As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2008
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
URON Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota | 6141 | 47-0848102 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
2201 West Broadway, Suite 1
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
Telephone: (712) 322-4020
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Christopher Larson, Chief Executive Officer
2201 West Broadway, Suite 1
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
Telephone: (712) 322-4020
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Paul D. Chestovich, Esq.
Daniel P. Preiner, Esq.
Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP
3300 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Telephone: (612) 672-8305
Facsimile: (612) 642-8305
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. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) 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(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 o Smaller Reporting Company x
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| | | | | | | | | |
Title of each class of securities to be registered | | Amount to be registered (1) | | Proposed maximum offering price per share | | Proposed maximum aggregate offering price | | Amount of registration fee | |
Common stock, no par value | | | 3,192,859 shares | | $ | 4.80 | (2) | $ | 15,325,723 | (2) | $ | 602.30 | |
Common stock, no par value (3) | | | 400,000 shares | | $ | 0.01 | (3) | $ | 4,000 | (3) | $ | 0.02 | |
(1) | There is also being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock as shall be issuable pursuant to Rule 416 to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
(2) | In accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act, the offering price has been estimated, based upon a $4.80 per share average of the high and low bids on the OTC Bulletin Board on May 8, 2008, solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee. |
(3) | Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrant. In accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act, the offering price is the exercise price of such warrant. |
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 this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. |
Prospectus
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 14, 2008
3,592,859 shares
URON Inc.
Common Stock
The selling shareholders identified on page 37 of this prospectus are offering on a resale basis a total of 3,592,859 shares of our common stock. Our common stock is presently listed for trading on the Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) Bulletin Board under the symbol “URRN.OB.” The shares offered by this prospectus can be sold at prevailing market or privately negotiated prices. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of these shares by the selling shareholders.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus to read about certain factors you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2008
| PAGE |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS | ii |
| |
SUMMARY | 1 |
| |
RISK FACTORS | 4 |
| |
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 11 |
| |
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 12 |
| |
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE | 16 |
| |
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS | 17 |
| |
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY | 23 |
| |
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | 24 |
| |
MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS | 24 |
| |
MANAGEMENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 26 |
| |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 28 |
| |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 31 |
| |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS | 33 |
| |
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION OR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES | 35 |
| |
USE OF PROCEEDS | 36 |
| |
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS | 37 |
| |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | 39 |
| |
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK | 41 |
| |
LEGAL MATTERS | 42 |
| |
EXPERTS | 42 |
| |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 42 |
| |
Index to Financial Statements | F-1 |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on the information in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery or of any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the date of this prospectus. We are making offers to sell and seeking offers to buy shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should not consider this prospectus to be an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, shares of our common stock if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or if it is unlawful for you to receive the offer or solicitation.
Industry data and other statistical information used in this prospectus are based on independent publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. Some data are also based on our good faith estimates, derived from our review of internal surveys and the independent sources listed above. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information.
An Important Note on Language: We engaged in a merger transaction on December 31, 2007, pursuant to which we acquired the business of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., a Wyoming corporation. This transaction is referred to throughout this prospectus as the “Merger.” The Merger was effected under the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization by and among URON Inc., Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. and WFL Acquisition Corp., a Wyoming corporation and then a wholly owned subsidiary of URON Inc., dated December 13, 2007. Throughout this prospectus, we refer to this agreement simply as the “Merger Agreement.”
As a result of the Merger, we own 100% of the shares of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., through which we conduct our business operations. The merger transaction constituted a change in control of URON Inc. Throughout this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, references to the “Company” and “URON,” “we” and “our” are references to URON Inc. on a post-Merger basis, and so they include the business of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. which we acquired in the Merger.
Fiscal Year of the Company: The Company’s fiscal year ends December 31, 2008. Neither the Company nor any of its predecessors have been in bankruptcy, receivership or any similar proceeding.
SUMMARY
This summary highlights material information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before deciding to invest in our common stock. Before making an investment decision, we urge you to read this entire prospectus carefully, including the risks of investing in our common stock discussed under “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus, and our consolidated financial statements and related notes set forth at the end of this prospectus.
Our Business
URON provides short-term consumer loans, commonly referred to as cash advance loans, through its wholly owned operating subsidiary Wyoming Financial Lenders. As of December 31, 2007, we operated 52 stores, with locations in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The principal amounts of our typical cash advance loans range from $100 to $500. Since that date, we have acquired ten new stores, including five stores in Arizona. Cash advance loans provide customers with cash in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of generally two to four weeks and supported by that customer’s post-dated personal check for the aggregate amount of the cash advanced plus a fee. The fee varies from state to state, based on applicable regulations, and generally ranges from $15 to $20 per each $100 borrowed. To repay the cash advance loans, customers may pay with cash, in which case their personal check is returned to them, allow the check to be presented to the bank for collection, or may pay by ACH direct payment.
We also provide ancillary consumer financial products and services that are complementary to our payday-lending business, such as check-cashing services, money transfers and money orders. We also offer guaranteed phone/Cricket™ phones to our customers. Our loans and other services are subject to state regulations (which vary from state to state), and federal and local regulations, where applicable.
We believe there has always been a strong demand for small, short-term consumer loans in the United States. Nevertheless, traditional lenders like banks and finance companies have often been constrained by laws (or internal policies) that make providing small, short-term loans cost prohibitive. In addition, these smaller and short-term loans are incompatible with the acceptable risk level common to many traditional lenders. Traditional lenders generally appear to have moved away from this type of lending. The departure of traditional credit providers appears to have contributed to the rise of payday lending.
The cash advance loan industry began its rapid growth in 1996, when there were an estimated 2,000 cash advance loan stores in the United States. Currently, there are an estimated 22,000 cash advance loan stores in the United States, which in the aggregate provide approximately $40 billion in short-term credit to millions of middle-class households experiencing cash-flow shortfalls. During this same time, the number of states that expressly permit or do not expressly prohibit cash advance loans has grown from six to 36 states and the District of Columbia. Currently, industry trends indicate that, overall, there is likely to be a net decrease in total payday lending stores over the next few years from closings resulting primarily from regulatory changes and a slowdown in new store growth and general economic conditions. In 2007, the payday lending store base declined approximately 2.5% (approximately 600 stores), the first such decline in seven years. Nevertheless, the industry’s internet volume during 2007 increased by 40% over the prior year.
Cash advance loan customers typically are middle-income or lower-middle-income, middle-educated individuals who are a part of a young family. In addition, many customers claim to have at least one other alternative to using a cash advance loan that offers quick access to money, such as overdraft protection, credit cards, credit union loans or savings accounts. We believe that our customers choose the cash advance loan product because it is quick, convenient and, in many instances, a lower-cost or more suitable alternative for the customer than the other available alternatives.
Like most other cash advance lenders, we believe that the primary competitive factors in our business are location and customer service. We face intense competition in an industry with relatively low barriers to entry, and we believe that the cash advance lending markets are becoming more competitive as the industry matures and consolidates. We compete with other cash advance and check cashing stores and financial service entities and retail businesses that offer cash advance loans or similar financial services. In addition, we compete in part with services offered by traditional financial institutions, such as overdraft protection.
Additional areas of competition have recently arisen. Businesses now offer loans over the internet as well as “loans by phone,” and these have begun to compete with us. There also has been increasing penetration of electronic banking and related services into the check cashing and money transfer industry, including direct deposit of payroll checks, payroll cards, stored-value cards and electronic transfer of government benefits.
We believe that our management team, which has a combined 36 years of industry experience, provides us with a competitive strength. We also believe that customer service is critical to developing loyalty. In our industry, we believe that quality customer service means (i) assisting with the loan application process and understanding the loan terms, (ii) treating customers respectfully, and (iii) processing transactions with accuracy, efficiency and speed.
On February 26, 2008, we entered into an Exchange Agreement with National Cash & Credit, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, and its members. Under the Exchange Agreement, the members of National Cash & Credit assigned to us all of the outstanding membership interests in National Cash & Credit in exchange for our issuance to them of an aggregate of 1,114,891 shares of common stock and a cash payment of $100,000. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement occurred effective as of February 26, 2008. As a result of this transaction, we acquired five new stores located in the Phoenix, Arizona market. These stores engage in cash advance lending and title lending.
Corporate Information
URON was originally incorporated and organized as a Minnesota corporation in November 2001. In December 2007, we engaged in a merger transaction with Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., a Wyoming corporation. Wyoming Financial Lenders continues to exist as a wholly owned operating subsidiary of the Company. As explained in the “About this Prospectus” section of this prospectus above, throughout this prospectus we refer to the aforementioned merger transaction as the “Merger.” We presently conduct our business operating through Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. and National Cash & Credit, LLC.
Our principal offices are located at 2201 West Broadway, Suite 1, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501, and our telephone number at that office is (712) 322-4020.
The Offering
Common stock offered | | | 3,592,859 | |
Common stock outstanding before the offering (1) | | | 8,889,644 | |
Common stock outstanding after the offering | | | 9,289,644 | |
(1) | Based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, but excluding 400,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding common stock warrants. |
Of the shares of common stock offered hereby, an aggregate of 2,915,002 outstanding shares were originally issued in a private placement financing transaction that was undertaken in connection with, and closed simultaneously with, the Merger. The receipt by URON of at least $4 million in the financing transaction was a closing condition to the Merger. In total, we offered and sold 4,403,544 common shares in the transaction and raised gross proceeds of $4.5 million.
The remaining 277,857 outstanding shares offered hereby were issued in connection with our acquisition of National Cash & Credit, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company. This transaction was consummated on February 26, 2008 and involved our acquisition of all of the outstanding membership interests in that company. In this transaction, we acquired five new stores in the Phoenix, Arizona market. Our Chief Executive Officer and President, Christopher Larson, possessed a material financial interest in National Cash & Credit, LLC. For more information, please see “Certain Relationships and Transactions.”
A total of 400,000 shares offered hereby are issuable upon exercise of an outstanding warrant issued on November 29, 2007. This warrant was issued to and is held by Lantern Advisers, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company. The warrant provides Lantern Advisers with the right, for a period of five years, to purchase up to 400,000 shares of our common stock at the per-share price of $0.01. Under the terms of the warrant but with certain limited exceptions, Lantern Advisers presently has a “piggyback registration right,” which is the right to have the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant included in a registration statement that we file. We are including in this prospectus the 400,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant pursuant to Lantern Advisers’ piggyback registration rights.
Risk Factors
Investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk and should be regarded as speculative. As a result, you should only consider purchasing common shares if you can reasonably afford to lose your entire investment.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a number of risks. Before deciding to invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider each of the following risk factors and all of the other information set forth in this prospectus. The following risks could materially harm our business, financial condition or future results. If any such risks materialize, the value of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
The cash advance loan industry is highly regulated under state laws. Changes in state laws and regulations governing lending practices, or changes in the interpretation of such laws and regulations, could negatively affect our business.
Our business is regulated under numerous state laws and regulations, which are subject to change and which may impose significant costs or limitations on the way we conduct or expand our business. As of the date of this prospectus, approximately 36 states and the District of Columbia had legislation permitting or not prohibiting cash advance loans. During the last few years, legislation has been adopted in some states that prohibits or severely restricts cash advance loans. In 2006, Oregon passed a ballot initiative that caps interest rates and origination fees on cash advance loans at 36%, among other limitations. Before that, Georgia law effectively prohibited direct payday lending in 2004.
There are nearly always bills pending in various states to revise the current laws governing cash advance loans. Any of these bills, or future proposed legislation or regulations prohibiting cash advance loans or making them less profitable or unprofitable, could be passed in any of these states at any time, or existing cash advance loan laws could expire or be amended. A wide range of legislative or regulatory actions in any number of states could have a material and adverse effect on our revenues and earnings.
Statutes authorizing cash advance loans typically provide state agencies that regulate banks and financial institutions with significant regulatory powers to administer and enforce the laws relating to payday lending. Under statutory authority, state regulators have broad discretionary power and may impose new licensing requirements, interpret or enforce existing regulatory requirements in different ways or issue new administrative rules, even if not contained in state statutes, that affect the way we do business and may force us to terminate or modify our operations in those jurisdictions. They may also impose rules that are generally adverse to our industry. Finally, in many states, the attorney general has scrutinized or continues to scrutinize the cash advance loan statutes and the interpretations of those statutes. Any significant change in the interpretation of existing state statutes permitting payday lending could have a material and adverse affect on our business.
Our business is subject to complex federal laws and regulations governing lending practices, and changes in such laws and regulations could negatively affect our business.
Although states provide the primary regulatory framework under which we offer cash advance loans, certain federal laws also affect our business. For example, because cash advance loans are viewed as extensions of credit, we must comply with the federal Truth-in-Lending Act and Regulation Z thereunder. Additionally, we are subject to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and certain other federal laws. Any failure to comply with any of these federal laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Additionally, anti-cash advance loan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress in the past. These efforts culminated in federal legislation in 2006 that limits the interest rate and fees that may be charged on any loans, including cash advance loans, to any person in the military to 36% per annum. The military lending prohibition became effective on October 1, 2007. Future federal legislative or regulatory action that restricts or prohibits cash advance loans could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in local regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition to state and federal laws and regulations, our business is subject to various local rules and regulations such as local zoning regulations and permit licensing. We are aware of increasing efforts by local jurisdictions to restrict payday lending through the use of local zoning and permitting laws. Any actions taken in the future by local zoning boards or other governing bodies to require special use permits for, or impose other restrictions on, payday lenders could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our business, results of operations and business prospects.
Litigation and regulatory actions directed toward our industry or us could adversely affect our operating results, particularly in certain key states.
During the last few years, our industry has been subject to regulatory proceedings, class action lawsuits and other litigation regarding the offering of cash advance loans, and we could suffer losses resulting from interpretations of state laws in those lawsuits or regulatory proceedings, even if we are not a party to those proceedings. For example, the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks recently issued a ruling in which it determined that Advance America, which marketed, originated, serviced and collected cash advance loans on behalf of a state-chartered bank located in Kentucky, violated various North Carolina consumer-protection statutes.
Additionally, regulatory actions taken with respect to a particular non-payday lending financial service that we offer could negatively affect our ability to offer such other financial services. For example, if we were the subject of regulatory action related to our check cashing, title loans or other products, that regulatory action could adversely affect our ability to maintain our licenses for payday lending. Moreover, the suspension or revocation of our license or other authorization in one state could adversely affect our ability to maintain licenses in other states. Accordingly, a violation of a law or regulation in otherwise unrelated products or jurisdictions could affect other parts of our business and adversely affect our business and operations as a whole.
We may need additional financing in the future and any such financing may dilute our existing shareholders.
