AGREEMENT
AND
PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
This Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Agreement") is made as
of the 29th day of June, 2000, among Equitex, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Parent"); Nova Financial Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation ("Nova"); and
Nova Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Merger Subsidiary"), which
is wholly owned by Parent.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of the Merger Subsidiary
and Nova each have determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of
their respective stockholders to effect a reorganization whereby the Merger
Subsidiary will be merged by statutory merger with and into Nova upon the terms
and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto covenant and
agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
BASIC PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
1.1 MERGER. In accordance with the provisions of the business
corporation laws of the States of Delaware and Florida at the Effective Date (as
hereinafter defined), the Merger Subsidiary shall be merged with and into Nova
(the "Merger"), within ten business days following the satisfaction or waiver,
if permissible, of the conditions set forth in Articles 7 and 8 of this
Agreement or on such other date as may be agreed to by the parties (the "Closing
Date"). Following the Merger, Nova shall continue as the surviving corporation
(the "Surviving Corporation") and shall continue to be governed by the laws of
the State of Florida.
1.2 CONTINUING CORPORATE EXISTENCE. Except as may otherwise be set
forth herein, the corporate existence and identity of Nova, with all its
purposes, powers, franchises, privileges, rights and immunities, shall continue
unaffected and unimpaired by the Merger, and the corporate existence and
identity of Merger Subsidiary, with all its purposes, powers, franchises,
privileges, rights and immunities, at the Effective Date shall be merged with
and into that of Nova, and the Surviving Corporation shall be vested fully
therewith and the separate corporate existence and identity of the Merger
Subsidiary shall thereafter cease except to the extent continued by statute.
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1.3 EFFECTIVE DATE. The Merger shall become effective upon the filing
of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the States of
Delaware and the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Florida pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware
and the Florida Business Corporation Act. The date and time when the Merger
shall become effective is hereinafter referred to as the "Effective Date."
1.4 CORPORATE GOVERNMENT OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.
(a) The Articles of Incorporation of Nova, as in effect on the
Effective Date, shall continue in full force and effect and shall be
the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) The Bylaws of the Nova, as in effect as of the Effective
Date, shall continue in full force and effect and shall be the Bylaws
of the Surviving Corporation.
(c) The members of the Board of Directors of the Surviving
Corporation shall be the persons holding such office in Nova as of the
Effective Date.
(d) The officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be the
persons holding such offices in Nova as of the Effective Date.
1.5 CLOSING. Consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Friedlob Sanderson
Paulson & Tourtillott, LLC in Denver, Colorado, commencing at 10:00 a.m.,
Mountain Time, as soon as practicable after the last to be fulfilled or waived
of the conditions set forth in Articles 7 and 8 or at such other place, time and
date as shall be fixed by mutual agreement between Parent and Nova; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, the Closing shall occur on or before September 1, 2000, subject to an
automatic 30 day extension if necessary to accommodate a special meeting of the
shareholders of either party to approve certain corporate actions necessary to
complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, unless the date is
extended by mutual agreement of Parent and Nova. The day on which the Closing
shall occur is referred to herein as the "Closing Date." Each party will cause
to be prepared, executed and delivered the Certificate of Merger to be filed
with the Secretary of State of Delaware and Articles of Merger to be filed with
the Secretary of State of Florida and all other appropriate and customary
documents as any party or its counsel may reasonably request or as may be
contemplated in Article 7 hereof for the purpose of consummating the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. All actions taken at the Closing
shall be deemed to have been taken simultaneously at the time the last of any
such actions is taken or completed.
1.6 TAX CONSEQUENCES. It is intended that the Merger shall constitute a
reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(E) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and that this
Agreement shall constitute a "plan of reorganization" for the purposes of
Section 368 of the Code.
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ARTICLE 2
CONVERSION OF SHARES
2.1 CONVERSION OF SHARES. At the Effective Date, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof:
(a) All outstanding shares of Nova common stock, no par value,
(the "Nova Common Stock") outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Date will be converted into and represent the right to
receive, on a pro rata basis, the following:
(i) 3,570,146 shares of Parent common stock, par value
$.02 (the "Parent Common Stock"), or such greater or
lesser number of shares of Parent Common Stock as
shall equal twenty-five percent (25%) of the total
number of shares of Parent common stock issues and
outstanding as of the Closing Date, determined after
giving effect to the consummation of the Merger and
the related transaction described in Section 6.10
hereof, and the issuance of Parent Common Stock to
raise the cash consideration payable pursuant to the
Merger and the related transaction described in
Section 6.10 hereof;
(ii) Warrants, in a form and on terms mutually agreeable
to the parties, for the purchase of Parent Common
Stock in a number equal to fifty percent (50%) of any
warrants, option, preferred stock, or other
securities outstanding as of the Closing Date and
exchangeable for or convertible into Parent Common
Stock (the "Warrants"), at an exercise price, (A)
with respect to Warrants other than Warrants based on
the outstanding preferred stock, equal to the
weighted average exercise price of such previously
outstanding warrants, options, or other securities
exchangeable for or convertible into Parent Common
Stock, (B) with respect to Parent's outstanding
preferred stock, Parent will either issue a Warrant
or issue additional shares of Parent Common Stock (to
be agreed by the parties) so as to minimize the
creation of good will from the Merger.
(iii) $2,500,000 in United States currency and in
immediately available funds (the "Cash
Consideration").
The consideration outlined in Section 2.1(a)(i)-(iii) above
shall be referred to as the "Merger Consideration" and each share of
Nova Common Stock converted pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) shall be
referred to as a "Converted Share."
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(b) Each share of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Merger
Subsidiary which shall be outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Date shall at the Effective Date, by virtue of the Merger and
without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into
one share of newly issued Nova Common Stock. The shares of Nova Common
Stock issued pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) shall be validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.
2.2 FRACTIONAL SHARES. No scrip or fractional shares of Parent Common
Stock shall be issued in the Merger. All fractional shares of Parent Common
Stock to which a holder of Nova Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective
Date would otherwise be entitled at the Effective Date shall be aggregated. If a
fractional share results from such aggregation the share shall be rounded to the
nearest whole share.
2.3 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.3, there
are no options, warrants, preferred stock or convertible securities outstanding
entitling the holder thereof to purchase Nova Common Stock.
2.4 EXCHANGE OF NOVA COMMON STOCK.
(a) At Closing, the Nova stockholders, at their expense, shall
deliver to Parent all outstanding shares of Nova Common Stock endorsed
in blank or accompanied by stock powers executed in blank, all
signatures guaranteed by a national bank and with all necessary
transfer tax or revenue stamps required and affixed (the
"Certificates"). Parent, in turn, will deliver to the Nova
stockholders, certificates representing the number of whole shares of
Parent Common Stock to which the holders of Nova Common Stock are
entitled pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i) (the "Parent Certificates"), and
warrant agreements, in a form and on terms mutually agreeable to the
parties, representing the number of Warrants to which the holders of
Nova Common Stock are entitled pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(ii) (the
"Warrant Agreements"), and will pay to the Nova stockholders collected
funds representing the Cash Consideration to which the holders of Nova
Common Stock are entitled pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(iii). Upon
delivery of the Certificates to Parent, the holder of such Certificate
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor one or more Parent
Certificates and Warrant Agreements as requested by the holder
(properly issued, executed and countersigned, as appropriate)
representing that number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock and
that number of Warrants to which such holder of Nova Common Stock shall
become entitled pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1(a), plus his
or her pro rata share of the Cash Consideration, and the Certificate so
surrendered shall forthwith be canceled.
(b) Parent shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by
reason of the issuance of the Parent Certificates and Warrant
Agreements; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such Parent Certificates and
Warrant Agreements are issued in the name of the person in whose name
the Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered. If any
portion of the consideration to be received pursuant to this Article 2
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upon exchange of a Certificate is to be issued or paid to a person
other than the person in whose name the Certificate surrendered in
exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of such
issuance and payment that the Certificate so surrendered shall be
properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the
person requesting such exchange shall pay in advance any transfer or
other taxes or transfer fee required by reason of the issuance of a
Parent Certificate and Warrant Agreement to such other person, or
establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such tax has
been paid or that no such tax is applicable.
(c) In the case of any lost, mislaid, stolen or destroyed
Certificates, the holder thereof may be required, as a condition
precedent to the delivery to such holder of the consideration described
in this Article 2, to deliver to Parent a bond, in such reasonable sum
as Parent may direct, or other form of indemnity satisfactory to
Parent, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the
Parent or Nova with respect to the Certificate alleged to have been
lost, mislaid, stolen or destroyed.
(d) After the Effective Date, there shall be no transfers on
the stock transfer books of Nova of the shares of Nova Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date. If,
after the Effective Date, Certificates are presented to Nova for
transfer, they shall be canceled and exchanged for the consideration
described in this Article 2.
2.5 ADJUSTMENT. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Closing
Date or the Effective Date, as the case may be, the outstanding shares of Nova
Common Stock or Parent Common Stock shall have been changed into a different
number of shares or a different class by reason of any classification,
recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares, or readjustment or
a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such
period, then the consideration to be received pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof by
the holders of shares of Nova Common Stock shall be adjusted to accurately
reflect such change.
2.6 STATUS OF PARENT SECURITIES. The shares of Parent Common Stock
being issued in the Merger are and will be "restricted securities" as defined in
Rule 144 (the "Rule") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") and (unless registered for resale or some other exemption from
registration is available) the shares of Parent Common Stock must be held for a
minimum of one year following the Merger, and thereafter may be sold in only
limited amounts in a specified manner in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Rule, if the Rule is applicable (there being no representation
by Parent that it will be applicable). If the Rule is not applicable, any sales
may be made only pursuant to an effective registration statement or an available
exemption fromregistration. Parent will cause its stock transfer agent to
reflect such restrictions in Parent's stock transfer books and to place an
appropriate restrictive legend or legend on any certificates evidencing the
Parent Common Stock and any certificates issued in replacement or exchange
therefor.
2.7 Registration of Parent Securities. At the Closing, the parties
shall execute a Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form of
Exhibit A.
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ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NOVA
Nova represents and warrants to Parent that the statements contained in
Article 3 are true and correct in all material respects, except as set forth in
the schedules attached hereto. As used in this Article 3 and elsewhere in this
Agreement, the phrases "to Nova's knowledge" or "to Nova's actual knowledge"
shall mean to the knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of the officer of
Nova who has the principal responsibility for the matter being stated.
3.1 ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING OF NOVA. Nova is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Florida.
3.2 FOREIGN QUALIFICATION. Nova is duly qualified or licensed to do
business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in every jurisdiction
where the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on (a) the
business, operation, assets or financial condition of Nova or (b) the validity
or enforceability of, or the ability of Nova to perform its obligations under,
this Agreement (a "Nova Material Adverse Effect").
3.3 COMPANY POWER AND AUTHORITY. Nova has the corporate or company
power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to
carry on its business as currently being conducted. Nova has furnished Parent
with true and correct copies of its Articles of Incorporation and by-laws, as
amended.
3.4 NO NOVA SUBSIDIARIES. Nova does not own beneficially, directly or
indirectly, more than 5% of any class of equity securities or similar interests
of any corporation, bank, business trust, association, limited liability company
or similar organization, and is not, directly or indirectly, a partner in any
partnership, or joint venture.
3.5 AUTHORIZATION. Nova has the corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to the approval of this
Agreement and the Merger by its stockholders, to perform its obligations under
this Agreement and to consummate the Merger. The execution, delivery and
performance by Nova of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action. Subject to such approval of stockholders and of government
agencies and other government boards having regulatory authority over Nova as
may be required by statute or regulation, this Agreement is the legal, valid and
binding obligation of Nova enforceable in accordance with its terms.
