ITEM 2. PLAN OF OPERATION
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This form 10-QSB for the quarter ended December 31, 2002 contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding, among other items, growth strategies, anticipated trends in the Company’s business and future results of operation, market conditions in the automobile finance industry and the impact of governmental regulation. These forward-looking statements are based largely on its expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of, among other things:
• | The creditworthiness of contract obligors; |
• | Economic factors affecting delinquencies; |
• | The Company’s ability to retain and attract experienced and knowledgeable personnel; |
• | The Company’s ability to purchase installment sales contacts; and |
• | The Company’s ability to compete in the consumer finance industry. |
In addition, the words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “ anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, its business or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this Form 10-QSB. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this Form 10-QSB may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Overview
Advanced Cellular Technology, Inc. is a publicly held company that was previously engaged in the business of developing, assembling, marketing and selling cellular mobile telephones and peripheral products. For all practical purposes, the Company ceased operations in December 1990 due to extensive competition in the wireless communication industry and lack of capital to fund continued operations. The Company is currently reorganizing and instituting new management headed by the Company’s original founder, Dean Antonis. Once reorganized, the Company intends to become a non-prime, automobile finance company that will use advanced software, including the internet, to engage in the purchasing and servicing of non-prime installment sales contracts (“Installment Contracts”) originated by automobile dealers in the sale of new and used automobiles. The Company will acquire directly or through intermediaries Installment Contracts originated by automobile dealers in connection with their sale of new and used automobiles, vans, SUVs and light duty trucks to borrowers with limited credit histories or past credit problems (“Non-prime Consumers”). To achieve an acceptable rate of return and provide adequate protection from excessive credit risks, Installment Contracts will be purchased from dealers at a discount to the remaining principal balance.
As part of the Company’s reorganization, the Company will seek additional financing from public and private sources. To facilitate this financing, the Company believes it is essential to regain its public status and obtain a listing on a recognized trading exchange. Accordingly it is filing annual and other reports as are required by the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, the Company intends to hold an annual meeting of shareholders in the upcoming fiscal year to approve the election of directors, change its name to Auto Underwriters of America, Inc., change the domicile of the corporation from California to Colorado, increase the authorized capital of the Company and effectuate a reverse stock split.
Plan of Operation
The Company’s goal is to become a leading lender engaged in the purchasing and servicing of Non-prime Consumer Installment Contracts. To help the Company accomplish this goal, it intends to consummate several transactions in the next several months. The Company has entered into non-binding letters of intent with two other non-prime automobile finance companies whereby the Company will purchase the loan portfolios of those companies. Specifically, the Company intends to enter into an agreement with Epic Financial Services (“Epic”) to purchase Epic’s non-prime automobile loan portfolio, which the Company values at $3.7 million, in exchange for the Company’s Common Stock and cash. It is estimated that the Company will issue to Epic shares of Common Stock representing approximately 38.9% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock as consideration. In connection with this proposed transaction, William Kellagher, the current President and co-founder of Epic, became the Vice President of the Company in October 2002. Additionally, the Company has executed a non-binding letter of intent with Gateway Credit Holdings, Inc. (“Gateway”), a related party also engaged in the non-prime automobile finance industry. Gateway has developed proprietary software, called AutoUnderwriter.com, that allows an automobile dealer or borrower to input various fields of information into an online financing application, conducts the credit screening process, and provides an answer to the applicant within thirty seconds of the application’s submittal. The non-binding letter of intent provides for the Company to purchase Gateway’s software applications and existing loan portfolio in exchange for the Company’s Common Stock and cash. It is estimated that the Company will issue to Gateway shares of Common Stock representing approximately 38.9% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock as consideration. The Company values the software at $300,000 and the loan portfolio at $2.5 million. Prior to the consummation of a definitive agreement with Gateway, the Company will use AutoUnderwriter.com and pay Gateway an estimated fee of $150 per funded contract.
AutoUnderwriter.com, Gateway’s proprietary software, allows an automobile dealer or borrower to input various fields of information into an online financing application, conducts the credit screening process, and provides an answer to the applicant within thirty seconds of the application’s submittal.
The Company believes that its to be developed website should provide the following benefits:
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• | Instant Credit Decisions. The Company’s website should provide dealers and consumers with online credit decisions within thirty seconds after an online application is submitted. After the online decision is made, the Company will verify the loan documentation sent by the dealer and ensure that the loan and the borrower satisfy the Company’s internal criteria for financing. The Company’s verification process should normally be completed within three days of the receipt of the loan documentation. Management believes that the speed at which dealers and consumers can receive a credit decision for the financing of a loan will encourage dealers and consumers to use the website and will ultimately result in more financing opportunities. |
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• | Automatic Deal Structures. Dealers will have the option of (i) entering financing deals that they already structured and the Company will give the dealer a decision on whether the Company will finance the deal, or (ii) the Company will process the application and provide the dealer an approval with the maximum contract limits that will enable the Company to purchase the contract. |
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• | Decisions 24 hours a day/7days a week/365 days a year. The Company’s website will allow for applications to be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many auto sales take place in the evenings and on the weekends when financial institutions are closed. Many finance companies are only open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. The Company’s website will provide instant decisions during these peak evening and weekend hours, even though such hours are outside normal business hours. This instant decision process should help increase dealer sales and help reduce dealer “roll-backs” which occur when a dealer finances a vehicle and is later forced to reclaim the vehicle because the dealer is unable to sell the financing structure. |
The Company intends to provide extensive product and pricing information that it hopes will lead to increased customer satisfaction. As the Company grows and implements its business model it intends that credit officers and loan administrators will be employed to provide telephone and email support to dealers and consumers.
