<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 7, 1999
REGISTRATION NO.
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
WYOMING 6719 PENDING
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
------------------------
SUITE 1940 -- 400 BURRARD STREET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADA V6C 3A6
(604) 687-4144
(ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF REGISTRANT)
------------------------
PATRICK W. MCCLEERY, PRESIDENT
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
SUITE 1940 -- 400 BURRARD STREET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADA V6C 3A6
(604) 687-4144
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
PATRICK W. MCCLEERY, PRESIDENT
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
C/O HATHAWAY, SPEIGHT & KUNZ, LLC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
2515 WARREN AVENUE
POST OFFICE BOX 1208
CHEYENNE, WYOMING 82003-1208
(307) 634-7723
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
------------------------
COPIES TO:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
JONATHAN C. GUEST DAVID J. RAFFA
PERKINS, SMITH & COHEN, LLP CATALYST CORPORATE FINANCE LAWYERS
ONE BEACON STREET SUITE 1100
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108 1055 WEST HASTINGS STREET
TELEPHONE: (617) 854-4000 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
FACSIMILE: (617) 843-4040 CANADA V6E 2E9
TELEPHONE; (604) 688-6900
FACSIMILE: (604) 443-7000
</TABLE>
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC: Not Applicable
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER SHARE PRICE REGISTRATION FEE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Shares, no par value 44,267,743 Not Applicable(1) Not Applicable(1) $2,955(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (f), solely for the purpose of
determining the registration fee, on the basis of the closing price reported
on the Vancouver Stock Exchange on April 30, 1999 for the Common Stock, no
par value, of the Company. This price (Cdn. $0.35) has been converted to
U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on that date.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
DATED JUNE , 1999
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
SUITE 1940 -- 400 BURRARD STREET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADA V6C 3A6
Biometric Security Corp. is issuing this Proxy Statement/Prospectus in
connection with its annual general meeting of shareholders. At this meeting, the
shareholders will vote on the following matters:
1. Fixing the number of directors at four;
2. Electing four members of the Board of Directors to hold office until
our annual general meeting next year;
3. Approving our appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent auditors for
1999;
4. Authorizing us to grant incentive stock options to our directors,
officers and employees;
5. Authorizing us to effect a consolidation of our issued shares (also
known as a reverse stock split), in which one new common share would be issued
for every five existing shares;
6. Authorizing us to transfer our governing jurisdiction from the State of
Wyoming to the Province of British Columbia and upon the transfer out, to reduce
our authorized share capital to one hundred million (100,000,000) common shares
without par value and adopt new corporate governance documents;
7. Authorizing us to change our name to "Safeguard Biometric Corp."; and
8. Other business that may properly come before the meeting.
For more information about these proposed changes, see "Information
Circular for the Annual General Meeting," on page 14.
Our Common Stock is listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange under the symbol
"BMS" and is also traded from time to time on the over-the-counter market in the
United States.
THERE ARE CERTAIN RISKS THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE
STOCK CONSOLIDATION AND THE TRANSFER TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. SEE "RISK FACTORS"
BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAVE THESE ORGANIZATIONS DETERMINED THAT THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. IT'S ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE TO
TELL YOU OTHERWISE.
We are first mailing this Proxy Statement/Prospectus to our stockholders on
or about June , 1999.
<PAGE> 3
2
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDES IMPORTANT BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMPANY THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN OR DELIVERED WITH THIS
DOCUMENT. YOU CAN GET THIS INFORMATION AT NO CHARGE BY WRITING TO, OR CALLING,
MS. SAUNDRA ZIMMER, CORPORATE SECRETARY, BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP., SUITE
1940-400 BURRARD STREET, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA V6C 3A6; TELEPHONE
NUMBER: (604) 687-4144. IF YOU WANT THIS INFORMATION SENT TO YOU IN TIME FOR YOU
TO REVIEW IT BEFORE THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, YOU MUST REQUEST THE INFORMATION
NO LATER THAN [FIVE BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE DATE THEY MUST MAKE THEIR
INVESTMENT DECISION -- SPECIFY DATE].
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SUMMARY..................................................... 1
The Company............................................ 1
Matters to be Voted on................................. 1
Summary of Reverse Stock Split, Transfer from Wyoming
to British Columbia and Name Change................... 2
Description of Common Stock............................ 4
Historical Per Share Information....................... 4
RISK FACTORS................................................ 6
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.................................. 9
INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES.............. 11
THE COMPANY................................................. 12
EXPERTS..................................................... 12
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION......................... 12
INFORMATION CIRCULAR FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS.............................................. 14
PERSONS MAKING THE SOLICITATION............................. 14
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES....................... 14
EXERCISE OF DISCRETION...................................... 14
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING
SECURITIES................................................ 15
DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS................ 16
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION...................................... 16
INTEREST OF INSIDERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS............... 19
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON..... 20
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS......................................... 20
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS....................................... 20
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR OFFICERS.... 22
APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF AUDITOR..................... 22
SPECIAL BUSINESS............................................ 23
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS................................ 23
CONSOLIDATION (REVERSE STOCK SPLIT) OF SHARE CAPITAL... 23
CONTINUANCE INTO BRITISH COLUMBIA...................... 24
CHANGE OF AUTHORIZED CAPITAL........................... 32
CHANGE OF NAME......................................... 32
OTHER BUSINESS.............................................. 33
APPENDIX I -- SPECIAL AND ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS.............. I-1
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K/A FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998 (Please refer to separate Table of Contents on page
A-3)...................................................... Appendix
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 4
SUMMARY
In this summary, we highlight selected information from this document, but
we haven't included all of the information that is important to you. So that you
can better understand the proposals we're asking you to vote on, and how they
would affect your interest in our company, you should read carefully this entire
document and the documents to which we have referred you. We have included page
references to direct you to more complete descriptions of the topics presented
in this summary. In this document, we use the plain $ sign to refer to Canadian
dollars, and "US$" to refer to United States dollars.
THE COMPANY
Our principal business is our investment in Biometric Identification, Inc.,
a company based in California ("BII"). BII is controlled by Arete Associates, a
research and development contractor also based in California and privately held.
BII designs, manufactures and markets devices for fingerprint identification
using technology based on "biometrics," which is the science of identifying
individuals through their own unique physical characteristics such as
fingerprints and hand shape. BII acquired its technology under a license from
Arete.
In June 1998, we agreed with Arete that we could invest up to US$5,000,000
in debentures (debt securities) to be issued by BII. These debentures can be
converted into BII common stock. If we acquire all of these convertible
debentures and convert all of them into BII common stock, we will hold
approximately 45% of its common stock.
Before we invested in BII, we were in the mineral exploration business. We
still own several properties in Argentina. Since we do not think the precious
metals markets will soon recover from slumping demand, we decided to get out of
the mineral exploration business. We have ceased all of our Argentinean
operations and recently reached a preliminary agreement to sell these
properties. When they are sold, we will have essentially left our former
business.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS, AS WELL AS FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS OF FINANCIAL RESULTS AND OTHER MATTERS, PLEASE SEE
THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K/A FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998,
INCLUDED AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT.
Please see "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 12 for additional
information about the Company.
Our main office is located at Suite 1940, 400 Burrard Street, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada V6C 3A6, and our telephone number is (604) 687-4144.
MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON:
- Fixing the number of directors at four
- Election of four directors
- Approval of our appointment of independent auditors
- Authorization of incentive stock option grants to directors, officers
and employees
- Authorization of reverse stock split
- Authorization of transfer from Wyoming to British Columbia
- Authorization of corporate name change
We are providing summary information below about three of these matters:
the reverse stock split; the transfer to British Columbia; and the name change,
because these are unusual corporate matters.
1
<PAGE> 5
SUMMARY OF REVERSE STOCK SPLIT, TRANSFER FROM WYOMING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA, AND
NAME CHANGE
We are asking you to vote in person or by proxy to approve the following
three transactions:
1. REVERSE STOCK SPLIT (PAGE 23). The share consolidation (sometimes
referred to as a reverse stock split) we propose for our common
stock would result in your getting one share of common stock for
every five shares you now own. Your percent ownership of our company
would not change. Instead, you would have one-fifth the number of
shares you had before.
We would like to complete this reverse stock split to increase the
average trading price of our shares by five times, although the
price may not eventually trade by that much. The price increase
should make us more attractive to institutional investors and
therefore help us to raise more funds.
2. TRANSFER FROM WYOMING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA (PAGE 24).
The transfer to British Columbia will not result in any change in
our business, management or financial condition. Your shareholdings
will not change as a result of the transfer, or continuation, as it
is sometimes called.
We desire to return to British Columbia so that we can be governed
by the law of British Columbia, where our main stock trading market
(The Vancouver Stock Exchange) is located. This should make it
simpler and less costly for us to comply with securities laws, since
we and our main stock trading market will both be governed by the
law of British Columbia. This should also make it easier for us to
raise money to buy the BII debentures.
If we do transfer to British Columbia, we will have to follow the
laws that apply to British Columbia corporations rather than Wyoming
corporations. We'll change our corporate governing documents only to
conform to British Columbia requirements. For example, we'll reduce
the number of common shares we can issue. Wyoming lets us issue an
unlimited number of common shares, but British Columbia requires us
to have an upper limit, which we would like to set at 100 million
common shares.
Please see page 25 for a discussion of other differences between the
corporation laws of British Columbia and Wyoming.
3. NAME CHANGE (PAGE 32). The VSE requires a company that does a
reverse stock split to change its name. We are asking you to
authorize a change of our name to "Safeguard Biometric Corp.," or
such other name that would be acceptable to the VSE and the
Registrar of Companies for British Columbia.
Federal Income Tax Consequences to Shareholders
Tax matters are often complicated and the tax consequences to you from
these proposed transactions will depend in part on the facts of your own
situation. You should consult your tax advisors, as you think appropriate, for a
full understanding of the tax consequences to you of these proposed
transactions.
1. REVERSE STOCK SPLIT (PAGE 24). The reverse stock split should have
no federal income tax consequences for you.
2. TRANSFER FROM WYOMING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA (PAGE 29).
Tax Consequences for the Company. The transfer would be treated for
U.S. federal tax purposes as though we had transferred our assets
from a U.S. corporation to a British Columbia corporation. We would
be subject to U.S. federal tax upon continuation to the extent that
the fair market value of our property exceeds the historic basis,
for U.S. tax purposes, in the property. After we become a Canadian
corporation, we will be subject to U.S. withholding tax on any
dividends paid by a U.S. corporation, as well as a 10% withholding
tax on interest we get from our investments in U.S. debt securities.
2
<PAGE> 6
Tax Consequences for Shareholders. The transfer will have different tax
consequences for U.S. and Canadian shareholders.