3.6 Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the
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fulfillment of and compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement do
not and will not, with the passing of time or the giving of notice or both,
violate or conflict with, constitute a breach of or default under, result in the
loss of any material benefit under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation
under, (i) any term or provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Nova, (ii) any "Material Contract" (as defined in Section 3.13), (iii) any
judgment, decree or order of any court or governmental authority or agency to
which Nova is a party or by which Nova or any of its properties is bound, or
(iv) any statute, law, regulation or rule applicable to Nova other than such
violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults as would not have a Nova Material
Adverse Effect. Except for the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and Articles of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Florida, compliance with the applicable
requirements of the Florida Business Corporation Act, Securities Act, Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and applicable state
securities and banking laws, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any governmental agency or public or
regulatory unit, agency, body or authority with respect to Nova is required in
connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Nova
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
3.7 CAPITALIZATION OF NOVA.
(a) The authorized capital stock of Nova consists of (i) 7,500
shares of Nova Common Stock, no par value per share; and (ii) no shares
of preferred stock. As of the date hereof, there were 1,000 shares of
Nova Common Stock issued and outstanding and no shares of Nova Common
Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options, warrants or
convertible securities.
(b) All of the issued and outstanding shares of Nova Common
Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid,
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7(c), there are no
voting trusts, stockholder agreements or other voting arrangements
between or among the stockholders of Nova.
(d) No equity security of Nova is or may be required to be
issued by reason of any option, warrant, scrip, preemptive right, right
to subscribe to, call or commitment of any
character whatsoever relating to, or security or right convertible
into, any shares of capital stock of such subsidiary, and there are no
contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which Nova is
bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock, or any option
warrant or right to purchase or acquire any additional shares of its
capital stock.
(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7(e), since December 31,
1999, no shares of capital stock have been purchased, redeemed or
otherwise reacquired, directly or indirectly, by Nova and no dividends
or other distributions have been declared, set aside, made or paid to
the stockholders of Nova.
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3.8 NOVA INFORMATION. Nova has made or will make available to Parent
and the Merger Subsidiary all information that Nova has available (including all
tax returns, financial statements given to any other person, contracts, payroll
schedules, financial books and records), and all other information concerning
Nova, its business, its customers, its management, and its financial condition
which Parent may have requested (all such information being referred to herein
as the "Nova Information"). As of their respective dates, the Nova Information
did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
3.9 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RECORDS OF NOVA. Nova has made available
and will provide to Parent and the Merger Subsidiary true, correct and complete
copies of the following financial statements (the "Nova Financial Statements"):
(i) audited consolidated balance sheets of Nova as of December 31, 1999 and 1998
and related audited consolidated statements of income, stockholder's equity and
cash flows for the two years ended December 31, 1999, together with the notes
thereto (the "Nova Year-End Statements"); and (ii) unaudited consolidated
balance sheets of Nova and related consolidated statements of income,
stockholder's equity and cash flows as of and for the quarter ended March 31,
2000 and as soon as they are available, for each quarter ended prior to Closing
(the "Nova Quarterly Statements").
The Nova Year-End Statements and Nova Quarterly Statements present or
will present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nova as
of the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows thereof for
the periods then ended, in each case in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles, consistently applied, except as noted therein. Since
January 1, 1999, there has been no change in accounting principles applied to,
or methods of accounting utilized by, Nova, except as noted in the Nova
Financial Statements or as otherwise described on Schedule 3.9. The books and
records of Nova have been and are being maintained in accordance with good
business practice, reflect only valid transactions, are complete and correct in
all material respects and present fairly in all material respects the basis for
the financial position and results of operations of Nova as set forth on the
Nova Year-End Statement and Nova Quarterly Statements.
3.10 REPORTS. Since December 31, 1994, Nova has not been required to
file any reports, registrations and statements with (i) the Federal Reserve
Board ("FRB"), (ii) the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or (iii) any
applicable state securities, banking or financial authorities.
3.11 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Since December 31, 1999, Nova has not,
except as otherwise set forth in the Nova Information or the Nova Financial
Statements or as otherwise set forth on Schedule 3.11:
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(a) suffered any adverse change in its business, operation,
assets, or financial condition, except for such changes that would not
have a Nova Material Adverse Effect;
(b) suffered any material damage, destruction, loss or
forfeiture of its assets, whether or not covered by insurance, which
property or assets are material to its operations or business, taken as
a whole;
(c) settled, forgiven, compromised, canceled, released, waived
or permitted to lapse any material rights or claims other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and business
custom ("Ordinary Course of Business");
(d) entered into or terminated any Material Contract or agreed
or made any changes in any Material Contract, other than renewals or
extensions thereof and leases, agreements, transactions and commitments
entered into or terminated in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(e) entered into any transaction, other than at arms-length in
the Ordinary Course of Business, between Nova and any stockholder,
director, officer, or any affiliate of any such officer, director or
stockholder;
(f) made any material change in the accounting policy,
procedure or practice employed with respect to Nova;
(g) sold any of the assets of Nova (tangible or intangible),
other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(h) paid or incurred any capital expenditures, other than
capital expenditures incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business which
do not exceed $10,000 (any single item or group of related items);
(i) written up, written down or written off the book value of
any material amount of assets other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(j) declared, paid or set aside for payment any dividend or
distribution with respect to its capital stock;
(k) redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired, or sold,
granted or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, any of its
capital stock or securities or any rights to acquire such capital stock
or securities, or agreed to changes in the terms and conditions of any
such rights outstanding as of the date of this Agreement;
(l) increased the compensation of or paid any bonuses to any
employees or contributed to any employee benefit plan, other than in
accordance with established policies, practices or requirements or as
provided in Section 5.1 hereof;
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(m) entered into any employment, consulting or compensation
agreement with any person or group, except as set forth on Schedule
3.11(m);
(n) entered into any collective bargaining agreement with any
person or group;
(o) entered into, adopted or amended any employee benefit
plan; or
(p) entered into any agreement to do any of the foregoing.
3.12 NO MATERIAL UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. There are no liabilities or
obligations of Nova of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or
otherwise, other than:
(a) the liabilities and obligations that are reflected,
accrued or reserved against on the Nova Financial Statements, or
referred to in the footnotes thereto, or incurred in the Ordinary
Course of Business and consistent with past practices since December
31, 1999; or
(b) liabilities and obligations which in the aggregate would
not have a Nova Material Adverse Effect.
3.13 TAX RETURNS; TAXES. Nova has filed all federal, state, county,
local, and foreign tax returns, including information returns, required to be
filed by it, and has paid all taxes owed by it, including those with respect to
income, withholding, social security, unemployment, workers' compensation,
franchise, ad valorem, premium, excise and sales taxes, and no taxes shown on
such returns to be owed by it or assessments received by it are delinquent.
Federal income tax returns of Nova for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,
and for all fiscal years prior thereto, are for the purposes of routine audit by
the Internal Revenue Service closed because of the statute of limitations, and
no claims for additional taxes for such fiscal years are pending. Except as set
forth on Schedule 3.13, no tax return of Nova is being audited. Nova is not a
party to any pending action or proceeding, nor, to Nova's knowledge, is any such
action or proceeding threatened by anygovernmental authority for the assessment
or collection of taxes, interest, penalties, assessments or deficiencies and no
issue has been raised by any federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority
in connection with any audit or examination of the tax returns, business or
properties of Nova which has not been settled, resolved and fully satisfied.
Except for amounts not yet due and payable, Nova has paid all taxes owed or
which it is required to withhold from amounts owing to employees, creditors or
other third parties. The balance sheet as of December 31, 1999, referred to in
Section 3.9, includes adequate provision for all accrued but unpaid federal,
state, county, local and foreign taxes, interests, penalties, assessments or
deficiencies of Nova with respect to all periods through the date thereof.
3.14 MATERIAL CONTRACTS. Nova has furnished or made available to Parent
accurate and complete copies of the Material Contracts (as defined herein)
applicable to Nova. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14, there is not under any
of the Material Contracts any existing breach, default or event of default by
Nova nor any event that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a
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breach, default or event of default by Nova other than breaches, defaults or
events of default which would not have nor does Nova know of, and Nova has not
received notice of, or made a claim with respect to, any breach or default by
any other party thereto which would, severally or in the aggregate, have an Nova
Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, the term "Material Contracts" shall
mean (i) all strategic alliance contracts and agreements; (ii) all agreements to
pay percentages or profits, revenue, or fees; and (iii) all other contracts and
agreements providing for expenditures or commitments by Nova in excess of
$15,000 over more than a 12-month period all as set forth on Schedule 3.14
(which Schedule contains true and accurate information regarding the nature and
status of such contracts and agreements).
3.15 LITIGATION AND GOVERNMENT CLAIMS. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.15, there is no pending suit, claim, action or litigation, or administrative,
arbitration or other proceeding or governmental investigation or inquiry against
Nova to which its business or assets are subject which would, severally or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in an Nova Material Adverse
Effect nor have any such proceedings been threatened or contemplated. Nova is
not subject to any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any court, or,
to the knowledge of Nova, any governmental restriction applicable to Nova which
is reasonably likely (i) to have a Nova Material Adverse Effect or (ii) to cause
a material limitation on Parent's ability to operate the business of Nova (as it
is currently operated) after the Closing.
3.16 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Nova has all authorizations, approvals,
licenses and orders to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, to
own or hold under lease the properties or assets it owns or holds under lease
and to perform all of its obligations under the agreements to which they are a
party, except for instances which would not have a Nova Material Adverse Effect.
Except for instances which would not have a Nova Material Adverse Effect, to
Nova's knowledge, Nova has been and is in compliance with all applicable laws,
including but not limited to, banking, financial and Securities laws,
regulations and administrative orders of any country, state or municipality or
subdivision thereof.
3.17 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. Nova has provided Parent with all of its
standard consumer forms, including all form disclosures and notices, warranty,
shipment, and order forms, and all instruments and agreements used in the
operation of its business (the "Consumer Forms"). Nova has provided Parent with
a copy of its internal practices and procedures and Nova and its employees have
complied and are in compliance with such practices and procedures in all
material respects. To the knowledge of Nova, all such practices and procedures
and all Consumer Forms comply in all material respects with (i) Federal and
state law, as required in the states in which Nova is conducting its business.
3.18 LICENSES AND PERMITS. Nova is not and has not ever been required
to obtain any licenses, permits, qualifications, franchises or other
governmental authorizations or approvals, in order for it to conduct its past or
current business, and if it is determined that any licenses, permits,
qualifications, franchises or other governmental authorizations or approvals
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were necessary prior to the Closing Date, the failure to obtain such licenses,
permits, qualifications, franchises or other governmental authorizations or
approvals will not have a Nova Material Adverse Effect.
3.19 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
(a) Schedule 3.19 contains an accurate and complete list of
all Employee Benefit Plans, contributed to, maintained or sponsored by
Nova, to which Nova is obligated to contribute or with respect to which
Nova has any liability or potential liability, whether direct or
indirect (collectively the "Plans" or individually a "Plan"). None of
the Plans are pension plans for purposes of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").
(b) Nova does not contribute to, have an obligation to
contribute to or otherwise have any liability or potential liability
with respect to (a) any Multiemployer Plan (as such term is defined in
Section 3(37) of ERISA, (b) any plan of the type described in Sections
4063 and 4064 of ERISA or in Section 413 of the Code (and regulations
promulgated thereunder), or (c) any plan which provides heath, life
insurance, accident or other welfare-type benefits to current, future,
or former employees, their spouses or dependents, other than in
accordance with Section 4980B of the Code or applicable state
continuation coverage law.
3.20 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS; LABOR RELATIONS.
(a) Schedule 3.20 sets forth a complete and accurate list of
all material employee benefit or compensation plans, agreements and
arrangements to which Nova is a party and which are not disclosed in
the Nova Information, including without limitation (i) severance,
employment, consulting or similar contracts, (ii) material agreements
and contracts with "change of control" provisions or similar provisions
and (iii) indemnification agreements or arrangements with directors or
officers.