We anticipate that we will continue to experience growth in our income and expenses for the foreseeable future and that our operating expenses will be a material use of cash resources. In the event that income growth does not meet our expectations, we may require additional financing for working capital. In addition, if we determine to grow our business through acquisitions, any acquisitions we consummate may involve outside financing. Any additional financing may dilute our existing shareholders.
Additional financing could be sought from a number of sources, including but not limited to additional sales of equity or debt securities (including equity-linked or convertible debt securities), loans from banks, loans from our affiliates or other financial institutions. We may not, however, be able to sell any securities or obtain any such additional financing when needed, or do so on terms and conditions acceptable or favorable to the Company, if at all. If financing is not available, we may be forced to consider strategic alternatives, such as (but not limited to) curtailing certain aspects of our operations or closing certain operating locations. If we successfully enter into a financing transaction, any additional equity or equity-linked financing would be dilutive to shareholders, and additional debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants.
The concentration of our revenues in certain states could adversely affect us.
We currently operate in 11 states. For the year ended December 31, 2007, revenues from our locations in Nebraska represented approximately 36% of our total revenues. For the foreseeable future, we expect that a material and significant portion of our revenues will continue to be generated in Nebraska. As a result, changes to prevailing economic, demographic, regulatory or any other conditions, including the legislative, regulatory or litigation risks mentioned above, in the markets in which we operate, and Nebraska in particular, could lead to a reduction in demand for our cash advance loans, a decline in our revenues or an increase in our provision for doubtful accounts, or even an outright legal prohibition on the conduct of our business. Any of these outcomes could result in a material and swift deterioration of our financial condition, operating results and business prospects.
Unpredictability in financing markets could impair our ability to grow our business through acquisitions.
We anticipate that opportunities to acquire similar businesses will materially depend on the availability of financing alternatives with acceptable terms. As a result, poor credit and other market conditions or uncertainty in the financing markets could materially limit our ability to grow through acquisitions.
Public perception of cash advance lending as being predatory or abusive could adversely affect our business.
Recently, consumer advocacy groups and media reports have advocated governmental action to prohibit or severely restrict cash advance loans. The consumer groups and media reports typically focus on the cost to a consumer for this type of loan, which is higher than the interest typically charged by credit card issuers. This difference in credit cost is more significant if a consumer does not promptly repay the loan, but renews, or rolls over. The consumer groups and media reports typically characterize these transactions as predatory or abusive toward consumers. If this negative characterization of our business becomes widely accepted by consumers, demand for our cash advance loans could significantly decrease, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Negative perception of our business activities could also result in our industry being subject to more restrictive laws and regulations and greater exposure to litigation.
Any disruption in the availability of our information systems could adversely affect our operations.
We rely upon our information systems to manage and operate our business. Each location is part of an information network that permits us to maintain adequate cash inventory, reconcile cash balances daily, report revenues and loan losses timely. Our security measures could fail to prevent a disruption in the availability of our information systems or our back-up systems could fail to operate properly. Any disruption in the availability of our information systems could adversely affect our operations and our results of operations.
If we lose key managers or are unable to attract and retain the talent required for our business, our operating results could suffer.
Our future success depends to a significant degree upon the members of our executive management, particularly Christopher Larson, our Chief Executive Officer and President, John Quandahl, our Chief Operating Officer and Steven Staehr, our Chief Financial Officer. Accordingly, the loss of the services of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business. Our continued growth will also depend upon our ability to attract and retain additional skilled management personnel. Competition for highly skilled and experienced management is intense and likely to continue and increase. To the extent that we are unable to attract and retain the talent required for our business, our operating results could suffer.
We lack product and business diversification, which creates a risk that our future revenues and earnings will be susceptible to fluctuations.
Our primary business activity is offering and servicing cash advance loans. We also provide certain related services, such as check cashing, money transfers and money orders, which related services accounted for approximately 20% of our revenues in fiscal 2007. If we are unable to maintain and grow the operating revenues from our cash advance loan business, our future revenues and earnings are not likely to grow and could decline. Our lack of product and business diversification could inhibit the opportunities for growth of our business, revenues and profits.
Competition in the retail financial services industry is intense and could cause us to lose market share and revenues.
We believe that the primary competitive factors in the cash advance loan industry are store location and customer service. We face intense competition in the cash advance loan industry, and we believe that the payday lending market is becoming more competitive as this industry matures and begins to consolidate. The cash advance loan industry has low barriers to entry, and new competitors may enter the market easily. We currently compete with services, such as overdraft protection offered by traditional financial institutions, and with other cash advance loan and check cashing stores and other financial service entities and retail businesses that offer cash advance loans or other similar financial services, as well as a rapidly growing internet-based cash advance loan market. Some of our competitors have larger and more established customer bases and substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we have. As a result, we could lose market share and our revenues could decline, thereby affecting our earnings and potential for growth.
General economic conditions affect our loan losses, and accordingly, our results of operations could be adversely affected by a general economic slowdown.
Provision for loan losses, net of recoveries, is one of our largest operating expenses, constituting approximately 13% of total revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, with cash advance loan losses comprising most of the losses. At the end of each fiscal quarter, management considers recent collection history to develop expected loss rates, which are used to establish the allowance for loan losses. Any changes in economic factors that adversely affect our customers could result in higher loan loss experiences than anticipated, which could in turn adversely affect our loan charge-offs and operating results.
If estimates of our loan losses are not adequate to absorb actual losses, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We maintain an allowance for loan losses at levels to cover the estimated incurred losses in the collection of our loan portfolio outstanding at the end of each applicable period. At the end of each period, management considers recent collection history to develop expected loss rates, which are used to establish the allowance for loan losses. Our allowance for loan losses was $976,000 on December 31, 2007. Our allowance for loan losses is an estimate, and if actual loan losses are materially greater than our allowance for losses, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Because we maintain a significant supply of cash in our locations, we may experience losses due to employee error and theft.
Because our business requires us to maintain a significant supply of cash in our stores, we are subject to the risk of cash shortages resulting from employee error and theft. We periodically experience employee error and theft in stores, which can significantly increase the operating losses of those stores for the period in which the employee error or theft is discovered. We self-insure for employee error or theft at the store level. If our controls to limit our exposure to employee error and theft at the store level and at our corporate headquarters do not operate effectively or are structured ineffectively, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Regular turnover among our location managers and employees makes it more difficult for us to operate our locations and increases our costs of operation.
We experience a relatively stable workforce among our location managers and employees. Turnover interferes with implementation of operating strategies. Increases in our workforce turnover in the future would likely increase our operating pressures and operating costs and could restrict our ability to grow. Additionally, high turnover would create challenges for us in maintaining high levels of employee awareness of and compliance with our internal procedures and external regulatory compliance requirements.
Our directors, officers and our controlling shareholder possess controlling voting power with respect to our common stock and voting preferred stock, which will limit practically your influence on corporate matters.
Our officers and directors collectively possess beneficial ownership of approximately 14,750,094 shares of our common stock, which currently represents approximately 78.1% of our common stock. This includes all of the 1,125,000 common shares and 10,000,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (presently convertible into our common stock on a share-for-share basis) held by WERCS, a Wyoming corporation and the former sole stockholder of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. As a result, our directors, officers and WERCS (our most significant shareholder), will have the ability to outrightly control our management and affairs through the election and removal of our directors, and all other matters requiring shareholder approval, including the future merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets.
This concentrated control could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change-of-control transaction that may otherwise be beneficial to our shareholders. Furthermore, this concentrated control will limit the practical effect of your participation in Company matters, through shareholder votes and otherwise.
Our articles of incorporation grant our Board of Directors the power to issue additional shares of common and preferred stock and to designate other classes of preferred stock, all without shareholder approval.
Our authorized capital consists of 250 million shares of capital stock. Pursuant to authority granted by our articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors, without any action by our shareholders, may designate and issue shares in such classes or series (including other classes or series of preferred stock) as it deems appropriate and establish the rights, preferences and privileges of such shares, including dividends, liquidation and voting rights. The rights of holders of other classes or series of stock that may be issued could be superior to the rights of holders of our common shares. The designation and issuance of shares of capital stock having preferential rights could adversely affect other rights appurtenant to shares of our common stock. Furthermore, any issuances of additional stock (common or preferred) will dilute the percentage of ownership interest of then-current holders of our capital stock and may dilute our book value per share.
Because we became public by means of a reverse merger, we may not be able to attract the attention of major brokerage firms.
Additional risks to our investors may exist since we became public through a “reverse merger.” Security analysts of major brokerage firms may not provide coverage of the Company since, because we became public through a reverse merger, there is no incentive to brokerage firms to recommend the purchase of our common stock. In addition, because of past abuses and fraud concerns stemming primarily from a lack of public information about newly public businesses, there are many people in the securities industry and business in general who view reverse merger/public shell transactions with suspicion. Without brokerage firm and analyst coverage, there may be fewer people aware of us and our business, resulting in fewer potential buyers of our securities, less liquidity, and depressed stock prices for our investors.
Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. may have material liabilities of which we are not aware, or vice versa.
Although each of the parties to the Merger conducted a due-diligence review of the financial condition and legal status of the other, URON Inc. may have material liabilities that Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. was not aware of and has not yet discovered; or conversely, Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. may have material liabilities that URON Inc. was not aware and did not discover prior to the consummation of the Merger. Furthermore, although the Merger Agreement contained customary representations and warranties from both parties concerning their assets, liabilities, financial condition and affairs, it is possible that none of URON Inc., Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. (as the operating entity after the Merger) or the pre-Merger owners of either entity will have any material recourse against another party or its former or current owners or principals in the event such representations and warranties prove to be untrue, with resulting damages.
We are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the reporting requirements of federal securities laws, which can be expensive.
As a result of the Merger, we are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and became a public reporting company and, accordingly, subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and other federal securities laws. The costs of compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley, of preparing and filing annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC, furnishing audited reports to our shareholders, and other legal, audit and internal resource costs attendant with being a public reporting company will cause our expenses to be significantly higher than they would be if Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. had remained privately held.
Our common stock trades only in an illiquid trading market.
Trading of our common stock is conducted on the over-the-counter bulletin board. This has an adverse effect on the liquidity of our common stock, not only in terms of the number of shares that can be bought and sold at a given price, but also through delays in the timing of transactions and reduction in security analysts’ and the media’s coverage of us and our common stock. This may result in lower prices for our common stock than might otherwise be obtained and could also result in a larger spread between the bid and asked prices for our common stock.
There is not now and there may not ever be an active market for shares of our common stock.
In general, there has been very little trading activity in shares of our common stock. The small trading volume will likely make it difficult for our shareholders to sell their shares as and when they choose. Furthermore, small trading volumes are generally understood to depress market prices. As a result, you may not always be able to resell shares of our common stock publicly at the time and prices that you feel are fair or appropriate.
We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. We will, however, pay dividends on our convertible preferred stock.
Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. has in the past paid dividends to WERCS (its former sole stockholder prior to the Merger). In the Merger, WERCS received 10,000,000 shares of “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,” each share of which carries a $2.10 stated value. Such preferred stock entitles its holders to (i) a cumulative 10% dividend, compounded and payable on a quarterly basis; (ii) in the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, a preference in the amount of all accrued but unpaid dividends plus the stated value of such shares, before any payment shall be made or any assets distributed to the holders of any junior securities; (iii) convert their preferred shares into our common stock on a share-for-share basis, subject to adjustment; and (iv) vote their preferred shares on an as-if-converted basis.
We have the right to redeem some or all such preferred shares, at any time upon 60 days’ advance notice, at a price dependent upon the date of redemption. In the case of any redemption closing on or prior to March 31, 2009, the redemption price will be $3.00 per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends; thereafter, the redemption price will $3.50 per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends. Holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock have no preemptive or cumulative-voting rights.
We do not anticipate that we will pay any dividends for the foreseeable future on our common stock. Accordingly, any return on an investment in us will be realized only when you sell shares of our common stock.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements made in this prospectus are “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and projections about future events. When used in this prospectus, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect” and similar expressions, or the negative of such words and expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words or expressions. The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are primarily located in the material set forth under the headings “Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business,” but are found in other parts of this prospectus as well. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon management’s current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Although we believe that our plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we may not achieve these plans or objectives. You should read this prospectus completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We will not update forward-looking statements even though our situation may change in the future.
Specific factors that might cause actual results to differ from our expectations or may affect the value of the common stock, include, but are not limited to:
| · | Changes in local, state or federal laws and regulations governing lending practices, or changes in the interpretation of such laws and regulations |
| · | Litigation and regulatory actions directed toward our industry or us, particularly in certain key states |
| · | Our need for additional financing, and |
| · | Unpredictability or uncertainty in financing markets which could impair our ability to grow our business through acquisitions |
Other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this prospectus are more fully described in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Industry data and other statistical information used in this prospectus are based on independent publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. Some data are also based on our good faith estimates, derived from our review of internal surveys and the independent sources listed above. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes that appear at the end of in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve significant uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed in “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
Pursuant to the December 13, 2007 Merger Agreement, WFL Acquisition Corp. (then our wholly owned subsidiary) merged with and into Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., with Wyoming Financial Lenders remaining as the surviving entity and a wholly owned operating subsidiary of the Company. As indicated above, this transaction is referred to throughout this prospectus as the “Merger.” The Merger was effective as of the close of business on December 31, 2007.
Since the Merger, we have provided (primarily through Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc.) retail financial services to individuals primarily in the midwestern and southwestern United States. These services include non-recourse cash advance loans, check cashing and other money services, including title loans. At the close of business on December 31, 2007, we owned and operated 52 stores in ten states (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming). As of the date of this prospectus, we owned and operated a total of 61 stores in the foregoing states and Arizona.
We provide short-term consumer loans—known as cash advance loans—in amounts that typically range from $100 to $500. Cash advance loans provide customers with cash in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of generally two to four weeks and that customer’s post-dated personal check for the aggregate amount of the cash advanced, plus a fee. The fee varies from state to state, based on applicable regulations, and generally ranges from $15 to $20 for each $100 borrowed. To repay the cash advance loans, customers may pay with cash, in which case their personal check is returned to them, allow the check to be presented to the bank for collection, or pay by ACH direct payment. All of our loans and other services are subject to state regulations which vary from state to state, federal regulations and local regulation, where applicable.
Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applied on a consistent basis. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. We base these estimates on the information currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could vary materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1, “Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus.
We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
Loan Loss Allowance
We maintain a loan loss allowance for anticipated losses for our cash advance loans. To estimate the appropriate level of loan loss allowances, we consider the amount of outstanding loans owed to us, historical loans charged off, current and expected collection patterns and current economic trends. Our current loan loss allowance is based on our net write offs, typically expressed as a percentage of loan amounts originated for the last twelve months applied against the principal balance of outstanding loans that we write off. As conditions change, we may need to make additional allowances in future periods.