U.S. SHAREHOLDERS -- If you are a U.S. resident shareholder, you
would be subject to tax on any increase in share value over your
basis in the shares. "Basis" is essentially the amount you originally
paid for the shares plus certain other amounts, including any gain
you recognized on the shares when we transferred from British
Columbia to Wyoming. After we transfer back into British Columbia,
Canada will impose a 15% withholding tax on any dividends paid to
U.S. resident individual shareholders.
CANADIAN SHAREHOLDERS -- If you are a Canadian resident
shareholder, the tax consequences to you will be based on adjustments
that we will have to make to our own financial statements under
Canadian law. These adjustments, in turn, will affect the tax
treatment of any money we distribute to you. We haven't yet
determined the amount of these adjustments. However, based on
preliminary calculations, we think that you may see a reduction in
the amount of your share investment which can be returned to you on a
tax-free basis.
Please see "Tax Consequences of the Consolidation (Reverse Stock Split),"
at page 24, and "Tax Consequences of the Continuation," at page 29, for further
discussion about the tax consequences of these transactions.
No Dissenters Rights of Appraisal
Under both British Columbia and Wyoming corporate law, shareholders who
dissent from certain unusual corporate actions (such as mergers and major asset
sales) have the right to have the value of their shares appraised, and be paid
cash for them. However, you don't have these appraisal rights in connection with
any of the proposed transactions because the proposed transactions are not
considered to be unusual in the sense that shareholder protection, in the form
of appraisal rights, is needed.
Regulatory Approvals
We will have to comply with Wyoming and British Columbia regulatory
requirements in order to complete the transfer to British Columbia.
Under Wyoming law, we will have to:
- post a US$50,000 bond, or deposit that amount in an appropriate
Wyoming depository for six months;
- send our audited financial statements to the Wyoming Secretary of
State;
- publish a public notice in Wyoming about our transfer to British
Columbia; and
- pay a special toll charge to the Wyoming Secretary of State based on
our net asset value.
In British Columbia, we will have to file our new corporate governing
documents with the British Columbia Registrar of Companies. These will replace
our Wyoming corporate governing documents.
Our transfer to British Columbia would become effective when:
- the Wyoming Secretary of State issues a Certificate of Transfer
transferring us to British Columbia; and
- the British Columbia Registrar of Companies issues us a Certificate
of Continuance.
Disclosure Obligations (page 28)
Even if we transfer to British Columbia, we will still have to comply with
reporting requirements under United States securities law. However, these
requirements would be reduced because we would no longer be a U.S. company.
3
<PAGE> 7
Whether or not we transfer to British Columbia, we will remain subject to
British Columbia disclosure requirements including:
- publishing news releases;
- filing information about major changes for the Company;
- sending you quarterly and annual financial statements; and
- filing reports about trading in our shares by our officers, directors
and major shareholders.
Accounting Treatment
These transactions will have no effect on our financial statements, but
after our transfer to British Columbia, it is anticipated that we would return
to using Canadian "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" to prepare our
financial statements.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
As at April 15, 1999, we had 44,267,743 [UPDATE PRIOR TO MAILOUT TO
SHAREHOLDERS] outstanding shares of common stock. We do not have any other kind
of stock.
Your shares have the following rights and limitations:
- Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all
matters to be submitted to a vote of the shareholders.
- Holders of at least one half of the shares voting at a meeting,
whether in person or by proxy, at which a quorum is present, would
have to approve any proposal that would change shareholders' rights.
- Our shareholders do not have preemptive rights, so we may issue
additional shares that may reduce each shareholder's voting and
financial interest in our Company.
- Cumulative voting does not apply in the election of our directors, so
holders of a simple majority of the shares voted at a meeting at
which a quorum is present can elect all of the directors to be
elected at that meeting.
- If we were to liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs, holders of
common stock would share proportionally in our assets that remain
after payment of all of our debts and obligations.
- Our shareholders receive dividends only if declared by our Board of
Directors.
HISTORICAL PER SHARE INFORMATION (CANADIAN DOLLARS)
The following table sets forth certain historical earnings, dividend and
book value per share data for the Company.
The information is only a summary and you should read it along with the
following materials, which are included with our 1998 Annual Report on Form
10-K/A, which is at the end of this document: "Selected Financial Data" on page
A-23; our audited financial statements and notes, beginning on page F-1; and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" beginning on page
A-23.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Book Value per Share......................... $ 0.18 $ 0.48 $ 0.89 $ 0.35 $ 0.37
Net Income (Loss) per Share...................... $(0.30) $(0.13) $(0.14) $(0.20) $(0.10)
Cash Dividends per Share......................... 0 0 0 0 0
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE> 8
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Market Price Information
The common shares of the Company are listed and posted for trading on the
Vancouver Stock Exchange under the symbol "BMS," and are also traded from time
to time on the over-the-counter market in the United States. The following table
sets forth the VSE high and low closing bid prices in Canadian Dollars.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
----- -----
<S> <C> <C>
1997
First Quarter............................................... $1.15 $1.05
Second Quarter.............................................. 0.86 0.50
Third Quarter............................................... 0.46 0.30
Fourth Quarter.............................................. 0.33 0.27
1998
First Quarter............................................... 0.30 0.18
Second Quarter.............................................. 0.38 0.21
Third Quarter............................................... 0.29 0.19
Fourth Quarter.............................................. 0.22 0.19
1999
First Quarter............................................... 0.26 0.17
</TABLE>
On May 31, 1999, the closing price of our stock on the VSE was
[TO BE INSERTED].
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5
<PAGE> 9
RISK FACTORS
You should read the first two risk factors in deciding whether to approve
our reverse stock split and transfer back to British Columbia. You may also find
it helpful to read the subsequent risk factors so you understand more clearly
the risks of our investment in BII.
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus contains statements that plan for or
anticipate the future. Some of these statements constitute "forward-looking"
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 and other applicable laws or regulatory policies. Forward-looking
statements include statements about the future of the biometric identity
verification industry, statements about future business plans and strategies,
and most other statements that are not historical in nature. In this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, forward-looking statements are generally identified by the
words "anticipate," "plan," "believe," "expect," "estimate," and the like.
However, because forward-looking statements involve future risks and
uncertainties, there are factors, including those discussed below, that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. We
have attempted to identify the major factors that could cause differences
between actual and planned or expected results, but we may not have identified
all of such factors. You therefore shouldn't place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Also, we have no obligation to publicly update
forward-looking statements we make in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
RISKS OF APPROVING REVERSE STOCK SPLIT AND RETURN TO BRITISH COLUMBIA
DECLINE IN PRICE AFTER REVERSE STOCK SPLIT. Even though our shares may
begin trading at five times the pre-reverse-stock-split price, the stock price
may trend down afterwards. That could happen, for example, if the market is
skeptical that the 5-fold increase in trading price makes our company more
attractive to institutional investors.
DECREASED INTEREST OF U.S. CAPITAL MARKETS. Our return to British Columbia
could make us a less desirable investment opportunity for U.S. and other
investors. This is because the frequency and amount of reporting we will make to
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will decrease after we leave
Wyoming, as the requirements for non-U.S. companies registered with the SEC are
less demanding than those for U.S. companies.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INVESTMENT IN BII
INVESTMENT RISKS
RISK OF LOSS OF SOLE INVESTMENT IN ONE COMPANY. We are leaving the natural
resource industry sector in order to enter the technology industry. But we have
only identified one company, namely BII, in which to invest in the short term.
At this moment, our success depends entirely on the future of BII. In turn, your
investment in us is subject to that risk.
RISKS DUE TO OUR LACK OF CONTROL OF BII. Our investment in BII consists
only of its convertible debentures. Until we exercise our rights to convert
these debentures to common stock of BII, we will not have the voting and other
rights provided to the shareholders of BII through their shareholdings. We don't
have any control over the shareholders or the Board of Directors of BII, so we
will not be able to cause BII to take actions that we think make good business
or financial sense. In any case, our managers' business experience is largely in
the natural resource exploration and development industry, so we have to rely,
for now at least, on the business judgment of BII management.
RISK OF DEFAULT BY BII. Our BII convertible debentures are unsecured and
do not provide for regular payments of principal to us. If BII can't generate
enough cash to pay our principal and interest payments when due, it may default
on our debentures and we could be forced to begin collection efforts or lose all
of our investment.
6
<PAGE> 10
RISKS RELATING TO BII'S BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
DIFFICULTIES RAISING MONEY FOR DEVELOPING BUSINESSES. BII is a relatively
new business, incorporated in 1995, and our own business has recently completely
changed its direction. As new and growing businesses, both we and BII don't yet
generate profits from our operations to cover our day-to-day operating costs and
to make investments (such as buying expensive new equipment) that we need to
grow our businesses, so we need money from outside sources. In the past, both we
and BII have had to sell stock in our companies, and also borrow money, to meet
our large and ongoing needs for capital. If we can't continue to raise enough
money from these sources, neither we nor BII will be able to grow our
businesses. We have invested money in BII, but that won't be enough to keep BII
solvent. Further, if we can't provide more money to BII, and they have to sell
more stock to other people, our ownership interest in BII could be lessened.
MARKET MAY NOT DEVELOP FOR BIO-ID PRODUCTS. The market for BII's products
must grow for it to succeed. Its major products, namely biometric identity
verification ("Bio-ID") products and biometric imaging products, have not
experienced widespread commercial acceptance. In part, this is because Bio-ID
products are a new approach to identity verification and they have not been
widely used.
Factors that could affect whether BII can develop a large market for Bio-ID
products include:
- whether their cost, performance and reliability compare favorably to
competitive products;
- whether customers come to understand their benefits;
- whether the public will be "put off" by the intrusiveness of the
products and how companies collect and use fingerprint information;
NOTE: Some groups have objected to Bio-ID products on civil
liberties grounds, as an invasion of privacy, and legislation has
been proposed to regulate the use of Bio-ID products to prevent such
abuse.
- whether the public has confidence that companies will not abuse the
confidentiality of personal information created from using Bio-ID
products;
- whether institutional purchasers such as banks and retailers will
install the infrastructure in automatic teller machines and
point-of-sale equipment to use Bio-ID products;
- whether an international market can be developed for the products;
and
- whether BII successfully markets and promotes its products.
INTENSE COMPETITION. BII faces intense competition from other providers of
sophisticated biometric imaging systems, as well as from providers who use
traditional "low-tech" identification and security systems (e.g., key card,
surveillance systems and passwords). A number of start-up and established
companies are developing and marketing software and hardware for fingerprint
biometric security applications that could compete directly with BII's products.
It is possible that other identification technologies of which we and BII are
aware, such as semiconductor or optically-based direct contact fingerprint image
capture devices, or retinal blood vessel or iris pattern, hand geometry, voice
and facial structure identification techniques, could ultimately be more widely
adopted. This could reduce demand for BII's technology even if it were
demonstrably superior. For example, a well-financed company with a large
customer base and established distribution channels for its less sophisticated
products might marginalize BII's possibly superior products.
