Related Party Transactions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

Note 11. Related Party Transactions

Related party transactions are carried out in the normal course of operations and are measured in part by the amount of consideration paid or received, as established and agreed by the parties. Management believes that consideration paid for such services in each case approximates fair value. Except where disclosed elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements, the following is a summary of related party transactions.

Joint Venture Agreement

On March 31, 2020, the Company entered into the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Fundamental Global Asset Management, LLC (“FGAM”), a joint venture owned 50% by each of the Company and FG. The purpose of FGAM is to sponsor, capitalize and provide strategic advice to investment managers in connection with the launch and/or growth of their asset management businesses and the investment products they sponsor (each, a “Sponsored Fund”).

FGAM is governed by a Board of Managers consisting of four managers, two of which have been appointed by each Member. The Company has appointed two of its independent directors to the Board of Managers of FGAM. Certain major actions, including any decision to sponsor a new investment manager, require the prior consent of both Members.

FG Special Situations Fund

The Company participated as a limited partner in the Fund. The general partner of the Fund, and the investment advisor of the Fund, was ultimately controlled by Mr. Cerminara, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. Portions of the Company’s investment into the Fund were used to sponsor the launch of SPACs affiliated with certain of our officers and directors.

The Fund began the process of winding down in the first quarter of 2023 and completed the process in the second quarter of 2023. As a result of the winddown, the Company now holds direct limited partner interests in FGAC Investors LLC, FG Merger Investors LLC, and GreenFirst Forest Products Holdings, LLC. Mr. Cerminara and Mr. Swets serve as managers of FGAC Investors LLC and FG Merger Investors LLC, while Mr. Cerminara ultimately controls GreenFirst Forest Products Holdings, LLC.

FG Merchant Partners

FGMP was formed to co-sponsor newly formed SPACs with their founders or partners. Certain of our directors and officers also hold limited partner interests in FGMP. Mr. Swets holds a limited partner interest through Itasca Financial LLC, an advisory and investment firm for which Mr. Swets is managing member. Mr. Cerminara also holds a limited partner interest through Fundamental Global, LLC, a holding company for which Mr. Cerminara is the manager and one of the members.

FGMP has invested in the founder shares and warrants of Aldel, FG Merger Corp, FG Acquisition Corp, FGC and Craveworthy. Certain of our directors and officers are affiliated with these entities.

FG Communities

In October of 2022, the Company directly invested $2.0 million into FGC. The Company also holds an interest through its ownership in FGMP. FGC is a self-managed real estate company focused on a growing portfolio of manufactured housing communities which are owned and operated by FGC. Mr. Cerminara is the President and a director of FGC.

Craveworthy

On March 16, 2023, the Company invested $200,000 in a senior unsecured loan to Craveworthy, which was amended to a convertible bridge loan on October 17, 2023. Mr. Swets has an indirect interest in Craveworthy, independent from the interests held by the Company through its ownership in FGMP.

Think Markets

On September 29, 2023, the Company invested $250,000 in a convertible promissory note to support the business combination of Think Markets and FG Acquisition Corp. Mr. Swets is an executive officer of FG Acquisition Corp.

Shared Services Agreement

On March 31, 2020, the Company entered into a Shared Services Agreement (the “Shared Services Agreement”) with Fundamental Global Management, LLC (“FGM”), an affiliate of FG, pursuant to which FGM provides the Company with certain services related to the day-to-day management of the Company, including assisting with regulatory compliance, evaluating the Company’s financial and operational performance, providing a management team to supplement the executive officers of the Company, and such other services consistent with those customarily performed by executive officers and employees of a public company. In exchange for these services, the Company pays FGM a fee of $456,000 per quarter (the “Shared Services Fee”), plus reimbursement of expenses incurred by FGM in connection with the performance of the Services, subject to certain limitations approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or Compensation Committee from time to time.

The Shared Services Agreement has an initial term of three years, and thereafter renews automatically for successive one-year terms unless terminated in accordance with its terms. The Shared Services Agreement may be terminated by FGM or by the Company, by a vote of the Company’s independent directors, at the end of the initial or automatic renewal term upon 120 days’ notice, subject to payment by the Company of certain costs incurred by FGM to wind down the provision of services and, in the case of a termination by the Company without cause, payment of a termination fee equal to the Shared Services Fee paid for the two quarters preceding termination.

The Company paid $0.5 million to FGM under the Shared Services Agreement for each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.