(b) Nova is in compliance in all material respects with all
laws (including Federal and state laws) respecting employment and
employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages and
hours, and is not engaged in any unfair labor or unlawful employment
practice.
(c) No work stoppage involving Nova is pending or, to Nova's
knowledge, threatened. Nova is not involved in, affected by or, to
Nova's knowledge, threatened with, any labor dispute, arbitration,
lawsuit or administrative proceeding which could have a Nova Material
Adverse Effect. No employees of Nova or any Nova Subsidiary are
represented by any labor union or any collective bargaining agreement
otherwise in effect with respect to such employees.
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3.21 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) Nova owns or has valid, binding and enforceable rights to
use all material patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks,
service names, copyrights, applications therefor and licenses or other
rights in respect thereof ("Intellectual Property") used or held for
use in connection with the business of Nova, without any known conflict
with the rights of others, except for such conflicts as do not have a
Nova Material Adverse Effect. Each item of Intellectual Property owned
or used by Nova or any Nova Subsidiary immediately prior to the Closing
will be owned or available for use by Parent on no less favorable terms
and conditions immediately subsequent to the Closing except to the
extent Parent has agreed to modify such terms and conditions. Nova has
taken all necessary action to maintain and protect each item of
Intellectual Property that it owns or uses.
(b) To the knowledge of Nova, Nova has not interfered with,
infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with
any Intellectual Property rights of third parties. None of the
directors and officers of Nova (including employees with responsibility
for Intellectual Property matters) has ever received any charge,
complaint, claim, demand or notice alleging any such interference,
infringement, misappropriation or violation (including any claim that
Nova must license or refrain from using any Intellectual property
rights of any third party). To the Knowledge of Nova and its employees
with responsibility for Intellectual Property matters, no third party
has interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated, or otherwise come
into conflict with any Intellectual Property rights of Nova.
(c) No patent or registration has been issued to or applied
for by Nova, with respect to any of its Intellectual Property. Nova
does not use any trade name or unregistered trademark in connection
with its business.
(d) Nova does not use any Intellectual Property not owned by
Nova which is material to the Business of Nova as currently conducted
(excluding packaged commercially available software available to the
public through retail dealers which have been licensed to Nova pursuant
to end-user licenses).
(e) To the knowledge of Nova, and any employees with
responsibility for Intellectual Property matters, the business of Nova
will not interfere with, infringe upon, misappropriate, or otherwise
come into conflict with, any Intellectual Property rights of third
parties as a result of the continued operation of its business as
presently conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.
3.22 SOFTWARE. All of the computer software used by or for Nova in the
conduct of its business (the "Software") is either (i) owned by Nova free and
clear of any and all liens, claims, equities, security interests, and
encumbrances whatsoever, or (ii) used by Nova pursuant to a fully- paid license
granted to Nova for the third party pursuant to the terms of such license,
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except for any noncompliance the effect of which would not have a Nova Material
Adverse Effect. No such computer software license shall terminate or become
terminable as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby. There are no
infringement suits pending or, to Nova's knowledge, threatened against Nova with
respect to any of the Software, and, to the knowledge of Nova, no fact or
condition exists which could give rise to any such infringement suit.
3.23 PROPERTIES AND RELATED MATTERS. Except as may be reflected in the
Nova Financial Statements and except for any lien for current taxes not yet
delinquent, Nova has good title free and clear of any material liens, claims,
charges, options, encumbrances, or similar restrictions to all the real and
personal property reflected in Nova's balance sheet as of December 31, 1999, and
all real and personal property acquired since that date, except such real and
personal property as has been disposed of in the Ordinary Course of Business.
All leases of real property and all other leases material to Nova pursuant to
which Nova, as lessee, leases real or personal property, which leases are
described on Schedule 3.23, are valid and effective in accordance with their
respective terms, and there is not, under any such lease, any material existing
default by Nova or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both,
constitute such a material default. Substantially all of Nova's buildings and
equipment have been well maintained and are in good and serviceable condition,
reasonable wear and tear accepted.
3.24 INSURANCE. Nova maintains and has maintained insurance, for
reasonable amounts with financially sound and reputable insurance companies
against such risks as companies engaged in a similar business would, in
accordance with good business practice, customarily be insured and has
maintained all insurance acquired by applicable law and regulation.
3.25 MATERIAL INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.25, to Nova's knowledge, no officer or director of Nova, or any
"associate" (as such term is defined in Rule 14a-1 under the Exchange Act) of
any such officer or director, has any interest in any material contract or
property (real or personal), tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to
the business of Nova. Schedule 3.25 sets forth a correct and complete list of
any loan from Nova to any present stockholder, officer, director, employee or
associate or related interest of any such person.
3.26 REGISTRATION OBLIGATIONS. Nova is under no obligation, contingent
or otherwise, which will survive the Merger by reason of any agreement to
register any of its securities under the Securities Act.
3.27 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. To the knowledge of Nova:
(a) No Hazardous Material (as defined below) has been disposed
of on, released to or from, threatened to be released to or from or is
presently at, on, beneath, in or upon any parcel of real property owned
or leased by Nova or upon any adjacent parcels of real estate in
amounts or concentration which constitute or constituted a violation
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of, or which could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability
under, any Environmental Law (as defined below).
(b) There has been no generation, production, refining,
processing, manufacturing, use, storage, disposal, treatment, shipment
or receipt of a Hazardous Material at or from any parcel of real
property owned or leased by Nova relating to the operations of Nova in
violation of or in a manner that could give rise to liability under
Environmental Laws.
(c) The operations of Nova are in compliance and have been in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no
violation of any Environmental Law with respect to any parcels of real
property owned or leased by Nova which could interfere with the
continued operation of the business of Nova or impair its fair salable
value.
(d) Nova has not received any notice of violation, alleged
violation, non- compliance, liability or potential liability regarding
environmental matters or compliance with environmental laws with regard
to any parcels of real property owned or leased by Nova from any
person, nor does Nova have knowledge or reason to believe that any such
notice will be received from or is being threatened by any person.
(e) No judicial proceedings, governmental administrative
actions, investigations or internal or non-public agency proceedings
are pending or threatened, under any environmental law, to which Nova
is or will be named as a party, nor are the any consent decrees, or
other decrees, consent orders, agreements, administrative orders, other
orders, judicial or administrative requirements outstanding under any
environmental law with respect to Nova.
(f) "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means any substance (a) the presence
of which at, on, over, beneath, in or upon any real or personal
property, building, structure, container of any nature or description,
subsurface strata, ambient air or ambient water (including surface and
groundwater) requires investigation, removal or remediation under any
Environmental Law or common law, (b) which is or becomes defined as a
"hazardous substance," "hazardous material," "hazardous waste,"
"pollutant" or "contaminant" under any Environmental Law, and/or (c)
which is toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious,
radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or otherwise hazardous and is or
becomes regulated by any governmental authority under any Environmental
Law, (d) the presence of which causes or threatens to cause a nuisance
or trespass upon real property or to adjacent properties or poses or
threatens to pose a hazard to the environment, and/or to the health or
safety of persons on or about any real property, and/or (e) which
contains urea-formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos or
asbestos containing materials, radon, petroleum or petroleum products.
(g) "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW OR LAWS" means any and all federal,
state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes,
treaties, ordinances, codes, decrees, or requirements of any
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governmental authority regulating, relating to or imposing liability or
standards of conduct concerning environmental protection, health or
safety matters, including all requirements pertaining to reporting,
licensing, permitting, investigation, removal or remediation of
emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases of Hazardous
Materials, chemical substances, pollutants or contaminants or relating
to the manufacture, generation, processing, distribution, use,
treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of Hazardous
Materials, chemical substances, pollutants or contaminants, including,
without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), the Toxic Substance
Control Act ("TSCA"), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
("RCRA"), the Clean Air Act ("CAA"), the Clean Water Act ("CWA") and
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ("OSHA"), all as may
have been amended.
3.28 REFERRAL SOURCES; INVESTORS. Nova has not been advised that any of
its officers, referral sources or investors intend to cease doing business with
Nova which cessation in the aggregate or otherwise could have a Nova Material
Adverse Effect.
3.29 BROKERS AND FINDERS. Neither Nova, nor to Nova's knowledge any of
its officers, directors, employees, or stockholders has employed any broker,
finder or investment bank or incurred
any liability for any investment banking fees, financial advisory fees,
brokerage fees or finders' fees in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby. Nova is not aware of any claim for payment of any finder's fees,
brokerage or agent's commissions or other like payments in connection with the
negotiations leading to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
3.30 PROXY STATEMENT. None of the information regarding Nova supplied
by Nova for inclusion in any (i) proxy statement to be mailed to its
shareholders or Parent's stockholders and (ii) any other documents to be filed
with the SEC or any regulatory authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby will, at the respective times that such documents are filed
with the SEC or any regulatory authority and, with respect to the proxy
statement, when mailed, be false or misleading with respect to any material
facts, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading or, in the case of the proxy statement or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, at the time of the meeting of
shareholders, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit
to state a material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier
communication with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for such meeting.
3.31 INVENTORY. The Inventory of Nova consists of supplies, all of
which are merchantable and fit for the purpose for which it was procured or
manufactured, subject to only the reserve for inventory write-down set forth in
the Nova Financial Statements, as adjusted for the passage of time through the
Closing Date in accordance with past custom and practice of Nova.
3.32 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. Schedule 3.32 lists all accounts receivable
of Nova as of the most recent fiscal month end. Said accounts receivable have
arisen in the Ordinary Course of Business and represent valid obligations due to
Nova. Such accounts receivable (net of any reserve for doubtful accounts as
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reflected in Schedule 3.32) are collectible in accordance with their terms, in
the Ordinary Course of Business and in the aggregate recorded amounts thereof.
Such accounts receivable are not subject to any material set-offs or material
counterclaims. At the Closing, Nova shall amend Schedule 3.32 to reflect all
accounts receivable of Nova as of the Closing Date.
3.33 NOTES RECEIVABLE. Schedule 3.33 summarizes the outstanding terms,
payment history and balance of the notes receivable of Nova as of the most
recent fiscal month end, which shall be amended to reflect the notes receivable
of Nova as of the Closing Date. Said notes receivable have arisen (and will
arise) in the Ordinary Course of Business and represent (and as of the Closing
will represent) valid obligations due to Nova. Such notes receivable (net of any
reserve for doubtful accounts as reflected in Schedule 3.33) are current in
accordance with their terms, all in the Ordinary Course of Business and in the
aggregate recorded amounts thereof. Such notes receivable are not subject to any
material set-offs or material counterclaims.
3.34 POWERS OF ATTORNEY. There are no outstanding powers of attorney
executed on behalf of Nova.
3.35 GUARANTIES. Nova is not a guarantor or otherwise liable for any
liability or obligation (including indebtedness) of any other Person.
3.36 RIGHTS TO ALL TELEMARKETING OR MAILING LISTS. Nova represents and
warrants to the Parent that Nova's right, licence, consent, permission, contract
or any other form of grant to use all telemarketing, mailing or similar lists,
databases or compilations of any sort currently used in the operation of Nova's
business ("Data Base Information") are currently valid, lawfully acquired or
rightfully obtained in accordance with all applicable federal and/or state
telemarketing laws and Nova further represents and warrants that such rights
will be unaffected by the closing of this transaction. No person who supplies
Data Base Information to Nova has identified in writing or orally to Nova or any
officer or director of Nova that it will stop supplying Data Base Information to
Nova. Schedule 3.36 identifies all of Nova's current rights, licences, consents,
permission, contracts, or any other form of grant to all Data Base Information.
3.37 DISCLOSURE. The representations and warranties contained in this
Article 3 do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements and
information contained in this Article 3 not misleading.