INABILITY TO KEEP UP WITH RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE. The markets for
Bio-ID products and biometric imaging systems rapidly change in response to
newer, more advanced products. Unless BII's products keep up with the demand for
sophisticated technology, they could become obsolete. Even if BII can keep pace
with technological change, it could fail to accurately predict the direction of
the market and develop technology that the market ultimately does not desire. Or
BII might develop desirable products but too slowly and be surpassed by a
competitor.
DEPENDENCE ON STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS FOR PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION. BII's
business plan depends on establishing strategic relationships with marketing
partners to distribute some of its products. These may
7
<PAGE> 11
include original equipment manufacturers (known as OEMs), systems integrators
and resellers. It may be difficult for BII to identify and establish
relationships it thinks will assure the successful marketing of its products.
Even if partners are identified, reaching agreement on terms can be a laborious
process. And once agreement is reached, it may permit the relationship to be
terminated with little notice, or disputes could arise as to interpretation.
It's also difficult to control the resources and effort that a partner will
devote to the marketing of BII's products.
RISKS OF PRODUCT DEFECTS AND FAILURE TO MEET PERFORMANCE CRITERIA. Despite
careful quality control in design and production, newly-introduced complex
products often have undetected defects (e.g., software "bugs") or they do not
initially meet customer performance specifications. Even if the defects are
ultimately corrected, BII could, for example, lose customers, be forced to
divert its employees and resources in order to work with the dissatisfied
customers, make refunds, cover breaches in product warranties, or conduct a
product recall. In addition, because BII's products are designed to improve
security, malfunction could compromise its customers. Examples of product
failure include: unauthorized persons gaining access to dangerous or sensitive
physical facilities, the alteration or theft of customer database information,
or fraudulent financial transactions. Such failures could result in loss of
customers or negative publicity. Even if defects are minor and readily
corrected, BII's efforts at correction could reduce or even eliminate profits
from sales. BII may not be able to maintain product liability insurance to
adequately cover such risks.
BII DOESN'T OWN, BUT ONLY HAS LICENSE RIGHTS TO, ITS BIO-ID
TECHNOLOGY. BII licenses its technology from Arete under an exclusive
world-wide license. Only after BII has paid US$1,250,000 of royalties will Arete
transfer ownership of the intellectual property outright to BII. Until then, BII
is dependent on Arete's maintaining its ownership and right to exploit the
technology. BII doesn't control Arete's efforts to protect its rights to these
technologies.
PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY MAY INFRINGE OR BE IMPOSSIBLE TO PROTECT. Subject
to its license from Arete, BII's competitive advantage will depend on assuring
that it owns and controls the right to exploit its technology as this will be
the source of its success. The customary means to protect proprietary rights in
technology are through patent, copyright, trade secret and contract law. Arete
holds, and BII expects eventually to hold, United States and foreign patents
covering certain of BII's products and technologies, and Arete has other patent
applications pending. Patent protection, however, does not eliminate all risks.
For example, the claimed inventions in Arete's patents may not be broad enough
to cover the technology contained in BII's products, or Arete or BII may have
their patent applications denied. Another person may challenge the validity of
the patents or claim they do not cover a similar invention which such person
intends to commercialize.
Also, patent protection as such does not assure that the patented
inventions provide competitive advantages. Others may independently develop
proprietary technologies and processes, which could be superior to those used by
BII, or BII could be accused of infringing on the patents of others. Patent
controversies cannot always be resolved, and if they are, the methods range
greatly in time, expense and predictability; they could include one or more of
private negotiations, litigation, license agreements, and proceedings before the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
BII also depends on its employees, consultants and other persons to keep
confidential BII's trade secrets and other proprietary information. If any of
these persons reveals this confidential information, BII could lose major
competitive advantages.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY TECHNOLOGY PERSONNEL. BII's competitive position depends
on its ability to find and keep employees who have special knowledge about
designing, manufacturing and marketing Bio-ID products. Its senior management
has many years of experience in the Bio-ID field. For example, Dr. Stephen
Lubard, founder and Chairman of BII, is an engineer with over 20 years of
experience in managing highly complex projects and developing software and
computer systems for solving complex image processing problems. Robert Kamm,
Chief Executive Officer, is an experienced technology entrepreneur and has
started two previous technology companies. Parker Eagerton, Vice President of
Operations, has considerable experience in the areas of devising cost effective
manufacturing strategies and assuring that products are engineered and
8
<PAGE> 12
designed with manufacturing in mind. It would be very difficult and
time-consuming for BII to locate personnel with the combination of skills and
attributes required to carry out its strategy.
BII also depends on its relationships with Arete. In addition to informal
relationships between them, BII and Arete have agreed that Arete will arrange
for some of its employees to provide engineering services for BII, in exchange
for payments from BII. Under this agreement, Arete will provide BII with the
equivalent of services of four full-time engineers, and Arete will use its best
efforts to supply additional engineering assistance as needed if they have the
engineers available. If Arete can't provide enough engineering assistance, BII
could lose access to technology that would enable it to compete in the
marketplace.
Our own development continues to depend on the efforts of key management
employees, notably Mr. McCleery, who has been crucial to our financing efforts.
The Company does not carry key man life insurance on Mr. McCleery, and does not
have a signed written employment agreement with him.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH Y2K ISSUES. The Year 2000 issue is a general term
used to refer to certain business implications of the arrival of the new
millennium. Best known is the possible inability of computer software to
recognize the year 2000 as a date. Unless the software is fixed, date-sensitive
systems may begin to fail prior to January 1, 2000. The results of failures may
range from relatively minor processing inaccuracies to catastrophic system
malfunctions. Failures may affect not only hardware and software used to process
everyday business information but also the imbedded computers that control plant
machinery, robotics, office equipment, elevators and building climate and
security systems.
We do not expect to experience significant Year 2000 issues, because we use
standard commercial programs and systems that are Year 2000 compliant. We are in
the process of contacting our main suppliers to make sure that they are also
Year 2000 compliant and we expect to complete our assessment of suppliers by the
third quarter of 1999.
We have asked BII to evaluate the products and services that it offers, as
well as its information technology infrastructure, to determine whether BII or
its customers may have exposure to Year 2000 problems, and to make inquiries of
its key suppliers, to determine their readiness with respect to Year 2000
problems.
LOW-PRICED STOCK ("PENNY STOCK"). Our common stock would be classified as
"penny stock" under United States securities laws. The laws relating to penny
stocks were amended in 1990 because of alleged abuses in the penny stock market.
The effect of the new laws is that the broker-dealers who sell penny stocks have
to meet burdensome requirements that might limit their willingness to deal in
those stocks. For example, a broker-dealer selling a penny stock must give the
customer written information about the market for penny stocks including a
discussion of how such stocks are traded, and the risks of the penny stock
market. This information must also describe the broker-dealer's duties to the
customer and let the customer know about his or her rights and remedies if the
broker-dealer violates these duties. In addition, the broker-dealer must provide
to a penny stock customer a written monthly account statement that lists the
customer's penny stock holdings and their estimated market values. If
broker-dealers find these requirements too burdensome and therefore are less
willing to deal in penny stocks, this might limit market activity for all penny
stocks, including the Company's common stock. This could limit your ability to
sell your stock when you want and at a satisfactory price.
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Company's management from the Company's
shareholders to be voted at the annual general meeting of the Company's
shareholders. Please see the Information Circular for the annual general
meeting, at page 14.
The annual general meeting will be held at the Company's principal office
located at Suite 1940 - 400 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,
on Friday, July 30, 1999, at 10:00 a.m. (local time in Vancouver, B.C.). At this
meeting, you will be asked to fix the number of directors at four, elect
directors, approve our appointment of independent auditors, authorize us to
grant incentive stock options, and also
9
<PAGE> 13
approve the reverse stock split, the continuation, the reduction of the
Company's authorized share capital, the adoption of new corporate governance
documents and the change in the Company's name.
The Company's management unanimously recommends that you elect the
Company's director nominees and that you vote "for" each of the other proposals
to be presented at the meeting.
If you wish to present a shareholder proposal at our annual general meeting
in 2000, your proposal must be received by January 31, 2000, in order to be
considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to
that meeting. Please direct your proposals to the Corporate Secretary, at the
address of the Company shown above.
VOTING SECURITIES; RECORD DATE (PAGE 15)
You are entitled to vote at the annual general meeting if you owned shares
of the Company's common stock as of the close of business on June 25, 1999, the
record date for the annual general meeting.
On the record date, there were outstanding 44,267,743 [UPDATE PRIOR TO
MAILOUT TO SHAREHOLDERS] shares of the Company's common stock, and no other
types of stock. You will have one vote for each share of the Company's common
stock you owned at the record date.
VOTES REQUIRED
The following percentages of favorable votes are required to approve the
proposals:
- At least a majority of shares voted at a meeting, whether in person
or by proxy, at which a quorum is present, must fix the number of
directors at four, elect each of the director nominees and approve
the appointment of the independent auditor, the granting of incentive
stock options, the reverse stock split, and the change in the
Company's name.
- At least two-thirds of the shares present at a meeting, whether in
person or by proxy, at which a quorum is present, must approve the
continuation and the reduction in the Company's authorized share
capital upon the continuation.
As at April 15, 1999, the Company's directors and officers together hold
8.1% [TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO MAILOUT TO SHAREHOLDERS] of the Company's
outstanding common stock.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES (PAGE 14)
The persons named in the accompanying proxy form are either an officer or
director of the Company. However, if you wish to appoint an alternate proxy, you
may appoint any person you choose, including someone who is not a shareholder of
the Company.
A PROXY WILL NOT BE VALID UNLESS THE COMPLETED, DATED AND SIGNED FORM OF
PROXY IS DELIVERED TO PACIFIC CORPORATE TRUST CORPORATION, SUITE 830, 625 HOWE
STREET, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA V6C 3B8 NOT LESS THAN 48 HOURS
(EXCLUDING SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS) BEFORE THE TIME FOR HOLDING THE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, OR IS DELIVERED TO THE CHAIR OF THE MEETING PRIOR TO THE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
If you provide your properly executed proxy before the annual general
meeting, and you do not revoke the proxy, your proxy will be voted in accordance
with the instructions indicated in your proxy. If you provide no voting
instructions, your proxy will be voted "for" the Company's director nominees and
"for" approval and adoption of the above proposals.
You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its use by signing a
revocation notice and delivering it to either (1) the Company's registered
office, at Suite 1100, 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada V6E 2E9 or (2) the Chair of the annual general meeting on the day of the
meeting or any adjournment of it and voting in person.
The Company will pay for all costs of this proxy solicitation.
