parties”) harmless from and against, and pay to the applicable Signing Stockholder Indemnified Parties the amount of any and all Losses:
     (i) based upon, attributable to or resulting from the failure of any of the representations or warranties made by the Owners in this Agreement to be true and correct in all respects at the date hereof and as of the Closing Date; and

62


 

     (ii) based upon, attributable to or resulting from the breach of any covenant or other agreement on the part of the Owners under this Agreement.
          (c) The right to indemnification or any other remedy based on representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement, or any Signing Stockholder Documents or Company Document shall not be affected by any investigation conducted at any time, or any knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) at any time, whether before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Closing Date, with respect to the accuracy or inaccuracy of, or compliance with, any such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement. The waiver of any condition based on the accuracy of any such representation or warranty, or on the performance of or compliance with any such covenant or agreements, will not affect the right to indemnification or any other remedy based on such representations, warranties, covenants and agreements. The Signing Stockholders waive all claims against the Company for any breach of any representations and warranties made by the Company herein or any breach prior to the Closing of any covenants made by the Company herein.
          9.3 Indemnification Procedures.
          (a) A claim for indemnification for any matter not involving a third party claim may be asserted prior to the expiration of the applicable Survival Period by notice to the party from whom indemnification is sought; provided, however, that failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall not preclude the indemnified party from any indemnification which it may claim in accordance with this Article IX so long as such notice is given prior to the expiration of the applicable Survival Period.
          (b) In the event that any Legal Proceedings shall be instituted or that any claim or demand shall be asserted by any third party in respect of which indemnification may be sought under Section 9.2 hereof (regardless of the limitations set forth in Section 9.4) (a “Third Party Claim”), the indemnified party shall promptly cause written notice of the assertion of any Third Party Claim of which it has knowledge which is covered by this indemnity to be forwarded to the indemnifying party. The failure of the indemnified party to give reasonably prompt notice of any Third Party Claim shall not release, waive or otherwise affect the indemnifying party’s obligations with respect thereto except to the extent that the indemnifying party can demonstrate actual loss and prejudice as a result of such failure. Subject to the provisions of this Section 9.3, the indemnifying party shall have the right, at its sole expense, to be represented by counsel of its choice, which must be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, and to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Third Party Claim which relates to any Losses indemnified against hereunder. If the indemnifying party elects to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Third Party Claim which relates to any Losses indemnified by it hereunder, it shall within five Business days of the indemnified party’s written notice of the assertion of such Third Party Claim (or sooner, if the nature of the Third Party Claim so requires) notify the indemnified party of its intent to do so; provided, that the indemnifying party must conduct the defense of the Third Party Claim actively and diligently thereafter in order to preserve its rights in this regard. If the indemnifying party elects not to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Third Party Claim which relates to any Losses indemnified against hereunder, fails to notify the indemnified party of its election as herein provided or contests its obligation to indemnify the indemnified party for such Losses under this

63


 

Agreement, the indemnified party may defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with such Third Party Claim. If the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of any Third Party Claim, the indemnified party may participate, at his or its own expense, in the defense of such Third Party Claim; provided, however, that such indemnified party shall be entitled to participate in any such defense with separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party if (i) so requested by the indemnifying party to participate or (ii) in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the indemnified party, a conflict or potential conflict exists between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party that would make such separate representation advisable; and provided, further, that the indemnifying party shall not be required to pay for more than one such counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any Third Party Claim. The parties hereto agree to provide reasonable access to the other to such documents and information as may be reasonably requested in connection with the defense, negotiation or settlement of any such Third Party Claim. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.3 to the contrary, neither the indemnifying party nor the indemnified party shall, without the written consent of the other party, settle or compromise any Third Party Claim or permit a default or consent to entry of any judgment unless the claimant or claimants and such party provide to such other party an unqualified release from all liability in respect of the Third Party Claim. If the indemnifying party makes any payment on any Third Party Claim, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated, to the extent of such payment, to all rights and remedies of the indemnified party to any insurance benefits or other claims of the indemnified party with respect to such Third Party Claim.
          (c) After any final decision, judgment or award shall have been rendered by a Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of the time in which to appeal therefrom, or a settlement shall have been consummated, or the indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall have arrived at a mutually binding agreement, in each case with respect to an Third Party Claim hereunder, the indemnified party shall forward to the indemnifying party notice of any sums due and owing by the indemnifying party pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such matter and the indemnifying party shall pay all of such remaining sums so due and owing to the indemnified party in accordance with Section 9.5.
          (d) The Stockholder Representative shall act for all Selling Stockholders and Signing Stockholders under this Article IX, other than with regards to a claim against a Signing Stockholder under Section 9.2(a)(ii), and shall be treated (solely for administrative purposes) as the indemnifying party for claim procedures set out in this Section 9.3 for claims for indemnification against the Indemnity Escrow Account and the Signing Stockholders.
          9.4 Limitations on Indemnification for Breaches of Representations and Warranties.
          (a) Neither the Signing Stockholders, the Selling Stockholders (including, in each case, indemnification through the Indemnity Escrow Account) nor the Owners shall be required to indemnify any Person under Section 9.2(a)(i) or Section 9.2(b)(i) hereof unless and only to the extent that the aggregate amount of Losses incurred by the indemnified parties and indemnifiable thereunder based upon, attributable to or resulting from the failure of any of the representations or warranties to be true and correct exceeds $750,000 (the “Basket”) and, in such event, the indemnifying party shall be required to pay, subject to the Cap, the entire amount of all such Losses in excess of that amount, provided that the Basket limitation shall not apply to

64


 

Losses related to the failure to be true and correct of any of the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1 (Capitalization), 4.2 (Authorization), 4.4 (Ownership), 4.6 (Financial Advisors), 5.1 (Organization), 5.2 (Authorization), 5.4 (Capitalization), 5.10 (Taxes), 5.15 (Employee Benefit Plans), 5.27 (Financial Advisors), 6.1 (Organization), 6.2 (Authorization) and 6.6 (Brokers and Other Advisors).
          (b) Neither the Signing Stockholders, the Selling Stockholders (including, in each case, indemnification made through the Indemnity Escrow Account) nor the Owners shall be required to indemnify any Person under Section 9.2(a) or 9.2(b) for an aggregate amount of Losses exceeding $15,000,000 (the “Cap”); provided that there shall be no Cap with respect to Losses related to the failure to be true and correct of any of the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1 (Capitalization), 4.2 (Authorization), 4.4 (Ownership), 4.6 (Financial Advisors), 5.1 (Organization), 5.2 (Authorization), 5.4 (Capitalization), 5.10 (Taxes), 5.15 (Employee Benefit Plans), 5.27 (Financial Advisors), 6.1 (Organization), 6.2 (Authorization) and 6.6 (Brokers and Other Advisors).
          (c) For purposes of calculating Losses hereunder, any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications in the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements shall be disregarded.
          (d) Neither the Selling Stockholders nor the Signing Stockholders shall have any right of contribution or other recourse against the Company or the Subsidiaries or their respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates, agents, attorneys, representatives, assigns or successors (except to the extent that such parties are Signing Stockholders) for any Third Party Claims asserted by the Owners Indemnified Parties, it being acknowledged and agreed that the covenants and agreements of the Company are solely for the benefit of the Owners Indemnified Parties.
          9.5 Indemnity Escrow. On the Closing Date, the Owners shall, on behalf of the Selling Stockholders, pay to Escrow Agent in immediately available funds, to the account designated by the Escrow Agent (the Indemnity Escrow Account), the Escrow Amount, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, and the Selling Stockholders will be deemed to have consented to the deposit with the Escrow Agent of the Escrow Amount without any act required on the part of any such stockholder. The portion of the Escrow Amount contributed on behalf of each holder of Company Common Stock shall be determined with reference to each such stockholder’s Pro Rata Escrow Basis. As used herein, “Pro Rata Escrow Basis” shall mean, as to any particular holder of Company Capital Stock, the quotient determined by dividing (A) the amount of cash consideration such stockholder is entitled to receive with respect to its Company Capital Stock pursuant to Section 3.1(c) by (B) the Merger Consideration. Any indemnification the Owners Indemnified Parties are entitled to pursuant to this Article IX shall be paid first, to the extent there are sufficient funds in the Indemnity Escrow Account (but subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement), by release of funds to the Owners Indemnified Parties from the Indemnity Escrow Account by the Escrow Agent and shall accordingly reduce the Indemnity Escrow Amount and, second, to the extent the Indemnity Escrow Amount is insufficient or unavailable to pay any remaining sums due, then the Signing Stockholders shall be required to pay all of such additional sums due and owing to the Owners Indemnified Parties by wire transfer of immediately available

65


 

funds within five Business Days after the date of such notice. Any such payments by the Signing Stockholders shall be on a pro rata basis with any Signing Stockholder’s pro rata portion being determined by the fraction where the numerator is the number of shares of Company Common Stock owned by that Signing Stockholder for which they are receiving the Per Share Price and the denominator is the total number of shares of Company Common Stock for which any Selling Stockholder received Per Share Price. On the Expiration Date, the Escrow Agent shall release the Indemnity Escrow Amount (to the extent not utilized to pay the Owners for any indemnification claim) to the Stockholder Representative, except that the Escrow Agent shall retain an amount (up to the total amount then held by the Escrow Agent) equal to the sum of (i) the amount of claims for indemnification under this Article IX asserted prior to such date but not yet resolved (Unresolved Claims) and (ii) the Debenture Cap in effect on the Expiration Date. The Indemnity Escrow Amount retained for Unresolved Claims shall be released to the Stockholder Representative by the Escrow Agent (to the extent not utilized to pay the Owners for any such claims resolved in favor of the Owners) upon their resolution in accordance with this Article IX and the terms of the Escrow Agreement. The Indemnity Escrow Amount retained with respect to Losses specified in Section 9.7 shall be released to the Stockholder Representative by the Escrow Agent (to the extent not utilized to pay the Owners for any such Losses) upon their resolution in accordance with this Article IX and the terms of the Escrow Agreement.
          9.6 Tax Matters.
          (a) Tax Indemnification. The Signing Stockholders hereby agree, jointly and severally, to be liable for and to indemnify and hold the Owners Indemnified Parties harmless from and against, and pay to the Owners Indemnified Parties the amount of any and all Losses in respect of (i) all Taxes of the Company and the Subsidiaries (or any predecessor thereof) (A) for any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date, and (B) for the portion of any Straddle Period ending at the close of business on the Closing Date (determined as provided in Section 9.6(c)), but only to the extent that any such Taxes are not included in the Company’s liability for Taxes in accordance with GAAP as of the Closing Date; (ii) any and all Taxes imposed on any member of a consolidated, combined or unitary group of which the Company or any Subsidiary (or any predecessor thereof) is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date, by reason of the liability of the Company or any Subsidiary (or any predecessor thereof), pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6(a) (or any predecessor or successor thereof or any analogous or similar provision under state, local or foreign Law); (iii) the failure of any of the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.10 to be true and correct in all material respects or the failure of the Signing Stockholders or the Company (prior to Closing) to perform any covenant contained in this Agreement required by this Agreement to be performed by the Signing Stockholders or the Company (prior to Closing) with respect to Taxes; (iv) any failure by the Signing Stockholders to timely pay any and all Taxes required to be borne by the Signing Stockholders pursuant to Section 9.6(e); and (v) any Tax liability arising out of the triggering of an ELA as a result of the disposition of the stock of the Agency and the liquidation of the Plantation.
          (b) Filing of Tax Returns; Payment of Taxes.
     (i) The Company shall (and shall cause the Subsidiaries to) timely file

66


 

(including with timely extensions) all Tax Returns required to be filed by it on or prior to the Closing Date and shall pay or cause to be paid all Taxes shown due thereon. All such Tax Returns shall be prepared in a manner consistent with prior practice and Tax elections. The Company shall provide the Owners with copies of such completed Tax Returns at least twenty days prior to the due date for filing thereof, along with supporting workpapers, for the Owners’ review and approval. The Company and the Owners shall attempt in good faith to resolve any disagreements regarding such Tax Returns prior to the due date for filing. In the event that the Company and the Owners are unable to resolve any dispute with respect to such Tax Returns at least ten days prior to the due date for filing, such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 9.6(f), which resolution shall be binding on the parties.
     (ii) Following the Closing, the Owners shall cause to be timely filed all Tax Returns with respect to pre-closing tax periods, including any Straddle Period required to be filed by the Company and the Subsidiaries after the Closing Date (including for any Straddle Period) and pay or cause to be paid all Taxes shown due thereon. The Owners shall provide the Stockholders Representative with copies of such completed Tax Returns at least twenty days prior to the due date for filing thereof, along with supporting workpapers, for the Owners’ review and approval. All Tax Returns shall be prepared and filed in a manner consistent with past practices and Tax elections. The Company and the Owners shall attempt in good faith to resolve any disagreements regarding such Tax Returns prior to the due date for filing. In the event that the Company and the Owners are unable to resolve any dispute with respect to such Tax Returns at least ten days prior to the due date for filing, such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 9.6(f), which resolution shall be binding on the parties.
          (c) Straddle Period Tax Allocation. The Company will, unless prohibited by applicable law, close the taxable period of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the close of business on the Closing Date. If applicable law does not permit the Company or a Subsidiary to close its taxable year on the Closing Date or in any case in which a Tax is assessed with respect to a taxable period which includes the Closing Date (but does not begin or end on that day) (a “Straddle Period”), the Taxes, if any, attributable to a shall be allocated (i) to the Signing Stockholders for the period up to and including the close of business on the Closing Date, and (ii) to the Owners for the period subsequent to the Closing Date. Any allocation of income or deductions required to determine any Taxes attributable to a Straddle Period shall be made by means of a closing of the books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the close of the Closing Date, provided that exemptions, allowances or deductions that are calculated on an annual basis (including, but not limited to, depreciation and amortization deductions) shall be allocated between the period ending on the Closing Date and the period after the Closing Date in proportion to the number of days in each such period.
          (d) Tax Audits.
     (i) If notice of any Legal Proceeding with respect to Taxes of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (a “Tax Claim”) shall be received by either party for which the other party may reasonably be expected to be liable pursuant to Section 9.6(a), the notified party shall promptly notify such other party in writing of such Tax Claim;

67


 

provided, however, that the failure of the notified party to give the other party notice as provided herein shall not relieve such failing party of its obligations under this Section 9.6 except to the extent that the other party is actually prejudiced thereby.
     (ii) The Owners shall have the right, at the expense of the Signing Stockholders to the extent such Tax Claim is subject to indemnification by the Signing Stockholders pursuant to Section 9.6(a) hereof, to represent the interests of the Company and the Subsidiaries in any Tax Claim; provided, that with respect to a Tax Claim relating exclusively to taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date, the Owners shall not settle such claim without the consent of the Stockholders Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
          (e) Transfer Taxes. The Signing Stockholders and the Company equally shall be liable for and shall pay (and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owners Indemnified Parties against) all sales, use, stamp, documentary, filing, recording, transfer or similar fees or taxes or governmental charges as levied by any Governmental Body including any interest and penalties) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
          (f) Disputes. Any dispute as to any matter covered by this Section 9.6 shall be resolved by an independent accounting firm mutually acceptable to the Stockholders Representative and the Owners. The fees and expenses of such accounting firm shall be borne equally by the Signing Stockholders, on the one hand, and the Owners on the other. If any dispute with respect to a Tax Return is not resolved prior to the due date of such Tax Return, such Tax Return shall be filed in the manner which the party responsible for preparing such Tax Return deems correct.
          (g) Time Limits. Any claim for indemnity under this Section 9.6 may be made at any time prior to ninety (90) days after the expiration of the applicable Tax statute of limitations with respect to the relevant taxable period (including all periods of extension, whether automatic or permissive).
          (h) Exclusivity. The indemnification provided for in this Section 9.6 shall be the sole remedy for any claim in respect of Taxes, including any claim arising out of or relating to a breach of Section 5.10. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Section 9.6, on the one hand, and the provisions of Sections 9.1 through 9.4, on the other, the provisions of this Section 9.6 shall control. For the avoidance of doubt, payment of indemnification claims to the Owners Indemnified Parties pursuant to this Section 9.6 shall be made as provided in Section 9.5 herein.
          9.7 Producer Debenture Indemnity.
          (a) Subject to Section 9.7(b), the Owners Indemnified Parties shall be indemnified and held harmless out of the Indemnity Escrow Account and by the Signing Stockholders from and against, and shall be paid the principal amount of, any Producer Debentures that are not paid when due by the terms of such Producer Debentures (also referred to herein as Losses); provided, however, that the Owners Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 9.7 unless and only to the extent that the aggregate

68


 

amount of Losses incurred by the Owners Indemnified Parties pursuant to this Section 9.7 exceeds $10,000 in the aggregate; and provided further, that the Owners Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 9.7 for an aggregate amount of Losses resulting from default under the Producer Debentures exceeding an amount equal to the aggregate outstanding principal of the Producer Debentures as of the Closing. As used herein, the aggregate outstanding principal of the Producer Debentures outstanding at any time is referred to herein as the Debenture Cap.
          (b) The right to indemnification by the Owners Indemnified Parties for any Producer Debenture shall continue until the date that is 24 months from the Closing Date provided that:
     (i) For any Producer Debenture that was first issued by the Company or was renewed or extended by the Company during the period beginning on October 15, 2006 and ending on the Closing Date, the right to indemnification by the Owners Indemnified Parties shall last until the later of (y) the date that is 24 months from the Closing Date and (z) the maturity date of such Producer Debenture as in effect on the Closing Date; and
     (ii) For any Producer Debenture with a scheduled maturity date ending prior to January 1, 2008 that, during the period from the Closing Date but prior to January 1, 2008, is either (y) extended or renewed by the Company on substantially the same terms (including any guaranties or security for such debenture) or (z) is replaced with a new debenture from the Company on substantially the same terms (including any guaranties or security for such debenture) in an amount equal to or less than the debenture it replaces, the right to indemnification by the Owners Indemnified Parties shall last until the date that is 24 months from the Closing Date; and
     (iii) For any Producer Debenture, the Company shall not, prior to payment in full, release any guaranties or other security with respect to such debenture.
          (c) Any payments to be made to the Owner Indemnified Parties pursuant to this Section 9.7 shall be made in accordance with Section 9.5 herein. Any amount recovered by the Owner Indemnified Parties from a defaulting Producer Debenture (or any guarantor of such Producer Debenture) for which indemnification is paid hereunder shall be refunded to the Indemnity Escrow Account while such account remains in place, and thereafter to the Stockholder Representative.
          (d) The Stockholder Representative shall be subrogated to the rights of the Company to have the right to recover against any producer who is party to a Producer Debenture (or any guarantor of such producer) who has breached the payment obligations of their Producer Debenture and therefore resulted in a claim pursuant to this Section 9.7.
          9.8 Tax Treatment of Indemnity Payments. The Signing Stockholders and the Owners agree to treat any indemnity payment made pursuant to this Article IX as an adjustment to the Purchase Price for all income tax purposes. If, notwithstanding the treatment required by the preceding sentence, any indemnification payment under Article IX (including Section 9.6) is determined to be taxable to the party receiving such payment by any Taxing Authority, the

69


 

paying party shall also indemnify the party receiving such payment for any Taxes incurred by reason of the receipt of such payment and any Losses incurred by the party receiving such payment in connection with such Taxes (or any asserted deficiency, claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding, judgment or assessment, including the defense or settlement thereof, relating to such Taxes).
          9.9 Exclusive Monetary Remedy. Other than with respect to fraudulent misrepresentation or fraud, the indemnification provisions and procedures contained in this Article IX shall constitute the sole and exclusive recourse and remedy of the parties following the Closing with respect to any monetary Losses resulting from, arising out of or in connection with any matters subject to indemnification under this Article IX. Accordingly, other than with respect to claims alleging fraudulent misrepresentation or fraud, no claim for any monetary Losses following the Closing arising under this Agreement shall be made by any of the parties except pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section shall limit or otherwise affect any recourse or rights or remedy of the parties arising out of any nonfulfillment or breach of any covenant or agreement under this Agreement or any of the Schedules attached hereto required to be performed or complied with by a party after the Closing (and with it being understood that the representations and warranties in Articles IV, V and VI are not covenants or agreements required to be performed or complied with after the Closing).
ARTICLE X
TERMINATION
          10.1 Termination of Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the Closing as follows:
          (a) At the election of the Stockholder Representative or the Owners on or after September 30, 2007(such date, as it may be extended under Section 10.2(a), the “Termination Date”), if the Closing shall not have occurred by the close of business on such date (provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.1(a) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation hereunder has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before such date), provided that the terminating party is not in material default of any of its obligations hereunder; and provided, further, that either the Owners or the Stockholder Representative shall have the option to extend, from time to time, the Termination Date for additional periods of time not to exceed 90 days in the aggregate if all other conditions to the Closing are satisfied or capable of then being satisfied and the sole reason that the Closing has not been consummated is that the conditions set forth in Section 7.4 and 7.5 have not been satisfied due to the failure to obtain the necessary consents and approvals under applicable Laws or an Order of a Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction shall be in effect and the Owners, the Company or the Signing Stockholders are still attempting to obtain such necessary consents and approvals under applicable Laws, or are contesting (x) the refusal of the relevant Governmental Body to give such consents or approvals, or (y) the entry of any such Order, in court or through other applicable proceedings.
          (b) by mutual written consent of the Stockholder Representative and the

70


 

Owners;
          (c) by written notice from the Owners to the Stockholder Representative that there has been an event, change, occurrence or circumstance, individually or in the aggregate with any such events, changes, occurrences or circumstances that has had a Material Adverse Effect, and such Material Adverse Effect has not been cured within ten (10) calendar days after such receipt by the Stockholder Representative of such notice;
          (d) by the Stockholder Representative or the Owners if there shall be in effect a final nonappealable Order of a Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.1(d) shall not be available to a party if such Order was primarily due to the failure of such party to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement;
          (e) by the Owners if any Signing Stockholder or the Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of any Signing Stockholder or the Company shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Sections 8.2(a) or 8.2(b) would not be satisfied and such breach is incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured, shall not have been cured within ten (10) days following receipt by the Stockholder Representative of notice of such breach from the Owners; or
          (f) by the Stockholder Representative if the Owners shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Owners shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Sections 8.3(a) or 8.3(b) would not be satisfied and such breach is incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured, shall not have been cured within ten (10) days following receipt by the Owners of notice of such breach from the Stockholder Representative.
          (g) by the Owners if the Company Stockholder Approval is not obtained by the sixtieth day following the date hereof, or if the Company holds a meeting of its Shareholders and the Company Stockholder Approval is not obtained at such meeting.
          10.2 Procedure Upon Termination. In the event of termination by the Owners or the Stockholder Representative, or both, pursuant to Section 10.1, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party or parties, and this Agreement shall terminate, and the Merger hereunder shall be abandoned, without further action by the Owners, the Company or the Signing Stockholders.
          10.3 Effect of Termination. In the event that this Agreement is validly terminated as provided herein, then each of the parties shall be relieved of their duties and obligations arising under this Agreement after the date of such termination and such termination shall be without liability to the Owners, any Signing Stockholder or the Company; provided, however, that the obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 10.3, Article XI, Section 7.7(c) and Section 7.9 hereof shall survive any such termination and shall be enforceable

71


 

hereunder; provided further, however, that nothing in this Section 10.3 shall relieve the Owners, any Signing Stockholder or the Company of any liability for a willful breach of this Agreement prior to the effective date of termination.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
          11.1 Expenses. If this Agreement does not Close for any reason, the Signing Stockholders and the Owners shall each bear its own expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated by this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, it being understood that in no event shall the Company bear any of such costs and expenses not taken into account in Company Transaction Expenses; provided, however, that upon Closing the expenses of the Owners and the Selling Stockholder Expenses shall be reimbursed or paid by the Company.
          11.2 Stockholder Representative.
          (a) N.G. Houston, III, shall be and he hereby is appointed as agent and attorney-in-fact (the “Stockholder Representative”) for each Signing Stockholder as of the date hereof and for each other Selling Stockholder (except such stockholders, if any, as shall have perfected their appraisal rights under Georgia Law) as of the Effective Time, for and on behalf of such stockholders, as such stockholder’s representative, attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of such stockholder with respect to the transfer of such stockholder’s Shares to the Owners in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to act on behalf of such stockholder in any amendment of or litigation or arbitration involving this Agreement and to do or refrain from doing all such further acts and things, and to execute all such documents, as such Stockholder Representative shall deem necessary or appropriate in conjunction with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the power:
     (i) to take all action necessary or desirable in connection with the waiver of any condition to the obligations of the Signing Stockholders to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
     (ii) to negotiate, execute and deliver all ancillary agreements, statements, certificates, statements, notices, approvals, extensions, waivers, undertakings, amendments and other documents required or permitted to be given in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (it being understood that such Signing Stockholder shall execute and deliver any such documents which the Stockholder Representative agrees to execute);
     (iii) to terminate this Agreement if the Signing Stockholders are entitled to do so;
     (iv) to give and receive all notices and communications to be given or received under this Agreement and to receive service of process in connection with the any claims

72


 

under this Agreement, including service of process in connection with arbitration;
     (v) to make any decisions or agreements to make or acknowledge any indemnification payments of the Signing Stockholders or Selling Stockholders, except several obligations pursuant to Section 9.2(b)(ii); and
     (vi) to take all actions which under this Agreement may be taken by the Signing Stockholders or Selling Stockholders and to do or refrain from doing any further act or deed on behalf of the Signing Stockholder or Selling Stockholder which the Stockholder Representative deems necessary or appropriate in his sole discretion relating to the subject matter of this Agreement as fully and completely as such Signing Stockholder or Selling Stockholder could do if personally present.
          (b) The Person serving as Stockholder Representative may be changed by the stockholders of the Company from time to time upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to Owners; provided that the Stockholder Representative may not be removed unless holders of a two-thirds interest of the Escrow Amount agree to such removal and to the identity of the substituted agent. Any vacancy in the position of Stockholder Representative may be filled by approval of the holders of a majority in interest of the Escrow Fund. No bond shall be required of the Stockholder Representative, and the Stockholder Representative shall not receive compensation for his or her services. Notices or communications to or from the Stockholder Representative shall constitute notice to or from each of the stockholders of the Company
          (c) The Stockholder Representative shall not be liable for any act done or omitted hereunder as Stockholder Representative in good faith, absent gross negligence. The stockholders of the Company on whose behalf the Escrow Amount was contributed to the Indemnity Escrow Account shall severally indemnify the Stockholder Representative and hold the Stockholder Representative harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence or bad faith on the part of the Stockholder Representative and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the Stockholder Representative’s duties hereunder, including the reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel retained by the Stockholder Representative. The Stockholder Representative shall be entitled to recover such fees and expenses from any proceeds otherwise distributable to the Stockholder Representative or the Selling Stockholders out of the funds held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.
          (d) A decision, act, consent or instruction of the Stockholder Representative shall constitute a decision of all the stockholders for whom a portion of the Escrow Amount otherwise issuable to them are deposited in the Indemnity Escrow Account and shall be final, binding and conclusive upon each of such stockholders, and the Escrow Agent and Owners may rely upon any such decision, act, consent or instruction of the Stockholder Representative as being the decision, act, consent or instruction of each such stockholder of the Company. The Escrow Agent and Owners are hereby relieved from any liability to any person for any acts done by them in accordance with such decision, act, consent or instruction of the Stockholder Representative.
          11.3 Action by Owners. Any action to be taken by the Owners shall be taken after a vote of a majority of Acquirer of Surviving Corporation shares owned by all Owners and any such vote and action shall be binding on all the then outstanding Owners.

73


 

          11.4 Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable damage to the other parties hereto and that such other parties will not have an adequate remedy at law. Therefore, the obligations of the parties under this Agreement, including the Signing Stockholders’ obligation to sell the Shares to the Owners, shall be enforceable by a decree of specific performance issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, and appropriate injunctive relief may be applied for and granted in connection therewith. Such remedies shall, however, be cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to any other remedies which any party may have under this Agreement or otherwise.
          11.5 Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.
          (a) The parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any federal or state court located within the State of New York over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby and each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such dispute or any suit, action proceeding related thereto may be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such dispute brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
          (b) Each of the parties hereto hereby consents to process being served by any party to this Agreement in any suit, action or proceeding by delivery of a copy thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.8.
          (c) THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT EACH HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION (i) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR (ii) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
          11.6 Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement (including the schedules and exhibits hereto), the Signing Stockholder Documents and the Owners Documents represent the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and can be amended, supplemented or changed, and any

74


 

provision hereof can be waived, only by written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is sought. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.
          11.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed in such state.
          11.8 Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) when delivered personally by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) when sent by facsimile (with written confirmation of transmission) or (iii) one Business Day following the day sent by overnight courier (with written confirmation of receipt), in each case at the following addresses and facsimile numbers (or to such other address or facsimile number as a party may have specified by notice given to the other party pursuant to this provision):
If to the Company, to:
Life of the South Corporation
100 W. Bay St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Facsimile: (904) 354-4525
Attention: K. Ned Hamil, President and CEO
With a copy to:
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
1100 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 2800
Atlanta, GA 30309-4530
Facsimile: (404) 541-3121
Attention: W. Benjamin Barkley
If to any Signing Stockholder or the Stockholder Representative, to:
N. G. Houston, III
P.O. Box 925

75


 

Nashville, GA 31639
With a copy to:
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
1100 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 2800
Atlanta, GA 30309-4530
Facsimile: (404) 541-3121
Attention: W. Benjamin Barkley
If to the Owners, to:
c/o Summit Partners, LLC
222 Berkeley Street
18th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Facsimile: (617) 824-1100
Attention: John Carroll
With a copy to:
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110-1848
Facsimile: (617) 772-8333
Attention: Steven M. Peck
          11.9 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms or provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
          11.10 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any person or entity not a party to this Agreement except as provided below. No assignment of this Agreement or of any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any of the Company, the Signing Stockholders or the Owners (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto and any attempted assignment without the required consents shall be void; provided, however, that the Owners may assign this Agreement and any or all

76


 

rights or obligations hereunder (including the Owners’ rights to seek indemnification hereunder) to any Affiliate of the Owners, any Person from which it or its Affiliates has borrowed money or any Person to which the Owners or any of their Affiliates proposes to sell all or substantially all of the assets relating to the business. Upon any such permitted assignment, the references in this Agreement to the Owners shall also apply to any such assignee unless the context otherwise requires.
          11.11 Neither the Signing Shareholders nor the Company make any representations or warranties in this Agreement with respect to any projections, forecasts or forward-looking information provided to the Owners or Acquirer. There is no assurance that any projected or forecasted results will be achieved. EXCEPT AS TO THOSE MATTERS EXPRESSLY COVERED BY THE COMPANY DOCUMENT, THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THE CERTIFICATE DELIVERED BY THE COMPANY PURSUANT TO SECTION 8.2, THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS DISCLAIM ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND GUARANTEES WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS DO NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER
          11.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.
** REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK**

77


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first written above.
         
  SUMMIT PARTNERS PRIVATE EQUITY FUND VII-A, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners PE VII, L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   Summit Partners PE VII, LLC    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Member   
 
  SUMMIT PARTNERS PRIVATE EQUITY FUND VII-B, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners PE VII, L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   Summit Partners PE VII, LLC    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Member   
 
  SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT FUND
III-A, L.P.

 
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, LLC,    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Member   
       
  SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT FUND
III-B, L.P.

 
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, LLC,    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Member   
 

78


 

         
  SUMMIT INVESTORS VI, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners VI (GP), L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   Summit Partners VI (GP), LLC    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Member   
 
  LOS ACQUISITION CO.
 
 
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
 

79


 

         
  LIFE OF THE SOUTH CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Ned Hamil    
    Name:   Ned Hamil   
    Title:   President   

 


 

         
SIGNATURE PAGES TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
SIGNING STOCKHOLDERS
         
  BENJAMIN R. BLANTON & VALLYE J.
BLANTON, AS CO-TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
UNDER THE WILL OF LOUIE S. BLANTON

 
 
  By:   /s/ Benjamin R. Blanton    
    Benjamin R. Blanton, Co-Trustee   
       
  By:   /s/ Vallye J. Blanton    
    Vallye J. Blanton, Co-Trustee   
 
  THE BLANTON FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
 
 
  By:   /s/ Benjamin R. Blanton    
     /s/ Vallye J. Blanton    
    Name:   Benjamin R. Blanton / Vallye J. Blanton   
    Title:   General Partner / General Partner   
     
  /s/ W. Dale Bullard    
  W. DALE BULLARD   
 
  CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, IRA
CUSTODIAN FOR WILLIAM DALE BULLARD, IRA

 
 
  By:   /s/ W. Dale Bullard    
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
CUSTODIAN FOR WILLIAM DALE BULLARD

 
 
  By:   /s/ W. Dale Bullard    
    Name:      
    Title:      

 


 

         
SIGNATURE PAGES TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
SIGNING STOCKHOLDER
         
     
  /s/ James L. Dewar, Jr.    
  JAMES L. DEWAR, JR.   
     
  /s/ Ned Hamil    
  K. NED HAMIL   
     
  /s/ J. Paul Holmes, Jr.    
  J. PAUL HOLMES, JR.   
 
  RELIANCE TRUST CO. AS CUSTODIAN FBO J. PAUL HOLMES, JR.
 
 
  By:   /s/ R. Packer Jackson    
    Name:   R. Packer Jackson   
    Title:   Vice President   
 
  TRUST U/A OF N.G. HOUSTON, III FOR ARTHUR ADAMS HOUSTON
 
 
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Name:      
    Title:      
     
  /s/ Arthur Adams Houston    
  ARTHUR ADAMS HOUSTON   
     
  /s/ Lillian P. Houston    
  LILLIAN P. HOUSTON   
     
  /s/ Mary Erneste Houston    
  MARY ERNESTE HOUSTON   
     

2


 

         
SIGNATURE PAGES TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
SIGNING STOCKHOLDER
         
     
  /s/ N.G. Houston III    
  N.G. HOUSTON, III   
 
  SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC., CUSTODIAN FOR N. G. HOUSTON, III
 
 
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  TRUST U/A OF N.G. HOUSTON, III FOR NORMAN GEORGE HOUSTON, IV
 
 
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Name:      
    Title:      
     
  /s/ Norman George Houston, IV    
  NORMAN GEORGE HOUSTON, IV   
     
  TRUST U/A OF N.G. HOUSTON, III FOR PENELOPE LOWERY HOUSTON
 
 
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Name:      
    Title:      
     
  /s/ Penelope Lowery Houston    
  PENELOPE LOWERY HOUSTON   
     

3


 

         
         
  EDWARD JONES FBO PENNY HOUSTON
 
 
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Name:      
    Title:      

4


 

         
SIGNATURE PAGES TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
SIGNING STOCKHOLDER
         
     
  /s/ Robert H. Hudson    
  ROBERT H. HUDSON   
     
  /s/ Larry Lee    
  LARRY LEE   
     
  /s/ John B. Prince, III    
  JOHN B. PRINCE, III   
     
  S.F.S.L.P.
 
 
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Name:   Old Peachtree Estates, Inc.   
    Title:   General Partner   
     
  /s/ Gary M. Simmons    
  GARY M. SIMMONS   
     
  /s/ Sue H. Tittle    
  SUE H. TITTLE   
     
  /s/ Loyd L. Shaw    
  LOYD L. SHAW   
     
  /s/ James S. Shaw    
  JAMES S. SHAW   
     

5

EX-2.2 3 b81561exv2w2.htm EX-2.2 exv2w2
Exhibit 2.2
FIRST AMENDMENT TO MERGER AGREEMENT
     THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO MERGER AGREEMENT (this “First Amendment”) is entered into as of the 20th day of June, 2007, by and among the Persons listed as “Owners” on the signature pages hereto (collectively the “Owners”). LOS Acquisition Co., a Georgia corporation (“Acquirer”), Life of the South Corporation, a Georgia corporation (the “Company”) and N.G. Houston, III as the Stockholder Representative
     WHEREAS, each party hereto is a party to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 7, 2007 (“Merger Agreement”); and
     WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Merger Agreement in accordance with Section 11.6 thereof.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual promises herein made, the Parties agree as follows:
     1. Capitalized Terms. Unless otherwise defined in this First Amendment, all capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.
     2. Option Cash Out.
(a) Section 3.4(a)(i) hereby is revised to read in its entirety as follows:
“(i) Cash out all of the outstanding Options held at that time by N.G. Houston III, Robert H. Hudson, Gary M. Simmons and Marcella Hughes, 5,000 outstanding Options held at that time by William Chastain Wardlaw and 10,000 outstanding Options held at that time by Richard Kahlbaugh under the Life of the South Corporation Key Employees Stock Option Plan (1995); and”.
     3. Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by means of facsimile), each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this First Amendment by facsimile shall be effective as delivery of an originally executed counterpart to this Agreement.
     4. Effect of First Amendment. Except as set forth in this First Amendment, the terms and provisions of the Merger Agreement (a) are hereby ratified and confirmed, and (b) shall be and remain in full force and effect.
BALANCE OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this First Amendment as of the date first above written.
         
  OWNERS:

SUMMIT PARTNERS PRIVATE EQUITY FUND
VII-A, L.P.

 
 
  By:   Summit Partners PE VII, L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
  By:   Summit Partners PE VII, LLC    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [Illegible]    
    Member   
       
  SUMMIT PARTNERS PRIVATE EQUITY FUND VII-B, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners PE, VII, L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
  By:   Summit Partners PE VII, LLC    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [Illegible]    
    Member   
       
  SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT FUND III-A, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, LLC,    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [Illegible]    
    Member   
       
 
Signature Page — First Amendment to Merger Agreement

 


 

         
  SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT FUND III-B, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, LLC,    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [Illegible]    
    Member   
       
  SUMMIT INVESTORS VI, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners VI (GP), L.P.    
    Its General Partner   
  By:   Summit Partners VI (GP), LLC    
    Its General Partner   
     
  By:   [Illegible]    
    Member   
       
 
Signature Page — First Amendment to Merger Agreement

 


 

         
  LOS ACQUISITION CO:

LOS ACQUISITION CO.
 
 
  By:   [Illegible]    
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  COMPANY:

LIFE OF THE SOUTH CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard Kahlbaugh  
    Name:   Richard Kahlbaugh  
    Title:   President   
 
  STOCKHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE:
 
 
  /s/ N. G. Houston, III    
  N. G. HOUSTON, III   
     
 
Signature Page — First Amendment to Merger Agreement

 

EX-2.3 4 b81561exv2w3.htm EX-2.3 exv2w3
Exhibit 2.3
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
WILLIS HRH, INC.,
BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.,
LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.,
WILLIS NORTH AMERICA INC.
(FOR LIMITED PURPOSES ONLY)
AND
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(FOR LIMITED PURPOSES ONLY)
April 15, 2009

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page  
ARTICLE I PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE; PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENTS; EARN OUT PAYMENT
    1  
1.1. Purchase and Sale
    1  
1.2. Purchase Price
    1  
1.3. Net Working Capital Adjustment
    2  
1.4. Earnout Payment
    4  
1.5. Assumption of Intercompany Note
    7  
 
       
ARTICLE II THE CLOSING
    7  
2.1. Closing; Closing Date
    7  
2.2. Closing Deliveries
    7  
 
       
ARTICLE III TAX MATTERS
    8  
3.1. Tax Periods Ending on or Before the Closing Date
    8  
3.2. Tax Periods Beginning on or Before and Ending After the Closing Date
    8  
3.3. Allocation
    9  
3.4. Cooperation
    9  
3.5. Amended Returns; Extraordinary Transactions
    9  
3.6. Transfer Taxes
    10  
3.7. Tax Refunds
    10  
 
       
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE SELLER AND THE COMPANY
    10  
4.1. Organization; Copies of Organizational Documents
    10  
4.2. Authorization and Validity
    11  
4.3. Title to Equity; Capitalization
    11  
4.4. No Defaults; Absence of Conflicts
    12  
4.5. Financial Statements
    13  
4.6. Absence of Changes or Events
    14  
4.7. Accounts Receivable
    15  
4.8. Title to Assets
    15  
4.9. Taxes
    16  
4.10. Insurance
    16  
4.11. Contracts and Commitments
    17  
4.12. Labor Matters
    18  
4.13. Employee Benefit Plans
    19  
4.14. Intellectual Property
    20  

 


 

         
    Page  
4.15. Litigation
    21  
4.16. Compliance with Applicable Laws and Orders; Permits
    21  
4.17. Agency or Brokerage Appointments
    23  
4.18. Properties
    23  
4.19. Environmental Matters
    24  
4.20. Bank Accounts
    24  
4.21. Directors and Officers
    24  
4.22. Brokers
    24  
4.23. Business Relationships
    24  
4.24. Affiliate Transactions
    25  
4.25. Absence of Material Undisclosed Liabilities
    25  
4.26. Approved Wholesaler List
    25  
4.27. Access to Accounts
    26  
4.28. Disclosure
    26  
4.29. Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties
    26  
 
       
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER
    26  
5.1. Organization
    26  
5.2. Authorization and Validity
    26  
5.3. Absence of Conflicts
    27  
5.4. Litigation and Claims
    27  
5.5. Investigation
    27  
5.6. Compliance with Confidentiality Agreement
    28  
5.7. Brokers
    28  
5.8. Acquisition of Shares for Investment
    28  
5.9. Reportable Transactions
    28  
5.10. Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties
    28  
 
       
ARTICLE VI MUTUAL ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
    28  
6.1. Mutual Covenants
    28  
6.2. Post-Closing Covenants of the Seller and the Willis Entities
    31  
6.3. Post-Closing Covenants of the Buyer and the Company
    35  
 
       
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES TO EFFECT THE TRANSACTIONS
    37  
7.1. Agreement Approved
    37  
7.2. No Order or Injunction
    37  
7.3. Consents and Authorizations Obtained
    37  
7.4. Escrow Agreement
    37  
 
       
 
       
ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLER TO EFFECT THE TRANSACTIONS
    37  
8.1. Representations and Warranties
    37  
8.2. Performance
    38  

-ii-


 

         
    Page  
8.3. Buyer Closing Certificate
    38  
8.4. Buyer Deliveries
    38  
8.5. Escrow Agreement
    38  
 
       
ARTICLE IX CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER TO EFFECT THE TRANSACTIONS
    38  
9.1. Representations and Warranties
    38  
9.2. Performance
    38  
9.3. Company and Seller Closing Certificate
    38  
9.4. Company and Seller Deliveries
    38  
9.5. Escrow Agreement
    39  
9.6. Required Consents Received
    39  
9.7. Certificates; Documents
    39  
9.8. Opinion of General Counsel of the Seller
    39  
 
       
ARTICLE X EXPENSES
    39  
 
       
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION
    39  
11.1. Indemnification of the Buyer
    39  
11.2. Indemnification of the Seller
    40  
11.3. Limitations on the Indemnity
    41  
11.4. Notification of Non Third Party Claims
    42  
11.5. Third Party Claims
    42  
11.6. Method and Characterization of Payment
    43  
11.7. Survival of Representations; Warranties; Covenants and Agreements
    43  
11.8. Mitigation; Limitations
    44  
 
       
ARTICLE XII NOTICES
    45  
12.1. Seller Notice
    45  
12.2. Willis Notice
    45  
12.3. Buyer Notice
    46  
 
       
ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS
    46  
13.1. Entire Agreement; Amendment
    46  
13.2. Severability
    46  
13.3. Waiver
    47  
13.4. Assignment
    47  
13.5. Binding Effect
    47  
13.6. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Dispute Resolution
    47  
13.7. Waiver of Jury Trial
    49  
13.8. Counterparts
    49  
13.9. Interpretation
    49  
13.10. No Third-Party Beneficiaries
    51  

-iii-


 

         
    Page  
13.11. Specific Performance
    51  
13.12. Definitions
    51  

-iv-


 

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
          THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of April 15, 2009, is entered into by and among (i) Willis HRH, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the “Seller”), (ii) Bliss and Glennon, Inc., a California corporation (the “Company”), (iii) LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Buyer”), (iv) solely for purposes of Section 6.1, Section 6.2, Section 11.1(b), Section 11.8(e), Article XII and Article XIII, Willis North America Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Willis”), on behalf of itself and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries other than the Company (each individually (excluding the Company), a “Willis Entity” and collectively, the “Willis Entities”), and (v) solely for purposes of Section 11.2, Section 11.8(e), Article XII and Article XIII, Fortegra Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“Fortegra”). The Seller, the Company, the Buyer and solely as referenced in Section 6.1, Section 6.2, Section 11.1(b). Section 11.8(e), Article XII and Article XIII, Willis, and solely as referenced in Section 11.2, Section 11.8(e), Article XII and Article XIII, Fortegra are herein referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties.”
W I T N E S S E T H :
          WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in the business of transaction-based wholesale insurance brokerage and surplus lines general insurance agency with binding authority;
          WHEREAS, the Seller owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (the “Shares”);
          WHEREAS, the Seller desires to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer desires to purchase from the Seller, all of the Shares upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and
          WHEREAS, Willis is an indirect parent company of the Seller and will benefit from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties and Willis agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE;
PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENTS; EARN OUT PAYMENT
     1.1. Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date, the Seller shall sell, transfer, assign, convey and deliver to the Buyer, and the Buyer shall purchase, acquire and accept from the Seller, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions on transfers pursuant to applicable securities laws), all of the Shares.
     1.2. Purchase Price.

 


 

          (a) On the Closing Date, in consideration of the sale and transfer of the Shares, the Buyer shall (i) pay to the Seller an amount in cash (the “Cash Consideration”) equal to Forty Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($40,500,000) and (ii) assume the obligations under the Intercompany Note (collectively, the “Purchase Price”). The Cash Consideration shall be subject to adjustment after the Closing as contemplated in Section 1.3 herein.
          (b) The Cash Consideration shall be paid as follows:
               (i) Thirty Eight Million Dollars ($38,000,000) in immediately available funds shall be paid to the Seller in accordance with the wire instructions delivered by the Seller to the Buyer at least two (2) Business Days prior to Closing (the “Wiring Instructions”); and
               (ii) Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) in immediately available funds shall be deposited in an escrow account established pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement (as defined herein).
     1.3. Net Working Capital Adjustment.
          (a) The Parties agree that the Working Capital as of the Closing Date (the “Closing Working Capital”), as calculated in accordance with and set forth on the statement of Working Capital, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Form of Working Capital Statement”), shall be $2,000,000. “Working Capital” shall be an amount that is determined pursuant to the Form of Working Capital Statement.
          (b) For purposes of this Agreement, Working Capital, Estimated Working Capital and Closing Working Capital shall be calculated using the same accounting methods, policies, practices and procedures, with consistent classifications, judgments and estimation methodology, as were used by the Company in the ordinary course of business prior to Closing, which are described on the Form of Working Capital Statement; provided, however, Working Capital shall not be calculated to include any changes in assets or liabilities as a result of purchase accounting adjustments or other changes arising from or resulting as a consequence of the transactions contemplated hereby other than as expressly set forth on the Form of Working Capital Statement.
          (c) Not earlier than five (5) Business Days and not later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing, the Seller shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Buyer a reasonable and good faith estimate of the Closing Working Capital (the “Estimated Working Capitil”). The Estimated Working Capital shall be in the same form as the Form of Working Capital Statement.
          (d) Not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the Closing, the Buyer shall cause the Company to prepare and deliver to the Seller calculations of the Closing Working Capital (the “Buyer Calculation”), together with such schedules and data with respect to the determination of the Closing Working Capital as may be appropriate to support such Buyer Calculation. The Closing Working Capital shall be in the same form as the Form of Working Capital Statement.

-2-


 

          (e) Within twenty (20) days after delivery to the Seller of the Buyer Calculation by the Company pursuant to Section 1.3(d), the Seller may deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Seller Calculation”) either (i) advising the Buyer and the Company that the Seller agrees with and accepts the Buyer Calculation or (ii) setting forth a detailed explanation of those items in the Buyer Calculation that the Seller disputes and a statement, with reasonable detail as to the disputed matters, of what the Seller believes is the correct calculation of Closing Working Capital. All matters, components, calculations and assumptions in the Buyer Calculation that the Seller does not specifically dispute shall not be subject to further review, challenge or adjustment by the Seller. The Seller and the accountants engaged by the Seller shall be entitled to review the working papers, trial balances and similar materials relating to the Company’s preparation of the Closing Working Capital as of the Closing Date, if any, for purposes of reviewing the Buyer Calculation. The Company shall also provide the Seller and its accountants and Representatives with timely and reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the properties and the Business Books and Records, to the extent necessary for the Seller’s review of the Buyer Calculation. If the Company shall concur with the Seller Calculation, or if the Company shall not object to the Seller Calculation in a writing (the “Buyer Dispute Notice”) delivered to the Seller within fifteen (15) days after delivery of the Seller Calculation, the calculation of the Closing Working Capital set forth in the Seller Calculation shall become final and binding on the Parties and shall not be subject to further review, challenge or adjustment. If the Seller does not submit a Seller Calculation within the twenty (20) day period provided herein, then the Buyer Calculation shall become final and binding on the Parties and shall not be subject to further review, challenge or adjustment.
          (f) In the event that the Seller and the Company are unable to resolve any disputes regarding the Closing Working Capital as set forth in the Buyer Dispute Notice within twenty (20) days after the Company’s delivery of the Buyer Dispute Notice, then such disputes shall be referred to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or, if PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shall be unavailable or unable to do so, such other independent firm of nationally recognized financial experts selected by mutual written agreement of the Seller and the Company (the “Settlement Arbitrator”), and the determination of the Settlement Arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the Parties and shall not be subject to further review, challenge or adjustment. The Settlement Arbitrator shall use the same accounting methods, policies, practices and procedures, with consistent classifications, judgments and estimation methodology, as set forth on Exhibit A in making its determination. The Seller and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Settlement Arbitrator to reach a determination, solely with respect to the matters specifically raised in the Buyer Dispute Notice, not more than thirty (30) days after such referral. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize or permit the Settlement Arbitrator to resolve or otherwise review any items which are not specifically raised in the Buyer Dispute Notice. Each party shall initially bear its own fees and expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Settlement Arbitrator shall be shared equally by the Company and Seller and advanced by them from time to time as required; provided, that at the conclusion of the determination of the Settlement Arbitrator with respect to the matters raised in the Buyer Dispute Notice, the fees, costs and expenses of the prevailing party (as determined by the Settlement Arbitrator), including the fees and expenses of the Settlement Arbitrator previously advanced by the prevailing party and the fees and expenses of the prevailing party’s attorneys, accountants and other experts, shall be paid (or reimbursed) by the non-prevailing party. Except as otherwise expressly provided

-3-


 

herein, each of the Company and the Seller shall pay their own costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Section 1.3(f).
          (g) The “Working Capital Adjustment Amount,” which may be positive or negative, shall mean an amount equal to (i) the Closing Working Capital, as finally determined in accordance with this Section 1.3, minus (ii) $2,000,000.
          (h) If the Working Capital Adjustment Amount is positive, then the Buyer shall deliver or cause the Company to deliver, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Seller, an amount equal to the Working Capital Adjustment Amount. If the Working Capital Adjustment Amount is a negative number, then the Seller shall deliver, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Buyer, an amount equal to the absolute value of the Working Capital Adjustment Amount. Any payments made by any Party pursuant to this Section 1.3(h) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five (5) Business Days after the first date on which the Closing Working Capital, or any dispute with respect thereto, shall no longer be subject to further review, challenge or adjustment. If the Working Capital Adjustment Amount is not paid within such five (5) Business Day period, the Party entitled to the Working Capital Adjustment Amount shall be entitled to seek and shall receive, in addition to the Working Capital Adjustment Amount, interest on such portion not paid until paid and the Party’s cost and expenses of collection (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses). For purpose of this Section 1.3(h), interest shall be determined at the rate of interest published as the “Prime Rate” in the “Money Rates” column of the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal (or the average of such rates if more than one rate is indicated) on the Closing Date plus three percent (3%) and all computations of interest shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 days, in each case for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest is payable.
          (i) The payment of the Working Capital Adjustment Amount shall be treated as an adjustment to the Purchase Price for financial reporting and Tax purposes.
          (j) The final determination of the Purchase Price under this Section 1.3 shall not impair any other rights of a Party under this Agreement including, without limitation, any rights to indemnification.
     1.4. Earnout Payment.
          (a) If and to the extent earned in accordance with this Section 1.4, the Buyer shall cause the Company to make the following additional payment (the “Earnout Payment”) to the Seller:
               (i) If the Net Revenue of the Company for the period commencing as of January 1, 2009 and ending as of December 31, 2009 (the “Measurement Period”) is less than $24,435,000, no Earnout Payment will be due;
               (ii) If the Net Revenue of the Company for the Measurement Period is equal to or greater than $25,275,000, an Earnout Payment of $4,500,000 will be due; or

-4-


 

               (iii) If the Net Revenue of the Company for the Measurement Period is greater than $24,435,000 but less than $25,275,000, an Earnout Payment will be due equal to $4,500,000, multiplied by a fraction of which (x) the numerator is the Net Revenue of the Company for the Measurement Period minus $24,435,000 and (y) the denominator is $840,000 (i.e., $25,275,000 minus $24,435,000);
provided that in no instance will the Earnout Payment exceed $4,500,000.
          (b) As used herein, “Net Revenue” means the total commission-based or fee-based revenue of the Company (including any policy fees and processing fees), net of any commissions or fees owed or paid to retail insurance producers, retail insurance brokers or retail insurance agents, minus any revenue of the Company generated by any Willis Entity in excess of $2,700,000. The Net Revenue shall be determined in accordance with the Company’s historical revenue recognition policies and the methodologies used in preparing the Company’s statement of income for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 (the “2008 Statement”), which is attached hereto as Exhibit B. For purposes of clarity, the Parties agree that Net Revenue shall consist solely of the following: (x) the items of revenue that are included in the line items “Net Commissions and Fees” and “Contingent Commissions” in the 2008 Statement, minus (y) any revenue of the Company generated by any Willis Entity in excess of $2,700,000.
          (c) The determination of what, if any, amounts are due under this Section 1.4 shall be made in good faith by the Company, and written notice thereof (the “Earnout Payment Notice”) shall be given to the Seller not later than thirty (30) days after completion of the audit of the Company’s financial statements for fiscal year 2009, which Earnout Payment Notice shall contain reasonable detail as to the Company’s calculation of its Net Revenue for the Measurement Period and the Earnout Payment. The Seller and the accountants engaged by the Seller shall be entitled to review the working papers, trial balances and similar materials relating to the Company’s preparation of such Net Revenue and the Earnout Payment calculation.
          (d) If the Seller delivers written notice (the “Disputed Earnout Payment Notice”) to the Company within thirty (30) days after the date of the Earnout Payment Notice, stating that the Seller objects to the amount of the Net Revenue during the Measurement Period and the Earnout Payment, specifying the basis for such objection in reasonable detail (including the specific items in dispute), and setting forth the Seller’s proposed amount of the Net Revenue during the Measurement Period and the Earnout Payment (including the proposed amounts of the disputed items), the Seller and the Company will attempt to resolve and finally determine and agree upon the Net Revenue during the Measurement Period and the Earnout Payment as promptly as practicable.
          (e) In the event that the Seller and the Company are unable to resolve any disputes regarding the Net Revenue during the Measurement Period and the Earnout Payment set forth in the Disputed Earnout Payment Notice within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Disputed Earnout Payment Notice, then such disputes will be referred to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or, if PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shall be unavailable or unable to do so, such other independent firm of nationally recognized financial experts selected by mutual written agreement of the Seller and the Company within thirty (30) days after PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP states to either Party that it is unavailable or unable to resolve such

-5-


 

dispute (the “Earnout Settlement Arbitrator”), and the determination of the Earnout Settlement Arbitrator with respect to the items in the Disputed Earnout Payment Notice shall be final and binding upon the Parties and shall not be subject to further review, challenge or adjustment. The Seller and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Earnout Settlement Arbitrator to reach a determination, solely with respect to the matters specifically raised in the Disputed Earnout Payment Notice, not more than thirty (30) days after such referral. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize or permit the Earnout Settlement Arbitrator to resolve or otherwise review any items which are not specifically raised in the Disputed Earnout Payment Notice. Each party shall initially bear its own fees and expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Earnout Settlement Arbitrator shall be shared equally by the Company and Seller and advanced by them from time to time as required; provided, that at the conclusion of the determination of the Earnout Settlement Arbitrator with respect to the matters raised in the Disputed Earnout Payment Notice, the fees, costs and expenses of the prevailing party (as determined by the Earnout Settlement Arbitrator), including the fees and expenses of the Earnout Settlement Arbitrator previously advanced by the prevailing party and the fees and expenses of the prevailing party’s attorneys, accountants and other experts, shall be paid (or reimbursed) by the non-prevailing party. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the Company and the Seller shall pay their own costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Section 1.4(e).
          (f) If the Seller does not deliver the Disputed Earnout Payment Notice to the Company within thirty (30) days after the date of the Earnout Payment Notice, the Net Revenue during the Measurement Period and the Earnout Payment specified in the Earnout Payment Notice will be conclusively presumed to be true and correct in all respects and will be final and binding upon the Parties.
          (g) At such time as the Earnout Payment is determined to be final and binding on the Parties in accordance with this Section 1.4, the Company shall pay the Seller such final and binding Earnout Payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Seller, subject to a properly raised dispute in accordance with this Section 1.4, any amounts due hereunder shall be paid thirty (30) days after delivery of the Earnout Payment Notice, or if there is a dispute with respect to the amount due, within ten (10) days after resolution of such dispute in accordance with this Section 1.4. If the amount of the Earnout Payment is not paid within the later of such thirty (30) day or ten (10) day period, as the case may be (the “Earnout Due Date”), the Seller shall be entitled to seek and shall receive, in addition to the Earnout Payment, interest on such portion not paid until paid and its cost and expenses of collection (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) of such amounts required to be paid. For purpose of this Section 1.4(g), interest shall be determined at the rate of interest published as the “Prime Rate” in the “Money Rates” column of the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal (or the average of such rates if more than one rate is indicated) on the Earnout Due Date plus three percent (3%) and all computations of interest shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 days, in each case for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest is payable.
          (h) The Parties agree and acknowledge that nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document requires the business of the Company to be conducted in any

-6-


 

particular manner after the Closing. The business of the Company after the Closing shall be conducted at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company and the Buyer.
          (i) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, but subject to the last sentence of Section 11.6 pertaining to the Escrow Amount, the Company shall have the right to setoff against the Earnout Payment (if any) any Losses to any Buyer Indemnified Party by the Seller pursuant to Article XI, but only to the extent that such Losses have been finally determined to be owing to the Company or Buyer in accordance with Article XII pursuant to a nonappealable adjudication or written agreement among the Parties.
          (j) Any Earnout Payment made under this Section 1.4 shall be treated as an adjustment to the Purchase Price for financial reporting and Tax purposes.
     1.5. Assumption of Intercompany Note. Without limiting the generality of any other provision of this Agreement, on the Closing Date, the Buyer shall specifically assume, satisfy, pay, perform or otherwise discharge as the same shall become due in accordance with its terms, all liabilities arising under the Intercompany Note, and the Seller shall have no obligation or liability with respect to the Intercompany Note.
ARTICLE II
THE CLOSING
     2.1. Closing; Closing Date. The Closing shall take place on April 15, 2009, at the offices of Pepper Hamilton LLP, The New York Times Building, 620 Eighth Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10018, (the “Closing Date”). The Closing shall be effective as of 11:59 p.m. local time on the Closing Date. Time is of the essence as to the Closing Date.
     2.2. Closing Deliveries. At or prior to the Closing:
          (a) The Seller will deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Buyer:
               (i) certificates evidencing the Shares, properly endorsed by the Seller to the Buyer, accompanied by such documentation as may be reasonably necessary to transfer record ownership of the Shares into the name of the Buyer on the books and records of the Company;
               (ii) resignations of all non-employee officers and directors of the Company;
               (iii) the Company’s minute books;
               (iv) a transition services agreement duly executed by the Seller in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Transition Services Agreement”);
               (v) a FIRPTA Certificate duly executed by the Seller in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D;

-7-


 

               (vi) executed Consents from the parties listed on Schedule 2.2(a)(vi) attached hereto (the “Required Consents”); and
               (vii) to the extent applicable, each of the items described in Article IX.
          (b) The Buyer will:
               (i) pay the Cash Consideration (other than the escrow amount) by wire transfer of immediately available funds, as described in Sections 1.2 and 1.3;
               (ii) pay the $2,500,000 to the escrow account established pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement;
               (iii) assume the Intercompany Note, as described in Section 1.5;
               (iv) deliver to the Seller the Transition Services Agreement duly executed by the Buyer;
               (v) deliver to the Seller a good standing certificate regarding the Buyer, certified by the Secretary of State of the Buyer’s state of organization dated within fifteen (15) days prior to Closing; and
               (vi) to the extent applicable, deliver each of the items described in Article VIII.
ARTICLE III
TAX MATTERS
     3.1. Tax Periods Ending on or Before the Closing Date. The Seller shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns of the Company for all periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date (and, to the extent such Tax Returns are required to actually be filed by the Company after the Closing Date, the Company shall file all such Tax Returns in the form so prepared by the Seller after delivery of such Tax Returns to the Company by the Seller), and the Seller shall pay or cause to be paid all Taxes with respect thereto. Such Tax Returns shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practices of the Company. In accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.1502 — 76 (b)( 1 )(ii), the taxable year of the Company will close for federal income Tax purposes at the end of the day on the Closing Date. No election under Treas. Reg. § 1.1502 — 76 (b)(2)(ii) (relating to ratable allocation elections) shall be made.
     3.2. Tax Periods Beginning on or Before and Ending After the Closing Date. The Buyer shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns of the Company for all periods which begin on or before, and end after, the Closing Date and shall pay or cause to be paid all Taxes with respect thereto. Such Tax Returns shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practices of the Company except to the extent required by Applicable Law. The Buyer shall submit each such Tax Return to the Seller no later than twenty (20) days prior to the date for the filing thereof for Seller’s review and written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. To the extent and in the manner provided in Article XI, the Seller shall indemnify the Buyer with respect to the Taxes paid with

-8-


 

respect to such Tax Returns in an amount equal to the portion of such Taxes which relates to the portion of the taxable period ending on the Closing Date (as determined pursuant to Section 3.3 below).
     3.3. Allocation. In the case of any Taxes that are payable for a period that includes, but does not end on, the Closing Date, the portion of such Tax that relates to the portion of such period ending on the Closing Date shall (i) in the case of any Taxes other than Taxes based upon or related to income or receipts or expenses (e.g., payroll Taxes), be deemed to be the amount of such Tax for the entire period multiplied by a fraction (A) the numerator of which is the number of days in the period ending at the end of day on the Closing Date and (B) the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire period, and (ii) in the case of any Tax based upon or related to income or receipts or expenses (e.g., payroll Taxes), be deemed equal to the amount which would be payable if the relevant period ended at the end of the day on the Closing Date (i.e., a “closing of the books”). All determinations necessary to give effect to the foregoing allocations shall be made in a manner consistent with past practices of the Company. For avoidance of doubt, the Texas franchise tax for the 2010 privilege period shall be apportioned based on a closing of the books as of the Closing Date.
     3.4. Cooperation. The Buyer and the Seller shall, and shall each cause its Affiliates to, provide to the other such cooperation and information (including relevant Tax Returns, documents and records), as and to the extent reasonably requested, in connection with the filing of any Tax Return or conducting any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the obligation of Seller and its Affiliates to provide information and cooperation to Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Company after the Closing) in connection with any audit, investigation or proceeding relating to Taxes of Seller or its Affiliates shall be limited to promptly (a) advising Buyer in writing of all material developments related thereto, (b) answering all reasonable questions related thereto, (c) providing Buyer with copies of documents (redacted as necessary) related thereto, and (d) consulting with Buyer prior to resolving any issue in connection with such audit, investigation or proceeding, in the case of each of (a), (b), (c) and (d) only to the extent that a determination of such audit, investigation or proceeding could reasonably be expected to affect the Company with respect to taxable periods or portions thereof beginning after the Closing Date.
     3.5. Amended Returns; Extraordinary Transactions. The Buyer shall not, and shall not permit or cause the Company or any of their respective Affiliates to, file or cause to be filed any amended Tax Returns of the Company with respect to periods or portions thereof ending on or before the Closing Date without the Seller’s written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned; provided, however, that the Buyer and its Affiliates shall, upon request of the Seller and at the Seller’s expense, file or cause to be filed any amended state Tax Returns of the Company with respect to periods ending on or before the Closing Date (including franchise Tax Returns based on results of periods ending on or before the Closing Date), to include amendments which are required to conform with results of any federal audit of the Seller or its Affiliates (“Conforming Amended Returns”) and, provided, further, that such Conforming Amended Returns shall be prepared by the Seller and its Affiliates and delivered to the Buyer and its Affiliates for filing in the form so prepared by Seller. The Buyer shall not, and shall not permit or cause the Company or any of their respective Affiliates to, make any extraordinary transaction or event on the Closing Date that would (i) result in any increased

-9-


 

Taxes for which the Seller or any of its Affiliates is responsible, including pursuant to this Article III or through indemnification pursuant to Article XI, (ii) reduce the Closing Working Capital, or (iii) reduce any refund or credit of Taxes to which the Seller is entitled pursuant to Section 3.7, below. The Buyer shall not, and shall not permit or cause the Company or any of their respective Affiliates to, make any election under Section 338 of the Code with respect to the Company.
     3.6. Transfer Taxes. All Transfer Taxes owing out of or in connection with the transactions effected pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid one-half by the Seller and one-half by the Buyer, and the Seller shall file all documentation and Tax Returns with respect thereto; provided that the Seller shall pay any New York stock Transfer Tax in full and shall be entitled to any refund thereof.
     3.7. Tax Refunds.
          (a) All items of loss, deduction and credit attributable to a taxable period or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing Date (a “Pre-Closing Period”) (for the avoidance of doubt, which Pre-Closing Period items shall include losses, deductions and credits related to Transaction Fees and any sale, change of control and transaction bonuses and similar payments and other compensatory payments paid or properly accrued as of the Closing Date) shall to the extent permitted by Applicable Law be used to offset items of income and gain (to the extent they exist) attributable to a taxable period or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing Date, i.e., shall offset income and gain in the Pre-Closing Period to which they are attributable and thereafter shall be carried back to the extent permitted by Applicable Law.
          (b) All refunds and credits against payment of Taxes with respect to any taxable period or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing Date are for the benefit of the Seller. At the Seller’s request and expense, the Buyer shall file or cause to be filed any Tax Return or other document or Claim (including, notwithstanding Section 3.5, above, an amended Tax Return) necessary to obtain a refund or credit against payment of such Taxes. The Buyer shall pay to the Seller all refunds and amounts of credit against such Taxes (and any interest with respect thereto) within ten (10) days after receipt or crediting of such.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE SELLER AND THE
COMPANY
          Except as otherwise disclosed to the Buyer in a letter (the “Company Disclosure Letter”) delivered to it on behalf of the Seller and the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Seller and the Company hereby represent and warrant to the Buyer that each of the statements contained in this Article IV is true and correct on the date hereof (except to the extent that such representations and warranties speak as of another date, in which case, as of such date):
     4.1. Organization; Copies of Organizational Documents.
          (a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California. The Company has all requisite corporate

-10-


 

power and authority to own its assets, to lease all of its other properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. The Company is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
          (b) The Company is duly licensed to transact business in each jurisdiction listed in Section 4.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, which represent the material jurisdictions necessary for the Company to conduct its business.
          (c) The Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Seller is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Seller.
          (d) True and correct copies of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, as amended to date, as well as the minute books of the Company containing all material proceedings, consents, actions and meetings of the stockholders and the board of directors of the Company, have been made available to the Buyer.
     4.2. Authorization and Validity.
          (a) Each of the Company and the Seller, and each other Willis Entity that is a signatory hereto, has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by each of them and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
          (b) All corporate acts and other proceedings required to be taken by the Company, the Seller, and each other Willis Entity that is a signatory hereto (including board and stockholder approval) to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and properly taken. This Agreement and all other Transaction Documents when executed and delivered by the Company, the Seller, and each other Willis Entity that is a signatory hereto or thereto (and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Buyer), will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each of them, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by or subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general application affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) (the “Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions”).
     4.3. Title to Equity; Capitalization.
          (a) Upon delivery by the Seller of the certificates or other documents evidencing or representing the Shares owned and held by the Seller, the Buyer will acquire good

-11-


 

and valid title to such Shares, free and clear of any Lien (other than restrictions on transfers under applicable securities laws).
          (b) The Company does not own or have the right to acquire, either directly or indirectly, any equity or similar interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business association or entity. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 50,000 shares of Common Stock. The Shares consist of 1,000 shares of Common Stock and constitute all of the Company’s outstanding capital stock. The Shares are owned beneficially and of record by the Seller and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The offer, issuance and sale of the Shares were made in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and all applicable preemptive and similar rights. Except as set forth in Section 4.3(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, commitments, convertible or exchangeable securities or other rights that could obligate the Company to issue shares of its capital stock or other securities, (ii) there are no outstanding obligations or commitments to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of capital stock or any other securities in the Company, and (iii) no Person has any right of first refusal, right of first offer, preemptive right, subscription right or similar right with respect to any shares of capital stock or any other securities of the Company.
          (c) Except as set forth in Section 4.3(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to the Company.
          (d) There are no agreements, written or oral, relating to the securities of the Company including, without limitation, the acquisition, disposition, repurchase, voting or registration thereof.
          (e) The Seller has not granted any option or right, and is not a party to or bound by any agreement that requires or, upon the passage of time, the payment of money or occurrence of any other event, would require the Seller to transfer any of the Shares to anyone other than the Buyer.
     4.4. No Defaults; Absence of Conflicts.
Except as specified in Section 4.4 of the Company Disclosure Letter, no Consent is required by or on behalf of the Company or the Seller for or in connection with its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by the Company and the Seller will not (a) violate any provision of, or result in the breach of, or constitute a default under, or conflict with, (i) any terms or provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Company or the Seller or (ii) assuming that the Consents referred to in Section 4.4(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter are obtained, violate any Applicable Law or any Order; (b) assuming that the Consents referred to in Section 4.4(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter are obtained, constitute a violation of, or an event that with or without notice, passage of time or both would constitute a material default under, termination of or a conflict with, or cause the acceleration of

-12-


 

any obligation or loss of any rights under, any term or provision of any Material Contract; or (c) create or result in any Lien upon any of the material assets of the Company.
     4.5. Financial Statements.
          (a) The Company has made available to the Buyer (i) the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, and the related unaudited statements of income for the fiscal years then ended (the December 31, 2008 balance sheet is sometimes referred to herein as the “Balance Sheet” and the date thereof is sometimes referred to as the “Balance Sheet Date”) and related unaudited statements of income for the calendar years then ended; and (ii) the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of January 31, 2009, February 28, 2009 and March 31, 2009, and the related unaudited statements of income for the periods then ended.
          (b) As used herein, “Financial Statements” means the financial statements referenced in clause (a) above. The Financial Statements and the notes thereto, if any, (i) are true, correct and complete and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its results of operations as of their respective dates, and (ii) have been prepared from the books and records of the Company in conformity with GAAP consistently applied during the periods covered thereby, except, in the case of the unaudited Financial Statements as of the Balance Sheet Date, for the omission of footnotes, the adjustments described in Section 4.5(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, and, in the case of the Financial Statements for the periods January 31, 2009, February 28, 2009 and March 31, 2009, normal year-end adjustments which are not, individually or in the aggregate, material. Except as set forth in Section 4.5(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the Financial Statements contains any material, non-recurring items, except as expressly set forth therein.
          (c) The Company maintains accurate books and records reflecting its assets and liabilities and maintains adequate internal control in light of the Company’s size, operations and industry over financial reporting that provides reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed with the authorization of Company’s management, (ii) transactions are recorded as reasonably necessary to permit preparation of the Financial Statements and to maintain accountability for the Company’s consolidated assets in all material respects, (iii) the reporting of material assets of the Company is compared with existing material assets at regular intervals, and (iv) accounts, notes and other receivables were recorded accurately and properly in all material respects and adequate procedures in light of the Company’s size, operations and industry are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis.
          (d) All amounts held by the Company in trust accounts or otherwise in a fiduciary capacity are (i) sufficient to fully fund all obligations of the Company for which premium payments or deposits have been received by the Company and not remitted to the insurance carrier on or prior to the Closing Date and (ii) readily available cash held in bank accounts that are solely in the Company’s name and solely owned and controlled by the Company. Section 4.5(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter identifies each account where funds held by the Company in trust accounts or otherwise in a fiduciary capacity are located, and the amount of funds contained in each such account as of February 28, 2009. The amount of unrestricted cash contained in Closing Working Capital will be sufficient to operate the

-13-


 

Company’s business immediately after Closing in the ordinary course of business. The Intercompany Note is in the form of Exhibit H attached hereto, and as of the date hereof, the outstanding principal amount under the Intercompany Note is $369,647.
     4.6. Absence of Changes or Events.
          (a) Since the Balance Sheet Date, the Company has conducted its business in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, the collection of receivables, the payment of payables and the making of capital expenditures) and there has not occurred any event or condition which, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, since the Balance Sheet Date, except as set forth in Section 4.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company has used commercially reasonable efforts to preserve its business and business organization intact, to retain its Permits, and to preserve the existing Contracts and goodwill of its insureds, suppliers, vendors, service providers, insurance carriers, retail brokers, agents, personnel and others having business relations with it.
          (b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, since the Balance Sheet Date, except as set forth in Section 4.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company has not:
               (i) amended any of its Organizational Documents;
               (ii) changed the compensation of any of its directors, officers, Business Employees, managers, agents, representatives or consultants, or paid or agreed to pay any bonus or similar payment (other than bonus payments or other amounts to which the Company is committed and which are expressly disclosed in this Agreement);
               (iii) incurred any Indebtedness, made any loans or advances, issued any debt securities or assumed, guaranteed or otherwise became responsible for the obligations of any Person, or subjected any of its properties or assets to any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien), except for the routine advancement of expenses to any employee of the Company in the ordinary course of business;
               (iv) entered into, materially amended or terminated (except to the extent expired pursuant to its terms since the Balance Sheet Date) any Material Contract;
               (v) acquired, disposed, sold, leased or licensed any assets or properties, or made any commitment to do so, except in the ordinary course of business;
               (vi) adopted or changed any method of accounting (including any method of Tax accounting);
               (vii) changed its method of management, reporting or operations, in each case, in any material respect;

-14-


 

               (viii) promoted, demoted, changed the job title of, or otherwise altered in any material respect the responsibilities or duties of, any management employee or officer of the Company;
               (ix) made or caused to be made any dividend, distribution, redemption, repurchase, recapitalization, reclassification, issuance, split, combination or other transaction involving the capital stock or other equity securities of the Company, or any option, warrant or right to acquire any such capital stock or equity securities;
               (x) filed or made any change to any material Tax election or any Tax Return, except as required by Applicable Law;
               (xi) changed its commission payable to retail brokers, other than in the ordinary course of business;
               (xii) acquired any business or Person, whether by merger or consolidation, purchase of assets or equity securities or any other manner;
               (xiii) canceled or waived any rights of substantial value, or paid, discharged or settled any claim of substantial value in an amount in excess of $25,000;
               (xiv) failed to make any capital expenditures consistent with the existing budget of the Company or committed to make any capital expenditures after the Closing Date, in each case, in an amount in excess of $25,000;
               (xv) took any other action which had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company; or
               (xvi) committed to do any of the foregoing referred to in clauses (i) — (xv).
     4.7. Accounts Receivable. The accounts receivable reflected in the Closing Working Capital are valid and enforceable, subject to no set off or counterclaim, determined in accordance with GAAP, arose out of bona fide transactions in the ordinary course of business and fully collectible, except (i) to the extent a policy is cancelled (or cancellable) for non-payment, (ii) to the extent reserved against in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts in the ordinary course of business and reflected in the determination of Estimated Working Capital or (iii) to the extent set forth in Section 4.7 of the Company Disclosure Letter (and which shall be reflected in Estimated Working Capital).
     4.8. Title to Assets. Except as set forth in Section 4.8 of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company has good and marketable title to (or a valid leasehold or license interest in) the assets and properties of the Company (other than Company Intellectual Property), free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). The assets (other than Company Intellectual Property) currently used in the operation of its business are in good working order (normal wear and tear excepted), and are adequate to conduct the operations of the Company as currently conducted. Except as set forth in Section 4.8 of the Company Disclosure Letter, the assets and properties of the Company include all assets and properties (other than Company Intellectual

-15-


 

Property) necessary for or currently used in the conduct of the Company’s business as currently conducted. This Section 4.8 does not apply to Company Intellectual Property, the representations and warranties for which are set forth in Section 4.14.
     4.9. Taxes. Except as set forth in Section 4.9 of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company has filed all Tax Returns required by Applicable Law to have been filed by it on a timely basis (including extensions of time to file) and such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all material respects. All Taxes of the Company whether or not shown on such Tax Returns (i) as of the Balance Sheet Date, were either paid or adequately reserved for in the Financial Statements, and (ii) as of the Closing Date, either have been paid, will be paid pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, or have been adequately reserved for in the books and records of the Company and will be taken into account in the determination of Closing Working Capital (to the extent required by Exhibit A). There are no Liens (except for Permitted Liens) with respect to Taxes currently outstanding upon any of the assets of the Company. The Company (A) has never been audited or received written notice of initiation thereof by any governmental taxing authority for which the statute of limitations for assessment of Taxes remains open, (B) has never extended any applicable statute of limitations regarding Taxes for which the statute of limitations for assessment of Taxes remains open, (C) is not currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return, (D) is not liable for the Taxes of any other Person other than withholding Taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and other than under Treas. Reg. § 1.1502-6 (or similar provision of other Tax law) as (i) transferee or successor or (ii) by Contract, (E) has not agreed to and is not required to make any adjustment under Section 481(a) or 263A of the Code, (F) is not obligated to make any payments and is not a party to any agreement or arrangement that under certain circumstances could obligate it to make any payments that may not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code, (G) is not a party to any allocation or sharing agreement with respect to Taxes, (H) has not since 2004 participated in the filing of any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return, or (I) has not since 2004 received written notice of any claim by any authority in any jurisdiction where it does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to any Taxes in such jurisdiction. All Taxes that the Company is required to withhold or to collect for payment have been duly withheld and collected and timely paid to the proper governmental entity or third party. The Company has not been, at any time in the period set forth in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code. The Company has not constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution of stock intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (i) in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement or (ii) in a distribution that could otherwise constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code in conjunction with the Transactions. The Company has not engaged in a transaction that is the same or substantially similar to one of the types of transactions that the Internal Revenue Service has identified by notice, regulation, or other form of published guidance as a listed transaction, pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.6011-4(b)(2). The Shares represent less than twenty-five percent (25%) by value of the assets of the Seller. The Seller expects to realize a taxable gain with respect to the sale of the Shares to the Buyer, all of which will be subject to federal income taxation at regular corporate rates.
     4.10. Insurance. Section 4.10 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth all material E&O Claims (as defined herein) since January 1, 2006. The insurance coverage maintained by

-16-


 

the Seller on behalf of the Company is reasonably adequate and suitable for the Company’s business, and is on such terms, covers such liabilities, claims and risks and is in such amounts, as the insurance customarily carried by comparable companies of established reputation similarly situated and carrying on the same or similar business of the Company. No insurer has made any “reservation of rights” or refused to cover all or any portion of any E&O Claim set forth in Section 4.10 of the Company Disclosure Letter. The Company has not received any notice of proposed reduction in the scope (or discontinuation) of coverage under any of such insurance policies.
     4.11. Contracts and Commitments.
          (a) Set forth in Section 4.11(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter is a complete and accurate list of each of the following Contracts with respect to the Company:
               (i) a Contract that purports to limit, curtail or restrict the ability of the Company to compete in any geographic area or line of business or restrict the Persons to whom the Company may sell products or provide services that is binding on the Company post-Closing;
               (ii) a Contract entered into by any Willis Entity and binding on the Company post-Closing;
               (iii) a Contract relating to or involving a partnership, franchise or a joint venture or similar arrangement;
               (iv) a Contract for the acquisition, sale or lease of material properties or assets (by merger, purchase or sale of stock or assets) entered into since January 1, 2005;
               (v) a Contract under which the Company has borrowed any money or issued any note, bond, indenture or other similar evidence of Indebtedness or guaranteed Indebtedness of others, other than endorsements for the purpose of collection and Indebtedness to trade creditors, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
               (vi) a mortgage, pledge, security agreement, deed of trust or other document, in each case granting any Lien on any asset or property of the Company, except for Permitted Liens;
               (vii) a Contract with an insurance carrier that (A) includes commissions or other consideration in connection with the sale or renewal of insurance policies or related products or services provided by the Company, in each case, accounting for net revenues to the Company in excess of $100,000 in fiscal year 2008 or (B) grants to the Company “binding authority” (as such terms are generally understood in the insurance industry) in connection with Contracts with insurance carriers;
               (viii) a Contract (including all related Contracts) not otherwise disclosed under this Section 4.11(a) containing outstanding obligations or consideration (whether or not measured in cash) in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate or $25,000 in any twelve (12)-month period other than Contracts with insurance carriers or retail brokers or agents entered into in the ordinary course of business;

-17-


 

               (ix) with respect to the Business Employees or other service providers of the Company, an employment or consulting agreement, any commission plan or agreement, severance agreement, retention agreement or “change of control” agreement;
               (x) a lease or Contract under which the Company is lessee of, or holds or uses, any tangible personal property owned by a third party at an annual payment in excess of $25,000 per annum;
               (xi) a Transferred Real Property Lease;
               (xii) a Contract relating to the disposition or acquisition by the Company after the date of this Agreement of assets with a fair market value in excess of $25,000;
               (xiii) any acquisition Contract pursuant to which the Company has “earn-out” or other contingent purchase price obligations, in each case, that have not been paid in full prior to the date hereof; and
               (xiv) any commitment or agreement to enter into any of the foregoing.
          (b) All of the foregoing (whether written or oral), including all amendments or modifications thereto, and all IP Licenses are sometimes collectively referred to as “Material Contracts”. The Company has made available to the Buyer true and correct copies of all Material Contracts (or descriptions thereof, in the case of oral contracts). Each Material Contract (or description) sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and the other parties thereto. The Company is not (with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both) in breach or default under any Material Contract and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to any such Material Contract is (with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both) in breach or default thereunder. The Company is not aware of any event or condition which has occurred or exists which would cause the acceleration of any obligation or loss of any rights of any party to any Material Contract or give rise to any right of termination or cancellation thereof. All of the Material Contracts are in full force and effect and are valid and binding obligations of the Company (to the extent binding obligations of the other parties thereto) enforceable in accordance with their respective terms except to the extent such enforcement may be limited by the Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions.
     4.12. Labor Matters.
          (a) Section 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a list of the following information for each Business Employee and each consultant to the Company: name; job title; current compensation paid or payable and any change in compensation since December 31, 2007; vacation accrued; and service credited for purposes of vesting and eligibility to participate under any Company Benefit Plan. There are no employment or consulting Contracts (other than those terminable at will without liability to the Company) with any employees or consultants of the Company other than as described in Section 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Letter. To the Knowledge of the Company, no Key Employee of the Company intends to terminate his or her employment with the Company.

-18-


 

          (b) The Company is not party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union Contract applicable to persons employed by it, and no collective bargaining agreement is being negotiated by the Company. There is no labor strike, dispute, stoppage, arbitration, grievance, slowdown, to the Knowledge of the Company, organizational effort or lockout actually pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened. There is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint against the Company pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened before the National Labor Relations Board or any other Governmental Entity.
     4.13. Employee Benefit Plans.
          (a) Section 4.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and correct list of each of the Benefit Plans presently sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or required to be contributed to by the Company or any ERISA Affiliates in connection with its business or in which any Business Employee is or could be a participant (each, a “Company Benefit Plan” and together, the “Company Benefit Plans”). Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate thereof has any commitment or formal plan, whether legally binding or not, to create any additional employee benefit plan or modify or change in any material respect any existing Benefit Plan that would affect any Business Employee.
          (b) With respect to each of the Company Benefit Plans, the Company has made available to the Buyer copies of a summary description of such Company Benefit Plans.
          (c) Each Company Benefit Plan has been maintained, operated and administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms, any related Contracts, Applicable Law, and the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code.
          (d) The Company is not a party to any nonqualified deferred compensation plan that fails to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code or is not operated in accordance with such requirements. The Company is not obligated to make any payments, and is not a party to any agreement or arrangement that under certain circumstances could obligate it to make any payment that may not be deductible under Section 404 of the Code.
          (e) Except as set forth in Section 4.13(e) of the Company Disclosure Letter, no Business Employee has or is entitled to any stock option or other equity rights from or with any Willis Entity or is entitled to any benefits under a deferred compensation plan. There are no change of control, transaction bonuses, retention bonuses or similar payments or obligations that are or will be payable by the Company as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
          (f) Following the Closing, the Company will have no obligation or liability in connection with any Company Benefit Plan, except to the extent reflected in Estimated Closing Working Capital. Without limiting the foregoing, the Seller represents that any Business Employee who is currently on disability leave (whether long-term or short-term) will, to the extent that such Business Employee remains on disability from and after the Closing, be covered by a disability plan or program maintained and sponsored by the Willis Entities.

-19-


 

     4.14. Intellectual Property.
          (a) As used herein “Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property rights arising from the following: (i) patents, patent applications, patent disclosures and inventions, (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos and corporate names (in each case, whether registered or unregistered) and registrations and applications for registration thereof, (iii) copyrights (registered or unregistered) and registrations and applications for registration thereof, (iv) computer software, data, data bases and documentation thereof, (v) trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information (including, without limitation, ideas, formulas, compositions, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), know-how, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, research and development information, drawings, specifications, designs, plans, proposals, technical data, copyrightable works, financial and marketing plans and client and supplier lists and information), (vi) World Wide Web addresses and domain name registrations, (vii) works of authorship including, without limitation, computer programs, source code and executable code, whether embodied in software, firmware or otherwise, documentation, designs, files, records, data and mask works and any rights in semiconductor masks, layouts, architectures or topography, (viii) any and all rights in any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, (ix) any and all rights to sue for claims and remedies against past, present and future infringement, dilution or misappropriations of any or all of the foregoing, and rights for priority and protection of interests therein under the last of any jurisdiction and (x) goodwill associated with any of the foregoing.
          (b) All Intellectual Property owned or used by or licensed to the Company, (excluding any Intellectual Property owned or licensed by any Willis Entity or any of their respective Affiliates (excluding the Company) is collectively referred to herein as “Company Intellectual Property”. Section 4.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and correct list of all material Company Intellectual Property included in clauses (i) — (iii) and (vi) of the definition of Intellectual Property. Section 4.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a complete and accurate list of all licenses and other rights granted by the Company to any Person with respect to any Company Intellectual Property and all licenses and other rights granted by any Person to the Company with respect to any Company Intellectual Property (for this purpose, excluding so-called “off-the-shelf’ products and “shrink wrap” or “click through” software licensed to the Company in the ordinary course of business and easily obtainable without material expense) identifying the subject Company Intellectual Property and describing the material terms of such licenses or other rights (collectively, the “IP Licenses”).
          (c) The Company owns or has sufficient legal rights (through a valid and binding license or otherwise) to use all Intellectual Property necessary for or used in the Business. The Company has not violated or infringed and is not currently violating or infringing any Intellectual Property of any other Person. To the Company’s Knowledge, there has been no violation or infringement by any Person of any Company Intellectual Property. The Company has not received any notice from any Person claiming any violation or infringement of a Person’s Intellectual Property rights.
          (d) Each item of Company Intellectual Property owned by the Company is valid and subsisting, and all necessary registration, maintenance and renewal fees in connection

-20-


 

with such Company Intellectual Property have been paid and all necessary documents and certificates in connection with such Company Intellectual Property have been filed with the relevant authorities in the United States or foreign jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes of maintaining such Company Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of the Company, there is no threatened loss or expiration (other than any expiration pursuant to its terms) of any Company Intellectual Property, and the Company has no Knowledge of any facts or circumstances constituting a reasonable basis for any such loss or expiration.
          (e) The Company has taken reasonably adequate measures, consistent with commercially reasonable practices in the industry in which the Company operates, to protect its rights in, and the confidentiality of, the Company Intellectual Property belonging to the Company or provided by any other Person to the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, no employee of the Company is obligated under any agreement or commitment, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency, that could interfere with such employee’s duties to the Company, or that could conflict with the Company’s business.
          (f) Except as set forth in Section 4.14(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company is not required to pay any royalties or other compensation to any third parties in respect of its ownership or use of any Company Intellectual Property, other than payments in the ordinary course of business for so-called “off-the-shelf” products or “shrink wrap” or “click through” software. None of the software owned or used by the Company incorporates, includes or is otherwise derived from or dependent upon software made available under the terms of the General Public License or a similar licensing regime that would, under any circumstance, impose upon the Company an obligation to make such software available to others in source code form.
          (g) The Company’s rights in and to the Intellectual Property that is owned by Company are free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).
     4.15. Litigation.
          (a) Except as set forth in Section 4.15 of the Company Disclosure Letter, there is no Claim pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company, or against any officer, director, manager or employee of the Company in relation to the affairs of the Company, and the Company has no Knowledge of any facts or circumstances constituting a reasonable basis for any such Claim. Except as expressly set forth in Section 4.15 of the Company Disclosure Letter, and subject to any self insurance and deductible limitations, to the Knowledge of the Company, the matters disclosed thereon will be covered by the Seller’s insurance policies. The Company is not currently planning to initiate any Claim.
          (b) This Section 4.15 does not apply to Tax matters, the representations and warranties for which are set forth in Section 4.9.
     4.16. Compliance with Applicable Laws and Orders; Permits.
          (a) There is no outstanding or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Order against or adversely affecting the Company except as disclosed in Section 4.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter. The Company is (and at all times since January 1, 2005 has been) in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and Orders and has received no

-21-


 

notices of alleged violations thereof except as disclosed in Section 4.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter. Since October 1, 2008, the Company has not amended, waived or cancelled any contingent commission arrangement under a Material Contract or with a Material Carrier as a result of the matters disclosed in Section 4.16(a)(l) of the Company Disclosure Letter.
          (b) Except as set forth in Section 4.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) each officer, employee, independent contractor and other Person employed, supervised or controlled by the Company, or whom the Company has a responsibility to supervise or control under Applicable Law or Contract, who since January 1, 2005 has marketed, sold, negotiated, serviced, administered, managed, provided advice with respect to, underwritten or otherwise transacted (“Transacted”) business for the Company (each, a “Producer”), at each time such Producer Transacted any such business, was duly and appropriately licensed or registered (for the type of business Transacted by such Producer), in each case, in the particular jurisdiction in which such Producer Transacted such business; (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, all Producers have complied in all material respects with all Applicable Laws in connection with the marketing or sale of products for the Company, including with respect to fictitious bids or quotes; (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, there have been no instances of Producers having breached the terms of agency or broker contracts; and (iv) all compensation paid to each such Producer was paid in accordance in all material respects with Applicable Law.
          (c) The Company is (and at all times since January 1, 2005 has been) in compliance in all material respects with Applicable Laws of the states in which it operates (or operated, as the case may be) relating to trust accounts and the separation and accounting of premium trust funds and an amount equal to the funds or other property received by the Company from or on behalf of each client has been applied or used for the purpose for which such funds or property were given to the Company.
          (d) Each Producer who is required by reason of the nature of his or her employment by or relationship to the Company, to be registered as an insurance agent, insurance broker or insurance producer with the insurance department of any state or self-regulatory body or Governmental Entity is duly registered as such and such registration is in full force and effect and (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, each Producer who is required by reason of the nature of his or her employment by or relationship to the Company, to be appointed with an insurance carrier, is duly appointed as such and such appointment is in full force and effect.
          (e) Section 4.16(e) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth all Permits of Governmental Entities and non-governmental authorities held by the Company which are material to the Company or its business. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all such Permits, all of which are in full force and effect and, subject to the Buyer and the Company’s compliance with the post-Closing notification requirements thereof, will remain in full force and effect immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. There are no other Permits which are material to the Company or its business which the Company is required to obtain or, to the Knowledge of the Company, which, in good industry practice, the Company should hold for the conduct of its business. The Company does not have any Knowledge of any threatened suspension, revocation or invalidation of any such Permits, or any reasonable basis therefor.

-22-


 

          (f) This Section 4.16 does not apply to Tax matters, the representations and warranties for which are set forth in Section 4.9.
     4.17. Agency or Brokerage Appointments. The Company has an appointment to act as an agent or broker for each insurance company from which it needs such an appointment to conduct its business and, except as set forth in Section 4.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company’s relationships with such insurance companies are good commercial working relationships. Since December 31, 2007, there has been no material change in the Company’s relationship with the insurance carriers described in this Section 4.17 or the insurance carriers that represented the Company’s top twenty (20) carriers for premiums written in 2008.
     4.18. Properties.
          (a) The Company does not own any interest in any real property.
          (b) Set forth in Section 4.18(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter is a list of all leases of real property (including all land, buildings, easements, rights of way and other real property rights) to which the Company is a party (all such leases, the “Transferred Real Property Leases”), including the lessor of such Transferred Real Property Leases and the current annual rent payable by the Company in respect of such Transferred Real Property Leases. The basic rent, all additional rents and other charges and amounts payable by the Company under the Transferred Real Property Leases have been paid to date. All work required to be performed under the Transferred Real Property Leases by the lessors thereunder and by the Company has been performed in all material respects. There are no brokerage commissions or finder’s fees due from the Company, which are unpaid with regard to any of the Transferred Real Property Leases. The Company has not assigned, transferred, conveyed, mortgaged, deeded in trust or created or caused to be imposed any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon any interest in any Transferred Real Property Lease.
          (c) The Company enjoys peaceful and quiet possession of its leased premises. The Company has not been informed that any lessor under any of the Transferred Real Property Leases has taken action in respect of any Transferred Real Property Lease or threatened to terminate any Transferred Real Property Lease before the expiration date specified in such lease.
          (d) Except as set forth in Section 4.18(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the real property subject to the Transferred Real Property Leases includes all real property necessary for the conduct of the Company’s business as currently conducted and is adequate to conduct the operations of the Company as currently conducted. The real property subject to the Transferred Real Property Leases is in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws.
          (e) None of the buildings, plant or structures on any Transferred Real Property Lease is in need of maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are, individually and in the aggregate, immaterial. All utility systems serving the Transferred Real Property Leases are adequate for the Company’s business as currently conducted. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened

-23-


 

condemnation, eminent domain or similar proceeding with respect to any Transferred Real Property Lease.
     4.19. Environmental Matters. The ownership and use of the Company’s premises and assets, the occupancy and operation thereof, and the conduct of the Company’s operations and business, are in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and, since January 1, 2005, the Company has not received any notice of any alleged violation or noncompliance. There is no liability attaching to the Company or its premises or assets or the ownership or operation thereof as a result of any hazardous substance that may have been discharged on or released from such premises, or disposed of on-site or off-site, or any other circumstance occurring prior to the Closing or existing as of the Closing. For purposes of this Section 4.19, “hazardous substance” shall mean oil or any other substance which is included within the definition of a “hazardous substance”, “pollutant”, “toxic substance”, “toxic waste”, “hazardous waste”, “contaminant” or other words of similar import in any Environmental Law.
     4.20. Bank Accounts. Section 4.20 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the names and addresses of each bank, financial institution, fund, investment or money manager, brokerage house and similar institution in which the Company maintains any account (whether checking, savings, investment, trust or otherwise), lock box or safe deposit box and the account numbers and name of all Persons having authority to affect transactions with respect thereto. All such accounts are solely in the Company’s name and solely owned and controlled by the Company.
     4.21. Directors and Officers. Section 4.21 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth an accurate and complete list of the current members of the Company’s board of directors and its officers appointed by resolution or written consent of the board of directors.
     4.22. Brokers. Except for StoneRidge Advisors, LLC, any obligations to which are the full responsibility of the Seller, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor, consultant or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or similar fee or commission in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any Willis Entity.
     4.23. Business Relationships.
          (a) Section 4.23(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all retail brokers which accounted for at least $25,000 of consolidated net revenue by the Company during the twelve calendar months ended as of January 31, 2009 (the “Material Brokers”) and all insurance carriers (i) which accounted for at least $100,000 of commission earned by the Company during the twelve calendar months ended as of January 31, 2009 (ii) or for which the Company has “binding authority” in connection with Contracts with insurance carriers (the “Material Carriers”). To the Knowledge of the Company, (A) all such Material Brokers will continue purchasing, without significant reductions, products and services from the Company and (B) all such Material Carriers will continue to sell the products and provide the services to the Company currently sold and provided by them, subject to economic changes adversely

-24-


 

affecting such Material Broker or Material Carrier. The Company’s relationships with such Material Brokers and Material Carriers are good commercial working relationships.
          (b) During the previous eighteen (18) months, no Material Broker, Material Carrier, or significant supplier, vendor, or service provider (i) has terminated or, to the Knowledge of the Company threatened to terminate, its relationship with the Company, (ii) has decreased or limited materially or, to the Knowledge of the Company threatened to decrease or limit materially, the services, supplies, products or materials supplied to or purchased from the Company, or (iii) has materially and adversely changed or, to the Knowledge of the Company threatened to change materially and adversely, its business relationship with the Company.
     4.24. Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth in Section 4.24 of the Company Disclosure Letter, (a) the Company is not a party to any Contract with, or indebted, either directly or indirectly, to any of its officers, directors or Key Employees or to the Seller, or any of their respective relatives or Affiliates, except for compensation paid, and benefits made available, to employees in the ordinary course of business, (b) none of such Persons is indebted to the Company and (c) none of the Company’s officers or directors or Key Employees, or any of their respective relatives or Affiliates, has any interest in any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, including Intellectual Property, used in or pertaining to the business of the Company, or has any direct or indirect ownership interest in, or any contractual or business relationship with, any Person with which the Company is Affiliated or with which the Company has a business relationship, or any Person which, directly or indirectly, competes with the Company, except for rights under existing Company Benefit Plans. Without limiting the foregoing, except as set forth in Section 4.24 of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) no Willis Entity or any Affiliate thereof (other than the Company) owns, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, or has any interest in any property, asset or right (including any Intellectual Property) that the Company uses and the use of which is reasonably necessary for the conduct of its business as conducted immediately before the Closing; and (ii) except for the services particularly described in the Transition Services Agreement or otherwise as set forth in Section 4.24 of the Company Disclosure Letter, no Willis Entity or any Affiliate thereof (other than the Company) provides or has provided within the past three (3) years any services to the Company, including the services of any employees or consultants, or any accounting, legal or other administrative services, or the use of any office space, equipment, information technology or any other property, asset or right.
     4.25. Absence of Material Undisclosed Liabilities. As of the Closing Date, the Company will not have any material liabilities or obligations, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due, except: (a) as set forth in Section 4.25 of the Company Disclosure Letter; (b) as and to the extent accrued or fully reserved against in the Financial Statements or specifically disclosed in the notes thereto; (c) for accounts payable and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the Balance Sheet Date; and (d) for obligations of future performance under Material Contracts and under other Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business in accordance with this Agreement which are not required to be listed in the Company Disclosure Letter.
     4.26. Approved Wholesaler List. The Company is a Willis-approved wholesale insurance broker and is in compliance with the requirements for such approved wholesale

-25-


 

insurance broker status attached hereto as Exhibit E (the “Approved Wholesaler Requirements”).
     4.27. Access to Accounts. The Willis Entities do not presently have, and have not in the past had, access to or any knowledge of any Company Proprietary Information (as defined herein) related to any Material Broker accounts of the Company, except for such information related to the Material Broker accounts for which any Willis Entity is the broker-of-record.
     4.28. Disclosure. The representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the Seller contained in Article IV of this Agreement, taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein and therein not misleading.
     4.29. Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Company and the Seller in Article IV of this Agreement are the exclusive representations and warranties made by the Company and the Seller with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Company and the Seller hereby disclaim any other express or implied representations or warranties with respect to such matters.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER
          Except as otherwise disclosed to the Seller and the Company in a letter (the “Buyer Disclosure Letter”) delivered to them by the Buyer prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Seller and the Company that each of the statements contained in this Article V is true and correct on the date hereof (except to the extent that such representations and warranties speak as of another date, in which case, as of such date):
     5.1. Organization. The Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Buyer is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Buyer.
     5.2. Authorization and Validity. The Buyer has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by the Buyer. The Buyer has all corporate power and authority to own its assets and to carry on its business as is now being conducted and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. All corporate acts and other proceedings (including board and stockholder approval) required to be taken by the Buyer to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and properly taken. This Agreement and all other Transaction Documents, when executed and delivered by the Buyer (and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the

-26-


 

Company, the Seller and each Willis Entity party hereto or thereto), will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against it in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by the Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions.
     5.3. Absence of Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Buyer of this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by the Buyer (i) will not conflict with any provision of the Organizational Documents of the Buyer; (ii) will not conflict with or result in a violation of any Applicable Law; and (iii) will not conflict with, constitute grounds for termination of, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, require any notice under, or accelerate or permit the acceleration of any performance required by the terms of any Contract material to the Buyer to which the Buyer is a party or by which any of its properties are bound.
     5.4. Litigation and Claims. There are no Claims pending or to the knowledge of the Buyer, threatened against the Buyer affecting the performance by the Buyer of this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by the Buyer.
     5.5. Investigation. The Buyer has conducted its own independent investigation, verification, review and analysis of the operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations, financial condition, technology and the probable success or profitability of the ownership, use or operation of the Company after the Closing, which investigation, review and analysis was conducted by the Buyer and, to the extent the Buyer deemed appropriate, by its Affiliates and Representatives. The Buyer has selected and been represented by, and/or consulted with, such expert advisors as it has deemed appropriate in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and its determination to enter into and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and in the other Transaction Documents. In entering into this Agreement, the Buyer acknowledges that it has relied solely upon the aforementioned investigation, review and analysis and not on any factual representations or opinions of the Company, the Seller or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives (except the specific representations and warranties set forth in Article IV of this Agreement). The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that:
          (a) except as to the specific representations and warranties set forth in Article IV of this Agreement, none of the Company, the Seller nor any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives makes or has made any oral or written representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information set forth in any information memoranda relating to the Company made available to the Buyer, its Affiliates or Representatives, in materials made available in any “data room” (virtual or otherwise), in financial projections or other projections, in presentations by the management of the Company, or in “break-out” discussions, in response to questions submitted by or on behalf of the Buyer, its Affiliates or Representatives, whether orally or in writing, in materials prepared by or on behalf of the Company or in any other form (such information, collectively, “Due Diligence Materials”); and
          (b) none of the Company, the Seller, nor any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives shall have any liability or responsibility whatsoever to the Buyer, its Affiliates or Representatives on any basis (including in contract or tort, under federal or state securities laws or otherwise) based upon any Due Diligence Materials made available to the Buyer, its Affiliates

-27-


 

or Representatives, except that the foregoing provisions of paragraph (a) and the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall not apply to Claims involving fraud or intentional or knowing misrepresentation or insofar as the Company or the Seller made the specific representations and warranties set forth in this Article V of this Agreement.
     5.6. Compliance with Confidentiality Agreement. Neither the Buyer nor any of its Affiliates or Representatives have breached, or otherwise made any disclosure of the Evaluation Material (as such term is defined in the Confidentiality Agreement) which is not permitted under any of the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement and this Agreement.
     5.7. Brokers. Except for Piper Jaffray & Co., any obligations to which are the full the responsibility of the Buyer, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor, consultant or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or similar fee or commission in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Buyer.
     5.8. Acquisition of Shares for Investment. The Buyer is and will be acquiring the Shares for its own account, for investment and not with a view toward resale or distribution thereof in violation of any federal or state (or commonwealth) securities laws. The Buyer acknowledges that the Shares are not registered under any federal securities laws, any applicable state securities laws or any applicable foreign securities laws and the Buyer will not offer, sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate any portion of the Shares in the absence of registration, or pursuant to an applicable exemption under, federal and all applicable state (or commonwealth) securities laws. The Buyer (either alone or together with its advisors) has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Shares and is capable of bearing the economic risks of such investment.
     5.9. Reportable Transactions. None of the Buyer or its Affiliates has any plan or intent to dispose of the Company’s assets in a manner described in Component 3 of Section 3 of Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008-111 (or any successor administrative or regulatory pronouncement).
     5.10. Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Buyer in Article V of this Agreement are the exclusive representations and warranties made by the Buyer with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Buyer hereby disclaims any other express or implied representations or warranties with respect to such matters.
ARTICLE VI
MUTUAL ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
     6.1. Mutual Covenants.
          (a) Public Announcements. None of the Parties or the Willis Entities nor any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives shall make any public announcement with respect to this Agreement (including the terms and conditions hereof) or any of the other Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior

-28-


 

written Consent of the other Party, which Consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, provided that nothing in this Section 6.1 shall prohibit any of the Parties or the Willis Entities from disclosing the Company’s status as an approved wholesale insurance broker under Section 6.1(d).
          (b) Further Assurances; Covenant to Satisfy Conditions. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party will use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) ensure the conditions set forth in Article VII, Article VIII and Article IX are satisfied, insofar as such matters are within the reasonable control of such Party, (ii) defend any Actions, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents or the performance of the obligations hereunder or thereunder, (iii) execute and deliver such instruments and take such actions as the other Parties hereto may reasonably require in order to carry out the intent of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and (iv) prepare and make or cause to be made any required filings, submissions and notifications under Applicable Law to the extent that such filings are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in a manner consistent with Applicable Law.
          (c) Retention Agreements. From and after the Closing Date, the Seller and/or Willis shall perform, satisfy and discharge the obligations arising under, and in accordance with the terms of, those certain letter agreements set forth on Schedule 6.1(c) (collectively, the “Retention Agreements”). Within five (5) Business Days following the expiration of the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company shall provide the Seller with written notice of the individuals who satisfied the eligibility requirements for an Eligible Bonus (as such term is defined in each individuals applicable Retention Agreement) and, promptly following the Seller’s receipt of such notice, the Seller or Willis shall pay to each such eligible individual, an amount equal to the Eligible Bonus (as such term is defined in each individual’s applicable Retention Agreement) and the Seller shall be responsible for all withholding and employment Taxes related thereto. Promptly following the satisfaction of the obligations set forth in this Section 6.1(c), the Seller or Willis shall deliver to the Company a statement that all such obligations have been satisfied and setting forth the amount paid, if any, pursuant to the Retention Agreements to each individual identified on Schedule 6.1(c) as having entered into a Retention Agreement. Each of the Seller and Willis shall comply with the terms of the Retention Agreements, and the Company shall have no obligation or liability with respect to the Retention Agreements, provided, however, that to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to enforce any of the restrictive covenants contained in such Retention Agreements that pertain to any Business Employee from and after the Closing. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Willis and the Seller hereby assign all of their rights to enforce such restrictive covenants to the Company, and each of the Seller and Willis acknowledge that the Company is an express third party beneficiary of such restrictive covenants.
          (d) Approved Wholesaler Status.
               (i) From and after the Closing Date, and subject to the Company’s continued compliance with the terms and conditions of this Section 6.1(d), the Willis Entities shall continue to use the Company as a Willis-approved wholesale insurance broker for a period of at least seven (7) years following the Closing Date pursuant to the requirements set forth on Exhibit E, which requirements shall be at least as favorable to the Company as are enjoyed by

-29-


 

any other Willis-approved wholesale insurance broker. During such period, the Company shall comply in all material respects with the Approved Wholesaler Requirements, unless the Company gives notice to Willis that it no longer wishes to be an approved broker. For greater certainty, this Section 6.1(d) shall apply equally to any program adopted by any of the Willis Entities that succeeds, replaces or supplements the Willis-approved wholesale insurance broker program.
               (ii) The Willis Entities shall notify the Company in writing if the Company is not in compliance with, or does not meet the requirements under, the Approved Wholesaler Requirements. The Company shall then have a period of sixty (60) days following the receipt of such notice to cure any such non-compliance If the Company is unable to cure such non-compliance in all material respects by the end of such sixty (60)-day period, but only if consistent with the treatment accorded the other approved wholesale insurance brokers, the Willis Entities shall have the right (in their sole discretion), upon written notice to the Company, to cease using the Company as a Willis-approved wholesale insurance broker pursuant to this Section 6.1(d).
               (iii) The Willis Entities shall notify the Company in writing of any modifications to the terms and conditions of the Approved Wholesaler Requirements that affect the Company at least thirty (30) days prior to such modification taking effect; provided, however, that the failure of the Willis Entities to provide such notice or to do so in a timely manner shall not relieve the Company from its obligation to comply with the Approved Wholesaler Requirements, as so modified, upon being notified of such modifications, and provided, further, that such modifications shall apply to all other Willis-approved wholesale insurance brokers in the same manner
               (iv) The Company shall have the option to extend the initial seven (7) year term as a Willis-approved wholesale insurance broker (the “Option”) for an additional three (3) year period, which such Option may be exercised by the Company at any time after the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Closing upon written notice to Willis on or prior to the expiration of the initial seven (7) year term. The extension of the initial seven (7) year term pursuant to the Option shall be subject to the approval of Willis, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.
          (e) Broker of Record.
               (i) From and after the Closing Date, the Willis Entities shall designate the Company as the broker of record for all insurance policies currently in effect for which the Willis Entities used the Company as a wholesale insurance broker on or prior to the Closing Date. The holder of such policies are referred to in this Section 6.1(e) as the “Existing Clients.”
               (ii) The Willis Entities shall not change the broker of record for any Existing Client for which Company is named as the broker of record pursuant to this Section 6.1(e). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Willis Entity may change, and may cause, encourage, request, prompt or advise any Existing Client to change, such broker-of-record designation if the Willis Entity reasonably determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the Existing Client in question, and the applicable Willis Entity provides written notice to Company

-30-


 

of such action no less than ten (10) days prior to taking such action. In determining the best interests of an Existing Client under this Section 6.1(e), the Willis Entities may consider a variety of factors, including but not limited to (A) the insurance coverage requested by the Existing Client, (B) the cost of the policy, (C) the ability of the wholesale insurance broker (including the Company) to obtain quotes for such policies from nationally recognized and reputable insurance carriers and (D) the wholesale insurance broker’s internal controls protocol equivalent to the Approved Wholesaler Requirements.
               (iii) As soon as practicable after the end of each calendar month, and in any event within five (5) Business Days thereafter, the Company shall furnish to the Seller, in writing, a list of the policies of any Existing Clients that are subject to renewal during the next three month period (such three month period starting with the month immediately after the month in which such report is delivered) , all in reasonable detail and set forth on an office-by-office basis (the “Monthly Report”). The Company shall be permitted to provide interim updates with corrections and changes to the Monthly Report, provided that such interim updates only cover policies of any Existing Clients that are subject to renewal no earlier than (10) days from Seller’s receipt of the interim update.
               (iv) Unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 6.1(e)(ii), the obligations of the Willis Entities under this Section 6.1(e) shall remain in effect for a period of four (4) years following the Closing Date.
          (f) Employee Benefit Plans. Effective as of the date immediately following the Closing Date, all Business Employees shall be removed from all Company Benefit Plans sponsored or maintained by any Willis Entity except as specifically set forth on Schedule 6.1(f). After the Closing, the Seller and the Willis Entities shall retain all liabilities of the Company Benefit Plans for periods prior to and ending on the Closing Date and neither the Company nor the Buyer shall assume any such liabilities in each case, except as specifically set forth on Schedule 6.1(f). The Company shall be solely responsible for benefits accruing and specifically set forth on Schedule 6.1(f) and administration of new Benefit Plans after the Closing Date. The transition of certain benefits for the Business Employees shall be handled by the Parties as set forth on Schedule 6.1(f).
     6.2. Post-Closing Covenants of the Seller and the Willis Entities.
          (a) Confidentiality. For a period of three (3) years following the Closing Date, the Seller and the Willis Entities shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, disclose, divulge or make use of any Company Proprietary Information (as defined herein); provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to information which (i) is in the public domain or enters into the public domain through no fault of the Seller or any Willis Entity, or (ii) to the extent the Seller or any Willis Entity is required by Applicable Law to disclose (but only after the Seller or the Willis Entity has provided the Company with reasonable notice and opportunity to take action against any legally required disclosure). For purposes hereof, “Company Proprietary Information” shall mean any trade secrets or other information of a business, financial, marketing, technical or other nature pertaining to the Company or the Company’s business (including information of others that the Company has agreed to keep confidential) in each case to the extent such information existed as of the Closing Date.

-31-


 

          (b) Post-Closing Restrictions.
               (i) During the Restricted Period (as hereinafter defined), each of the Seller and the Willis Entities shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, solicit any broker or agent through the use of the Company Proprietary Information.
               (ii) During the Employee Restricted Period (as hereinafter defined), each of the Seller and the Willis Entities shall not and shall cause its Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, (a) entice, attempt to entice, solicit or attempt to solicit any Restricted Employee to provide insurance services to the Seller, the Willis Entities or any Affiliate (whether as an employee, consultant or otherwise), or (b) take any action to induce or encourage any Restricted Employee to terminate or reduce his or her relationship with the Company.
               (iii) During the Employee Restricted Period, each of the Seller and the Willis Entities shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, to the extent permitted by applicable law, directly or indirectly, utilize for the placement of insurance any Restricted Employee who has voluntarily terminated his or her employment with the Company and is subsequently employed by or performing services for a Substantially Similar Wholesale Operation; provided, however, that this obligation on the part of the Seller and the Willis Entities shall not commence unless and until (A) the Company has notified such Restricted Employee in writing prior to, or contemporaneously with, the effective time of such termination that it intends to exercise the provisions of this Section 6.2(b)(iii) with regard to such Restricted Employee (it being understood that the effective time of termination shall be the end of the day on the last day of the Restricted Employee’s employment with the Company); and (B) the Company has notified the Willis Entities of its intent to exercise the provisions of this Section 6.2(b)(iii) with regard to that Restricted Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 6.2(b)(iii) shall not be construed to prohibit the Willis Entities from using any other employee or individual performing work for any Substantially Similar Wholesale Operation as a broker for the placement of insurance. The Company agrees to indemnify each of the Seller and Willis Entities from any Losses resulting from the Company’s exercise of its rights under this Section 6.2(b)(iii).
               (iv) During the Restricted Period, each of the Seller and the Willis Entities shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, anywhere in the Restricted Territory, (A) establish a new Substantially Similar Wholesale Operation (as hereinafter defined); (B) expand any existing operations in any business such that following the expansion either (i) greater than fifty (50%) percent of the revenues comprise a Substantially Similar Wholesale Operation or (ii) more than $6,000,000 in revenue is derived from a Substantially Similar Wholesale Operation or (C) acquire or purchase all or any substantial portion of the stock or assets (including by merger or in any other form of transaction) of any entity in which greater than thirty percent (30%) of the annual revenues of such entity in the then current fiscal year comprise a Substantially Similar Wholesale Operation.
               (v) In furtherance of, and not limiting the foregoing restrictions, the Maclean, Oddy & Associates, Inc. and GSR businesses that comprise the operations of the Faber & Dumas’ wholesale brokerage business in the Restricted Territory shall not: (A) hire more than four (4) sales-force employees during the Restricted Period dedicated primarily to a business that

-32-


 

comprises a Substantially Similar Wholesale Operation or (B) establish an office or other material physical operations in the Restricted Territory outside of Texas, Louisiana or Colorado.
               (vi) Notwithstanding anything, express or implied, to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the restrictions set forth in this Section 6.2(b) shall not apply to the following:
                    (1) the current business or operations of InsuranceNoodle, Inc., including the introduction of new products by InsuranceNoodle, Inc. utilizing its current methods of product distribution via the internet;
                    (2) any business placed inside the U.S. by any Willis Entity (or any of its respective Affiliates), the operations of which are based outside the U.S. and the insured party is outside the U.S., and any business placed outside the U.S. by the Seller, any Willis Entity or any of their respective Affiliates, the operations of which are based outside the U.S. but the insured party is inside the U.S.; and
                    (3) the managing general agency, managing general underwriting, program businesses and any other related business conducted by the Seller, any Willis Entity or any of their respective Affiliates in which they have the authority to bind coverage as of Closing, provided the scope of such activities do not expand in contravention of Section 6.2(b)(iv).
               (vii) For purposes of this Section 6.2(b), the following terms shall have the following meanings:
     “Employee Restricted Period” means the period commencing as of the Closing and ending as of the five (5) year anniversary of the Closing.
     “Restricted Employee” means each of the Business Employees set forth on Schedule 6.2(b)(vii) attached hereto.
     “Restricted Period” means the period commencing as of the Closing and ending as of the two (2) year anniversary of the Closing.
     “Restricted Territory” means anywhere in the U.S.
     “Substantially Similar Wholesale Operation” means an entity with a wholesale insurance brokering operation substantially similar to the business of the Company conducted before the Closing in the general property and casualty insurance market. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following specialty lines of insurance (the “Specialty Lines”) shall not be considered general property and casualty insurance for purposes of this Section 6.2(b): (a) property and casualty coverage for the energy exploration, production, service, and distribution industry; (b) property and casualty coverage for the mining, natural resources, and utilities industries; (c) cargo and marine coverage; (d) aviation coverage; (e) fine arts coverage and (f) kidnap and ransom coverage.

-33-


 

          (c) Injunctive Relief.
The Company, the Seller and the Willis Entities acknowledge that any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of Sections 6.2(a) or 6.2(b) of this Agreement will cause irreparable injury to the Buyer, the Company and/or their respective subsidiaries for which an adequate monetary remedy does not exist. Accordingly, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the Buyer, the Company and/or such subsidiaries (in the case of Sections 6.2(a) and 6.2(b)) shall be entitled, in addition to the exercise of other remedies, to seek and (subject to court approval) obtain injunctive and other equitable relief, without necessity of posting a bond, restraining the Company, the Seller and/or any Willis Entity, as the case may be, from committing such breach or threatened breach. The rights provided under this Section 6.2(c) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Buyer, the Company or such subsidiaries.
          (d) Reasonable Restrictions. Each of the Seller and Willis (i) has carefully read and understands all of the provisions of this Agreement and has had the opportunity for this Agreement to be reviewed by counsel, (ii) acknowledges that the duration, geographical scope and subject matter of Sections 6.2(a), 6.2(b) and 6.2(c) of this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the goodwill, client relationships, legitimate business interests, trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information of the Company’s business, (iii) acknowledges that the Buyer would not have closed the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents without the benefits contained in this Agreement, and (iv) subject to compliance with Section 13.4, understands that this Agreement is assignable by the Company and the Buyer and shall inure to the benefit of their respective successors and permitted assigns.
          (e) Company Intellectual Property. If the Seller or any Willis Entity owns or shall at any time hereafter acquire any rights in any Company Intellectual Property used solely by the Company in the conduct of its business as conducted immediately before the Closing, the Seller or such Willis Entity shall, and hereby does, transfer all of its rights, title and interest in such Company Intellectual Property to the Company for no additional consideration. The Seller or such Willis Entity shall execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and take such other actions as the Buyer shall reasonably request to give effect to the provisions of this Section 6,2(e).
          (f) Receipt of Payments and Correspondence. From and after the Closing:
               (i) In the event the Seller or any Willis Entity shall directly receive any payments that are the property of the Company, the same shall be held in trust for the Company and delivered to the Company within five (5) Business Days.
               (ii) To the extent that the Seller or any Willis Entity at any time comes into possession of any assets, including without limitation, cash, that is the property of the Company, the Seller or the applicable Willis Entity shall deliver such assets over to the Company within five (5) Business Days.
               (iii) From and after the Closing, through the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date, in the event Seller or any Willis Entity shall receive any written communications or correspondence (excluding e-mail communications or correspondence which have been electronically redirected or forwarded to the account of the Company) belonging to

-34-


 

the Company, the Seller or the applicable Willis Entity shall forward such communications or correspondence to the Company within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof.
          (g) General Release. Effective as of the Closing, each of the Seller and Willis, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates, voluntarily, knowingly and irrevocably releases and forever discharges the Company and its Representatives from any and all actions, agreements, amounts, claims, damages, expenses, liabilities and obligations of every kind, nature or description, known or unknown, arising or existing prior to the Closing, except for (i) any rights of the Seller or any Willis Entity against the Company under this Agreement and any other Transaction Document; (ii), other than in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, any rights of the Seller or any Willis Entity against a Representative arising out of, or in connection with, a Representative’s acts or omissions that involve fraud, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law in excess of $10,000 or (iii) in connection with any E&O Claim.
     6.3. Post-Closing Covenants of the Buyer and the Company.
          (a) Post-Closing Information. From and after the Closing, the Company shall make available to the Seller and its Representatives any and all books, records (including the Business Books and Records), Contracts and other information related to the Company existing on the Closing Date (whether in the possession of the Company, the Buyer or any of their respective Affiliates) requested by the Seller to the extent reasonably necessary for the Seller’s filing of Tax Returns or for any other reasonable purpose related to the Seller’s ownership of the Company prior to the Closing; provided, however, that in no event will the Seller be entitled to information under this Section 6.3(a) in connection with any litigation or dispute among the Parties, except to the extent permitted under Applicable Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller shall be responsible for, and bear the cost associated with, retrieving such information from storage.
     (b) E&O Claims.
               (i) From and after the Closing, the Company shall, at the Seller’s sole cost and expense, reasonably cooperate with the Seller and its Affiliates and his, her or its respective counsel in connection with the contest or defense of any Claim brought by a third party arising out of, in connection with, or related to, any alleged “errors and omissions” (as such terms are commonly understood in the insurance industry) ‘of the Company and its employees, officers or agents related to the operation of the Company’s business on or prior to Closing Date, whether or not covered by an insurance policy of the Company or any of its Affiliates (each, an “E&O Claim”) in the event and for so long as any Seller Indemnified Party is contesting or defending against such E&O Claim,
               (ii) From and after the Closing through the satisfaction of the obligations set forth in this Section 6.3(b), the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Seller, as soon as reasonably practicable, a report as to the Company or any of its Affiliates becoming aware of any E&O Claim or circumstances which reasonably could be expected to give rise to an E&O Claim and a summary of the facts related to such E&O Claim or circumstances.

