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DEF 14A Filing
Pinstripes (PNST) DEF 14ADefinitive proxy
Filed: 30 Mar 23, 6:01am
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| Q. Why am I receiving this proxy statement? | | | A. This proxy statement and the accompanying materials are being sent to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board, for use at the special meeting of stockholders to be held on April 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. The special meeting will be held at https://www.cstproxy.com/banyanacquisition/2023. This proxy statement summarizes the information that you need to make an informed decision on the proposals to be considered at the special meeting. Banyan is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. On January 24, 2022, we consummated our IPO. Like most blank check companies, our charter provides for the return of the proceeds raised in our IPO and certain other amounts held in trust to the holders of shares of common stock sold in our IPO if we do not consummate a Business Combination on or before a certain date. In our case, such date is April 24, 2023, which we refer to as the Original Termination Date. Our Board may also choose to extend the Original Termination Date up to two times, each for an additional three months, for a total of six months, to October 24, 2023, which we refer to as the Original Extended Date, provided our Sponsor or its affiliates or designees deposits a total of $4,830,000 ($2,415,000 for each three month extension) into the Trust Account. Our Board believes that it is in the best interests of our stockholders to continue the Company’s existence until at least December 24, 2023, which we refer to as the Amended Extended Date, in order to allow us more time to complete a Business Combination, as we will not be able to do so by April 24, 2023, and the Board desires to have the flexibility to extend our time to complete a Business Combination on terms other than those set forth in its charter. In addition, the proposed change to the charter with respect to the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock will give us further flexibility to retain stockholders and meet NYSE continued listing requirements following any stockholder redemptions. Therefore, the Board is submitting proposals 1 and 2 described in this proxy statement for the stockholders to vote upon. In addition, we are submitting proposal 3 to allow us more time to solicit additional proxies in favor of proposals 1 and 2, in the event we do not have a quorum or do not receive the requisite votes to approve proposals 1 and 2. | |
| Q. What is being voted on? | | | A. You are being asked to vote on: • a proposal to (i) amend our charter to extend the date by which Banyan has to consummate a Business Combination to the Amended Extended Date or such earlier date as determined by the Board and (ii) provide holders of shares of Class B Common Stock the right to convert any and all of their shares of Class B | |
| | | | Common Stock to shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis prior to the closing of a Business Combination at the election of the holder; | |
| | | | • a proposal to amend the Trust Agreement to provide that the Original Termination Date may be extended, at our option, by eight months to December 24, 2023 through the exercise of the Extension Option; • a proposal to allow us more time to solicit additional proxies in favor of the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal, in the event the we do not have a quorum or do not receive the requisite stockholder vote to approve the Charter Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal. | |
| | | | Each of the Charter Amendment and the Trust Amendment is cross-conditioned on the approval of each other. In other words, if either Proposal is not approved, then we cannot proceed with neither the Charter Amendment nor the Trust Amendment. | |
| Q. What is the purpose of the Extension Amendments? | | | The purpose of the Extension Amendments is to provide us with sufficient time to complete a Business Combination. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of our stockholders to provide us more time to consummate a Business Combination. In addition, the proposed change to the charter with respect to the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock will give us further flexibility to retain stockholders and meet NYSE continued listing requirements following any stockholder redemptions. We intend to hold another stockholders’ meeting prior to the Amended Extended Date in order to seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination. Each of the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal is cross-conditioned on the approval of each other. In other words, if either Proposal is not approved, then we cannot proceed with neither the Charter Amendment nor the Trust Amendment. | |
| | | | If the Extension Amendments are implemented, such approval will constitute consent for us to remove the Withdrawal Amount from the Trust Account, deliver to the holders of redeemed public shares their portion of the Withdrawal Amount and retain the remainder of the funds in the Trust Account for our use in connection with consummating a Business Combination on or before the Amended Extended Date. | |
| | | | We do not currently anticipate proceeding with the adoption of the Extension Amendments if the number of redemptions of our public shares would cause us to have less than $40 million of net tangible assets following the adoption of the approval of the Extension Amendments; however, we could in our discretion decide to proceed with the adoption of the Extension Amendments even if the number of redemptions of our public shares causes us to have less than $40 million of net tangible assets; provided that, in no event will the Company proceed with the adoption of the Extension Amendments if the number of redemptions of our public shares would cause the Company to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Extension Amendments. In addition, even in the event that the Extension Amendments | |