10
<PAGE> 14
INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Upon its continuance to Wyoming in 1998, the Company retained its By-Laws
as then in effect. The Company's By-Laws provide that, subject to the provisions
of the British Columbia Company Act, the Directors may, with court approval,
cause the Company to indemnify a Director or former Director of the Company or a
director or former director of a corporation of which the Company is or was a
member, and the heirs and personal representatives of any such person, against
all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or
satisfy a judgment, actually and reasonably incurred by him, including an amount
paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment in a civil, criminal or
administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of
being or having been a Director of the Company or a director of such
corporation, including any action or proceeding brought by the Company or any
such corporation. Each Director of the Company on being elected or appointed
shall be deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the
foregoing indemnity.
The By-Laws also provide that, subject to the provisions of the British
Columbia Company Act, the Directors may cause the Company to indemnify any
officer, employee or agent of the Company or of a corporation of which the
Company is or was a member (notwithstanding that he is also a Director) and his
heirs and personal representatives against all costs, charges and expenses
whatsoever incurred by him and resulting from his actions as an officer,
employee or agent of the Company or of such corporation. In addition the Company
shall indemnify the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company (if he or
she shall not be a full time employee of the Company and notwithstanding that he
or she is also a Director) and his or her heirs and personal representatives
against all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever incurred by him or her and
arising out of the functions assigned to the Secretary by the British Columbia
Company Act or the Company's By-Laws. Each such Secretary and Assistant
Secretary on being appointed shall be deemed to have contracted with the Company
on the terms of the foregoing indemnity.
Relevant Wyoming statutory provisions are as follows:
Section 17-16-851 of the Wyoming Business Corporation Act ("WBCA") provides
that a corporation may indemnify an individual who is a party to a proceeding
because he is a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if, among
other factors: (i) he conducted himself in good faith; and (ii) he reasonably
believed that his conduct was in or at least not opposed to the corporation's
best interests; and (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification must
be authorized by directors, legal counsel or shareholders as provided in Section
17-16-855.
Unless ordered by a court under WBCA Section 17-16-854(a)(iii), a
corporation may not indemnify a director under Section 17-16-851: (i) in
connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, except for
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is
determined that the director has met the standard of conduct as set forth in the
preceding paragraph; or (ii) in connection with any proceeding with respect to
conduct for which he was adjudged liable on the basis that he received a
financial benefit to which he was not entitled.
Pursuant to Section 17-16-852 of the WBCA, a corporation is required to
indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in
the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party because he was a director
of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection
with the proceeding.
Pursuant to Section 17-16-853 of the WBCA, a corporation may, before final
disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse reasonable
expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding because he is a
director, if he delivers to the corporation: (i) a written affirmation of his
good
faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct described in WBCA Section
17-16-851; and (ii) his written undertaking to repay any funds advanced if he is
not entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 17-16-852 (above) and it
is determined that he has not met the standard of conduct described in WBCA
Section 17-16-851.
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<PAGE> 15
Section 17-16-854 of the WBCA provides for a director who is a party to a
proceeding because he is a director to apply for indemnification or an advance
for expenses to the court conducting the proceeding or another court of
competent jurisdiction. If the court determines that the director is entitled to
indemnification or advance for expenses, it may also order the corporation to
pay the director's reasonable expenses incurred in connection with obtaining
court-ordered indemnification or advance for expenses.
Section 17-16-856 of the WBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify and
advance expenses to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding
because he is an officer of the corporation: (i) to the same extent as a
director; and (ii) if he is an officer but not a director, to such further
extent as may be provided by the articles of incorporation, the by-laws, a
resolution of the board of directors or contract, except for: (A) liability in
connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than
for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding; or (B)
liability arising out of conduct that constitutes: receipt by him of a financial
benefit to which he is not entitled; an intentional infliction of harm on the
corporation or the shareholders; or (C) an intentional violation of criminal
law; and (iii) a corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to a
current or former officer, employee or agent who is not a director to the
extent, consistent with public policy, that may be provided by its articles of
incorporation, by-laws, general or specific action of its board of directors or
contract. An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled to
mandatory indemnification under Section 17-16-852 of the WBCA, and may apply to
a court under Section 17-16-854 of the WBCA for indemnification or an advance
for expenses, in each case to the same extent to which a director may be
entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under those provisions.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers or
persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
THE COMPANY
For further information about the Company, including:
- Description of business;
- Description of property;
- Legal proceedings;
- Financial Statements;
- Selected financial data; and
- Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results
of operations,
please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended
December 31, 1998, included at the end of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
1998 and 1997, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1998 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended
December 31, 1998, included at the end of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, have
been so included in reliance on the report of KPMG LLP, independent chartered
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The Company has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4,
including amendments thereto, (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act with respect to its Common Stock as
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<PAGE> 16
discussed herein. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto. For further information about the Company and its Common
Stock, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules filed as a part thereof. Statements contained in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document
referred to are not necessarily complete. In each instance, reference is made to
the copy of such contract or document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by such
reference.
The Company files annual, quarterly and special reports and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document filed by the
Company, including the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules
thereto, at the SEC's Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about
its Public Reference Room. These SEC filings are also available to the public at
the SEC's web site at "www.sec.gov."
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<PAGE> 17
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
SUITE 1940 - 400 BURRARD STREET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADA V6C 3A6
(all information as at [MAY 31], 1999 unless otherwise noted)
PERSONS MAKING THE SOLICITATION
THIS INFORMATION CIRCULAR IS FURNISHED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION
OF PROXIES BEING MADE BY THE MANAGEMENT OF BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP. (THE
"COMPANY") FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS
(THE "MEETING") TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1999 AT THE TIME AND PLACE AND
FOR THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THE ACCOMPANYING NOTICE OF MEETING. While it is
expected that the solicitation will be made primarily by mail, proxies may be
solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and employees of the
Company.
All costs of this solicitation will be borne by the Company.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
The individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy are directors or
officers of the Company. A SHAREHOLDER WISHING TO APPOINT SOME OTHER PERSON (WHO
NEED NOT BE A SHAREHOLDER) TO ATTEND AND ACT FOR THE SHAREHOLDER AND ON THE
SHAREHOLDER'S BEHALF AT THE MEETING HAS THE RIGHT TO DO SO, EITHER BY INSERTING
SUCH PERSON'S NAME IN THE BLANK SPACE PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF PROXY AND STRIKING
OUT THE TWO PRINTED NAMES, OR BY COMPLETING ANOTHER FORM OF PROXY. A Proxy will
not be valid unless the completed, dated and signed form of proxy is delivered
to Pacific Corporate Trust Company, of Suite 830 - 625 Howe Street, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada V6C 3B8 not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays) before the time for holding the Meeting, or is delivered
to the Chair of the Meeting prior to the commencement of the Meeting.
A shareholder who has given a Proxy may revoke it by an instrument in
writing executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder's attorney authorized
in writing or, if the shareholder is a corporation, by a duly authorized officer
or attorney of the corporation, and delivered to the registered office of the
Company, at Suite 1100, 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada V6E 2E9, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding
the day of the Meeting or any adjournment of it or to the Chair of the Meeting
on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment of it.
A revocation of a Proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been
taken prior to the revocation.
EXERCISE OF DISCRETION
If the instructions in a Proxy are certain, the shares represented thereby
will be voted on any poll by the persons named in the Proxy and, where a choice
with respect to any matter to be acted upon has been specified in the Proxy, the
shares represented thereby will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance
with the specifications so made.
WHERE NO CHOICE HAS BEEN SPECIFIED BY THE SHAREHOLDER, SUCH SHARES WILL BE
VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NOTES TO THE FORM OF PROXY.
The enclosed form of proxy, when properly completed and delivered and not
revoked, confers discretionary authority upon the persons appointed proxyholders
thereunder to vote with respect to any amendments or variations of matters
identified in the Notice of Meeting and with respect to other matters which may
properly come before the Meeting. At the time of the printing of this
Information Circular, the
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<PAGE> 18
management of the Company knows of no such amendment, variation or other matter
which may be presented to the Meeting.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
As at April 15, 1999, the Company has issued and outstanding 44,267,743
[UPDATE PRIOR TO MAILOUT TO SHAREHOLDERS] fully paid and non-assessable common
shares without par value, each share carrying the right to one vote. THE COMPANY
HAS NO OTHER CLASSES OF VOTING SECURITIES.
Any shareholder of record at the close of business on June 25, 1999 who
either personally attends the Meeting or who has completed and delivered a Proxy
in the manner, subject to the provisions described above, shall be entitled to
vote or to have such shareholder's shares voted at the Meeting.
To the knowledge of management of the Company as of April 15, 1999, no
person beneficially owns more than five percent (5%) of any class of the
Company's voting securities other than as set forth below. The following table
sets forth the total amount of any class of the Company's voting securities
owned by each of its executive officers and directors (which directors are also
the current director nominees), and by its executive officers and directors, as
a group, as of April 15, 1999. [UPDATE PRIOR TO MAILOUT TO SHAREHOLDERS]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL PERCENTAGE
NAME AND ADDRESS(1) OWNERSHIP(2) OF CLASS
------------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Patrick W. McCleery......................................... 6,185,958(3) 12.9%
Chester Idziszek............................................ 335,000(4) *
William A. Rand............................................. 2,148,450(5) 4.7%
Wayne Johnstone............................................. 479,700(6) 1.1%
Saundra J. Zimmer........................................... 95,000(7) *
All executive officers and directors as a group (5
persons).................................................. 9,244,108(2) 18.5%(2)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent.
(1) The address for each of these persons is Suite 1940, 400 Burrard Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3A6.
(2) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. In computing the number of shares owned
by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of Common
Stock subject to options and warrants held by that person that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 1999, are deemed
outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the
purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The
Company makes no representation that any of these options or warrants will
be exercised.
(3) Includes currently exercisable options and warrants, and options and
warrants exercisable within sixty days hereof to purchase an aggregate of
1,420,000 shares as to Mr. McCleery and 2,323,000 shares as to Mrs.
McCleery, with respect to which Mr. McCleery disclaims any beneficial
ownership. Also includes 1,283,000 shares beneficially owned by Mrs.
McCleery, with respect to which Mr. McCleery disclaims any beneficial
ownership. The Company makes no representation that any of these options or
warrants will be exercised.
(4) Includes currently exercisable options and options exercisable within sixty
days hereof to purchase an aggregate of 285,000 shares. The Company makes no
representation that any of these options will be exercised.
(5) Includes currently exercisable options and options exercisable within sixty
days hereof to purchase an aggregate of 285,000 shares. Also includes
901,950 shares and, in addition, warrants currently exercisable to purchase
961,500 shares, beneficially owned by Rand Edgar Capital Corp., a private
British Columbia company, which is owned by the wives of Mr. Rand and Brian
Edgar and of which Mr. Rand was a director, with respect to which Mr. Rand
disclaims any beneficial ownership. The Company makes no representation that
any of these options or warrants will be exercised.