The Company plans to undertake the collection process for all accounts contractually delinquent, and subsequently undertake all repossession functions. The Company’s servicing activities will include (i) monitoring installment contracts and collateral, (ii) accounting for and posting all payments received, (iii) responding to customer inquiries, (iv) taking all action to maintain the security interest granted in the financed vehicle, (v) investigating delinquencies and communicating with the borrowers to obtain timely payment, and (vi) pursuing deficiencies in installment contacts.
At the time of a purchase of a financed vehicle, the Company notifies the borrower that the Company has purchased the financing contract and will direct the borrower how to make payments. The Company will also undertake the collection functions.
Other than the activity described in this report, including the information disclosed in the notes to the financial statements and Part II of this report, the Company has engaged in very little business activity and has not hired any employees. The Company estimates that it can satisfy its cash requirements in the next twelve (12) months through revenues from future customer accounts, a bank line of credit, and the proceeds from the offering of unsecured notes to accredited investors.
ITEM 3. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company maintains a system of controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of the financial statements and other disclosures included in this report, as well as to safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition. The Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 under supervision and with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as of August 31, 2003. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting him to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings. No significant changes were made to the Company’s internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation. The design of any future system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions regardless of how remote.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. |
| None
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ITEM 2. | CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS. |
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| The Company did not sell any equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2002. However, in January 2003 and August 2003, the Company offered and sold 9.25% unsecured convertible promissory notes (the “Notes”) pursuant to a Private Placement Memorandum dated November 20, 2002 and a Supplement dated May 30, 2003. The Company sold a total of $350,000 worth of Notes to seventeen (17) accredited investors. The Notes were offered on a “best efforts” basis on behalf of the Company by Brookstreet Securities Corporation, a NASD licensed broker-dealer (“Brookstreet”). Brookstreet received a sales commission of ten percent (10%) and a non-accountable expense allowance of five percent (5%). The offering was made in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. No general or public solicitation or advertising was employed in the offering. |
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| The Notes are an unsecured general obligation of the Company, limited in aggregate principal amount to $350,000. The Notes issued pursuant to the Memorandum dated November 20, 2002 mature on November 1, 2003 and the Notes issued pursuant to the Supplement dated May 30, 2003 mature on May 1, 2004. The Notes bear interest at 9.25% per annum from the date of issuance, payable semi-annually on May 1, 2003 and November 1, 2003 or November 1, 2003 and May 1, 2004, depending upon the issuance date, to the persons in whose names such Notes are issued. Interest on the Notes will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. To the extent lawful, any installment of interest on the Notes which is not paid when due will accrue interest at the lesser of 18%, compounded quarterly, or the highest lawful rate of interest from the due date until paid. At any time prior to maturity, any Noteholder has the option to convert all or part of the unpaid principal balance due on the Note into that number of shares of Common Stock of the Company equal to all or such part of the unpaid principal balance of the Note divided by half a cent ($0.005) per share of Common Stock, any such fractional shares to be paid in cash. Interest due on the Notes is not convertible into Common Stock of the Company. To exercise the option, a Noteholder must surrender the Note to the Company, accompanied by written notice of Noteholder’s intention to convert the Note into Common Stock, which notice shall set forth the principal amount of the Note, if not the entire unpaid principal balance, to be converted into Common Stock. Within ten (10) business days of the Company’s receipt of the notice and the Noteholder’s surrender of the Note, the Company will deliver to the Noteholder, shares of Common Stock in the Noteholder’s name. |
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| The Notes are redeemable for cash at any time at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days notice to each Noteholder without prepayment premium or penalty. Notice will be mailed to all Noteholders setting forth (i) the redemption date, (ii) the redemption price including the amount of accrued and unpaid interest to be paid upon such redemption, (iii) a statement that the Notes must be delivered to the Company, and (v) a statement that interest on the Notes, or portion thereof being redeemed, ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date. In the case of notice to the holder of any Note to be redeemed in part, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of such Note will be issued. In the event of partial redemption of the Notes, the Notes to be redeemed in whole or in part will be selected on a pro rata basis, or in such other manner as the Company deems appropriate and fair. The Notes may be redeemed in multiples of $1,000 only. Any Noteholder, upon receipt of the Company’s notice of redemption, may elect to convert the Note into shares of the Company’s Common Stock as described above. In the event of a reverse stock-split or other form of re-capitalization which effects the number of shares outstanding, all shares outstanding and Notes convertible into shares of Common Stock will be adjusted proportionally to any such stock-split or re-capitalization without further action by the holder or the Company. |
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| In addition, in February 2003, the Company issued a total of 841,191 shares of its Common Stock to Brookstreet Securities Corporation pursuant to an investment banking agreement between Brookstreet and the Company dated November 4, 2002. The shares were issued as partial consideration for Brookstreet’s corporate financing activities, including the sale of the Notes described above. The issuance was made in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and related state private offering exemptions. |
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ITEM 3. | DEFAULT UPON SENIOR SECURITIES. |
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| The Company is currently in default on two 12% convertible debentures dated May 1987. The notes are convertible to common stock at $0.05 per share. Accrued interest expense related to this debt is approximately $19,800. No formal claims for payment have been made on this outstanding debt. |
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ITEM 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
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| None |
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ITEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION. |
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| None |
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ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. |
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(a) | Exhibits |
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31.1 | Principal Executive Officer Certification under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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31.2 | Principal Financial Officer Certification under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32.1 | Principal Executive Officer Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32.2 | Principal Financial Officer Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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(b) Reports on Form 8-K |
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No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended December 31, 2002. However, reports on Form 8-K were filed on June 13, 2003 and July 1, 2003 reporting under Item 4, Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountants. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| ADVANCED CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY, INC. |
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Date: September 5, 2003 | By: /s/ DEAN ANTONIS |
| Dean Antonis |
| President and Treasurer |