RESTRICTED STOCK ISSUANCE AND ALLOCATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit
99.1
2007 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
THIS RESTRICTED STOCK ISSUANCE AND ALLOCATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered
into as of July 2, 2007 (the “Grant Date”) by and between Fenghua International Limited, a
company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI Company A”), C&F International
Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI Company B”),
China Finance Online Co. Ltd., a company incorporated in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region, People’s Republic of China (“China Finance”) and Xxxxxx Xxxx, the chief executive
officer of China Finance who represents the employees of China Finance who are eligible for the
2007 Equity Incentive Plan (each an “Employee,” and collectively, the “Employees”).
R E C I T A L S
A. China Finance desires to incentivize its management team by providing them an opportunity
to participate in the growth in value of equity of China Finance by owning equity of China Finance
and thereby enhance shareholder value of China Finance.
B. The Board of Directors of China Finance desires to grant the Employees restricted stock
awards covering common shares of China Finance (the “Common Shares”) under the 2007 Equity
Incentive Plan of China Finance (the “Plan”) which is incorporated by reference herein.
C. In order to bind the Employees together the Common Shares are being held in an entity
controlled by the Employees on behalf of and for the benefit of the Employees.
D. BVI Company B has been formed to hold the restricted Common Shares on behalf of and
exclusively for the benefit of the Employees.
E. BVI Company B is 100% owned by BVI Company A.
F. BVI Company A is 100% owned by Xxxxxx Xxxx, BVI Company A’s sole director, who will
transfer the designated number of common shares of BVI Company A to the Employees once such
Employees are determined to be eligible for the Plan.
G. Employees who are eligible for the Plan include (1) those who are employed by China Finance
on the date this Agreement is entered into; and (2) those who are employed by China Finance after
this Agreement is entered into, including those who are employed as successors to employees
eligible for the Plan who cease to be employed by China Finance.
H. The Plan and this Agreement focus on the performance of the Employees as a team, as
represented by BVI Company B, on an integral basis with an aim to achieve the performance targets
set by China Finance. Therefore, the constitution of the Employees as a team, which includes, but
is not limited to, the number and various positions of Employees eligible for the Plan, and any
change in such constitution, shall not affect the implementation of the Plan and this
Agreement provided that at least one of the Employees eligible for the Plan
continues to be
employed by China Finance during the Vesting Term (as defined below) of the Plan.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. Issuance of Common Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and of the Plan, China Finance hereby issues to BVI Company B 10,558,493 Common Shares (equivalent
to approximately 2,111,699 ADRs), which had been previously repurchased by China Finance in 2005
(the “Granted Shares”).
2. Vesting Schedule. The Granted Shares shall become activated and vest during the
three years following the Grant Date (the “Vesting Term”) based on China Finance’s
achievement of the Performance Target (as defined below) for each of calendar year 2008 and
calendar year 2009, as set forth below:
(a) Performance Target and Performance Ratio for 2008.
(i) China Finance has set the Performance Target for calendar year 2008 as Adjusted Earnings
(as defined below) in the total amount of U.S. $30 million, as adjusted pursuant to Section 4
below. At the end of calendar year 2008, China Finance will evaluate its business performance for
the whole year and generate the Performance Ratio for such year.
(ii) Where the Performance Ratio for calendar year 2008 is equal to or is above 100%, all
Granted Shares will be activated, and a number of Activated Shares equal to the proportion of the
period from the Grant Date until the end of calendar year 2008 on a time-based apportionment basis
over the entire Vesting Term will be vested immediately in a lump sum at the end of calendar year
2008. The remainder of the Activated Shares will vest monthly during the remaining Vesting Term on
a time-based apportionment basis, subject to the continued employment of at least one of the
Employees during the Vesting Term.
(iii) Where the Performance Ratio for calendar year 2008 is below 100%, whether any Granted
Shares will become Activated Shares as of the end of calendar year 2008 will be determined
according to the chart as set forth in Section 3 below, and a number of Activated Shares equal to
the proportion of the period from the Grant Date until the end of calendar year 2008 on a
time-based apportionment basis over the entire Vesting Term will be vested immediately in a lump
sum at the end of calendar year 2008. The remainder of the Activated Shares will vest monthly
during the remaining Vesting Term on a time-based apportionment basis, subject to the continued
employment of at least one of the Employees during the Vesting Term.
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(b) Performance Target and Performance Ratio for 2009.