When a loan is originated, the customer receives the cash proceeds in exchange for a post-dated check or a written authorization to initiate a charge to the customer's bank account on the stated maturity date of the loan. If the check or the debit to the customer's account is returned from the bank unpaid, the loan is placed in default status and an allowance for this defaulted loan receivable is established and charged against expense in the period that the loan is placed in default status. This allowance is reviewed monthly and any adjustment to the loan loss allowance as a result of historical loan performance, current and expected collection patterns and current economic trends is recorded. Returned items, net of allowance, was $375,000 and $298,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Valuation of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets
We assess the impairment of long-lived and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business, and significant negative industry trends. When management determines that the carrying value of long-lived and intangible assets may not be recoverable, impairment is measured based on the excess of the assets’ carrying value over the estimated fair value.
Share-Based Compensation
Under the fair value recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123R (SFAS 123R), “Share-Based Payment,” our share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense based on the applicable vesting schedule. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at grant date requires judgment, which includes estimating the amount of share-based awards expected to be forfeited. The Black-Scholes option pricing model (using estimated value of URON Inc.) is used to measure fair value for stock option grants.
During 2007, we granted 1,600,000 shares of restricted stock options and warrants to certain of our employees and non-employees. These options and warrants vested upon the successful completion of the Merger on December 31, 2007. We estimated that the grant date fair market value of these restricted options totaled $368,000 at the time of issuance and $1,248,000 at the time of exercise in January 2008. During 2007, we granted warrants to a Company adviser for the purchase of up to 400,000 common shares. These warrants vested upon the successful completion of the Merger on December 31, 2007. We estimated that the grant date fair market value of these restricted warrants totaled $92,000 at the time of issuance. These warrants have not been exercised as of the date of this prospectus.
Net Income. For the year ended December 31, 2007, net income was $.03 million compared to net income of $1.37 million in 2006. A discussion of the various components of net income follows.
Revenues. Revenues totaled $11.35 million in 2007 compared to $8.72 million in 2006, an increase of $2.63 million or 30.1%. The increase in revenues was primarily a result of higher cash advance loan volumes resulting from an increase in the number of stores and customer transactions. We originated approximately $62 million in cash advance loans during 2007 compared to $47 million during the prior year. The average loan (including fee) totaled $322 in 2007 versus $335 in the prior year. Our average fee rate for 2007 was $47.51 compared to $49.03 in 2006. Revenues from check cashing, title loans, guaranteed phone/Cricket fees, and other sources totaled $2.24 million and $1.82 million for 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Salaries and Benefits. Payroll and related costs were $3.75 million in 2007 compared to $2.98 million in 2006 an increase of $.77 million, as headcount increased mostly due to an increase in the number of branch locations and corporate positions.
Provisions for Loan Losses. Our provision for losses for 2007 totaled $1.48 million and $.88 million for 2006. The less favorable loss ratio year to year reflects our accelerated rate of unit store growth during 2007, and a more challenging collections environment as a result of an increase in bankruptcy filings, higher energy prices and increased competition in the lending industry.
Guaranteed phone/Cricket. Guaranteed phone/Cricket dropped to $.44 million in 2007 compared to $.59 million in 2006. The decrease was a result of lower guaranteed phone/Cricket revenue due to a national trend of more consumers relying on cellular phones versus home phones where the guaranteed phone product is used.
Occupancy Costs. Occupancy expenses, consisting primarily of store leases were $.78 million during 2007, compared to $.45 million in 2006, an increase of $.33 million due to the addition of stores during 2007. Occupancy expenses as a percentage of revenues increased from 5.2 % in 2006 to 6.9% in 2007, primarily due to the high number of stores many of which were opened recently and had lower profitability compared to the more mature locations.
Depreciation. Depreciation increased by $.03 million in 2007 due to depreciation associated with capital expenditures for stores. Depreciation was $.14 million for 2007 and $.11 million for 2006.
Amortization of Intangible Assets. Amortization of intangible assets was $.14 million for both 2007 and 2006.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense. We incurred stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and warrants issued in conjunction with the Merger and were $.46 million in 2007.
Merger Transaction Expenses. Expenses related to the Merger were $1.4 million in 2007.
General, Administrative and Other. Total other costs for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $1.41 million compared to $.99 million in 2006. Other costs, which include, utilities, and office supplies collection costs and other minor costs increased by $.42 million primarily due to growth in number of stores.
Total Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $10.42 million compared to $6.52 million for 2006. The $3.90 million, or 59.82%, increase in operating expenses over the comparable period in 2006 was due primarily to the increased amount of transactions, expansion of our business with additional stores, expenses related to the Merger transaction and stock-based compensation expense.
Income From Operations. Income from operations as a result of the above factors was $.93 million compared income of $2.20 million in 2006.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $.90 million in 2007 compared to income tax expense of $.83 million in 2006 primarily as a result of 2007 Merger-related nondeductible permanent differences.
Net Income. Net income in 2007 was $.03 million in 2007 compared to net income of $1.37 million in 2006, a decrease in net income of $1.34 million.
At December 31, 2007, we had cash of $.98 million compared to $1.27 million at December 31, 2006. Cash decreased by $.28 million during fiscal 2007 and cash increased by $.34 million during fiscal 2006. For fiscal year 2008, we believe that our available cash, combined with expected cash flows from operations and collections of stock subscriptions receivable, will be sufficient to fund our liquidity and capital expenditure requirements during fiscal 2008.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.91 million in 2007 and $2.55 million in 2006. Operating cash flows from 2006 to 2007 were lower due a larger net growth in loans receivable (i.e., growth in loans receivable less allowance for losses) and changes to deferred income taxes due to a change in 2007 in our method of accounting for late loans receivable for income tax reporting. Net cash used by investing activities was $.15 million in 2007 and $5.50 million in 2006. Investing activities consisted of store acquisitions and improvements. Net cash used by financing activities was $2.04 million in 2007 versus net cash used by financing activities of $3.29 million in 2006. In 2006, financing activities included shareholder’s contribution of $4.20 million. Dividends paid were $1.59 million and $.91 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Payments of notes payable in 2007 were $.53 million.
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
On February 8, 2008, we dismissed Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP (“Virchow Krause”) as our independent registered public accounting firm. The decision to dismiss Virchow Krause had been approved by our Board of Directors.
Virchow Krause’s report on our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except as follows: Virchow Krause’s report on our financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (which financial statements and report were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006), contained a separate paragraph that included a statement that our recurring operating losses, lack of revenue and negative cash flows from operations raised substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
During our most two recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and from January 1, 2007 through February 8, 2008, there were no disagreements between the Company and Virchow Krause on any manner of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Virchow Krause, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report on our financial statements. None of the reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K occurred during the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, or from January 1, 2007 through February 8, 2008.
On February 8, 2008, we engaged Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP (“Lurie Besikof”) as our new independent registered public accounting firm. The engagement of Lurie Besikof was approved by our Board of Directors and also by the audit committee of our Board of Directors.
During our two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, and through February 8, 2008, neither URON Inc. nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted with Lurie Besikof regarding either (i) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement and required to be reported under Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions thereto, or (ii) the application of accounting principles to a specific completed or contemplated transaction, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and either written or oral advice was provided that Lurie Besikof concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, except that Lurie Besikof was retained by Wyoming Financial Lenders to audit the financial statements of Wyoming Financial Lenders in connection with URON’s acquisition of Wyoming Financial Lenders in the Merger effective December 31, 2007, and the filing of such financial statements and related audit report in a Current Report on Form 8-K (filed on January 7, 2008) in compliance with applicable SEC regulations. As a result of the Merger, Wyoming Financial Lenders became the acquiror of the Company for accounting purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
General Overview
URON Inc., a Minnesota corporation, provides short-term consumer loans, commonly referred to as cash advance loans, through its wholly owned operating subsidiary Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., a Wyoming corporation. As of December 31, 2007, we operated 52 stores, with locations in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The principal amounts of our typical cash advance loans range from $100 to $500. Since that date, we have acquired ten new stores, including five stores in Arizona (see “Recent Developments,” below). Cash advance loans provide customers with cash in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of generally two to four weeks and supported by that customer’s post-dated personal check for the aggregate amount of the cash advanced plus a fee. The fee varies from state to state, based on applicable regulations, and generally ranges from $15 to $20 for each $100 borrowed. To repay the cash advance loans, customers may pay with cash, in which case their personal check is returned to them, allow the check to be presented to the bank for collection, or may pay by ACH direct payment.
We also provide ancillary consumer financial products and services that are complementary to our payday-lending business, such as check-cashing services, money transfers and money orders, and title loans. In addition, we offer guaranteed phone/Cricket™ phones to our customers. Our loans and other services are subject to state regulations (which vary from state to state), and federal and local regulations, where applicable.
Reverse Merger Transaction
Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated December 13, 2007 (referred to throughout this prospectus as the “Merger Agreement”), by and among URON Inc., WFL Acquisition Corp., a Wyoming corporation and then our wholly owned subsidiary, and Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., a Wyoming corporation, WFL Acquisition Corp. merged with and into Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., with Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. remaining as the surviving entity and our wholly owned operating subsidiary. This transaction is referred to throughout this prospectus as the “Merger.” The Merger became effective as of the close of business on December 31, 2007.
At the effective time of the Merger, the legal existence of WFL Acquisition Corp. ceased and all shares of capital stock of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. that were outstanding immediately prior to the Merger were cancelled, with one share of common stock of such corporation issued to the Company. Simultaneously, WERCS (a Wyoming corporation and the former sole holder of capital stock of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc.) received:
| · | 1,125,000 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 17.9% of our common stock outstanding immediately after the Merger, and |
| · | 10,000,000 shares of our newly created preferred stock, designated as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,” which is presently convertible into our common stock on a share-for-share basis, subject to adjustment. |
On an aggregate and as-if-converted basis, WERCS received and held 11,125,000 common shares representing approximately 68.2% of our common stock immediately after the Merger. In addition, WERCS received a cash payment of $278,845 in return of capital.
Prior to the Merger, we effected a 1-for-10 share combination (i.e., reverse stock split) of our capital stock that was effective as of December 27, 2007. The share combination was approved by our Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act with a corresponding reduction in the number of shares of authorized capital stock. In addition, our Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of directors comprising the Board of Directors, and appointed five new directors at the effective time of the Merger. Also at the effective time of the Merger, our former sole director resigned from our Board of Directors.
Recent Developments
On February 26, 2008, we entered into an Exchange Agreement with National Cash & Credit, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, and its members. Under the Exchange Agreement, the members of National Cash & Credit assigned to us all of the outstanding membership interests in National Cash & Credit in exchange for our issuance to them of an aggregate of 1,114,891 shares of common stock and a cash payment of $100,000. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement occurred effective as of February 26, 2008. In the transaction, we acquired a total of five new stores located in the Phoenix, Arizona market. Our Chief Executive Officer and President, Christopher Larson, possesses a material financial interest in National Cash & Credit, LLC. For further information, please see “Certain Relationships and Transactions.”
On March 1, 2008, we acquired five stores offering payday advance loans in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Minot, North Dakota. These stores, currently operating under the trade name “Ameri-Cash,” increased to ten the total number of stores which we operate in North Dakota. We paid approximately $400,000 for these stores and associated assets.
Industry Background
We believe there has always been a strong demand for small, short-term consumer loans in the United States. However, traditional lenders like banks and finance companies have often been constrained by laws (or internal policies) that make providing small, short-term loans cost prohibitive. In addition, these smaller and short-term loans are incompatible with the acceptable risk level common to many traditional lenders. Traditional lenders generally appear to have moved away from this type of lending. The departure of traditional credit providers appears to have contributed to the rise of payday lending.
The cash advance loan industry began its rapid growth in 1996, when there were an estimated 2,000 cash advance loan stores in the United States. Currently, there are an estimated 22,000 cash advance loan stores in the United States, which in the aggregate provide approximately $40 billion in short-term credit to millions of middle-class households experiencing cash-flow shortfalls (Source: Financial Services Association of America). During this same time, the number of states that expressly permit or do not expressly prohibit cash advance loans has grown from six to 36 states and the District of Columbia. Industry trends currently indicate that, overall, there is likely to be a net decrease in total payday lending stores over the next few years from closings resulting primarily from regulatory changes and a slowdown in new store growth and general economic conditions. In 2007, the payday lending store base declined approximately 2.5% (approximately 600 stores), the first such decline in seven years. Nevertheless, the industry’s internet volume during 2007 increased by 40% over the prior year. (Source: Joseph Steven & Co, Inc.).
Cash advance loan customers typically are middle-income or lower-middle-income, middle-educated individuals who are a part of a young family. In addition, many customers claim to have at least one other alternative to using a cash advance loan that offers quick access to money, such as overdraft protection, credit cards, credit union loans or savings accounts. We believe that our customers choose the cash advance loan product because it is quick, convenient and, in many instances, a lower-cost or more suitable alternative for the customer than the other available alternatives.
Services
Cash Advance Loans
Customers seeking to obtain a cash advance loan must complete a loan application, maintain a personal checking account, have a suitable source of income, and not otherwise be in default on a loan from us. Upon completion of a loan application and our acceptance of such application, the customer signs a promissory note and provides us with a check for the principal loan amount plus a specified fee. State laws typically limit fees to a range of $15 to $20 for each $100 of principal borrowed. Loans generally mature in two to four weeks, on or near the date of a customer’s next payday. Our standard agreement with customers provides that we will not cash their check until the due date of the associated loan. The customer’s debt to us is satisfied by: (i) payment of the full amount owed in cash (at which point we return the customer’s personal check); (ii) deposit of the customer’s check with the bank; or (iii) ACH direct payment.
Where permitted by state regulation, a customer may renew a loan after full payment of the fee associated with the original loan. When applicable, a customer renewing a loan signs a new promissory note and provides us with a new check.
The cash advance-lending business is seasonal due to the fluctuating demand for cash advance loans during the year. Usually, the highest demand for cash advance loans occurs in January and in the fourth calendar quarter. Due to the receipt of income-tax refunds, demand for cash advance loans normally declines from February through April. As with most payday lenders, our loan loss ratio fluctuates with these changes in demand, with a higher loss ratio being typical in the second and third calendar quarters and a lower loss ratio being typical in the first and fourth calendar quarters.
Other Financial Services
We also offer other consumer financial services, such as check-cashing services, phone services, installment loans, money transfers and money orders. Together, these other financial services constituted 20% and 21% of our revenues for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Marketing Strategy
Our advertising and marketing efforts are designed to introduce customers to our services, build customer loyalty and generate repeat visits and transactions. Our principal means of advertising consists of promotional materials and Yellow Page directories used in our active markets.