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<PAGE> 19
(6) Includes currently exercisable options and warrants, and options and
warrants exercisable within sixty days hereof to purchase an aggregate of
291,050 shares. Also includes 10,000 shares owned by Mrs. Johnstone, with
respect to which Mr. Johnstone disclaims any beneficial ownership. The
Company makes no representation that any of these options or warrants will
be exercised.
(7) Includes currently exercisable options and options exercisable within sixty
days hereof to purchase an aggregate of 95,000 shares. Ms. Zimmer does not
own any shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Company makes no
representation that any of these options will be exercised.
To the knowledge of management of the Company, there are no arrangements
the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of
the Company.
DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Annual General
Meeting of Shareholders in 2000 must be received by January 31, 2000, in order
to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and form of
proxy relating to that Meeting. Shareholder proposals should be directed to the
Corporate Secretary, at the address of the Company, Suite 1940, 400 Burrard
Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3A6.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Set out below are particulars of compensation paid to the following persons
(the "Named Executive Officers"):
(a) the Company's chief executive officer;
(b) each of the Company's four most highly compensated executive officers
who were serving as executive officers at the end of the most recently
completed fiscal year and whose total salary and bonus exceeds US
$100,000 per year; and
(c) any additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been
provided under (b) but for the fact that the individual was not
serving as an executive officer of the Company at the end of the most
recently completed fiscal year.
As at December 31, 1998, the end of the most recently completed fiscal year
of the Company, the Company had one Named Executive Officer, Patrick W.
McCleery, the Chairman of the Board, President and a director of the Company.
SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION
The following table is a summary of compensation paid to the Named
Executive Officer for each of the Company's three most recently completed fiscal
years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==========================================================================================================================
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM COMPENSATION
------------------------------------------------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
-------------------------
RESTRICTED
SHARES
SECURITIES OR
FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL UNDER RESTRICTED
NAME AND YEAR COMPENSATION OPTIONS SHARE LTIP ALL OTHER
POSITION OF PRINCIPAL ENDING SALARY BONUS (CDN. $) GRANTED UNITS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PATRICK W. MCCLEERY 1998 0 0 $120,059 420,000 0 N/A 0
Chairman of the Board and 1997 0 0 $127,122 0 0 N/A 0
President 1996 0 0 $117,196 359,761 0 N/A 0
==========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE> 20
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS -- AWARDS IN MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED FISCAL YEAR
The Company has no long-term incentive plans in place and therefore there
were no awards made under any long-term incentive plan to the Named Executive
Officer during the Company's most recently completed fiscal year. A "Long-Term
Incentive Plan" is a plan under which awards are made based on performance over
a period longer than one fiscal year, other than a plan for options, SARs (stock
appreciation rights) or restricted share compensation.
OPTIONS/SARS GRANTED DURING THE MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED FISCAL YEAR
During the most recently completed fiscal year, the following incentive
stock options were granted to the Named Executive Officer. No SARs (stock
appreciation rights) were granted during this period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=======================================================================================================================
MARKET VALUE
OF SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL OPTIONS ON
UNDER EXERCISE OR OPTIONS THE DATE OF
OPTIONS BASE PRICE GRANTED TO GRANT (CDN$/
DATE OF GRANTED (CDN$/ EMPLOYEES IN SECURITY)
NAME GRANT (#) SECURITY) FISCAL YEAR (1) EXPIRATION DATE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PATRICK W. MCCLEERY 28/01/98 420,000 $0.23 23.5% $0.23 January 28, 2001
=======================================================================================================================
=======================================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
==========================================
POTENTIAL
REALIZABLE
VALUE AT
ASSUMED
ANNUAL RATES OF
STOCK PRICE
APPRECIATION FOR
OPTION TERM
NAME 5%($) 10%($)
<S> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------
PATRICK W. MCCLEERY $9,950 $20,286
===========================================
</TABLE>
(1) Calculated as the closing price of the Company's shares on the Vancouver
Stock Exchange on the date of the grant.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES DURING THE MOST RECENTLY
COMPLETED FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table sets out incentive stock options exercised by the Named
Executive Officer during the most recently completed fiscal year, as well as the
fiscal year end value of stock options held by the Named Executive Officer.
During this period, no outstanding SARs were held by the Named Executive
Officer.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================================================
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SECURITIES AGGREGATE UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
ACQUIRED ON VALUE FISCAL YEAR-END FISCAL YEAR-END ($)
EXERCISE REALIZED (CDN$) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/
NAME (#) (1) (#) UNEXERCISABLE (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PATRICK W. MCCLEERY 0 0 420,000/0 0/0
==============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Based on the difference between the option exercise price and the closing
market price of the Company's shares, on the date of exercise.
(2) In-the-Money Options are those where the market value of the underlying
securities as at the most recent fiscal year end exceeds the option exercise
price. The closing market price of the Company's shares as at December 31,
1998 (i.e., fiscal year end) was Cdn.$0.18.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, CHANGE IN RESPONSIBILITIES AND EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
There are no compensatory plans or arrangements with respect to the Named
Executive Officer resulting from the resignation, retirement or other
termination of employment or from a change of control of the Company. There are
no employment contracts between the Company and any of its officers. The Company
has no defined benefit or actuarial plans.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Compensation for the Named Executive Officer has already been disclosed
above. No cash compensation was paid to any other director of the Company for
the director's services as a director during the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998.
The Company has no standard arrangement pursuant to which directors are
compensated by the Company for their services in their capacity as directors
except for the granting from time to time of incentive stock options in
accordance with the policies of the Vancouver Stock Exchange. During the most
recently completed financial year, there were incentive stock options to
purchase a total of 665,000 common shares of
17
<PAGE> 21
the Company granted to directors, other than Mr. McCleery, by the Company, of
which 285,000 were granted to William Rand, 285,000 to Chester Idziszek, and
95,000 to Wayne Johnstone. These options are exercisable up to the close of
business on January 28, 2001.
All of the existing stock options are non-transferable and terminate on the
earlier of the expiry date or the 30th day following the day on which the
director, officer or employee, as the case may be, ceases to be either a
director, officer or employee of the Company. If a director is forced to resign
or is removed by special resolution, or if a senior officer or other employee is
fired for cause, his options expire on the day he is removed or fired, as the
case may be.
The existing options will be adjusted in the event of a share consolidation
or subdivision or other similar change to the Company's share capital.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 a total of $56,561 was paid
to Rand Edgar Investment Corp. and Wayne Johnstone for consulting fees. Rand
Edgar Investment Corp. is owned equally by William A. Rand, a director of the
Company, and Brian Edgar.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Company currently has no compensation committee, nor any committee that
performs the function of a compensation committee. None of the Company's
officers or directors serves on a compensation committee, or committee
performing similar functions, of any other entity. Directors generally
participate in compensation-related matters.
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company currently has no compensation committee, nor is any
compensation program in place for the executive officers of the Company.
Compensation paid to the Corporate Secretary is determined by the President
and is reviewed on an as-requested or needed basis. Compensation paid to the
President has been approved by the Board of Directors and is based upon factors
such as the number of years' experience in the investment community, contacts,
leadership ability and expertise in raising capital financing.
18
<PAGE> 22
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph below shows a comparison of the five-year cumulative total return
assuming $100 invested on December 31, 1993 in the Company's Common Stock and
the Vancouver Stock Exchange Index.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BIOMETRIC SECURITY VSE COMPOSITE PMT
------------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
12/30/1993 100 100
12/29/1994 150 72
12/31/1995 200 75
12/31/1996 293 112
12/31/1997 45 58
12/31/1998 28 37
</TABLE>
INTEREST OF INSIDERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Except as disclosed herein, since the commencement of the last completed
fiscal year, no insider of the Company, nominee for director, or any associate
or affiliate of an insider or nominee, had any material interest, direct or
indirect, in any transaction or any proposed transaction which has materially
affected or would materially affect the Company.
In June 1998, the Company agreed to acquire an interest in Biometric
Identification, Inc. ("BII"), a private California corporation. The BII
acquisition was arranged by Rand Edgar Capital Corp. ("RECC"), a private company
controlled by the spouses of Brian Edgar and William Rand. Mr. Rand is a
director of the Company. RECC originally entered into a memorandum of
understanding with BII and with Arete Associates, a private California company,
dated March 18, 1998, amended and replaced May 20, 1998 (collectively the
"MoA"). RECC assigned its interest in the MoA to the Company on May 21, 1998 in
exchange for a fee of US$145,000, plus reimbursement of its expenses. As of June
12, 1998, RECC had elected to take its fee in the form of 715,575 common shares
of the Company to be issued at a price of $0.30 per share. These shares were to
be issued in pro rata tranches in accordance with the tranche advances being
made by the Company to BII. These finders fee shares were actually issued in the
form of special warrants at a price of $0.30 per special warrant. Each special
warrant is exercisable without the payment of any additional consideration into
one common share of the Company. As at December 31, 1998, the Company had issued
250,450 shares to RECC under the terms of this agreement. Please see "Item 1 --
Business" in the Company's Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998,
included at the end of this document, for further information about this
acquisition.
During 1998, RECC loaned the Company a total of $250,000. The loan is
unsecured, non-interest bearing and was due on December 26, 1998. A total of
$99,225 of the loan was repaid on December 29, 1998, and the balance of the loan
of $150,775 was repaid subsequent to December 31, 1998. The Company also
allotted
19
<PAGE> 23
65,789 shares at a deemed price of $0.19 per share at December 31, 1998, as
allowed for under the rules of the Vancouver Stock Exchange, as consideration
for the loan.
Pursuant to a private placement completed on January 29, 1999, Messrs.
Patrick McCleery and Wayne Johnstone and RECC and Mrs. Wendy McCleery
participated in the offering of units at $0.15 per unit, where each unit
consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant
and each warrant was exercisable for a period of two years at a price of $0.15
in the first year and $0.17 in the second year. Mr. McCleery subscribed for
500,000 units, Mr. Johnstone for 96,050 units, Mrs. Wendy McCleery for 823,000
units and RECC for 661,500 units.
Pursuant to a private placement completed on April 15, 1999, Mr. Patrick
McCleery and Mrs. Wendy McCleery participated in an offering of units at $0.15
per unit, where each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable
share purchase warrant and each warrant was exercisable for a period of two
years at a price of $0.15 in the first year and $0.17 in the second year. Mr.
McCleery subscribed for 500,000 units and Mrs. Wendy McCleery for 500,000 units.
Pursuant to a private placement completed on May 15, 1998, Mrs. Wendy
McCleery, Mr. Wayne Johnstone and RECC participated in an offering of special
warrants at a price of $ 0.15 per special warrant, where each warrant was
exchangeable, at no additional cost, into one common share and one
non-transferable share purchase warrant that was exercisable for a period of two
years at a price of $0.15 in the first year and $0.17 in the second year. Mrs.