| | | | receive the requisite votes required for approval by our stockholders, we may, in our sole discretion, elect not to proceed with the adoption of the Extension Amendments for any reason. | |
| | | | If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension Amendments are implemented, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount from the Trust Account in connection with a Redemption Election will reduce the amount held in the Trust Account following such Redemption Election. We cannot predict the amount that will remain in the Trust Account if the Extension Amendments are approved and implemented, and the amount remaining in the Trust Account may be only a fraction of the approximately $251,122,338.67 (including interest but less the funds used to pay taxes) that was in the Trust Account as of March 28, 2023, which could impact our ability to consummate a Business Combination. | |
| | | | If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are not approved by April 24, 2023, unless we exercise our Original Extension Options, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses, which interest will be net of taxes payable thereon), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemptions, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In order to mitigate the current uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, we have decided that in the event that the Proposals are approved and implemented as describe herein, funds in trust, including any interest thereon, will not be used to pay for any excise tax liabilities with respect to any future redemptions that occur prior to or in connection with a Business Combination and which result from the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. Because the excise tax would be payable by us, and not by the redeeming holder, the mechanics of any required payment of the excise tax have not been determined. The foregoing could cause a reduction in the cash available on hand to complete a Business Combination and in our ability to complete a Business Combination. | |
| | | | If the Extension Amendments are not approved and our Board elects to exercise its Original Extension Options, our Sponsor or its affiliates or designees will deposit $2,415,000 into the Trust Account, and we will extend the period of time we will have to consummate a Business Combination to July 24, 2023. | |
| | | | Our charter provides that only the public shares are entitled to redemption rights. That will not be changed by the Charter Amendment or by any conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock held by our Sponsor, officers and directors into Class A Common Stock. Additionally, our Sponsor, officers and directors have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any shares held by them (including with any shares of Class A Common Stock they may acquire, pursuant to a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock prior to the completion of a Business Combination, which conversion will be permitted if the Charter Amendment is approved, or otherwise) in connection with our completion of a Business Combination or a stockholder vote to amend our charter (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our Business Combination or to redeem 100% of public shares if we do not complete our Business Combination within 15 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the time to complete a Business Combination as described in the IPO prospectus), including the vote on the Extension Proposals, or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-Business Combination activity, and they have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any shares of Class B Common Stock they hold if we fail to complete a Business Combination within the prescribed timeframe, including any extended time resulting from the Charter Amendment, if the Extension Proposals are approved at the special meeting (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any shares of Class A Common Stock that they hold and were issued in the IPO (but not any shares issued upon conversion of the Class B Common Stock) if we fail to complete our Business Combination within the prescribed time frame). | |
| Q. Why is the Company proposing the Charter Amendment Proposal and Trust Amendment Proposal? | | | A. Our charter and the Trust Agreement provide for the return of the IPO proceeds held in trust to the holders of public shares if there is no qualifying Business Combination(s) consummated on or before April 24, 2023, unless we exercise our Original Extension Options. However, our Board currently believes that there will not be sufficient time before April 24, 2023 to complete a Business Combination and our Board desires to have the flexibility to extend our time to complete a Business Combination on terms other than those set forth in its charter. The purpose of the Extension Amendments are to provide us with sufficient time to complete a Business Combination, which our Board believes is in the best interests of our stockholders. The Board believes that given our expenditure of time, effort and money on searching for potential business combination opportunities, circumstances warrant providing the Company an opportunity to continue to pursue the opportunity to consummate a Business Combination. | |
| | | | In the event that we enter into a definitive agreement to consummate a Business Combination, we will need additional time to prepare, file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and deliver to our stockholders a proxy statement to seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination. | |
| | | | In addition, the proposed change to the charter with respect to the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock will give us further flexibility to retain stockholders and meet NYSE continued listing requirements following any stockholder redemptions. | |