-35-


 

               (iii) If, in the reasonable determination of a Seller Indemnified Party, the interests of the Seller Indemnified Party, on the one hand, and the Company or its Affiliates, on the other hand, reasonably conflict in relation to the settling of any E&O Claim, the Seller Indemnified Party shall provide written notice of such apparent conflict to the Company and the Company shall not settle or otherwise compromise any such E&O Claim without the Seller Indemnified Party’s prior written Consent (which Consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), subject to the provisions of Section 11.5.
          (c) Accounts Receivable.
               (i) If, at any time after the Closing Date, the Company or any of its Affiliates shall receive any payments (or other rights to payment) on account of any of the accounts receivable set forth in Section 4.7 of the Company Disclosure Letter (the “Uncollected Accounts”), then the Company shall hold such funds in trust for, and shall remit within five (5) Business Days following the receipt of such funds to, the Seller. The Company shall not, and the Buyer shall not cause the Company to, reduce or forgive any of the Uncollected Accounts without the prior written consent of the Seller, which may be withheld in its sole discretion. This Section 6.3(c) is not intended, nor shall it in any way be construed, as a guarantee of collectability by the Company relating to the Uncollected Accounts.
               (ii) If, at any time after the Closing Date, American International Group, Inc., or any of its Affiliates or assignees (collectively, “AIG”) shall receive any payments (or other rights to payment) of the JLS Outstanding Receivable (hereinafter defined) whether in whole or in part, then the Company shall remit to Seller cash equal to the amount of such funds received by AIG within five (5) Business Days following the Company’s notice of the receipt by AIG of such funds. The “JLS Outstanding Receivable” shall mean the $142,589 owed to the Company that is past due as of the date hereof from the retail agent JLS Insurance Group.
               (iii) If all or any portion of the Uncollected Accounts in excess of $25,000 remain outstanding following the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date, and no reasonable payment plan is in place with respect to such Uncollected Accounts and the obligor is not in default under such payment plan (after giving effect to any reasonable cure periods), the Company shall, at the request of the Seller, transfer such Uncollected Accounts (including all rights to payment, collection and enforcement) to the Seller. From and after such transfer, any payment received by the Seller on account of such Uncollected Account shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Seller.
          (d) Termination or Replacement of Guarantees. The Buyer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, within ninety (90) days following the Closing Date (effective as of the Closing Date), cause to be cancelled and terminated, or to substitute itself (or an Affiliate) instead of such Willis Entity on, (i) each guarantee of any Willis Entity (or any of their respective Affiliates) set forth on Schedule 6.3(d) or (ii) any other guarantees of any_Willis Entity (or any of their respective Affiliates) relating to any Contract of the Company existing as of the Closing Date (including renewals and extensions of any of the foregoing) that the Seller may identify in writing to the Company that relate to the matters set forth in Section 11.2(e) (collectively, the “Guarantees”), provided, however, that such commercially reasonable efforts shall not require the Company or the Buyer (1) to pay any amounts to any party to cause the

-36-


 

Guarantee to be cancelled, terminated or substituted (unless the Seller shall cause such amounts to be paid directly to the other party) or (2) to agree to any modification, amendment, renewal or extension to any Contract (other than the termination or cancellation of the Guarantee). The Seller and the Willis Entities will reasonably cooperate with the Buyer in connection with the release of such Guarantees.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES TO EFFECT THE
TRANSACTIONS
          The respective obligations of the Parties hereto to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment (or waiver in writing) by the Buyer, the Seller and the Company on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
     7.1. Agreement Approved. This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, shall have been approved in the manner required by Applicable Law and by any Governmental Entity.
     7.2. No Order or Injunction. No Party shall be subject to any Order of a court of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents. In the event any such Order shall have been issued, each Party agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to have any such Order lifted.
     7.3. Consents and Authorizations Obtained. All Consents of (or filings or registrations with) any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall have been obtained or made, except for filings in connection with the sale and any other documents required to be filed after the Closing.
     7.4. Escrow Agreement. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Agent”) shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the “Escrow Agreement”).
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLER TO
EFFECT THE TRANSACTIONS
          The obligations of the Company and the Seller to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment (or waiver in writing by the Seller) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
          8.1. Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties of the Buyer contained in this Agreement that is (a) not qualified as to materiality, shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, and (b) qualified as to materiality, shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to a particular date, in which case, in

-37-


 

connection with making the foregoing determination, such representations and warranties shall relate solely to the particular date referenced therein.
     8.2. Performance. The Buyer shall have performed or complied with, in all material respects, on or prior to the Closing, each of the covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by the Buyer prior to the Closing.
     8.3. Buyer Closing Certificate. The Buyer shall deliver a certificate dated as of the Closing Date signed by an officer of the Buyer certifying as to the conditions set forth in Sections 8.1 and 8.2.
     8.4. Buyer Deliveries. The Buyer shall have delivered all documents and instruments required to be provided by the Buyer pursuant to Section 2.2(b)(iv) and 2.2(b)(v) of this Agreement.
     8.5. Escrow Agreement. The Buyer shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER TO EFFECT THE
TRANSACTIONS
          The obligations of the Buyer to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment (or waiver in writing by the Buyer) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
     9.1. Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Seller contained in this Agreement that is (a) not qualified as to materiality, shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made on and as of such date and (b) qualified as to materiality, shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to a particular date, in which case, in connection with making the foregoing determination, such representations and warranties shall relate solely to the particular date referenced therein.
     9.2. Performance. The Company and the Seller shall have performed or complied with, in all material respects, on or prior to the Closing, each of the covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by the Company and the Seller prior to the Closing.
     9.3. Company and Seller Closing Certificate. The Company and the Seller shall deliver a certificate dated as of the Closing Date signed by an officer of the Company and the Seller certifying as to the conditions set forth in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of this Agreement.
     9.4. Company and Seller Deliveries. The Company and the Seller shall have delivered all documents and instruments required to be provided by the Company and the Seller pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(i)2.2(a)(vi) of this Agreement and the Parties acknowledge and agree that delivery of the Books and Records shall be satisfied by the Seller making the Books and Records available to the Buyer at the locations in any of Leased Real Property.

-38-


 

     9.5. Escrow Agreement. The Seller shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement.
     9.6. Required Consents Received. The Company and the Seller shall have obtained and delivered to the Buyer copies of all Required Consents, and no such Required Consents shall have been withdrawn, suspended or conditioned.
     9.7. Certificates: Documents. The Buyer shall have received copies of each of the following for the Company certified to its satisfaction by an officer of the Seller: (i) the Company’s charter, as amended, certified by the Secretary of State of California as of a recent date; (ii) a certificate of the Secretary of State of California as of a recent date as to the legal existence and good standing of the Company; (iii) the Company’s Bylaws, as amended; (iv) resolutions adopted by the boards of directors of each of Willis, the Seller and the Company authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and (v) good standing certificates (or the equivalent thereof) as of a recent date of the qualification of the Company as a foreign corporation in Florida, Illinois and Texas.
     9.8. Opinion of General Counsel of the Seller The Buyer and its financing sources shall have received an opinion of the general counsel of Willis, dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G.
ARTICLE X
EXPENSES
          Each of the Parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including its own legal, accounting and audit fees, except as may otherwise be expressly provided in this Agreement; provided that (a) the Company (post-Closing) shall be responsible for the legal, accounting, financing, due diligence and other expenses incurred by the Buyer in connection with such transactions (which expenses shall not be included in the determination of Working Capital), and (b) the Seller shall be responsible for the Transaction Fees.
ARTICLE Xl
INDEMNIFICATION
     11.1. Indemnification of the Buyer.
          (a) Subject to the other provisions and limitations of this Article XI, after the Closing, the Seller agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Company) and their respective officers, directors, employees, stockholders, agents, successors and assigns (each, a “Buyer Indemnified Party”), from and against any and all claims, liabilities, costs, losses, obligations, damages, deficiencies, and expenses (whether or not arising out of third-party Claims), including interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys’ fees and all reasonable amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of any of the foregoing (“Losses”) incurred by such Buyer Indemnified Party as a result of the following:

-39-


 

               (i) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company or the Seller in Article IV of this Agreement;
               (ii) any breach of any covenant or agreement in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents made by the Seller;
               (iii) except to the extent that such Taxes are reflected in the Closing Working Capital as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.3, (A) any Taxes of the Company with respect to a taxable period or portion thereof (allocated pursuant to Section 3.3) ending on or before the Closing Date, and (B) any unpaid Taxes of any Person (other than the Company) for which the Company is liable (1) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or comparable provision of other Applicable Law), (2) as transferee or successor, or (3) by Contract, but with respect to (1) — (3), only to the extent the Taxes relate to transactions occurring on or prior to the Closing Date and (C) any Taxes of the Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Company) for any period; for avoidance of doubt, neither the Buyer nor the Company shall be liable for Taxes of the Company with respect to a taxable period or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing Date (allocated pursuant to Section 3.3);
               (iv) (A) any alleged errors and omissions of the Company or its employees, officers or agents related to the operation of the Company on or prior to the Closing, (B) any matters set forth in Section 4.15 or Section 4.16(a)(l) of the Company Disclosure Letter and (C) any Claim brought against the Company involving an employee, officer or director of the Company or any Willis Entity for conduct occurring on or prior to the Closing;
               (v) the failure of any portion of (i) the Indebtedness or the Transaction Fees to be paid at or prior to the Closing; or (ii) the amounts owed under the Retention Agreements to be paid at or following the Closing;
               (vi) any liability with respect to the Company Benefit Plans in effect with respect to the Business Employees on or prior to the Closing except as specifically set forth on Schedule 6.1(f); and
               (vii) any liability arising under or relating to any Contract to which any Willis Entity is a party that is guaranteed by the Company.
          (b) In addition to the foregoing, from and after the Closing, Willis agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Losses incurred by any Buyer Indemnified Party as a result of any breach of any covenant or agreement of any Willis Entity (other than the Seller) contained in Article VI.
     11.2. Indemnification of the Seller. Subject to the other provisions and limitations of this Article XI, after the Closing, Fortegra, the Buyer and the Company jointly and severally (solely with respect to Sections 11.2(a), 11.2(b)(i) and 11.2(e)), and the Company (with respect to Sections 11.2(b)(ii), 11.2(c) and 11.2(d)), agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Seller and its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, stockholders, agents, successors and assigns (each, a “Seller Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all Losses incurred by such Seller Indemnified Party as a result of the following:

-40-


 

          (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Buyer in Article V of this Agreement;
          (b) any breach of any covenant or agreement in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (i) made by the Buyer or (ii) made by and to be performed by the Company after the Closing Date;
          (c) any Taxes of the Company with respect to a taxable period or portion thereof (allocated pursuant to Section 3.3) beginning after the Closing Date and any Taxes of the Buyer or its Affiliates (other than the Company) for any period; for avoidance of doubt, the Seller shall not be liable for Taxes of the Company with respect to a taxable period or portion thereof beginning after the Closing Date (allocated pursuant to Section 3.3);
          (d) any alleged errors and omissions of the Company and its employees, officers or agents related to the operation of the Company after the Closing; and
          (e) any liability arising under or relating to any Contract to which the Company is a party that is guaranteed by any Willis Entity or any of their respective Affiliates for (i) the payment of premiums; (ii) fulfillment of the Company’s general obligations as an agent under a Contract with an insurance carrier or (iii) arising under any Transferred Real Property Lease, in each case to the extent such liability arises after the Closing.
     11.3. Limitations on the Indemnity.
          (a) The Seller shall not be liable for any Losses under Section 11.1 (a)(i), until the aggregate amount for which the Seller would otherwise (but for this provision) be liable on account thereof exceeds in the aggregate the sum of $250,000 (such amount, the “Basket”) and in such event the Seller shall be liable for the amount of all Losses, including the amount of Losses that constitute the Basket, up to the maximum amount set forth below; provided, however, that a Buyer Indemnified Party shall have no right to indemnification for Losses under Section 11.1(a)(i), and no Losses shall be considered for purposes of determining whether a Buyer Indemnified Party is entitled to be indemnified for Losses under Section 11.1(a)(i), unless and until, with respect to any particular breach or series of related breaches, the Losses resulting from such breach or series of breaches exceed $5,000 (such amount, the “Mini-Basket”), whereupon, a Buyer Indemnified Party shall be indemnified for all amounts of Losses related to such breach(es); and; provided, further, that claims for misrepresentation or breach of any of the Specified Representations shall not be subject to the Basket or the Mini-Basket.
          (b) The aggregate liability of the Seller for Losses under Section 11.1 (a)(i) shall not exceed in the aggregate the sum of twenty percent (20%) of the Cash Consideration and the Earnout Payment (if any) (such amount, the “Cap”); provided, however, that claims for misrepresentation or breach of any of the Specified Representations shall not be subject to the Cap and shall not be included in the determination of whether the Cap has been reached.
          (c) The determination of the amount of Losses sustained or suffered arising out of or connected to any misrepresentation or breach of any of the representations and warranties contained in Article IV or Article V of this Agreement for purposes of Sections

-41-


 

11.1(a)(i) and 11.2(a) shall be made without giving effect to any “material,” “materiality,” or “Material Adverse Effect” qualification contained in such representation and warranty.
     11.4. Notification of Non Third Party Claims. Whenever any non-third party Claim shall arise for indemnification hereunder, the Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of the facts constituting the basis for such Claim, provided that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give timely notice hereunder shall not affect rights to indemnification hereunder, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has suffered actual prejudice by such failure. The notice to the Indemnifying Party shall specify, if known, the amount or an estimate of the amount of any Losses arising therefrom.
     11.5. Third Party Claims. If any Claim (including the commencement of any administrative proceeding, including an audit or administrative proceeding with respect to Taxes) is filed against any Indemnified Party by a third party giving rise to a request for indemnification hereunder, written notice thereof shall be given by the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party as promptly as practicable (and in any event within fifteen (15) days after the Indemnified Party receives notice thereof). The failure of any Indemnified Party to give timely notice hereunder shall not affect rights to indemnification hereunder, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has suffered actual prejudice by such failure. After such notice, if the Indemnifying Party provides written notice to the Indemnified Party stating that the Indemnifying Party is responsible for the entire Claim within twenty (20) days after the Indemnifying Party’s receipt of written notice from the Indemnified Party of such Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, at its own cost, risk and expense, (a) to take control of the defense and investigation of such Claim, (b) to employ and engage attorneys of its own choice, reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, to handle and defend the same unless the named parties to such action or proceeding include both the relevant Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party and the Indemnified Party has been advised by counsel that joint counsel for the Indemnified Party and the relevant Indemnifying Party would result in a conflict under the applicable rules of professional conduct, in which event the Indemnified Party shall be entitled, at the Indemnifying Party’s cost, risk and expense to separate counsel of its own choosing, and (c) to compromise or settle such Claim; provided that the relevant Indemnifying Party shall not agree to any compromise or settlement that does not include a complete release of the Indemnified Party from all liability with respect thereto or that imposes any liability on the Indemnified Party without the prior written consent of Indemnified Party; provided, further, (d) the Buyer or the Company, at any time when injunctive relief is sought in the third party Claim or when the Claim involves clients or suppliers of the Company, may assume the defense and otherwise deal with such Claim in good faith, with counsel of its choice, and be fully indemnified therefor, (e) the Buyer or the Company, at any time when it believes that a Claim relates to or arises in connection with any criminal proceeding, indictment or investigation, may assume the defense and otherwise deal with such Claim in good faith with counsel of its choice, and be fully indemnified therefor, and (f) the Indemnified Party may take over the defense and prosecution of a Claim from the Indemnifying Party if the Indemnifying Party has failed or is failing to vigorously prosecute or defend such Claim. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Indemnified Party may, at its own cost and expense, participate in (but not control) the investigation, trial and defense of such Claim and any appeal arising therefrom. If the Indemnifying Party fails to accept responsibility for the entirety of such Claim within twenty

-42-


 

(20) days after receipt of the notice of Claim by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party against which such Claim has been asserted will (upon delivering notice to such effect to the Indemnifying Party) have the right to undertake, at the Indemnifying Party’s cost, risk and expense, the defense of such Claim on behalf of and for the account and risk of the Indemnifying Party (but shall not have authority to settle such Claim without the prior written Consent of the Indemnifying Party, which Consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If the Indemnified Party assumes the defense of the Claim, the Indemnified Party will keep the Indemnifying Party reasonably informed of the progress of any such defense. The parties will reasonably cooperate with each other in connection with the defense of any third-party Claim.
     11.6. Method and Characterization of Payment. All indemnification obligations hereunder shall be effected by payment of cash or delivery of a certified or official bank check in the amount of the indemnification liability. All payments made pursuant to indemnification obligations under this Article XI shall be deemed to be an adjustment to the Purchase Price, except to the extent required by Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything, express or implied, to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Losses due from the Seller under Section 11.1(a) shall first be sought from the Escrow Amount, except to the extent such Losses arise (i) under Sections 4.5(d) or 11.1(a)(ii)—(vii) and (ii) the amount of all Losses for which a Buyer Indemnified Party is entitled to recovery under Section 11.1(a) has already exceeded $500,000 in the aggregate.
     11.7. Survival of Representations; Warranties; Covenants and Agreements. The representations and warranties in Article IV and Article V of this Agreement shall survive the Closing and remain in full force and effect until 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the Closing Date; provided , however, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.9 (Taxes), Section 4.13 (Employee Benefit Plans), Section 4.19 (Environmental Matters), Section 4.24 (Affiliate Transactions) and Section 5.9 (Reportable Transactions) shall survive until thirty (30) days after the applicable statute of limitations (including extensions) expires; and the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1(a), 4.1(b) and 4.1(c) (Organization; Copies of Organizational Documents), Section 4.2 (Authorization and Validity), Section 4.3 (Title to Equity; Capitalization), Section 4.22 (Brokers), Section 5.1 (Organization), Section 5.2, (Authorization and Validity) and Section 5.7 (Brokers) will survive the Closing indefinitely. The covenants and agreements of the Company, the Seller, the Willis Entities and the Buyer set forth in this Agreement shall survive until fully discharged. There shall be no Claim, cause of action, suit or proceeding for any breach of non-surviving representations, warranties, covenants or agreements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Claim of which the Seller has been notified with reasonable specificity by a Buyer Indemnified Party, and any Claim of which the Buyer has been notified with reasonable specificity by a Seller Indemnified Party, within the applicable survival period described herein, shall survive until the final, nonappealable resolution of such Claim. The representations and warranties contained in Sections 4.1(a), 4.1(b) and 4.1(c) (Organization; Copies of Organizational Documents); Section 4.2 (Authorization and Validity); Section 4.3 (Title to Equity; Capitalization); Section 4.5(d) (re: fiduciary accounts); Section 4.9 (Taxes); Section 4.13 (Employee Benefit Plans); Section 4.19 (Environmental Matters); Section 4.22 (Brokers); and Section 4.24 (Affiliate Transactions) are sometimes collectively referred to herein the “Specified Representations”.

-43-


 

     11.8. Mitigation; Limitations.
          (a) To the extent required by Applicable Law, the Buyer shall take and shall cause its Controlled Affiliates to take commercially reasonable steps to mitigate Losses.
          (b) To the extent required by Applicable Law, the Seller shall take and shall cause its Controlled Affiliates to take commercially reasonable steps to mitigate Losses.
          (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (i) in no event shall “Losses” be calculated based upon any multiple of lost earnings or other similar methodology used to value the Company or based on the financial performance or results of operations of the Company or for diminutions in value relating to the breach of this Agreement, and (ii) no Party shall be entitled to recover special, indirect, speculative, remote or punitive damages from the other Party; provided, however, that (A) the limitations in clause (i) above shall only pertain to Losses arising from a breach of any representation or warranty contained in Article IV or Article V (as the case may be) resulting solely from a single item that has no recurring effect or impact; and (B) the limitations in clause (ii) above shall not pertain to any such amounts arising out of a third-party Claim.
          (d) Losses Net of Insurance, Etc. The amount of any Losses for which indemnification is provided under this Article XI shall be net of (i) any accruals or reserves reflected in the Closing Working Capital as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.3 to the extent such accruals or reserves actually and directly relate to the underlying Claim, and (ii) any insurance proceeds actually received (net of collection costs, increases in premiums and retropremiums) as an offset against such Losses (each source described named in clause (ii), a “Collateral Source”), and (iii) an amount equal to the value of the Tax benefit attributable to such Losses, to be paid when actually realized by the Company or its Affiliates (including by virtue of a loss, deduction or credit carryforward), the loss, deduction or credit related to any such Loss being considered the last item to reduce income, gain or receipts. If the amount to be netted hereunder in connection with a Collateral Source from any payment required under Article XI is determined after payment by the Indemnifying Party of any amount otherwise required to be paid to an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article XI, the Indemnified Party shall repay to the Indemnifying Party, promptly after such determination, any amount that the Indemnifying Party would not have had to pay pursuant to this Article XI had such determination been made at the time of such payment.
          (e) Exclusive Remedy. The rights set forth in Section 1.3 (Net Working Capital Adjustment); Section 1.4 (Earnout Payments); Section 6.2(c) (Injunctive Relief); this Article XI (Indemnification), Section 13.6 (Dispute Resolution) and Section 13.11 (Specific Performance) shall be the sole and exclusive remedies available to any Party hereto with respect to any and all Claims relating to this Agreement, the events giving rise to this Agreement and the transactions provided for herein or in any other Transaction Document or contemplated hereby or thereby, other than Claims based on fraud or intentional or knowing misrepresentation. Subject to the foregoing, the Parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any and all other rights, Claims and causes of action (including rights of contribution, if any, and Claims for rescission) known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, which exist or may arise in the future, that it may have against the Company, the Seller, the Buyer or any of their

-44-


 

respective Affiliates or Representatives, any member of the board of directors or board of managers of any of the Company, the Seller, the Buyer, or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives, as the case may be, arising under or based upon any Applicable Law (including any such Applicable Law relating to or arising under or based upon any securities law, common law or otherwise) for any misrepresentation or breach of the representations, warranties or covenants and related matters contained in this Agreement.
ARTICLE XII
NOTICES
          All notices, requests, Consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally; (b) on the date of transmission if sent via facsimile transmission to the facsimile number given below, and electronic confirmation of receipt is obtained promptly after completion of transmission; (c) on the date after delivery to a reputable nationally recognized overnight courier service; or (d) three (3) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):
     12.1. Seller Notice. If to the Seller, to:
Willis HRH, Inc.
One World Financial Center
200 Liberty Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10281
Attention: President
Facsimile No.: (212) 519-5407
with a copy to:
Willis North America Inc.
26 Century Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: (615) 872-3094
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Pepper Hamilton LLP
3000 Two Logan Square
Eighteenth and Arch Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2799
Attention: Solomon Hunter, Jr.
                  James B. Jumper
Facsimile No.: (215) 981-4750

-45-


 

     12.2. Willis Notice. If to Willis
Willis North America Inc.
26 Century Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: (615) 872-3094
or to such other address(es) as may be furnished to the Buyer by the Company or the Seller in the manner set forth in this Article XII (provided that no such notice shall be effective until it is received by the other Parties hereto).
     12.3. Buyer Notice. If to Fortegra, the Company or to the Buyer, to:
Fortegra Financial Corporation
100 West Bay Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Attention: John G. Short
Facsimile No.: (904) 354-4525
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Attention: Brian P. Lenihan, P.C.
Facsimile No.: (617) 248-4000
or at such other address as may have been furnished to the Company and the Seller by the Buyer in the manner set forth in this Article XII (provided that no such notice shall be effective until it is received by the other parties hereto).
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
     13.1. Entire Agreement; Amendment.
          (a) This Agreement, including the Company Disclosure Letter, the Buyer Disclosure Letter, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto and the other Transaction Documents, contain and constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties hereto and cancel and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral, which shall remain in effect.
          (b) Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except in writing signed by the Parties hereto.
     13.2. Severability. Should any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance) or any agreement entered into pursuant hereto be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions of this Agreement and such other agreements shall be given effect separately

-46-


 

from the provision or provisions determined to be illegal or unenforceable and shall not be affected thereby. If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, such provisions shall be construed by limiting and reducing them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law.
     13.3. Waiver. Any failure on the part of any Party to comply with any of its obligations, agreements or conditions hereunder may be waived by any other Party to whom such compliance is owed. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed, or shall constitute, a waiver of any other provision, whether or not similar, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
     13.4. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable by any of the Parties hereto, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written Consent of all other Parties, except that (a) the indemnification and other rights hereunder of the Buyer or the Company may be assigned to any bank or other financial institution which is or becomes a lender to the Buyer or the Company or any of their respective successors and assigns and (b) this Agreement may be assigned by the Buyer to any of its Affiliates or to any Person acquiring a material portion of the assets, business or securities of the Company or the Buyer, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or securities or otherwise, subject to the prior written Consent of the Seller and Willis (which Consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to assign (in whole or in part) the following provisions of Article VI: Section 6.1(d) and Section 6.1(e).
     13.5. Binding Effect. All of the terms of this Agreement, whether so expressed or not, shall be binding upon the respective permitted successors and assigns of the Parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective permitted successors and assigns of the Parties hereto. This Agreement shall survive the Closing in accordance with its terms and not be merged therein.
     13.6. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Dispute Resolution.
          (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
          (b) Except as otherwise stated herein, each of the Parties hereto agrees that all Disputes arising out of this Agreement shall be resolved by arbitration pursuant to Section 13.6(c) except that any request for injunctive relief (including interim relief) shall be resolved and all post-award proceedings shall be brought in the courts of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Each of the Parties (i) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Delaware in connection with any dispute that arises out of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents or any of the Transactions, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court, (iii) agrees that personal service in any such action may be made by giving notice as provided herein and (iv) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement, any other Transaction

-47-


 

Document or any of the Transactions in any courts other than such courts unless venue or jurisdiction would not be proper under the federal, state or local rules applicable to such courts. The foregoing consents to jurisdiction and appointments of agents to receive service of process shall not constitute general consents to service of process in the State of Delaware for any purpose except as provided above and shall not be deemed to confer rights on any Person other than the respective parties to this Agreement.
          (c) Arbitration.
               (i) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the parties agree that the arbitration procedure set forth below shall be the sole and exclusive method for resolving and remedying any and all disputes, controversies or claims that arise out of or in connection with, or relate in any manner to, the rights and liabilities of the parties hereunder or any provision of this Agreement or the interpretation, enforceability, performance, breach, termination or validity hereof (the “Disputes”); provided, that nothing in this Section l3.6(c) shall prohibit a party hereto from instituting litigation to enforce any Final Determination (as hereinafter defined). The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that, except as otherwise provided in this Section 13.6(c) or in the Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration of Business Disputes (the “Rules”) promulgated by the Center for Public Resources Institute for Dispute Resolutions (the “Institute”) as in effect from time to time, the arbitration procedures and any Final Determination hereunder shall be governed by, and shall be enforced pursuant to, the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1 et seq.
               (ii) In the event that any party asserts that there exists a Dispute, such party shall deliver a written notice to each other party involved therein specifying the nature of the asserted Dispute and requesting a meeting to attempt to resolve the same. If no such resolution is reached within ten (10) Business Days after the delivery of such notice, the party delivering such notice of Dispute (the “Disputing Person”) may thereafter commence arbitration hereunder by delivering to each other party involved therein a notice of arbitration (a “Notice of Arbitration”). Such Notice of Arbitration shall specify the nature of any Dispute and any other matters required by the Rules as in effect from time to time to be included therein. The arbitrator shall permit and facilitate such discovery as the parties shall reasonably request. The Buyer and Seller shall mutually agree upon one (1) arbitrator, which arbitrator shall have relevant industry experience, to resolve any Dispute pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Section l3.6(c) and the Rules. If the Purchaser and Seller cannot mutually agree to an arbitrator within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the notice of arbitration, the arbitrator shall be appointed by the Institute within fifteen (15) days of being notified in writing of the Institute’s need to make such appointment or as soon thereafter as may be practicable.
               (iii) The fees and expenses of the Institute and the arbitrator selected pursuant to the foregoing subsection shall be shared equally by the Company and Seller and advanced by them from time to time as required; provided, that at the conclusion of the arbitration, the arbitrator shall award costs and expenses (including the costs of the arbitration previously advanced and the fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants and other experts) to the prevailing party.

-48-


 

               (iv) The arbitration shall be conducted in New York, New York under the Rules as in effect from time to time. The arbitrator shall conduct the arbitration so that a final result, determination, finding, judgment and/or award (the “Final Determination”) is made or rendered as soon as practicable, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the delivery of the Notice of Arbitration nor later than ten (10) days following completion of the arbitration. Notwithstanding any state law to the contrary, the Final Determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
               (v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing in this Section 13.6(c) shall be construed to impair the right of any party to seek injunctive or other equitable relief or to seek judicial relief for any breach or violation of any covenant contained in Section 6.l or 6.2.
     13.7. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
     13.8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each Party hereto shall have received counterparts thereof signed and delivered (by telecopy or other electronic means) by the other Party hereto.
     13.9. Interpretation.
          (a) All references to immediately available funds or dollar amounts contained in this Agreement shall mean U.S. dollars.
          (b) The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
          (c) Words imparting either gender shall include the other gender.
          (d) Words imparting the singular only shall include the plural and visa versa.
          (e) The words “include,” “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
          (f) The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise states, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provisions of this Agreement.
          (g) References to any Person includes the successors and permitted assigns of such Person;

-49-


 

          (h) Each Party and its counsel have reviewed the terms and provisions of this Agreement and have contributed to its drafting.
          (i) The rule of construction providing that any ambiguities are resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.
          (j) The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be constructed fairly as to all Parties hereto and not in favor of or against any Party, regardless of which Party was generally responsible for the preparation of this Agreement.
          (k) Any information disclosed in any one section of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosed in each other section of the Company Disclosure Letter where it is readily apparent to which representations and warranties such information is related. The information disclosed in the Company Disclosure Letter is disclosed in furtherance of, and should not be used for any purpose except in furtherance of, the Transactions and each Party’s enforcement of their respective rights granted under this Agreement. The Company Disclosure Letter is qualified in its entirety by reference to the specific provisions of this Agreement and is not intended ‘to constitute, and shall not be construed as constituting, representations or warranties of the Company except as and to the extent provided in this Agreement. Matters reflected in the Company Disclosure Letter are not necessarily limited to matters required by this Agreement to be reflected in the Company Disclosure Letter and the Company may, at its option, include additional information for any reason, including in order to avoid any misunderstanding, and such inclusion shall not (i) be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgement that such information is, or could reasonably be deemed to be, material or outside of the ordinary course of business or (ii) further define the meaning of any term, or modify any representation or warranty or disclosure for purposes of this Agreement or the Company Disclosure Letter. Such additional information does not necessarily include all matters or information of a similar nature.
          (l) Any information disclosed in any one section of the Buyer Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosed in each other section of the Buyer Disclosure Letter where it is readily apparent to which representations and warranties such information is related. The information disclosed in the Buyer Disclosure Letter is disclosed in furtherance of, and should not be used for any purpose except in furtherance of, the Transactions and each Party’s enforcement of their respective rights granted under this Agreement. The Buyer Disclosure Letter is qualified in its entirety by reference to the specific provisions of this Agreement and is not intended to constitute, and shall not be construed as constituting, representations or warranties of the Buyer except as and to the extent provided in this Agreement. Matters reflected in the Buyer Disclosure Letter are not necessarily limited to matters required by this Agreement to be reflected in the Buyer Disclosure Letter and the Buyer may, at its option, include additional information for any reason, including in order to avoid any misunderstanding, and such inclusion shall not (i) be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgement that such information is, or could reasonably be deemed to be, material or outside of the ordinary course of business or (ii) further define the meaning of any term, or modify any representation or warranty or disclosure for purposes of this Agreement or the Buyer Disclosure Letter. Such additional information does not necessarily include all matters or information of a similar nature.

-50-


 

     13.10. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as set forth in Article XI, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties hereto and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the Parties hereto and such successors and assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder. This Agreement contains representations and warranties that the Parties hereto have made to and solely for the benefit of each other. The assertions embodied in those representations and warranties are qualified by information in the confidential Company Disclosure Letter and the Buyer Disclosure Letter that the Parties hereto have exchanged in connection with this Agreement.
     13.11. Specific Performance. Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that the other Party would be damaged irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise are breached. Accordingly, each of the Parties agrees that the other Party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof.
     13.12. Definitions.
          (a) Certain Definitions. For all purposes of this Agreement, except as expressly provided or unless the content otherwise requires, when used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following definitions:
          “Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, at the time of determination, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with such specified Person.
          “Applicable Law” shall mean, with respect to the Company, its respective properties and assets, the Seller, or the Buyer, as the case may be, all statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, orders, judgments, decrees, policies, guidelines and regulations of any Governmental Entity which are applicable to such Person or assets.
          “Benefit Plans” shall mean any employee pension benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), welfare benefit plans (including post retirement medical and life insurance) (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), bonus, stock purchase, stock ownership, stock option (or other equity-based), deferred compensation, incentive, severance, change in control, termination or other compensation plan, policy, agreement or arrangement, and other material employee fringe benefit plans, policies or arrangements whether or not subject to ERISA or oral presently or within the previous six (6) years sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by the Company or ERISA Affiliates.
          “Business Books and Records” shall mean all books, records, files and correspondence (whether in original or photostatic form) of or relating to the Company.
          “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by Applicable Law to close.

-51-


 

          “Business Employees” shall mean the employees of the Company.
          “Claim” shall mean any written demand, claim, suit, action, arbitration, hearing, inquiry, proceeding, complaint, charge, investigation, cause of action or potential cause of action, investigation, or notice by any Person alleging actual or potential liability.
          “Closing” shall mean the time of the consummation of the purchase and sale of the Shares, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
          “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
          “Confidentiality Agreement” shall mean that Confidentiality Agreement dated November 24, 2008 between the Fortegra Financial Corporation and Willis.
          “Consent” shall mean any consent, approval, authorization, waiver, permit, grant, franchise, concession, agreement, license, certificate, exemption, order, registration, declaration, filing, report or notice of, with or to any Person.
          “Contract” shall mean any written or unwritten contract, agreement, commitment, note, bond, pledge, lease, mortgage, guaranty, indenture, option, instrument, obligation, license, arrangement or any other written or unwritten contractual commitment.
          “Control” shall mean, as to any Person, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. The terms “Controlled by,” “under common Control with” and “Controlling” shall have correlative meanings.
          “Environmental Laws” shall mean those Applicable Laws with respect to protection of the environment, pollution, hazardous substances (as such term is defined in Section 4.19) and related matters. For purposes of clarification, “Environmental Laws” shall specifically exclude the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. §§651 et seq. and any Applicable Laws generally addressing workplace safety and human health.
          “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
          “ERISA Affiliate” shall mean (i) any corporation included with the Company in a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code; (ii) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code; (iii) any member of an affiliated service group of which the Company is a member within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code; or (iv) any other Person treated as an affiliate of the Company under Section 414(o) of the Code.
          “Escrow Amount” shall mean an amount equal to the aggregate sum of $2,500,000, which will be deposited at the Closing with the Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

-52-


 

          “FIRPTA” shall mean the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act.
          “GAAP” shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles as applied and maintained throughout the applicable periods by the Company.
          “Governmental Entity” shall mean any government and political subdivisions thereof, court, arbitral tribunal, administrative agency, tribunal or commission or any other governmental or regulatory body, instrumentality or authority, including the United States Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities, whether domestic (federal, state or local) or foreign.
          “Indebtedness” shall mean all principal, interest, fees, expenses and other amounts in respect of borrowed money, notes, bonds, debentures and other debt securities, guarantees, interest rate, currency or other hedging arrangements, capital leases, letters of credit and/or installment purchases incurred by the Company prior to the Closing, or required to be paid in order to discharge fully all such amounts as of the Closing.
          “Indemnified Parties” shall mean the Buyer Indemnified Parties and the Seller Indemnified Parties, as the case may be.
          “Indemnifying Parties” shall mean, as used in Article XI, the Buyer and/or the Company on the one hand, and the Seller, on the other hand, as the case may be.
          “Intercompany Note” means that certain Promissory Note dated April 10, 2009 entered into by the Seller in favor of the Company in the principal amount of $369,647, which Promissory Note is in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H.
          “Key Employee” shall mean the Business Employees set forth on Schedule l3.l2(a).
          “Knowledge of the Company” and phrases of similar import shall mean the knowledge of Robert Abramson, Corrine Jones, Tony Morgan, Donald Deising, Debra Bowers, Leonard Walsh, Kathy Herbers or Robert Wilson, in each case after due inquiry.
          “Leased Real Property” shall mean the real property subject to a Transferred Real Property Lease.
          “Lien” shall mean any lien, security interest, mortgage, charge or similar encumbrance.
          “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean, as to any entity, any change, development or event that individually, or together with any other change, development or event, has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, business, properties or condition (financial or otherwise) on the entity taken as a whole; provided, however, that changes or developments relating to (i) changes in Applicable Law or interpretations thereof generally affecting the Company’s industry or changes in GAAP; or (ii) changes affecting industries or markets in which the Company operates (other than any change having a disproportionate effect on the Company compared to the effect on such industries or

-53-


 

markets generally); (iii) the announcement or pendency of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or other communication by the Company or any of its Affiliates of its plans or intentions with respect to its business, including losses or threatened losses of employees, customers, clients, vendors or others having relationships with the Company or (iv) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any actions by the Parties taken pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case, shall be deemed not to constitute a “Material Adverse Effect” and shall not be considered in determining whether a “Material Adverse Effect” has occurred.
          “Order” shall mean any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Entity.
          “Organizational Documents” shall mean any certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, certificate of formation, bylaws, operating agreement or any other similar document of a Person, as amended to date.
          “Permitted Liens” shall mean (A) liens for ad valorem Taxes not yet due and payable, (B) liens for Taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and described in Schedule 13.12(b), (C) liens imposed by operation of law (including statutory, mechanic’s, laborer’s, materialmen’s, carrier’s, workmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s, liens under maritime law or other similar liens arising from or incurred in the ordinary course of business), (D) statutory or contractual landlord’s liens under leases pursuant to which the Company is a lessee and not in default, as described in Schedule 13. l2(b), (E) with regard to the Leased Real Property, (i) any and all matters of record in the jurisdiction where the applicable Leased Real Property is located, including restrictions, reservations, covenants, conditions, oil and gas leases, mineral severances and liens, which matters of record are described in Schedule 13.12(b), and (ii) any easements, rights-of-way, building or use restrictions, prescriptive rights, encroachments, protrusions, and Party walls as described in Schedule 13.12(b) and (F) such other imperfections of title as do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially detract from the value or otherwise interfere with the present use of any of the Company’s properties or otherwise impair the operation of its business.
          “Permit” shall mean all licenses, permits, certificates of authority, authorizations, approvals, registrations, franchises, rights, orders, qualifications and similar rights and approvals granted or issued by any Person.
          “Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an association, a trust or other entity or organization, including any Governmental Entity.
          “Representatives” shall mean, as to any Person, such Person’s accountants, counsel, consultants (including actuarial and industry consultants), officers, directors, employees, agents and other advisors and representatives.
          “Subsidiary” shall mean an entity as to which any Person owns directly or indirectly 50% or more of such entity’s voting power or similar interest.

-54-


 

          “Taxes” shall mean all federal, state, local and foreign net income, gross income, value added, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, including without limitation the California and Texas surplus line broker taxes, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto.
          “Tax Return” shall mean any report, return, or other statement relating to or required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes.
          “Transaction Documents” shall mean this Agreement (together with all schedules and exhibits), the Transition Services Agreement, the FIRPTA Certificate, the Company Disclosure Letter, the Escrow Agreement and the Buyer Disclosure Letter.
          “Transaction Fees” shall mean all amounts due to lawyers, accountants and other professional service providers and all other expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company and the Seller in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation the amounts which the Company and/or the Sellers may be obligated to pay to StoneRidge Advisors, LLC or any other broker, finder or investment banker in connection with, and conditioned upon, the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.
          “Transactions” shall mean the consummation of the purchase and sale of the Shares, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
          “Transfer Taxes” shall mean all transfer, documentary, sales, use, registration, recordation, stamp, value-added, and other similar Taxes and fees (including penalties and interest).
          “U.S.” shall mean the United States of America.
          (b) Other Definitions. The following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth in the referenced section:
     
Term   Section
2008 Statements
  Section 1.4(b)
Agreement
  Preamble
AIG
  6.3(c)(ii)
Approved Wholesaler Requirements
  Section 4.26
Balance Sheet
  Section 4.5(a)
Balance Sheet Date
  Section 4.5(a)
Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions
  Section 4.2(b)
Basket
  Section 11.3(a)
Buyer
  Preamble
Buyer Calculation
  Section 1.3(d)
Buyer Disclosure Letter
  Article V
Buyer Dispute Notice
  Section 1.3(e)

-55-


 

     
Term   Section
Buyer Indemnified Party
  Section 11.1
Cap
  Section 11.3(b)
Cash Consideration
  Section 1.2(a)
Closing Date
  Section 2.1
Closing Working Capital
  Section 1.3(a)
Collateral Source
  Section 11.8(d)
Company
  Preamble
Company Benefit Plan(s)
  Section 4.13(a)
Company Disclosure Letter
  Article IV
Company Intellectual Property
  Section 4.14(b)
Company Proprietary Information
  Section 6.2(a)
Conforming Amended Returns
  Section 3.5
Disputed Earnout Payment Notice
  Section 1.4(d)
Disputes
  Section 13.6(c)
Disputing Person
  Section 13.6(c)
Due Diligence Materials
  Section 5.5(a)
E&O Claim
  Section 6.3(b)(i)
Earnout Due Date
  Section 1.4(g)
Earnout Payment
  Section 1.4
Earnout Payment Notice
  Section 1.4(c)
Earnout Settlement Arbitrator
  Section 1.4(e)
Employee Restricted Period
  Section 6.2(b)(vii)
Escrow Agent
  Section 7.4
Escrow Agreement
  Section 7.4
Estimated Working Capital
  Section 1.3(c)
Existing Clients
  Section 6.1 (e)(i)
Final Determination
  Section 13.6(c)
Financial Statements
  Section 4.5(b)
Form of Working Capital Statement
  Section 1.3(a)
Fortegra
  Preamble
Guarantees
  Section 6.3(d)
Institute
  Section 13.6(c)
Intellectual Property
  Section 4.14(a)
IP Licenses
  Section 4.14(b)
JLS Outstanding Receivable
  Section 6.3(c)(ii)
Losses
  Section 11.1
Material Brokers
  Section 4.23(a)
Material Carriers
  Section 4.23(a)
Material Contract(s)
  Section 4.11(b)
Measurement Period
  Section 1.4(a)(i)
Mini-Basket
  Section 11.3(a)
Monthly Report
  Section 6.1(e)(iii)
Net Revenue
  Section 1.4(b)
Notice of Arbitration
  Section 13.6(c)
Option
  Section 6.1(d)(iv)

-56-


 

     
Term   Section
Party
  Preamble
Parties
  Preamble
Pre-Closing Period
  Section 3.7
Producer
  Section 4.16(b)
Purchase Price
  Section 1.2
Required Consents
  Section 2.2(a)(vi)
Restricted Employee
  Section 6.2(b)(vii)
Restricted Period
  Section 6.2(b)(vii)
Restricted Territory
  Section 6.2(b)(vii)
Retention Agreements
  Section 6.1(c)
Rules
  Section 13.6(c)
Seller
  Preamble
Seller Calculation
  Section 1.3(e)
Seller Indemnified Party
  Section 11.2
Settlement Arbitrator
  Section 1.3(f)
Shares
  Recitals
Specialty Lines
  Section 6.2(b)(vii)
Specified Representations
  Section 11.7
Substantially Similar Wholesale Operation
  Section 6.2(b)(vii)
Transacted
  Section 4.16(b)
Transferred Real Property Leases
  Section 4.18(b)
Transition Services Agreement
  Section 2.2(a)(iv)
Uncollected Accounts
  Section 6.3(c)(i)
Willis
  Preamble
Willis Entities
  Preamble
Wiring Instructions
  Section 1.2
Working Capital
  Section 1.3(a)
Working Capital Adjustment Amount
  Section 1.3(g)
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Next Page is Signature Page]

-57-


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Stock Purchase Agreement as of the day and date first above written.
         
  LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard S. Kahlbaugh    
    Name:   Richard S. Kahlbaugh   
    Title:   President & CEO   
 
         
  BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Robert P. Abramson    
    Name:   Robert P. Abramson   
    Title:   President   
 
         
  WILLIS HRH, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ V. P. Krauze  
    Name:   V. P. Krauze  
    Title:    Chief Operating Officer   
 
SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 6.1, 6.2, 11.1(b), 11.8(e), Article XII and Article XIII.
         
  WILLIS NORTH AMERICA INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ V. P. Krauze  
    Name:   V. P. Krauze  
    Title:    Chief Operating Officer   
 
SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 11.2, 11.8(e), Article XII and Article XIII.
         
  FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard S. Kahlbaugh    
    Name:   Richard S. Kahlbaugh   
    Title:   President & CEO   
 
[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 


 

[Exhibits and Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The exhibits and schedules will be provided to the SEC upon request.]
EXHIBITS
     
Exhibit A
  Form of Working Capital Statement
Exhibit B
  2008 Statements
Exhibit C
  Form of Transition Services Agreement
Exhibit D
  Form of FIRPTA Certificate
Exhibit E
  Current Approved Wholesaler Requirements
Exhibit F
  Form of Escrow Agreement
Exhibit G
  Form of Opinion of General Counsel of the Company
Exhibit H
  Form of Intercompany Note

 


 

LIST OF SCHEDULES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND THE SELLER
     
Schedule 6.1(c)
  Retention Agreements
 
   
Schedule 6.1(f)
  Employee Benefit Plans
 
   
Schedule 6.2(b)(vii)
  Restricted Employees
 
   
Schedule 6.3(d)
  Guarantees
 
   
Schedule 13.12(a)
  Key Employees
 
   
Schedule 13.12(b)
  Permitted Liens

 


 

LIST OF SCHEDULES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE BUYER
     
Schedule 2.2(a)(vi)
  Required Consents

 

EX-10.1 5 b81561exv10w1.htm EX-10.1 exv10w1
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
 
 
LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.,
as Issuer
INDENTURE
Dated as of June 20, 2007
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
FIXED/FLOATING RATE SENIOR DEBENTURES
DUE 2037
 
 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
        Page
 
           
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS     1  
 
           
Section 1.1.
  Definitions     1  
 
           
ARTICLE II. DEBENTURES     6  
 
           
Section 2.1.
  Authentication and Dating     6  
Section 2.2.
  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication     7  
Section 2.3.
  Form and Denomination of Debentures     7  
Section 2.4.
  Execution of Debentures     7  
Section 2.5.
  Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures     8  
Section 2.6.
  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures     10  
Section 2.7.
  Payment of Interest and Additional Interest     11  
Section 2.8.
  Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc     13  
Section 2.9.
  Computation of Interest     13  
Section 2.10.
  CUSIP Numbers     14  
Section 2.11.
  Book-Entry Debentures     15  
Section 2.12.
  Ranking     16  
 
           
ARTICLE III. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY     17  
 
           
Section 3.1.
  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures     17  
Section 3.2.
  Offices for Notices and Payments, etc     17  
Section 3.3.
  Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office     18  
Section 3.4.
  Provision as to Paying Agent     18  
Section 3.5.
  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims     19  
Section 3.6.
  Maintenance of Properties     19  
Section 3.7.
  No Disposition     .19  
Section 3.8.
  Negative Pledge     20  
Section 3.9.
  Certificate to Trustee     20  
Section 3.10.
  Waiver of Certain Covenants     20  
Section 3.11.
  Existence     21  
Section 3.12.
  Compliance with Consolidation Provisions     21  
Section 3.13.
  Reports     21  
 
           
ARTICLE IV. SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE     22  
 
           
Section 4.1.
  Securityholders Lists     22  
Section 4.2.
  Preservation and Disclosure of Lists     22  
 
           
ARTICLE V. REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT     23  
 
           
Section 5.1.
  Events of Default     23  
Section 5.2.
  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment     25  

i


 

             
        Page
Section 5.3.
  Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor     26  
Section 5.4.
  Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee     27  
Section 5.5.
  Proceedings by Securityholders     27  
Section 5.6.
  Proceedings by Trustee     28  
Section 5.7.
  Restoration of Rights and Remedies     28  
Section 5.8.
  Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver     28  
Section 5.9.
  Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders     29  
Section 5.10.
  Notice of Defaults     29  
Section 5.11.
  Undertaking to Pay Costs     30  
Section 5.12.
  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws     30  
 
           
ARTICLE VI. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE     30  
 
           
Section 6.1.
  Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee     30  
Section 6.2.
  Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc     31  
Section 6.3.
  No Responsibility for Recitals, etc     32  
Section 6.4.
  Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures     33  
Section 6.5.
  Moneys to be Held in Trust     33  
Section 6.6.
  Compensation and Expenses of Trustee     33  
Section 6.7.
  Officers’ Certificate as Evidence     34  
Section 6.8.
  Eligibility of Trustee     34  
Section 6.9.
  Resignation or Removal of Trustee     34  
Section 6.10.
  Acceptance by Successor Trustee     36  
Section 6.11.
  Succession by Merger, etc     37  
Section 6.12.
  Authenticating Agents     37  
 
           
ARTICLE VII. CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS     38  
 
           
Section 7.1.
  Action by Securityholders     38  
Section 7.2.
  Proof of Execution by Securityholders     39  
Section 7.3.
  Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners     39  
Section 7.4.
  Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding     39  
Section 7.5.
  Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound     39  
 
           
ARTICLE VIII. SECURITYHOLDERS MEETINGS     40  
 
           
Section 8.1.
  Purposes of Meetings     40  
Section 8.2.
  Call of Meetings by Trustee     40  
Section 8.3.
  Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders     40  
Section 8.4.
  Qualifications for Voting     41  
Section 8.5.
  Regulations     41  
Section 8.6.
  Voting     41  
Section 8.7.
  Quorum; Actions     42  
 
           
ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES     43  
 
           
Section 9.1.
  Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders     43  

ii


 

             
        Page
Section 9.2.
  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders     44  
Section 9.3.
  Effect of Supplemental Indentures     45  
Section 9.4.
  Notation on Debentures     45  
Section 9.5.
  Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee     45  
 
           
ARTICLE X. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES     45  
 
           
Section 10.1.
  Optional Redemption     45  
Section 10.2.
  Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures     45  
Section 10.3.
  Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption     46  
 
           
ARTICLE XI. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE     46  
 
           
Section 11.1.
  Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms     46  
Section 11.2.
  Successor Entity to be Substituted     47  
Section 11.3.
  Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee     47  
 
           
ARTICLE XII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE     48  
 
           
Section 12.1.
  Discharge of Indenture     48  
Section 12.2.
  Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee     48  
Section 12.3.
  Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held     49  
Section 12.4.
  Return of Unclaimed Moneys     49  
 
           
ARTICLE XIII. IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS     49  
 
           
Section 13.1.
  Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations     49  
 
           
ARTICLE XIV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS     49  
 
           
Section 14.1.
  Successors     49  
Section 14.2.
  Official Acts by Successor Entity     49  
Section 14.3.
  Surrender of Company Powers     49  
Section 14.4.
  Addresses for Notices, etc     50  
Section 14.5.
  Governing Law     50  
Section 14.6.
  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent     50  
Section 14.7.
  Table of Contents, Headings, etc     50  
Section 14.8.
  Execution in Counterparts     51  
Section 14.9.
  Severability     51  
Section 14.10.
  Assignment     51  
         
Exhibit A
  Form of Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Debenture    
Exhibit B
  Significant Subsidiaries    
Exhibit C-l
  Form of Transferor Certificate to be Executed by QIBs    
Exhibit C-2
  Form of Transfer Certificate to be Executed by Transferees other than QIBs.    

iii


 

     THIS INDENTURE, dated as of June 20, 2007, between LOTS Intermediate Co., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), and Wilmington Trust Company, a banking corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, as debenture trustee (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH:
     WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Debentures due 2037 (the “Debentures”) under this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the execution and authentication, delivery and administration thereof, and the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and
     WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed;
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Debentures by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Debentures as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
     Section 1.1. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.1 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the time of any computation. The words “herein,” “hereof and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
     “Additional Interest” means interest, if any, that shall accrue on any interest on the Debentures the payment of which has not been made on the applicable Interest Payment Date and which shall accrue at the Interest Rate, compounded quarterly (to the extent permitted by law).
     “Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
     “Applicable Depository Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Book-Entry Debenture, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such Book-Entry Debenture, in each case to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

1


 

     “Authenticating Agent” means any agent or agents of the Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.12.
     “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
     “Board of Directors” means the board of directors or the executive committee or any other duly authorized designated officers of the Company.
     “Book-Entry Debenture” means a Debenture, the ownership and transfers of which shall be made through book entries by a Depository.
     “Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.
     “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City or Wilmington, Delaware are permitted or required by any applicable law to close.
     “Certificate” means a certificate signed by any one of the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company.
     “Company” means LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation, and, subject to the provisions of Article XI, shall include its successors and assigns.
     “Coupon Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.
     “Debenture” or “Debentures” means a Global Debenture or a Definitive Debenture, as applicable.
     “Debenture Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5.
     “Default” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
     “Defaulted Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.
     “Definitive Debenture” means Debentures issued in certificated, fully registered form that are not Global Debentures.
     “Depository” means an organization registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act that is designated as Depository by the Company or any successor thereto. DTC will be the initial Depository.
     “Depository Participant” means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Depository effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Depository.

2


 

     “Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.
     “Distribution Period” means (i) with respect to interest paid on the first Interest Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in September 2007 and (ii) thereafter, with respect to each Interest Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including) the preceding Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) such current Interest Payment Date.
     “DTC” means The Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.
     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     “Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 5.1, continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if any, therein designated.
     “Fair Value” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.
     “Global Debenture” means a Debenture Certificate evidencing ownership of Book-Entry Debentures.
     “Indebtedness” of any person means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is (a) indebtedness for money borrowed, and (b) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. For the purposes of this definition, “indebtedness for money borrowed” means (i) any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, such Person for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments, (ii) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar written instruments, including obligations assumed or incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses (provided, however, that the deferred purchase price of any other business or property or assets shall not be considered Indebtedness if the purchase price thereof is payable in full within 90 days from the date on which such indebtedness was created), (iii) any obligations of such Person as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which such Person is a party; and (iv) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, any Person for the payment of amounts due under a swap agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge exchange or similar instrument or agreement.
     “Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented, or both.
     “Interest Payment Date” means each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year during the term of this Indenture, or if any such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day, commencing in September 2007.
     “Interest Rate” means for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in June 2012 the rate per

3


 

annum of 9.61% and for each Distribution Period thereafter, the Coupon Rate for such Distribution Period.
     “Maturity Date” means June 15, 2037.
     “Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 7, 2007 among Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-A, L.P., Summit Partners Private Equity Fund VII-B, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P., Summit Investors VI, L.P., Los Acquisition Co., the stockholders listed thereto under the heading “Signing Stockholders”, and the Company.
     “Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Chairman, the President or any Vice President, and by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
     “Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or may be other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.6 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
     The term “outstanding,” when used with reference to Debentures, means, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, as of any particular time, all Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except:
     (a) Debentures represented by a Global Debenture with respect to which the Trustee has effected a reduction in the interests represented thereby pursuant to the terms hereof;
     (b) Debentures theretofore canceled by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
     (c) Debentures, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that, if such Debentures, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as provided in Section 10.3 or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and
     (d) Debentures paid pursuant to Section 2.6 or in lieu of or in substitution for which other Debentures shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.6 unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that any such Debentures are held by bona fide holders in due course.
     “Owner” means each Person who is the beneficial owner of Book-Entry Debentures as reflected in the records of the Depository or, if a Depository Participant is not the beneficial owner, then the beneficial owner as reflected in the records of the Depository Participant.

4


 

     “Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
     “Predecessor Security” of any particular Debenture means every previous Debenture evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debenture; and, for purposes of this definition, any Debenture authenticated and delivered under Section 2.6 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture.
     “Principal Office of the Trustee.” or other similar term, means the office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which at the time of the execution of this Indenture shall be 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington Delaware 19890.
     “QIB” means a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
     “Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
     “Redemption Price” means 100% of the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) on such Debentures to the Redemption Date.
     “Regulation S” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
     “Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Principal Office of the Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer, financial services officer or other officer of the Principal Trust Office of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
     “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or any successor legislation.
     “Securityholder.” “holder of Debentures,” or other similar terms, means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debenture is registered on the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof.
     “Significant Subsidiaries” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.
     “Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation or limited liability company at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of the outstanding partnership or similar interests of which shall at the time be owned

5


 

     by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of this definition, “Voting stock” means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.
     “3-Month LIBOR” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.
     “Telerate Page 3750” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.
     “Trustee” means Wilmington Trust Company, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder.
ARTICLE II.
DEBENTURES
     Section 2.1. Authentication and Dating. Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, Debentures in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $35,000,000 may be executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and make available for delivery said Debentures to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chief Executive Officer, the President, or one of its Vice Presidents without any further action by the Company hereunder. In authenticating such Debentures, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debentures, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon:
     (a) a copy of any Board Resolution or Board Resolutions relating thereto and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant to such resolution, in each case certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, as the case may be; and
     (b) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 14.6 which shall also state:
     (1) that such Debentures, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in each case in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, will be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and of general principles of equity; and
     (2) that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Debentures have been complied with and that authentication and delivery of the Debentures by the Trustee will not violate the terms of this Indenture.

6


 

     The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debentures under this Section if the Trustee, being advised in writing by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing holders.
     Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debentures shall be in substantially the following form:
     This is one of the Debentures referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
     
Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee
 
   
By:        
  Authorized Signer   
     
     Section 2.3. Form and Denomination of Debentures. The Debentures shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The Debentures shall be in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of the Debentures in a block having an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000.00 shall be deemed to be void and of no legal effect whatsoever. Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be a holder of such Debentures for any purpose, including, but not limited to the receipt of payments on such Debentures, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Debentures. The Debentures shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the officers executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.
     Section 2.4. Execution of Debentures. The Debentures shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chief Executive Officer, President, or one of its Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents. Only such Debentures as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form herein before recited, executed by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of an authorized signer, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent upon any Debenture executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Debenture so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
     In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Debentures shall cease to be such officer before the Debentures so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent, or disposed of by the Company, such Debentures nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debentures had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Debenture may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debenture, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.
     Every Debenture shall be dated the date of its authentication.

7


 

     Section 2.5. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Debentures. The Company shall cause to be kept, at the office or agency maintained for the purpose of registration of transfer and for exchange as provided in Section 3.2, a register (the “Debenture Register”) for the Debentures issued hereunder in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration and transfer of all Debentures as in this Article II provided. The Debenture Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.
     Debentures to be exchanged may be surrendered at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency to be maintained by the Company for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, and the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor the Debenture or Debentures which the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount. Registration or registration of transfer of any Debenture by the Trustee or by any agent of the Company appointed pursuant to Section 3.2, and delivery of such Debenture, shall be deemed to complete the registration or registration of transfer of such Debenture.
     All Debentures presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
     No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
     The Company or the Trustee shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Debenture for a period of 15 days next preceding the date of selection of Debentures for redemption.
     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Debentures may not be transferred except in compliance with the restricted securities legend set forth below, unless otherwise determined by the Company, upon the advice of counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with applicable law:
     [IF THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY INSERT: THIS DEBENTURE IS A GLOBAL DEBENTURE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) OR A NOMINEE OF DTC. THIS DEBENTURE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR DEBENTURES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE

8


 

INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS DEBENTURE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS DEBENTURE AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
     UNLESS THIS DEBENTURE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO. OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY DEBENTURE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
     THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.

9


 

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
     THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.
     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
     THIS SECURITY IS IN REGISTERED FORM WITHIN THE MEANING OF TREASURY REGULATIONS SECTION 1.871-14(c)(l)(i) FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND WITHHOLDING TAX PURPOSES.
     IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE INDENTURE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
     Section 2.6. Mutilated, Destroyed. Lost or Stolen Debentures. In case any Debenture shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company shall execute,

10


 

and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Debenture so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Debenture shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.
     The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Debenture and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debenture, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debenture which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Debenture, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debenture) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.
     Every substituted Debenture issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6 by virtue of the fact that any such Debenture is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debentures duly issued hereunder. All Debentures shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debentures and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
     Section 2.7. Payment of Interest and Additional Interest. Interest at the Interest Rate and any Additional Interest on any Debenture that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Debentures shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment except that interest and any Additional Interest payable on the Maturity Date shall be paid to the Person to whom principal is paid.
     Each Debenture shall bear interest for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in June 2012 at a rate per annum of 9.61%, and shall bear interest for each successive Distribution Period beginning on or after the Interest Payment Date in June 2012 at a rate per annum equal to the 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described in Section 2.9, plus 4.10% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal

11


 

amount thereof, until the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law (without duplication) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the Interest Rate in effect for each applicable period compounded quarterly. Interest shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with the first installment of interest to be paid on the Interest Payment Date in September 2007.
     Any interest on any Debenture, including Additional Interest, that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing at least 25 days prior to the date of the proposed payment of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debenture and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at its address as it appears in the Debenture Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Debentures (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable.
     The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Debentures in any other lawful manner after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment method; provided, however, the Trustee in its sole discretion deems such payment method to be practical.
     The term “regular record date” as used in this Section shall mean the close of business on the 15th calendar day next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date.
     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Debenture delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debenture shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Debenture.

12


 

     Section 2.8. Cancellation of Debentures Paid, etc. All Debentures surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All Debentures canceled by any Authenticating Agent shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall destroy all canceled Debentures unless the Company otherwise directs the Trustee in writing. If the Company shall acquire any of the Debentures, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debentures unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.
     Section 2.9. Computation of Interest. The amount of interest payable (i) for any Distribution Period commencing on or after the date of original issuance but before the Interest Payment Date in June 2012 will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, it being understood that no additional interest shall accrue on non-Business Days for the given Distribution Period, and (ii) for the Distribution Period commencing on the Interest Payment Date in June 2012 and each succeeding Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the Interest Rate to the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period and multiplying each such amount by the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).
     (a) “3-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee in the following order of priority:
     (1) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as defined below). “Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits;
     (2) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;

13


 

     (3) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (2) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and
     (4) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period.
     If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.
     (b) The Interest Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.
     (c) “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for which a Coupon Rate is being determined.
     (d) The Trustee shall notify the Company and any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which the Debentures are listed, of the Coupon Rate and the Determination Date for each Distribution Period, in each case as soon as practicable after the determination thereof but in no event later than the thirtieth (30th) day of the relevant Distribution Period. Failure to notify the Company or any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, or any defect in said notice, shall not affect the obligation of the Company to make payment on the Debentures at the applicable Coupon Rate. Any error in the calculation of the Coupon Rate by the Trustee may be corrected at any time by notice delivered as above provided. Upon the request of a holder of a Debenture, the Trustee shall provide the Coupon Rate then in effect and, if determined, the Coupon Rate for the next Distribution Period.
     (e) Subject to the corrective rights set form above, all certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions relating to the payment and calculation of interest on the Debentures by the Trustee will (in the absence of willful default, bad faith and manifest error) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company and all of the holders of the Debentures, and no liability shall (in the absence of willful default, bad faith or manifest error) attach to the Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise of its powers, duties and discretion.
     Section 2.10. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Debentures may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in

14


 

notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Debentures or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debentures, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
     Section 2.11. Book-Entry Debentures.
     (a) A Global Debenture may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for Definitive Debenture Certificates registered in the names of the Owners only if such exchange complies with Section 2.5 and (i) the Depository advises the Company and the Trustee in writing that the Depository is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities with respect to the Global Debenture, and no qualified successor is appointed by the Company within ninety (90) days of receipt of such notice, (ii) the Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and the Company fails to appoint a qualified successor within ninety (90) days of obtaining knowledge of such event, (iii) the Company at its option advises the Trustee in writing that the Company elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Depository or (iv) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, the Company shall notify the Depository and instruct the Depository to notify all Owners of Book-Entry Debentures and the Trustee of the occurrence of such event and of the availability of the Definitive Debenture Certificates to Owners of the Debentures requesting the same. Upon the issuance of Definitive Debenture Certificates, the Trustee shall recognize the holders of the Definitive Debenture Certificates as holders of Debentures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Debenture wishes at any time to transfer an interest in such Global Debenture to a Person other than a QIB, such transfer shall be effected, subject to the Applicable Depository Procedures, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.5. A holder of a Definitive Debenture Certificate that is a QIB may, upon request and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.5, exchange such Definitive Debenture Certificate for a beneficial interest in a Global Debenture.
     (b) If any Global Debenture is to be exchanged for Definitive Debenture Certificates or canceled in part, or if any Definitive Debenture Certificate is to be exchanged in whole or in part for any Global Debenture, then either (i) such Global Debenture shall be so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as provided in this Article II or (ii) the aggregate Liquidation Amount represented by such Global Debenture shall be reduced, subject to Section 2.3, or increased by an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount represented by that portion of the Global Debenture to be so exchanged or canceled, or equal to the Liquidation Amount represented by such Definitive Debenture Certificates to be so exchanged for any Global Debenture, as the case may be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Registrar, whereupon the Trustee, in accordance with the Applicable Depository Procedures, shall instruct the Depository or its authorized representative to make a corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such surrender to the Company or the Registrar of any Global Debentures by the Depository, accompanied by registration instructions, the Company shall execute the Definitive Debenture Certificates, and the Trustee shall authenticate the same, in accordance with the instructions of the Depository. None of the Registrar, the Company or the Trustee shall be liable for any delay

15


 

in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully protected in relying on, such instructions.
     (c) Every Definitive Debenture Certificate executed and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Debenture or any portion thereof shall be executed and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Debenture, unless such Definitive Debenture Certificate is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository for such Global Debenture or a nominee thereof.
     (d) The Depository or its nominee, as registered owner of a Global Debenture, shall be the holder of such Global Debenture for all purposes under this Indenture and the Global Debenture, and Owners with respect to a Global Debenture shall hold such interests pursuant to the Applicable Depository Procedures. The Registrar, the Company and the Trustee shall be entitled to deal with the Depository for all purposes of this Indenture relating to the Global Debenture (including the payment of the Redemption Price of and Distributions on the Book-Entry Debenture represented thereby and the giving of instructions or directions by Owners of Book-Entry Debentures represented thereby and the giving of notices) as the sole holder of the Book-Entry Debentures represented thereby and shall have no obligations to the Owners thereof. Neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any liability in respect of any transfers effected by the Depository.
     (e) The rights of the Owners of the Book-Entry Debentures shall be exercised only through the Depository and shall be limited to those established by law, the Applicable Depository Procedures and agreements between such Owners and the Depository and/or the Depository Participants; provided, solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite amount of Debentures have voted on any matter provided for in this Indenture, to the extent that Debentures are represented by a Global Debenture, the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully protected in relying on, any written instrument (including a proxy) delivered to the Trustee by the Depository setting forth the Owners’ votes or assigning the right to vote on any matter to any other Persons either in whole or in part. To the extent that Debentures are represented by a Global Debenture, the initial Depository will make book-entry transfers among the Depository Participants and receive and transmit payments on the Debentures that are represented by a Global Debenture to such Depository Participants, and neither the Company nor the Trustees shall have any responsibility or obligation with respect thereto.
     (f) To the extent that a notice or other communication to the holders is required under this Indenture, for so long as Debentures are represented by a Global Debenture, the Company and the Trustee shall give all such notices and communications to the Depository, and shall have no obligations to the Owners.
     Section 2.12. Ranking. Except for that certain $15,000,000 million of indebtedness incurred by the Company under that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Line of Credit Agreement by and between Life of the South Corporation and Columbus Bank and Trust Company, dated as of June 20, 2007, this Debenture shall rank senior to all indebtedness of the Company incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement, including without limitation, the Subordinated Debentures due June 20, 2011, in the aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000

16


 

and issued under a Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007, between the Company, Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P. and Summit Investors VI, L.P. This Debenture shall rank pari passu with all other existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness of the Company.
ARTICLE III.
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
     Section 3.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Agreed Treatment of the Debentures.
     (a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium, if any, and interest and other payments on the Debentures at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided in this Indenture and the Debentures. Each installment of interest on the Debentures may be paid (i) by mailing checks for such interest payable to the order of the holders of Debentures entitled thereto as they appear on the registry books of the Company if a request for a wire transfer has not been received by the Company or (ii) by wire transfer to any account with a banking institution located in the United States designated in writing by such Person to the paying agent no later than the related record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this Debenture is DTC, the payment of the principal of and interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by DTC.
     (b) The Company will treat the Debentures as indebtedness of the Company that is in registered form within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.871-14(c)(l)(i). The Company will further treat the amounts payable in respect of the principal amount of such Debentures as interest for all United States federal income tax purposes. All interest payments in respect of such Debentures will be made free and clear of United States withholding tax to any beneficial owner thereof that has provided an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any substitute or successor form) establishing its non-United States status for United States federal income and withholding tax purposes.
     Section 3.2. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. So long as any of the Debentures remain outstanding, the Company will maintain in Wilmington, Delaware, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debentures or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Until otherwise designated from time to time by the Company in a notice to the Trustee, or specified as contemplated by Section 2.5, such office or agency for all of the above purposes shall be the office or agency of the Trustee. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency in Wilmington, Delaware, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Principal Office of the Trustee.

17


 

     In addition to any such office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies outside Wilmington, Delaware, where the Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this Indenture, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in Wilmington, Delaware, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.
     Section 3.3. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.9, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
     Section 3.4. Provision as to Paying Agent.
     (a) The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent. If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section 3.4,
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Debentures) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures;
(2) that it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Debentures) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall be due and payable; and
(3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent.
     (b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, interest or other payments so becoming due and will notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor under the Debentures) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest or other payments, if any, on the Debentures when the same shall become due and payable.
     Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for the Debentures, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debentures, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, interest or other payments so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the

18


 

Persons entitled thereto and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act.
     (c) Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to the Debentures, or for any other reason, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.
     (d) Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.4 is subject to Sections 12.3 and 12.4.
     Section 3.5. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Securityholders.
     Section 3.6. Maintenance of Properties. The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Securityholders.
     Section 3.7. No Disposition. As long as the Debentures are Outstanding, the Company shall not, and shall not permit its significant subsidiaries (as defined in Section l-02(w) of Regulation S-X to the Securities Act (the “Significant Subsidiaries”)), each of which is listed in Exhibit B attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, to issue, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of capital stock of the Significant Subsidiaries or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Significant Subsidiaries, or warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of capital stock of the Significant Subsidiaries, unless (i) such issuance, sale, transfer or other disposition is for at least fair value (as determined by the Board of Directors acting in good faith, such action to be evidenced by a Board Resolution) (“Fair Value”) and (ii) the Company will own, directly or indirectly, at least 80% of the capital stock of the Significant Subsidiaries after giving effect to such transaction. In addition, the Company shall not cause or permit the Significant Subsidiaries to:

19


 

     (1) merge or consolidate with or into any corporation or other Person, unless such merger or consolidation is for at least Fair Value and (i) the surviving corporation or Person is the Company, or (ii) at least 80% of the surviving corporation’s issued and outstanding voting stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company; or
     (2) lease, sell, assign or transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any corporation or other Person (other than the Company), unless such lease, sale, assignment or transfer is for at least Fair Value and at least 80% of the issued and outstanding voting stock of that corporation or other Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company following such lease, sale or assignment.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may merge or consolidate any of its other Subsidiaries (including its other insurance company Subsidiaries) into or with another of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries and the Company may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of its business in accordance with Section 11.1. In addition, this Section 3.7 shall not prohibit any such issuance or disposition of capital stock or other securities either (i) to the Company or the Significant Subsidiaries in accordance with applicable law or (ii) if required by law or any regulation or order of any governmental or insurance regulatory authority.
     Section 3.8. Negative Pledge. As long as Debentures are outstanding, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Significant Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, assume, incur or permit to exist any Indebtedness that is secured by any lien on the capital stock of a Significant Subsidiary unless the Debentures are secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Indebtedness for at least the time period such Indebtedness is so secured provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) any lien required by law or any regulation or order of any governmental insurance regulatory authority or (b) any liens to secure indebtedness pursuant to any one or more security agreements-that in the aggregate do not, at any one time, exceed $20,000,000.
     Section 3.9. Certificate to Trustee. The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, so long as Debentures are outstanding hereunder, a Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default during such fiscal year by the Company in the performance of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such Default and, if so, specifying each such Default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature and status thereof.
     Section 3.10. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in Sections 3.7 to 3.9, inclusive, if before the time for such compliance the Securityholders of at least 66 2/3% in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall, in writing, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

20


 

     Section 3.11. Existence. Subject to Article XI, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Securityholders.
     Section 3.12. Compliance with Consolidation Provisions. The Company will not, while any of the Debentures remain outstanding, consolidate with, or merge into any other Person, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly through its subsidiaries, in a single transaction or in any series of transactions occurring during any twelve-month period, more than 51% of its assets, unless in each case of a consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets, the provisions of Article XI hereof are complied with.
     Section 3.13. Reports. In the event that either (a) an Event of Default occurred and is continuing; (b) the dollar amount of the Company’s premium volume from insurance policies in any calendar year fails to exceed 51% of the Company’s premium volume from insurance policies in the previous calendar year; (c) the Company sells more than 51% of its rights to renew insurance policies in any single transaction or series of related transactions; (d) any Significant Subsidiary which is rated by A.M. Best Company, Inc. (x) receives a rating from A.M. Best Company Inc. of B- or lower, or (y) submits a request to withdraw its rating by A.M. Best Company, Inc.; or (e) the Company shall have defaulted under any debt obligation, the Company shall provide to FTN Financial Capital Markets (“FTN”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (“KBW”), each Purchaser as defined in the Placement Agreement dated June 19, 2007 by and between the Company, FTN and KBW (the “Placement Agreement”), and to the Trustee and the Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Debentures (i) all public filings with any governmental authority, (ii) all private filings with any governmental authority, provided such governmental authority does not object to sharing such private filings, (iii) all annual and quarterly financial statements, including, but not limited to financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and SAP, (iv) all reports provided to other creditors of the Company and (v) any other information reasonably requested by the Trustee.
     Section 3.14. Quarterly Reports. Within 50 days of the end of each of the first three calendar year quarters and within 75 days of the end of each calendar year during which the Debentures are issued and outstanding, the Company shall submit to the Securityholders, FTN, KBW, and to each Purchaser as defined in the Placement Agreement or to the Party designated in the Transfer Notice as defined in the Placement Agreement a completed quarterly report in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D. The Company acknowledges and agrees that such designated trustee and its successors and assigns or each Purchaser and its successors and assigns are third party beneficiaries of this Section 3.14.
     Section 3.15. Compliance with Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. So long as any of the Debentures are outstanding and are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, the Company will, during any period in which it is not subject to and in compliance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or the Company is not exempt from such reporting requirements pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 12g3-2(b)

21


 

under the Exchange Act, provide to each holder of such restricted securities and to each prospective purchaser (as designated by such holder) of such restricted securities, upon the request of such holder or prospective purchaser in connection with any proposed transfer, any information required to be provided by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, if applicable. This covenant is intended to be for the benefit of the holders, and the prospective purchasers designated by such holders, from time to time of such restricted securities. The information provided by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.15 will not, at the date thereof, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
ARTICLE IV.
SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
     Section 4.1. Securityholders Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
     (a) on each regular record date for the Debentures, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders of the Debentures as of such record date; and
     (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
except that no such lists need be furnished under this Section 4.1 so long as the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Debenture registrar.
     Section 4.2. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.
     (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debentures (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 or (2) received by it in the capacity of Debentures registrar (if so acting) hereunder. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
     (b) In case three or more holders of Debentures (hereinafter referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Debenture for a period of at least 6 months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of Debentures with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Debentures and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall within 5 Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

22


 

(1) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, or
(2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of Debentures whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
     If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, if permitted or required by applicable law, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the holders of all Debentures, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If said Commission, as permitted or required by applicable law, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, said Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.
     (c) Each and every holder of Debentures, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Debentures in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.2, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b).
ARTICLE V.
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
     Section 5.1. Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,

23


 

decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
     (a) the Company defaults in the payment of any interest upon any Debenture when it becomes due and payable, and fails to cure such default for a period of 30 days; or
     (b) the Company defaults in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or
     (c) the Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches, any of its covenants or agreements in this Indenture or in the terms of the Debentures established as contemplated in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
     (d) the Company defaults under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company in excess of $1 million principal amount, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall constitute a failure to pay any portion of the principal of such indebtedness when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto or shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled, within a period of 10 days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Securityholders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding a written notice specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.10 and 6.1, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of such default unless either (A) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee assigned to the Principal Office of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such default or (B) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company, from any Securityholder, from the holder of any such indebtedness or from the trustee under any such mortgage, indenture or other instrument; or
     (e) a court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall appoint a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for

24


 

any substantial part of its property, or shall order the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
     (f) the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due.
     Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debentures, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of the Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal of the Debentures and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.
     The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal of the Debentures shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, (i) the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Debentures and the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debentures which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and Additional Interest) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation of the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6, if any, and (ii) all Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Debentures which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein, then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.
     In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

25


 

     Section 5.3. Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor. The Company covenants that upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or Section 5.1(b) then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Debentures the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Debentures for principal and premium, if any, or interest, or both, as the case may be, with Additional Interest accrued on the Debentures (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law); and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee, under Section 6.6. In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on such Debentures and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on such Debentures wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.
     In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures under Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debentures shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.3, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise,
  (a)   to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Debentures,
 
  (b)   in case of any judicial proceedings, (i) to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6), and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, and (ii) to vote on behalf of the holders of the Debentures in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings,
 
  (c)   to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and

26


 

  (d)   to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and expenses.
     By its acceptance of any Debentures, each Securityholder shall be deemed to have authorized any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6.
     Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Debentures or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.
     All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debentures, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debentures, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and, subject to Section 5.3, any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures.
     In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party), the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Debentures, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Debentures parties to any such proceedings.
     Section 5.4. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article V shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the several Debentures in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
     First: To the payment of costs and expenses incurred by, and reasonable fees of, the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 6.6;
     Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Debentures for principal (and premium, if any), and interest on the Debentures, in respect of which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due on such Debentures for principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including Additional Interest), respectively; and
     Third: The balance, if any, to the Company.
     Section 5.5. Proceedings by Securityholders. No holder of any Debenture shall have any right to institute any suit, action or proceeding for any remedy hereunder, unless such holder

27


 

previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and unless the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall have given the Trustee a written request to institute such action, suit or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby, and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding.
     Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any holder of any Debenture to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, on such Debenture when due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Debenture hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Debenture with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Debentures shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing itself of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other Debentures, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Debentures. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
     Section 5.6. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
     Section 5.7. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Securityholder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy hereunder and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Securityholder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
     Section 5.8. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing; Delay or Omission Not a Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.6 with respect to the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debentures, all powers and remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Debentures, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established

28


 

with respect to the Debentures, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Debentures to exercise any right, remedy or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right, remedy or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.4, every power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee (in accordance with its duties under Section 6.1) or by the Securityholders.
     No delay or omission of the Trustee or any Securityholder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Securityholder may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee (in accordance with its duties under Section 6.1 hereof) or by such holder, as the case may be.
     Section 5.9. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures affected (voting as one class) at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such Debentures; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except an Event of Default specified in Sections 5.1(a) and (b), or (c) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
     Section 5.10. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of the occurrence of a default with respect to the Debentures, mail to all Securityholders, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Debenture Register, notice of all defaults with respect to the Debentures known to the Trustee, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “defaults” for the purpose of this Section 5.10 being hereby defined to be the events specified in

29


 

clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 5.1, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders.
     Section 5.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debenture by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 5.11 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Debentures outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture against the Company on or after the same shall have become due and payable.
     Section 5.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE VI.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
     Section 6.1. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. With respect to the holders of Debentures issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, with respect to the Debentures, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
     No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

30


 

     (a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to Debentures and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred
(1) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debentures shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;
     (b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
     (c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of the Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.9, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.
     None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
     Section 6.2. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1:
     (a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
     (b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

31


 

     (c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
     (d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;
     (e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to Debentures such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;
     (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures affected thereby; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding;
     (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents (including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed by it with due care; and
     (h) with the exceptions of defaults under Sections 5.1(a) or 5.1(b), the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Debentures unless a written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any holder of the Debentures.
     Section 6.3. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Debentures (except in the certificate of authentication of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debentures. The Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debentures or the proceeds of any Debentures

32


 

authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
     Section 6.4. Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Debentures. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any transfer agent or any Debenture registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debentures with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or Debenture registrar.
     Section 6.5. Moneys to be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys received by the Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee and any paying agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time upon the written order of the Company, signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Company.
     Section 6.6. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct. The Company also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, action, suit, claim, liability, cost or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.6 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debentures upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Debentures.
     Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d), Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

33


 

     The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this Indenture.
     Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or any Debenture to the contrary, the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to advance funds to pay any principal of or interest on or other amounts with respect to the Debentures or otherwise advance funds to or on behalf of the Company.
     Section 6.7. Officers’ Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
     Section 6.8. Eligibility of Trustee. The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a banking corporation or national association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or whose obligations under this Indenture are guaranteed by an affiliate having) a combined capital and surplus of at least fifty million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00) and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation or national association publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.8 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or national association shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent records of condition so published.
     The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee.
     In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.8, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.9.
     If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of §310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner described by this Indenture.
     Section 6.9. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.
     (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by mailing notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to the holders of the Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly

34


 

appoint a successor trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of its Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the affected Securityholders, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.
     (b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur —
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.1 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.8 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor Trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures for at least 6 months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee.
     (c) Upon prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor Trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as successor Trustee unless within 10 Business Days after such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case, or in the case of a failure by such holders to nominate a successor Trustee, the Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.9 provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor Trustee.

35


 

     (d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 6.10.
     Section 6.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.9 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of the Trustee so ceasing to act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee thereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers. Any Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such Trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6.
     If a successor Trustee is appointed, the Company, the retiring Trustee and the successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debentures as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trust hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.
     No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 6.8.
     In no event shall a retiring Trustee be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor Trustee hereunder.
     Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this Section 6.10, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such Trustee hereunder to the holders of Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debenture Register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within 10 Business Days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.

36


 

     Section 6.11. Succession by Merger, etc. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such corporation shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article.
     In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debentures shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debentures so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debentures shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debentures either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debentures or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debentures in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
     Section 6.12. Authenticating Agents. There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee upon the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of the Debentures issued upon exchange or registration of transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and deliver Debentures; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no liability to the Company for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to the authentication and delivery of any Debentures. Any such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.00 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.12 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect herein specified in this Section.
     Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.12 without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent.

37


 

     Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent with respect to the Debentures by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.12, the Trustee may, and upon the request of the Company shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.12, shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all holders of Debentures as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Debenture Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities with respect to the Debentures of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent herein.
     The Company agrees to pay to any Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in accordance with the directions of the Trustee.
ARTICLE VII.
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
     Section 7.1. Action by Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of such holders of Debentures voting in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders or (d) by any other method the Trustee deems satisfactory.
     If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such Debentures for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Debentures have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation of the same, and for that purpose the outstanding Debentures shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed

38


 

effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 6 months after the record date.
     Section 7.2. Proof of Execution by Securityholders. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, 6.2 and 8.5, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debentures shall be proved by the Debenture Register or by a certificate of the Debenture registrar. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.
     The record of any Securityholders meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 8.6.
     Section 7.3. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.
     Section 7.4. Debentures Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Debentures have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Debentures which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided, however, that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Debentures which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Debentures so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.4 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Debentures and that the pledgee is not the Company or any such other obligor or Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.
     Section 7.5. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified

39


 

in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder (in cases where no record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) or any holder as of an applicable record date (in cases where a record date has been set pursuant to Section 7.1) of a Debenture (or any Debenture issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor) the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debentures the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at the Principal Office of the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debenture (or so far as concerns the principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted Debenture). Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Debenture, and of any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debenture or any Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor.
ARTICLE VIII.
SECURITYHOLDERS MEETINGS
     Section 8.1. Purposes of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following purposes:
     (a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article V;
     (b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;
     (c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.2; or
     (d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such Debentures under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
     Section 8.2. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders to take any action specified in Section 8.1, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Debentures affected at their addresses as they shall appear on the Debentures Register and, if the Company is not a holder of Debentures, to the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
     Section 8.3. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures, as the case may be, then outstanding, shall have requested

40


 

the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.1, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.2.
     Section 8.4. Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a Person shall be (a) a holder of one or more Debentures with respect to which the meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more such Debentures. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
     Section 8.5. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debentures and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
     The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.3, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.
     Subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, at any meeting each holder of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Debentures held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debenture challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Debentures held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. Any meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.2 or 8.3 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
     Section 8.6. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of Debentures with respect to which such meeting is being held shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of the Debentures held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by

41


 

the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.2. The record shall show the serial numbers of the Debentures voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.
     Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
     Section 8.7. Quorum; Actions. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Securityholders; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, the Persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Securityholders, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the permanent chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 8.2, except that such notice need be given only once not less than 5 days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding which shall constitute a quorum.
     Except as limited by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding; provided, however, that, except as limited by the provisos in the first paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding.
     Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of Debentures duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Securityholders, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

42


 

ARTICLE IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
     Section 9.1. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders. The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto, without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:
     (a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company, pursuant to Article XI hereof;
     (b) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the holders of Debentures as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the holders of such Debentures, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or condition such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default;
     (c) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that any such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures;
     (d) to add to, delete from, or revise the terms of Debentures, including, without limitation, any terms relating to the issuance, exchange, registration or transfer of Debentures (for purposes of assuring that no registration of Debentures is required under the Securities Act); provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Debentures then outstanding;
     (e) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debentures and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;
     (f) to make any change (other than as elsewhere provided in this paragraph) that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect; or
     (g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Debentures, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Debentures, or to add to the rights of the holders of Debentures.

43


 

     The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
     Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Debentures at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.
     Section 9.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.1) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as a class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.
     Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.
     Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

44


 

     Section 9.3. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Debentures shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
     Section 9.4. Notation on Debentures. Debentures authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debentures so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Debentures then outstanding.
     Section 9.5. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be Furnished to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall, in addition to the documents required by Section 14.6, receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article IX. The Trustee shall receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article IX and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article IX to join in the execution thereof.
ARTICLE X
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
     Section 10.1. Optional Redemption. The Company shall have the right to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after the Interest Payment Date in June 2012 (the “Redemption Date”), at the Redemption Price.
     Section 10.2. Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debentures. In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all, or, as the case may be, any part of the Debentures, it shall cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to the holders of Debentures so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the Debenture Register. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice. In any case failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Debenture designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debenture.

45


 

     Each such notice of redemption shall specify the CUSIP number, if any, of the Debentures to be redeemed, the Redemption Date, or the Redemption Price, as applicable, at which Debentures are to be redeemed, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debentures, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all the Debentures are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the numbers of the Debentures to be redeemed. In case the Debentures are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debenture, a new Debenture or Debentures in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
     Prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price.
     If all, or less than all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.
     Section 10.3. Payment of Debentures Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 10.2, the Debentures or portions of Debentures with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date, and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price, and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Debentures at the Redemption Price) interest on the Debentures or portions of Debentures so called for redemption shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debentures at a place of payment specified in said notice, such Debentures or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to the Redemption Date.
     Upon presentation of any Debenture redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debenture or Debentures of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Debenture so presented.
ARTICLE XI.
CONSOLIDATION. MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
     Section 11.1. Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of, directly or

46


 

indirectly through the subsidiaries of the Company, in a single transaction or in any series of transactions occurring during any twelve-month period, more than 51% of the assets of the Company or its successor or successors, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company, or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided. however, that the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation, merger (where the Company is not the surviving corporation), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debentures in accordance with their terms, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Company, shall be expressly assumed by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such assets.
     Section 11.2. Successor Entity to be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Debentures and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company, and thereupon the predecessor entity shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation hereunder or upon the Debentures. Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue in its own name, any or all of the Debentures issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor entity instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver any Debentures which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company, to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for authentication, and any Debentures which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the Debentures so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debentures theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Debentures had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
     Section 11.3. Opinion of Counsel to be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall receive, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel required by Section 9.5, an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any assumption, permitted or required by the terms of this Article XI complies with the provisions of this Article XI.

47


 

ARTICLE XII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
     Section 12.1. Discharge of Indenture. When
  (a)   the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Debentures theretofore authenticated (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) and not theretofore canceled, or
 
  (b)   all the Debentures not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within 1 year or are to be called for redemption within 1 year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds, which shall be immediately due and payable, sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all of the Debentures (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.6) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, but excluding, however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on the Debentures (1) theretofore repaid to the Company in accordance. with the provisions of Section 12.4, or (2) paid to any state or to the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws,
and if in the case of either clause (a) or clause (b) the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 6.6, 6.8, 6.9, 12.1 and 12.4 hereof shall survive until such Debentures shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.6 and 12.4 shall survive, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Debentures.
     Section 12.2. Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.4, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.1 shall be held in trust in a non-interest bearing account and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Debentures for the payment of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, and premium, if any, and interest.

48


 

     Section 12.3. Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then held by any paying agent of the Debentures (other than the Trustee) shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.
     Section 12.4. Return of Unclaimed Moneys. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on Debentures and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Debentures for 2 years after the date upon which the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on such Debentures, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall, subject to applicable escheatment laws, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent on written demand; and the holder of any of the Debentures shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.
ARTICLE XIII.
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
     Section 13.1. Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.
ARTICLE XIV.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
     Section 14.1. Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.
     Section 14.2. Official Acts by Successor Entity. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee, officer or other authorized Person of any entity that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.
     Section 14.3. Surrender of Company Powers. The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the

49


 

Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company, and as to any permitted successor.
     Section 14.4. Addresses for Notices, etc. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made, furnished or served by the Trustee or by the Securityholders on or to the Company may be given or served in writing by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company, with the Trustee for the purpose) to the Company, 100 West Bay Street , Jacksonville, Florida. 32202, Attention: Richard Kahlbaugh. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand by any Securityholder or the Company to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the office of the Trustee, addressed to the Trustee, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration. Any notice, consent, direction, request, authorization, waiver or demand on or to any Securityholder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the address set forth in the Debenture Register.
     Section 14.5. Governing Law. Pursuant to Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York, this Indenture and each Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State.
     Section 14.6. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
     Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
     Section 14.7. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

50


 

     Section 14.8. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
     Section 14.9. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Debentures, but this Indenture and such Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
     Section 14.10. Assignment. The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties hereto.
Signatures appear on the following page

51


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
         
  LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard Kahlbaugh    
    Name:   Richard Kahlbaugh   
    Title:   President & CEO   
 
  WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
 
 
  By:   /s/ Christopher J. Slaybaugh  
    Name:   Christopher J. Slaybaugh   
    Title:   Senior Financial Services Officer   
 
INDENTURE SIGNATURE PAGE
LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.

 


 

EXHIBIT A
FORM OF FIXED/FLOATING RATE SENIOR DEBENTURE
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
     THIS DEBENTURE IS A GLOBAL DEBENTURE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) OR A NOMINEE OF DTC. THIS DEBENTURE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR DEBENTURES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS DEBENTURE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS DEBENTURE AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
     UNLESS THIS DEBENTURE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO. OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY DEBENTURE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
     THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO. (THE “COMPANY”), (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT

A-1


 

THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.
     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
     THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

A-2


 

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
     THIS SECURITY IS IN REGISTERED FORM WITHIN THE MEANING OF TREASURY REGULATIONS SECTION 1.871-14(c)(l)(i) FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND WITHHOLDING TAX PURPOSES.
     IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE INDENTURE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Debenture
of
LOTS Intermediate Co.
June 20, 2007
     LOTS Intermediate Co., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received promises to pay to Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “Holder”), the principal sum of (the “Holder”), the principal sum of Thirty-Five Million dollars ($35,000,000) on June 15, 2037, and to pay interest on said principal sum from June 20, 2007, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date (defined herein) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year or if such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”) commencing on the Interest Payment Date in September 2007, at an annual rate equal to 9.61% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in June 2012 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) the Interest Payment Date in June 2012, and each succeeding Interest Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (each a “Distribution Period”), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 4.10% (the “Coupon Rate”), applied to the principal amount hereof, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for or made available for payment, and on any overdue principal and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the Interest Rate in effect for each applicable period, compounded quarterly, from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment. The amount of interest payable (i) for any Distribution Period commencing on or after the date of original issuance but before the Interest Payment Date in June 2012 will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, it being understood that no additional interest shall accrue on non-Business Days for the given Distribution Period, and (ii) for the Distribution Period commencing on or after the Interest Payment Date in June 2012 and each succeeding Distribution Period will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest

A-3


 

Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be fifteen days prior to the day on which the relevant Interest Payment Date occurs. Any such interest installment not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special record date.
     Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Debenture shall have the meanings assigned in the Indenture dated as of the date of original issuance of this Debenture between the Trustee and the Company.
     “3-Month LIBOR” as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee in the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Page 3750” on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Trustee will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks’ offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date. As used herein, “Determination Date” means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the relevant Distribution Period.
     “Interest Rate” means for the period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in September 2007 the rate per annum of 9.61% and for each Distribution Period thereafter, the Coupon Rate.

A-4


 

     The Interest Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law.
     All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or ..0987655), and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).
     The principal of and interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture Register if a request for a wire transfer by such holder has not been received by the Company or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the holder hereof.
     This Debenture shall rank pari passu with all other existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness of the Company.
     This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.
     The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side hereof and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
Signatures appear on the following page

A-5


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed this certificate.
         
  LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
     This is one of the Debentures referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
         
  WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
 
 
  By:      
    Authorized Officer   
       

A-6


 

         
[FORM OF REVERSE OF DEBENTURE]
     This Debenture is one of the fixed/floating rate senior debentures of the Company, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to the Indenture dated as of June 20, 2007 (the “Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and the Trustee, to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Debentures. The Debentures are limited in aggregate principal amount as specified in the Indenture.
     The Company shall have the right to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after the Interest Payment Date in June 2012, at the Redemption Price.
     Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date, all the Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price.
     If all, or less than all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures or portions thereof (in integral multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, any redemption of Debentures by the Company shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory approvals.
     In case an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon demand of the Trustee, the principal of all of the Debentures shall become due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
     The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.

A-7


 

     The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding on behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures to waive (or modify any previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its consequences, except an Event of Default (a) specified in Sections 5.1(a) and (b), (b) in respect of covenants or provisions hereof or of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect of the covenants contained in Section 3.9 of the Indenture. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of the Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by the Indenture, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and the Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, including Additional Interest, on this Debenture at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.
     The Debentures are issuable only in registered, certificated form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions and limitations as may be contained herein and therein from time to time, this Debenture is transferable by the holder hereof on the Debenture Register of the Company. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in Section 3.2 of the Indenture, the Company shall execute, the Company or the Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount. All Debentures presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to, the Company and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
     Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All

A-8


 

such payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debenture.
     The Debentures are in registered form within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.871-14(c)(1)(i) for U.S. federal income and withholding tax purposes.
     No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture; or in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.
     PURSUANT TO SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE INDENTURE AND THIS DEBENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

A-9


 

EXHIBIT B
SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES
Life of the South Insurance Company
Southern Financial Insurance Company
Insurance Company of the South
Lyndon Southern Insurance Company
Bankers Life of Louisiana

B-1


 

EXHIBIT C
Form of Transferor Certificate to be Executed by QIBs
[COMPANY NAME]
[ADDRESS 1]
[ADDRESS 2]
  Re: Purchase of Fixed/Floating Rate Debentures (the “Debentures”) of [COMPANY NAME] (the “Company”)
          Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of [          ] (the “Indenture”), between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as debenture trustee, Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Indenture.
          This letter relates to Debentures in the principal sum of $                     which are held in the name of [                    ] (the “Transferor”).
          In accordance with Article II of the Indenture, the Transferor hereby certifies that such Debentures are being transferred in accordance with (i) the transfer restrictions set forth in the Debentures and (ii) Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”), to a transferee that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the Debentures for its own account or an account with respect to which the transferee exercises sole investment discretion and the transferee and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction.
          You are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
         
  (Name of Transferor)
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      

C-1


 

         
EXHIBIT C-2
Form of Transferee Certificate
to be Executed by Transferees other than QIBs
, [          ]
[COMPANY NAME]
[ADDRESS 1]
[ADDRESS 2]
  Re: Purchase of Fixed/Floating Rate Debentures of [COMPANY NAME] in the principal amount of $
Ladies and Gentlemen:
          In connection with our purchase of the Debentures we confirm that:
          1. We understand that the Fixed/Floating Rate Debentures (the “Debentures”) of [COMPANY NAME] (the “Company”) have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing the Debentures that, if we decide to offer, sell or otherwise transfer any such Debentures, (i) such offer, sale or transfer will be made only (9a) to the Company, (b) to a person we reasonably believe is a “qualified institutional buyer” (a “QIB”) (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (c) to an institutional “accredited investor,” within the meaning of subparagraph (a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act that is acquiring Debentures for its own account, or for the account of such an “accredited investor,” for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act, (d) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (e) pursuant to an exemption from the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction and, in the case of (c) or (e), subject tot the right of the Company to require an opinion of counsel and other information satisfactory to it. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the date on which, in the written opinion of counsel, the Debentures are not “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. If any resale or other transfer of the Debentures is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (c) or (e) above, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Trustee as Securities Registrar, which shall provide as applicable, among other things, that the

C-2-1


 

transferee is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of subparagraph (a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act that is acquiring such Securities for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We acknowledge on our behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Securities that the Company reserves the right prior to any offer, sale or other transfer pursuant to clause (c) or (e) to require the delivery of any opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Company. We understand that the certificates for any Debenture that we receive will bear a legend substantially to the effect of the foregoing.
          2. We are an “accredited investor” within the meaning of subparagraph (a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an “accredited investor,” and we are acquiring the Debentures for investment purposes and not with view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act, and we have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Debentures, and we and any account for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risks of our or its investment.
          3. We are acquiring the Debentures purchased by us for our own account (or for one or more accounts as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion and have authority to make, and do make, the statements contained in this letter) and not with a view to any distribution of the Debentures, subject, nevertheless, to the understanding that the disposition of our property will at all times be and remain within our control.
          4. We acknowledge that we are not a fiduciary of (i) an employee benefit, individual retirement account or other plan or arrangement subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (each a “Plan”); or (ii) an entity whose underlying assets include “plan assets” by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity, and are not purchasing any of the Debentures on behalf of or with “plan assets” by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity.
          5. We acknowledge that the Company and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing acknowledgements, representations, warranties and agreements and agree that if any of the acknowledgements, representations, warranties and agreements deemed to have been made by our purchase of any of the Debentures are no longer accurate, we shall promptly notify the Company. If we are acquiring any Debentures as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, we represent that we have sole discretion with respect to each such investor account and that we have full power to make the foregoing acknowledgements, representations and agreement on behalf of each such investor account.

C-2-2


 

         
  (Name of Transferee)
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
          Upon transfer, the Debentures (in the principal amount of $                     ) would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:
         
     
  Name:        
  Address:        
           
         
Taxpayer ID Number:       

C-2-3


 

         
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF QUARTERLY REPORT
     
First Tennessee Bank, N.A.
  FTN Financial Capital Markets
845 Crossover Lane, Suite 150
  845 Crossover Lane, Suite 150
Memphis, Tennessee 38117
  Memphis, Tennessee 38117
 
   
Wilmington Trust Company
  Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
110 North Market Street
  787 7th Avenue, 4th Floor
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
  New York, New York 10019
PLEASE COMPLETE FOR THE PRINCIPAL INSURANCE OPERATING SUBSIDIARY (unless otherwise specified)
As of Year End ___________, 20_
         
NAIC Risk Based Capital Ratio (authorized control level)
                         %
As of [March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31,] 20___
       
Total Policyholders’ Surplus
  $                       
Consolidated Debt to Total Policyholders’ Surplus
                         %
Total Assets
  $                       
NAIC Class 1 & 2 Rated Investments to Total Fixed Income Investments
                         %
NAIC Class 1 & 2 Rated Investments to Total Investments
                         %
Return on Policyholders’ Surplus
                         %
For Property & Casualty Companies
       
Expense Ratio
                         %
Loss and LAE Ratio
                         %
Combined Ratio
                         %
Net Premiums Written (annualized) to Policyholders’ Surplus
                         %
LOTS Intermediate Co. and its significant insurance subsidiaries have a five-year operating history.
None of LOTS Intermediate Co. or any of its significant insurance subsidiaries are under investigation by any regulatory body.
None of LOTS Intermediate Co. or any of its significant insurance subsidiaries has had any restrictions placed on their operations by any regulatory body.

D-1


 

     
NAIC Risk Based Capital Ratio-P& C
  (Total Adjusted Capital/Authorized Control Level Risk-Based Capital)/2
 
   
NAIC Risk Based Capital Ratio-Life
  ((Total Adjusted Capital-Asset Valuation Reserve)/Authorized Control Level Risk-Based Capital)/2
 
   
Total Capital and Surplus-Life
  Common Capital Stock + Preferred Capital Stock + Aggregate Write-Ins for other than special surplus funds + Debentures + Gross Paid-In and Contributed Surplus + Aggregate Write-Ins for Special Surplus Funds + Unassigned Funds (Surplus) - Treasury Stock
 
   
Total Capital and Surplus-P&C
  Aggregate Write-Ins for Special Surplus Funds + Common Capital Stock + Preferred Capital Stock + Aggregate Write-Ins for other than special surplus funds + Debentures + Gross Paid-In and Contributed Surplus + Unassigned Funds (Surplus) - Treasury Stock
 
   
Total Class 1 & 2 Rated Investments to Total Fixed Income Investments
  (Total Class 1 + Total Class 2 Rated Investments)/Total Fixed Income Investments
 
   
Total Class 1 & 2 Rated Investments to Total Investments
  (Total Class 1 + Total Class 2 Rated Investments)/Total Investments
 
   
Total Assets
  Total Assets
 
   
Return on Policyholders’ Surplus
  Net Income/Policyholders’ Surplus
 
   
Expense Ratio
  Other Underwriting Expenses Incurred/Net premiums Earned
 
   
Loss and LAE Ratio
  (Losses Incurred + Loss Expenses Incurred)/Net Premiums Earned
 
   
Combined Ratio
  Expense Ratio + Loss and LAE Ratio
 
   
Net Premiums Written (annualized) to Policyholders’ Surplus
  Net Premiums Written/Policyholders’ Surplus

D-2

EX-10.3 6 b81561exv10w3.htm EX-10.3 exv10w3
Exhibit 10.3
LOTS Intermediate Co.
Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement
Dated as of June 20, 2007

 


 

LOTS Intermediate Co.
Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement
Dated as of June 20, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
                     
                Page
ARTICLE I     1  
PURCHASE AND SALE OF DEBENTURES     1  
 
    1.1     Purchase and Sale of Subordinated Debentures     1  
 
    1.2     Merger     1  
 
    1.3     Closing     1  
 
    1.4     Use of Proceeds     2  
 
    1.5     Description of Debentures     2  
 
                   
ARTICLE II     3  
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY     3  
 
    2.1     Organization and Corporate Power     3  
 
    2.2     Authorization     3  
 
    2.3     Government Approvals     3  
 
                   
ARTICLE III     4  
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY     4  
 
    3.1     Accounts and Reports     4  
 
    3.2     Compliance with Laws, etc.     5  
 
    3.3     Inspection     5  
 
    3.4     Corporate Existence; Ownership of Subsidiaries     5  
 
                   
ARTICLE IV     6  
INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS     6  
 
    4.1     Representations and Warranties     6  
 
    4.2     Permitted Transfers; Legends     8  
 
                   
ARTICLE V     9  
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES     9  
 
    5.1     Agreement to Subordinate     9  

i


 

                     
                Page
 
    5.2     Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy     9  
 
    5.3     Default on Senior Debt     10  
 
    5.4     Payments Held in Trust     11  
 
    5.5     The Company’s Obligations Unconditional     11  
 
    5.6     Subrogation Upon Payment of Senior Debt     11  
 
    5.7     Reliance     11  
 
    5.8     Notices to Purchasers of Senior Debt     12  
 
    5.9     Benefits of this Article V     12  
 
    5.10     Obligations Absolute     12  
 
    5.11     Rights of Holders of Senior Debt     12  
 
    5.12     Reinstatement     13  
 
    5.13     Notice by the Company     13  
 
    5.14     Knowledge     13  
 
                   
ARTICLE VI     13  
CONDITIONS OF PURCHASERS’ OBLIGATION     13  
 
    6.1     Effect of Conditions     13  
 
    6.2     Merger Agreement Conditions     13  
 
    6.3     Senior Financing     13  
 
                   
ARTICLE VII     13  
CONDITIONS OF THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATIONS     13  
 
    7.1     Effect of Conditions     13  
 
    7.2     Acquisition Agreement Conditions     14  
 
    7.3     Senior Financing     14  
 
                   
ARTICLE VIII     14  
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES     14  
 
    8.1     Events of Default; Acceleration     14  
 
    8.2     Rescission of Acceleration     16  
 
                   
ARTICLE IX     16  
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS     16  
 
                   
ARTICLE X     18  
MISCELLANEOUS     18  
 
    10.1.     Debenture Payments     18  

ii


 

                     
                Page
 
    10.2     Form, Registration, Transfer and Exchange of Debentures     18  
 
    10.3     Survival of Representations     19  
 
    10.4     Parties in Interest     19  
 
    10.5     Debentures Owned by Affiliates     19  
 
    10.6     Amendments and Waivers     19  
 
    10.7     Notices     20  
 
    10.8     Counterparts     21  
 
    10.9     Effect of Headings     21  
 
    10.10     Governing Law     21  

iii


 

     
EXHIBITS    
A
  Form of Subordinated Debenture

iv


 

June 20, 2007
To:   The Persons listed on
Schedule 1.1 attached hereto:
 
Re:   Subordinated Debentures
Ladies and Gentlemen:
     LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) hereby agrees with you as follows:
ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF DEBENTURES
     1.1 Purchase and Sale of Subordinated Debentures. At the Closing (as herein defined), the Company will sell to you (the “Purchasers”) Subordinated Debentures of the Company (the “Debentures”) in the aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000. The Debentures shall be in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.
     1.2 Merger. Pursuant to a certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 7, 2007 (the “Merger Agreement”), Los Acquisition Co. (“Los”) will merge (the “Merger”) with and into Life of the South Corporation, the parent of the company (“Parent”), with Parent continuing as the surviving corporation and continuing to own all the shares of the Company. The closing of the Merger shall occur immediately following the closing of the purchase of Debentures hereunder. Terms used as defined terms herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.
     1.3 Closing. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Articles VII and VIII hereof, the purchase of the Debentures shall be made at a closing (the “Closing”) to be held at the offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP, 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts, immediately prior to the closing of the Merger (the “Closing Date”). Payment at the Closing for the Debentures shall be by wire transfer payable in immediately available federal funds. Each Purchaser shall pay that amount for the Debentures being acquired by it at the Closing as described on Schedule 1.1 hereof. At the Closing, the Company will deliver to each Purchaser one or more notes representing the Debentures purchased by such Purchaser, in such denominations and issued in such names as may be requested by such Purchaser.

1


 

     1.4 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds from the sale of the Debentures, plus (i) the proceeds from equity investment by the owners of Los in Los, plus (ii) the proceeds of the $35,000,000 sale of trust preferred securities issued pursuant to Wilmington Trust Company indenture (the “Trust Preferred Financing”), shall be used as consideration in the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
     1.5 Description of Debentures. The Debentures shall have the following terms, and shall be entitled to the following rights and benefits:
          (a) The principal amount of the Debentures shall be payable in full on June 20, 2012;
          (b) The Company may prepay the Debentures from time to time in whole or in installments of $100,000, for an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid interest on the Debentures being repaid plus the following percentages of the principal amount being repaid during the periods indicated:
         
On or prior to the following   Prepayment Price (% of
anniversary of the Closing Date   principal amount outstanding)
 
       
First
    103 %
Second
    102 %
Third
    101 %
Fifth
    100 %
Each such prepayment shall be preceded by at least two Business Days’ notice. Any partial prepayment of the Debentures shall be allocated among all holders of Debentures pro rata in proportion to the principal amount of the Debentures held by each. All payments or prepayments hereunder shall be subject to the terms of Article VI.
          (c) The Debentures shall become due and payable in full, together with any applicable premiums (i) upon consummation of a Change of Control and (ii) upon the declaration of acceleration in the event of an Event of Default (or automatically if the Event of Default is pursuant to Section 8.1(5) herein).
          (d) The Debentures shall bear interest from the date of issuance until the date of payment of principal in full. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed, on the unpaid principal amount of the Debentures at the rate of 14% per annum (the “Applicable Interest Rate”). Interest shall be payable on each March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 for the respective three month period ending on such date, commencing on June 30, 2007, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day.
          (e) All payments of principal and interest on the Debentures shall be made by the Company in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available federal funds (or at the request of the holder of a Debenture, by certified or bank check or wire transfer) on the date such payment is due.

2


 

          (f) The indebtedness evidenced by the Debentures shall be junior and subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Debt, as that term is defined in Article V hereof.
          (g) The parties agree that the issue price of the Debentures shall be their face amount for federal income tax purposes.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
     In order to induce the Purchasers to purchase the Debentures, the Company makes to the Purchasers all of the representations and warranties made by Parent in Article V of the Merger Agreement, as if set forth herein in full, which shall be true, correct and complete in all respects on the date hereof and shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the Closing; except for those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular date or only with respect to a specific period of time, which shall be true as of such date or with respect to such period of time. In addition, the Company makes to the Purchasers the following representations and warranties which shall be true, correct and complete in all respects on the date hereof and shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the Closing.
     2.1 Organization and Corporate Power. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own its properties and to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted.
     2.2 Authorization. The Company has all necessary corporate power and has taken all necessary corporate action required for the due authorization, execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and all agreements entered into by the Company in connection herewith and therewith (the “Related Agreements”) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or therein, and for the due authorization, issuance and delivery of the Debentures. The issuance of the Debentures does not require any further corporate action and is not and will not be subject to any preemptive right, right of first refusal or the like. This Agreement and the Related Agreements will each be a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
     2.3 Government Approvals. No consent, approval, license or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any court or governmental authority is or will be required on the part of the Company in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements and any other agreements or instruments executed by the Company in connection herewith or therewith, or in connection with the issuance of the Debentures, except for those which have already been made or granted.

3


 

ARTICLE III
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
     Without limiting any other covenants and provisions hereof, the Company covenants and agrees that it will observe the following covenants on and after the Closing Date and until the repayment in full of all obligations under the Debentures.
     3.1 Accounts and Reports. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain a system of accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and the Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep full and complete financial records. The Company will furnish to each Purchaser that holds Debentures in principal amount of more than $2,000,000 in the aggregate, the information set forth in this Section 3.1.
          (a) Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of the consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, together with consolidated and consolidating statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flow of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and accompanied by the unqualified report of Johnson and Lambert or of one of the four largest public accountant firms (measured by total revenues), which firm shall be selected by the Board of Directors of the Company; provided that such consolidating statements need not be audited.
          (b) Within forty-five (45) days after each of the first 3 quarters of each fiscal year, a preliminary consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and preliminary consolidated and consolidating statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flow for the period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year and ending with the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail.
          (c) At the time of delivery of each monthly and annual statement, a certificate, executed by either the president or chief financial officer of the Company stating that such officer has caused the terms of the documents related to the Trust Preferred Financing to be reviewed and has no knowledge of any default by the Company or any Subsidiary in the performance or observance of any of the provisions thereof or, if such officer has such knowledge, specifying such default.
          (d) Promptly upon receipt thereof, any written report, so called “management letter”, and any other reports submitted to the Company or any Subsidiary by its independent public accountants relating to the business, prospects or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
          (e) Promptly after the commencement or occurrence thereof, notice of (i) all actions, suits and proceedings before any court or governmental department, commission, board,

4


 

bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, affecting the Company (or any Subsidiary) which, if successful, would have a material adverse effect on the business, condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (ii) all material defaults by the Company or any Subsidiary (whether or not declared) under any agreement for money borrowed (unless waived or cured within applicable grace periods);
          (f) Such other information with regard to the business, properties or the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of the Company or its Subsidiaries as the Purchasers may from time to time reasonably request.
     3.2 Compliance with Laws, etc. The Company will comply (and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply) with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental authority, the noncompliance with which would have a material adverse effect on the business, condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
     3.3 Inspection. At any reasonable time during normal business hours and from time to time, but not more frequently than once per calendar quarter for all Purchasers and transferees of Purchasers as a group, the Company (and each of its Subsidiaries) will permit (i) any one or more of the Purchasers who then own, of record or beneficially, any Debentures, or any transferee of a Purchaser who owns, of record or beneficially, at least ten percent (10%) of the then outstanding principal amount of the Debentures, and (ii) any of the agents or representatives of the foregoing Persons, to examine and make copies of and extracts from the records and books of account of and visit the properties of the Company (and any of its Subsidiaries) and to discuss the Company’s affairs, finances and accounts with any of its officers or directors; provided that any Person or Persons exercising rights under this Section 3.4 shall (i) use all reasonable efforts to ensure that any such examination or visit results in a minimum of disruption to the operations of the Company and (ii) shall agree in writing to keep any proprietary information of the Company disclosed to him in the course of such inspection confidential in a manner consistent with prudent business practices and treatment of such Person’s or Persons’ own confidential information and not use such proprietary information for any purpose in competition with the Company’s business. The rights granted under this Section 3.4 shall be in addition to any rights which any Purchaser may have under applicable law.
     3.4 Corporate Existence; Ownership of Subsidiaries. The Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect their corporate existence, and rights and franchises material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and will qualify, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to qualify, to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where the failure to do so would have a material adverse effect.

5


 

ARTICLE IV
INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS
     4.1 Representations and Warranties. Each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
          (a) Such Purchaser (if such Purchaser is not an individual) is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite partnership power and authority and has taken all necessary partnership action required for the due authorization, execution, delivery and performance by such Purchaser of this Agreement and the Related Agreements, and any other agreements or instruments executed by such Purchaser in connection herewith or therewith and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or therein;
          (b) This Agreement, the Related Agreements and the other agreements and instruments executed by such Purchaser in connection herewith or therewith will each be a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with its terms;
          (c) No consent, approval, license or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any court or governmental authority is or will be required on the part of such Purchaser in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Purchaser of this Agreement, any Related Agreements and any other agreements or instruments executed by such Purchaser in connection herewith or therewith;
          (d) Such Purchaser is in compliance with all the provisions of this Agreement and, to the extent such Purchaser is not an individual, its organizational and partnership documents, and, to such Purchaser’s knowledge, in all material respects with the material provisions of each other agreement or instrument, judgment, decree, judicial order, statute and regulation by which it is bound or to which it is subject. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will materially violate, or result in any material breach of, or constitute a default under any provision of such Purchaser’s organization or partnership documents, or any statute, rule or regulation, contract, lease, judgment, decree or other document or instrument by which such Purchaser is bound (if such Purchaser is not an individual);
          (e) Such Purchaser is acquiring the Debentures solely for its own account as an investment and not with a view to any distribution or resale thereof in violation of the Securities Act. Such Purchaser has been advised that the Debentures have not been registered under the Securities Act or under the provisions of any state securities or “blue sky” law. Such Purchaser, by accepting the Debentures, agrees and acknowledges that it will not directly or indirectly, offer, transfer, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or dispose of any of such Debentures (or solicit any offers to purchase or otherwise acquire or take a pledge of any of the Debentures) unless such offer, transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or

6


 

other disposition is made (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with all applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws or (ii) pursuant to an available exemption from registration under, or otherwise in compliance with, the Securities Act and all applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws. Such Purchaser understands and agrees that in the case of a transfer or other disposition made pursuant to clause (ii) above, such Purchaser of Debentures shall be required to provide to the Company an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that registration under the Securities Act is not required and a written certification (or in the Company’s discretion, an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company (who may be counsel employed by such Purchaser)) that qualification or registration under any such state securities laws and regulations is not required (or that any applicable state qualification or registration requirements have been satisfied in full);
          (f) Such Purchaser is an “Accredited Investor” (as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D of the Securities Act). The financial situation of such Purchaser is such that it can afford to bear the economic risk of holding the unregistered Debentures for an indefinite period of time. Such Purchaser can afford to suffer the complete loss of its investment in the Debentures. The knowledge and experience of such Purchaser in financial and business matters is such that it is capable of evaluating the risk of the investment in the Debentures. Such Purchaser acknowledges that it has had access to such financial and other information, and has been afforded the opportunity to ask such questions of representatives of the Company and receive answers thereto, as such Purchaser has deemed necessary in connection with its decision to purchaser the Debentures, and that no representation or warranty, express or implied, is being made by the Company with respect to the Company or the Debentures, other than those expressly set forth herein;
          (g) Such Purchaser has been advised and understands that the Debentures have not been registered under the Act, on the grounds that no distribution or public offering of the Debentures is to be effected, and that in this connection, the Company is relying in part on the representations of such Purchaser set forth in this Article IV;
          (h) Such Purchaser has been further advised and understands that no public market now exists for any of the securities issued by the Company and that a public market may never exist for the Debentures;
          (i) Such Purchaser is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Debentures; and
          (j) No person has or will have, as a result of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, any right, interest or claim against or upon the Purchasers or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any commission, fee or other compensation as a finder or broker because of any act or omission by such Purchaser.
     4.2 Permitted Transfers; Legends. The Company agrees that it will permit (i) a transfer of the Debentures by a partnership to one or more of its partners, where no consideration is exchanged therefor by such partners, or to a retired or withdrawn partner who retires or

7


 

withdraws after the date hereof in full or partial distribution of his interest in such partnership, or to the estate of any such partner or the transfer by gift will or intestate succession of any partner to his spouse or to his siblings, lineal descendants or ancestors of such partner of his spouse, or to a trust created for the benefit of one or more of the foregoing and (ii) a sale or other transfer of any of the Debentures to any person satisfactory to the Company, if the transferee agrees in writing to be subject to the terms hereof to the same extent as if it were an original Purchaser hereunder and upon obtaining assurance satisfactory to the Company that such transaction is exempt from the registration requirements of, or is covered by an effective registration statement under the Act and applicable state securities or “blue-sky” laws, including without limitation, receipt of an unqualified opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company. The certificates representing the Debentures shall bear a legend evidencing such restriction on transfer substantially in the following form:
“This subordinated debenture has been acquired for investment and has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1993 (the “Act”) or the securities laws of any state. The debentures may not be transferred by sale, assignment, pledge or otherwise unless (i) a registration statement for the debentures under the Act is in effect or (ii) the company has received an opinion of counsel, which opinion is reasonably satisfactory to the company to the effect that such registration is not required under the Act or the securities laws of any state.”
ARTICLE V
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES
     5.1 Agreement to Subordinate.
          (a) The Company agrees, and each Purchaser by its acceptance thereof agrees, that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Debentures, the payment of the principal of, interest on (including any post-petition interest) and all other fees, expenses and monetary obligations with respect to each and all of the Debentures shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt. All Indebtedness of the Company denominated by the Company as senior to the Debentures, including guaranties of such permitted Indebtedness, shall be referred to as “Senior Debt.” The term Senior Debt shall include the Trust Preferred Financing. Each Purchaser by its acceptance thereof agrees to execute, acknowledge and deliver such instruments, subordination agreements, inter-creditor agreements and other agreements as any holder of Senior Debt may from time to time request which are not on terms inconsistent with the terms hereunder in order to confirm, reflect and implement such subordination.
          (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Sections 5.2 and 5.3 below, the Company shall be permitted to make payments of principal, interest and premium, as applicable, to the Purchasers from time to time in accordance with Section 1.6 unless such payment is prohibited by the terms hereof.

8


 

     5.2 Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.
Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding (each, a “Proceeding”) relating to the Company or its property, in an assignment for the benefit of creditors or in any marshaling of the Company’s assets and liabilities:
          (a) Holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to receive payment in full in cash obligations due in respect of Senior Debt of the Company (including interest after the commencement of any bankruptcy proceeding at the rate specified in the documentation governing the applicable Senior Debt of the Company whether or not such interest is an allowed claim in any such proceeding) before the Purchasers will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution with respect to the Debentures (except that Purchasers may receive and retain securities which by their terms are subordinate and junior (at least to the extent provided in this Article V) (“Junior Securities”)); and
          (b) until all obligations with respect to Senior Debt of the Company (as provided in clause (a) above) are paid in full, any distribution to which Purchasers of Debentures would be entitled but for this Article V will be made to holders of Senior Debt of the Company (except that Purchasers of Debentures may receive and retain Junior Securities, as their interests may appear).
     5.3 Default on Senior Debt.
          (a) The Company may not make any payment or distribution in respect of the Debentures (except in the form of Junior Securities) if a payment default on Senior Debt of the Company occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable grace period; or
               (i) any other default occurs and is continuing on any series of Senior Debt of the Company that permits Purchasers of that series of Senior Debt of the Company to accelerate its maturity, and the Purchasers receive a notice of such default (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) from the Company or the representative of any Senior Debt of the Company. If the Purchasers of the Senior Debt receive any such Payment Blockage Notice, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice may be delivered or will be effective for purposes of this Section 5.3 unless and until (A) at least three hundred and sixty (360) days have elapsed since the delivery of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice, and (B) all scheduled payments of principal, interest and premium, if any, on the Debentures that have come due have been paid in full in cash.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may make payment on the Debentures if the Company and the Purchasers receive written notice approving such payment from the representative of the Senior Debt of the Company with respect to which either of the events set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above has occurred and is continuing.
Not more than one Payment Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive three hundred and sixty five (365) day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to all Senior Debt of the Company during such period. However, in no event may the total number of days during

9


 

which any payment blockage period or periods on the Debentures is in effect exceed one hundred and eighty (180) days in the aggregate during any consecutive three hundred and sixty five (365) day period, and there must be at least one hundred and eighty five (185) days during any consecutive three hundred and sixty five (365) day period during which no payment blockage period is in effect.
The failure to make any payment on the Debentures by reason of this Article V will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures by reason of the failure to make a required payment. Upon termination of any period of payment blockage, the Company will be required to resume making any and all required payments under the Debentures, including any missed payments. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice will be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.
          (b) The Company may and will resume payments on and distributions in respect of the Debentures and may acquire them upon the earlier of: (1) in the case of a payment default on Senior Debt, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived; and (2) in the case of a nonpayment default on Senior Debt, upon the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received, unless the maturity of any Senior Debt of the Company has been accelerated, if this Article V otherwise permits the payment, distribution or acquisition at the time of such payment or acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may make payment on the Debentures if the Company and the Investor Purchasers receive written notice approving such payment from the representative of the Senior Debt of the Company with respect to which either of the events set forth in clauses (1) and (2) of this paragraph has occurred and is continuing.
     5.4 Payments Held in Trust. If any Purchaser receives any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property, or whether in the form of a payment from the Company or any guarantor or any other party, with respect to such Debentures which such Purchaser is not entitled to receive on account of the provisions of this Article V and has knowledge or has received notice that it is not so entitled, such Purchaser will hold any amounts so received in trust for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt and will forthwith turn over such payment or distribution to the Purchasers of Senior Debt and upon receipt such payment or distribution shall be applied to Senior Debt until the same shall have been paid in full in cash.
     5.5 The Company’s Obligations Unconditional. The provisions of this Article V are for the purpose of defining the relative rights of holders of Senior Debt on the one hand, and the Purchasers on the other hand, with respect to the Company and its property. Nothing herein shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, and the Purchasers, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Purchasers thereof the full amount of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures, in accordance with the terms thereof and the provisions hereof, and to comply with all of its covenants and agreements contained herein, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article V of Purchasers of Senior Debt to receive payments and distributions otherwise payable to the Purchasers.