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ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT
AND THE MERGER SUBSIDIARY
Parent and the Merger Subsidiary represent and warrant to Nova that the
statements contained in Article 4 are true and correct in all material respects.
As used in this Article 4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the phrase "to
Parent's or the Merger Subsidiary's knowledge" or "to Parent's or the Merger
Subsidiary's actual knowledge" shall mean to the knowledge of the officer of
Parent or the Merger Subsidiary who has the principal responsibility for the
matter being stated.
4.1 ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING. Each of Parent and the Merger
Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization.
4.2 FOREIGN QUALIFICATION. Parent and the Merger Subsidiary are duly
qualified or licensed to do business and are in good standing as a foreign
corporation in every jurisdiction where the failure so to qualify would have a
material adverse effect (a "Parent Material Adverse Effect") on (a) the
business, operation, assets or financial condition of Parent or the Merger
Subsidiary taken as a whole or (b) the validity of enforceability of, or the
ability of Parent or the Merger Subsidiary, to perform their respective
obligations under, this Agreement.
4.3 CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORITY. Parent and the Merger Subsidiary
have the corporate power and authority and all material licenses and permits to
own, lease and operate their respective properties and assets and to carry on
their respective businesses as currently being conducted.
4.4 PARENT SUBSIDIARIES. Schedule 4.4 sets forth the complete and
correct list, after giving effect to the pending spin-off of Equitex 2000, Inc.,
of all Parent Subsidiaries as of the date hereof (individually a "Parent
Subsidiary" and collectively the "Parent Subsidiaries"). Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.4, Parent does not own beneficially, directly or indirectly, more
than 5% of any class of equity securities or similar interests of any
corporation, bank, business trust, association, limited liability company or
similar organization, and is not, directly or indirectly, a partner in any
partnership, or joint venture, after giving effect to the pending spin-off of
Equitex 2000, Inc.
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4.5 AUTHORIZATION. Parent and the Merger Subsidiary have the corporate
power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to the
approval of this Agreement and the Merger by the sole stockholder of Merger
Subsidiary, to perform their obligations under this Agreement and to consummate
the Merger. The execution, delivery and performance by Parent and the Merger
Subsidiary of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action. Subject to such approval of stockholders and of government agencies and
other government boards having regulatory authority over Parent and the Merger
Subsidiary as may be required by statute or regulation, this Agreement is the
legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent and the Merger Subsidiary
enforceable in accordance with its terms.
4.6 ABSENCE OF RESTRICTIONS AND CONFLICTS. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the
fulfillment of and compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement do
not and will not, with the passing of time or the giving of notice or both,
violate or conflict with, constitute a breach of or default under, result in the
loss of any material benefit under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation
under, (i) any term or provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
of Parent or the Merger Subsidiary, (ii) any "Parent Material Contract" (as
defined in Section 4.14), (iii) any judgment, decree or order of any court or
governmental authority or agency to which Parent or the Merger Subsidiary is a
party or by which Parent or any of the Merger Subsidiary or any of their
respective properties is bound, or (iv) any statute, law, regulation or rule
applicable to Parent or the Merger Subsidiary other than such violations,
conflicts, breaches or defaults as would not have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect. Except for the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of
State of Delaware and Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of Florida,
compliance with the Bank Holding Company Act of 1954, the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act and applicable state securities laws, no consent, approval, order
or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any
governmental agency or public or regulatory unit, agency, body or authority with
respect to Parent or the Merger Subsidiary is required in connection with the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Parent or the Merger
Subsidiary or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.7 CAPITALIZATION OF PARENT.
(a) The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of
7,500,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, $.02 par value, and 2,000,000
shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Parent currently plans to
call a special meeting of the stockholders to, among other things,
authorize an increase of capital stock to allow for 50,000,000 shares
of authorized Parent Common Stock. Schedule 4.7 lists, as of the date
hereof:
(i) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
outstanding,
(ii) the number of shares of preferred stock outstanding,
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(iii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock reserved
for issuance upon the conversion of outstanding
preferred stock and the exercise of outstanding options
and outstanding warrants (including, without
limitation, any preferred stock, options and warrants
that Parent has agreed to issue subject to amending its
Certificate of Incorporation to increase the amount of
authorized capital stock),
(iv) the additional number of shares of Parent Common Stock
exchangeable for stock options that are authorized, but
unissued, under any stock option plans of the Parent,
and
(v) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock proposed to
be issued to raise the capital required to pay the
aggregate Cash Consideration payable pursuant to the
Merger and the related transaction described in Section
6.10 hereof.
With respect to any outstanding options and warrants to acquire Parent
Common Stock or other securities of Parent convertible into or exchangeable for
Parent Common Stock, Schedule 4.7 accurately sets forth the holder, the number
of shares covered, the exercise price, and the expiration date. With respect to
any outstanding preferred stock of Parent, Schedule 4.7 accurately sets forth
the holder, the number of shares owned by each holder, the basis upon which such
shares may be converted into Parent Common Stock and the material terms of any
put, call or similar rights with respect thereto.
(b) All of the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common
Stock and other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Parent
Common Stock or other capital stock of Parent have been duly authorized
and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of
preemptive rights.
(c) The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the
Merger will be duly authorized and validly issued and will be fully
paid, nonassessable shares of Parent Common Stock free of preemptive
rights.
(d) To Parent's knowledge, there are no voting trusts,
stockholder agreements or other voting arrangements between or among
the stockholders of Parent.
(e) Except as set forth in subsection (a) above or Schedule
4.7(e), no equity security of Parent is or may be required to be issued
by reason of any option, warrant, scrip, preemptive right, right to
subscribe to, call or commitment of any character whatsoever relating
to, or security or right convertible into, any shares of capital stock
of Parent, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or
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arrangements by which Parent is bound to issue additional shares of its
capital stock, or any option, warrant or right to purchase or acquire
any additional shares of its capital stock
(f) Except as reported in the Parent SEC Reports or in
connection with the spin- off of Equitex 2000, Inc., since December 31,
1999, no shares of capital stock have been purchased, redeemed or
otherwise reacquired, directly or indirectly, by Parent or the Merger
Subsidiary and no dividends or other distributions have been declared,
set aside, made or paid to the stockholders of Parent.
4.8 CAPITALIZATION OF MERGER SUBSIDIARY.
(a) The authorized capital stock of Merger Subsidiary consists
of 1,000 shares of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock $.01 par value, all
of which are issued and outstanding.
(b) The shares of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock to be issued
in the Merger will be duly authorized and validly issued and will be
fully paid, nonassessable shares of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock free
of preemptive rights.
(c) Except as set forth in this Agreement and subsection (a)
above, there is no outstanding subscription, contract, convertible or
exchangeable security, option, warrant, call or other right obligating
Merger Subsidiary to issue, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or
to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, shares of, or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for, capital stock of Merger
Subsidiary.
4.9 PARENT SEC REPORTS. Parent has made available to Nova (i) Parent's
Annual Reports on Form 10-KSB, including all exhibits filed thereto and items
incorporated therein by reference, (ii) Parent's Quarterly Reports on Form
10-QSB, including all exhibits thereto and items incorporated therein by
reference, (iii) proxy statements relating to Parent's meetings of stockholders
and (iv) all other reports or registration statements (as amended or
supplemented prior to the date hereof), filed by Parent with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") since January 1, 1996, including all exhibits
thereto and items incorporated therein by reference (items (i) through (iv)
being referred to as the "Parent SEC Reports"). As of their respective dates,
Parent SEC Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. Since January 1, 1997, Parent has filed, on or before the
respective due date therefor as such may have been extended by the SEC, all
material forms (and necessary amendments), reports and documents with the SEC
required to be filed by it pursuant to the federal securities laws and the SEC
rules and regulations thereunder, each of which complied as to form, at the time
such form, report or document was filed, in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the
applicable rules and regulations thereunder.
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4.10 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RECORDS OF PARENT. Parent has made or
will make available to Nova true, correct and complete copies of the following
financial statements (the "Parent Financial Statements"):
(a) the balance sheets of Parent as of December 31, 1999 and
1998, and the statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows
for the fiscal years then ended, including the notes thereto, in each
case examined by and accompanied by the report of Gelfond Hochstadt
Pangburn, P.C.; and
(b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Parent as of
March 31, 2000 (the "Parent Balance Sheet"), with any notes thereto,
and the related unaudited statement of income for March 31, 2000, and,
as soon as they are available, for each quarter ended prior to Closing
(collectively, the "Parent Quarterly Statements").
The Parent Financial Statements present or will present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Parent as
of the dates thereof and the results of operations and changes in
financial position thereof for the periods then ended, in each case in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied, except as noted therein. Since December 31, 1999, there has
been no change in accounting principles applicable to, or methods of
accounting utilized by, Parent, except as noted in the Parent Financial
Statements. The books and records of Parent have been and are being
maintained in accordance with good business practice, reflect only
valid transactions, are complete and correct in all material respects,
and present fairly in all material respects the basis for the financial
position and results of operations of Parent set forth in the Parent
Financial Statements.
4.11 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Since December 31, 1999, Parent has
not, except as otherwise set forth in the Parent SEC Reports or on Schedule
4.11:
(a) suffered any adverse change in the business, operation,
assets, or financial condition except for such changes that would not
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect;
(b) suffered any material damage or destruction to or loss of
the assets of Parent or any of the Merger Subsidiary, whether or not
covered by insurance, which property or assets are material to the
operations or business of Parent and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(c) settled, forgiven, compromised, canceled, released, waived
or permitted to lapse any material rights or claims other than in the
Ordinary Course of Business;
(d) entered into or terminated any Material Contract or agreed
or made any changes in any Material Contract, other than renewals or
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extensions thereof and leases, agreements, transactions and commitments
entered into or terminated in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(e) entered into any transaction, other than at arms-length in
the Ordinary Course of Business, between Parent and any stockholder,
director, officer, or any affiliate of any such officer, director or
stockholder;
(f) made any material change in the accounting policy,
procedure or practice employed with respect to Parent;
(g) sold any of the assets of Parent (tangible or intangible),
other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(h) paid or incurred any capital expenditures, other than
capital expenditures incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business which
do not exceed $10,000 (any single item or group of related items);
(i) written up, written down or written off the book value of
any material amount of assets other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(j) declared, paid or set aside for payment any dividend or
distribution with respect to Parent's capital stock;
(k) redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired, or sold,
granted or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, any of
Parent's capital stock or securities or any rights to
acquire such capital stock or securities, or agreed to changes in the
terms and conditions of any such rights outstanding as of the date of
this Agreement;
(l) increased the compensation of or paid any bonuses to any
employees or contributed to any employee benefit plan, other than in
accordance with established policies, practices or requirements and as
provided in Section 5.2 hereof;
(m) entered into any employment, consulting or compensation
agreement with any person or group, except for agreements which would
not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect;
(n) entered into any collective bargaining agreement with any
person or group;
(o) entered into, adopted or amended any employee benefit
plan; or
(p) entered into any agreement to do any of the foregoing.