| | | | You are not being asked to vote on any Business Combination at this time. If the Extension Amendments are implemented and you do not elect to redeem your public shares in connection with the Election Amendments, you will retain the right to vote on a future Business Combination when it is submitted to stockholders and the right to redeem your public shares in cash from the Trust Account in the event such future Business Combination is approved and completed or we have not consummated a Business Combination by the Amended Extended Date. | |
| Q. Why should I vote for the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal? | | | A. Our Board believes stockholders will benefit from the Company consummating a Business Combination and is proposing the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal to extend the date by which we must complete a Business Combination until the Amended Extended Date. The Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal would give us the opportunity to complete a Business Combination. In addition, the proposed change to the charter with respect to the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock will give us further flexibility to retain stockholders and meet NYSE continued listing requirements following any stockholder redemptions. | |
| | | | Our charter provides that if our stockholders approve an amendment to our charter that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a Business Combination before April 24, 2023, if we do not exercise our Original Extension Options, we will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of common stock upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. We believe that this charter provision was included to protect our stockholders from having to sustain their investments for an unreasonably long period if we failed to find a suitable Business Combination in the timeframe contemplated by our charter. Our Board also believes, however, that is in the best interests of our stockholders to provide our Company with additional time to complete a Business Combination. The Board believes that given our expenditure of time, effort and money on searching for potential business combination opportunities, circumstances warrant providing us an opportunity to continue to pursue the opportunity to consummate a Business Combination. | |
| | | | We will have the sole discretion as to whether to exercise the Exercise Option. If we determine not to exercise the Exercise Option or if our Board otherwise determines that the we will not be able to consummate a Business Combination by the Amended Extended Date and does not wish to seek an additional extension beyond such time, we will wind up the Company’s affairs and redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares in accordance with | |
| | | | the same procedures that would be applicable if the Extension Amendments are not approved. | |
| | | | You will have redemption rights in connection with the Extension Amendments, however, if the Extension Amendments are adopted, you will not have any redemption rights in connection with the Company exercising the Extension Option. | |
| Q. How do the Banyan insiders intend to vote their shares? | | | A. All of our directors, executive officers and their respective affiliates are expected to vote any common stock over which they have voting control (including any shares of Class A Common Stock owned by them) in favor of all of the proposals. On the record date, our directors, executive officers and their affiliates beneficially owned and were entitled to vote 7,245,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, representing approximately 23.0% of our issued and outstanding common stock. | |
| | | | Our directors, executive officers and their respective affiliates are not entitled to redeem the shares of Class B Common Stock (or any Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof prior to the IPO) they purchased in a private placement prior to our IPO. | |
| | | | With respect to shares purchased in the open market by our directors, executive officers and their respective affiliates, such shares of Class A Common Stock may be redeemed. On the record date, our directors, executive officers and their affiliates beneficially owned and were entitled to vote 7,245,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, representing approximately 23.0% of our issued and outstanding common stock. Our directors, executive officers and their affiliates did not beneficially own any shares of Class A Common Stock as of such date. Our directors, executive officers and their affiliates may choose to buy shares of Class A Common Stock in the open market and/or through negotiated private purchases. In the event that purchases do occur, the purchasers may seek to purchase shares from stockholders who would otherwise have voted against the proposals. Any shares of Class A Common Stock held by affiliates of Banyan may be voted in favor of the proposals. | |
| Q. What vote is required to approve each of the proposals? | | | A. Approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least 65% of our outstanding shares of common stock. Approval of the Trust Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least 65% of our outstanding shares of common stock. Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present virtually or represented by proxy at the special meeting. With respect to each of the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as “AGAINST” votes. With respect to the Adjournment Proposal, abstentions with respect to this proposal will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” such | |
| | | | proposal. Broker non-votes with respect to this proposal will have no effect on the vote. On the record date, our directors, executive officers and their affiliates beneficially owned and were entitled to vote 7,245,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, representing approximately 23.0% of our issued and outstanding common stock. | |