(i) Granted Shares that have not been activated in calendar year 2008 as set forth above may
be activated based on the Performance Ratio of calendar year 2009 and according to the chart as set
forth in Section 3 below and will vest during the remaining Vesting Term on a time-based
apportionment basis in a manner similar to Section 2(a)(ii) and (iii), respectively, subject to the
continued employment of at least one of the Employees during the Vesting Term. China Finance has
set a Performance Target for the year of calendar year 2009 as Adjusted Earnings in the total
amount of US $40 million, as adjusted pursuant to Section 4 below.
(ii) Where both the Performance Ratio for 2008 and the Performance Ratio for 2009 are below
40%, no Granted Shares will be activated or vested. All Granted Shares that have not been
activated and vested by the end of calendar year 2009 under the provisions above will be forfeited
to China Finance, without payment by China Finance of any amount with respect to the Granted
Shares.
(c) Forfeitures. Any forfeiture of Granted Shares will be effected by China Finance
in such manner and to such degree as the Administrator (as defined in the Plan), in its sole
discretion, determines, and will in all events be subject to Applicable Laws (as defined in the
Plan). To enforce any restrictions on the Granted Shares, the Administrator may require BVI
Company A to deposit the certificates representing the Granted Shares, with stock assignments or
other transfer instruments approved by the Administrator endorsed in blank, with China Finance or
an agent of China Finance to hold in escrow until the restrictions have lapsed or terminated. The
Administrator may also cause a legend or legends referencing the restrictions be placed on the
certificates.
3. Activation of Granted Shares.
| Activated Proportion | ||||
| Performance Ratio | of Granted Shares | Activated Proportion of | ||
| (R) | (X) Formula | Granted Shares(X) | ||
R>=100%
|
X=100% | X=100% | ||
100%>R>95%
|
X=R /1.05 | 95%>X>90% | ||
95%> R>90%
|
X=R /1.1 | 86%>X>82% | ||
90%> R>85%
|
X=R /1.15 | 78%>X>74% | ||
85%> R>80%
|
X=R /1.2 | 71%>X>67% | ||
80%> R>75%
|
X=R /1.4 | 57%>X>54% | ||
75%> R>70%
|
X=R /1.6 | 47%>X>44% | ||
70%> R>65%
|
X= R /1.7 | 41%>X>38% |
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| Activated Proportion | ||||
| Performance Ratio | of Granted Shares | Activated Proportion of | ||
| (R) | (X) Formula | Granted Shares(X) | ||
65%> R>60%
|
X=R /1.8 | 36%>X>33% | ||
60%> R>55%
|
X=R /1.9 | 32%>X>29% | ||
55%> R>50%
|
X=R /2 | 28%>X>25% | ||
50%> R>45%
|
X=R /2.25 | 22%>X>20% | ||
45%> R>40%
|
X=R /2.5 | 18%>X>16% | ||
R<40%
|
X=0 | X= 0 |
4. Adjustments to Adjusted Earnings. For purposes of this Agreement, the calculation
of Adjusted Earnings will be adjusted upon the occurrence of the following events:
(a) Acquisitions through Issuance of New Equity.
(i) Before the end of calendar year 2007, if China Finance issues new Common Shares, preferred
shares, convertible bonds and notes or any other securities exercisable or convertible into Common
Shares or preferred shares of China Finance (“New Equity”), the Performance Target, namely,
the Adjusted Earnings per issued Common Share, in calendar year 2008 will increase by U.S. $0.3
(equal to U.S. $1.50 per ADR with corresponding earnings per Common Share of US $1.50; each ADR
represents 5 ordinary shares), and the Adjusted Earnings per issued Common Share in calendar year
2009, if applicable, will increase by U.S. $0.40 (equal to U.S. $2.00 per ADR with corresponding
earnings per Common Share of U.S. $2.00).
(ii) In calendar year 2008, if China Finance issues New Equity, the Adjusted Earnings per
issued Common Share in calendar year 2008 will increase by a portion equal to U.S. $0.30 (equal to
U.S. $1.50 per ADR) multiplied by the percentage of actual days from the completion date of the
issuance of Common Shares until the end of calendar year 2008, and the Adjusted Earnings per issued
Common Share in calendar year 2009, if applicable, will increase by U.S. $0.40 (equal to U.S. $2.00
per ADR).