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4.12 NO MATERIAL UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. There are no liabilities or
obligations of Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries of any nature, whether
absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise, other than:
(a) liabilities and obligations that are reflected, accrued or
reserved against on the Parent Balance Sheet or referred to in the
footnotes to the Parent Balance Sheet, or incurred in the Ordinary
Course of Business and consistent with past practices since March 31,
2000; or
(b) liabilities and obligations which in the aggregate would
not result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
4.13 TAX RETURNS; TAXES. Each of Parent and the Merger Subsidiary has
filed all federal, state, county, local, and foreign tax returns, including
information returns, required to be filed by it, and paid all taxes owed by it,
including those with respect to income, withholding, social security,
unemployment, workers' compensation, franchise, ad valorem, premium, excise and
sales taxes, and no taxes shown on such returns to be owed by it or assessments
received by it are delinquent. Federal income tax returns of Parent for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and for all fiscal years prior thereto, are
for the purposes of routine audit by the Internal Revenue Service closed because
of the statute of limitations, and no claims for additional taxes for such
fiscal years are pending. No tax return of Parent or any Parent Subsidiary is
being audited. Neither Parent nor the Merger Subsidiary is a party to any
pending action or proceeding, nor, to Parent's knowledge, is any such action or
proceeding threatened by any governmental authority, for the assessment or
collection of taxes, interest, penalties, assessments or deficiencies and no
issue has been raised by any federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority
in connection with any audit or examination of the tax returns, business or
properties of Parent and the Merger Subsidiary which has not been settled,
resolved and fully satisfied. Except for amounts not yet due and payable, each
of Parent and the Merger Subsidiary has paid all taxes owed or which it is
required to withhold from amounts owing to employees, creditors or other third
parties. The balance sheet as of December 31, 1999, referred to in Section 4.10,
includes adequate provision for all accrued but unpaid federal, state, county,
local and foreign taxes, interests, penalties, assessments or deficiencies of
Parent with respect to all periods through the date thereof.
4.14 MATERIAL CONTRACTS. Parent has furnished or made available to Nova
accurate and complete copies of the Parent Material Contracts (as defined
herein) applicable to Parent or the Merger Subsidiary. There is not under the
Parent Material Contracts any existing breach, default or event of default by
Parent or the Merger Subsidiary nor event that with notice or lapse of time or
both would constitute a breach, default or event of default by Parent or the
Merger Subsidiary other than breaches, defaults or events of default which would
not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect nor does Parent know of, and Parent
has not received notice of, or made a claim with respect to, any breach or
default by any other party thereto which would, severally or in the aggregate,
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, the term "Parent Material
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Contracts" shall mean all contracts and agreements required to be filed as
exhibits to Parent's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ending December
31, 2000 as if such report would be filed as of the date hereof.
4.15 LITIGATION AND GOVERNMENT CLAIMS. Except as disclosed in the
Parent SEC Reports, there is no pending suit, claim, action or litigation, or
administrative, arbitration or other proceeding or governmental investigation or
inquiry against Parent or the Merger Subsidiary to which their businesses or
assets are subject which would, severally or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect nor have any such
proceedings been threatened or contemplated. Neither Parent nor the Parent
Subsidiary is subject to any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any
court, or, to the knowledge of Parent, any governmental restriction applicable
to Parent or the Parent Subsidiary which is reasonably likely to have a Parent
Material Adverse Effect.
4.16 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Parent and the Merger Subsidiary each have
all material authorizations, approvals, licenses and orders to carry on their
respective businesses as they are now being conducted, to own or hold under
lease the properties or assets they own or hold under lease and to perform all
of their obligations under the agreements to which they are a party, except for
instances which would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Parent and the
Merger Subsidiary have been and are, to the knowledge of Parent, in compliance
with all applicable laws (including those referenced in the Parent SEC Reports),
regulations and administrative orders of any country, state or municipality or
any subdivision of any thereof to which their respective businesses and their
employment of labor or their use or occupancy of properties or any part hereof
are subject, the violation of which would have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
4.17 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS; LABOR RELATIONS.
(a) Schedule 4.17 sets forth a complete and accurate list of
all material employee benefit or compensation plans, agreements and
arrangements to which Parent is a party and which are not disclosed in
the Parent Information, including without limitation (i) all severance,
employment, consulting or similar contracts, (ii) all material
agreements and contracts with "change of control" provisions or similar
provisions and (iii) all indemnification agreements or arrangements
with directors or officers.
(b) Parent is in compliance in all material respects with all
laws (including Federal and state laws) respecting employment and
employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages and
hours, and is not engaged in any unfair labor or unlawful employment
practice.
4.18 PARENT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Parent has no employee benefit
plans subject to ERISA.
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4.19 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Parent and the Merger Subsidiary own or
have valid, binding and enforceable rights to use all material patents,
trademarks, trade names, service marks, service names, copyrights, applications
therefor and licenses or other rights in respect thereof ("Parent Intellectual
Property") used or held for use in connection with the business of Parent or the
Merger Subsidiary, without any known conflict with the rights of others, except
for such conflicts as do not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Neither
Parent nor the Merger Subsidiary has received any notice from any other person
pertaining to or challenging the right of Parent or the Merger Subsidiary to use
any Parent Intellectual Property or any trade secrets, proprietary information,
inventions, know-how, processes and procedures owned or used or licensed to
Parent or the Merger Subsidiary, except with respect to rights the loss of
which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Parent Material
Adverse Effect.
4.20 PROPERTIES AND RELATED MATTERS. Neither Parent nor the Merger
Subsidiary owns any real property. Except as may be reflected in the Parent
Financial Statements and except for any lien for current taxes not yet
delinquent, Parent has good title free and clear of any material liens, claims,
charges, options, encumbrances, or similar restrictions to all the personal
property reflected in Parent's balance sheet as of December 31, 1999, and all
personal property acquired since that date, except such personal property as has
been disposed of in the Ordinary Course of Business. All leases of real property
and all other leases material to Parent pursuant to which Parent, as lessee,
leases real or personal property, which leases are described on Schedule 4.20,
are valid and effective in accordance with their respective terms, and there is
not, under any such lease, any material existing default by Parent or any event
which, with notice or lapse of time or both, constitute such a material default.
Substantially all of Parent's building and equipment have been well maintained
and are in good and serviceable condition, reasonable wear and tear accepted.
4.21 LICENSES AND PERMITS. Parent and the Merger Subsidiary have
obtained all licenses, permits, qualifications, franchises and other
governmental authorizations and approvals, including, without limitation, all
state licenses and, as applicable, approvals by FRB and under the BHC Act,
required in order for it to conduct its business as presently conducted, all of
which are noted in the Parent SEC Reports or listed on Schedule 4.21 hereto. All
of such licenses, permits, qualifications, franchises and other authorizations
are in full force and effect and will remain in full force and effect
immediately after the Closing and shall not be violated by or effected, impaired
or acquire any further action to remain effective as a result of the Closing. No
violation exists in respect of any such license, permit, qualification,
franchise, authorization or approval. No proceeding is pending, or to the
knowledge of Nova, threatened to revoke or limit any such license, permit,
qualification, franchise, authorization or approval.
4.22 SOFTWARE. All of the computer software used by or for Parent or
the Merger Subsidiary in the conduct of its business (the "Software") is either
(i) owned by Parent or the Merger Subsidiary free and clear of any and all
liens, claims, equities, security interests, and encumbrances whatsoever, or
(ii) used by Parent or the Merger Subsidiary pursuant to a fully-paid license
granted to Parent or the Merger Subsidiary for the third party pursuant to the
terms of such license. No such computer software license shall terminate or
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become terminable as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby. There are
no infringement suits pending or, to Parent's knowledge, threatened against
Parent or the Merger Subsidiary with respect to any of the Software, and, to the
knowledge of Parent, no fact or condition exists which could give rise to any
such infringement suit.
4.23 MATERIAL INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS. Except as set forth in the
Parent SEC Reports or on Schedule 4.23, to Parent's knowledge no officer or
director of Parent, or any "associate" (as such term is defined in Rule 14a-1
under the Exchange Act) of any such officer or director, has any interest in any
material contract or property (real or personal), tangible or intangible, used
in or pertaining to the business of Parent. The Parent SEC Reports or Schedule
4.23 sets forth a correct and complete list of any loan from Parent to any
present stockholder, officer, director, employee or associate or related
interest of any such person.
4.24 REGISTRATION OBLIGATIONS. Except as set forth in Parent SEC
Reports, or on Schedule 4.24, Parent is, and on the Effective Date will be,
under no obligation, contingent or otherwise, which will survive the Merger by
reason of any agreement to register any of its securities under the Securities
Act.
4.25 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as reported in the Parent SEC
Reports or on Schedule 4.25, to the knowledge of Parent:
(a) No Hazardous Material (as defined below) has been disposed
of on, released to or from, threatened to be released to or from or is
presently at, on, beneath, in or upon any partial of real property
owned or leased by Parent or the Merger Subsidiary or upon any
adjacent parcels of real estate in amounts or concentration which
constitute or constituted a violation of, or which could reasonably be
expected to give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law (as
defined below).
(b) There has been no generation, production, refining,
processing, manufacturing, use, storage, disposal, treatment, shipment
or receipt of a Hazardous Material at or from any parcel of real
property owned or leased by Parent or the Merger Subsidiary relating to
the operations of Parent or the Merger Subsidiary in violation of or in
a manner that could give rise to liability under Environmental Laws.
(c) The operations of Parent or the Merger Subsidiary are in
compliance and have been in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws, and there is no violation of any Environmental Law
with respect to any parcels of real property owned or leased by Parent
or the Merger Subsidiary which could interfere with the continued
operation of the business of Parent or the Merger Subsidiary or impair
its fair salable value.
(d) Neither Parent nor the Merger Subsidiary have received any
notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or
potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with
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environmental laws with regard to any parcels of real property owned or
leased by Parent or the Merger Subsidiary from any person, nor does
Parent or the Merger Subsidiary have knowledge or reason to believe
that any such notice will be received from or is being threatened by
any person.
(e) No judicial proceedings, governmental administrative
actions, investigations or internal or non-public agency proceedings
are pending or threatened, under any environmental law, to which Parent
or the Merger Subsidiary is or will be named as a party, nor are the
any consent decrees, or other decrees, consent orders, agreements,
administrative orders, other orders, judicial or administrative
requirements outstanding under any environmental law with respect to
Parent or the Merger Subsidiary.
(f) "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means any substance (a) the presence
of which at, on, over, beneath, in or upon any real or personal
property, building, structure, container of any nature or description,
subsurface strata, ambient air or ambient water (including surface and
groundwater) requires investigation, removal or remediation under any
Environmental Law or common law, (b) which is or becomes defined as a
"hazardous substance," "hazardous material," "hazardous waste,"
"pollutant" or "contaminant" under any Environmental Law, and/or (c)
which is toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious,
radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or otherwise hazardous and is or
becomes regulated by any governmental authority under any Environmental
Law, (d) the presence of which causes or threatens to cause a nuisance
or trespass upon real property or to adjacent properties or poses or
threatens to pose a hazard to the environment, and/or to the health or
safety of persons on or about any real property, and/or (e) which
contains urea-formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos or
asbestos containing materials, radon, petroleum or petroleum products.
(g) "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW OR LAWS" means any and all federal,
state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes,
treaties, ordinances, codes, decrees, or requirements of any
governmental authority regulating, relating to or imposing liability or
standards of conduct concerning environmental protection, health or
safety matters, including all requirements pertaining to reporting,
licensing, permitting, investigation, removal or remediation of
emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases of Hazardous
Materials, chemical substances, pollutants or contaminants or relating
to the manufacture, generation, processing, distribution, use,
treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of Hazardous
Materials, chemical substances, pollutants or contaminants, including,
without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), the Toxic Substance
Control Act ("TSCA"), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
("RCRA"), the Clean Air Act ("CAA"), the Clean Water Act ("CWA") and
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ("OSHA"), all as may
have been amended.
4.26 BROKERS AND FINDERS. Neither Parent, nor to Parent's knowledge any
of its officers, directors and employees has employed any broker, finder or
investment bank or incurred any liability for any investment banking fees,
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financial advisory fees, brokerage fees or finders' fees in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby. Parent is not aware of any claim for payment
of any finder's fees, brokerage or agent's commissions or other like payments in
connection with the negotiations leading to this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.27 INTERIM OPERATIONS OF MERGER SUBSIDIARY. Merger Subsidiary was
formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated
hereby, has engaged in no other business activities and has conducted its
operations only as contemplated hereby.
4.28 DISCLOSURE. The representations and warranties contained in this
Article 4 do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements and
information contained in this Article 4 not misleading.
