EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
THIS
EXCHANGE
AGREEMENT (this
“Agreement”)
is
made and entered into as of the 29th
day
of February, 2008, between SMF Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(“Company”),
and the
undersigned (“Purchaser”
and,
together with Company, the “Parties”).
Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Purchaser desires
to
purchase and hereby subscribes for the number and dollar amount of the Company’s
Preferred Shares (defined below) as set forth on the signature page hereto
(the
“Transaction”).
2. OFFER. Purchaser,
by signing this Agreement, offers to purchase Preferred
Shares in
exchange for the November 19, 2007 unsecured promissory note held by Purchaser
in the principal amount and for the purchase price set forth on the signature
page hereto (the “Investment
Amount”).
Company
shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to reject or accept
Purchaser’s offer to purchase the Preferred Shares pursuant to this Agreement.
If Company accepts Purchaser’s offer, Company shall execute this Agreement and
return a copy of the Agreement, and issue the Preferred Shares to Purchaser.
If
Company rejects Purchaser’s offer, Company shall return to Purchaser this
Agreement, together with any payment of the Investment Amount made by Purchaser
to Company together with the interest earned on such payment, if
any.
3. CLOSING.
CLOSING. The
purchases and sales of the Preferred Shares (the “Closing”)
shall
take place on February 29, 2008, or such later date as may be determined by
Company, and from time to time thereafter (such date or dates referred to
collectively herein as the “Closing
Date”).
4. RECEIPT
OF DOCUMENTS. Purchaser
acknowledges receipt of a copy of: (a) this Agreement; (b) the Certificate
of
Designation for the Preferred Stock, attached hereto as Attachment
A;
(c) the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2007 (the
“10-K”);
(d)
the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
2007 (the “10-Q”);
and
(e) the Company’s proxy statement for its December 7, 2007 shareholders meeting
(the “Proxy
Statement”)
(collectively, the “Documents”).
5. USE
OF PROCEEDS; NO REFUNDS.
The
Investment Amounts shall be used by Company to provide additional working
capital for general corporate purposes, as well as for evaluation and
acquisition due diligence related to its current strategic acquisition program,
and pay the costs of the Transaction. Upon execution of this Agreement by
Company and delivery of it to Purchaser, the Investment Amount shall not, under
any circumstances, be refunded to Purchaser.
6. CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the obligations of Company
to close the Transaction shall be contingent upon the following:
(a) Company
and Purchaser executing this Agreement; and
(b) Purchaser
completing, to Purchaser’s satisfaction, all business, legal, and accounting due
diligence regarding Company and the Offering.
7. COMPANY’S
RIGHT TO CANCEL. Company,
in its sole discretion, may cancel this Agreement with respect to Purchaser
at
any
time prior to the Closing Date by delivery of written notice of cancellation
to
Purchaser and return of the Investment Amounts with accrued interest, if any,
to
Purchaser.
8. REGISTRATION
OF SHARES. Company
agrees to use reasonable commercial efforts to cause a registration statement
on
Form S-3 or similar form (“Registration
Statement”)
relating to the resale of the Common Shares into which the Preferred Shares
are
or may be convertible to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement attached hereto as
Attachment
B,
the
terms of which are incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement.
Subject to the terms in Attachment
B,
Company
further agrees to make all reasonable commercial efforts to cause the
Registration Statement to be filed within 90 days following the Closing Date
and
to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon thereafter
as
practicable.
9. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.
Each
Purchaser represents and warrants to Company as follows:
(a) Purchaser,
either alone or through Purchaser’s representative, as that term is defined
under Rule 501(h)
of
Regulation D
(“Regulation
D”)
under
the Securities Act (the
“Purchaser’s
Representative”),
if
any, has had an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from,
duly
designated representatives
of
Company concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement and has been
afforded an opportunity to examine such documents and other information which
Purchaser or Purchaser’s Representative, if any, has requested for the purpose
of answering any question Purchaser or Purchaser’s Representative, if any, may
have concerning the business and affairs of Company.
(b) Purchaser’s
principal residence or domicile is located in the State or
other
jurisdiction set forth on
the
signature page hereto. Purchaser has received and reviewed this Agreement and
the Documents and acknowledges that Company made available to Purchaser and
Purchaser’s Representative, if any, at a reasonable time prior to the execution
of this Agreement, the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers
concerning the business and affairs of Company and the terms and conditions
of
the sale of the Preferred
Shares as
contemplated by this Agreement and to obtain any additional information (which
Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense) as
may
be necessary to verify the accuracy of information furnished to Purchaser or
Purchaser’s Representative, if any. Purchaser (i)
is
able
to bear the loss of its entire investment without any material adverse effect
on
its economic stability, and (ii)
has,
alone or together with Purchaser’s Representative, such knowledge and experience
in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits
and risks of the investment to be made by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.