| Q. What if I don’t want to vote for the Charter Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal? | | | A. If you do not want the Charter Amendment Proposal or the Trust Amendment Proposal to be approved, you must abstain, not vote, or vote against the proposals. If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved, and the Extension Amendments are implemented, the Withdrawal Amount will be withdrawn from the Trust Account and paid to the redeeming public stockholders. We do not currently anticipate proceeding with the adoption of the Extension Amendments if the number of redemptions of our public shares would cause us to have less than $40 million of net tangible assets following the adoption of the approval of the Extension Amendments; however, we could in our discretion decide to proceed with the adoption of the Extension Amendments even if the number of redemptions of our public shares causes us to have less than $40 million of net tangible assets; provided that, in no event will the Company proceed with the adoption of the Extension Amendments if the number of redemptions of our public shares would cause the Company to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Extension Amendments. In addition, even in the event that the Extension Amendments receive the requisite votes required for approval by our stockholders, we may, in our sole discretion, elect not to proceed with the adoption of the Extension Amendments for any reason. | |
| Q. Will you seek any further extensions to liquidate the trust account? | | | A. Other than approval for the Extension Option described herein, we do not currently anticipate seeking any further extensions with respect to the timing to consummate a Business Combination. We have provided that all holders of public shares, including those who vote for the Extension Amendments, may elect to redeem their public shares for their pro rata portion of the Trust Account and should receive the corresponding funds shortly after the stockholder meeting, which is scheduled for April 18, 2023. Those holders of public shares who elect not to redeem their shares now shall retain redemption rights with respect to future Business Combinations, or, if we do not consummate a Business Combination by the Amended Extended Date, such holders shall be entitled to their pro rata portion of the Trust Account on such date. | |
| Q. What happens if the Charter Amendment or the Trust Amendment are not approved? | | | A. If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are not approved by April 24, 2023, unless we exercise our Original Extension Options, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses, which | |
| | | | interest will be net of taxes payable thereon), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemptions, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In order to mitigate the current uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, we have decided that in the event that the Proposals are approved and implemented as describe herein, funds in trust, including any interest thereon, will not be used to pay for any excise tax liabilities with respect to any future redemptions that occur prior to or in connection with a Business Combination and which result from the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. Because the excise tax would be payable by us, and not by the redeeming holder, the mechanics of any required payment of the excise tax have not been determined. The foregoing could cause a reduction in the cash available on hand to complete a Business Combination and in our ability to complete a Business Combination. If the Extension Amendments are not approved and our Board elects to exercise its Original Extension Options, our Sponsor or its affiliates or designees will deposit $2,415,000 into the Trust Account, and we will extend the period of time we will have to consummate a Business Combination to July 24, 2023. | |
| Q. If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and implemented, what happens next? | | | A. If both the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension Amendments are implemented, we expect to file the Charter Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in the form of Annex A hereto to extend the time we must complete a Business Combination until the Amended Extended Date and we expect to execute an amendment to Trust Agreement in the form of Annex B hereto. We will remain a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the“Exchange Act”), and our units, public shares, and public warrants will remain publicly traded. We will then continue to work to consummate a Business Combination by the Amended Extended Date. | |
| | | | If the Extension Amendments are approved and implemented, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount from the Trust Account in connection with any Redemption Elections will reduce the amount held in the Trust Account. We cannot predict the amount that will remain in the Trust Account if any Redemption Elections occur, and the amount remaining in the Trust Account following any such Redemption Elections may be only a fraction of the amount that was in the Trust Account as of March 28, 2023. We do not currently anticipate proceeding with the adoption of the Extension Amendments if the number of redemptions of our public shares would cause us to have less than $40 million of net tangible assets following the adoption of the approval of the Extension Amendments; however, we could in our discretion decide to proceed | |
| | | | with the adoption of the Extension Amendments even if the number of redemptions of our public shares causes us to have less than $40 million of net tangible assets; provided that, in no event will the Company proceed with the adoption of the Extension Amendments if the number of redemptions of our public shares would cause the Company to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Extension Amendments. In addition, even in the event that the Extension Amendments receive the requisite votes required for approval by our stockholders, we may, in our sole discretion, elect not to proceed with the adoption of the Extension Amendments for any reason. | |