Technology and Information
We maintain an integrated system of software applications and platforms for processing the various types of transactions we offer. These systems provide us with customer service, internal control mechanisms, record-keeping and reporting information. As of the date of this prospectus, we have one point-of-sale system used by all of our payday locations, and a different point-of-sale system used for our title loan services. On a daily basis, transaction data is collected and integrated into our management information systems. These systems are designed to provide summary, detailed and exception information to regional, area and store managers as well as corporate staff.
Security
We believe the principal security risks to our operations are robbery and employee theft. We have established extensive security systems, dedicated security personnel and management information systems to address both areas of potential loss.
To protect against robbery, most store employees work behind bullet-resistant glass and steel partitions, and the back office, safe and computer areas are locked and closed to customers. Our security measures in each store include safes, electronic alarm systems monitored by third parties, control over entry to customer service representative areas, detection of entry through perimeter openings, walls and ceilings and the tracking of all employee movement in and out of secured areas. Employees use cellular phones to ensure safety and security whenever they are outside the secure customer service representative area. Additional security measures include alarm systems in all stores , remote control over alarm systems, arming/disarming and changing user codes and mechanically and electronically controlled time-delay safes.
Since we have high volumes of cash and negotiable instruments at our locations, daily monitoring, unannounced audits and immediate responses to irregularities are critical. Our regional managers perform weekly unannounced store audits and cash counts at our stores. We self-insure for employee theft and dishonesty at the store level.
Competition
Like most other cash advance lenders, we believe that the primary competitive factors in our business are location and customer service. We face intense competition in an industry with relatively low barriers to entry, and we believe that the cash advance lending markets are becoming more competitive as the industry matures and consolidates. We compete with other cash advance and check cashing stores and financial service entities and retail businesses that offer cash advance loans or similar financial services. In addition, we compete in part with services offered by traditional financial institutions, such as overdraft protection.
Additional areas of competition have recently arisen. Businesses now offer loans over the internet as well as “loans by phone,” and these have begun to compete with us. There also has been increasing penetration of electronic banking and related services into the check cashing and money transfer industry, including direct deposit of payroll checks, payroll cards, stored-value cards and electronic transfer of government benefits.
We believe that our management team, which has a combined 36 years of industry experience, provides us with a competitive strength. We also believe that customer service is critical to developing loyalty. In our industry, we believe that quality customer service means (i) assisting with the loan application process and understanding the loan terms, (ii) treating customers respectfully, (iii) processing transactions with accuracy, efficiency and speed.
We are subject to regulation by federal, state and local governments that affect the products and services we provide. Generally, these regulations are designed to protect consumers who deal with us and are not designed to protect our shareholders.
Regulation of Cash Advance Lending
Our business activities are subject to regulation and supervision at the state and federal levels. In those states where we currently operate, we are licensed as a payday lender where required and are subject to various state regulations regarding the terms of our cash advance loans and our policies, procedures and operations. In some states, cash advance lending is referred to as deferred presentment, deferred deposit or consumer installment loans. State regulations normally limit the amount that we may lend to any consumer and may limit the number of loans that we may make to any consumer at one time or in the course of a year. State regulations also limit the amount of fees that we may assess in connection with any loan or transaction and may limit a customer’s ability to renew a loan with us. The state statutes also often specify minimum and maximum maturity dates for cash advance loans and, in some cases, specify mandatory cooling-off periods between transactions. We must also comply with the disclosure requirements of the Federal Truth-In-Lending Act and Regulation Z thereunder. Our collection activities for delinquent loans are generally subject to consumer protection laws regulating debt collection practices. Finally, our business subjects us to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
Recent Legal Developments and Trends
During the last few years, legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress and in certain states proposing various restrictions or an outright prohibition on cash advance loans. Currently, state laws in Oregon, and Georgia have effectively eliminated the ability to conduct cash advance lending activities in those states, and a recent federal law prohibits loans of any type to members of the military and their family with charges or interest in excess of 36% per annum.
In Arizona, current state law will effectively ban payday lending as of July 1, 2010. Legislation to extend or overturn the ban is pending. Nevertheless, even if the prohibition is delayed or eliminated, we believe it is likely that such delay or elimination will be accompanied by limitations on fees or interest rates chargeable by payday lenders, in addition to other possible restrictions. Presently, we have five stores in Arizona. At this point, it is difficult to assess the materiality of any limitations on the business we conduct in Arizona. A ban on payday lending in Arizona could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Regulations promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury under the Bank Secrecy Act require reporting of transactions involving currency in an amount greater than $10,000. Generally, every financial institution must report each deposit, withdrawal, exchange of currency or other payment or transfer that involves an amount greater than $10,000. In addition, multiple currency transactions must be treated as a single transaction if the financial institution has knowledge that the transactions are by or on behalf of any one person and result, in a single business day, in the transfer of cash in or out totaling more than $10,000. In addition, the regulations require institutions to maintain information concerning sales of monetary instruments for cash in amounts from $3,000 to $10,000.
Furthermore, the Money Laundering Act of 1994 requires us, as a money service business, to register with the United States Department of the Treasury. Money services businesses include check cashers and sellers of money orders. Money services businesses must renew their registrations every two years, maintain a list of their agents, update the agent list annually and make the agent list available for examination. In addition, the Bank Secrecy Act requires us, under certain circumstances, to file a suspicious activity report.
Finally, we have established various procedures designed to comply, and we continue to monitor and evaluate our business methods and procedures to ensure compliance, with the USA PATRIOT Act.
Privacy Regulation
We are subject to a variety of federal and state laws and regulations restricting the use and seeking to protect the confidentiality of customer identity and other personal nonpublic customer information. We have identified our systems that capture and maintain nonpublic personal information, as that term is understood under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and associated regulations. We disclose our public information policies to our customers as required by that law. We also have systems in place intended to safeguard this information as required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
Employees
As of December 31, 2007, we had approximately 120 employees, consisting of 110 store personnel, three field managers and seven corporate office employees. We believe our relationship with our employees is good, and we have not suffered any work stoppages or labor disputes. We do not have any employees that operate under collective-bargaining agreements.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Our headquarters is in Council Bluffs, Iowa. There, we have a 3,500-square-foot space which is sufficient for our projected near-term future growth. The monthly lease amount is $3,280 and the term runs through November 2010. The corporate phone number is (712) 322-4020.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have 61 store locations. Our locations typically range in size from 1,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet, and have varying lease terms (none of which, however, have remaining terms of more than five years). As of the date of this prospectus, we have stores in the following cities:
· Chandler, Arizona · Buckeye, Arizona · Lower Buckeye, Arizona · Surprise, Arizona · Mesa, Arizona · Sterling, Colorado · Ames, Iowa · Des Moines, Iowa (four locations) · Sioux City, Iowa · Dodge City, Kansas · Garden City, Kansas · Billings, Montana (two locations) · Butte, Montana · Great Falls, Montana · Holdrege , Nebraska · Columbus, Nebraska · Grand Island, Nebraska · Hastings, Nebraska · Lincoln, Nebraska (four locations) · North Platte, Nebraska · Omaha, Nebraska (six locations) | · Bismarck, North Dakota (two locations) · Grand Forks, North Dakota (four locations) · Fargo, North Dakota · Minot, North Dakota · Aberdeen, South Dakota · Rapid City, South Dakota · Sioux Falls, South Dakota · Watertown, South Dakota · Salt Lake City, Utah · Sandy, Utah · Taylorsville, Utah · West Jordan, Utah · Kenosha, Wisconsin (three locations) · Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin · Racine, Wisconsin (two locations) · East Casper, Wyoming · Gillette, Wyoming · Laramie, Wyoming · Sheridan, Wyoming · West Casper, Wyoming · Rock Springs, Wyoming |
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings. Nevertheless, our business frequently involves many immaterial legal proceedings relating primarily to the collection of customer debts.
MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT’S
COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
Market Information
Our common stock is listed for trading on the over-the-counter bulletin board under the symbol “URRN.OB.” The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc., 3200 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 430, Denver, Colorado 80209.
The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for our common stock as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board in 2007 and the first quarter of 2008. Our common shares did not begin trading on the OTC Bulletin Board until February 2007. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown, or commission, and may not represent actual transactions. Trading in our common stock during the period represented was sporadic, exemplified by low trading volume and many days during which no trades occurred. On May 8, 2008, the last sales price for our common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board was $4.80.
| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | |
| | High | | Low | |
First Quarter | | $ | 4.00 | | $ | 1.30 | |
Second Quarter | | $ | 4.00 | | $ | 1.10 | |
Third Quarter | | $ | 3.00 | | $ | .50 | |
Fourth Quarter | | $ | 3.00 | | $ | .50 | |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
| | High | | Low | |
First Quarter | | $ | 6.00 | | $ | 2.73 | |
Holders
As of the date of this filing, we had approximately 500 holders of record of our common stock.
In the event that (i) Lantern Advisers, LLC sells the 400,000 shares of common stock covered by this prospectus after its exercise of an outstanding warrant to purchase such shares, (ii) Mark Houlton sells the 416,667 shares of common stock covered by this prospectus, and (iii) Mill City Ventures, LP sells the 800,000 shares of common stock covered by this prospectus, then the percentage of beneficial ownership of our common shares held by certain owners and management, as identified in the section “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” below, will be decreased to the following percentages: Christopher Larson (19.8%), Steven Staehr (10.3%), John Quandahl (4.2%), Mark Houlton (less than one percent) Robert W. Moberly (57.3%), WERCS (57.3%), Mill City Ventures, LP (less than one percent), Joseph A. Geraci, II (3.3%).
Dividends
Holders of our common stock are entitled to share pro rata in dividends and distributions with respect to the common stock when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. We have not paid any dividends on our common stock and intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance the development and expansion of our business. Additionally, we must first pay preferred dividends on our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock as described under the caption “Description of Capital Stock” below. The current dividend payable to the holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock aggregates to $525,000 on a quarterly basis. Other than with respect to shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, future dividend policy is subject to the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements and our financial condition.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The table below sets forth certain information, as of the close of business on December 31, 2007, regarding equity compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which our securities were then authorized for issuance.
| | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in column a) | |
| | (a) | | (b) | | (c) | |
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders (1) | | | 2,000,000 | | | 0.01 | | | None | (2) |
(1) | We are currently not required by applicable state law or the listing standards of any self-regulatory agency (e.g., the OTC Bulletin Board, NASD, AMEX or NYSE) to obtain the approval of our shareholders prior to issuing any such compensatory options, warrants or other rights to purchase securities of the Company. |
(2) | In January 2008, our Board of Directors adopted the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan permitting the issuance of various incentives, including options or similar rights to purchase or acquire up to 2,000,000 shares of our common stock. As of the date of this prospectus, no incentives have been issued under such plan. |
MANAGEMENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Management
At the effective time of the Merger, our Board of Directors was reconstituted by the appointment of Christopher Larson, Robert W. Moberly, James Mandel, John H. Klaasen IV and Mark Houlton as directors, and the resignation of Donald Miller from his role as a director of the Company. The following table sets forth the name and position of each of our current directors and executive officers.
Name | | Age | | Positions |
Christopher Larson | | 36 | | Director, Chief Executive Officer and President |
Steven Staehr | | 45 | | Chief Financial Officer |
John Quandahl | | 41 | | Chief Operating Officer |
Robert W. Moberly | | 55 | | Director |
James Mandel | | 50 | | Director |
John H. Klaasen IV | | 46 | | Director |
Mark Houlton | | 43 | | Director |
The biographies of the above-identified individuals are set forth below:
Christopher Larson, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, co-founded and acted as Chief Financial Officer of Cash Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ traded (symbol: CKNN) financial services company involved in the casino gaming industry, from 1999 to 2005. Chris also served on the Board of Directors of Cash Systems from 2001 to 2006. Cash Systems was taken public via a reverse merger and during Chris’ tenure the company experienced revenue growth from $600,000 to $120,000,000 annually.
Robert W. Moberly has been employed with WERCS since 1987. Mr. Moberly is responsible for locating and evaluating business acquisitions for WERCS and its affiliates. Mr. Moberly also develops the company’s business strategies. Mr. Moberly holds many licenses in insurance and securities, including: Property and Casualty, Life and Health, Surplus Lines in insurance and Registered Representative Series 7, Financial Operations Principal Series 27, General Principal Series 24, Municipal Securities Registered Representative Series 53 and Options Principal Series 4 in securities. Prior to joining Wyoming, Mr. Moberly worked for two years as a securities broker for Dain Bosworth and 15 years as the owner of a contracting business. Mr. Moberly, a native of Greybull, Wyoming, graduated from Worland High School and attended the University of Wyoming.
James Mandel has been the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Multiband Corporation (NasdaqCM: MBND) since October 1, 1998. He was co-founder of Call 4 Wireless, LLC, a telecommunications company specializing in wireless communications, and served as its Chairman and a member of its Board of Directors from December 1996 until October 1998, and as its interim Chief Executive Officer from December 1996 until December 1997. From October 1991 to October 1996, he was Vice President of Systems for Grand Casinos, Inc., where his duties included managing the design, development, installation and on-going maintenance for the 2,000 room, $507 million Stratosphere Hotel, Casino and Tower in Las Vegas. Mr. Mandel also managed the systems development of Grand Casino Mille Lacs, in Onamia, Minnesota, Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minnesota and six other casinos nationwide. He formerly served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for CorVu Corporation, an international software development company which was sold in June of 2007, and currently serves as a director for NewMarket Technologies, an international technology company based in Dallas, Texas.
John H. Klaasen IV is a Business Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch and provides advisory services for individuals, closely held businesses and public companies in a wide variety of industries. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Mr. Klaasen worked in Wells Fargo’s Commercial Banking Group for 12 years. His has broad experience in the areas of commercial banking, investment banking and private wealth management. Mr. Klaasen graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from San Diego State University. Mr. Klaasen is active in a variety of community organizations.
Mark Houlton founded Houlton Enterprises, Inc. in 1997 and opened his first check-cashing / payday advance store in Omaha, Nebraska. Over the course of his ownership, this single store company grew to a total of 24 stores in Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota and Wisconsin. In 2005, Mr. Houlton sold his stock to WERCS, Inc. and Houlton Enterprises was merged into Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. Mr. Houlton is a 1988 graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, having received a B.S. in management.