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(c) Purchaser
and Purchaser’s Representative, if any, understand that the Preferred Shares are
being offered and sold only to “accredited investors” (as that term is defined
under Rule 501(a) of Regulation D), and Purchaser represents that Purchaser
is
an accredited investor. Purchaser and Purchaser’s Representative, if any,
understand Company is relying on Purchaser with respect to the accuracy of
this
representation. Purchaser has completed and returned a copy of Attachment
C,
and
Purchaser represents that the statements made therein are complete and
accurate.
(d) Purchaser
and Purchaser’s Representative, if any, acknowledge that they were encouraged by
Company to request all additional information
that
might be material or important in order for Purchaser to make an informed
investment decision with respect to the purchase of the Preferred Shares.
(e) The
Preferred
Shares are being purchased for investment purposes only for such Purchaser’s own
account and not with the view to, or for resale in connection with, any
distribution or public offering. Purchaser and Purchaser’s Representative, if
any, understand that the Preferred Shares have not been registered under the
Securities Act or any state securities
laws
by
reason of their contemplated issuance in transactions exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities
Act
and
applicable state securities laws, and that the reliance of Company and others
upon these exemptions is predicated in part upon the representation by
Purchaser.
(f) Purchaser
and Purchaser’s Representative, if any, have carefully read this Agreement, the
Documents and the other information furnished to Purchaser by Company in
connection with this Agreement.
(g) Purchaser
was not solicited to purchase the Preferred Shares by any means of general
solicitation, including, but not limited to, the following: (i)
any
advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any
newspaper, magazine, or similar media, or broadcast over television or radio;
or
(ii)
any
meeting where attendees were invited by any general solicitation or general
advertising.
(h) Purchaser
and Purchaser’s Representative, if any, hereby acknowledge that the Preferred
Shares, are and will be, when issued, “restricted securities,”
as that
term is defined in Rule 144 of the rules and regulations promulgated under
the
Securities Act unless and until Company is successful in causing the
Registration Statement to become effective. Purchaser and Purchaser’s
Representative,
if any, are aware of the applicable limitations on the resale of the Common
Shares in the absence of a successful registration of those securities,
including but not limited to Rule 144. Rule 144 only permits sales of
“restricted securities” held for at least six months and in transactions which
otherwise comply with the requirements of such Rule. Purchaser and Purchaser’s
Representative, if any, also acknowledge that (1) the trading market for the
Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market is volatile, so that the trading volume
and price of Shares are subject to substantial and unpredictable variations
and
(2) while Company currently meets the public information requirements of Rule
144, there is no guarantee that it will do so at any time in the future.
-3-
(i) Purchaser
and Purchaser’s Representative, if any, acknowledge and warrant that, in making
this investment decision, they have made their own independent assessment of
the
merits and risks of an investment in the Preferred Shares based on their
examination and evaluation of Company, its business, operations, financial
condition, future prospects and the skills and qualifications of its officers,
directors and employees. Purchaser and Purchaser’s Representative, if any, have
consulted Purchaser’s own attorney, business or tax advisors for legal, business
or tax advice concerning an investment in the Preferred Shares and have not
relied on Company or its respective agents or representatives.
(j) Purchaser
and Purchaser’s Representative, if any, represent and warrant that, except as
set forth in this Agreement and in the Documents, no representations or
warranties have been made to Purchaser or Purchaser’s Representative, if any, by
Company or any agent, employee, representative or affiliate of Company and
that,
in entering into this transaction and subscribing for Preferred Shares, neither
Purchaser nor Purchaser’s Representative, if any, is relying on any information
other than that contained in this Agreement, the Documents, and other written
information obtained from Company in the course of the independent investigation
by Purchaser or Purchaser’s Representative, if any.
(k) Purchaser
and Purchaser’s Representative, if any, acknowledge that an investment in
Company involves substantial risks, including, without limitation, those
described in the Documents, including but not limited to the 10-K and the 10-Q.
10. INDEMNIFICATION
BY PURCHASER.
Purchaser agrees that it shall indemnify and hold harmless Company and its
officers, directors, employees, agents and professional advisors from and
against any and all loss, damage, liability, or expense, including costs and
reasonable attorneys’ fees, that any one or more of the foregoing may incur by
reason of, or in connection with, any (i) misrepresentation, inaccurate
statement or material omission or (ii) breach of any warranties or failure
to
fulfill any covenants, agreements or obligations, by Purchaser or Purchaser’s
Representative, if any, in this Agreement.