10


 

     5.6 Subrogation Upon Payment of Senior Debt. Subject to such conditions as the Purchaser(s) of Senior Debt may require, upon payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt, the Purchasers shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of assets of the Company applicable to Senior Debt, to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to the Purchasers have been applied to the payment of Senior Debt, until the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures shall have been paid in full. For the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of Senior Debt of any cash, property or securities which the Purchasers would be entitled to receive except for the provisions of this Article V shall, as between the Company and its creditors (other than the holders of Senior Debt) and the Purchasers, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of Senior Debt.
     5.7 Reliance. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Senior Debt shall be deemed to be paid in full in cash upon receipt by the holders of the Senior Debt of all amounts payable to the Purchasers of the Senior Debt pursuant to any plan of reorganization in respect of which all of the holders of the Senior Debt have voted to confirm.
     5.8 Notices to Purchasers of Senior Debt. Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Debt pursuant to this Article V, the distribution may be made and the notice given to any indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or representative in respect of such Senior Debt.
     5.9 Benefits of this Article V. The provisions of this Article V are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Senior Debt. The Company and, by their acceptance of the Debentures, the Purchasers acknowledge that the holders of Senior Debt are relying upon the provisions of this Article V in extending such Senior Debt.
     5.10 Obligations Absolute. All rights, interests, agreements and obligations of the Purchasers of the Senior Debt and the Purchasers hereunder shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:
          (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any principal loan document executed in connection with the Senior Debt (the “Senior Loan Documents”) or this Agreement;
          (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other terms of, all or any of the Senior Debt or the Debentures, or any amendment or waiver or other modification, including, without limitation, any increase in the amount thereof or the interest rate or fees charged therefor, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of the terms of any Senior Debt or of the terms of this Agreement;
          (c) the commencement of any Proceeding; or
          (d) any other circumstances which otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Company in respect of the Senior Debt, or of Purchasers in respect of this Article V (other than payment in full of the Senior Debt).

11


 

     5.11 Rights of Holders of Senior Debt. Without the necessity of any reservation of rights against or any notice to or further assent by the Purchasers, (a) any demand for payment of any Senior Debt made by the holders of Senior Debt may be rescinded in whole or in part by the holders of Senior Debt and any Senior Debt may be increased, continued, renewed or extended to the extent permitted by this Agreement, (b) the holders of Senior Debt may exercise or refrain from exercising any rights and remedies against the Company and others, (c) subject to Section 5.10(b), the Senior Debt, or any collateral security therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may be extended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered, released or left unperfected by the holders of Senior Debt, (d) subject to Section 5.10(b), any agreement or instrument evidencing, securing, guaranteeing or otherwise relating to the Senior Debt may be amended, modified, supplemented, renewed, replaced, refinanced or left unperfected, (e) the holders of the Senior Debt may waive any condition to advancing funds under the Senior Debt and (f) the holders of the Senior Debt and the Company may agree to actions or inaction which may constitute defaults under the Debentures or may take or refrain from taking any action whether or not it affects the subrogation rights of the holders of the Senior Debt and whether or not such action would otherwise constitute a defense or counterclaim to the Company or the holders of the Senior Debt’s obligations hereunder, all without impairing, abridging, releasing or affecting the subordination provided for herein or the Company or such Purchasers’ obligations hereunder.
     5.12 Reinstatement. This Article V shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, and the Senior Debt shall not be deemed to be paid in full in cash, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Senior Debt is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the holders of Senior Debt upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
     5.13 Notice by the Company. The Company and any person acting as an agent for the holders of the Senior Debt shall promptly notify the Purchasers of any facts known to the Company that would cause a payment of any obligations with respect to the Debentures to violate this Article V, but failure to give such notice shall not affect the subordination of the Debentures to Senior Debt provided herein.
     5.14 Knowledge. No Purchaser shall at any time be charged with knowledge of any of the events described in Sections 5.2 or 5.3 hereof or the existence of any other facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to such Purchaser or the taking of any acceleration or other action by such Purchaser by virtue of the provisions of this Article V unless such Purchaser has actual knowledge thereof.

12


 

ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS OF PURCHASERS’ OBLIGATION
     6.1 Effect of Conditions. The obligation of each Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Debentures at the Closing shall be subject at its election to the satisfaction of each of the conditions stated in the following Sections of this Article.
     6.2 Merger Agreement Conditions. Each of the conditions contained in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied.
     6.3 Senior Financing. The Company shall have consummated the Trust Preferred Financing.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS OF THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATIONS
     7.1 Effect of Conditions. The obligation of the Company to sell the Debentures at the Closing shall be subject at its election to the satisfaction of each of the conditions stated in the following Sections of this Article.
     7.2 Acquisition Agreement Conditions. Each of the conditions contained in Sections 8.1 and 8.3 of the Acquisition Agreement shall have been satisfied.
     7.3 Senior Financing. The Company shall have consummated the Trust Preferred Financing.
ARTICLE VIII
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
     8.1 Events of Default; Acceleration.
     An “Event of Default” occurs if:
     (1) The Company defaults in the payment of any principal of any Debenture when the same shall become due, either by the terms thereof or otherwise as herein provided; or
     (2) The Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Debenture when the same becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of five days; or
     (3) The Company or any of its Subsidiaries defaults in the performance or observance of any other agreement, term or condition contained in the Debentures, this Agreement or the Related Agreements and such default shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof shall have been received by the Company (regardless of the source of such notice); or

13


 

     (4) With respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation with respect to debt for borrowed money the outstanding principal amount of which is greater than $1,000,000, the Company or any Subsidiary shall default (subject to any applicable grace period) in the payment of any principal of or premium, if any, or interest on such Indebtedness or other obligation or shall default in the performance of any material term of any instrument evidencing such Indebtedness or other obligation or of any mortgage, indenture or agreement relating thereto, and the effect of such default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or other obligation to cause, such Indebtedness or other obligation to become due and payable prior to its stated maturity, unless such failure to pay or perform shall have been waived in writing by the requisite holders of such Indebtedness or other obligation; or (b) the Indebtedness under the Trust Preferred Financing has been accelerated; or
     (5) The Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
          (A) commences a voluntary case,
          (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
          (C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
          (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
          (E) is the debtor in an involuntary case which is not dismissed within 60 days of the commencement thereof; or
     (6) A court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
          (A) provides for relief against the Company or any Subsidiary in an involuntary case,
          (B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Subsidiary for all or substantially all of its property, or
          (C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary; or
     (7) A final judgment for the payment of money in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 shall be rendered against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any judgment as to which a reputable insurance company shall not have denied liability) and shall remain undischarged for a period (during which execution shall not be effectively stayed) of 60 days after the date on which the right to appeal has expired; or
     (8) Any representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement shall prove to be materially false or incorrect on the date as of which made;

14


 

then and in any such case (a) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in clause (5) or (6) above, the unpaid principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Company, and (b) subject to the immediately following paragraph, upon the occurrence of any other Event of Default, in addition to any other rights, powers and remedies permitted by law or in equity, the holder or holders of greater than 50% in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding may, at its or their option, by notice in writing to the Company, declare all of the Debentures to be, and all of the Debentures shall thereupon be and become, immediately due and payable together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other sums due hereunder, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are waived by the Company.
     Upon the occurrence of any such Event of Default, the holders of Debentures may proceed to protect and enforce their rights by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in the Debentures held by them, for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or for the pursuit of any other remedy which it may have by virtue of this Agreement or pursuant to applicable law. The Company shall pay to the holders of Debentures upon demand the reasonable costs and expenses of collection and of any other actions referred to in this Article VIII, including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees, expenses and disbursements.
     No course of dealing and no delay on the part of the holders of Debentures in exercising any of their rights shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice the rights of any holder of the Debentures, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder. No right, power or remedy conferred hereby or by the Debentures on the holders thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
     8.2 Rescission of Acceleration. At any time after any declaration of acceleration of all the Debentures shall have been made pursuant to Section 8.1 by any holder or holders of the Debentures and before a judgment or decree for the payment of money due has been obtained by such holder or holders, the holder or holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding may, by written notice to the Company and to the other holders of the Debentures rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, provided that (i) the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures which shall have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration shall have been duly paid, and (ii) all Events of Default other than the nonpayment of principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration shall have been cured or waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding. No rescission or annulment referred to above shall affect any subsequent Default or any right, power or remedy arising out of such subsequent Default.

15


 

ARTICLE IX
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
     As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
     “Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
     “Agreement” means this Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement as from time to time amended and in effect between the parties.
     “Applicable Interest Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.6.
     “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
     “Business Day” shall mean a day which is not a legal holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the City of Boston.
     “Change of Control” shall mean (i) a transaction, whereby the securities of the Company representing in excess of 50% of the voting power of the Company are owned directly, or indirectly through one or more entities, by any “person” or “group” of Persons (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), other than those Person who owned at least 50% of the voting power of the Company prior to such transaction or (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or (iii) a merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) in which the Company is not the sole surviving or continuing entity.
     “Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.
     “Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.
     “Company” means LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation, and its successors and assigns.
     “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
     “Default” shall mean an Event of Default or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default.
     “Debentures” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.
     “Event of Default” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.
     “Indebtedness” means all obligations, contingent or otherwise, whether current or long-term, which in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles would be

16


 

classified upon the obligor’s balance sheet as indebtedness (other than deferred taxes and capitalized leases) and shall also include guarantees, endorsements (other than for collection in the ordinary course of business) or other arrangements whereby responsibility is assumed for the obligations of others, including any agreement to purchase or otherwise acquire the obligations of others or any agreement, contingent or otherwise, to furnish funds for the purchase of goods, supplies or services for the purpose of payment of the obligations of others, excluding accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business.
     “Liquidity Event” shall mean any one or more of the following: (i) a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries whether voluntary or involuntary; (ii) a sale, merger or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the result of which those Persons who held 100% of the voting power of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction do not hold more than 50% of the voting power of the Company or such Subsidiary (or the surviving or resulting entity thereof) after giving effect to such transaction; (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any of the Businesses; or (iv) consummation of the first public offering of securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Act.
     “Merger Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.
     “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or unincorporated organization or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
     “Purchasers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.
     “Related Agreements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
     “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means any limited liability company, corporation, association or other business entity of which the Company and/or any of its other Subsidiaries (as herein defined) directly or indirectly owns at the time more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting interests of every class of such limited liability company, corporation or other business entity, other than directors’ qualifying shares, and such entity’s successor and assigns.
     “Trust Preferred Financing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.
     Capitalized words used as defined terms herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Acquisition Agreement.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
     10.1. Debenture Payments. The Company agrees that, so long as any Purchaser shall hold any Debentures, it will make payments of principal and interest on any Debenture held by such Purchaser not later than 2:00 p.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, on the date such payment is due, in immediately available federal funds, by credit to the Purchaser’s account, as specified in

17


 

Schedule 1.1 hereto, or such other account or accounts as the Purchaser may designate in writing, notwithstanding any contrary provision contained herein or any Debenture with respect to the place of payment. Each Purchaser agrees that, before disposing of any Debenture, it or its nominee will make a notation thereon of all principal payments previously paid thereon and of the date to which interest thereon has been paid, and will notify the Company of the name and address of the transferee of such Debenture. At the election of any subsequent holder of any Debenture which has made the same agreements relating to such Debenture as the Purchaser has made in this Section 11.1, the Company will make payments of principal and interest to the account of such successor holder in the same manner as set forth above.
     10.2 Form, Registration, Transfer and Exchange of Debentures. The Debentures are issuable as registered notes and in denominations of not less than $1,000. The Company shall keep at its principal office the register in which the Company shall provide for the registration of the Debentures and for transfers of the Debentures. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Debenture at such office, the Company shall execute and deliver, at its expense, one or more new such Debenture or Debentures of like tenor and of like aggregate principal amount, which new Debenture or Debentures shall each be a registered Debenture. At the option of the holder of any Debenture, such Debenture may be exchanged for other Debentures, of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Debenture to be exchanged at the office of the Company. Whenever any Debenture is so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute and deliver, at its expense, the Debentures which the holder thereof making the exchange is entitled to receive. Every Debenture presented or surrendered for registration of transfer shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the holder of such Debenture or such holder’s attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing. Any Debenture issued in exchange for any Debenture or upon transfer thereof shall carry the rights to unpaid interest and interest to accrue which were carried by the Debenture so exchanged or transferred, and neither gain nor loss of interest shall result from any such transfer or exchange. Upon receipt by the Company of an affidavit of the treasurer, assistant treasurer, or other responsible official of any Purchaser (or, in the case of holders of Debentures other than a Purchaser, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company) of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Debenture and (i) in case of loss, theft or destruction of a Debenture, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it or (ii) in the case of the mutilation of any Debenture, upon surrender and cancellation thereof, the Company, at its expense, shall execute and deliver in lieu thereof a new Debenture of like tenor and of a like principal amount and dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest has been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Debenture.
     10.3 Survival of Representations. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made herein or in any certificates or documents executed in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby.
     10.4 Parties in Interest. Except as otherwise set forth herein, all covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and undertakings contained in this Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto (including transferees of any of the Debentures).

18


 

     10.5 Debentures Owned by Affiliates. For the purposes of applying all provisions of this Agreement which condition the receipt of information or access to information or exercise of any rights upon ownership of a specified principal amount of Debentures, the Debentures or shares owned of record by any affiliate of a Purchaser shall be deemed to be owned by such Purchaser. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term “affiliate” shall mean any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, a Purchaser and any general or limited partner of any Purchaser. Without limiting the foregoing, each Purchaser shall be considered an affiliate of each other Purchaser.
     10.6 Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if the Company shall have obtained the written consent to such amendment, action or omission to act, of the holder or holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding; and each holder of any Debenture at the time or thereafter outstanding shall be bound by any consent authorized by this Section 10.6, whether or not such Debenture shall have been marked to indicate such consent, but any Debenture issued thereafter shall contain a reference or bear a notation referring to any such consent; provided, however, that no amendment or waiver may adversely affect any Debenture in a manner different than its effect on all Debentures without the consent of each holder of Debentures so adversely affected in a different manner. The Company shall promptly send copies of any amendment, consent or waiver (and any requests for any such amendment, consent or waiver) relating to this Agreement or the Debentures to each holder of the Debentures and, to the extent practicable, shall consult with holders of the Debentures, in connection with each such amendment, consent and waiver. No course of dealing between the Company and the holder of any of the Debentures nor any delay in exercise any rights hereunder or any of the Debentures shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Debentures. The Company will reimburse the Purchasers for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred in connection with any amendment or modification of this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements or any waiver hereof or thereof.
     10.7 Notices. All notices, requests, consents, reports and demands shall be in writing and shall be hand delivered, sent by facsimile or other electronic medium, or mailed, postage prepaid, to the Company or to the Purchasers at the address set forth below or to such other address as may be furnished in writing to the other parties hereto:
         
 
  The Company:   LOTS Intermediate Co.
 
      100 W. Bay St.
 
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
 
      Facsimile: (904) 354-4525
 
      Attention: K. Ned Hamil
 
       
 
  and   Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP
 
      100 Federal Street
 
      Boston, Massachusetts 02110
 
      Attention: Steven M. Peck, Esquire
 
      Fax: (617) 772-8333

19


 

         
 
  The Purchasers:   The address set forth opposite the Purchaser’s name on Schedule 1.1 attached hereto.
 
       
 
  with copy to:   Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP
 
      100 Federal Street
 
      Boston, Massachusetts 02110
 
      Attention: Steven M. Peck, Esquire
 
      Fax: (617) 772-8333
     10.8 Counterparts. This Agreement and any exhibit hereto may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. One or more counterparts of this Agreement or any exhibit hereto may be delivered via telecopier, with the intention that they shall have the same effect as an original counterpart hereof.
     10.9 Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
     10.10 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and together with the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall be construed under and governed by the laws of such state.
* * * * *

20


 

LOTS Intermediate Co.
Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement
Counterpart Signature Page
     If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the enclosed counterpart of this letter and return the same to the Company, whereupon, this letter shall become a binding agreement among us.
         
  Very truly yours,

LOTS Intermediate Co.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard S. Kahlbaugh    
    Name:   Richard S. Kahlbaugh   
    Title:   President   

 


 

         
LOTS Intermediate Co.
Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement
Counterpart Signature Page
         
  PURCHASERS:


SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT
FUND III-A, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III LLC,    
    Its General Partner   
         
     
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Manager Member   
         
  SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT
FUND III-B, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, LLC,    
    Its General Partner   
         
     
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Manager Member   
       
 
         
  SUMMIT INVESTORS VI, L.P.
 
 
  By:   Summit Partners VI (GP), L.P.,    
    Its General Partner   
         
     
  By:   Summit Partners VI (GP), LLC,    
    Its General Partner   
         
     
  By:   [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Manager Member   
       

 


 

         
LOTS Intermediate Co.
Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement
Schedule 1.1
         
    Principle Amount
    of Debentures to
Name and Address   Be Purchased
Summit Subordinated Debt
  $ 13,111,806  
  Fund III-A, L.P.
222 Berkeley Street, 18th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Fax: (617) 824-1100
Attn:
       
 
       
Summit Subordinated Debt
  $ 6,830,270  
  Fund III-B, L.P.
222 Berkeley Street, 18th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Fax: (617) 824-1100
Attn:
       
 
       
Summit Investors VI, L.P.
  $ 57,924  
222 Berkeley Street, 18th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Fax: (617) 824-1100
Attn:
       
 
       
Totals
  $ 20,000,000  
 
       

 


 

EXHIBIT A
FORM OF DEBENTURE
THIS DEBENTURE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1993 (THE “ACT”) OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS DEBENTURE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED BY SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE UNLESS (i) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE DEBENTURES UNDER THE ACT IS IN EFFECT OR (ii) THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, WHICH OPINION IS REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE ACT OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS DEBENTURE IS SUBORDINATE AND SUBJECT IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO SENIOR DEBT, AS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.
Subordinated Debenture
$                       June ___, 2007
No. R___    
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby promises to pay to [INSERT PURCHASER’S NAME], a Delaware limited partnership, or its registered assigns, the sum of                                                              ($                    ) on June ___, 2012, together with interest, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a 360-day year, on the unpaid principal balance hereof until paid in full at the Applicable Interest Rate (as defined below) from the date hereof, payable in cash quarterly in arrears on the last day of each of March, June, September, and December of each year during which any amounts due hereunder remain outstanding, commencing on June ___, 2007, and until such unpaid balance becomes due and payable (whether at maturity or at a date fixed for mandatory or optional redemption or prepayment or by acceleration or otherwise).
     The “Applicable Interest Rate” shall mean the rate of 14% per annum completed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.
     All payments of principal (including any prepayments or redemptions) and interest hereunder shall be made by the Company in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available federal funds not later than 2:00 p.m., Boston, Massachusetts, time, on the date each such payment is due, by crediting an account in the United States as the holder of this Debenture may designate in writing to the Company before the scheduled payment date.
     This Debenture is one of a duly authorized issuance of three (3) Debentures of the Company designated as its “Subordinated Debentures due June ___, 2011 (herein called the “Debentures”), in the aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000 and issued under a

 


 

Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, dated as of June ___, 2007 (herein called the “Agreement”), between the Company, Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P. and Summit Investors VI, L.P., to which Agreement and all agreements supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Company and the holders of the Debentures, and the terms upon which the Debentures are, and are to be, delivered.
     The principal of this Debenture is subject to mandatory and optional prepayment, together with accrued interest, all as more particularly set forth in the Agreement. The Company agrees to make such payments of principal on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Agreement.
     Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, the indebtedness evidenced by the Debenture is, to the extent provided in the Agreement, subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt (as defined in the Agreement), and this Debenture is issued subject to such provisions, and each holder of Debentures, by accepting the same, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions and agrees to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in the Agreement.
     In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Agreement, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Debentures may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, immediately due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Agreement. The Agreement provides that such declaration may in certain events be rescinded or annulled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding.
     No reference herein to the Agreement and no provisions of this Debenture or of the Agreement shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Debenture at the times, places, and rates, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
     As is more fully set forth in the Agreement, this Debenture is transferable by the registered owner hereof, in person or by duly authorized attorney, on the books of the Company to be kept for that purpose, upon surrender and cancellation of this Debenture and upon presentation of a duly executed written instrument of transfer satisfactory to the Company, and thereupon a new Debenture or Debentures, of the same aggregate principal amount and in authorized denominations, will be issued to the transferee or transferees in exchange therefor; and this Debenture, with or without other Debentures may in like manner be exchanged for one or more new Debentures of other authorized denominations but of the same aggregate principal amount, all subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement. Any such transfer or exchange shall be without charge by the Company.
     All terms used in this Debenture which are defined in the Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

 


 

     This Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the state of Delaware and shall for all purposes be construed in accordance with the laws of said state without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Debenture to be duly executed as an instrument under SEAL.
         
  LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

 

EX-10.5 7 b81561exv10w5.htm EX-10.5 exv10w5
Exhibit 10.5
AMENDMENT TO
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
and
AMENDMENT TO DEBENTURES
          Amendment to Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement and Amendment to Debentures (this “Amendment”) dated as of June 16, 2010 by and between LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the Purchasers of the Debentures (as defined below) (the “Purchasers”).
RECITALS
          WHEREAS, the parties entered into that certain Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement dated as of June 20, 2007 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Purchase Agreement”, and as amended by this Amendment and as the same may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company issued Subordinated Debentures (the “Debentures”) to the Purchasers in the aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000; and
          WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Existing Purchase Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
          NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual benefits and covenants hereunder and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
     SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Purchase Agreement.
     SECTION 2. DEBENTURE AMENDMENTS.
     2.1 Amendments.
          (a) The first paragraph of each Debenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
          “FOR VALUE RECEIVED, LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby promises to pay to [INSERT NAME OF APPLICABLE PURCHASER], a [insert state of formation/organization and type of entity], or its registered assigns, the sum of [______] $([______]) on December 13, 2013, together with interest, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a 360-day year, on the unpaid principal balance hereof until paid in full at the Applicable Interest Rate (as defined below) from the date hereof, payable in cash quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year during which any amounts due hereunder remain outstanding, commencing on June 30, 2007, and until such unpaid balance becomes due and payable (whether at maturity or at a date fixed for mandatory or optional redemption or prepayment or by acceleration or otherwise).”.

 


 

          (b) The fourth paragraph of each Debenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
          “This Debenture is one of a duly authorized issuance of three (3) Debentures of the Company designated as its “Subordinated Debentures” (herein called the “Debentures”), in the aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000 and issued under a Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007 (herein called the “Agreement”), between the Company, Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P. and Summit Investors VI, L.P., to which Agreement and all agreements supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Company and the holders of the Debentures, and the terms upon which the Debentures are, and are to be, delivered.”.
     SECTION 3. PURCHASE AGREEMENT AMENDMENTS.
     3.1 Amendments.
          (a) Section 1.5(a) of the Existing Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
     “(a) The principal amount of the Debentures shall be payable in full on December 13, 2013;”.
          (b) Section 5.1(a) of the Existing Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating in its entirety the third sentence therein to read as follows:
          “The term “Senior Debt” shall include, without limitation, the Trust Preferred Financing and the obligations of the Company under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2010, by and among the Company and Fortegra Financial Corporation, as borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.”
          (c) The first paragraph of Exhibit A to the Existing Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
          “FOR VALUE RECEIVED, LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby promises to pay to [INSERT NAME OF APPLICABLE PURCHASER], a [insert state of formation/organization and type of entity], or its registered assigns, the sum of [______] $([______]) on December 13, 2013, together with interest, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a 360-day year, on the unpaid principal balance hereof until paid in full at the Applicable Interest Rate (as defined below) from the date hereof, payable in cash quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year during which any amounts due hereunder remain outstanding, commencing on June 30, 2007, and until such unpaid balance becomes due and payable (whether at maturity or at a date fixed for mandatory or optional redemption or prepayment or by acceleration or otherwise).”
          (d) The fourth paragraph of Exhibit A to the Existing Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 


 

     “This Debenture is one of a duly authorized issuance of three (3) Debentures of the Company designated as its “Subordinated Debentures” (herein called the “Debentures”), in the aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000 and issued under a Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007 (herein called the “Agreement”) between the Company, Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-A, L.P., Summit Subordinated Debt Fund III-B, L.P. and Summit Investors VI, L.P., to which Agreement and all agreements supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Company and the holders of the Debentures, and the terms upon which the Debentures are, and are to be, delivered.”.
     SECTION 4. MISCELLANEOUS.
     4.1 Continuing Effect; No Other Agreements.
          Except as expressly modified hereby, all of the terms and provisions of the Existing Purchase Agreement and the Debentures are and shall remain in full force and effect. The amendment contained herein shall not constitute a modification of any other provision of the Existing Purchase Agreement or the Debentures or for any other purpose except as expressly set forth herein.
     4.2 Governing Law; Counterparts; Miscellaneous.
          (a) THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
          (b) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts when executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
          (c) Section captions used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Amendment.
          (d) No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any term or provision of this Amendment, the Purchase Agreement or the Debentures, and no consent to any departure by the Company from this Amendment, the Purchase Agreement or the Debentures, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in made in accordance with Section 10.6 of the Purchase Agreement.
          (e) From and after the date hereof, all references in the Purchase Agreement to the “Agreement” shall be deemed to be references to the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties have executed this AMENDMENT to be effective for all purposes as of the date above first written.
         
  COMPANY:

LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware corporation

 
 
  By:      
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Executive Vice President, Acting Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer 
 
 
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT]

 


 

           
    PURCHASERS:  
 
         
    SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT FUND III-A, L.P.
 
         
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, L.P.,  
 
      Its General Partner  
 
         
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, LLC,  
 
      Its General Partner  
 
         
 
  By:      
 
     
 
 
 
      Member  
 
         
    SUMMIT SUBORDINATED DEBT FUND III-B, L.P.
 
         
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, L.P.,  
 
      Its General Partner  
 
         
 
  By:   Summit Partners SD III, LLC,  
 
      Its General Partner  
 
         
 
  By:      
 
     
 
 
 
      Member  
 
         
    SUMMIT INVESTORS VI, L.P.
 
         
 
  By:   Summit Partners VI (GP), L.P.,  
 
      Its General Partner  
 
         
 
  By:   Summit Partners VI (GP), LLC,  
 
      Its General Partner  
 
         
 
  By:      
 
     
 
 
 
      Member  
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT]

 

EX-10.6 8 b81561exv10w6.htm EX-10.6 exv10w6
Exhibit 10.6
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of June 16, 2010
among
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND
LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.,

as Borrowers
THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO
and
SUNTRUST BANK
as Administrative Agent
 
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
        Page  
 
           
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION     1  
Section 1.1.
  Definitions     1  
Section 1.2.
  Accounting Terms and Determination     26  
Section 1.3.
  Terms Generally     27  
 
           
ARTICLE II AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS     28  
Section 2.1.
  General Description of Facilities     28  
Section 2.2.
  Revolving Loans     28  
Section 2.3.
  Procedure for Revolving Borrowings     28  
Section 2.4.
  Funding of Borrowings     29  
Section 2.5.
  Interest Elections     29  
Section 2.6.
  Optional Reduction and Termination of Revolving Commitments     30  
Section 2.7.
  Repayment of Loans     31  
Section 2.8.
  Evidence of Indebtedness     31  
Section 2.9.
  Optional Prepayments     32  
Section 2.10.
  Mandatory Prepayments     32  
Section 2.11.
  Interest on Loans     33  
Section 2.12.
  Fees     34  
Section 2.13.
  Computation of Interest and Fees     35  
Section 2.14.
  Inability to Determine Interest Rates     35  
Section 2.15.
  Illegality     36  
Section 2.16.
  Increased Costs     36  
Section 2.17.
  Funding Indemnity     37  
Section 2.18.
  Taxes     38  
Section 2.19.
  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs     40  
Section 2.20.
  Payments to Defaulting Lenders     41  
Section 2.21.
  Increase of Revolving Commitments; Additional Lenders     42  
Section 2.22.
  Mitigation of Obligations     43  
Section 2.23.
  Replacement of Lenders     43  
 
           
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS     44  
Section 3.1.
  Conditions To Effectiveness     44  
Section 3.2.
  Each Credit Event     48  
Section 3.3.
  Delivery of Documents     48  
 
           
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES     49  
Section 4.1.
  Existence; Power     49  
Section 4.2.
  Organizational Power; Authorization     49  
Section 4.3.
  Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts     49  
Section 4.4.
  Financial Statements     50  
Section 4.5.
  Statutory Financial Statements     50  
Section 4.6.
  Litigation and Environmental Matters     50  

i


 

             
        Page  
 
Section 4.7.
  Compliance with Laws and Agreements     50  
Section 4.8.
  Insurance Licenses     51  
Section 4.9.
  Investment Company Act, Etc.     51  
Section 4.10.
  Taxes     51  
Section 4.11.
  Margin Regulations     52  
Section 4.12.
  ERISA     52  
Section 4.13.
  Ownership of Property     53  
Section 4.14.
  Disclosure     53  
Section 4.15.
  Labor Relations     53  
Section 4.16.
  Subsidiaries     54  
Section 4.17.
  Insolvency     54  
Section 4.18.
  Subordination of Subordinated Debt     54  
Section 4.19.
  OFAC     54  
Section 4.20.
  Patriot Act     55  
Section 4.21.
  Security Documents     55  
Section 4.22.
  Material Agreements     56  
 
           
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS     56  
Section 5.1.
  Financial Statements and Other Information     56  
Section 5.2.
  Notices of Material Events     58  
Section 5.3.
  Existence; Conduct of Business     59  
Section 5.4.
  Compliance with Laws, Etc.     60  
Section 5.5.
  Payment of Obligations     60  
Section 5.6.
  Books and Records     60  
Section 5.7.
  Visitation, Inspection, Etc.     61  
Section 5.8.
  Maintenance of Properties; Insurance     61  
Section 5.9.
  Use of Proceeds     61  
Section 5.10.
  Additional Subsidiaries     61  
Section 5.11.
  Further Assurances     62  
 
           
ARTICLE VI FINANCIAL COVENANTS     63  
Section 6.1.
  Total Leverage Ratio     63  
Section 6.2.
  Senior Leverage Ratio     64  
Section 6.3.
  Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio     64  
Section 6.4.
  Reinsurance Ratio     64  
 
           
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS     64  
Section 7.1.
  Indebtedness and Preferred Equity     64  
Section 7.2.
  Liens     66  
Section 7.3.
  Fundamental Changes     68  
Section 7.4.
  Investments, Loans, Acquisitions, Etc.     69  
Section 7.5.
  Restricted Payments     70  
Section 7.6.
  Sale of Assets     71  
Section 7.7.
  Transactions with Affiliates     72  
Section 7.8.
  Restrictive Agreements     73  
Section 7.9.
  Sale and Leaseback Transactions     74  
Section 7.10.
  Hedging Transactions     74  

ii


 

             
        Page  
 
Section 7.11.
  Amendment to Material Documents     74  
Section 7.12.
  Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness     74  
Section 7.13.
  Accounting Changes     75  
Section 7.14.
  Lease Obligations     75  
Section 7.15.
  Government Regulation     75  
Section 7.16.
  ERISA     75  
 
           
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT     76  
Section 8.1.
  Events of Default     76  
Section 8.2.
  Application of Proceeds from Collateral     79  
 
           
ARTICLE IX THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT     80  
Section 9.1.
  Appointment of Administrative Agent     80  
Section 9.2.
  Nature of Duties of Administrative Agent     80  
Section 9.3.
  Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent     81  
Section 9.4.
  Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent     81  
Section 9.5.
  Reliance by Administrative Agent     81  
Section 9.6.
  The Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity     82  
Section 9.7.
  Successor Administrative Agent     82  
Section 9.8.
  Authorization to Execute other Loan Documents; Collateral     83  
Section 9.9.
  No Other Duties, etc.     84  
Section 9.10.
  Withholding Tax     84  
Section 9.11.
  Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim     84  
 
           
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS     85  
Section 10.1.
  Notices     85  
Section 10.2.
  Waiver; Amendments     87  
Section 10.3.
  Expenses; Indemnification     88  
Section 10.4.
  Successors and Assigns     90  
Section 10.5.
  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process     94  
Section 10.6.
  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL     95  
Section 10.7.
  Right of Setoff     95  
Section 10.8.
  Counterparts; Integration     95  
Section 10.9.
  Survival     96  
Section 10.10.
  Severability     96  
Section 10.11.
  Confidentiality     96  
Section 10.12.
  Interest Rate Limitation     97  
Section 10.13.
  Waiver of Effect of Corporate Seal     97  
Section 10.14.
  Patriot Act     97  
Section 10.15.
  Independence of Covenants     98  
Section 10.16.
  All Obligations to Constitute Joint and Several Obligations     98  

iii


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
            Page
Schedules
           
Schedule I
    Applicable Margin and Applicable Percentage    
Schedule II
    Revolving Commitment Amounts    
Schedule 3.1
    Post-Closing Obligations    
Schedule 4.16
    Subsidiaries    
Schedule 4.21
    Owned and Leased Real Property    
Schedule 4.22
    Material Agreements    
Schedule 7.1
    Outstanding Indebtedness    
Schedule 7.2
    Existing Liens    
Schedule 7.4
    Existing Investments    
Schedule 7.7
    Transactions with Affiliates    
Schedule 7.8
    Restrictive Agreements    
 
           
Exhibits
           
Exhibit A
    Form of Assignment and Acceptance    
Exhibit B
    Form of Pledge Agreement    
Exhibit C
    Form of Revolving Credit Note    
Exhibit D
    Form of Security Agreement    
Exhibit E
    Form of Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement    
Exhibit 2.3
    Form of Notice of Revolving Borrowing    
Exhibit 2.5
    Form of Notice of Continuation/Conversion    
Exhibit 3.1(b)(vi)
    Form of Secretary’s Certificate    
Exhibit 3.1(b)(ix)
    Form of Officer’s Certificate    
Exhibit 5.1(f)
    Form of Compliance Certificate    

iv


 

REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
          THIS REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of June 16, 2010, by and among FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia (“Fortegra”), and LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (“LOTS”, and together with Fortegra, each a “Borrower” and collectively the “Borrowers”), the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party hereto (the “Lenders”), SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”) and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as Sole Lead Arranger and Bookrunner (the “Arranger”).
WITNESSETH:
          WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Lenders establish a $35,000,000 revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrowers; and
          WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders, to the extent of their respective Revolving Commitments as defined herein, are willing severally to establish the requested revolving credit facility in favor of and severally to make the term loans to the Borrowers.
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION
          Section 1.1. Definitions.
          In addition to the other terms defined herein, the following terms used herein shall have the meanings herein specified (to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
          “Additional Lender” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.21.
          “Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to each Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing, the rate per annum obtained by dividing (i) LIBOR for such Interest Period by (ii) a percentage equal to 1.00 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.
          “Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the opening paragraph hereof.
          “Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, an administrative questionnaire in the form prepared by the Administrative Agent and submitted to the Administrative Agent duly completed by such Lender.

1


 

          “Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
          “Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount” shall mean the aggregate principal amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments from time to time. On the Closing Date, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount equals $35,000,000.
          “Aggregate Revolving Commitments” shall mean, collectively, all Revolving Commitments of all Lenders at any time outstanding.
          “Annual Statement” shall mean the annual statutory financial statement of any Regulated Insurance Company required to be filed with the Applicable Insurance Regulatory of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of such Regulated Insurance Company, which statement shall be in the form required by the state in which such Regulated Insurance Company is domiciled or, if no specific form is so required, in the form of financial statements permitted by such Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority to be used for filing annual statutory financial statements and shall contain the type of information required and/or permitted by such Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority to be disclosed therein, together with all exhibits or schedules filed therewith.
          “Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority” shall mean, when used with respect to any Regulated Insurance Company, the insurance department or similar administrative authority or agency located in (a) each state or other jurisdiction in which such Regulated Insurance Company is domiciled or (b) to the extent asserting regulatory jurisdiction over such Regulated Insurance Company, the insurance department, authority or agency in each state or other jurisdiction in which such Regulated Insurance Company is licensed, and shall include any Federal or national insurance regulatory department, authority or agency that may be created that that asserts regulatory jurisdiction over such Regulated Insurance Company.
          “Applicable Lending Office” shall mean, for each Lender and for each Type of Loan, the lending office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) designated for such Type of Loan in the Administrative Questionnaire submitted by such Lender or such other office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers as the office by which its Loans of such Type are to be made and maintained.
          “Applicable Margin” shall mean, as of any date, with respect to interest on all Revolving Loans outstanding on such date, or the letter of credit fee on such date, as the case may be, a percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Total Leverage Ratio in effect on such date as set forth on Schedule I; provided, that a change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall be effective on the second Business Day after the date on which the Borrowers deliver the financial statements required by Section 5.1(a) or (c) and the Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1(f); provided further, that if at any time the Borrowers shall have failed to deliver such financial statements and such Compliance Certificate when so required, the Applicable Margin shall be at Level III as set forth on Schedule I until such time as such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are

2


 

delivered, at which time the Applicable Margin shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Margin from the Closing Date until the financial statements and Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2010 are required to be delivered shall be at Level III as set forth on Schedule I.
          “Applicable Percentage” shall mean, as of any date, with respect to the commitment fee as of such date, the percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Total Leverage Ratio in effect on such date as set forth on Schedule I; provided, that a change in the Applicable Percentage resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall be effective on the second Business Day after the date on which the Borrowers deliver the financial statements required by Section 5.1(a) or (c) and the Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1(f); provided further, that if at any time the Borrowers shall have failed to deliver such financial statements and such Compliance Certificate when so required, the Applicable Percentage shall be at Level III as set forth on Schedule I until such time as such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered, at which time the Applicable Percentage shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Percentage for the commitment fee from the Closing Date until the financial statements and Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2010 are required to be delivered shall be at Level III as set forth on Schedule I.
          “Approved Fund” shall mean any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender or (iii) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
          “Arranger” shall mean SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
          “Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.4(b)) and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
          “Availability Periodshall mean the period from the Closing Date to the Maturity Date.
          “Base Rate” shall mean the highest of (i) the per annum rate which the Administrative Agent publicly announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate, as in effect from time to time, plus one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum and (iii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate determined on a daily basis for an Interest Period of one (1) month, plus one percent (1.00%) per annum. The Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer. The Administrative Agent may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate. Each change in the any of the rates described above in this definition shall be effective from and including the date such change is announced as being effective.

3


 

          “Borrowers” shall have the meaning in the introductory paragraph hereof.
          “Borrowing” shall mean a borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
          “Business Day” shall mean (i) any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Atlanta, Georgia and New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close and (ii) if such day relates to a Borrowing of, a payment or prepayment of principal or interest on, a conversion of or into, or an Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice with respect to any of the foregoing, any day on which banks are open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
          “Capital Expenditures” shall mean for any period, without duplication, all expenditures for property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries that are (or would be) set forth on a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrowers for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that “Capital Expenditures” shall not include: (a) expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution or restoration of assets (i) to the extent financed from insurance proceeds, (ii) with awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced or (iii) to the extent financed with the proceeds from the sale of assets, in each case to the extent such proceeds or awards are not required to prepay the Obligations pursuant to Section 2.10, (b) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade in of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time, (c) interest capitalized during such period, (d) expenditures made with any Permitted Equity Issuance, and (e) acquisitions permitted by Section 7.4 but only to the extent that such acquisitions are deemed to be capital expenditures pursuant to GAAP; provided further, that the purchase prices referred to in clause (b) above will not be included in Capital Expenditures to the extent the total aggregate amount of all such purchase prices do not exceed $1,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrowers.
          “Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person shall mean all obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) of real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
          “Capital Stock” shall mean all shares, options, warrants, general or limited partnership interests, membership interests or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or equivalent entity whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock or any other “equity security” (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

4


 

          “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrowers to any person or entity or “group” (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder in effect on the date hereof) other than pursuant to a merger, consolidation, acquisition or sale of assets permitted under Sections 7.3, 7.4 and 7.6, (ii) (a) prior to the date of an initial public offering by Fortegra or a direct or indirect parent of Fortegra, if Summit Partners, its Affiliates and its related co-investors in the Borrowers fail to own 51% or more of the outstanding voting Capital Stock of Fortegra or (b) on or after the date of an initial public offering by Fortegra or a direct or indirect parent of Fortegra, the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any person or entity or “group” (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), other than any group of which Summit Partners and its Affiliates and its related co-investors in the Borrowers holds 51% or more of the outstanding voting Capital Stock held by such group, of 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the voting Capital Stock of Fortegra, or (iii) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Fortegra by persons or entities who were neither (a) nominated by the current board of directors or Summit Partners its Affiliates or its related co-investors in the Borrowers nor (b) appointed by directors so nominated or Summit Partners its Affiliates or its related co-investors in the Borrowers.
          “Change in Law” shall mean (i) the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (ii) any change in any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or application thereof, by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, or (iii) compliance by any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or by the parent corporation of such Lender with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement.
          “Closing Date” shall mean the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.2.
          “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.
          “Collateral” shall mean all property and assets of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document. Collateral shall not include (a) letter of credit rights in favor of Regulated Insurance Companies, (b) (i) leasehold real property (other than the Borrowers’ Florida Headquarters) or (ii) fee-owned real property with a fair market value of less than $2,000,000, (c) vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title, (d) ownership interests in joint ventures and non-wholly-owned Subsidiaries to the extent that such ownership interests cannot be pledged without the consent of one or more non-Affiliate third parties, (e) any lease, license, permit, contract or agreement to which any Loan Party is a party or any of such Loan Party’s rights or interests thereunder if and only for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon shall (i) give any other Person party to such lease, license, permit, contract or agreement the right to terminate its obligations thereunder, (ii) constitute or result in the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of any right, title or

5


 

interest of any Loan Party therein or (iii) constitute or result in a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, permit, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions)); provided that such lease, license, permit, contract or agreement shall be excluded from the definition of “Collateral” only to the extent and for so long as the consequences specified above shall exist and shall cease to be excluded from the definition of “Collateral” and shall become subject to the Liens granted under the Collateral Documents, immediately and automatically, at such time as such consequences shall no longer exist, (f) any asset if the grant or perfection of a security interest is prohibited by applicable law, (g) United States intent-to-use trademark applications to the extent that, and solely during the period during which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark applications under applicable federal law, (h) any Capital Stock held by any Loan Party, other than the Capital Stock of LOTS held by Fortegra but only for so long as the Indenture dated June 20, 2007 between LOTS, as issuer, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, is in effect, and (i) any property acquired by any Loan Party if and to the extent that the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall have determined that the costs (including, without limitation, recording taxes and filing fees) of creating and perfecting a Lien on such property interests are excessive in relation to the value of the security afforded thereby.
          “Compliance Certificate” shall mean a certificate from the principal executive officer or the principal financial officer of the Borrowers in the form of, and containing the certifications set forth in, the certificate attached hereto as Exhibit 5.1(f).
          “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” shall mean, Consolidated EBITDA for any period
          (a) plus, to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period without duplication, the following:
          (i) reasonable acquisition costs relating to a Permitted Acquisition,
          (ii) impairment of goodwill and other non-cash charges (including write downs and impairment of property, plant, equipment and intangibles and other long lived assets) or expenses which do not represent a cash item in such period or in any future period; provided that any non-cash charge or expense which may result in a cash item in a future period may be added back so long as such cash charge is otherwise deducted from Consolidated EBITDA in the future period in which such payment occurs (excluding any such non-cash charge or expense to the extent that it represents amortization of a prepaid cash expense);
          (iii) any financing or financial advisory fees, accounting fees, legal fees and other out-of-pocket expenses of the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in connection with an initial public offering of the common stock of Fortegra and this Agreement (including any amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement, waiver, supplement or other modification of this Agreement and the Loan Documents);

6


 

          (iv) any financing or financial advisory fees, accounting fees, legal fees, transfer or mortgage recording taxes and other out-of-pocket expenses of the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in connection with any transactions permitted by this Agreement in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrowers;
          (v) unusual or non-recurring cash charges;
          (vi) to the extent actually reimbursed, expenses incurred to the extent covered by indemnification provisions in any agreement in connection with a Permitted Acquisition;
          (vii) to the extent covered by insurance (and as to which the applicable insurance carrier has not denied coverage), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption;
          (viii) all charges and expenses relating to severance payments pertaining to the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries, including any amounts expended to repurchase Capital Stock of the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries from the minority holders thereof upon the death, retirement or termination of such holder;
          (ix) other cash charges satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion; and
          (b) minus, to the extent added in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period without duplication, all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income other than ordinary course accruals in accordance with GAAP (in each case of or by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for such period).
          “Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (i) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (ii) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period and without duplication, (A) Consolidated Interest Expense, (B) expense for taxes on or measured by income, franchise taxes and other taxes in lieu of income taxes, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and (C) depreciation and amortization determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, in each case for such period.
          “Consolidated Fixed Charges” shall mean, for the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, the sum (without duplication) of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense payable in cash for such period, (ii) scheduled principal payments made on Consolidated Total Debt during such period and (iii) Restricted Payments (other than Restricted Payments paid to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrowers) paid during such period.
          “Consolidated Interest Expense” shall mean, for the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the sum of (i) total interest expense, including without limitation the interest component

7


 

of any payments in respect of Capital Lease Obligations capitalized or expensed during such period (whether or not actually paid during such period) plus (ii) the net amount payable (or minus the net amount receivable) with respect to Hedging Transactions during such period (whether or not actually paid or received during such period).
          “Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, for the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding therefrom (to the extent otherwise included therein) (i) any extraordinary gains or losses, (ii) any gains attributable to write-ups of assets and (iii) any equity interest of either Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of either Borrower in the unremitted earnings of any Person that is not a Subsidiary.
          “Consolidated Senior Debt” shall mean, as of any date, all Indebtedness of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries measured on a consolidated basis as of such date, but excluding Indebtedness of the type described in subsection (xi) of the definition of “Indebtedness” and excluding any Permitted Subordinated Debt.
          “Consolidated Total Debt” shall mean, as of any date, all Indebtedness of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries measured on a consolidated basis as of such date, but excluding Indebtedness of the type described in subsection (xi) of the definition of “Indebtedness”.
          “Contractual Obligation” of any Person shall mean any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking under which such Person is obligated or by which it or any of the property in which it has an interest is bound.
          “Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.
          “Default” shall mean any condition or event that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
          “Default Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(b).
          “Defaulting Lender” shall mean, at any time, a Lender as to which the Administrative Agent has notified the Borrowers that (i) such Lender has failed for three or more Business Days to comply with its obligations under this Agreement to make a Loan (a “funding obligation”), (ii) such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent, or has stated publicly, that it will not comply with any such funding obligation hereunder or has defaulted on its funding obligations under any other loan agreement, credit agreement or similar or other financing agreement, (iii) such Lender has, for three or more Business Days, failed to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent, in response to a written request of the Administrative Agent, that it will comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or (iv) a Lender Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to such Lender. Any determination that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clauses (i) through (iv) above will be made by the Administrative Agent

8


 

in its sole discretion acting in good faith. The Administrative Agent will promptly send to all parties hereto a copy of any notice to the Borrowers provided for in this definition.
          “Dollar(s)” and the sign “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.
          “Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrowers organized under the laws of one of the fifty states or commonwealths of the United States or the District of Columbia.
          “Employee Benefit Plan” shall have that meaning as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA and for which the Borrowers or an ERISA Affiliate maintains, contributes to or has an obligation to contribute to on behalf of participants who are or were employed by the Borrowers or their ERISA Affiliates or on behalf of beneficiaries of such participants.
          “Environmental Laws” shall mean all applicable laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, relating to the protection of the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, or the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material.
          “Environmental Liability” shall mean any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental investigation and remediation, costs of administrative oversight, fines, natural resource damages, penalties or indemnities), of either Borrower or any Subsidiary resulting from or based upon (i) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (ii) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (iii) any actual or alleged exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (iv) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (v) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
          “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute including any regulations promulgated thereunder.
          “ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated), which, together with the Borrowers, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for the purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
          “ERISA Event” shall mean with respect to the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate, (i) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (ii) the failure of any Plan to meet the minimum funding standard applicable to the Plan for a plan year under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, whether or not waived; (iii) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (iv) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, or the

9


 

imposition of an Lien in favor of the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA; (v) the receipt from the PBGC or a plan administrator appointed by the PBGC of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (vi) any other event or condition that might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or for the imposition of liability under Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; (vii) the incurrence of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan including the withdrawal from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (viii) or the incurrence of any Withdrawal Liability with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; (ix) the receipt of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) or in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or in “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 304 of ERISA); or (x) a determination that a Plan is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA).
          “Eurodollar” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
          “Eurodollar Reserve Percentage” shall mean the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental, special or other marginal reserves) expressed as a decimal (rounded upwards to the next 1/100th of 1%) in effect on any day to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate pursuant to regulations issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “eurocurrency liabilities” under Regulation D). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
          “Event of Default” shall have the meaning provided in ARTICLE VIII.
          “Excluded Subsidiaries” shall mean the Regulated Insurance Companies, the Unrestricted Subsidiary and any Subsidiary that is prohibited by law from Guaranteeing the Obligations.
          “Excluded Taxesshall mean with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder, (a) income Taxes, net worth Taxes, capital Taxes, Taxes on loans or liabilities or franchise Taxes imposed by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its Applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch

10


 

profits Taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar Tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which any Lender is located, (c) any U.S. federal withholding tax that would not have been imposed but for a failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any financial institution through which any payment is made to such agent or lender) to comply with the applicable requirements of Sections 1471-1474 of the Code, any applicable Treasury Regulation promulgated thereunder or any administrative guidance issued with respect thereto, and (d) in the case of a Lender, any withholding Tax that (i) is imposed on amounts payable to such Lender at the time such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, (ii) is imposed on amounts payable to such Lender at any time that such Lender designates a new lending office, other than Taxes that have accrued prior to the designation of such lending office that are otherwise not Excluded Taxes, or (iii) is attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the requirements of Section 2.18(e).
          “Existing Lender” shall mean Columbus Bank & Trust.
          “Federal Funds Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next succeeding Business Day or if such rate is not so published for any Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1% of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.
          “Fee Letter” shall mean that certain fee letter, dated as of April 6, 2010, executed by SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and SunTrust Bank and accepted by Borrowers.
          “Fiscal Quarter” shall mean any fiscal quarter of the Borrowers.
          “Fiscal Year” shall mean any fiscal year of the Borrowers.
          “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” shall mean, as of any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA less the actual amount paid by the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in cash on account of Capital Expenditures less cash taxes to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges, in each case measured for the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date.
          “Florida Headquarters” shall mean the principal office of the Borrowers located at 100 West Bay Street, Jacksonville, Florida.
          “Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender that is not a United States person under Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
          “Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than one of the fifty states or commonwealths of the United States or the District of Columbia.
          “Fortegra” shall mean Fortegra Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation.

11


 

          “Fortegra Preferred Stock” shall mean the following series of preferred stock issued by Fortegra: (a) Series A (fixed rate of 8.25%, matures 2034); (b) Series B (floating rate of 90 day LIBOR plus 4%, matures 2034); and (c) Series C (fixed rate of 8.25%, matures 2034).
          “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section 1.2.
          “Governmental Authority” shall mean the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
          “Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly and including any obligation, direct or indirect, of the guarantor (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (iv) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued in support of such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposits in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which Guarantee is made or, if not so stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
          “Hazardous Materials” shall mean all substances or wastes that are defined or regulated as explosive, radioactive, hazardous, toxic, a pollutant or a contaminant pursuant to any Environmental Law, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes.
          “Hedging Obligations” of any Person shall mean any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired under (i) any and all Hedging Transactions, (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Hedging Transactions and (iii) any and all renewals, extensions and modifications of any Hedging Transactions and any and all substitutions for any Hedging Transactions.
          “Hedging Transaction” of any Person shall mean (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect to any such transaction) now existing or hereafter entered into by such Person that is a rate swap transaction, swap option, basis swap, forward rate transaction,

12


 

commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option, spot transaction, credit protection transaction, credit swap, credit default swap, credit default option, total return swap, credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reverse repurchase transaction, buy/sell-back transaction, securities lending transaction, or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
          “Indebtedness” of any Person shall mean, without duplication (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables incurred and expenses accrued in the ordinary course of business; provided, that for purposes of Section 8.1(g), trade payables overdue by more than 120 days shall be included in this definition except to the extent that any of such trade payables are being disputed in good faith and by appropriate measures), (iv) all obligations of such Person under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement(s) relating to property acquired by such Person, (v) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (vi) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of letters of credit, acceptances or similar extensions of credit, (vii) all Guarantees of such Person of the type of Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vi) above and (xi) below, (viii) all Indebtedness of a third party secured by any Lien on property owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person, (ix) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of such Person to the extent that such obligation to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value such Capital Stock matures, or is mandatorily redeemable, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the Maturity Date, (x) Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities and (xi) all Hedging Obligations. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. For purposes of determining the amount of attributed Indebtedness from Hedging Obligations, the “principal amount” of any Hedging Obligations at any time shall be the Net Mark-to-Market Exposure of such Hedging Obligations.
          “Indemnified Taxes” shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes.
          “Insurance Business” shall mean one or more of the aspects of the business of selling, issuing or underwriting insurance or reinsurance.

13


 

          “Intellectual Property” shall mean, with respect to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, all patents, licenses, franchises, trademarks, trademark rights, service marks, service mark rights, trade names, trade name rights, trade secrets and copyrights.
          “Interest Periodshall mean with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, a period of one, two, three or six months; provided, that:
     (i) the initial Interest Period for such Borrowing shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (including the date of any conversion from a Borrowing of another Type), and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;
     (ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period would end on the next preceding Business Day;
     (iii) any Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month;
     (iv) each principal installment of the Term Loans shall have an Interest Period ending on each installment payment date and the remaining principal balance (if any) of the Term Loans shall have an Interest Period determined as set forth above; and
     (v) no Interest Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date, unless on the Maturity Date the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans is equal to or greater than the aggregate principal amount of Eurodollar Loans with Interest Periods expiring after such date, and no Interest Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date.
          “Investments” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 7.4.
          “Lender Insolvency Event” shall mean that (i) a Lender or its Parent Company is insolvent, or is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or (ii) such Lender or its Parent Company is the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation or similar proceeding, or a receiver, trustee, conservator, intervenor or sequestrator or the like has been appointed for such Lender or its Parent Company, or such Lender or its Parent Company has taken any action in furtherance of or indicating its consent to or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment.
          “Lenders” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the opening paragraph of this Agreement and shall include, where appropriate, each Additional Lender that joins this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.21.
          “LIBOR” shall mean, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on

14


 

Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period. If for any reason such rate is not available, LIBOR shall be, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate of interest at which Dollar deposits in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Loan comprising part of such borrowing would be offered by the Administrative Agent to major banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market at their request at or about 10:00 a.m. two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period.
          “License” shall mean any license, certificate of authority, permit or other authorization which is required to be obtained from any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental Authority in connection with the operation, ownership or transaction of Insurance Business.
          “Lien” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, encumbrance, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, or any preference, priority or other arrangement, in each case, having the practical effect of a security interest or any other security agreement or preferential arrangement having the practical effect of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having the same economic effect as any of the foregoing but excluding operating leases).
          “Loan Documents” shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes (if any), the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, the Security Documents, all Notices of Borrowing, all Notices of Conversion/Continuation and all Compliance Certificates.
          “Loan Obligations” shall mean all amounts owing by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, including, without limitation, all principal, interest (including any interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to either Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), all reimbursement obligations, fees, expenses, indemnification and reimbursement payments, costs and expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent and any Lender incurred, or required to be reimbursed, by the Borrowers, in each case, pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, now existing or hereafter arising hereunder or thereunder.
          “Loan Parties” shall mean the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.
          “Loans” shall mean all Revolving Loans in the aggregate or any of them, as the context shall require.
          “LOTS” shall mean LOTS Intermediate Co.
          “Mandatory Prepayment Percentage” shall mean (a) 50%, if the Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis, after giving effect to the use of the proceeds of the issuance of any

15


 

debt or equity securities, is greater than 2.50:1.00 as of any date of determination or (b) 0%, if the Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis, after giving effect to the use of the proceeds of the issuance of any debt or equity securities, is less than or equal to 2.50:1.00 as of any date of determination.
          “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean, with respect to any event, act, condition or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration, or governmental investigation or proceeding), whether singularly or in conjunction with any other event or events, act or acts, condition or conditions, occurrence or occurrences whether or not related, a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, (i) the business, results of operations, financial condition, assets, operations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Loan Parties to perform any of their respective obligations under the Loan Documents, (iii) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents or (iv) the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.
          “Material Agreement” shall mean any contract or other arrangement (other than the Loan Documents), to which either Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party as to which the breach, nonperformance, termination, cancellation or failure to renew by any party thereto could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
          “Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than the Loans) and Hedging Obligations of the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, individually or in an aggregate committed or outstanding principal amount exceeding $5,000,000.
          “Material Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean at any time any Material Subsidiary of the Borrowers that is also a Domestic Subsidiary.
          “Material Subsidiary” shall mean at any time any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrowers: (a) having assets (determined on a consolidating basis) in an amount equal to at least 5% of the total assets of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter at such time; or (b) having net income (determined on a consolidating basis) in an amount equal to at least 5% of the net income of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter at such time; or (c) that is obligated to another Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1 in an amount in excess of $5,000,000.
          “Maturity Date” shall mean the earliest to occur of: (a) June 16, 2013; (b) the date on which the Revolving Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 2.6; and (c) the date on which all amounts outstanding under this Agreement have been declared or have automatically become due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise).
          “Measurement Period” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of the Borrowers.
          “Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

16


 

          “Multiemployer Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
          “Net Mark-to-Market Exposure” of any Person shall mean, as of any date of determination with respect to any Hedging Obligation, the excess (if any) of all unrealized losses over all unrealized profits of such Person arising from such Hedging Obligation. “Unrealized losses” shall mean the fair market value of the cost to such Person of replacing the Hedging Transaction giving rise to such Hedging Obligation as of the date of determination (assuming the Hedging Transaction were to be terminated as of that date), and “unrealized profits” means the fair market value of the gain to such Person of replacing such Hedging Transaction as of the date of determination (assuming such Hedging Transaction were to be terminated as of that date).
          “Non-Defaulting Lender” shall mean, at any time, a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender.
          “Notes” shall mean the Revolving Credit Notes.
          “Notices of Borrowing” shall mean the Notices of Revolving Borrowing.
          “Notice of Conversion/Continuation” shall mean the notice given by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent in respect of the conversion or continuation of an outstanding Borrowing as provided in Section 2.5(b).
          “Notice of Revolving Borrowing” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.3.
          “Obligations” shall mean (a) all Loan Obligations, (b) all Hedging Obligations owed by any Loan Party to any Lender or Affiliate of any Lender, (c) all Treasury Management Obligations and (d) all obligations and indebtedness of either Borrower or any other Loan Party under corporate card agreements, arrangements or programs (including, without limitation, purchasing card and travel and entertainment card agreements, arrangements or programs) maintained with any Lender, together with all renewals, extensions, modifications or refinancings of any of the foregoing.
          “OFAC” shall mean the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
          “Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities” of any Person shall mean (i) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person, (ii) any liability of such Person under any sale and leaseback transactions that do not create a liability on the balance sheet of such Person, (iii) any Synthetic Lease Obligation or (iv) any obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person; provided that operating leases entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business (including any sale and leaseback transaction that is treated as an operating lease) shall not be deemed to be Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities.

17


 

          “OSHA” shall mean the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
          “Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
          “Parent Company” shall mean, with respect to a Lender, the bank holding company (as defined in Federal Reserve Board Regulation Y), if any, of such Lender, and/or any Person owning, beneficially or of record, directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares of such Lender.
          “Participant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(d).
          “Patriot Act” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.14.
          “Payment Office” shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at 303 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30308, or such other location as to which the Administrative Agent shall have given written notice to the Borrowers and the other Lenders.
          “PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA, and any successor entity performing similar functions.
          “Permitted Acquisitions” shall mean the acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets or Capital Stock of a Person, or any assets of any other Person that constitute a business unit or division of any other Person of any other Person (each an “Acquisition”); provided that (a) such business or line of business is in the same, a similar, substantially related, ancillary, incidental or a complimentary line of business as the business of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, conducted on the Closing Date; (b) such Acquisition is made with the approval of the board of directors of the Person to be acquired; (c) both before and immediately after any such Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (d) immediately after such Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, the Borrowers would be in compliance with the financial covenants in ARTICLE VI and the Administrative Agent shall have received a Compliance Certificate evidencing such compliance on a Pro Forma Basis; (e) the total consideration (including cash and non-cash consideration) paid in connection with any individual Acquisition shall not exceed the sum of (i) $35,000,000 and (ii) any proceeds of any Permitted Equity Issuance or Permitted Subordinated Debt that has not theretofore increased the amount referred to in clause (i) with respect to such individual Acquisition; (f) the total consideration (including cash and non-cash consideration) paid in connection with such Acquisition, when taken together with the aggregate amount of all cash and non-cash consideration in connection with all Acquisitions during the term of this Agreement, shall not exceed the sum of (i) $75,000,000 and (ii) any proceeds of any Permitted Equity Issuances or Permitted Subordinated Debt that have not theretofore increased the amount referred to in clause (e)(i) or (f)(i) in the aggregate for all such Acquisitions; and (h) Lender has received each item required pursuant to Section 5.10 and Section 5.11.

18


 

          “Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean:
     (i) Liens for Taxes (A) not yet due, (B) which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP or (C) with respect to which the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
     (ii) statutory Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, repairmen, landlords and other like Liens imposed by operation of law in the ordinary course of business for amounts (A) not yet due, (B) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP or (C) with respect to which the failure to make payment could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
     (iii) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;
     (iv) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety, stay and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
     (v) judgment and attachment liens not giving rise to an Event of Default or Liens created by or existing from any litigation or legal proceeding that are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;
     (vi) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
     (vii) customary rights of set-off relating to (A) revocation, refund or chargeback under deposit agreements or under the Uniform Commercial Code or common law of banks or other financial institutions where either Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries maintains deposits (other than deposits intended as cash collateral) in the ordinary course of business and (B) purchase orders and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
     (viii) Liens, if any, securing the Obligations;
provided, that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness (other than the Obligations).

19


 

          “Permitted Equity Issuance” shall mean Capital Stock of Fortegra (or Stock of a Person of which Fortegra is a direct or indirect Subsidiary), that is issued on terms and conditions, except in the case of common stock, satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or Capital Expenditure and (i) delivered as consideration for such Permitted Acquisition or Capital Expenditure (so long as no Change of Control occurs as a consequence thereof), or (ii) the net proceeds of which are applied to the consideration payable for such Permitted Acquisition or Capital Expenditure at the time of consummation of such Permitted Acquisition or Capital Expenditure. A Permitted Equity Issuance shall not be applied to any purpose other than such consideration.
          “Permitted Investments” shall mean:
     (i) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
     (ii) commercial paper having the highest rating, at the time of acquisition thereof, of S&P or Moody’s and in either case maturing within six months from the date of acquisition thereof;
     (iii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;
     (iv) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (i) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (iii) above; and
     (v) mutual funds investing solely in any one or more of the Permitted Investments described in clauses (i) through (iv) above.
          “Permitted Liens” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
          “Permitted Subordinated Debt” shall mean any Indebtedness of either Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) that is expressly subordinated to the Obligations on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, (ii) that matures by its terms no earlier than six months after the later of the Maturity Date with no scheduled principal payments permitted prior to such maturity, and (iii) that is evidenced by an indenture or other similar agreement that is in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided, however, that, notwithstanding clause (ii) above, the Indebtedness under the Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement and additional subordinated Indebtedness thereunder of up to $20,000,000 shall be “Permitted Subordinated Debt” for purposes of this definition.
          “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity, or any Governmental Authority.

20


 

          “Plan” shall mean any Employee Benefit Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which either Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate either (i) maintains, contributes to or has an obligation to contribute to on behalf of participants who are or were employed by any of them or (ii) is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA or a “contributing sponsor” (as defined in ERISA Section 4001(a)(13)).
          “Pledge Agreement” shall mean that certain Pledge Agreement, dated as of the date hereof and substantially in the form of Exhibit B, executed by Fortegra, in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, pursuant to which Fortegra shall pledge all of the Capital Stock of LOTS, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
          “Pro Forma Basis” means, for purposes of calculating compliance with any financial covenant or condition herein (whether for purposes of Article VI or to determine whether a condition to a specific action has been or will be satisfied) in respect of a Specified Transaction, that such Specified Transaction and the following transactions in connection therewith shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable Measurement Period with respect to such covenant or condition: (a) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, in the case of a Permitted Acquisition or Investment, shall be included, (b) any retirement of Indebtedness and (c) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Specified Transaction, and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate which is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination; provided that the foregoing pro forma adjustments may be applied to the calculation of the financial covenants referred to above to the extent that such adjustments are consistent with the definition of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA adjusted by (a) any credit received for acquisition related costs and savings to the extent expressly permitted pursuant to SEC Article 11 of Form S-X and (b) other extraordinary expenses, increased costs, identifiable and verifiable expense reductions, excess management compensation and other adjustments, if any, in each case calculated by Borrowers and approved by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.
          “Pro Rata Share” shall mean (i) with respect to any Revolving Commitment of any Lender at any time, a percentage, the numerator of which shall be such Lender’s Revolving Commitment (or if such Revolving Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure), and the denominator of which shall be the sum of such Revolving Commitments of all Lenders (or if such Revolving Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, all Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders) and (ii) with respect to all Revolving Commitments of any Lender at any time, the numerator of which shall be the sum of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment (or if such Revolving Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure) and the denominator of which shall be the sum of all Lenders’ Revolving Commitments (or if such Revolving Commitments have been terminated or expired or

21


 

the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, all Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders funded under such Revolving Commitments).
          “Qualified Plan” shall mean an Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be tax-qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.
          “Register” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 10.4(c).
          “Regulated Insurance Company” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrowers, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, that is authorized or admitted to carry on or transact Insurance Business in any jurisdiction and is regulated by any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority.
          “Regulation D, T, U and X” shall mean Regulation D, T, U and X, respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.
          “Reinsurance Ratio” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (a) the aggregate amounts recoverable by the Borrowers and its Restricted Subsidiaries from reinsurers divided by (b) the sum of (i) policy and claim liabilities plus (ii) unearned premiums, in each case of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP.
          “Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective managers, administrators, trustees, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors or other representatives of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
          “Release” shall mean any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or within any building, structure, facility or fixture.
          “Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, (a) if there are two or fewer Lenders hereunder, all Lenders, (b) if there are three Lenders hereunder, those Lenders holding more than 66 2/3% of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Commitments at such time or if the Lenders have no Revolving Commitments outstanding, then Lenders holding more than 66 2/3% of the Revolving Credit Exposure and (c) if there are four or more Lenders hereunder, those Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Commitments at such time or if the Lenders have no Revolving Commitments outstanding, then Lenders holding more than 50% of the Revolving Credit Exposure; provided, however, that to the extent that any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender and all of its Revolving Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure shall be excluded for purposes of determining Required Lenders.
          “Requirement of Law” for any Person shall mean any law, treaty, rule or regulation, or determination of a Governmental Authority having the force of law, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

22


 

          “Responsible Officer” shall mean any of the president, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or a vice president of the Borrowers or such other representative of the Borrowers as may be designated in writing by any one of the foregoing with the consent of the Administrative Agent; provided, that, with respect to the financial covenants and Compliance Certificate, Responsible Officer shall mean only the chief financial officer or the treasurer of the Borrowers.
          “Restricted Payment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.
          “Restricted Subsidiaries” shall mean all Subsidiaries other than the Unrestricted Subsidiary.
          “Revolving Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the amount set forth with respect to such Lender on Schedule II, as such schedule may be amended pursuant to Section 2.21, or in the case of a Person becoming a Lender after the Closing Date through an assignment of an existing Revolving Commitment, the amount of the assigned “Revolving Commitment” as provided in the Assignment and Acceptance executed by such Person as an assignee, as the same may be increased or decreased pursuant to terms hereof.
          “Revolving Credit Exposure” shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans.
          “Revolving Credit Note” shall mean a promissory note of the Borrowers payable to a requesting Lender in the principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, in substantially the form of Exhibit C.
          “Revolving Loan” shall mean a loan made by a Lender to the Borrowers under its Revolving Commitment, which may either be a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.
          “S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s, a Division of the McGraw-Hill Companies.
          “SAP” shall mean, with respect to any Regulated Insurance Company, the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority in the state in which such Regulated Insurance Company is domiciled for the preparation of Annual Statements and other financial reports by insurance companies of the same type as such Regulated Insurance Company in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with those used in preparing the Statutory Financial Statements referred to in Section 4.5.
          “Sanctioned Country” shall mean a country subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sanctions/index.html, or as otherwise published from time to time.
          “Sanctioned Person” shall mean (i) a Person named on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” maintained by OFAC available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sdn/index.html, or as otherwise published from time to

23


 

time, or (ii) (A) an agency of the government of a Sanctioned Country, (B) an organization controlled by a Sanctioned Country, or (C) a person resident in a Sanctioned Country, to the extent subject to a sanctions program administered by OFAC.
          “Security Agreement” shall mean the Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof and substantially in the form of Exhibit D, made by the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Loan Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
          “Security Documents” shall mean the Pledge Agreement, the Security Agreement and each of the security agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant thereto or pursuant to Section 5.10 and/or Section 5.11.
          “Senior Leverage Ratio” shall mean, as of any date, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Senior Debt as of such date to (ii) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date.
          “South Bay Guaranty” has the meaning given such term in Section 7.1(e).
          “South Bay Investment” has the meaning given such term in Section 7.4(d)(ii).
          “Specified Transaction” means any Investment or incurrence of Indebtedness, or in the determination of the Mandatory Prepayment Percentage, in respect of which compliance with one or more financial covenants or conditions set forth in this Agreement is by the terms of this Agreement required to be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.
          “Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement” shall mean that certain Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement dated as of June 20, 2007 by an among LOTS and the purchasers party thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
          “Subordinated Debt Documents” shall mean any indenture, agreement or similar instrument governing any Permitted Subordinated Debt.
          “Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person (the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity (i) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power, or in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by the parent or one or more Subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more Subsidiaries of the parent. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Subsidiary” hereunder shall mean a Subsidiary of either Borrower.
          “Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement” shall mean the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof and substantially in the form of Exhibit E, made by all

24


 

Material Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrowers, other than the Excluded Subsidiaries, in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
          “Subsidiary Guaranty Supplement” shall mean each supplement substantially in the form of Schedule II to the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement executed and delivered by a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrowers pursuant to Section 5.10.
          “Subsidiary Loan Party” shall mean any Subsidiary that executes or becomes a party to the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement.
          “Summit Partners” shall mean Summit Partners, L.P., a limited partnership organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
          “Synthetic Lease” shall mean a lease transaction under which the parties intend that (i) the lease will be treated as an “operating lease” by the lessee pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, as amended and (ii) the lessee will be entitled to various tax and other benefits ordinarily available to owners (as opposed to lessees) of like property.
          “Synthetic Lease Obligations” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the sum of (i) all remaining rental obligations of such Person as lessee under Synthetic Leases which are attributable to principal and, without duplication, (ii) all rental and purchase price payment obligations of such Person under such Synthetic Leases assuming such Person exercises the option to purchase the lease property at the end of the lease term.
          “Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges, assessments or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
          “Total Leverage Ratio” shall mean, as of any date, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Debt as of such date to (ii) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date.
          “Treasury Management Obligationsshall mean, collectively, all obligations and other liabilities of any Loan Parties pursuant to any agreements governing the provision to such Loan Parties of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, funds transfer, purchasing card services, automated clearing house, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services.
          “Type”, when used in reference to a Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Base Rate.
          “Unrestricted Subsidiary” shall mean South Bay Acceptance Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of California.

25


 

          “Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
          Section 1.2. Accounting Terms and Determination.
          (a) Unless otherwise defined or specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) (or, if no such financial statements have been delivered, on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries last delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement); provided, that if the Borrowers notify the Administrative Agent that the Borrowers wish to amend any covenant in ARTICLE VI to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers that the Required Lenders wish to amend ARTICLE VI for such purpose), then the Borrowers’ compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Borrowers and the Required Lenders. The parties hereto hereby agree to negotiate in good faith to amend such covenant to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change to GAAP. Furthermore, the Borrowers hereby agree that any election pursuant to FASB Statement No. 159 shall be disregarded for all purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, for calculating financial ratios herein and determining compliance with the financial covenants herein.
          (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, financial ratios and other financial calculations pursuant to this Agreement and any other Loan Document shall, following the consummation of any Specified Transaction, be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis until the completion of four full fiscal quarters following such Specified Transaction.
          Section 1.3. Terms Generally.
          The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to but excluding”. Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as it was originally executed or as it may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (iii) the words “hereof”, “herein” and

26


 

“hereunder” and words of similar import shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement; (v) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. To the extent that any of the representations and warranties contained in ARTICLE IV under this Agreement is qualified by “Material Adverse Effect”, then the qualifier “in all material respects” contained in Section 8.1(c) shall not apply. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to time are references to Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Savings Time, as the case may be. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all references to dollar amounts shall mean Dollars. In determining whether any individual event, act, condition or occurrence of the foregoing types could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, notwithstanding that a particular event, act, condition or occurrence does not itself have such effect, a Material Adverse Effect shall be deemed to have occurred if the cumulative effect of such event, act, condition or occurrence and all other such events, acts, conditions or occurrences of the foregoing types which have occurred could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE II
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS
          Section 2.1. General Description of Facilities.
          Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Lenders hereby establish in favor of the Borrowers a revolving credit facility pursuant to which each Lender severally agrees (to the extent of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment) to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.2, provided, that in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans exceed at any time the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount from time to time in effect.
          Section 2.2. Revolving Loans.
          Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Loans, ratably in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, to the Borrowers, from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or (b) the sum of the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders exceeding the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount. During the Availability Period, the Borrowers shall be entitled to borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided, that the Borrowers may not borrow or reborrow should there exist a Default or Event of Default.

27


 

          Section 2.3. Procedure for Revolving Borrowings.
          The Borrowers shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Revolving Borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3 (a “Notice of Revolving Borrowing”) (x) prior to 11:00 a.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of each Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 11:00 a.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of each Eurodollar Borrowing. Each Notice of Revolving Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify: (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Borrowing, (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the Type of such Revolving Loan comprising such Borrowing and (iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the duration of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto (subject to the provisions of the definition of Interest Period). Each Revolving Borrowing shall consist entirely of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, as the Borrowers may request. The aggregate principal amount of each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be not less than $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000, and the aggregate principal amount of each Base Rate Borrowing shall not be less than $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000. At no time shall the total number of Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding at any time exceed eight. Promptly following the receipt of a Notice of Revolving Borrowing in accordance herewith, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loan to be made as part of the requested Revolving Borrowing.
          Section 2.4. Funding of Borrowings.
          (a) Each Lender will make available each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer in immediately available funds by 11:00 a.m. to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrowers by promptly crediting the amounts that it receives, in like funds by the close of business on such proposed date, to an account maintained by the Borrowers with the Administrative Agent or at the Borrowers’ option, by effecting a wire transfer of such amounts to an account designated by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent.
          (b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to 5:00 p.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the date of a Borrowing in which such Lender is to participate that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance on such assumption, may make available to the Borrowers on such date a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender on the date of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate until the second Business Day after such demand and thereafter at the Base Rate. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers, and the Borrowers shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent together with interest at the rate specified for such Borrowing. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fund its

28


 

Pro Rata Share of any Borrowing hereunder or to prejudice any rights which the Borrowers may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.
          (c) All Revolving Borrowings shall be made by the Lenders on the basis of their respective Pro Rata Shares. No Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligations hereunder, and each Lender shall be obligated to make its Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to make its Loans hereunder.
          Section 2.5. Interest Elections.
          (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing, and in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Notice of Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrowers may elect to convert such Borrowing into a different Type or to continue such Borrowing, and in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.6. The Borrowers may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
          (b) To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.5, the Borrowers shall give the Administrative Agent prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5 attached hereto (a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) that is to be converted or continued, as the case may be, (x) prior to 10:00 a.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of a conversion into a Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 11:00 a.m. three (3) Business Days prior to a continuation of or conversion into a Eurodollar Borrowing. Each such Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the Borrowing to which such Notice of Conversion/Continuation applies and if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof that are to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing); (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Notice of Conversion/Continuation, which shall be a Business Day, (iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be a Base Rate Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of “Interest Period”. If any such Notice of Conversion/Continuation requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. The principal amount of any resulting Borrowing shall satisfy the minimum borrowing amount for Eurodollar Borrowings and Base Rate Borrowings set forth in Section 2.3.
          (c) If, on the expiration of any Interest Period in respect of any Eurodollar Borrowing, the Borrowers shall have failed to deliver a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Borrowing to a Base Rate Borrowing. No Borrowing may be converted into, or continued as, a Eurodollar Borrowing if an Event of Default exists, unless the

29


 

Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders shall have otherwise consented in writing. No conversion of any Eurodollar Loans shall be permitted except on the last day of the Interest Period in respect thereof.
          (d) Upon receipt of any Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.
          Section 2.6. Optional Reduction and Termination of Revolving Commitments.
          (a) Unless previously terminated, all Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.
          (b) Upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be irrevocable), the Borrowers may reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in part or terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in whole; provided, that (i) any partial reduction shall apply to reduce proportionately and permanently the Revolving Commitment of each Lender, (ii) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be in an amount of at least $1,000,000 and any larger multiple of $500,000 and (iii) no such reduction shall be permitted which would reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount to an amount less than the outstanding Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders.
          (c) The Borrowers may terminate (on a non-ratable basis) the unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of a Defaulting Lender upon not less than five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly notify the Lenders thereof), and in such event the provisions of Section 2.20 will apply to all amounts thereafter paid by the Borrowers for the account of any such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnity or other amounts), provided that such termination will not be deemed to be a waiver or release of any claim the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender.
          Section 2.7. Repayment of Loans.
          The outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans shall be due and payable (together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon) on the Maturity Date.
          Section 2.8. Evidence of Indebtedness.
          (a) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice appropriate records evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable thereon and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall maintain appropriate records in which shall be recorded (i) the Revolving Commitment of each Lender, (ii) the amount of each Loan made hereunder by each Lender, the Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the date of each continuation thereof pursuant to Section 2.5, (iv) the date of each conversion of all or a portion

30


 

thereof to another Type pursuant to Section 2.5, (v) the date and amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrowers to each Lender hereunder in respect of such Loans and (vi) both the date and amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrowers in respect of the Loans and each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof. The entries made in such records shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrowers therein recorded; provided, that the failure or delay of any Lender or the Administrative Agent in maintaining or making entries into any such record or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Loans (both principal and unpaid accrued interest) of such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
          (b) At the request of any Lender at any time, the Borrowers agree that they will execute and deliver to such Lender a Revolving Credit Note, payable to the order of such Lender.
          Section 2.9. Optional Prepayments.
          The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, by giving irrevocable written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent no later than (i) in the case of prepayment of any Eurodollar Borrowing, 11:00 a.m. not less than three (3) Business Days prior to any such prepayment and (ii) in the case of any prepayment of any Base Rate Borrowing, not less than one Business Day prior to the date of such prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the proposed date of such prepayment and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any such prepayment. If such notice is given, the aggregate amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date designated in such notice, together with accrued interest to such date on the amount so prepaid in accordance with Section 2.11(c); provided, that if a Eurodollar Borrowing is prepaid on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrowers shall also pay all amounts required pursuant to Section 2.17. Each partial prepayment of any Loan shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type pursuant to Section 2.3. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.
          Section 2.10. Mandatory Prepayments.
          (a) Within 5 Business Days of receipt by a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of proceeds of any sale or disposition by such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary of any of their assets, or receipt of proceeds of any casualty or condemnation loss of any Collateral or other assets of any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding (i) sales permitted by Section 7.6(b), Section 7.6(c), Section 7.6(d), Section 7.6(f), Section 7.6(g) and Section 7.6(h), (ii) sales of assets the proceeds of which are reinvested in assets of a kind then used or useful in the business of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries within 180 days after such assets are sold or disposed of; provided, however, that the proceeds from the sale of any Subsidiary, line of business, fixed assets or operating assets shall not be reinvested in

31


 

Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments that are acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition)), the Borrowers shall prepay the Loans in an amount equal to all such proceeds, net of (i) commissions and other reasonable and customary transaction costs, fees and expenses properly attributable to such transaction and payable by such Borrower in connection therewith (in each case, paid to non-Affiliates) and (ii) Taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any tax sharing arrangements) and, with respect to any such proceeds received by a Foreign Subsidiary, the amount of any Taxes that are reasonably estimated to be payable by any applicable Affiliate as a result of the repatriation of such proceeds; provided, however so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such net proceeds in an amount of up to $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year shall not be required to prepay the Loans. Any such prepayment under this clause (a) shall be applied in accordance with paragraph (c) below.
          (b) If either Borrower or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries issues any debt or equity securities (other than (i) Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.1, (ii) equity securities issued by a Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrowers as all or a portion of the consideration to be paid in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, (iii) proceeds from the issuance of equity securities that are applied to the repayment of the Fortegra Preferred Stock and Indebtedness outstanding under the Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, (iv) equity securities issued to Summit Partners its Affiliates, or other Persons co-investing in Fortegra with Summit Partners, and (v) equity issued to senior management of the Borrowers), then no later than the fifth Business Day following the date of receipt of the proceeds thereof, the Borrowers shall prepay the Loans in an amount equal to the Mandatory Prepayment Percentage of all such proceeds, net of (x) underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs paid to non-Affiliates in connection therewith and (y) with respect to any such proceeds received by a Foreign Subsidiary, the amount of any Taxes that are reasonably estimated to be payable by any applicable Affiliate as a result of the repatriation of such proceeds. Any such prepayment under this clause (b) shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.10(c).
          (c) Any prepayments made by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.10(a) or (b) above shall be applied by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to Administrative Agent’s fees and reimbursable expenses then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents; second, to all other fees and reimbursable expenses of the Lenders then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, pro rata to the Lenders based on their respective Pro Rata Shares of such fees and expenses; third, to interest then due and payable on the Loans made to Borrowers, pro rata to the Lenders based on their respective Revolving Commitments; and fourth, to the principal balance of the Loans, until the same shall have been paid in full, pro rata to the Lenders based on their respective Revolving Commitments. The Revolving Commitments of the Lenders shall not be permanently reduced by the amount of any prepayments made pursuant to this subsection (c).
          (d) If at any time the Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount, as reduced pursuant to Section 2.6 or otherwise, the Borrower shall immediately repay Revolving Loans in an amount equal to such excess, together with all accrued and unpaid interest on such excess amount and any amounts due under Section 2.17. Each prepayment shall be applied first to the Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof, and second to Eurodollar Loans to the full extent thereof.

32


 

          Section 2.11. Interest on Loans.
          (a) The Borrowers shall pay interest on each Base Rate Loan at the Base Rate in effect from time to time and on each Eurodollar Loan at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the applicable Interest Period in effect for such Loan, plus, in each case, the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.
          (b) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers shall pay interest (“Default Interest”) with respect to all Eurodollar Loans at the rate per annum equal to 2.0% above the otherwise applicable interest rate for such Eurodollar Loans for the then-current Interest Period until the last day of such Interest Period, and thereafter, and with respect to all Base Rate Loans and all other Obligations hereunder (other than Loans), at the rate per annum equal to 2.0% above the otherwise applicable interest rate for Base Rate Loans.
          (c) Interest on the principal amount of all Loans shall accrue from and including the date such Loans are made to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof. Interest on all outstanding Base Rate Loans shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the Maturity Date. Interest on all outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and, in the case of any Eurodollar Loans having an Interest Period in excess of three months or 90 days, respectively, on each day which occurs every three months or 90 days, as the case may be, after the initial date of such Interest Period, and on the Maturity Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be. Interest on any Loan which is converted into a Loan of another Type or which is repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such conversion or on the date of any such repayment or prepayment (on the amount repaid or prepaid) thereof. All Default Interest shall be payable on demand.
          (d) The Administrative Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to the Loans hereunder and shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of such rate in writing (or by telephone, promptly confirmed in writing). Any such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
          Section 2.12. Fees.
          (a) The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account fees in the amounts and at the times previously agreed upon in writing by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.
          (b) The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Percentage per annum (determined daily in accordance with Schedule I) on the daily amount of the unused Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the Availability Period.
          (c) The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of each Lender, the upfront fee previously agreed upon by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, which shall be due and payable on the Closing Date.

33


 

          (d) Accrued fees under paragraph (b) above shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on June 30, 2010 and on the Maturity Date (and if later, the date the Loans shall be repaid in their entirety); provided further, that any such fees accruing after the Maturity Date shall be payable on demand.
          (e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, during such period as a Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender will not be entitled to any fees accruing during such period pursuant to clause (b) of this Section (without prejudice to the rights of the Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders in respect of such fees), or any amendment fees hereafter offered to any Lender, and the pro rata payment provisions of Section 2.19 will automatically be deemed adjusted to reflect the provisions of this Section.
          Section 2.13. Computation of Interest and Fees.
          Interest hereunder based on the Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). All other computations of interest and fees hereunder shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest or fees are payable (to the extent computed on the basis of days elapsed). Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest amount or fee hereunder shall be made in good faith and, except for manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.
          Section 2.14. Inability to Determine Interest Rates.
          If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing,
     (i) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrowers) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant interbank market, adequate means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for such Interest Period, or
     (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making, funding or maintaining their (or its, as the case may be) Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period,
the Administrative Agent shall give written notice (or telephonic notice, promptly confirmed in writing) to the Borrowers and to the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. Until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders to make Eurodollar Revolving Loans or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended and (ii) all such affected Loans shall be converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto unless the Borrowers prepay such Loans in accordance with this Agreement. Unless the Borrowers notify the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day before the date of any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing for which a

34


 

Notice of Revolving Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation has previously been given that it elects not to borrow on such date, then such Revolving Borrowing shall be made as a Base Rate Borrowing.
          Section 2.15. Illegality.
          If any Change in Law shall make it unlawful or impossible for any Lender to make, maintain or fund any Eurodollar Loan and such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrowers and the other Lenders, whereupon until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the obligation of such Lender to make Eurodollar Revolving Loans, or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into Eurodollar Loans, shall be suspended. In the case of the making of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, such Lender’s Revolving Loan shall be made as a Base Rate Loan as part of the same Revolving Borrowing for the same Interest Period and if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then outstanding, such Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan either (i) on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Loan to such date or (ii) immediately if such Lender shall determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loan to such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the affected Lender shall, prior to giving such notice to the Administrative Agent, designate a different Applicable Lending Office if such designation would avoid the need for giving such notice and if such designation would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in the good faith exercise of its discretion.
          Section 2.16. Increased Costs.
          (a) If any Change in Law shall:
     (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Adjusted LIBO Rate hereunder against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate); or
     (ii) [Intentionally Deleted.]; or
     (iii) impose on any Lender or the eurodollar interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or any Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender (other than one relating to Taxes);
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining a Eurodollar Loan or to increase the cost to such Lender or to reduce the amount received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then the Borrowers shall promptly pay, upon written notice from and demand by such Lender on the Borrowers (with a copy of such notice and demand to the Administrative Agent), to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, within five Business Days after the date of such notice and demand, additional amount or amounts sufficient

35


 

to compensate such Lender, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
          (b) If any Lender shall have determined that on or after the date of this Agreement any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital (or on the capital of the Parent Company of such Lender) as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or the Parent Company of such Lender could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies or the policies of the Parent Company of such Lender with respect to capital adequacy) then, from time to time, within five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Borrowers of written demand by such Lender (with a copy thereof to the Administrative Agent), the Borrowers shall pay to such Lender such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Parent Company of such Lender for any such reduction suffered.
          (c) A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Parent Company of such Lender, specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.16 shall be delivered to the Borrowers (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay any such Lender, as the case may be, such amount or amounts within 10 days after receipt thereof.
          (d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation.
          Section 2.17. Funding Indemnity.
          In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of a Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion or continuation of a Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure by the Borrowers to borrow, prepay, convert or continue any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any applicable notice (regardless of whether such notice is withdrawn or revoked), or (d) a reallocation of Loans among the Lenders by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.21(f), then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender, within five (5) Business Days after written demand from such Lender, for any loss, cost or expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (A) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan if such event had not occurred at the Adjusted LIBO Rate applicable to such Eurodollar Loan for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan) over (B) the amount of interest that would accrue on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan for the same period if the Adjusted LIBO Rate were set on the date such Eurodollar Loan was prepaid or converted or the date on which the Borrowers failed to borrow, convert or continue such Eurodollar Loan. A certificate as to any additional amount payable under this Section 2.16 submitted to the Borrowers by any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

36


 

          Section 2.18. Taxes.
          (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided, that if the Borrowers shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes) the Administrative Agent or any Lender (as the case may be) shall receive an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrowers shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrowers shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
          (b) In addition, the Borrowers shall pay, without duplication, any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
          (c) The Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, twenty (20) Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.18) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment delivered to the Borrowers by a Lender, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided, however, that as soon as practicable after any payment of such Indemnified Taxes by such Lender or the Administrative Agent to any Governmental Authority, such Lender or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrowers, as soon as reasonably practicable, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrowers. The Lender or the Administrative Agent shall cooperate with any reasonable request by the Borrowers to challenge the assertion by any Governmental Authority of any liability for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes.
          (d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrowers to a Governmental Authority, the Borrowers shall, to the extent available to the Borrowers, deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
          (e) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the Code or any treaty to which the United States is a party, with respect to payments under the Loan Documents shall deliver to the Borrowers (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by

37


 

the Borrowers as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Foreign Lender agrees that it will deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers (or in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased and to the Administrative Agent), as appropriate, two (2) duly completed originals of (i) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 ECI, or any successor form thereto, certifying that the payments received from the Borrowers under the Loan Documents are effectively connected with such Foreign Lender’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States; or (ii) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 BEN, or any successor form thereto, certifying that such Foreign Lender is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party which eliminates or reduces the rate of withholding tax on payments of interest; or (iii) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 BEN, or any successor form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, together with a certificate (A) establishing that the payment to the Foreign Lender qualifies as “portfolio interest” exempt from U.S. withholding tax under Code section 871(h) or 881(c), and (B) stating that (1) the Foreign Lender is not a bank for purposes of Code section 881(c)(3)(A), or the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder is not, with respect to such Foreign Lender, a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business, within the meaning of that section; (2) the Foreign Lender is not a 10% shareholder of the Borrowers within the meaning of Code section 871(h)(3) or 881(c)(3)(B); and (3) the Foreign Lender is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to the Borrowers within the meaning of Code section 881(c)(3)(C); or (iv) such other Internal Revenue Service forms as may be applicable to the Foreign Lender, including Forms W-8 IMY (including all required statements) or W-8 EXP. Each non-Foreign Lender agrees that it will deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers (or in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased and to the Administrative Agent), as appropriate, two (2) duly completed originals of Form W-9, or any successor form thereto, certifying that such non-Foreign Lender is entitled to an exemption from U.S. backup withholding tax. Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent such forms required to be delivered to it by this Section 2.18(e) on or before the date that it becomes a party to this Agreement (or in the case of a Participant, on or before the date such Participant purchases the related participation). In addition, each Lender shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent such forms promptly upon (i) the obsolescence, expiration, or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Lender and (ii) the reasonable request from a Borrower or the Administrative Agent from time to time. Each such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent at any time that it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrowers (or any other form of certification adopted by the Internal Revenue Service for such purpose).
          (f) If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Borrower or with respect to which the Borrowers have paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.18, the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall pay to the Borrowers an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrowers under this Section 2.18 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that the Borrowers, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agree to repay the amount paid

38


 

over to the Borrowers (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such authority. This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information that it deems confidential) to the Borrowers or any other person.
          Section 2.19. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.
          (a) The Borrowers shall make each payment required to be made by them hereunder (whether of principal, interest or fees, or of amounts payable under Section 2.16, Section 2.17 or Section 2.18, or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon on the date when due, in immediately available funds, free and clear of any defenses, rights of set-off, or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office, except that payments pursuant to Section 2.16, Section 2.17 and Section 2.18 and Section 10.3 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be made payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.
          (b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to the fees and reimbursable expenses of the Administrative Agent then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, (ii) second, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, (iii) third, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties, and (iv) last, towards payment of all other Obligations then due, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of such Obligations then due to such parties.
          (c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans that would result in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided, that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any

39


 

payment made by the Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrowers consent to the foregoing and agree, to the extent they may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrowers rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation.
          (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrowers prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, as the case may be, the amount or amounts due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
          Section 2.20. Payments to Defaulting Lenders.
          Any amount paid by the Borrower for the account of a Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnity payments or other amounts) will not be paid or distributed to such Defaulting Lender, but will instead be retained by the Administrative Agent in a segregated non-interest bearing account until the termination of the Revolving Commitments at which time the funds in such account will be applied by the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in the following order of priority: first to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, second to the payment of post-default interest and then current interest due and payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders, ratably among them in accordance with the amounts of such interest then due and payable to them, third to the payment of fees then due and payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders hereunder, ratably among them in accordance with the amounts of such fees then due and payable to them, fourth to the ratable payment of other amounts then due and payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders, and fifth to pay amounts owing under this Agreement to such Defaulting Lender or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.
          Section 2.21. Increase of Revolving Commitments; Additional Lenders.
          (a) So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, from time to time after the Closing Date, Borrowers may, upon at least 30 days’ written notice (other than in respect of increases by the Existing Lender) to the Administrative Agent (who

40


 

shall promptly provide a copy of such notice to each Lender), propose to increase the Aggregate Revolving Commitments by an amount not to exceed $50,000,000 (the amount of any such increase, the “Additional Commitment Amount”). Each Lender shall have the right for a period of 15 days (or 3 days in respect of increases by the Existing Lender) following receipt of such notice, to elect by written notice to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, to increase its Revolving Commitment by a principal amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Additional Commitment Amount. No Lender (or any successor thereto) shall have any obligation to increase its Revolving Commitment or its other obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and any decision by a Lender to increase its Revolving Commitment shall be made in its sole discretion independently from any other Lender.
          (b) If any Lender shall not elect to increase its Revolving Commitment pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 2.21 or shall fail to respond to the Borrowers’ requested increase pursuant to the time period set forth in such subsection , the Borrowers may designate another bank or other financial institution (which may be, but need not be, one or more of the existing Lenders) which at the time agrees to, in the case of any such Person that is an existing Lender, increase its Revolving Commitment and in the case of any other such Person (an “Additional Lender”), become a party to this Agreement; provided, however, that any new bank or financial institution other than the Existing Lender must be acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The sum of the increases in the Revolving Commitments of the existing Lenders pursuant to this subsection (b) plus the Revolving Commitments of the Additional Lenders shall not in the aggregate exceed the unsubscribed amount of the Additional Commitment Amount.
          (c) The Additional Commitment Amount of any Lender or any Additional Lender shall mature no earlier than the Maturity Date and the combination of the interest rate applicable to, and any upfront fees (other than arrangement fees payable to the Arranger, if any) payable in connection with, such Additional Commitment Amount (as agreed by the Administrative Agent and Borrowers) shall not be greater than the pricing (including interest and fees) of the existing Revolving Commitments unless the pricing of the existing Revolving Commitments is increased in a manner determined by the Administrative Agent to cause the pricing of the existing Revolving Commitments to equal the pricing of the Additional Commitment Amount.
          (d) An increase in the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.21 shall become effective upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of:
     (i) a supplement or joinder in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent executed by the Borrowers and by each Additional Lender and by each other Lender whose Revolving Commitment is to be increased, setting forth the new Revolving Commitments of such Lenders and setting forth the agreement of each Additional Lender to become a party to this Agreement and to be bound by all the terms and provisions hereof, together with Notes evidencing such increase in the Revolving Commitments,

41


 

     (ii) evidence of appropriate corporate authorization on the part of the Borrowers with respect to the increase in the Revolving Commitments, and
     (iii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrowers to the effect that (A) the conditions set forth in Section 3.2(a), (b) and (c) will be satisfied before and after giving effect to the increase of the Revolving Commitment provided for under this Section and (B) after giving effect to such increase and the payment of any related fees, the Borrower would be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants set forth in ARTICLE VI (after giving effect to any Borrowings to be made on the date that the increase in the Revolving Commitments becomes effective).
          (e) Upon the acceptance of any such agreement by the Administrative Agent, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount shall automatically be increased by the amount of the Revolving Commitments added through such agreement and Schedule II shall automatically be deemed amended to reflect the Revolving Commitments of all Lenders after giving effect to the addition of such Revolving Commitments.
          (f) Upon any increase in the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.21 that is not pro rata among all Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall reallocate on its books the Loans then outstanding among the Lenders so that, after giving effect to such reallocation, all outstanding Loans are held by the Lenders in proportion to their respective Revolving Commitments after giving effect to such increase. In the event that any of the outstanding Loans are Eurodollar Loans, the Borrowers may be required by an affected Lender to indemnify such Lender pursuant to Section 2.17.
          Section 2.22. Mitigation of Obligations.
          If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.16, or if the Borrowers are required to indemnify or pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.18, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable under Section 2.16 or Section 2.18, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) in the sole judgment of such Lender, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with such designation or assignment.
          Section 2.23. Replacement of Lenders.
          (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.16, or (b) if the Borrowers are required to indemnify or pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.18, or (c) if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, or (d) if, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver, or consent, the consent of all of the Lenders, or all of the Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby, is required pursuant to Section 10.2, and any such Lender refuses to consent to such amendment, waiver or consent as to which the Required Lenders have consented, then the

42


 

Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort (but without prejudice to any rights or remedies the Borrowers may have against such Defaulting Lender), upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 10.4(b)) all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender but excluding any Defaulting Lender); provided, that (i) the Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of all Loans owed to it, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (in the case of such outstanding principal and accrued interest) and from the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of a claim for compensation under Section 2.16 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.18, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS
          Section 3.1. Conditions To Effectiveness.
          The obligations of the Lenders to make the initial Loans hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.2).
          (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received payment of all fees, expenses and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent to the extent received on or prior to the Closing Date) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrowers hereunder, under any other Loan Document and under any agreement with the Administrative Agent or the Arranger (including the Fee Letter).
          (b) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received the following, each to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
     (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed by or on behalf of each party hereto or written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement;
     (ii) duly executed Revolving Credit Notes payable to each Lender;

43


 

     (iii) the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement duly executed by each Subsidiary Loan Party;
     (iv) copies of duly executed payoff letters, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, executed by the Existing Lender, together with (a) UCC-3 or other appropriate termination statements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, releasing all liens of the Existing Lender upon any of the personal property of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, (b) cancellations and releases, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, releasing all liens of the Existing Lender upon any of the real property of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, and (c) any other releases, terminations or other documents reasonably required by the Administrative Agent to evidence the payoff of Indebtedness owed to the Existing Lender;
     (v) the Pledge Agreement and the Security Agreement, each duly executed by the Loan Parties party thereto;
     (vi) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(vi), attaching and certifying copies of its bylaws and of the resolutions of its board of directors, or partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement, or comparable organizational documents and authorizations, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and certifying the name, title and true signature of each officer of such Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party;
     (vii) certified copies of the articles or certificate of incorporation, certificate of organization or limited partnership, or other registered organizational documents of each Loan Party, together with certificates of good standing or existence, as may be available from the Secretary of State of (x) the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and (y) each other jurisdiction where such Loan Party is required to be qualified to do business as a foreign entity and where the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
     (viii) a favorable written opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and each other Lender of (x) Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, as special counsel to the Loan Parties, and (y) Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, as special Georgia counsel to the Loan Parties, and covering such matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall reasonably request;
     (ix) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(ix), dated as of the Closing Date and signed by a Responsible Officer, certifying that, after giving effect to the funding of any initial Loan (x) no Default or Event of Default exists, (y) all representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except where such representations and warranties that are qualified by materiality, in which such case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct without qualification) and (z) since the date of the financial

44


 

statements of the Borrowers described in Section 4.4, there shall have been no change which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
     (x) a duly executed Notice of Borrowing;
     (xi) (a) copies of the audited consolidated financial statements for Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2009; (b) copies of the audited financial statements for the Unrestricted Subsidiary for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2009; and (c) the budget, income and expense projections of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries prepared on a quarterly basis for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2010;
     (xii) UCC, tax, judgment and bankruptcy lien search results with respect to each Loan Party from all appropriate jurisdictions and filing offices;
     (xiii) certified copies of all agreements, indentures or notes governing the terms of any Material Indebtedness and all other Material Agreements to which any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of its assets are bound; notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowers shall also cause to be delivered all agreements, documents and instruments relating to the financing of the Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, that the term “Material Indebtedness” as used in this clause (xiii) only, shall refer to Material Indebtedness that individually, and not in the aggregate, exceeds $5,000,000;
     (xiv) A Trademark Security Agreement executed by Fortegra and LOTSolutions, Inc., in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
     (xv) the Borrowers shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Administrative Agent either (x) a leasehold mortgage on behalf of the Lenders on the Florida Headquarters, which shall be acknowledged by the owner of such headquarters building, and, if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, a local counsel opinion, or (y) a landlord waiver and agreement with respect to the Florida Headquarters, related to, among other things, the Collateral located at the Florida Headquarters and the Lender’s access rights to such Collateral;
     (xvi) certificates of insurance issued on behalf of insurers of the Borrowers and all other Loan Parties, describing in reasonable detail the types and amounts of insurance (property and liability) maintained by the Borrowers and all other Loan Parties, naming the Administrative Agent as additional insured on liability policies and lender loss payee endorsements for property and casualty policies.
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of this Section 3.1, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 3.1, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required hereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

45


 

          (c) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the certificates, if any, representing the shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and the Security Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement endorsed in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) by the pledgor thereof.
          (d) All consents, approvals and authorizations required to be obtained under any Requirement of Law, or by any Contractual Obligation of each Loan Party, in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby shall be in full force and effect and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired, and no investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority regarding this Agreement or any transaction being financed with the proceeds hereof shall be ongoing; certified copies of all such consents, approvals and authorizations, if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent.
          (e) All actions necessary to establish to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction that the Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents will be first priority perfected Liens on the Collateral (subject only to Permitted Liens) shall have been taken; provided, that the Borrowers will not be required to perfect a Lien in Collateral to the extent that the burden or cost of perfecting such a Lien would outweigh the benefit of the security afforded thereby as determined by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent and provided, further, that with respect to any Collateral the Lien in which may not be perfected by filing of a UCC financing statement, if the perfection of the security interest in such Collateral may not be accomplished prior to the Closing Date after use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so, then delivery of documents and instruments for perfection of such security interest shall not constitute a condition precedent under Section 3.1 so long as the Borrowers agree to deliver or cause to be delivered such documents and instruments, and take or cause to be taken such other actions as may be required by the Administrative Agent to perfect such security interests, and the Borrowers further agree to take or cause to be taken any other actions set forth on Schedule 3.1, within the time frames set forth on Schedule 3.1, and the failure to deliver such documents or instruments or to take or cause to be taken such other actions within such time frame shall be an immediate and automatic Event of Default.
          (f) The Indebtedness under the Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement shall have been either (i) paid in full with the proceeds of Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement (other than the proceeds of Loans); provided that the maturity of such Indebtedness shall not be earlier than 180 days after the third anniversary of the Closing Date, or (ii) the maturity date of such Indebtedness shall have been otherwise extended to no earlier than 180 days after the third anniversary of the Closing Date.
          Section 3.2. Each Credit Event.
          The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

46


 

          (a) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing, no Default or Event of Default shall exist;
          (b) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing before and after giving effect thereto, (except (i) for those representations and warranties that are qualified by materiality, in which such case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct without qualification and (ii) to the extent that such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date (in which event such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date));
          (c) since the date of the financial statements of the Borrowers described in Section 4.4, there shall have been no change which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
          (d) the Borrowers shall have delivered the required Notice of Borrowing.
          Each Borrowing shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 3.2.
          Section 3.3. Delivery of Documents.
          All of the Loan Documents, certificates, legal opinions and other documents and papers referred to in this ARTICLE III, unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of each of the Lenders and, except for the Notes, in sufficient counterparts or copies for each of the Lenders and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory in all respects to the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
          The Borrowers represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and each Lender as follows:
          Section 4.1. Existence; Power.
          Each Borrower and each of their Restricted Subsidiaries (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted, and (iii) is duly qualified to do business, and is in good standing (if applicable), in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except, in the case of either of clauses (ii) or (iii), where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

47


 

          Section 4.2. Organizational Power; Authorization.
          The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party are within such Loan Party’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational, and if required, shareholder, partner or member, action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrowers, and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, valid and binding obligations of the Borrowers or such Loan Party (as the case may be), enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.
          Section 4.3. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts.
          The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrowers of this Agreement, and by each Loan Party of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any action by, any Governmental Authority, except (i) those as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect (ii) recordings and filings in connection with the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent under the Security Documents, (b) will not violate any Requirements of Law applicable to the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries or any judgment, order or ruling of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a breach or default under any Material Agreement or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, except Liens (if any) created under the Loan Documents.
          Section 4.4. Financial Statements.
          The Borrowers have furnished to each Lender the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as of such dates and the consolidated results of operations for such periods in conformity with GAAP consistently applied, subject to year end audit adjustments. Since December 31, 2009, there have been no changes with respect to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries which have had or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 4.5. Statutory Financial Statements.
          The Annual Statement of each of the Regulated Insurance Companies (including, without limitation, the provisions made therein for investments and the valuation thereof, reserves, policy and contract claims and statutory liabilities) as filed with the Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority of the state in which such Regulated Insurance Company is

48


 

domiciled and delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, as of and for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2009 have been prepared in accordance with SAP consistently applied. Each such Annual Statement was in material compliance with applicable law when filed.
          Section 4.6. Litigation and Environmental Matters.
          (a) No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrators or Governmental Authorities is pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened against or affecting the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries (i) as to which could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) which questions the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
          (b) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Environmental Laws, which compliance includes obtaining, maintaining and complying with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, and (ii) none of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries (x) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (y) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (z) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.
          Section 4.7. Compliance with Laws and Agreements.
          Each Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary is in compliance with (a) all Requirements of Law and all judgments, decrees and orders of any Governmental Authority and (b) all Material Agreements, except, in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), where non-compliance, either singly or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 4.8. Insurance Licenses.
          To the extent required by applicable law, each Regulated Insurance Company holds a License and is authorized to transact insurance business in (i) the line or lines of insurance it is engaged in and (ii) the state, states or jurisdictions it transacts business in, except to the extent that the failure to have such a License or authority could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No such License, the loss of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, is the subject of a proceeding for suspension, limitation or revocation. To the Borrowers’ knowledge, no such suspension, limitation or revocation has been threatened by any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental Authority. The Regulated Insurance Companies do not transact any business, directly or indirectly, requiring any license, permit, governmental approval, consent or other authorization other than those currently obtained, except to the extent of which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Affect.

49


 

          Section 4.9. Investment Company Act, Etc.
          None of the Borrowers nor any of their Restricted Subsidiaries is (a) an “investment company” or is “controlled” by an “investment company”, as such terms are defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (b) otherwise subject to any other regulatory scheme limiting its ability to incur debt or requiring any approval or consent from or registration or filing with, any Governmental Authority in connection therewith.
          Section 4.10. Taxes.
          The Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries have timely filed or caused to be filed all Federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns that are required to be filed by them, and have paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns or on any assessments made against it or its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority, except (i) where the same (a) are not overdue or (b) are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (ii) where the failure to file or pay could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such taxes are adequate (determined based on GAAP), and no tax liabilities that could be materially in excess of the amount so provided are anticipated with respect to the periods covered by such charges, accruals or reserves at the time such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary establishes such charges, accruals and reserves.
          Section 4.11. Margin Regulations.
          None of the proceeds of any of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for “purchasing” or “carrying” any “margin stock” with the respective meanings of each of such terms under Regulation U or for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulation T, U or X. None of the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying “margin stock.”
          Section 4.12. ERISA.
          (a) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The “benefit obligations” of all Plans did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the “fair market value of the assets” of such Plans by more than $2,500,000. No event has occurred since the issuance of such financial statements that would cause the “benefit obligations” of all Plans to exceed the “fair market value of the assets” of such Plans by the dollar amount specified in the previous sentence. The terms “benefit obligations” and “fair market value of assets” shall be determined by and with such terms defined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158.

50


 

          (b) Each Employee Benefit Plan is in compliance except as could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with the applicable provisions ERISA, the Code and other Requirements of Law. Except with respect to Multiemployer Plans, each Qualified Plan has received a favorable determination from the IRS and each such Qualified Plan is in compliance with Revenue Procedure 2007-44. To the best of Borrowers’ knowledge, no event has occurred which would cause the loss of the Borrowers’ or any ERISA Affiliate’s reliance on the Qualified Plan’s favorable determination letter or opinion letter.
          (c) With respect to any Employee Benefit Plan that is a retiree welfare benefit arrangement, all amounts have been accrued on the Borrowers’ financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106.
          (d) Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) there are no pending or to the best of the Borrowers’ knowledge, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits or action by any Governmental Authority with respect to a Employee Benefit Plan; (ii) there are no violations of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan; and (iii) none of the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a non-exempt “prohibited transaction,” as defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan, that would subject the Borrowers to a tax on prohibited transactions imposed by Section 502(i) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
          Section 4.13. Ownership of Property.
          (a) Each of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to, or valid leasehold interests in (pursuant to valid and subsisting leases that are in full force), all of its real and personal property material to the operation of its business, in each case free and clear of Liens prohibited by this Agreement.
          (b) Each of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed, or otherwise has the right, to use, all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and other intellectual property material to its business as currently conducted, and the use thereof by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries does not infringe in any material respect on the rights of any other Person, in each case, other than to the extent that the failure to obtain any such rights or any such infringement could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
          (c) The properties of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Borrowers, in such amounts with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where either Borrower or any applicable Restricted Subsidiary operates.
          Section 4.14. Disclosure.
          As of the Closing Date, the Borrowers have disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments, and corporate or other restrictions to which the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to any of them, that,

51


 

individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports (including without limitation all reports that the Borrowers are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission or that any Regulated Insurance Company is required to filed with any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority), financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation or syndication of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by any other information so furnished), when taken as a whole, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrowers represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time (it being understood that such projections are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered thereby may differ from the projected results and that such differences may be material).
          Section 4.15. Labor Relations.
          There are no strikes, lockouts or other material labor disputes or grievances against the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, or, to the Borrowers’ knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, and no significant unfair labor practice, charges or grievances are pending against the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, or to either Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against any of them before any Governmental Authority. All payments due from the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrowers or any such Restricted Subsidiary, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 4.16. Subsidiaries.
          Schedule 4.16 sets forth the name of, the ownership interest of the Borrowers in, the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of, and the type of, each Subsidiary and identifies each Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Loan Party and/or a Regulated Insurance Company, in each case as of the Closing Date.
          Section 4.17. Insolvency.
          After giving effect to the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, the making of the Loans under this Agreement, and the repayment of the Refinanced Indebtedness, none of the Borrowers nor their Material Subsidiaries will be “insolvent,” within the meaning of such term as defined in § 101 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, or be unable to pay its debts generally as such debts become due, or have an unreasonably small capital to engage in any business or transaction, whether current or contemplated.

52


 

          Section 4.18. Subordination of Subordinated Debt.
          This Agreement, together with each of the other Loan Documents and all amendments, modifications, extensions, renewals, refinancings and refundings hereof and thereof, constitute “Senior Loan Documents” within the meaning the Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement; and the Revolving Loans and all other Obligations of the Borrowers to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Notes and all other Loan Documents, and all amendments, modifications, extensions, renewals, refundings or refinancings of any of the foregoing constitute “Senior Debt” of the Borrowers within the meaning of the Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, and the holders thereof from time to time shall be entitled to all of the rights of a holder of “Senior Debt” pursuant to the Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement.
          Section 4.19. OFAC.
          None of the Borrowers, any Subsidiary of the Borrowers or any Affiliate of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary Loan Party (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) has more than 15% of its assets in Sanctioned Countries, or (iii) derives more than 15% of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Countries. No part of the proceeds of any Loans hereunder will be used directly or indirectly to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country or for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
          Section 4.20. Patriot Act.
          Neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “enemy” or an “ally of the enemy” within the meaning of Section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as amended or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto. Neither any Loan Party nor any or its Subsidiaries is in violation of (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, (b) any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto or (c) the Patriot Act. None of the Loan Parties (i) is a blocked person described in section 1 of Executive Order 13224, signed by President George W. Bush on September 24, 2001 or (ii) to the best of its knowledge, engages in any dealings or transactions, or is otherwise associated, with any such blocked person.
          Section 4.21. Security Documents.
          (a) The Security Agreement, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) and the proceeds thereof (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles

53


 

of equity), in which a security interest may be created under the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time, and the Lien created under the Security Agreement is (or will be, upon the filing of appropriate financing statements with appropriate offices, the filings of grants of security in Intellectual Property with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the execution of appropriate control agreements and the delivery of certificated securities and instruments to the Administrative Agent) a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens specified in clauses (b) and (d) of Section 7.2.
          (b) The Pledge Agreement, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) and the proceeds thereof (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity), and, when such Collateral is delivered to the Administrative Agent, together with stock powers duly executed in blank, the Pledge Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the pledgor thereunder in such Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person.
          (c) Schedule 4.21 lists completely and correctly as of the Closing Date all real property owned by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries and the addresses thereof.
          (d) Schedule 4.21 lists completely and correctly as of the Closing Date all real property leased by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries and the addresses thereof.
          Section 4.22. Material Agreements.
          Attached hereto as Schedule 4.22 is a correct and complete list, as of the date of this Agreement, of each Material Agreement. None of the Borrowers, nor any Restricted Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, any other party thereto is in material default under any Material Agreement.
ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
          The Borrowers covenant and agree that so long as any Lender has a Revolving Commitment hereunder or any Loan Obligation remains unpaid or outstanding (other than any contingent obligations for which no claim has been asserted):
          Section 5.1. Financial Statements and Other Information.
          The Borrowers will deliver to the Administrative Agent (who will distribute to each Lender):

54


 

          (a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrowers, a copy of the annual audited report for such Fiscal Year for the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, containing a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows (together with all footnotes thereto) of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, exception or explanation and without any qualification or exception as to scope of such audit) to the effect that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and the results of operations of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;
          (b) as soon as available (i) and in any event within 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of each Regulated Insurance Company, the Annual Statement of such Regulated Insurance Company for such Fiscal Year as filed with the Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority in such Regulated Insurance Company’s state of domicile, together with the signature of the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrowers certifying that such Annual Statement presents the financial condition and results of operations of such Regulated Insurance Company in accordance with SAP, and (ii) the opinion of an independent public accountant firm of nationally recognized standing who has audited the Annual Statement referenced in clause (i) immediately above (without a “going concern” or like qualification, exception or explanation and without any qualification or exception as to scope of audit), but only to the extent such Regulated Insurance Company is required by applicable law to obtain, or otherwise elects to obtain, such an audit and opinion;
          (c) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter of the Borrowers, an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding quarter and the corresponding portion of Borrowers’ previous Fiscal Year and in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
          (d) as soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter of each Regulated Insurance Company, quarterly financial statements of such Regulated Insurance Company for such Fiscal Quarter and as filed with the Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority in such Regulated Insurance Company’s state of domicile, together with the signature of the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrowers certifying that such Annual Statement presents the financial condition and results of operations of such Regulated Insurance Company in accordance with SAP;

55


 

          (e) as soon as available, and in any event no more than 60 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrowers, an annual business plan and budget of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, including forecasts prepared by management of the Borrowers of consolidated balance sheets, statements of income or operations and cash flows, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a quarterly basis for the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year;
          (f) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (c) above, a Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.1(f) signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrowers, (i) certifying as to whether there exists a Default or Event of Default on the date of such certificate, and if a Default or an Event of Default then exists, specifying the details thereof and the action which the Borrowers have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail calculations demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in ARTICLE VI, and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or the application thereof has occurred since the date of the latest delivery of the Borrowers’ audited financial statements referred to in clause (a) above and, if any change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate; provided, however, that no action shall be required by the Borrowers under this clause (iii) to the extent any such change in GAAP or the application thereof does not affect or apply to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, including the presentation by the Borrowers of their financial statements;
          (g) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clause (a) above, a list of all sales or other dispositions of assets made pursuant to Section 7.6(i) of this Agreement by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries during the Fiscal Year most recently ended and for which the proceeds of such sales or dispositions are used to replace assets, including a description of the type of replacement assets and amount and type of other proceeds, if any, received from such sales or other dispositions;
          (h) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the results of operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
          In the event that any financial statement delivered pursuant to clauses (a) or (c) immediately above or any Compliance Certificate is shown to be inaccurate during the term of this Agreement, and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period (an “Applicable Period”) than the Applicable Margin applied for such Applicable Period, then (i) the Borrowers shall immediately deliver to the Administrative Agent a corrected Compliance Certificate for such Applicable Period, (ii) the Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period shall be determined in accordance with the corrected Compliance Certificate, and (iii) the Borrowers shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent the accrued additional interest owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly applied by the Administrative Agent to the Obligations. This Section 5.1 shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect to Section 2.11(b) and ARTICLE VIII.

56


 

          Section 5.2. Notices of Material Events.
          The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt (and, in any event, not later than three (3) Business Days after a Responsible Officer becomes aware thereof) written notice of the following:
          (a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
          (b) notwithstanding the lead-in to this Section 5.2, not later than five (5) Business Days after a Responsible Officer becomes aware thereof, written notice of the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental Authority against or, to the knowledge of either Borrower, affecting either Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and any written notice received from an Applicable Issuance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental Authority threatening any such action, suit or proceeding;
          (c) the occurrence of any event or any other development by which the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries (i) fails to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) becomes subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) receives notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability, or (iv) becomes aware of any basis for any Environmental Liability and in each of the preceding clauses, which individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
          (d) notwithstanding the lead-in to this Section 5.2, not later than five (5) Business Days after a Responsible Officer becomes aware thereof, written notice of the occurrence of any ERISA Event that alone, or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000;
          (e) the occurrence of any event of default, or the receipt by Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries of any written notice of an alleged event of default, with respect to any Material Indebtedness of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries;
          (f) the early termination or material breach by any Person of a Material Agreement (and, with respect to any Person other than a Loan Party, to the extent the Borrowers have knowledge of such termination or breach);
          (g) any litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrators or Governmental Authorities bending against, or to the knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened against or affecting the Unrestricted Subsidiary as to which could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Unrestricted Subsidiary;
          (h) notwithstanding the time period set forth in lead-in to this Section 5.2, not later than 14 days following the date that a Responsible Officer becomes aware thereof, written notice of the Unrestricted Subsidiary’s failure to comply with any Environmental law or to

57


 

obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or with approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) the Unrestricted Subsidiary’s should become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) the Unrestricted Subsidiary has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) the Unrestricted Subsidiary knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability; and
          (i) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice delivered under this Section 5.2 shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
          Section 5.3. Existence; Conduct of Business.
          The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and its respective rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business and will continue to engage in the same business as presently conducted or such other businesses that are similar, substantially related, incidental, ancillary or complementary thereto, including, without limitation, to do all things necessary to renew, extend and continue all Licenses material to their business which may at any time and from time to time be necessary for any Regulated Insurance Company to operate its business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, except, in each case above, to the extent that any failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that nothing in this Section 5.3 shall prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 7.3.
          Section 5.4. Compliance with Laws, Etc.
          The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements of any Governmental Authority applicable to its business and properties, including without limitation, all Environmental Laws, ERISA and OSHA, except where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 5.5. Payment of Obligations.
          The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge all of its obligations and liabilities (including without limitation all taxes, assessments and other government charges, levies and all other claims that could result in a statutory Lien but excluding all obligations and liabilities with respect to Indebtedness) before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a)(i) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (ii) such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (b) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

58


 

          Section 5.6. Books and Records.
          The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, keep books of record and account in which complete entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities to the extent necessary to prepare the consolidated financial statements of the Borrowers in conformity with GAAP and SAP. The principal records and books of account, including those concerning the Collateral, shall be kept at the chief executive office of the Borrowers. The Borrowers will not (x) move such records and books of account or change the name under which it does business without (i) giving the Administrative Agent at least 10 days’ prior written notice (or such shorter period to which the Administrative Agent agrees), and (ii) authorizing the filing by the Administrative Agent of financing statements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent prior to such move or change or (y) change its chief executive office without (i) giving the Administrative Agent written notice thereof within 30 days after such change (or such longer period to which the Administrative Agent agrees) and (ii) authorizing the filing by the Administrative Agent of financing statements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent prior to such change.
          Section 5.7. Visitation, Inspection, Etc.
          The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, permit any representative of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, during normal business hours and after reasonable prior notice (a) to visit and inspect its properties, to examine its books and records and to make copies and take extracts therefrom, and (b) to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its officers and with its independent certified public accountants (provided that the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower an opportunity to participate in any discussions with its accountants); provided that in the absence of the existence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall not exercise its rights under the foregoing clause (a) of this Section 5.7 more often than two times during any fiscal year and only one such time shall be at the Borrowers’ expense; provided, further, that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender and their respective designees may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrowers at any time upon reasonable prior notice.
          Section 5.8. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance.
          The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, including, without limitation, Intellectual Property, (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance with respect to its properties and business, and the properties and business of their Restricted Subsidiaries, against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, and (c) at all times shall name Administrative Agent as additional insured on all liability policies of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries and as lender loss payee with respect to property and casualty policies.