Steven Staehr is the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and was previously employed by Cash Systems, Inc. as its corporate controller, where he was responsible for all aspects of financial accounting and SEC reporting for the company. Mr. Staehr has also held high-level financial executive positions with several other large companies, most notably with Encore Productions, Inc., Mirage Resorts, Inc., Boyd Gaming Corporation, Caesars World, Inc., and Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Staehr was the corporate controller for Boyd Gaming during its initial public offering. Mr. Staehr is a licensed certified public accountant in the states of California and Nevada, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
John Quandahl, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, currently also serves as the President of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., a position he has held since 2007. From 2005 until joining Wyoming Financial Lenders, Mr. Quandahl was the President of Houlton Enterprises, Inc., and prior to that served as that corporation’s Chief Operating Officer from 1999 until 2004. Mr. Quandahl was the controller as Silverston Group, Inc., from 1993 until 1998, and before that began his career at the Nebraska Department of Revenue as a tax auditor in 1989. Mr. Quandahl is a certified public accountant and earned a degree in accounting from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Under our corporate bylaws, directors serve for indefinite terms expiring upon the next annual meeting of our shareholders.
Family Relationships
The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that there are no familial relationships among any of our officers or directors.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
During the past five years, no officer, director, control person or promoter of the Company has been involved in any legal proceedings respecting: (i) any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; (ii) any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); (iii) being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; or (iv) being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for awarded to or earned by: (i) each individual who served as the principal executive officer of either URON Inc. or Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. during the year ended December 31, 2007; and (ii) each other individual that served as an executive officer of either URON Inc. or Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. at the conclusion of the year ended December 31, 2007 and who received more than $100,000 in the form of salary and bonus during such fiscal year.
For purposes of this prospectus, these individuals are collectively the “named executives” of the Company.
| | Annual Compensation | |
Name and Principal Position | | Year | | Salary ($) | | Bonus ($) | | Other Annual Compensation ($) | | Stock Options Awards ($) (5) | | Stock Awards ($) | |
John Quandahl, President and Chief Operating Officer (1) | | | 2007 2006 | | | 229,000 70,350 | | | 0 0 | | | 0 0 | | | 92,000 0 | | | 0 0 | |
Christopher Larson, President and Chief Executive Officer (2) | | | 2007 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | |
Donald Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer (3) | | | 2007 2006 | | | 0 0 | | | 0 0 | | | 0 0 | | | 0 0 | | | 25,000 0 | |
Steven Staehr, Chief Financial Officer (4) | | | 2007 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 126,500 | | | 0 | |
(1) | Mr. Quandahl is the President of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., the wholly owned and principal operating subsidiary of the registrant. Mr. Quandahl also began serving as the Chief Operating Officer of URON Inc. effective November 29, 2007, and continues to serve in that capacity since the Merger. |
(2) | Mr. Larson became the President and Chief Executive Officer of URON Inc. effective November 29, 2007 and continues to serve in those capacities since the Merger. |
(3) | Mr. Miller served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of URON Inc. from August 2006 until November 29, 2007. |
(4) | Mr. Staehr became the Chief Financial Officer of URON Inc. effective November 29, 2007, and continues to serve in that capacity since the Merger. |
(5) | Amounts listed reflect the dollar amounts related to option awards recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the fiscal years indicated, in accordance with FAS 123(R) (disregarding the estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions). Assumptions used in the calculation of these amount are included in Note 7, “Stockholders’ Equity,” to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, which are included at the end of this prospectus. |
URON Inc. Executive Compensation Prior to the Merger
Prior to the Merger, URON did not pay any cash or cash-equivalent remuneration to any executive officer or any director during its last most recently completed years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007. URON issued no options, warrants, restricted stock or other stock-based compensation to any officer or director during the year ended December 31, 2006. In February 2007, URON entered into an employment agreement with Donald Miller, thereby employing him as its Chief Executive Officer. Under that agreement, Mr. Miller’s sole compensation was the issuance of 50,000 shares of common stock (after giving effect to the December 27, 2007 reverse stock split) with restricted transferability. On November 29, 2007, in connection with the appointment of Mr. Christopher Larson as URON’s President and Chief Executive Officer and the resignation of Mr. Miller from such position, URON and Mr. Miller terminated the aforementioned employment agreement.
Also on November 29, 2007, in connection with their appointments as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of URON, respectively, Messrs. Quandahl and Staehr received non-vested contingent options to purchase shares of common stock at the per-share price of $0.01. Under their respective option agreements, Mr. Staehr had the right to purchase up to 550,000 common shares and Mr. Quandahl had the right to purchase up to 400,000 common shares. By their terms, the options did not vest or become exercisable until URON engaged in a change in control, as defined in the option agreements. The closing of the Merger constituted a change in control, as defined in such agreements. The option agreements provided that the shares purchasable thereunder were not to be affected by any stock combination (i.e., reverse stock split) effected in connection with the Merger. The value ascribed to the component of executive compensation represented by the stock options, in accordance with FAS 123(R), is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table (see above) in column captioned “Long-Term Compensation Awards—Securities Underlying Options.”
Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. Executive Compensation Prior to the Merger
Prior to the Merger, Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. paid cash compensation, but did not issue any options, warrants, restricted stock or other stock-based compensation to John Quandahl, its principal executive officer during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007. Furthermore, Wyoming Financial Lenders did not have an employment agreement with Mr. Quandahl during that time. Nevertheless, Wyoming Financial Lenders did have an arrangement with Mr. Quandahl at the time of the Merger to pay him an annual salary of $250,000.
Executive Compensation Arrangements After the Merger
Since the Merger, the Company (on a combined basis) has not entered into and does not have any employment agreements with any named executives or any other members of its executive management. The Company’s current arrangements with it executive officers are to pay (i) Mr. Larson, its President and Chief Executive Officer, an annual salary of $150,000, (ii) Mr. Quandahl, its Chief Operating Officer, an annual salary of $250,000, and (iii) Mr. Staehr, its Chief Financial Officer, an annual salary of $120,000.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The table below sets forth certain information regarding unexercised options, as of December 31, 2007, for each of the named executives identified in the Summary Compensation Table (see above):
| | Option Awards | |
Name | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | | Option Exercise Price ($) | | Option Expiration Date | |
John Quandahl | | | 400,000 | (1) | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0.01 | | | 11/29/08 | |
Christopher Larson | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | - | | | - | |
Donald Miller | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | - | | | - | |
Steven Staehr | | | 550,000 | (1) | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0.01 | | | 11/29/08 | |
(1) | Option was granted on November 29, 2007, subject to vesting upon a change in control of the Company. The Merger qualified as a change in control of the Company, as defined under the relevant option agreement. These options have been exercised. |
Employment and Change-in-Control Agreements
We do not currently have any employment or change-in-control agreements with the named executives or any other current members of our executive management. Nevertheless, we may consider entering into employment agreements and change-in-control agreements with members of our senior management. As indicated above, we do have arrangements with our executive officers to pay (i) Mr. Larson, our President and Chief Executive Officer, an annual salary of $150,000, (ii) Mr. Quandahl, our Chief Operating Officer, an annual salary of $250,000, and (iii) Mr. Staehr, our Chief Financial Officer, an annual salary of $120,000.
Compensation of Directors
Currently, our directors receive no compensation pursuant to any standard arrangement for their services as directors. Nevertheless, we may in the future determine to provide our directors with some form of compensation, either cash or options or contractually restricted securities.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
As of the date of this prospectus, we had outstanding two classes of voting securities—common stock, of which there were 8,889,644 shares issued and outstanding; and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, of which there were 10,000,000 shares issued and outstanding. Each share of capital stock is currently entitled to one vote on all matters put to a vote of our shareholders.
The following table sets forth the number of common shares, and percentage of outstanding common shares, beneficially owned as of the date of this prospectus, by: (i) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our common stock; (ii) each current director; (iii) each executive officer and other persons identified as a named executive officer in the “Executive Compensation” section of this prospectus (see above); and (iv) all current executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the following persons is 2201 West Broadway, Suite 1, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501, and each such person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite his, her or its name.
| | Common Shares Beneficially Owned (1) | | Percentage of Common Shares (1) | |
Christopher Larson (2) | | | 1,841,290 | | | 20.7 | % |
Steven Staehr (3) | | | 966,667 | | | 10.9 | % |
John Quandahl (4) | | | 400,000 | | | 4.5 | % |
John H. Klaasen IV (5) | | | 0 | | | * | |
James Mandel (6) | | | 470 | | | * | |
Mark Houlton (7) | | | 416,667 | | | 4.7 | % |
Robert W. Moberly (8) | | | 11,125,000 | | | 58.9 | % |
| | | | | | | |
All current executive officers and directors as a group (9) | | | 14,750,094 | | | 78.1 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Donald Miller (10) 9449 Science Center Drive New Hope, MN 55428 | | | 61,354 | | | * | |
| | | | | | | |
WERCS (11) 400 East First Street PO Box 130 Casper, WY 82602 | | | 11,125,000 | | | 58.9 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Lantern Advisers, LLC (12) 80 South Eighth Street, Suite 900 Minneapolis, MN 55402 | | | 713,310 | | | 7.7 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Mill City Ventures, LP (13) 80 South Eighth Street, Suite 900 Minneapolis, MN 55402 | | | 800,000 | | | 9.0 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Joseph A. Geraci, II (14) 80 South Eighth Street, Suite 900 Minneapolis, MN 55402 | | | 1,513,310 | | | 16.3 | % |
| Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and includes general voting power and/or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options or warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the record rate, and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of other securities currently convertible or convertible within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for computing the beneficial ownership percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the beneficial ownership percentage of any other person. |
(2) | Mr. Larson became the Company’s Chief Executive Officer on November 29, 2007. All shares reflected in the table are outstanding common shares. |
(3) | Mr. Staehr became the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on November 29, 2007. All shares reflected in the table are outstanding common shares. |
(4) | Mr. Quandahl became the Company’s Chief Operating Officer on November 29, 2007. All shares reflected in the table are outstanding common shares. |
(5) | Mr. Klaasen became a director of the Company on December 31, 2007. |
(6) | Mr. Mandel became a director of the Company on December 31, 2007. |
(7) | Mr. Houlton became a director of the Company on December 31, 2007. All shares reflected in the table are outstanding common shares. |
(8) | Mr. Moberly became a director of the Company on December 31, 2007. Mr. Moberly is the Chief Operating Officer of WERCS, a Wyoming corporation, which was the sole stockholder of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. prior to the Merger on December 31, 2007. All shares reflected in the table as beneficially owned by Mr. Moberly are issuable upon conversion of an equal number of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock held of record by WERCS. |
(9) | Includes Messrs. Larson, Staehr, Quandahl, Klaasen, Mandel, Houlton and Moberly. |
(10) | Mr. Miller was the Company’s Chief Executive Officer during 2007 until November 29, 2007. Mr. Miller served as the Company’s sole director until December 31, 2007. |
(11) | WERCS is a Wyoming corporation that was the sole stockholder of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. prior to the Merger on December 31, 2007. All shares beneficially owned by WERCS are common shares issuable upon conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Investment and voting control over the shares beneficially owned by WERCS is exercised by Robert W. Moberly, its Chief Operating Officer. |
(12) | Lantern Advisers, LLC is a Minnesota limited liability company beneficially owned by Mr. Joseph A. Geraci, II and Douglas Polinsky, each of whom share investment and voting control. 400,000 share reflected in the table are issuable upon exercise of a warrant. |
(13) | Mill City Ventures, LP is a Minnesota limited partnership the securities of which are beneficially held by Mill City Advisors LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company that serves as the general partner to Mill City Ventures, LP. Investment and voting control over the shares beneficially owned by Mill City Advisors LLC is exercised by Joseph A. Geraci, II, the sole member and manager of such company. |
(14) | Joseph A. Geraci, II, possesses beneficial ownership of securities held by Lantern Advisers, LLC and Mill City Ventures, LP. See footnotes 12 and 13 above. Mr. Geraci disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS
Management Agreement with Multiband Corporation. We are party to a management agreement with Multiband Corporation for personnel and office support (including operations and accounting). This agreement was entered into by URON prior to the Merger. We incurred service fees to Multiband Corporation in the amount of $56,570 for the year ended December 31, 2006. Don Miller, our sole director and Chief Executive Officer during this period, was also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Multiband Corporation. The Board of Directors believes that the fees paid and payable to Multiband Corporation pursuant to the management agreement are at market rate.
Certain Equity and Equity-Linked Transactions. On November 29, 2007, URON entered into three separate transactions. In one transaction, we issued a warrant to Lantern Advisers, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company and then a holder of more than ten percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The warrant provides Lantern Advisers with the right, for a period of five years, to purchase up to 400,000 shares of our common stock at the per-share price of $0.01. Among other terms and conditions, the warrant also provides that the shares purchasable thereunder were not to be affected by any stock combination (i.e., reverse stock split) effected in connection with the Merger.
In another transaction on the same date, we entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Christopher Larson, who was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer on that date. Under that agreement, Mr. Larson had the right to purchase 1,071,875 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $500,000 on or prior to December 31, 2007. Among other terms and conditions, the agreement provided that the shares purchasable thereunder were not to be affected by any stock combination (i.e., reverse stock split) effected in connection with the Merger.
In the third transaction on the same date, we issued options to various executive and non-executive management personnel. In total, we entered into option or similar agreements with 11 persons, obligating us to issue up to a maximum of 1,600,000 shares of common stock at the per-share price of $0.01. Among the optionees were Messrs. Steven Staehr and John Quandahl, who were respectively appointed as our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer on that same date. Under their respective option agreements, Mr. Staehr had the right to purchase 550,000 shares and Mr. Quandahl had the right to purchase 400,000 shares. Upon issuance, the options were not vested or exercisable until URON engaged in a change in control (as defined in such agreements). The closing of the Merger constituted a change in control, as defined in the option agreements. The option agreements provided that the shares purchasable thereunder were not to be affected by any stock combination (i.e., reverse stock split) effected in connection with the Merger.
Subscriptions for Shares of Common Stock. In addition to the purchase of shares of common stock by Mr. Larson in the equity financing undertaken in connection with the Merger, Steve Staehr (our Chief Financial Officer), Mark Houlton (a director-appointee under the terms of the Merger Agreement), and Mill City Ventures, LP (a Minnesota limited partnership beneficially owned by Mr. Joseph A. Geraci, II, a beneficial owner of more than ten percent of our common equity) also subscribed for shares of our common stock in such financing. In particular, Mr. Staehr purchased 416,667 shares for an aggregate of $500,000; Mr. Houlton purchased 416,667 shares for an aggregate of $500,000; and Mill City Ventures, LP purchased 800,000 shares for an aggregate of $960,000. In connection with these investments, we entered into subscription agreements with these investors containing the same terms and conditions as those we entered into with other non-affiliated investors in such financing.