| | | | Because we have only a limited time to complete our Business Combination, even if we are able to effect the Extension Amendments, our failure to complete the Business Combination within the requisite time period will require us to liquidate. If we liquidate, our holders of public shares may only receive $10.37 per share, and our warrants will expire worthless. This will also cause you to lose any potential investment opportunity in a target company and the chance of realizing future gains on your investment through any price appreciation in the combined company. | |
| Q. How are the funds in the Trust Account currently being held? | | | A. With respect to the regulation of special purpose acquisition companies like the Company (“SPACs”), on March 30, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued proposed rules (the “SPAC Rule Proposals”) relating to, among other items, disclosures in business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; the condensed financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; the use of projections by SPACs in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), including a proposed rule that would provide SPACs a safe harbor from treatment as an investment company if they satisfy certain conditions that limit a SPAC’s duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities. | |
| | | | With regard to the SEC’s investment company proposals included in the SPAC Rule Proposals, while the funds in the Trust Account have, since our IPO, been held only within U.S. government securities within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or in an open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, if we determine it is necessary to mitigate potential risk of our being viewed as operating an unregistered investment company (including pursuant to the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act), we may, at any time after the date of this proxy statement, instruct Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government securities or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the | |
| | | | Trust Account in demand deposit accounts or certificates of deposit until the earlier of consummation of our initial Business Combination or liquidation, which may reduce the dollar amount that our holders of Class A Common Stock would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company. | |
| Q. Would I still be able to exercise my redemption rights in connection with a Business Combination if I approve the Extension Amendments? | | | A. Unless you elect to redeem all of your shares in connection with the Extension Amendments, you will be able to vote on any Business Combination when it is submitted to stockholders. If you disagree with the Business Combination, you will also retain your right to redeem your public shares upon consummation of a Business Combination in connection with the stockholder vote to approve the Business Combination, subject to any limitations set forth in our charter. | |
| Q. How do I attend the meeting? | | | A. If you are a registered stockholder, you received a proxy card from our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“transfer agent”). The form contains instructions on how to attend the virtual annual meeting including the URL address, along with your control number. You will need your control number for access. If you do not have your control number, contact the transfer agent at the phone # or e-mail address below. You can pre-register to attend the virtual meeting starting April 11, 2023 at 11:00 am Eastern time (five business days prior to the meeting date). Enter the URL address into your browser https://www.cstproxy.com/banyanacquisition/2023, enter your control number, name and email address. Once you pre-register you can vote or enter questions in the chat box. At the start of the meeting you will need to re-log in using your control number and will also be prompted to enter your control number if you vote during the meeting. Beneficial holders, who own their investments through a bank or broker, will need to contact the transfer agent to receive a control number. If you plan to vote at the meeting you will need to have a legal proxy from your bank or broker or if you would like to join and not vote, the transfer agent will issue you a guest control number with proof of ownership. Either way you must contact the transfer agent for specific instructions on how to receive the control number. We can be contacted at the number or email address above. Please allow up to 72 hours prior to the meeting for processing your control number. If you do not have internet capabilities, you can listen only to the meeting by dialing +1 800-450-7155, within the U.S. and Canada, or +1 857-999-9155 (standard rates apply) outside the U.S. and Canada; when prompted enter the pin number 0904610#. This is listen only, you will not be able to vote or enter questions during the meeting. | |
| Q. How do I change my vote? | | | A. If you have submitted a proxy to vote your shares and wish to change your vote, you may do so by delivering a later-dated, signed proxy card to Morrow Sodali LLC, Banyan’s proxy solicitor, prior to the date of the special meeting or by voting virtually at the special meeting. Attendance at the special meeting alone will not change your vote. You also may revoke your proxy by sending a | |
| | | | notice of revocation to: Banyan Acquisition Corporation, 400 Skokie Blvd, Suite 820, Northbrook, Illinois Attention: George Courtot, Secretary. Please note, however, that if on the record date, your shares were held not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, custodian bank, or other nominee, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. If your shares are held in street name, and you wish to attend the special meeting and vote at the special meeting online, you must follow the instructions included with the enclosed proxy card. | |