McCleery subscribed for 1,000,000 special warrants, RECC subscribed for 300,000
special warrants and Mr. Johnstone subscribed for 100,000 special warrants.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 a total of $56,561 was paid
to Rand Edgar Investment Corp. and Wayne Johnstone for consulting fees. Rand
Edgar Investment Corp. is owned equally by William A. Rand, a director of the
Company, and Brian Edgar.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Except as disclosed herein, no Person has any material interest, direct or
indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in matters
to be acted upon at the Meeting. For the purpose of this paragraph, "Person"
shall include each person: (a) who has been a director, senior officer or
insider of the Company at any time since the commencement of the Company's last
fiscal year; (b) who is a proposed nominee for election as a director of the
Company; or (c) who is an associate or affiliate of a person included in
subparagraphs (a) or (b).
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
Management of the Company is seeking shareholder approval of an ordinary
resolution fixing the number of directors of the Company at four for the ensuing
year.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The term of office of each of the present directors expires at the Meeting.
THE PERSONS NAMED BELOW WILL BE PRESENTED FOR ELECTION AT THE MEETING AS
MANAGEMENT'S NOMINEES. Management does not contemplate that any of these
nominees will be unable to serve as a director. Each director elected will hold
office until the next annual general meeting of the Company or until his or her
successor is elected or appointed, unless his or her office is earlier vacated
in accordance with the Articles of the Company or with the provisions of the
Wyoming Business Corporation Act.
The following table sets out the names of the nominees for election as
directors, the country in which each is ordinarily resident, all offices of the
Company now held by each of them, their principal occupations, the period of
time for which each has been a director of the Company, and the number of common
shares of the Company beneficially owned by each, directly or indirectly, or
over which control or direction is exercised, as at the date hereof.
20
<PAGE> 24
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON SHARES
HELD (DOES NOT
NAME, AGE, OCCUPATION(1), PRESENT POSITION(S) DATE(S) SERVED INCLUDE OPTIONS
RESIDENT COUNTRY WITH THE COMPANY AS A DIRECTOR OR WARRANTS)(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Patrick W. McCleery, 59(3) Chairman of the Board, Since February 5, 1979 2,442,958(5)
Business Executive President and Director
Canada
Chester Idziszek, 51 Director Since March 1, 1995 50,000
Business Executive
Canada
William A. Rand, 56(3) Director Since November 1, 1995 901,950(4)
Business Executive
Canada
Wayne Johnstone, 44(3) Director Since June 30, 1998 188,650
Chartered Accountant
Canada
</TABLE>
(1) Unless otherwise stated above, any nominee named above not elected at the
last annual general meeting has held the principal occupation or employment
indicated for at least five years.
(2) The information as to country of residence, principal occupation and number
of shares beneficially owned by the nominees (directly or indirectly or over
which control or direction is exercised) is not within the knowledge of the
management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees.
(3) Members of the Company's Audit Committee.
(4) These shares are held by Rand Edgar Capital Corp., a private British
Columbia company of which Mr. Rand had been a director, but is not a
shareholder.
(5) These shares are held by Mr. and Mrs. McCleery.
The employees and consultants forming the management team and the directors
of the Company and their resumes are described briefly below.
Patrick W. McCleery, Chairman, President and Director
Mr. McCleery is the Chairman, President and a Director of the Company and
is employed by the Company on a full time basis. Mr. McCleery devotes
approximately 100% of his time to the Company. Mr. McCleery has served the
Company as President since September 11, 1997, as Chairman since November 1,
1995 and as a Director since February, 1979. Mr. McCleery has been a director
and/or senior officer of several publicly listed junior resource issuers (these
companies included International All-North Resources Ltd. (formerly, All-North
Resources Ltd.) and Medsana Medical Systems Inc. (formerly, Northfork Ventures
Inc.)).
Chester Idziszek, Director
Mr. Idziszek is a Director of the Company. Mr. Idziszek devotes
approximately 10% of his time to the Company. Mr. Idziszek has served the
Company in this capacity since March 1, 1995. Mr. Idziszek is also the President
and CEO and a director of Adrian Resources Ltd., and a director of: Oromine
Explorations Ltd., Braddick Resources Ltd., Cross Lake Minerals Ltd., Fresco
Developments Ltd. and Norcan Resources Ltd. He is also President and a director
of Madison Enterprises Corporation, Buffalo Diamonds Ltd., Hyperion Resources
Corp. and Maracote International Resources Inc. (formerly, Cherry Lane Fashion
Group). He was a director of Arequipa Resources Ltd. between July 1993 and
August 1996. In addition, from 1990 to 1992, he was the Chief Executive Officer,
President and a Director of Prime Equities International Corporation. Mr.
Idziszek was also President of Prime Explorations Ltd. from 1987 to 1990. In
addition, he has been a director and/or officer of numerous other junior mining
and resource companies trading on the Vancouver Stock Exchange (these companies
include Image Data International, La Plata Gold Corporation, Barrier Technology,
Haddington Resources Ltd., Arlo Resources Ltd., Minamerica Corporation and
Waseco Resources Inc. Of these companies, Adrian Resources Ltd., Madison
Enterprises Corporation and Maracote International Resources Inc. each have a
class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Mr. Idziszek has a B.Sc. (Geology) degree from
University of Waterloo (1971) and an M.Sc. (Appl. Min. Expl.) degree from the
University of Waterloo.
21
<PAGE> 25
William A. Rand, Director
Mr. Rand is a Director of the Company. Mr. Rand devotes approximately 10%
of his time to the Company. Mr. Rand has served the Company in this capacity
since November 1, 1995. Mr. Rand is a Director of Rand Edgar Investment Corp.,
an investment firm in Vancouver, B.C. which provides advisory services to the
Company. Prior to that, Mr. Rand was a partner in a law firm and practiced
securities law. Mr. Rand currently sits on the board of a number of publicly
traded resource companies (these companies include Citation Resources Inc.,
Consolidated Team Resources Corp., Dome Ventures, Inc., Broadlands Resources
Corp., International Curator Resources Ltd., International Uranium Corp.,
Lexacal Investment Corp., Lundin Oil AB, Red Sea Oil Corporation, Santa Catalina
Mining Corp., South Atlantic Resources Corp., Tanganyika Oil Co. Ltd., and Tenke
Mining Corp.). Of the companies for which Mr. Rand is a director, Broadlands
Resources Ltd., International Curator Resources Ltd., International Uranium
Corp., Lundin Oil AB and Tenke Mining Corp. each have a class of securities
registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. Mr. Rand has considerable
expertise in organizing and managing emerging public mineral resource
exploration companies. Mr. Rand has a B.Comm. degree from McGill University
(1963), an LLB degree from Dalhousie University (1966) and an LLM degree from
the London School of Economics (1977).
Wayne Johnstone, Director
Mr. Johnstone is a Director of the Company. Mr. Johnstone devotes
approximately 70% of his time to the Company. Mr. Johnstone has served the
Company in this capacity since June 30, 1998 and was a Director of the Company's
predecessor, Sonoma Resource Corp., from August, 1989 to November, 1995. Mr.
Johnstone is a self-employed chartered accountant providing consulting and
accounting services to various publicly traded companies. Prior to that Mr.
Johnstone served as a senior accountant for Viceroy Resource Corp. and
controller of Baja Gold Inc. (a company which merged with Viceroy Resource
Corp.) from February, 1994 to December, 1996. Prior to that Mr. Johnstone served
as an accountant for Weston Mineral Services Ltd., a private British Columbia
company. Mr. Johnstone has a B.Comm. degree from The University of British
Columbia (1978).
Saundra Zimmer, Secretary
Ms. Zimmer is the Secretary of the Company and is employed by the Company
on essentially a full time basis. Ms. Zimmer devotes approximately 75% of her
time to the Company. Ms. Zimmer has served the Company as Secretary since June
21, 1995 and was previously Secretary of the Company from August 1989 and May
1993. Ms. Zimmer has been the Administrative Assistant of the Company since
August 1, 1995 and before that from 1986 and 1990. From 1990 to 1995, she was
the Administrative Assistant of Rich Coast Resources Ltd. She has been a
director of Alantra Venture Corp. since March 1998, and Corporate Secretary of
Kaieteur Resource Corporation since November 1, 1995.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR OFFICERS
During the last completed fiscal year, no director, executive officer,
senior officer or nominee for director of the Company or any of their associates
has been indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor has any of
these individuals been indebted to another entity which indebtedness is the
subject of a guarantee, support in agreement, letter of credit or other similar
arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF AUDITOR
Shareholders will be asked to approve the appointment of KPMG LLP,
Chartered Accountants, as the auditor of the Company to hold office until the
next annual general meeting of the shareholders at a remuneration to be fixed by
the directors. KPMG was first appointed auditor of the Company on June 12, 1984.
22
<PAGE> 26
SPECIAL BUSINESS
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS
Director, officer and employee stock options (commonly referred to as
incentive stock options) are a means of rewarding future services provided to
the Company and are not intended as a substitute for salaries or wages or as a
means of compensation for past services rendered.
Management proposes to present to the shareholders at the Meeting a
resolution to be approved by a majority (greater than 50%) of the shareholders
entitled to vote at the Meeting (an "Ordinary Resolution") to grant to the
directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company incentive stock
options to purchase common shares in the capital of the Company, including any
amendments thereto, for such periods, in such amounts and at such prices per
share as agreed upon and at the discretion of the board of directors in
accordance with the policies of all regulatory bodies and stock exchanges having
jurisdiction over the Company. It is a policy of the Vancouver Stock Exchange
that the approval of the shareholders be received prior to the exercise of the
incentive stock options granted to insiders of the Company.
For the form of Ordinary Resolution being proposed for the grant of
incentive stock options, see Appendix I attached to this Information Circular.
CONSOLIDATION (REVERSE STOCK SPLIT) OF SHARE CAPITAL
GENERAL
Management proposes to present to the shareholders at the Meeting an
Ordinary Resolution to consolidate its share capital as described below (the
"Consolidation" or "Reverse Stock Split"). Management would like the consent of
the shareholders to not proceed with the Consolidation in the event that the
Ordinary Resolution for the Consolidation is passed by the shareholders at the
Meeting and management subsequently concludes that it would not be in the best
interests of the Company to proceed with the Consolidation. The Ordinary
Resolution for the Consolidation, if approved by the shareholders, will
authorize the Company to consolidate the Company's issued share capital on the
basis of one new common share without par value (the "New Common Share") for
every existing five common shares without par value (the "Common Shares"). As
the Consolidation is only in respect of the Company's issued share capital, the
Consolidation will have no effect on the Company's authorized share capital.
If the Ordinary Resolution for the Consolidation is approved by the
shareholders, the principal effect of the Consolidation will be to decrease the
number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the effective date of
the Consolidation.