59


 

          Section 5.9. Use of Proceeds.
          The Borrowers will use the proceeds of all Loans (a) on the Closing Date to refinance Indebtedness owed to the Existing Lender and (b), on and after the Closing Date, to finance working capital needs, Permitted Acquisitions, capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that would violate any rule or regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, including Regulations T, U or X.
          Section 5.10. Additional Subsidiaries.
          If any Material Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) is acquired or formed after the Closing Date, the Borrowers will promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof and, within ten (10) Business Days after any such Material Domestic Subsidiary is acquired or formed (or such longer period to which the Administrative Agent may agree), will cause such Material Domestic Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Loan Party. A Material Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) shall become an additional Subsidiary Loan Party by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Subsidiary Guaranty Supplement, a Security Agreement and such other Security Documents as are required by Section 5.11, accompanied by (i) all other Loan Documents related thereto, (ii) certified copies of certificates or articles of incorporation or organization, by-laws, membership operating agreements, and other organizational documents, appropriate authorizing resolutions of the board of directors of such Material Domestic Subsidiary and (iii) opinions of counsel comparable to those delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(b) and such other documents, in each case, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. No Subsidiary that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party shall thereafter cease to be a Subsidiary Loan Party or be entitled to be released or discharged from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement or its respective Security Agreement, except as provided expressly in this Agreement. No Loan Party shall form or acquire a Foreign Subsidiary after the date hereof without giving prior written notice to the Administrative Agent.
          Section 5.11. Further Assurances.
          (a) The Borrowers will, and will cause each Subsidiary Loan Party to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all further action (including filing Uniform Commercial Code and other financing statements, mortgages and deeds of trust) that may be required under applicable law, or that the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in order to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and first priority (subject to Permitted Liens) of the security interests created or intended to be created by the Security Documents. In addition, with respect to any assets acquired by any Loan Party after the Closing Date of the type constituting Collateral and as to which the Administrative Agent does not have a perfected security interest, the Borrowers will, at their cost and expense, promptly secure the Obligations by pledging or creating, or causing to be pledged or created, perfected security interests with respect to such of its assets and properties as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall designate). Such security interests

60


 

and Liens will be created under the Security Documents and other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust and other instruments and documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and the Borrowers shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent all such instruments and documents (including legal opinions, title insurance policies and lien searches) as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to evidence compliance with this Section. The Borrowers agree to provide such evidence as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the perfection and priority status of each such security interest and Lien. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at the request of the Administrative Agent if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (x) neither the Borrowers nor the Guarantors will be required to provide Collateral or to perfect a security interest in any Collateral to the extent the burden or cost of obtaining or perfecting a security interest therein outweighs the benefit of the security afforded thereby as determined by both the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent or if the granting of a security interest in such Collateral would be prohibited by enforceable anti-assignment provisions of contracts or applicable law (after giving effect to relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code) and (y) no foreign law security or pledge agreements shall be required.
          (b) The Borrowers will give prompt notice to the Administrative Agent of the acquisition by the Borrowers or any of the Subsidiary Loan Parties of any fee interest in real property having a fair market value equal to or greater than $2,000,000 and, simultaneously with such acquisition. If the Borrowers or any of the Subsidiary Loan Parties shall acquire any fee-owned real property after the Closing Date with a fair market value equal to or greater than $2,000,000, then substantially simultaneously with such acquisition (or such later date to which the Administrative Agent may agree), the Borrowers shall deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent a mortgage with respect thereto, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Borrowers shall pay, or shall cause to be paid, all costs associated with the recording of the any mortgage, together with any subsequent amendments thereto, with the appropriate authorities, and shall take all other actions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to vest in Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected lien on the interest in each such parcel of real property described therein, subject to no other liens, claims or encumbrances, except for Permitted Encumbrances. At the time the Borrowers deliver, or cause to be delivered, the mortgage referenced in the immediately preceding sentence, the Borrowers shall deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent a recent appraisal, survey and policy of title insurance, insuring the Administrative Agent’s mortgagee’s interest in such fee-owned real property and a Phase I environmental audit, all of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Any policy of title insurance shall be in an amount reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall insure that such mortgage is a valid and enforceable first priority Lien on such property, free and clear of all defects, encumbrances and Liens, other than Permitted Encumbrances. The Administrative Agent shall have the right to request such title insurance commitment updates upon (i) any material modifications or amendments of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or (ii) modifications of, or improvements to, or change of ownership in, the underlying real property, and shall have the right to instruct the issuer of the title insurance commitment to set forth as added requirements such things as would be necessary to eliminate added exceptions to coverage.

61


 

ARTICLE VI
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
          The Borrowers covenant and agree that so long as any Lender has a Revolving Commitment hereunder or any Loan Obligation remains unpaid or outstanding (other than any contingent obligation for which no claim has been asserted), commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2010:
          Section 6.1. Total Leverage Ratio.
          The Borrowers will maintain, as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter, a Total Leverage Ratio of not greater than 3.50:1.00.
          Section 6.2. Senior Leverage Ratio.
          The Borrowers will maintain, as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter, a Senior Leverage Ratio of not greater than 2.50:1.00.
          Section 6.3. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
          The Borrowers will maintain, as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.25:1.00.
          Section 6.4. Reinsurance Ratio.
          The Borrowers will maintain, as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter, a Reinsurance Ratio of not less than 60%.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
          The Borrowers covenant and agree that so long as any Lender has a Revolving Commitment hereunder or any Loan Obligation remains outstanding (other than any contingent obligations for which no claim has been asserted):
          Section 7.1. Indebtedness and Preferred Equity.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
          (a) the Obligations;
          (b) Indebtedness of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 7.1 and extensions, refinancings, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount

62


 

thereof (immediately prior to giving effect to such extension, refinancing renewal or replacement) or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof;
          (c) Indebtedness of a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations, and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof; provided, that such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvements, and extensions, renewals, and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (immediately prior to giving effect to such extension, renewal or replacement) or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof; provided further, that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;
          (d) Indebtedness among the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that (i) any such Indebtedness that is owed by a Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations (it being understood that so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists, the Borrowers or such Subsidiary Loan Party may repay such Indebtedness) and (ii) any such Indebtedness owed by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 7.4;
          (e) Guarantees by a Borrower of Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and by any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of a Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary and the Guarantee by Fortegra of the Indebtedness of the Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of that certain General Continuing Guaranty dated as of June 10, 2010 (the “South Bay Guaranty”); provided, that Guarantees by any Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party shall be subject to Section 7.4;
          (f) Indebtedness of any Person which becomes a Subsidiary after the date of this Agreement; provided, (i) that such Indebtedness exists at the time that such Person becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary and (ii) immediately after such Person becomes a Subsidiary on a Pro Forma Basis, the Borrowers would be in compliance with the financial covenants in ARTICLE VI and the Administrative Agent shall have received a Compliance Certificate evidencing such compliance on a Pro Forma Basis;
          (g) Permitted Subordinated Debt;
          (h) Indebtedness in respect of Hedging Obligations permitted by Section 7.10;
          (i) Indebtedness of Borrower or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries (i) assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, provided that such Indebtedness is not incurred in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition, or (ii) owed to the seller of any property acquired in a Permitted Acquisition on an unsecured subordinated (relative to the Obligations) basis, which subordination shall be on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or (iii) obligations incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or a disposition of

63


 

assets permitted by Section 7.6, in each case under agreements providing for earn-outs, purchase price adjustments or similar adjustments that, in the case of the foregoing, are unsecured and, in the case of obligations for (x) earn-outs or (y) purchase price adjustments that may be exercisable or effective more than one year after the applicable Permitted Acquisition, are subordinated to the Obligations on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in the cases of clauses (i) through (iii) immediately above, so long as both immediately prior and after giving effect thereto, (1) no Default or Event of Default shall exist or result therefrom, and (2) Borrower and its Subsidiaries will be in compliance with Article VI on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition and the incurrence or issuance of such Indebtedness and the Administrative Agent shall have received a Compliance Certificate evidencing such compliance on a Pro Forma Basis, and any extension, refinancing renewal or replacement thereof so long as such extension, refinancing, renewal or replacement does not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof;
          (j) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation and other similar arrangements (i) to employees of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) incurred in connection with any Permitted Acquisition;
          (k) Indebtedness incurred by Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding with respect to letters of credit issued in respect of such Person’s obligations with respect to reinsurance treaties or similar obligations, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;
          (l) Indebtedness incurred in connection with installment payments in respect of the Borrowers’ or their Restricted Subsidiaries’ insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business;
          (m) Promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to the current or former officers, directors, employees or consultants (or one or more Persons which are, or are beneficially owned or controlled by, the any of the foregoing and/or any of heirs or immediate family members of any of the foregoing) of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary thereof to purchase or redeem Capital Stock, equity-related incentives, options, equity appreciation rights or similar incentive compensation thereof; provided that any such promissory note is subordinated to the Obligations under this Agreement on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
          (n) Indebtedness (other than for borrowed money) subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.2;
          (o) Paid-in-kind interest in respect of Indebtedness permitted by this Section 7.1;
          (p) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrowers and/or their Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding; and

64


 

          (q) Indebtedness (i) in respect of netting services, employee credit card programs and similar arrangements, in each case in connection with cash management or deposit accounts and (ii) with respect to overdraft protections, in the cases of clauses (i) and (ii) immediately above, incurred in the ordinary course of business.
The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, issue any preferred stock or any other preferred equity interest of the type described in clause (ix) of the definition of “Indebtedness” unless permitted by clauses (b) or (p) of this Section 7.1.
          Section 7.2. Liens.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its assets or property now owned or hereafter acquired, except for the following (collectively, “Permitted Liens”):
          (a) Liens securing the Obligations, provided, however, that no Liens may secure Hedging Obligations without securing all other Obligations on a basis at least pari passu with such Hedging Obligations and subject to the priority of payments set forth in Section 2.19 or Section 8.2;
          (b) Permitted Encumbrances;
          (c) any Liens on any property or asset of a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date set forth on Schedule 7.2; provided, that such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;
          (d) purchase money Liens upon or in any fixed or capital assets to secure the purchase price or the cost of construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets or to secure Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets (including Liens securing any Capital Lease Obligations); provided, that (i) such Lien secures Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1(c), (ii) such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently or within 90 days after the acquisition, improvement or completion of the construction thereof; (iii) such Lien does not extend to any other asset; and (iv) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets;
          (e) [Intentionally Deleted.]
          (f) [Intentionally Deleted.]
          (g) Liens on property at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property of a Person existing at the time such assets are acquired by any Loan Party, which Person is merged into or consolidated with any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens were not created in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or investment and do not extend to any assets other than the asset encumbered by such Lien (other than the proceeds or products thereof and provided that Liens incurred pursuant to multiple equipment leases that are provided by a single lessor that are otherwise permitted to be secured hereunder may be cross-collateralized so long as the Liens

65


 

securing such multiple equipment leases only attach to the assets leased under such multiple equipment leases); (ii) in the case of Liens securing Indebtedness other than purchase money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations, such Liens do not extend to the property of any Person other than the Person acquired or formed to make such acquisition and the subsidiaries of such Person and (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby (or, as applicable, any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof) is permitted under Section 7.1;
          (h) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by the Borrowers or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
          (i) Liens on (i) cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrowers or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement and (ii) advances of cash or Cash Equivalents in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 7.4 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment;
          (j) Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements (or similar filings under applicable law) relating solely to operating leases of personal property entered into the ordinary course of business;
          (k) Liens on cash collateral to secure Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.1(k);
          (l) Liens (i) of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law or contract encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off), which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry and which do not secure Indebtedness;
          (m) Liens in favor of the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.1 or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) owed by any Restricted Subsidiary to another Subsidiary;
          (n) extensions, renewals, or replacements of any Lien referred to in paragraphs (a) through (m) of this Section 7.2; provided, that the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased and that any such extension, renewal or replacement is limited to the assets originally encumbered thereby; provided, further, that Liens incurred pursuant to multiple equipment leases that are provided by a single lessor that are otherwise permitted to be secured hereunder may be cross-collateralized so long as the Liens securing such multiple equipment leases only attach to the assets leased under such equipment leases; and
          (o) other Liens to secure obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000 so long as the same does not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money.

66


 

          Section 7.3. Fundamental Changes.
          (a) The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate into any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it or liquidate or dissolve; provided, that if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge with a Person if the applicable Borrower (or such Restricted Subsidiary if a Borrower is not a party to such merger) is the surviving Person, (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge into another Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that if any party to such merger is a Subsidiary Loan Party, the Subsidiary Loan Party shall be the surviving Person and (iii) and (iv) any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Loan Party) may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrowers determine in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrowers and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided, that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 7.4.
          (b) The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than such business or line of business that is in the same or a similar, substantially related, ancillary, incidental or a complementary line of business as the business of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on the date hereof.
          Section 7.4. Investments, Loans, Acquisitions, Etc.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly-owned Subsidiary prior to such merger), any Capital Stock, evidence of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant, or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the assets or Capital Stock of a Person, or any assets of any other Person that constitute a business unit or division of any other Person, or create or form any Subsidiary (all of the foregoing being collectively called “Investments”), except:
          (a) Investments (other than Permitted Investments) existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 7.4 (including Investments in Subsidiaries);
          (b) Permitted Investments;
          (c) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties that is Guaranteed by any Loan Party shall be subject to the limitation set forth in clause (d) hereof;
          (d) (i) Investments made by the Borrowers in or to any Restricted Subsidiary and by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrowers or in or to another Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that the aggregate amount of Investments by Loan Parties in or to, and Guarantees by

67


 

Loan Parties of Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party (including all such Investments and Guarantees existing on the Closing Date) shall not exceed $7,500,000 (or such greater amount agreed to by the Administrative Agent) at any time outstanding;
               (ii) (x) the South Bay Guaranty and (y) Investments made by a Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in or to the Unrestricted Subsidiary so long as the aggregate amount of Investments by the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary in the Unrestricted Subsidiary under this clause (y) shall not exceed $8,000,000 at any time outstanding (the “South Bay Investment”);
          (e) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors of the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business for travel, relocation and related expenses and advances of payroll payments; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of all such loans and advances does not exceed $1,000,000 at any time;
          (f) Investments (including debt obligations and equity interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of any Person and in settlement of obligations of, or other disputes with, any Person arising in the ordinary course of business and upon foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;
          (g) Hedging Transactions permitted by Section 7.10;
          (h) Permitted Acquisitions;
          (i) Customary and reasonable indemnity obligations entered into in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or any disposition permitted by Section 7.6, to the extent permitted by Section 7.1(i);
          (j) Investments consisting of Liens, Indebtedness, fundamental changes or dispositions otherwise expressly permitted by Section 7.1, Section 7.2, Section 7.3 and Section 7.6;
          (k) Investments consisting of Guarantees of the obligations of others so long as (i) such Guarantees do not constitute Guarantees of Indebtedness for borrowed money and (ii) such Guarantees are entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
          (l) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 in any Fiscal Year.
          Section 7.5. Restricted Payments.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit their Restricted Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any dividend or distribution on any class of its Capital Stock, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of, any shares of Capital Stock or Indebtedness subordinated to the Obligations of the

68


 

Borrowers or any Guarantee thereof or any options, warrants, or other rights to purchase such Capital Stock or such Indebtedness, whether now or hereafter outstanding (each, a “Restricted Payment”), except that any Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary may:
          (a) make dividends payable by the Borrowers solely in shares of any class of its common stock;
          (b) make Restricted Payments payable by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrowers or to another Restricted Subsidiary, on at least a pro rata basis with any other shareholders if such Restricted Subsidiary is not wholly owned by the Borrowers and other wholly owned Restricted Subsidiaries;
          (c) distribute cash dividends and other distributions paid on the common stock of the Borrowers; provided, for the purpose of this clause (c) that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time such dividend or distribution is paid or redemption is made;
          (d) deemed repurchases of equity interests, to the extent such repurchases occur as a result of the “cashless exercise” of stock options or warrants by the holders thereof;
          (e) repay, prepay or redeem the Fortegra Preferred Stock and/or the Indebtedness outstanding under the Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement with proceeds from the issuance of equity securities by a Borrower or a direct or indirect parent entity; and
          (f) pay quarterly interest payments in respect of, and as required by, the Fortegra Preferred Stock.
          Section 7.6. Sale of Assets.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets, business or property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to any Person other than the Borrowers or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrowers (or to qualify directors if required by applicable law), except:
          (a) the sale or other disposition for fair market value of obsolete or worn out property or other property not necessary for operations or otherwise no longer useful or used in its business disposed of in the ordinary course of business;
          (b) a true lease or sublease of real property not constituting Indebtedness and not entered into as part of a sale and leaseback transaction;
          (c) sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
          (d) licenses and sublicenses of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business (including in connection with franchising activities) and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrowers and its Subsidiaries;

69


 

          (e) transfers of property subject to casualty events upon receipt of the cash proceeds of such casualty event;
          (f) dispositions in the ordinary course of business consisting of the abandonment of Intellectual Property which, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Borrowers, are not material to the conduct of the business of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries;
          (g) the sale of Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;
          (h) (i) discount the face amount of accounts receivable in connection with the collection of such accounts receivable by Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) sell accounts receivable to collection agencies, in each case in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of the Person discounting or selling such accounts receivable; and
          (i) the sale or other disposition of such assets in an aggregate amount (based on the book value of such assets) not to exceed 25% in any Fiscal Year of the book value of all of the assets of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries determined as of the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year.
          Section 7.7. Transactions with Affiliates.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrowers or such Restricted Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Borrowers and any Subsidiary Loan Party not involving any other Affiliates, (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 7.5, (d) the Fortegra Preferred Stock and the Indebtedness under the Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, (e) the South Bay Guaranty and the South Bay Investment, (f) issuances by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries of equity interests not prohibited under this Agreement, (g) reasonable and customary fees payable to any directors of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrowers) and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket costs of the directors of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrowers) in the ordinary course of business (in the case of any direct or indirect parent to the extent attributable to the operations of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries), (h) expense reimbursement and employment, severance and compensation arrangements entered into by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrowers to the extent attributable to the operations of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries) with their directors, officers, employees, in the ordinary course of business, (i) payments by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries to each other pursuant to tax sharing agreements or arrangements on reasonable and customary terms, (j) the payment of reasonable and customary indemnities to directors, officers, employees, members of management and consultants of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrowers) in

70


 

the ordinary course of business (in the case of any direct or indirect parent to the extent attributable to the operations of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries), to the extent the same is not covered by applicable director’s and officer’s insurance or other liability insurance, (k) transactions pursuant to permitted agreements in existence on the Closing Date set forth on Schedule 7.7 and any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respect, (l) loans and other transactions among the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent permitted under Section 7.1; provided that any Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated as provided in Section 7.1(d), (m) the existence of, or the performance by the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries of their obligations under the terms of any stockholders agreement, principal investors agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.7 and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Closing Date shall only be permitted by this clause (m) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respect, (o) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to directors, officers, employees, members of management or consultants of the Borrowers, any of their direct or indirect parent companies or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries which are approved by a majority of the board of directors of the Borrowers in good faith and that are permitted under Section 7.4, and (p) Investments permitted by Section 7.4(k).
          Section 7.8. Restrictive Agreements.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur or permit any Lien upon any of its assets or properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or (b) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to its Capital Stock, to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrowers or any other Restricted Subsidiary, to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrowers or any other Restricted Subsidiary or to transfer any of its property or assets to the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrowers; provided, that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to (A) restrictions or conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (B) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Restricted Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Restricted Subsidiary that is sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (C) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions and conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (D) contractual obligations binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such contractual obligations were not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary so long as such contractual obligations do not prohibit such Restricted Subsidiary from granting Liens in its assets to secure the Obligations or from Guaranteeing the Obligations, (E) restrictions on cash, other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary

71


 

course of business, (F) restrictions and conditions which exist on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 7.8 and (G) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (A) through (F) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrowers, no more restrictive with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing and (ii) clause (a) shall not apply to customary provisions in leases restricting the assignment thereof.
          Section 7.9. Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred.
          Section 7.10. Hedging Transactions.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Hedging Transaction, other than Hedging Transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities. Solely for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrowers acknowledge that a Hedging Transaction entered into for speculative purposes or of a speculative nature (which shall be deemed to include any Hedging Transaction under which the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries is or may become obliged to make any payment (i) in connection with the purchase by any third party of any Capital Stock or any Indebtedness or (ii) as a result of changes in the market value of any Capital Stock or any Indebtedness) is not a Hedging Transaction entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks.
          Section 7.11. Amendment to Material Documents.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights in any manner that is adverse in any material respect to the interests of the Lenders under (a) such Person’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents or (b) Material Agreements.
          Section 7.12. Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness.
          (a) The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to make any principal, interest or other payments on any Permitted Subordinated Debt that is not expressly permitted by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Debt Documents.

72


 

          (b) The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, agree to or permit any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of any Subordinated Debt Document if the effect of such amendment, modification or waiver is to (i) increase the interest rate on such Permitted Subordinated Debt or change (to a date earlier than six months after the Maturity Date) the dates upon which principal payments are due thereon; (ii) alter the redemption, prepayment or subordination provisions thereof; (iii) alter the covenants and events of default in a manner that would make such provisions more onerous or restrictive to the Borrowers or any such Restricted Subsidiary than is customary for senior subordinated debt securities of comparable issuers issued in the capital markets at such time and placed by nationally recognized investment banks; or (iv) otherwise increase the obligations of the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Permitted Subordinated Debt or confer additional rights upon the holders thereof which individually or in the aggregate would be materially adverse to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.
          Section 7.13. Accounting Changes.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except for changes required by GAAP, SAP or any requirement of law or changes otherwise in accordance with GAAP, SAP or any requirement of law, or change the Fiscal Year of the Borrowers or of any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, except to change the Fiscal Year of a Restricted Subsidiary to conform its fiscal year to that of the Borrowers.
          Section 7.14. Lease Obligations.
          The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or suffer to exist any obligations for the payment under operating leases or agreements to lease (but excluding any obligations under leases required to be classified as capital leases under GAAP) which would cause the present value of the direct or contingent liabilities of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries (considered on a consolidated basis under GAAP) under such leases or agreements to lease to exceed $7,500,000 (or such greater amount agreed to by the Administrative Agent) in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year.
          Section 7.15. Government Regulation.
          None of the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries will (a) be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation, or list of any Governmental Authority of the United States (including, without limitation, the U.S. Office of Foreign Asset Control list) that prohibits or limits the Lenders or the Administrative Agent from making any advance or extension of credit to the Borrowers or from otherwise conducting business with the Loan Parties, or (b) fail to provide documentary and other evidence of the identity of the Loan Parties as may be requested by the Lenders or the Administrative Agent at any time to enable the Lenders or the Administrative Agent to verify the identity of the Loan Parties or to comply with any applicable law or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 326 of the Patriot Act.

73


 

          Section 7.16. ERISA.
          The Borrowers will not and will not cause or permit any ERISA Affiliate to cause or permit to occur an ERISA Event to the extent such ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
          Section 8.1. Events of Default.
          If any of the following events (each an “Event of Default”) shall occur:
          (a) the Borrowers shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment or otherwise; or
          (b) the Borrowers shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount payable under clause (a) of this Section 8.1) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days; or
          (c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including the Schedules attached thereto) and any amendments or modifications hereof or waivers hereunder, or in any certificate, report, financial statement or other document submitted to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by any Loan Party or any representative of any Loan Party pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to be incorrect in any material respect as of the date made or deemed made or submitted; or
          (d) the Borrowers shall fail to deliver the documents or instruments, or to take or cause to be taken such actions as required by, and within the timeframes set forth on Schedule 3.1, or the Borrowers shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.2, or Section 5.3 (with respect to the Borrowers’ or any Loan Party’s existence) or ARTICLE VI or ARTICLE VII; or
          (e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (d) above) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall remain unremedied for 30 days after the earlier of (i) any Responsible Officer of the Borrowers becomes aware of such failure, or (ii) written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent; or
          (f) any Obligations fail to constitute “Senior Indebtedness” for purposes of the Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement, or any event of default (after giving effect to any grace period) shall have occurred and be continuing under the Subordinated Debt Documents that enables or permits the holder or holders thereof to cause such Permitted

74


 

Subordinated Debt to become due, or to require the prepayment or redemption thereof, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
          (g) the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary (whether as primary obligor or as guarantor or other surety) shall fail to pay any principal of, or premium or interest on, any Material Indebtedness that is outstanding, when and as the same shall become due and payable (whether at scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument evidencing or governing such Material Indebtedness; or any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to such Material Indebtedness and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Material Indebtedness; or any such Material Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid or redeemed (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or redemption), purchased or defeased, or any offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Material Indebtedness shall be required to be made, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
          (h) the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary shall (i) commence a voluntary case or other proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this Section 8.1, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for the Borrowers or any such Restricted Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or
          (i) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary or its debts, or any substantial part of its assets, under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall remain undismissed for a period of 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; or
          (j) the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary shall become unable to pay, shall admit in writing its inability to pay, or shall fail to pay, its debts as they become due; or
          (k) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000; or

75


 

          (l) any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $5,000,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance and, if covered by insurance, as to which the applicable insurance carrier has not denied coverage) in the aggregate shall be rendered against the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary, and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
          (m) any non-monetary judgment or order shall be rendered against the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
          (n) a Change in Control shall occur or exist; or
          (o) the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries shall be enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented by the order of any Governmental Authority from conducting the business of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries or from restricting the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries from making Restricted Payment and, in each case, such order shall continue in effect for more than thirty (30) days and such injunction or prevention could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
          (p) the loss, suspension or revocation of, or failure to renew, any license, permit or authorization now held or hereafter acquired by the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, or any other action shall be taken by any Governmental Authority in response to any alleged failure by the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to be in compliance with applicable law if such loss, suspension, revocation or failure to renew or other action, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or
          (q) any provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on, or enforceable against, the Loan Party party thereto (other than in accordance with its terms), or any Loan Party shall so state in writing, or any Loan Party shall seek to terminate the Loan Document to which it is a party; or
          (r) any security interest purported to be created by any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by the Borrowers or any other Loan Party not to be, a valid, perfected, first priority (except for Permitted Liens or as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Security Document) security interest in the securities, assets or properties covered thereby, except to the extent that any such loss results solely from the actions or the failure to act of the Administrative Agent; or
          (s) Fortegra shall have actual liability (as opposed to contingent) under the South Bay Guaranty in an amount exceeding $5,000,000;
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrowers described in clause (h) or (i) of this Section 8.1) and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such

76


 

event, the Administrative Agent may, and upon the written request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrowers, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Revolving Commitments, whereupon the Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the principal of and any accrued interest on the Loans, and all other Obligations owing hereunder, to be, whereupon the same shall become, due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers, (iii) exercise all remedies contained in any other Loan Document, and (iv) exercise any other remedies available at law or in equity; and that, if an Event of Default specified in either clause (h) or (i) shall occur, the Revolving Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon, and all fees, and all other Obligations shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers.
          Section 8.2. Application of Proceeds from Collateral.
          All proceeds from each sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral by the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders during the existence of an Event of Default shall be applied as follows:
          (a) first, to the reimbursable expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with such sale or other realization upon the Collateral, until the same shall have been paid in full;
          (b) second, to the fees and other reimbursable expenses of the Administrative Agent then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, until the same shall have been paid in full;
          (c) third, to all reimbursable expenses, if any, of the Lenders then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, until the same shall have been paid in full;
          (d) fourth, to the fees due and payable under clauses (b) and (c) of Section 2.12 of this Agreement and interest then due and payable under the terms of this Agreement, until the same shall have been paid in full;
          (e) fifth, to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans and, to the extent secured by Liens, the Net Mark-to-Market Exposure of the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Loan Parties, until the same shall have been paid in full, allocated pro rata among the Lenders and any Affiliates of Lenders that hold Net Mark-to-Market Exposure based on their respective pro rata shares of the aggregate amount of such Loans and Net Mark-to-Market Exposure;
          (f) sixth, to all other Obligations until the same shall have been paid in full; and
          (g) seventh, to the extent any proceeds remain, to the Borrowers or other parties lawfully entitled thereto.

77


 

All amounts allocated pursuant to the foregoing clauses second through seventh to the Lenders as a result of amounts owed to the Lenders under the Loan Documents shall be allocated among, and distributed to, the Lenders pro rata based on their respective Pro Rata Shares.
ARTICLE IX
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
          Section 9.1. Appointment of Administrative Agent.
          Each Lender irrevocably appoints SunTrust Bank as the Administrative Agent and authorizes it to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with all such actions and powers that are reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder or under the other Loan Documents by or through any one or more sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent or attorney-in-fact may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions set forth in this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent or attorney-in-fact and the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent, any such sub-agent and any such attorney-in-fact and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
          Section 9.2. Nature of Duties of Administrative Agent.
          The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except those discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.2), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it, its sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.2) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof (which notice shall include an express reference to such event being a “Default” or “Event of Default” hereunder) is given to the Administrative Agent

78


 

by the Borrowers or any Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements, or other terms and conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in ARTICLE III or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrowers) concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.
          Section 9.3. Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent.
          Each of the Lenders acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each of the Lenders also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking of any action under or based on this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Each of the Lenders acknowledges and agrees that outside legal counsel to the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration (including any amendments, waivers and consents) of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents is acting solely as counsel to the Administrative Agent and is not acting as counsel to any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates) in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
          Section 9.4. Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent.
          If the Administrative Agent shall request instructions from the Required Lenders with respect to any action or actions (including the failure to act) in connection with this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such act, unless and until it shall have received instructions from such Lenders, and the Administrative Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Administrative Agent as a result of the Administrative Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders where required by the terms of this Agreement.
          Section 9.5. Reliance by Administrative Agent.
          The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent may also rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and

79


 

believed by it to be made by the proper Person and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrowers), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.
          Section 9.6. The Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity.
          The bank serving as the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and any other Loan Document in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise or refrain from exercising the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent; and the terms “Lenders”, “Required Lenders”, “holders of Notes”, or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. The bank acting as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrowers as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
          Section 9.7. Successor Administrative Agent.
          (a) The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrowers. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent, subject to the approval by the Borrowers provided that no Default or Event of Default shall exist at such time. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed, and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or a bank which maintains an office in the United States, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000.
          (b) Upon the acceptance of its appointment as the Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. If within 45 days after written notice is given of the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation under this Section 9.7 no successor Administrative Agent shall have been appointed and shall have accepted such appointment, then on such 45th day (i) the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall become effective, (ii) the retiring Administrative Agent shall thereupon be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents and (iii) the Required Lenders shall thereafter perform all duties of the retiring Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent and its representatives and agents in respect of any actions taken or not taken by any of them while it was serving as the Administrative Agent.

80


 

          Section 9.8. Authorization to Execute other Loan Documents; Collateral.
          (a) Each Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter into each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to take all action contemplated by such Loan Documents. Each Lender agrees (except to the extent provided in Section 9.7(b) following the resignation of the Administrative Agent) that no Lender, other than the Administrative Agent acting on behalf of all Lenders, shall have the right individually to seek to realize upon the security granted by any Loan Document, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, upon the terms of the Loan Documents.
          (b) In the event that any Collateral is pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Obligations, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Lenders any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders.
          (c) The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Lien granted to or held by the Administrative Agent upon any Collateral (i) upon termination of the Revolving Commitments and payment and satisfaction of all of the Obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) as permitted by, but only in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Loan Document; (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders, unless such release is required to be approved by all of the Lenders hereunder; (iv) upon the release of a Subsidiary Loan Guaranty made or Lien granted by a Subsidiary in the case of the sale of the Subsidiary permitted by the terms of this Agreement; or (v) upon the release of any Lien on any assets which are transferred or disposed of in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this clause.
          (d) Upon any sale or transfer of assets constituting Collateral which is expressly permitted pursuant to the terms of any Loan Documents, or consented to in writing by the Required Lenders, and upon at least ten (10) Business Days’ prior written request by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Lenders to) execute such documents as may be necessary to evidence the release of the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, upon the Collateral that was sold or transferred; provided, however, that (i) the Administrative Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms which, in the Administrative Agent’s opinion, would expose the Administrative Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Liens without recourse or warranty, and (ii) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Obligations or any Liens upon (or obligations of the Borrowers or any Guarantor) in respect of all interests retained by the Borrowers or any Guarantor, including (without limitation) the proceeds of the sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.

81


 

          Section 9.9. No Other Duties, etc.
          Each Lender and the Borrowers (for themselves and the other Loan Parties) hereby agrees that the Arranger, in its capacity as such, shall not have any duties or obligations under any Loan Documents to the Borrowers, any Lender or any Loan Party.
          Section 9.10. Withholding Tax.
          To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. If the Internal Revenue Service or any authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender (because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by the Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses.
          Section 9.11. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.
          (a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any Revolving Credit Exposure shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrowers) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
     (i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans or Revolving Credit Exposure and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Section 10.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
     (ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and
          (b) Any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount

82


 

due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 10.3.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
          Section 10.1. Notices.
          (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications to any party herein to be effective shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
     
To the Borrowers:
  Fortegra Financial Corporation
LOTS Intermediate Co.
100 West Bay Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Attention: John Short
Phone Number: (904) 350-9660
Telecopy Number: (904) 354-4525
 
   
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
  Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
200 Crescent Court, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attention: Kelly M. Dybala
Phone Number: (214) 746-7898
Telecopy Number: (214) 746-7777
 
   
To the Administrative Agent:
  SunTrust Bank
303 Peachtree Street, N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Attention: W. Bradley Hamilton
Phone Number: (404) 588-8719
Telecopy Number: (404) 581-1775

83


 

     
With a copy to:
  SunTrust Bank
Agency Services
303 Peachtree Street, N. E./ 25th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Attention: Ms. Wanda Gregory
Phone Number: (404) 588-8970
Telecopy Number: (404) 724-3879
 
   
To any other Lender:
  the address set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire or the Assignment and Acceptance Agreement executed by such Lender
 
   
Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices and other communications shall, when transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for overnight (next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date deposited into the mail or if delivered, upon delivery; provided, that notices delivered to the Administrative Agent shall not be effective until actually received by the Administrative Agent at its address specified in this Section 10.1.
          (b) Any agreement of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders herein to receive certain notices by telephone, facsimile or other electronic transmission is solely for the convenience and at the request of the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the Borrowers to give such notice and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not have any liability to the Borrowers or other Person on account of any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile notice. The obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Loans and all other Obligations hereunder shall not be affected in any way or to any extent by any failure of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to receive written confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile notice or the receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of a confirmation which is at variance with the terms understood by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to be contained in any such telephonic or facsimile notice.
          (c) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to ARTICLE II unless such Lender and Administrative Agent have agreed to receive notices under such Section by electronic communication and have agreed to the procedures governing such communications. The Administrative Agent or Borrowers may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

84


 

          (d) Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.
          Section 10.2. Waiver; Amendments.
          (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or any other Loan Document, and no course of dealing between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent or any Lender, shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrowers therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 10.2, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.
          (b) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, nor consent to any departure by the Borrowers therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, that no amendment or waiver shall: (i) increase the Revolving Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment of any principal (excluding any mandatory prepayment) of, or interest on, any Loan or interest thereon or any fees hereunder or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date for the termination or reduction of any Revolving Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.19(b) or Section 2.19(c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section 10.2 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant

85


 

any consent hereunder, without the consent of each Lender; (vi) release the Borrowers or any guarantor or limit the liability of the Borrowers under the Loan Documents or any such guarantor under any guaranty agreement, without the written consent of each Lender except as otherwise permitted by Section 9.8(c); (vii) release all or substantially all Collateral securing any of the Obligations, without the written consent of each Lender; or (viii) subordinate the Loans to any other Indebtedness without the consent of all Lenders, provided further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights, duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (x) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Revolving Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated (but such Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16, Section 2.17, Section 2.18 and Section 10.3), such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein or otherwise to the contrary, any Event of Default occurring hereunder shall continue to exist (and shall be deemed to be continuing) until such time as such Event of Default is waived in writing in accordance with the terms of this Section notwithstanding (i) any attempted cure or other action taken by the Borrowers or any other Person subsequent to the occurrence of such Event of Default or (ii) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrative Agent or any Lender prior to or subsequent to the occurrence of such Event of Default (other than the granting of a waiver in writing in accordance with the terms of this Section).
          Section 10.3. Expenses; Indemnification.
          (a) The Borrowers shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers thereof (provided, that reimbursement of legal expenses shall be limited to the expenses of one counsel to the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates taken as a whole and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in any relevant and material jurisdiction), and (ii) all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel (provided, that reimbursement of legal expenses shall be limited to the expenses of one counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders taken as a whole and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in any relevant and material jurisdiction)) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 10.3, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

86


 

          (b) The Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee (provided, that reimbursement of legal expenses shall be limited to the expenses of one counsel to the Indemnitees taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel to the affected Indemnitees taken as a whole, and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in any relevant and material jurisdiction)), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrowers or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) the use by any Person of any information or materials obtained by or through SyndTrak or other internet web sites, (iv) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrowers or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrowers or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrowers or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or (z) relate to the presence or Release of Hazardous Materials or any violation of Environmental Laws that first occurs at any property after such property is transferred to an Indemnitee by means of foreclosure, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or similar transfer, and is not an Environmental Liability of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries.
          (c) The Borrowers shall pay, and hold the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders harmless from and against, any and all present and future stamp, documentary, and other similar taxes with respect to this Agreement and any other Loan Documents, any collateral described therein, or any payments due thereunder, and save the Administrative Agent and each Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay or omission to pay such taxes.
          (d) To the extent that the Borrowers fail to pay any amount required to be paid to the Administrative Agent under clauses (a), (b) or (c) hereof, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share (determined as of the time that the unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided, that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified payment, claim, damage, liability or related

87


 

expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such.
          (e) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no party hereto shall assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to actual or direct damages) arising out of, in connection with or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the transactions contemplated herein or therein, any Loan or the use of proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in paragraph (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
          (f) All amounts due under this Section 10.3 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.
          Section 10.4. Successors and Assigns.
          (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrowers may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (g) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
          (b) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
          (i) Minimum Amounts.
     (A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
     (B) in any case not described in paragraph Section 10.4(b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitment (which for this

88


 

purpose includes Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Revolving Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Acceptance, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $1,000,000 and shall be in increments of $500,000 in excess thereof, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that the Borrowers shall be deemed to have consented to any such lower amount unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within 10 Business Days after having received written notice thereof.
     (ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Revolving Commitments assigned.
     (iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph Section 10.4(b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:
     (A) the consent of the Borrowers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrowers shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within 10 Business Days after having received written notice thereof; and
     (B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments to a Person that is not a Lender with a Revolving Commitment.
     (iv) Assignment and Acceptance. The parties to each assignment shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) a duly executed Assignment and Acceptance, (B) a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (C) an Administrative Questionnaire unless the assignee is already a Lender and (D) the documents required under Section 2.18.
     (v) No Assignment to Borrowers. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrowers or any of the Borrowers’ Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
     (vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

89


 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 10.4, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16, Section 2.17, Section 2.18 and Section 10.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section 10.4. If the consent of the Borrowers to an assignment is required hereunder (including a consent to an assignment which does not meet the minimum assignment thresholds specified above), the Borrowers shall be deemed to have given its consent five Business Days after the date written notice thereof has actually been delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) to the Borrowers, unless such consent is expressly refused by the Borrowers prior to such tenth Business Day.
          (c) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices in Atlanta, Georgia a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Commitments of, and principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). Information contained in the Register with respect to any Lender shall be available for inspection by such Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice; information contained in the Register shall also be available for inspection by the Borrowers at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In establishing and maintaining the Register, the Administrative Agent shall serve as the Borrowers’ agent solely for tax purposes and solely with respect to the actions described in this Section, and the Borrowers hereby agree that, to the extent SunTrust Bank serves in such capacity, SunTrust Bank and its officers, directors, employees, agents, sub-agents and affiliates shall constitute “Indemnitees.”
          (d) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrowers the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, the Borrowers or any of the Borrowers’ Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. A Lender who sells a participation shall (acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers) maintain at one of its offices a copy of each agreement or instrument effecting such

90


 

sale and the participation so transferred on a register substantially similar to the Register (the “Participant Register”).
          (e) Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to the following to the extent affecting such Participant: (i) increase the Revolving Commitment of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, (iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment of any principal of, or interest on, any Loan or interest thereon or any fees hereunder or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date for the termination or reduction of any Revolving Commitment, (iv) change Section 2.19(b) or Section 2.19(c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section 10.4 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, (vi) release any guarantor or limit the liability of any guarantor under any guaranty agreement except to the extent such release is expressly provided under the terms of the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, or (vii) release all or substantially all collateral (if any) securing any of the Obligations. Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section 10.4, the Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16, Section 2.17, and Section 2.18 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 10.4. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.7 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.19 as though it were a Lender.
          (f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.17 and Section 2.18 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrowers’ prior written consent. A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.18 unless the Borrowers are notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with Section 2.18(e) as though it were a Lender.
          (g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
          Section 10.5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
          (a) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the law (without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof) of the State of New York. EACH LOAN DOCUMENT (OTHER THAN AS

91


 

OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN A LOAN DOCUMENT) WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING FOR SUCH PURPOSES SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW BUT EXCLUDING ALL OTHER CHOICE OF LAW AND CONFLICT OF LAW RULES).
          (b) The parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit, for themselves and their property, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and of any state court of the State of Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York county and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state court or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrowers or their properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
          (c) The parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding described in paragraph (b) of this Section 10.5 and brought in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 10.5. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
          (d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to the service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
          Section 10.6. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
          EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN

92


 

DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
          Section 10.7. Right of Setoff.
          In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, each Lender shall have the right, at any time or from time to time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without prior notice to the Borrowers, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply against all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) of the Borrowers at any time held or other obligations at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrowers against any and all Obligations held by such Lender, irrespective of whether such Lender shall have made demand hereunder and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers after any such set-off and any application made by such Lender; provided, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. Each Lender agrees to apply all amounts collected from any such set-off to the Obligations before applying such amounts to any other Indebtedness or other obligations owed by the Borrowers and any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to such Lender.
          Section 10.8. Counterparts; Integration.
          This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by telecopy or by email, in pdf format), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement, the Fee Letter, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreement(s) relating to any fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto and thereto regarding the subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, regarding such subject matters. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement and any other Loan Document by telecopy or by email, in pdf format, shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other Loan Document.
          Section 10.9. Survival.
          All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrowers herein, in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Revolving Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Section 2.16, Section 2.17, Section 2.18, and Section 10.3 and

93


 

ARTICLE IX shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination the Revolving Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. All representations and warranties made herein, in the Loan Documents in the certificates, reports, notices, and other documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the making of the Loans.
          Section 10.10. Severability.
          Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability without affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
          Section 10.11. Confidentiality.
          Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any information relating to the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, except to the extent expressly designated in writing as public information at the time delivered to it by the Borrowers or any Subsidiary, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries, except that such information may be disclosed (i) to any Related Party of the Administrative Agent or any such Lender including without limitation accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such information by the Persons who have agreed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (provided that the Person disclosing any such information pursuant to this clause (ii) shall provide the Borrowers with reasonably prompt notice of such disclosure provided that such Person shall not incur any liability from its failure to do so), (iii) to the extent requested by any regulatory agency or authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (iv) to the extent that such information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 10.11, or which becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Documents or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 10.11, to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, or (B) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap or derivative or similar transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrowers and their obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder or (vii) with the consent of the Borrowers. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of any information as provided for in this Section 10.11 shall be considered to have complied with its

94


 

obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such information as such Person would accord its own confidential information.
          Section 10.12. Interest Rate Limitation.
          Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which may be treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively, the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate of interest (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by a Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 10.12 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
          Section 10.13. Waiver of Effect of Corporate Seal.
          The Borrowers represent and warrants that neither them nor any other Loan Party is required to affix its corporate seal to this Agreement or any other Loan Document pursuant to any requirement of law or regulation, agrees that this Agreement is delivered by Borrowers under seal and waives any shortening of the statute of limitations that may result from not affixing the corporate seal to this Agreement or such other Loan Documents.
          Section 10.14. Patriot Act.
          The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, provide to the extent commercially reasonable, such information and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in order to assist the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in maintaining compliance with the Patriot Act.
          Section 10.15. Independence of Covenants.
          All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

95


 

          Section 10.16. All Obligations to Constitute Joint and Several Obligations.
          All Obligations shall constitute joint and several obligations of the Borrowers and shall be secured by the Administrative Agent’s Lien upon all of the Collateral, and by all other Liens heretofore, now or at any time hereafter granted by each Borrower to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, to the extent provided in the Loan Documents under which such Lien arises. The Borrowers expressly represent and acknowledge that they are part of a common enterprise with each other and that any financial accommodations by the Lenders to either Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are and will be of direct and indirect interest, benefit and advantage to the other. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that each Borrower shall be liable, on a joint and several basis, for all of the Loans and other Obligations, regardless of which Borrower actually may have received the proceeds of any of the Loans or other extensions of credit or the amount of such Loans received or the manner in which the Administrative Agent or any Lender accounts between the Borrowers for such Loans or other extensions of credit on its books and records, and further acknowledges and agrees that Loans and other extensions of credit to either Borrower inure to the mutual benefit of both Borrowers and that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are relying on the joint and several liability of the Borrowers in extending the Loans and other financial accommodations hereunder.
(remainder of page left intentionally blank)

96


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
         
  FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., as Borrowers

 
 
  By  /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Executive Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   
 
[SEAL]
[Signatures Continued on Following Page]

 


 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement with
Fortegra Financial Corporation and LOTS Intermediate Co.]
         
  SUNTRUST BANK
as Administrative Agent and as a Lender

 
 
  By   /s/ W. Bradley Hamilton    
    Name:   W. Bradley Hamilton   
    Title:   Director   
 

 

EX-10.7 9 b81561exv10w7.htm EX-10.7 exv10w7
Exhibit 10.7
REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
     
$35,000,000.00   Atlanta, Georgia
    June 16, 2010
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Georgia corporation (“Fortegra”), and LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware corporation (“LOTS”; together with Fortegra, each a “Borrower” and collectively the “Borrowers”), hereby promise, on a joint and several basis, to pay to SUNTRUST BANK (the “Lender”) or its registered permitted assigns, at the office of SunTrust Bank (“SunTrust”) at 303 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30308, on the Maturity Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement defined below), the lesser of the principal sum of THIRTY FIVE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($35,000,000.00) and the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) made by the Lender to the Borrowers pursuant to the Credit Agreement, in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds, and to pay interest from the date hereof on the principal amount thereof from time to time outstanding, in like funds, at said office, at the rate or rates per annum and payable on such dates as provided in the Credit Agreement. In addition, should legal action or an attorney-at-law be utilized to collect any amount due hereunder, the Borrowers further promise to pay all costs of collection, including the reasonable attorneys’ fees actually incurred without regard to statutory presumption, in any case in accordance with the terms of, and subject to the limitations set forth in, Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement.
     Terms defined in that certain Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 16, 2010 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto and SunTrust, as Administrative Agent for the lenders, and not otherwise defined herein, are used herein with the same meanings.
     Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Borrowers promise to pay interest, on demand, at the rate or rates provided in the Credit Agreement.
     All borrowings evidenced by this Revolving Credit Note and all payments and prepayments of the principal hereof and the date thereof shall be endorsed by the holder hereof on the schedule attached hereto and made a part hereof or on a continuation thereof which shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof, or otherwise recorded by such holder in its internal records; provided, that the failure of the holder hereof to make such a notation or any error in such notation shall not affect the obligations of the Borrowers to make the payments of principal and interest in accordance with the terms of this Revolving Credit Note and the Credit Agreement.

1


 

     This Revolving Credit Note is issued in connection with, and is entitled to the benefits of, the Credit Agreement which, among other things, contains provisions for the acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain events, for prepayment of the principal hereof prior to the maturity hereof and for the amendment or waiver of certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, all upon the terms and conditions (and subject to the limitations) therein specified.
     THIS REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD FOR CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES (EXCEPT FOR SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW) AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
[Signatures Begin on Next Page]

2


 

         
  FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Executive Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   
 
  LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Executive Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   
 
[Revolving Credit Note Signature Page]

 


 

LOANS AND PAYMENTS
                 
            Unpaid Principal    
    Amount and       Balance of    
    Type of Revolving   Payments of   Revolving Credit   Name of Person
Date   Loan   Principal   Note   Making Notation
                 

-4-

EX-10.8 10 b81561exv10w8.htm EX-10.8 exv10w8
Exhibit 10.8
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AGREEMENT
     THIS SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AGREEMENT dated as of June 16, 2010 (this “Guaranty”), by each of the Subsidiaries signatory hereto and the other Persons from time to time party hereto pursuant to the execution and delivery of a Supplement to this Guaranty in the form of Annex 1 hereto (each of such Subsidiaries and each other such Person referred to herein as a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”) of Fortegra Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“Fortegra”) and LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation (together with Fortegra, each a “Borrower” and collectively the “Borrowers”), in favor of the Administrative Agent (as defined below) and each of the Guarantied Parties (as defined below).
     Reference is made to that certain Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 16, 2010 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
     The Lenders have agreed to make Loans to the Borrowers, pursuant to, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions specified in, the Credit Agreement, and certain Lenders and certain Affiliates of those Lenders (such Affiliates, together with the Lenders, the “Guarantied Parties”) are owed Hedging Obligations by certain Loan Parties. Each of the Guarantors is a direct or indirect domestic Subsidiary of the Borrowers and acknowledges that it will derive substantial benefit from the making of the Loans by the Lenders. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans are conditioned on, among other things, the execution and delivery by the Guarantors of this Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement. As consideration therefor and in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans, the Guarantors are willing to execute this Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement.
     Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
     SECTION 1. Guarantee. Each Guarantor unconditionally guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the following (referred to herein as the “Guarantied Obligations”) the due and punctual payment of the Obligations or any obligation of a Guarantor hereunder in accordance with the terms of Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement. Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guarantied Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guarantied Obligation.
     SECTION 2. Obligations Not Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Borrowers of any of the Guarantied Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment. To the fullest extent

 


 

permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Guarantied Party to assert any claim or demand or to enforce or exercise any right or remedy against the Borrowers or any other Guarantor under the provisions of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise, (b) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, this Agreement, the Credit Agreement any other Loan Document, any Guaranty or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Guarantor under this Agreement, or (c) the failure to perfect any security interest in, or the release of, any of the security held by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or any Guarantied Party.
     Each of the Guarantors authorizes the Administrative Agent and each of the other Guarantied Parties to (a) take and hold additional security for payment of the Guarantied Obligations and exchange, enforce, waive and release any security, (b) apply security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as they in their sole discretion may determine and (c) release or substitute any one or more endorsees, other Guarantors or other obligors.
     SECTION 3. Guarantee of Payment. Until such time as the Guarantied Obligations are terminated in accordance with Section 9 hereof, each Guarantor agrees that its guarantee is an absolute, unconditional and continuing guaranty of the payment and performance of the Guarantied Obligations and further agrees that its guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent or any Guarantied Party to any of the security held for payment of the Guarantied Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent or any Guarantied Party in favor of the Borrowers or any other person.
     SECTION 4. No Discharge or Diminishment of Guarantee. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than the payment in full in cash of the Guarantied Obligations), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Guarantied Obligations, and shall not be subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim (other than a defense of payment in full in cash or performance), recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guarantied Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by (i) the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Guarantied Party to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) any extensions, compromise, refinancing, consolidation or renewals of any Guarantied Obligation, (iii) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of any of the Guarantied Obligations or any rescissions, waivers, compromise, refinancing, consolidation or other amendments or modifications of any of the terms or provisions of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any other agreement evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any of the Guarantied Obligations, (iv) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guarantied Obligations, (v) the addition,

-2-


 

substitution or release of any entity or other Person primarily or secondarily liable for any Guarantied Obligation, (vi) the adequacy of any rights which the Administrative Agent or any Secured Creditor may have against any collateral security or other means of obtaining repayment of any of the Guarantied Obligations, (vii) the impairment of any collateral securing any of the Guarantied Obligations, including without limitation the failure to perfect or preserve any rights which the Administrative Agent or any Secured Creditor might have in such collateral security or the substitution, exchange, surrender, release, loss or destruction of any such collateral security, or (viii ) to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to the extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of each Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the payment in full in cash of all the Guarantied Obligations). To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Guarantor hereby expressly waives any and all rights or defenses arising by reason of (A) any “one action” or “anti-deficiency” law, which would otherwise prevent the Administrative Agent or any Secured Creditor from bringing any action, including any claim for a deficiency, or exercising any other right or remedy (including any right of set-off), against such Guarantor before or after the Administrative Agent’s or such Secured Creditor’s commencement or completion of any foreclosure action, whether judicially, by exercise of power of sale or otherwise, or (B) any other law which in any other way would otherwise require any election of remedies by the Administrative Agent or any Secured Creditor.
     SECTION 5. Defenses of Borrowers Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of either of the Borrowers or the unenforceability of the Guarantied Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of either of the Borrowers, other than the final payment in full in cash of the Guarantied Obligations. The Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Guarantied Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Borrowers or any other guarantor, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guarantied Obligations have been fully and finally paid in cash. Pursuant to applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against the Borrowers or any other Guarantor or guarantor, as the case may be, or any security.
     SECTION 6. Agreement to Pay; Subordination. In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Administrative Agent or any Guarantied Party has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of either of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party to pay any Guarantied Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Guarantied Parties in cash the amount of such unpaid Guarantied Obligations. Upon payment by any

-3-


 

Guarantor of any sums to the Administrative Agent, all rights of such Guarantor against the Borrowers arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all the Guarantied Obligations. In addition, any indebtedness of either of the Borrowers now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of the Guarantied Obligations. If any amount shall erroneously be paid to any Guarantor on account of (i) such subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar right or (ii) any such indebtedness of either of the Borrowers, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent to be credited against the payment of the Guarantied Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.
     SECTION 7. Information. Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of each of the Borrower’s financial conditions and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guarantied Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent or the Guarantied Parties will have any duty to advise any of the Guarantors of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.
     SECTION 8. Representations and Warranties. Each Guarantor represents and warrants as to itself that all representations and warranties relating to it (as a Subsidiary of the Borrowers) contained in the Credit Agreement are true and correct all as if such representations and warranties are set forth herein in full.
     SECTION 9. Termination. (a) The guarantees made hereunder (i) shall automatically terminate when all the non-contingent Guarantied Obligations have been paid in full in cash and the Guarantied Parties have no further commitment to lend under the Credit Agreement, and (ii) shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if and to the extent that (x) any payment, or any part thereof, of any Guarantied Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Guarantied Party or any Guarantor upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of either of the Borrowers, any Guarantor or otherwise and/or (y) any claim is made with respect to any Guarantied Obligations comprised of indemnification, expense reimbursement, tax gross-up or yield protection.
          (b) A Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement as a result of which such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary.
          (c) In connection with the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to such Guarantor or Guarantor’s designee, at such Guarantor’s expense, any documents or instruments which such Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release.

-4-


 

     SECTION 10. Binding Effect; Several Agreement; Assignments. Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall become effective as to any Guarantor when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such Guarantor shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent, and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such Guarantor and the Administrative Agent and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties, and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Guarantor shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such attempted assignment shall be void).
     SECTION 11. Waivers; Amendment. (a) No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and powers of the Administrative Agent hereunder and of the Guarantied Parties under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver and consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Guarantor to any other or further notice in similar or other circumstances.
     (b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to a written agreement entered into between the Guarantors (subject to the immediately following sentence) with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification relates and the Administrative Agent, with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders (except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement). This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Guarantor and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any Guarantor without the approval of any other Guarantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder.
     SECTION 12. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
     SECTION 13. Notices. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to each Guarantor shall be given to it at the address specified for the Borrowers as set forth in Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement.

-5-


 

     SECTION 14. Survival of Agreement; Severability. (a) All covenants, agreements representations and warranties made by or on behalf of the Guarantors herein, in the Credit Agreement, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans regardless of any investigation made by any of them or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any other fee or amount payable under this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid and as long as the Revolving Commitments have not been terminated.
     (b) In the event one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
     SECTION 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract (subject to Section 10), and shall become effective as provided in Section 10. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission or by email, in pdf format, shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
     SECTION 16. Rules of Interpretation. The rules of interpretation specified in Section 1.3 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement.
     SECTION 17. Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York and of any state court of the State of New York located in New York County and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Guarantied Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents against any Guarantor or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

-6-


 

     Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or Federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
     Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 13. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
     SECTION 18. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 18.
     SECTION 19. Additional Guarantors. Upon execution and delivery after the date hereof by the Administrative Agent and a Subsidiary of the Borrowers of an instrument in the form of Annex 1, such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of any instrument adding an additional Guarantor as a party to this Agreement shall not require the consent of any other Guarantor hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor as a party to this Agreement.
     SECTION 20. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Guarantied Party is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by such Guarantied Party to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any or all the obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents held by such Guarantied Party, irrespective of whether or not such Person shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each Guarantied Party agrees to promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers after any such set-off and any application made by such Guarantied

-7-


 

Party; provided, that the failure to give notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Guarantied Party under this Section 20 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Guarantied Party may have.
     SECTION 21. It is the intent of each Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties that in any Proceeding, such Guarantor’s maximum obligation hereunder shall equal, but not exceed, the maximum amount which would not otherwise cause the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder (or any other obligations of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties) to be avoidable or unenforceable against such Guarantor in such Proceeding as a result of any Requirement of Laws, including without limitation, (a) Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code and (b) any state fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance act or statute applied in such Proceeding, whether by virtue of Section 544 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise. The Requirements of Law under which the possible avoidance or unenforceability of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder (or any other obligations of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties) shall be determined in any such Proceeding are referred to as the “Avoidance Provisions”. Accordingly, to the extent that the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder would otherwise be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions, the maximum Guarantied Obligations for which such Guarantor shall be liable hereunder shall be reduced to that amount which, as of the time any of the Guarantied Obligations are deemed to have been incurred under the Avoidance Provisions, would not cause the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder (or any other obligations of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties), to be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions. This Section is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties hereunder to the maximum extent that would not cause the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder to be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions, and no Guarantor or any other Person shall have any right or claim under this Section as against the Administrative Agent and the Guarantied Parties that would not otherwise be available to such Person under the Avoidance Provisions.
[Signature Page Follows]

-8-


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
         
  GUARANTORS:

BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.

 
 
  By   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Treasurer   
 
  LOTSOLUTIONS, INC.
 
 
  By   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Treasurer   
 
  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

SUNTRUST BANK

 
 
  By   /s/ W. Bradley Hamilton    
    Name:   W. Bradley Hamilton   
    Title:   Director   
 

-9-


 

[Signature Page to Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement]

-10-


 

ANNEX 1 TO THE
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AGREEMENT
     SUPPLEMENT NO. [     ] dated as of [               ] (this “Supplement”), to the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement (the “Guaranty Agreement”) dated as of June 16, 2010 executed by each of the Subsidiaries a party thereto (each such Subsidiary individually, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”) of Fortegra Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“Fortegra”), and LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation (together with Fortegra, each a “Borrower” and collectively the “Borrowers”).
     A. Reference is made to that certain Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 16, 2010 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent.
     B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Guaranty Agreement and the Credit Agreement.
     C. The Guarantors have entered into the Guaranty Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and other financial accommodations to the Borrowers. Pursuant to Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement, certain Subsidiaries are required to enter into or otherwise become a party to the Guaranty Agreement as a Guarantor. Section 19 of the Guaranty Agreement provides that such Subsidiaries of the Borrowers may become Guarantors under the Guaranty Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary of the Borrowers (“New Guarantor”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and as consideration for Loans previously made.
     Accordingly, the Administrative Agent and the New Guarantor agree as follows:
     SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 19 of the Guaranty Agreement, the New Guarantor by its signature below becomes a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and the New Guarantor hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guaranty Agreement applicable to it as Guarantor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Guarantor thereunder are true and correct all as if such representations and warranties were set forth herein in full on and as of the date hereof. Each reference to a Guarantor in the Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Guarantor. The Guaranty Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

-11-


 

     SECTION 2. The New Guarantor represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
     SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Supplement that, when taken together, bear the signatures of the New Guarantor and the Administrative Agent. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile transmission or by email, in pdf format, shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.
     SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Guaranty Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
     SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
     SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Guaranty Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision hereof in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
     SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 13 of the Guaranty Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Guarantor shall be given to it at the address set forth under its signature below.
     SECTION 8. To the extent the following expenses are not paid by the Borrowers under the Credit Agreement, the New Guarantor agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its fees and expenses in connection with this Supplement to the extent the Borrowers would be required to do so under Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement, including the fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Administrative Agent.
[Signature Page Follows]

-12-


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Guarantor has duly executed this Supplement to the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
         
  [Name of New Guarantor]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  Address:

 


 


 



Attention:
 

Telecopy Number:
 

 
 
 
  SUNTRUST BANK, as Administrative Agent
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

-13-

EX-10.9 11 b81561exv10w9.htm EX-10.9 exv10w9
Exhibit 10.9
SECURITY AGREEMENT
     THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of June 16, 2010 (together with all amendments, if any, from time to time hereto, the “Agreement”) by Fortegra Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“Fortegra”) and LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation (together with Fortegra, each a “Borrower” and collectively the “Borrowers”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrowers signatory hereto (the “Subsidiary Loan Parties”, together with the Borrowers each a “Grantor” and collectively, the “Grantors”), in favor of SUNTRUST BANK, a Georgia banking corporation, as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”), for the benefit of the Secured Creditors (as defined below).
WITNESSETH:
     WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the Lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and the Administrative Agent are all party to that certain Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified, extended, renewed, replaced, supplemented or refinanced from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) pursuant to which the Lenders have agreed to establish a $35,000,000 revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrowers;
     WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Loan Parties have entered into that certain Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Subsidiary Guaranty”), in favor of the Administrative Agent, pursuant to which the Subsidiary Loan Parties have jointly and severally guaranteed the Borrowers’ obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement);
     WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligations of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Lenders and their Affiliates that are parties to Hedging Transactions with any Loan Party (collectively, the “Secured Creditors”) under the Credit Agreement that each Grantor enter into this Agreement to secure all obligations of such Grantor under the Credit Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty and the other Loan Documents to which they are a party; and
     WHEREAS, each Grantor desires to execute this Agreement to satisfy the conditions described above.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
     SECTION 1. Definitions. Terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement. The following terms, when used in this Agreement, shall have the following meanings:
          “Account Debtor” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the UCC.

 


 

          “Accounts” shall mean, for any Grantor, all “accounts” (as defined in the UCC), now or hereafter owned or acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now or hereafter has or acquires any rights and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, (a) any and all receivables, including, without limitation, all accounts created by, or arising from, all of such Grantor’s sales, leases, rentals or other dispositions of goods or renditions of services to its customers (whether or not they have been earned by performance), including but not limited to, those accounts arising from sales, leases, rentals or other dispositions of goods or rendition of services made under any of the trade names, logos or styles of such Grantor, or through any division of such Grantor; (b) rights to any Goods relating to any of the foregoing or arising therefrom, including rights to returned, reclaimed or repossessed Goods; (c) reserves and credit balances relating to any of the foregoing or arising therefrom; (d) all payment intangibles and other rights to payment and books and records and any electronic media and software relating thereto; and (e) healthcare insurance receivables.
          “Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning given to that term in the introductory paragraph hereof.
          “Bankruptcy Code” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto.
          “Borrower” and “Borrowers” shall have the meaning given to those terms in the introductory paragraph hereof.
          “Chattel Paper” shall mean all “chattel paper” (as defined in the UCC) now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor or in which any Grantor has or acquires any rights, or other receipts of any Grantor, evidencing or representing rights or interest in such chattel paper.
          “Collateral” shall mean, collectively, all of each Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to each of the following, wherever located and whether now or hereafter existing or now owned or hereafter acquired or arising:
  (i)   all Accounts;
 
  (ii)   all Chattel Paper (whether tangible or electronic);
 
  (iii)   all Contracts;
 
  (iv)   all Contract Rights;
 
  (v)   all Deposit Accounts;
 
  (vi)   all Documents;
 
  (vii)   all Equipment;

2


 

  (viii)   all Fixtures;
 
  (ix)   all General Intangibles;
 
  (x)   all Instruments;
 
  (xi)   all Inventory;
 
  (xii)   all Investment Property;
 
  (xiii)   all Real Estate;
 
  (xiv)   all Software;
 
  (xv)   all Commercial Tort Claims set forth on Schedule VI or otherwise disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent;
 
  (xvi)   all money, cash or cash equivalents;
 
  (xvii)   all Supporting Obligations and Letter-of-Credit Rights;
 
  (xviii)   all other Goods and personal property, whether tangible or intangible and whether or not delivered, including, without limitation, such other goods and property (A) the sale or lease of which gives or purports to give rise to any Account or other Collateral, including, but not limited to, all Inventory and other merchandise returned or rejected by or repossessed from customers or (B) securing any Account or other Collateral, including, without limitation, all rights as an unpaid vendor or lienor (including, without limitation, stoppage in transit, replevin and reclamation) with respect to such other Goods and personal property;
 
  (xix)   all substitutes and replacements for, accessories, attachments, and other additions to, any of the above and all products or masses into which any Goods are physically united such that their identity is lost;
 
  (xx)   all books and records pertaining to any of the Collateral or any Account Debtor, or showing the amounts thereof or payments thereon or otherwise necessary or helpful in the realization thereon or the collection thereof, including, without limitation, all correspondence, files (including credit files), Software, computer programs, printouts, tapes, discs and other computer materials and records;

3


 

  (xxi)   all policies and certificates of insurance relating to any of the foregoing, now owned or hereafter acquired, evidencing or pertaining to any and all items of Collateral; and
 
  (xxii)   all products and Proceeds of all or any of the Collateral described above (including, but not limited to, any claim to any item referred to in this definition, and any claim against any third party for loss of, damage to or destruction of any or all of the Collateral or for proceeds payable under, or unearned premiums with respect to, policies of insurance) in whatever form, including, but not limited to, cash, Instruments, Chattel Paper, security agreements and other documents;
provided, however, that “Collateral” and any component terms thereof shall not include (i) any Excluded Property, (ii) Capital Stock in any Foreign Subsidiary, (iii) Letter of Credit Rights in favor of any Regulated Insurance Company, (iv) any leasehold property other than the Florida Headquarters, (v) fee-owned real property with a fair market value of less than $2,000,000, (vi) vehicles and other assets perfected by certificates of title, (vii) ownership interests in joint ventures and non-wholly owned Subsidiaries that cannot be pledged without the consent of one or more non-Affiliate third parties, (viii) any asset if the grant or perfection of a security interest is prohibited by applicable law, (ix) United States intent-to-use trademark applications, but only during the period in which the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark applications under applicable federal law; (x) any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary held by any Grantor, other than the Capital Stock of LOTS held by Fortegra, but only for so long as the Indenture dated June 20, 2007 between LOTS, as issuer, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, is in effect, (xi) any Excluded Accounts and (xii) any property acquired by any Grantor if and to the extent that the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall have determined that the costs (including, without limitation, recording taxes and filing fees) of creating and perfecting a Lien on such property interests are excessive in relation to the value of the security afforded thereby.
          “Commercial Tort Claims” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “commercial tort claims” as such term is used in the UCC in or under which such Grantor may now or hereafter have any right, title or interest.
          “Contract Rights” means, as to any Grantor, all of such Grantor’s then owned or existing and future acquired or arising rights under Contracts not yet fully performed and not evidenced by an Instrument or Chattel Paper, to the extent that the same may lawfully be assigned.
          “Contracts” means, as to any Grantor, all “contracts” as such term is used in the UCC, and, in any event shall mean and include, without limitation, all of such Grantor’s then owned or existing and future acquired or arising contracts, undertakings or agreements (other than rights evidenced by Chattel Paper, Documents or Instruments) in or under which such Grantor may now or hereafter have any right, title or interest, including, without limitation, any

4


 

agreement relating to Inventory, the terms of payment or the terms of performance of any Account or any other Collateral.
          “Copyright Filings” means all copyright registrations and applications filed in the United States Copyright Office.
          “Copyright License” shall mean, as to any Grantor, any and all rights of such Grantor under any license, contract or other agreement, whether written or oral, granting any right to use any Copyright or Copyright registration.
          “Copyrights” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which any Grantor now has or hereafter acquires any rights: (a) all copyrights and General Intangibles of like nature (whether registered or unregistered), all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any state or territory thereof, or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and (b) all reissues, extensions or renewals thereof.
          “Copyright Security Agreement” shall mean a Copyright Security Agreement in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed and delivered by any Grantor granting a security interest in its Copyrights to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, as may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.
          “Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning given to that term in the recitals hereto.
          “Deposit Accounts” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “deposit accounts” (as defined in the UCC) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights, or other receipts, covering, evidencing or representing rights or interest in such deposit accounts, and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, all of such Grantor’s demand, time, savings, passbook, money market or like depositor accounts and all certificates of deposit, maintained with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like organization (other than a payroll account or an account evidenced by a certificate of deposit that is an Instrument).
          “Documents” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “documents” (as defined in the UCC) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights, or other receipts, covering, evidencing or representing Goods, and, in any event shall mean and include, without limitation, all of such Grantor’s certificates or documents of origin and of title, warehouse receipts and manufacturers statements or origin.
          “Equipment” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “equipment” (as defined in the UCC) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor and wherever located, and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, all machinery, apparatus, equipment, furniture, furnishings, processing equipment, conveyors, machine tools, engineering processing equipment,

5


 

manufacturing equipment, materials handling equipment, trade fixtures, trucks, tractors, rolling stock, fittings, trailers, forklifts, vehicles, computers and other electronic data processing, other office equipment of such Grantor, and all other tangible personal property (other than Inventory) of every kind and description used in such Grantor’s business operations or owned by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has an interest and any and all additions, substitutions and replacements of any of the foregoing, together with all attachments, components, parts, equipment and accessories installed thereon or affixed thereto, all fuel therefor and all manuals, drawings, instructions, warranties and rights with respect thereto.
          “Excluded Accounts” shall mean (i) all Deposit Accounts or Investment Accounts now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor (x) into which such Grantor deposits funds, Instruments or other Investment Property on behalf of another Person and (y) which such Grantor holds as an escrow or as a fiduciary for such Person, provided that such Deposit Accounts and Investment Accounts do not include funds or other property belonging to such Grantor other than, in the case of an interest bearing Deposit Account, interest accrued on such Deposit Account, (ii) all non-operating Deposit Accounts or Investment Accounts now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor maintained at a customer of such Grantor into which such customer regularly deposits funds owing to such Grantor and (iii) Deposit Accounts specially and exclusively used for payroll and payroll taxes, the balances of which are not in excess of the checks outstanding against such accounts as of that date and amounts necessary to meet minimum balance requirements, and other employee benefit payments to or for the benefit of such Grantor’s salaried employees.
          “Excluded Property” shall mean any lease, license, permit, contract or agreement to which any Grantor is a party or any of such Grantor’s rights or interests thereunder if and only for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon shall (i) give any other Person party to such lease, license, permit, contract or agreement the right to terminate its obligations thereunder, (ii) constitute or result in the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of any right, title or interest of any Grantor therein or (iii) constitute or result in a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, permit, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions)); provided that such lease, license, permit, contract or agreement shall be excluded from the definition of “Collateral” only to the extent and for so long as one or more of the consequences specified above shall exist and shall cease to be excluded from the definition of “Collateral” and shall become subject to the Liens granted hereunder, immediately and automatically, at such time as the applicable consequence or consequences shall no longer exist.
          “Fixtures” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “fixtures” (as defined in the UCC) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights, or other receipts, of such Grantor covering, evidencing or representing rights or interest in such fixtures.
          “Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof.

6


 

          “General Intangibles” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “general intangibles” (as defined in the UCC) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, all right, title and interest in or under all contracts, all customer lists, Licenses, Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, and all applications therefor and reissues, extensions or renewals thereof, rights in Intellectual Property, interests in partnerships, joint ventures and other business associations, licenses, permits, copyrights, trade secrets, proprietary or confidential information, inventions (whether or not patented or patentable), technical information, procedures, designs, blueprints, plans, specifications, knowledge, know-how, software, data bases, data, skill, expertise, experience, processes, models, drawings, materials and records, goodwill (including the goodwill associated with any Trademark or Trademark License), computer software, all rights and claims in or under insurance policies (including insurance for fire, damage, loss and casualty, whether covering personal property, real property, tangible rights or intangible rights, all liability, life, key man and business interruption insurance, and all unearned premiums), reversions and any rights thereto and any other amounts payable to such Grantor from any benefit plan, multiemployer plan or other employee benefit plan, uncertificated securities, chooses in action, deposit, checking and other bank accounts, rights to receive tax refunds and other payments, rights of indemnification, all books and records, correspondence, credit files, invoices, tapes, cards, computer runs, domain names, prospect lists, customer lists and other papers and documents.
          “Goods” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “goods” (as defined in the UCC), now owned or hereafter acquired and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, all of such Grantor’s then owned or existing and future acquired or arising movables, Fixtures, Equipment, Inventory and other tangible personal property.
          “Grantor” and “Grantors” shall have the respective meanings given to such term in the introductory paragraph hereof.
          “Instruments” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “instruments” (as defined in the UCC) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, all promissory notes, all certificates of deposit and all letters of credit evidencing, representing, arising from or existing in respect of, relating to, securing or otherwise supporting the payment of, any of the Accounts or other obligations owed to such Grantor.
          “Intellectual Property” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights: (a) all Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks; and (b) Patent Licenses, Trademark Licenses, Copyright Licenses and other Licenses to use any of the items described in the preceding clause (a).
          “Inventory” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “inventory” (as defined in the UCC) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, (i) inventory, merchandise, Goods and other personal property intended for sale or lease or for display or demonstration, (ii) work in process, (iii) raw materials and other materials and supplies of every

7


 

nature and description used or which might be used in connection with the manufacture, packing, shipping, advertising, selling, leasing or furnishing of the foregoing or otherwise used or consumed in the conduct of business and (iv) Documents evidencing, and General Intangibles relating to, any of the foregoing.
          “Investment Accounts” shall mean any and all securities accounts, brokerage accounts and commodities accounts.
          “Investment Property” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “investment property” (as defined in the UCC) now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, (i) all “certificated securities”, “uncertificated securities”, “security entitlements”, “securities accounts”, “commodity contracts” and “commodity accounts” (as all such terms are defined in the UCC) of such Grantor (ii) any other securities, whether certificated or uncertificated, including, but not limited to, stocks, bonds, interests in limited liability companies, partnership interests, treasuries, certificates of deposit, and mutual fund shares; (iii) all securities entitlements of such Grantor, including, but not limited to, the rights of such Grantor to any Investment Accounts and the financial assets held by a financial intermediary in such accounts and any free credit balance or other money owing by any financial intermediary with respect to such accounts; (iv) all commodity contracts of such Grantor; and (v) all Investment Accounts of such Grantor.
          “Lenders” shall have the meaning given to that term in the recitals hereto and shall include their respective successors and assigns.
          “Letter of Credit Rights” shall mean, as to any Grantor, “letter-of-credit rights” (as defined in the UCC), now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, rights to payment or performance under a letter of credit, whether or not such Grantor, as beneficiary, has demanded or is entitled to demand payment or performance.
          “License” shall mean, as to any Grantor, any Copyright License, Patent License, Trademark License or other license of rights or interests of such Grantor in Intellectual Property.
          “Patent Filings” shall mean any letters patent or applications for letters patent filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
          “Patent License” shall mean, as to any Grantor, any written agreement now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights granting any right with respect to any property, process or other invention on which a Patent is in existence.
          “Patent Security Agreement” shall mean a Patent Security Agreement in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed and delivered by any Grantor granting a security interest in its Patents to the Administrative Agent for the benefit

8


 

of the Secured Creditors, as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.
          “Patents” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any rights: (a) all letters patent of the United States or any other country, all registrations, issuances and recordings thereof, and all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country, including registrations, issued patents, recordings and applications for letters patent in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any state or territory thereof, or any other country; and (b) all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part and extensions thereof.
          “Permitted Lien” shall mean any Lien created hereunder or otherwise permitted in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.
          “Proceeds” shall mean all “proceeds” (as defined in the UCC) of, and all other profits, rentals or receipts, in whatever form, arising from the collection, sale, lease, exchange, assignment, licensing or other disposition of, or realization upon, the Collateral, and, in any event, shall mean and include all claims against third parties for loss of, damage to or destruction of, or for proceeds payable under, or unearned premiums with respect to, policies of insurance in respect of any Collateral, and any condemnation or requisition payments with respect to any Collateral and the following types of property acquired with cash proceeds: Accounts, Inventory, General Intangibles, Documents, Instruments and Equipment.
          “Real Estate” shall mean, as to any Grantor, now owned or leased estates in real property, including, without limitation, all fees, leaseholds and future interests, together with all of such Grantor’s now or hereafter owned or leased interests in the improvements and emblements thereon, the fixtures attached thereto and the easements appurtenant thereto.
          “Secured Creditors” shall have the meaning given to that term in the recitals hereto and shall include their successors and assigns.
          “Security Interests” shall mean the security interests granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement as well as all other security interests created or assigned as additional security for the Obligations pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
          “Software” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “software” (as defined in the UCC), now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, including all computer programs and all supporting information provided in connection with a transaction related to any program.
          “Subsidiary Guaranty” shall have the meaning given that term in the recitals hereto.
          “Subsidiary Loan Parties” shall have the meaning given to that term in the introductory paragraph hereto.

9


 

          “Supporting Obligations” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all “supporting obligations” (as defined in the UCC), now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and, in any event, shall mean and include, without limitation, letters of credit and guaranties issued in support of Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, General Intangibles, Instruments, Investment Property and all of such Grantor’s mortgages, deeds to secure debt and deeds of trust on real or personal property, guaranties, leases, security agreements, and other agreements and property which secure or relate to any collateral, or are acquired for the purpose of securing and enforcing any item thereof.
          “Trademark Filings” shall mean all trademark registrations and applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
          “Trademark License” shall mean, as to any Grantor, any written agreement now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any such rights granting to such Grantor any right to use any Trademark.
          “Trademark Security Agreement” shall mean a Trademark Security Agreement in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed and delivered by any Grantor granting a security interest in its Trademarks to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.
          “Trademarks” shall mean, as to any Grantor, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or acquires any such rights: (i) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos, other source or business identifiers, prints and labels on which any of the foregoing have appeared or appear, designs and general intangibles of like nature (whether registered or unregistered), now owned or existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any state or territory thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, (ii) all reissues, extensions or renewals thereof and (iii) all goodwill associated with or symbolized by any of the foregoing.
          “Trust Funds” shall mean any cash or cash equivalents comprised of (i) funds specially and exclusively used for payroll and payroll taxes and other employee benefit payments to or for the benefit of such Grantor’s employees, (ii) all taxes required to be collected, remitted or withheld (including, without limitation, federal and state withholding taxes (including the employer’s share thereof)) and (iii) any other funds, (x) which such Grantor holds on behalf of another Person and (y) which such Grantor holds as an escrow or as a fiduciary for such Person.
          “Trust Fund Activation Event” shall mean the date upon which the Administrative Agent provides instructions with respect to the disposition of funds on deposit in any Deposit Account of any Grantor.

10


 

          “Trust Fund Certificate” shall mean an officer’s certificate from a Responsible Officer of any Grantor certifying (i) the type and amount of any Trust Funds contained or held in a Deposit Account and (ii) that the failure to remit such Trust Funds to the Person entitled thereto could reasonably be expected to result in personal, criminal or civil liability to any director, officer or employee of any Grantor or any Subsidiary of any Grantor under any applicable Requirement of Law.
          “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, from time to time, in the State of New York; provided that if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, the perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection of the Security Interests in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than New York, “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection.
          “United States” shall mean the United States of America, any of the fifty states thereof, and the District of Columbia.
     SECTION 2. The Security Interests. (a) As security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due of all of its Obligations, each Grantor does hereby pledge, assign, hypothecate, set over and convey unto the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, and does hereby grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, a first priority continuing security interest in all of the right, title and interest of such Grantor in, to and under all of the Collateral (and all rights therein) whether now existing or hereafter from time to time acquired.
          (b) The Security Interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement extend to all Collateral which any Grantor may acquire at any time during the continuation of this Agreement.
     SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby confirms to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Creditors that each of the representations and warranties set forth in the Loan Documents that is made by or on behalf of such Grantor by the Borrowers is true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent such representations and warranties are qualified by “Material Adverse Effect”, “material”, “all material respects” or words of similar import, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of any date of determination (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date). Each Grantor further represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, as follows:
          (a) The Security Interests shall constitute a valid, perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent in the Collateral required to be perfected in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and for which perfection is governed by the UCC or filing with

11


 

the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office upon (i) in the case of Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing a financing statement under the UCC, the completion of the filings and other actions specified in opinions of counsel delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Closing Date, (ii) the delivery to the Administrative Agent of all Collateral consisting of Instruments and Investment Property in certificated form, in each case properly endorsed for transfer to the Administrative Agent or in blank, (iii) the execution of securities account control agreements with respect to Investment Property not in certificated form and not held in accounts maintained with the Administrative Agent, (iv) the execution of deposit account control agreements with respect to all Deposit Accounts of a Grantor which are not maintained with the Administrative Agent and (v) to the extent not subject to Article 9 of the UCC, upon recordation or other appropriate filings of the Security Interests in Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights in the applicable intellectual property registries, including, but not limited to, the United States Copyright Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Security Interests constitute or will constitute, upon satisfaction of such filings, registrations and recordings, a perfected security interest therein prior to the rights of all other Persons therein (other than rights pursuant to Permitted Liens) and subject to no other Liens (other than Permitted Liens) and are entitled to all the rights, priorities and benefits afforded by the UCC or other relevant law as enacted in any relevant jurisdiction to perfected security interests.
          (b) Such Grantor has rights in and the power to transfer each item of the Collateral upon which it purports to grant a Lien hereunder and has good and marketable title to all of its Collateral, free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens.
          (c) Other than financing statements, security agreements, or other similar or equivalent documents or instruments with respect to Permitted Liens, no financing statement, mortgage, security agreement or similar or equivalent document or instrument evidencing a Lien on all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any jurisdiction. None of the Collateral is in the possession of a Person asserting any claim thereto or security interest therein, except (i) that the Administrative Agent or its designee may have possession of Collateral as contemplated hereby or (ii) in connection with other Permitted Liens.
          (d) All Inventory and Equipment is insured in accordance with the requirements set forth herein.
          (e) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will be, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Grantor, enforceable against such Grantor in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.
          (f) Reserved.
          (g) None of the Collateral constitutes, or is the Proceeds of “farm products” (as defined in the UCC).

12


 

          (h) Schedule I correctly sets forth as of the Closing Date each Grantor’s state of organization, organizational identification number and correct legal name as indicated on the public record of such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization.
          (i) Schedule II correctly sets forth as of the Closing Date all names and trade names that each Grantor has used within the last five years and the names of all Persons that have merged into or been acquired by such Grantor within the last five years.
          (j) Schedule III correctly sets forth as of the Closing Date (i) each Grantor’s chief executive office, (ii) the locations where the primary books or records relating to the Collateral are maintained, (iii) all individual locations in which tangible assets with a value in excess of $1,000,000 (other than assets in transit or out for repair) of any Grantor are located, (iv) all third parties with possession of any Inventory or Equipment with a value in excess of $1,000,000 (other than Inventory or Equipment in transit or out for repair) owned by any Grantor and (v) each Grantor’s mailing address (if different from the chief executive office).
          (k) Schedule IV correctly sets forth as of the Closing Date the name and address of each bank or institution at which any Grantor maintains Deposit Accounts or Investment Accounts, and the account numbers for each Deposit Account.
          (l) Schedule V correctly sets forth as of the Closing Date all letters of credit in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 under which any Grantor is a beneficiary.
          (m) Schedule VI correctly sets forth as of the Closing Date all “Commercial Tort Claims” in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 owned by any Grantor.
          (n) [Intentionally Omitted.]
          (o) As of the Closing Date, there is no Patent Filing, Trademark Filing or Copyright Filing under the name of any Grantor in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office, as the case may be, except as set forth on Schedule VII hereto or as otherwise disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
          (p) No authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with any Governmental Authority is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Grantor of the Security Interests purported to be created in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors hereunder, or (ii) the exercise by the Administrative Agent of any rights or remedies in respect of any Collateral, except for (a) the filings contemplated hereunder and as may be required in connection with the disposition of any Collateral or any approvals that may be required to be obtained from any bailees or landlords to collect the Collateral or notice filings required by any State or Federal Assignments of Claims Act, (b) those already obtained or made and that are in full force and effect and (c) only in the case of clause (ii) above, those which, if not obtained or made, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

13


 

          (q) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each Grantor (i) will not violate or result in a breach or default under any Material Agreement to which any Grantor is a party or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment by such Grantor and (ii) are within each Grantor’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational, and if required, shareholder, partner or member, action.
          (u) There is no action, suit, proceeding, governmental investigation or arbitration, at law or in equity, or before or by any governmental authority, pending, or to the knowledge of any Grantor, threatened against any Grantor or such Grantor’s property which will materially and adversely affect the ability of any Grantor to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
     SECTION 4. Further Assurances; Covenants.
          (a) General.
     (i) No Grantor shall (A) move its principal records and books of account from the chief executive office of the Borrowers, change its legal name or the name under which it does business, change its jurisdiction of organization or otherwise change its organizational structure to the extent any financing statement filed in connection with this Agreement would become “seriously misleading” (as such term is used in the UCC) without giving the Administrative Agent at least ten days’ prior written notice (or such shorter period to which the Administrative Agent may agree) and authorizing the filing by the Administrative Agent of financing statements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent prior to such change or (B) change its chief executive office without giving the Administrative Agent written notice thereof within thirty days after such change (or such longer period to which the Administrative Agent may agree) and authorizing the filing by the Administrative Agent of financing statements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent prior to such change.
     (ii) Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent, its counsel or its representative, at any time and from time to time, to file financing statements, continuations and amendments that describe the collateral covered by such financing statements as “all assets of Grantor”, “all personal property of Grantor” or words of similar effect, in such jurisdictions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Security Interests and enable the Administrative Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder in respect of the Collateral. Each Grantor will, from time to time, and at its own expense, execute, deliver, file and record any statement, assignment, instrument, document, agreement or other paper and take any other action (including, without limitation, any filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, Copyright or Patent filings and any filings of financing or continuation statements under the UCC), in each case that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in order to create, preserve, perfect, confirm or validate the Security Interests or to enable the

14


 

Administrative Agent to obtain the full benefits of this Agreement, or to enable the Administrative Agent to exercise and enforce any of its rights, powers and remedies hereunder with respect to any of its Collateral. Each Grantor shall pay the costs of, or incidental to, any recording or filing of any financing statements, financing statement amendments or continuation statements concerning the Collateral.
     (iii) Reserved.
     (iv) No Grantor shall (A) sell, transfer, lease, exchange, assign or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option, warrant or other right with respect to, any of its Collateral other than sales of assets and other related transactions permitted under the Credit Agreement or (B) create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien with respect to any Collateral, except for the Permitted Liens.
     (v) Each Grantor will promptly upon request, provide to the Administrative Agent all information and evidence the Administrative Agent may reasonably request concerning the Collateral, to enable the Administrative Agent to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.
     (vi) Each Grantor shall take all actions necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to maintain the perfected status of the Security Interests and to otherwise carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
     (vii) No Grantor shall file, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, any amendment to, or termination of, a financing statement naming any Grantor as debtor and the Administrative Agent as secured party, or any correction statement with respect thereto, in any jurisdiction.
     (viii) Each Grantor shall take all steps necessary to grant the Administrative Agent control of all electronic Chattel Paper with an individual value in excess of $1,000,000 in accordance with the UCC and all “transferable records” as defined in each of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
     (ix) Each Grantor shall keep the Collateral in good working order and repair, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, and will not use the same in violation of material law or any policy of insurance thereon.
     (x) Except for the Security Interests and Permitted Liens, the Grantors shall at all times be the sole owners or lessees of each and every item of Collateral, other than Trust Funds.
     (xi) Each Grantor shall defend its title and use commercially reasonable efforts to defend its interest in and to, and the Security Interests in, the Collateral against the claims and demands of all Persons, other than holders of

15


 

Permitted Liens.
     (xii) Each Grantor hereby confirms and agrees that, so long as any of the Loans or any other Obligation (other than contingent obligations for which no claim has been made) of the Loan Parties shall remain unpaid, or any of the Lenders shall have any Revolving Commitment, such Grantor will perform and observe all of the terms, covenants and agreements set forth in the Loan Documents on its part to be performed or observed or that the Borrowers have agreed to cause such Grantor to perform or observe.
          (b) Accounts, Etc.
     (i) Each Grantor shall use all reasonable efforts consistent with prudent business practice to cause to be collected from the Account Debtors, as and when due, any and all amounts owing under or on account of each Account granted as Collateral hereunder (including, without limitation, Accounts which are delinquent, such Accounts to be collected in accordance with lawful collection procedures) and apply forthwith upon receipt thereof all such amounts as are so collected to the outstanding balance of such Account. The costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) of collection of Accounts incurred by any Grantor or the Administrative Agent shall be borne by such Grantor.
     (ii) Each Grantor shall perform and comply in all material respects with all of its obligations in respect of Accounts, Instruments and General Intangibles.
          (c) Reserved.
          (d) Reserved.
          (e) Deposit Accounts, Chattel Paper, Investment Property and Letters of Credit.
     (i) Reserved.
     (ii) Each Grantor shall, within sixty (60) days after written request by the Administrative Agent or as otherwise required pursuant to the Credit Agreement, in the case of Deposit Accounts or Investment Accounts now maintained or hereafter opened, which, for any period of five consecutive Business Days during the term of this Agreement have individually had an average daily balance of more than $600,000 (calculated at the end of each Business Day) (other than Excluded Accounts and Deposit Accounts maintained with the Administrative Agent), deliver to the Administrative Agent control agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, executed by such Grantor, the bank at which the Deposit Account or Investment Account is located and the Administrative Agent.

16


 

     (iii) If any Grantor shall become the beneficiary any individual letter of credit with a stated amount in excess of $1,000,000, such Grantor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the issuer of such letter of credit to consent to the assignment of the proceeds of such letter of credit to the Administrative Agent such assignment to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
     (iv) Each Grantor, at any time and from time to time, will, subject to clause (ii) above, take such steps as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request from time to time (A) for the Administrative Agent to obtain “control” of any Investment Property, with any agreements establishing control to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (B) otherwise to insure the continued perfection and priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in any of the Collateral and of the preservation of its rights therein.
          (f) Commercial Tort Claims. If any Grantor shall at any time acquire a Commercial Tort Claim in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 other than those listed on Schedule VI attached hereto, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof in writing, providing a reasonable description and summary thereof, and, if necessary, shall execute a supplement to this Agreement granting a security interest in such commercial tort claim to the Administrative Agent.
          (g) Inspection. Each Grantor will permit any representative of the Administrative Agent or any Secured Creditor, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine its books and records and to make copies and take extracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its officers, subject to Section 5.7 of the Credit Agreement.
     SECTION 5. Insurance, Reporting and Recordkeeping. Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent that from and after the date of this Agreement and until the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 13(a):
          (a) Insurance. Each Grantor shall, at its own expense, maintain insurance as required by Section 5.8 of the Credit Agreement.
          (b) Reporting Obligations. Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 5.1(a) and (c) of the Credit Agreement, the Grantors, if necessary, shall update the disclosures set forth in Schedule III, Schedule IV, Schedule VI and/or Schedule VII to this Agreement so that the information provided on such schedules is true, complete and correct as of the day of delivery of the applicable financial statements.
     SECTION 6. General Authority. Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent its true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, in the name of such Grantor, the Administrative Agent or otherwise, for the sole use and benefit of the

17


 

Administrative Agent on its behalf and on behalf of the Secured Creditors, but at such Grantor’s expense, to exercise, at any time all or any of the following powers:
     (i) to file the financing statements, financing statement amendments and continuation statements referred to in Section 4(a)(ii),
     (ii) to endorse any checks or other instruments or orders in connection therewith,
     (iii) to demand, sue for, collect, receive and give acquittance for any and all monies due or to become due with respect to any Collateral or by virtue thereof,
     (iv) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings which the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement;
     (v) to settle, compromise, compound, prosecute or defend any action or proceeding with respect to any Collateral,
     (vi) to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise deal in or with the Collateral or the proceeds or avails thereof, as fully and effectually as if the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof, and
     (vii) to extend the time of payment with reference to the Collateral and to make any allowance and other adjustments with reference to the Collateral.
provided, however, that the powers described in clauses (ii) through (vii) above may be exercised by the Administrative Agent only if an Event of Default then exists. The appointment as attorney-in-fact under this Section 6 is irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
     SECTION 7. Remedies Upon an Event of Default.
          (a) If any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may, without further notice to the Grantors, exercise all rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or that are available to a secured creditor upon default under the UCC, or that are otherwise available at law or in equity, at any time, in any order and in any combination, including collecting any and all Obligations from the Grantors, and, in addition, the Administrative Agent or its designee may sell the Collateral or any part thereof at public or private sale, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery, and at such price or prices as the Administrative Agent may deem satisfactory. The Administrative Agent shall give the Grantors not less than ten (10) days prior written notice of the time and place of any sale or other intended disposition of Collateral. Each Grantor agrees that any such notice constitutes “reasonable notification” within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the UCC (to the extent such Section or any successor provision under the UCC is applicable).

18


 

          (b) If any Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Secured Creditor may be the purchaser of any or all of the Collateral so sold at any public sale (or, if such Collateral is of a type customarily sold in a recognized market or is of a type which is the subject of widely distributed standard price quotations or if otherwise permitted under applicable law, at any private sale) and thereafter hold the same, absolutely, free from any right or claim of whatsoever kind. Each Grantor agrees to execute and deliver such documents and take such other action as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable in order that any such sale may be made in compliance with law. Upon any such sale the Administrative Agent shall have the right to deliver, assign and transfer to the purchaser thereof the Collateral so sold. Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the Collateral so sold to it absolutely free from any claim or right of any kind, including any equity or right of redemption of the Grantors. To the extent permitted by law, each Grantor hereby specifically waives all rights of redemption, stay or appraisal which it has or may have under any law now existing or hereafter adopted. The notice (if any) of such sale shall (1) in case of a public sale, state the time and place fixed for such sale, and (2) in the case of a private sale, state the day after which such sale may be consummated. Any such public sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and at such place or places as the Administrative Agent may fix in the notice of such sale. At any such sale Collateral may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Administrative Agent may determine. The Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to make any such sale pursuant to any such notice. The Administrative Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for the sale, and such sale may be made at any time or place to which the same may be so adjourned. In case of any sale of all or any part of the Collateral on credit or for future delivery, such Collateral so sold may be retained by the Administrative Agent until the selling price is paid by the purchaser thereof, but the Administrative Agent shall not incur any liability in case of the failure of such purchaser to take up and pay for such Collateral so sold and, in case of any such failure, such Collateral may again be sold upon like notice. The Administrative Agent, instead of exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose the Security Interests and sell Collateral, or any portion thereof, under a judgment or decree of a court or courts of competent jurisdiction. The Grantors shall remain liable for any deficiency.
          (c) If any Event of Default exists, for the purpose of enforcing any and all rights and remedies under this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may (i) require any Grantor to, and each Grantor agrees that it will, at the joint and several expense of the Grantors, and upon the Administrative Agent’s request, forthwith assemble all or any part of its Collateral as directed by the Administrative Agent and make it available at a place designated by the Administrative Agent which is, in the Administrative Agent’s opinion, reasonably convenient to the Administrative Agent and such Grantor, whether at the premises of such Grantor or otherwise, (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law, enter, with or without process of law and without breach of the peace, any premise where any such Collateral is or may be located and, without charge or liability to the Administrative Agent, seize and remove such Collateral from such premises, (iii) have access to and use such Grantor’s books and records, computers and software relating to the Collateral, and (iv) prior to the disposition of any of the Collateral, store or transfer such Collateral without charge in or by means of any storage or transportation facility owned or leased by such Grantor, process, repair or recondition such Collateral or

19


 

otherwise prepare it for disposition in any manner and to the extent the Administrative Agent deems appropriate and, in connection with such preparation and disposition, use without charge any Trademark, trade name, Copyright, Patent or technical process used by such Grantor.
          (d) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing:
     (i) Upon the Administrative Agent’s request, each Grantor will promptly notify each Account Debtor in respect of any Account or Instrument of such Grantor that such Collateral has been assigned to the Administrative Agent hereunder, and that any payments due or to become due in respect of such Collateral are to be made directly to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Grantor herby authorizes the Administrative Agent, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to directly contact and notify the Account Debtors or obligors under any Accounts, of the assignment of such Collateral to the Administrative Agent, and to direct such Account Debtor or obligors to make payment of all amounts due or to become due thereunder directly to the Administrative Agent and, upon such notification and at the expense of such Grantor, to enforce collection of any such Accounts and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as such Grantor might have done. Once any such notice has been given to any Account Debtor or other Person obligated on the Collateral, and during the continuance of an Event of Default, such Grantor shall not give any contrary instructions to such Account Debtor or other Person without the Administrative Agent’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). If, notwithstanding the giving of any notice, any Account Debtor or other Person shall make payments to a Grantor, such Grantor shall hold all such payments it receives in trust for the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Secured Creditors and shall immediately upon receipt deliver the same to the Administrative Agent.
     (ii) The Administrative Agent may establish or cause to be established one or more lockboxes or other arrangements for the deposit of proceeds of Accounts, and in such case, each Grantor shall cause to be forwarded to the Administrative Agent, on a daily basis, all checks and other items of payment and deposit slips related thereto deposited in such lockboxes.
     (iii) The Administrative Agent may (without assuming any obligations or liability thereunder), at any time and from time to time, enforce (and shall have the exclusive right to enforce) against any licensee or sublicensee all rights and remedies of any Grantor in, to and under any Licenses and take or refrain from taking any action under any thereof, and each Grantor hereby releases the Administrative Agent from, and agrees to hold the Administrative Agent free and harmless from and against any claims arising out of, any lawful action so taken or omitted to be taken with respect thereto except for the

20


 

Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction.
     (iv) Upon written request by the Administrative Agent, each Grantor agrees to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent powers of attorney, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, for the implementation of any lease, assignment, license, sublicense, grant of option, sale or other disposition of any Intellectual Property. In the event of any such disposition pursuant to this Section 7, each Grantor shall supply its know-how and expertise relating to the manufacture and sale of the products bearing Trademarks or the products or services made or rendered in connection with Patents or Copyrights, and its customer lists and other records relating to such Intellectual Property and to the distribution of said products, to the Administrative Agent.
          (e) The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Creditors, and, by accepting the benefits of this Agreement, the Secured Creditors, expressly acknowledge and agree that this Agreement may be enforced only by the action of the Administrative Agent and that no other Secured Creditor shall have any right individually to seek to enforce or to enforce this Agreement or to realize upon the security to be granted hereby, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies shall be exercised exclusively by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors upon the terms of this Agreement.
          The Administrative Agent acknowledges that the Deposit Accounts under its control may from time to time contain Trust Funds, which the Grantors are required to collect and remit from time to time, but which, pending such remittance, shall be contained or held in such Deposit Accounts. Following the occurrence of the Trust Fund Activation Event, the Administrative Agent agrees (to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law) to notify the applicable Grantor thereof within one Business Day of the occurrence of such event. Upon receipt of such notice the applicable Grantor may, within ten Business Days thereafter, deliver (or cause to be delivered) a Trust Fund Certificate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document,(x) within one Business Day following receipt if such certificate is received by the Administrative Agent by 11:00 a.m. on any Business Day, or (y) within two Business Days following receipt if such certificate is received by the Administrative Agent after 11:00 a.m. on any Business Day, the Administrative Agent shall remit, or instruct the relevant bank to remit, in each case to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, the amount of the Trust Funds specified in the Trust Fund Certificate to the applicable Grantor for payment to the appropriate Person to the extent funds are available in such Grantor’s account.
     SECTION 8. Limitation on the Administrative Agent’s Duty in Respect of Collateral.
          (a) Beyond reasonable care in the custody thereof, the Administrative Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee or any income thereon or as to the preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto.

21


 

          (b) The Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody of the Collateral of any Grantor in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords its own property, and the Administrative Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage to any of the Grantors’ Collateral, or for any diminution in the value thereof, by reason of the act or omission of any warehouseman, carrier, forwarding agency, consignee or other agent or bailee selected by the Administrative Agent in good faith.
          (c) The Administrative Agent or any Secured Creditor shall not be required to marshal any present or future Collateral for, or other assurance of payment of, the Obligations or to resort to such Collateral or other assurances of payment in any particular order, and all of the rights of the Administrative Agent hereunder and the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Creditor in respect of such Collateral and other assurances of payment shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights, however existing or arising. To the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby agrees that it will not invoke any law relating to the marshalling of collateral which might cause delay in or impede the enforcement of the Administrative Agent’s rights under this Agreement or under any other instrument creating or evidencing any of the Obligations, and, to the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby irrevocably waives the benefit of all such laws.
     SECTION 9. Application of Proceeds. All monies collected by the Administrative Agent upon any sale or other disposition of any Collateral pursuant to the enforcement of this Agreement or the exercise of any of the remedial provisions hereof, together with all other monies received by the Administrative Agent hereunder (including all monies received in respect of post-petition interest) as a result of any such enforcement or the exercise of any such remedial provisions or as a result of any distribution of any Collateral upon the bankruptcy, arrangement, receivership, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other action or proceeding involving the readjustment of the obligations and indebtedness of any Grantor, or the application of any Collateral to the payment thereof or any distribution of Collateral upon the liquidation or dissolution of any Grantor, or the winding up of the assets or business of any Grantor shall be applied in the manner set forth in the Credit Agreement. It is understood and agreed that each Grantor shall remain liable to the Secured Creditors to the extent of any deficiency between (i) the amount of the proceeds of the Collateral received by the Administrative Agent hereunder and (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations.
     SECTION 10. Appointment of Co-Agents. At any time or times, in order to comply with any legal requirement in any jurisdiction, the Administrative Agent may appoint another bank or trust company or one or more other Persons reasonably acceptable to the Secured Creditors and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, the Grantors, either to act as co-agent or co-agents, jointly with the Administrative Agent, or to act as separate agent or agents on behalf of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Creditors with such power and authority as may be necessary for the effectual operation of the provisions hereof and specified in the instrument of appointment (which may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, include provisions for the protection of such co-agent or separate agent similar to the provisions of this Section 10).

22


 

     SECTION 11. Indemnity; Expenses.
          (a) The parties hereto agree that the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement.
          (b) Without limiting the application of subsection (a) above, each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify, reimburse and hold the Administrative Agent and each other Secured Creditor and their respective successors, assigns, employees, officers, directors, affiliates, agents and servants (hereinafter in this Section referred to individually as an “Indemnitee,” and, collectively, as “Indemnitees”) harmless from any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, injuries, penalties, claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments and any and all costs, expenses or disbursements (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses (provided, that reimbursement of legal expenses shall be limited to the expenses of one counsel to the Indemnitees taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel to the affected Indemnitees taken as a whole, and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in any relevant and material jurisdiction)) of whatsoever kind and nature imposed on, asserted against or incurred by any of the Indemnitees in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document executed in connection herewith or therewith or in any other way connected with the administration of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the enforcement of any of the terms of, or the preservation of any rights under any thereof, or in any way relating to or arising out of the ownership, ordering, purchase, delivery, control, acceptance, lease, financing, possession, operation, condition, sale, return or other disposition, or use of the Collateral, including the violation by any Grantor of the laws of any country, state or other governmental body or unit, any tort (including, without limitation, claims arising or imposed under the doctrine of strict liability, or for or on account of injury to or the death of any Person (including any Indemnitee), or property damage), or contract claim, or any misrepresentation by any Grantor in this Agreement, any other Loan Document or in any writing contemplated by or made or delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (y) result from a claim brought by any Grantor against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if such Grantor has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or (z) relate to the presence or Release of Hazardous Materials or any violation of Environmental Laws that first occurs at any property after such property is transferred to an Indemnitee by means of foreclosure, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or similar transfer, and is not an Environmental Liability of the Grantors or any of their Subsidiaries.
          (c) Without limiting the application of subsection (a) above, each Grantor agrees, jointly and severally, but without duplication, to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent upon demand for any and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature (but limited, in the case of legal counsel, to the reasonable

23


 

and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of one law firm) incurred in connection with the creation, preservation or protection of the Administrative Agent’s Security Interest in the Collateral, including, without limitation, all fees and taxes in connection with the recording or filing of instruments and documents in public offices, payment or discharge of any taxes or Liens upon or in respect of the Collateral, premiums for insurance with respect to the Collateral and all other fees, costs and expenses in connection with protecting, maintaining or preserving the Collateral and the Administrative Agent’s interest therein, whether through judicial proceedings or otherwise, or in defending or prosecuting any actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to the Collateral.
     (d) If and to the extent that the obligations of any Grantor under this Section 11 are unenforceable for any reason, such Grantor hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under applicable law. This Section 11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
     SECTION 12. Security Interest Absolute.
          All rights of the Administrative Agent, the Security Interests, and all obligations of the Grantors’ hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:
          (a) the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of any Grantor or any of their Subsidiaries;
          (b) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document;
          (c) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Loan Documents including, without limitation, any increase in the Obligations resulting from the extension of additional credit to any Grantor or any of their Subsidiaries or otherwise;
          (d) any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any other collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any guaranty, for all or any of the Obligations;
          (e) any manner of application of collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any of the Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any collateral for all or any part of the Obligations or any other assets of any Grantor or any of their Subsidiaries;
          (f) any change, restructuring or termination of the structure or existence of any Grantor or any of their Subsidiaries; or
          (g) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor or a third party grantor.
     SECTION 13. Termination of Security Interests; Release of Collateral.

24


 

          (a) Upon the repayment in full of all Obligations in cash (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted), and termination of all commitments of the Secured Creditors under the Loan Documents, the Security Interests shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Grantors.
          (b) A Grantor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the Security Interests created hereunder in the Collateral of such Grantor shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement as a result of which such Grantor ceases to be a Loan Party. The Security Interests in any Collateral that is sold or to be sold as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition not prohibited by the terms of the Loan Documents to any Person or other than a Loan Party shall be automatically released upon the consummation of such transaction.
          (c) In connection with any termination or release pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) above, the Administrative Agent will, at the expense of such Grantor, deliver to such Grantor any Collateral held by the Administrative Agent hereunder, and execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request, but without recourse or warranty to the Administrative Agent, including but not limited to, written authorization to file termination statements to evidence the termination of the Security Interests in such Collateral.
          (d) The Administrative Agent shall have no liability whatsoever to any other Secured Creditor as the result of any release of Collateral by it in accordance with (or which the Administrative Agent in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct believes to be in accordance with) this Section 13.
     SECTION 14. Reinstatement. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against any Grantor for liquidation or reorganization, should any Grantor become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of any creditor or creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of any Grantor’s assets, and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the Obligations, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent conveyance,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.
     SECTION 15. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement and shall be given to the Grantors and the Administrative Agent at their respective addresses for notices provided for in the Credit Agreement.
     SECTION 16. No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent in exercising any right or remedy hereunder, and no course of dealing between any Grantor on the one hand and the Administrative Agent or any Secured Creditor on

25


 

the other hand shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or any other Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies herein and in the other Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Administrative Agent would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on any Grantor not required hereunder in any case shall entitle any Grantor to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the Administrative Agent’s rights to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.
     SECTION 17. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and all obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of such Grantor (including any debtor-in-possession on behalf of such Grantor) and shall, together with the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, hereunder, inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Secured Creditors, all future holders of any instrument evidencing any of the Obligations and their respective successors and assigns. No sales of participations, other sales, assignments, transfers or other dispositions of any agreement governing or instrument evidencing the Obligations or any portion thereof or interest therein shall in any manner affect the Lien granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors hereunder. No Grantor may assign, sell, hypothecate or otherwise transfer any interest in or obligation under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Secured Creditors.
     SECTION 18. Amendments. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor consent to any departure by any Grantor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Creditors and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
     SECTION 19. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.
          (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF) OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT PERFECTION (AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION AND NONPERFECTION) AND CERTAIN REMEDIES MAY BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN NEW YORK.
          (b) EACH GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND OF ANY STATE COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE

26


 

PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH GRANTOR AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY SECURED CREDITOR MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST SUCH GRANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
          (c) EACH GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION 19 AND BROUGHT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION 19. EACH GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
          (d) EACH GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 15 HEREOF. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.
          (e) EACH GRANTOR HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH GRANTOR (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 19.
     SECTION 20. Severability. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

27


 

     SECTION 21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts (including by telecopy or other electronic imaging means (including “pdf” format)), but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instruments. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile shall be equally effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart.
     SECTION 22. Headings Descriptive; Interpretation. The headings of the several sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement. As used herein, the words “include”, “includes” and “including” are not limiting shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.
[Signatures on following page]

28


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Security Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
         
  GRANTORS:

FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 
 
  By   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Executive Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   
 
  LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO.
 
 
  By   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Executive Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   
 
  BLISS AND GLENNON, INC.
 
 
  By   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Treasurer   
 
  LOTSOLUTIONS, INC.
 
 
  By   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Treasurer   

 


 

         
  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

SUNTRUST BANK, as Administrative Agent

 
 
  By:   /s/ W. Bradley Hamilton    
    Name:   W. Bradley Hamilton   
    Title:   Director   
 
[Signature Page to Security Agreement]

 

EX-10.10 12 b81561exv10w10.htm EX-10.10 exv10w10
Exhibit 10.10
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
          This PLEDGE AGREEMENT, dated as of June 16, 2010 (together with all amendments, if any, from time to time hereto, this “Agreement”) by and among FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Georgia corporation (“Fortegra”), and the other Persons who may become “Pledgors” hereunder (together with Fortegra each a “Pledgor” and collectively, the “Pledgors”), and SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for its benefit and the benefit of the other Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement defined below).
WITNESSETH:
          WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among Fortegra, LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation (“LOTS”; together with Fortegra, the “Borrowers”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and the Administrative Agent) (as from time to time amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”), the Lenders have agreed to make Loans to the Borrowers;
               WHEREAS, certain Pledgors are the record and beneficial owners of the stock listed in Part A of Schedule I hereto and certain Pledgors are the owners of the promissory notes and instruments listed in Part B of Schedule I hereto;
               WHEREAS, in order to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, to induce the Lenders to make the Loans as provided for in the Credit Agreement, and to induce the Secured Parties (as defined below) to make other extensions of credit available to the Borrowers, each Pledgor has agreed to pledge the Pledged Collateral to the Administrative Agent to secure the payment and performance of the Obligations in accordance herewith;
               NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Pledgors hereby agree as follows:
     1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined, and the following shall have (unless otherwise provided elsewhere in this Agreement) the following respective meanings (such meanings being equally applicable to both the singular and plural form of the terms defined):
          “Act” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8(c) hereof.
          “Bankruptcy Code” means title 11, United States Code, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute thereto.
          “Pledged Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2 hereof.
          “Pledged Entity” means an issuer of Pledged Shares.

 


 

          “Pledged Indebtedness” means the Indebtedness evidenced by promissory notes and instruments listed on Part B of Schedule I hereto;
          “Pledged Shares” means the stock listed on Part A of Schedule I hereto.
          “Secured Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3 hereof.
          “Secured Parties” means the Lenders and the Lenders and Affiliates of Lenders that have entered into a Hedging Transaction with a Loan Party.
          “Termination Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11 hereof.
2. Pledge. The Pledgors hereby pledge and charge to the Administrative Agent, and grant to the Administrative Agent for itself and the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first priority security interest in all of the following (collectively, the “Pledged Collateral”):
     (a) the Pledged Shares and the certificates representing the Pledged Shares, and all dividends, distributions and other products or proceeds of the foregoing from time to time received or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the Pledged Shares; and
     (b) any additional shares of stock from time to time acquired by the Pledgors in any manner (which shares shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged Shares), and the certificates representing such additional shares, and all dividends, distributions and other products or proceeds from time to time received or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such stock; and
     (c) the Pledged Indebtedness, and the promissory notes or instruments evidencing the Pledged Indebtedness, and all interest, products or proceeds of the foregoing from time to time received or otherwise distributed in respect of the Pledged Indebtedness; and
     (d) all additional Indebtedness arising after the date hereof and owing to the Pledgors evidenced by promissory notes or other instruments (other than items deposited for collection in the ordinary course of business), together with such promissory notes and instruments, and all interest, products or proceeds of the foregoing from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of that Pledged Indebtedness; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Pledged Collateral” (and any component definition thereof) shall not include (i) ownership interests in joint ventures and non-wholly-owned Subsidiaries to the extent that such ownership interests cannot be pledged without the consent of one or more non-Affiliate third parties, (ii) any promissory note or instrument to which any Pledgor is a party or any of such Pledgor’s rights or interests thereunder if and only for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon shall (A) give the payor under, or the maker of such promissory note or instrument, the right to terminate its obligations thereunder, (B) constitute or result in the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of any right, title or interest of any Pledgor therein or (C) constitute or result in a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such promissory note or instrument (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions)); provided that such promissory note or instrument shall be excluded from the definition of

2


 

“Pledged Collateral” only to the extent and for so long as the consequences specified above shall exist and shall cease to be excluded from the definition of “Pledged Collateral” and shall become subject to the Liens granted hereunder, immediately and automatically, at such time as such consequences shall no longer exist, (iii) any asset if the grant or perfection of a security interest is prohibited by applicable law for so long as such law is in force and applicable hereto, (iv) any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary held by any Loan Party, other than the Capital Stock of LOTS held by Fortegra, but only for so long as the Indenture dated June 20, 2007 between LOTS, as issuer, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, is in effect and (v) any property acquired by any Loan Party if and to the extent that the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall have determined that the costs (including, without limitation, recording taxes and filing fees) of creating and perfecting a Lien on such property interests are excessive in relation to the value of the security afforded thereby.
     3. Security for Obligations. This Agreement secures, and the Pledged Collateral is security for, the prompt payment in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and performance of all Obligations of any kind under or in connection with, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any Hedging Transaction entered into with any Secured Party, and all obligations of the Pledgors now or hereafter existing under this agreement (collectively, the “Secured Obligations”).
     4. Delivery of Pledged Collateral. All certificates evidencing the Pledged Stock and all promissory notes and instruments evidencing the Pledged Indebtedness with a face value in excess of $1,000,000 individually shall be delivered to and held by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, for itself and the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant hereto. All Pledged Shares which are certificated and delivered in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and all promissory notes or other instruments evidencing the Pledged Indebtedness shall be endorsed by the Pledgors or accompanied by a duly executed instrument of transfer or allonge in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
     5. Representations and Warranties of Pledgors. Each Pledgor represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent that:
     (a) Such Pledgor is, and at the time of delivery of the Pledged Shares to the Administrative Agent will be, the sole holder of record and the sole beneficial owner of such Pledged Shares pledged by such Pledgor free and clear of any Lien thereon or affecting the title thereto, except for any Lien created by this Agreement and any Permitted Liens; such Pledgor is and at the time of delivery of the Pledged Indebtedness to the Administrative Agent will be, the sole owner of such Pledged Indebtedness free and clear of any Lien thereon or affecting title thereto, except for any Lien created by this Agreement and any Permitted Liens;
     (b) All of the Pledged Shares issued by any Subsidiary of any Pledgor have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the Pledged Indebtedness issued by any Subsidiary of any Pledgor has been duly authorized, authenticated or issued and delivered by, and is, to the knowledge of such Pledgor, the

3


 

legal, valid and binding obligations of, the Person obligated under such Pledged Indebtedness, and no such Person that is a Loan Party is in default in any material respect thereunder or of any material provision thereunder;
     (c) Such Pledgor has the right and requisite authority to pledge, assign, transfer, deliver, deposit and set over the Pledged Collateral pledged by such Pledgor to the Administrative Agent as provided herein;
     (d) None of the Pledged Shares or Pledged Indebtedness, in each case issued by any Subsidiary of any Pledgor, has been issued or transferred in violation of the securities registration, securities disclosure or similar laws of any jurisdiction to which such issuance or transfer may be subject; provided, that no representation is made with respect to any transfer to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
     (e) All of the Pledged Shares are, as of the date hereof, presently owned by such Pledgor, and, to the extent applicable, are presently represented by the certificates listed on Part A of Schedule I hereto or on the Pledge Amendment (as defined below), as the case may be. As of the date hereof, there are no existing options, warrants, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to the Pledged Shares;
     (f) No consent, approval, authorization or other order or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required (i) for the pledge by such Pledgor of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by such Pledgor, or (ii) for the exercise by the Administrative Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement or the remedies in respect of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement, except, in each case, for compliance with the Act, those as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and recordings and filings in connection with the perfection of the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent hereunder;
     (g) each Subsidiary that is issuing Pledged Shares but that is not a corporation will not issue certificates to evidence its equity interests unless it has opted in to Article 8 under Section 8-103(c) of the UCC;
     (h) The Uniform Commercial Code financing statements containing a description of the Pledged Collateral, which have been prepared by the Administrative Agent based upon the information provided to the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties by the Pledgors for filing in each governmental office specified on Schedule II hereof, are all the filings that are necessary as of the Closing Date to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties) in respect of all Pledged Collateral in which the security interest may be perfected by filing a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code;
     (i) The security interests granted in the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement (i) will create a legal and valid Lien and security interest in the Pledged Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Administrative

4


 

Agent and the Secured Parties, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations and (ii), subject to the filings described in Section 5(g), constitutes a perfected security interest in all Pledged Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registering a financing statement or analogous document in the United States (or any state thereof) pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code, and such Lien is prior to all other Liens other than Permitted Liens;
     (j) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Pledgor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Pledgor enforceable against such Pledgor in accordance with its terms except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and the effects of general principles of equity;
     (k) The Pledged Shares issued by LOTS constitute 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of LOTS; and
     (l) Except as disclosed on Part B of Schedule I, as of the Closing Date, none of the Pledged Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to other Indebtedness (except for the Secured Obligations) or subject to the terms of an indenture.
          The representations and warranties set forth in this Section 5 shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
     6. Covenants. Each Pledgor covenants and agrees that until the Termination Date:
     (a) Such Pledgor will, at its expense, promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver all such instruments and take all such actions as the Administrative Agent from time to time may reasonably request in order to ensure to the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties the benefits of the Liens in and to the Pledged Collateral intended to be created by this Agreement, including the filing of any necessary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, which may be filed by the Administrative Agent, and will cooperate with the Administrative Agent, at each Pledgor’s expense, in obtaining all necessary approvals and making all necessary filings under federal, state or local law in connection with such Liens or any sale or transfer of the Pledged Collateral conducted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
     (b) Each Pledgor has and will defend the title to the Pledged Collateral and the Liens of the Administrative Agent in the Pledged Collateral against the claim of any Person (other than holders of Permitted Liens) and will maintain and preserve such Liens; and
     (c) Each Pledgor will, upon obtaining ownership of any additional stock or promissory notes or instruments, in each case, of the type constituting Pledged Collateral, promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days or such longer period as to which the Administrative Agent may consent) deliver to the Administrative Agent a Pledge Amendment, duly executed by each Pledgor, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (a “Pledge Amendment”) in respect of any such additional stock, notes or

5


 

instruments, pursuant to which each Pledgor shall pledge to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties all of such additional stock, notes and instruments subject to the limitations on the pledge of the voting stock of Foreign Subsidiaries contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Pledgor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to attach each Pledge Amendment to this Agreement and agrees that all Pledged Shares and Pledged Indebtedness listed on any Pledge Amendment delivered to the Administrative Agent shall for all purposes hereunder be considered Pledged Collateral.
     7. Pledgors’ Rights. As long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and until written notice shall be given to the Pledgors in accordance with Section 8(a) hereof:
     (a) Each Pledgor shall have the right, from time to time, to vote and give consents with respect to the Pledged Collateral owned by it, or any part thereof for all purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast, and no consent shall be given or action taken, which is not conditioned upon payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent obligations for which no claim has been asserted) and termination of all commitments under the Credit Agreement or receipt of the consent or approval of the Required Lenders or all affected Lenders, as applicable, under the Credit Agreement if such vote would have the effect of impairing the position or interest of the Administrative Agent in respect of the Pledged Collateral (unless and to the extent expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement) or which would authorize, effect or consent to (unless and to the extent expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement):
               (i) the dissolution or liquidation, in whole or in part, of a Pledged Entity;
               (ii) the consolidation or merger of a Pledged Entity with any other Person; or
               (iii) the sale, disposition or encumbrance of all or substantially all of the assets of a Pledged Entity, except for Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent; and
     (b) each Pledgor shall be entitled, from time to time, to collect and receive for its own use all cash dividends and interest paid in respect of the Pledged Shares and Pledged Indebtedness to the extent (A) the transaction or event which enabled such payment was not in violation of the Credit Agreement and (B) the payment thereof is not in violation of the Credit Agreement other than any and all dividends and interest paid or payable other than in cash in respect of any Pledged Collateral, and instruments and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any Pledged Collateral; provided, however, that until actually paid all rights to such distributions shall remain subject to the Lien created by this Agreement.
     8. Defaults and Remedies; Proxy.