(iii) In calendar year 2009, if China Finance issues New Equity, the Adjusted Earnings per
issued Common Share in calendar year 2009 will increase by a portion equal to U.S. $0.40 (equal to
U.S. $2.00 per ADR) multiplied by the percentage of actual days from the completion date of the
issuance of Common Shares until the end of calendar year 2009.
(b) Strategic Acquisition. In the event that a strategic acquisition contemplated by
China Finance may cause adverse effects to Adjusted Earnings and the Performance Ratio which is
linked with the vesting of Granted Shares for the applicable calendar year, the business
performance of the company to be acquired and relevant costs and expenses accrued from or in
connection with such strategic acquisition may, upon the request of BVI
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Company A and approval of
the Board of Directors of China Finance, be excluded from the U.S. GAAP net profits of China
Finance for the purpose of evaluating China Finance’s business performance.
(c) Strategic Financing. In the event that China Finance issues New Equity for a
strategic financing purpose and without a particular acquisition target at the time of such
issuance, such issuance of New Equity will not cause any adjustment in Adjusted Earnings.
(d) Other Circumstances. Adjusted Earnings may be adjusted in other circumstances
unanimously agreed by the Board of Directors of China Finance and BVI Company A.
5. Allocation of Granted Shares to Employees. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, BVI Company B will hold the Granted Shares on behalf of and exclusively for the
benefit of the Employees in the amounts designated by China Finance.
6. Allocation of Common Shares of BVI Company A. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, BVI Company A hereby allocates to Xxxxxx Xxxx common shares of BVI Company A
(the “Allocated BVI Shares”) in an amount designated by China Finance. Xx. Xxxx agrees to
transfer a portion of the Allocated BVI Shares to the Employees in amounts determined by China
Finance once such Employees are designated to participate in the Plan.
7. Termination of Employment.
(a) If Xxxxxx Xxxx voluntarily ceases to be employed by China Finance before the expiration of
the Vesting Term, (a) any activated and vested Granted Shares held by BVI Company B corresponding
to Xx. Xxxx’x Allocated BVI Shares will be nonforfeitable and Xx. Xxxx will continue to hold the
corresponding Allocated BVI Shares, (b) 40% of any activated but unvested Granted Shares held by
BVI Company B corresponding to Xx. Xxxx’x Allocated BVI Shares will immediately vest and become
nonforfeitable and Xx. Xxxx will continue to hold the corresponding Allocated BVI Shares, (c) a
percentage of any unactivated and unvested Granted Shares, held by BVI Company B corresponding to
Xx. Xxxx’x Allocated BVI Shares, equal to 40% of the corresponding activated proportion determined
according to Section 3 of this Agreement will immediately vest and become nonforfeitable and Xx.
Xxxx will continue to hold the corresponding Allocated BVI Shares and (d) any activated but
unvested Granted Shares and any unactivated and unvested Granted Shares (after effecting clauses
(b) and (c) above) held by BVI Company B corresponding to Xx. Xxxx’x Allocated BVI Shares will be
allocated to Xx. Xxxx’x successor to the chief executive officer position of China Finance subject
to the continued activation and vesting requirements of this Agreement and all of Xx. Xxxx’x
corresponding Allocated BVI Shares will be forfeited to Xx. Xxxx’x successor to the chief executive
officer position of China Finance as of the termination date, without payment by Xx. Xxxx’x
successor of any amount with respect to the Granted Shares or Allocated BVI Shares. Xx. Xxxx’x
successor will then be subject to the provisions of this Agreement as if the successor were Xx.
Xxxx and to such other terms and conditions established by China Finance or BVI Company A. Any
further successor to the chief executive officer position of China Finance who holds Allocated BVI
Shares during the Vesting Term will be subject to the provisions of this
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Agreement as if the
successor were Xx. Xxxx and to such other terms and conditions established by China Finance or BVI
Company A. If Xx. Xxxx involuntarily ceases to be employed by China Finance before the expiration
of the Vesting Term, Section 7(b) will govern the treatment of the Xx. Xxxx’x Allocated BVI Shares
and the Granted Shares held by BVI Company B corresponding to Xx. Xxxx’x Allocated BVI Shares. For
purposes of this Agreement, Xx. Xxxx, for the period of time in which he serves as chief executive
officer of China Finance, and any successor to the chief executive officer position of China
Finance during the Vesting Term shall be referred to as the “Chief Executive Officer.”