| Q. How are votes counted? | | | Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately count “FOR” or “AGAINST” votes, as well as abstentions and broker non-votes. Approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least 65% of our outstanding shares of common stock. Approval of the Trust Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least 65% of our outstanding shares of common stock. The approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by stockholders represented virtually or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions will be counted in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established. With respect to each of the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as “AGAINST” votes. With respect to the Adjournment Proposal, abstentions will have the same effect as “AGAINST” votes and broker non-votes will have no effect on the approval of the Adjournment Proposal. If your shares are held by your broker as your nominee (that is, in “street name”), you may need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. If you do not give instructions to your broker, your broker can vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items, but not with respect to “non-discretionary” items. On non-discretionary items for which you do not give your broker instructions, the shares will be treated as broker non-votes. None of the proposals are considered “discretionary” items. We urge you to give voting instructions to your broker on all proposals. | |
| Q. If my shares are held in “street name,” will my broker automatically vote them for me? | | | A. With respect to each of the Charter Amendment Proposal, the Trust Amendment Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal, your broker can vote your shares only if you provide them with instructions on how to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares. Your broker can tell you how to provide these instructions. | |
| Q. What is a quorum requirement? | | | A. A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present with regard to each of the proposals if at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock on the record date are represented by stockholders present at the meeting or by proxy at the special meeting. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote virtually at the special meeting. Abstentions will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the chairman of the special meeting may adjourn the special meeting to another date. As of the record date for the special meeting, 15,697,501 shares of our common stock would be required to achieve a quorum. | |
| Q. Who can vote at the special meeting? | | | A. Only holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on March 24, 2023, the record date, are entitled to have their vote counted at the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. On the record date, 31,395,000 shares of common stock, including 24,150,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, were outstanding and entitled to vote. Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name. If on the record date your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote virtually at the special meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting virtually, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure your vote is counted. Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank. If on the record date your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the special meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares virtually at the special meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent. | |
| Q. How does the Board recommend I vote? | | | A. After careful consideration of the terms and conditions of these proposals, the Board has determined that each of the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. The Board recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR” each of the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal. In addition, the Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal if such proposal is presented. | |
| Q. What interests do the Company’s Sponsor, directors and officers have in the approval of the proposals? | | | A. Banyan’s Sponsor, directors and officers have interests in the proposals that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder. These interests include ownership of shares of Class B Common Stock and warrants that may become exercisable in the future and the possibility of future compensatory arrangements. See the section entitled “The Charter Amendment Proposal — Interests of Banyan’s Sponsor, Directors and Officers.” | |
| Q. What if I object to the Charter Amendment and Trust Amendment Proposal? Do I have appraisal rights? | | | A. If you do not want the Charter Amendment Proposal and Trust Amendment Proposal to be approved, you must vote against such proposals, abstain from voting or refrain from voting. If holders of public shares do not elect to redeem their public shares, such holders shall retain redemption rights in connection with any future Business Combination we propose. You will still be entitled to make a Redemption Election if you vote against, abstain or do not vote on the Charter Amendment or the Trust Amendment Proposal. In addition, public stockholders who do not make a Redemption Election would be entitled to redemption if we have not completed a Business Combination by the Amended Extended Date. Our stockholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with the Charter Amendment and Trust Amendment Proposal under the DGCL. | |
| Q. What happens to the Banyan warrants if the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension Amendments are implemented? | | | A. If the Charter Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal are approved and the Extension Amendments are implemented, we will continue our efforts to consummate a Business Combination until the Amended Extended Date, and will retain the blank check company restrictions previously applicable to us. The warrants will remain outstanding in accordance with their terms. | |
| Q. What do I need to do now? | | | A. We urge you to read carefully and consider the information contained in this proxy statement, including the annexes, and to consider how the proposals will affect you as our stockholder. You should then vote as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions provided in this proxy statement and on the enclosed proxy card. | |