As at April 15, 1999, the total number of the issued and outstanding shares
of the Company is 44,267,743 [UPDATE PRIOR TO MAILOUT TO SHAREHOLDERS.] Since
there are currently 31,373,331 stock options and warrants outstanding, the total
issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the date the Consolidation is
effected may be different than the total as at the date of this Information
Circular. Upon the consolidation being effected, the issued and outstanding
share capital will decrease to a number one fifth (1/5) its number at the
effective date of the Consolidation. The shares of the Company subject to
outstanding options and warrants at the date of the approval of the
Consolidation will also be proportionately reduced.
As at March 15, 1999, the closing price of the common shares of the Company
trading on the Vancouver Stock Exchange was Cdn.$0.25 per share. Upon the
Consolidation being effected, it is expected the market will adjust the market
price of the shares. Theoretically, the share price should increase by five
times its price at the time of the Consolidation. However, experience shows
that, subsequent to a consolidation, the share price usually settles at some
price less than the consolidation multiple times the then current market price.
Management would also like the consent of the shareholders not to proceed
with the Consolidation in the event that the Ordinary Resolution for the
Consolidation is passed by the shareholders at the Meeting and management
subsequently concludes that it would not be in the best interests of the Company
to proceed with such matters.
23
<PAGE> 27
For the form of Ordinary Resolution being proposed for the Consolidation,
see Appendix I attached to this Information Circular.
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONSOLIDATION (REVERSE STOCK SPLIT)
The following is a summary of the United States federal income tax
consequences of the Reverse Stock Split based on current law, including the
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and is for
general information only. The tax treatment of a shareholder may vary depending
upon the particular facts and circumstances of such shareholder. Certain
shareholders, including insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial
institutions, broker-dealers, non-resident aliens, foreign corporations and
persons who do not hold common shares of the Company as a capital asset, may be
subject to special rules not discussed below.
THIS SUMMARY OF U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND
IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE
TO ANY HOLDER OR PROSPECTIVE HOLDER OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON SHARES. ACCORDINGLY,
HOLDERS AND PROSPECTIVE HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON SHARES SHOULD CONSULT
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONTINUATION.
The receipt of New Common Shares (excluding fractional shares) in the
Reverse Stock Split should be a non-taxable transaction under the Code for
federal income tax purposes. Consequently, a shareholder receiving New Common
Shares should not realize either gain or loss, or any other type of income, with
respect to the New Common Shares received as a result of the Reverse Stock
Split. In addition, the aggregate tax basis of such shareholder's Common Shares
prior to the Reverse Stock Split will carry over in computing the tax basis of
the shareholder's New Common Shares. Each shareholder will be required to
allocate his basis in his Common Shares ratably among the aggregate of (i) total
number of New Common Shares owned following the Reverse Stock Split and (ii) any
fractional share.
CONTINUANCE INTO BRITISH COLUMBIA
INTRODUCTION
The Company was incorporated on January 16, 1979 under the British Columbia
Company Act, ("BCCA") under the name North American Power Petroleums Inc. On
September 18, 1985 the Company changed its name to International North American
Resources Inc. and subsequently changed its name to Sonoma Resource Corp. on
January 5, 1990. Effective as of November 10, 1998, the Company was continued
into the State of Wyoming, U.S.A. and changed its name to Biometric Security
Corp. and the Company's Memorandum was replaced with Wyoming Articles of
Continuance. Effective as of November 12, 1998, the Company increased its
authorized capital to an unlimited number of common shares.
Management is proposing that the Company be transferred out of the State of
Wyoming into British Columbia (the "Continuation" or the "Transfer"), the result
of which will be that the Company will cease to be a Wyoming corporation
governed by the provisions of the Wyoming Business Corporation Act ("WBCA") and
will become a British Columbia company governed by the provisions of the BCCA.
The Continuation is subject to regulatory approval.
To effect the Transfer under Wyoming law, the Company's shareholders must
adopt by a resolution to be approved by two thirds (2/3) or more of the
shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting (a "Special Resolution") the
proposal for the Transfer. In addition, the Company must post a US$50,000 surety
bond or deposit of such amount in an appropriate Wyoming depository for six
months, furnish the Wyoming Secretary of State with audited financial statements
certified by an independent certified public accountant with an office located
in the United States, publish a public notice in Wyoming as to the proposed
Transfer to British Columbia for the protection of creditors and minority
stockholders, and pay a special toll charge to the Wyoming Secretary of State of
an amount based on the net value of the Company's assets.
To effect the Continuation under the laws in British Columbia, the Company
will file an instrument of continuation (the "Instrument of Continuation") with
the British Columbia Registrar of Companies. The Instrument of Continuation
includes the Memorandum and Articles which will become the Company's new charter
documents, the equivalent of which under Wyoming law are Articles and By-Laws,
respectively. The
24
<PAGE> 28
Transfer will be effective on the date of the issuance by the Wyoming Secretary
of State of a certificate of transfer transferring the Company to British
Columbia and the issuance by the British Columbia Registrar of Companies a
Certificate of Continuance. It is proposed that the effective date of the
Continuation will be on or about August 3, 1999.
Management would also like the consent of the shareholders not to proceed
with the Continuation in the event that the Special Resolution for the
Continuation is passed by the shareholders at the Meeting and management
subsequently concludes that it would not be in the best interests of the Company
to proceed with such matters.
For the form of Special Resolution being proposed for the Continuation, see
Appendix I attached to this Information Circular.
A copy of the Instrument of Continuation, which includes a copy of the
proposed new British Columbia Memorandum and Articles, may be reviewed at the
offices of the Company's solicitors, Catalyst Corporate Finance Lawyers, 1100 -
1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2E9 at any time
during normal business hours. A copy may also be obtained from the Company upon
request.
The Continuation will not result in any change of the business of the
Company or its assets, liabilities, net worth or management, nor will the
Continuation impair the rights of any creditors of the Company. A particular
shareholder's holdings will not change. The Continuation is not, in itself, a
reorganization, amalgamation or merger.
The purpose of the Company's proposal to transfer its domicile of
incorporation from Wyoming, U.S.A. to British Columbia, Canada is to enable the
Company to have its affairs governed by the law of the jurisdiction in which its
principal trading market is located. This will provide the Company with greater
ease in securing financing for the Company in respect of, among other things,
the Company's acquisition of Biometric Identification, Inc. ("BII") which was
approved by the Company's shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting
held on June 30, 1998 (the "1998 AGM").
As previously disclosed, the Company has entered into an agreement (the
"BII Agreement") to acquire up to US$5,000,000 of convertible debentures to be
issued by BII, a private California corporation. If all of the convertible
debentures are purchased and all rights of conversion are exercised, the Company
will ultimately hold 45% of the issued shares of the common stock of BII. For
particulars of the BII Agreement and the Company's acquisition of BII, please
refer to the Company's Information Circular and Addendum to the Information
Circular in respect of the 1998 AGM, a copy of which is available upon request
at the Company's head office.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE BCCA AND THE WBCA
On the completion of the Continuation, the Company will be a British
Columbia corporation subject to the provisions of the BCCA. The following is a
discussion of the material provisions of the BCCA, as well as a discussion of
the material provisions of the Company's new British Columbia Articles. This
discussion includes, where relevant, a summary of certain differences between
the BCCA and the WBCA. However, the following summary is not intended to be
exhaustive and its focus is primarily upon shareholder rights and safeguards.
NOTHING THAT FOLLOWS SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR
SHAREHOLDER OF THE COMPANY AND SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN LEGAL
ADVISORS RESPECTING ALL OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE CONTINUATION.
THE CONSTATING DOCUMENTS
The constating documents are the constitution of a company which set out
the corporate governance procedures for the management of a company's affairs.
Under the WBCA, a Wyoming corporation is required to have constating documents
made up of Articles and By-Laws. Under the BCCA, a British Columbia corporation
is required to have constating documents made up of a Memorandum and Articles.
The Company's existing Articles set forth the Company's name and authorized
share capital and will be replaced by the Company's new Memorandum. The new
Articles adopted upon Continuation will prescribe the
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corporate governance procedures such as how directors' and shareholders'
meetings are held, how the books and records must be maintained, how the Company
must conduct its corporate affairs, etc.
AMENDMENTS TO CONSTATING DOCUMENTS
Both the BCCA and the WBCA require shareholders to approve substantive
changes to the constating documents of a corporation. However, the requisite
majority of votes necessary to approve substantive changes to the constating
documents under the BCCA is 75% (3/4) of the votes cast whereas under the WBCA a
simple majority (greater than 50%) of shareholders entitled to vote on the
proposed resolution is required. In the case of certain fundamental changes,
such as the alteration of special rights and restrictions attached to issued
shares or a proposed amalgamation or continuation to another jurisdiction, a
resolution similarly approved by each class of shares is also required.
SHARE CAPITAL
Upon the completion of the Continuation and the adoption of the proposed
new Memorandum and Articles, the authorized share capital of the Company will
consist of one hundred million (100,000,000) common shares without par value.
The Company will continue to have only one kind and class of shares and there
will be no changes to the current rights or restrictions attached to these
shares. All of the current issued and outstanding common shares of the Company
will be retained without any further action by the shareholders.
All of the common shares of the Company will rank equally as to voting
rights, participation in a distribution of the assets of the Company on a
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and the entitlement to
dividends. The holders of the common shares will be entitled to receive notice
of all meetings of shareholders and to attend and vote the shares at the
meetings. Each common share continues to carry with it the right to one vote.
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company
or other distribution of its assets, the holders of the common shares will be
entitled to receive, on a pro rata basis, all of the assets remaining after the
Company has paid out its liabilities. Distribution in the form of dividends, if
any, will be set by the board of directors.
Provision as to the modification, amendment or variation of the rights
attached to the common shares of the Company will be contained in the Company's
new Articles and the BCCA. Generally speaking, substantive changes to the share
capital require the approval of the shareholders by a resolution adopted by at
least 75% of the votes cast.
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS
Under the BCCA and the proposed new Articles of the Company, the directors
of the Company will be elected by the shareholders at each annual general
meeting and typically hold office until the next annual general meeting at which
time they may be re-elected or replaced. The new Articles will permit the
directors to appoint directors to fill any vacancies that may occur on the
board. The Articles will also permit the directors to add additional directors
to the board between successive annual general meetings so long as the number
appointed does not exceed more than 30% of the number of directors appointed at
the last annual general meeting. Individuals appointed as directors to fill
vacancies on the board or added as additional directors hold office like any
other director until the next annual general meeting at which time they may be
re-elected or replaced. A director may be removed between annual meetings by way
of a resolution adopted by at least 75% of the votes cast at a meeting of the
shareholders called for that purpose.