ARTICLE 5
CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
5.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY NOVA. From the date hereof to the Effective
Date, Nova will, except as required in connection with the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and except as otherwise disclosed in
the Nova Information or consented to in writing by Parent:
(a) not engage in any new line of business or enter into any
Material Contract, transaction or activity or make any material
commitment except (i) those in the Ordinary Course of Business and not
otherwise prohibited under this Section 5.1, and (ii) Material
Contracts approved by Parent;
(b) maintain its corporate existence in good standing and
neither change nor amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
(c) maintain proper business and accounting records in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(d) maintain its property in good repair and condition,
ordinary wear and tear accepted;
(e) maintain in all material respects presently existing
insurance coverage;
(f) use its best efforts to preserve its business organization
in-tact, to keep the services of its present principal employees and to
preserve its good will and the good will of its suppliers, customers
and others having business relationships with it;
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(g) use its best efforts to obtain any approvals or consents
required to maintain existing leases and other contracts in effect
following the Merger;
(h) comply in all material respects with all laws,
regulations, ordinances, codes, orders, licenses and permits applicable
to the properties and the operations of Nova and correct or remedy any
material violation of any law or regulation upon identification thereof
at Parent's request;
(i) create, incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for
borrowed money other than indebtedness incurred in the Ordinary Course
of Business;
(j) make any loan to or investment in, or acquire any
securities or assets of any other person or entity;
(k) sell any of its assets except in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(l) increase the compensation of any officers, directors or
executive employees, except pursuant to existing compensation plans or
practices;
(m) not issue or sell shares of capital stock of Nova or
issue, sell or grant options, warrants or rights to purchase or
subscribe to, or enter into any arrangement or contract with
respect to the issuance or sale of any of the capital stock of Nova or
rights or obligations convertible into or exchangeable for any shares
of the capital stock of Nova and not make any changes (by split-up,
combination, reorganization or otherwise) in the capital structure of
Nova;
(n) except as set forth on Schedule 5.1(n) hereof, not
declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend or other
distribution in respect of the capital stock or other equity securities
of Nova and not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of the
capital stock or other securities of Nova or rights or obligations
convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the capital stock or
other securities of Nova or obligations convertible into such, or any
options, warrants or other rights to purchase or subscribe to any of
the foregoing;
(o) not acquire or enter into any agreement to acquire, by
merger, consolidation or purchase of stock or assets, any business or
entity;
(p) perform all of its obligations under all Material
Contracts (except those being contested in good faith) and not enter
into, assume or amend any contract or commitment that would be a
Material Contract; and
(q) prepare and file all federal, state, local and foreign
returns for taxes and other tax reports, filings and amendments thereto
required to be filed by it, and allow Parent, at its request, to review
all such returns, reports, filings and amendments at Nova's offices
prior to the filing thereof, which review shall not interfere with the
timely filing of such returns.
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In connection with the continued operation of the business of Nova
between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Date, Nova shall confer in
good faith and on a regular and frequent basis with one or more representatives
of Parent designated in writing to report operational matters of materiality and
the general status of ongoing operations. Nova acknowledges that Parent does not
and will not waive any rights it may have under this Agreement as a result of
such consultations nor shall Parent be responsible for any decisions made by
Nova's officers and directors with respect to matters which are the subject of
such consultation.
5.2 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY PARENT. From the date hereof to the
Effective Date, Parent will, and will cause the Merger Subsidiary to, except as
required in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and except as otherwise disclosed in the Parent Information
hereto or consented to in writing by Nova:
(a) not engage in any new line of business or enter into any
Material Contract, transaction or activity or make any material
commitment except (i) those in the Ordinary Course of Business and not
otherwise prohibited under this Section 5.2, and (ii) Material
Contracts in which Nova or Nova is the other party;
(b) maintain its corporate existence in good standing and
neither change nor amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws;
(c) maintain proper business and accounting records in
accordance with generally accepted principles;
(d) maintain its property in good repair and condition,
ordinary wear and tear accepted;
(e) maintain in all material respects presently existing
insurance coverage;
(f) use its best efforts to preserve its business organization
in tact, to keep the services of its present principal employees and to
preserve its good will and the good will of its suppliers, customers
and others having business relationships with it;
(g) use its best efforts to obtain any approvals or consents
required to maintain existing leases and other contracts in effect
following the Merger;
(h) comply in all material respects with all laws,
regulations, ordinances, codes, orders, licenses and permits applicable
to the properties and the operations of Parent and Merger Subsidiary
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and correct remedy any material violation of any law, regulation upon
identification thereof at Nova's request;
(i) except as set forth in Schedule 5.2(i), not authorize or
incur any long-term debt (other than deposit liabilities);
(j) increase the compensation of any officers, directors or
executive employees, except pursuant to existing compensation plans or
practices;
(k) not make any changes (by split-up, combination,
reorganization or otherwise) in the capital structure of Parent, or the
Merger Subsidiary;
(l) except as set forth on Schedule 5.2(l), not issue or sell
shares of capital stock of Parent or issue, sell or grant options,
warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe to, or enter into any
arrangement or contract with respect to the issuance or sale of any of
the capital stock of Parent or rights or obligations convertible into
or exchangeable for any shares of the capital stock of Nova and not
alter the terms of any outstanding options or the Option Plans;
(m) not declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend or
other distribution in respect of the capital stock or other equity
securities of Parent and not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any
shares of the capital stock or other securities of Parent or any of the
Merger Subsidiary, or rights or obligations convertible into or
exchangeable for any shares of the capital stock or other securities of
Parent, the Merger Subsidiary or any of the Merger Subsidiary or
obligations convertible into such, or any options, warrants or other
rights to purchase or subscribe to any of the foregoing;
(n) not acquire or enter into any agreement to acquire, by
merger, consolidation or purchase of stock or assets, any business or
entity;
(o) not make or incur (other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business) any capital expenditures;
(p) perform all of its obligations under all Material
Contracts (except those being contested in good faith) and not enter
into, assume or amend any contract or commitment that would be a
Material Contract; and
(q) prepare and file all federal, state, local and foreign
returns for taxes and other tax reports, filings and amendments thereto
required to be filed by it, and allow Nova, at its request, to review
all such returns, reports, filings and amendments at Parent's office
prior to the filing thereof, which review shall not interfere with the
timely filing of such returns.
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5.3 INSPECTION AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
(a) Between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Date,
Nova will provide to the Merger Subsidiary and Parent and their
accountants, counsel and other authorized representatives reasonable
access during normal business hours to its premises, and will cause its
officers to furnish to Parent and the Merger Subsidiary and their
authorized representatives such financial, technical and operating data
and other information pertaining to its business, as the Merger
Subsidiary and Parent shall from time to time reasonably request. No
such examination by Parent or its representatives either before or
after the date of this Agreement shall in any way effect, diminish or
terminate any of the representations, warranties or covenants of Nova
herein expressed.
(b) Between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Date,
Parent will, and will cause the Merger Subsidiary to, provide to Nova
and its accountants, counsel and other authorized representatives
reasonable access, during normal business hours to its premises, and
will cause its officers to furnish to Nova and its authorized
representatives such financial, technical and operating data and other
information pertaining to its business, as Nova shall from time to time
reasonably request. No such examination by Nova or its representatives
either before or after the date of this Agreement shall in any way
effect, diminish or terminate any of the representations, warranties or
covenants of Parent herein expressed.
(c) Each of the parties hereto and their respective
representatives shall maintain the confidentiality of all information
(other than information which is generally available to the public)
concerning the other parties hereto acquired pursuant to the
transactions contemplated hereby in the event that the Merger is not
consummated. Each of the parties hereto and their representatives shall
not use such information so obtained to the detriment or competitive
disadvantage of the other party hereto. All files, records, documents,
information, data and similar items relating to the confidential
information of Nova, whether prepared by Parent or otherwise coming
into Parent's possession, shall remain the exclusive property of Nova
and shall be promptly delivered to Nova upon termination of this
Agreement. All files, records, documents, information, data and similar
items relating to the confidential information of Parent, whether
prepared by Nova or otherwise coming into Nova's possession, shall
remain the exclusive property of Parent and shall be promptly delivered
to Parent upon termination of this Agreement.
5.4 PARENT EXCHANGE ACT REPORTS. Nova acknowledges that Parent will be
required to report its acquisition of Nova promptly following the Effective Date
and include information regarding Nova in the Proxy Statement for Parent's
upcoming special meeting of shareholders. Nova agrees to provide as promptly as
practicable to Parent such information concerning its business and financial
statements and affairs as, in the reasonable judgment of Parent, may be required
or appropriate for inclusion in the required report, or in any amendments or
supplements thereto, and to cause its counsel and auditors to cooperate with
Parent's counsel and auditors in the preparation of such report. Nova represent
and warrant to Parent that the foregoing information will (i) not contain any
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untrue statement of immaterial fact, or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein as necessary, in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (ii)
comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
5.5 REASONABLE EFFORTS; FURTHER ASSURANCES; COOPERATION. Subject to the
other provisions of this Agreement, the parties hereby shall each use their
reasonable efforts to perform their obligations herein and to take, or cause to
be taken or do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or
advisable under applicable law to obtain all regulatory approvals and satisfy
all conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement and to
cause the Merger and the other transactions contemplated herein to be carried
out promptly in accordance with the terms hereof. The parties agree to use their
reasonable best efforts to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby by
September 1, 2000 subject to an automatic 30 day extension by either party if
necessary to accommodate any special meeting of the shareholders of either party
to approve certain corporate actions necessary to complete the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. The parties shall cooperate fully with each
other and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, counsel,
accountants and other designees in connection with any steps required to be
taken as a part of their respective obligations under this Agreement, including
without limitation:
(a) If any claim, action, suit, investigation or other
proceeding by any governmental body or other person is commenced which
questions the validity or legality of the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated hereby or seeks damages in connection
therewith, the parties agree to cooperate and use all reasonable
efforts to defend against such claim, action, suit, investigation or
other proceeding and, if an injunction or other order is issued in any
such action, suit or other proceeding, to use all reasonable efforts to
have such injunction or other order lifted, and to cooperate reasonably
regarding any other impediment to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Each party shall give prompt written notice to the other
of (i) the occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event which
occurrence or failure would be likely to cause any representation or
warranty of Nova or Parent, as the case may be, contained in this
Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at any
time from the date hereof to the Effective Date or that will or may
result in the failure to satisfy the conditions specified in Article 6
or 7 or would constitute either an Nova Material Adverse Effect or a
Parent Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) any failure of Nova or Parent,
as the case may be, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition
or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder.
5.6 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. The timing and content of all announcements
regarding any aspect of this Agreement or the Merger to the financial community,
government agencies, employees or the general public shall be mutually agreed
upon in advance (unless Parent or Nova is advised by counsel that any such
announcement or other disclosure not mutually agreed upon in advance is required
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to be made by law and then only after making a reasonable attempt to comply with
the provisions of this Section).
5.7 NO SOLICITATION. (a) From the date hereof until this Agreement is
terminated or abandoned as provided in Section 8.1 of this Agreement, Nova shall
not directly or indirectly (i) solicit or initiate discussion with or (ii) enter
into negotiations or agreements with, or furnish any information to, any
corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group (other than an
affiliate of Parent or its authorized representatives pursuant to this
Agreement) concerning any proposal for a merger, sale of substantial assets,
sale of shares of stock or securities or other takeover or business combination
transaction (the "Acquisition Proposal") involving Nova, and Nova will instruct
its officers, directors, advisors and its financial and legal representatives
and consultants not to take any action contrary to the foregoing provisions of
this sentence; provided, however, that Nova, its officers, directors, advisors
and its financial and legal representatives and consultants will not be
prohibited from taking any action described in (ii) above to the extent such
action is taken by, or upon the authority of, the Board of Directors of Nova in
the exercise of good faith judgment as to its fiduciary duties to the
shareholders of Nova, which judgment is based upon the written advice of
independent, outside legal counsetl that a failure of the Board of Directors of
Nova to take such action would be likely to constitute a breach of its fiduciary
duties to such shareholders. Nova will notify Parent promptly if Nova becomes
aware that any inquiries or proposals are received by, any information is
requested from or any negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated
with, Nova with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, and Nova shall promptly
deliver to Parent any written inquiries or proposals received by Nova relating
to an Acquisition Proposal or accurately summarize in writing for Parent any
other inquires or discussions with respect to an Acquisition Proposal.