11. AUTHORIZATION.
To the
extent reasonably required by Company to satisfy any applicable law or
regulation, including without limitation the PATRIOT Act, Purchaser hereby
authorizes (i) Company and its officers, employees and agents to investigate
Purchaser’s personal and business background including, without limitation,
communication with any employer, former employer, business associate, government
agency, bank or other credit reference, provided that Company agrees to use
any
such information only to the extent required to comply with applicable law
or
regulation, and otherwise maintains the confidentiality of any such information
not generally available to the public with at least the same care as Company's
own proprietary and confidential information, and causes each of its officers,
employees and agents to do the same, and (ii) authorizes any person,
organization or entity that may have any knowledge or information concerning
Purchaser’s personal or business background to provide such information to
Company as Company may reasonably request in connection with the
foregoing.
-4-
12. NO
BROKERS OR FINDERS.
No
person, firm or corporation has or will have, as a result of any act or omission
by such Purchaser, any right, interest or valid claim against Purchaser or
Company for any commission, fee or other compensation as a finder
or
broker, or in any similar capacity, in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
13. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of
the State of Delaware.
The
Parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Broward
County, Florida, with respect to any dispute arising under this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) This
Agreement contains the entire agreement between Company and Purchaser with
regard to the subject matter hereof and may not be modified or waived except
in
a writing signed by both Company and all parties to each such agreement.
(c) The
headings of this Agreement are for convenience and reference only, and shall
not
limit or otherwise affect the interpretation of any term or provision hereof.
(d) This
Agreement and the rights, powers, and duties set forth herein shall, except
as
otherwise expressly provided, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of,
the
heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors, and assigns
of the Parties.
(e) This
Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable
or
transferable by Purchaser or Company without the prior written consent of the
other Parties, except (i) in the case of Company, by operation of law in
connection with a merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of its
assets or (ii) in the case of a Purchaser, (1) to any Affiliates (as
defined below) of Purchaser or (2) to partners, members, beneficiaries or
other equity interest holders of Purchaser; provided,
that in
each case referred to in (1) and (2) above, the third party transferee
would have been eligible to be an original purchaser of the Preferred Shares
pursuant to this Agreement and executes a counterpart signature page hereto
becoming a “Purchaser” hereunder, subject to all of the rights and obligations
of this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall
be
binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and
their respective successors and assigns. “Person”
means
an individual, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity
or
organization, including a government or political subdivision or agency or
instrumentality thereof. “Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, owns
or controls, is under common ownership or control with, or is owned or
controlled by, such Person.
(f) This
Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their permitted assigns
and
nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement shall give or be construed to
give to any Person, other than the Parties and such assigns, any legal or
equitable rights hereunder.
(g) If
any
legal action or any arbitration or other proceeding is brought for the
enforcement of this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach,
default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this
Agreement, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled
to
recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred in that action or
proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled.
-5-
(h) This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with its intent and without regard
to
any presumption or any other rule requiring construction against the party
causing the same to be drafted.
(i) If
any
provision of this Agreement, or any portion of any provision, shall be deemed
invalid
or
unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, such invalidity or unenforceability
shall
not
affect the enforceability and validity of the remaining provisions.
(j) This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be
an original but which taken together shall constitute one agreement.
Signatures to this Agreement may be transmitted by facsimile or other electronic
means and such transmission shall be deemed to be an original.
[Signature
page follows.]
-6-
SIGNATURE
PAGE FOR ENTITY INVESTOR
[FOR
INVESTOR THAT IS A CORPORATION, TRUST, CUSTODIANSHIP, PARTNERSHIP OR LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY]
THE
UNDERSIGNED HEREBY SWEARS AND AFFIRMS THAT HE OR SHE IS DULY AUTHORIZED TO
EXECUTE THIS EXCHANGE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ENTITY NAMED BELOW AND THAT
HE
OR SHE HAS READ THAT AGREEMENT, UNDERSTANDS ITS CONTENTS, AND AFFIRMS THE
ACCURACY OF THE INVESTOR REPRESENTATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.
Dated
this ___ of ____________, 2008.
Number
of
Preferred
Shares at $550 per Preferred Share:
___________
Dollar
Amount of Promissory Note (principal and interest) Converted
$____________
The
signature(s) should be of the person(s) with the authority to make the
investment decision on behalf of the corporation, trust, custodianship,
partnership or limited liability company.