6


 

     (a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuation of such Event of Default, and concurrently with written notice to the applicable Pledgor, the Administrative Agent (personally or through an agent) is hereby authorized and empowered (i) to transfer and register in its name or in the name of its nominee the whole or any part of the Pledged Collateral, (ii) to exchange certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Pledged Collateral for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations, (iii) to exercise (upon one Business Day’s prior written notice to the applicable Pledgor) the voting (if any) and all other rights as a holder with respect thereto, (iv) to collect and receive all cash dividends, interest, principal and other distributions made thereon, (v) to receive, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, all other distributions in respect of any of the Pledged Shares or Pledged Indebtedness, whenever paid or made, to hold as Pledged Collateral (provided that, if such dividends, interest or distributions are received by any Pledgor, they shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, be segregated from the other property or funds of such Pledgor, and be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent as Pledged Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement)), (vi) subject to the mandatory requirements of applicable law, to sell in one or more sales after ten (10) days notice of the time and place of any public sale or of the time at which a private sale is to take place (which notice each Pledgor agrees is commercially reasonable) the whole or any part of the Pledged Collateral and (vii) to otherwise act with respect to the Pledged Collateral as though the Administrative Agent was the outright owner thereof. Any sale shall be made at a public or private sale at the Administrative Agent’s place of business, or at any place to be named in the notice of sale, either for cash or upon credit or for future delivery at such price as the Administrative Agent may deem fair, and the Administrative Agent may be the purchaser of the whole or any part of the Pledged Collateral so sold and hold the same thereafter in its own right free from any claim of any Pledgor or any right of redemption. Each sale shall be made to the highest bidder, but the Administrative Agent reserves the right to reject any and all bids at such sale which, in its discretion, it shall deem inadequate. Demands of performance, except as otherwise herein specifically provided for, notices of sale, advertisements and the presence of property at sale are hereby waived and any sale hereunder may be conducted by an auctioneer or any officer or agent of the Administrative Agent. EACH PLEDGOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT AND DURING THE CONTINUATION OF SUCH EVENT OF DEFAULT, AS THE PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF SUCH PLEDGOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO VOTE THE PLEDGED SHARES UPON THE GIVING OF NOTICE AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 8(A)(III) ABOVE, WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION TO DO SO. THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT IS COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE IRREVOCABLE UNTIL THE TERMINATION DATE. IN ADDITION TO THE RIGHT TO VOTE THE PLEDGED SHARES UPON THE GIVING OF NOTICE AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 8(A)(III) ABOVE, UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT AND DURING THE CONTINUATION OF SUCH EVENT OF DEFAULT, THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS PROXY

7


 

AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT SHALL INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE ALL OTHER RIGHTS, POWERS, PRIVILEGES AND REMEDIES TO WHICH A HOLDER OF THE PLEDGED SHARES WOULD BE ENTITLED (INCLUDING UPON THE GIVING OF NOTICE AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 8(A)(III) ABOVE, GIVING OR WITHHOLDING WRITTEN CONSENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS, CALLING SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS AND VOTING AT SUCH MEETINGS). SUCH PROXY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AUTOMATICALLY UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT AND DURING THE CONTINUATION OF SUCH EVENT OF DEFAULT AND WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF ANY ACTION (INCLUDING ANY TRANSFER OF ANY PLEDGED SHARES ON THE RECORD BOOKS OF THE ISSUER THEREOF) BY ANY PERSON (INCLUDING THE ISSUER OF THE PLEDGED SHARES OR ANY OFFICER OR AGENT THEREOF), UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT SHALL NOT HAVE ANY DUTY TO EXERCISE ANY SUCH RIGHT OR TO PRESERVE THE SAME AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY FAILURE TO DO SO OR FOR ANY DELAY IN DOING SO.
     (b) If, at the original time or times appointed for the sale of the whole or any part of the Pledged Collateral, the highest bid, if there be but one sale, shall be inadequate to discharge in full all the Secured Obligations, or if the Pledged Collateral be offered for sale in lots, if at any of such sales, the highest bid for the lot offered for sale would indicate to the Administrative Agent, in its discretion, that the proceeds of the sales of the whole of the Pledged Collateral would be unlikely to be sufficient to discharge all the Secured Obligations, the Administrative Agent may, on one or more occasions and in its discretion, postpone any of said sales by public announcement at the time of sale or the time of previous postponement of sale, and no other notice of such postponement or postponements of sale need be given, any other notice being hereby waived; provided, however, that any sale or sales made after such postponement shall be after ten (10) days’ notice to the Pledgors.
     (c) If, at any time when the Administrative Agent shall determine to exercise its right to sell the whole or any part of the Pledged Collateral hereunder, such Pledged Collateral or the part thereof to be sold shall not, for any reason whatsoever, be effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or any similar statute then in effect) (the “Act”), the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (subject only to applicable Requirements of Law), sell such Pledged Collateral or part thereof by private sale in such manner and under such circumstances as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable, but subject to the other requirements of this Section 8, and shall not be required to effect such registration or to cause the same to be effected. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in any such event, the Administrative Agent in its discretion (x) may, in accordance with applicable securities laws, proceed to make such private sale notwithstanding that a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Collateral or part thereof could be or shall have been filed under said Act (or similar statute), (y) may approach and negotiate with a single possible purchaser to effect such sale, and (z) may restrict such sale to a purchaser who is an accredited investor under the Act and who will represent and agree that such purchaser is

8


 

purchasing for its own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or sale of such Pledged Collateral or any part thereof. In addition to a private sale as provided above in this Section 8, if any of the Pledged Collateral shall not be freely distributable to the public without registration under the Act (or similar statute) at the time of any proposed sale pursuant to this Section 8, then the Administrative Agent shall not be required to effect such registration or cause the same to be effected but, in its discretion (subject only to applicable Requirements of Law), may require that any sale hereunder (including a sale at auction) be conducted subject to restrictions:
               (i) as to the financial sophistication and ability of any Person permitted to bid or purchase at any such sale;
               (ii) as to the content of legends to be placed upon any certificates representing the Pledged Collateral sold in such sale, including restrictions on future transfer thereof;
               (iii) as to the representations required to be made by each Person bidding or purchasing at such sale relating to that Person’s access to financial information about any Pledgor and such Person’s intentions as to the holding of the Pledged Collateral so sold for investment for its own account and not with a view to the distribution thereof; and
               (iv) as to such other matters as the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, deem necessary or appropriate in order that such sale (notwithstanding any failure so to register) may be effected in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code and other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and the Act and all applicable state securities laws.
     (d) The Pledgors recognize that the Administrative Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Collateral and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof in accordance with clause (c) above. Each Pledgor also acknowledges that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall not be deemed to have been made in a commercially unreasonable manner solely by virtue of such sale being private. The Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit the Pledged Entity to register such securities for public sale under the Act, or under applicable state securities laws, even if such Pledgor and the Pledged Entity would agree to do so.
     (e) Each Pledgor agrees to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law that following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default it will not at any time plead, claim or take the benefit of any appraisal, valuation, stay, extension, moratorium or redemption law now or hereafter in force in order to prevent or delay the enforcement of this Agreement, or the absolute sale of the whole or any part of the Pledged Collateral or the possession thereof by any purchaser at any sale hereunder, and such Pledgor waives the benefit of all such laws to the extent it lawfully may do so. Each

9


 

Pledgor agrees that it will not interfere with any right, power and remedy of the Administrative Agent provided for in this Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise, or the exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Administrative Agent of any one or more of such rights, powers or remedies. No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent to exercise any such right, power or remedy and no notice or demand which may be given to or made upon such Pledgor by the Administrative Agent with respect to any such remedies shall operate as a waiver thereof, or limit or impair the Administrative Agent’s right to take any action or to exercise any power or remedy hereunder, without notice or demand, or prejudice its rights as against such Pledgor in any respect.
     (f) Each Pledgor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 8 will cause irreparable injury to the Administrative Agent, that the Administrative Agent shall have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, agrees that each and every covenant contained in this Section 8 shall be specifically enforceable against such Pledgor, and each Pledgor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that the Secured Obligations are not then due and payable in accordance with the agreements and instruments governing and evidencing such obligations.
     9. Waiver. No delay on the Administrative Agent’s part in exercising any power of sale, Lien, option or other right hereunder, and no notice or demand which may be given to or made upon Pledgors by the Administrative Agent with respect to any power of sale, Lien, option or other right hereunder, shall constitute a waiver thereof, or limit or impair the Administrative Agent’s right to take any action or to exercise any power of sale, Lien, option, or any other right hereunder, without notice or demand, or prejudice the Administrative Agent’s rights as against the Pledgors in any respect.
     10. Assignment. The Administrative Agent may assign, indorse or transfer any instrument evidencing all or any part of the Secured Obligations as provided in, and in accordance with, the Credit Agreement, and the holder of such instrument shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement.
     11. Termination. Immediately following the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date on which all Loan Obligations (other than any contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted) shall have been paid in full (the “Termination Date”), (a) the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver to the Pledgors all Pledged Collateral pledged by each Pledgor at the time subject to this Agreement and all instruments of assignment executed in connection therewith; (b) subject to Section 14 of this Agreement, all documents and instruments executed and delivered pursuant to clause (a) above shall be free and clear of the Liens hereof and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all of Pledgors’ obligations hereunder shall at such time terminate; and (c) in connection with any termination or release pursuant to clause (a) above, the Administrative Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to the Pledgors all Uniform Commercial Code termination statements and similar documents that the Pledgors shall reasonably require to evidence such termination or release.

10


 

     12. Lien Absolute. All rights of the Administrative Agent hereunder, and all obligations of the Pledgors hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:
     (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument governing or evidencing any Secured Obligations;
     (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any part of the Secured Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument governing or evidencing any Secured Obligations;
     (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any other Collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any guaranty, for all or any of the Secured Obligations;
     (d) the insolvency of any Loan Party; or
     (e) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor (other than the occurrence of the Termination Date).
     13. Release. Each Pledgor consents and agrees that the Administrative Agent may at any time, or from time to time, in its discretion:
     (a) renew, extend or change the time of payment, and/or the manner, place or terms of payment of all or any part of the Secured Obligations, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement; and
     (b) exchange, release and/or surrender all or any of the Collateral (including the Pledged Collateral), or any part thereof, by whomsoever deposited, which is now or may hereafter be held by the Administrative Agent in connection with all or any of the Secured Obligations; all in such manner and upon such terms as the Administrative Agent may deem proper, and without notice to or further assent from Pledgors, it being hereby agreed that each Pledgor shall be and remain bound upon this Agreement, irrespective of the value or condition of any of the Collateral, and notwithstanding any such change, exchange, settlement, compromise, surrender, release, renewal or extension, and notwithstanding also that the Secured Obligations may, at any time, exceed the aggregate principal amount thereof set forth in the Credit Agreement, or any other agreement governing any Secured Obligations. Each Pledgor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Agreement, and also presentment, demand, protest and notice of dishonor of any and all of the Secured Obligations, and promptness in commencing suit against any party hereto or liable hereon, and in giving any notice to or of making any claim or demand hereunder upon such Pledgor. No act or omission of any kind on the Administrative Agent’s part shall in any event affect or impair this Agreement.
     14. Reinstatement. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against any Pledgor or any Pledged Entity for liquidation or reorganization, should any Pledgor or any Pledged Entity become insolvent or

11


 

make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of a Pledgor’s or a Pledged Entity’s assets, and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the Secured Obligations, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent conveyance”, or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Secured Obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.
     15. Miscellaneous.
     (a) The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties hereunder by or through agents or employees and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to its duties hereunder.
     (b) Each Pledgor agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for fees and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the administration and enforcement of this Agreement to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so under Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement.
     (c) Neither the Administrative Agent, nor any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents or counsel shall be liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder or in connection herewith, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
     (d) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING UPON EACH PLEDGOR AND ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (INCLUDING A DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION ON BEHALF OF SUCH PLEDGOR), AND SHALL INURE TO THE BENEFIT OF, AND BE ENFORCEABLE BY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND ITS SUCCESSORS AND PERMITTED ASSIGNS. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
     (e) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT, SUBJECT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S ELECTION, ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS. EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTION 17.

12


 

NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.
     16. Severability. If for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or effect those portions of this Agreement which are valid.
     17. Notices. Except as otherwise provided herein, whenever it is provided herein that any notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication shall or may be given to or served upon any of the parties by any other party, or whenever any of the parties desires to give and serve upon any other party any communication with respect to this Agreement, each such notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication shall be in writing and shall be given in the manner, and deemed received, as provided for in the Credit Agreement (notice to any Pledgor shall be deemed given when delivered to the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement).
     18. Section Titles. The Section titles contained in this Agreement are and shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever and are not a part of the agreement between the parties hereto.
     19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, which shall, collectively and separately, constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or Electronic Transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.
     20. Benefit of the Secured Parties. All security interests granted or contemplated hereby shall be for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties, and all proceeds or payments realized from the Pledged Collateral in accordance herewith shall be applied to the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]

13


 

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Pledge Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
         
  PLEDGOR:


FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Executive Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   
 
  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:


SUNTRUST BANK, as Administrative Agent
 
 
  By:   /s/ W. Bradley Hamilton    
    Name:   W. Bradley Hamilton   
    Title:   Director   
 
[Signature Page to Pledge Agreement]

 


 

EXHIBIT A
FORM OF PLEDGE AMENDMENT
     This Pledge Amendment, dated                     , ___is delivered pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Pledge Agreement referred to below. All defined terms herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto or incorporated by reference in the Pledge Agreement. The undersigned hereby certify that the representations and warranties in Section 5 of the Pledge Agreement are true and correct as to the promissory notes, instruments and shares pledged pursuant to this Pledge Amendment. The undersigned further agree that this Pledge Amendment may be attached to that certain Pledge Agreement, dated June ___, 2009, between undersigned, as Pledgors, and SunTrust Bank, as the Administrative Agent, (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Pledge Agreement”) and that the Pledged Shares and Pledged Indebtedness listed on this Pledge Amendment shall be and become a part of the Pledged Collateral referred to in said Pledge Agreement and shall secure all Secured Obligations referred to in said Pledge Agreement.
         
  [PLEDGOR]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
                 
Name and       Class   Certificate   Number
Address of Pledgor   Pledged Entity   of Stock   Number(s)   of Shares
 
               
                 
        Initial        
Name of Pledgor   Pledged Instrument   Principal Amount   Issue Date   Maturity Date
                 

 

EX-10.11 13 b81561exv10w11.htm EX-10.11 exv10w11
Exhibit 10.11
REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT NOTE
$15,000,000.00   April 6, 2009
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Georgia corporation, as maker, having an address of 100 West Bay Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32231 (“Borrower”), hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the order of COLUMBUS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Georgia banking corporation, having its principal place of business at 1148 Broadway, Columbus, Georgia 31901 (“Lender”), or at such other place as the holder hereof may from time to time designate in writing, the principal sum of FIFTEEN MILLION AND 00/100THS DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00), or such sums as may be advanced and outstanding from time to time pursuant to the Loan Agreement (defined below), in lawful money of the United States of America, with interest thereon as herein provided, to be paid as provided herein.
     This Revolving Line of Credit Note (the “Note”) represents a loan made on a revolving credit basis pursuant to that certain Line of Credit Agreement dated of even date herewith by and among Borrower, LOTS Intermediate Co., as guarantor, and Lender(such Line of Credit Agreement as originally executed and as same may be amended and modified from time to time being herein referred to as the “Loan Agreement”). Advances of principal made hereunder shall be made by Lender to Borrower in such amounts and at such times as Borrower from time to time may request in accordance with and subject to the terms of and conditions and limitations set forth in the Loan Agreement, but in no event shall the aggregate amount of all advances (including, without limitation, the initial advance made on the date hereof) of principal made and outstanding at any one time hereunder ever exceed $15,000,000.00. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Loan Agreement to the contrary, Lender shall have no obligation to advance any funds hereunder if (a) an Event of Default (as hereinafter defined) has occurred and is continuing or (b) on or after the Maturity Date (as hereinafter defined).
1. CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
     As used herein the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below (terms utilized herein which are not defined herein but which are defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Loan Agreement):
     (a) “Applicable Interest Rate” shall mean a per annum rate of simple interest equal at all times to the greater of (i) 1.0% plus the Floating Prime Rate (as hereinafter defined) and (ii) 5.0%. Each time the Floating Prime Rate increases or decreases, the Applicable Interest Rate will be re-calculated by Lender effective on the date when any increase or decrease in the Floating Prime Rate becomes effective so that the Applicable Interest Rate will equal the greater of (i) 1.0% plus the Floating Prime Rate, in effect following such increase or decrease and (ii) 5.0%. As of the date hereof, the Floating Prime Rate is 3.25% per annum and accordingly the initial Applicable Interest Rate is 5.0% per annum.

 


 

     (b) “Floating Prime Rate” shall mean the rate announced or otherwise designated from time to time by Lender as its “Prime Rate” and changing automatically with changes in such Prime Rate. Borrower acknowledges that the Prime Rate announced or otherwise established by Lender from time to time merely serves as a basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for loans making reference thereto and that such Prime Rate may not be the lowest rate at which interest is calculated or credit extended. If Lender ceases to announce its Prime Rate, Lender shall determine the Floating Prime Rate as the Prime Rate designated in such other nationally recognized publication, statistical guide or information service as Lender may reasonably select.
     (c) “Loan” shall mean the loan evidenced by this Note.
     (d) “Loan Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to said term on the first page of this Note.
     (e) “Loan Documents” shall mean this Note, the Loan Agreement, the Loan Documents (as defined in the Loan Agreement), and any other documents or instruments which now or shall hereafter wholly or partially secure or guarantee payment of this Note or which have otherwise been executed by Borrower and/or any other person in connection with the Loan, and all amendments, modifications and extensions of any such agreements, documents or instruments.
     (f) “Maturity Date” shall mean March 31, 2010.
     (g) “Monthly Payment Date” shall mean May 10, 2009, and the tenth (10th) day of each successive month thereafter through and including the Maturity Date.
2. PAYMENT TERMS
     Principal and interest on this Note shall be due and payable as follows:
     (c) The principal amount of this Note from time to time advanced and outstanding shall bear interest at the Applicable Interest Rate in effect from time to time.
     Accrued interest shall be due and payable from Borrower to Lender on each Monthly Payment Date through and including the Maturity Date.
     (b) Each payment from Borrower shall be applied when received by Lender as follows: (i) first, to any amounts due hereunder that are neither principal nor interest, (ii) second, to the payment of interest which has accrued but has not been paid hereunder, and (iii) the balance toward the reduction of the principal sum in such order of application as is determined by Lender.
     (c) The entire outstanding balance of the principal sum and all accrued but unpaid interest thereon and the entire Debt (as hereinafter defined) shall be due and payable from Borrower hereunder in full on the Maturity Date.

 


 

     (d) Interest shall be computed for each day during the term of this Note by multiplying the outstanding principal balance hereunder at the close of business on that day by a daily interest factor which daily interest factor shall be calculated by dividing the interest rate per annum in effect under this Note on that day by 360 days. Interest so computed shall accrue for each and every day on which any principal amount remains outstanding hereunder.
     (e) Unless payments are made in the required amount in immediately available funds at the place where this Note is payable, remittances in payment of all or any part of the Debt (defined below) shall not, regardless of any receipt or credit issued therefor, constitute payment until the required amount is actually received by Lender in funds immediately available at the place where this Note is payable (or any other place as Lender, in Lender’s sole discretion, may have established by delivery of written notice thereof to Borrower) and shall be made and accepted subject to the condition that any check or draft may be handled for collection in accordance with the practice of the collecting bank or banks.
3. DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION
     (a) The whole of the principal sum of this Note from time to time outstanding, (b) interest, default interest, late charges and any and all such other sums, as provided in this Note or the other Loan Documents, (c) all other monies agreed or provided to be paid by Borrower in this Note or the other Loan Documents, (d) all sums advanced pursuant to and in accordance with any of the Loan Documents to protect and preserve the Collateral securing the Loan, and (e) all sums advanced and costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the Debt (defined below) or any part thereof, any renewal, extension, or change of or substitution for the Debt or any part thereof, or the acquisition or perfection of the security therefor, whether made or incurred at the request of Borrower or Lender [all the sums referred to in (a) through (e) above shall collectively be referred to as the “Debt"] shall without notice become immediately due and payable at the option of Lender (i) if any payment required in this Note is not paid on the date when due, (ii) if Borrower fails to observe any other term or agreement herein contained, or (iii) on the occurrence and continuation of any Event of Default under, and as defined in, the Loan Agreement or any of the Loan Documents (each such nonpayment, failure or occurrence of an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement or any of the Loan Documents being referred to as an “Event of Default”).
4. DEFAULT INTEREST
     Borrower hereby agrees that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Lender shall be entitled to receive and Borrower shall pay interest on the entire unpaid principal sum at a rate (the “Default Rate”) equal to the lesser of (i) 4.0% more than the Applicable Interest Rate or (ii) the maximum interest rate that Borrower may by law pay. The Default Rate shall be computed from the occurrence of the Event of Default until the earlier of the date upon which the Event of Default is cured or waived in writing by Lender or the date upon which the Debt is paid in full. Interest calculated at the Default Rate shall be added to the Debt. This clause, however, shall not be construed as an agreement or privilege to extend the

3


 

date of the payment of the Debt, or as a waiver of any other right or remedy accruing to Lender by reason of the occurrence of any Event of Default.
5. PREPAYMENT
     The indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, without penalty or premium.
6. SECURITY.
     This Note is secured by the Collateral. Payment of this Note is also guaranteed by LOTS Intermediate Co. pursuant to the Guaranty.
7. SAVINGS CLAUSE
     No provisions of this Note are intended to result in Lender being entitled to or Borrower being required to pay any interest in excess of the highest lawful Contract Rate (meaning the maximum non-usurious interest rate that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on amounts due to Lender under laws applicable with regard to this Note presently in effect, or to the extent permitted by law, under such applicable laws as they are in effect from time to time which may allow a higher maximum non-usurious rate than applicable laws now allow). To the extent the interest provided for herein shall exceed said highest lawful Contract Rate, Borrower shall be obligated only to pay said highest lawful Contract Rate and shall not be obligated to pay such excess, but if such excess shall be paid by Borrower, then such excess shall, at the option of Lender, either be credited by Lender against the unpaid principal balance hereof or refunded by Lender to Borrower.
8. LATE CHARGE
     Time is of the essence of all provisions of this Note. If any sum payable under this Note is not paid prior to the tenth (10th) day after the date on which it is due, Borrower shall pay to Lender upon demand an amount equal to the lesser of five percent (5%) of the unpaid sum or the maximum amount permitted by applicable law to defray the expenses incurred by Lender in handling and processing the delinquent payment and to compensate Lender for the loss of the use of the delinquent payment and the amount shall be secured by the Pledge Agreement (as defined in the Loan Agreement) and other instruments securing this Note. This provision shall not be deemed to create a grace period for making payments under this Note and shall not preclude Lender from exercising Lender’s rights under Section 3 of this Note.
9. NO ORAL CHANGE
     This Note may not be modified, amended, waived, extended, changed, discharged or

4


 

terminated orally or by any act or failure to act on the part of Borrower or Lender, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any modification, amendment, waiver, extension, change, discharge or termination is sought.
10. WAIVERS
     Borrower and each of its successors and assigns do hereby severally waive presentment and demand for payment, notice of dishonor, protest and notice of protest and non-payment and all other notices of any kind, except for notices specifically provided for in the Loan Documents, and no release of any security for the Debt or extension of time for payment of this Note or any installment hereof, and no alteration, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Note or the other Loan Documents agreed to by Lender or its successors or assigns, with any Person other than Borrower (or its successors and/or assigns) shall release, modify, amend, waive, extend, change, discharge, terminate or affect the liability of Borrower or any of its successors or assigns. No notice to or demand on Borrower shall be deemed to be a waiver of the obligation of Borrower or of the right of Lender to take further action without further notice or demand as provided for in this Note or the other Loan Documents. In addition, acceptance by Lender of any payment in an amount less than the amount then due shall be deemed an acceptance on account only, and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default that would otherwise arise as a result of such nonpayment. If Borrower is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, the agreements contained herein shall remain in full force and effect and applicable notwithstanding any changes in the shareholders or members or partners comprising, or the officers and directors or managers or general partners relating to, the corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, and the term “Borrower” as used herein, shall include any successor corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company, but no predecessor corporation or limited liability company or limited partnership shall be relieved of liability hereunder. (Nothing in the foregoing sentence shall be construed as consent to, or a waiver of, any prohibition or restriction on transfers of interests in any limited partnership, corporation or limited liability company which may be set forth in any of the Loan Documents).
11. TRANSFER
     Lender shall have the absolute right to sell, assign and transfer this Note and all of Lender’s rights hereunder and under any or all of the Loan Documents. Upon the transfer of this Note, Borrower hereby waiving notice of any such transfer, Lender may deliver all the collateral mortgaged, granted, pledged or assigned pursuant to the Loan Documents, or any part thereof, to the transferee who shall thereupon become vested with all the rights herein or under applicable law given to Lender with respect thereto, and Lender shall thereafter forever be relieved and fully discharged from any liability or responsibility in the matter; but Lender shall retain all rights hereby given to it with respect to any liabilities and the collateral not so transferred.
12. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY

5


 

     BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, RELATING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO THE LOAN, THE APPLICATION FOR THE LOAN, THIS NOTE OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF LENDER, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, MEMBERS, MANAGERS OR AGENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
13. AUTHORITY
     Borrower (and the undersigned representative of Borrower, if any) represents that it has full power, authority and legal right to execute and deliver this Note and the Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party and that this Note and the Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party constitute valid and binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their respective terms.
14. APPLICABLE LAW
     This Note shall be governed, construed, applied and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Georgia and the applicable laws of the United States of America.
15. COUNSEL FEES
     In the event that it should become necessary to employ counsel to collect the Debt or to protect or foreclose the security therefor, hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, Borrower also agrees to pay all reasonable fees and expenses of Lender, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees actually incurred for the services of such counsel, whether or not suit be brought.
16. NOTICES
     Any and all notices, elections or demands permitted or required to be made under this Note shall be in writing, signed by the party giving such notice, election or demand and shall be delivered personally, by electronic email, or sent by certified United States Mail, postage prepaid, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier provided a receipt for delivery is obtained from the recipient, to the other party at the address set forth below, or at such other address within the continental United States of America as may have theretofore been designated in writing to the other party. Any such notice or other document shall be deemed delivered (i) if personally delivered, when actually received by the party to whom directed at the address specified pursuant to this Section, or (ii) if sent by electronic mail, upon sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or written acknowledgment), or (iii) if sent by U.S. Mail, three (3) days after such notice or document is deposited in the United States Mail, addressed as provided

6


 

above, or (iv) if sent by overnight courier, addressed, as provided below, on the date of receipt or refusal to accept delivery, as evidenced on the return receipt or other shipping invoice. For the purposes of this Note:
If to Borrower:

Fortegra Financial Corporation
Attn: John Short
100 West Bay Street
P. O. Box 44130
Jacksonville, Florida 32231
jshort@fortegra.com

If to Lender:

Columbus Bank and Trust Company
Attn: Corporate Lending (Neill Hatcher)
1148 Broadway (31901)
Post Office Box 120
Columbus, Georgia 31902
neillhatcher@columbusbankandtrust.com
17. MISCELLANEOUS
     (a) Wherever pursuant to this Note (i) Lender exercises any right given to it to approve or disapprove, (ii) any arrangement or term is to be satisfactory to Lender, or (iii) any other decision or determination is to be made by Lender, the decision of Lender to approve or disapprove, all decisions that arrangements or terms are satisfactory or not satisfactory and all other decisions and determinations made by Lender, shall be in the discretion of Lender reasonably exercised and shall be final and conclusive, except as may be otherwise expressly and specifically provided herein.
     (b) Whenever used, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and the words “Lender“and “Borrower” shall include their respective successors, assigns and legal representatives. This Note is not assignable by Borrower without the express prior written consent of Lender, which consent may be withheld in sole and absolute discretion of Lender.
     (c) If any provision in this Note shall be found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, it is the intention of the Borrower and Lender that to the

7


 

extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

8


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has duly executed and delivered this Note, under seal, as of the day and year first above written.
         
  BORROWER:


FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a
Georgia corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard S. Kahlbaugh    
    Name:   Richard S. Kahlbaugh   
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer and
President 
 
 
(CORPORATE SEAL)

9

EX-10.12 14 b81561exv10w12.htm EX-10.12 exv10w12
Exhibit 10.12
STOCK PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
     This STOCK PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 6th day of April, 2009, by and between FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Georgia corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Pledgor”), and COLUMBUS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Georgia banking corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Secured Party”). Capitalized words used and not otherwise defined herein shall, to the extent defined in the Loan Agreement, (as hereinafter defined) have the meanings ascribed to such words in the Loan Agreement (defined below).
WITNESSETH THAT:
     WHEREAS, Secured Party is this day extending a revolving line of credit to Pledgor in the stated principal amount of $15,000,000.00 (the “Loan”) and to evidence said Loan Pledgor is executing and delivering to Secured Party that certain Revolving Line of Credit Note dated of even date herewith in the stated principal amount of Fifteen Million and No/100ths Dollars ($15,000,000.00) (such Revolving Line of Credit Note as originally executed and as same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, modified, extended and/or renewed from time to time being herein referred to as the “Note”); and
     WHEREAS, the Loan is being made pursuant to that certain Line of Credit Agreement by and among Pledgor, LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation (“LOTS”) and Secured Party dated of even date herewith (such Line of Credit Agreement as originally executed and as same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, modified extended and/or renewed from time to time being herein referred to as the “Loan Agreement”); and
     WHEREAS, Pledgor owns all of the issued and outstanding stock of LOTS; and
     WHEREAS, as a condition to making the Loan, Secured Party has required Pledgor to enter into this Agreement and to pledge to Secured Party all of the issued and outstanding stock in LOTS, as more fully described herein, to secure the payment of the Loan and other secured obligations herein described;
     NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the aforesaid and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and to induce Secured Party to accept the Note and to make the Loan to Pledgor, Pledgor hereby covenants and agrees with Secured Party as follows:
     1. Secured Obligations. This Agreement is given to secure the due and punctual payment and performance of (i) all indebtedness and obligations of Pledgor to Secured Party evidenced by or arising under the Note or any other Loan Documents, whether now existing or

1


 

hereafter arising, including any extensions and renewals of said Note or other Loan Documents,
(ii) all costs of collection incurred by Secured Party in enforcing this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, (iii) all obligations of Pledgor under this Agreement, and (iv) any and all other indebtedness, liabilities and obligations which may now or hereafter be owing by Pledgor to Secured Party, whether direct, indirect or by way of assignment, whether joint or several, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, and whether as principal, maker, endorser, surety, guarantor, or otherwise under the Loan Documents (all of said debts, obligations and liabilities are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Secured Obligations”).
     2. Pledge and Security Interest.
     (a) Contemporaneously with the execution hereof or previously, Pledgor has delivered to Secured Party stock certificates representing the following specified shares of common stock of LOTS, as follows:
                         
NAME OF SHAREHOLDER   NO. OF SHARES   PAR VALUE   CERT. NO.
Fortegra Financial Corporation
    1,000     $0.01 per share     2  
     Pledgor hereby pledges and grants to Secured Party a security interest in all of the above listed shares of common stock of LOTS evidenced by the aforesaid stock certificates (constituting all of the issued and outstanding stock of said corporation on the date hereof), together with all dividends, stock dividends, stock splits, warrants, options, stock purchase rights, and all other property at any time and from time to time distributed by said corporation in respect of, or in exchange for, or in substitution of any and all such stock, and all proceeds thereof, whether now existing or at any time hereafter acquired or issued (collectively the “Stock Collateral”). The delivery to Secured Party of any securities now or hereafter included in the Stock Collateral shall be accompanied by stock powers executed in blank and by such other documents or instruments as Secured Party may reasonably request. Each subsequent delivery of certificates for such Stock Collateral shall be accompanied by a schedule showing the number of shares and the number of each certificate representing such shares and then being pledged hereunder, which schedule shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof.
     Should any other property of any nature whatsoever of Pledgor be conveyed to Secured Party or otherwise come into the possession of Secured Party as security for the Secured Obligations, unless such property shall be covered by and subject to the terms of a separate security agreement executed and delivered by Pledgor to Secured Party as security for any of the Secured Obligations, such shall automatically become subject to the terms of this Agreement, and all such property shall, along with the Stock Collateral, be sometimes referred to hereinafter as the “Collateral.”
     (b) Upon the request of Secured Party, Pledgor will execute such financing statements

2


 

and other documents, pay the cost of filing or recording the same in all public offices deemed necessary or appropriate by Secured Party, and do such other acts and things as Secured Party may from time to time reasonably request, to establish and maintain a valid security interest in the Collateral, free of all other liens and claims of every nature whatsoever other than those in favor of Secured Party. Pledgor hereby authorizes Secured Party to prepare and file, without Pledgor’s execution thereof, such financing statements as Secured Party deems appropriate to perfect, protect and/or preserve its security interest in any of the Collateral.
     3. Representations and Warranties. Pledgor hereby represents and warrants to Secured Party as follows:
          a. The stock certificate(s) identified in Section 2 hereof and delivered to the Bank are genuine and in all respects what they purport to be.
          b. Pledgor is the legal owner of the Stock Collateral and holds full and absolute beneficial title to the Stock Collateral, free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances, security interest, and voting trust restrictions, shareholder agreements and similar agreements of every kind and nature except for those in favor of Secured Party.
          c. That no consent or approval of any person, entity, or government or regulatory authority is necessary to the validity of the pledge contained in this Agreement, except such as have been obtained, and it is not necessary in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement to register the Stock Collateral under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
          d. That Pledgor has full power and authority to pledge the Stock Collateral to Secured Party as security for the Secured Obligations, and will defend its title thereto against the claims of all persons whomsoever.
          e. That Pledgor has granted to Secured Party a security interest in the Stock Collateral which is at the time hereof valid, perfected and of first priority under applicable law subject to no other liens and no financing statement, security interest, or other lien or encumbrance covering the Stock Collateral or its proceeds is outstanding or on file in any public office, except any, if any, that may have been filed in favor of the Bank.
          f. That Pledgor has revoked all proxies heretofore given (except those in favor of Secured Party) and covenants not to extend further proxies or powers of attorney with respect to the Stock Collateral so long as this Agreement remains in full force and effect.
          g. That Pledgor has the full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and this Agreement constitutes the valid, binding, and enforceable agreement of Pledgor, enforceable against Pledgor in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, and except with respect to the applicability of general equitable principles which may limit the availability of specific performance or other equitable remedies.

3


 

     4. Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations. Secured Party shall have the right (in its reasonable and absolute discretion) to have the stock certificate(s) representing the Stock Collateral assigned in blank in favor of Secured Party. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under this Agreement, Secured Party may have such Stock Collateral registered in the name of Secured Party or any nominee or nominees of Secured Party upon notice to Pledgor. Secured Party shall at all times have the right to exchange the stock certificate(s) representing the Stock Collateral for stock certificate(s) of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with its performance of this Agreement.
     5. Covenants. Until such time as all of the Secured Obligations are paid in full with Secured Party having no further commitment to advance funds under the Note, Pledgor covenants and agrees with Secured Party as follows:
     (a) Pledgor shall keep the Stock Collateral free from all security interests, liens, levies, attachments, voting restrictions, and all other encumbrances, except for the interest of Secured Party herein granted;
     (b) Pledgor shall not assign, sell, transfer, deliver, or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral or any interest therein other than as permitted by Section 4(q) of the Loan Agreement without the express prior written consent of Secured Party, which may be withheld by Secured Party in its reasonable discretion; provided, however, notwithstanding anything contained herein or in the Loan Agreement to the contrary, Pledgor may not sell or transfer any of the Stock Collateral without the prior written consent of Secured Party, which consent may be withheld in the reasonable discretion of Secured Party;
     (c) Pledgor shall pay all taxes, assessments, and all other charges of any nature which may be levied on or assessed against the Collateral or distributions in respect of the Collateral owed by Pledgor, except for taxes, assessments or charges which are in good faith being timely contested by Pledgor and are properly reserved against by Pledgor;
     (d) Pledgor now owns and shall continue to own 100% of the issued and outstanding capital and common stock of LOTS, all of which stock shall be included in the Stock Collateral; and
     (e) Pledgor will not vote any of the stock represented by the Stock Collateral to permit, and will vote such stock to prohibit, any purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of any of the Stock Collateral by LOTS.
     6. Voting Rights; Dividends, etc.
     (a) Unless and until an Event of Default hereunder shall have occurred and be continuing and until receipt of notice from Secured Party as provided below:

4


 

          (i) Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and consensual rights and powers accruing to an owner of the Stock Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Loan Agreement;
          (ii) Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all cash dividends payable on the Stock Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any and all stock or liquidating dividends, other distribution in property, return of capital or distribution made on or in respect of the Stock Collateral, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of common stock or received in exchange for the Stock Collateral or any part thereof or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets shall be and become part of the Stock Collateral pledged hereunder and, if received by Pledgor, shall promptly be delivered to Secured Party to be held subject to the terms of this Agreement.
     (b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, after Secured Party shall have notified Pledgor in writing of the suspension of its rights in Section 6(a) hereof:
          (i) All rights of Pledgor to receive and retain cash dividends payable on the Stock Collateral pursuant to Section 6(a)(ii) hereof shall cease and all such dividends shall be paid to Secured Party for application to the Secured Obligations. After the occurrence and during the continuance of said Event of Default, Pledgor agrees to promptly deliver to Secured Party any and all cash, checks, drafts, or other instruments for the payment of money which may be received by Pledgor as dividends or otherwise with respect to the Stock Collateral, duly endorsed and assigned to Secured Party, and same shall be held in a non-interest bearing account to be established by Secured Party upon receipt of such money or property as part of the Collateral subject to the terms of this Agreement (which account shall be under the exclusive control of Secured Party) or at Secured Party’s option, applied to the Secured Obligations (whether or not same is then due) in such order of application as is determined by Secured Party in its discretion; and
          (ii) All rights of Pledgor to exercise the voting and consensual rights and powers which Pledgor is entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 6(a) (i) hereof shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in Secured Party, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers.
     7. Performance of Pledgor’s Obligations. At Secured Party’s option, Secured Party may (but shall not be obligated to) from time to time perform any agreement of Pledgor hereunder which Pledgor shall fail to perform, and may take any other reasonable action which Secured Party deems necessary for the maintenance or preservation of the value of the Collateral or Secured Party’s interest therein; and any such cost so incurred shall be due and payable by Pledgor as provided in Section 7(o) of the Loan Agreement.
     8. Attorney-in-Fact. Pledgor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Secured Party as Pledgor’s agent and attorney-in-fact for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any interest which Secured Party may deem

5


 

necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof; provided, however, that such appointment of Secured Party shall not become effective until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Secured Party shall have the right and power to receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to Pledgor representing any interest or dividend or other distribution payable in respect of the Stock Collateral or any part thereof and give full discharge for the same. As Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, Secured Party shall have full power and authority to execute and deliver, in Pledgor’s name or in Pledgor’s behalf, any and all applications, certificates, endorsements, instruments and other documents of every nature which Secured Party at any time and from time to time shall reasonably deem necessary for the establishment and continuation of its perfected security interest in the Collateral or for the exercise of any of its rights and remedies herein provided with respect to the Collateral, including, but not limited to, any disposition of Collateral in the event of foreclosure. In exercising the power of attorney herein granted, Secured Party may act by and through its authorized loan officers or any other designee. The foregoing power of attorney is coupled with an interest, is irrevocable, and shall be terminated only upon payment in full of the Secured Obligations.
     9. Events of Default. Pledgor shall be in default under this Agreement upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events (hereinafter referred to as “Events of Default” with each being an “Event of Default”): (i) any default shall occur in the payment of any sum when due under the Note or any of the other Secured Obligations; (ii) an Event of Default shall occur under, and as defined in, the Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; (iii) the breach by Pledgor of any of the covenants or terms set forth in Section 5 of this Agreement or elsewhere in this Agreement and such failure is not cured by Pledgor within five (5) days after written notice of such failure is given by Secured Party to Pledgor; (iv) failure of Pledgor to observe any term, covenant or provision set forth in this Agreement and such failure is not cured by Pledgor within five (5) days after written notice of such failure is given by Secured Party to Pledgor; or (v) any of the representations or warranties herein made by Pledgor shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the date made.
     10. Rights and Remedies on Default. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under this Agreement and in addition to the rights set forth elsewhere herein, in the Note, in the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Loan Agreement) or available under applicable law, Secured Party may, in Secured Party’s sole discretion and without further notice or demand (i) declare all the Secured Obligations to be immediately due and payable, (ii) proceed immediately to exercise any and all of Pledgor’s rights, powers and privileges with respect to the Stock Collateral or any other Collateral, including without limitation, the right to sell or otherwise dispose of the Stock Collateral or any other Collateral, or any part thereof, at private or public sale in such manner as Secured Party shall deem reasonable, and (iii) exercise any other right or remedy available to Secured Party under the Georgia Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise available by any agreement with Pledgor or under applicable federal or state law. All rights and remedies herein specified are cumulative and are in addition to such other rights and remedies as may be available to Secured Party.

6


 

     Secured Party shall act as the authorized agent and attorney-in-fact of Pledgor in disposing of the Stock Collateral, and in that capacity is authorized to take such action on behalf of Pledgor as will further such a disposition, including without limitation, any necessary endorsement or signature in Secured Party’s own or Pledgor’s name. Pledgor expressly acknowledges that compliance with federal or state securities and other laws may limit the disposition of the Stock Collateral by Secured Party. No disposition of the Stock Collateral by Secured Party following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default shall be deemed to be a breach of any duty to Pledgor to be commercially reasonable because a better sales price might have been attained through an alternative disposition if Secured Party has acted reasonably and in good faith, or if Secured Party in good faith has determined that the alternative disposition might constitute a violation of state or federal laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Secured Party may at any sale of the Stock Collateral restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers of the Stock Collateral to Persons who will represent and agree that they are purchasing the Stock Collateral for their own account for investment and not with a view to distribution or sale, to Persons who represent and agree that they are all residents of one particular state, or to Persons who represent and agree that they are sophisticated investors having such net worth that they could withstand the loss of any investment made in purchasing any part or all of the Stock Collateral, or other similar restrictions, along with restricting the number of purchasers or prospective purchasers of said Stock Collateral. Any purchaser at a sale conducted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of Pledgor, and Pledgor hereby waives any right of redemption, stay or appraisal under present or future law. Each and every purchaser of any of the Stock Collateral shall be vested with all shareholder’s rights provided by the stock purchased, including without limitation, all voting and dividend rights. Pledgor agrees that Secured Party may purchase the Stock Collateral or any part thereof at any such sale. Any requirement imposed by law regarding the giving to Pledgor of prior notice of any sale or other disposition of the Stock Collateral shall be deemed reasonable if given by Secured Party in writing at least ten days prior to such sale or other disposition specifying the time and place thereof.
     11. Application of Proceeds. No disposition of any of the Collateral shall extinguish any of the Secured Obligations, except to the extent that the net proceeds are applied thereto, such proceeds to be applied first to the payment of all costs and expenses of collection and disposition of the Collateral (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses), and then toward payment of the Secured Obligations, in such order of application as Secured Party may from time to time elect, and such, if any, remaining balance paid to Pledgor or other party lawfully entitled thereto.
     12. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate only upon final payment in full of the Secured Obligations with Secured Party having no obligation to fund further advances under the Note, at which time Secured Party shall (as long as the Stock Collateral or other Collateral is not subject to any other pledge in favor of Secured Party that remains outstanding) reassign and deliver to Pledgor any Stock Collateral and any other Collateral then held by Secured Party, together with appropriate instruments of reassignment and release, including all Uniform Commercial Code termination statements or similar documents that Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination and release. Such reassignment shall be without recourse upon or warranty by Secured Party.

7


 

     13. Securities. In view of the position of Pledgor in relation to the Stock Collateral, or because of other present or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being hereinafter called the “Federal Securities Laws”) with respect to any disposition of the Stock Collateral permitted hereunder. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting Secured Party in any attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Stock Collateral under applicable Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Pledgor understands and acknowledges that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws and state securities laws may limit the course of conduct of Secured Party if Secured Party were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Stock Collateral and may also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Stock Collateral may dispose of the same, and such compliance by Secured Party shall not be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty or obligation to Pledgor.
     14. Miscellaneous.
          (a) Notices. Any and all notices, elections or demands permitted or required to be made under this Agreement shall be made in accordance with Section 7(b) of the Loan Agreement.
          (b) Survival. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
          (c) No Waiver. No failure on the part of Secured Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy granted hereunder, or available at law, in equity or otherwise, shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such rights, power or remedy by Secured Party preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.
          (d) Incorporation by Reference. The Loan Agreement, the Note and all other documents and instruments executed in connection with the making by Secured Party of the Loan to Pledgor are incorporated herein and made a part hereof by this reference.
          (e) Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement among the parties hereto.
          (f) Time of Essence. Time is of the essence under this Agreement.
          (g) Governing Law. This Agreement and the construction and enforcement hereof shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Georgia.
          (h) Heirs, Personal Representative, Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that Pledgor shall not be permitted to assign its obligations under this Agreement or any interest herein or in the Collateral, or any part thereof,

8


 

or otherwise pledge, encumber or grant any options with respect to all or any of the cash, securities, certificates, instruments or other property held as Collateral under this Agreement.
          (i) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or any portion thereof shall be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, such part shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability only, without in any way affecting the remaining parts of such provision or other remaining provisions.
          (j) Further Assurances. Pledgor agrees to do such further acts, and to execute and deliver such additional conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments as Secured Party may at any time reasonably request in connection with the administration and enforcement of this Agreement or relative to the Collateral or any part thereof, or in order better to assure and confirm to Secured Party its rights, powers and remedies hereunder.
          (k) Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
          (l) Headings. The descriptive headings of the several paragraphs are for convenience only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.
          (m) Cumulative Rights. Each and every right granted to Secured Party under this Agreement or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith or allowed it by law or in equity shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of Secured Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by Secured Party of any right preclude any other or further exercise of the same or any other right. No waiver by Secured Party of any Event of Default shall constitute a waiver of any subsequent Event of Default.
          (n) Indemnity. Pledgor agrees to and shall indemnify Secured Party from and against any and all claims, losses and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees) arising by reason of the execution hereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, enforcement of this Agreement), except claims, losses or liabilities resulting from Secured Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
     15. Consideration. Pledgor hereby confirms that Pledgor has received adequate and sufficient consideration for its execution and delivery of this Agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

9


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor has duly executed and delivered this Agreement to Secured Party, under seal, as of the date first above written
         
  FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a
Georgia corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard S. Kahlbaugh    
    Name:   Richard S. Kahlbaugh   
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President


      (CORPORATE SEAL) 
 
 

10

EX-10.13 15 b81561exv10w13.htm EX-10.13 exv10w13
Exhibit 10.13
 
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
by and between
SOUTH BAY ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION,
as Borrower,
and
WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC,
as Lender
Dated as of June 10, 2010
 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
    1  
1.1 Definitions
    1  
1.2 Accounting Terms
    25  
1.3 Code
    26  
1.4 Construction
    26  
1.5 Schedules and Exhibits
    26  
1.6 Timing of Payment or Performance
    27  
2. LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
    27  
2.1 Revolver Advances
    27  
2.2 Borrowing Procedures and Settlements
    27  
2.3 Payments
    28  
2.4 Overadvances
    29  
2.5 Interest Rates: Rates, Payments, and Calculations
    29  
2.6 Cash Management
    31  
2.7 Crediting Payments
    31  
2.8 Designated Account
    31  
2.9 Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations
    32  
2.10 Fees
    32  
2.11 Capital Requirements
    32  
2.12 LIBOR Option
    33  
3. CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT
    35  
3.1 Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit
    35  
3.2 Conditions Subsequent to the Initial Extension of Credit
    37  
3.3 Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit
    38  
3.4 Term
    38  
3.5 Effect of Termination
    38  
3.6 Early Termination by Borrower
    39  
4. CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST
    39  
4.1 Grant of Security Interest
    39  
4.2 Premium Finance Agreements and Negotiable Collateral
    39  

-i-


 

         
4.3 Collection of Premium Finance Receivables, Accounts, General Intangibles and Chattel Paper
    40  
4.4 Delivery of Additional Documentation Required
    40  
4.5 Power of Attorney
    40  
4.6 Right to Inspect
    41  
4.7 Control Agreements
    41  
4.8 Premium Finance Documents
    42  
4.9 Borrower’s Perfection
    42  
4.10 ERS
    42  
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
    42  
5.1 No Encumbrances
    42  
5.2 Premium Finance Agreements
    43  
5.3 Equipment
    43  
5.4 Location of Books, Inventory and Equipment
    43  
5.5 Books
    43  
5.6 Location of Chief Executive Office; FEIN
    44  
5.7 Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries
    44  
5.8 Due Authorization; No Conflict
    44  
5.9 Litigation
    45  
5.10 No Material Adverse Change
    45  
5.11 Fraudulent Transfer
    45  
5.12 Employee Benefits
    46  
5.13 Environmental Condition
    46  
5.14 Brokerage Fees
    46  
5.15 Intellectual Property
    46  
5.16 Leases
    46  
5.17 Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts
    46  
5.18 Complete Disclosure
    47  
5.19 Indebtedness
    47  
5.20 Compliance
    47  
5.21 Servicing
    47  
6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
    47  
6.1 Accounting System
    47  

-ii-


 

         
6.2 Collateral Reporting
    47  
6.3 Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates
    48  
6.4 Relationship with Obligors
    50  
6.5 Title to Property
    50  
6.6 Maintenance of Properties
    50  
6.7 Taxes
    51  
6.8 Insurance
    51  
6.9 Location of Books, Inventory and Equipment
    52  
6.10 Compliance with Laws
    52  
6.11 Leases
    52  
6.12 Brokerage Commissions
    52  
6.13 Existence
    52  
6.14 Environmental
    52  
6.15 Disclosure Updates
    53  
6.16 Collateral Access
    53  
6.17 [RESERVED]
    53  
6.18 Servicing
    53  
6.19 ERS
    53  
7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
    53  
7.1 Indebtedness
    53  
7.2 Liens
    54  
7.3 Restrictions on Fundamental Changes
    54  
7.4 Disposal of Assets
    54  
7.5 Change Name
    54  
7.6 Guarantee
    55  
7.7 Nature of Business
    55  
7.8 Prepayments and Amendments; Payment on Subordinated Debt
    55  
7.9 [RESERVED]
    55  
7.10 Approved Forms; Required Procedures
    55  
7.11 Modification of Premium Finance Receivables
    55  
7.12 Distributions
    55  
7.13 Accounting Methods
    56  
7.14 Investments
    56  

-iii-


 

         
7.15 Transactions with Affiliates
    56  
7.16 Suspension
    56  
7.17 Use of Proceeds
    57  
7.18 Change in Location of Chief Executive Office
    57  
7.19 Securities and Deposit Accounts
    57  
7.20 Financial Covenants
    57  
7.21 Participations
    57  
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
    58  
9. LENDER’S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
    60  
9.1 Rights and Remedies
    60  
9.2 Special Rights of Lender in respect of Premium Finance Documents
    63  
9.3 Remedies Cumulative
    64  
10. TAXES AND EXPENSES
    64  
11. WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION
    64  
11.1 Demand; Protest
    64  
11.2 Lender’s Non-Liability for Collateral
    64  
11.3 Indemnification
    65  
12. NOTICES
    65  
13. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER
    67  
14. ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS
    68  
14.1 Assignments and Participations
    68  
14.2 Successors
    69  
15. AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS
    69  
15.1 Amendments and Waivers
    69  
15.2 No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies
    70  
16. GENERAL PROVISIONS
    70  
16.1 Effectiveness
    70  
16.2 Section Headings
    70  
16.3 Interpretation
    70  
16.4 Severability of Provisions
    70  
16.5 Bank Product Providers
    70  
16.6 Withholding Taxes
    71  
16.7 [RESERVED]
    71  

-iv-


 

         
16.8 Counterparts; Electronic Execution
    72  
16.9 Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations
    72  
16.10 USA Patriot Act
    72  
16.11 Integration
    72  

-v-


 

EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
     
Exhibit B-1
  Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C-1
  Form of Collateral Access Agreement
Exhibit C-2
  Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit I-1
  Form of Intercompany Subordination Agreement
Exhibit I-2
  Form of Intercompany Subordinated Notes
 
   
Schedule P-1
  Permitted Liens
Schedule 5.4
  Locations of Books, Inventory, Equipment
Schedule 5.6
  Chief Executive Office; FEIN
Schedule 5.7(a)
  Licenses, Permits and Approvals
Schedule 5.7(b)
  Capitalization of Borrower
Schedule 5.7(c)
  Insurance Company or Brokerage Affiliates
Schedule 5.9
  Litigation
Schedule 5.12
  Benefit Plans
Schedule 5.13
  Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.14
  Brokerage Fees
Schedule 5.15
  Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.16
  Leases
Schedule 5.17
  Deposit and Securities Accounts
Schedule 5.19
  Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 7.7
  Jurisdictions where Borrower Permitted to Operate

-i-


 

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
          THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into as of June 10, 2010, by and between WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as lender (“Lender”), and SOUTH BAY ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, a California corporation, as borrower (“Borrower”).
          The parties agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
     1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:
          “Account” means an account (as that term is defined in the Code).
          “Accounting Changes” means changes in accounting principles required or permitted by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or successor thereto or any agency with similar functions).
          “Additional Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.
          “Advances” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
          “Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Stock, by contract, or otherwise; provided, however, that, in any event: (a) any Person which owns directly or indirectly 20% or more of the Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other members of the governing body of a Person or 20% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such Person) shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person, (b) each director (or comparable manager) of a Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Person, and (c) each partnership or joint venture in which a Person is a partner or joint venturer shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Person; provided further, however, that in no event shall any portfolio company of Summit Partners, other than Fortegra or any Person in which Fortegra owns directly or indirectly an ownership interest or in which Fortegra is a partner or joint venturer, be deemed to be an Affiliate of Fortegra or Borrower.
          “Agreement” means this Loan and Security Agreement.
          “Applicable Early Termination Fee” means, if the Agreement is terminated prior to the Maturity Date, an early termination fee calculated as follows: (i) if termination occurs during the period from and after the Closing Date but prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, an amount equal to three percent (3.0%) multiplied by the Maximum Revolver Amount in effect on such date, (ii) if termination occurs during the period from and after the first
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 1

 


 

anniversary of the Closing Date but prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date, an amount equal to two percent (2.0%) multiplied by the Maximum Revolver Amount in effect on such date, and (iii) if termination occurs during the period from and after the second anniversary of the Closing Date but prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, an amount equal to one percent (1.0%) multiplied by the Maximum Revolver Amount in effect on such date; provided, however, that if this Agreement is terminated and the Obligations are paid in full using the proceeds of a Fortegra IPO or an initial public offering of Borrower within 90 days after the closing of such Fortegra IPO or initial public offering of Borrower, then the Applicable Early Termination Fee shall be zero.
          “Applicable Laws” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority, including Premium Finance Laws and Credit Protection Laws.
          “Approved Forms” means the forms of Premium Finance Agreements and any other Premium Finance Documents attached to the Closing Certificate, approved and used by Borrower in the conduct of its business, together with such changes and modifications or additions thereto from time to time as allowed by Section 7.10 of this Agreement.
          “Assignee” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(a).
          “Authorized Financial Person” means any of (i) Dan Reppert, acting in his capacity as the President of Borrower, (ii) Al Rokosz, acting in his capacity as the Director of Finance and Operations of Borrower, (iii) Mike Vrban, acting in his capacity as the Treasurer of Borrower, or (iv) any replacement handling the responsibilities held by such individual as of the Closing Date.
          “Authorized Person” means, (i) with respect to Borrower, any of Dan Reppert, Al Rokosz, Antimo Cesaro, Mike Vrban, or John Short, or any replacement handling the responsibilities held by such individual as of the Closing Date and (ii) with respect to Fortegra, any of Rick Kahlbaugh, Mike Vrban, Dan Reppert, Al Rokosz, or John Short, or any replacement handling the responsibilities held by such individual as of the Closing Date.
          “Average Down-Payment Percentage” means, with respect to all then-outstanding Premium Finance Agreements, a percentage equal to (a) the aggregate amount of premiums paid by the respective Obligors thereon at the time of execution of all of such Premium Finance Agreements divided by (b) the aggregate amount of premiums payable under all of such Premium Finance Agreements.
          “Bank Product” means any one or more of the following financial products or accommodations extended to Borrower or its Subsidiaries by a Bank Product Provider: (a) credit cards, (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) stored value cards, (e) purchase cards (including so-called “procurement cards” or “P-cards”), (f) Cash Management Services, or (g) transactions under Hedge Agreements.
          “Bank Product Agreements” means those agreements entered into from time to time by Borrower or its Subsidiaries with a Bank Product Provider in connection with the obtaining of any of the Bank Products.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 2

 


 

          “Bank Product Collateralization” means providing cash collateral (pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to Agent) to be held by Lender for the benefit of the Bank Product Providers (other than the Hedge Providers) in an amount determined by Lender as sufficient to satisfy the reasonably estimated credit exposure with respect to the then existing Bank Product Obligations (other than Hedge Obligations).
          “Bank Product Obligations” means (a) all obligations, liabilities, reimbursement obligations, fees, or expenses owing by Borrower or its Subsidiaries to any Bank Product Provider pursuant to or evidenced by a Bank Product Agreement and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, (b) all Hedge Obligations, and (c) all amounts that Lender is obligated to pay to a Bank Product Provider as a result of Lender purchasing participations from, or executing guarantees or indemnities or reimbursement obligations to, a Bank Product Provider with respect to the Bank Products provided by such Bank Product Provider to Borrower or its Subsidiaries.
          “Bank Product Provider” means Wells Fargo or any of its Affiliates (including Lender).
          “Bank Product Reserve Amount” means, as of any date of determination, the Dollar amount of reserves that Lender has determined it is necessary or appropriate to establish (based upon the Bank Product Providers’ reasonable determination of their credit exposure to Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of Bank Product Obligations) in respect of Bank Products then provided or outstanding.
          “Bankruptcy Code” means the United States Bankruptcy Code, as in effect from time to time.
          “Base Rate” means the greatest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus one-half of one percent (0.50%), and (b) the rate of interest announced, from time to time, within Wells Fargo at its principal office in San Francisco as its “prime rate”, with the understanding that the “prime rate” is one of Wells Fargo’s base rates (not necessarily the lowest of such rates) and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto and is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal publications as Wells Fargo may designate.
          “Base Rate Loan” means each portion of the Advances that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.
          “Base Rate Margin” means three percent (3.00%).
          “Benefit Plan” means a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA) for which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates has been an “employer” (as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA) within the past two years.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 3

 


 

          “Board of Directors” means, with respect any Person, the board of directors (or comparable managers) of such Person, or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors (or comparable managers).
          “Books” means Borrower’s now owned or hereafter acquired books and records, including all books and records in respect of Premium Finance Agreements, all Records in respect of its assets and liabilities, and all Records relating to its business operations or financial condition.
          “Borrower” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.
          “Borrowing” means a borrowing of an Advance.
          “Borrowing Base” means, as of any date of determination, the result of:
     (a) ninety percent (90%) of the aggregate Net Balance of Eligible Premium Finance Agreements, minus
     (b) the aggregate amount of reserves, if any, established by Lender under Section 2.1(b).
          “Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1.
          “Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which banks are authorized or required to close in the State of New York, the State of Texas, or the State of California, except that, if a determination of a Business Day shall relate to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the term “Business Day” also shall exclude any day on which banks are closed for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
          “Capital Lease” means a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.
          “Capitalized Lease Obligation” means that portion of the obligations under a Capital Lease that is required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.
          “Cash Equivalents” means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof, (b) marketable direct obligations issued or fully guaranteed by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), (c) commercial paper maturing no more than 270 days from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, (d) certificates of deposit, time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank organized under the laws of the United States or any
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 4

 


 

state thereof or the District of Columbia or any United States branch of a foreign bank having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000, (e) Deposit Accounts maintained with (i) any bank that satisfies the criteria described in clause (d) above, or (ii) any other bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof so long as the full amount maintained with any such other bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (f) repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (d) of this definition or recognized securities dealer having combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000, having a term of not more than seven days, with respect to securities satisfying the criteria in clauses (a) or (d) above, (g) debt securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the criteria described in clause (d) above, and (h) Investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are invested in the types of assets described in clauses (a) through (g) above.
          “Cash Management Services” means any cash management or related services including treasury, depository, return items, overdraft, controlled disbursement, merchant store value cards, e-payables services, electronic funds transfer, interstate depository network, automatic clearing house transfer (including the Automated Clearing House processing of electronic funds transfers through the direct Federal Reserve Fedline system) and other cash management arrangements.
          “Change of Control” means (a) prior to the consummation of a Fortegra IPO, Summit Partners and its Affiliates and related co-investors (collectively, “Summit”) fail to own and control, directly or indirectly, at least 51% of the outstanding voting Stock of Fortegra, (b) upon or after the consummation of a Fortegra IPO, any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than any group of which Summit holds 51% or more of the outstanding voting Stock held by such group, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 25%, or more, of the outstanding voting Stock of Fortegra, (c) Fortegra fails to own and control, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Stock of Borrower, or (d) a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Fortegra or Borrower do not constitute Continuing Directors.
          “Closing Certificates” means the Closing Certificates executed and delivered by each of Borrower and Fortegra to Lender dated as of the Closing Date, in each case (i) attesting to the resolutions of such Person’s Board of Directors authorizing its execution, delivery, and performance of those Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and authorizing the officers of such Person to execute the same, (ii) attesting to the incumbency and signatures of such officers of such Person, and (iii) attesting to the Required Procedures and Approved Forms in existence as of the Closing Date.
          “Closing Date” means the date as of which this Agreement is dated as specified in the preamble to this Agreement.
          “Closing Date Business Plan” means the set of Projections of Borrower for the three year period following the Closing Date (on a year-by-year basis, and for the 1-year period
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 5

 


 

following the Closing Date, on a month-by-month basis), in form and substance (including as to scope and underlying assumptions) reasonably satisfactory to Lender.
          “Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any successor statute), as in effect from time to time, of the State of New York; provided, however, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection, priority, or remedies with respect to Lender’s Lien on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such attachment, perfection, priority, or remedies.
          “Collateral” means all of Borrower’s now owned or hereafter acquired right, title, and interest in and to all property, including each of the following types of property:
          (a) Premium Finance Agreements and other Premium Finance Documents, and all rights to payment under or in connection therewith,
          (b) Accounts,
          (c) Negotiable Collateral,
          (d) Premium Finance Collateral,
          (e) Collections,
          (f) the Collection Account,
          (g) Books,
          (h) Equipment,
          (i) General Intangibles,
          (j) Inventory,
          (k) Investment Property,
          (l) Real Property,
          (m) supporting obligations in respect of any of the foregoing,
          (n) all rights, claims, actions and causes of action under or in respect of Premium Finance Documents, now existing or hereafter accruing in favor of Borrower, including, without limitation, rights of acceleration, rights of cancellation, rights to exercise remedies, rights in respect of representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities and rights under guaranties or other instruments or agreements evidencing or assuring payment or performance thereunder,
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 6

 


 

          (o) with respect to Premium Finance Agreements, all rights (whether arising thereunder or pursuant to applicable Premium Finance Laws) to payment by an Insurer of unearned premiums, dividends or unearned commissions and all rights to enforcement and collection thereof,
          (p) (i) all policies of insurance or rights as loss payee or endorsee thereof, (ii) all rights acquired by reason of condemnation or exercise of the power of eminent domain, and (iii) all tax, insurance, security or other deposits, including rights in respect of letters of credit evidencing or securing any such deposit, and,
          (q) money or other assets of Borrower that now or hereafter come into the possession, custody, or control of Lender or any agent or bailee thereof, and the proceeds and products, whether tangible or intangible, of any of the foregoing, including proceeds of insurance covering any or all of the foregoing, and any and all Accounts, Books, Equipment, General Intangibles, Inventory, Investment Property, Negotiable Collateral, Real Property, money, deposit accounts, or other tangible or intangible property resulting from the sale, exchange, collection, or other disposition of any of the foregoing, or any portion thereof or interest therein, and the proceeds thereof, and
          (r) all Deposit Accounts, including without limitation, the Designated Account;
provided that the term “Collateral” (and any component definition thereof) shall not include (i) any General Intangibles, property of the type described in clause (p)(iii) above, or other rights arising under contracts, instruments, licenses, license agreements or other documents, to the extent (and only to the extent) that the grant of a security interest would (A) constitute a violation of a restriction in favor of a third party on such grant, unless and until any required consents shall have been obtained, (B) give any other party to such contract, instrument, license, license agreement or other document the right to terminate its obligations thereunder, or (C) violate any law; provided, however, that (x) the foregoing proviso shall not apply to any Premium Finance Documents or Premium Finance Collateral, (y) any portion of any such General Intangible, property, or other right shall cease to be excluded from the definition of “Collateral” pursuant to the foregoing proviso at the time and to the extent that the grant of a security interest therein does not result in any of the consequences specified above and (z) the limitation set forth in the foregoing proviso shall not affect, limit, restrict or impair the grant by Borrower of a security interest pursuant to this Agreement in any such General Intangible or other right, to the extent that an otherwise applicable prohibition or restriction on such grant is rendered ineffective by any applicable law, including the UCC; and (ii) any direct proceeds, substitutions or replacements of the property described in the immediately preceding clause (i), but only to the extent such proceeds, substitutions or replacements would otherwise be excluded pursuant to such clause (i).
          “Collateral Access Agreement” means a landlord waiver, bailee letter or acknowledgement agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee or other Person in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or interests in any Personal Property
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 7

 


 

Collateral (including, without limitation, Books), in each case in substantially the form attached as Exhibit C-1.
          “Collateral Agency Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
          “Collateral Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
          “Collection Account” means account number 2000051695048 of Borrower maintained with the Collection Account Bank.
          “Collection Account Agreement” means that certain Control Agreement by and among Lender, Borrower and the Collection Account Bank with respect to the Collection Account, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender.
          “Collection Account Bank” means Wells Fargo, or such other commercial bank acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion.
          “Collections” means all of Borrower’s now owned and hereafter acquired cash, checks, notes, instruments and other items of payment, and includes proceeds of cash sales, tax refunds, and payments and prepayments to or for the account of Borrower of principal, interest, fees, penalties, rental fees, payments under policies of title, hazard or other insurance, payments to or for the account of Borrower under supporting obligations and other payments paid or payable to or for the account of Borrower, including payments with respect to Premium Finance Receivables or otherwise in connection with Premium Finance Agreements or any other Collateral.
          “Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 delivered by an Authorized Financial Person to Lender.
          “Continuing Director” means, with respect to the Board of Directors of any Person, (a) any member thereof who was a director (or comparable manager) thereof on the Closing Date, and (b) any individual who becomes a member thereof after the Closing Date if such individual was appointed or nominated for election to such Board of Directors by a majority of the Continuing Directors or Summit Partners.
          “Control Agreement” means a control agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, executed and delivered by Borrower, Lender and the applicable securities intermediary (with respect to a Securities Account) or bank (with respect to a Deposit Account).
          “Credit Protection Laws” means all federal, state and local laws in respect of the business of extending credit to consumers and other borrowers, including without limitation, the Truth in Lending Act (and Regulation Z promulgated thereunder), Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Privacy Act, anti-discrimination and fair lending laws, laws relating to servicing procedures or maximum charges and rates of interest, and other similar laws, each to the extent applicable, and all applicable regulations in respect of any of the foregoing.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 8

 


 

          “Daily Balance” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to any Obligation, the amount of such Obligation owed at the end of such day.
          “Default” means an event, condition, or default that, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
          “Deposit Account” means any deposit account (as that term is defined in the Code).
          “Designated Account” means account number 2000051694670 of Borrower maintained with Borrower’s Designated Account Bank, or such other deposit account of Borrower (located at a commercial depositary bank within the United States acceptable to Lender) that has been designated as such, in writing, by Borrower to Lender.
          “Designated Account Bank” means Wells Fargo.
          “Dollars” or “$” means United States dollars.
          “Down-Payment Percentage” means, with respect to each Premium Finance Agreement, a percentage equal to (a) the amount of premiums paid by the Obligor thereon at the time of execution of such Premium Finance Agreement divided by (b) the aggregate amount of premiums payable under such Premium Finance Agreement.
          “Earliest Cancellation Date” means, at any time with respect to an insurance policy identified in a Premium Finance Agreement under which required payments are past due, the earliest date on which such insurance policy may be canceled by Borrower in compliance with applicable Premium Finance Laws.
          “EBITDA” means, with respect to any fiscal period, Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ consolidated net earnings (or loss), minus extraordinary gains, all non-cash gains and interest income, plus extraordinary losses, interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation, amortization and all non-cash charges or losses for such period, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
          “Eligible Premium Finance Agreement” means a Premium Finance Agreement originated and entered into by Borrower in the ordinary course of business and that is not excluded as ineligible by one or more of the criteria set forth below; provided, however, that such criteria may be revised from time to time by Lender in Lender’s Permitted Discretion. Without limiting Lender’s right to exercise its Permitted Discretion to establish other criteria of eligibility, unless Lender in its sole discretion elects otherwise, an Eligible Premium Finance Agreement shall not include the following:
     (a) any Premium Finance Agreement that has not been duly executed, or is not a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Obligor and the Insurer (other than with respect to limitations imposed by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability relating
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 9

 


 

to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by general equity principles), or has not been entered into in conformance with the Required Procedures;
     (b) that portion of the Gross Balance owing under any Premium Finance Agreement that exceeds $100,000 (unless otherwise permitted by Lender, in Lender’s sole discretion);
     (c) after the Ramp-Up Period, that portion of the Gross Balance owing under any Premium Finance Agreement that causes the aggregate Gross Balance owing under all Premium Finance Agreements that individually have a Gross Balance that exceeds $100,000 to exceed 15% of the aggregate Gross Balance of all Premium Finance Agreements at such time;
     (d) after the Ramp-Up Period, that portion of the Gross Balance owing under any Premium Finance Agreement that causes the aggregate Gross Balance owing under all Premium Finance Agreements that have the same Obligor to exceed $100,000 (unless otherwise permitted by Lender, in Lender’s sole discretion);
     (e) after the Ramp-Up Period, that portion of the Gross Balance owing under any Premium Finance Agreement that causes the average Gross Balance owing under all Premium Finance Agreements to exceed $10,000 at such time;
     (f) any Premium Finance Agreement that has been modified or had its maturity extended in any manner other than to ensure compliance with Applicable Laws;
     (g) any Premium Finance Agreement that is payable over a term exceeding nine (9) consecutive months from the date of its initial funding; provided, that Premium Finance Agreements having a term exceeding nine (9) consecutive months from the date of initial funding but not exceeding 36 consecutive months from the date of initial funding shall not be excluded from eligibility solely under this clause (g) to the extent that their aggregate Gross Balance does not exceed 15% of the aggregate Gross Balance of all Premium Finance Agreements;
     (h) any Premium Finance Agreement where the Down-Payment Percentage is less than 20%;
     (i) any Premium Finance Agreement where the insurance policy identified in such Premium Finance Agreement was not written by (i) an Insurer which maintains a “A-” (A minus) or better rating by AM Best, or (ii) an Insurer with respect to which the Borrower is covered against all losses (other than statutory deductibles in effect on the Closing Date or otherwise in an amount acceptable to Lender) in connection with the insolvency or failure of such Insurer under a State Guaranty Fund acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion, or (iii) a state assigned risk plan acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion;
     (j) any Premium Finance Agreement where the Premium Finance Agreement or the servicing thereof is not in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws;
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 10

 


 

     (k) that portion of the Gross Balance owing under any Premium Finance Agreement that causes the aggregate Gross Balance of all Premium Finance Agreements with respect to insurance policies written by any single Insurer to exceed (i) 7.5% of the aggregate Gross Balance of all Premium Finance Agreements if the Insurer maintains an “A” or better rating by AM Best; or (ii) 5% of the aggregate Gross Balance of all Premium Finance Agreements if the Insurer maintains an “A-” (A minus) rating by AM Best;
     (l) any Premium Finance Agreement that arises out of any transaction with any creditor, lessor or supplier of Borrower or out of any transaction where the Insured is a Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower or Fortegra (unless such Premium Finance Agreement has been pre-approved by Lender, in Lender’s sole discretion);
     (m) if the insurance policy identified in such Premium Finance Agreement has not been canceled, any Premium Finance Agreement where any payment owed to Borrower on such Premium Finance Agreement is past due beyond the date that is fifteen (15) days after the Earliest Cancellation Date with respect to such Premium Finance Agreement;
     (n) if the insurance policy identified in such Premium Finance Agreement has been canceled and the refund of unearned premiums in respect of each related insurance policy has not been paid by the Insurer thereunder, any Premium Finance Agreement where:
     (i) more than 75 days have passed since the Earliest Cancellation Date for such insurance policy or more than 60 days have passed since the date on which such insurance policy was canceled; and
     (ii) if the Insurer thereon is in rehabilitation or liquidation proceedings, (A) such Premium Finance Agreement is not covered by a State Guaranty Fund, (B) Lender has not established reserves in reduction of the Borrowing Base in an amount equal to or greater than the statutory deductible applicable to such State Guaranty Fund, or (C) if a liquidation order has been entered with respect to such Insurer, more than 180 days have passed since the effective date of such liquidation order;
     (o) that portion of the Gross Balance owing under any Premium Finance Agreement that causes the aggregate Gross Balance of all Premium Finance Agreements with respect to insurance policies generated by a single producer (i.e. a retail agent or agency group) that is neither owned by nor an Affiliate of Fortegra, to exceed 4.0% of the aggregate Gross Balance of all Premium Finance Agreements (unless such Premium Finance Agreement has been pre-approved by Lender, in Lender’s sole discretion); provided, that Borrower can from time to time propose to Lender in writing that a producer be deemed to be a “Designated Producer” with an increased concentration limit of up to 7.5% and an aggregate concentration limit of 20% for all “Designated Producers”, with any such designation to be effective if and when approved in writing by Lender in its sole
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 11

 


 

discretion, and, if approved, to remain effective until such approval is revoked by written notice to Borrower by Lender or written notice from Borrower to Lender.
     (p) any Premium Finance Agreement with respect to which Borrower is not in compliance in all material respects with Borrower’s representations and warranties under this Agreement with respect to such Premium Finance Agreement;
     (q) any Premium Finance Agreement with respect to which amounts owed to Borrower thereunder are subject to any present offset, deduction or counterclaim, or any dispute asserted or threatened in writing or other defense on the part of the Obligor thereunder;
     (r) any Premium Finance Agreement (i) that is not subject to the Lender’s Liens, (ii) with respect to which Lender’s Liens are not perfected as a first priority Lien, or (iii) is subject to any other Lien whatsoever other than a Permitted Lien;
     (s) any Premium Finance Agreement that does not arise out of the financing of insurance premiums in a jurisdiction in which Borrower is duly licensed as a premium finance company; or
     (t) any Premium Finance Agreement that is not 100% owned by Borrower, or in which any other Person owns or claims any legal or beneficial interest therein, other than the Lender’s Liens or Permitted Liens.
Without limiting the foregoing, Lender retains the right at any time and from time to time to modify any standards of eligibility set forth in this definition of “Eligible Premium Finance Agreement” in its Permitted Discretion and to establish reserves against valuation hereunder in accordance with Section 2.1, in each case, upon three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice (unless at such time an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case, such changes may be effective immediately).
          “Eligible Transferee” means (a) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having total assets in excess of $250,000,000, (b) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or a political subdivision of any such country and which has total assets in excess of $250,000,000, provided, that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States, (c) a finance company, insurance company, or other financial institution or fund that is engaged in making, purchasing, or otherwise investing in commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and having (together with its Affiliates) total assets in excess of $250,000,000, (d) any Affiliate (other than individuals) of Lender, (e) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other Person approved by Lender and Borrower (such approval by Borrower not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and (f) during the continuation of an Event of Default, any other Person approved by Lender.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 12

 


 

          “Environmental Action” means any written complaint, summons, citation, notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, judgment, letter, or other written communication from any Governmental Authority or any third party involving violations of Environmental Laws or releases of Hazardous Materials (a) from any assets, properties, or businesses of Borrower, any Subsidiary of Borrower, or any of their predecessors in interest, (b) from adjoining properties or businesses, or (c) from or onto any facilities which received Hazardous Materials generated by Borrower, any Subsidiary of Borrower, or any of their predecessors in interest.
          “Environmental Law” means any applicable federal, state, provincial, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, in each case, to the extent binding on Borrower or its Subsidiaries, relating to the environment, the effect of the environment on employee health, or Hazardous Materials, in each case as amended from time to time.
          “Environmental Liabilities” means all liabilities, monetary obligations, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts, or consultants, and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand, or Remedial Action required, by any Governmental Authority or any third party, and which relate to any Environmental Action.
          “Environmental Lien” means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for Environmental Liabilities.
          “Equipment” means equipment (as that term is defined in the Code).
          “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto.
          “ERISA Affiliate” means (a) any Person subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries under IRC Section 414(b), (b) any trade or business subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries under IRC Section 414(c), (c) solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any organization subject to ERISA that is a member of an affiliated service group of which Borrower or its Subsidiaries is a member under IRC Section 414(m), or (d) solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any Person subject to ERISA that is a party to an arrangement with Borrower or any its Subsidiaries and whose employees are aggregated with the employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries under IRC Section 414(o).
          “ERS” means the electronic reporting system to be established by Lender and Borrower providing for electronic delivery by Borrower to Lender of reporting in respect of the Collateral as required by this Agreement.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 13

 


 

          “Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.
          “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect from time to time.
          “Federal Funds Rate” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to, for each day during such period, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by Lender from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
          “FEIN” means Federal Employer Identification Number.
          “Fortegra” means Fortegra Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation; it being understood that Fortegra may be redomesticated to become a Delaware corporation.
          “Fortegra Guaranty” means the Continuing Guaranty of the Obligations executed by Fortegra in favor of Lender with respect to all losses incurred by Lender in connection with this Agreement that are the result of fraudulent activity by Borrower or any of its Affiliates as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment.
          “Fortegra IPO” means an initial public offering of the Stock of Fortegra consummated in compliance with all Applicable Laws.
          “Funding Date” means the date on which a Borrowing occurs.
          “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States, consistently applied; provided, however, that all calculations relative to liabilities shall be made without giving effect to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159.
          “General Intangibles” means general intangibles (as that term is defined in the Code), including payment intangibles, contract rights, rights to payment, rights arising under common law, statutes, or regulations, choses or things in action, goodwill, patents, trade names, trade secrets, trademarks, servicemarks, copyrights, blueprints, drawings, purchase orders, customer lists, monies due or recoverable from pension funds, route lists, rights to payment and other rights under any royalty or licensing agreements, infringement claims, computer programs, information contained on computer disks or tapes, software, literature, reports, catalogs, insurance premium rebates, tax refunds, and tax refund claims, and any other personal property other than Accounts, commercial tort claims, Deposit Accounts, goods, Investment Property, and Negotiable Collateral.
          “Governing Documents” means, with respect to any Person, the certificate or articles of incorporation and by-laws, or other equivalent organizational documents of such Person.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 14

 


 

          “Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local, or other governmental or administrative body, instrumentality, department, or agency or any court, tribunal, administrative hearing body, arbitration panel, commission, or other similar dispute-resolving panel or body.
          “Gross Balance” means, at any time with respect to a Premium Finance Agreement, the maximum balance owing under such Premium Finance Agreement by the Obligor (payable in Dollars).
          “Guarantor” means Fortegra and any other Person that executes a Guaranty with respect to the Obligations.
          “Guaranty” means the Fortegra Guaranty and any other guaranty executed and delivered by a Guarantor in favor of Lender and the Bank Product Providers, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.
          “Hazardous Materials” means (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or “EP toxicity”, (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.
          “Hedge Agreement” means a “swap agreement” as that term is defined in Section 101(53B)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code.
          “Hedge Obligations” means any and all obligations or liabilities, whether absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, of Borrower or its Subsidiaries arising under, owing pursuant to, or existing in respect of Hedge Agreements entered into with one or more of the Hedge Providers.
          “Hedge Provider” means Wells Fargo or any of its Affiliates.
          “Indebtedness” as to any Person means (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, or other similar financial products, (c) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (d) all obligations or liabilities of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, irrespective of whether such obligation or liability is assumed, (e) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of assets (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and repayable in accordance with customary trade practices), (f) all net obligations of such Person owing under Hedge Agreements (which amount
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 15

 


 

shall be calculated based on the amount that would be payable by such Person if the Hedge Agreement were terminated on the date of determination), (g) any Prohibited Preferred Stock of such Person, and (h) any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee (whether directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted, or sold with recourse) any obligation of any other Person that constitutes Indebtedness under any of clauses (a) through (g) above (other than with respect to endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business). For purposes of this definition, (i) the amount of any Indebtedness represented by a guaranty or other similar instrument shall be the lesser of the principal amount of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding and the maximum amount for which the guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Indebtedness, and (ii) the amount of any Indebtedness described in clause (d) above shall be the lesser of the amount of the obligation and the fair market value of the assets of such Person securing such obligation.
          “Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.
          “Indemnified Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.
          “Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, assignments for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief.
          “Insurer” means an insurance company that issues an insurance policy identified in, and the premiums of which are financed pursuant to, a Premium Finance Agreement.
          “Intangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person, that portion of the book value of all of such Person’s assets that would be treated as intangibles under GAAP.
          “Interest Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to a Person for any period, the ratio of (i) EBITDA for such period, to (ii) total interest expense to the extent paid or required to be paid during such period, in each case determined for such Person.
          “Intercompany Subordination Agreement” means the Subordination Agreement with respect to the obligations of Borrower under the Intercompany Subordinated Notes, to be executed and delivered by each holder of any of the Intercompany Subordinated Notes, Borrower, and Lender, in the form attached as Exhibit I-1.
          “Intercompany Subordinated Notes” means the Subordinated Notes in the aggregate original principal amount of $8,000,000, to be executed and delivered by Borrower after the Closing Date in favor of certain Affiliates of Borrower, with respect to subordinated loans made by such Persons to Borrower on or before the date of the initial Advance under this Agreement, in the form attached as Exhibit I-2.
          “Interest Period” means, with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan, a period commencing on the first day of a calendar month and ending on the last day of such calendar
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 16

 


 

month; provided, however, that the Interest Period that includes the Closing Date shall be the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the calendar month in which the Closing Date occurs.
          “Inventory” means inventory (as that term is defined in the Code).
          “Investment” means, with respect to any Person, any investment by such Person in any other Person (including Affiliates) in the form of loans, guarantees, advances, or capital contributions (excluding (a) commission, travel, and similar advances to officers, directors and employees of such Person made in the ordinary course of business, and (b) bona fide Accounts arising in the ordinary course of business), or acquisitions of Indebtedness, Stock, or all or substantially all of the assets of such other Person (or of any division or business line of such other Person), and any other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that Investments will be deemed not to include contingent obligations or guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to obligations not constituting Indebtedness.
          “Investment Property” means investment property (as that term is defined in the Code).
          “IRC” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect from time to time.
          “Lender” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
          “Lender Expenses” means all (a) costs or expenses (including taxes, and insurance premiums) required to be paid by Borrower or any Guarantor under any of the Loan Documents that are paid, advanced or incurred by Lender, (b) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees or charges paid or incurred by Lender in connection with Lender’s transactions with Borrower as contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, including fees or charges for photocopying, notarization, couriers and messengers, telecommunication, public record searches (including tax lien, litigation, and UCC searches and including searches with the patent and trademark office, the copyright office, or the department of motor vehicles), filing, recording, publication, appraisal (including periodic Collateral appraisals or business valuations to the extent of the fees and charges (and up to the amount of any limitation) contained in this Agreement), real estate surveys, real estate title policies and endorsements, and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs incurred by Lender in administering and servicing ERS, (c) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Lender in the disbursement of funds to Borrower (by wire transfer or otherwise), (d) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket charges paid or incurred by Lender resulting from the dishonor of checks payable by or to any Loan Party, (e) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid or incurred by Lender to correct any default or enforce any provision of the Loan Documents, or during the continuance of an Event of Default, in gaining possession of, maintaining, handling, preserving, storing, shipping, selling, preparing for sale, or advertising to sell the Collateral, or any portion thereof, irrespective of whether a sale is consummated, (f) reasonable out-of-pocket audit fees and expenses (including travel, meals, and lodging) of Lender related to any inspections or audits to the extent of the fees and charges (and up to the amount of any limitation) contained in the Agreement, (g) reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 17

 


 

expenses of third party claims or any other suit paid or incurred by Lender in enforcing or defending the Loan Documents or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or Lender’s relationship with Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor, (h) Lender’s reasonable fees and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering (including travel, meals, and lodging), or amending the Loan Documents, (i) Lender’s reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’, and other advisors’ fees and expenses) incurred in terminating, enforcing (including such fees and expenses incurred in connection with a “workout,” a “restructuring,” or an Insolvency Proceeding concerning Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor, or in exercising rights or remedies under the Loan Documents), or defending the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether suit is brought, or in taking any Remedial Action concerning the Collateral, and (j) any fees or expenses reasonably incurred by Lender in connection with the Servicing Agreement or any other agreement that Lender or Borrower enters into with any replacement servicer or otherwise in connection with servicing any of the Collateral.
          “Lender-Related Person” means Lender and Lender’s Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents.
          “Lender’s Account” means an account at a bank designated by Lender from time to time as the account into which Borrower shall make all payments to Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; unless and until Lender notifies Borrower to the contrary, Lender’s Account shall be that certain deposit account bearing account number 4121345110 and maintained by Lender with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., San Francisco, CA, ABA No. 121000248.
          “Lender’s Liens” means the Liens granted by Borrower or any other Person to Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents executed in connection with this Agreement.
          “LIBOR Rate” means the per annum rate appearing on Bloomberg L.P.’s (the “Service”) Page BBAM1/(Official BBA USD Dollar Libor Fixings) (or on any successor or substitute page of such Service, or any successor to or substitute for such Service) 2 Business Days prior to the commencement of the relevant Interest Period, for a term of three months, which determination shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
          “LIBOR Rate Loan” means each portion of an Advance that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.
          “LIBOR Rate Margin” means three percent (3.00%).
          “Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, easement, lien (statutory or other), security interest, or other security arrangement and any other preference, priority, or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever, including any conditional sale contract or other title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease and any synthetic or other financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 18

 


 

          “Loan Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.
          “Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Collection Account Agreement, the Control Agreements, the Fortegra Guaranty and each other Guaranty, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement and each other Subordination Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, and any replacement servicing agreement entered into after the date hereof, any note or notes executed by Borrower in connection with this Agreement, and any other agreement entered into, now or in the future, by Borrower, its Subsidiaries, or Fortegra and Lender in connection with this Agreement that are specifically designated as such in writing.
          “LOTS” means LOTS Intermediate Co., a Delaware corporation.
          “Material Adverse Change” means (a) a material adverse change in the business, operations, results of operations, assets, liabilities or financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which they are a party or of Lender’s ability to enforce the Obligations or realize upon the Collateral, or (c) a material impairment of the enforceability or priority of Lender’s Liens with respect to the Collateral as a result of an action or failure to act on the part of Borrower or its Subsidiaries.
          “Maturity Date” means June 10, 2013.
          “Maximum Revolver Amount” means $40,000,000.
          “Minimum Funding Amount” means (i) from and after December 10, 2010, $10,000,000, and (ii) from and after June 10, 2011, $17,500,000.
          “Negotiable Collateral” means letters of credit, letter of credit rights, instruments, promissory notes, drafts, documents, and chattel paper (including electronic chattel paper and tangible chattel paper).
          “Net Balance” means, at any time with respect to a Premium Finance Agreement, the Gross Balance (payable in Dollars), net of (i) unearned interest charges and (ii) the amount, if any, of unpaid drafts issued to an Insurer in respect thereof, in each case determined as of such time.
          “Obligations” means (a) all loans, Advances, debts, principal, interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), premiums, liabilities (including all amounts charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the Agreement), obligations (including indemnification obligations), fees, Lender Expenses (including any fees or expenses that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), guaranties, covenants, and duties of any kind and description owing by Borrower or any Guarantor pursuant to or evidenced by the Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including all
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 19

 


 

interest not paid when due and all other expenses or other amounts that Borrower or any Guarantor is required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents or by law or otherwise in connection with the Loan Documents, and (b) all Bank Product Obligations. Any reference in the Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall include all or any portion thereof and any extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.
          “Obligor” means a Person obligated to make payments to Borrower under a Premium Finance Agreement.
          “Overadvance” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
          “Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(d).
          “Permitted Discretion” means a determination made in good faith in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured lender) business judgment.
          “Permitted Dispositions” means (a) sales or other dispositions of Equipment that is substantially worn, damaged, or obsolete in the ordinary course of business, (b) sales of Inventory to buyers in the ordinary course of business, (c) the use or transfer of money or Cash Equivalents in a manner that is not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (d) the licensing, on a non-exclusive basis, of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business, (e) actions with respect to Accounts in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the Required Procedures, and (f) voluntary termination of Hedge Agreements.
          “Permitted Investments” means (a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents, (b) Investments in negotiable instruments for collection or received in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the Required Procedures, (c) advances made in connection with purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business, (d) loans under Premium Finance Agreements made in the ordinary course of business, (e) Investments received in settlement of amounts due to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries effected in the ordinary course of business or owing to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of Insolvency Proceedings involving an Obligor or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and (f) Investments resulting from entering into Bank Product Agreements.
          “Permitted Liens” means (a) Liens granted to, or for the benefit of, Lender to secure the Obligations, (b) Liens for unpaid taxes, assessments, or other governmental charges or levies that either (i) are no more than 30 days overdue and do not have priority over Lender’s Liens, or (ii) are the subject of Permitted Protests, (c) Liens arising solely as a result of the existence of judgments, orders, or awards that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.8, (d) Liens set forth on Schedule P-1; provided, however, that to qualify as a Permitted Lien, any such Lien described on Schedule P-1 shall only secure the Indebtedness that it secures on the Closing Date and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, (e) the interests of lessors under operating leases and non-exclusive licensors under license agreements, (f) purchase money Liens or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases to the extent that such
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 20

 


 

Liens or interests secure Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and so long as (i) such Lien attaches only to the asset purchased or acquired and the proceeds thereof, and (ii) such Lien only secures the Indebtedness that was incurred to acquire the asset purchased or acquired or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, (g) Liens arising by operation of law in favor of warehousemen, landlords, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, and which Liens either (i) are for sums not yet more than 30 days overdue and which do not have priority over Lender’s Liens, or (ii) are the subject of Permitted Protests, (h) Liens on amounts deposited to secure Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ obligations in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance or similar legislation, (i) Liens on amounts deposited to secure Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ obligations in connection with the making or entering into of contracts, bids, tenders, or leases incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, (j) Liens on amounts deposited to secure Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ reimbursement obligations with respect to surety or appeal bonds obtained in the ordinary course of business , (k) with respect to any Real Property, easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions and other restrictions that do not materially interfere with or impair the use or operation thereof, (l) non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business, (m) Liens that are replacements of Permitted Liens to the extent that the original Indebtedness is the subject of permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber those assets that secured the original Indebtedness, (n) rights of setoff or bankers’ liens upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of deposit accounts or to secure obligations with respect to Cash Management Services in the ordinary course of business, (o) Liens in favor of Borrower and (p) Liens arising from filing precautionary UCC financing statements relating to operating leases.
          “Permitted Protest” means the right of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to protest any Lien (other than any Lien that secures the Obligations), taxes (other than payroll taxes or taxes that are the subject of a United States federal tax lien), or other amount, provided that (a) a reserve with respect to such obligation is established on Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ books and records in such amount as is required under GAAP, (b) any such protest is instituted promptly and prosecuted diligently by Borrower or its Subsidiary, as applicable, in good faith, and (c) Lender is satisfied that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no material impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of Lender’s Liens.
          “Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred after the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not in excess of $200,000.
          “Person” means natural persons, corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land trusts, business trusts, or other organizations, irrespective of whether they are legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.
          “Personal Property Collateral” means all Collateral other than Real Property.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 21

 


 

          “Preferred Stock” means, as applied to the Stock of any Person, the Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred with respect to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Stock of any other class of such Person.
          “Premium Finance Agreement” means an agreement pursuant to which Borrower agrees to finance payment of insurance premiums for the account of an Obligor and such Obligor promises to pay to Borrower the amount advanced or to be advanced by Borrower thereunder together with interest, fees, and charges in connection therewith as allowed by applicable Premium Finance Laws, and any renewal, extension, modification, supplement or restatement thereof.
          “Premium Finance Collateral” means any and all property or interests in property that secures an Obligor’s obligations under a Premium Finance Agreement, including without limitation all rights to payment or refund of unearned premiums, dividends or unearned commissions from time to time paid or payable by or on behalf of an Insurer or any agent or agency in connection with a Premium Finance Agreement, and supporting obligations in respect thereof, if any.
          “Premium Finance Documents” means all Premium Finance Agreements and all agreements and documents executed by an Obligor in connection therewith, and all renewals, extensions, modifications, supplements and restatements thereof.
          “Premium Finance Laws” means all applicable laws, regulations and rules pertaining to the conduct of Borrower’s business as an insurance premium finance company in any state or jurisdiction in which Borrower conducts business.
          “Premium Finance Receivables” means (i) all rights to payment of indebtedness and obligations (including without limitation, principal, interest, costs, fees, charges, expenses and indemnity obligations) from time to time owing by an Obligor under a Premium Finance Agreement and (ii) all rights to payment or refund of unearned premiums, dividends or commissions from time to time paid or payable by or on behalf of an Insurer or any agent or agency in connection with a Premium Finance Agreement.
          “Prohibited Preferred Stock” means any Preferred Stock that by its terms is mandatorily redeemable or subject to any other payment obligation (including any obligation to pay dividends, other than dividends of shares of Preferred Stock of the same class and series payable in kind or dividends of shares of common stock) on or before a date that is less than 91 days after the Maturity Date, or, on or before the date that is less than 91 days after the Maturity Date, is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof for cash or assets or securities (other than distributions in kind of shares of Preferred Stock of the same class and series or of shares of common stock); provided that Preferred Stock will not constitute Prohibited Preferred Stock if it is mandatorily redeemable or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale, so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale shall be subject to the payment in full of the Obligations hereunder or such repurchase or redemption is otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including as a result of a waiver or amendment hereunder).
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 22

 


 

          “Projections” means, Borrower’s, forecasted (a) balance sheets, (b) profit and loss statements, and (c) cash flow statements, all prepared on a basis consistent with such Person’s historical financial statements (except as otherwise noted therein), together with appropriate supporting details and a statement of underlying assumptions.
          “Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Obligations, but including Capitalized Lease Obligations), incurred at the time of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition of any fixed assets for the purpose of financing all or any part of the acquisition cost thereof.
          “Ramp-Up Period” means the period starting on the Closing Date ending on December 10, 2010.
          “Real Property” means, with respect to any Person, any estates or interests in real property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person and the improvements thereto.
          “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or which is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
          “Refinancing Indebtedness” means refinancings, replacements, renewals, or extensions of Indebtedness so long as: (a) such refinancings, replacements, renewals, or extensions do not result in an increase in the principal amount of the Indebtedness so refinanced, replaced, renewed, or extended, other than by the amount of premiums paid thereon, accrued interest thereon and the fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and by the amount of unfunded commitments with respect thereto, (b) such refinancings, replacements, renewals, or extensions do not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity (measured as of the refinancing, replacement, renewal, or extension) of the Indebtedness so refinanced, replaced, renewed, or extended, nor are they on terms or conditions that, taken as a whole, are materially less favorable to the interests of the Lenders than the Indebtedness so refinanced, replaced, renewed or extended, (c) if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, replaced, renewed, or extended was subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, then the terms and conditions of the refinancing, replacement, renewal, or extension must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to Lender as those that were applicable to the refinanced, replaced, renewed, or extended Indebtedness, and (d) the Indebtedness that is refinanced, replaced, renewed, or extended is not recourse to any Person that is liable on account of the Obligations other than those Persons which were obligated with respect to the Indebtedness that was refinanced, replaced, renewed, or extended.
          “Remedial Action” means all actions taken to (a) clean up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way address Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (c) restore or reclaim natural resources or the environment, (d) perform any pre-remedial studies, investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (e) conduct any other actions with respect to Hazardous Materials required by Environmental Laws.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 23

 


 

          “Required Procedures” means operational procedures and procedures regarding the use of Approved Forms with respect to the financing and servicing of Premium Finance Agreements, as attached to the Closing Certificate, as may be changed or modified from time to time as permitted by Section 7.10 of this Agreement.
          “Restricted Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution, or other payment, in cash or other property, direct or indirect, to any member or director of Borrower, other than compensation to an officer or director of Borrower, as such, in the ordinary course of business, (b) any payment or prepayment of principal, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated Debt, or (c) any payment to an Affiliate of Borrower or an Affiliate of any member or director of Borrower not expressly authorized in this Agreement.
          “Revolver Usage” means, as of any date of determination, the amount of outstanding Advances.
          “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor thereto.
          “Securities Account” means a “securities account” as that term is defined in the Code.
          “Servicer” means Borrower, or any other Person that assumes the functions of servicing Premium Finance Agreements with the prior written consent of Lender.
          “Servicing Agreement” means a servicing agreement executed and delivered by Servicer and Lender, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.
          “Solvent” means, with respect to any Person on a particular date, that, at fair valuations, the sum of such Person’s assets is greater than all of such Person’s debts.
          “State Guaranty Fund” means, with respect to Premium Finance Agreements governed by the Premium Finance Laws of any state or other jurisdiction, the statutory fund established thereunder assuring Borrower against loss, less prescribed statutory deductibles, on a Premium Finance Agreement as a result of the insolvency or failure of an Insurer.
          “Stock” means all shares, options, warrants, interests, participations, or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock, or any other “equity security” (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act), but excluding Indebtedness convertible into any of the foregoing.
          “Subordinated Debt” means the Intercompany Subordinated Notes and any other unsecured Indebtedness specifically subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of the Obligations and which shall otherwise be on terms and conditions satisfactory to Lender and subject to a Subordination Agreement.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 24

 


 

          “Subordination Agreement” means the Intercompany Subordination Agreement and any other subordination agreement executed and delivered by Borrower and the holder of Subordinated Debt and Lender, the form and substance of which is satisfactory to Lender.
          “Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity in which that Person directly or indirectly owns or controls the shares of Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or appoint other comparable managers) of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity.
          “Summit Partners” means Summit Partners, L.P., a Massachusetts limited partnership.
          “Tangible Net Worth” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, the result of (a) such Person’s total members’ or shareholder’s equity, plus (b) such Person’s Subordinated Debt, minus (c) all Intangible Assets of such Person, minus (d) all amounts due to such Person from Affiliates of such Person.
          “Tangible Net Worth Requirement” means an amount, as of the date of the initial Advance under this Agreement and at all time thereafter, equal to $8,000,000.
          “Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.6.
          “Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date Lender terminates its obligations under this Agreement as referenced in Sections 3.4 or 9.1, (c) the date Borrower terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.6 and (d) the date this Agreement is otherwise terminated for any reason pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
          “United States” means the United States of America.
          “Voidable Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.9.
          “Wells Fargo” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association.
     1.2 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that if Borrower notifies Lender that Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change occurring after the Closing Date or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if Lender notifies Borrower that Lender requests an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such Accounting Change or in the application thereof, then Lender and Borrower agree that they will negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that are directly affected by such Accounting Change with the intent of having the respective positions of Lender and Borrower after such Accounting Change conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions as of the date of this Agreement and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon, the provisions in this Agreement shall be calculated as if no such Accounting
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 25

 


 

Change had occurred. When used herein, the term “financial statements” shall include the notes and schedules thereto. Whenever the term “Borrower” is used in respect of a financial covenant or a related definition, it shall be understood to mean Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     1.3 Code. Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein; provided, however, that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the Code shall govern.
     1.4 Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” is not exclusive. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, restatements, amendments and restatements, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, restatements, amendments and restatements, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts, and contract rights. Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations shall mean the repayment in Dollars in full in cash or immediately available funds (or, in the case of obligations with respect to Bank Products (other than Hedge Obligations), providing Bank Product Collateralization) of all of the Obligations (including the payment of any termination amount then applicable (or which would or could become applicable as a result of the repayment of the other Obligations) under Hedge Agreements provided by Hedge Providers) other than (a) unasserted contingent indemnification Obligations, (b) any Bank Product Obligations (other than Hedge Obligations) that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Bank Product Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid or cash collateralized, and (c) any Hedge Obligations that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Hedge Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid. Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns. Any requirement of a writing contained herein or in any other Loan Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and any Record transmitted shall constitute a representation and warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein.
     1.5 Schedules and Exhibits. All of the schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 26

 


 

     1.6 Timing of Payment or Performance. When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
2. LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.
     2.1 Revolver Advances
          (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and during the term of this Agreement, Lender agrees to make advances (“Advances”) in Dollars to Borrower in an amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Maximum Revolver Amount or (ii) the Borrowing Base.
          (b) Anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1 notwithstanding, Lender shall have the right (but not the obligation) to establish, increase, reduce, eliminate, or otherwise adjust reserves from time to time against the Borrowing Base or the Maximum Revolver Amount, in such amounts, and with respect to such matters, as Lender in its Permitted Discretion shall deem necessary or appropriate, including (i) reserves in an amount equal to the Bank Product Reserve Amount, (ii) reserves with respect to (A) sums that Borrower or its Subsidiaries are required to pay under any Section of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (such as taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased assets, rents or other amounts payable under such leases) and has failed to pay, and (B) amounts owing by Borrower or its Subsidiaries to any Person to the extent secured by a Lien on, or trust over, any of the Collateral (other than a Permitted Lien which is a permitted purchase money Lien or the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease), which Lien or trust has a priority superior to Lender’s Liens (such as Liens or trusts in favor of landlords, warehousemen, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, or Liens or trusts for ad valorem, excise, sales, or other taxes where given priority under applicable law) in and to such item of the Collateral, and (iii) reserves in an amount deemed appropriate by Lender in its Permitted Discretion if and for so long as the Average Down Payment Percentage is at any time less that 20%.
          (c) Lender shall have no obligation to make Advances on or after the Maturity Date. Lender shall have no obligation to make additional Advances hereunder to the extent such additional Advances would cause the Revolver Usage to exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount.
          (d) Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1 may be repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, reborrowed at any time during the term of this Agreement.
     2.2 Borrowing Procedures and Settlements
          (a) Procedure for Borrowing. Each Borrowing shall be made by an irrevocable written request by an Authorized Financial Person delivered to Lender (which notice must be received by Lender no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day that is
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 27

 


 

the requested Funding Date specifying (i) the amount of such Borrowing, and (ii) the requested Funding Date, which shall be a Business Day. At Lender’s election, in lieu of delivering the above-described written request, any Authorized Financial Person may give Lender telephonic notice of such request by the required time, with such telephonic notice to be confirmed in writing within 24 hours of the giving of such notice (but the failure to provide such written confirmation shall not affect the validity of the request).
          (b) Making of Advances. If Lender has received a timely request for a Borrowing in accordance with the provisions hereof, and subject to the satisfaction of the applicable terms and conditions set forth herein, Lender shall make the proceeds of such Advance available to Borrower on the applicable Funding Date by transferring immediately available funds equal to such proceeds to Borrower’s Designated Account.
     2.3 Payments.
          (a) Payments by Borrower. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrower shall be made to Lender’s Account and shall be made in immediately available funds, no later than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date specified herein. Any payment received by Lender later than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) shall be deemed to have been received on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue until such following Business Day.
          (b) Application and Reversal of Payments.
               (i) All payments shall be remitted to Lender and all such payments, and all proceeds of Premium Finance Agreements, Borrower’s Accounts or other Collateral received by Lender, shall be applied as follows:
                    (A) first, to pay any Lender Expenses then due to Lender under the Loan Documents, until paid in full,
                    (B) second, to pay interest then due in respect of the Advances, until paid in full,
                    (C) third, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and at Lender’s election, to pay amounts then due and owing by Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of Bank Products, until paid in full,
                    (D) fourth, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to pay the principal of all Advances until paid in full,
                    (E) fifth, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, ratably (i) to pay the principal of all Advances until paid in full, and (ii) to the Bank Product Providers based upon amounts then certified by the applicable Bank Product Provider to Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to Lender) to be due and payable to such Bank Product Providers on account of Bank Product Obligations,
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 28

 


 

                    (F) sixth, to pay any other Obligations (including being paid, ratably, to the Bank Product Providers on account of all amounts then due and payable in respect of Bank Product Obligations, with any balance to be paid to Lender, to be held by Lender, for the ratable benefit of the Bank Product Providers, as cash collateral (which cash collateral may be released by Lender to the applicable Bank Product Provider and applied by such Bank Product Provider to the payment or reimbursement of any amounts due and payable with respect to Bank Product Obligations owed to the applicable Bank Product Provider as and when such amounts first become due and payable and, if and at such time as all such Bank Product Obligations are paid or otherwise satisfied in full, the cash collateral held by Lender in respect of such Bank Product Obligations shall be reapplied pursuant to this Section 2.3(b)(i), beginning with tier (A) hereof)
                    (G) seventh, to Borrower (to be wired to the Designated Account) or such other Person entitled thereto under Applicable Law.
               (ii) In each instance, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Section 2.3(b) shall not apply to any payment by Borrower to Lender and specified by Borrower to be for the payment of specific Obligations then due and payable (or prepayable) under any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
               (iii) For purposes of the foregoing, “paid in full” of a type of Obligation means payment in cash or immediately available funds of all amounts owing on account of such type of Obligation, including interest accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding, default interest, interest on interest, and expense reimbursements, irrespective of whether any of the foregoing would be or is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part in any Insolvency Proceeding.
               (iv) In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.3 and other provisions contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such priority provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, then the terms and provisions of this Section 2.3 shall control and govern.
     2.4 Overadvances. If, at any time or for any reason, the amount of Obligations owed by Borrower to Lender pursuant to Section 2.1 is greater than the maximum amount allowed to be outstanding as set forth in Section 2.1 (an “Overadvance”), Borrower immediately, after receipt of written notice from Lender of such Overadvance, shall pay to Lender, in cash, the amount of such excess, which amount shall be used by Lender to reduce the Obligations in accordance with the priorities set forth in Section 2.3(b). Borrower promises to pay the Obligations (including principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses) in full on the Maturity Date or, if earlier, on the date on which the Obligations (other than Bank Product Obligations) become due and payable under the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.
     2.5 Interest Rates: Rates, Payments, and Calculations
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 29

 


 

          (a) Interest Rates; Minimum Funding Amount. Except as provided in Section 2.5(c) below, all Obligations that have been charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest on the Daily Balance thereof as follows: (i) if the relevant Obligation is a LIBOR Rate Loan, at a per annum rate equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Rate Margin, and (ii) otherwise, at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin. If on any day during the term of this Agreement, the Minimum Funding Amount then in effect exceeds the Daily Balance of the Obligations that have been charged to the Loan Account, then interest for such day shall be computed based upon the Minimum Funding Amount.
          (b) Default Rate. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, upon notice from Lender to Borrower (or automatically, without the necessity of any notice, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 8.4 or Section 8.5), all Obligations that have been charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest on the Daily Balance thereof at a per annum rate equal to two percent (2.00%) above the per annum rate otherwise applicable hereunder.
          (c) Payment. Except to the extent, if any, provided to the contrary in Section 2.10 or Section 2.12, interest and all other fees payable hereunder shall be due and payable, in arrears, (i) on the first day of each month at any time that Obligations are outstanding or Lender has an obligation to extend credit hereunder, and (ii) on the Maturity Date. Borrower hereby authorizes Lender, from time to time without prior notice to Borrower, to charge all interest and fees (when due and payable), all Lender Expenses (as and when incurred), all fees and costs provided for in Section 2.10 (as and when accrued or incurred), and all other payments as and when due and payable under any Loan Document (including any amounts due and payable to the Bank Product Providers in respect of Bank Products) to Borrower’s Loan Account, which amounts thereafter shall constitute Advances hereunder and shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Advances hereunder. Any interest, fees, costs, expenses, Lender Expenses, or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document or under any Bank Product Agreement that are charged to the Loan Account shall thereafter constitute Advances hereunder and shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Advances hereunder.
          (d) Computation. All interest and fees chargeable under the Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed. In the event the Base Rate is changed from time to time hereafter, the rates of interest hereunder based upon the Base Rate automatically and immediately shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to such change in the Base Rate.
          (e) Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate. In no event shall the interest rate or rates payable under this Agreement, plus any other amounts paid in connection herewith, exceed the highest rate permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable. Borrower and Lender, in executing and delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of interest and manner of payment stated within it; provided, however, that, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if said rate or rates of interest or manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable law, then, ipso facto, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrower is and shall be liable only for the payment of such maximum as allowed by law, and payment
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 30

 


 

received from Borrower in excess of such legal maximum, whenever received, shall be applied to reduce the principal balance of the Obligations to the extent of such excess.
     2.6 Cash Management
          (a) Borrower shall establish and maintain cash management services of a type and on terms satisfactory to Lender at the Collection Account Bank, and shall deposit or cause to be deposited promptly, and in any event no later than the first Business Day after the date of receipt thereof, all Collections to the Collection Account.
          (b) Collection Account Bank shall establish and maintain the Collection Account Agreement with Lender and Borrower. The Collection Account Agreement shall provide, among other things, that (i) all items of payment deposited in the Collection Account and proceeds thereof are subject to a Lien in favor of Lender, (ii) the Collection Account Bank has no rights of setoff or recoupment or any other claim against the Collection Account, other than for payment of its service fees and other charges directly related to the administration of the Collection Account and for returned checks or other items of payment, and (iii) the Collection Account Bank immediately will forward by daily sweep all amounts in the Collection Account to Lender’s Account.
          (c) The Collection Account shall be a cash collateral account, with all cash, checks and similar items of payment from time to time deposited thereto, and all balances therein, securing payment of the Obligations, and in which Borrower is deemed to have granted a Lien to Lender.
     2.7 Crediting Payments. The receipt of any payment item by Lender (whether from transfers to Lender by the Collection Account Bank pursuant to the Collection Account Agreement or otherwise) shall not be considered a payment on account unless such payment item is a wire transfer of immediately available federal funds made to the Lender’s Account or unless and until such payment item is honored when presented for payment. Should any payment item not be honored when presented for payment, then Borrower shall be deemed not to have made such payment and interest shall be calculated accordingly. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, any payment item shall be deemed received by Lender only if it is received into the Lender’s Account on a Business Day on or before 2:00 p.m. (New York time). If any payment item is received into the Lender’s Account on a non-Business Day or after 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on a Business Day, it shall be deemed to have been received by Lender as of the opening of business on the immediately following Business Day.
     2.8 Designated Account. Lender is authorized to make the Advances under this Agreement based upon telephonic or other instructions received from anyone purporting to be an Authorized Financial Person, or without instructions if pursuant to Section 2.5(b). Borrower agrees to establish and maintain the Designated Account with the Designated Account Bank for the purpose of receiving the proceeds of the Advances requested by Borrower and made by Lender hereunder. Unless otherwise agreed by Lender and Borrower, any Advance requested by Borrower and made by Lender hereunder shall be made to the Designated Account.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 31

 


 

     2.9 Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations. Lender shall maintain an account on its books in the name of Borrower (the “Loan Account”) on which Borrower shall be charged with all Advances made by Lender to Borrower or for Borrower’s account, and with all other payment Obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including, accrued interest, fees and expenses, and Lender Expenses. In accordance with Section 2.7, the Loan Account will be credited with all payments received by Lender from Borrower or for Borrower’s account, including all amounts received in the Lender’s Account from the Collection Account. Lender shall render statements regarding the Loan Account to Borrower, including principal, interest, fees, and including a reasonably detailed itemization of all charges and expenses constituting Lender Expenses owing, and such statements shall be prima facie evidence thereof, subject to objection as described below. Within 30 days after receipt thereof by Borrower, Borrower shall deliver to Lender written objection thereto describing the error or errors contained in any such statements.
     2.10 Fees. Borrower shall pay to Lender the following fees and charges, which fees and charges shall be non-refundable when paid (irrespective of whether this Agreement is terminated thereafter):
          (a) Closing Fee. On the Closing Date, a closing fee of $400,000.
          (b) Unused Line Fees. On January 1, 2011, and on the first day of each subsequent month during the term of this Agreement, an unused line fee in an amount equal to (i) the amount by which (A) the Maximum Revolver Amount then in effect exceeds (B) the greater of (1) the average Daily Balance of Advances that were outstanding during the immediately preceding month and (2) the Minimum Funding Amount, multiplied by (ii) one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum, payable in arrears.
          (c) Loan Administration Fee. On the first day of each calendar month during the term of this Agreement, a loan administration fee in the amount of $3,500, payable in arrears.
          (d) Audit, Appraisal and Valuation Charges. Audit, appraisal and valuation fees and charges as follows (i) a fee of $1,100 per person per day, plus reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses for each financial or collateral audit of Borrower performed by personnel employed by Lender, and (ii) the actual charges and expenses paid or incurred by Lender, or any third Persons engaged by Lender, to perform financial or collateral audits of Borrower, to appraise the Collateral or any portion thereof, or to assess Borrower’s business valuation, in an amount not to exceed $1,100 per person per day, plus reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses; provided that (A) so long as no Event of Default under Section 8.1, 8.2(a), 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.8, 8.9, 8.16, 8.17, or 8.18 has occurred and is continuing, audits shall be conducted at Borrower’s expense no more frequently than three (3) times during any calendar year and (B) after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default under Section 8.1, 8.2(a), 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.8, 8.9, 8.16, 8.17, or 8.18, audits may be conducted at Borrower’s expense as frequently as Lender shall determine in its Permitted Discretion.
      2.11 Capital Requirements. If, after the date hereof, Lender determines that (i) the adoption of or change in any law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital or reserve requirements for banks or bank holding companies, or any change in the
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 32

 


 

interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the administration thereof, or (ii) compliance by Lender or its parent bank holding company with any guideline, request, or directive of any such entity regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law), has the effect of reducing the return on Lender’s or such holding company’s capital as a consequence of Lender’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which Lender or such holding company could have achieved but for such adoption, change, or compliance (taking into consideration Lender’s or such holding company’s then existing policies with respect to capital adequacy and assuming the full utilization of such entity’s capital) by any amount deemed by Lender to be material, then Lender may notify Borrower thereof. Following receipt of such notice, Borrower agrees to pay Lender on demand the amount of such reduction of return of capital as and when such reduction is determined, payable within 30 days after presentation by Lender of a statement in the amount and setting forth in reasonable detail Lender’s calculation thereof and the assumptions upon which such calculation was based (which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error). In determining such amount, Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods. Failure or delay on the part of Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall not constitute a waiver of Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that Borrower shall not be required to compensate Lender pursuant to this Section 2.11 for any reductions in return incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that Lender notifies Borrower of such law, rule, regulation or guideline giving rise to such reductions and of Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that if such claim arises by reason of the adoption of or change in any law, rule, regulation or guideline that is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
          If Lender requests compensation under this Section 2.11, then Lender shall use reasonable efforts (which shall not require Lender to take any action inconsistent with its internal policies or legal or regulatory restrictions or suffer any disadvantage or burden deemed by it to be material or incur any unreimbursed cost or expense) (x) to file any certificate or document reasonably requested by Borrower or (y) to assign its rights and delegate and transfer its obligations hereunder to another of its offices or branches, if such filing or assignment would materially reduce its claims for compensation under this Section 2.11. Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with any such filing or assignment, and Lender shall not be obligated to take any action described in this paragraph unless and until Borrower has provided Lender with satisfactory assurance of payment of any such costs and expenses.
     2.12 LIBOR Option.
          (a) LIBOR Election. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.12, interest on all of the Advances and other Obligations charged to the Loan Account shall at all times bear interest by reference to the LIBOR Rate and shall be LIBOR Rate Loans.
          (b) Special Provisions Applicable to LIBOR Rate.
               (i) The LIBOR Rate may be adjusted by Lender on a prospective basis to take into account any additional or increased costs to Lender of maintaining or obtaining
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 33

 


 

any eurodollar deposits or increased costs, in each case, due to changes in Applicable Law occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then applicable Interest Period, including changes in tax laws (except changes of general applicability in corporate income tax laws) and changes in the reserve requirements imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), which additional or increased costs would increase the cost of funding or maintaining loans bearing interest by reference to the LIBOR Rate. In any such event, Lender shall give Borrower notice of such a determination and adjustment and, upon its receipt of the notice from Lender, Borrower may, by notice to Lender (A) require Lender to furnish to Borrower a statement setting forth the basis for adjusting such LIBOR Rate and the method for determining the amount of such adjustment, or (B) repay the LIBOR Rate Loans with respect to which such adjustment is made.
               (ii) In the event that any change in market conditions or any law, regulation, treaty, or directive, or any change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof, shall at any time after the date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of Lender, make it unlawful or impractical for Lender to fund or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or to continue such funding or maintaining, or to determine or charge interest rates by reference to the LIBOR Rate, Lender shall give notice of such changed circumstances to Borrower and (A) in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loans that are outstanding, the date specified in Lender’s notice shall be deemed to be the last day of the Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loans, and interest upon the LIBOR Rate Loans thereafter shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans, and (B) Borrower shall not be entitled to have the Advances and other Obligations charged to the Loan Account by reference to the LIBOR Rate until Lender determines that it would no longer be unlawful or impractical to do so.
               (iii) If Lender requests compensation under clause (i) above or Lender delivers a notice to Borrower described in clause (ii) above, then Lender shall use reasonable efforts (which shall not require Lender to take any action inconsistent with its internal policies or legal or regulatory restrictions or suffer any disadvantage or burden deemed by it to be material or incur any unreimbursed cost or expense) (x) to file any certificate or document reasonably requested by Borrower or (y) to assign its rights and delegate and transfer its obligations hereunder to another of its offices or branches, if such filing or assignment would materially reduce its claims for compensation under clause (i) above or enable it to withdraw its notice pursuant to clause (ii) above, as the case may be, in the future. Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with any such filing or assignment, and Lender shall not be obligated to take any action described in this paragraph unless and until Borrower has provided Lender with satisfactory assurance of payment of any such costs and expenses.
          (c) No Requirement of Matched Funding. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, neither Lender nor any of its Participants, is required actually to acquire eurodollar deposits to fund or otherwise match fund any Obligation as to which interest accrues by reference to the LIBOR Rate.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 34

 


 

3. CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.
     3.1 Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit. The obligation of Lender to make the initial Advance under this Agreement (or otherwise to extend any credit provided for hereunder) is subject to the fulfillment, to the satisfaction of Lender (the making of such initial extension of credit by Lender being conclusively deemed to be its satisfaction or waiver of the following), of each of the conditions precedent set forth below:
          (a) Lender shall have received a UCC Filing Authorization Letter, duly executed by Borrower, together with appropriate financing statements duly filed in such office or offices as may be necessary or, in the opinion of Lender, desirable to perfect the Lender’s Liens in and to the Collateral, and Lender shall have received searches reflecting the filing of all such financing statements;
          (b) Lender shall have received each of the following documents, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender, duly executed, and each such document shall be in full force and effect:
                    (i) this Agreement;
                    (ii) the Closing Certificates;
                    (iii) the Collection Account Agreement and the other Control Agreements, if any;
                    (iv) the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, together with copies of the executed Intercompany Subordinated Notes and all documents executed in connections therewith;
                    (v) the Servicing Agreement; and
                    (vi) the Fortegra Guaranty;
          (c) Lender shall have received copies of Borrower’s and Fortegra’s Governing Documents, as amended, modified, or supplemented as of the Closing Date, certified by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or similar officer of such Person;
          (d) Lender shall have received certificates of status with respect to Borrower and Fortegra, dated as of a recent date, such certificate to be issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdiction of organization of such Person, which certificate shall indicate that such Person is in good standing (if applicable) in such jurisdiction;
          (e) Lender shall have received a certificate of insurance, together with the endorsements thereto, as are required by Section 6.8, the form and substance of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Lender;
          (f) [RESERVED]
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 35

 


 

          (g) Lender shall have received a certificate from an Authorized Financial Person, certifying (i) as to the truth and accuracy in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of Borrower contained in Section 5 of this Agreement, (ii) the absence of any Defaults or Events of Default, and (iii) that after giving effect to the incurrence of Indebtedness under this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Borrower is Solvent;
          (h) Lender shall have received an opinion or opinions of Borrower’s and Fortegra’s counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender;
          (i) Lender shall have received satisfactory evidence that all tax returns required to be filed by Borrower have been timely filed and all taxes upon Borrower or its properties, assets, income, and franchises (including Real Property taxes, sales taxes, and payroll taxes) have been paid prior to delinquency, except such taxes that are the subject of a Permitted Protest;
          (j) Lender shall have completed its business, legal, and collateral due diligence, including a review of the legal structure of Borrower, LOTS, Fortegra and their Affiliates, a collateral audit and review of the books and records of Borrower and any of their Affiliates with business operations similar to those of Borrower, a collateral update review regarding those Premium Finance Agreements that Borrower intends to include as Eligible Premium Finance Agreements on the Borrowing Base Certificate delivered in connection with Lender’s initial Advance, a review of their collateral valuation methods, verification of each of such Person’s representations and warranties to Lender, and verification of third-party service providers, in each case, the results of which shall be satisfactory to Lender;
          (k) Lender shall have received completed reference checks with respect to Rick Kahlbaugh, Mike Vrban, Dan Reppert, Al Rokosz, Antimo Cesaro, Greg Cajilig, Fortegra, LOTS, and Borrower, the results of each of which are satisfactory to Lender in its sole discretion;
          (l) Lender shall have received (i) Fortegra’s and Borrower’s audited financial statements for their fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, (ii) Fortegra’s unaudited consolidated balance sheet and income statement for the month ended April 30, 2010, covering such Person’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations during such period and the year-to date period ending thereon, and (iii) Borrower’s unaudited balance sheet and operating summary for the month ended April 30, 2010, covering such Person’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations during such period and the three-month period ending thereon;
          (m) Lender shall have received Borrower’s Closing Date Business Plan;
          (n) Borrower shall pay all Lender Expenses then due and payable and invoiced at least one Business Day prior to the Closing Date that are incurred in connection with the transactions evidenced by this Agreement;
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 36

 


 

          (o) Lender shall have received Borrower’s Required Procedures, which Required Procedures shall be consistent with those previously represented to Lender and shall be acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion;
          (p) Lender shall have received evidence satisfactory to Lender either that any Person having a Lien (except for Permitted Liens, if any) with respect to the assets of Borrower shall have released such Lien or that such Lien shall be automatically terminated upon the funding of the Advances to be made on the Closing Date;
          (q) Borrower and Fortegra shall have received all other licenses, approvals or evidence of other actions required by any Governmental Authority, if any, in connection with the execution and delivery by Borrower or Fortegra of the Loan Documents to which it is a party or with the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby;
          (r) Lender shall have received satisfactory evidence that as of the date of the initial Advance, Borrower has a Tangible Net Worth of not less than $8,000,000;
          (s) Lender’s counsel shall have received and reviewed all standard documentation evidencing, governing, securing and guaranteeing the Premium Finance Agreements, and been satisfied such documentation provides Borrower and Lender with appropriate rights and remedies to enforce any necessary collection actions with respect to such Premium Finance Agreements;
          (t) (i) At the time of such initial Advance, the aggregate outstanding amount funded by Borrower out of its own funds under existing Premium Finance Agreements shall be not less than $5,000,000, and (ii) the amount of such initial Advance shall not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the aggregate Net Balance of those Eligible Premium Finance Agreements that that were not included in the calculation necessary to satisfy the condition precedent set forth in the immediately preceding clause (i); and
          (u) As of the Closing Date, Al Rokosz shall have assumed the position of Director of Finance and Operations of Borrower.
     3.2 Conditions Subsequent to the Initial Extension of Credit. The obligation of Lender to continue to make Advances (or otherwise extend credit hereunder) is subject to the fulfillment, on or before the date applicable thereto, of each of the following conditions subsequent (any failure by Borrower to satisfy or cause the satisfaction of each of such conditions subsequent constituting an Event of Default):
          (a) Within 60 days after the Closing Date, Borrower shall have completed the implementation of an ERS;
          (b) Within 120 days after the Closing Date, Lender shall have received the disaster recovery plan for Borrower and its Affiliate, Bliss & Glennon, Inc., which plan shall be acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion;
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 37

 


 

          (c) Within 210 days after the Closing Date, Borrower shall have completed the relocation of Borrower’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Antimo Cesaro, to Fortegra’s chief executive office in Jacksonville, Florida; and
          (d) Within 210 days after the Closing Date, Borrower shall have completed the relocation of its servicing operations to the offices of its Affiliate, Bliss & Glennon, Inc., in Redondo Beach, California. Prior to the completion of such relocation, Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and deliver to Lender a Collateral Access Agreement related to Borrower’s office location at 21535 Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance, California, executed by Borrower and the landlord with respect thereto.
     3.3 Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit. The obligation of Lender to make any Advance hereunder at any time (or to extend any other credit hereunder), including the initial Advance, shall be subject to the following conditions precedent:
          (a) the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such extension of credit, as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date);
          (b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such extension of credit, nor shall either result from the making thereof;
          (c) no injunction, writ, restraining order, or other order of any nature restricting or prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the extending of such credit shall have been issued and remain in force by any Governmental Authority against Borrower, Lender, or any of their respective Affiliates;
          (d) Lender shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate which includes a calculation of the Borrowing Base as of the date immediately preceding the date of the requested Advance after giving effect to such Advance; and
          (e) the amount of such Advance shall not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the aggregate Net Balance of those Eligible Premium Finance Agreements that were not included in the calculation necessary to satisfy the condition precedent set forth in Section 3.1(u)(i).
     3.4 Term. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by Borrower and Lender and shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the Maturity Date. The foregoing notwithstanding, Lender shall have the right to terminate its obligations under this Agreement immediately and without notice upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default.
     3.5 Effect of Termination. On the Termination Date, all of the Obligations immediately shall become due and payable without notice or demand and Borrower shall be required to repay all of the Obligations in full. No termination of this Agreement, however, shall relieve or discharge Borrower of its duties, obligations, or covenants hereunder or under any other Loan Document and the Lender’s Liens in the Collateral shall remain in effect until all
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 38