ARTICLE 6
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF NOVA
Except as may be waived by Nova, the obligations of Nova to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the
satisfaction on or before the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:
6.1 COMPLIANCE. Parent shall have, or shall have caused to be,
satisfied or complied with and performed in all material respects all terms,
covenants and conditions of this Agreement to be complied with or performed by
Parent on or before the Closing Date.
6.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All of the representations and
warranties made by Parent in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respects at and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect
as if such representations and warranties had been made at and as of the Closing
Date, except for changes permitted or contemplated by this Agreement.
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6.3 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGES. Subsequent to March 31, 2000 there shall
have occurred no Parent Material Adverse Effect other than any such change that
affects both Parent and Nova in a substantially similar manner.
6.4 CERTIFICATES. Nova shall have received a certificate or
certificates, executed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent, to
the effect that the conditions contained in Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 hereof
have been satisfied. Such certificate shall further certify that the shares of
Parent Common Stock issued to the Nova stockholders pursuant to the Merger shall
represent at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total number of shares of
Parent Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date, determined
after giving effect to the consummation of the Merger and the related
transaction described in Section 6.10 hereof, and the issuance of Parent common
stock to raise the cash consideration payable pursuant to the Merger and the
related transaction described in Section 6.10 hereof.
6.5 CONSENTS; LITIGATION. Other than the filing of the Certificates of
Merger and Articles of Merger as described in Article 1, all authorizations,
consents, orders or approvals of, or declarations or filings with, or
expirations or terminations of waiting periods imposed by any governmental
entities, and all required third-party consents, the failure to obtain which
would have a Nova Material Adverse Effect or Parent Material Adverse Effect,
shall have been obtained. In addition, no preliminary or permanent injunction or
other order shall have been issued by any court or by any governmental or
regulatory agency, body or authority which prohibits the consummation of the
Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and which is in
effect at the Effective Date.
6.6 DUE DILIGENCE. Nova shall have completed to its satisfaction a due
diligence investigation, including, but not limited to, a review of the Parent
Financial Statements and the Parent SEC Reports.
6.7 TAX-FREE REORGANIZATION. The shares of Parent Common Stock to be
received by the Nova stockholders shall be received in connection with a
tax-free reorganization under the Code, and each party shall take all necessary
action to ensure such treatment.
6.8 REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Parent shall execute and deliver to Nova at
Closing, a registration rights agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
6.9 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. Parent shall have executed and delivered to
each of Charles R. Darst and Scott Lucas written employment agreements and other
documents memorializing stock options to be granted to each of them as of the
Effective Date, setting forth the terms and conditions under which such
individuals will be employed by Parent or Nova following the Effective Date,
which terms and conditions shall be acceptable to Nova and such individuals in
their sole discretion.
-36-
6.10 COMPLETION OF OTHER TRANSACTION. As the transaction contemplated
by that certain Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of even date among
the Parent, Key Financial Systems, Inc. and Key Merger Corp. is part of the same
Plan of Reorganization as the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, both
transactions shall be completed simultaneously with the Closing.
6.11 PARENT SUBSIDIARIES. Parent shall have consummated a merger of all
of its business development company subsidiaries (including First Bankers
Mortgage Services, Inc.) into Equitex 2000, Inc. and a spin-off of the
outstanding shares of Equitex 2000, Inc. to the Parent stockholders, Equitex
2000, Inc. shall have assumed all obligations of Parent to the former
stockholders of any subsidiaries merged into Equitex 2000, Inc. After giving
effect to the foregoing transactions, Parent will own a controlling interest in
only Merger Subsidiary and the merger subsidiary formed for the
purpose of consummating the transaction described in Section 6.10 hereof, and
Parent will have unrestricted cash in the amount of Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000).
6.12 INCREASE OF AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK OF PARENT. Parent shall have
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (a) a Certificate of
Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation for purposes of increasing its
authorized capital stock to 50,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, and (b)
such other certificates as may be necessary to eliminate the certificate of
designations in effect for each series of preferred stock of the Parent of which
no shares are issued and outstanding.
ARTICLE 7
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF PARENT
AND THE MERGER SUBSIDIARY
Except as may be waived by Parent and the Merger Subsidiary, the
obligations of Parent and the Merger Subsidiary to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction, on or
before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
7.1 COMPLIANCE. Nova shall have, or shall have caused to be, satisfied
or complied with and performed in all material respects all terms, covenants,
and conditions of this Agreement to be complied with or performed by it on or
before the Closing Date.
7.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All of the representations and
warranties made by Nova in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respects at and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect
as if such representations and warranties had been made at and as of the Closing
Date, except for changes permitted or contemplated by this Agreement.
-37-
7.3 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since March 31, 2000, except as set forth
in this Agreement or on the schedules hereto, there shall have occurred no Nova
Material Adverse Effect other than any such change that affects both Parent and
Nova in a substantially similar manner.
7.4 CERTIFICATES. Parent shall have received a certificate or
certificates, executed by the and on behalf of Nova by an executive officer of
Nova, to the effect that the conditions in Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 hereof have
been satisfied.
7.5 CONSENTS; LITIGATION. Other than the filing of the Certificate of
Merger as described in Article 1, all authorizations, consents, orders or
approvals of, or declarations or filings with, or expirations or terminations of
waiting periods imposed by, any governmental entity, and all required
third-party consents, the failure to obtain which would have an Nova Material
Adverse Effect or a Parent Material Adverse Effect, shall have been obtained. In
addition, no preliminary or permanent injunction or other order shall have been
issued by any court or by any governmental or regulatory agency, body or
authority which prohibits the consummation of the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and which is in effect at the Effective Date.
7.6 DUE DILIGENCE. Parent shall have completed to its satisfaction a
due diligence investigation, including, but not limited to, a review of the Nova
Financial Statements.
7.7 ACCOUNTING TREATMENT. The transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall qualify for purchase accounting treatment under generally
accepted accounting principles, and each shall take all necessary action to
ensure such treatment.
7.8 TAX-FREE REORGANIZATION. The shares of Parent Common Stock to be
delivered to the Nova stockholders shall be delivered in connection with a
tax-free reorganization under the Code, and each party shall take all necessary
action to ensure such treatment.
7.9 BHC ACT. The transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to
the determination of Parent's counsel and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
that the business activities are permitted by the BHC Act, including but not
limited to, Section 225.28 of the BHC Act.
7.10 STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. This Agreement and the Merger shall have
been approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of the percentage of the
outstanding shares of Parent required for approval of a Plan of Merger in
accordance with the provisions of Parent's Certificate of Incorporation and the
DGCL.
7.11 COMPLETION OF OTHER TRANSACTION. As the Merger with Key Financial
Systems, Inc. is part of the same Plan of Reorganization as the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement, both transactions shall be completed
simultaneously with the Closing.
-38-
7.12 STOCKHOLDER CONTROL OF PARENT. No single stockholder, or group of
stockholders that can be considered a control group under SEC or Federal Reserve
law, will directly control more than 9.9% of the outstanding Parent Common Stock
on a fully diluted basis. The calculation of outstanding Common Stock of Parent
will take into effect:
(a) all the outstanding Parent Common Stock, including,
without limitation, the Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to
the Merger and the related transaction described in Section 6.10
hereof;
(b) all outstanding warrants or other securities convertible
into Parent Common Stock, including, without limitation, the Warrants
to be issued pursuant to the Merger and the related transaction
described in Section 6.10 hereof;
(c) all Parent Common Stock issued or to be issued to raise
the cash consideration payable pursuant to the Merger and the related
transaction described in Section 6.10 hereof; and
(d) the Parent Common Stock to be issued under the proposed
merger between Parent and First TeleBanc Corp.
7.13 SOLVENCY OPINION. Nova shall provide to Parent an opinion by a
certified public accounting firm acceptable to Parent that as of the Effective
Date, after taking into account all distributions including the Final
Distribution subject to Section 5.1(n) and Schedule 5.1(n) of this Agreement,
Nova is solvent, fully able to meet all of its obligations (whether fixed,
liquidated, contingent or otherwise) as they become due and Nova has a positive
tangible net worth of at least $100,000.
ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 TERMINATION. In addition to the provisions regarding termination
set forth elsewhere herein, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby may be terminated at any time on or before the Closing Date:
(a) by mutual consent of Nova and Parent;
(b) by either Parent or Nova if the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement have not been consummated by September 1, 2000,
subject to an automatic 30 day extension if necessary to accommodate a
special meeting of the shareholders of either party to approve certain
corporate actions necessary to complete the transactions contemplated
-39-
by this Agreement, unless such failure of consummation is due to the
failure of the terminating party to perform or observe the covenants,
agreements, and conditions hereof to be performed or observed by it at
or before the Closing Date; or
(c) by either Nova or Parent if the transactions contemplated
hereby violate any nonappealable final order, decree, or judgment of
any court or governmental body or agency having competent jurisdiction.
8.2 EXPENSES. If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
not consummated and termination is sought under the termination provisions
hereof, each party hereto shall pay its own expenses incurred in connection with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. If the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated because the representations
and warranties of one party are false or misleading in any material respect,
then that party shall be liable for the expenses, including attorneys fees, of
the other party.
8.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the exhibits and schedules
hereto contain the complete agreement among the parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings among the parties with respect to such transactions. Section and
other headings are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the
interpretation or construction of this Agreement. The parties hereto have not
made any representation or warranty except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement or in any certificate or schedule delivered pursuant hereto. The
obligations of any party under any agreement executed pursuant to this Agreement
shall not be affected by this section.
8.4 INDEMNIFICATION. The Nova shareholders shall indemnify and hold
Parent harmless against any and all claims, costs, liabilities, expenses and
attorney's fees arising out of or in any manner related to the matters captioned
EDWARD BARBARA, JR. V. C. ROBERT DARST, DIA ERICKSON, ANTHONY N. AMICO, NOVA
FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND KEY FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, INC., CIRCUIT COURT CASE NO.:
00-1995-CI-019; AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION, CASE NO.: 33 160 00080 00; AND
KEY FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND NOVA FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, INC. V. CAPITAL GAINS OF
NAPLES, INC., CHRIS HEBARD, GENE HIRAI, FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN BROOKINGS, AND
CREDITNOW, SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA, CASE NO.
00-1163-CI-15.
8.5 POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS OF PARENT. The following obligations of
Parent shall expressly survive the Effective Date:
(a) Parent hereby covenants to the Nova stockholders that the
aggregate number of shares of Parent Common Stock issued to the Nova
stockholders pursuant to the Merger and to the stockholders of Key
Financial Systems, Inc., pursuant to the related transaction described
in Section 6.10 hereof will represent, as of the Effective Date, at
least fifty percent (50%) of the total number of shares of Parent
-40-
Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date, determined
after giving effect to the consummation of the Merger and the related
transaction described in Section 6.10 hereof, and the issuance of
Parent common stock to raise the cash consideration payable pursuant to
the Merger and the related transaction described in Section 6.10
hereof. If, for any reason, the aggregate number of shares of Parent
Common Stock issued on the Effective Date to the Nova stockholders and
stockholders of Key Financial Systems, Inc. is less than the amount
required in the foregoing covenant, then Parent shall promptly issue to
the Nova stockholders and the stockholders of Key Financial Systems,
Inc. such additional amount of Parent Common Stock as shall be
necessary to make the covenant true and correct in all respects.