_________________________________________________________________
Name
of
Corporation, Trust, Custodianship, Partnership or Limited Liability
Company
Signature | Signature | |
Print Name | Print Name | |
Title | Title | |
Tax I.D. No. of Investor | Telephone # |
State
in which principal business office is located:
|
SMF
ENERGY CORPORATION
|
||
ACCEPTED
THIS ___ DAY OF _______, 2008.
|
|||
Investor
Mailing Address:
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
|||
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SIGNATURE
PAGE FOR INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR(S)
THE
UNDERSIGNED HEREBY SWEARS AND AFFIRMS THAT HE OR SHE HAS READ THIS EXCHANGE
AGREEMENT, UNDERSTANDS ITS CONTENTS, AND AFFIRMS THE ACCURACY OF THE INVESTOR
REPRESENTATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.
Dated
this _____ of _____________, 2008.
Number
of
Preferred
Shares at $550 per Preferred Share:
___________
Dollar
Amount of Promissory Note (principal and interest) Converted
$____________
Signature
|
||||
|
||||
Subscriber
Name (Please Print)
|
Tax
ID or Social Security Number
|
|||
Address:
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Telephone
No.:
|
||||
Fax
No.:
|
||||
If
Joint Ownership (Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common)
|
||||
Signature
|
||||
Second
Subscriber Name (Please Print)
|
Second
Subscriber Tax ID or Social Security No.
|
|||
Address:
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Telephone
No.:
|
||||
Fax
No.:
|
SMF
ENERGY CORPORATION
|
||
ACCEPTED
THIS ___ DAY OF _______, 2008.
|
||
By:
|
||
Name:
|
||
Title:
|
-8-
Manner
in
which Title is to be Held (Check One):
_______
|
Individual
Ownership
|
_______
|
Company
(include a copy of Partnership Agreement, and any amendments, as
applicable, and a resolution with authorization
signature)
|
_______
|
Joint
Tenants with Rights of Survivorship (both parties must
sign)
|
_______
|
Trust
(include name of the trust, name of trustee and date trust was
formed)
|
_______
|
Tenants
in Common (both parties must sign)
|
_______
|
Corporation
(include certified corporate resolution with authorization
signature)
|
_______
|
Community
|
_______
|
Other
(please specify)
_____________________________
_____________________________
|
-9-
ATTACHMENT
A
Certificate
of Designation
ATTACHMENT
B
TO
Registration
Rights Agreement
1. Registration
Rights.
This
Registration Rights Agreement (the “RRA”),
is
attached to and made a part of each Exchange Agreement dated February 29,
2008 (the “EA”)
between SMF Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”)
and
the various Purchasers listed on Exhibit 1 to this RRA for the purchase of
the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock sold under the EA (the “Preferred
Shares”).
This
RRA provides the terms and conditions governing Company’s obligation under the
SPA to use reasonable commercial efforts to register under the Securities Act
the shares of Company’s Common Stock that may be obtained upon conversion of the
Series A Preferred Stock purchased pursuant to the SPA (collectively, the
“Shares”).
All
capitalized terms used in the RRA that are not defined herein have the same
meaning as in the EA.
(a) Demand
Registration.
After
the sale of all the Preferred Shares pursuant to the EA has been effected,
the
holders of the Common Shares into which the Preferred Shares are or may be
convertible (the “Registrable
Securities”)
shall be
deemed to have requested registration under the Securities Act for all of the
Registrable Securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Section 1(a).
Promptly thereafter Company shall notify each registered holder of the
Registrable Securities (a “Holder”)
in
writing of such request for registration. Company shall, as soon as practicable
after the date on which such notice is given, use reasonable commercial efforts
to file a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”)
covering the Registrable Securities and will use reasonable commercial efforts
to cause the Registration Statement to become effective. No right to
registration of Shares under this Section 1(a)
shall be
construed to limit any registration required under Section 1(b)
hereof.
The obligations of Company under this Section 1(a)
shall
expire after Company has afforded the Holders the opportunity to exercise
registration rights under this Section 1(a)
for one
registration.
(b) Piggy-back
Registration.