 


 

Obligations have been have been paid in full and Lender’s obligations to provide additional credit hereunder have been terminated. When this Agreement has been terminated and all of the Obligations have been have been paid in full and Lender’s obligations to provide additional credit under the Loan Documents have been terminated, Lender will, at Borrower’s sole expense, execute and deliver, or authorize the filing of, any UCC termination statements, lien releases, mortgage releases, re-assignments of trademarks, discharges of security interests, and other similar discharge or release documents (and, if applicable, in recordable form) as are reasonably requested by Borrower to release, as of record, the Lender’s Liens and all notices of security interests and liens previously filed by Lender with respect to the Obligations.
     3.6 Early Termination by Borrower. Borrower has the option, at any time upon 90 days prior written notice to Lender, to terminate this Agreement by repayment in full to Lender of the Obligations, including the Applicable Early Termination Fee, if any. If Borrower has sent a notice of termination pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.6, then Lender’s obligations to extend credit hereunder shall terminate and Borrower shall be obligated to repay in full the Obligations, together with the Applicable Early Termination Fee, if any, on the date set forth as the date of termination of this Agreement in such notice.
4. CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST.
     4.1 Grant of Security Interest. Borrower hereby grants to Lender (and any Bank Product Provider to the extent that it has provided Bank Products to Borrower or its Subsidiaries), a continuing security interest in all of its right, title, and interest in all currently existing and hereafter acquired or arising Collateral in order to secure prompt repayment of any and all of the Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents and in order to secure prompt performance by Borrower of each of its covenants and duties under the Loan Documents. The Lender’s Liens in and to the Collateral shall attach to all Collateral without further act on the part of Lender or Borrower.
     4.2 Premium Finance Agreements and Negotiable Collateral. In the event that any Premium Finance Agreement is evidenced by an original hardcopy document, upon request by Lender, Borrower shall cause the original of such Premium Finance Agreement to be delivered to Lender, or to a third party custodian acceptable to Lender in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion (the “Collateral Agent”) pursuant to a Collateral Agency Agreement in form and substance acceptable to Lender (a “Collateral Agency Agreement”) in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion. Prior to any such request by Lender, unless and until Borrower has determined that the original of any such Premium Finance Agreement is not necessary for the enforcement thereof and has stored such Premium Finance Agreement in electronic form in accordance with Section 4.8, Borrower shall maintain and preserve in its possession the original of any such Premium Finance Agreement. In the event that any other Collateral, including proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable Collateral, and if and to the extent that perfection or priority of Lender’s security interest is dependent on or enhanced by possession, Borrower, immediately upon the request of Lender, shall endorse and deliver physical possession of such Negotiable Collateral to Lender, duly endorsed by Borrower as follows: “Pay to the order of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC”, provided, however, Borrower may deliver
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 39

 


 

Negotiable Collateral to a Collateral Agent pursuant to a Collateral Agency Agreement in form and substance acceptable to Lender in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion.
     4.3 Collection of Premium Finance Receivables, Accounts, General Intangibles and Chattel Paper. At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Lender or Lender’s designee may (a) notify Obligors or other obligors that Premium Finance Receivables and other General Intangibles, Accounts or chattel paper of Borrower have been assigned to Lender or that Lender has a security interest therein, or (b) collect the Premium Finance Receivables, Accounts, chattel paper or General Intangibles of Borrower directly and charge the collection costs and expenses to the Loan Account. Borrower agrees that it will hold in trust for Lender, as the Lender’s trustee, any Collections that it receives and immediately upon request by Lender will deliver said Collections to the Collection Account in accordance with Section 2.6, in their original form as received by Borrower.
     4.4 Delivery of Additional Documentation Required. At any time upon the reasonable request of Lender, Borrower shall execute and deliver to Lender, any and all financing statements, original financing statements in lieu of continuation statements, fixture filings, security agreements, pledges, assignments, endorsements of certificates of title, and all other documents (the “Additional Documents”) that Lender may request in its Permitted Discretion, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, to perfect and continue perfected or better perfect the Lender’s Liens in the Collateral (whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired), to create and perfect Liens in favor of Lender in any Real Property acquired by Borrower after the Closing Date. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, Borrower authorizes Lender to execute any such Additional Documents in Borrower’s name and authorizes Lender to file such executed Additional Documents in any appropriate filing office to the extent that Borrower does not promptly take such action upon the reasonable request of Lender. In addition, on or prior to the later to occur of (i) 30 days following such registration and (ii) the date of the required delivery under Section 6.3(a) of the monthly financial statements following such registration (or such longer period as to which Lender may consent), Borrower shall (a) provide Lender with a report of all new patents, copyrights, and trademarks registered or applied for by Borrower with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office during the prior period and (b) cause to be prepared, executed, and delivered to Lender supplemental schedules to the applicable Loan Documents (including Schedule 5.15) to identify such patents, copyrights, and trademarks as being subject to the security interests created thereunder.
     4.5 Power of Attorney. Borrower hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes, and appoints Lender (and any of Lender’s officers, employees, or agents designated by Lender) as Borrower’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with power to (a) if Borrower refuses to, or fails timely to execute and deliver any of the documents described in Section 4.4, sign the name of Borrower on any of the documents described in Section 4.4, (b) endorse Borrower’s name on any Collection item that may come into Lender’s possession, (c) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing: (i) make, settle, and adjust all claims under Borrower’s policies of insurance and make all determinations and decisions with respect to such policies of insurance, (ii) take control, in any manner, of any item of payment or proceeds relating to any Collateral, (iii) prepare, file, and sign Borrower’s name to a proof of claim in bankruptcy or
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 40

 


 

similar document against any Obligor, or to any notice of lien, assignment, or satisfaction of lien or similar document in connection with any of the Collateral, (iv) receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to Borrower, and notify postal authorities to change the address for delivery thereof to such address as Lender may designate, (v) use the information recorded on or contained in any data processing equipment, computer hardware, and software relating to the Collateral, and (vi) request or demand payment of Premium Finance Receivables, exercise notification or cancellation rights under Premium Finance Agreements, and settle and adjust disputes and claims respecting the Premium Finance Receivables directly with Obligors or Insurers, for amounts and upon terms that Lender determines to be reasonable, and Lender may cause to be executed and delivered any documents and releases that Lender determines to be necessary in connection therewith, and (d) do all other acts and things necessary, in Lender’s determination, to fulfill Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement. The appointment of Lender as Borrower’s attorney-in-fact, and each and every one of its rights and powers, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable until all of the Obligations have been paid in full and Lender’s obligations to extend credit hereunder are terminated.
     4.6 Right to Inspect. Lender (through any of its officers, employees, or agents) shall have the right, from time to time (a) during normal business hours so long as no Default or Event of Default is in existence and no Material Adverse Change has occurred or (b) otherwise, in Lender’s Permitted Discretion, to inspect the Books, to check, test, and appraise the Collateral in order to verify Borrower’s financial condition or the amount, quality, value, condition of, or any other matter relating to, the Collateral, to access and examine all records available to Borrower from any credit reporting service, bureau or similar service and to make copies of any such records, to visit the properties of Borrower or any real property included in the Premium Finance Collateral, to discuss Borrower’s business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations and business prospects, insofar as the same are reasonably related to the rights of Lender hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents, with Borrower’s principal officers, and independent accountants and other professionals providing services to Borrower, and to verify any matter relating to the Collateral, provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to grant Lender any rights of examination and inspection with respect to any Obligor which are greater than Borrower’s rights of examination and inspection with respect to such Obligor; and provided, further, that in the absence of the existence of an Event of Default, Lender shall not exercise its rights under this Section 4.6 more often than four times during any calendar year.
     4.7 Control Agreements. Borrower agrees that it will not transfer assets out of any Securities Accounts other than as permitted under Section 7.19 and, if to another securities intermediary, unless each of Borrower, Lender, and the substitute securities intermediary have entered into a Control Agreement. No arrangement contemplated hereby or by any Control Agreement in respect of any Securities Accounts or other Investment Property shall be modified by Borrower in a manner adverse to Lender without the prior written consent of Lender. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Lender may notify any securities intermediary to liquidate the applicable Securities Account or any related Investment Property maintained or held thereby and remit the proceeds thereof to the Lender’s Account to be applied to payment of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.3(b).
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 41

 


 

     4.8 Premium Finance Documents. Borrower will maintain electronic copies of all Premium Finance Documents in a secure manner with off site back up arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Lender. Borrower will provide to Lender copies of any Premium Finance Documents and access to such electronic records and back up as Lender may request.
     4.9 Borrower’s Perfection. Borrower represents to Lender that all appropriate financing statements, and all related statements of assignment or amendment in order to cause Borrower to be properly noted as secured party of record with respect thereto, have been filed in all filing locations as may be required to perfect and protect in favor of Borrower all security interests, liens and rights evidenced by all Premium Finance Documents with respect to all personal property of any Obligor securing Premium Finance Receivables existing as of the Closing Date, and that such filings remain effective as of such date. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by Lender, Borrower covenants that it will take all action necessary to maintain the effectiveness of such filings so long as the relevant Premium Finance Document remains effective. Lender is authorized to file any UCC-3 statements of continuation, assignment or amendment as it may determine in its discretion to be necessary to enable it to protect and maintain its interests under this Agreement. Borrower shall deliver such other financing statements and amendments thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, as Lender may request in order to protect and maintain its security interests under this Agreement.
     4.10 ERS. Lender (through any of its officers, employees, or agents) shall have the right, from time, to time to access the ERS for all purposes relating to this Agreement, including without limitation, to test and verify system integrity and functionality, obtain information in respect of the Collateral and otherwise administer this Agreement. Borrower will provide Lender with a current and complete copy of any and all consulting or other agreements with any Person for administering, operating or maintaining the ERS. Lender shall have the right at any time to request information from such Person in respect of the ERS or the Collateral and Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs such Person to provide any such requested information to Lender. A copy of this Agreement shall be sufficient to evidence such authorization and Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold such Person harmless in connection with compliance with Borrower’s authorization and directive herein. Borrower agrees that all right, title and interest of Borrower under any such consulting or other agreement are covered by the Lender’s Liens.
5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
          In order to induce Lender to enter into this Agreement, Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Lender which shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects, as of the Closing Date, and at and as of the date of the making of each Advance made thereafter, as though made on and as of the date of such Advance (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date) and such representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:
     5.1 No Encumbrances. Borrower has good and indefeasible title to the Collateral (other than (a) minor defects in title to Real Property that do not materially interfere with Borrower’s ability to conduct its business or to utilize such assets for their intended purposes and
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 42

 


 

(b) except where the failure to have such title to Real Property could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change), free and clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.
     5.2 Premium Finance Agreements. Unless otherwise disclosed to Lender in writing, with respect to each Premium Finance Agreement reflected in the computations included in any Borrowing Base Certificate: (a) such Premium Finance Agreement meets the criteria enumerated in the definition of “Eligible Premium Finance Agreement,” (b) such Premium Finance Agreement is maintained in electronic format and is available to Borrower and Lender by computer, (c) such Premium Finance Agreement represents bona fide existing obligations created by the lending of money by Borrower to an Obligor in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business and is unconditionally owed to Borrower without any defenses asserted or threatened in writing, disputes, offsets or counterclaims or rights of cancellation, (d) such Premium Finance Agreement has been documented on Approved Forms in accordance with the Required Procedures and Applicable Law, (e) Borrower has a valid and enforceable first priority Lien in all unearned insurance premiums and dividends with respect to such Premium Finance Agreement, which Lien is assignable to and enforceable by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, (f) all premiums in respect of the insurance contract identified in such Premium Finance Agreement have been paid and the Insurer thereon is irrevocably obligated to refund or rebate any unearned premiums from time to time payable thereon directly to or for the account of Borrower, (g) Borrower has not received notice of actual or imminent bankruptcy, insolvency, or material impairment of the financial condition of the Obligor thereon, or the related Insurer, or actual or threatened litigation regarding the validity or enforceability thereof, (h) all taxes, fees and other charges (including documentary taxes and stamp fees) due and payable to any Governmental Authority with respect to the execution, delivery and assignment of such Premium Finance Agreement have been paid in full, except where the failure to make any such payment could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change, and (i) Borrower is the sole legal and beneficial owner thereof and no participation interest or other ownership interest (legal, beneficial or otherwise) has been sold to any Person or is otherwise outstanding with respect thereto.
     5.3 Equipment. All of Borrower’s Equipment is used or held for use in Borrower’s business and is fit for such purposes other than as could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change.
     5.4 Location of Books, Inventory and Equipment. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.4, the Books are not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party and are located in Borrower’s possession only at the locations identified on Schedule 5.4, as delivered on the Closing Date or as subsequently updated by Borrower pursuant to Section 6.9. All Inventory and Equipment of Borrower is located at the locations identified on Schedule 5.4, as delivered on the Closing Date or as subsequently updated by Borrower pursuant to Section 6.9 (or is otherwise out for repair or in transit).
     5.5 Books. All Books, including all Books in respect of Premium Finance Receivables, are true, correct and complete in all material respects.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 43

 


 

     5.6 Location of Chief Executive Office; FEIN. The chief executive office of Borrower is located at the address indicated in Schedule 5.6, as delivered on the Closing Date or as subsequently updated by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.18, and Borrower’s FEIN is identified in Schedule 5.6.
     5.7 Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries
          (a) Each of Borrower and Fortegra is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and qualified to do business in any state where the failure to be so qualified reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Borrower is not required to obtain any licenses, permits or approvals from any Governmental Authority in order to engage in its line of business which it has not duly obtained, other than such licenses, permits or approvals the failure of which to obtain could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change. Set forth on Schedule 5.7(a), is a complete list of the licenses, permits or approvals from any Governmental Authority held by Borrower.
          (b) Set forth on Schedule 5.7(b), is a complete and accurate description of the Stock of Borrower, Borrower’s Subsidiaries, and Fortegra, that are issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date, by class. Other than as described on Schedule 5.7(b), as of the Closing Date, there are no subscriptions, options, warrants, or calls relating to any shares of the Stock of Borrower, Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or Fortegra, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security or other instrument. None of Borrower, Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or Fortegra is subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of their respective Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for any of their respective Stock.
          (c) Except as listed on Schedule 5.7(c), (i) no Affiliate of Borrower is an insurance company or is engaged in the business of producing or writing insurance policies, and (ii) to Borrower’s knowledge and solely to the extent that Summit Partners remains an Affiliate of Fortegra or any Person in which Fortegra owns directly or indirectly an ownership interest or in which Fortegra is a partner or joint venturer, Borrower does not produce or write insurance policies for any Affiliate of Summit Partners that is not an Affiliate of Borrower.
     5.8 Due Authorization; No Conflict.
          (a) The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Borrower.
          (b) The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (i) violate (A) any provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation applicable to Borrower, (B) the Governing Documents of Borrower, or (C) any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding on Borrower, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material contractual obligation of Borrower, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any properties
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 44

 


 

or assets of Borrower, other than Permitted Liens, or (iv) require any approval of Borrower’s interest holders or any approval or consent of any Person under any material contractual obligation of Borrower that has not been obtained, except with respect to clauses (b)(i) through (b)(iv) (other than clause (b)(i)(B)), to the extent that such violation, conflict, breach, default, creation or imposition of Lien or failure to obtain approval could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change.
          (c) Other than the filing of the financing statements necessary to perfect the Liens on the Collateral granted in favor of Lender, such consents, approvals and notices that have been made or obtained or those registrations, consents, approvals and notices the failure of which to make or obtain could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change, the execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower and the other Persons party to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party do not and will not require any registration with, consent, or approval of, or notice to, or other action with or by, any Governmental Authority or other Persons.
          (d) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party, and all other documents contemplated hereby and thereby, when executed and delivered by Borrower will be the legally valid and binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, receivership, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally.
          (e) The Lender’s Liens are validly created, perfected, and first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens.
     5.9 Litigation. Other than those matters disclosed on Schedule 5.9, there are no actions, suits, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened in writing against Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, except for (a) matters that are fully covered by insurance (subject to customary deductibles), and (b) matters that reasonably could not be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.
     5.10 No Material Adverse Change. All financial statements relating to Borrower that have been delivered by Borrower to Lender have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly in all material respects, Borrower’s financial condition as of the date thereof and results of operations for the period then ended. There has not been a Material Adverse Change with respect to Borrower since the date of the latest financial statements submitted to Lender on or before the Closing Date.
     5.11 Fraudulent Transfer.
          (a) Borrower is Solvent.
          (b) No transfer of property is being made by Borrower and no obligation is being incurred by Borrower in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 45

 


 

or the other Loan Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or future creditors of Borrower.
     5.12 Employee Benefits. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.12 or as disclosed in writing to Lender none of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their ERISA Affiliates maintains or contributes to any Benefit Plan.
     5.13 Environmental Condition. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.13 or with respect to any matter that could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change, (a) to Borrower’s knowledge, none of the real estate owned or leased by Borrower has ever been used by Borrower or to its knowledge by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials, where such production, storage, handling, treatment, release or transport was in violation, in any material respect, of applicable Environmental Law, (b) to Borrower’s knowledge, none of the real estate owned or leased by Borrower has ever been designated or identified in any manner pursuant to any environmental protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, (c) Borrower has not received notice that a Lien arising under any Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real Property owned or leased by Borrower, and (d) Borrower has not received a summons, citation, notice, or directive from the Environmental Protection Agency or any other federal or state governmental agency concerning any action or omission by Borrower resulting in the releasing or disposing of Hazardous Materials into the environment.
     5.14 Brokerage Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.14, neither Borrower nor any of its Affiliates has utilized the services of any broker or finder in connection with Borrower’s obtaining financing from Lender under this Agreement, and any brokerage commission or finders fee payable in connection herewith shall be the sole responsibility of Borrower.
     5.15 Intellectual Property. Borrower owns, or holds licenses in, all trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, and licenses that are necessary to the conduct of its business as currently or proposed to be conducted. Schedule 5.15, as delivered on the Closing Date or as subsequently updated by Borrower pursuant to Section 4.4, is a true, correct, and complete listing of all material United States federal patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, copyrights, and copyright registrations as to which Borrower is the owner or is an exclusive licensee.
     5.16 Leases. Borrower is not party to any lease agreement other than the agreements described in Schedule 5.16, as delivered on the Closing Date or as subsequently updated by Borrower pursuant to Section 6.9. No Books or Records are located on any leased premises except as described in Schedule 5.16, as delivered on the Closing Date or as updated by Borrower pursuant to Section 6.9.
     5.17 Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts. Set forth on Schedule 5.17, as delivered on the Closing Date or as subsequently updated by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.19, are all of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts, including, with respect to each bank or securities intermediary (a) the name and address of such Person, and
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 46

 


 

(b) the account numbers of the Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts maintained with such Person.
     5.18 Complete Disclosure. All factual information (taken as a whole) furnished by or on behalf of Borrower in writing to Lender (including all information contained in the Schedules hereto or in the other Loan Documents, but excluding any Projections or projections and information of a general economic or industry specific nature) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and all other such factual information (taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of Borrower in writing to Lender (other than any Projections or projections and information of a general economic or industry specific nature) will be, true and accurate, in all material respects, on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided. On the Closing Date, the Closing Date Business Plan represents, and as of the date on which any other Projections or projections are delivered to Lender, such additional Projections or projections will represent Borrower’s good faith estimate of its future performance for the periods covered thereby, based on assumptions believed by Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Lender that such Projections and other projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections or projections may differ from the projected results.
     5.19 Indebtedness. The Borrower has no Indebtedness outstanding other than the Indebtedness identified on Schedule 5.19 or as permitted under Section 7.1.
     5.20 Compliance. The Approved Forms, the Required Procedures, the Premium Finance Documents and all actions and transactions by Borrower in connection therewith comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws.
     5.21 Servicing. As of the Closing Date, Borrower is acting as Servicer, subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Servicing Agreement. Borrower has the requisite knowledge, experience, expertise and capacity to service the Premium Finance Receivables.
6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.
     Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit hereunder shall be available and until payment in full of the Obligations, Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to do all of the following:
     6.1 Accounting System. Maintain a system of accounting that enables Borrower to produce financial statements in accordance with GAAP and maintain records pertaining to the Collateral that contain information required to be provided to Lender hereunder.
     6.2 Collateral Reporting. Provide Lender with the following documents at the following times in form reasonably satisfactory to Lender and signed by the Chief Operating Officer or Operations Manager of Borrower:
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 47

 


 

     
Prior to any Advance
  (a) a calculation of the Borrowing Base as of such date (including detailed information regarding Premium Finance Receivables, including balance, status and collateral relating thereto),
 
   
Monthly (on or before the 10th day of each month)
  (b) a detailed calculation and reconciliation of the Borrowing Base (including aging reports, exposure reports by insurance company and by insurance agent in respect of Premium Finance Receivables, and such other information reasonably requested by Lender), and containing all other information reasonably requested by Lender (upon the establishment of the ERS, Borrower shall provide such calculation and reconciliation in a form sufficient for an ERS determination of the Borrowing Base),
 
   
 
  (c) aging reports for all of Borrower’s Accounts, including Premium Finance Receivables containing all information reasonably requested by Lender, calculated by the ERS or in a form otherwise reasonably acceptable to Lender,
 
   
 
  (d) detailed information regarding Premium Finance Receivables, including balance, status and collateral relating thereto, static loss reports, and all other information reasonably requested by Lender,
 
   
Upon request by Lender
  (e) an updated schedule of outstanding Subordinated Debt, including the principal amount outstanding to each holder of Subordinated Debt and such other information as Lender may require, and
 
   
 
  (f) such other reports as to the Collateral, or the financial condition of Borrower, as Lender may reasonably request.
Borrower agrees to cooperate fully with Lender to facilitate and maintain the ERS in order to provide electronic reporting of each of the items set forth above.
     6.3 Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates. Deliver to Lender:
          (a) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each month (other than the last month of a fiscal year of Borrower) during each fiscal year of Borrower, and within 45 days after the end of the last month of each fiscal year of Borrower,
               (i) a company prepared consolidated balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow, covering Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations during such period,
               (ii) a certificate signed by an Authorized Financial Person to the effect that:
                    (A) the financial statements delivered under this clause (a) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for the lack of footnotes and being subject to
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 48

 


 

year-end audit adjustments) and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
                    (B) the representations and warranties of Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such certificate, as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date), and
                    (C) there does not exist any condition or event that constitutes a Default or Event of Default (or, to the extent of any non-compliance, describing such non-compliance as to which he or she may have knowledge and what action Borrower has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect thereto), and
               (iii) for each month that is the date on which a financial covenant in Section 7.20 is to be tested, a Compliance Certificate demonstrating, in reasonable detail, compliance at the end of such period with the applicable financial covenants contained in Section 7.20,
          (b) as soon as available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each of Borrower’s fiscal years, consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each such fiscal year, audited by independent certified public accountants reasonably acceptable to Lender in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion (Lender acknowledges that as of the Closing Date the firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Deloitte & Touche and Grant Thornton LLP are acceptable to Lender) and certified, without any qualifications, by such accountants to have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (such audited financial statements to include a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow and, if prepared, such accountants’ letter to management),
          (c) as soon as available, but in any event no later than 30 Business Days after the start of each of Borrower’s fiscal years, copies of Borrower’s Projections, in form reasonably satisfactory to Lender, for the forthcoming year, month by month, certified by an Authorized Financial Person as being such Person’s good faith estimate of the financial performance of Borrower during the period covered thereby, and for each fiscal year thereafter, on a quarterly basis, certified by an Authorized Financial Person as being such Person’s good faith estimate of the financial performance of Borrower during the period covered thereby,
          (d) as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter during each fiscal year of Fortegra, a company prepared consolidated balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow, covering Fortegra’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations during such period, together with a certificate signed by the chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, or treasurer of Fortegra to the effect that the financial statements delivered under this clause (d) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of Fortegra and its Subsidiaries,
          (e) as soon as available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each of Fortegra’s fiscal years, consolidated financial statements of Fortegra and its Subsidiaries for
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 49

 


 

each such fiscal year, audited by independent certified public accountants reasonably acceptable to Lender in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion (Lender acknowledges that as of the Closing Date the firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Deloitte & Touche and Grant Thornton LLP are acceptable to Lender) and certified, without any qualifications, by such accountants to have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (such audited financial statements to include a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow and, if prepared, such accountants’ final letter to management),
          (f) promptly, any other information that is provided by Borrower or Fortegra to its shareholders generally,
          (g) if and when filed by Borrower and as requested by Lender, satisfactory evidence of payment of applicable excise taxes in each jurisdiction in which (i) Borrower conducts business or is required to pay any such excise tax, (ii) where Borrower’s failure to pay any such applicable excise tax would result in a Lien on the properties or assets of Borrower, or (iii) where Borrower’s failure to pay any such applicable excise tax reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change,
          (h) promptly (and in any case within two (2) Business Days) after any Authorized Person of Borrower obtains (i) knowledge of the existence of a Default or an Event of Default, notice thereof and a statement of the curative action that Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, or (ii) notice of any Environmental Action which reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, notice thereof,
          (i) (i) promptly (and in any case within two (2) Business Days), notice if any Authorized Person of Borrower or Fortegra ceases to continue to hold such position, and (ii) promptly (and in any case within five (5) Business Days), notice if more than 30% of the employees of Borrower or Fortegra involved in the servicing of the Premium Finance Agreements who have been employed for longer than six months cease, within any period of sixty (60) consecutive days, to continue to hold such positions, and
          (j) upon the request of Lender, any other information reasonably requested relating to the financial condition of Borrower.
No Subsidiary of Borrower will have a fiscal year different from that of Borrower.
     6.4 Relationship with Obligors. Borrower shall promptly deliver to Lender copies of all write-ups, credit reports, invoices, statements, payment histories, status reports, and other documents and information relating to Premium Finance Agreements and Premium Finance Receivables as Lender may reasonably request.
     6.5 Title to Property. Upon Lender’s request, promptly deliver to Lender, properly endorsed, any and all evidences of ownership of, certificates of title, or applications for title to any items of Personal Property Collateral.
     6.6 Maintenance of Properties. Maintain and preserve all of its properties which are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition,
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 50

 


 

ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, and comply at all times with the provisions of all leases to which it is a party as lessee so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder, except, in each case, where the failure to maintain, preserve or comply could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change.
     6.7 Taxes. Cause all assessments, withholdings and taxes of, or imposed by, any Governmental Authority, whether real, personal, or otherwise, due and payable by, or imposed, levied, or assessed against Borrower or any of its assets to be paid in full, before the same may be overdue by more than 30 days or result in a Lien that is not a Permitted Lien, except to the extent that the validity of such assessment, withholding or tax shall be the subject of a Permitted Protest or that the failure to pay could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change.
     6.8 Insurance
          (a) At Borrower’s expense, maintain insurance respecting its assets wherever located, covering loss or damage by fire, theft, explosion, and all other hazards and risks as ordinarily are insured against by other Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses in the same locations as Borrower. Borrower also shall maintain business interruption, and public liability insurance, as well as insurance against fraud, larceny, embezzlement, and criminal misappropriation. All such policies of insurance shall be with financially sound and reputable insurance companies and in such amounts as is customary with other Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses in the same locations as Borrower. Borrower shall deliver copies of all such policies to Lender with a reasonably satisfactory lender’s loss payable endorsement naming Lender as sole loss payee or additional insured, as appropriate. Each policy of insurance or endorsement shall contain a clause requiring the insurer to give not less than 30 days prior written notice to Lender in the event of cancellation of the policy for any reason whatsoever.
          (b) Borrower shall give Lender prompt notice of any loss covered by such insurance. After the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Lender shall have the exclusive right and may (but shall not be obligated) to adjust any losses payable under any such insurance policies in excess of $50,000, without any liability of Lender to Borrower whatsoever in respect of such adjustments. Any monies received as payment for any loss under any insurance policy mentioned above (other than liability insurance policies) or as payment of any award or compensation for condemnation or taking by eminent domain, shall be paid over to an account controlled by Lender to be applied at the option of Borrower either to (i) the prepayment of the Obligations or (ii) under staged payment terms reasonably satisfactory to Lender, for application to the cost of repairs, replacements, or restorations. Any such repairs, replacements, or restorations shall be effected with reasonable promptness and shall be of a value at least equal to the value of the items of property destroyed prior to such damage or destruction.
          (c) Borrower will not take out separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required to be maintained under this Section 6.8, unless Lender is included thereon as named insured with the loss payable to Lender under a lender’s loss payable endorsement or its equivalent. Borrower promptly shall notify Lender whenever
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 51

 


 

such separate insurance is taken out, specifying the insurer thereunder and full particulars as to the policies evidencing the same, and copies of such policies promptly shall be provided to Lender.
     6.9 Location of Books, Inventory and Equipment. Keep its Books, Inventory and Equipment only at the locations identified on Schedule 5.4 (or as otherwise out for repair or in transit); provided however, that Borrower may amend Schedule 5.4 or Schedule 5.16 so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Lender prior to the date on which any Books, Inventory or Equipment of Borrower is moved to such new location, so long as such new location is within the continental United States, and so long as, at the time of such written notification, Borrower provides any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue perfected the Lender’s Liens on such assets, and also uses commercially reasonable efforts to provide to Lender a Collateral Access Agreement.
     6.10 Compliance with Laws. Cause the Approved Forms, the Required Procedures, all Premium Finance Documents and all actions and transactions by Borrower in connection therewith to comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws, except to the extent that the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change.
     6.11 Leases. Cause Borrower to pay when due all rents and other amounts payable under any lease agreement with respect to leased premises where any of the Premium Finance Documents or Books are located, in each case unless such payments are the subject of a Permitted Protest.
     6.12 Brokerage Commissions. Pay any and all brokerage commission or finders fees incurred in connection with or as a result of Borrower’s obtaining financing from Lender under this Agreement. Borrower agrees and acknowledges that payment of all such brokerage commissions or finders fees shall be the sole responsibility of Borrower, and Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Lender harmless from and against any claim of any broker or finder arising out of Borrower’s obtaining financing from Lender under this Agreement.
     6.13 Existence. At all times preserve and keep in full force and effect Borrower’s valid existence and good standing and any rights and franchises material to Borrower’s businesses, except to the extent that the failure to maintain any such rights or franchises could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change.
     6.14 Environmental. Except to the extent to which the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Change, keep any property either owned or operated by Borrower free of any Environmental Liens or post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens, (b) comply, in all material respects, with Environmental Laws and provide to Lender documentation of such compliance which Lender reasonably requests, and (c) take any Remedial Actions required to abate any release of a Hazardous Material in any reportable quantity from or onto property owned or operated by Borrower or otherwise to come into compliance with applicable Environmental Law.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 52

 


 

     6.15 Disclosure Updates. Promptly and in no event later than 5 Business Days after obtaining knowledge thereof (unless a longer period of time is specifically provided for in another Section of this Agreement), (a) notify Lender if any written information, exhibit, or report furnished to Lender contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made, and (b) correct any defect or error that may be discovered therein or in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgement, filing, or recordation thereof.
     6.16 Collateral Access. Use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be maintained in full force and effect Collateral Access Agreements in connection with all Personal Property Collateral as necessary to give Lender, as collateral assignee of Borrower, access to such property.
     6.17 [RESERVED].
     6.18 Servicing. Unless replaced with the prior written consent of Lender and subject to the terms of the Servicing Agreement, Borrower will service all Premium Finance Agreements in accordance with the Required Procedures and otherwise as reasonably necessary to maximize Collections to be realized in respect thereof.
     6.19 ERS. Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts and cooperate with Lender to cause the ERS to be fully operational and functional. Upon the establishment of the ERS, Borrower shall commence utilizing the ERS for electronic reporting as required by this Agreement.
7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
          Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit hereunder shall be available and until payment in full of the Obligations, Borrower will not and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the following:
     7.1 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume, permit, guarantee, or otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except:
          (a) Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Bank Product Agreements and with respect to any Hedge Obligations,
          (b) Subordinated Debt,
          (c) other Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 5.19,
          (d) Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness,
          (e) Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to Indebtedness permitted under clauses (c) and (d) of this Section 7.1,
          (f) endorsement of instruments or other payment items for deposit,
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 53

 


 

          (g) Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to bankers’ acceptances and letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation; provided, however, that upon the drawing of such bankers’ acceptances and letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence,
          (h) Obligations in respect of customs, stay, performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees and other obligations of a like nature provided by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,
          (i) Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries consisting of the financing of insurance premiums required to be paid under insurance policies required by Section 6.8, and
          (j) Obligations in respect of Cash Management Services provided to Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
     7.2 Liens. Create, incur, assume, or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted Liens (including Liens that are replacements of Permitted Liens to the extent that the original Indebtedness is refinanced, renewed, or extended under Section 7.1(e) and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber those assets that secured the refinanced, renewed, or extended Indebtedness).
     7.3 Restrictions on Fundamental Changes
          (a) Enter into any merger, consolidation, or recapitalization, or reclassify its Stock, or make any material change that is adverse to Lender to any of its Governing Documents.
          (b) Liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution).
          (c) Convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any substantial part of its assets.
     7.4 Disposal of Assets. Convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any of Borrower’s assets other than Permitted Dispositions.
     7.5 Change Name. Change Borrower’s name, FEIN, state of organization, corporate structure or organizational identity, unless Borrower has provided prior written notice to Lender of such change and so long as, at the time of such written notification, Borrower provides any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue perfected the Lender’s Liens.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 54

 


 

     7.6 Guarantee. Guarantee or otherwise become in any way liable with respect to the obligations of any third Person except by endorsement of instruments or items of payment for deposit to the account of Borrower in the ordinary course of business or which are transmitted or turned over to Lender; provided that Guarantees restricted by this Section 7.6 will not be deemed to include contingent obligations or guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to obligations not constituting Indebtedness.
     7.7 Nature of Business. (a) Engage directly or indirectly in any line of business or activity other than that of an insurance premium finance company that finances, originates or services insurance premium loans for property and casualty insurance policies, or (b) operate or originate Premium Finance Agreements in any market or jurisdiction other than those listed on Schedule 7.7 without Lender’s prior written consent.
     7.8 Prepayments and Amendments; Payment on Subordinated Debt.
          (a) Prepay, redeem, defease, purchase, or otherwise acquire any Subordinated Debt of Borrower or make any other payments thereon, except to the extent that (A) prior to and after giving effect to any such payment on such Subordinated Debt, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (B) such payment is not prohibited by the Subordination Agreement relating thereto and (C) the holder of such Subordinated Debt is not in breach of such Subordination Agreement or the terms and conditions of any other agreement with Borrower or Lender; and provided, further, that no Event of Default shall occur under this Agreement as a result of any such payment (x) to the extent such payment does not exceed $100,000 and resulted solely from inadvertence or mistake and (y) within 3 days of discovery thereof, the amount of such payment is refunded to Borrower or proceeds of new equity or Subordinated Debt is received by Borrower in an amount equal to the amount of such payment.
          (b) Amend, modify, alter, increase, or change any of the terms or conditions of any agreement, instrument, document, indenture, or other writing evidencing Indebtedness in a manner adverse to Lender.
     7.9 [RESERVED].
     7.10 Approved Forms; Required Procedures. Make any changes or revisions in any material respect to the Approved Forms, the Required Procedures or Borrower’s underwriting standards that would represent more liberal lending guidelines or procedures than in effect as of the Closing Date, except changes or modifications as may be approved in writing by Lender in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion, or use any form of Premium Finance Agreement other than an Approved Form which is in compliance with Applicable Laws.
     7.11 Modification of Premium Finance Receivables. Modify any Premium Finance Receivables or Premium Finance Documents, other than to ensure compliance with Applicable Laws, without the prior written consent of Lender.
     7.12 Distributions. Make any Restricted Payments; provided, that Borrower may (a) make payments on Subordinated Debt to the extent permitted by Section 7.8, and (b) make
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 55

 


 

distributions on its Stock on a quarterly basis provided that (i) both prior to and after giving effect to any such distribution no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, and (ii) Borrower has provided to Lender its financial statements for the most recently completed quarter and certified to Lender that the condition set forth in clause (i) above is satisfied.
     7.13 Accounting Methods. Modify or change its fiscal year or its method of accounting (other than as may be required to conform to GAAP or permitted under GAAP).
     7.14 Investments. Directly or indirectly, form or acquire any Subsidiaries or make or acquire any other Investment other than Permitted Investments.
     7.15 Transactions with Affiliates. Directly or indirectly enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any Affiliate of Borrower, or, solely to the extent that Summit Partners remains an Affiliate of Fortegra or any Person in which Fortegra owns directly or indirectly an ownership interest or in which Fortegra is a partner or joint venturer, with any Person that Borrower knows is an Affiliate of Summit Partners, except for transactions that are in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business and upon terms and conditions that are not materially less favorable to Borrower than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non-Affiliate; provided that the foregoing restriction will not apply to the following:
          (a) reasonable and customary fees payable to any directors of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of Borrower) and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket costs of the directors of Borrower and its subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of Borrower) in the ordinary course of business, in the case of any direct or indirect parent to the extent attributable to the operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
          (b) expense reimbursement and employment, severance and compensation arrangements entered into by Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of Borrower to the extent attributable to the operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries) with their directors, officers, employees, members of management and consultants in the ordinary course of business,
          (c) the payment of reasonable and customary indemnities to directors, officers, employees, members of management and consultants of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of Borrower) in the ordinary course of business, in the case of any direct or indirect parent to the extent attributable to the operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
          (d) Restricted Payments permitted under Section 7.12, and
          (e) transactions between Borrower and Bliss & Glennon, Inc. relating to the financing, origination or servicing of insurance premium loans for property and casualty insurance policies in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.
     7.16 Suspension. Suspend or go out of a substantial portion of its business.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 56

 


 

     7.17 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Advances for any purpose other than (a) on the Closing Date, to pay transactional fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (b) on and after the Closing Date, to finance the origination of Premium Finance Agreements in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business and for working capital.
     7.18 Change in Location of Chief Executive Office. Relocate its chief executive office unless Borrower has provided to Lender prior written notification thereof, an updated version of Schedule 5.6, and any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue perfected the Lender’s Liens.
     7.19 Securities and Deposit Accounts. Establish or maintain any Securities Account or any Deposit Account, or transfer any assets to any Securities Account or any Deposit Account, unless Borrower has provided to Lender an updated version of Schedule 5.17 and Lender shall have received a Control Agreement in respect of such Securities Account or such Deposit Account. Borrower shall not transfer assets out of any Securities Account or any Deposit Account; provided, however, that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Borrower may use assets in any Securities Account or any Deposit Account (and the proceeds thereof) to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement.
     7.20 Financial Covenants.
          (a) Fail to maintain, for Borrower:
               (i) Minimum Tangible Net Worth. At all times, Tangible Net Worth equal to or greater than the Tangible Net Worth Requirement.
               (ii) Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. As of the last day of each fiscal month of Borrower, an Interest Coverage Ratio for the three-month period then ended (or, as of the last day of the first or second full fiscal months after the Closing Date, for the one-month or two-month period then ended, as applicable), greater than or equal to 1.20 to 1.00.
               (iii) Maximum Leverage Ratio. As of the last day of each fiscal month of Borrower, a ratio of (A) Indebtedness (excluding Subordinated Debt) to (B) Tangible Net Worth plus Subordinated Debt, equal to or less than 5.50 to 1.00.
               (iv) Maximum Cancelled Insurance Policy Ratio. As of the last day of each fiscal month of Borrower, a ratio (expressed as a percentage) for the 12-month period then ended (or, as of the last day of each of the first 11 full fiscal months after the Closing Date, for the number of full fiscal months after the Closing Date then ended) of (a) the aggregate Gross Value of Premium Finance Agreements cancelled during such period, to (b) the aggregate Gross Value of new Premium Finance Agreements originated during such period, equal to or less than 12%.
     7.21 Participations. Sell participations or any other ownership interest in any Premium Finance Receivable.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 57

 


 

8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
          Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an event of default (each, an “Event of Default”) under this Agreement:
     8.1 If (a) Borrower fails to pay when due and payable, or when declared due and payable, all or any portion of the Obligations consisting of principal or interest (including any interest which, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such amounts), or (b) Borrower fails to pay when due and payable, or when declared due and payable, all or any portion of the Obligations consisting of fees and charges due Lender, reimbursement of Lender Expenses, or other amounts constituting Obligations, and in the case of a payment described in this clause (b) such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 5 Business Days;
     8.2 If Borrower fails or neglects to (a) perform, keep, or observe any covenant or other provision contained in Sections 2.6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.6, 6.8, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15, 6.16, 6.18, or 6.19, or Section 7 of this Agreement, or any comparable provision contained in any of the other Loan Documents; (b) perform, keep, or observe any covenant or other provision contained in Sections 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, 6.10 or 6.11 hereof and such failure continues for a period of 20 days after the date on which such failure first occurs, or (c) perform, keep, or observe any covenant or other provision contained in any Section of this Agreement (other than a Section that is expressly dealt with elsewhere in this Section 8.2), including failure to satisfy a condition subsequent set forth in Section 3.2 within the period stated, or the other Loan Documents, and such failure continues for a period of 30 Business Days after the date on which such failure first occurs;
     8.3 If any portion of Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets having a value in excess of $200,000 is attached, seized, subjected to a writ or distress warrant, or levied upon, by any third Person or Governmental Authority, and such Lien is not discharged, vacated, released, or stayed within 45 days of the occurrence thereof;
     8.4 If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by Borrower, any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor;
     8.5 If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against Borrower, any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor, and any of the following events occur: (a) such Person consents to the institution of such Insolvency Proceeding against it, (b) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not timely controverted, (c) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not dismissed within 60 calendar days of the date of the filing thereof; provided, however, that, during the pendency of such period, Lender shall be relieved of its obligations to extend credit hereunder, (d) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of, or to operate all or any substantial portion of the business of, Borrower, any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor, or (e) an order for relief shall have been entered therein;
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 58

 


 

     8.6 If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is enjoined, restrained, or in any way prevented by an effective court order from continuing to conduct all or any material part of its business affairs;
     8.7 If any taxes or debts in excess of $200,000 owing at any time hereafter to any Governmental Authority becomes a Lien, whether choate or otherwise, upon any assets of Borrower or its Subsidiaries and the same is not paid before such payment is delinquent, unless subject to a Permitted Protest, and such Lien is not discharged, vacated, released, or stayed within 45 days of the occurrence thereof;
     8.8 If a final judgment or order in excess of $400,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance as to which an insurance company has not denied coverage) becomes a Lien or encumbrance upon any assets of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and is not discharged, vacated, released or stayed within 45 days of the occurrence thereof;
     8.9 If there is a material default in any material agreement to which Borrower is a party and such default (a) occurs at the final maturity of the obligations thereunder, or (b) results in a right by the other party thereto, irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the maturity of Borrower’s obligations thereunder, to terminate such agreement, or to refuse to renew such agreement pursuant to an automatic renewal right therein;
     8.10 If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries makes any payment on account of Indebtedness that has been contractually subordinated in right of payment to the payment of the Obligations, except to the extent such payment is permitted by the terms of the subordination provisions applicable to such Indebtedness; provided, that no Event of Default shall occur under this Section 8.10 as a result of any such payment (a) to the extent such payment does not exceed $100,000 and resulted solely from inadvertence or mistake and (b) within 3 days of discovery thereof, the amount of such payment is refunded to Borrower or proceeds of new equity or Subordinated Debt is received by Borrower in an amount equal to the amount of such payment;
     8.11 If any representation or warranty made or deemed made in any Loan Document or any representation, warranty, statement or information contained in any Borrowing Base Certificate or other document or Record required to be furnished pursuant to any Loan Document shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made, deemed made or furnished;
     8.12 If this Agreement or any other Loan Document that purports to create a Lien, shall, for any reason, fail or cease to create a valid and perfected and, except to the extent permitted by the terms hereof or thereof, first priority Lien on or security interest in the Collateral covered hereby or thereby;
     8.13 Any provision of any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason be declared to be null and void, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by Borrower, any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor, or any Affiliate of any such Person, or a proceeding shall be commenced by Borrower, any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor, or any Affiliate of any such Person, or by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over Borrower, any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor, seeking to establish the invalidity
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 59

 


 

or unenforceability thereof, or Borrower, any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor, or any Affiliate of any such Person, shall deny that Borrower, any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Loan Document;
     8.14 The occurrence of a Change of Control without the prior written consent of Lender;
     8.15 The occurrence of a Material Adverse Change;
     8.16 Both Antimo Cesaro (or any replacement for such individual) and Al Rokosz (or any replacement for such individual) shall cease to be employed in his capacity with Borrower as of the Closing Date, and neither of such individuals has been replaced by a commercially reasonable replacement (after giving effect to any permanent position eliminations, if applicable) within 120 days after the first date when such condition exists;
     8.17 Cumulatively, within any six-month period, more than 50% of the following individuals - Rick Kahlbaugh, Mike Vrban, Dan Reppert, Al Rokosz, and John Short (or any replacement for any of such individuals) — shall cease to be employed in his/her current capacity with Fortegra and commercially reasonable replacements (after giving effect to any permanent position eliminations, if applicable) shall not be hired within 120 days of such termination of employment; or
     8.18 Borrower fails, in any material respect, to perform, keep, or observe any covenant or other provision contained in the Servicing Agreement (other than a covenant or other provision that is also provided for under this Agreement), and such failure continues for a period of 30 days after the date on which such failure first occurs.
9. LENDER’S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.
     9.1 Rights and Remedies. Upon the occurrence, and during the continuation, of an Event of Default, Lender (at its election but without notice of its election and without demand except to the extent required by mandatory requirements of Applicable Law) may do any one or more of the following, all of which are authorized by Borrower:
          (a) Declare all Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), whether evidenced by this Agreement, by any of the other Loan Documents, or otherwise, immediately due and payable;
          (b) Cease advancing money or extending credit to or for the benefit of Borrower under this Agreement or under any of the Loan Documents;
          (c) (i) Receive, process and account for all Collections in respect of Premium Finance Agreements, (ii) subject to the last sentence of this Section 9.1, terminate the Servicing Agreement and assign servicing responsibilities to any replacement Servicer, (iii) without notice to or demand upon Borrower, make any payments as are reasonably necessary or desirable in connection with the Servicing Agreement or any other agreement that Lender enters into with any replacement Servicer, and (iv) take all lawful actions and procedures which Lender or such
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 60

 


 

assignee deems necessary to collect the amounts due to Borrower in connection with Premium Finance Agreements (with all reasonable and documented fees and expenses incurred by Lender pursuant to this Section 9.1(c) being Lender Expenses);
          (d) Terminate this Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents as to any future liability or obligation of Lender, but without affecting any of the Lender’s Liens in the Collateral and without affecting the Obligations;
          (e) Enforce any and all rights of Borrower under any Premium Finance Documents, including without limitation the right to demand, enforce payment of, and settle and receipt for amount owing under Premium Finance Receivables, and the right to exercise notification or cancellation rights under Premium Finance Agreements and demand, enforce payment of, settle and receipt for refunds of unearned premiums owing by Insurers;
          (f) Settle or adjust disputes and claims on Premium Finance Receivables, Accounts, General Intangibles or Negotiable Collateral of Borrower directly with Obligors and other obligors thereon for amounts and upon terms which Lender considers advisable, and in such cases, Lender will credit Borrower’s Loan Account with only the net amounts received by Lender in payment thereof after deducting all Lender Expenses incurred or expended in connection therewith;
          (g) Exercise any rights and remedies of a secured party under the Code, or as provided by any other Applicable Law, to protect its security interests in the Collateral. Borrower agrees to assemble the Personal Property Collateral if Lender so requires, and to make the Personal Property Collateral available to Lender at a place that Lender may designate which is reasonably convenient to both parties. Subject to the terms of any lease agreement, Borrower authorizes Lender to enter the premises where the Personal Property Collateral is located, to take and maintain possession of the Personal Property Collateral, or any part of it, and to pay, purchase, contest, or compromise any Lien that in Lender’s determination appears to conflict with the Lender’s Liens and to pay all expenses incurred in connection therewith and to charge Borrower’s Loan Account therefor. With respect to any of Borrower’s owned or leased premises, subject to the terms of any lease agreement, Borrower hereby grants Lender a license to enter into possession of such premises and to occupy the same, without charge, in order to exercise any of Lender’s rights or remedies provided herein, at law, in equity, or otherwise;
          (h) Without notice to Borrower (such notice being expressly waived), and without constituting a retention of any collateral in satisfaction of an obligation (within the meaning of the Code), set off and apply to the Obligations any and all (i) balances and deposits of Borrower held by Lender (including any amounts received in the Designated Account, or (ii) Indebtedness at any time owing to or for the credit or the account of Borrower held by Lender;
          (i) Hold, as cash collateral, any and all balances and deposits of Borrower held by Lender, and any amounts received in the Designated Account, to secure the full and final repayment of all of the Obligations;
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 61

 


 

          (j) Maintain, repair, prepare for sale, advertise for sale and sell (in the manner provided for herein) the Personal Property Collateral. Borrower hereby grants to Lender a license or other right to use, without charge, Borrower’s labels, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and advertising matter, or any property of a similar nature, as it pertains to the Personal Property Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any Personal Property Collateral and Borrower’s rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements shall inure to Lender’s benefit;
          (k) Subject to the mandatory requirements of Applicable Law, sell the Personal Property Collateral at either a public or private sale, or both, by way of one or more contracts or transactions, for cash or on terms, in such manner and at such places (including Borrower’s premises) as Lender determines is commercially reasonable; provided that the Personal Property Collateral need not be present at any such sale;
          (l) Subject to the mandatory requirements of Applicable Law, Lender shall give notice of the disposition of the Personal Property Collateral as follows:
               (i) Lender shall give Borrower a notice in writing of the time and place of public sale, or, if the sale is a private sale or some other disposition other than a public sale is to be made of the Personal Property Collateral, then the time on or after which the private sale or other disposition is to be made; and
               (ii) the notice shall be personally delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to Borrower as provided in Section 12, at least 10 days before the earliest time of disposition set forth in the notice; no notice needs to be given prior to the disposition of any portion of the Personal Property Collateral that is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or that is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market;
          (m) Lender may credit bid and purchase at any public sale;
          (n) Lender may seek the appointment of a receiver or keeper to take possession of all or any portion of the Collateral or to operate same and, to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, may seek the appointment of such a receiver without the requirement of prior notice or a hearing;
          (o) Lender may assume or, subject to the last sentence of this Section 9.1, assign, any and all rights and responsibilities to collect, manage, and service the Premium Finance Receivables, including without limitation, (i) the responsibility for the receipt, processing and accounting for all payments on account of the Premium Finance Receivables, (ii) periodically sending demand notices and statements to the Obligors, (iii) enforcing legal rights with respect to the Premium Finance Receivables, including hiring attorneys to do so to the extent Lender or such third party deems such engagement necessary, and (iv) taking all lawful actions and procedures which Lender or such third party deems necessary to collect on the Premium Finance Receivables (with all reasonable and documented fees and expenses incurred by Lender pursuant to this Section 9.1(o) being Lender Expenses);
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 62

 


 

          (p) Lender shall have all other rights and remedies available at law or in equity or pursuant to any other Loan Document; and
          (q) Any deficiency that exists after disposition of the Personal Property Collateral as provided above will be paid immediately by Borrower. Any excess will be returned, without interest and subject to the rights of third Persons, by Lender to Borrower.
The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.4 or Section 8.5, in addition to the remedies set forth above, without any notice to Borrower or any other Person or any act by the Lender, Lender’s obligation to extend credit hereunder shall terminate and the Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), inclusive of all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all fees and all other amounts owing under this Agreement or under any of the other Loan Documents, shall automatically and immediately become due and payable and Borrower shall be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full, without presentment, demand, protest, or notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Lender may not terminate the Servicing Agreement and assign servicing responsibilities to a replacement Servicer unless (A) an Event of Default under Section 8.1, 8.2(a), 8.4, 8.5, 8.9, or 8.16 has occurred and is continuing, or (B) Lender has determined in its Permitted Discretion that Borrower, Fortegra or any of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors or agents has engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with any aspect of its handling of the Premium Finance Receivables, cash collected on account thereof, or any other Collateral.
     9.2 Special Rights of Lender in respect of Premium Finance Documents. Without limiting Section 9.1, at any time when (a) an Event of Default under Section 8.1, 8.2(a), 8.4, 8.5, 8.9, or 8.16 has occurred and is continuing, or (b) Lender has determined in its Permitted Discretion that Borrower, Fortegra or any of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors or agents has engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with any aspect of its handling of the Premium Finance Receivables, cash collected on account thereof, or any other Collateral, Lender shall have the right to take such action as Lender may deem necessary in its sole discretion to preserve the ongoing performance and enforceability of such Premium Finance Receivable and preserve the value thereof, including taking any action that Borrower is required or authorized to take in respect of such Premium Finance Receivable or to otherwise properly service such Premium Finance Receivable, or contract with any Person to take or perform any such actions. Borrower hereby grants to Lender a special power of attorney (which shall be irrevocable, coupled with an interest and include power of substitution) to take any action authorized in this Section 9.2. Any advances, payments or other reasonable and documented costs or expenses made or incurred by Lender in taking any action authorized under this Section 9.2 shall be included within the Obligations and reimbursed to Lender on demand or, at Lender’s discretion charged and treated as Advances. Lender’s rights under this Section 9.2 are cumulative of all other rights of Lender under the Loan Documents and may be exercised in whole or in part, in Lender’s discretion. Lender shall have no obligation to take any action under this Section 9.2, and no undertaking by Lender under this Section 9.2 shall obligate Lender to continue any such action or to take any other or additional action under this Section 9.2.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 63

 


 

     9.3 Remedies Cumulative. The rights and remedies of Lender under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be cumulative. Lender shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent herewith as provided under the Code, by law, or in equity. No exercise by Lender of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by Lender of any Event of Default shall be deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by Lender shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence by it.
10. TAXES AND EXPENSES.
          If Borrower fails to pay any monies (whether taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased properties or assets, rents or other amounts payable under such leases) due to third Persons, or fails to make any deposits or furnish any required proof of payment or deposit, all as required under the terms of this Agreement, then, Lender, in its sole discretion and upon provision of prior or subsequent notice to Borrower, may do any or all of the following: (a) make payment of the same or any part thereof, (b) subject to Section 2.1(b), set up such reserves in Borrower’s Loan Account as Lender deems necessary to protect Lender from the exposure created by such failure, or (c) in the case of the failure to comply with Section 6.8, obtain and maintain insurance policies of the type described in Section 6.8 and take any action with respect to such policies as Lender deems prudent. Any such amounts paid by Lender shall constitute Lender Expenses and any such payments shall not constitute an agreement by Lender to make similar payments in the future or a waiver by Lender of any Event of Default under this Agreement. Lender need not inquire as to, or contest the validity of, any such expense, tax, or Lien and the receipt of the usual official notice for the payment thereof shall be conclusive evidence that the same was validly due and owing.
11. WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.
     11.1 Demand; Protest. To the extent permitted by applicable law and except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by Lender on which Borrower may in any way be liable.
     11.2 Lender’s Non-Liability for Collateral. Borrower hereby agrees that: (a) so long as Lender complies with its obligations, if any, under the Code, Lender shall not in any way or manner be liable or responsible for: (i) the safekeeping of the Collateral, or for any act or failure to act with respect to the Collateral or for any loss or damage thereto (other than failure to exercise reasonable care in custody of any such Collateral delivered to Lender by Borrower under this Agreement), or for any diminution in the value thereof, or (ii) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, forwarding agency, or other Person, and (b) all risk of loss, damage, or destruction of the Collateral shall be borne by Borrower. In the case of any Negotiable Collateral, Lender shall have no duty or obligation to preserve rights against prior parties. The Obligations shall not be affected by any failure of Lender to take any steps to perfect its security interests or to collect or realize upon the Collateral, nor shall loss of or damage to the Collateral release Borrower from any of the Obligations.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 64

 


 

     11.3 Indemnification. Borrower shall pay, indemnify, defend, and hold the Lender-Related Persons, each Participant, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and attorneys-in-fact (each, an “Indemnified Person”) harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings, and damages, and all reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and disbursements and other reasonable and documented costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (as and when they are incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought), at any time asserted against, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them (a) in connection with or as a result of or related to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance, or administration of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) with respect to any investigation, litigation, or proceeding related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or the use of the proceeds of the credit provided hereunder (irrespective of whether any Indemnified Person is a party thereto), or any act, omission, event, or circumstance in any manner related thereto and (c) arising from or in connection with any act or omission by Borrower (whether in its capacity as Servicer or otherwise), Fortegra, or any Affiliate of Borrower or Fortegra in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether occurring prior to or after the Closing Date (all the foregoing, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”). The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrower shall have no obligation to any Indemnified Person under this Section 11.3 with respect to any Indemnified Liability that a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines to have resulted from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or breach of any Loan Document by, such Indemnified Person. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment of the Obligations. If any Indemnified Person makes any payment to any other Indemnified Person with respect to an Indemnified Liability as to which Borrower was required to indemnify the Indemnified Person receiving such payment, the Indemnified Person making such payment is entitled to be indemnified and reimbursed by Borrower with respect thereto. WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY SHALL APPLY TO EACH INDEMNIFIED PERSON WITH RESPECT TO INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IN WHOLE OR IN PART ARE CAUSED BY OR ARISE OUT OF ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON OR OF ANY OTHER PERSON, SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.
12. NOTICES.
          Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands by Borrower or Lender to the other relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in writing and (except for financial statements and other informational documents which may be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid) shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), overnight courier, electronic mail (at such email addresses as Borrower or Lender, as applicable, may designate to each other in accordance herewith), or telefacsimile to Borrower or Lender, as the case may be, at its address set forth below:
     
If to Borrower:
  South Bay Acceptance Corporation
 
  21535 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite 275
 
  Torrance, California 90509
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 65

 


 

     
 
  Attention: Antimo Cesaro
 
  Phone No.: (800) 393-2012
 
  Telecopy No.: (877) 349-2984
 
   
with copies to:
  Fortegra Financial Corporation
 
  100 West Bay Street
 
  Jacksonville, Florida 32202
 
  Attention: John Short
 
  Phone No.: (904) 350-9660
 
  Telecopy No.: (904) 354-4525
 
   
 
  and
 
   
 
  Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
 
  200 Crescent Court, Suite 300
 
  Dallas, Texas 75201
 
  Attention: Kelly M. Dybala
 
  Phone No.: (214) 746-7898
 
  Telecopy: (214) 746-7777
 
   
If to Fortegra:
  Fortegra Financial Corporation
 
  100 West Bay Street
 
  Jacksonville, Florida 32202
 
  Attention: John Short
 
  Phone No.: (904) 350-9660
 
  Telecopy No.: (904) 354-4525
 
   
With a copy to:
  Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
 
  200 Crescent Court, Suite 300
 
  Dallas, Texas 75201
 
  Attention: Kelly M. Dybala
 
  Phone No.: (214) 746-7898
 
  Telecopy: (214) 746-7777
 
   
If to Lender:
  WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
 
  14241 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1300
 
  Dallas, Texas 75254
 
  Attn: Loan Portfolio Manager — SBAC
 
  Phone No.: (972) 851-9111
 
  Telecopy: (972) 387-5775
 
   
with copies to:
  McDermott Will & Emery LLP
 
  275 Middlefield Road, Suite 100
 
  Menlo Park, California 94025-4004
 
  Attn: Dick M. Okada
 
  Phone No.: (650) 815-7400
 
  Telecopy: (650) 815-7401
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 66

 


 

Lender and Borrower may change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other party. All notices or demands sent in accordance with this Section 12, other than notices by Lender in connection with enforcement rights against the Collateral under the provisions of the Code, shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or 3 Business Days after the deposit thereof in the mail. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that notices sent by Lender in connection with the exercise of enforcement rights against Collateral under the provisions of the Code shall be deemed sent when deposited in the mail or personally delivered, or, where permitted by Applicable Law, transmitted by telefacsimile or any other method set forth above. If any fax or electronic mail is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.
13. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.
     13.1 THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN RESPECT OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT), THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF, AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
     13.2 THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT LENDER’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. BORROWER AND LENDER WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 13.2.
     13.3 BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. BORROWER AND LENDER REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 67

 


 

14. ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.
     14.1 Assignments and Participations.
          (a) Lender may assign and delegate to one or more Eligible Transferees (each an “Assignee”) all, or any ratable part of all, of the Obligations and the other rights and obligations of Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that Borrower may continue to deal solely and directly with Lender in connection with the interest so assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses, and related information with respect to the Assignee, have been given to Borrower by Lender and the Assignee, and (ii) Lender and its Assignee have delivered to Borrower an appropriate assignment and acceptance agreement.
          (b) From and after the date that Lender provides Borrower with such written notice and executed assignment and acceptance agreement, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such assignment and acceptance agreement, shall have the assigned and delegated rights and obligations of Lender under the Loan Documents, and (ii) Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been assigned and delegated by it pursuant to such assignment and acceptance agreement, relinquish its rights (except with respect to Section 11.3 hereof) and be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and in the case of an assignment and acceptance agreement covering all or the remaining portion of Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Lender shall cease to be a party hereto and thereto), and such assignment shall affect a novation between Borrower and the Assignee.
          (c) Immediately upon Borrower’s receipt of such fully executed assignment and acceptance agreement, this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the rights and duties of Lender arising therefrom.
          (d) Lender may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks, financial institutions, or other Persons not Affiliates of Lender (a “Participant”) participating interests in the Obligations and the other rights and interests of Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that (i) Lender shall remain the “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Participant receiving the participating interest in the Obligations and the other rights and interests of Lender hereunder shall not constitute a “Lender” hereunder or under the other Loan Documents and Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) Borrower and Lender shall continue to deal solely and directly with each other in connection with Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) Lender shall not transfer or grant any participating interest under which the Participant has the right to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment to, or consent or waiver with respect to this Agreement or of any other Loan Document would (A) extend the final maturity date of the Obligations hereunder in which such
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 68

 


 

Participant is participating, (B) reduce the interest rate applicable to the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (C) release all or a material portion of the Collateral or guaranties (except to the extent expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents) supporting the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (D) postpone the payment of, or reduce the amount of, the interest or fees payable to such Participant through Lender, or (E) change the amount or due dates of scheduled principal repayments or prepayments or premiums, and (v) all amounts payable by Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if Lender had not sold such participation, except that, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set-off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement. The rights of any Participant only shall be derivative through Lender and no Participant shall have any rights under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any direct rights as to Borrower, the Collections, the Collateral, or otherwise in respect of the Obligations. No Participant shall have the right to participate directly in the making of decisions by Lender.
          (e) In connection with any such assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation, Lender may disclose all documents and information which it now or hereafter may have relating to Borrower or Borrower’s business.
          (f) Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Bank or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR §203.14, and such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under Applicable Law.
     14.2 Successors. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties; provided, however, that Borrower may not assign this Agreement or any rights or duties hereunder without Lender’s prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void ab initio. No consent to assignment by Lender shall release Borrower from its Obligations unless such release is specifically agreed to in writing by Lender. Lender may assign this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and its rights and duties hereunder and thereunder pursuant to Section 14.1 and, except as expressly required pursuant to Section 14.1 or the definition of “Eligible Transferee,” no consent or approval by Borrower is required in connection with any such assignment.
15. AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.
     15.1 Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any departure by Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Lender and Borrower and then any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 69

 


 

     15.2 No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by Lender to exercise any right, remedy, or option under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or delay by Lender in exercising the same, will operate as a waiver thereof. No waiver by Lender will be effective unless it is in writing, and then only to the extent specifically stated. No waiver by Lender on any occasion shall affect or diminish Lender’s rights thereafter to require strict performance by Borrower of any provision of this Agreement. Lender’s rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy that Lender may have.
16. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
     16.1 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding and deemed effective when executed by Borrower and Lender.
     16.2 Section Headings. Headings and numbers have been set forth herein for convenience only. Unless the contrary is compelled by the context, everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement.
     16.3 Interpretation. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed against Lender or Borrower, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.
     16.4 Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.
     16.5 Bank Product Providers. Each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof and of the provisions of the other Loan Documents for purposes of any reference in a Loan Document to the parties for whom Lender is acting. Lender hereby agrees to act as agent for such Bank Product Providers and, by virtue of entering into a Bank Product Agreement, the applicable Bank Product Provider shall be automatically deemed to have appointed Agent as its agent and to have accepted the benefits of the Loan Documents; it being understood and agreed that the rights and benefits of each Bank Product Provider under the Loan Documents consist exclusively of such Bank Product Provider’s being a beneficiary of the Liens and security interests (and, if applicable, guarantees) granted to Lender and the right to share in payments and collections out of the Collateral as more fully set forth herein. In addition, each Bank Product Provider, by virtue of entering into a Bank Product Agreement, shall be automatically deemed to have agreed that Lender shall have the right, but shall have no obligation, to establish, maintain, relax, or release reserves in respect of the Bank Product Obligations and that if reserves are established there is no obligation on the part of Lender to determine or insure whether the amount of any such reserve is appropriate or not. In connection with any such distribution of payments or proceeds of Collateral, Lender shall be entitled to assume no amounts are due or owing to any Bank Product Provider unless such Bank Product Provider has provided a written certification (setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation) to Lender as to the amounts that are due and owing to it and such written certification is received by
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 70

 


 

Lender a reasonable period of time prior to the making of such distribution. Lender shall have no obligation to calculate the amount due and payable with respect to any Bank Products, but may rely upon the written certification of the amount due and payable from the relevant Bank Product Provider. In the absence of an updated certification, Lender shall be entitled to assume that the amount due and payable to the relevant Bank Product Provider is the amount last certified to Lender by such Bank Product Provider as being due and payable (less any distributions made to such Bank Product Provider on account thereof). Borrower may obtain Bank Products from any Bank Product Provider, although Borrower is not required to do so. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Bank Product Provider has committed to provide any Bank Products and that the providing of Bank Products by any Bank Product Provider is in the sole and absolute discretion of such Bank Product Provider. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no provider or holder of any Bank Product shall have any voting or approval rights hereunder (or be deemed a Lender) solely by virtue of its status as the provider or holder of such agreements or products or the Obligations owing thereunder, nor shall the consent of any such provider or holder be required (other than in its capacities as Lender, to the extent applicable) for any matter hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, including as to any matter relating to the Collateral or the release of Collateral or Guarantors.
     16.6 Withholding Taxes. All payments made by Borrower hereunder or under any note will be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other defense, except as required by Applicable Law other than for Taxes (as defined below). All such payments will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any jurisdiction (other than the United States) or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than of the United States) with respect to such payments (but excluding, any tax imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (i) measured by or based on the net income or net profits of Lender, or (ii) to the extent that such tax results from a change in the circumstances of Lender, including a change in the residence, place of organization, or principal place of business of Lender, or a change in the branch or lending office of Lender participating in the transactions set forth herein) and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges being referred to collectively as “Taxes”). If any Taxes are so levied or imposed, Borrower agrees to pay the full amount of such Taxes, and such additional amounts as may be necessary so that every payment of all amounts due under this Agreement or under any note, including any amount paid pursuant to this Section 16.5 after withholding or deduction for or on account of any Taxes, will not be less than the amount provided for herein; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to Lender if the increase in such amount payable results from Lender’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence. Borrower will furnish to Lender as promptly as possible after the date the payment of any Taxes is due pursuant to Applicable Law certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by Borrower.
     16.7 [RESERVED].
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 71

 


 

     16.8 Counterparts; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by either (a) facsimile transmission or (b) electronic transmission in either Tagged Image Format Files (TIFF) or Portable Document Format (PDF), shall be equally as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission also shall deliver an original manually executed counterpart of this Agreement, but the failure to deliver an original manually executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement. The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis.
     16.9 Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations. If the incurrence or payment of the Obligations by Borrower or any Guarantor or the transfer to Lender of any property should for any reason subsequently be declared to be void or voidable under Applicable Law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers of property (collectively, a “Voidable Transfer”), and if Lender is required to repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects to do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that Lender is required or elects to repay or restore, and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys fees of Lender related thereto, the liability of Borrower automatically shall be revived, reinstated, and restored and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been made.
     16.10 USA Patriot Act. Lender hereby notifies Borrower that, pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107 56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), Lender is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and other information that will allow Lender to identify Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.
     16.11 Integration. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, all Bank Product Agreements, if any, are independent agreements governed by the written provisions of such Bank Product Agreements, which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any repayment, prepayments, acceleration, reduction, increase, or change in the terms of any credit extended hereunder, except as otherwise expressly provided in such Bank Product Agreement.
[Signature pages to follow]
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT — Page 72

 


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
         
  SOUTH BAY ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION,
a California corporation, as Borrower
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Treasurer   
 
Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement

 


 

         
  WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company, as Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Kyle Coleman    
    Name:   Kyle Coleman   
    Title:   Vice President   
 
Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement

 

EX-10.14 16 b81561exv10w14.htm EX-10.14 exv10w14
Exhibit 10.14
GENERAL CONTINUING GUARANTY
     This GENERAL CONTINUING GUARANTY (this “Guaranty”), dated as of June 10, 2010, is executed and delivered by Fortegra Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“Guarantor”), in favor of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC., a Delaware limited liability company (“Lender”), in light of the following:
     WHEREAS, South Bay Acceptance Corporation, a California corporation (“Borrower”), and Lender are, contemporaneously herewith, entering into that certain Loan and Security Agreement of even date herewith (as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”);
     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Loan Agreement, Lender has agreed to make certain loans or other financial accommodations on the Closing Date to or for the benefit of Borrower;
     WHEREAS, Borrower is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guarantor;
     WHEREAS, Guarantor will benefit by virtue of the financial accommodations extended to Borrower by Lender pursuant to the Loan Agreement; and
     WHEREAS, in order to induce Lender to enter into the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to extend the financial accommodations to Borrower pursuant to the Loan Agreement, and in consideration thereof, Guarantor has agreed to guaranty the Guarantied Obligations subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Guaranty.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:
     1. Definitions and Construction.
          (a) Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement. The following terms, as used in this Guaranty, shall have the following meanings:
          “Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Guaranty.
          “Guarantied Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2 of this Guaranty.
          “Guarantied Obligations” means the Obligations (other than Bank Product Obligations) owed by Borrower to Lender pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document.
          “Guarantor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Guaranty.
          “Guaranty” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Guaranty.
          “Lender” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Guaranty.

1


 

          “Loan Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Guaranty.
          “Voidable Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 9 of this Guaranty.
          (b) Construction. Unless the context of this Guaranty clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” is not exclusive. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Guaranty refer to this Guaranty as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Guaranty. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Guaranty unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Guaranty to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, restatements, amendments and restatements, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, restatements, amendments and restatements, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). Neither this Guaranty nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed against Lender or Borrower, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto. Any reference herein to the satisfaction or payment in full of the Guarantied Obligations shall mean the payment in full in cash of all Guarantied Obligations other than any contingent indemnification Guarantied Obligations. Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns. Any requirement of a writing contained herein shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and any Record transmitted shall constitute a representation and warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein.
     2. Guarantied Obligations. Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guaranties to Lender, for the benefit of Lender, as and for its own debt, until payment in full thereof has been made, the payment of the Guarantied Obligations, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, pursuant to a mandatory prepayment requirement, by acceleration, or otherwise; it being the intent of Guarantor that the guaranty set forth herein shall be a guaranty of payment and not a guaranty of collection; provided, however, that the liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be limited to the amount of all losses in respect of the Guarantied Obligations incurred by Lender that are the result of fraudulent activity by Borrower or any of its Affiliates as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment (“Guarantied Losses”).
     3. Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty includes Guarantied Losses arising under successive transactions continuing, extending, increasing, modifying, or renewing the Guarantied Obligations, changing the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof, or creating new or additional Guarantied Obligations after prior Guarantied Obligations have been satisfied in whole or in part. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Guarantor hereby waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future Guarantied Obligations. If such a revocation is effective notwithstanding the foregoing waiver, Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that (a) no such revocation shall be effective until written notice thereof has been received by Lender, (b) no

2


 

such revocation shall apply to any Guarantied Obligations in existence on such date (including any subsequent continuation, extension, or renewal thereof, or change in the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof), and (c) no such revocation shall apply to any Guarantied Obligations made or created after such date to the extent made or created pursuant to a legally binding commitment of Lender in existence on the date of such revocation.
     4. Performance Under this Guaranty. In the event that any Guarantied Losses are incurred by Lender, Guarantor immediately upon written demand therefor setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the Guarantied Losses shall pay to Lender, in immediately available funds, the respective amount(s) of such Guarantied Losses.
     5. Other Guarantors. Guarantor hereby agrees (a) that the obligations of Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of any other guarantor, and (b) that a separate action may be brought against Guarantor, whether such action is brought against any other guarantor or whether any other guarantor is joined in such action. Guarantor hereby agrees that its liability hereunder shall be immediate and shall not be contingent upon the exercise or enforcement by Lender of whatever remedies Lender may have against any other guarantor. Guarantor hereby agrees that any release which may be given by Lender to any other guarantor shall not release Guarantor. Guarantor consents and agrees that Lender shall not be under any obligation to marshal any property or assets of any other guarantor in favor of Guarantor, or against or in payment of any or all of the Guarantied Obligations.
     6. Waivers.
          (a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Guarantor hereby waives: (i) notice of acceptance hereof; (ii) notice of any loans or other financial accommodations made or extended under the Loan Agreement, or the creation or existence of any Guarantied Obligations; (iii) notice of the amount of the Guarantied Obligations, subject, however, to Guarantor’s right to make inquiry of Lender to ascertain the amount of the Guarantied Obligations at any reasonable time; (iv) notice of any adverse change in the financial condition of Borrower or of any other fact that might increase Guarantor’s risk hereunder; (v) notice of presentment for payment, demand, protest, and notice thereof as to any instrument among the Loan Documents; (vi) notice of any Default or Event of Default under the Loan Agreement; and (vii) all other notices (except if such notice is specifically required to be given to Guarantor under this Guaranty or any other Loan Documents to which Guarantor is a party) and demands to which Guarantor might otherwise be entitled.
          (b) Guarantor agrees that it is bound to the payment of each and all Guarantied Losses, whether now existing or hereafter arising, as fully as if the Guarantied Losses were directly owing to Lender by Guarantor. Guarantor further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense (other than the defense that the Guarantied Obligations shall have been performed and paid in cash, to the extent of such payment) of Borrower or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of Borrower in respect thereof.
          (c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Guarantor hereby waives: (i) any right to assert against Lender any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against Borrower

3


 

or any other party liable to Lender; (ii) any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guarantied Obligations or any security therefor; (iii) any right or defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by Lender; (iv) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof, and any act which shall defer or delay the operation of any statute of limitations applicable to the Guarantied Obligations shall similarly operate to defer or delay the operation of such statute of limitations applicable to Guarantor’s liability hereunder.
          (d) Until such time as all of the Obligations have been finally paid in full: (i) Guarantor hereby waives and postpones any right of subrogation Guarantor has or may have as against Borrower with respect to the Guarantied Obligations; (ii) Guarantor hereby waives and postpones any right to proceed against Borrower or any other Person, now or hereafter, for contribution, indemnity, reimbursement, or any other suretyship rights and claims (irrespective of whether direct or indirect, liquidated or contingent), with respect to the Guarantied Obligations; and (iii) Guarantor also hereby waives and postpones any right to proceed or to seek recourse against or with respect to any property or asset of Borrower.
          (e) If any of the Guarantied Obligations or the obligations of Guarantor under this Guaranty at any time are secured by a mortgage or deed of trust upon real property, Lender may elect, in its sole discretion, upon a default with respect to the Guarantied Obligations or the obligations of Guarantor under this Guaranty, to foreclose such mortgage or deed of trust judicially or nonjudicially in any manner permitted by law, before or after enforcing this Guaranty, without diminishing or affecting the liability of Guarantor hereunder. Guarantor understands that (a) by virtue of the operation of antideficiency law applicable to nonjudicial foreclosures, an election by Lender to nonjudicially foreclose on such a mortgage or deed of trust probably would have the effect of impairing or destroying rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity of Guarantor against Borrower or other guarantors or sureties, and (b) absent the waiver given by Guarantor herein, such an election would estop Lender from enforcing this Guaranty against Guarantor. Understanding the foregoing, and understanding that Guarantor hereby is relinquishing a defense to the enforceability of this Guaranty, Guarantor hereby waives any right to assert against Lender any defense to the enforcement of this Guaranty, whether denominated “estoppel” or otherwise, based on or arising from an election by Lender to nonjudicially foreclose on any such mortgage or deed of trust. Guarantor understands that the effect of the foregoing waiver may be that Guarantor may have liability hereunder for amounts with respect to which Guarantor may be left without rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity against Borrower or other guarantors or sureties. Guarantor also agrees that the “fair market value” provisions of Section 580a of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction shall have no applicability with respect to the determination of Guarantor’s liability under this Guaranty.
          (f) Without limiting the generality of any other waiver or other provision set forth in this Guaranty, Guarantor waives all rights and defenses that Guarantor may have if all or part of the Guarantied Obligations are secured by real property. This means, among other things:
               (i) Lender may collect from Guarantor without first foreclosing on any real or personal property collateral that may be pledged by Guarantor or any other guarantor.

4


 

               (ii) If Lender forecloses on any real property collateral that may be pledged by Guarantor, Borrower or any other guarantor:
                    (1) The amount of the Guarantied Obligations or any obligations of any Guarantor in respect thereof may be reduced only by the price for which that collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sale price.
                    (2) Lender may collect from Guarantor even if Lender, by foreclosing on the real property collateral, has destroyed any right Guarantor may have to collect from Borrower or any other Guarantor.
          This is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses Guarantor may have if all or part of the Guarantied Obligations are secured by real property.
          (g) Without limiting the generality of any other waiver or other provision set forth in this Guaranty, Guarantor hereby waives, to the maximum permitted by law, any and all benefits or defenses arising directly or indirectly under any one or more of California Civil Code §§ 2787 through and including § 2855, California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 580a, 580b, 580c, 580d, and 726, and Chapter 2 of Title 14 of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction,
          (h) Without limiting the generality of any other waiver or other provision set forth in this Guaranty, Guarantor waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by Lender, even though such election of remedies, such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for the Guarantied Obligations, has destroyed Guarantor’s rights of subrogation and reimbursement against Borrower by the operation of applicable law, including §580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction.
          (i) Without limiting the generality of any other waiver or other provision set forth in this Guaranty, Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:
               (1) Lender’s right to enforce this Guaranty is absolute and is not contingent upon the genuineness, validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents. Guarantor waives all benefits and defenses it may have under California Civil Code Section 2810 or any similar laws in any other applicable jurisdiction and agrees that Lender’s rights under this Guaranty shall be enforceable even if Borrower had no liability at the time of execution of the Loan Documents or later ceases to be liable.
               (2) Guarantor waives all benefits and defenses it may have under California Civil Code Section 2809 or any similar laws in any other applicable jurisdiction with respect to its obligations under this Guaranty and agrees that Lender’s rights under the Loan Documents will remain enforceable even if the amount secured by the Loan Documents is larger in amount and more burdensome than that for which Borrower is responsible. The enforceability of this Guaranty against Guarantor shall continue until all sums due under the Loan Documents have been paid in full and such enforceability shall not be limited or affected in any way by any impairment or any diminution or loss of value of any security or collateral for Borrower’s obligations under the Loan Documents, from whatever cause, by the failure of any security

5


 

interest in any such security or collateral or by any disability or other defense of Borrower, any other guarantor of Borrower’s obligations under any other Loan Document, any pledgor of collateral for any Person’s obligations to Lender or any other Person in connection with the Loan Documents.
               (3) Guarantor waives the right to require Lender to (A) proceed against any guarantor of Borrower’s obligations under any Loan Document, any other pledgor of collateral for any Person’s obligations to Lender or any other Person in connection with the Guarantied Obligations, (B) proceed against or exhaust any other security or collateral Lender may hold, or (C) pursue any other right or remedy for Guarantor’s benefit, and agrees that Lender may exercise its right under this Guaranty without taking any action against any other guarantor of Borrower’s obligations under the Loan Documents, any pledgor of collateral for any Person’s obligations to Lender or any other Person in connection with the Guarantied Obligations, and without proceeding against or exhausting any security or collateral Lender holds.
               (4) The paragraphs in this Section 6 which refer to certain sections of the California Civil Code are included in this Guaranty solely out of an abundance of caution and shall not be construed to mean that any of the above-referenced provisions of California law are in any way applicable to this Guaranty.
     7. Releases. Guarantor consents and agrees that, without notice to or by Guarantor and without affecting or impairing the obligations of Guarantor hereunder, Lender may, by action or inaction, compromise or settle, extend the period of duration or the time for the payment, or discharge the performance of, or may refuse to, or otherwise not enforce, or may, by action or inaction, release all or any one or more parties to, any one or more of the terms and provisions of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document or may grant other indulgences to Borrower in respect thereof, or may amend or modify in any manner and at any time (or from time to time) any one or more of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, or may, by action or inaction, release or substitute any other guarantor, if any, of the Guarantied Obligations, or may enforce, exchange, release, or waive, by action or inaction, any security for the Guarantied Obligations or any other guaranty of the Guarantied Obligations, or any portion thereof.
     8. No Election. Lender shall have the right to seek recourse against Guarantor for the Guarantied Losses to the fullest extent provided for herein and no election by Lender to proceed in one form of action or proceeding, or against any party, or on any obligation, shall constitute a waiver of Lender’s right to proceed in any other form of action or proceeding or against other parties unless Lender has expressly waived such right in writing. Specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no action or proceeding by Lender under any document or instrument evidencing the Guarantied Obligations shall serve to diminish the liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty except to the extent that Lender shall have realized payment in full of the Guarantied Obligations by such action or proceeding.
     9. Revival and Reinstatement. If the incurrence or payment of the Guarantied Obligations or the obligations of Guarantor under this Guaranty by Guarantor or the transfer by Guarantor to Lender of any property of Guarantor should for any reason subsequently be

6


 

declared to be void or voidable under any state or federal law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers of property (collectively, a “Voidable Transfer”), and if Lender is required to repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects to do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that Lender is required or elects to repay or restore, and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys fees of Lender related thereto, the liability of Guarantor automatically shall be revived, reinstated, and restored and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been made.
     10. Financial Condition of Borrower. Guarantor represents and warrants to Lender that it is currently informed of the financial condition of Borrower and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would reveal and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guarantied Obligations. Guarantor further represents and warrants to Lender that it has read and understands the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document. Guarantor hereby covenants that it will continue to keep itself informed of Borrower’s financial condition, the financial condition of other guarantors, if any, and of all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of nonpayment or nonperformance of the Guarantied Obligations.
     11. Payments; Application. All payments to be made hereunder by Guarantor shall be made in Dollars, in immediately available funds, and without deduction (whether for taxes or otherwise) or offset and shall be applied to the Guarantied Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement.
     12. Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. Guarantor agrees to pay, on demand, all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses which may be incurred by Lender in connection with the enforcement of this Guaranty, irrespective of whether suit is brought.
     13. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder to Lender shall be in writing and shall be mailed, sent, or delivered in accordance with Section 12 of the Loan Agreement. All notices and other communications hereunder to Guarantor shall be in writing and shall be mailed, sent, or delivered to the address of Guarantor set forth in the Loan Agreement in accordance with Section 12 of the Loan Agreement.
     14. Cumulative Remedies. No remedy under this Guaranty, under the Loan Agreement, or any other Loan Document is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, but each and every remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any and every other remedy given under this Guaranty, under the Loan Agreement, or any other Loan Document, and those provided by law. No delay or omission by Lender to exercise any right under this Guaranty shall impair any such right nor be construed to be a waiver thereof. No failure on the part of Lender to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under this Guaranty shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right under this Guaranty preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

7


 

     15. Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Guaranty shall be severable from every other provision of this Guaranty for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.
     16. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Guaranty constitutes the entire agreement between Guarantor and Lender pertaining to the subject matter contained herein. This Guaranty may not be altered, amended, or modified, nor may any provision hereof be waived or noncompliance therewith consented to, except by means of a writing executed by Guarantor and Lender. Any such alteration, amendment, modification, waiver, or consent shall be effective only to the extent specified therein and for the specific purpose for which given. No course of dealing and no delay or waiver of any right or default under this Guaranty shall be deemed a waiver of any other, similar or dissimilar, right or default or otherwise prejudice the rights and remedies hereunder.
     17. Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of Lender; provided, however, Guarantor shall not assign this Guaranty or delegate any of its duties hereunder without Lender’s prior written consent and any unconsented to assignment shall be absolutely void. In the event of any permitted assignment or other transfer of rights by Lender under the Loan Documents, the rights and benefits herein conferred upon Lender shall automatically extend to and be vested in such assignee or other transferee.
     18. No Third Party Beneficiary. This Guaranty is solely for the benefit of Lender, and each of its successors and permitted assigns, and may not be relied on by any other Person.
     19. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.
          THE VALIDITY OF THIS GUARANTY, THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF, AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
          THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT LENDER’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. GUARANTOR AND LENDER WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 19.

8


 

          GUARANTOR AND LENDER HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. GUARANTOR AND LENDER REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS GUARANTY MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
     20. Counterparts; Electronic Execution. Delivery of an executed version of this Guaranty by either (a) facsimile transmission or (b) electronic transmission in either Tagged Image Format Files (TIFF) or Portable Document Format (PDF), shall be equally as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty. Any party delivering an executed version of this Guaranty by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission also shall deliver an original manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty but the failure to deliver an original executed version shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Guaranty.
[Signature page to follow]

9


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this General Continuing Guaranty as of the date first written above.
         
  FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION,
a Georgia corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Treasurer   
 

 

EX-10.15 17 b81561exv10w15.htm EX-10.15 exv10w15
Exhibit 10.15
SERVICING AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
     This Servicing and Management Agreement (“Agreement” is made and entered into effective as of June 10, 2010 (“Effective Date”), by and between SOUTH BAY ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, a California corporation (“Borrower”), and WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lender”), as follows:
     Borrower and Lender have entered into that certain Loan and Security Agreement of even date herewith (the “Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which Lender has agreed to make certain loans and financial accommodations to Borrower.
     Borrower has entered into, and shall in the future enter into, certain Premium Finance Agreements with Obligors, which transactions are evidenced by certain Premium Finance Documents and books and records in respect thereof (collectively referred to, and more particularly defined below, as the “Portfolio”).
     Borrower is experienced in servicing insurance premium financing transactions of the type included in the Portfolio and has the expertise and resources to manage, collect, enforce and generally service the Portfolio for the purpose of maximizing the value thereof.
     Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, Borrower has granted to Lender a continuing security interest, lien and collateral assignment in and to substantially all present and hereafter acquired property of Borrower, including without limitation, the Portfolio.
     Borrower and Lender have agreed to enter into this Agreement, provided, that the arrangements in respect of the engagement and performance by Borrower of its duties hereunder at all times are in compliance with the requirements of the Loan Agreement.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed by and between Borrower and Lender as follows:
     1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Loan Agreement, wherever used in this Agreement, shall have the same meanings as are defined by the Loan Agreement (which definitions, to the extent used in this Agreement, are hereby deemed to be incorporated herein by reference with the same effect as if set forth herein in their entirety). Further, the rules of construction set forth in Section 1.4 of the Loan Agreement are hereby deemed to be incorporated herein by reference with the same effect as if set forth herein in their entirety. In addition, the following definitions shall also apply in this Agreement:
     “Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the opening paragraph of this Agreement, and includes any legal successor.
     “Collection Costs” means professional fees and cost reimbursement obligations to attorneys and other professionals, court costs, filing fees, service or other process fees,

 


 

garnishment fees and other costs incurred by Borrower in respect of or in connection with servicing the Portfolio.
     “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.
     “Financing Completion Date” means the date when the Loan Agreement and the Lender’s commitments to make Advances have been terminated and the Obligations have been paid in full.
     “Loan Agreement” means the Loan and Security Agreement described in the Recitals to this Agreement, as it may be extended, modified, supplemented, amended and restated, amended, or restated from time to time.
     “Portfolio” means the Premium Finance Documents and all insurance premium finance transactions evidenced thereby, all Premium Finance Collateral, the Books relating to the Premium Finance Documents, all Collections and other proceeds in respect thereof, and all rights to payment and enforcement, remedies and powers related thereto.
     “Servicing Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof.
     “Servicing Termination Date” means (i) in the event the Termination Date occurs pursuant to Section 10(a), the earlier of the Financing Completion Date or the Transition Completion Date, and (ii) in the event the Termination Date occurs pursuant to Section 10(b), the Termination Date as determined pursuant to Section 10(b).
     “Termination Date” means the effective date of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Sections 10(a) or 10(b), as the case may be.
     “Transition Completion Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b).
     2. Servicing Duties. Borrower agrees to provide servicing and management of the Portfolio at all times on and after the Effective Date and continuing through the Servicing Termination Date, in all cases subject to the terms of this Agreement. Such services include, without limitation, (i) possessing, keeping and maintaining Books, (ii) receiving, processing, accounting for and delivering all Collections to the Collection Account until the Servicing Termination Date, (iii) monitoring and pursuing payments under the Premium Finance Documents, (iv) monitoring and managing all Premium Finance Collateral, (v) subject to Section 7, non-judicial and judicial enforcement, liquidation and collection of the Premium Finance Documents, including engagement of attorneys or other professionals for such purpose, and (vi) taking all lawful actions and procedures as reasonably required to comply with Borrower’s obligations under the Premium Finance Documents, maximize the value of the Portfolio and collect the Premium Finance Documents and Premium Finance Collateral included therein.
     3. Borrower’s Reporting Duties. Until the Servicing Termination Date, Borrower will timely deliver to Lender all reporting required by Section 6.2 of the Loan Agreement and any other items or information in respect of the Premium Finance Documents required to be

2


 

delivered by Borrower to Lender from time to time pursuant to the Loan Agreement, in each case in form reasonably satisfactory to Lender.
     4. Servicing Fee. In consideration of Borrower’s services, provided no Event of Default exists, Borrower shall retain and Lender shall permit Borrower to retain sums sufficient to cover its operating expenses (“Servicing Fee”).
     5. Borrower’s Performance; Standard of Care and Diligence. At all times Borrower shall perform its duties under this Agreement with respect to the Portfolio in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and in accordance with prudent industry standards for the servicing and management of similar property. Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to maximize Collections in respect of the Portfolio. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Borrower will not engage or use any sub-servicer or agent in connection with its obligations under this Agreement.
     6. Compromise Authority. Unless and until otherwise instructed by Lender at any time when an Event of Default is in existence, Borrower shall have authority in its sole discretion, subject to Section 5, to compromise and settle Premium Finance Documents and other obligations included in the Portfolio, provided, that Borrower has concluded that such compromise and settlement is necessary for maximizing the value of the Portfolio.
     7. Litigation; Court Costs; Professional Costs. Borrower will not institute legal proceedings for collection against an Obligor in respect of a Premium Finance Document unless Borrower has determined that to do so is reasonably expected to enhance the likelihood of maximizing the amount recoverable in respect of such Premium Finance Document. Borrower will prosecute such legal proceedings as it deems appropriate or necessary; provided, that following notice by Lender at any time when an Event of Default exists, such proceedings shall be conducted solely at the direction of Lender. Borrower shall be solely responsible for payment of all Collection Costs to the extent not recovered by Borrower directly from Obligors.
     8. [Reserved].
     9. Borrower’s Additional Covenants. In addition to the other covenants and agreements made by Borrower under this Agreement, Borrower covenants and agrees that during the term of this Agreement, it will timely perform each of the following:
     (a) Perfect and maintain its interests in the Portfolio.
     (b) Unless otherwise directed by Lender after the Servicing Termination Date, instruct Obligors in writing, and otherwise take such reasonable steps to ensure, that all payments by such Obligors shall be directed and delivered to the Collection Account.
     (c) Maintain complete and accurate files with respect to each Premium Finance Document and all documents in respect thereof, with complete and accurate notations of all collection activities.
     (d) Provide such information and documentation in respect of the Portfolio, and Borrower’s activities in performance of its duties under this Agreement, in

3


 

reasonable detail, as Lender may request pursuant to the Loan Agreement, until the Servicing Termination Date.
     (e) Maintain adequate qualified personnel and appropriate equipment, facilities and support services necessary to perform its duties under this Agreement.
     (f) Verify, at all appropriate times, that all tangible Portfolio collateral is properly insured as required by the related Premium Finance Documents.
     (g) To the extent required by the Loan Agreement, promptly notify Lender of the failure of any Obligor to perform any material obligations under any document relating to a Premium Finance Document, and also of any of the following of which Borrower has notice: (i) sale or transfer of any collateral with respect to any Premium Finance Document, (ii) change of address, death, incapacity, bankruptcy or insolvency of an Obligor, or (iii) material loss or damage to any collateral securing a Premium Finance Document.
     10. Termination.
     (a) Prior to the Financing Completion Date, this Agreement may be terminated only (i) by mutual consent of Borrower and Lender or (ii) by Lender pursuant to Section 12(c).
     (b) On the Financing Completion Date, this Agreement shall be terminated automatically.
     11. Transition in Respect of Termination Prior to Financing Completion Date. In connection with any termination of this Agreement prior to the Financing Completion Date:
     (a) Borrower shall cooperate fully with Lender in establishing replacement arrangements for servicing and managing the Portfolio which are satisfactory to Lender in its sole discretion. Without limitation, Borrower will (i) deliver to Lender or its designee all documents and Books relating to the Portfolio, including, without limitation, all litigation files, data, tapes or disks, credit files, ledger cards, printout and other computer records, (ii) execute any notices to Obligors as may be requested by Lender, and (iii) provide full assistance and cooperation to Lender and its designee(s) in the transfer and transition of servicing and managing the Portfolio, as Lender may request. Lender agrees to provide opportunities to Borrower to make copies or extracts of information delivered without unreasonable interference with the use of such information.
     (b) Notwithstanding any stated effective date of any such termination, Borrower shall not be released from its obligations to perform its duties under this Agreement, and Borrower shall continue performance of such obligations in full compliance with the standards prescribed by Section 5, until the date (the “Transition Completion Date”) when the transition and establishment of replacement arrangements for servicing and managing the Portfolio have been completed to Lender’s satisfaction in its sole discretion.

4


 

     12. Financing. Until the Servicing Termination Date, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:
     (a) Acknowledgement of Lender’s Lien. Borrower acknowledges Lender’s continuing security interest, lien and collateral assignment in and to the Collateral, including without limitation, the Premium Finance Documents and Premium Finance Collateral.
     (b) Continued Servicing Following Notice. On and after written notice by Lender to Borrower at any time when any Event of Default is in existence, Borrower shall continue to perform all of its obligations and duties under this Agreement for the benefit of Lender, as secured party, for the account of Borrower, in full compliance with the standards prescribed by Section 5. Borrower expressly acknowledges and agrees that at all times on and after any notice by Lender under this Section 12(b), Lender is acting solely as a secured party of Borrower, and Borrower shall be an independent contractor and not an agent of Lender.
     (c) Termination by Lender. At any time when (i) any Event of Default under Section 8.1, 8.2(a), 8.4, 8.5, 8.9, or 8.16 of the Loan Agreement has occurred and is continuing, or (ii) Lender has determined in its Permitted Discretion that Borrower, Fortegra or any of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors or agents has engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with any aspect of its handling of the Premium Finance Receivables, cash collected on account thereof, or any other Collateral, Lender shall have the right in its discretion to terminate this Agreement by written notice to Borrower, subject to Borrower’s continuing transition obligations as provided by Section 11.
     (d) Reports. Borrower hereby agrees to provide to Lender, such records, reports, information and related documents as are required to be delivered to Lender pursuant to the Loan Agreement from time to time in respect of the Portfolio or otherwise relating to Borrower’s actions in respect thereof under this Agreement.
     (e) Loan Agreement. Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees that, in performing or observing any obligations and duties under this Agreement, it will at all times abide by all requirements of the Loan Agreement applicable to servicing and management of the Premium Finance Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower acknowledges that all Collections are subject to an express Lien in favor of Lender and agrees that it will cause all Collections in respect of the Portfolio to be promptly deposited to the Collection Account, without offset or deduction, in accordance with the requirements of the Loan Agreement. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that any and all instruments, agreements and other documents in respect of the Portfolio which come into Borrower’s custodial possession at all times remain subject to the Lender’s Liens, and Borrower expressly agrees to promptly deliver possession thereof to Lender on demand at any time when any Event of Default is in existence. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall authorize Borrower to take any action under this Agreement which is prohibited by the Loan Agreement or applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement shall in any manner release or discharge Borrower from its continuing obligations and duties under the Loan

5


 

Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Loan Agreement, the provisions of the Loan Agreement shall prevail.
     (f) Borrower irrevocably agrees and acknowledges that Lender is a beneficiary under this Agreement and shall be entitled to enforce any and all rights or benefits provided hereunder, in Lender’s name for the account of Borrower, at any time, and from time to time, provided, that it is expressly agreed that Lender shall have no duties or obligations under this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.
     13. INDEMNIFICATION OF LENDER. BORROWER HEREBY INDEMNIFIES, AND AGREES TO DEFEND AND HOLD LENDER HARMLESS FOR, FROM, AGAINST AND IN RESPECT OF, AND SHALL ON DEMAND REIMBURSE LENDER FOR, ANY AND ALL LOSS, LIABILITY OR DAMAGE TO LENDER RELATING TO (A) THE FAILURE OF BORROWER TO PERFORM ANY COVENANT OR AGREEMENT MADE HEREUNDER, (B) THE BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION MADE BY BORROWER HEREUNDER, (C) ANY LIABILITIES OR OBLIGATIONS ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM ANY VIOLATION OR CLAIMED VIOLATION BY BORROWER (OR OTHERS PERFORMING SERVICES ON BORROWER’S BEHALF) OF ANY APPLICABLE LAW AND (D) ANY AND ALL ACTIONS, SUITS, PROCEEDINGS, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ASSESSMENTS, JUDGMENTS, COSTS AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, REASONABLE COURT COSTS, REASONABLE AND DOCUMENTED OUT-OF-POCKET ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES INCIDENT TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 13 SHALL SURVIVE ANY TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, BORROWER SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO INDEMNIFY THE LENDER FROM ANY OF THE FOREGOING ARISING FROM LENDER’S BAD FAITH, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT BY LENDER.
     14. Notices. All notices or demands under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered and effective in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 12 of the Loan Agreement.
     15. Governing Law; Venue; Consent to Jurisdiction.
     (a) THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
     (b) THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR

6


 

OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT LENDER’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. BORROWER AND LENDER WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION.
     (c) EACH OF BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY WAIVES ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. BORROWER AND LENDER REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
     16. Captions. The captions of the various Sections of this Agreement have been inserted only for convenience of reference, and shall not be deemed to modify, explain, enlarge, or restrict any provision of this Agreement or affect the construction hereof.
     17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute a single agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by either (a) facsimile transmission or (b) electronic transmission in either Tagged Image Format Files (TIFF) or Portable Document Format (PDF), shall be equally as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
     18. Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise expressly limited herein, the rights, remedies, powers and privileges given to any party by this Agreement shall be in addition to all rights, remedies, powers and privileges given to that party by any statute or rule of law. Any forbearance or failure or delay in exercising any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege and any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege shall not preclude the further exercise thereof or be deemed to be a waiver of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.
     19. Severability. If any provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction or as a result of future legislative action, such holding or action shall be strictly construed and shall not affect the validity or effect of any other provision hereof.
     20. Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns; provided, that Borrower may not

7


 

delegate performance of its duties hereunder without the prior written consent of Lender, until the Servicing Termination Date.
     21. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except in writing signed by Borrower and Lender.
     22. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement (including any exhibits and schedules hereto), together with the other Loan Documents, contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and supersedes all written or oral communications and understandings prior to the date hereof. This Agreement may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements.
[Signature Page Follows]

8


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower and Lender have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
         
  BORROWER:


SOUTH BAY ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   Treasurer   
 
  LENDER:


WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ Kyle Coleman    
    Name:   Kyle Coleman   
    Title:   Vice President   
 
Signature Page to Servicing and Management Agreement

 

EX-10.16 18 b81561exv10w16.htm EX-10.16 exv10w16
Exhibit 10.16
LINE OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
     THIS LINE OF CREDIT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), made and entered into as of the 6th day of April, 2009, by and among COLUMBUS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Georgia banking corporation (the “Bank”), as First Party, FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Georgia corporation (“Borrower”), and LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware corporation (“Guarantor”), as Second Parties (Borrower and Guarantor are herein sometimes collectively called “Second Parties” with each being a “Second Party”);
W I T N E S S E T H   T H A T:
     WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that Bank provide to Borrower a revolving line of credit in the maximum principal amount of Fifteen Million and No/100ths Dollars ($15,000,000.00) to be used by Borrower in the acquisition of agencies, and Bank is willing to extend such credit on the terms hereinafter provided; and
     WHEREAS, Borrower owns 100% of the issued and outstanding stock in Guarantor, and by virtue of being a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower, Guarantor will benefit from Bank establishing the requested $15,000,000.00 credit line for Borrower; and
     WHEREAS, to induce Bank to establish said credit line for Borrower, Guarantor has agreed to guarantee the payment and performance of all debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower with respect to such credit line and Borrower has agreed to pledge all of its stock in Guarantor as security for said credit line.
     NOW THEREFORE, for the purpose of inducing Bank to establish the $15,000,000.00 credit line for Borrower, and in consideration of the commitments herein made by Bank and for the other considerations and mutual agreements of the parties hereinafter expressed, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

-1-


 

     SECTION 1. THE LINE OF CREDIT LOAN.
          (a) The Credit Line. Bank agrees to establish a line of credit in favor of Borrower (the “Credit Line”) so that, so long as there is not in existence any default or Event of Default hereinafter contemplated and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Borrower may borrow and successively repay and re-borrow up to a maximum aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time equal to Fifteen Million and No/100ths Dollars ($15,000,000.00) (the “Commitment”). Subject to the restrictions hereinafter specified, funds borrowed on the Credit Line, other than the initial advance thereon, may be used by Borrower solely for the acquisition of agencies by Borrower or a wholly- owned Subsidiary of Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Guarantor and for such other purposes as may be expressly approved by Bank in Bank’s reasonable discretion.
The initial advance made contemporaneously herewith under the Credit Line shall be used solely for the purposes of paying the items listed on the closing statement dated the date hereof (the “Closing Statement”) executed by Borrower in connection with the Credit Line.
          (b) Restriction on Use of Borrowed Funds. Borrower expressly covenants and agrees that in no event shall any funds borrowed on the Credit Line be used by Borrower or made available by Borrower for use by others, for the purpose (whether immediate, incidental or ultimate) of buying or carrying margin stock as contemplated by Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board.
          (c) The Line of Credit Note. The Credit Line shall be evidenced by a revolving line of credit note from Borrower payable to Bank’s order in the face principal amount of up to $15,000,000.00 (such revolving line of credit note and all amendments, modifications, extensions, renewals and replacements thereof being herein called the “Line of Credit Note” or

-2-


 

Note”), which is executed and delivered contemporaneously herewith, and is made a part hereof by this reference. The Line of Credit Note provides for accrual and monthly payment of interest on the amounts of principal from time to time advanced and outstanding on the Credit Line at the interest rate provided therein, and provides that the principal amount outstanding shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date (as defined in the Line of Credit Note), along with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Bank shall not be obligated to fund any advances under the Credit Line on or after the Maturity Date (as defined in the Line of Credit Note).
          (d) Advances. An initial advance of $87,850.00 is herewith made by Bank on the Credit Line, which advance is being used to pay the items identified on the Closing Statement. Subject in all events to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, Bank shall continue to advance funds to Borrower on the Credit Line by entering such advances as debits to Borrower’s Loan Account. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Borrower’s Loan Account” shall mean the account on the books of Bank in which Bank will record loans or other advances made by Bank to or for the benefit of Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, payments received on such loans and advances and other appropriate debits and credits as provided by this Agreement or the Line of Credit Note. Funds henceforth borrowed on the Credit Line will be advanced to Borrower from time to time upon Borrower’s written request to Bank, which request must include a statement of the amount requested, the purpose for which the advance is requested, the date on which the funds are to be advanced and such other information as Bank may reasonably require. Each request must be provided to Bank at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date on which the advance is to be funded (which funding date must be a Business Day); provided, however, Borrower must deliver to Bank at least thirty (30) days prior to any advance financial information (including without, limitation, balance sheets and

-3-


 

operating statements) on any agency which will be acquired in whole or in part with funds to be drawn from the Credit Line and other information reasonably requested by Bank demonstrating to Bank’s reasonable satisfaction that such acquisition will not result in Borrower being in violation of any of the financial covenants set forth in Section 4(z) of this Agreement. Bank will not be obligated to fund an advance if (i) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing hereunder, (ii) if facts or circumstances exist that but for the giving of notice and/or lapse of time would constitute an Event of Default hereunder, (iii) if the funding of the advance would result in Borrower and/or Guarantor not being in compliance with the covenants contained in this Agreement, (iv) after the Maturity Date (as defined in the Line of Credit Note) or (v) if in Bank’s reasonable determination the proposed agency acquisition could result in Borrower being out of compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 4(z) of this Agreement. In no event shall the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time under the Credit Line exceed the Commitment. Bank may at Bank’s option limit the amount that may be advanced from the Credit Line for any agency acquisition to no more than $10,000,000.00.
     Second Parties agree that if funds from the Credit Line are used in an acquisition and the newly acquired entity will not be (or the assets being acquired will not be acquired by) a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Guarantor, then Bank must be granted a first priority security interest in all of the ownership, equity, economic, beneficial and voting interest in such acquired entity (or in such entity acquiring the assets of any company or agency) as security for the Secured Obligations by means of a pledge agreement acceptable to Bank in its reasonable discretion; provided that to the extent funds from the Credit Line used in such acquisition are repaid with Acquisition Debt (as hereinafter defined), then Bank will upon written request from Borrower

-4-


 

terminate the security interest granted to Bank in such acquired entity (or such entity acquiring the assets of any company or agency).
          (e) Deposit of Advances. Unless otherwise mutually agreed to by Borrower and Bank, advances from the Credit Line shall be funded by Bank via deposit to Borrower’s checking account at Bank, and if funded by a deposit to Borrower’s checking account, each such advance shall be deemed received by Borrower when actually deposited in said account. Any such request for advance may be made on Borrower’s behalf by such officer or employee or agent of Borrower as shall be designated in writing by Borrower. Initially, Borrower designates each of Richard S. Kahlbaugh and Michael Vrban as an authorized agent of Borrower for requesting advances under the Credit Line (if there is more than one designated authorized agent of Borrower, the request of only one authorized agent shall be required for funding any advance). Should additional authorized agents of Borrower be designated by Borrower or should Borrower desire to revoke the designation of a previously designated authorized agent of Borrower, such action shall be effective upon confirmed receipt by the lending officer at Bank managing the Credit Line of written notice from Borrower of such designation or revocation, as the case may be. Bank may act on an original or a copy of a request for advance in good faith believed by Bank to be from an authorized agent of Borrower or on a request for advance sent via email which Bank in good faith believes was sent by or at the direction of an authorized agent of Borrower. As to each advance made on the Credit Line, Bank is hereby authorized to debit the amount thereof to the Line of Credit Note, without notice, as an advance of principal which will bear interest and be secured as provided herein and in the Line of Credit Note; Borrower hereby expressly waives notice of any such advance at any time made by Bank on the Credit Line and notice of any such debit to the Note.

-5-


 

     In no event shall the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time on the Credit Line exceed Fifteen Million and No/100ths U.S. Dollars ($15,000,000.00). Bank shall have no obligation to advance any funds on the Credit Line at any time after an Event of Default shall have occurred hereunder and is continuing.
     If at any time Borrower is not entitled to any advances on the Credit Line by the terms of this Agreement, Bank may, in its sole discretion, make requested advances; however, it is expressly acknowledged and agreed that, in such event, Bank shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to decline to make any requested advance and to require any payment required under the terms of this Agreement without prior notice to Borrower, and the making of any such requested advances shall not be construed as a waiver of such right by Bank.
     In the event that the availability of the Credit Line hereunder expires by the terms of this Agreement or by the terms of any agreement extending the expiration date of the Credit Line, Bank may, in its sole discretion, make requested advances (and Borrower shall promptly repay any such advance with interest thereon at the interest rate provided in the Line of Credit Note); however, it is expressly acknowledged and agreed that in such event, Bank shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to decline to make any requested advance and may require payment in full of the Line of Credit Note at any time without prior notice to Borrower, and the making of any such requested advances shall not be construed as a waiver of such right by Bank.
     The maximum amount of the Commitment available to be drawn under the Credit Line shall be reduced by sums borrowed and advanced on the Line of Credit Note for and during the time that same are outstanding.

-6-


 

     If at any time the unpaid principal balance of the Credit Line shall exceed Fifteen Million and No/100ths U.S. Dollars ($15,000,000.00), then Borrower immediately shall pay to Bank the amount of such excess to be credited by Bank to the unpaid principal balance of the Credit Line.
          (f) Debit to Note. As to the initial advance herewith made and each advance henceforth made hereunder, Bank shall be and is hereby authorized to debit the amount thereof to the Line of Credit Note, without notice, as an advance of principal that will bear interest and be secured as herein and in the Line of Credit Note provided; Borrower hereby expressly waives notice of any such advance at any time made by Bank hereunder and notice of any such debit to the Line of Credit Note.
          (g) Duration. Unless sooner terminated, the Credit Line shall be available to Borrower for a period commencing on the date hereof and expiring on March 31, 2010, which shall be the maturity date of the Line of Credit Note. Should the Credit Line be extended or renewed on or after March 31, 2010, any such extension or renewal to be in the sole and absolute discretion of Bank, then any such extension or renewal shall be on such terms as shall be agreed upon in writing by Bank and Borrower at that time, but except to the extent the provisions hereof conflict with any terms then agreed to in writing by Bank and Borrower, all provisions and terms hereof shall remain in full force and effect with regard to any such extension or renewal.
          (h) Credit Line Fee. For establishing the Credit Line, Bank shall be entitled to an origination fee in the amount of $75,000.00, payable by Borrower contemporaneously herewith. Said fee shall be conclusively deemed to be fully earned when paid and shall be non-refundable.
          2. SECURITY FOR THE NOTE.

-7-


 

          (a) Contemporaneously herewith, Borrower is executing and delivering to Bank that certain Stock Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of even date herewith by and between Borrower and Bank (such Stock Pledge and Security Agreement as originally executed and as same may be amended or modified from time to time being herein called the “Pledge Agreement”) whereby Borrower pledges to Bank, inter alia, all of Borrower’s stock in Guarantor as security for the payment of the Secured Obligations (as hereinafter defined), and Borrower is executing and delivering to Bank a Pledge and Security Agreement (Deposit Accounts) dated as of even date herewith (such Pledge and Security Agreement (Deposit Accounts) and all amendments and modifications thereof being herein called the “Deposit Account Pledge”) whereby Borrower grants to Bank a security interest in certain accounts of Borrower as security for the payment of the Secured Obligations (as hereinafter defined). Also, contemporaneously herewith, Guarantor is executing and delivering to Bank an Unconditional Guaranty dated as of even date herewith (such Unconditional Guaranty as originally executed and as same may be amended and modified from time to time being herein called the “Guaranty”) whereby Guarantor guarantees to Bank, inter alia, the payment of the debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower evidenced by or arising under the Note.
          (b) For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Collateral” shall mean and include the “Collateral” described in the Pledge Agreement, the “Pledged Assets” as described in the Deposit Account Pledge and any and all other property of any nature whatsoever of any one or more of the Second Parties or any Subsidiary of a Second Party which hereafter may be assigned, transferred or pledged to Bank as security for all or any of the Secured Obligations (as hereinafter defined). The debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower, whether now existing or hereafter incurred or arising, evidenced by the Note, the obligations of Borrower hereunder, and

-8-


 

all debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower to Bank of every nature, whether now existing or hereafter incurred, relating to the Credit Line (and any renewal, extension and/or refinancing thereof) are herein called the “Liabilities”.
     3. LOAN DOCUMENTS/DEFINITIONS.
     For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Loan Documents” shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the Note, the Pledge Agreement, the Deposit Account Pledge, the Guaranty and all other instruments and documents now or hereafter entered into by Second Parties or either Second Party in connection with, as security for, or related to the Credit Line or any amendment, modification or refinancing thereof.
     For purposes hereof, the following terms used herein have the following meanings:
          (1) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in the State of Georgia are authorized or required by law to close.
          (2) “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity, or any government or political subdivision or agency, department or instrumentality thereof.
          (3) “Secured Obligations” shall mean (i) all indebtedness and obligations of Borrower to Bank evidenced by or arising under the Line of Credit Note, whether now existing or hereafter arising, including any extensions and renewals of said Line of Credit Note, (ii) all costs of collection incurred by Bank in enforcing this Agreement or the Note or any of the Loan Documents, (iii) all obligations of Borrower under this Agreement and under the Pledge Agreement, and (iv) any and all other indebtedness, liabilities and obligations which may now or hereafter be owing by Borrower to Bank under the Loan Documents or otherwise related to the

-9-


 

Credit Line, however and whenever created, arising or evidenced, whether alone or together with another or others, whether direct, indirect or by way of assignment, whether joint or several, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, and whether as principal, maker, endorser, surety, guarantor, or otherwise, or which Bank may now or hereafter have, own or hold.
          (4) “Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity (including, without limitation, limited liability companies, partnerships, joint ventures and associations) regardless of its jurisdiction of organization or formation, at least a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting stock or other ownership interests of which shall, at the time as of which any determination is being made, be owned by such Person, either directly or indirectly, through one or more other Subsidiaries.
     Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein or in any other Loan Documents shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) existing on the date of determination (or if agreed by Bank and Borrower on the date hereof) consistently applied. As used herein or in any other Loan Document, the term “consolidated”, with respect to any financial statements of any Person shall mean consolidated in accordance with GAAP.
     When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation hereunder or under any other Loan Document is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

-10-


 

     4. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF SECOND PARTIES.
     To induce Bank to extend credit to Borrower as herein contemplated, the respective Second Parties hereby covenant and agree with Bank as follows and represent and warrant to Bank, as applicable, as follows:
          (a) Binding Obligation. (i) This Agreement, the Note and other Loan Documents being executed and delivered contemporaneously herewith by Borrower constitute valid and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
               (ii) This Agreement, the Guaranty and other Loan Documents being executed and delivered contemporaneously herewith by Guarantor constitute valid and binding obligations of Guarantor enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
          (b) Financial Condition. The consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries which have been delivered to Bank present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and income of such entities in accordance with GAAP as of the date or dates and for the period or periods stated therein. No material adverse change in any Second Party’s financial condition has occurred since the date of the most recent financial statement of each of them delivered to the Bank.
          (c) No Default. None of Second Parties is in default in any respect that would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the properties or business, operations, or condition, financial or otherwise, of any of Second Parties, taken as a whole, under any existing security agreement, mortgage, agreement, or other instrument to which any of Second Parties is a party or by which any of Second Parties is contractually bound.

-11-


 

          (d) Compliance with Law, etc. None of Second Parties, to the knowledge of Second Parties, is in violation of any law, judgment, decree, order, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which any of Second Parties or any of the property or business operations of any of Second Parties is subject, which violation would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the properties, business, operations or financial condition of any of Second Parties, taken as a whole. None of Second Parties has failed to obtain any license, permit, franchise, or other governmental authorization necessary to the ownership of any of its properties or to the conduct of its businesses, the failure to obtain which would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the properties, business, operations or financial condition of any of the Second Parties, taken as a whole.
          (e) No Restrictions. None of Second Parties is subject to any restrictions imposed by any agreement or other instrument to which any Second Party is a party or by which any Second Party is bound or by any law which would materially adversely affect any Second Party’s ability to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to fulfill all obligations imposed upon Second Parties (or any of them) hereunder and thereunder, and the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the fulfillment of the obligations thereby imposed upon Second Parties (or any of them) will not conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement, instrument or, to the knowledge of any Second Party, law binding upon any Second Party.
          (f) Title to Collateral. Borrower has good and marketable title to 100% of the issued and outstanding stock in Guarantor, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances of every nature whatsoever except for the lien and security interest in favor of Bank, and Borrower has

-12-


 

full power and authority to enter into and deliver the Pledge Agreement and to convey the Collateral described therein to Bank as security for the Secured Obligations.
          (g) Litigation. There is no pending or, to the knowledge of any Second Party, threatened claim, action, suit, investigation or other proceeding at law or in equity by or before any federal, state, local or other court or governmental agency, nor is there any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree of any such court or agency affecting any Second Party or any properties or assets of any Second Party, which may, in any one case or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect the financial condition, operations, properties or business of Second Parties, taken as a whole, and/or the ability of Second Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their obligations under any of the Loan Documents.
          (h) Tax Returns. Each Second Party has filed or caused to be filed all required federal, state, local, foreign or other tax returns and reports and has paid all taxes, including penalties and interest, imposed upon any Second Party or any property or assets of any Second Party. Neither of the Second Parties is aware of any pending investigation of any Second Party, or any of the income or assets of any Second Party by any federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority.
          (i) Status of Second Parties. (A) Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Georgia and is duly qualified to transact business in all other states and jurisdictions where such qualification is necessary except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the properties, business, operations or financial condition of Borrower, and Borrower has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and to own its assets and to transact the business

-13-


 

it is now engaged in, and to incur the obligations provided for herein and therein, all of which have been duly authorized by proper corporate action. Borrower shall preserve and maintain its corporate existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation and qualify and remain qualified as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the properties, business or financial condition of Borrower. Borrower shall continue to engage in a business of the same general type as conducted by it on the date hereof.
               (B) Guarantor is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is duly qualified to transact business in all other states and jurisdictions where such qualification is necessary, except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the properties, business, operations or financial condition of Guarantor, and Guarantor has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and to own its assets and to transact the business it is now engaged in, and to incur the obligations provided for herein and therein, all of which have been duly authorized by proper corporate action. Guarantor shall preserve and maintain its corporate existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation and qualify and remain qualified as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the properties, business, operations or financial condition of

-14-


 

Guarantor. Guarantor shall continue to engage in a business of the same general type as conducted by it on the date hereof.
               (C) Each Subsidiary of a Second Party is a limited liability company, corporation, or limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its organization, incorporation or formation, as applicable, and is duly qualified to transact business in all other states and jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the properties, business, operations or financial condition of all such entities taken as a whole, and each Subsidiary of a Second Party has full power and authority to own its assets and to transact the business it is now engaged in. Each Subsidiary of a Second Party holds and shall maintain all licenses and permits necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted. Borrower shall cause each Subsidiary of a Second Party to preserve and maintain its limited liability company, corporate or limited partnership existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its organization, incorporation or formation and qualify and remain qualified as a foreign limited liability company, corporation or limited partnership in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the properties, business, operations or financial condition of all such entities taken as a whole. Each Subsidiary of a Second Party shall continue to engage in a business of the same general type as conducted by it on the date hereof or activities reasonably related or ancillary thereto.