(b) If Employee is a Core Team Member and involuntarily ceases to be employed by China Finance
before the expiration of the Vesting Term, 100% of the Granted Shares held by BVI Company B
corresponding to Employee’s Allocated BVI Shares will immediately vest and become nonforfeitable
upon termination of employment, regardless of whether such Granted Shares have been activated or
not and Employee will continue to hold the corresponding Allocated BVI Shares; provided that
(except in the case of the Chief Executive Officer) if Employee is dismissed by China Finance by
reason of Employee’s action or inaction resulting in material damages to and the interests of China
Finance, the Employee’s Allocated BVI Shares will be immediately forfeited to the Chief Executive
Officer of China Finance without payment by the Chief Executive Officer of any amount with respect
to the Allocated BVI Shares regardless of whether the corresponding Granted Shares have been
activated or not. If Employee voluntarily ceases to be employed by China Finance before the
expiration of the Vesting Term, all of the Employee’s Allocated BVI Shares will be forfeited to the
Chief Executive Officer as of the termination date, without payment by the Chief Executive Officer
of any amount with respect to the Allocated BVI Shares regardless of whether the corresponding
Granted Shares have been activated or not. Any forfeiture will be effected by the Chief Executive
Officer of China Finance in such manner and to such degree as the Chief Executive Officer, in his
or her sole discretion, determines, and will in all events be subject to Applicable Laws (as
defined in the Plan).
(c) If Employee is not a Core Team Member and ceases to be employed by China Finance for any
reason before the expiration of the Vesting Term, all Allocated BVI Shares of the Employee will be
forfeited to the Chief Executive Officer of China Finance as of the termination date, without
payment by the Chief Executive Officer of any amount with respect to the Allocated BVI Shares
regardless of whether the Granted Shares corresponding to the Employee’s Allocated BVI Shares have
been activated or not. Any forfeiture will be effected by the Chief Executive Officer of China
Finance in such manner and to such degree as the Chief Executive Officer, in his or her sole
discretion, determines, and will in all events be subject to Applicable Laws (as defined in the
Plan).
8. Definitions.
(a) “Activated Shares” shall mean Granted Shares that are no longer subject to
performance vesting because of the fulfillment of a Performance Target by China Finance.
(b) “Adjusted Earnings” shall be calculated based on net profits plus share-based
compensation expenses (including any and all share-based compensation expenses accrued
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from or in
connection with all stock option/share incentives that have been or are to be granted by China
Finance) in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
(c) “Core Team Member” refers to the key personnel nominated by the Chief Executive
Officer of China Finance and recognized by the Board of Directors of China Finance.
(d) “Performance Ratio” refers to the ratio of actual Adjusted Earnings that China
Finance has made in a calendar year to the Performance Target for the same year.
(e) “Performance Target” refers to the performance target of the particular calendar
year set by China Finance.
9. No Assignment or Transfer of Granted Shares that are Unvested; Shareholder Rights.
Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, Granted Shares that have not vested and been
activated may not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred. Granted Shares that have vested and
have been activated may be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred. Otherwise, BVI Company B will
have all shareholder rights with respect to the Granted Shares, including voting rights.
10. No Assignment or Transfer of Allocated BVI Shares Prior to the Vesting of
Corresponding Granted Shares; Shareholder Rights. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the Allocated BVI Shares may not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred until the
corresponding Granted Shares have been activated and vested pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. Otherwise, the Employees holding the Allocated BVI Shares will have all shareholder
rights with respect to the Allocated BVI Shares, including voting rights.
11. Governing Law. This Agreement and all determinations made and actions taken
pursuant hereto shall be governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
People’s Republic of China.
12. Taxes.
(a) BVI Company B shall be liable for any and all taxes, including withholding taxes, arising
out of the issuance or the vesting of the Granted Shares hereunder. In the event that China
Finance is required to withhold taxes as a result of the issuance or vesting of the Granted Shares,
or subsequent sale of the Granted Shares, BVI Company B shall surrender a sufficient number of
whole Granted Shares or make a cash payment as necessary to cover all applicable required
withholding taxes and required social security insurance contributions at such time at which such
withholding obligations of China Finance arise, unless alternative procedures for such payment are
established by China Finance. BVI Company B will receive a cash refund for any fraction of a
surrendered Granted Share not necessary for required withholding taxes and required social security
insurance contributions.