If. at
any time commencing on the date of issuance of the Preferred Shares (the
“Issue
Date”)
and
ending on the date that a registration statement covering the Registrable
Securities has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Company shall determine to prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own account or the
account of others under the Securities Act of any securities of Company, other
than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or their then equivalents relating to equity
securities to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity
or business or equity securities issuable in connection with employee benefit
plans, Company shall send to the Holders written notice of such determination
and if, within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, any Holder shall
so
request in writing, Company shall include in such Registration Statement all
or
any part of the Shares that such Holder requests to be registered, except that
if, in connection with any underwritten public offering for the account of
Company, the managing underwriter(s) thereof shall impose a limitation on the
number of Registrable Securities which may be included in the Registration
Statement because, in such underwriter(s)’ judgment, such limitation is
necessary to effect an orderly public distribution, then Company shall be
obligated to include in such Registration Statement only such limited portion
of
the Registrable Securities with respect to which such Holder has requested
inclusion. Any exclusion of Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata among
all Holders who have requested that Registrable Securities be included, in
proportion to the number of Registrable Securities specified in their respective
requests; provided, however, that Company shall not exclude any Registrable
Securities unless Company has first excluded all outstanding securities the
holders of which are not entitled by right to inclusion of securities in such
Registration Statement; and provided further, however, that, after giving effect
to the immediately preceding proviso, any exclusion of Registrable Securities
shall be made pro rata with holders of other securities having the right to
include such securities in the Registration Statement, based on the number
of
securities for which registration is requested except to the extent such pro
rata exclusion of such other securities is prohibited under any written
agreement entered into by Company with the holder of such other securities
prior
to the Issue Date in which case such other securities shall be excluded, if
at
all, in accordance with the terms of such agreement. No right to registration
of
Shares under this Section 1(b)
shall be
construed to limit any registration required under Section 1(a)
hereof.
Holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the
Registrable Securities may waive the obligations of Company under this Section
1(b).
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page
1 of 10
(c) Obligations
of Company.
In
connection with the registration of the Shares, Company shall:
(i) prepare
promptly and file with the SEC the Registration Statement provided in
Section 1(a)
with
respect to the Shares and thereafter to use reasonable commercial efforts to
cause such Registration Statement relating to the Shares to become effective
as
soon as possible after such filing, and keep the Registration Statement
effective at all times until two (2) years from the Expiration Date (the
“Registration
Period”);
submit to the SEC, within three (3) Business Days after Company learns that
no
review of the Registration Statement will be made by the staff of the SEC or
the
staff of the SEC has no further comments on the Registration Statement, as
the
case may be, a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement to a time and date not later than forty-eight (48) hours after the
submission of such request; notify the Holders of the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement on the date the Registration Statement is declared
effective; and, Company represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees
with the Holders that the Registration Statement (including any amendments
or
supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein, at the time it is first
filed with the SEC, at the time it is ordered effective by the SEC and at all
times during which it is required to be effective hereunder) and each such
amendment and supplement at the time it is filed with the SEC and all times
during which it is available for use in connection with the offer and sale
of
Shares shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made,
not
misleading;
(ii) prepare
and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments)
and
supplements to the Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection
with the Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration
Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and during
the
Registration Period, comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with
respect to the disposition of all Shares covered by the Registration Statement
until such time as all of such Shares have been disposed of in accordance with
the intended methods of disposition by the Holders as set forth in the
Registration Statement;
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page
2 of 10
(iii) furnish
to the Holders (A) promptly after the same is prepared and publicly
distributed, filed with the SEC or received by Company, one copy of the
Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, each preliminary prospectus
and prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, each letter written
by
or on behalf of Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC and each item of
correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC relating to such
Registration Statement (other than any portion of any thereof which contains
information for which Company has sought confidential treatment) and
(B) such number of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary
prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto and such other documents,
as any Holder reasonably may request in order to facilitate the disposition
of
the Shares;
(iv) use
reasonable commercial efforts to register and qualify the Shares covered by
the
Registration Statement under such securities or blue sky laws of such
jurisdictions as the Holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(662/3%)
of the
Registrable Securities being offered reasonably request and use reasonable
efforts to (A) prepare and file in those jurisdictions such amendments
(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations
and
qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof at
all
times until the end of the Registration Period, (B) take such other actions
as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect
at all times during the Registration Period and (C) take all other actions
reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Shares for sale in such
jurisdictions; provided, however, that Company shall not be required in
connection therewith or as a condition thereto (A) to qualify to do
business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify
but for this Section 1(c)(iv),
(B) to subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction,
(C) to file a general consent to service of process in any such
jurisdiction or (D) to make any change in its Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws which the Board of Directors of Company determines to be contrary to
the
best interests of Company and its stockholders;
(v) as
promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event or circumstance,
notify the Holders of any event or circumstance of which Company has knowledge,
as a result of which the prospectus included in the Registration Statement,
as
then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, and use its reasonable commercial efforts promptly to prepare
a
supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement to correct such untrue
statement or omission, file such supplement or amendment with the SEC at such
time as shall permit the Holders to sell Shares pursuant to the Registration
Statement as promptly as practicable, and deliver a number of copies of such
supplement or amendment to any Holder as such Holder may reasonably
request;
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page
3 of 10
(vi) as
promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, notify the Holders
(or, in the event of an underwritten offering the managing underwriters) of
the
issuance by the SEC of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness
of
the Registration Statement at the earliest possible time;
(vii) permit
one legal counsel designated by the Holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds
percent (662/3%)
of the
Registrable Securities being sold to review and comment on the Registration
Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto a reasonable period of
time
prior to their filing with the SEC and to pay the reasonable fees and costs
incurred by such counsel;
(viii) make
generally available to its security holders as soon as practical, but not later
than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings
statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 under the
Securities Act) covering a twelve (12) month period beginning not later than
the
first day of Company’s fiscal quarter next following the effective date of the
Registration Statement;
(ix) during
the period Company is required to maintain effectiveness of the Registration
Statement pursuant to Section 1(c)(i),
Company
shall not bid for or purchase any Common Stock or other securities or any right
to purchase Common Stock or other securities or attempt to induce any person
to
purchase any such security or right if such bid, purchase or attempt would
in
any way limit the right of the Holders to sell Shares by reason of the
limitations set forth in Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934,
as amended (the “Exchange
Act”);
and
(x) take
all
other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by
the
Holders of the Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement.