-15-


 

               (D) None of the Second Parties is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
          (j) Financial Reporting. (i) Borrower agrees to furnish to Bank or cause to be furnished to Bank, at the cost and expense of Borrower, the following:
                    (A) as soon as practicable and in any event within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of Borrower, beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2009, a statement of results of operations of Borrower and a consolidated statement of results of operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period from the beginning of the current fiscal year of Borrower to the end of such quarter, and a balance sheet and income statement of Borrower and a consolidated balance sheet and income statement of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case figures for the corresponding period in the preceding fiscal year of Borrower, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, together with a certification from the chief financial officer of Borrower that the information contained in such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date thereof, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments; and
                    (B) as soon as practicable and in any event within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of Borrower, beginning with the close of the current fiscal year of Borrower, audited financial statements of Borrower for such year and audited consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such year, to include, without limitation, balance sheets and statements of income and cash flow of Borrower and consolidated

-16-


 

balance sheets and statements of income and cash flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year of Borrower, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles by an independent certified public accountant selected by Borrower and acceptable to the Bank, and certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower and such independent certified public accountant that the information contained in such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period covered thereby; and
                    (C) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements described in subsection (B) above, a certificate from the chief financial officer of Borrower or other representative of Borrower reasonably acceptable to Bank certifying to the Bank on behalf of Borrower (1) that no Event of Default, or any event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing, or if any such event has occurred specifying any such event, and (2) the amount of Borrower’s audited net worth at such year-end; and
                    (D) promptly upon Borrower’s receipt thereof, copies of any written communications from certified public accountants or any other report Borrower deems material with respect to the financial condition or operations of Second Parties, taken as a whole; and
                    (E) promptly following the filing with the applicable internal revenue office complete copies of Borrower’s state and federal income tax returns; and
                    (F) promptly upon the Bank’s request, such other information about the financial condition and operations of Second Parties and/or any Subsidiary or

-17-


 

Subsidiaries of any Second Party as Bank may from time to time reasonably request. The form and level of detail of all financial statements must be reasonably acceptable to Bank in its sole discretion; and
                    (G) concurrently with the delivery of quarterly financial statements described in subsection (A) above, a certificate signed by the chief financial officer of Borrower, in a form reasonably acceptable to Bank and accompanied by calculations and relevant supporting materials, (a) certifying to Bank Borrower’s compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Sections 4(z)(i) and (ii) hereof at each quarter-end and (b) certifying no changes (or if any changes occurred, disclosing such changes) in any A.M. Best financial strength rating of Borrower or any of its related Subsidiaries.
          (k) Right of Inspection. Second Parties shall permit any officer, employee, or agent of Bank to inspect and examine the Collateral and the books of record and accounts of each Second Party and the books of record and accounts of each Subsidiary of a Second Party, to take copies and extracts from such books of record and accounts, and to discuss the affairs, finances, and accounts of each Second Party and its Subsidiaries with each Second Party’s accountants and auditors, all at such reasonable times and as often as Bank may reasonably desire and all reasonable and documented costs incurred by Bank in connection with such inspections and/or examinations shall be paid by Borrower promptly upon request of Bank.
          (l) Notice of Certain Events. Each Second Party shall promptly notify Bank if such Second Party learns of the occurrence of (i) any event that constitutes an Event of Default hereunder, together with a detailed statement of the steps being taken by either Second Party, as the case may be, to cure the effect of such Event of Default; or (ii) the receipt of any notice from,

-18-


 

or the taking of any other action by, the holder of any promissory note, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness of any Second Party or any Subsidiary of a Second Party with respect to a claimed default, together with a detailed statement specifying the notice given or other action taken by such holder and the nature of the claimed default and what action such Second Party or Subsidiary is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; or (iii) any legal, judicial, or regulatory proceedings affecting any Second Party, any Subsidiary of any Second Party or the Collateral pledged to Bank, in which the amount involved is material and which could reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse effect on the Collateral or materially and adversely affect the business or financial condition of the Second Parties, taken as a whole; or (iv) excluding income tax audits, any dispute between any Second Party or any Subsidiary of a Second Party and any governmental or regulatory authority or any other person, entity, or agency which could reasonably be expected to jeopardize Bank’s security interest in the Collateral or interfere with the normal business operations of such Second Party; or (v) any material adverse change, either individually or in the aggregate, in the assets, liabilities, financial condition, business, operations, affairs, or circumstances of the Second Parties, taken as a whole, from those reflected in their financial statements or from the facts warranted or represented in any of the Loan Documents, including this Agreement.
          (m) Payment of Taxes. Each Second Party shall punctually pay and discharge and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to punctually pay and discharge all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon such Second Party or Subsidiary or upon the income or upon any of the property of such Second Party excepting, however, any taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims which are in good faith being timely contested by any

-19-


 

Second Party or Subsidiary of a Second Party and are properly reserved against by such Second Party or Subsidiary.
          (n) Loan Documents. Second Parties will procure immediate delivery to Bank of all Loan Documents as required by Bank, properly executed by each Second Party that is a party thereto.
          (o) Intentionally Omitted.
          (p) Intentionally Omitted.
          (q) No Sale of Collateral. Second Parties agree that none of the Collateral consisting of any ownership or equity interest (including, without limitation, any legal, economic, beneficial or voting interest) in any entity may be sold or otherwise transferred by Borrower without the prior written approval of Bank, which approval may be withheld in the reasonable discretion of Bank. Other than the transfers of ownership interest expressly permitted in Section 4(w) hereof and transfers of interest by Guarantor or any of Guarantor’s Subsidiaries to a wholly owned Subsidiary of Guarantor, none of the ownership or equity interest (including, without limitation, any legal, economic, beneficial or voting interest) in any Subsidiary of Guarantor or any other assets of Guarantor shall be sold or otherwise transferred without the prior written consent of Bank, which consent may be withheld in Bank’s reasonable discretion (provided, however, Bank will not unreasonably withhold its consent to any transfer of ownership or equity interest in any Subsidiary by Guarantor to Borrower as long as (i) prior to any such transfer Borrower is able to demonstrate to Bank’s reasonable satisfaction that such transfer would not have a materially adverse effect on the net worth of Guarantor and (ii) if such Subsidiary was acquired (or any of its assets were acquired), in whole or in part, with funds

-20-


 

drawn from the Credit Line, Borrower must at the time of such transfer either re-pay to Bank the amount advanced from the Credit Line related to such Subsidiary or pledge to Bank (pursuant to a pledge agreement reasonably acceptable to Bank) all the ownership and equity interest in such Subsidiary as additional Collateral for the Secured Obligations, subject to no other liens or encumbrances). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Borrower shall at all times own all the issued and outstanding stock in Guarantor and such stock shall be pledged to Bank under the Pledge Agreement subject to no other liens or encumbrances.
          (r) Secondary Security Interests Prohibited. (i) Each Second Party agrees that no secondary security interest will be conveyed in any of the Collateral without the prior written consent of Bank, which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of Bank. (ii) Guarantor agrees that Guarantor will not grant or convey any security interest in any of Guarantor’s equity, economic, ownership, beneficial or voting interest in any Subsidiary of Guarantor or any other assets of Guarantor to any party other than Bank, without the prior written consent of Bank, which consent may be withheld in Bank’s reasonable discretion.
          (s) Other Debt. Without the prior written consent of Bank, which consent may be withheld in Bank’s sole discretion, neither Borrower nor Guarantor will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt in addition to Debt listed on Schedule 4(s) attached hereto except for (i) Debt under the Note or otherwise in favor of Bank, and (ii) other Debt which in the aggregate outstanding at any one time for Borrower and Guarantor on a consolidated basis does not exceed $10,000,000.00; provided that such limitation shall not apply in respect of any indebtedness incurred to finance (or refinance indebtedness incurred to finance) any acquisition permitted under Sections 4(t) or 4(hh) (any such Debt, “Acquisition Debt”).

-21-


 

          For purposes hereof, “Debt” shall mean (i) indebtedness or liability for borrowed money; (ii) obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments; (iii) obligations for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (iv) obligations as lessee under capital leases; (v) obligations under letters of credit; (vi) obligations under acceptance facilities; (vii) all guaranties, endorsements (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), and other contingent obligations to purchase, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to invest in any Person or entity, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss, in each case, in respect of any items set forth in clauses (i) through (vi) above; and (viii) obligations secured by any liens, whether or not the obligations have been assumed, in respect of any item set forth in clauses (i) through (vii) above.
          (t) Fundamental Change. Neither Borrower nor Guarantor shall wind up, liquidate or dissolve itself, reorganize, merge or consolidate with or into, or convey, sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or a material portion of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to any Person or acquire (either directly or through a Subsidiary) all or substantially all of the assets or the business of any Person without the prior written consent of Bank, which consent Bank may withheld in its reasonable discretion, except that:
               (1) as long as Bank is given advance written notice thereof, any Subsidiary of Borrower or Guarantor may merge into or transfer its assets to Guarantor or a wholly owned Subsidiary of Guarantor;
               (2) Borrower or Guarantor may acquire (either directly or through a Subsidiary) the assets of or ownership interests in another company (or agency) provided (i) that

-22-


 

Bank is notified in writing thirty (30) days in advance of such acquisition, (ii) that Borrower provides Bank with information reasonably acceptable to Bank to demonstrate that following such acquisition Borrower will remain in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section (4)(z) of this Agreement, (iii) that such acquisition will not otherwise cause the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder, and (iv) that if funds drawn from the Credit Line are used to fund such acquisition and the newly acquired entity will not be (or the assets being acquired will not be acquired by) a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Guarantor, then Bank must be granted a first priority security interest in all of the ownership, equity, economic, beneficial and voting interest in such acquired entity (or in such entity acquiring the assets of any company or agency) as security for the Secured Obligations by means of a pledge agreement acceptable to Bank in its reasonable discretion; provided that to the extent funds from the Credit Line used in such acquisition are repaid with Acquisition Debt, then Bank will upon written request from Borrower terminate the security interest granted to Bank in such acquired entity (or such entity acquiring the assets of any company or agency).
     (u) Loans to Affiliates, Members, Etc. Neither Borrower nor Guarantor shall make any loans to any affiliated entity of Borrower or Guarantor or to any shareholders, directors, officers, managers, employees or agents of Borrower or to any Person, without the prior express written consent of Bank which consent may be withheld in Bank’s reasonable discretion; provided, however, Borrower may make loans to its Subsidiaries as long as the aggregate amount of all of such loans outstanding at any one time do not exceed $5,000,000.00.
     (v) Indemnification. Second Parties, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold harmless Bank from any claims arising by reason of the execution hereof or the consummation of

-23-


 

the transactions contemplated hereby or any other Loan Document; provided that such indemnity shall not be available to the extent that such claims are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Bank.
     (w) Change in Ownership. No material change in the ownership of Borrower, Guarantor, any Subsidiary of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Guarantor shall occur without the prior written approval of Bank, which approval may be withheld in Bank’s reasonable discretion (provided, however, Bank will not unreasonably withhold its consent to any transfer of ownership or equity interest in any Subsidiary by Guarantor to Borrower as long as (i) prior to any such transfer Borrower is able to demonstrate to Bank’s reasonable satisfaction that such transfer would not have a materially adverse effect on the net worth of Guarantor and (ii) if such Subsidiary was acquired (or any of its assets were acquired), in whole or in part, with funds drawn from the Credit Line, Borrower must at the time of such transfer either re-pay to Bank the amount advanced from the Credit Line related to such Subsidiary or pledge to Bank (pursuant to a pledge agreement reasonably acceptable to Bank) all the ownership and equity interest in such Subsidiary as additional Collateral for the Secured Obligations, subject to no other liens or encumbrances) . For purposes hereof, a “material change in the ownership” shall occur with respect to any entity if more than 10% of the total ownership interest (regardless of whether legal, equity and/or beneficial ownership) in any entity is transferred to any Person other than Guarantor or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Guarantor (either in one transaction or a series of transactions) or if Guarantor ceases to have voting control of any of its Subsidiaries or Borrower ceases to have voting control over any of its Subsidiaries.

-24-


 

     (x) No Other Guaranties. Other than guaranties in favor of Bank and Borrower’s guaranties of the Debt of Borrower’s wholly owned Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount at any one time of no more than $3,000,000.00, no Second Party shall guarantee or become responsible for the Debt of any other Person without the prior written consent of Bank, which consent may be withheld in Bank’s reasonable discretion.
     (y) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents are true, correct, complete and accurate in all material respects.
     (z) Additional Financial Covenants. Borrower hereby covenants and agrees with Bank:
          (i) Borrower and its Subsidiaries (which includes, without limitation, Guarantor) shall maintain on a consolidated basis a minimum debt service coverage ratio (“Debt Service Coverage Ratio”) of 2.25:1 as measured at each quarter-end.
          For purposes hereof, Debt Service Coverage Ratio shall be calculated as follows: EBITDA (i.e., earnings before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation expense, and amortization expense less dividend distributions) for the trailing 12-month period divided by annual debt service (i.e., the prior 12-months’ current maturities of long-term debt to include capital lease obligations plus the trailing 12-month period’s interest expense, including, but not limited to, interest expense related to the lines of credit, trust preferred securities, redeemable preferred stock, subordinated debentures to Summit Partners, L.P. and any other debt facility.
          (ii) Borrower and its Subsidiaries (which includes, without limitation, Guarantor) shall maintain on a consolidated basis a maximum debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 4.75:1 as measured at each quarter end.
          For the purposes of this calculation, debt will include, without limitation, the following: principal balance on any lines of credit, trust preferred securities, redeemable

-25-


 

preferred stock, subordinated debentures to Summit Partners, L.P., capital lease obligations, any off-balance sheet items, and all other debt facilities.
          For purposes of this calculation, EBITDA will be defined as provided in subpart (i) above on a trailing twelve month basis.
          (iii) Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are rated by A.M. Best will have no deterioration in their A.M. Best Financial Strength Ratings below the B+ secure rating.
          (iv) Borrower shall maintain a minimum audited net worth of $50,000,000.00 measured annually at each fiscal year-end of Borrower.
     (aa) OFAC. No Second Party (i) is a person whose property or interest in property is blocked or subject to blocking pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)), (ii) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by Section 2 of such order, or is otherwise associated with any such person in any manner violative of Section 2, or (iii) is a person on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or subject to the limitations or prohibitions under any other U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control regulation or executive order.
     (bb) Patriot Act, Etc. Each Second Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (ii) the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001). No part of the proceeds of the Loan will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official

-26-


 

capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
     (cc) Change of Name; Structure Dissolution. Neither Borrower nor Guarantor nor any Subsidiary of Borrower and/or Guarantor shall in any way alter its organizational or capital structure (other than changes in ownership permitted under Section 4(w) of this Agreement or fundamental changes permitted under Section 4(t) of this Agreement), or with respect to any Second Party, amend in any material respect its organizational documents without obtaining Bank’s prior written consent, which consent may be withheld in Bank’s reasonable discretion. Neither Borrower nor Guarantor shall change its name unless written notice of such name change is given to Bank within ten (10) days of the effective date of such name change.
     (dd) Intentionally Omitted.
     (ee) Depository. Each Second Party shall utilize Bank and its affiliates as its primary depository institutions.
     (ff) Intentionally Omitted.
     (gg) Senior Debt. The Liabilities shall be considered senior debt of Borrower and will be on par with other debt of Borrower to Bank and senior to current subordinate debt and preferred securities.
     (hh) Subsidiaries. Second Parties have no Subsidiaries other than those listed on Schedule 4(hh) attached hereto and the ownership of each such Subsidiary is as set forth on Schedule 4(hh) hereof. No Second Party will acquire any Subsidiary (either directly or through another Subsidiary) unless (i) Borrower demonstrates to Bank’s reasonable satisfaction that following the acquisition of such Subsidiary Borrower will be in compliance with the financial covenants of Section 4(z) of this Agreement, and such acquisition of such Subsidiary will not otherwise give rise to an Event of Default under this Agreement, and (ii) if such Subsidiary is

-27-


 

being acquired in connection with the acquisition of a business or company (or agency) utilizing any funds drawn from the Credit Line, such newly acquired Subsidiary will be directly or indirectly wholly owned by Guarantor or if not wholly owned by Guarantor, 100% of the ownership, legal, equity, voting, economic and beneficial interest in such Subsidiary shall be pledged to Bank as security for the Secured Obligations pursuant to a pledge and security agreement acceptable to Bank subject to no other liens or encumbrances; provided that to the extent funds from the Credit Line used in such acquisition are repaid with Acquisition Debt, then Bank will upon written request from Borrower terminate the security interest granted to Bank in such acquired Subsidiary (or such entity acquiring the assets of any company or agency).
     (ii) Other Matters. To each Second Party’s knowledge, no information, exhibit, schedule or report furnished or to be furnished by any Second Party to Bank in connection with this Agreement contains or will contain any material misstatement of fact, or fails or will fail to state any material fact, the omission of which would render the statements therein materially false or misleading.
     5. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
The occurrence of any one or more of the following events or conditions shall constitute an Event of Default for the purposes of this Agreement:
     (a) Borrower fails to pay the principal of, or interest on, the Note or any of the other Liabilities as and when due and payable; or
     (b) Failure of any Second Party to comply with any covenant or agreement contained herein or the occurrence of any other breach or default hereunder on the part of any Second Party (provided, however, except with respect to defaults addressed in 5(a) above or elsewhere in this Section 5, Second Parties shall have (i) ten (10) days after written notice of such failure shall have been given by Bank to Second Parties to cure any such failure that can be cured by the payment of

-28-


 

money and (ii) shall have thirty (30) days after written notice of such failure shall have been given by Bank to Second Parties to cure any such failure that cannot be cured by the payment of money); or
     (c) Any representation, warranty or statement made by or on behalf of Second Parties or any Second Party herein or in any of the Loan Documents or in any certificate, report, schedule, representation, statement or other writing at any time delivered pursuant hereto or thereto in connection herewith or therewith is untrue in any material respect as of the date made; or
     (d) Any Second Party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, files a petition in bankruptcy, petitions or applies to any tribunal for the appointment of a custodian, receiver or trustee for any Second Party or any substantial part of the assets of any Second Party, or commences any proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, rearrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect; or if there is filed any such petition or application, or any such proceeding is commenced against any Second Party, in which an order for relief is entered or which remains undismissed for a period of 60 days or more; or if any Second Party by any act or omission indicates any Second Party’s consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such petition, application or proceeding or order for relief or in the appointment of a custodian, receiver or any trustee for any Second Party or any substantial part of the properties of any Second Party and suffers any such custodianship, receivership or trusteeship to continue undismissed for a period of 60 days or more; or
     (e) Any Second Party conceals, removes, or permits to be concealed or removed, any part of the property of any Second Party, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors or any of them, or makes or suffers a transfer of any property of any Second Party to or for the benefit of a creditor at a time when other creditors similarly situated have not been paid, or suffers or

-29-


 

permits, while insolvent, any creditor to obtain a lien upon any of any Second Party’s property through legal proceedings or distraint which is not vacated within 30 days from the date thereof; or
     (f) Except as permitted by Sections 4(q), 4(r) and 4(hh) of this Agreement, should any Second Party sell, encumber, convey or otherwise transfer any interest in the Collateral contemplated in this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents or any portion thereof without the prior written consent of Bank; or
     (g) Except as provided in Section 4(t) above, any Second Party is dissolved or liquidated or loses its separate identity through any merger, consolidation or reorganization without Bank’s prior written approval; or
     (h) The occurrence or continuation of any default or Event of Default by or attributable to Borrower under or in connection with any security deed, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, security agreement, note, bond indenture, loan agreement or similar instrument or agreement in amounts in excess of $500,000.00 to which Borrower is now or may hereafter be a party or by which Borrower or any of its property is now or may hereafter be bound or affected; or
     (i) Any judgment or judgments in excess of $500,000, in the aggregate, be entered against any Second Party and remains unpaid, unstayed or undismissed for a period of more than thirty (30) days after the right to appeal has expired, excluding judgments, fully covered by any Second Party’s insurance; or
     (j) Occurrence of any Event of Default under, and as defined in, that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Line of Credit Agreement among the parties hereto dated as of June 20, 2007 (which Loan Agreement relates to another $15,000,000.00 line of credit established by Bank

-30-


 

for Borrower) or any amendment or extension thereof or under any of the Loan Documents (as defined in such Loan Agreement); or
     (k) If any event occurs under any instrument, bond, debenture, note or other evidenced of indebtedness made by any Second Party to any third party which would authorize the acceleration of any debt to any such third party the acceleration of which would reasonably be expected to materially affect such Second Party’s ability to perform its obligations under or comply with the terms of any of the Loan Documents or such Second Party’s ability to pay when due amounts owed by such Second Party to Bank; or
     (m) Occurrence of an Event of Default under, and as defined in, the Note, the Pledge Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; or
     (n) Guarantor fails to observe any term, covenant or agreement under the Guaranty.
6. REMEDIES.
     (a) General. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Bank shall have and at its option may exercise, at any time and from time to time and without notice to any of the Second Parties, each, any and all of its rights and remedies herein and in the Note, the Pledge Agreement and other Loan Documents provided or which are otherwise available to Bank under applicable law, including but not limited to its right to declare accelerated and thereby render immediately due and payable all indebtedness herein contemplated, to enforce collection of said indebtedness from any or all of Second Parties by suit or other lawful means, and to exercise any and all rights of foreclosure provided in the Pledge Agreement and the other Loan Documents or which are otherwise available to Bank with respect to the Collateral. All such rights and remedies are and shall be cumulative and may be exercised singly, concurrently or in such combinations as Bank from time to time may elect. The failure to exercise any such remedy shall not constitute a waiver thereof, nor shall any partial or ineffectual use of any such

-31-


 

remedy prevent the subsequent or concurrent resort to the same or any other remedy or remedies. It is intended that this clause shall be broadly construed so that all remedies herein provided for or otherwise available to Bank shall continue and be each and all available to Bank until all sums due it by reason of the transactions and obligations contemplated by this Agreement have been fully paid and fully discharged without loss or damage to Bank.
     (b) Set-off. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, as long as permitted by applicable law, Bank is authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to any of Second Parties (any such notice being expressly waived by each of Second Parties), to set-off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by Bank to or for the credit or the account of any Second Party to the payment of the Liabilities in such order of application as Bank shall deem appropriate, in its sole discretion. Bank agrees promptly to notify the applicable Second Party after any such set-off and application; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of Bank under this subsection (b) are in addition to other rights and remedies (including but not limited to other rights of set-off) that Bank may have. And in the event of Bank’s sale of any participation in any loan or loans herein contemplated, each participating lender shall have and may exercise, to the extent of its participation, the same rights of set-off and related rights as those provided for Bank in this subsection (b).
7. MISCELLANEOUS.
     (a) Incorporation by Reference; Conflicts. Each of the Loan Documents, whether delivered to and accepted by Bank contemporaneously herewith or from time to time hereafter, shall be and hereby are incorporated herein and made a part hereof by this reference. In the event of any inconsistencies among any of the terms or provisions that appear in this Agreement and the

-32-


 

other Loan Documents, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall control. All covenants and agreements of Borrower and Guarantor contained in this Agreement shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limitation of, another covenant, shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.
     (b) Notices. Any and all notices, elections or demands permitted or required to be made under this Agreement shall be in writing, signed by the party giving such notice, election or demand and shall be delivered personally, by electronic mail, or sent by certified United States Mail, postage prepaid, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier provided a receipt for delivery is obtained from the recipient, to the other party at the address set forth below, or at such other address within the continental United States of America as may have theretofore been designated in writing to the other party. Any such notice or other document shall be deemed delivered (i) if personally delivered, when actually received by the party to whom directed at the address specified pursuant to this Section, or (ii) if sent by electronic mail, upon sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgment), or (iii) if sent by U.S. Mail, three (3) days after such notice or document is deposited in the United States Mail, addressed as provided above, or (iv) if sent by overnight courier, addressed as provided below on the date of receipt or refusal to accept delivery, as evidenced on the return receipt or other shipping invoice. For the purposes of this Agreement:

-33-


 

If to Borrower:
Fortegra Financial Corporation
Attn: John Short
100 West Bay Street
P. O. Box 44130
Jacksonville, Florida 32231
jshort@fortegra.com
If to Guarantor:
LOTS Intermediate Co.
Attn: John Short
100 West Bay Street
P. O. Box 44130
Jacksonville, Florida 32231
jshort@fortegra.com
If to Bank:
Columbus Bank and Trust Company
Attn: Neill Hatcher, Corporate Banking
1137 First Avenue, Uptown Center
(Post Office Box 120)
1148 Broadway
Columbus, Georgia 31901 (31902)
neillhatcher@columbusbankandtrust.com
     (c) Invalidity. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in the Note, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents for any reason shall be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Note, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
     (d) Survival. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive until the Liabilities have been paid in full and Bank has no further obligation to advance funds under the Credit Line.
     (e) Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements made by or on behalf of any one or more Second Party in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be fully binding upon such Second Party and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Bank and its successors and assigns. The words “Bank”, “Borrower” and “Guarantor” shall include their respective successors and assigns, except neither Borrower nor Guarantor may assign or transfer any of their respective rights under any Loan Documents to which it is a party

-34-


 

without the prior written consent of Bank, which consent may be withheld in Bank’s sole discretion.
     (f) Renewal Notes. All provisions of this Agreement relating to the Note or the indebtedness represented thereby shall apply with equal force and effect to each and all (if any) promissory notes henceforth executed which in whole or in part represent a renewal, extension (for any period), increase, or rearrangement of any part of the indebtedness originally represented by the Note or of any part of such indebtedness, except as otherwise specifically agreed to in writing between Bank and Borrower at that time. Nothing contained herein shall obligate in any way Bank to extend or renew the Note, any such extension or renewal to be in the sole and unlimited discretion of Bank.
     (g) Non-Waiver. No action or course of dealing on the part of Bank, its officers, employees, consultants, or agents, nor any failure or delay by Bank with respect to its exercise of any right, power, or privilege of Bank under this Agreement or other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof. No waiver by Bank of any default on the part of any Second Party hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents shall be considered a waiver of any other or subsequent default, and no exercise or enforcement of any rights or powers hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents by Bank shall be held to exhaust such rights or powers and every such right and power may be exercised from time to time by Bank.
     (h) Rights Cumulative. All rights and remedies of Bank under this Agreement and other Loan Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any and all other rights and remedies available to Bank at law, in equity or otherwise. The exercise or partial exercise of any such right or remedy shall not preclude other or further exercise of the same or any other right or remedy.

-35-


 

     (i) Governing Law. This Agreement constitutes a contract made by the parties in the State of Georgia, and shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of that State.
     (j) Titles of Sections, etc. All titles or headings to sections, subsections, or other divisions of this Agreement are only for the convenience of the parties and shall not be construed to have any effect or meaning with respect to the other content of such sections or other divisions.
     (k) Time of Essence. Time is of the essence with regard to each and every provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
     (l) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, and it shall not be necessary that the signatures of all parties be contained on any one counterpart. Each counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts collectively shall constitute one and the same instrument.
     (m) Amendment. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
     (n) Third Party Reliance. Bank has not entered into this Agreement for the purpose of giving any assurance to any party other than Second Parties that Bank will extend the Credit Line herein contemplated, and no other person, firm, or corporation shall be authorized to rely on this Agreement in dealing with any Second Party in any matter concerning the subject matter hereof.
     (o) Costs, Expenses and Taxes. Borrower shall pay on demand all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Bank (including reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of Bank’s counsel) in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, and administration of this Agreement and other Loan Documents delivered or to be delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses) incurred by Bank in connection with any enforcement of this

-36-


 

Agreement or any other Loan Documents, or to enforce, protect, defend, liquidate, and/or administer any Collateral herein contemplated. In addition, Borrower agrees to pay and to hold Bank harmless from any liability for any intangibles taxes, stamp or other taxes or fees which may be required for the filing and recording of any necessary UCC financing statements or which may be imposed by the State of Georgia, State of Delaware or any agency or instrumentality thereof in conjunction with the Credit Line. Borrower shall promptly reimburse Bank on demand for all amounts expended, advanced, or incurred by Bank to satisfy any obligation of any Second Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, or to perfect the liens in favor of Bank, or to protect the properties or business of any Second Party, or to collect the indebtedness of any Second Party to Bank, or to enforce any rights of Bank under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, which amounts will include all court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, fees of auditors and accountants, and investigation expenses reasonably incurred by Bank in connection with any such matters, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate of interest as set forth in the Note, but in no event in excess of the maximum lawful rate of interest permitted by applicable law on each such amount. All obligations for which this subsection (o) provides shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
     (p) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH SECOND PARTY AND BANK HEREBY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE RELATING DIRECTLY ON INDIRECTLY TO THE LOAN, THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF BANK, OR ANY OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR DIRECTORS OF THE BANK IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

-37-


 

     (q) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents and the documents and instruments contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. No promises, covenants, representations or agreements other than as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents have been made to or with any Second Party, and Second Parties expressly represent and warrant that no Second Party is relying on any promises, covenants, representations or agreements other than as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents in entering into the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, the parties hereto hereby agree that such, if any, commitment letter previously executed among the parties hereto with regard to the loan transaction contemplated by this Agreement shall be merged with this Agreement and shall not survive the execution hereof.
     (r) Participation. It is understood that Bank from time to time may sell participations in the Loan contemplated by this Agreement and enter into participation agreements with one or more participating lenders selected by Bank, upon terms and conditions satisfactory to Bank. No notice to any of Second Parties and no consent by any of Second Parties shall be required with regard to any such participation.
     (s) Electronic Transmission of Data. Bank and Second Parties agree that certain data related to the Credit Line (including confidential information, documents, applications and reports) may be transmitted electronically, including transmission over the Internet. This data may be transmitted to, received from or circulated among agents and representatives of Second Parties and/or Bank and their affiliates and other Persons involved with the subject matter of this Agreement. Each Second Party acknowledges and agrees that (a) there are risks associated with the use of electronic transmission and that Bank does not control the method of transmittal or service providers, (b) Bank has no obligation or responsibility whatsoever and assumes no duty or

-38-


 

obligation for the security, receipt or third party interception of any such transmission, and (c) each Second Party will release, hold harmless and indemnify Bank from any claim, damage or loss, including that arising in whole or part from Bank’s strict liability or sole, comparative or contributory negligence, which is related to the electronic transmission of data, except to the extent that such claim, damage or loss arises from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Bank.

-39-


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Second Parties and Bank have each executed and delivered these presents, Borrower acting by and through its duly authorized corporate officer, Guarantor acting by and through its duly authorized corporate officer, and Bank acting by and through its duly authorized corporate officer, under their respective seals, as of the day and year first above written.
         
  BORROWER:


FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a
Georgia corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard S. Kahlbaugh    
    Name:   Richard S. Kahlbaugh   
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President   
 
  (CORPORATE SEAL)
 
 
         
  GUARANTOR:


LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware
corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard S. Kahlbaugh    
    Name:   Richard S. Kahlbaugh   
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President   
 
  (CORPORATE SEAL)    

-40-


 

         
         
  BANK:


COLUMBUS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a
Georgia banking corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Neill Hatcher    
    Neill Hatcher, Senior Vice President   
       
 
  (BANK SEAL)
 
 
     
 

-41-

EX-10.17 19 b81561exv10w17.htm EX-10.17 exv10w17
Exhibit 10.17
MODIFICATION AGREEMENT
                    ,                      COUNTY
     THIS MODIFICATION AGREEMENT (the “Modification Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 27, 2010 by and among FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Georgia corporation (“Borrower”), LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware corporation (“Guarantor”) and COLUMBUS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Georgia banking corporation, whose address is 1148 Broadway, Columbus, Georgia 31901 (hereinafter referred to as “Lender”).
WITNESSETH THAT:
     WHEREAS, Borrower, Guarantor and Lender entered into a Line of Credit Agreement dated April 6, 2009 (the “Loan Agreement”); and
     WHEREAS, as described in the Loan Agreement, Lender established a revolving line of credit for Borrower in the stated principal amount of $15,000,000.00 (the “Credit Line”) and Borrower agreed to repay advances made under said Credit Line, with interest thereon, as provided in that certain Revolving Line of Credit Note given by Borrower to Lender dated April 6, 2009 in the stated principal amount of Fifteen Million and No/l00ths ($15,000,000.00) Dollars (said Revolving Line of Credit Note is being referred to herein as the “Line of Credit Note”); and
     WHEREAS, Guarantor executed and delivered to Lender an Unconditional Guaranty dated April 6, 2009 whereby Guarantor guaranteed to Lender, inter alia, the payment of the Line of Credit Note (such Unconditional Guaranty being herein called the “Guaranty”); and
     WHEREAS, to secure the payment of the Line of Credit Note and all renewals, modifications, extensions, amendments, restatements and amendments and restatements thereof, the Borrower executed and delivered to Lender that certain Stock Pledge and Security Agreement from Borrower in favor of Lender dated April 6, 2009 (the “Stock Pledge”) and that certain Pledge and Security Agreement (Deposit Account) from Borrower in favor of Lender dated April 6, 2009 (the “Deposit Account Pledge”; the Loan Agreement, the Line of Credit Note, the Guaranty, the Stock Pledge, the Deposit Account Pledge and all other documents, instruments and agreements relating to and/or securing the Credit Line being herein called the “Loan Documents”; the Stock Pledge and Deposit Account Pledge and any other documents and/or instruments and agreements entered into by Borrower as security for the Line of Credit Note being herein called the “Security Documents”); and
     WHEREAS, Borrower and Guarantor have requested, among other things, that Lender extend the maturity date of the Line of Credit Note from March 31, 2010 to September 30, 2010 and that the principal amount of the Credit Line be reduced from $15,000,000.00 to $6,000,000.00; and
     WHEREAS, Lender has agreed, subject to the terms, conditions and provisions of this Modification Agreement, to such extension of the maturity date of the Line of Credit Note to September 30, 2010 and the reduction of the principal amount of the Line of Credit.

 


 

     NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing benefits and other good and valuable consideration flowing among the parties hereto, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Borrower, Guarantor and Lender do hereby agree that:
     1. Modification of the Line of Credit Note.
          (a) As of and after the date hereof, the face principal amount of the Line of Credit Note is decreased from $15,000,000.00 to $6,000,000.00.
          (b) As of and after the date hereof, the “Maturity Date” as defined in Section 1(f) of the Line of Credit Note is changed from March 31, 2010 to September 30, 2010.
          (c) Borrower shall continue to pay accrued interest on the outstanding principal amount of the Line of Credit Note, as amended and modified hereby, on each Monthly Payment Date (as defined in the Line of Credit Note) until the Maturity Date (as defined in the Line of Credit Note, as amended, modified and extended by this Modification Agreement). On the Maturity Date (as defined in the Line of Credit Note, as amended, modified and extended by this Modification Agreement), the entire outstanding principal amount of the Line of Credit Note and all accrued but unpaid interest and other charges shall be due and payable in full from Borrower.
     2. Modification of Loan Agreement. (a) As of and after the date hereof, the Loan Agreement is hereby amended and modified so that all references therein to the Line of Credit Note shall refer to the Line of Credit Note as amended and modified by this Modification Agreement and as same may be further amended, modified, extended, renewed and/or replaced from time to time .
          (b) Additionally, as of and after the date hereof, the references to “$15,000,000.00” found in the Loan Agreement are hereby changed to $6,000,000.00 and the references to “March 31, 2010” found in the Loan Agreement are hereby changed to September 30, 2010.
     3. Modification of Stock Pledge. (a) As of and after the date hereof, the Stock Pledge is hereby amended and modified so that all references therein to the Line of Credit Note shall refer to (and the Stock Pledge shall secure, without limitation, the payment of) the Line of Credit Note as amended and modified by this Modification Agreement and as same may be further amended, modified, extended, renewed and/or replaced from time to time.
          (b) As of and after the date hereof, the Stock Pledge is further hereby amended and modified to add the following as subpart (f) of Section 5 of the Stock Pledge:
  (f)   Pledgor shall deliver to Secured Party, immediately upon Pledgor’s receipt of same, any and all stock certificates representing stock in LOTS which Pledgor shall hereinafter acquire; it being the intent of the parties that any and all stock acquired by Pledgor in LOTS shall be included in the Stock Collateral and subject to the security interest granted Secured Party by this Agreement. The delivery of such after acquired stock to Secured Party shall be accompanied by an irrevocable stock power executed in blank in a form promulgated by Secured Party and shall be deemed to be a reaffirmation by Pledgor of all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

2


 

     4. Modification of the other Loan Documents. As of and after the date hereof, the other Loan Documents are hereby amended and modified such that all references therein to the Line of Credit Note shall as of and after the date hereof refer to (and in the case of the Security Documents, shall, without limitation, secure the payment of) the Line of Credit Note as amended, modified and extended hereby and as same may be further amended, modified, extended, renewed and/or restated from time to time. Guarantor hereby confirms that the debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower to Lender guaranteed by Guarantor pursuant to the Guaranty include, without limitation, all debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower under the Line of Credit Note as amended and modified by this Modification Agreement and as same may be further amended, modified, extended, renewed and/or replaced from time to time. Guarantor acknowledges and confirms that Guarantor’s obligations under the Guaranty remain in full force and effect and have not been limited, waived, discharged, impaired or released in any respect by virtue of this Modification Agreement.
     5. Ratification. Except as expressly set forth herein, all terms, covenants and provisions of the Line of Credit Note, Guaranty, and all other Loan Documents, shall remain in full force and effect, and Borrower and Guarantor each does hereby expressly ratify and confirm the Line of Credit Note, Guaranty and other Loan Documents, as amended and modified hereby, and ratifies and confirms the continuing priority of the Security Documents, as amended and modified hereby, and all UCC financing statements filed in connection with any of such Security Documents. It is the intent of the parties hereto that this Modification Agreement shall not constitute a novation or an accord and satisfaction of any of the indebtedness evidenced by the Line of Credit Note, and shall not adversely affect or impair the priority of any of the Security Documents.
     6. Waiver of Claims. Each of Borrower and Guarantor does hereby waive any claim which it now has by virtue of this Modification Agreement or any instrument or agreement set forth hereunder, and further agrees not to raise any such claims in any civil proceeding or otherwise. Each of Borrower and Guarantor hereby acknowledges and agrees that as of the date hereof it has no set-offs, claims, counterclaims or defenses to the obligations evidenced by the Loan Documents, as amended and modified hereby. Each of Borrower and Guarantor does further hereby for itself and for its agents, employees, successors, legal representatives, and assigns, forever release, acquit and discharge Lender and its officers, directors, stockholders, agents, servants, employees, successors, legal representatives and assigns of and from any and all claims, demands, debts, actions and causes of actions arising out of or in connection with the Loan Documents which they (or either of them) now have against Lender and its officers, directors, stock holders, agents, servants, employees, legal representatives, heirs and assigns.
     7. Successors and Assigns/Miscellaneous. This Modification Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and vice versa. Any references in any of the Loan Documents to any of the documents, instruments and agreements amended hereby shall as of and after the date hereof refer to such documents, instruments and agreements as amended and modified hereby and as same may be further amended, modified, extended, renewed and/or restated from time to time.
     8. Legal Fees and Expenses. Borrower agrees to pay directly or reimburse Lender for all reasonable legal fees and other expenses actually incurred by Lender in connection with this Modification Agreement and/or the recording hereof, if, at Lender’s option, this Modification Agreement is recorded. Borrower further agrees to pay Lender a renewal fee of $3,000.00 which fee shall be deemed fully earned and non-refundable on the date hereof.

3


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Modification Agreement to be appropriately executed and delivered under seal, effective as of the day and year first above written.
         
  BORROWER:

FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Georgia corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   EVP and CFO   
 
(CORPORATE SEAL)

4


 

         
  GUARANTOR:

LOTS INTERMEDIATE CO., a Delaware corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael Vrban    
    Name:   Michael Vrban   
    Title:   EVP and CFO   
 
(CORPORATE SEAL)

5


 

         
  LENDER:

COLUMBUS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Georgia
banking corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]    
    Its: S.V.P.   
       
    (CORPORATE SEAL)   
 
(STAMP)

6

EX-16.1 20 b81561exv16w1.htm EX-16.1 exv16w1
Exhibit 16.1
Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP
One Independent Drive, Suite 2202
Jacksonville, FL 32202
September 23, 2010
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have read “Change in Accountants” contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Fortegra Financial Corporation to be filed on or about September 23, 2010 and agree with the statements concerning our Firm contained therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP

EX-16.2 21 b81561exv16w2.htm EX-16.2 exv16w2
Exhibit 16.2
September 23, 2010
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Commissioners:
We have read the statements made by Fortegra Financial Corporation (copy attached), which we understand will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Item 304 of Regulation S-K, as part of the Form S-1 of Fortegra Financial Corporation dated September 23, 2010. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form S-1.
Very truly yours,
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

EX-21.1 22 b81561exv21w1.htm EX-21.1 exv21w1
Exhibit 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF
FORTEGRA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
     
    Jurisdiction of
Subsidiary   Organization
Bankers Life of Louisiana
  Louisiana
Bliss and Glennon, Inc.
  California
Continental Car Club, Inc.
  Tennessee
Creative Investigations Recovery Group, LLC
  New York
CRC Reassurance Company, Ltd.
  Turks and Caicos
Fortegra Services, LLC
  Delaware
Insurance Company of the South
  Georgia
Life of the South Insurance Company
  Georgia
LOTS Intermediate Co.
  Delaware
LOTS Reassurance Company
  Turks and Caicos
LOTSolutions, Inc.
  Georgia
Lyndon Southern Insurance Company
  Delaware
South Bay Acceptance Corporation
  California
Southern Financial Life Insurance Company
  Kentucky
United Motor Club of America, Inc.
  Kentucky

EX-23.1 23 b81561exv23w1.htm EX-23.1 exv23w1
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated September 23, 2010 relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Fortegra Financial Corporation, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP
Jacksonville, Florida
September 23, 2010

EX-23.2 24 b81561exv23w2.htm EX-23.2 exv23w2
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated September 23, 2010 relating to the financial statements of Bliss and Glennon, Inc., which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Jacksonville, Florida
September 23, 2010

EX-99.1 25 b81561exv99w1.htm EX-99.1 exv99w1
Exhibit 99.1
Consent of Alfred R. Berkeley III
     Fortegra Financial Corporation will file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering of common stock of Fortegra Financial Corporation. In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of Fortegra Financial Corporation in the Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.
         
     
Dated: June 8, 2010  /s/ Alfred R. Berkeley III    
  Alfred R. Berkeley III   
     

 

EX-99.2 26 b81561exv99w2.htm EX-99.2 exv99w2
         
Exhibit 99.2
Consent of Francis M. Colalucci
     Fortegra Financial Corporation will file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering of common stock of Fortegra Financial Corporation. In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of Fortegra Financial Corporation in the Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.
         
     
Dated: June 8, 2010  /s/ Francis M. Colalucci    
  Francis M. Colalucci   
     
 

 

EX-99.3 27 b81561exv99w3.htm EX-99.3 exv99w3
Exhibit 99.3
Consent of Frank P. Filipps
     Fortegra Financial Corporation will file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering of common stock of Fortegra Financial Corporation. In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of Fortegra Financial Corporation in the Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.
         
     
Dated: June 8, 2010  /s/ Frank P. Filipps    
  Frank P. Filipps   
     
 

EX-99.4 28 b81561exv99w4.htm EX-99.4 exv99w4
Exhibit 99.4
Consent of Ted W. Rollins
     Fortegra Financial Corporation will file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering of common stock of Fortegra Financial Corporation. In connection therewith, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of Fortegra Financial Corporation in the Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.
         
     
Dated: June 7, 2010  /s/ Ted W. Rollins    
  Ted W. Rollins   
     
 

GRAPHIC 29 b81561b8156100.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 b81561b8156100.gif M1TE&.#EAA0&-`-4P`````)3.5[C>C\#`P(>*NTM/F8"`@,3%W=SOR$!`0/#P M\!XC@!`0$-#0T/'Q]^#@X*:GS,KFK-/4YGG!+6ELJJ"@H/?[\N+B[B`@(#`P M,(+%.SQ`D2TQB'A[LV!@8.[WY*_:@8O)2:;6<^7SUI"0D+"PL+6VU=/KNEI> MHI>9Q)W297!P<%!04,'BG7"]'P\4=____P`````````````````````````` M`````````````````````````````````"'Y!`$``#``+`````"%`8T```;_ MP)=P2"P:C;"DP,5L.I]0:')*K5JOV*QVR^UZO^"P>$PNF\_H]/7(;@^GRZA\ MSE3;[_B\?L_O^]5N@4A*=(52?XB)BHN,C8Y>@I%"<(:5=8^8F9J;G)TPDI&4 MEH:>I::GJ*E:H(*BHW2JL;*SM'^L@:ZO)RY.CO\/%EZFS.3^[R^?K[ M5/1']D[P\1M(T)R_03#BC"O(L.&V@T4`-A'HL*+%6A")2&1"\:+'CX@(B!Q) MLB2':PD+B1#`LJ5+EQU!RIS)A5D]=L^:"*#)L^;4Z;.HT4]`(^(< MNO.HTYE)E:8 MRY9CYL\7-].-";IT/M&=79`VS1H=:LM15K>>W>UU8"BR:>N69KM0[MW`C_7. M%KSX0\"^C2N/-ASR\N>_FE^&3IV7]-C5L\^ZCEN[]VK(B7\?[XG[/?+H-YD/ MF+[]H_43W((W;`R044..;382RVV.`'3TP0(4@( M/*'!AQI<<@<.Q9!8E\F3AFDE4Y,T.)A&GX@P@0:B#"C3!^H0*D`E]I!J!UW MSA)J44\(.M^G:HP:BZJ,-F&J?*BFP6H8#AP``0$F'%"&!";@>H`#5LRZQ04' MI$#``;J*(<$!OIYAZ[$*9K%LKRD@2T:I?HR`@``1(/"!&`@@$`&WWI:!P`D" MG/#_6Q4?B"M`N'>TN^V["'1Z1:QH"-L%!!L<@0($6$C0%\`0G%0$!0X(K)?! M0Y1XQ04=,$P$"LENX0`!$K^P0`?`=M#7%"+R!8,#%/Q%!`<`3^%`"HVA8$(8 MV'IQ&`A41'`8#!8(T*03(1RIQ0@@A"#'!")\>P4(AM$L*:!-J)!;SCL[X306 M,V,1@:9R]&SO%/B>H:\6!V1LQ`;14G%`$1VDR$:MH-0Y!0$FMX$"L%F8$+<1 M"YC@S]M%2'`W$10DX4`'DA1`=Q6.I0A"!YYH:(@'FCE7A>19N&3"`0 M]"/HLF0579OQ]17$2U+Q[J`0`'_A5/P>2?!6\'[+\9$X/S+N;G";%J`WP,51 MX3;=NT*-ZE(%[%GB?%0`WP-+9\`&OD)&Z&M=H;;2!0D(8P&'TU\@%"3"`(+L M"!O02[^,D"B5`3"%`'3,G-J@NRDL;P@+T`L!4+#"(M"N@*[Z@O3FH($`""T* MI*-"YHJH`J2E#H-3<*"K`D"]&U%A@:]@'`'+M[@`@$`$4M0>!9WD.@YRH8=# MH$"T'%`P(P0N"274V+%@0"P*D,<\KO%O!?!?$BZ``B,($@8S M)$`(,\*_W$'`>;8J0`N3P`$.$*!LM4/C"U"@N"`^KX)<40'I/B!!)GAO"C7: MW-;4]`2?80D*$VC!I1!P1/9,X7$N$(#1+!"!J$T@B02$P:1$0)%,Q2B#9-Q@ M).27A/8)X8=3V.,+_%?"!6`R"U]SI@"C>3`J_`V:S?Q'$F;XQF%IP0'&X\(K MD!FH`T)!C%4(C!6M\"8KL+()\'REFZQ@@5J:<@J<:U1'%%+/8%I`,7'^=$$+L@`Z5R8AF%PXP1,@"(/TE6&&;6"F`XIP MQRQ=. M)^P4"Z5U_T)@B/2$NW:2 MI?04`!5+!0*A5H6PAE5L24B2K+UM@;A2%4)QM:"O/1Z*+W>34A$&7(51(=>C M8@L$=@FK@9>\9+MM369:=7M`ZLT!O?"]PGKUJ6$P;%&*=/"*4MKM`7"T5^ED,$!<9"R-V M[;5P"P/:,I#(^353%NBQS340P4<`]H*^-A,('6>6P,^]\160&HDA_Y3*27XR M;*)WWRGDU!).9IQZSR/E,9A.M5=^UH*_CWG))F-!?&#&GF"GC2,BPT#/8X.Y1*(`49TS1@28M;)'>ZSC`(70"( MBK,33`JWJA8QGV'K9U!:>;4Q_8#-OBMHWJ9*V$G8(TKSEVM)BQFZ8>4L&`P% M;+$*^VXDO8)HU7EJ4(?8V1M6,@P`K8+68KO?J"6QN84(2A4H-."YQ&\9JV3C M(;Q,"V%]P)5\"'8BJ!LA&.8&'36[3V9@-"Z M'CR]\3S/B%<-RLS9E-DM9[_X86OM2E"Z9/!3YOM/;/'ODTXI9'A2VZ(RWKH7BLZ#/XV=2HX MLX8<1W.MYWZR,8"(ASU_%UGKD+ZEDSTU&^ZZI)@L.EA@4FJSUQF1.[7W/Z=J_'?>]5 ML+00YE8%U-^.;GG')G`?9@2+#B[?5,@8_J@P.''^&/LPX*AE[68$WHM6:"4*NW8U]P=_Z#@D7@,E,@`1U@,NMG=T:`,LYS;!%V>\)&;`3@/VR4 M$?8G9_@G9P#G;Q&7!*&C`1$P(Q_0`JV69UJPEL@>VP04>C$"BDX!2_8"K\%?]K'"C>X=8R7?[/V M=711:@G5>SCA#G^B"Q#(.*U6"5%N0<:#0A@S7>'%(6%;!9$UF:G:8<*CT"@B(6VBGAQ*G3!,HB/` M5HL8"#5F>V.3,9"X!1D(51E'B6NG@_HG'^5%Q]4`#H)]'(` MY8=M)WIB0'KL=XM"L`"*Q&X<"`;26'<.$'5L4`!#%C9M@#"W1GIPTP:!E'5O MB(-F07; M"%5?.995X``8B#O_/$:6!L)#;H!H:JF5;"8$9?B65CF&1\`Q=#F6>R21*9F7 M57F2$/`K?CF8A%F8AGF8B)F8BKF8C-F8COF8D!F9DCF9E%F9EGF9F)F9FKF9 MG-F9GOF9H!D-"C``"I`$HUF:WC``#^`%IQF:>-```Q";LJF:9#```#``26"; MN.D-`&``7J";KGD'"0``Q%FRVD``%"= M6)">">"=63"<=E">YXF>J`D#T7F?4W">NYD$%9"?5-```:J?5<"?:N"?_\O9 M#0.Z!?])!0:@H`[*!1!Z!;2I`"5@``=*!:,Y`+"YG/\)HB)J!;)9!;!)FECP M``T``P]0`20PHU?PHCA*HK&YH[D9FU1`FTEPG#U:!:TIG[OY`#`*`PJ``1J: MF^,Y!0U0`17@HTQ:I)K9H57P``S``B7``,69`0&J`"M@G!B`HA-J`&!*G!B` MHPHPG,3)`./I`<69G5?``$YJG!G@HPT`I\2YIU)ZIG]JFAE0G!@PG@.JGFL* M`&U:H&BZF_2)F\9)G.TYH&]JG`F`F@VPJ$]JF<-I`*`*JA4P!1[``-2I``I` MI_$)`\/I`:M9`H6ZF^7YG@90FM/)`*7YGJ,Z`/\L4)H54)\PT``L$*48"@`L M,*,/0)]BF@1<:J<*H*9RF@0LP``S6@'Q6:JX60(LP)[0R0`5(*/T&:U(:IU) M$*GF:9L9()Y#VIXPD`%V"@/O&9\9<*@P4`'=F9G#F0#ZJJ_W"@/TZ:/SBJ`` MT*_C.JX*P`"K*I^CF@#K607TR07F.@7T:9]TZJ,E`)]#2K!)H*]7D*CL6J\8 M6[#E&;$"VJG1^:LC2J>E6:%9"@!9\+!4P`(NRZJX&J2/"K(>$*J@>IQE6JM4 M$*\-:@4DRZ0`H*`A2P6%F@3N.JHQ"ZQ5X+%5D+0B.Y\36K1/VY[3JK,&0*>X MB0$,,*+X.K-7`+,2.[/_5FNSLIJ<]+FO;(N;"E"H#."S3`JW*Q"T90NV"8`! M\OFQY9JNIG+NYR`L#&*"W:$NN[ZF=6Q"O5?"K MV_JZ8&NU#V"L5J"R)$JGF`L#=&J?4-NTY%JP)/N[ALNJ`&"W1LJU8?NRQPNS MWMN\XYJ]#;L%3FH%P;NY(ZJK2@L`/GJPG4JC+'N[Z6O`4AJRH-N[T.FX24"K M_UQPH90)GN$)HV3;N31JJDS[`,-IG^59I@DPGE]:`DWJP0/[MO:YJ<7;M^SZ MGO=KFU_+K+%JGAC`N"6PJ=<)`$R;J!Z@J>XZG@M,LLM;FHC:GDW:FZ49NP\` MJ[M9L?X:PI7IIY.*FQ<S:`(5JG-WY MMUX;LN!9F2]:P;;*MP/PL0I0`:"*FPU@`*.:K,1ZR95,!2%J`-";!)Q<`>P; MNE1J`#=Z!9,LJ@VZR@9@L:`:ROXZHIP,REMJ`..IR3"YB#*HXNJ*]C,I1 EZLH[V@`D4,H;B@E#F\S9L GRAPHIC 30 b81561b8156102.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 b81561b8156102.gif M1TE&.#EA0P)C`.9_`/#P\/?WZ"XN+OS\\F%A80HK(<*ZDK"PL>GFU(=V-+'( MNOS]^,?'Q[JRC.?DRE!04-7DV]S4M\W%FY.'4P("`K&H=/SY^723A?[^_C!3 M1OKZ^9*JG,S"I.+[MU^SR[?/OX^;FYM;/M>WU\^WN[/[\_-#0T)V39MW7O^/IX^/BOZC`LOW^ M^QP],_C[^_?W]OS^_O[^^I^14>SJX_;R[8&4CH*?DM#'KK^U@_#W]=/=U?+R M\SY=4H)W0\[@V%]^'B*6EIH^/D(R,C*^OL-_?WW]_@*>GJ+>WN)>7F$Q,3-?7US\_ M0/[]_;;!M^7Q[O3Q]M;/P^OCVY*AF,#`P/[__\S,S8"`@?___R'Y!`$``'\` M+`````!#`F,```?_@&&"@X2%AH>(B8J+C(-_CY"1DI.4E9:7F)F:FYR=GI9B M>Z*CI*6FIZBIJJNLK:ZC0)^RL[2UG7LB8+J[O+V^O\#!PL/$Q<:Z(GW*R\S- MSL_0T=+3U,NVU]C9VMN6>W[?X.'BX^3EYN?HZ>KKX"?<[_#9>U_Q]?:57]7Z M^_S]SO<``PJ\Q:Z@P8,($[8;R##@O(80K^7S1[&B1641,VI\YTVAQX\@#;K; M2++6PY(H+4V\R+*EM)0P8W8+2;.FS6\C9>JD=')GRI4N@PKU"5!,)`!$>=Y< MRO1@SJ0[>T+5"%2HU8LR#QS8<^*`O2][!.S9B@W`'H=-TZHU]W1J3*EN_R%6 MK4CFP%67;^D]BG4/3#:^`CNN';RV;5R4<`\/G-N/0!PR:@3<91GSP5E(`,IH M!?!A#P$Q``Y\`4#@3YD30#X<(##/JU8@7$M'\OOGQ`EZ!SX``/)E]1_897Y_ MB`5[N(C>[K26"7U:KSS"T-,:5KPQ,76`C/>UD:Q,S62L,!]XA:3[#P$`?N1=1+6DYT^8!#03!L?$/#!&'$\(("&!)#1AAIS'"``9".*L-T'?1S01ARK M"4#!&/T(`(9JB#T`B6=(?2&&@7N`,>0?#_G7GO]FCR1&6WRVL=;>'V`!<`(8 MO)7Q!1`^/N)>@H^PMJ`V#3YHID(15L@0A6J^A;J4:`:MQ)D!P8!QP*97S`6%JI62>*2R: M;5;G7+$67O1%,LK456IPG MCHM&\NDM8%#PZ,4R/1SQS@OA?(_%/G.2\7=$,S,)K9J(00`%3-\<-&(\1RU. MN/^1Q8UMHIJ426:ZGJJ2TY<`_70F0Q==]"3K8:(TTVP3\,7;<,?-]]L\Y20SRQ7U(R2`^HM'A]"5A'+@YV-\>.C;'9E+\TB0"8`%$S MVQ30]\KGH()P==N2+%V:I)``.#[ M;ZY+:=8CPY_P*L.Q_X'4S?%1H#S#"__8&1"SUQZ+[C]&+KDG95=^%R6T85(D M_]N/;Y]NZJIC@J5NFOE(Z\)EL";6%UUI><`#FITGUNZ]C0:N:+#SE%@2%*D] MP(8`90"""*@40"D+7:+26?P2OAM"@C9=\I%?Z/.('/;G M#T&<4D_BXZ7?Z`5_9P&+#7/80Q^ND'LES")&)E'%3$3OBAEIH0O-!,/UH`_#=J[A"O-,@10RO0I#5=.5!TXP%-$3T M523$9DDJB;"+S=0))C,)G8E5`IC19*8EM1TI"FY"4Y"3!(XE^PH,]Q/O9/C<1F@DE=%AM69O-',J3C493HA/U%A<; MXCQT`I!+,L2ED!IIF4M=:0^6R50"WV;'$`(`?Z@Y@8].\`&AUJ9K0C5*_3_(^DD(`I&E*8T9A5MB`A.QQ_EE<8_]S.*?]3X M!=8LC(DAG"/L,&?##XS&=JPYP64>`A;9>.J('*GJF4;"+\Y10$?'2*QB%\O8 MQ=KQ)'R(K&0G2]G*6M:R&/C!`D*P@!PH``H@@$`.(+`"&V#!!5GPP`9RD(07 MQ.`%1HAM"'Y@A,O:]K:XS<]7*5?)@?A&F*4!I`YGIT@=LA53RH-KD_0"Q"/9 M,!0/4%!L$,17^QA%-X"MF&#)"(D3V"BK6EVF7G!+7O)ZP0LA"$$.H'"$`A0@ M`Q[(0`&.T%X1B*``%UB!?KG`V"O&HR4.>X`QT#FL0N,\`/:PH`.-4ZR9'5+8*(9.,8D MH2>+:V*8*OAAI%"VHI)I#(,%H``*/PZRF,6<@1N\0`,H0,$+MIQD)C=Y,D_. M)(4LF\NK`0VXH+YC#C2/BV"!%*1`S7NFL9LK,H8.?:`-;S;: M2N4<93I7D]*0FW&B*8N!3F-`"5QH`@2R(.A2W[<(7=A`$5Q0!4]C8-.W7;0_ M#B`"-"AC#I&VQJ05\]/3]-1G4K;T1ZP)93W#.K)>R.P+(/_0`AE8X0BF#C1^ M0=#>^=8`"3&P0+*/;5E9-^8!<[*3OEJ&!M7T(4\A4\,!U.TG$S5Z6Y")4;S` MBI_K]*>@R`JVL(F%Z9)JFMLOP'$2K!#M(+L7T`7(`JEY#-\G5.$%+_`"MRGK M;7Z,J!D".``91#"&$;T+4.>V5AM$L/$.X7I?AXK#'#Y$[Q]*""R::])8)#P: M47BP-Z71E1A\!!MBSWG?:O%Y>(U][!3DP`90*#B0CP"%"WB`X*7.P!!B\-J) M3[;B^W#,G/BE#`KHZ5YSR'C`L'6O0*U&4?V(LULX!8:SD.8_2/Q#'UF#*^,N M**^GRQG0@]YO?__AV)WV`A=:\./_,)LZS!G`@@PR(`-H"]H#=O!!"GY@]24/ MV"('\+HR8'2C/=0I6V>'`]G'+B\8N<%@+6^BO17*2$(E2CYQ>[C'#D*G542G9$NP`%Y@`4/@>-%F>`8':/8E@3XF M`D?@`=$'`V=&>=5W>;EF0O*G>RQ4@$QQ@-R@)5W!">.!&+S'9IKU`DE@`\6' M@>U%@<7G_UX8Z`(]8`$O``,P<&S6%X(J%58DR`T'-1,&<08*P83A<`9N`U7-AJ50$]CP`=C$(AC8`8(809C(`YOP`;@8`9\\`;I M,(CI(`=5Z!%72";O$0I])"!6PA]6TD?N("I$6`Y0&`YK0`YP``4(`%&9`!7=`"6&"!C&>!078!7;9F'PB, MP=@,E-`;85,Z#-F0#OF0JH!5;-,6RL@'?D"(:^`&:<``:R`'VG@R#.`':_`& M0'"(?N`&'&D&CF@&'7D&SQ@.TKB1':F-;[`&:2`';,"2;@`'@)@&0'`&-7D& MNP$';T"3)^.2@?B3:3"2ZL"-V-`3M!$^@<1#.C0E4ZF._[9E,8`"?U9P&=`' M.Z`'JNA>\I4!+0`%"I`%9YD%&;`!7>`!]"5H>E!D'KAI0WB0^T`),:<2?=.7 M?OF7@!F8?[DY;:,X%3D&@'?'#_!@PP!FD0A18Y!@QP!A:9D2[YDHZ8 MDR\9C838F(]I!I*8!HNYF!;)F(IYB#GI!SGY!B%9DF:P`WZP`X8(F4VI$;GA MY!I-YB!;)!E%X MD8H(!VL``&;0F=\@C:BYF'(``&=0FO+9G^ZYFCDI!X>(F"^9DVFP`XF9#DYY M#:)@%*$`/;ZS,+#Q.M%S%J"AH;GT1?.TCDGV`REP`=$F`U"0`1=P`4=``$4` M=?;E`0KP!(M'_U]D.(]98)UB9@77]@,P4)>)EA^-4*1&>J1(:@C7)`(-19X8 M0P$8M57J>9KN&9]PL`-I$)__29MK\)))\*#["8W]^9FI"0>."0=C``1H*I^2 MZ08ER9IOD`8YZ:9^``1NT*#[R9JW68Q<6&,+,``W<`'O.&;O!054X*(R8`-3 MH`$U`($M@`(:D`1.H`,`X`0T0`.A5@/'"61%D`)!>F2_>$4?%!Q..@LBJA3I M<#+UN08V"9FLZ@=OP)(LV:K-.)(N^090V*5=BJO?@*8:Z:IK<`89Z0=`*:S7 M>*?O:091B)]`28C*JHTJF0:Q"@?(*J&4AIXR]G=[]J)Q%;"T`'/[`$-49D/X`$4Z`%3[`!\64%%W`#WNH" M"G`#*."#2(`$-P"!!>`!6M`#&A`"2`!Q$(<$&*`!6-`"9,B#:D8'.ONO=NE, M5Z0TX$*PVO4@DX@0S5AGE+8Y46I%G68$$"NQ2N8%$&>B7O"R03I9F?4#,VLE M5E``S09M1P`!,""U0?J%G08#*:`!7$`#`S``E1=9^5$%)NW M>KNW?#NWEJ!`+2BTP1(=::"?W^"8=LH`1XO_#H/(DRTF9X0)I="C%T!*6UI[ MBGW69TG`@4G`LWR0M9VVE3V@`%-0NCV`!2'P`L"GM:[V`BQ@:$"H!&_+!W<) MGM10"6P@`$TJN$_Y(*OY#6.@B`P`!..@C>+@A%1*&"/16,S;O,[+6(8%I=EJ M`1;`@;&U9:^6M3^@LS\@<9*%`3O[:5[@9>F%8RB0;!C@!;X765]8:!;0LIPU MN[5KNY;#16/`NRM6$](:A9EYC7Y`FK0)#L'K!\/;JVYP!G"0!(>XO_^KC:>I MK/][,B=YP#:!L&-#F&T75TW@``B0`D:P`(D&I+$%L4CVO9[VN1^!-+:9%X"@2$^+N*F9-?JIC3BIK_"Y]5RIK[29J'*)012F64IEQQ%0%; M0`)>\`,:(`12D`<(H,B)'`%2H,@&8`$,^`(I$``2(`52P`$L0`/(;`#9O/\$ M7F`"#3#.SYS(!B`!`;``%H#,'4`$SVP`,_`"=*#&#E`!;9L'`9`">7#-#2`$ M-.`$'&``.?`"/X`#4D`"!I#(4C#.\&P`#M"V32`%4>`$K_;)H(R07$2,DP`` M5S:>^$N`YR"GJ(FG"HK+`JR(."F2B>G`9R#26FJ10."(:_J_9R`'2AP2%@Q) M)R',Q`RD/)``21``5S`"#B`!#E`"$=`!T3P`U:L#*C`#`:`#4K`%1-`!6X`` M#F```Q`".,`!'3`")4`""*T"#4`#"P`#'5`""&`"3$#444#0>4P"%?"^,BC7 M#N`$.!`$*H`#$J`"-`!Q&K`%4<`!1!`!"<`#0F#_`"10`CB@`30P!5M@`"]0 MT3M\T=6@=AMMGDUCRF%C$S6]!JSLICYYP'*P!@PPC8XI!VEP!FS@B`P@B00\ MQ*7-RH$HIZLM!R$9B"W]!HY8P>2YT\-X1[N"GD'T@9[#CD-1L#=T\.] M!49``\/LV":@UH=;Y7LOX`!;$``#0.05X`!$0`1@K>03(`4\$`4![@7N/=TET``54`%F M_;`P,`)?K@))H`%J'`1Y$'$ZL`4XH,9I30*O?N@2L`0Z"^?-L'$P@W9O=N>1 M;[9G'W*@][%A?X(ATX",6`$,<#HTET"#@`#".`$)4`$`8`#Z;L`,U`" M`R"'"V@""6``C>X$.W!>[(L#$S``3JX"4D`'O]#N"N?4P$5\#N:=MI MR&;P`_#U"H_K,>#P/Q``$\`#=%!H=&`$*=`$*6`!DY[_ZB%``R'@!0:@`@A0 MXV>V!!6@`W^J\CI0S`[OR$DP`5'@!9A<\\MP<G.T"5404.$NI59OA;]MZ`DP`VCK`#^=`LN]]@/PXD(@Y;&U M!$[`!"J`PT56`0U`!`F`\"?\N0YP\*ZK`KX.`WF?`"D0\3QPR-7[]P;``H=\ M!30^`DP-`R8@\?).!)T>`!ROQDO>["Z?`#V^XF0,"#`Z`W]_7WV(B8J+C'T? M`HD':!2(%&@"9&20'Q29D)B:?:"?>X@$!(VIBX6LA6"ML+&RL[-[>P<`M+)B M!+J^OZTGPF+`Q<:^>W[*R\S-_\[/T-'2T]35ULLGQ]K;W-W>L'M?A2,E$P8& M$U$E33HE/"P##B4-40TT1DL6)D%!/$0-')Q$2&!B`)^#!XUTV()@@),@%0*\ M"!&A1!X'6RJ,:*##@H8%$&=4,."$R(0*)(14F,%"@P$50GBHR#,@!@P'$QP, M@,$C`0X8"W1L:>"``X="AU0I1;1'`*HQJ`0<./#)4Q\R:CZ0$0%GE"BK!.*0 M<7-JJ2I98(A]^P6`0"X`9;2]6@LLW!\!N>CJ+93LFM^_@`,+5I9MK^'#B,&) M^]-A1)0H''ATD"#&AX0.3C0@D/"8AX87`RR@,,&#PP@2+%+D&8$C!,*#,?)$ M&4+C#O\/'AUI;$:`8(2$$3-H?+9`Q`"'"`$L+$`01<(,!$DTA"#]N(.%$$@L M,$>@(84#"4T\.HD2`4<>'4C-FB7SH*&%'&Z((@$.ZM778$@F MJ:1?A3WHY)/;V/5'#"]X$8(1"WBQ`!(Q#+#`"TH@`<-'"]!!QQ(+Q$#E`@/\ M\`(,,`Q@A!>O\>'%FR\L\`,,+U1Y)PQ(Y+G$"S3T>6<(.\'_D((%,:"@@1<8 MJ$DFGQK\H$&C?5Z:PJ)?]OE""BB\8`$,Z2EHZJFHIBI+@U!V6"12%'[@A`CA M?+`'&+/N4<8''?Y!Y`-`"+#'`R<(&,91`K[1;%E1/B`M@1,^^I:1R[I[KOO-MGJO/0J5DB=^.:K[[[\ M]GO0"Q@,,40.=6@Q!!=B]#!$J%PBD0,$-5`Q!0H+(X'"Q4C80(4/+Z#@A9H[ M`!`#%1:866JJ**>LB//KS3(JAA4 MU;C8`SM:RS,0![P"!`$2WAS.S(8X__C*7$;"J_76@\E;[]>M2NGOV&27_=K% M6G0!P0H;%+&"#2`HH$41"D!@PP8U:*&``BZTH$`1(*R@P`T*8-&%%C8HT,4* M;V-10Y5*G+SRY)2?Q:#+B0%PXXG0HLBKS>) M4IY`M=&%/&WZ70Y*_<6X+_I\5UYTM6H!0O=[;U^#%_))7;K_] M+=/;+"X`>(OBBGLX`5S$`(9F_4$,9=C0%S*4P&8A4($,!$"SX-(_;\U(@(6( M62%4I)8R,/\M%S$+X``#^(^**LO? M#&>!M2=]`7BZ0.`6:^3",K;P>+>BP!C7"`LPB`"--L2A',V&@3J^IHY4S%<> MJ9B$)%`QCWS8(QX#B1`K8O&0I](B&RWDP59)J"Y@3!X+S4C))-2,I"1TGSQ0DXI,I*VC)>M>MD)C.Y MRE[Z\I?`#*8PATG,8AISF`+8)05HQ1>>C7*47]B!-*=)S6I:\YK_V,RF-K?) MS6DJ(`(E`F!79'SWK:\Y[XS*<^]\G/ M?OHSG_%4YAF:^MLIT:G(:\3 M!'2B"`6;+BG@ARHH+:2B/"A*]U)1&88#``^`J0F%(0P@B."+Q3H!TF*T!H:$=LK5JOV%HSVB'E`!QZA1C$T18#-NAF M<>UBV+)*6([.XJ)F/5\(_X-D)TO9REKVLIC-K&8WR]G)?M.E M0"O$S'KAUKCT]8"^&VVO0JG05[3E1!]04=5N)@`2:>YK5RUL5A$K51H]R96S MF!%P@3'K"L8\%6RE/R=RE?#9YNR)&6W!4K`I]0$(?\&!;W&+4I\&HNFTA MVF(`D%T0I>L/4\%@;!O4%@#!Z`'B4)%Q#Y-;W6Z4M]B"*4030R)?D)<82^4& M.836B_LYAO_XIQ7A>ITL`/=E*" M%TQBEJ4RQ"@V1H0E?$L*0RVF(SJ`!Y&ZK9G2M(0SWA6OFA5?&9>A@$3:UG]S MRHJN*I5"8&@:MO^6FN0D[PX(W,JIMY;*K2-#N6G]0RYR4RSB$GL9$;(@`(:Y MG%R='I?%+*:PN0I!)!GYSE>B[5`V6'7=-AN0=JR*:0!Y2DL1J`6U)R*M7$7G MNU=\X(O;(D9:^"KH!B5:K&3VXI>]C)9(H[B3'6XLFB6L9E_%1K-J]UHN M!RV06Q+LQ8S$P2IH/Y)4*V\-J6F:W_EV.G MB@SO0;92+*K!6?SSX1"/N,0G3O%^?C237P1EM'7+6V,3.,4#)_A:#&ZJL&`% M$@I/!2Q<-]_>'O/E,(^YS&=.?U/C&"=OQ;\B[YPX.ND7G*#IG>\6ZO,2.M:U472SS`$5BFC#!Z(UAC@0P"E] M(``L0HOO4475D;1)`(A%.B#Q1X>RBV(I^J_VC>*E(Q!>1/18"O`SVDY%71 MF&=A^@.O>/7#.S[LZT+LZ3M\M"0\#[P'SYD@`;^,08"B`AHL`=HX'\( M%X`#Z'_OD0D)TG>1QBK4<@LOLB-$HRMP`01$\RP7E($)U$@()7_S!R_UAW^R M\'HH:$A+=T66%B%FP(%2T19[\`$L%ULP=5L^%HD=FL`0B,G(B&/(A&+@C)H(APK6'+3=# M:KB&@M&&1/B&*!B'(BV@JC?A8CPB)[I2)*E9] L1FB)EZ@>GFA6F\B)UB")*`@$8-"*KOB*L!B+LCB+M%B+MGB+N)B+KQ@(`#L_ ` end GRAPHIC 31 b81561b8156103.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 b81561b8156103.gif M1TE&.#EA0P+9`.9_`*"@H?[__T!`0"(B(OCXYF9F9OO\\L2[DPDJ(;JRB["P ML1T\,^OL[/CX^)6'4OS]^("`@(9V/$]/3\O$F.OIU+&G>+'%N`("`N?DR^#@ MX#!31=G9VN;FYOSY^9FQH]O6M7%Q<;O1P_G\^%1R9^+L+8S,_DV?7Y\O7TW_GV\=?3I>OQZO3MZ/OU^*.X MJMSJY?WZ^_S\_/G\_/#MVR-'.GUL,YN08M;+M=[9Q,G_LN#; MNO[\^_?V]^+HY)"0D(&6BZ:76[BXN/OZ^_W^^^SV\M';U/[^^^WLXOS^_L[' MLN;BP(&3OZO'W]5]]<3$Q,?/V[CY?4_[\_;[,QO;RZ\#`P/#P\/+R M\[^_P)^?H-#0T(>'B-_?WX^/D+>WN*^OL*:FIY>7F-?7U\?'QW]_@#\_0*BH MJ?W]_5]?7]30LL71R=_?U=W@PO/Y^(^`1-?@V(B8J+C(V##'^1DI.4E9:7F)F:FYR=GI^@ MEV-BI*6FIZBIJJNLK:ZOL*:AL[2UMJ`"N;J[O+V^O\#!PL/$Q;I<&WW*R\S- MSL_0T=+3U,HKK[.+=[_#;`O'T]9=BR=7Z M^_S]S-?V`@HGCR)LX<]+ MJ?I5R1\%2@"(!:M``8`,?>N(J6-:[!DQ`,9``)!6DN`_L.O\R0!!P1@0JS., M";N[]VXQ$,X,2*[[#```9WX'WW8XL?6GCFDVSFX/)G3?//7S8&02,\1OIMA@02Z5%'V[,)27@'R!($A%\D4CP'H'4 M726;`H,B-PH M1?8V#Q=^+?B'@W_H5I]8VE0WX9D+84BDFH^Q%%F'S`R`UP!Q%%!`'QW*40". M7!!!Q(E]_ME'GW7&48<;)UK$P1D0#.!92;_1IH1T$(P!0!UC<)&!I/E5B=ZF MF&H*@`2G<5%8)&-((-:E8^0GA@2?7GJ&`B!L]NJF7``(@A(9B$I;;*+J5B:: MQ(K$9DD7'KN-AOO0N8P;<@Y:YYT=*L"%B($"ZJ>V!5S6AZ"*HEJ'L,J6BXF9 MQ::;CKD3)'$J\^Y2!ES(*M*&,GW>5]G$9;92A@,=MM&$P M$2*'W(?+"H0[B0!)=3*&'Q>0J?%.$UR72`U MT4C/%/30%%==S]%:9Z(TTTOOE9XF2DAMMFJQI*WVVFRW[;8LDER-=;I=Q\-U MW99\#39F>\&:R1AUF"VU`!`4;OCAB">N^.*,-^[XXY!'+KGCD\@]-[%XOW-W MYI/HO;=6>]VF20:!2^TSYQ-9?OF9J,O3^B>>?TY4Z(-Q0GK/KZ>^^NZYG]0[ M)['++A3MGV10^^\#J;[[=BGKS[X#5!_O/8R*8\]8O#C4G\E[VM=_?TFR3]_6_SK!/]=.4-5A?SWOZ@$D!,#S%P!D7;`@)3F2/40#!?`,D&'=1`I#13:Z$B1P&V\ M1@S\F44*,7'"%>*O-A!\8"2B)[V,$(\@[HD$Q.RFC1TF+X05VT1Z0`!#;8Q! M/Q(H(2BBLXDCIDJ)E,AA#&5(PQJ6QWT.D<#[O%(:Z=1!.&$!W!]">(A58/ZTUSQ."9,@+F-;5:CFD^`YKAA.9T$0*BNC91GPA.X@P0 MFT?A+H%(4121D']8)":D6(E&*DB&N'&3%)*/AO3;W;#I`>]@X&"O`DDE>";467`6AD` M0:]>%1H'`0`Y9_@D$E5SR2\6KE:]$8N,DK0JT"A!`)="(7``!``0C,J5UH0` M-HE#"B5`(#^I$L,QO[+-2_XA`/C,IS[WR<]^^O,+3Q#!`U9P!Q:PP`4TP`$8 MP!`%,+1@!$O``1*"23=-X"PI&2CE8#0U M2PCA#&TO1<[[BI32P0A+F8+_(1TIGBG32";I,\]LDH*8>)NKND=)@B'7_B+R MT;9VE`YT$*@6BM`#!)R@!R/P`@(6T(,%G.`$"!B!!4)@@2P\X`%'$.@#J.#6 MQG(TI"(-&Q8=0JLD,>I*P9J5KB"@!&5R24B]RH]9,%6Y`5C5,[OB;*\`UQXS M*@!3(.""9U2YQMXHP3FA@B(V@$G4D$`R$DP:C!*$Y5*<.6@IM%RK;0:C3`3) M1I['7:/QQ"*8/5Y0K)%`R6V:6RL'H74U9Y&E*^_IV/(&X`LB$$$#6.!7P/X5 ML'9];WS_V@(Z'"$'.CC"$E#%GKRK,;/[@%;#\19D3CB2L`,>HM)CE,Q'&L-\BV>"OI$4T M"T:0:%`XKH/T($HU)7(\GVOD-_;`B38P`85U;)CFVR1,M3I8TYN M&I2C[)`I4YDDM$@0EG.L9GU2@;$!H,(*:)`$%L`7R/,%LI@7C8`26(`%1?!` M$NCP9T#WV9]L[D<8A%$$#>T6`!RC:`4J_NI^9YL<%UO^PC)C!664X^E;- MRH"CFO4!9=>V-K;[$+)H\X.D\Z@BTDP0E.H,.Q]YEL?1`!3LNH$P!N5*+`]4$";BZ#G`J@ M+QJ9"`076%FWNC4`"S,;#-M-9]?[00R".$&[96WF..+@"UX8`A;X'6B$0"&BHI@X/HL>#44<`%O M]P$\@P(!OSHD`4X73%`$ZQ,(4D291"ULSB('$9F`HX`CI44UIRFN5]G^P9+, MG.;G0!4$!'R%K]"'7N0E]&`(=5U\#[+``!MT M`.KYE'HUN'`G9<0A6EPPP=:O70`Y?%U;8'?1G3QF]GZ$W"KNV>"7_`*X`^'X MNWUARMWQ7@YQ\9UPDPN^\(=/_,@17LM2D`)<<^"")01]\;N&[Q`6X(&C1W_H M]B[!"U:P`QW000>65K/FJ5&&&MDI9!ZOP\,_F7$=@:`/,Z+XP>+P^?E+7`YM MJ+_-)B'JJ4"@+V-@6IO!*\[%'J026FL$3JPQ@+J5$KO'>^-P2`*`9%_P<9Z`0X@&L=*()?%H+7-X2(UFA9X`0ZL`.7=VDLV(*NAW8PN%L- M&`G^@P8+887CP`8*@87HP(4C<0]UUSPX6%Y?<%%9$'D_>`)>4((M<`4/-01" MAP!?)H)#IP$NT`%(MH)5Y(0P`851""]]UX!78P8!<`9E<`9F4`9;^`;CX`8! M$`YH\`8\($=.`1ZX`%>H`$60`8M$%]7 MD'3RQ0(OP(%"MP5XJ`=ZJ$E\:$.5$!J;N"QG`T5R$P"92(DY\8CA4`9I@`Y: M&`YNX`;D@`9M`!6]>'Q+1@4[``/QEH8]L`5#,`)^M05"L(HWT/\"(>`%B_9X MS\=K0Z`%.?!T3+B'N>@,>U%*F6`\@G>/^)B/;%,V@E,IE<,.PH@&;F`&:X`& M:[`&;Q"-:L`&;^`&:@`'#.F,!`D'#^D'"]F0?F",X(",!HF0T<@&9M`&:S`& M(%F0#[.0('D&?O`&:6`&;!"-+4.1#QF1?@"2T:@.T^A+6J8#*^`"&I"&"\`& M9.`!+6!O7#))Q?>5 M8!F68BDYI6,V1?*/ZU"(<&`&9I",:=`RR;@&?D!M&8D&<%`&%1F-CRB7=*F1 M<^F6<.D'8Z`&:M"6?F"8+3F7BOB(=$G_;6[``369C`%@EXHXF,18<[TXAHY% M!WK``F`F;QJ0!"N0!,ZW;R(X`BQ@`5>@`2RP!%[0`BXP!$-V`@M0!"?X!5FI ME2UA'IV5DQ1A-@/P2+L!D)F(!HC)ELEHD&^PF(I9!G`0#H^HG,QYC&Z)G'ZP M!DA@G<>IF!G)G=2V!LEH!DC0G72)G9F(D].HF8U%!S9P`Y\I9CUP!:^YFEYP M`ULP7QH`!BPP`AJ`E!K0C=VX!%>0CCU@`2L@:[CYCH+@"`S:H`[ZH(4`"98` M3KYI91I@SZJ($*9!KX`9[BI=LH(6)2)AXR:>$BI?@@`9LL*=X M6I`O:84SFJ=NH(5H@))UJ1> MP%=>L`0;8`,\J0OHP0# M<&-OF@T/*(/@D),1\014\`!/4(92X%A4\`1'0`=:(`1HX`%;H`$:`/^.>H`# M15`$+Z`':(ID6@"'[U6?_R8"*Y"$7Z`#(D`%3I`%\ND%5Y`%>N!]<'5LN%&L MN3*%R0H*R]J%(H$&7I@8SIICURH%U,I?GN@$5-`!*/@%.:""^D0'N/EN92"; M_6:4%M``WY<#N)E\`9`#EJ<'*V``!H!Y_N4]ZS.S-%NS-CL^[6,);1IS!4L+ M!VL.::"(X`">9K"6ZY"(:#`&Y\D\1/H'&/L%$*NFYF6O[^8$2-`!.H`$.K!/ M'!MH/-D`+H`#6@`%>O`"4$"Q^95\U1H`6=L!-I`#6`NS(`6/NJD1$YJA/3LL M$T*7'/J(;;`SXX`&EPF)?I"8$M*P?P"W'9#_`U+P!/W%6+%FLG"5K5R;H)[X M`.DU4/"ZM9Z(LOCT!!T0NAV07NZ(>4U8MWU8">64M]RP>RECA6V@!@7I!](9 M#C?ZMX?*EFBP*&J`J')IG(6;B6[0!E;XDF:@!FVPM,+4M#6``11`!A@8?CDH MK$]@7PG:3W^&N3J@O=S'6/95K50@!09``!A``D%```:@L:9+MW7+E3S+NK-P M=W!`F6H0`&VPG)'H!R#:MVW``<[H!\\YB8FIDC#*!M4INVUP!O7[DF\`O#K1 MM"2P!PE0`SIX6-YW6(=U!!B\6)7VN08``]+Z`"[KLAP5`QD(5T=Z``F0_P(_@`&A^P!A"GXF;&PFO,'ZM<'AV\.9Q[ZZ.8_D4A#P M>RY0<;_,26ULH(A\>YB3.:+@`*-F@`:)"8U*>YQEX*+.:(SFB1U-RP-[,`'V ME0,4<`!!,`430,,)\`$',,<3+*T:V`%V<`!8D`!3\``8,,=8<``4;`!PG`!P M/,<\<%@4@`5V@`$3$,@'H`-?\`#B6P$\8``U0`$V4`,IL,=5$`9.``0'@`$< M&P,3@`)VD`"&K,H),`,'\`$NVP5O/`5%C(NH"W+X8X.6<#"Z#+_RFS)/_,7) M.,4WBIU6.`9N(+@MN;M:'*,NR8AA#`Z%F8P/_*E_8,9H?%\QX`,88``J4/\! M%#`!9IP`:UP##["X86#(/!`#*!`!,Q`#>_`!&)`"%"`"A/P!1N`#,V`$>NP` M()P##>`#*4``%8`%X:P#.8#"!,`$/(!?#4`!%?`!8<`#">``&&`%#I#(^*4" MAFP$$7P`)'``%.`#*&#/>E`!/R`":WNZMRR/N0P\$X@[2ZRA.>&C:P`';I`& M-*J(=UD&RWB=`SR_.",:Y"\9&S-V)S&!!`! M%/``'-T!,M`!#I`".8`$#6``YWP`*B`#3G!8,\#-#J#)76W/,B`"/,#-(CP# M/P#"AQ4!56``%7``1R`##\"Y!K`'%4``=.#-"6#_C0V`!!6P!QC`!`3P`#E` M!Q60`DB0`V'@`"B`K080`24-KPF@`HLE<"S=TO_PTEX3TU+C=_K8VJ[]VJ2` MELPJC65\QO:E`P;@`Q3`UPDPP@XP`4<0V0_P!1VP!S-@`_8LPA%P`!9M`&\M M4"(0!MQ\43/@`#$0`SPPUW;`UP?@W)_HB1UP`#Z@`CQ``19MC2*0`T'@`U;` M!#$@V510V92X,4GV[-=S9L8$54=V)V-`4>@`BI@!/GM`!$]`010O=ML!0:0@@^PT"IP MQD90!7&-44\0!A&0R`:`_P)[8`4V;@4^\`$$'=$'(-G8:@-A(-X_,`'6G<$Z M,-)&\`-38%$/4,.3+0-,\`$8[`,38.-YH.$Q/+>VO`^YH@QE\'XM:."]/$-< M0($S71,13MM4?<8[\`2X'0$DX`0_D`!J+`(.@`4$P`/%]@`C[@2*U0%,@`5[ M0`(=D`%(B$]4T`5[0`#I3>1HBJUPW@$JX-%$2=0)3+0FU[P'/6X#Y:WJ.1#NH6L`X2X#@(U11X`%$1`#%GL$=O`#9IP' ME.QG\"SO.7``BXY?G1T$^(X%+BL#C)OU-=`!1F\'&DX`BQL#?6WGD3R^"9#( MP;WAB/4`0G\$K:X".5`#!B`%`-X,%P!G5(<7N3)Z!_?_?F&W+06C(R/3>M^& MVO;P&@I`L.@&)MU!3&$H9=$NX>T22U?#\ M`RC`QQD<`UCPU7\\P3P0`=N]MH@^!1&0!SV6`'OPWBIP76Z?W=7*B^"X("']_8A""AH>(B8J+?R!G M@H6,B@*2E9:(E'5BEYR=DAE^H:*CI*6FIZBIJJNLK:.>L)R9&1`0C@I*9W5* M$'4*`F.:`!`9`W^[O;]CL3!4`?(!=#55>#`R)%53'0UAURC,F(!B0@PG.CKPF'#`#H\.'6+8 M(4BB2X<'!/*DJ!)$A@@1.:8`(2%"X002$&$`04&!0HT<@S;TF4FSILV;,Q68 M*$!D9APB"OK$B:.@@$X30=N`:$,4!!$B(!0X[6,"1!^H07%JI0-O M0OS(;5E!8_[^`:!D,-C#KC)KWLRY\ZO+H)VYA;!)4V#2A`F)^4H)=>M-H2\] MH_*`CO^(!P_&B=B!6P>5'4.'4X>7$PX7L0*A$YV=+`!\8B.^!VL MD%`.`<2TU8$()JC@@@AVA5F$8+US!^HK8B7:URJQEJ8J659R3/3I:GFFFRV MZ6:;OM'`!PQB6!`%$DG0D,48.^PF`@Q1)'$'%'HPH,4*>NC_L<(*?`B11'[( M[8!$!COPT<`77Q0HADP,=NKIIPHZ>`B$9CXH@2%C*+&)&+QL\MI7K%)R*B2N MACGK6V..H62M?RB1)(^&9*"`D']PH8`@KSFCJB!CHB;EE=!&*ZTHI<+"X2-< M[AB,$F.4F$$=W2I08C!2T:+`M^%6NPB:;[;K[KMK+AJ%$EE84(0'%@AQ@[T6 MY*MOOOO><,6^^(8@Q!TOW%"$"Q;L^X(%(;AP73P&@FKQQ:"*:@BIZ@I2QXZ] MGE%(+F"2]M6+K0$06P`$84 M1=P0-KY7A"!V%%FP8,'77T?!0A%"[$"'#IIRBO'?@&^E,;.1/"V&`N<.(N-D M@7$+P&H_(Q:EKXQ["&2W9E4FQHX*R%ADXWWU3#BVB`J0P,9K$%I<,GIL`(= M3G2P7@=ZT"%=WX%W[_U,@P]2N.Z6<*SNX9=T2[XBL]ON?NWKQQ\A!#]/(HCO M^/M.13R].T'&]E*KV/<&>+'PF4]^B5"`RIQVK$O$!8'!>I\$X0?!"L("`A>X M0(@P8<$.9&3S6$8<9],,3D>7(']ZQDJ4RY/IF M40M'E*@0$A#&R7"A!`$`0!-C`(%84LF+\67B#!DJTB<5QPL1R2PPN."0)G*G M2$;Z4A68M"$.)/G+>ED($"91@S#+'4`5TS)Z=&FDF*D=10I5`WGMY-:52LIG:I6F\%1I_YR MJS64*EBK5=*KFM4F61VK6BO15:\RUZU?"5*+`C%8,&D1G!OC85L\XJV#<'?86..6<[D=4RY\L]O.FQUN M(HKK7O?]MU3R/?"#ZIN@-ES`)FVH`P@DT(<"2$`.7.@#"*I2!CE`10YE".4` MZE"``91!PP4P@0D&,``3?$I42MB9@BVI02VVM\!OG7%L$JQC`7[*P3:Y;Q\& M$(<"%*`/#Y9#`?].S(6G9+C)1'@R$8HMIC&^X5MCC^:I'+E M$:X59C8.[*$1G31&-Z/,,W;TI\J`7P6T829/22WB5%N&-I1!`;1N0QN`0H1; MV[H/P\Z*I\*G5=8`YH]E,UJ42D#[\-[B^*&Q;D/K"YS^W_O71# ME53/V-++P!FF9M5*HS_D=[^M]&^`5]PK#"8XX`P^4JGP$(P:DJ)%7P/+($6S M3'B4^,2I=/%.!/R_`]?XQN&*;;PL;A!H"P*1[N^C'=;HD7C[?F#.]Z5*OH\JACJ6LFZH.5(>OU:]N:J\3G>L& M-OL@!"`!5[GQ[7"/N]SGCD8N(($,>,^[WO?.][[[_>^`#[S@\=X`M=N0`P!( MO.(7S_C&._[QD(?\=2-/^XWN7LS_WUK`*L_Q`EIV_OB&W^0Q[\, MASJ["$CF<"S)C[[T_3A]3SRI[988@W!#7_WN>Y_UFF=O^>"8P9M]__RTY[[L M4U5Z3OS"%SD<.OKG+WKUI][UL+]$^/NBWN#3__^>)W_3]RVW5VB*P'Z`%BSB M!(`,V(!21X#^MPCX9X`.6(%J9W^&]R3,QU9U<'L6^(&GAX%>]WZ,M0@0"((H MF(**MG\?)$8EJ((P>'0".'L(:'J(0((QF(->)X(5-X&'%C@`8S^'E&F'T0\'H4N(16V&4`X`=H4'BLIX$O.&`=&(%7.(8] M=@:B,`>IAX,.%(9DV/^&C-8`:#`*-JAZB3>'H](T0%@^+NB&?#AF[46=-$)/JA_ MF]>(HGA@#:!.IL!Q=O1)KI4D*L(BA*!*P&`,,/,')_(SF,6!'I@^$'`C=CB* MOIA738`*1(!.""<(M[)P;X&,R9(LG\"&NDB%OQB-R-56BVA#Q4B+=B%R8_(R M/R(D+)-=>[B&P">-Y%A:1+`*56A#E'$7J<(6I)$J@.$ZVW87+R53C0,DBJ"& MEJ`+IE2._BA98L`*8GA@>=AHX?B/")E78^`*<-!CB*A_6_:$"3F14)6%K;#_ MA0KVB990D!39D5L%!YJ!AO,5A5>TB_GGD2BI57"X&6^P7"0I"=UR(^F8DC2) M27^X&8$H6E[(";\WD#7YDY7T!IX!B9`%`(K("?SHDT"YE#^TDI[1BR/%D>"X M@4Q9E944C%0B.FH5DTE8"4;I)589ED]G)=683%PYDX8@E6*YEC5DBE:"BIC4 MDYQPEFQ9EY84+4KI2$DYER:)EG;YE[G#`=/2D)%XD!PXCH"9F!UDD=&"!GZY MF!&)E&"7EP2'@Z9MC M*)2ULYH6))>Z*).=8'X>LSDB(SYCHEV;<"L2P)[=="K*B"L,1PE*P"VZ9 M8(P`6J#H:85.63M0V3%[^9XGR0EQH`:0<0;/X"/VR7"$$`Q%LC&WPB$>`Z#) M.')OH65E$2*R,J(+EZ(/NJ`-J`#ODY/RLY/B2)G-IRK41B,J4P>%<5W@$F^G MA"&%<0A2L3F;DR0J(Z1!:B0RU:3QUCFW,%!"JJ2N]:1G(!6/":,,N'6;49:E M\I6]*323B4"K05%28I>*>4@B-BCJI'7.G7H2CEQ"AED`+ M7,`ME/JIAQB'C#2FA12G)E@'B`FJJIHEP.E%PLD,8OI!8,>>JUJKEV&&I>!K M;<`&HHH*9[`&5L*9GO"F#V*JMGJLGM"@HV`&`>`'9U`&JE`&T&HEIM>5>RH) M_25^R+JML7"3I<"L?E`&0JD&9A`*9J`&HN`&<`"M:!"'Z*J%[^H&<8@&:N`& MIT"CB```%Q`)U\H(V?JBW!JP@J">I@"N:=`&9Y`&;Z`&:8`&;P"L9V`&:5`& M:,#_`690!FG@!VO0!FG@!A3+`6K``7^$"D0I?/&'JCBJD0*[LI:PIJ?`K&Z` MKM+J!VR0L6:`!+X6KM":!F8@L0PK"CR[!@Q;KJE@&:Z50ZG*5KOHJ2S;M):` ME2_;K*$PLQSK!V;``65@AC/+LQ+K!DC@KJ^)!CRK"GEJC,*%EI#JM&IK@JJP M!@'0!J'P1W$(!VQ0!O**M<_J!W"`M0T+!V,`!VC`!F,@M!P`K*H`&\Z705KI M%;.ZMH[+"(S:5\L@FK,E@#;ZN)@[*L:%J?^:N9Z+*@5&J/[:IP#[N=O:JGWU MJF0QA1-JNIFKF9KAL4+;&5>[&<(*%TN[I:X;L*^I&6L`_ZP,RP:=(;6:$9N' M@;*[F[S>Z@IJL)#FB@3D2JYF@`;GJH7V&@IJ\*YHX`;$FQD823^TFKR>2["9 M@;&C$`!F\`9LT`8+2;AP\`9":08(*[]KP`;=FQF0J+OB*[#*Z@IL(*BA$`!J MT`8/:['`RK49^P9FP`:UZP?WFQFEN[_<"K6:X9A$VP::B03U^[5^@,!^H,!: M*,`.[!F+*\&8ZZ5J<`;K2K&A`+AH`)(5RP;_N[U_JP;_R[[ORAE@:L(!ZY8K MUZ8\C*R66G28&L2K"L!<)[I&O+*1RW6.NL0K"[NJH`9E(,-P2PIN(+SF5,10 M#*B]RPH3ZP=C0+2BL+T>9;Q=?/^LJ)L*89P&AFO&6A@*<$R][JJ%[IJ]6DBT M<7B]?J`&HDK&%RF(:;RJY`O&9U"S\UK%5=RP'/"^0BF4,IP&S7NN`0`'OTO` M0AL`:U"X>ML&@@D'/YL9X3O(D]J_JS"Q9Z">E\S`&>O!?TN]K5RN4NO';P"M MS2JM=1L*;A"QTPK!I*RJ,JH9$ZL&.*NQ["JQ'=RS&:L&#XO,8RNU=3NSMUP& M:Y"QL!S'FH&OOYRH_-:\;X`&:X`$T\L!;Y#%(,L!,LP!+[P&YXH$9<`!;:`& M`6"O<*#"Y2S`@:LWW,T5<2P9C]BP?M16/;467[VBGII=!"O:SM2P]M_]N_*-$3327Z MZ]N,B-%*8Z\]6[URK-S2.[U8S,=E[#X>3=QNR-!+`ZW,*MK&?+'?[`=82\SO M2L!MT+5EC-*TH\3438XM+2WR:[6WS+,$.[)M#*W$+*KU.@IG8-9+4]'I+8U2 M?-YQ"*Z_6LMMW:S#/`;H6LVD``<+3+,Q73NWV]^C&-*TD['NG<4?W,LWV\$) M.ZT*/@I('>#F33MH+.&BJ-8D;J[$R[ZBL`8[6P8PV\)\ M&-BTP\[NW:OBNL"XVLAZJ\Y^X,GCG=\;*[R2/4&7K>-N.-5+HP8@F=RC0+WO M*KWM6MBB<-]^X`;7^]_NX]I0_H&Q;68[6BPM@3M#)5SF2XC;P9T9O>WF%JC9 M<6X[!$WG%6C<=TX[M:WG.6C=?5X[Z`WH*0C<@TX[_&WH*"CFB5X[T\WHU4?A ECVX[)2[I#KC>E:XT.8[I_Z GRAPHIC 32 b81561b8156104.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 b81561b8156104.gif M1TE&.#EA3`(,`>9_`/'Q\=?0L&%A8=G9VO[__]#0T/CWZ*"@H%E963$Q,?O\ M\@ONZWB5B`8F M'HR,C/OU\_G\^*6;;&F'>N;FYMOJX^CR[O/PY$YO8O3TW"5%.OS\_/WZ^_;[ M^?SV^?3Y]/#NU/G\^T]/3T1E5ZVD;./@N.OU[\K;T:"XK?[\_.3NZJ:^L>/I MYO?W]9R18?W^^]_;POW^_O[^^L'/Q%U\<-?7U^OMX_KZ^\7-R1L],??V\)Z. M3^_V\XF'=TM[FX??R]8Y_0K&XK\#`P("` M@$!`0.#@X+^_P)"0D)^?H']_?[^_OX^/D(>'B']_@*^OL*:FI[>WN)>7F#\_ M/Z^OK\?'Q[2A7*V??+'`M?'JZTE=7A4T*\S,S8"`@0```/___R'Y!`$``'\` M+`````!,`@P!``?_@`."@X2%AH>(B8J+C(-_CY"1DI.4E9:7F)F:FYR=GI9F M8Z*CI*6FIZBIJJNLK:ZC9I^RL[2UG6,49;J[O+V^O\#!PL/$Q<:Z'I9\R\S- MSL_0T=+3U-7,MMC9VMOKK[.%CW?#QVF-D\O;WE67* MUOS]_O_.\`D<2/!6NX,($RI MP=NL]*B!0[RS"!4'*72R7+EZ4=Q\3-/P(I@`>#5)0 M^*NQ)@^K!0X<*`"`Q!@!9@`P(`-`P!\THTDP$$#/K-@"9%U'JBBZ'@,2``J0 MF?T'-YKB)`CC3DYA^('78XXS@"UX'N/K>,GLU" MTLWCCSYZ!5"[_Q-1'YEW9::3'0-<4L7AP9EQWWSWH8$&4Z*P5MU[PYE55GW< M*(;=A#AIYYU$W5TH#W@:S2&`,PBD,$=?%)!`@7D(-."&B`PDD%D"`E#01XE\ MI-#`''P(D(`'9P#$`QF(G31&>X\,^8AK#+95AO\9#!*('QKJW?7?.Z+1YB0` M!Y0A'!I`$CD?/671=P"$VTA(X9D,6:AA8M6M^=T^&'G83`KD:<:''SE^>.(9 M#9#G8I]\_.EG`SS`(<"'%YF1Y9(H_;:?:`P<`$`"B@I0P&^ED8$&"68DT-H! MG3*)1FY/%4E!+`(<1P*7:'3ZZ5BR"3!;:0DG(V[&L'A%[,],M!7MGS``<>L>Y-W[)?P3;K2E`0>2>H\TSY1 MYJZ?";OO-L].?.@6W3YZ[IZ,=GS5P5\]_//T&4_]([8K_Q?SUV,5O=#3/_^Y M_^_@,67^^>BGK_[Z[+?O_OOG<]^]3HCX3 M?`XD!N0'2RARAIU@I!0M],CJ5=$_HL,B9[2(CP(D0/]A422CDVC3%/O0`S]_ MN`\3:^-`E7A*<$Z:SY)40Z"G#$@?_,!P4+N!%V[:@\]6%,&2.$J2T-B MX73RQ276-.=A]\F7&?@X1R`5H#F70@-NX(/-3XI&-(!+YB)9R"EJ#@=(@CL- M6MKSGOC,YQ:2L((A;`$&3=#"#K;0A1S)C7Y%4Y^!S$.B^(?D)1*AY$ABJ;DLP^@#`<$PYGP+P8#4M^@,/$+/+7*520*@$HB_1!,PIXD8?OS$+A.A! M&Y.BDBC#08P^!/2'ULRGJ3K_@T1%],&>+U4GJAJEZJ?><9_Z4%6C+WT$1M=J M48*N0`$Y*`(-%K``&6!!!E.@00^F@((%[$$(+P@L"%9P@0L0=@5L36Q%T7I% MCF[2B@0I35F.,QQMNDH`D+(5KF8#*D]AEHNM2I4DR-##4#%I2#KK[`9'E9^= M>M)2L_&D&803$;C%$;@*`))0#R>]O+WO6*&05XB`(.<'!0+BOVR7N! MB:$,%N6D[(;**QFPE4,R/1K2;LMNKJ@-%:&>"5`.TI)>PA(<200@M<`(- M#,W>6B]ZS#WH``WVD%C1MORR[9#036<*FC)=;HEHII"YU529QLT;B6=6!1K(-HM""(=O:UHHF