Exchange Agreement with National Cash & Credit. On February 26, 2008, we entered into an Exchange Agreement with National Cash & Credit, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, and its members. Under the Exchange Agreement, the members of National Cash & Credit assigned to us all of the outstanding membership interests in National Cash & Credit in exchange for our issuance to such members of an aggregate of 1,114,891 shares of common stock and a cash payment of $100,000. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement occurred effective as of February 26, 2008.
The Exchange Agreement contained customary representations, warranties and covenants of the parties, and indemnification obligations relating thereto which survive until our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 has been filed with the SEC (with certain exceptions for claims that may be based fraud of willful misconduct).
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON
INDEMNIFICATION OR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Limitations on Directors’ Liability
Our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and our corporate bylaws contain provisions indemnifying our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. In addition, as permitted by Minnesota law, our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide that no director will be liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director. The effect of this provision is to restrict our rights and the rights of our shareholders in derivative suits to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director, except that a director will be personally liable for:
| · | any breach of his or her duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders |
| · | acts or omissions not in good faith which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law |
| · | the payment of an improper dividend or an improper repurchase of our stock in violation of Minnesota law or in violation of federal or state securities laws, or |
| · | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Potential Anti-Takeover Effects
Certain provisions set forth in our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, in our bylaws and in Minnesota law, which are summarized below, may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider to be in its best interests, including attempts that might result in a premium being paid over the market price for the shares held by shareholders.
Blank Check Preferred Stock. Our authorized capital consists of 250 million shares of capital stock. Pursuant to authority granted by our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, our Board of Directors, without any action by our shareholders, may designate and issue shares in such classes or series (including classes or series of preferred stock) as it deems appropriate, and establish the rights, preferences and privileges of such shares, including dividends, liquidation and voting rights. The rights of holders of other classes or series of stock that may be issued could be superior to the rights of holders of our common shares. In this regard, the designation and issuance of shares of capital stock having preferential rights could adversely affect other rights appurtenant to shares of our common stock. Furthermore, any issuances of additional stock—common or preferred—will dilute the percentage of ownership interest of then-current holders of our capital stock and may dilute our book value per share.
While the foregoing provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, bylaws and Minnesota law may have an anti-takeover effect, these provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our Board of Directors and in the policies formulated by our Board of Directors, and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. In that regard, these provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. These provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. Nevertheless, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of inhibiting changes in our management.
Minnesota Anti-Takeover Statutes
Section 302A.671 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act applies, with certain exceptions, to any acquisition of our voting stock from a person, other than us and other than in connection with certain mergers and exchanges to which we are a party, that results in the acquiring person owning 20% or more of our voting stock then outstanding. Similar triggering events occur at the one-third and majority ownership levels. Section 302A.671 requires approval of any such acquisition by a majority vote of our disinterested shareholders and a majority vote of all of our shareholders. In general, shares acquired in excess of the applicable percentage threshold in the absence of such approval are denied voting rights and are redeemable at their then fair market value by us during a specified time period.
Section 302A.673 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act generally prohibits us or any of our subsidiaries from entering into any business combination transaction with a shareholder for a period of four years after the shareholder acquires ten percent or more of our voting stock then outstanding. An exception is provided for circumstances in which, before the ten percent ownership threshold is reached, either the transaction or the share acquisition is approved by a committee of our Board of Directors composed of one or more disinterested directors.
The Minnesota Business Corporation Act contains a “fair price” provision in Section 302A.675. This provision provides that no person may acquire any of our shares within two years following the person’s last purchase of our shares in a takeover offer unless all shareholders are given the opportunity to dispose of their shares to the person on terms that are substantially equivalent to those in the earlier takeover offer. This provision does not apply if the acquisition is approved by a committee of our Board of Directors composed of one or more disinterested directors before any shares are acquired in the takeover offer.
Section 302A.553, subdivision 3, of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act prohibits us from purchasing any voting shares owned for less than two years from a holder of more than five percent of our outstanding voting stock for more than the market value of the shares. Exceptions to this provision are provided if the share purchase is approved by a majority of our shareholders or if we make a repurchase offer of equal or greater value to all shareholders.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of any of the shares offered by this prospectus by the selling shareholders. We will, however, receive proceeds in the event that the shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant are purchased for cash under the terms of such warrant. In such event, we will receive up to $4,000.
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
We are registering the resale of shares offered by this prospectus on behalf of the selling shareholders identified below. The selling shareholders may sell some or all of their shares at prevailing market prices or privately negotiated prices. The following table sets forth the number of shares of the common stock owned by the selling shareholders as of the date of this prospectus, and after giving effect to this offering. The percentage indicated for each selling shareholder in the column titled “Percentage Beneficial Ownership After the Offering” assumes the sale of all the shares offered by this prospectus.
Selling Shareholder | | Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to the Offering (1) | | Number of Shares of Common Stock Offered | | Percentage Beneficial Ownership After the Offering (1) | |
| | | | | | | |
Alpha Capital Anstalt (2) | | | 416,667 | | | 416,667 | | | * | |
21st Century Investment Company (3) | | | 142,857 | | | 142,857 | | | * | |
Dan J. Shrader | | | 46,000 | | | 35,000 | | | * | |
David Bain | | | 20,000 | | | 20,000 | | | * | |
Ellis International LP (4) | | | 166,667 | | | 166,667 | | | * | |
Elizabeth Zbikowski | | | 134,109 | | | 125,000 | | | * | |
Richard O’Leary | | | 104,167 | | | 104,167 | | | | |
Boosalis Children Irrevocable Trust uad 12/27/00 (5) | | | 400,000 | | | 400,000 | | | * | |
John J. Connors | | | 29,167 | | | 29,167 | | | * | |
Insight Capital Consultants Corporation (6) | | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | | | * | |
Lantern Advisers, LLC (7) | | | 713,310 | | | 400,000 | | | 3.3 | % |
Lacuna Hedge Fund, LLLP (8) | | | 416,667 | | | 416,667 | | | * | |
Mill City Ventures, LP (9) | | | 800,000 | | | 800,000 | | | * | |
Mark Houlton (10) | | | 416,667 | | | 416,667 | | | * | |
Patrick Kinney | | | 20,000 | | | 20,000 | | | * | |
| | | | | | 3,592,859 | | | | |
(1) | For purposes of the selling shareholder table and consistent with applicable Commission rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the shareholder has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and also any shares which the shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days of the date hereof, whether through the exercise or conversion of any stock option, convertible security, warrant or other right. The indication herein that shares are beneficially owned does not constitute an admission on the part of the shareholder that he, she or it is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares. |
(2) | The individual beneficial owner of shares held by the selling shareholder is Konrad Ackarman. |
(3) | The individual beneficial owners of shares held by the selling shareholder are Jan Stueve, Roy Stueve and David Stueve. |
(4) | The individual beneficial owner of shares held by the selling shareholder is Martin Chopp. |
(5) | The individual beneficial owner of shares held by the selling shareholder is Jerry Nelson. |
(6) | The individual beneficial owner of shares held by the selling shareholder is Brock A. Malky. |
(7) | The individual beneficial owners of shares held by the selling shareholder are Messrs. Joseph A. Geraci, II and Douglas M. Polinsky. All 400,000 shares are issuable upon exercise of a warrant. |
(8) | The individual beneficial owner of shares held by the selling shareholder is Raw Leigh Raks. |
(9) | The individual beneficial owner of shares held by the selling shareholder is Joseph A. Geraci, II, who serves as the managing member of Mill City Advisors, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company that is the general partner of Mill City Ventures, LP. |
(10) | Mr. Houlton is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the shares offered by this prospectus on behalf of the selling shareholders. The selling shareholders may sell some or all of their shares at prevailing market prices or privately negotiated prices.
The shares may be sold or distributed from time to time by the selling shareholders or by pledgees, donees or transferees of, or successors-in interest-to, the selling shareholders (all of whom together shall be deemed to be “selling shareholders” under this prospectus), directly to one or more purchasers (including pledgees) or through brokers or dealers who act solely as agents, at market prices prevailing at the time of such sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, any which may be changed. The selling shareholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:
| · | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers |
| · | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction |
| · | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account |
| · | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange |
| · | privately negotiated transactions |
| · | through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise |
| · | broker-dealers may agree with the selling shareholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share, and |
| · | a combination of any such methods of sale. |
From time to time, the selling shareholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling shareholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors-in-interest as selling shareholders under this prospectus. The selling shareholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors-in-interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling shareholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling shareholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The aggregate proceeds to the selling shareholders from the sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling shareholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any proceeds directly from this offering.
The selling shareholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open-market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.
The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers that act in connection with the sale of the shares offered hereby might be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by such broker-dealers and any profit on the resale of the securities sold by them while acting as principals might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.
To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling shareholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.
We have advised the selling shareholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling shareholders and their affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling shareholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus-delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling shareholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a description of our capital stock and the material provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws and certain agreements to which we and our shareholders are parties. The following is only a summary and is qualified by applicable law and by the provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws and such other agreements, copies of which are available as set forth under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
General
As of the date of this prospectus, there were 8,889,644 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, and approximately 500 holders of record of our common stock, and there were 10,000,000 shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding held by one holder of record. Our authorized capital consists of 250,000,000 shares of capital stock, no par value, of which 10,000,000 shares are designated for issuance as preferred stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share. As of the date of this prospectus, we also had outstanding warrants for the purchase of up to 400,000 shares of our common stock.
Common Stock
Voting. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each outstanding share of common stock owned by that shareholder on every matter properly submitted to the shareholders for their vote. Shareholders are not entitled to vote cumulatively for the election of directors.
Dividend Rights. Subject to the dividend rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends and other distributions of cash or any other right or property as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of our assets or funds legally available for such dividends or distributions.
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 shareholders after payment of liabilities. If we have any preferred stock outstanding at such time, holders of the preferred stock may be entitled to distribution 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.
Conversion, Redemption and Preemptive Rights. Holders of our common stock have no conversion, redemption, preemptive, subscription or similar rights.
Preferred Stock
Of our 250 million shares of authorized capital, we have designated 10,000,000 for issuance as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.” Each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock carries a $2.10 stated value and entitles its holders to (i) a cumulative ten percent dividend, compounded and payable on a quarterly basis; (ii) in the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, a preference in the amount of all accrued but unpaid dividends plus the stated value of such shares, before any payment shall be made or any assets distributed to the holders of any junior securities; (iii) convert their preferred shares into our common shares on a share-for-share basis, subject to adjustment; and (iv) vote their preferred shares on an as-if-converted basis. We have the right to redeem some or all of such preferred shares, at any time upon 60 days’ advance notice, at a price dependent upon the date of redemption. In the case of any redemption closing on or prior to March 31, 2009, the redemption price will be $3.00 per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends; thereafter, the redemption price will $3.50 per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends. Holders of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock have no preemptive or cumulative-voting rights.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of URON for the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, included in this prospectus, have been audited by Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 (including the exhibits, schedules, and amendments to the registration statement) under the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering, we refer you to the registration statement (SEC File No. 333-_______). Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document to which we make reference are not necessarily complete. In each instance, we refer you to the copy of such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by the more complete description of the matter involved.
We are currently subject to the reporting and information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and, as a result, we are required to file periodic and current reports, and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy this information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from the SEC’s offices upon payment of fees prescribed by the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains periodic and current reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.
URON Inc.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Information
| Page | |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | F-1 | |
| | | |
Audited financial Statements | | | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets – as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 | | F-2 | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations – for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 | | F-3 | |
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 | | F-4 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow – for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 | | F-5 | |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | F-7 | |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board Directors
URON Inc.