(d) Obligations
of the Holders.
In
connection with the registration of the Shares, the Holders shall have the
following obligations:
(i) it
shall
be a condition precedent to the obligations of Company to complete the
registration pursuant hereto with respect to any Holder’s Shares that the Holder
shall furnish to Company such information regarding Holder, the Shares held
by
Holder and the intended method of disposition of the Shares held by Holder
as
shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Shares and
shall
execute such documents in connection with such registration as Company may
reasonably request. At least ten (10) days prior to the first anticipated filing
date of the Registration Statement, Company shall notify the Holders of the
information Company requires from each Holder (the “Requested
Information”)
if any
of such Holder’s Shares are eligible for inclusion in the Registration
Statement. If at least two (2) Business Days prior to the filing date Company
has not received the Requested Information from any such Holder (at such time
Holder becoming a “Non-Responsive
Holder”),
then
Company may file the Registration Statement without including the Non-Responsive
Holder’s Shares but shall not be relieved of its obligation to file a
Registration Statement with the SEC relating to the Shares of Non-Responsive
Holder promptly after Non-Responsive Holder provides the Requested
Information;
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page
4 of 10
(ii) by
purchasing or accepting an assignment of the Preferred
Shares
or
Shares, each Holder agrees to cooperate with Company as reasonably requested
by
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration
Statement for the Registrable Securities, unless such Holder has notified
Company in writing of such Holder’s election to exclude all of Holder’s Shares
from the Registration Statement;
(iii) in
the
event Holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (662/3%)
of the
Registrable Securities being registered determine to engage the services of
an
underwriter, each Holder agrees to enter into and perform such Holder’s
obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form,
including, without limitation, customary indemnification and contribution
obligations, with the managing underwriter of such offering and take such other
actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of Shares, unless such Holder has notified Company in writing of
the
Holder’s election to exclude all of Holder’s Shares from the Registration
Statement;
(iv) each
Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from Company of the happening
of
any event of the kind described in Section
1(c)(v),
Holder
will immediately discontinue disposition of Shares pursuant to the Registration
Statement covering such Shares until Holder’s receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section
1(c)(v)
and, if
so directed by Company, Holder shall deliver to Company (at the expense of
Company) or destroy (and deliver to Company a certificate of destruction) all
copies in such Holder’s possession of the prospectus covering such Shares
current at the time of receipt of such notice;
(v) Holders
may not participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless the Holder
(A) agrees to sell Holder’s Shares on the basis provided in any
underwriting arrangements approved by the Holders entitled hereunder to approve
such arrangements, (B) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably
required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and (C) agrees
to pay its pro rata share of all underwriting discounts and commissions and
other fees and expenses of investment bankers and any manager or managers of
such underwriting and legal expenses to the underwriters applicable with respect
to its Shares, in each case to the extent not payable by Company pursuant to
the
terms of this Agreement; and
(vi) each
Holder agrees to take all reasonable actions necessary to comply with the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act applicable to its sales
of Shares.
(e) Expenses
of Registration.
All
costs and expenses, other than underwriting or brokerage discounts, commissions
and other fees related to the distribution of the Registrable Securities,
incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications for sale
of
the Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, all registration,
listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees and the fees
and
disbursement of counsel for Company shall be borne by Company, provided,
however, that Company shall bear the fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the
one
legal counsel selected by the Holders pursuant to Section 1(c)(vii)
hereof.