P M8&8GB&`"7*C!$)8P['L6.SP9@5$SYG6&..+AN"92TZ0/6L`M[@%&PFSFIC*ZWER#(9'XO#8RP@Z+WVY[_U@@/$-",\A#RV)6BCA7CL[3#*XPOG! MYW7[GGV#VQ>%\""!(Z:T/3^M#P7@`-!%\$(?P<^4*7@0R"D(,E="'X MPX9\Y`U.`DPCP`T"\)@?&,"#9".`!'WQ0(SV18'!]4%98U`6"2[.@XUSG.N> M%O$8*"4`V618,/TW1IX%*OFQ)`&H=K(W%5:!!AYP-GAF23G&94QP`5T``B80 M9GZ7:#MG?/!5`E-`9+4V9NU%`R=`!"#P:SO0>(&F?9MF%*/W@!"1@%3A%C+5 M@`_X>VS%_P1,T`51H`4YIW.*)F1CYFY$.`49<`,VP(,VD'WSD3PMZ(+X!X/: M\$-RDQ!ML!!7.`YM``=6N`Y96&!"9$/4@X-K-001]0$]\(/OYEXE(`,3T`-8 M4`).P%="V%=\!8)BIGPG``,V8'22QH)/"!,O*(7M0@%95H7IT`9/``!G4`!I M\`1?>!!GD`;C$`=F$`YI0`!QH`Z3F(A/D!/?IF6"X68UL`5,T&X9B'Q.$`1. M<`(]$`12(`/HA0(G4'SIM0?S5GCJ)61[4`0'\`1HCP4`918XA1 MP8F7V`=LH!-IT(S@0`"4:`Y;*`YO4`[9^$O&6#QJQ65=4`,Y(/\#:AB"=B@# M(G`""S`%10`#)4`#3E`"&$"'Z]6*NEB'M&@#Y!6,&S6,VR8)P^4-0!%F0 M;I,`A?-U-K,.9W"):=`&<2`';%`';_`$U`"0I`!&#!X/>"!3B!X M\;9H)Z!O^;6"3=A8_H@>DW``KS<)O/>6)E$4RBER69$X0EH:'`DX``RL``%@`9(M& M`QTP`%\@`BT@!4*0:QTPB[0&7QDP!,C)CTZ8EMUB.E2HFI^`C(9#1$7"D)=X MA7PYF(P)!V^@G9W9EUG(F'+P!J()F=,XFI:F3"JK<::,8::@X MN9&&*I2!@9@$`0_MUXTT`0X8`/(R6]_>);4PR0VQJ>X)8/<")TJD?\$2\`$ M2V"&X)4$%V`#-P`$6-`#LN97/8`!M]H"6!`$63"M10<#MK@`)T!T*Z!D.Q`% M0Y!D6W`#&4!X4U""5C!0_F2M9IE!1],:RLBM'T$AD<@0J'D_42H8XLH$6S`$ M3*!C/`@"(,`%`&`$)G`$-2!LK%:M()`%8C!75HI>4Z`%29BA2R"N2V`#.)`% M**L`%^!XCX>MD@`_1GNT2)NTZ6,)UW2(%)L-L:<0F1@.?UD`<%`'&8L.DVB3 M$\*?G:,2R/E0YJI?6Q`%)(L#7&!?1U"6!%"N^[8$6?`$05""&)`!$R`$&&I] MP9:SK%8#*K!F-L`!22"T\P2(S"EZE'!-S_G_M"E!(9H)#@V9I`5`#A>IA?)Y M91O["!S``390`^*J8_P6CK_F3Z583ZVV!7A7@3<0!?\*`@>%NM<7LFU;7YL[ M6"NP`X2;440;9X?[C_ZQN(Q+"U%;#IW*A8K)J."PJ8]+F)=8!Y/;!Y\:J`"0 MC8MYD8JYF4)IO"F#D7!PL2+AM7JC$AQ0J_S>P$Z M\`-Y``4_4`$6\`,:8`$5H`1*4`,7T&HVH``0$`(A``'CJP$_$,@5P`0U8``6 MH`0_\,9N;`$0``*%!<@:D,9M#`&E.($:X`,*8``!L'A4H`0A$``Q<`%44`$_ ML+9;$`,_D,:'W,:(#`&I7%@`P,A'P&]`',1,$X5_0P8>$,8!EL3BP`:7R,3S M28D,?(DRN9&?*`?1N(5U@)+Q60";**3.J(C5^,'@*A@6$`9*T`5#4`,A\/\` M)J`!#^``(1`!`3`"&Y##X]M0*N``#J`$`8`$=Z`#`?``(9##0*L!++`!$3`" M[LP"51`!1T"EYZP$$"`!$7#/^K;"%N``'!`%4:`",9#0GAP&(1`##H`$`*!O M,?``.>S._AP!+!`"(^#'"F`"XSS+NBN,MOP,@TA<#=@[1WQ(.J&(;^"(IVD& MB@F:!8":?_D$D&J?20J)BEB3H`G4.0VI3Z"1T^:2<;")8`S"V;S-W9S--_P` M2L`!`!`#(Z`!-I`'(*``-M#.&Z`")&L`2,`"%5`%:Q;**T`%5``"%3`",:`` M$^T`AP4!(P``:&T!'!#*^[8%$/``/Z``A2P!%G#_`Q=P!``PS@$0`89=`UT@ M`5Y`!1P@SAH@?'H]`U$`5Q(0`C-1E6'H=`S6@`!&P`86% M`W-M`'T]!!S`S64;`Q)0VR#P`Q(0`TBFK!&`!.6\`K^V!!(``1>P!9B=!#6P MV5Z6`Y\-NZ)M#6=``OUG+YOV@J9M>PEP#/[]WP`>X`(^X+Q02;Z\VN+`RUHS MQJ]=U6'`!+0=`("L`R/`R#]P`4DP!&1L`!<`;`J@`^,#6W-J/D,T6 ML`-)T`5*\``V```5#@4!8`#"#0%*0,@*4,\*L`.$9=<>_0`ZX`5/\&ONB^-` M2P4LX``FK``5\`!#8`"?K0$!T+DUP`$J8`,QP`(C4`4^8`!`:U@!(`&=;@#H MR@$1H`%=0*M5$,I,,-<*@`.B_-EW/.6[6VD9@0!,MPPALR_+D`*_`3,-8#*Z MKNM\HB+U[1?!S@<,D`*AUP\OG6%NI^!5=.!@W@?.C@DQ5,0"YMH6$(YH_@`U MP/_5%0`&($`%(U#8C/>Q%C`"OEU82_X`]_6BX) M.@.\1PSM8#[MF`!%G,#SF\#@%L"S;OX`..#M.,`!,S`"6:T"_L0$V!T!*H#Q M-N``=_`#^O[JUIH$@MX%A`[9?9CH1^_IHLP!I8@#(3#U!E#&95RK0S`#XLW5 M$)#'S,WA-UP%.J#D:0X"]T4%GSW6'.#QTH``R6;K)&#_>7B")X=2`'/0?IQW M+10P,U+GNZLW$&VAHF4C0OB00O03[6$^$9+T0()QSC[0Y'=`TELMW$E/\/!, M!4G`!!Q@`1+@`!H0`^4>!^+L`#]PT2`0!1<@ MWGO,`@`0`E6P`5"@`>X<`R#``J,.`0X0`'=N`SB>Y,$]`S9PU1O@Z`$@^-'` M`![0`,M``G"P&2)R)]P2!X=R>5,G,)U''A20,O0/"`)\@X2%AH9_B8I_98N. MCY"1D&1C?V-HDI&-F9R=B@QD9IN>I*628WVIJJNLK:ZOL+&RL[2UJI6FN9V4 M!21F/`)F!V-D!64,QV3%/'\"_V-C90`)8SQH!\RZV<2)`1$1#N#=7E`1`0`K M2M\;&RM;%QP*$.`;(08X%0X0"@3\_%%>#KPH`+`N!@=T$91`\`;.0)0:'`+X M<+!!!PX%%N8%H()CQ8P-%`,= M$4""1`H^*=RX.<,@`0,!`@H(Z,-@S!P!"!JDX,&`1XJI9^`D<,,'Z9B<8"'5 MS.;IP`%%`#JE532V5($"I;:5P44VT=FZCE#9VLNWK]^_J>CBK4N&`5Q&?\PX MJ]2($N+&C!'+'1R73*(=%[HHN+!"\XT;FVMTN<$!Q`H%-=Q=N!'%A@(#0VQP M@'>A1O\_?EUDU[@@VT8-&SNB<+BQ0P&3"PHXB':-V@8.&Z-K+"&P([B"T,)- MW["QA8/PBYMM<.ZX@H,-FI+`JE_/OKW[0V(I=YJ[R*Q9:=2L\0!`X>C91L,4 M222H*PA`D``%'`!R9PX4(61.P@FFA6&&'&%\19L4,7U741A19?`##$#DMT MT84)1W3QA0U#;(%>)._EJ>>>ZL4G9"0"W)6(`(DP`Z1EC6S_DJABSR#F6!D' MH)'B9(X5`(V/.DZSEB6.`5``B'^0P``#F$*&XA@`'(I8C2[*Z.JKK]+XIUHD MH)&68F;\<0`)8R@&0&&**>6I,QZ:`0H`P8GPQ@0@9 M:!%$!A]T^P$16N`1!!Y-?-#$%=WBT2T,$V`PP0<8?#!!$!]H\4(0HBUQ)R1\ M]NNOGGXJNX@H:RW8C&2(KHIHCCN6&JF.E/8J0*J8,B@HIXF`LHTQN3[J8S0Z MJMI67:W":O+)?,DJ\,HLD\(LM##'K.0-6311+1XB%('M%1UT($(3VYXP;A$^ M8U&$$%ADT($636!PA1`=""$"'A-T_P"TFUWL:]._7'>-4\`MFT')`684<&`! MR!I;8#"0,@"`K[M*_*N&$]=:P+'!]*(4,6+?->HB:/CR1R\6'@PAW7,K=4#: MH(1*:HLH1R[Y+"JW;/GEB[PL\^:;[W"#%3!D\<47,$!I`A%&0`$``"88@:45 M1*!NA!35&@$&`%D8`<`7)KC@0N\F`"&=OJORZ_7QQX.-N2`B57.00ZL!-^\(,',)$Y%CWP@J1H MWA_\QT$^`?\P>P!XQF'JLBE)A#!%G3C`""]8L@6Z,$8-Q*`,%1'!"%)`4$2: MH0X?H4'?^?"'0`RB$(=(Q"(:\8@__&#V>,4`"I',$TQTHB1NA,$6OO"*?JF$ M,L80T)A;$=NI$M;W2@!J7G&#](XGGU,44= M.4'%1^"195;$HB!K$<,X(E"-%*!+#@TYPSDR4F".Q!PO?`$,L8'B+2NZ&QHL M10P5%2,!NK)/JJA!ETG^(AB%*<8?FN*,`X2"`JL<`PD\N;Q`#O*6L"CD(Z5G MP^*EF%[ M)HL_T,$`=N]P?*TL)#-Q5@SFXO%\JD! M#&#L>AY!!@J>XAFH3:UJ5\O:UKKVM;"-K6QG2UO8)@"1OK2L0S'+69F M\&R>!,`#J5!`M&%9!'\"2UIE./>YT(VN=*=+W>I:][K8S:YVK4L!-6XO+[I] M*'`%MMGQS@>O?')#`@CQ$^1^;1$\^*-Y&SG9`PHVO+CD[7R7]=O]9D*X[GF* M(1"0@CF`E@(DH,!/HN*&`A=%*@D0``74@&"@-&`.74F`!\X`L$1-? M[0M>_-Y2OR&N8(I+`>#VE$$0[%UO"H[KAZX(0L%G:,!Z$]``'?.!QS[F,0_@ M@!0/BNV<*]YA6_]/8>(3)QDOY7VR-Q7A+S<<=Q`-4"\?&D!C&Q>`RVH(TI`?)D;48Y&:H6<>-Q0W]KDR*$XR5&6IP`!9S"*`+CB M!Z4(PB=N@(,'$NP&,?L8`7-P0QR*O">RUA26G*5SG4]VYQ7G^%3.`S#:WC-#M7W6GF-WM[A=9107_S6.0 MRM[_9``:`NHQ0^9;WS#B]W[]'6*`![S26SWAK7H%L<2@ZM>36ET_?1U";*/* MX1!?H,3G2W'_6OSB>9+RG%.NP)6;M^7[?3G,W2-SH#ZLJ2;8@P40*/4IT[UJEM=C!XPX>JVSO6N>_WK8`^[V,=.]JT[O9QF MLX_:U\[VMKO][7"/N]SG3O>UP_GL>,^[WO?.][[[_>^`#[S@!T_XPAO^\(A/ MO.(7S_C&._[QD&^\?"-/^^GE-\_YS@=P9`#XKN='3_K2WY6T$_U-^++%?H^^'3_S%CX4$:DQ] M\9?/_,`WKX_-C[[TS_Y\FT__^MA7:O6SS_WN%ST2T/>^^,=/UNV3__SHAZKY MT\_^]@-S_>Z/O_P;"7[KS__^^#_O).R?__[[?\H5\W\".("#`7\$>(`(J'^D MQ7\)V(#>9X`MXH`2R'T0V`EFPVNFA1:@='(3V(',5X'0@PV#HU8>6(*N!X*2 M`"J+,"IP\0R@5`P*YTJ6($MW9X(VN'DH&`F!LX*2XDH-(-$&'DY M"`G=E@B7\#C[X2@.XB@*5X12&&+")E-Q019'"`F]`%*I(BG&@`R*8183DP`= MH@Q#.(5H:%B4\%BDP/]FS%-_=*0C(IB&=)A8CI%U"A5"B6`&?&@)>ZB''&<& MGC(X;IB%0B(B'%>'BMA7A6$?/-$A3;1P8S`-9*!"]'9)TQ!?1Z$)<+B(GFAX M-[(-DJ*$"3,9(E,JG+A_D"`I?),-+Q)ADPA928Q!2"A="BX,&OD8V)+5)&F(KPV`&FN<($)AUBY!V M:.,,(N*#WH@@:V,)+!ALN&@6:,,KP4`B_56,[LA9V5A"TH0P/6**S8`J:/!2 MS50H"*,4P_B.`-E;$%A:'E92@T*/]&:/8D,"!D)O`(4P(50&_QB0%-E7%5C_ M6A9B%C)%A@R."!Y-PQ9D2QI6(;8DC!I>"\9DS3I M?)U8DSB9>#.9DSR)=SO9DT#99E$PIE$O9E%!IE*H8 ME50IE<%8E5CY?5.9E5PID$_9E6`Y5T,9EF0Y3&-9EFAI2&>9EFRI0VO9EG`9 M3%\9EW2IEG-9EWCIEG>9EWPIEUO9EX")06\9F(19%SS`11[`1;,7@(79F)>3 M>VKT/.'GF)0Y*\'G!YBV")-9F9PI'Y#I!WBTF9TYFF01>YFIF0Q(FH69>W\D MFJKYFFW(5U<)F[1)0G0AB+69FV3!`Q3@AKKYFW$6_T%2!)S$R0G\44.I69QY MB7PUU)O*^9QYD7Q^T([069O'*9UG6)VT^9G))YO:^9L%()UJ1)W?V9FW)9XU M-)'E29K9D1JD8'2J%QR0,7*I[.J:%U.08=BI[# M":)L>9TC*IW)::(4R9PI*IT?RJ)E*:(OBI[D*:-0V5TUBI[9B:--V9X[JD;> MZ:-5&9Y!.I\W2J1`>9Y'BI[[J:1$":1-JD8!"J4M2:!3.I_U::5!J:!9*IX< MPJ5%Z9]?FI\3*J8XB:5E.O^?&8JF,,FA:YJ?'M"@;@J0$!JG_WFF=4J1%HJG MZ+FB>WJ`<.JG^1FC@0J0-$JH_UFBATJ,**JH^0FHC8I_+@JIA3JIQ9BHEOJ? M28JI-ZBCFUJ@/>JI-RBEH2J>0TJJ4VBDI[J@G:JJ#LBDK?J?80JK4FBJLRJ> M56JK_Z>FN5J@6\JK$^BEOTJK3RJL!TBFQ1JA>HJL!^BKRUJ@;>JL`CBHT;J@ MH!F]JLVHI_??JB%&`&M0;H&Y[JIAJJN]Z>I(SH' MP("9:E``[[JIC"JO[O>H'>H!!:`&)#`':N`'YMJJZ>JOI%>IV)H&=."M[NH' M:7#_KA,K06J0!@+`!H1ZF@S+?O2ZH.=*!P<[L23K!Q?K!VJP!H4F`/,IJR_Z MJA\K?:`ZHFE``1Z@L1)$!QN[KRN+LB[+`VK@K<0U!VG@KDBQ:-XZHJ,ZL].' MJW)*`FL`L^*YLCRP!A[`!EE+801`7&IPL#P0G@X;H:GJM-S'JB_*!G10H#]; M0SQPL@0005\;0U0;H=[*!B[[GVWK!VP@M`<;MRH[M(*[MC5: MJWF;?5#[GVQ@KP7J`6I`!^>YL23`!@DPM7Z0`):+F7];H[O:N*T'K=SZ MHL%*NL5'K*?K!_=ZI(S+NLNGK*\;I^!*N[5GNK_J`4L;_Z?3JKNNE[H+*@!J M$+E'6K!#F[!XFJW"VWO,`=S$&$1!`S==;3G*K2_.TOON@8\D&`2Q!.HFV#GV[T=NK#?JW?$R[8L M6T,$8+!#&[=^.Z<3=K!:RP8'6T-L0``P`/F.L,1I*]S\+LCVJ\@ MS'D`VZ%KP)R9J[):&[=TP*$?^;592[AK)+$>(,,L6P!1C+X#G&T>8+?]^\.E M-[8]S`:]$$&;^[8XJP:2Z[D1QO\&F;NT"[S#:<`#/)`&6TNP<=Q=FQNZY,K% MHR?":1NQMWNA>*O'AJ?%.RH`-_O'$=JT@HQXCXO(A%JVB\QX:.O(LQK(D>QW MV-O#[HJ\R>?'E)Q\LWO)BF>[03H'<6O#TLG#GUQ#HRO*>,>[+VK*L$O"^]NY M.(N^+EO#/%##%""Y%""TF$D"'$H!$?:N"6"_DONEJ^O*@N>Z.VK*87N>')P` M^AH,"R[Q\K,?4?*1VK*Q>^SQRW#.FM6$P!4FS/%%"N M*`O'+#O&MPSM!_MLT0B+?$:+?)E>:!EI[QSD+QS?[QG#L ML@+`LUK+Q![`LQ7[M0Q-S'0@QS-MO67JO"#M=]&[RJ<[T#_=,U-<:KTLM='SLU,OJPU%MC`%-U[S'.=6&IMU[V;SGF]5NS,UZ_;RG\=4;`L :V->*UX6]5 GRAPHIC 33 b81561b8156105.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 b81561b8156105.gif M1TE&.#EA`@+"`.9,`(:&AH"`@-?7U\#`P*ZNKM;6UJ^OKT!`0&AH:')RSL[,S,S0```%Y>7O___P`````````````````````````````````` M```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` M```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` M`````````````````````````````````````````````````"'Y!`$``$P` M+``````"`L(```?_@$R"@X2%AH>(B8J+C(V.CY"1DI.4E9(;`9F:FYR=GI^@ MH:*CI*6FIZBIJJNLK:*6L+&RL[2UMK>/`;B[O+V^O\"R`\'$Q<;'R(:ZR2$%N0WJF*18T.&#RIA8L_J"J37AS`T+D#+9D.("Q`#2A@I2B_;L@'5,_P)< M0"N6VLJN>/-&XJJ7'L0)_L2VQ+OCL[K1Q`<9M M>+CN7,I&5,U]'H1R$-!\?)=+1^@;6L;&$Q^&S6A[(F]%`31SA]9<4O1"&YV/ M]SR]OW\T#'S2+Z3=2:T1*!2)C**4`F/]MLJ50%4@*7C?(`D$Y^0%K M4`Z4`@,=.)D8:4X%=X%IKCV&V9@,`$92>&&&Z)-5^WR)6ICB#&351'(A]=:# M_NC75%PU65C..@$`=F%&-6ZCXX[-O-59+(VYADZ/T/SH#`-P81173G-MM,X) M%/G#TP+#\,2`59,)%I8@H)Y:(`,'C#G..AV$I8NF2NH$EU0F"@+77!I9E>NA M!89W:T:YNB.7-W!"M0ZP@#%P%%1634M5`!RF0-]"C'Y3&2&4YK)H-I8VT\$R MG#!-^ZZ5V%CE3!#QAF5,[S:#5G56MD33_;(T6V%M;6)%F17&GF:106TTV M9M*8_:@UX\)\S$`]'29(8Z#R\"`/7%IEIYGEH'7N@(\W?)%L:&5"=&]^<[,E M(SX1@FU[?6=.S$`0J3537:3K0M0R=+55*)6JP[,/VA]TS(S2HN>>3>BZ]\(P M3;%[B6\YE:5^F(*PL@O<`L'Y4]G:1+FXZ^V]5S\/[];?8A9(Z>"6GJ0FI8F; M_UDQTLW`^18.\Y%K+7Z4D6OA%H-[]O0;@WW]^%,R?_[\1]/__[?8'P`'"(O[ M$?"`SD&@`OVW0$E(ZP/!&8LK)I@*8PBP@1A$1P9S42A"'$`)(`RA"$=(PA*: M\(0H1*$%!]$#`;CPA3",H0QG2,,:VE"&.Q#$#7?(PQ[N4!`[\*$0A\C#'@"1 MB$A,(@R!H)P-,B*"A?A@"J=(Q2I6<86"`,`2MLC%+GKQBV`,HQC'^$4!"(*, M:$RC&M&HPS6Z\8UI!$`;X4C'.G+1`$UT8B*`90@I6O&/@+0B%IF@13L:\HUF M9,(A%[G&.3+RD6&4(Q,$`,E*?A&/%=&C(EP6Q4!Z\O^3)AQD(=V8``"8\HL( M(,`#$/"`2B;2DK#DHB-C"4E)4I*6E<3DB31YB'XAPH^@#*8G14G'`A!@`1CX M(@,`\(`&N/*,N*SD+*-Y2%M2\Y&Z-.``=?)+87HSD,2$HS&7X(!1;K$`YGSD M*Z_)R&FRDX[6?*.:A5M&-OJQ7&6 M\Z*A5:X725M/^'3TCQJ(P5-!:`(-F$`&%N@K"*SJ5PW<%JO$P(9<8WE,Y%Y6 MNLO5;!K].8($8*`"%$A``R2P6`E4H`(1P```$L"`A%8@`08U)@86BE8T1A>^ M6Z0N_R^M"TJ^50/FQ>TP"[&W6JCWG;VUK"(A'-];HG&E M+27G%BG+6`(00,8VEC%-E^!8'HLUCLR5KH0U2>%/RH"V+-!!"4!``PU8H`2Q MA7*22P#B\Q:6.1]00B].S.(ROO>1SLRI-.7[XAMOT0'G[&V.T;SFXL*TQSUV M<)"5.V0]%CF0'[6`2$&JA/&"L`1_Y@!)0ZKG*^O'!R#T.8V/^"L#&C`CN-<5$XW@`(V;C!% MZ^S$.^OSUB4\M`@5G44U`@#4D/[R86_L:"\">\PN'B-OE_]0RD<_P*>F+"5O M![R$5;9RN,T>KIC'^.`N$N"F6S0S&!_P:%C2>H.VQK6Z07@"$I)B59+@LH/1 M#`"%+B$"+04``1)`@54>M`$(B$`$>,KL_29@N.)&8Z3G2P`$.``!5,JOC!M0 M60!$(+\%>("]XP&1``!&.!OP/&MTPA(`-\'+B[%$T!I M68\VCTHU[2&NN^Y;6PB8C;C@IGH=1S2CLY050$`IWUSOI?.82C"]Z6\)RH!R MDW'A+Z9`!!;P@`(W`*9LWK>G*UN!!CB3CAVOZ\?/;,Y5ZWO?/EX"P05,``HX M'`&PMBD``.J`!*3XYIE4:D7XPO/_*IK``#U7846D&'3]+;KHQ3VKW#$07*;K ME`),IRD`"KQ%SJ\1ZV3L:@2^RO^X7+OWTHT,V M[B,H:`1*30``>/K,:3QW!O.*3T_*P`$<^.-4A5F(MS1^$O(N*KUMNLI^@W7S M%F=IYFMZ5JX7(`+43B/HQ]A5`E\>Q[T?@4)S6M]-D_F+BR4`^+V(Z=F3T:9N MM+3(Y]SURB[V^LM44#P6`?SF3`P0?^B'#7`*NT M;ZH$?A:G_W2]AU.2I4;C%T8)('"]I5]:M%CZY4PCMT5GAW;OUT6H`5SZ!WPY M%D:/MFUHU``)QT6RAU/ZM@`Y-8/DM@!:U$Q*2&UF9X1F5VT-MUA6!WB[)'@0 M.`B%-T4HP`(P0%NM=6%^90(P@`(60%LQ`%)]!6(B=8*1('31UV5;](.0I&H2 MU814)P%X)V,)@&8'Q6-F)_]@(?=Z4:B% MK7=4V00!2=".[OB.\!B/\CB/]%B/]GB/2:``N$AXGD2"(%2!)1`"(8`"%P@# M3\9AQ?B'?-97RI@+*4A(SMA%T(A90Y5JDSAZQ85F80<`$F!*N_=IP!=9IH=. MEC=CZV6*=;6.^+B2+-F2+OF.^@@-N8@4GF0"4Q6"*!"0&F``YE6'2F`!*``" M?J@$05D"+&`!N05]#ZEI*Z:$5KAY8M1P]#>*:O199#14R-1;HU9@ M`X5^]L5*#4!YJ_1P,G9Q`05^)8D`GO=%*%E!F3SS"3<_A' M/GF4B9=H2CF8$/E("`53L`11WXB5Q^;_15O%2EYDA:CD6VP$B9>V>Z.64&:G M=(J58U_72@10`)4%:PCF4UOG3`=%H ME\[`E]\T@4\6F(*)@H3YE&Y$`027``2G3I>%A8B)4_6'4R]8;9.(4TI75ES( M2AG';*NDG3BU3#CU>J.D=&*6CD2%DM\F9@A`B=1I7`UCX`-M8`!6`_VD`N@1U>9\\:INZV2C\R)\^1YB'V(R'%(,2(&J6M$[(20"2 MQWF7>(EP]F,88'<[MF/,9E]:!&IH%G+?UV8E:IDL%I?WUG=3N@3+E&.PYJ6[ M9V:-.9L549L].J$A3>'O/M&(G=V\%AJ!1:GHW-J4[ MAIQLZ68FB4X,B&;>*9I@2I[#!5>LE$H(=URUE':>J%AG"E-JVG4%Q8)NZD8[ MVI(J,`,B,`,O0*>X::?)@*=Y^DU[NHQ&:DCV)6IN&5FRJ6+,IE@Z54X+U942 MP%]]=ZQN:78'F&H+A7?@9U_,ZE,,\&TWQ@#YU7=JS?Z%/DZ?]PIO2B M9+A,+V5ZOSI7K@EK:$4!U5I3!?!]E44`#HI6V_J:RHJFOQ=\].F2*V`#+M". M-0"KMRFKW1"DM>I-M^J0?5I).2I^PJ:()OI&D$&K*;")NPZ,6G_QF1SQBQ73:Q`M>)ARE6"-"1+T6O?BJ32[!C`U;C:9$H/>G2OJVI$K+8I,[@&ZWO$R'8"P(1QD;5)Y[ MCRLP!!G0CC,`N"D[L*[OBLPMRL[`TG@`B3`MB:;MCG@LCD0MR1PLSF`LG>IF]("OWXS MOYHV3NE:OQ>;?V,4_[EK9:G!NT78)EP#QL/-QF]O]T;12Y=@2[!&3(\_RDTO MP1@W,=V M:CO$0*NFW)".NY1B9*/U9JKHAU.=V5@_-J7VU7N4/`)PO(C'"V&=_$Z^'/]1 MGQS,="K*!ZN?QWQE_GG(0!B\OQ5M/6QJ8#R0=8)(2452;41#W4@@>'TL'5E>#5?P36MP5H2D!2 M2M"'R>=G2I!\9UW(:?W7:XU730-(:4)`7>+,$0`^H-`KSN(% M7N'V&+(C6[(^F[(KV[(O&[,SJ[,Q>[,SD+,[V[,9[I(<'@SOC4(A8%X#>4)] MC6L#C@C8(`3LO.9LWN9N_N9P'N<`,-5R7N=V?N=N+@@]@.=\WN=P+@1Z[N>" M/N@`$`0";8]B2[9FB[9JR[9N"[=R2[=VB[=ZR[=)X+>`*[@IW-X=CM%5%`(P M\%TE10,&(`,E(`,H<%(@5@(P``(DV.HL$`,QP`+@M7PJG=RPO<7.^-(7%=.Q MY^NT--'R"+JB2[H98+IG2[>JF^RMR[/F^[I)0+L98+O7V[[[C=O];45A'E6K M1?]8@:@$,=!=/W[7'&@"'*8$-,`"8WWK]9WK6$M4O$Y1P!Y+,TU-PAZ/U5OM MV6NV;-OL&`R^XDN^SIX$L0OMZ;N^U;[IUZ[@GDY%8>Y7B$=8/!Z,W64`E1V, MA7CNE&WK@H3K6OSNP2;'$3GOL%3OT73O\?C`,Q#!$US!)'#!WKOR&]S!-?#! M*Q#"+3#"'&S"6\[EG.[E'GY"(2`#W&YEH@Y5((8",;"!`'GN="]_IN9U"(`Y2>?V;?4;7?%9H2U;7:D_7&BWU+-W1 M+OW1RJ7UG?J_0G;H76^770X,.H?8#![?<&_>JLQB5B__3W8/6HG/2"B_][GY M\\!`S-$=^`T^^(G0TH9/]Z*U^(MD\KC4^(Y?C\.,#//^_@HJZ7O"].3[:(A`),3(F( M``Z%``5+%``8#PT%"`P4%041(PD-"PV.B(P"IZNLK:<`J:ZRLZP&C$P#.PJ[ MO+V^O\#!PL/$Q0I$M\E,`1O*_\X+/@'.T]2,$RG5MP=*W-W>W^#AXN/DY-G9 MTN?4Z4P`M._PBHRS"0X(A)-+"0D8`/D%_B@!;-"/5JQX"&?!8J(JH<-:MP:H MFTBQHL6+MQ:P4[;A![>-&!E\F*#NQ(&3*%.J7,FRI)=]M1D/@X19]][UI(6``H'#HQAP M(E"!0`,&"1@T>!QY\@(*3[$Z(K!@B:G`A4`3$HWPJM;3@KCBRLNZ-;4-!Q98 M^_!M+?_@]9U^"8*F@!.5S1E]ENGM6U0.*0-C/O[___P`& M*."`!!8(P0[57)""5\D,L,U'8#%P@FSJ7(#;A1AFJ.&&;.WE(2/,R1+!$AB8 M`D!1(_BS0%$25$#!"$M(L!XM@]F7U7>./#`"`^4YL!0%"\`H8P(2$`!)C-D] M4`$G`!#$8@0(C/@*CC8FA!\$262IY99<=NGEEV"&*>:822@PU@DD4>.@$C1= MM`&%V3Q8SIQTUDGGAQCQ]4YC#%3@&68P5M`D`(X<&56BE,5HJ*"5+F+4`:8?4MZB5$6%)YJFHIJJJEF8Z<\$)$PW0@5TG M_%:-G';FJFN=>%ZDYRP/=/:`/0E4(-42@K)WZ1*(TLB=(9..%L$#".AT2`*8 M4;M*M;(T>DAG)!K*7@7U,&MI4)@:QJPEG)(8%'W>ON?/O/3B$R)J5ZZJ[[[\ MECE-"FD*E\P$L,:YZ\$(B].K1;^Z@D"R]1`PK`,C+/``!A00F9T#"9AU+T_/ M%M+):.-E@DBY#5B;HRFNQ%M(!`18LD0G_!`$@,=!-B"*QX]>A@!E@DC,BJB' M,."8/PY$T.0@2[YK8[[]1BTUF*W._\6@P,F@:7#"7">\<$W+/;3T`E)J56-H M%3A%"$"G1'+*`V5W"]6HC[1"M"'A">(C>X(`P`#?B!3V$-13%UYXU;=\@/4T M%S1S:]>0[_HU10W'S"GN**YERP!-P6'CAA!!'_#_/]Z&,L=)011L(D%A3490XA(P2P54B0R,:`G+ MAQ!N^/7\(C[3XM,43`VND8=OCDQM3E0YW\I0W./$1\)Q3,Y\81,@/#;W'E,$"2GO.\JR[$&_P_PE:`O0 M7P'*9:@$_*\0N].*!8=&P$$84!#6JAU2_+2$2PPE?BQ32CZ=B3DWB2)HC!,Y3*9/&` M?7K29>&\Q[Q"(QU`]A.)[X$G`*+3SZ4<5)9=,56J:B`"+MV@!370(`YF8(,6 MJ.`&+W"!"$20`1LDH04D$($-7K#1DV:@!BJH00VXN*]=\C(B5U,&,,%A3!`X M8(XFX(`%F"F.9\Y)`]*T$S71D4+..4`G$0A/DY9$*`(J'D]YW%R"'T\!2Q4*`I\)?`Y[%K!'F%EU4JLSQ2EWZ!>XQ=.& MU;(K(!^!SZ@X[316)!-%MX32DYI4"4D8_ZD+<.`"%8PT"9#-@"U)D`'-)H&S M.7`!9_METYOB(J?)V.DW3$`#)XD=DPO,&F6,E#+))04LY&MZ`R&L(++9G:SG;6E@C^;`=(Z0XS"Z=#W MZJ0#"\A`!VB<+3-#8.(VR@".S]2M!DQ@``UP``0E<&9R-0`"`PSU3N2#;B$Z M5P_,6-5T-E.*5O\C(2A+``"5-137)OHFD*,48JUN905<3\2I*9N+63IS!R@0 MM=^C`*1YAPU58;-JO\`,A$HGA%04`#M?OE0Q4EGE7V6XBP+(A2 M^%,0FKC,8-T;P$3XR',CLFI.&(.LPI@",F2.@`_-W*0"5""MAA@PFQWA9C*Y M8(,+5D$2!"WH#FMPP4EP0;PUJ&<79$#=]U9!9SVL#!`'1\2_K!,(D&O_`FE6 M^HP&X(`!2N!;);`@!BA(9FY+0`,6H%BY,9#!'.>D#)&@4-7,28#2SODS`G1L M*$/1]LB5-A3Q.L=T>USD*!H@<_7NT/:50U:(!UA"FWV[]283DDY4-#M4 MCFFBR6W.&"@A>Z&>Z1R2H^0/G`.8`.-QA+C'C8ARY_+K7"KM30$^'#MQ0`D< M.+L2T`B",Z+=`MQH>V]+T-NV//!5%6.`7EG1";$TPL MTF"/=&2Z5L?D-X//4$1^C_:($V[68<",`*@96C1K3_?8H];7S/4E>!WLJ!<[ M+\FNTQ*Z'AQ]]P;@?=54L4VEO>E+!"GZ%"5)_SRU`#XO3%`84(I'&:MB%9#> MS&I]F"HG@O2'F`SN$S$*J(_^Z*6'*"XDBOKNAYW1C69]:E]/_H^`(SGH]_#5Z/HR>A'P/[89O?/MIV;8%X!M-DO>=X!9HGH@ M)'Z0]GII]WHB\0VSQS#L1X`[MUZ$D"*=,@*FL'AN4PET%12>XP[+4BB84!W] MYQZ'`'WCMG46>'H(B#T*R#T,R`BJ)0XHP&(RP`+CP`$T`'>NQP@1R`T3"#:" M9X&(0&P+4`#'6@(Q!8/7W@C88B$@1B`^-%HNK@]X5>) M;)@KPF0!/N9:!A!QR)5IFV8!QZ0$L!4#)1`#&H`"R@2$TZ1JM'>$K]A->_B* M?^A6M]A^N;B+C:9^KK&&-UA&S^1,(*!<.3A;SQ0"QL0-,6!&'""'%J`#LJ6* M@;>/'R.&L6B!W:A"WYA]X2B.-T6.K6&.EXAVPZ1OBA"\:0DBJYDBS)"\C0;[JHD+EB`B&P MB7"'5&?GB:*H6[N%3"$05#`P1ZBX<=6XCQW9CTCXCP08D`)4DEQGAF?H19.X M>KYXCN7G-=9(@=CXD4H9@$R)/DXY;E`9E5$S@XLCDU=90DM5#>>3AUW9?E]) M-V%9A@9(EE]GEEB#EFDI/FNY?HP@!/02F((YF(19F(9YF`#0`R""F(S9F(XY MF(S0`X\YF91IF$(0F969F9H)`$%0EW;911[D/90X0GO)EUEIA`:9FJJYFJP) M%@/`?9_)07@I,'I9FI#3E].`D*VYF[S9FPL(F[%Y_SVA&9-5:9NF:91:Z9O* MN9S,F9?`B2KO%IQ?HCT,H)MY49O&B97(B9K-V9W>^9T8\9KZ@D5:1%/2^7W) ML`"L2)6DF9U<@YM3"9[R.9_T*9ZT9$M9@DOGB9[6@`W$60T;D'X".J`$6J`& M6ASP"9/TN:`,ZIWV.5$5M247E5$KL%$=]5$AE6BH)IB4,9DL/!EF7-6$55E$7QF&>M6%!JB\* M4)TI<**]V*3;>8=FFJ9J>O\73WHJ<*9%]9G?Q9H/EIHAY9H M'<8O1F`6JKF&:ZJ@9UJHB)JHT]"FJ')N4JIN[+9OT=EA\F9O@N8"]H9O*J!O M?RJDJXF=[BDYIXFFBEJJINJ9^ZE+K`FJH5J4+,J=IQJKAF/VYB'<3DJI6[PJO5+.JXEJOKIJ<1QF2@K"OI=>O5?*O*A2P`NLE M\OK_GR-FL!R)L,F9KP3(L%SGL#8"L0*$'_IA("9[LBB;LOR1K.':GA@+9(=J M1WB(KAC(C2-)@"*+/@4IJPM8L"]KKS%;33.;E.DJAB!K'SE+-SO+LV?ILS_K M7+N*KPJKAS6KKC<;@$D[*DO+M+3IM$^K,/V$KM&/[BEWY`)R19@)TMJB1ME6RMFQ;CF[[MK(7MZVX:@K;E1#C&=&W MN#NAMZ?!MT\3$7_;M"Y;)QP@`[!U=PO'#29@7,+5#9][FZMHAU)[N$5+"!30 M0*;C`%P%5E%2(H2"+7"S/+!45IZ`7X6!>XZK%9!K'WX[_[G7&;CEH`$.T&DR ML)$QL'$IMG;X&#D-L@VD*[:&&Y)OZ1R8X38C\C^NQ#R8421^8QT7H[BKL+M9 MT;L&)KG`&V+"2P[!!4=OA(G(U0V=)D<;V8G4J(IK0H32F["F6[6%H!W#(BY( MU@]3%&R4T!C,LBF#@#'3UXW35Q7FBR_HF[[`0:_E@`+WR`%!16I$]0TVY@`, MEW#WFRM#V`T;HJ0?-+U<>;J#L$>,/C]`NLA`8UO+`(JLC0(<(Q^8*O_O$82%&5BD.;60".G!V#@!W$,<-DYQ< MG-M:;=?!=#0!8]P-`G.N1.N_BP(W+:/'[\+'7N5T?T()EM=$I0``VF8D(N<9 M4P$?.A(4G2%Y[G!RS"&RDZ$V'>,._@!/GT(0X-8*B:S(U-3(X%!PO35')1"/ MRQ5-//9&O;5,RL@"(ZQ4UA``^ALX M4-MWH3S_M#:R;"!#R@"9SNI40S[41)2P?_Z7?*DK)6ZS+%$6"=C&31#[PEB' M&?"%+-BF-,`6#PO-T!K;>A!M0@=)T8<0)000`R'DLHRV[L&-KA"9-B7^^@UFN]OP_M MUG`+USS-:E!V#P>M#Z4`)>W!"=GQ,R.2T'J]"L_F#VWL0#G1_X%TI0]MQS9M3E M'#PVTP_!9[?9W2+3W40*S#9,0*] M%B-^,E7G=-R6_0B<0=S,`AK\E\;P*I'1H_ M#4L/@QW^@#&)?3S8(7P_W86RH)1:B/_/1++*(Z*%`$;6G\WED&T=+:(3GKWA M"1%7`@5*2#XEV%<`[5(`A4XT$*IC`0A^P*GX0=LO/.LLP8G.`)?F()F'`B MWZ4B+.(B&&!(E1#821,]G,#*%]05K/X5!'.QL![.('3B[5>V?:WKAN`CU2X( M`U$03)C420R`V@;A8\TL!JP/_-`D@(+A0T'A+VP_F.)_@[#JW\X$"S`K_0WK MB1[@=(OKUI?_95_I(T&B'0"QX/0E"J5!)7R<-DT4"2^\A-9%"44!$,5R+,F" M``#ORE%&\-V^&@^.4 MCOS>;Z@XO_RX/D_H1$\-Q5!&8>I+44_N,>I`/OPXN_T()D)66EXH&ATP#FYZ?H*&BHZ2EIJ>H MJ:JKK*VNKZ\!FP"8M;:.`H>WD`\`"9`("):3N\6[DHC&RIB:AYVPT-'2T]35 MUM>HLH>TR]V/N4S>XHW$X^:#R)3GYLV2NBB8Q M84Q9:R/(ES!C=A3)LE;)FI=0XGRT/.M*I5%'/IHN` M$IU*M:JI>T$,:-W*M:O7KV##BO4*Y-#8LVC3GCT$1*W;MVB#L(5+MRY7<.ZL MZMVK]Q[?OX#_&@Q,N+!"OX83*^XX>+'CQ]`00YY,F5KCRI@S-]3,N3.JRYY# M*Y8LNK1FT*93[R6MNO5BU*YC!V4MNS9?V+9S GRAPHIC 34 b81561b8156106.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 b81561b8156106.gif M1TE&.#EA#`+D`.9_`.SUUOK\\\?EE_[^_+C;A\_H5^3RR?W^^2(B(N#@X%E9 M6=GK=_3T],S,S)7(5XR,C!(2$JK6=&:V*.3SO+K=),SDH_;[U_3YZG6\-+?< M'9K-83(R,H?#17)R<@]8'Z+3:8F_2:2DI,+"PDQ,3+/;?=3KLMSLO.KJZOK\ M[?+XY,7>F^3RD%ZR)-+JK7C`.$R9)32,)OS^^_#WX[_@D>'PQ<+A.^WVWMWN MP/O\^(W'4H;%/J#'9NKTJY[06MCMM=7EL>?QTKW?)'^[.FZX+?#WO/W\^[W: MC_[]_/C[XOW^_9&_3?3YSL[HKGV]0<#`P(:&AH"`@-?7UT!`0*ZNKFAH:-;6 MUI"0D-#0T*"@H)J:FGQ\?*^OK_+R\]G9VO#P\'!P<+BXN)F9F?___K"PL+^_ MP&!@8%!04']_?_[^_G]_@+*RL__^_F9F9O[__J6EIC\_/[^_OS\_0/[__V]O M;Y^?G]_?W^_O[_?Z[ZG0;W["/?S]_7O___R'Y!`$``'\` M+``````,`N0```?_@'^"@X2%AH>(B8J+C(V.CY"1DI.4E8A05DZ:FYR=GI^@ MH:*CI*6FIZBIJJNLK:ZOGF66L[2UMK>XN;J%4$Z[O\#!PL/$Q890QLG*R\S! MOWGWLS7\_;W^(?= M^_J19EU[Z.N@&.B6%"CP`(>2Y`$*!)`"`L),Y(D&5`$QP4`-P14 M..#74=[.H/GU#:T(,->8,8]8*$"AM6$`0"2P8!&A39(#0(PXP,#B@X$!I!5] M#DX\V^CBA4R?1BUFP)("03)D"*(#Q@L6>6;T<#%;@@8:;NTBYS6^O'%?YA,I M-[KF:9NR;0(\IY#AA8?[,&:K_0``1XRDXJ4W7'H$.H1>@]($$./P30WAIE\5'@@`B&J,MQYBGX4DP'K/'>``>@,`%T]E$(@P05 MX!#2`.UY2""((O98"XGEF=@2@RP>001TTF4P8?^%:A$`Q`%R;:2C@#Y6R$E;8"HBA@$(! MTM4P@0#;#2&!$#,`$,"4YO'XYJ*,Q(D<:GSD%.E`:*SY7ALQN?74.C)MV&![ M,8&#VGMH3*H0:D@LL`(1BN%8U@$+9$!!`0?$$(`--Q#@0!,._-!&FXP&.XFC MQ27%X0#,N04/&@-,MJ*KR(K!+(XED\$7TD`,RA%K$"MLBAH. M0%3`!&<["NMN4%B*F-01!^#`81MRH,&L;3'0&T,2:\00Z1J1%LS'M9".FB^R M-QALBATF@482^:)2,QA&5IJSO MBOHZ6):K*G?KUGL'3(N&M3;T`$!;^I;%+(<[X\L#!0L$@".#[\4$+,A0'R,R M@BRFX$,+-Z1PQ!$V7'U#`'H,<`$0=YB`]1T.XD!#"270<(=<%]S0@@\VM!7# M'6O[0'8%+`A@`A`X=#TW#?;2A2D1%/"P$<',37;`K^U&+;DU4Q<8@``:1$!" M!`1<4((#FG^@P6\E<*!Y!#E$<$``)'Q`PN8T!%""!B00$,%W`]CP@>LDX&$" M";V14,$%1FA.`NTXG#K`:D@\N&FDDCX]>=3$$F<`!A'<%@`0%^A``EPRN*#! M_P%,8`!>#"1@@((,V0&00@J7<9`#$$#0H,$':.4`0+,RI$`#"S>`"PY2```: M_,X%%S"6M.#A#^E-#V35"PX3AL"$L"4!!P"0@`$`AI8F7(`)>4A9$F8P!"3@ M@`1#P``'\""#&PQ!"$J((0@B8($FD"!YT_K?!":3`@W`<`<.0"#"!O`/!S[P M71$DC0^&,(,!X``'=TB!"RI0ECO(+P`@?,\(AW"!`-PA<"70@0-HX((/^,>) M%[A##C1PAX3@(``&8($/8A`#`6BP+#[`P/X.0$"0$#$=1CRBL)(8F@#,(`<. MV($2\.`Y#B02D09``Q,X`+`!S``#471`(G<``B8$P/\$#@#!#C2@A!DMJE:SVM6E2B&J5OV#6)M* M5K2>5:UIS6I3__!4MU(UKDN=JUG=&M:\8K6N=)VJ5].ZUK]RU:YP!:MA]7K8 MP;Y5K%=M:V#?^M6^CA6P>W6L91G;U:_>5;%RW6IG!0M9PY95L)4ESU%%1!$O M:"(!@M#$5;&J"4$D0!->^(-KG0#;/\A6$%?`[1]NRUO=_M:WM:6M$W)+7-CN M=K;!10]Q<[O;WAXWNK85;G5CF]SH,O>UQG7";#YTPVO=,8RA MO-+5[G')J]SO%O>YW$6/=X<+7N2F-[[+92]W_YO=`.,7N?K%K1/>^@>CKA8T M^_C"_VQ%=`4L.,'"V+A";G4KA9Z:9\'6>'"(]M'A'EU!%KI]KR6Z>@@/%R(! M&Z;KFZ[`8@>+>"\D=G%PS!#C\CKWO5B`K1.L$-NY)L`*"@*H7Z&P&WV)!J5YU+531?%8T:[C08`ZS M@,:,'!3KU@N0IO,8"BT+I5[AQ(?^@Z4+[86FEB'&SRBTE]6J8A[+`@M>N(*7 MB0R%,8#ZJF6X1H_'0^,02YJG@PARC^@L""*CN-!?@+&$E?_]C.`B8PQ>*,.% M\5R&"9\U$Z(V,ZOCG`#8?F$,O4@``J[0["M_>M?(`;$@;/QKJ^381W<>`UOQ MG%LBTSC:7DY`&>:Z;R_HV[5+/O4@$'#G=0_BSKX`]VSI?&(GT%G?3<7"%R+^ MY?&HN\$/-JO&-\[QCGO\XR`/N6*=<:`2K]8)+/8I%/;`\I:[_.4PC[G,9T[S MFMN<'WW(N^_SG0`\ZT"D]K`,)>[58F.M/5V[SICO]Z5"/.YXW[G:'_'N/T3!#X`/O.`'3_C_PAO^\(@?_!,.\??$._[QD#]\%`[QA,A; M_O*)7[PA*H_YSGL>\)/W+8/C3O?2F][N>4_]V??NF9*CI_&?CWWD-5\(V,O^ M]H@/?2$XC_O>$Y[VA."][XMLJG?2F3_[84:_ZYE.=]8V(\&QM3WS?`W\0 MU*\^[G4??.T/__J"$+[W;\_]KRO__&)GOO/7[W/HAXSQQ*<"%8@/?K^/W_?E M#__]<5]_\>_?\Z$7:^87=620!FSP`&2`?G2G?NS7@#GG?HN0%=GG>!T@`E,P M!5DP>%1P`D_P!%-@??#W?[*7?W_@?R)H>?UW@K$7>G`'=FFP`6JP!V$0!PHX M=PSH@.P'_X'"X7J",(&.5P530`5\T`P65-W^]5W\^J(*/1X(FR(2.EX)0 MB'DL.'I1UP`0$(,LYP9[0`9AD(!=2`9:Z`9<2`8)J(5D4(9HR(5[H`9N`(90 MYP9Q4&OX@(-VJ',ZF`A]MX2(!X1^,(0=8`49Z`=&2`6<)X@=$`)/D(B8IX13 M2(64]X@H&(F2&'FAUVOK%G5AT`7P(/VAWE5``93``8= MD`!^,`4B0(A/D`55X`F'G@&/^.N:\`&<1`&&[`'&Q`&#P`!82"/80"/^*B/\]@!'8"*^KA\NB55Z$8- MP&B'PJ@/4\.'A^>'?A`"T_@$?`"-3U`%6C"-@*<%)S"(E^>(Y)AX3NAXTF@% MRCA['WA[4OB1DF>.4;2F3>1 M8/",D8>$LI>27$EX53B`3T>+,OF/9#`"#Z``!8@`:H``:7"*+ZD`","*=7F7 M=&F7GQ@';I`&=!F4@F`&1TD+1>F`B4G_"-+7@YA7@27I!X*8!?(G`E9@!=5H M!0Z9!43(C8;`D!_IE8@GD5J@!:D9C7Y@B%1@!1WP!-O8`5J0 M!8L8`F1Y>&9YEH*7EIE8@\1Y!)YD;FYD5H`!E?)E!>8`$]P`KDYC4;(F=38`%;``$Z9E>*X>=6)EK%EA<59 MGS)G"!M0D-&@G#F8$L0(G;@W!5:IE4D9GWY`FKXYD8!7D8`GGD]`!4;(H!%J MGATXC1?XA\UXDJ5YG?%)@LAGGR"*E$3)G\['G.MV(&U7C(XW!5/YB-0)>5HP M!5:0FH.GD7Z0_P4#NGT<^GL*Z@<,Z@?D204=,*%028B9::$?.)$7^IZ[]W@Q MZIF/Z*$@.J4M9PC@I@TD6J+^6:`)*HDO"GE\$(T8*7@3297XMZ.#-Y*`IYE$ M>)&6B9EL"J?5F`4-D`5@8(W7&)5+NJ'PB7@0FI54P(R'UYO#=XDU1J54:@@. MAZ59JGHFVF!&UUL`:IJVF8$AX)E9H)O/.)LB8)DA$`+JZ0<=D`4B@)L>"'E? M^GAA^@0,L*"?J:!(J)JUB9LY:HEHRI6_27@A()9^8)6?28322:K`RGORUZ:! M9Z9"6JN%)YP-AJA3JJB^&`R-ZJA;ZE2OAZH3:82UV0!">J$329L2>O^D?O"4 M#]H`3Y``RHJ=7*JJ'GBG54`%#9"5$VF!?@`&2`:D6F`%Z>IX"`IYL^FCG^FG M97FK@.>0@">5\'J-RO@$(E"J62"@)T`%67`"(<``H/J,09@`R]BP(#F?:NFL MQ`FMC#JM>/>H>XBM/FJQXQJQW@IX=DJA%7FN@2>HJ+JNCL<'.'JC$=FJ2HJ! M&IJ-'&EY_0IX>)J,X@>1&_B$@7>JD$>2OT>PU.B=9)JA':"R%\J!A*B(,$NA MJ6F$_"H(`FAP>[&H(TJR=V>RD0J9CT>I\$J58!"CYCJ1(0`&T@B55&"Q^EH% MBABP?%I[G1>F:QJ1S-BS$!F;0KJ1G3>T64O_M.ZYM!1Z>$$+>0W`MPL*M:R* MA!G8LU6)KA![J%V2+#69;LM7JMX]G!0*:F:J9!=MH MC8FHFM5K`!T$(>'0KH%)9@=58!5@)>$^9N!PJ ME1KXJ1D(NI09`E9)DED0`AO)N[WZL)77O?0:>$-:>+GZ>_'ZJ5?9`"+PMG,[ MF^*I!2+P!-Z9!1J;`)F:`!)+L'NM$*#*M[MJV;H@#JC:GJ?:5; MCGTJ>*8I>*'*@:!KOZ!*NZL9D=/(`$+JP, M=FCKG-<:G;19?0V\_Z:#6GB$*GA1:7@Y/'B*RP"\5[65I[>@2\)&NJ`<7+R` M-Y4M.[/J&L$&>J`HW&!=4,56?,58G,5:O,5_,4B6[8MG':M^YR^]XQC M"H+#"WCD*<$]JH'1*\$:.I9QW)4[*HU6&8UT>Y6U";,..@7BJ9L..HT:NXP9 MBJ$N.\<2;,*!)Z-U?(*AYW7#";+%&<:J.\97]\)1-7V^EP!O2YDBL*\$NL;G M*K6!]\:=%[EI"GF**ZJPRWFZ282\FXB5-Z,NRYL/69N\*;$/>J.>>8UK2KE+ MR\B].HW"W'FM::O'0,GU:_^I MDXN--[JK'PB^NCFCWPL&YAJ-W.J]GNF=5&"]XTROK8RKQ%RUU>C+#/N0%UB- M(=#/\Z?-06B_ZGD"IZA+#`B5>-@1JJ:NRZ]GNA>CNWU/B[&DNZRMR"#%V##CT-$!W1TFRM:GM[7ENU M`(R2\">(3^"^?M"J)!W4+=NR#%JQH?NCVQFZ&`K$6=NR,XV^WWH"O3I_/>NC M.ST(#VR^T'N!8OV!/NO7=.K7YHJ17HO0HO>Q39W_?$\M#5']?&4WGNJI M!0P`!EG]>8YXDMN,E1_=UV&-H2H]H^>JUC_MH)X+EAFHL6Y-S$L[D>-)M)^- MA$**A,G:V.BWV/O9V$&G MR70%V<-7E7?=@[XKR[]KC=$XJK_,W=>=J=?-NQ)K!0&MRT3(U9;JC\`+!+A+:;FK^-RP..A+:9QS2*VX;- M"V&WBFS`!O>HW"_'W-#@W,\MT=@W?+_Z?=/,E>^M>&4*PIY=U_,ZW(\'NZI[TGI5&G`"/`*42;>B[)LI3M.6Z;)3?J:'/(_S^`"MN)=L@`"?[@9J\(\CT.EIH(5@1^'-8.6I"(FCFQXZG6U>ZZ10[MLC<%BLCL?K?C*DIX#NF!GLWO3NGO-\_.ORC':Z2 M#.^B03^%AHK8-"YW*;\,.(@`P`C="FQX%=@`R1BC>0K_U/-7F4(:E7&:F:6* MF?7*K8T/K]N8\!,]Z48NZ5$\]&>)[7FOV',^LD#W!G"P`3IG!7,``3^W!6<0 M=&?P!GDG[])MH#7LX77/A)QO^U?>K)]?>GNO#%7'!W20""9K(Y0 M>[V^O\#!PL/$Q<;'CPA>D,S-_\[/BH?2?1MO<&<09E9G?71]5V]E=64;9V=F M&WWD5F7FW6<(?&9;9V56"':#TX63T/Z[_1B9PD50U:Q&`PLJ#*6K4:V%$#L= M9/0PHL5/($,*>X2ES+^3*!GM,V0&P1L[<_JZQ:S'+:A11'`L6(&+J)&7L:X MA=14D91)5+WBVOHGLF1;5Q=UO1R+\F;.L,"*502%B^G3J%.K7LVZM>O7L"%Y MD:*8&?^608M/PD5`YTT?,Q`@G-F"8-N9.6;H##(G>`.$+30W;/$K."B\.G#J MQ$S:SPL4"*-S,VK\Y_$ET`0I6T:?*C-7]K8\P\>L*$';/U#$Z]__S\L&*,LT M'`-AL@4`E\$ M&-8A4*2HXHHLMNBBB]$D**.,Y;Q1F(,#%H+`BSSV"(5Y(@8IY)!$%FDD?D5L9EOSAA#[\."'EE%16:>655L:(X`9\S+'%=C.&*8T3.1*R`99HINE$&0$E MZ>:;<,899%@<=6'GG7CFJ>>>?/;IYY^`,C,;DXZ4*>*,?.#_9(>"8B*8B'<0 M1'@AA1;*:>FEF&;:#)VDG>7II\@\XM]]).$6(J(V7I$-'64(9P4=7,+#SG1] MA-,2'5;,86,9,G;WG83ZD0>DIL06:^R15WPQ%JC,-ML+)!N0:MNA,O+1S@8M MY00'.GT0U2T$VSSW4K<(""9(KXC5QI^P;1[K[KOP9MB1L_2>%0F(^M^.[D)7&!FKL$48<;Y,5=\YTI^ZHA^1=$>!Z M\X6B7NRAM4*[0;;?WEXD(C4`0>B]N+$'&6&X/3P9P+LA/!EN`T_&\LX+OX<: M;AAO>B-.:!VGZMP[R/K"L.L^BE/BG^+>'Y^5OXE\ZC-4WWUH'Q-&'\"X$0<9 M"(21!@0=0!!"&@](`_["P(8-X$\!<=A`_]1`!C:L;7\CD-[U&)$]N77O@F/Z MWB)<=Y[V@?]B=A[\Q/G2YT'VA;`3HI'91]30!^OM801LV`,;XA"&#>QA`V%X M``3"<,,PU+"'/\1A!SH0P!_:"WO:@Q,&EZB4E84-,B?T!`BCN(D14G%]N;LB M1IP4GO@=8P,*\$4'%!!#-B@@B,73(1!MB$,T=B"&Q+/A$2F8Q#<7S>;%T5CN=I4Z) MP50&"WRN]*,CPM>^0&J1EE0L9*5NB\X__N.B`9(PY M2UG64A%G:V8SG[F]:')OFKG!6RM="3\@"3*U@A=K1 M`J$_=:4M.?HVF^%LER`-:4$1$LQVRH(/HZ@G0Q.0TRI0(0'PI.H);FH%$HJP MHB>\:`B'2M1<.@)8`DUJUT3JEFJN4Y`)%85*M=G2EU+!"B=XPDNKH-=Z\O4) M#)CI*_)I4;!B%)Q=A(UB%\O8QK+F$6BU_Z-:U[K4DKZU,UK@C%-%`88&3#2F M+TT`%?[JU[[Z@:]#/(%/'7**#EA!L/,1JP?[B:2RI>6CDZW;4H%$S%"<@*$I MC4]<3_':>-Y5!%0``SQ#8`41=$`$/'4N='FJT\$:5A.C]4-U62I13W`W/=>= MK2)B1AK;WM:4N0T36Y>BSMY^H@-38`!+;:J)(;:T`Q/-@G,[,]S#!O6#)Z"K M%JJ0V:A,5`0AH(*"_:!-!$^4OIGHP!,DW`$(?S"\Q8R$>2&+V_0R[4/`M,5, M3Z#3*61A"@F0<'.?(((&@($!?A#!?F&QV05C-P1:H$*!.]$!,/@AQZ<`\N[^ M"PH1\.&>64B`%O^>$((I>#8!\J3J%*P*92J(@,D-B'$5/+M5*^SX$[+-\"X` M1>8RF_G,?.(P>CVEG4B`C[%+ M52U4E\=0S<*7/Z%H51!6B@S(PDNU.>73NH*TENX`5/W`!X?>TP]@`,.A+TSD M;_Z!O%4K*\W4C%0V?UA#3FM2G#FAA9YJ8:56$'5F\PQ3/_?YTS2.*Q4:H-I- M\%44FP[%36/QZ/5-U,0OU0)T2VOIO3Y!I9E8J9\93.)37%3"3UBR7O7:4TTL M^;M0H2TS50TJ5D/3U0K;[4%3RFM-QY,/?`BP%DX`ANTQ5JT:\Q-G0:$\QC6G/P5KVI"K%4`=MQAJHF5TOT3P/U*1I:9](HY(@&1=5/3V[Q45LXZ%/', M*53:V0&=6@'&5=BZ:3%M]U]/(>]3L,*OP3X%36>[`VK7A,DO@NXJT%46UYU[ M)E2O"1$$U@^/3ZX6P)#36R/YQ!V`\@E"T(`L_S,7MBCD7=_K%5#)#MXP;F9* MB#4Q!;O#E`_EOET[.Y]M*R09Z)*N9^]1;.4K`QR>'6"``'>Q2&UON],]$%AAPSZV.V`H3!54=D&?UM'E0-6?HMG9_ MH%'^-'S.X@@\U6''MP_)=Q*M\SJCP'_ZUVGP,6K"Q%38%6X,IE<_9E]VE6-T M=6W:1((NU5`Z]F!140M:H$TN95/7IH#N!V90!5BWX($#EX.=P'JLUU"PEV53 MEEGDIU,[F'<&R&!5D'?!QT5(=PQJPS8NY(".8`:5PW03N!(5^`_M-0K[EPDA MP`>ND%.>M6?(=5R.E_\%RA4566`%/98%>89@.S4%,14"*)=QW?9V_?4)S#4? MH_<$B1912X:'HK:'AO905)!R"$9B3/9Q>VA];TAJ0,@)K"=HG)!GM,=@&*=U M.J6!@J:$G/=U(;<*1]>`(/$YH3,Z#H@6EA-X@M>%W"%O)M5_<3A:KC!3?X5Q M5"6'+P5C8)!@>09C*Q5J9:=?308&V/926$1PG5!KW_59,A6'G#&(?+!_.@=T M`W9M#*`%\A5^H^5E+_52*8=MPBA_XV-_$:97#^:.H\!=,EA@^$53(PAN%"9A M[K.`\$,6O^,+RU,\O<`\R;,\S3.0T(.0O4`]5P@2C2`V[T:+A_"%_D`I)C7_ M4R_'BSIE:'EE;=H%!MKW!+0GDG57BE!E59G@:U$147X(C9L`7V+7"9665Q&1 M@.V'%1\$52?P:9]H::>E>=G6C2LYE"K)B5X59JDP@%E!5B`Q/_5S/_GS'?T# M2@$T0`5T0`FT0`VT-M\106;!"&5P5&LFD89`D=``9YS@8P>G37/'`+DW>4PF M:O4$DE=&!>774TUX>>&FDD!7$9O%;7C(>:=7:54P4RU(8?1%!?6X8[4`@S&6 M8)Z`C5'!@84Y884Y;'Z08KGGDWUICGP&:D]XE&R7E$NY=U-(#"SD0C`D0S3$ M1CD$`5FP1K(I1$24!D;TE5PDEF-)EH1@EL^`EN8V_W69-4\)9GUZ)D\A<&V= MUWFA%E\_AH?PU7A9$)U:IUW327WR](P@&(TA\'KY-V5V.4]6T``C5FO2YF*[ MYW*@!GJ:=G$)5F61&5XGY@HRI6!3D%E5(&HM)6D*%H@9)V$)=G/1V9PP9HDX M"4BIF&HA`49B1$8R=$:N209JU$:NZ49P=)MDP09?@"V^R2&\.0T=V@QA&!$1 M-6@0\9=9!HXSQGQ\-5'X-6>@II\J"4_2)G:;=VSQR8ZI@*.W4**R,YKBHVYD MD4ALL$B-]$BAI$F5M`>7E$F3E*2=A`"?E*1F$08AVB$?FD%/9U`F51`_9Y.3 MT5_R!7LDG:!PT1#!XJHHVIJC0"H@>J0[D*H9;E4`M%4?_B2H2H+%S%ZZH.4Y<.4 MJ>HI@\JJO>FJ4P&K+JD0IE>K?!H[N!JD"8JJNQHJQ^*KO[JE?V!9AT<[?SE6 MQQI;V2J(R]JLG]*KOGJEC+%'AZI/L2IFEUA8.HJM4JB*WCI!Q@*MAR&M40=4 MB6JJI:JNZN<+.JT"JND=`/'%2N^OJJ0K6M[)&LNF-+CO6P$!NQJ`&N MK"K_L`!QKK>*L;FJL.C!L'TZ7D=51QLF@1]JL:>Z2K(FK/>:3!P+&AY+.^HV MLL?B(S1;LS9KLULH+^1:K8-YH3MY*3LW^`.')[MX3#.8UP.7C;MW]#MWSKMX*[.SN(Y[*<*R%@F0(FV!!2D"3BEB"9/;&)1+"9?K))F[@"GR()]KN5!@"=G3 M%)O;%BKBN:<+NIP+!97[N:FKN:-+&K+KNIC[NJN+NR!B_[JH>[N]BQ^E&[JI M2[JS"R*U*[JQF[R[FPC#V[I_`+RP"[V=2[R_&[J;B[RZ"[NVV[S=FSU%$[6/ M6[YOXC36F[O32[O:>[O$Z[S>R[RDF[VO>[S,R[K%6[_N>[VFN[O?R[WKJ[SM MJ[[22[WV&[WY&[S@&\#^*[^X"[\'?+T%;+S"*\$)[,#O&[X##,#]6[WD:[X@ M7"1N%<(D7#8B6\(H##8IO,)'R\(NK,(O',,0<\(R7,/.,,(VG,.60L,ZW,.D M8;(^',1M)<1$/!Y`7,1(?,-)3,1.HQ;E(04;(050_,17<`52?&I7;,7*@@52 ML,5=/*U._`5A[,12',53G,5H+/\66CR]7\S%RB+&:P''8&S&=/S$6*S&5^S& M;.S%<3S&?5S'96S%>(S'7ES(;-S'B$S%BIS&=XS%AJS'2QS$Y)$`&#/*J"P>RY3*/8S#K/S*0PS+-4P>KKP4 M8R`EE9(AIVQ;6*`LNZS+BV`%NDDV723+L]P/M8P29;`1WB$>8_#+X$2W<`+- M*($%:R$MA8(8)Y$`R*PNME7,QAS#I4S-2V'-BQ`@!6L)7M`DD^`%_6#*3K`! M%E*PX_4'7K`,\XS/"UC/3<)!ZFPX\[R%ICQ>Z+R`^IP`9M`=`_W/^_S+&T$H M`6W/^)S_&%)@.&4P!OU\S_9<*>ILT.!D!LO@SO6QA02KT1N$SB&]$0MMSY;` MS/W,SA>RRN'\PLGL%L#B'5Y0"5>```E@#SG=+/;GV8;FX7=$;O1_@W-HK3,M7B@7M/`:Q M/=T55"+K#,6]K=LL[=T`DM";71YY[3KJG=U![=7&_0>W?`5:^.%6G0@TKM*+ ML-;KW.')@MABLW=MFH./X[=Z&8P7/K"R_ M/=CVO=^(;=P55-BB/=`1&.#[_=L9X$5EPIVN#5X4W@9+(,T;(,F:L6E'[H"5#6B*X(IO[0 MEM/HV4/I"(W4PNP?IHSD(>X=N5[HB@'2^R'3>:[G[TS..7S>_K#L%Q+8*RSN MXT["&)[$%PT-N5X@-&[NCHOG[P["\;[O%J[O_OZX-1WPLLS#!`^V>_X')[`% M#-_P#O_P$!__\1(_\13_\"+P"`M?\1J_\1P_\2?P""+0\2(_\A5_\8X0\B2? M\BK/\!]?SZ)\\`+_VE8;5C[;L"VK63=_C5#WP3"_N/W.L]JJM/YEMB64\Y?1 M$`#?\VTKMM]4LO\P9+ M\TXO7EPO?5+O%4C/\V+/MDYC(4`/']>*]E#?M'?_M(L0LF]_N$Q/JEB+H&EO MK6M?FE3?]W#?#TZ0LO:*L*)`83!;^(LG^>E&X&Z/^%+[\RKK^*#P6@H7^8/? MLZ$_M#O_\I@_M7&/]45_]JN7<#%6IR:*7;%/$+9:/EZ/'@W!]Z?__[5_;ZZL MKUU\P(RVEW$HQH=Q"*I\%0(D9F7C&7`N%W?/93Z4?Q&W#QJVM/N\K_B,/[:< M_T$)4(`,EF,[6$_6]E)ON%#.2(=R*/VC3_?3;ZR4?H%H=H*265)>G MI95/G)N>JK"QLK*9FE*;4*VZN[R]OK_`P<+#Q,7&Q\C)QE!.FUA7FE&ST]33 MK+K2L&!6(9,,4UHG5@Q:X5E:D@GG)^<-5`U:CWXB5K2[KX1\B^_XEATG_::Y M6[4HUK56`:N)F%2M8:T_7W`IFTBQHL6+&/\S:FS%;%>VAB!#$O(H2Q2E#J>T M4%'I1PLEE2Y;4J+R*MXH0K,>!.H0D2S"(:4J?$C5"C M2IU*M6I'34X21!/*U1K)KB"GU+.GBZ=/0E,:G;(R!2"A+%8ZB``38DH(01VL M9,D"IDJ'$%I"L'L2@DJW!O7$@F$ZLJQ(*UKXN.R095*6)_6>P(W\L]I#+$^K MBAY-NK3IJW^N?@3+^I/13:M!/1';NM)-L@@M]:2TZ(G2!)J)`N?'P`^?#AU\ M1^+&"(S+0X4*5;%BI8J600EB-LX=$HQO,(RFC#J!G+AQD0]O:-E\K]\%B MF%V,R=:9)2$,XA4VL>Q&!14WE7-2B2?5=!.2'L:T4BP"=F()&"C^1<@@AV#I MQW#BU/,@)6`LPL`H%1J""'`9"95THQB+"EX@(.8N<.5Z2;\E46$%POP*_ MTX&_BSQ88(EU08*PLR$A\H1V_.-D<:8((B#)#D!TWTS9"2*H M=*)VI"0^J57';)0]VF9OGOP$-%[GQ9 MD]*JP>]DX<@4"1!K1=W*BYA6",][:-"]N&_+'>N%@V=BBLR!^F=#LE?"C5+4 MC5F74HTT@&$6"<2EB(*4R5L=[!:]BRQ.O+Q06ZI>%`#L'5!P)$/:)7@58&(\J`.J`1L#ZH'!',V M#UJU24U]NY":=@>C`1KPAC@$QM5@TYJT6(\U#E3%$S;$FPG2$&+<,X2C2EB% MD_&!;K$#(24FT3B72(;_$803V(.TT`CQ3&<1?J'$"QVG)@0=D2,Y3*,:.7*C M`JB0HB]IT:K'4G$OQR5$AYFH4E/&$81!QK+OX1CR'BU9@B)JN:29T0#NE M%!*CJ@H!4O2F6!573A5(U0_QL($J2QM#?C;5KKH&IF9MYQ]86=.LNK50\ZRG M3M,JFWPJ[EBQ4!*5T$I72=)5K1-MZUL'.Z,=VO.O7CWL7UOZ5[\BU@\T):QD M:;35QTK*KG1E;%_YFME5OG.RH!U-92W[L%J2%K*<-:MC$6M5P8;VM50Q[%Q) M&\33:C:MJUWLY&#+6ZOO9ZV;WO`?$Z%>?^UWD'E>\[Z5J9-%+ MWV3$-;BX;6]7PQO5\;I7$\JMKX"+D5,V">W`"$ZP@A?,X`8GV`V[,+"#)TSA M"BNX/JUP@X4WS&$'0U@7&NZPB$>\IO)>=<`H]D5.4\QBT["UQ3#6A6QC3&/1 MN+;&`[XOCG>,ISA?.8^<_G/2':SH,F;_.8YH_G*@%9SF^^LYS<7.LN0KG.7[;SH%_\8 MR.J]M*8ME9OU76 MMB9UK7.-52A8P0G`#K:PATWL8AO[V,A.MK*7S>QF._O9T(ZVM*=-[6H3NPR\ H#JT3H,#M;GO[V^`.M[C'3>YRF_OX`P$`.S\_ ` end GRAPHIC 35 b81561b8156107.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 b81561b8156107.gif M1TE&.#EA20*1`.9_`(O)55E96=#E+8R,C-SOQ("`@!(2$O#WKK7:C,3<#M7L MNLGFJ.;FYO[^_"F9+H6[4_O]\6:U-OK]V'_"6=;MI];I0.'RRS,S,_+YYO;[ MZQ>0,:33??W^^9G+8R$A(42G*NOVVTQ,3*/4976]23P_O[[R\O+O:E_C\Z<3CF>WVE?S]Y/#XX=GO MG:S3@O?[D_#XQ^CTU5VR,9O1=@!\,5NQ1.GTC7RY5%"J*/O]]TFI.;3=J6RZ M6=_L6Z+,;6:Q)/;V]C6?*\#?G<#`P$!`0.#@X/#P\+"PL-G9VM#0T*"@H/+R M\Y"0D'!P<&!@8)F9F;^_P&9F9E!04+*RLY^?H*6EIG]_@']_?S\_/W)R'B-_?WZ^OL+>WN#`P,,_/SZ>GJ(^/CY^?GY>7F&]O;\?'QZ^OK]?7U^+B MX_+Y@XW*<>'MB[+:?W_$0ZW9;-OL(B8J+C(V.CY"1DI.4E9:7F)F:FYR=GI^@ MH:*CI*6FIZBIJJNLJ%!63:VRL[2UMK>XN;J[H06\O\#!PL/$Q<:LOD]35%-_ M35%0T%9_45'-5+%13]/.5']335#'X^3EYN?HZ86^4%A_5W]][#>U`D<2+"@P8.4?/VA1PW+$X8*P<'SU:0)/&=1$&KO7I_?(GDV[MNW;N'/KWLU[CY2A3OP( M'TZ\N/'CR),K7\Z<^,&7>*-+GTX=;AI(T:QD',EO"A;H[MR)+'"9_,QV3:QH MY\?E#Q4K4^`Q6Z8^"K=&3?CHW\^_O___``8HX(`$\M?;@0@FJ"!MOPD57',0 M1BCAA,8]IY!!BSW"#TT+.1,+1!U2]"$45S`TEC/NC,700BH^DE^!,,8HXXS^ M+6CCC3CZ!AR%//;HHW,&-7%A01DZHI`34!3PGO\W()KX83B^?#<63@X)^9![ MH?'SH8LT=NGEEP;F*.:8N348U(,_IJGF$\TU.?,;BR(M@-NKH@&1&*JF.#JYIZ:5`%B2DFQHQ^NBG MH/(QZ:@YF@D4FIBF^F.;![VI::BP/DKJK`N:^A.JJN8Z(:L8=AKKKU_BJ,48 M6XP!!JTXVNH3KKHVRQRO1'*"S7V(*$J*I\!F6^"-71CPA6QD('NCLCTQZ^RY MQT%+D*N77&0+MMK&"^"-`00PFQ9[=#'`L7L,T,48^`XP@!999/'%L01G`<:P M7>R1\!Y9[&LCN:)4DU[_6JN8B^[&PJD[$+N66.$0-<]048!Z+H4%CB\;5A-0 M)O#**_-^-UZP!6U=>+#'%B%TX<<`9&SQ10!:?+'%%EKXL0<8!F1A`+'AVNO! M%QX4:R,?3G#QLBA7FG4(H*EHS#&Z'@L$LB5/R`-+G(K6U"$WGG$WLB8QSRPS MO2'<.\8%$"NM]-%-&!#NT7LHG07?%Q3,MP<%:Y'XN-],06@[BA#XB9UVQTO MMP:X(=L85/<;[M];=*$%&5EL0;3AB"N^AP%K:-'%XQ,SEL;6GI!."$0%S+EE M_Y(B+@0+E)FDKKJNK*?C^B0SY90>1F:)@](KL

<;NIA"%\BF)"E!(4OK6M[[VH>-]QO"#$RC7NP#^2EQ`U(VMIH!#3&`C M%BR\3$5B",-H7(-MC7%/1IB!"?71,%4V/$<1B3& MA)-+PD>(KF&%?X-PAUE@V8A,:G)501K2N@0R'%;^;Y3:*J4I#Y%*1K",6AUJ MY2-TB;I;GHN3XRCF+W2X%5$"$TS"#"*YI*F(*"&Q15/(#!&Q<;N9W$YT+$.) MDJXPI]"HAYFU=.;J%F6$(C(4D17$,9$.?4>&>?$%?"1A2WE2")K'X"8QK)G/+NE$I(B@QS3< M(0Y?,,-).`E1AQIC!1&U2!L<]2C[Z-DJ7Y4T5B?=!$ER\AV5;(8>F[)=-=Q# ME20EZ0G=*0!4JY&1'=[3$1W_U6F$0&H,E`J#I#^545`=0<2KJ@*>A7""%].J M555QM1A>#098PPHC!MCUKGC-JU[WRM>^^O6O@&7`"Q+*B'8(QZRH:(PE$1&< M.+*UK9AZ*S'B"HRYTI5`V03B-HUI@.$@-A=H\H"UL@I9-E5"?(M5!"UYAU;W M62)0:$F$^.C4"5D"9%==F$S$%#Q0'"X<)KG"'VQ??$@=)?R!M:9/3KG>L MEE"FH&2O*#'1SS*FFX)`)LQN^ZG<(FNWB"!)<&,=1?5VAM6@IU3$<1]PQ$+.RF*<@J1WRP%50G;(I-'E_FJQ$MZ8*!>LDC9PWPN$\^\$2[10$;&^'IY&$9B30A0R! M\Z2,1V#,RQ\[!)NM8BAGR$XJ!B;45:R5ZB\NN-::YG2P;O_$LXCI+-242JL> M3=TC+?[1$+@V6R$J3-E:;%K9-P(#WV1S0&B/6B.ESK,6A4/I+QJZC8S!@G"Z M38MO<_I&0:M-`(#V:0^,P0`#"P`8C+8%I_7+9@8`@[_[E04R+(\,SU;0N=U$ M[6JW<3@&N$^V6_>8`G1VWO94MI?P?;/9#(!O`S!`X78FM*D1\&;0VT/B#B?S M+(0@@EF`G"'H/=F*\PB0BPRZT(<>](\/QP/BH&0?EL[TICO]Z5"/NM2G'G4" M(*`!4Q>$$YY@7(P3_>M@#[L@[>WF&_%!Y;)1&-\,CKP]_)N!,(=8]&B.]IKK M7-HG]?E'+SZ<';I;$%0/O.`''_C_!DR`!T/(>G*=T74=AESD-,+1%A(W`*)= M@(''0I[!`O`O#X#!#UV@^SJ>M]ZWRW0-;4SKA9T][P=N` M"!^`@.*+9(6/\UP69"^RF+X`:HCA*_2AS_FGTPY!"'[:8%_(`KZD_S#5X_TC MZ8Z0O)5C],BV,8ZIE7WMQT]^IBM@"4O(P.X_>`7'IR/X#X:VI";>JAX9(`YJ M&`X7S&!AXZ2A#]P7![ER#C&%;0I1?@@H=37``5&W`0[@`#:P?H409N\')E[0 M!VC`7?(7*?07,N^16N'U7%7D(V'P`F(@'&WP`LH!@,>Q?3NE*0>8@#+8=#10 M`16P`C0@_P%8UP<H($;."8=V&#A($M. MYB-P`9^@`5O MT`9AX`=<@`5L,(<6!X.`-X-\V`H`5:H`9EP`9GD(%G<`9>H`9\<`9P8`9E4#UP4(IH MH`9:P`>IJ`9+N`9HX`;8U(1B0BYI`((P,Q)78!\XH4+H9!'MU!@/D20M1(PL ME!&6P&%LV`<>(&\`R`4>(`9)HP5J.(9I8(;W)P8JR()DR`8&`/^`*L@&;^`C MK-*'ZJ@#1Y``[I@`$>`#&J`!`(```"`$#K`$*-`"ZM<'E?@/01*07N`%9L`'9N`% M;,``'*F0#*F0?+`&9U"6K\B0?5`&^J$%$?EF'GEW'^0!(@@))S(6[-12'8*2 M(%(1<>(NE,!>7WB&9L"38O`&;(`%-8D*_H M!@S`!FHID68@BVO@!06YA%\B!<9YG,B9G,JYG,S9G,[YG-`I!7.`"%.0!G?I M".HA"-X3'U#R5%3U4!<3/E)E,2=2">Q5A[Z57ECHA6P8!FGP!F;H`6S(!>>( MA9W%!6(@G]&(!?K)!G>H@GE($.(GFC+XAP*@`A]PFO*(`@JP@U>Y>)8()FX` MEUZ`!FR`!E[@!L$)BP=IH:'HEA@JBJ&XF6Q0!FAP!OI!BXW"$TT`>P-Q$WBV M7$FCF>C(4P0J_X,2`(COJ`))X`!0Z0!$,`$*D'A,UYH""GDTTA,DD@;`Y3Y^ M(%I1!EEB@)_=MRLV>J/D!P$'$(CN6`%Z8`=,B8]$@'X.@`((``([:*0#`7_< MU1.`9#DWI']9D7T=9I182GL'<`2#N`('(`$,V`=+F0`K(`,*T`(C\`'Z&`.Z MIZ8"P::WQ1-4`&7;=EZ46JGH51SKU7H28J=W.G@0L`(Y4`-0UXX)0`--)P,E M,`$H$`0LP*B0``Z[1A;1A:0S,I0B1RHO$M:N\*ER-1X?B0*=/*H=AX(+. MQ*F=FH`KX(ZKZ70-@`$LD`&N^@A)0H%P,JN@8J):<*($DHF_8ZO6U_]*NT@D M1S=:EZ(%83".OXIQZSI/H)FL4LE:8*N,ND!\(FQ M])D&:M`&'I`&[^E;!B`&)SBEQJIG5\J#?[IT#3`$,O1D(Z(0%#HJ,>VN$2[%11\%`?5/L.S)BP MH`('JZ@?;ED&GPB+M,@&7H"69;"$:;N$9XNBW36Q$G<(UX$A[;9AYWJ';""? MX_B&9H`%::`%8F``:O"32>.&:B"R87".EI+_CCL0`R=P`C%`KSN``QUP`@N@ M?A#`!`N``!VP`4#8!R"``(^+`%8)`21P`DB``RR`=1"P`*BKNB2``B.``S'0 M`"R`NDB``)_+=#H@`*(J@1\F9A[R15O2),,+$77K8J!B!J_('Z18D&?P`J+( M`-MZ!EVYB@R@F]L**G`;MZN7=Y;"L<(1C0!HC<(!N'X`N.:K!BIK`.B[1CQE M`[)[`S<@I"S@`B*@`R6``B8`NC_P`R*0`A'@`AC``1'0`0=P`T$[!"T0`3>@ M`WD0`18P!"80`25``")0`@H0`0"0`C?0``J0!S=``2/``_DJ`3D0>$Q;6#SV M&#O$-BGI$E52O-3`_VA<^REP0(I@2[8OL)5=Z95LVY7#609?&2K=FR!/N"[G MBH<>D#3E.Z.`Z[XJFS3\9P!-[)F;Q%,M8`0@(+,-8`(NP(`-L`!"D`$8X`** MV`<(@`($P`$C@`=WL``6T``$(`3UB`!WP`,XH``?0`(RRP$V,`(E(+,[@``B M(`)X\`'].'LKO`C@,%^P!C:)DB=R$D/?H$1X\0'DL0?8RD>T`9YB[%Q@`6=R84S2;)M0)EM8`!_ZX5= MZ'V@60<30*]]@'5@O(-D;,9HO'1,P,;/2@)%T`,\X+D?T`(*L,T*``)\[/_' M,FL#$S#(H#L"&Z``+#`#0A"!?0`!&;"S4=?(G^18G9RMVXH&$0D'FHC/:E"B M:H"B:\");F`&9U`&_VS$`T0LQB)_L&PVFNIZH$G&&[`#.[``-D`"/+``($`` M`#`"?7#&:1S-!"`#,V`!&QT!$Y`!(S`!!``"++``+(`!$6`"++#1!)`!)@`` M.^#2%KP#%I`'0D"O0T`!%&`!\,R:$)H.1\>,CGI9P/,M>Q`NYD98V/?0$)*. M)-`"#_``)H"F"C`!6[T!79P!&V`!2T<`)P`"0W`"0;#5.$"O&8``6_T`)\`" M?6`#&S#70$@`8-T"0T`"0=#6=]`!B4<`,X``"X#_S+LW6Y;:V.=5'%O7U'1% M+_8B&\3-'MP=DX#-7L@ M-51C-11[?:EMUT,``42ZM$F-#L\*@VJ4E61C&2T]J+9(=5L"3>L2C,T"S<@VT/,WS/')7 MC!MYB/?/MO=3=$?@-6?I]WP*1L6(QWC`B+`5T0/NB0)?70&/P0!$T00-0 M01>401MDVJ?]O55MW:8%_YK3E0X@^-\_Y.\ MT="MX^/*<>'!8-^X@.,E9>1'SN.%M6Y*CARR>@X;YUH12N20(N5"1.44!J5\ M=^45TDI8X.2IL.7^U>5>'B!@'N8PKEH/4F>_4.%M]3V=I>:HP.:'YN9O#F%Q MCAL=2"+$8>>\@.=:I9U=Q^>GX.?P!NB!WA^#3NAB/@A14*7`E=N@Z M]02XX@&=7NJ[^G<])>F3OA\&U>JN_NJPWD\(->>&D"3CY=BX+AW!:N;ITJ+$ M,3FY'NQV@>HUGI6K[A]CI5IF>&%ESNO#(6:^APZ0+N2J?NS)O@B^CNB[`.H> M]?]!\N;HT17DG33DQZX?U\X(&X4)+$D*W"Y/AF"MJ-8*TS[NU;[J@77O^)[O M^HY7@T7KD1`-SQ"KAN`8&>/L'L8(;N$_LB68:R[NT93ETE[NE%[I973ICK!6 MB%Z>D'"=C&7PF4)AW*#M#J],F##O#T\(@/1X$J\?%%_Q_OX(\(X/UN`9[]%" M"Z$2;5'#=+9*S5`-._\*WQ%.4&([#N%+BM#NQ[H(#34(V`">/.\9-=4A;4'S MVN$+;4$ZY(%*X1,6P"@Z2X7P(]]5E]-^[A?Q*\_R+<\@[RZ%DN!HA#!1[Y"2 M[.`2_?`,5Z(B37_W;E$G*^(.6WOT'O_LB\#)+(0E6:;_46&6&0^E9<_0(A01 M]V/A&7^O""8?4MEE=.#^Z&>/]FE_1P9H"5S`9S%EO`IQ/AN%41]R^C85"R^5 M3!P23X%_:MBN$%3A#=9P^-1P)2R5DBSE^-\0%B&5;$O^]@. M"QFA)0L!_KY@54YE5-;OG?N`8YI#5?#A/9JS[ML&"`5_@X2%AH>(B8J+C(V# M3G]4'GZ4?I".F)F:F$U\GI^@H:*CI*6FIZB@>ZNLK:ZOL+&RL[2U>U*':5"; MO(2"O8Y/3YA.E<;'R,G*R\S-_\[)P(J_T8M-F4W3U-K;B9=0!0:4E]SDP)VI MZ.GJZZ*VLUE=[O+SLKB%!=GEB513^H54F8H]&TBPH$%D^IY0V>7O3Y-AG/(U MG$BLT!,NEBAJ3'2.G<>/(#W1:[4E1)8!'D:JG&=O$)4T&V-&$WBPILV;E&3J M/(1MIT]"XPCU)-?O9Z&.(9,J-;42S`56`U9*K64/RA5=O)X4@-BP"94H#!-% ML0:,)LZS:)DAH@)P(A0K3<@F>F*%VE"C.H,R@GNWD56\0I<*'JQ*)9DMK@(, M(`//PQ@#`[0$`/-ERY8L!O8,N+#%`!_'FK.0T4*&3,J1,*Q@25,7F$1]!:!@ MJ2;74/]816;3ZMZ-**Y&07`7O1YTF^-PP/[T*J)"EJNCX]6X(25,'>3*PZTV M:\[L9X_E+QZ^:+&\IWN6IQ>RG-^3/L27]"N]\-,F:,H4*[O&/GFXL`G^2$U` M$5<4?PA(H&^^_.'$?G5-T411_L6UGS53+(3%5DT0B$ANNW6(4V\/5=C/%&`! M1,43)!X(D'W_50C%?EP)$H4544313XV#.!@;6'49.`47_(!E''(R*=>-(07X M]P<636`110$V7F$%%W\($A<_5U!Q112S74F%%5!"X40!)%))10%69/F5(]-5 MYZ8Z366V2A9.[8&9&MV1]U@7Y)F'GGI/R%BNU1(V,"R7_:44_@@B"Q3`` M7;'D7P#M%\5\@T`YA57"U&6%0@[%94V23T#QS2!<%'4(AQZV:A"(LOTAZ:-: MA5KC$V!)>NDW#YD*5VM5@GI%J;'Q.DRC54;RQ[%+"C,DD1L9BXZ4FV1W@`!:'$!GV"4Y]UE7P30Q1@> M@.%'%^NEMUX`9(#1!7PJ&1H-ME5"0<5LR/[BH*3?9EK<-%8>V(2DHHX:6Z:# M<.D<4*Z67!.(WOXQQ9;8^@8%EZ%6^;&L2"9(L\R[1'QSLBMKR!-TT&XC[2%/ M8+'+B76=R#"RB?[!Q8LI"_+TA,E>__'R%`PO65LUZW:=RE1[?!'/G%KL`3#` MA,(S9]AAPY/%%U]D4;;<6JA7Z#9/+,A6T236Q>2PCW+[J-&/%@#N10L-TL33 MRQK]!UP`<4GCN1LCKA!^5IRXH-17%'AB8\"J97J MQ'%!%A8C?C7%1:E7F?KKUJ3*G,^&]!5TAGOP;F[X%3V1\!8^*__W5N@ML8 M(`9Y8<`-:1_;\\=;$#078/6B32!< MUPAWZ(X2NI`<*$RAJWZX"0T2<1%#HV%#@+.UFB4B@3S)8?UX2,59^/"(!12B M$+$8$2Y6A",AF@^)'):\%#ED1??9A8M@E*`9U>A&&M+1R]Y2H`S]*$A0=(@4 MO2>%/OKQCX`,I"`'2K:*`J[^LBM2^4I)F1(6L4Q% MJJ@IBUFTFDO'ADG,8AKSF-A@#C*7R4QBZ MHEG.<$6!@NP&03N5V0YW%-N=X7I7H0R5;YWSC*A$.5$)*DWTHABM)D0SRM&) M3J(23>RH2$?*OXV2]*3/M,(Q/(#2EKH4,"9]J4P]"(5P',.&,\VI3ND3TIWZ ME$@"BDL:1*6JGQKUJ-+H*5*7NI,.,O6I.8TI5*>J$:=2]:HCE2I6MRHTKGK5 MI5K]JE@#,M:R];5-)2UK2HW<9G4TM2YC7SM;"-K6QG2]O:VO:VN,VM;G?+V]PRB;5' M;:0FATOYT(VN)N,)W.I:][K8S:YVM\O=[GKWN^!= MI/)X$5+)AO>\Z/7)I0:!T_2Z][T_M*A0P((B?CA4EIA[43\ GRAPHIC 36 b81561b8156108.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 b81561b8156108.gif M1TE&.#EA/P)\`>9[`/___\#`P("`@(V\'/#P\.#@X*"@H+"PL-#0T$!`0)"0 MD&!@8!4]>7!P<']_?^OKZ_7U]3\_/U!04+^_OR`@(*&AH6MK:Q`0$.'AX8^/ MC[R\O`\/#S`P,*:FILG)R5]?7S4U-1\?'Z6EI2\O+\/#PY^?GVF-%<_/S]_? MWY.3D\3$Q*ZNKF]O;Z^OKT]/3WAX>`\M6N_O[X:&AK2TM%!NF\;>CJ.OAPH> M/`4/'I:6EEY>7HJ>O(6/GE%\2D9>#D-#0ZVMK9Z>GB@H*",O!X2P&NCHZ-G9 MV(B8J+C(V.CY"1DI.4E9:7F)F:FYR=GI^@ MH:*CI*6FIZBIJJNLE`&*!06'LH2OA@0$BP0(I[NMO\#!PL/$Q<:;"@<-C004 MBA*V>P:"!\Z#S8<'!XL*`GL*@PL+`MX&!^"#"`8!!]Y[!!+N!7J\AMW'^/GZ M^_S]_H@H(*)IB%P."B`MV6"R.W1LV?!@6D&##3+ MM2>:@0NY#'`\9-'0Q'\P8\J<2;-FH04-$5`PH"Y!@04*/!)0$""@`0$-"'!H M<"[``EL*2+9;-K2HT@`)#GALI].`A`7JGJZ[=Z`>.00%M2Z+BC7;.`+5__;T M+&!@00*+"D`*4/"U``5:-@,+'DRX\*:3>PH6<&HQ`-Y7!1T7+(C`V\&,U,@Y M(YJX\\'&W@H>W!N@@(22WAQGO%Q9FL\]?ED&N+#-Y^*G+0/$*_FT\BN*AH,+ M'TZ\9ND]IQ,,5=;8HH%E`95/AJV\@2T#LM!1^`C=L^/1B0D6`WRT MD.A+@^DY:".)()8458]1(2CDD$06B0^+GB!IY/^23#;IY)-01BGEE%2F,J`D M5\[$2P%94M(E(5]6*>:89$J"9`'N%!++(NM4]$LTCY254)B0M(D(FF7FJ>>> MB+1%2)JSP":;398U`E@BJB4"*)^,-DKE1_%])]Y_204`XE/Q)'0`+@%P!EM9 M>4U#HS<*S*A`5,HL=!0OG1:`0*)R:4,7.*21!LYBFR)%@`$LTB426KJAEZNG M-&;J&X@H$M`I@*F>`\YWCD8K[9,"''":2'L4FIICW&8K#3L-EA2-MAT!N*UJ MKRRCF@#89LM.A@JEZ^V\I)(X;P(.N;-,H>ND!^A3XKT8<*'/JJ;N*]@N.NW" M#!>W*7)#R4(NM]V2R@O_`0ER+(CZCDS^HLQ=LH`MA>(%HG'BP!GNVJ=TM(\_(XY!%2-]M?9.G3R MJTC#F'32"$C-#MN^.*,-^YXM'1.$CDF5\;]^.68'P/G M*B-;$@V>H&!,"':9EVYZDS]G^(AZC!P:29JPGB[[[*'LZFY279?%HP++'!LJ M;*V^FY$RID;U(?`C6^PC6DFC")N`#:"I#G)-2]!A1D3-2KVF<)'^3K.KRA4` M_T;?+"#B-K6.;Q$"N\9'^_OP*^JM8Z\-QJH)TEJ\M:UV M>:-O@('>NN@UKWG)JQS@`MB+5B:N;"6D@8Z9D31:,[_[(3!^(`PA9K:UF/P0 M$&>M*53G6*8Q01#E%3ZC8*'H9Q;8F,9F8'G*"7V,3@RD("F1ND$:\I!D MX@DB%\G(1CKRD9`QS@4WQ%D;> MQ$42`9&&]\ZCH5.G_`0N[P,%4I/!BEDD1J5-^,E73I`HVPS2IA5ZA ME4TE]"DC:\#89OE.A?"*K.:SCH#TF**["L@T[2JJ8`V7,'Y<$$.#3>PA[SE4 M8+PSHXJ-K&0G2UE#3M(0F[.9DA1A"WM5]K/F!.7D2GF(S8+VM(94UH^0^8H- MU>5=I2H-,=WERPR51B3)7(A<[@+-6)4%1+N"+&J'FSGS564=I;GG`LT1H4YE M:ZKC\M8_>SI067TD0#4EKG9+EYIXL?6%^*0I^2ZBD!&^%#,R0Q<^2;O=]A)N MJL@)44@JPZN7_41B+8-94K\HLO'A];YD52NOI($=`0D((NY-L"'9I^`&?_:" M#HZP_X0G3.$*6_C"4M*#AC?,X0Y[^,,@#K&(1TSB$IOXQ"A.L8SG&6[;RE\=,YA&'V<)E3K.:-WSF"J_YS61N M,X7A3.MX52KFM6G=O5P M81UK69^6UJ:V]:UQ'6I=@Y;7O?:U1LE![`8D(`&G$02P._\M;(TNX,/N\W(( M.AR"#(0X`B7>``M&X.$(3)O$&^#VFIMMSGETN'/*SO(&`.`"#H<``"%VP`;` M?0)L;]@!)8B`"TY`XA%\X,WD+F<`*,!A#ERIRRYH00DZ#&\1;\#:#P?Q!.RM MAP],8,/M=G3`.5F`_>B!`QN^`'"ZO&T`S'L$+"@!O/'=@A:P``41V$"^7_X! MFNN!!0YP@;8S$`.*M\`!'<8YOQTP@1B$H.4G<,'"71"!%FP`Z1'`.98W[LA= M@9P"T>N(AMV78RQO8`(.`,"_G:Z'E0/=['J8>`0NOO:*.^`#&6!!NR>^X9^[ M>P3KUH,#@)YV;+=]XB48`=U9T(+_;^^9ZHBTEAXNH$.;Z0'=A,CR!Z:=@1:4 M?=YH1[O:V7[QMVMX`G.G^`=0L&%LYQSM?==#VTG_>7MG@/6'1WP@7W8!/="U MM%_*\L)5;_(2Y!L`(=A[V?4.](F/``4?./[D4>"`"'R@WB?X][TG[H(,'-\% M,1B!\%/?]LI/GNX?>/K492_"!A&<`RZ2!)9#X&T]C"`"W([YM"/@[?K''/[N MU["X0R#N$83`\!SF?_H7;AM`?QM0@-CV?O,6#!C M"U&%"1F(:1MH.AUW?H$E":X3@I`$7Z&)#2(1%2#CF M]W%!*`E>L7@?F`A/"(51R#`4:('"U0@=B(2-M86)UH4+,X99*`DO#-H=[,A1[Z#J/L"L)@(5AV`A^^(>`2"8Z M"!:5H'B/5UX8N(A^UHA5TC>U-TLRN`";>(*78(F7B(E0,H7HAX>&4(?H1X@@ M*(IY1HI-8H@OV(0HJ(>SR(J:X(JO"(M%HA4>2(F0\(6,EXBYJ(MTQHM"4H=W M2`E:H6$2`(RB8(S'B(R=X!B-A8N;((@OR(=LV`"UMXRH((UP1O^-G8!00X6- MF/"(Q)@(:.*&Z!B-XCANY+@)%S%.Z%(6BL0LRE(2^+B.B*")M@>-CJ"-6.>/ M\!B/:3:/]+@8*T,7[=`1$+DO)S0R<14)IOB&5EB!.S@,"*EF"JD):4(JN'!> MY$(NS&``AXAU[Y@(OHB$QM"1"?F1ET!%[]`TDZ(T6%0UYA`B.6E%BN"+C">0 MC="&'P>*'`F3<2:3AN5QX&B1/OB"57@,2)F42GD,!!F5`VD`5T>+^S"58U:5 MQJ".S*B1:]@/7OEE8"D,`/F,KN")9#@39^EE:=D*%XF*A$"4IV@3<6EGYDH>PED99FM1XA9P9F!ZWBJPIDVLIE+I@BX!Y M.:_"CK:Y"NDQF__0CD5IEU+EFI`8-"=#@XK@*:F9)D`!"@7``6>5",D&G/KP MEUDGFFZ9F0TC`6OB6213".33)9?5$<2)BJ=1G8@P4H7`C=:I"J/9>)%PA$U9 M.`A@=0+>GY/=6S3*CYGID`FJNY",(IFXF3$A4I+TZ!+`R2&E:S MH.$">9$!%B$B_R"=8BWP92X8DRIA]3)OF`Q2M:#891'+@%S)C'K,!&Q("I: MRH>CC"%0(BEAG`.+T)-X,4M)2D78.$4=;-/0G44Y:I@\:FHBH"=SLJ2 M)\,LL9JM[4`U.3E?HT)'+XHFN;6OVD6BD_"(30JQ$JB-*`H)8\B)%@N(KGFH MAA*;U2H*(]FQ+):K%9N*N(FNFK`E[V*;I#,I*>NO7I*$-@M)Y\JNU/!LI#D*%P07#(E)2!44ZJ%+WS!)\PI7<8LP>)F]FY"NA`"VMB,[+0J;.U M&+G@LL247(*R"Q/QN4^;N(%TA06IA,:YLYZ`NIN@NJ++.&J8LH70DKK:N@$G MG/4YE-[XEK1+?BX(@TA[D4B[NY\FMJ:[E:QKLP^0O,J[O,S;O,[[O-`;O=([ MO`;ON([ON1;ON9[ONCKO1@`0HN;EQKKEKW* MO=V;OO1;O_9[O^"[ON]#NH_K"$1YN_+;"/@[P`1>KOYECNR-;"`#KP)8@P1S\-2:(ONB\'*H;)7AY4^?`GHJP<5$,$6X,1Y4`%ZD` M2\-/?#C\BX[/EB;""+)9G`E;7`$>4`$5,,0>D`(IL,<:4`$ID`<:D`)&/,A, M[`$O\`-@+,9Y8`%F3,@T+`,I4`$2``)VW,5WW,5XC,;FVP8),+N-,AL*S)(: MAA+QJ<-S+`EU+`-(4`&M_`*3G`>6G`(@D`<2\`,OX`$ZX`%(X`$_D`>*_+UB MO`(@L`*[K`,6H`%Z(,E?G`=(3,9Y(`0:4,M=;+X8`!?'=KQ1"P#1MS,WLO(WYL"P3S&C6S$XRP$>.P!$B#- M$RQ)%*#-C`)R(=?#X#R_YLO%XVS)&J`!2"#+?%S+S>S0'K`"+R#1BVS/9$S( M1FS/7WS'M8P$*^`!#0W/-GR7%Q"\T=(`'L9>![W!YDO,DBP!&B`!?)P"0RP# M/R`#N_S1SES,9/S%0^R]2!S(SJP#+Z`#Q(S&*_`#*Y`"$E#10MS(,L#$UEP( M?)&#'X82+QT*-?S5]0O%?[$XO'*X`-+5X0S6:GW56-VH:!U):QW7XPO%%OK6 MYB37>/V]4+P1@:$">/#7@!W8@CW8A%W8AGW8B)W_V(1MUXR0UWF]U\HI$WZM MV)1=V99]V8;-V(O@V'@-V7V-V:`=VJ*]V)J=")PMUYYM$Y,]VJS=VI1=VHD` M`;(]V[1=V[9]V[B=V[J]V[PMVV5P")$=$ZOMVL1=W($-VU`2W#`QW,;=W*V- MW$^BW/_`W,Y=W:`-W4XBW?Y`W=;=W:^-W830V^(]WN1=WK7]VX:@W?W`W=[= MWID-WH-PVG&=VC7!WNY]W\<-WX(@WVM-WS1AW_B-W_J]W_P-UOX]$P`>X.X] MX'M0X`8.W)^MX!(.V`SNX%]]X)(]X1I>X18NPQ@NW!H^X1S>X2?\XCLO82,_]-J?,9#?;\F/MTHKN`J3KY<[,49;/C^^,>0-+>NP)H/.6"[+U_',_?:\Q!;@&_?,=:WM`R M0--YH,8C?>9V_,_IK0G)E+VAT.1.3MQ0+KYN\ZK M7@$OH`%"L,N63@B8[@C@XBT@@D=O>UZ08.JG/MIU'KX*_>M[_-"6K,Y&3,QG M[O_(M1[/&NW.S>S1^!S21:X!N%SL@W#L8F@+WK`A^E,HW&J2I1[M[3WM7:X' M+R`#TBP$,B#).D#&B`X"_!S5MBP$?8SH$@#&+Z`'1EW&.N#4MYX'*:#/_.X! M>*[++U#-)]WFF?!%^?A+OM1,KW);&L+-@P#M]G[=J4[B)0[A_`"AAZ#RBIT! M?ST#*X_O+D_`2'Z4O%4(`)X!1E`$0(`!(J#81I`!00``@)T#!)`$-A_B.K_S M:YS>!ET*'/;S@I#@)(`!>$`"1C#8.%_83`_8&$`".S[U5&^_>PW*9OWV``$&A`$&D``,Y`!0)`$@=_W>%#_]G]]]CEP!#-@!$&` M!QHP`SDP`S,@`DF`!R)P!$8@`B+0^!D@`B1``E"_]R2`\WS_^(>M]FM/OWM= M%XH`9Z_!]45P!%Z/^4>@`9OO]4"0`R+@]49_^(%]]H>?`4=``B*0]#D0^L`O M`D60`QF@`7A@],R/!T70^4#P^9F/^XBM^JN/OGL]$EV9]=%P]SD``$=/`D#P MU[U_\[0?_4>/^-&/]DRO_$E``!F@_$R__G@0!#,`"`0B(AAX&(1`>'@DB8J. MCXY[DI.4E9:7F)F:FYR=GI^@H:*CI*6FIZBIE7FLK:ZOL+&RL[2UMJP8F`(2 MJKV5>L`)`94JD,8DA20$&2)%_X/-(AI',X6'>`"/&"37BR1!&4=!)$8BV(2* M53G.YX&9HR/`QY,5($9,J7WO7ZV* M'4NVK-FS:/<0:$!!P3!-!!I:U0JVKMV[==/JWO7KW)A M"G`!Z_^EPQ>`>18;VM$,(Z,5`1&19%XYC<"/&MG66+7SY]!]P9Y.O3HN3`4H MV+;4638X`R--_E`1SO-$% M*."`G%AGX(&UR&;)`@ID4L`"W@&S@``45FCAA1AFJ.&&%6[&'DU%A%221B)D M``0)-&F0Q#8:$#!#3$8I4HY'&20!GR+ZG2/"$>0$,0,)\OB7PQ$DG4C3$1AD M].(\!#;IY(`(1BGE=99DQ\F#WGWV%'L:`)%$$7AHE$$5'26AT1$9F)/,2BRA M5(4&0T$"@$LV-D-2%1GD@*=_<9(P@YDDA"."$7DR^>2AB)[_-N6B!BI(B0(- M>(*E'EHZQ=X1(@`!0`Y!)%D-?/YQCQPH$@ M6-#*"WJD`$(%0!L-V[Y[O&Q*`,CR_T/S(S15J_/67OGL]=>]V*('TP9:X'0> M0>=AP0^R>)""=5!+70K5!D!:@`('(+#`'I$*H``"!RR```(-X$U``'\?4-4G M5W/M>%Y@1RYY*&)74('9$GB@@0PO>&#!"C(8+8,.('A0@0QO5_""$&>GK8,. MF_^P@@82Z/#"#TNKGL<*E^0AQN04:Y)$["&KKL(('/U2@!>UYZ-"Z'BOHX,'0 M9N>A!YSY5X!^^T)8`1+@E""7$<]X5+L;WA90@*H@(&808=X!&A"``^"M>MC+ MX%VXQ\$.>O\/?4OS@!#8=CZU&:T".F#%"XR6/U:DC17W^X'1],"*_J$/?*R0 M@1;(-HOAH8)J@QM<`=Y2@(8$`"L!($`!ACC$/2!@,T7$H`:GV+4.6G%R'S2? MY%^INN+90_UZ(O#:8D`!]C#9GJQ M2E9>[Y7`')DLAQD;6OI"``38&R6JLDM5]-*7C@NF-(%%S&KFP8?_]:@*+Q"0 MQ.41`"L/O%L!9#:*9T)S:]-,)Z*L24QL'C,`2XP@]`20Q(94I6J=,.EJ6;WZBI?EHJ5&K="6D?@*?KORI7X(J5+`0M1]X`ZDF%+"XVRQ@ M`7)1)B=PF1UE4J@3#1#K'KAZ"81JXE@>G01MP@I62Q"``OZ4:E^H6M4J7E4? M'%`+)P+0U;86UA-Q;0`'(D4]3AC@`I0@_VPF!K<'3M``D@7'`E@*4Q*0;>$1ZLA35J-[M;IU7Z@-TNM1X0P![`_,W)^)ZTW]#M:;_)NK$ M!;H4@QX6U/!:F3ETX-G0CK:TITWM:EO[VMC.-K45O90$YV/75HGK69(MK&5S M^]QE::RBR8!)L+_7WF7 M):,5W$<#^;%PM6@5WP^W!%3O`32A$>UL2%,:#V71NZ=5H@#K?6@`($2!@!O< M*8!6-790L-0IUG1-BJ62GSPJ MO)A$WB9=M_DBD]&Z9C,]DS=$6\.7O=)S>HD5`!$$T%/K:E&H!5&=<+4H8"VE M?B\2+[H'@!N4FV]!0`*B&S/4[C:7#9@@>Y48;.=Z0S M'>K0MKKYQ0]V,I`=[6R'.\L-C7>B`UX!`T-B0`X1@4"L$LG/W@GS1GPV1_=$ MTE5]WJAAI2JD[QOTJ.86>;H>P\R=O?)>S+<]_U"O]KB_YWF7F%'H_8UY99^G M)$`*N,IZW8EN&<:2E3]S>W@/?.(S6_E*:`'UL<]]\$.C"^EG/_S-D'\G_-_W M!$C`4P:``VJ]XETC!`R3ZQ(Q%T#F)IBG:ZPL42UQ$45Q@14-H42^EGH8]A;% M`SV$\WRH1GV^%P#)8T^CU@"VH67N]7Q=!3B,-0P3&'P1Z$V8!CTL515[@UI5 M`5+-`Q%YHV&[-0P&H('*QP]9%$(CI$7^8T)HDT)YL$(Z.'ZM$$-OI(,YB$.^ MLT.UT`%L01'`A`#TQVR9@!OYEV\8=C=MAUU[9)5<<,H9D M6(9F>(9EN!>8MF2(4_]9MG9!LW88AY%>>4-!<^B&`W=,`#QGB,R)B,RKB,S,@#<&`#T!B-TCB-U%B-UGB--O!^"`@8 M@D1(AH1(BK1)C?1(D60!DU1)/(1)P2..G:0RH*0Z'C!*OI,"IC1+_20!$<*+ MG6``%*`'^LAYPY!,2]0`'L5`!OD@?V>!!QE_TT,##/"0$!F1$CF1%%F1#-#_ M`P.0D1JYD1S9D1[YD2`Y`'BVC<'";E,"-<`T?WH0,_WXCYO`C_Z8B0,5`#1P M!3=PDSB9DSJYDV3`!!89D1@9DD))!";@`SX0!4.0E$-@E%-@`D(YDNET;*%` MA9U`E31HDE*"DDTX&),`DRZI"0:0`!,Q<3%'DS#P`1.0EFJYEFRYEBW@`!%P M!F'PDQP%T$%YIF69JY69VIB0(1``45&9M".05=\`&X:9W6.0$?T`5.D)'! M.1:[-G7?9%]+%X.0XD3TY#PQHTN(4W63`#BV!G4$(`'DA4M6YQ;CU""`2#,65+.V0EZ M,QCV1PJB29KBN:*F^0%40)'<^9$F\)THP*(LZ@"_F9YC85"T=W;48U"^MWO& M)PG`ITO\%7O+DUYWUW`>2'W)!Z2+(WM`ZGN])V<+&(Q:!GP-@ISZ\*$@2F`C M>B4D=Z*AD*+4::/B^0':*?^1,J@45/`I/$OBCT.-\ MP:A,'PA]1+H9S#1>O:8\I299N[49)^B+*BB,B9J"$\B( M1S2(T8,5LY90#A=!6.$6R,15%#1!NW2)!`B)N>I6Q/I-`%=!)7B)AW-V%D@X M,.@WG8D/$-"MWOJMX!JNXCJNY%JNYGJNW5H&Y]:I<(%_^H>BT\FJUAD#6>"3 M$-FFL]D$XE2*>DJ'MU3[*UAK"0E;<`DX MFF>*FES[DULP`FH[EP_)G43@!6%[FB@P`E'@MF^KD4Z`!1'P`:X:3.KF"V%( M@7-#N(5KN"VYK4HGEE"F2WIP6#;KN'3)`#?PM*DY`3=0_[8:B06KJIHM\`2_ M^;D=*09Q4+IH$6^O%G;<]'E#1+"H5@`/1(`5=#C;<3BY-&GZ^;V;03WV-3BV MIFIU$[X!F7!W3UKJ1 M<[B5`)T4`2&4B[P=203G&;!Z MD8+I15B#\Z-KL1D>A4Q[$RD0L6E=U<*V%BGV98C%TV>$4T0,M$O9>RPVW,)5 M=Z4EIFM%&H-<*%?#EU&[95#_>%&[5\)])L#:0\">.1&Z<0'-=+NGV<`_><%; M2\%=8+*GV0(:S,&RF;)6D:<-%/]],T@UP0A2$0=2N#1CTC?'[]H\><=Z:_6N M6F5!0!PXG\9<%/ABK49B/6Z1]6/NA%8S*6U MJ:G%%LG%IID!+N``H!S*H0 M8`5?%61<&$9!6?5`#0*A,8-E!>FK99=B+*5;AT%!7G>^%!0I7(=E#VAVV:N/ M-\Q`KVQ<`OF/@M-V(PQ!]6N5BTP6?"N5^B#%M)N/E[S`79R[I!R8'Y"VJ-FX MIQD!QYO*(;G*X9S/EB$UXQ1=%I1W]04I@;-P?A,]T"-KR:0X[GD)!-P`]+>2 M#:FBZ_S_DV3``M?Y`8%9`J(,EZI9`DM@SV4LM?H\TG[1B(@Z8:!G/,RSTA#( M?]M\M9*,"1)@'LBGSIFYV02@ M'=K->SPLF#>U-ER61C7:2PGVY43/[42Z=;]X#&J59;W.$Q?I"Q%Z.L>KG3=/ M1'O?U$VCEK^(P[]YS73&]8:UIFM']-W#H`"\V)\IV&OPZ]I>0\"Q+:^KN0$8 M[:)A<,&@#`!^.0&F&0-#,-SWS-9)L3H$1 MV&="*D\_NN',5<))1%B=)C-6B&I+/,(Q'((&Q<04OGSNJVZ+L\(GCM_^$!?- MC4]$S%X8/M=P@=J)'9.9L-_R&@-I(`=D`,`$^H."J MS.`1L3ALU7L02,B5H(*GFZ?OFGO&H_]\LO>C97Y_:NR?R>>^$5A8PA?'+CZ# M;WS)BH&!;X[C^Y!+6QIOJ9WG1H8*CHRXBKVX$LW?IGD"7``#%LT%]LH$67`" M)Q`!!M[557[E6'[4>F%!`G-S51[`CD)J=[+-\QF7H@5@5-P]F6AF95WMMR?T1@7:CSBOYAP6-K2,QCN_=A2 MX\ZJA0D`(4#_MA`)!5W]SKS[[G9IP1N]\1M-SW:ZU&YE%G?8[QR462_XWM>] M:8+^BP9X\!=U\(6^M\/(V(H>F"P0`R?@F@Q@DUQ@X#'@`B7@`@8^`6DME"8@ MS^)IMR2_]%$A/;9QNM13=JDV3@(?3^-T]2R87E@_3G#V3C:-FF"``V(_]CAP M!A'@`AF0VX(9`3CO`F?_M(-9Y73+Q0F>\4AOG4J_%Y\AUZ(`UX\,R8"!3XC* M]/I`WDRAMS/Y]8U=D5Q;5 MVD2`HSQW;;U1S5^+&FMR@4O2=[X(H%N^QX).E-V!4>()][_=/;VZ=';$[W]Y MT]S3_[[YBTRV!K_C^_Q&:FM,]'+NG7SUVV646(NF'SFHG[M.+M24?05U&05T MFYHM``A1`X.$A8,F'Q.*BXHH`(^0``XF@WL)>YB9FINZ,% M`@4'F00+IP0->P9[LA*SF;(!![L$MZ8'L:5[!P8$IIBF"\(""`@!`:6Q!06[ M`:ZU!*P%!@'(N-0*>PH%R\8*`08-!=K"XJ;HXLFPLIC0V;+QH?O\_?[_``,* M'$BPH,&#"`4*"$`#AH-(D7`PF$BQ(D4F(?\@0BHQAD&/`6)8:'STQ)#)`4Y\ MJ%RI]^" MFDJ%+EI08NB&+615:U.]77N@Y:S&%5G36??J_=2:">HPM37CRIU+MZ[=NW@7 M-GRI4:+%OQ-Q.-*(0N+'`4U&2O)QLK$A$WPCQ1Q@"2]!5^S,[1JU0%XY5Y@; M!%B&+=.!8@2\@96`0,&!!@A&&3!0#A/F9:-XT1:];AD"`44_+Y.@`,&!!5Q+ MB1Z7#E,]XN40C'O=6H`J`;`Q"<>,*6=LS-BE6QY/OKSY\^@]Z76HV"]@BS>`2(-Z!EXA`@SX$,-NC@@Q`.M%YD$;WW M5WR*15#?`$I$H%@+0_3GV'\P44+93!'&M6"*<743#8LPQBCCC'5-V)Z%%E%Q M0H8;#C"$?``N(>)))$(4((HT)JGDDDPVZ:2#-H[D'HX,9*$8`%GTZ,0(5WZP M!']#$E*D9"8*"&-JT)`BU%&:!&"@.&HB1(!/H"!`)S]QII?GDWSVZ2="4?9% MY41D?'"E887X0&$D)4AA8IAC0G+DC*9H,\LQ-H6UUIX&??/)G7@RR.F?I)9J M:B>!0C3E>UN`,9A&$T#1XR!2`#G2"1$LH02DBTI2)I(L(D/*<:P<8-0K_YFR M6:!VI*2FR;+L=&>;=`*D1DHTQXB'V;)AJ0DMFTR%*]XU"!38K'C:1MOM'M2T MJ::VTBU[E+S17G/JO?@VF6J%%C)Q`Q<[*L9"&+.B]$3`BDW@@A16[#IBKY/* MN%`W82GP"EN5<-4<+ MO8B,Y5B7;OJ!6C_"R.H3D,UV!C=,=)@A2GB!']N0G,#ZJR7*-&,#1SV3`#0+ M5+N*@H*'9=5HUP0CCUNF]#:,RG]++1UKR4LS-?3)0\-*,PLYY5QM04E-O+U[ MF&_G;-/?1,#P3Q/MZ>GTUU\C0^SAKG\D)X"!=MJ#(,(06."Z_>TO8F>"QCV< MQ1RAO,@>U2B`,ZK!+E)(,!,3O`:YJ%$-`J2&`!=\49PB&``UV2N#'V2*!B58 M+A$RQ5I"X:`&CR+"/+WH&M3`H0Z9(ATWJ=!^0`QB7%)GP/R,8`L4F=U)K/`$ MO!41=P@4HA2G2,4JUH3_B$^$Q`3``(.**/$D1/!!$TI0P"Q"(@8.:(+#S&3% M-KKQC7#\"?YZ9484?``'5[#(%QM#!"MTP05DS*+;%C8%,)V(27-J!;@2"8HY M,?(?>5K%)SQX($G&\9*8#`46]S>!#(P`!UW\RQ[[HP0?#&$$'W#`!!`&D1A, MH`0L&,$0K.`$D[`Q2=^@Y%HT.3U(;F)^SP(<>H"9R6)BXWK)0`;"LX3A$LH\0N<,`\TK6A(LD#V;U2Q]LNN&SRH7#R$X+79>\(,[ M_V.@,2<:1+T,ZJ*#LF:8-BJBDXC9JZ(319Z.0M'3M-`&Z1LV:PT&A#$PI.$U``F/EL9AT, MBBR"D0YRB(RB6*W?0NJP@ZYZ]:M@#:M8Q[H#-=3@K&A-JUK7RM:VNK4&'H50 M-US*%FA0#H/(N2LF#`>5Q\VC-9B+Q0.YAQU,#XK/K+M>BV/9%#BCW4!XQ M%F"@K%K6:C:M'[!8=(F_U=4;Z#"L:4HA@,_UTGGIF!/S?,$+E*RSKW7IFEWV93 M-"\56LL9:_H@/G^8776R*83%898]#AH6$%*0DE5#X09?&#QL7>.ZTKFG)G"J M0A.RJ5Q'*2BW+!C?Y_JW5-$M%0!`,5TA%F4@D<7+9_[+8#2G`" M3>`-$YU$`28D(1].-$`/":AL)DX@@-9A@L(67F4F2I`!`)1@PQ%`P87W$(,& M9(`%%<8$"RC\X@(W^,=`#K)ZO!%+"9?8)A*>@`,TO`<`-,``$M:$`?0`JDP8 MZA')F(!-!,#D4B0"&0!80`(>@F%:H.`;$7!!!DSA8R&[^`\R;L&&6S!C330@`1>X0-4P$8,6M,#4 MI2;UBS$,`-UM6#ZC;K(!6!UEO/FZS9Y.MK+;&."::!!"R%ZVM*>MU0>>+MK4 MSK:V[^6W!'C[V^`.M[C'3>YRF_OML;WK&N MUKWWS6]I'R/?PDR1=09.\((;_.`(3[C"%\[PACO\X1"/^,'[3?$S"2#6H]C' M+F;M"6L;1`\@#[G(1T[RDIO\Y"A/N3\$X8@`)ZR/@G MO%=E_[O`_.=`#[K0ATYTE<_\Z'990,E]?/.N>9I4-L<6KH?][GC/.][) MSG>:%.`"(N=`/S(&8FM'=BI&$:U4L#%WN^O]\9"/?,O[3OF#'&#D;.<'X3-? M#$S,+"RTH(WHN<$.J(Z>-HZ7O.I7K_K*NYX@'P9Q.0H_>*53H.>68;WN=Y_W MU_L^(&87H=(SOX_9W_X\O$^^\L7^^^;CZ1::F#WQ0V%\W--E^=C/_N2=S_V` M2!_MGBA``P">>^V;__PC[[[Z`?+]?OS[`OKV.?KG;_[UV__?'^WGQ_N;>WWZ M^W_Y]Q>`>#)\'.<)`O">`#DA]MF=]:8>`3T<0#'B!J_>`&O@) MU>V>",!A]$>@/FP=^J>>".,A\ M,;B#[#*#@R`"+,!R&S`!$;!R$3`"&,B#4-B#>G!\_8""`"&" M2:@'']!R2KAR$Q`"3QB%4&B%Q>>#_B"",0:&(`>&:IA,>K`!&Q`!&Z`'70B& M<*@'(^"$(1<"+2""8KAO:&*#X<``'@*) M$]`"(8`"+$!`21@!B7")G.@"6QC_NP!SA'`>"" MA9&8`7K@`C'P`9E6`B4PAXK``BZP`2<`-VAT`J"H9B%W`G,HC_/X;J`Q"[3! M#?JXD@I4#>0`/O^8&1QHAOS0="H(,&4BAPP]27(:&8]3>7(_^9-.N0D!0'*L<)5@Z7)9F95; MB0DW*7(74`!AN98^.9;9EE_-$G![=3ARR0D5F$]E.(765P#D)@#GYP(N((PI MYP`C*8JX:'(A,(XC^0%Z6(IN*6W;8'6X1T'SL`S%%PI">((TR0_FYP`NH(4L M)Y@@=XZ%27)*%G(C4)H,^)C41@M&`U5J MF7RL.6V>LCULDI(N\A,4M`[8R#&O(`N+!SS`W!^&U`"*)"+>K"+`MJ+U1F=MNB+ MYUB+>I`!&5"A='B8-VJ+CZB$+!`")Y`!W=F`%ZIL\K`LO.`MRMAY3&%3Q\`. M6C>EU_$;I1``+YD*3X.B^W"BGV!^GZD'+9J.9#J'F#:'(:"$(U`"+F"CM+B& M=B1RQ2DV<7J.*+"=?&B5`)BDR9:9EB%1!0&FG&!^`SJ*=#@!&*F%F+@!&8`" M&4"D'^`"&XD"(4"1+^J0>M"'>X@"2K;_HQ29$9=:`HS*`H[*`J+IG7Z:;'49 MJ#5!J)G@?SPY=*G:DZNZJK!*?U5)=%_(EK=ZJV#*EL)J6[(A/37K,7*>RZ`HY$W`BWP`1'P-BFW`8=Y?M;ZJ[PWB9(7 MC"$WICA8KK=ZKN98`BW@BP)*F/_)`BTPH2UP`B'P`2U@I"QV`H^(2MW:KR6@ MAEPRN[JI_`*I.4XL9:8BS+:A>W( MCB-KG&XZCLFIK2#WF1D0IQ[[L:GT`:/HBV2:D;NWL1S[K.8(LX\JLNSXAK=H MLKX(`&K8JR(W_Z<@UX0.$(D?&[/F&(HRBH=*RWHZFZ0=^Z,?,*&;V@(.())= MB*\XMJ;*Y(M^YIF4&DNHJ:@1((E>2Y$;@*/G^+&7*(E3BY$9*WE7>Z'GVH3* M))W<^8:I&0)Q2(I+*(=-.`+(.0((JX8B%X?&F9J,VX1ZH$P;()UZ,)UX2*/4 MF;-[RYK*&KJ?"[JAFZRC^YBE:[JG.Y:I.ZRKR[JMZZNO^Y.Q*[NS.X^UNY:W M6Y*Y&Y:[B[N]>Y6_:XS!*[S#^X?%.Y7'B[S)JY/+*X;-Z[S/"X71FX/32[W5 MZX+7RX/9J[W;&X/=VX+?"[[A2Y+CNX%$F;[JN[[LV[[N^[[P&[_R"_^_YUN_ M]GN_^)N_^KN__-N__FM9Z7"7X]4*T-<)"B)B-)$.QM!(!?R__-L-!T`*"!Q] MF_`*V[4)#1P7WN`+H7!2:>?`YSM4]O!DP>,3/;,-M!'`E&44NID)EZ";SS`+ MNAD-NM7"S<$*GN&:"SP+$0P/NED-Z*(`*:PIRA,;X0#"V]L`[NF2W?`+($0R MU``4I``;Z1!_OW$,UE$4(-03HT$ZUU`!Q>ZA#'RUL4QK('''!4&NE3'"]U#4R%''_#5"1S%);) M%#V!#0E@`)UA"M`,@B@,>+G&MK!5'/)+MA(&\/#5,.#4Z'L"S;3 7#)A\O GRAPHIC 37 b81561b8156109.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 b81561b8156109.gif M1TE&.#EAE0"4`.8``+.SLVEI:7U]?:*BHF5E9:6EI3,S,VUM;:"@H*JJJJ>G MIYZ>GIJ:FIB8F!86%IR7I"0D%%14924E"LK*Z:FII:6EE5556%A89*2 MDH"`@(:&AEI:6HR,C'9V=H*"@B0D)$9&1DE)28J*B@8&!D!`0#T]/7!P<'IZ M>HB(B(2$A$Y.3HZ.CG-S/W]_?S\_/O[^_KZ^OCX^/;V]OGY M^?'Q\?7U]?/S\_?W]_3T]._O[_+R\N[N[NWM[?#P\.KJZNSL[.?GY^CHZ.GI MZ=G9V>OKZ]_?W^7EY>3DY.;FYMW=W>'AX=[>WMO;V^#@X.+BXN/CX]'1T=S< MW-K:VM34U-?7U\_/S];6UM75U=+2TM/3T\W-S<[.SKV]O=#0T,#`P,G)R=C8 MV,K*RKJZNKR\O,?'Q\S,S,/#P\C(R,+"PKN[N[&QL;^_O[BXN+2TM,O+RZ^O MK[Z^OK:VML7%Q<;&QJZNKL'!P;FYN:RLK*VMK;6UM?[^_O___R'Y!``````` M+`````"5`)0```?_@'^"@X2%AH>(B8J+C(V.CY"1DI.4E9:7F)F:D'Z;GI^@ MF7XU,80_185%1J&LK:XW/W\Z!U.".'X1"7]9`SQ(:CNNPL.6.C)_:`9:?PFQ M>!XT1V9_&A1'>P9KG9V"?C&EQ.'B@PP;,S,2`G\!#'\*'3'/APE_>E@A!(5%IR!+")V[X:10%3T'DS!! MR511A&D:2*R!0@&!#0/M!)SY@P1@H1SS_B2Y06@*D!A#"LTH9>,*C:9P_[W) M.!;CQ8L_!!AZH;#@CY1=Q@0_\6^=W`0!HD"2)$%$76^*(, MX`TQXB`W7,$&6>#I&$D$!U#Q!P+``$FP0D,"" M1T1:B!@'S"&%`D0\HD,P?\30XB%^W&&$'S]4D(`05"P!!2(Q1"B(#G92>D@, M'K``0QL)&`!"JD,<,Q2%`9AA&M($3C1,T0,20;@A'`!*J&A&+#2T82(5&\0`$!ALP`XB!L3`J$$[K\,8(% M-$@A1D*$`-"!KW_(L*#_-Y&8I,-2\+::14--O,'($PG8MT40)MF`!"%7E)$% M!U;X(,@&`EQA@Q%A%/+##<8-0@,6%,]0E!Q^+H)#4((\8:<6J%2+$A4@8#"% M:MH1@H-9/D#A1IC]R"`$!"^@4)(W15#11K4YQ*)#+%6L$MH@/1"QRA9(+^+' M;T5\X5I..D1!,4HX!+/`"RO4_8<2KUYA05J$2#%&(C8X,803.733&'[5"MPX MJX/@T$([E.3@31HXA"8G7`C@L00.%E,L0R*%(0F@1#^R@!RS%SQ!2R$*K7A.#(!PC M!UM0CA$T\$.A^$`&'%*""+S0Q''$P`+A>T,#2G>(',3!!&RHW!]^,`0$=20`-=LXP]< MT(#3[B:()00`!!N``1J2`(4!F,F1*FJ"$7Z@@R5(00].V`&RK"`#&^3/$'VH MPQ_D)(3CY"0/$>*&!OIBKQ5(@'/$P-@10D""D1C"#\?P01\\((,$(*$\"^@# M!^R`B#,0P'TX`$``3D"!#O#@")DDA`\6I)DPF,$/#V#!'\KP@$4:8@@VN$$" M?'`$'("'!VCX&P)$1@4W+"!\XYC!`08PA2,((`J'(,()>K0%$:Q!"SG0@@>R ML(8XY"Q>.XA`!H3`Q67R``\SY$$H#1&#=$'!`UCH@@1>`(8>C*=J;F!#`GZ( ML66^R@8[^,&";&"#-#AS&%'_H<``#7$%$Y``!C7`05&X8`0A.*84)E'#!XY@ MA#W9`'",5Q,U8`,?0(``1'2` M!`YX05_\D(8DR"`,<\BM'_3E@0FL2+>#\$-PAG.#'8`C!^+%DEJ4<(4<\"!0 M@X`"_P?FN@C5+(%NL@6%$::PA/(T`0OGJX$6$J"!#@P@9UTB`Q\2L!-!A)47 M4["A#DB#@QJH@0M75<0QX,"!SR(!2ZOXP1,")00KZ(`!>-A"%<>HC4L+H-%'9`014B*P9`5ZP39DA`'7*4A:CY>I]_,$,*>/\*#C(8``YX'(`7 MM,PE,P#@+9V001PNT`%":($-7)CSG5;!`R[$P=""F`,;((R(M]8@GYYP`PDP MT`'O$D(`T)["'/"P@^9D84^-V\`"ZD"%#.>$#0K\PP7<,`@!P&!E,D#9#,!0 M-!W8(`][4$#I0-2#)S)"`6)P:'@&!" M\,`*V7W$6P>"!@`(T0ER"%,\>!`L9HC@`"T>!!P0,.<9<"@'8,``*FJ@@:UV M`PQJ<%H$G*`$-]"!#_!61`QPD(/_#%`WP*<.2`T.X``![*T0:\"!$`#``])L M81[]<(,%)N#K/V`!"[OZ`P!(H(X>B*``LR8$$2@6@0VLX`6ZR:U^8$0(6M/Z MLHY@Y0T\``+U%8(()1@)#\B022N(:GD#D(+R"?&Z,C0P5@YP`!:"T```)-X? MSA4$!"Z@@"NH@09#L'LH:'!])CR>$#]^1`/@<$XF''X03W!``!9D!34PX9C9 MEG87[W`%B(&!`"N@`&=@:"('*X.@!$;P!#4P`WA6@),@!'OR0(A@`V/P!JL6 M(W[B`^BV/)#P!B+P`B.`"$]P`53`(1-W`3"P541`!].'"`V@`'^P!*44`"4` M!T2`34=@_P5+)@-5\!9(,`1H]0=7(`52U@AQ4C%%,PCN(04`H&@S('N8,`%@ MD`6!URKPY@8`8!(Q4`5\H#N&(`1B<`1;(`4M<`938`%EMSYU<$>$4`,1,!Y& M@$U1$'J$($&Y)P@MT@E:(`261`P_<'@2:(!S4@A#<'U_<%M;P`,(T`"AA@C< MT`]`,`.OI4@/OYP@\D`1\ M4"T^,``)P#D(XWR.,&B"8`.&$P=`(`0[E2"&>`@SD`1].`A"$%&+D`-]`'65 MP"%3\$^$<`.-2`@*L`$2T#TU``11T``@`#H5LP2WQA79<0A70/]:-%`%/]08 MW$()_9`#'3`&G2<#0W!><20(/6`&OC(*/5"$AS`$R3,(1U!RBF`#/$`$K\(` MU9,%<&``>+"!@J`![04K)N$&66!H;;!I@H@(,_`%6;!ZOO,'5?0`$,$(X.<$ M11`%_9`&`&`%XF8*>P``=]"+"6)PCF@2-S``/^`'61`#&K`"`6"),:"!:(2-`#:@"%B%`$%T`"&J`&:=@(0/`$=!``4$((0I`&X_$#*P,`U-0J M8<`Q0/`!-34#7>`T.3!@@X`&6=<-3DG_$D+`#0.@`6)`!3OU#7N,8`-3X8G`N"L]8%F#D`2QL%"U!P4UP)<-L`$,,`,]T)M9 M0``4@"'4)`7#^0=W-@8'X@TFP0($B(D`5)&`-(T`\3\`8_4`:"`JB$X`01X`&S">=`H' M;L`!-I`$J^`#WF5B<$!MG3`!GZ4\1V"B.9$`#^J1BL`%4#`H**./AI`$:;<\ M?P<`'G`$?Q,&(#4!,7LX(X!$EC4#3W`H*J(%&S<#-:J/-=`#8/``.Z4# M$R"M9P`'3?@'6E!!?U`!8(``+Y66?58(09#_/#^9-EWD!I-"4P!PN/*S!^RG M/$H0`""A!]CT0$H0!5L2&C*``0R``,+#`P5`!%J&`U70"60`!#8BD$U@KX/` MCW^@![+G!'V8!PL@`92[/'2A8S?Y%6)*K430C\_X0S^@!C"I"!.`!DP@#:%+ M`RV@J80P!!GP%(3P!GS0!'2P$S/`*C<``1X`;1+(2G8X'#50-3L`!;A;"/-# M'N`P!`FPHL+1!&GZ!QDJA#=P-(*0`Y4#(Q_PJS;`D$5`;88@!^'B!W002^9Y M`@Q0-4PP!P'0)J'A(#]P*870`2?@!M"$A\A)NX>P!:)H"#K`H#U0%&X0"WX0 M!D\B`V60%D5@4'M`_P$2()1^T`389`7+P`7M``=W,%`5-`1"\(UTI08A``>K-!A.$`0' M-AY"$``@)0![]+]/T`4:T`;GQ1U>BP%KN(%3``<1J@@T4#I?H,$;*Z(Y<`)? MH**$@`)FH*DYD`;R\'1;[`\KV@AW8`@@0``:0A*X%P#@`'\L`,\*@-.P`TU,`9E*PAG@`=% MPP2U`+990!8Y0`0VL`5H\`B=<`0-D`?L5F./$`7(:R_+)@@^(*&+P)N"D/\` M96!PTW0=DUP(5("B?S`%$T`$`G#-,=`#G4`$;&`'$D"'O^(K:9!WBADN0[8% M"T`$2<@(>Q`!%!`"V@%!-?`W6(`*L.8'48`TG?`&`^`#=!"UAZ`$8E0$8@4% MV!1@-L!N0"1;15`"&Y$(2#`@;^"T`69UNS*'=T(G;:`#RI@(4R!99V"]C+`$ MP&!F^=$&?-`!!&#!@B`%T\<%+G<(._`%/'`%5``',L`$YC&!8_!SA:`$,BH% MRL$#:D#5M7="8(`%1,#5WU027\"&8!#+=D,(1Q`'Q^<(,\`[AK`&A!4'%FDU M#-``.?8#';`@J4D=C#"C-<"C<$0$5"`$?%`'<*#_&E&="&OP`A/+""G,,3\P M!V6`M5:3=W]`!P90$XK@=H20!9JZ!F[Q!T1=,2#:`W/0B3JC9GA8!DM@B8D@ M!V`04FS=IR&P%6H`QL^8`0-0`@G0>;8*`TB#`P(0R8^@!`.P`U-P0H8F`YS; M.0?PVX/@!'TU`PU`!3T`!2+`!K@`,1'`DUO;"$<@`@'`S8YH'CO`!*11!$0` M`3B!`\#-)P@"!5=@!.)7"!2GA&9`199]OEO`;C-@'X)@!0'@`=Z"63^W`P50 M.4I``+50;X)`!1V``?5B`WU6A6[R!5Q`J7^R$U8PJ$3P`2,KE8FP``>@`$TP M`[H]"$1@O7`P`AY``(C%_PA!T`1H<*&![3PRH`3X:P5LX`9EX$U"T0E*3(XQ(`8G<`H[ M_0944`8#HP1B[0A;\`(>(`>L7`A8,`"::=$R,`$YP@U48-R0]P8R4``)9X!0 M1#$V,#]6:H<&)JY*`$XV(`?.TP1A4`,9@`I28`6D*`(Y`PX1T",WH&4S``JY`#9`!!7/`#'@`1/44( M6R"BA/`!(X`=DD`$%-8(47```M"7%6HF/3!H(9J'I;"RC*`@0(`@304)>!`% M]J:/6!`"5ZEZ&"X4'V\T'7VE2G`$15`U#,`/I;`#0:Q;8<`&F%P(2!`%S-L&@ MK>0")]`$8#L)1+`2B3#QB8`')@#;A!`$Q^0#&U`%)!JZCH`#_*X(;3``2#"H M/K,$W$`#/V`%G_X%:;&=7W\"\>T(`%`"0=`%O=@$".#_3%]@`2*4"YS@!TJ0 M95#P\3H@U'A8!(F>"#6P$SFP`T)`D(VX)+Q,^8*@!W\/!ELAI(O@`Z^R!#-T M`\(!!&$0M300`2=P`0.`!\<<"6Y@#^5L"#G0S&-?[8<0QX(P!7IP`T80`0C< M2F\0+F]@!%70`J*?!`%M"D4@`UF&TX?@!#&/AX69M=25!D3P`!)@!4R@X@XD MQ(,P!X7.`+1K!>1C"3L`/3;A`.'G7X:``M#&`P0`"&H#)FA_AETV62.&?S@] MC(PT1@H>?EHQAIB0FYR,2TV<-#2,.`5W.7\VH(9^AD%9/'].FH9*13)),YV& M.S:CN\"=-D5_50M!-#J<0`.9_SDW?CE^K7\W015!C#DXG#$,"&=MD#=,U)PV MV=V_P'`<`-R<.DH^6C>LC#95?T>/NSH%ZX()'`B)AA9=C&;X6+!D4PY]?H#0 M8A1CQQ\:J"CN,+?IB#B!2QC\F<'@"JH[4]!DW#3#QHP:G638&.@#"L&;C&[$ M^J-FB\`R5WJ80?BG"1`9_9`0-93CAR$9`8/Y^C--*ADR5IKD^;)!I)*=P#CB MI#H6IQ$MAJ`8":9#B[)-3(CL6-5)2@0??Y:<&:)D8(4HC,0``29$RY&1?P8D ML.$GZI\@\`Q-F0F)Q]*RF#G-P.+GR!N+D%K%Z,?IAQNJ/V1PJG%#`Y<_%8?4 M&8G^,_-@Q9&+5S)AKU&'P1<&!AIN@ M6(#09=T/3(T-`5C@%%*,QK1T;ZI!.I00L=-HP)F!ALXN(V$8R0!MR$8-('A! M8@-:P3P'74)(Q$"%'V>LM0D2')R@QP]0H`'&%U%ME@XC2EA15@UTK+$+#4NH M-Q)8G,+&)#6`X M`=,?2/UA!16&I!'D0%`H<)E#,_`0634H[I)#$G],P5].?8Q)D`PR*+'DCK!E M40,3/P`VD`P3[5"&;T'$,,-;%R&!```XQ>'@)E;<,0,3:"S_X4$%;#;J*"0[ M.(&#&*#08-LN,:@!!G"0)+'!#%1:8;V!Q`, M=."%;YGY`5,20BA!A&,XX0#'1`>.P<<`.XSA(RNMW%&`$'_4,%$-8\SA`[H" MV>`%43-<<<4<4O#@0Q7\\A1"&UIE)D,?..A@0Q+*`H/$I7Y04<8?.I@X5F?K M0$$$)TS,\`,/WJYQ:RM!=$'O@5<`QL/(3WR0@FHS3"2'"$(EYR0E)#[;+LL<85+62`PZ53)-""#8/-X(6..N1@Y"8XQ++VH)MH@85Y MWQE"1`0*-'!$&2.S:4X/13!QQ`X"N/"N$AJ(.)"!P-C0>C`W=#&`$$A>\`1K48,!(W#"'G+QKFYM0@=@2((6PO`+,E!F#&0@ MB!_,8`7DK/_&3#>)1A[.\`('[1G$UG( M@C1B\`,DX,H02.C+#WQ$A+3=Q`A#4$82ED<-1[`I!EG`CB&D@`6J42,'9A"` M`H;P@]A9;TJ=L((-])`%'63M4368"0YPD``&4*TL-YB`%WBPA27-#A@W>$(6 M<#>#<76B!V&8@B'<$`'8!$,&BA.(&3[`K1\RP@=42$`)$C<6&7SA75P`P@R^ MX`4==,]10VAD@9Q0`!%48':9:B%3EF"I&43$9XX44AVBH(,=)`P806!``ZMQ MALCY(0TO M&#&6?Z""%Y:T!0B#608KP45[,8`<-^8$<#%$;D#*B*D@P``:8I-5X\,=> M11A"%'II$TX,8`)*F,)@##$$>EG*.$)%B6$7T@`!\*T)<5XX0*/OE#$0`` M!I@Z8:FNVVD-:_<2&F&B!B-V6`VJ`*YUL*\;/=#!%;P`"1WD803*R.,-=%05 M+`?GS(;(@M26L#""U.`(Y!K?$N!`@QO(P4,\`*%`=K#85'#``"M`P1R^IVBX MM7`'60`##VR`A=G(8(WM49Z?@3&#>@H8/0(2`V5<0A4QX`4.^9D!0@:P"C7, M86GX\$$.="&#(U1A)PUP``$&,X731.*.-&!#"1#PA#"`4<`T,'6C6G'_!3AL MC`;_DEO:.)*$=/P`)F%`=PU2(*<&8.`UL$$%&9IP`RW@I0I*F$$3./V`L5V$ M"H7]@UINTE/5U*`+/,"7C;7)-$?M@0,=L*P,I(")P8UH#:@``C&,T%>&MH+! MAGC3'[00!3_T@$YAL,<`"HJ##JPE"`$H[1.PL+=@8$$/$9A!%S)0.4C(X&X# M=Q0&2J`^BG@L!VBPB!&`]86V0T(+G!Z);O1D!!\J)3GCV)$G"`Z,H`PI_P"`N*RG"KE^$(;U=F('/G1( M`Y)/C2T00!DQ>$(,K``%KZWO#V/X@@YJ?78LD&L&_51?(002!M@D)T")4\``_4`9JT&M%802#QPA&,":C@`>( M,`:5DR8:D``&^$,R$#A^4`!5``\!QPE"4';`H`8BH7(GH"PQ<`5IL"0T``90 M(A8RL'KP4@.M(`5VP`<3\`,^4`<)D`%`T`2E]X(#)PU`DC,>@P2?1"H7H03L M$P-%0`7`'H%<$/Z`> M.'"#P.!ZNL$%2+`1H<$$D580#'`)XI,#4U`%=$`O3W<#;M!U>8@30F![=/4> MD;5/ZD$$K`%6!`$(]`7M,>+O2@0#')# M#743-D`91X!.X$<8RLAZYN`#/D`#-0`92>`+3_`&8T`'48`'+M4EV7@3,U`$ M`L<(>V`D.?"-?Y`$884`.^4Q44!S/F!DK:`#6V`16G`&15!$NZ(&4^`_\?7_ M7MAXCRO&.HTP5V(``,1P!GZH!/8``$VP`VS`3$0@B6AP*R[S!,"2)B]C,$_` M!5Q0!AB@8$S1"D<``.`'!->ED<'``X0?(R@!59`(MT1D',@#9"``VBU!3J0D4+)"7"P`)JHC9M`!F+` M)+KP@'%`9#YG"$*@.C.@!`U0!F,`!7"@#&C2"/(3.9NP!%V0,'Z``_NXB7[P M`_S%)E.`%C80`:_A!5"P?>YE4U1!!`OR!PQP!F00!:0)!47@`^+#:3L@!#R@ M`)01`SS``VB@3'>9EIO(!OK@!OJ@!JJ(HFJ(JNJ(W$0@`.S\_ ` end -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----