(b) On the Closing Date Parent will have executed or shall
execute minutes or a consent to action expanding the size of the Board
of Directors of Parent to five members. In
addition, on the Closing date one member of the current Board of
Directors of Parent shall resign and three Directors designated by the
shareholders of Nova and Key Financial Systems, Inc. shall be appointed
to the Board of Directors of Parent, provided that, the composition of
the Parent Board of Directors complies with the rules, regulations and
bylaws of the National Association of Securities Dealers and NASDAQ.
8.6 Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of each party contained herein or in any exhibit, certificate,
document or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall not survive
the Closing, with the express exception of the indemnification provision of
Section 8.4 of this Agreement and the indemnity agreements between Parent and
the Officers and Directors of Parent which shall continue in full force and
effect indefinitely.
8.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an
original, and such counterparts together shall constitute only one original.
8.8 Notices. All notices, demands, requests, or other communications
that may be or are required to be given, served, or sent by any party to any
other party pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by
facsimile transmission, next-day courier or mailed by first-class, registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by
hand delivery, addressed as follows:
(a) If to Nova:
Mr. Scott Lucas, President
Nova Financial Systems, Inc.
5770 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 410
Clearwater, Florida 33760-3431
Telephone: (727) 524-8410
Facsimile: (727) 524-3874
-41-
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Leslie Wager Hudock, Esq.
Barnett, Bolt, Kirkwood & Long
601 Bayshore Boulevard, Suite 700
Tampa, Florida 33606
Telephone: (813) 253-2020
Facsimile: (813) 251-6711
(b) If to Parent or the Merger Subsidiary:
Mr. Thomas Olson, Secretary
Equitex, Inc.
7315 East Peakview Ave., Suite 211
Englewood, Colorado 80111
Telephone: (303) 796-8940
Facsimile: (303) 796-9762
with a copy (which does not constitute notice) to:
John W. Kellogg, Esq.
Friedlob Sanderson Paulson & Tourtillott, LLC
1400 Glenarm Place, Suite 300
Denver, Colorado 80202
Telephone: (303) 595-3970
Facsimile: (303) 571-1400
Each party may designate by notice in writing a new address to
which any notice, demand, request, or communication may thereafter be
so given, served, or sent. Each notice, demand, request, or
communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner
described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and
received for all purposes at such time as it is delivered to the
addressee (with the return receipt, the delivery receipt or the
affidavit of messenger being deemed conclusive evidence of such
delivery) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon
presentation.
8.9 SUCCESSORS; ASSIGNMENTS. This Agreement and the rights, interests,
and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be
assigned, by operation of law or otherwise, by any of the parties hereto without
the prior written consent of the other.
-42-
8.10 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware.
8.11 WAIVER AND OTHER ACTION. This Agreement may be amended, modified,
or supplemented only by a written instrument executed by the parties against
which enforcement of the amendment, modification or supplement is sought.
8.12 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable, and
this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable provision were never a part hereof; the remaining provisions
hereof shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance; and in lieu of
such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added
automatically as part of this Agreement, a provision as similar in its terms to
such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be
legal, valid, and enforceable.
8.13 MUTUAL CONTRIBUTION. The parties to this Agreement and their
counsel have mutually contributed to its drafting. Consequently, no provision of
this Agreement shall be construed against any party on the ground that such
party drafted the provision or caused it to be drafted or the provision contains
a covenant of such party.
[THE BALANCE OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
-43-
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.
Nova Financial Systems, Inc.
By:/S/ Scott Lucas
----------------------------------
Name: Scott Lucas
Title: President
Equitex, Inc.
By:/s/ Henry Fong
----------------------------------
Name: Henry Fong
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Nova Acquisition Corporation
By:/s/ Henry Fong
----------------------------------
Name: Henry Fong
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
-44-
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Registration Rights Agreement
LIST OF SCHEDULES
Schedule 2.3 Nova Convertible Securities
Schedule 3.7(c) Voting Arrangements
Schedule 3.7(e) Redemptions and Distributions
Schedule 3.9 Changes in Accounting Principles
Schedule 3.13 Tax Returns; Taxes
Schedule 3.14 Material Contracts
Schedule 3.15 Litigation and Government Claims
Schedule 3.19 Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 3.20 Employment Agreements
Schedule 3.23 Properties and Related Matters
Schedule 3.25 Material Interests
Schedule 3.32 Accounts Receivable
Schedule 3.33 Notes Receivable
Schedule 3.36 Rights to All Telemarketing
Schedule 4.4 Parent Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.7 Capitalization of Parent
Schedule 4.11 Absence of Certain Changes
-45-
Schedule 4.17 Employment Agreements
Schedule 4.21 Licenses and Permits
Schedule 4.23 Material Interests
Schedule 4.24 Registration Obligations
Schedule 4.25 Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.1(n) Permitted Distributions
Schedule 5.2(i) Parent long-term debt
Schedule 5.2(l) Parent transactions
-46-
Table of Contents
ARTICLE 1
Basic Plan of Reorganization........................................-1-
1.1 Merger.....................................................-1-
1.2 Continuing Corporate Existence.............................-1-
1.3 Effective Date.............................................-1-
1.4 Corporate Government of the Surviving Corporation..........-2-
1.5 Closing....................................................-2-
1.6 Tax Consequences...........................................-2-
ARTICLE 2
Conversion of Shares................................................-3-
2.1 Conversion of Shares.......................................-3-
2.2 Fractional Shares..........................................-4-
2.3 Convertible Securities.....................................-4-
2.4 Exchange of Nova Common Stock..............................-4-
2.5 Adjustment.................................................-5-
2.6 Status of Parent Securities................................-5-
2.7 Registration of Parent Securities..........................-5-
ARTICLE 3
Representations and Warranties of Nova..............................-6-
3.1 Organization and Good Standing of Nova.....................-6-
3.2 Foreign Qualification......................................-6-
3.3 Company Power and Authority................................-6-
3.4 No Nova Subsidiaries.......................................-6-
3.5 Authorization..............................................-6-
3.6 Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts......................-6-
3.7 Capitalization of Nova.....................................-7-
3.8 Nova Information...........................................-8-
3.9 Financial Statements and Records of Nova...................-8-
3.10 Reports....................................................-8-
3.11 Absence of Certain Changes.................................-8-
3.12 No Material Undisclosed Liabilities.......................-10-
3.13 Tax Returns; Taxes........................................-10-
-i-
3.14 Material Contracts........................................-10-
3.15 Litigation and Government Claims..........................-11-
3.16 Compliance With Laws......................................-11-
3.17 Policies and Procedures...................................-11-
3.18 Licenses and Permits......................................-11-
3.19 Employee Benefit Plans....................................-12-
3.20 Employment Agreements; Labor Relations....................-12-
3.21 Intellectual Property.....................................-13-
3.22 Software..................................................-13-
3.23 Properties and Related Matters............................-14-
3.24 Insurance.................................................-14-
3.25 Material Interests of Certain Persons.....................-14-
3.26 Registration Obligations..................................-14-
3.27 Environmental Matters.....................................-14-
3.28 Referral Sources; Investors...............................-16-
3.29 Brokers and Finders.......................................-16-
3.30 Proxy Statement...........................................-16-
3.31 Inventory.................................................-16-
3.32 Accounts Receivable.......................................-16-
3.33 Notes Receivable..........................................-17-
3.34 Powers of Attorney........................................-17-
3.35 Guaranties................................................-17-
3.36 Rights to all Telemarketing or Mailing Lists..............-17-
3.37 Disclosure................................................-17-
ARTICLE 4
Representations and Warranties of Parent
and the Merger Subsidiary..........................................-18-
4.1 Organization and Good Standing............................-18-
4.2 Foreign Qualification.....................................-18-
4.3 Corporate Power and Authority.............................-18-
4.4 Parent Subsidiaries. ....................................-18-
4.5 Authorization.............................................-19-
4.6 Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts.....................-19-
4.7 Capitalization of Parent..................................-19-
4.8 Capitalization of Merger Subsidiary.......................-21-
4.9 Parent SEC Reports........................................-21-
4.10 Financial Statements and Records of Parent................-22-
4.11 Absence of Certain Changes................................-22-
4.12 No Material Undisclosed Liabilities.......................-24-
-ii-
4.13 Tax Returns; Taxes........................................-24-
4.14 Material Contracts........................................-24-
4.15 Litigation and Government Claims..........................-25-
4.16 Compliance with Laws......................................-25-
4.17 Employment Agreements; Labor Relations....................-25-
4.18 Parent Employee Benefit Plans.............................-25-
4.19 Intellectual Property.....................................-26-
4.20 Properties and Related Matters............................-26-
4.21 Licenses and Permits......................................-26-
4.22 Software..................................................-26-
4.23 Material Interests of Certain Persons. ..................-27-
4.24 Registration Obligations. ...............................-27-
4.25 Environmental Matters.....................................-27-
4.26 Brokers and Finders.......................................-28-
4.27 Interim Operations of Merger Subsidiary...................-29-
4.28 Disclosure. .............................................-29-
ARTICLE 5
Certain Covenants and Agreements...................................-29-
5.1 Conduct of Business by Nova...............................-29-
5.2 Conduct of Business by Parent.............................-31-
5.3 Inspection and Access to Information......................-33-
5.4 Parent Exchange Act Reports...............................-33-
5.5 Reasonable Efforts; Further Assurances; Cooperation.......-34-
5.6 Public Announcements......................................-34-
5.7 No Solicitation...........................................-35-
ARTICLE 6
Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Nova........................-35-
6.1 Compliance................................................-35-
6.2 Representations and Warranties............................-35-
6.3 Material Adverse Changes..................................-36-
6.4 Certificates..............................................-36-
6.5 Consents; Litigation......................................-36-
6.6 Due Diligence.............................................-36-
6.7 Tax-free Reorganization...................................-36-
6.8 Registration Rights.......................................-36-
6.9 Employment Agreements. ..................................-36-
6.10 Completion of Other Transaction. ........................-37-
-iii-
6.11 Parent Subsidiaries. ....................................-37-
6.12 Increase of Authorized Capital Stock of Parent. .........-37-
ARTICLE 7
Conditions Precedent to obligations of Parent
and the Merger Subsidiary..........................................-37-
7.1 Compliance................................................-37-
7.2 Representations and Warranties............................-37-
7.3 Material Adverse Change...................................-38-
7.4 Certificates..............................................-38-
7.5 Consents; Litigation......................................-38-
7.6 Due Diligence.............................................-38-
7.7 Accounting Treatment......................................-38-
7.8 Tax-free Reorganization...................................-38-
7.9 BHC Act. ................................................-38-
7.10 Stockholder Approval. ...................................-38-
7.11 Completion of Other Transaction. ........................-38-
7.12 Stockholder Control of Parent. ..........................-39-
7.13 Solvency Opinion. .......................................-39-
ARTICLE 8
Miscellaneous......................................................-39-
8.1 Termination...............................................-39-
8.2 Expenses..................................................-40-
8.3 Entire Agreement..........................................-40-
8.4 Indemnification...........................................-40-
8.5 Post-Closing Obligations of Parent. .....................-40-
8.6 Survival of Representations and Warranties................-41-
8.7 Counterparts..............................................-41-
8.8 Notices...................................................-41-
8.9 Successors; Assignments...................................-43-
8.10 Governing Law.............................................-43-
8.11 Waiver and Other Action...................................-43-
8.12 Severability..............................................-43-
8.13 Mutual Contribution.......................................-43-
List of Exhibits...................................................-45-
List of Schedules..................................................-45-
-iv-
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
AMONG
Equitex, Inc.
(a Delaware corporation)
-----------------------------------
Nova Financial Systems, Inc.
(a Florida corporation)
-----------------------------------
AND
Nova Acquisition Corp.
(a Delaware corporation)
JUNE ___, 2000