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page 5
of 10
(f) Indemnification.
In the
event any Shares are included in a Registration Statement under this
Agreement:
(i) To
the
extent permitted by law, Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Holders,
the directors, if any, of Holders, the officers, if any, of Holders, each
person, if any, who controls Holders within the meaning of the Securities Act
or
the Exchange Act, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for
Holders, the directors, if any, of such underwriter and the officers, if any,
of
such underwriter, and each person, if any, who controls any such underwriter
within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, an
“Indemnified
Person”),
against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (joint or several)
incurred (collectively, “Claims”)
to
which any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act
or otherwise, insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether
commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon
any
of the following statements, omissions or violations in the Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereof, or any prospectus included
therein: (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereof or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, (B) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the
effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final
prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if Company files any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to
state
therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in
light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not
misleading or (C) any violation or alleged violation by Company of the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law or any rule or
regulation under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities
law (the matters in the foregoing clauses (A) through (C) being, collectively,
“Violations.”)
Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 1(f)(v)
with
respect to the number of legal counsel, Company shall reimburse Holders and
the
other Indemnified Persons, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due
and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them
in
connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement
contained in this Section 1(f)(i):
(A) shall not apply to a Claim arising out of or based upon a Violation
which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished
in
writing to Company by any Indemnified Person or underwriter for such Indemnified
Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration
Statement, the prospectus or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto,
if such prospectus was timely made available by Company pursuant to Section 1(c)(iii)
hereof;
(B) with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the
benefit of any Indemnified Person if the untrue statement or omission of
material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected in the
prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if such prospectus was timely
made
available by Company pursuant to Section 1(c)(iii)
hereof,
and (C) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such
settlement is effected without the prior written consent of Company, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall remain in
full
force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the
Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Shares by
Holders.
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page
6 of 10
(ii) In
connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder is participating,
each Holder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the same extent and in
the
same manner set forth in Section 1(f)(i),
Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration
Statement, each person on, if any, who controls Company within the meaning
of
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, any underwriter and any other
stockholder selling securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or any
of
its directors or officers or any person who controls such stockholder or
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
(collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an “Indemnified
Party”),
against any Claim to which any of them may become subject, under the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out of or
is
based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent)
that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to Company by such Holder expressly for use in connection
with such Registration Statement, and such Holder will reimburse any legal
or
other expenses reasonably incurred by any Indemnified Party, promptly as such
expenses are incurred and are due and payable, in connection with investigating
or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 1(f)(ii)
shall
not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is
effected without the prior written consent of the Holder, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld; provided further, however, that the Holder shall
be liable under this Section 1(f)(ii)
for only
that amount of a Claim as does not exceed the amount by which the net proceeds
to the Holder from the sale of Shares pursuant to such Registration Statement
exceeds the cost of such Shares to the Holder. Such indemnity shall remain
in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf
of
such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Shares by the
Holder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
indemnification agreement contained in this Section 1(f)(ii)
with
respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any
Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained
in the preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus,
as then amended or supplemented.
(iii) If
the
indemnification provided to any Indemnified Party by Section
1(f)(i) is
for
any reason (other than the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence
of
such Indemnified Party) not available or insufficient to hold an Indemnified
Party harmless, Company will contribute to the Losses involved in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received (or
anticipated to be received) by Company, on the one hand, and by the Indemnified
Party, on the other hand, with respect to the transaction or, if such allocation
is determined by a court or arbitral tribunal to be unavailable, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect other equitable considerations such
as
the relative fault of Company on the one hand and of the Indemnified Party
on
the other hand; provided, however, that, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, the Indemnified Parties shall not be responsible for amounts which in
the
aggregate are in excess of the amount of all benefits actually received by
the
Indemnified Party from the ownership and sale of the Shares.
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page 7
of 10
(iv) Company
shall be entitled to receive indemnities from underwriters, selling brokers,
dealer managers and similar securities industry professionals participating
in
any distribution, to the same extent as provided above, with respect to
information so furnished in writing by such persons expressly for inclusion
in
the Registration Statement.
(v) Promptly
after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this
Section 1(f)
of
notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action),
such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect
thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 1(f),
deliver
to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and
the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel
selected by the indemnifying party but reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified
Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that
an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its
own
counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if,
in
the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and
any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. In such event,
Company shall pay for only one separate legal counsel for the Holders; such
legal counsel shall be selected by the Holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (662/3%)
of the
Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the
Claim
relates. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within
a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve
such
indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section
1(f),
except
to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend
such action. The indemnification required by Section
1(f)
shall be
made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the
investigation or defense, as such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred
and is due and payable.