Council Bluffs, Iowa
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of URON Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 URON Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 2, 2008
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | December 31, | |
ASSETS | | 2007 | | 2006 | |
CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 984,625 | | $ | 1,265,460 | |
Loans receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $976,000 and $762,000 | | | 4,117,497 | | | 3,884,807 | |
Stock subscriptions receivable, subsequently collected | | | 4,422,300 | | | - | |
Prepaid expenses and other | | | 92,333 | | | 166,988 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 526,000 | | | 394,000 | |
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | | | 10,142,755 | | | 5,711,255 | |
| | | | | | | |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT | | | 631,736 | | | 656,606 | |
| | | | | | | |
GOODWILL | | | 9,883,659 | | | 9,883,659 | |
| | | | | | | |
INTANGIBLE ASSETS | | | 90,926 | | | 227,333 | |
| | | | | | | |
OTHER | | | 167,000 | | | - | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 20,916,076 | | $ | 16,478,853 | |
| | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 1,908,844 | | $ | 496,769 | |
Accounts payable - related parties | | | 950,935 | | | - | |
Deferred revenue | | | 262,357 | | | 250,133 | |
Notes payable | | | - | | | 530,000 | |
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | 3,122,136 | | | 1,276,902 | |
| | | | | | | |
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES | | | 545,000 | | | 675,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | | | 3,667,136 | | | 1,951,902 | |
| | | | | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | |
Series A convertible preferred stock, 10% cumulative dividends, $0.01 par value, $2.10 stated value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
Common stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 6,299,753 and 1,125,000 shares issued and outstanding | | | | | | | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 17,639,318 | | | 13,358,158 | |
Retained earnings (deficit) | | | (490,378 | ) | | 1,068,793 | |
| | | 17,248,940 | | | 14,526,951 | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | $ | 20,916,076 | | $ | 16,478,853 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
REVENUES | | | | | |
Loan fees | | $ | 9,104,545 | | $ | 6,898,554 | |
Check cashing fees | | | 1,333,123 | | | 817,379 | |
Guaranteed phone/Cricket fees | | | 749,475 | | | 889,778 | |
Other fees | | | 159,381 | | | 114,127 | |
| | | 11,346,524 | | | 8,719,838 | |
| | | | | | | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | |
Salaries and benefits | | | 3,747,347 | | | 2,978,298 | |
Provisions for loan losses | | | 1,484,754 | | | 878,469 | |
Guaranteed phone/Cricket | | | 442,845 | | | 592,283 | |
Occupancy | | | 783,173 | | | 454,681 | |
Advertising | | | 421,265 | | | 376,077 | |
Depreciation | | | 140,638 | | | 111,320 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | 136,407 | | | 136,405 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | 460,000 | | | - | |
Merger transaction expenses | | | 1,391,024 | | | - | |
General, administrative and other | | | 1,407,827 | | | 992,444 | |
| | | 10,415,280 | | | 6,519,977 | |
| | | | | | | |
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS | | | 931,244 | | | 2,199,861 | |
| | | | | | | |
INCOME TAX EXPENSE | | | 904,000 | | | 829,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
NET INCOME | | | 27,244 | | | 1,370,861 | |
| | | | | | | |
ASSUMED SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS | | | (2,100,000 | ) | | (2,100,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS | | $ | (2,072,756 | ) | $ | (729,139 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted | | $ | (1.82 | ) | $ | (0.65 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING - | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted | | | 1,139,177 | | | 1,125,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
| | Series A | | | | | | | | | |
| | Convertible | | Common | | Additional | | | | | |
| | Preferred Stock | | Stock | | Paid-In | | Retained | | Stockholders’ | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Capital | | Earnings | | Equity | |
BALANCE - December 31, 2005 | | | 10,000,000 | | $ | 100,000 | | | 1,125,000 | | $ | - | | $ | 9,158,158 | | $ | 607,074 | | $ | 9,865,232 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity contribution | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 4,200,000 | | | - | | | 4,200,000 | |
Dividends | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (909,142 | ) | | (909,142 | ) |
Net income | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 1,370,861 | | | 1,370,861 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BALANCE - December 31, 2006 | | | 10,000,000 | | | 100,000 | | | 1,125,000 | | | - | | | 13,358,158 | | | 1,068,793 | | | 14,526,951 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock issued, net of $347,995 costs | | | - | | | - | | | 4,403,544 | | | - | | | 4,150,005 | | | - | | | 4,150,005 | |
Stock-based compensation | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 460,000 | | | - | | | 460,000 | |
Reverse Merger Transaction: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Previously issued URON Inc. stock | | | - | | | - | | | 771,209 | | | - | | | 369,919 | | | (419,919 | ) | | (50,000 | ) |
Elimination of accumulated deficit | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (419,919 | ) | | 419,919 | | | - | |
Return of capital to WERCS | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (278,845 | ) | | - | | | (278,845 | ) |
Dividends | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (1,586,415 | ) | | (1,586,415 | ) |
Net income | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 27,244 | | | 27,244 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BALANCE - December 31, 2007 | | | 10,000,000 | | $ | 100,000 | | | 6,299,753 | | $ | - | | $ | 17,639,318 | | $ | (490,378 | ) | $ | 17,248,940 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 27,244 | | $ | 1,370,861 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 460,000 | | | - | |
Depreciation | | | 140,638 | | | 111,320 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | 136,407 | | | 136,405 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | (262,000 | ) | | 198,000 | |
Loss on disposal of property and equipment | | | 25,979 | | | - | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Loans receivable | | | (224,722 | ) | | (11,940 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and other | | | 74,655 | | | (88,405 | ) |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | | 1,519,170 | | | 758,813 | |
Deferred revenue | | | 12,224 | | | 79,054 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 1,909,595 | | | 2,554,108 | |
| | | | | | | |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | | (140,747 | ) | | (219,355 | ) |
Acquisition of stores, net of cash acquired | | | (8,968 | ) | | (5,285,163 | ) |
Net cash used by investing activities | | | (149,715 | ) | | (5,504,518 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | |
Payments on notes payable | | | (530,000 | ) | | - | |
Stock sales and equity contribution | | | 75,700 | | | 4,200,000 | |
Dividends | | | (1,586,415 | ) | | (909,142 | ) |
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities | | | (2,040,715 | ) | | 3,290,858 | |
| | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH | | | (280,835 | ) | | 340,448 | |
| | | | | | | |
CASH | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 1,265,460 | | | 925,012 | |
| | | | | | | |
End of year | | $ | 984,625 | | $ | 1,265,460 | |
| | | | | | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Cash paid (primarily to WERCS) for income taxes | | $ | 1,176,044 | | $ | 620,956 | |
| | | | | | | |
Noncash investing and financing activities: | | | | | | | |
Stock sold on subscriptions - uncollected | | $ | 4,422,300 | | $ | - | |
Cost of raised capital in accounts payable | | | 347,995 | | | - | |
Return of capital to WERCS in accounts payable | | | 278,845 | | | - | |
Other assets in accounts payable | | | 167,000 | | | - | |
Reverse merger of URON Inc. | | | 50,000 | | | - | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - |
Nature of Business/ Basis of Presentation
URON Inc. (URON) through its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. (WFL), collectively referred to as the Company, provides retail financial services to individuals in the Midwestern United States. These services include non-recourse cash advance loans, check cashing and other money services. The Company also is a non-recourse reseller of guaranteed phone service and Cricket cellular phones. As of December 31, 2007, the Company operated 52 stores in 10 states (Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Wisconsin, Montana and Colorado). As of December 31, 2006, Company operated in 55 stores in 10 states. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of URON and WFL. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company provides short-term consumer loans, known as cash advance loans, in amounts that typically range from $100 to $500. Cash advance loans provide customers with cash in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of generally two to four weeks and the customer’s personal check for the aggregate amount of the cash advanced plus a fee. The fee varies from state to state, based on applicable regulations and generally ranges from $15 to $20 per each $100 borrowed. To repay the cash advance loans, customers may pay with cash, in which their personal check is returned to them, allowing their check to be presented to the bank for collection, or by ACH direct payment.
The Company also provides ancillary consumer financial products and services that are complementary to its cash advance-lending business, such as check-cashing services, money transfers and money orders. We also offer guaranteed phone/Cricket™ phones to our customers.
Our loans and other services are subject to state regulations (which vary from state to state) and federal and local regulations, where applicable.
Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated December 13, 2007 (Merger Agreement), by and among URON, WFL Acquisition Corp., a Wyoming corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the URON, and WFL, WFL Acquisition Corp. merged with and into WFL, with WFL remaining as the surviving entity and a wholly owned operating subsidiary of the URON. This transaction is referred to throughout this report as the “Merger” (Note 2).
As a result of the Merger, WERCS, a Wyoming corporation and the former sole stockholder of WFL, received: (i) 1,125,000 shares of the URON’s common stock, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. On an aggregate and as-if-converted basis, WERCS received 11,125,000 common shares representing approximately 68% of the Company’s outstanding common stock after the Merger. In addition, WERCS received a $278,845 return of capital for excess assets at the Merger date as defined in the Merger Agreement.
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - (continued) |
Nature of Business/ Basis of Presentation - (continued)
The consolidated financial statements account for the Merger as a capital transaction in substance (and not a business combination of two operating entities) that would be equivalent to WFL issuing securities to URON in exchange for the net monetary liabilities of URON, accompanied by a recapitalization and, as a result, no goodwill relating to the Merger has been recorded.
Prior to the Merger, URON effected a 1-for-10 share combination (i.e., reverse stock split) of its capital stock, and corresponding reduction in the number of shares of authorized capital, effective as of December 27, 2007. All share and per share information included in these consolidated financial statements give effect for the 1-for-10 share combination.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect certain reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant management estimates relate to the allowance for loans receivable, allocation of and carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets, value associated with stock-based compensation, and deferred taxes and tax uncertainties.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes fees on cash advance loans on a constant-yield basis ratably over the loans’ terms. The Company records fees derived from check cashing, guaranteed phone/Cricket fees, and all other services in the period in which the service is provided.
Loans Receivable
In addition to loans receivable that are currently due, loans receivable also include cash advance loans that have not been repaid, where the customer’s personal check has been deposited and the check has been returned due to non-sufficient funds in the customer’s account, closed accounts, or other reasons. Loans receivable are carried at cost less the allowance for doubtful accounts.
The Company does not specifically reserve for any individual loan. The Company aggregates cash advance loans for purposes of estimating the loss allowance using a methodology that analyzes portfolio statistics and management’s judgment regarding recent trends noted in the portfolio. This methodology takes into account several factors, including the maturity of the store location and charge-off and recovery rates.
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - (continued) |
Loans Receivable - (continued)
When a bank returns a customer’s check, the account is recognized as a returned item receivable and is included in loans receivable. All returned items are charged off after 180 days, as collections after that date are not significant. Returned items receivable, net of allowances, were approximately $375,000 and $298,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Useful lives range from five to seven years for furniture, equipment, and vehicles. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the related assets or the leases term, and this amortization is included with depreciation.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired using purchase accounting and is not amortized.
Intangible Assets
Customer relationships represent the fair values assigned to relationships with customers acquired through business acquisitions and is amortized over three years.
Long- Lived Assets
Goodwill is reviewed, at least annually, for impairment. Property and equipment and customer relationships are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the fair value of the asset is less than the carrying value of the asset.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and loans receivable. The Company’s cash is placed with high quality financial institutions. From time to time, cash balances exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any significant losses with respect to its cash. Loans receivable, while concentrated in geographical areas, are dispersed among numerous customers.
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - (continued) |
Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable in the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The provision for income taxes represents taxes paid or payable for the current year and changes during the year in deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Net Loss Per Common Share
Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing the loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss available to common shareholders’ by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive common share equivalents (stock options, stock warrants, convertible preferred shares) when dilutive. The following potentially dilutive securities were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the dilutive net loss per share computation:
| | | |
| | | |
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock | | | 10,000,000 | |
Stock options (issued in 2007) | | | 1,575,000 | |
Stock warrants (issued in 2007) | | | 425,000 | |
| | | | |
| | | 12,000,000 | |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash, loans receivable, stock subscriptions receivable notes payable, and accounts payable are short-term in nature and their carrying values approximate fair values.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements (as amended),” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value, and therefore, does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. The effective date of this standard was for all full fiscal and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2007. On December 14, 2007, the FASB issued Staff Position FAS 157-b, which deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year, as it relates to nonfinancial assets and liabilities. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have on our financial position or results of operations.
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - (continued) |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - (continued)
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (as amended), Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” which permits entities to measure eligible financial assets, financial liabilities and firm commitments at fair value, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, that are otherwise not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other generally accepted accounting principles. The fair value measurement election is irrevocable and subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in earnings. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2008. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have on our financial position or results of operations.
In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”. SFAS No. 141R significantly changes the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, preacquisition contingencies, transaction costs, in-process research and development and restructuring costs. In addition, under SFAS No. 141R, changes in an acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions after the measurement period will impact income tax expense. SFAS No. 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. This standard will change our accounting treatment for business combinations on a prospective basis.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51.” SFAS No. 160 changes the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interest and classified as a component of equity. This new consolidation method significantly changes the accounting for transactions with minority interests holders. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on our financial position or result of operations.
The following is a summary of the significant Merger-related transactions:
In contemplation of the Merger, URON entered into a subscription agreement with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Under the agreement, the CEO purchased 1,071,875 shares of URON common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $500,000. At December 31, 2007, the purchase price was included in subscriptions receivable and has since been collected.
In contemplation of the Merger, URON entered into various stock option agreements with executive and non-executive management personnel. In addition, URON granted stock warrants to certain other parties. In total, URON granted stock options and warrants to eleven parties, to purchase an aggregate of 1,600,000 shares of common stock at the per-share price of $0.01. These options and warrants include 550,000 issued to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and 400,000 issued to the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
URON issued a warrant to Lantern Advisors, LLC for the purchase of up to 400,000 shares of common stock at the per-share price of $0.01 for professional services.
The Company assumed $50,000 of liabilities of URON.
The Company was responsible for certain fees to various brokers, advisors and others for expenses related to the Merger.
In contemplation of the Merger, URON entered into subscription agreements to sell 3,331,669 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $3,998,000. As of December 31, 2007, $75,700 of the subscriptions receivable were collected and the remaining amount has since been collected. Expenses incurred related to the issuance of these shares were $347,995.
WERCS, the former sole owner of WFL common stock, received an aggregate of 1,125,000 shares of URON’s common stock and 10,000,000 shares of URON Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
In 2007 and 2006, the Company purchased the assets of various stores in separate transactions. The aggregate purchase price totaled $10,849 in 2007 and $5,473,600 in 2006.
Under the purchase method of accounting the assets and liabilities of the acquisitions were recorded at their respective fair values as of the purchase date as follows:
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 1,881 | | $ | 188,437 | |
Loans receivable | | | 7,968 | | | 1,274,611 | |
Other current assets | | | - | | | 1,200 | |
Property and equipment | | | 1,000 | | | 273,148 | |
Goodwill | | | - | | | 3,792,009 | |
Current liabilities | | | - | | | (55,805 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
| | $ | 10,849 | | $ | 5,473,600 | |
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3. | Acquisitions - (continued) |
The results of the operations for the acquired locations have been included in the financial statements since the date of the acquisitions. The following table presents the unaudited pro forma results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, as if these acquisitions had been consummated at the beginning of each year presented. The unaudited pro forma results of operations are prepared for comparative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the results that would have occurred had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of the year presented or the results which may occur in the future.
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | (unaudited) | | (unaudited) | |
Pro forma revenue | | $ | 11,466,524 | | $ | 11,466,524 | |
Pro forma net income | | | 51,244 | | | 1,802,580 | |
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted | | | (1.80 | ) | | (0.26 | ) |
4. | Property and Equipment - |
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
| | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Furniture and equipment | | $ | 553,714 | | $ | 590,275 | |
Leasehold improvements | | | 400,931 | | | 396,267 | |
Vehicles | | | 62,160 | | | 55,410 | |
| | | 1,016,805 | | | 1,041,952 | |
Less accumulated depreciation | | | 385,069 | | | 385,346 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | $ | 631,736 | | $ | 656,606 | |
Intangible assets consisted of the follows:
| | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Customer relationships | | $ | 451,974 | | $ | 451,974 | |
Less accumulated amortization | | | 361,048 | | | 224,641 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | $ | 90,926 | | $ | 227,333 | |
Future amortization of intangible assets will be $90,926 in 2008.
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Prior to the Merger, the Company operated under an informal tax allocation agreement with WERCS, which required the Company to pay its fair share of its income taxes as if the Company were a stand-alone entity.
The Company’s provision for income taxes is as follows:
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Current: | | | | | |
Federal | | $ | 996,000 | | $ | 539,000 | |
State | | | 170,000 | | | 92,000 | |
| | | 1,166,000 | | | 631,000 | |
Deferred: | | | | | | | |
Federal | | | (178,000 | ) | | 210,000 | |
State | | | (84,000 | ) | | (12,000 | ) |
| | | (262,000 | ) | | 198,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | $ | 904,000 | | $ | 829,000 | |
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are summarized as follows:
| | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | Current | | Noncurrent | | Current | | Noncurrent | |
Deferred income tax assets | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for loans receivable | | $ | 367,000 | | $ | - | | $ | 287,000 | | $ | - | |
Deferred revenue | | | - | | | - | | | 94,000 | | | - | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 137,000 | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Other | | | 22,000 | | | - | | | 13,000 | | | - | |
| | | 526,000 | | | - | | | 394,000 | | | - | |
Deferred income tax liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Late loans receivable | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (366,000 | ) |
Property and equipment | | | - | | | (25,000 | ) | | - | | | (2,000 | ) |
Goodwill and intangible assets | | | - | | | (520,000 | ) | | - | | | (307,000 | ) |
| | | - | | | (545,000 | ) | | - | | | (675,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net | | $ | 526,000 | | $ | (545,000 | ) | $ | 394,000 | | $ | (675,000 | ) |
In 2007, the Company changed its income tax reporting method of accounting for late loans receivable and deferred revenue.