(b) Regardless of any action China Finance takes with respect to any or all income tax, social
security insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related withholding
(“Tax-Related Items”), BVI Company B acknowledges and agrees that the ultimate liability
for all Tax-Related Items legally due by it is and remains BVI Company B’s
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responsibility and that
China Finance (i) makes no representations nor undertakings regarding the treatment of any
Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of this issuance of Granted Shares, including the
vesting of the Granted Shares or the subsequent sale of the Granted Shares; and (ii) does not
commit to structure the terms or any aspect of this issuance of Granted Shares to reduce or
eliminate BVI Company B’s liability for Tax-Related Items. When the withholding obligation of
China Finance on BVI Company B’s tax liabilities arises, BVI Company B shall surrender a sufficient
number of whole Granted Shares or pay China Finance any amount of Tax-Related Items that China
Finance may be required to withhold as a result of BVI Company B’s
participation in the Plan or BVI Company B’s receipt of Granted Shares that cannot be
satisfied by the means previously described. China Finance may refuse to deliver the Granted
Shares if BVI Company B fails to comply with BVI Company B’s obligations in connection with the
Tax-Related Items.
(c) Each Employee shall be liable for any and all taxes, including withholding taxes, arising
out of the issuance or the vesting of the BVI Allocated Shares to such Employee hereunder. In the
event that BVI Company A is required to withhold taxes as a result of the issuance or vesting of
the BVI Allocated Shares, or subsequent sale of the BVI Allocated Shares, the applicable Employee
shall surrender a sufficient number of whole BVI Allocated Shares or make a cash payment as
necessary to cover all applicable required withholding taxes and required social security insurance
contributions at such time at which such withholding obligations of BVI Company A arise, unless
alternative procedures for such payment are established by BVI Company A. The applicable Employee
will receive a cash refund for any fraction of a surrendered BVI Allocated Share not necessary for
required withholding taxes and required social security insurance contributions.
(d) Regardless of any action BVI Company A takes with respect to any or all Tax Related Items,
each Employee acknowledges and agrees that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items legally
due by the Employee is and remains the Employee’s responsibility and that BVI Company A (i) makes
no representations nor undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection
with any aspect of this issuance of BVI Allocated Shares, including the vesting of the BVI
Allocated Shares or the subsequent sale of the BVI Allocated Shares; and (ii) does not commit to
structure the terms or any aspect of this issuance of BVI Allocated Shares to reduce or eliminate
the Employees’ liability for Tax-Related Items. When the withholding obligation of BVI Company A
on an Employee’s tax liabilities arises, the Employee shall surrender a sufficient number of whole
BVI Allocated Shares or pay BVI Company A any amount of Tax-Related Items that BVI Company A may be
required to withhold as a result of the Employee’s participation in the Plan or Employee’s receipt
of BVI Allocated Shares that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. BVI Company A
may refuse to deliver the BVI Allocated Shares if an Employee fails to comply with Employee’s
obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.
13. Plan Information. BVI Company B acknowledges that it has received copies of the
Plan and the Plan prospectus from China Finance and agrees to receive stockholder information,
including copies of any annual report, proxy statement and periodic report, from China Finance’s
website at xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx. BVI Company B acknowledges that
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copies of the Plan, Plan
prospectus, Plan information and stockholder information are available upon written or telephonic
request to (00) 00 0000 0000.
14. Entire Agreement; Amendment of this Agreement. The Plan and this Agreement
constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to a party without the affected
party’s written consent. In the event of any conflict between the terms and provisions of the Plan
and this
Agreement, the Plan terms and provisions shall govern. Certain other important terms
governing this Agreement are contained in the Plan.
15. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and
shall be deemed effectively given upon delivery to the party at its address then on file with China
Finance.
16. Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be
unenforceable under Applicable Law, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement,
(ii) the balance of this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded, and
(iii) the balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
17. Interpretation of this Agreement. All determinations and interpretations of this
Agreement and any other documentation related to this Agreement will be made by the Administrator,
whose determination on these matters will be final and binding on all parties.
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The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.
| CHINA FINANCE ONLINE CO. LTD. | ||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxx | |||||||||
| Name: | Xxxx Xxxx | |||||||||
| Its: | Director on the | |||||||||
| Compensation Committee | ||||||||||
| C&F INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||||||
| Name: | Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||||||
| Its: | Fenghua International Limited | |||||||||
| Sole Director | ||||||||||
| FENGHUA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | ||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||||||
| Name: | Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||||||
| Its: | Sole Director | |||||||||
| XXXXXX XXXX | ||||||||||
| Signature: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||||||
| Printed Name: | Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||||||
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