2. The
agreements, representations and warranties of Company and the Holders set forth
or provided in Section
1
shall
survive the execution and delivery of the EA and payment for the Registrable
Securities under the EA and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless
of
any investigation made by or on behalf of Company and the Holder.
3. In
the
EA, Company agrees to make all reasonable commercial efforts to cause the
Registration Statement to be filed within 90 days following the Closing Date
and
to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon thereafter
as
practicable. Such obligation is subject to the receipt of a demand for such
registration from the requisite number of Holders or from the Placement Agent
as
their agent hereunder. The Holders further agree that, so long as Company
proceeds in good faith, it shall not be liable for any financial penalty or
monetary damages resulting from its failure to cause such filing or
effectiveness to occur by the times specified.
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page 8
of 10
4. This
Attachment
B
is
incorporated by reference into the EA and its terms made a part thereof.
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page 9
of 10
Exhibit
1 to Registration Rights Agreement
LIST
OF PURCHASERS
Attachment
B to Exchange
Agreement
Page
10 of 10
ATTACHMENT
C
Accredited
Investor and NASD Affiliation
Representations
As
provided by Rule 501(a) of Regulation D, my representation that I am or
represent an accredited investor is based upon one of the following grounds
that
I am or represent (please check one):
o |
A
private business development Company as defined in Section 202(a)(22)
of
the Investment Advisors Act of
1940;
|
o |
An
organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code,
corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership,
not
formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered,
with
total assets in excess of Five Million Dollars
($5,000,000);
|
o
|
A
director or executive officer of
Company;
|
o
|
A
natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with
that
person’s spouse, exceeds One Million Dollars
($1,000,000);
|
o
|
A
natural person who has an individual income in excess of Two Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($200,000) in each of the two (2) most recent years
and
has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in
the
current year;
|
o
|
A
natural person who has a joint income with that person’s spouse in excess
of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) in each of the two (2)
most
recent years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same
income
level in the current year;
|
o
|
A
trust, with total assets in excess of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000),
not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered,
whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as defined by
Rule
506(b)(2)(ii) of the Securities Act; or
|
o
|
An
entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited
investors.
|
AFFILIATION
WITH A U. S. REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER:
Are
you
associated with an NASD member firm? (Please check one)
YES
_______ NO
_______
Attachment
C to Exchange
Agreement
Page
1 of 2
(1)
The
NASD defines a “person associated with a member” or “associated person of a
member” as being every sole proprietor, general or limited partner, officer,
director or branch manager of any member, or any natural person occupying a
similar status or performing similar functions, or any natural person engaged
in
the investment banking or securities business who is directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by such member (for example, any employee), whether
or
not any such person is registered or exempt from registration with the NASD.
Thus, “person associated with a member” or “associated person of a member”
includes a sole proprietor, general or limited partner, officer, director or
branch manager of an organization of any kind (whether a corporation,
partnership or other business entity) which itself is either a “member” or a
“person associated with a member” or “associated person of a member.” In
addition, an organization of any kind is a “person associated with a member” or
“associated person of a member” if its sole proprietor or any one of its general
or limited partners, officers, directors or branch managers is a “member,”
“person associated with a member” or “associated person of a
member.”
(2)
The
NASD defines a “member” as being any individual, partnership, corporation or
other legal entity that is a broker or dealer admitted to membership in the
NASD.
IF
PURCHASER IS ASSOCIATED WITH AN NASD MEMBER FIRM, THE FOLLOWING ACKNOWLEDGMENT,
OR A SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT, MUST BE SIGNED AND SUBMITTED BEFORE
PURCHASER’S OFFER TO PURCHASE UNITS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY
COMPANY:
The
undersigned NASD member firm acknowledges receipt of the notice required by
Rule
3050 of the NASD Conduct Rules or any successor rules or
regulations.
DATE:
|
||||
NAME
OF NASD MEMBER FIRM
|
||||
BY:
|
||||
NAME:
|
||||
TITLE:
|
I
hereby
declare that the foregoing representations concerning my qualifications as
an
accredited investor and my affiliations, if any, with any NASD member firm,
are
accurate and complete.
INDIVIDUAL:
|
ENTITY:
|
|||
Print
Name:
|
By:
|
|
||
Date:
|
Name:
|
|
||
|
Title:
|
Attachment
C to Exchange
Agreement
Page
2 of 2