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6. | Income Taxes - (continued) |
Reconciliations from the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate are as follows:
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Income tax expense using the statutory federal rate | | $ | 316,600 | | $ | 747,800 | |
State income taxes, net of federal benefit | | | 33,800 | | | 80,100 | |
Permanent differences, primarily merger transaction expenses | | | 553,600 | | | 1,100 | |
| | | | | | | |
Income tax expense | | $ | 904,000 | | $ | 829,000 | |
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN No. 48), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an Interpretation No. 109”, on January 1, 2007. Previously, the Company had accounted for tax contingencies in accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” As required by FIN No. 48, the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. At the adoption date, the Company applied FIN No. 48 to all tax positions for which the statute of limitations remained open. The adoption of FIN No. 48 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
It is the Company’s practice to recognize penalties and/or interest related to income tax matters in interest and penalties expense. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had an immaterial amount of accrued interest and penalties.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and local jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2004. The Company is not currently under examination by any taxing jurisdiction.
Capitalization
At December 31, 2007, the Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 20,000,000 shares of no par value capital stock. All shares have equal voting rights and are entitled to one vote per share.
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7. | Stockholders’ Equity - (continued) |
Capitalization - (continued)
Of the 20,000,000 shares of authorized capital, 10,000,000 have been designated as common stock and 10,000,000 as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has a 10% cumulative dividend and can be converted on a share-for-share basis into common stock. The Company has the right to redeem some or all of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at any time, upon 60 days notice, at $3.00 per share prior to April 1, 2009, or $3.50 per share afterwards, plus any cumulative unpaid dividends.
Stock Options and Warrants
No stock options or stock warrants were granted by the Company prior to 2007. In 2007, stock option and stock warrants were granted in connection with the Merger, became immediately exercisable with the Merger, and had a grant date fair value of $0.23. The Company intends to issue new shares upon exercise of stock option and warrants.
Stock options and stock warrants outstanding at December 31, 2007, consisted of the following:
| | | Stock Options | | | Stock Warrants | |
Exercise price | | $ | 0.01 | | $ | 0.01 | |
Units outstanding | | | 1,575,000 | | | 425,000 | |
Remaining contractual life | | | 1 year | | | 1 year | |
| | | | | | | |
The aggregate intrinsic value of all vested options and warrants at December 31, 2007 is approximately $8 million.
Stock options and stock warrants activity for 2007 consisted of the following:
| | Stock Options | | Stock Warrants | |
Outstanding, December 31, 2006 | | | - | | | - | |
Granted | | | 1,575,000 | | | 425,000 | |
Exercised | | | - | | | - | |
| | | | | | | |
Outstanding, December 31, 2007 | | | 1,575,000 | | | 425,000 | |
The fair value of stock options and stock warrants is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model (using estimated value of URON) with the following weighted average assumptions:
Description | | | Assumption | |
| | | | |
Risk-free interest rate | | | 3.14 | % |
Expected life | | | 0.50 years | |
Expected volatility | | | 247.00 | % |
Expected dividend rate | | | 0.00 | % |
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. | Operating Lease Commitments - |
The Company leases its facilities under operating leases with terms ranging from three to five years, with rights to extend for additional periods. Rent expense was approximately $757,000 and $455,000 in 2007 and 2006 respectively. Future minimum lease payments are approximately as follows:
Year Ending December 31, | | | Amount | |
2008 | | $ | 470,000 | |
2009 | | | 363,000 | |
2010 | | | 219,000 | |
2011 | | | 131,000 | |
2012 | | | 48,000 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 1,231,000 | |
9. | Related Party Transactions - |
At December 31, 2007, accounts payable included approximately $401,000 payable to the Company’s CEO for reimbursement of Merger and equity transaction related costs and $550,000 payable to WERCS for merger transaction related costs and return of capital.
The Company leases two properties from an officer of the Company and another related party under operating leases that extend through 2011 requiring monthly lease payments of $2,400.
10. | Employee Savings Plan - |
The Company began a defined contribution retirement plan in 2007 intended to be qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All employees are eligible to participate in the Plan after approximately one year of employment. The Plan allows each participant to make elective contributions subject to statutory limits. The Company matches employee contributions up to 100 % of the first 5% of the participating employees’ annual compensation. Company matching contributions to the Plan were approximately $32,000 in 2007.
11. | Risks Inherent in the Operating Environment - |
The Company’s short-term consumer loan activities are regulated under numerous local, state, and federal laws and regulations, which are subject to change. New laws or regulations could be enacted that could have a negative impact on the Company’s lending activities. Over the past few years, consumer advocacy groups and certain media reports have advocated governmental and regulatory action to prohibit or severely restrict deferred presentment cash advances. If this negative characterization of deferred presentment cash advances becomes widely accepted by consumers, demand for deferred presentment cash advances could significantly decrease, which could have a materially adverse affect on the Company’s financial condition.
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. | Risks Inherent in the Operating Environment - (continued) |
Negative perception of deferred presentment cash advances could also result in increased regulatory scrutiny and increased litigation and encourage restrictive local zoning rules, making it more difficult to obtain the government approvals necessary to continue operating existing stores or open new short-term consumer loan stores.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company’s revenues by state in excess of 10% were approximately as follows:
State | | | % of Revenues | |
Iowa | | | 12 | % |
Nebraska | | | 36 | % |
2008 Stock Incentive Plan
On February 2, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and adopted the Company’s 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, pursuant to which an aggregated of 2,000,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance.
Acquisition of National Cash & Credit
On February 26, 2008, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with National Cash & Credit, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (National Cash), and the members of National Cash. Under the Exchange Agreement, the members of National Cash assigned all of the outstanding membership interests in National Cash to the Company in exchange 1,114,891 shares of the Company’s common stock and a cash payment of $100,000. The Exchange Agreement contained customary representations, warranties and covenants of the parties and indemnification obligations.
The Company's CEO had a material financial interest in National Cash. The CEO’s ownership and conditions of the Exchange Agreement were disclosed to the Company's Board of Directors, which approved the Exchange Agreement.
National Cash was formed approximately two years ago and owned and operated five "payday" consumer loan stores located in suburban Phoenix, Arizona. National Cash principally offered short-term (i.e., five to 31 day) cash advance loans ranging from $100 to $2,500, and title loans ranging from $500 to $2,000. As of December 31, 2007, National Cash had approximately $840,000 in aggregate outstanding principal amount of cash advance and title loans.
(continued)
URON INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
12. | Subsequent Events - (continued) |
Acquisition of North Dakota Stores
On March 1, 2008 the Company acquired, for $400,000, five stores offering payday advance loans in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Minot, North Dakota. These stores currently operate under the Ameri-Cash name.
Authorization of Additional Common Shares
On March 17, 2008, the stockholders approved an increase in the Company’s authorized shares to 250,000,000.
Dividend Declaration and Payment
On March 17, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the payment of the first quarter 2008 dividend on the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in the amount of $525,000. The dividends are to be paid on or before April 15, 2008.
Exercises of Options
In early 2008, 1,575,000 options were exercised for total proceeds of $15,750.
3,592,859 shares
URON Inc.
Common Stock
The date of this prospectus is ______________, 2008
(subject to completion)
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The registrant estimates that expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the offering described in this registration statement will be as follows:
SEC registration fee | | $ | | |
Legal fees and expenses | | $ | 10,000 | |
Accounting fees and expenses | | $ | 10,000 | |
Printing and engraving expenses | | $ | 5,000 | |
Miscellaneous | | $ | 5,000 | |
| | | | |
Total | | $ | | |
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and our corporate bylaws contain provisions indemnifying our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. In addition, as permitted by Minnesota law, our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide that no director will be liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director. The effect of this provision is to restrict our rights and the rights of our shareholders in derivative suits to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director, except that a director will be personally liable for:
| · | any breach of his or her duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders |
| · | acts or omissions not in good faith which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law |
| · | the payment of an improper dividend or an improper repurchase of our stock in violation of Minnesota law or in violation of federal or state securities laws, or |
| · | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
This provision does not affect a director’s liability under the federal securities laws. To the extent that our directors, officers and controlling persons are indemnified under the provisions contained in our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, Minnesota law or contractual arrangements against liabilities arising under the Securities Act, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is therefore unenforceable.
We have directors and officers liability insurance in place for the benefit of our directors and our executive officers.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
In July 2006, we became a public reporting company under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 by the filing of a Form 10 registration statement with the SEC. Also in July 2006, our then-parent corporation, Multiband Corporation, effected a dividend of shares of our stock to its holders of common stock and certain contingent rights. The shares of our stock that were distributed in the dividend represented approximately 49% of our outstanding shares of common stock.
On February 13, 2007, we issued our then Chief Executive Officer 50,000 shares (adjusted for a subsequent reverse stock split) of our common stock in a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. Shares were issued in consideration of services provided and to be provided by such individual. These shares were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Sections 4(2) and 4(6) and of the Securities Act of 1933. We relied on these exemptions based on the fact that our Chief Executive Officer was an accredited investor.
On July 2, 2007, we offered 210,000 shares (adjusted for a subsequent reverse stock split) of our common stock in a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. Shares were offered and sold in full satisfaction of the outstanding principal balances on certain promissory notes aggregating $73,500, at the per-share price of $0.035. These shares were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Rule 506 and Section 4(6) and of the Securities Act of 1933. We relied on these exemptions based on the fact that all investors were accredited investors.
On November 29, 2007, we issued options and warrants for the purchase of up to 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to 12 individuals and entities. Shortly after the Merger, 1,475,000 shares of our common stock were issued to the holders of such options and warrants upon their exercise. Securities for the purchase of the remaining 400,000 shares remain outstanding as of May 14, 2008. These securities were issued in consideration of services to be rendered in connection with the then-anticipated Merger (or another change-in-control transaction) and related advisory services, and the right to purchase shares at $0.01 per share under all such securities was contingent upon the closing of a change-in-control transaction. The Merger qualified as a change-in-control transaction under the relevant option and warrant agreements. These securities were issued in reliance on the exemption from federal registration provided under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. The Company relied on this exemption based on the fact that there were only 12 recipients of the securities, all of whom were either accredited investors or had knowledge and experience in financial and business matters such that each was capable of evaluating the risks of the investment in the Company.
On December 31, 2007, we issued 1,125,000 shares of our common stock to the former holder of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. capital stock, and 10 million shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. These securities were issued in connection with the Merger and in consideration of our acquisition of the business of Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. These shares were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Sections 4(2) and 4(6) and of the Securities Act of 1933. We relied on these exemptions based on the fact that the sole recipient of our capital stock was an accredited investor.
On December 31, 2007, we issued 4,403,542 shares of our common stock in a privately placed financing transaction that closed simultaneously with, and which was a closing condition to, the Merger. We received aggregate gross cash proceeds of approximately $4.5 million from the sale of these shares. These shares were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Sections 4(2) and 4(6) and of the Securities Act of 1933. We relied on these exemptions based on the fact that there were only 13 investors, all of whom were accredited investors possessing with knowledge and experience in financial and business matters such that each was capable of evaluating the risks of the investment in the Company.
On February 26, 2008, we issued 1,114,891 shares of our common stock to the former members of National Cash & Credit, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company. These shares were issued in connection with an Exchange Agreement entered into on the same date, pursuant to which we acquired all of the outstanding membership interests in National Cash & Credit. These common shares were issued in reliance on the exemption from federal registration provided under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. We relied on this exemption based on the fact that there were only seven recipients of the shares, all of whom were either accredited investors or had knowledge and experience in financial and business matters such that each was capable of evaluating the risks of the investment in the Company.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement:
Exhibits:
Exhibit No. | | Description |
2.1 | | Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated December 13, 2007, by and among URON Inc. (the registrant), WFL Acquisition Corp., a Wyoming corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the registrant, and Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2007). |
| | |
2.2 | | Exchange Agreement with National Cash & Credit, LLC and certain members of National Cash & Credit, LLC, dated February 26, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2008). |
| | |
3.1 | | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State on May 25, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2008) (see also Exhibits 3.2 and 3.4 below). |
| | |
3.2 | | Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State on December 27, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2008). |
| | |
3.3 | | Articles of Merger relating to the merger of WFL Acquisition Corp. with and into Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008) (see also Exhibit 2.1 above). |
| | |
3.4 | | Certificate of Designation for Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008). |
| | |
3.5 | | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State on March 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2008). |
3.6 | | Corporate bylaws, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2008). |
5.1 | | Opinion of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP ( filed herewith ) |
| | |
10.1 | | Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Lantern Advisers, LLC, on November 29, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2008). |
| | |
10.2 | | Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Donald Miller on July 5, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2008). |
| | |
10.3 | | 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2008). |
| | |
10.4 | | Form of Subscription Agreement entered into with purchasers of common stock on or about December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2008). |
| | |
10.5 | | URON Management Agreement, dated August 1, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2006). |
| | |
16 | | Letter from Virchow Krause & Company, LLP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2008). |
| | |
21 | | List of Subsidiaries (filed herewith). |
| | |
23.1 | | Consent of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 filed herewith). |
| | |
23.2 | | Consent of Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP ( filed herewith). |
| | |
24.1 | | Power of Attorney (included on signature page) ( filed herewith). |
Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) That, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC 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, 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 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.
Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(b) The registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and (iii) to include any additional or changed material information on the plan of distribution;
(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment 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; and
(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
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 Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 14, 2008.
| URON INC. |
| |
| |
| By: | /s/ | Christopher Larson |
| | | Christopher Larson |
| | | Chief Executive Officer and President |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Christopher Larson as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement and additional registration statements relating to the same offering, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent 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 all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name | | Title(s) | | Date |
| | | | | |
/s/ Christopher Larson | | | Director, Chief Executive | | May 14, 2008 |
Christopher Larson | | | Officer and President | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ Steven Staehr | | | Chief Financial Officer | | May 14, 2008 |
Steven Staehr | | | | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ John Quandahl | | | Chief Operating Officer | | |
John Quandahl | | | | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ Robert W. Moberly | | | Director | | |
Robert W. Moberly | | | | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ James Mandel | | | Director | | May 14, 2008 |
James Mandel | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | Director | | |
John H. Klaasen IV | | | | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ Mark Houlton | | | Director | | |
Mark Houlton | | | | | |