| Q. How do I vote? | | | A. If you are a holder of record of our common stock, you may vote virtually at the special meeting or by submitting a proxy for the special meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting virtually, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may submit your proxy by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre-addressed postage paid envelope. You may still attend the special meeting and vote virtually if you have already voted by proxy. If your shares of our common stock are held in “street name” by a broker or other agent, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the special meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares virtually at the special meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent. | |
| Q. How do I redeem my shares of Banyan common stock? | | | A. If the Extension Amendments are implemented, each public stockholder may seek to redeem such stockholder’s public shares for its pro rata portion of the funds available in the Trust Account, less any income taxes owed on such funds but not yet paid. You will also be able to redeem your public shares in connection with any stockholder vote to approve a proposed Business Combination, or if we have not consummated a Business Combination by the Amended Extended Date. In connection with tendering your shares for redemption, you must submit a request in writing that we redeem your public shares for cash to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, our transfer agent and elect either to physically tender your share certificates to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, One State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004-1561, Attn: SPAC Redemption Team, spacredemptions@continentalstock.com, prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on April 14, 2023 (two business days prior to the special meeting), or to deliver your shares to the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, which election would likely be determined based on the manner in which you hold your shares. Certificates that have not been tendered in accordance with these procedures at least two business days prior to the special meeting will not be redeemed for cash. Any request for redemption, once made by a public stockholder, may not be withdrawn once submitted to us unless our Board determines (in its sole discretion) to permit the withdrawal of such redemption request (which they may do in whole or in part). In addition, if you deliver your shares for redemption to the transfer agent and later decide prior to the special meeting not to redeem your shares, you may request that the transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting our transfer agent at the address listed above. | |
| Q. What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials? | | | A. You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards, if your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast a vote with respect to all of your shares. | |
| Q. Who is paying for this proxy solicitation? | | | A. We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. We have also retained Marrow Sodali LLC, a proxy solicitation firm, for assistance in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. Any customary fees of Marrow Sodali LLC will be paid by us. We estimate that our proxy solicitor fees will be approximately $27,500 plus reasonable out of pocket expenses. In addition to these mailed proxy materials, our directors and officers may also solicit proxies virtually, by telephone or by other means of communication. These parties will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse | |
| | | | brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. | |
| Q. Where do I find the voting results of the special meeting? | | | A. We will announce preliminary voting results at the special meeting. The final voting results will be tallied by the inspector of election and published in a Current Report on Form 8-K, we are required to file with the SEC within four business days following the special meeting. | |
| Q. Who can help answer my questions? | | | A. If you have questions, you may write or call Banyan’s proxy solicitor: Morrow Sodali LLC 333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower Stamford CT 06902 Tel: Toll-Free (800) 662-5200 or (203) 658-9400 Email: BYN.info@investor.morrowsodali.com You may also obtain additional information about us from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | | | Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned | | | Class B Common Stock Beneficially Owned(2) | | | % of Total Outstanding Shares | | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Shares | | | % | | | Number of Shares | | | % | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Jerry Hyman(3) | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7,095,375 | | | | | | 97.9% | | | | | | 22.5% | | |
Keith Jaffee(3) | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7,095,375 | | | | | | 97.9% | | | | | | 22.5% | | |
George Courtot | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5,250 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
Bruce Lubin | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 39,375 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
Otis Carter | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 26,250 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
Peter Cameron | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
All executive officers and directors as a group (seven individuals) | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7,166,250(4) | | | | | | 98.9% | | | | | | 22.8% | | |
Five Percent Holders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Banyan Acquisition Sponsors LLC(3) | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7,095,375 | | | | | | 97.9% | | | | | | 22.5% | | |
Highbridge Capital Management, LLC(5) | | | | | 2,278,448 | | | | | | 9.4% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7.3% | | |
Saba Capital Management, L.P.(6) | | | | | 1,569,187 | | | | | | 6.5% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5.0% | | |