MANAGEMENT
The board of directors are responsible for the overall management of the
Company. However, they are permitted to delegate much of their responsibility to
the officers and employees of the Company and to committees formed by the board.
Under the BCCA, the Company must have, at a minimum, a President and a Secretary
who must not be the same individual. As a "reporting issuer" in British
Columbia, the Company will continue to be required to have an audit committee.
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The directors and senior officers are required, under the BCCA, to act
honestly, in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Company.
The directors have a fiduciary responsibility to the Company and they are
required to disclose conflicts of interests.
RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
In addition to the voting, dividend and liquidation rights attached to the
common shares as described under "Share Capital" above, the BCCA affords
shareholders certain rights such as the right to requisition a shareholders'
meeting, bring an oppression action or cause a derivative action to be brought
on behalf of a corporation, as well as certain rights to review the minute books
of a corporation.
The WBCA provides that a shareholder or a director may commence or defend a
legal action on behalf of a corporation (a derivative action) to enforce a
right, duty or obligation owed to a corporation by another party or to obtain
damages for any breach of that right, duty or obligation. A shareholder is
entitled to commence a derivative action if:
(a) The shareholder was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of
the act or omission complained of, or became a shareholder through
transfer by operation of law from one who was a shareholder at the
time; and
(b) The shareholder fairly and adequately represents the interests of the
corporation in enforcing the rights of the corporation.
Court approval is also required to discontinue, settle or dismiss any
action brought under any of these provisions.
Under the BCCA, a shareholder or a director may, with court approval,
commence a legal action on behalf of a corporation (a derivative action). Such
an action may be brought by a shareholder or a director to enforce a right, duty
or obligation owed to the corporation by another party or to obtain damages for
any breach of that right, duty or obligation.
The BCCA also provides a shareholder of a corporation has the right to
apply to Court on the grounds that the corporation is acting or proposes to act
in a way that is prejudicial to the shareholder (an oppression action). On such
an application, the Court may make such order as it sees fit, including an order
to prohibit any act proposed by the corporation. The WBCA does not contain a
comparable provision.
Under the BCCA, a shareholder or director of a corporation may also defend
any action brought against the corporation, provided court approval is obtained.
Court approval is also required to discontinue, settle or dismiss any action
brought under any of these provisions.
DISSENT RIGHTS UNDER THE WBCA
The WBCA provides that shareholders are entitled to dissent in respect of
certain actions proposed to be taken by a Wyoming corporation.
The WBCA provides that a shareholder is entitled to dissent from any of the
following corporate actions:
(a) consummation of a plan of merger or consolidation to which the
corporation is a party if:
(i) shareholder approval is required for the merger or the
consolidation by the WBCA or the articles of incorporation and the
shareholder is entitled to vote on the merger or consolidation; or
(ii) the corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent
under the WBCA;
(b) consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a
party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired, if the
shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan;
(c) consummation of a sale or exchange of all, or substantially all, of
the property of the corporation other than in the usual and regular
course of business, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale
or exchange, including a sale in dissolution, but not including a sale
pursuant to court order or a
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sale for cash pursuant to a plan by which all or substantially all of
the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed to the shareholders
within one year after the date of sale;
(d) an amendment of the articles of the corporation that materially and
adversely affects rights in respect of a dissenter's shares because
it:
(i) alters or abolishes a preferential right of the shares;
(ii) creates, alters or abolishes a right in respect of redemption,
including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the redemption
or repurchase, of the shares;
(iii) alters or abolishes a pre-emptive right of the holder of the
shares to acquire shares or other securities;
(iv) excludes or limits the right of the shares to vote on any matter,
or to cumulate votes, other than a limitation by dilution through
issuance of shares or other securities with similar voting rights;
or
(v) reduces the number of shares owned by the shareholder to a fraction
of a share if the fractional share so created is to be acquired for
cash under the WBCA; and
(e) any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote to the
extent the articles of incorporation, by-laws, or a resolution of the
board of directors, provides that voting or non-voting shareholders
are entitled to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.
A shareholder who exercises a right of dissent is entitled to be paid the
fair value of his or her shares as determined by agreement of the parties or
failing which, by order of the court.
DISSENT RIGHTS UNDER THE BCCA
The BCCA provides that shareholders are entitled to dissent in respect of
certain actions proposed to be taken by a B.C. corporation, if the corporation
proposes to:
(a) amend its articles to add, change or remove any provisions restricting
or constraining the issue, transfer or ownership of shares;
(b) amend its articles to add, change or remove any restrictions on the
business the corporation may carry on;
(c) amalgamate with another corporation other than its holding corporation
or wholly-owned subsidiary;
(d) continue out of the jurisdiction of the BCCA;
(e) sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property;
(f) offer financial assistance for the purpose of purchasing shares or
convertible debt obligations of the corporation or on the security of
a pledge of or charge on shares of the corporation given by that
person to the corporation, or in any other case, unless there are
reasonable grounds for believing that, or the directors are of the
opinion that, the giving of financial assistance is in the best
interests of the corporation;
(g) convert from a specially limited corporation (as defined in s. 243 of
the BCCA); and
(h) transfer or sell the whole or part of its business or property to
another corporation when it is being wound-up and for the transfer or
sale, the members of the corporation being wound-up receive shares,
debentures or other title interests from the other corporation.
A shareholder may exercise a right of dissent and is entitled to be paid
the fair value of the shareholder's shares as determined by agreement of the
parties or failing which, by order of the court.
DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS
Notwithstanding the Continuation, the Company will remain a "reporting
issuer" in British Columbia and as such it will continue to be obliged to
prepare and issue news releases in British Columbia, file material change
reports with the British Columbia Securities Commission ("BCSC"), prepare, file
and provide to shareholders unaudited quarterly and audited annual financial
statements, and otherwise comply with the
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British Columbia Securities Act. The Company's insiders (existing and future)
will continue to be subject to the insider trading and reporting requirements of
the British Columbia Securities Act.
Following the Continuation, the Company, while it continues to qualify as
"foreign private issuer", as such term is defined under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (U.S.) (the "Exchange Act"), will remain a "reporting issuer" in the
United States subject to the requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, it
will file an annual report on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission within six months after the close of each fiscal year and will report
on Form 6-K as to certain events material to the Company, as specified in the
regulations under the Exchange Act, promptly after public announcement of any
such event is made. Following the Continuation, the Company will no longer be
subject to the Exchange Act requirements imposed on "U.S. reporting issuers"
such as quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, annual reports on Form 10-K, and
compliance with the proxy solicitation and insider trading reporting rules.
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONTINUATION
UNITED STATES INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONTINUATION
The following is a general summary of certain United States federal income
tax consequences, under current law, generally applicable to a U.S. Holder (as
defined below) of the Company's common shares with respect to the Continuation.
(Please refer to "Canadian Income Tax Consequences of Continuation" below for a
discussion of certain Canadian income tax consequences.) This summary does not
address all potentially relevant United States federal income tax matters and
does not take into account or anticipate any state, local or foreign tax
considerations.
The following summary is based upon the sections of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Regulations, published Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS
and court decisions that are currently applicable, any or all of which could be
materially and adversely changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time.
This commentary is generally applicable to a holder of the Company's common
shares who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident individual, a U.S. domestic
corporation or partnership, or a U.S. trust or estate ("U.S. Holders"). This
summary does not address the tax consequences to persons subject to specific
provisions of United States federal income tax law. This summary is applicable
to shareholders of the Company who hold their shares in the Company as capital
property and who deal at arm's length with the Company.
THIS SUMMARY OF U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND
IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE
TO ANY HOLDER OR PROSPECTIVE HOLDER OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON SHARES. ACCORDINGLY,
HOLDERS AND PROSPECTIVE HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON SHARES SHOULD CONSULT
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONTINUATION.
Discussion
A. Consequences to the Company
General
The Company's continuance to Canada and its discontinuance from the United
States would be treated, for tax purposes only, as a transfer by the Company of
all of its property to a fictional, newly incorporated wholly-owned subsidiary
("BCco") in exchange for BCco shares. This exchange would be deemed to be
followed immediately by the distribution of BCco shares to the shareholders of
the Company and an exchange, by the shareholders, of their shares of the Company
for BCco shares. The final result would be that BCco would have all the assets
and liabilities of the Company and the same shareholders as the Company but
would, for U.S. tax purposes, be a Canadian corporation rather than a U.S.
corporation.
Deemed Transfer of Assets to BCco
Generally, the exchange of property by a corporation solely for stock or
securities in another corporation (BCco) would not require the recognition of
gain or loss to the exchanging corporation, pursuant to the Code.
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However, the Code renders the exchange of assets of the Company for the shares
of BCco taxable in the U.S. because BCco is a foreign corporation. As a result,
the Company would be taxable on the disposition of its property to the extent
that the fair market value of such property exceeds the historic basis, for U.S.
tax purposes, in such property.
There are no exceptions from the U.S. emigration tax which apply to a U.S.
corporation emigrating from the United States. Consequently, the Company would
be taxable in the U.S. on its emigration to the extent that the fair market
value of its property exceeds its basis, for U.S. tax purposes, in the property.
The Company would pay tax on the amount of any gain at regular U.S. corporate
tax rates.
Dividend and Interest Withholding Tax
After the Company emigrates from the United States and becomes a Canadian
corporation it would be subject to a U.S. withholding tax on any dividends paid
by another U.S. corporation. The withholding tax of 15% is reduced to 5% if the
Company holds 10% or more of the voting shares of the corporation paying the
dividend. In addition, a 10% U.S. withholding tax would apply to interest
received from the Company's investments in U.S. debentures.
U.S. State Tax
The Company has not researched the U.S. state tax consequences of the
emigration of the Company to Canada.
B. Consequences to Shareholders
U.S. Resident Shareholders
The deemed distribution of BCco stock in exchange for the shares of the
Company discussed above would be a taxable disposition of the shares of the
Company formerly held by the U.S. resident shareholders. The gain to the U.S.
resident shareholders from the deemed disposition of the shares of the Company
would be equal to the fair market value of BCco shares received over the basis
of the shares of the Company disposed. The fair market value of BCco shares
should equal the fair market value of the Company's property transferred to
BCco, net of liabilities. To the extent that this fair market value amount
exceeds the U.S. shareholders' basis in the shares of the Company, a capital
gain would result. The U.S. shareholders' basis in the shares of the Company
would have been increased by any gain recognized on the earlier immigration of
the Company to the United States from Canada. Any capital gain on the shares of
the Company would be taxable to the U.S. resident individual shareholders at
personal capital gains tax rates (20% tax rate for shares held longer than 12
months). U.S. corporate shareholders would be taxable in the U.S. at regular
U.S. corporate tax rates.
Dividend Withholding Tax
After the Company emigrates from the United States, any dividends paid to
U.S. resident individual shareholders would be subject to 15% Canadian
withholding tax.
Canadian Resident Shareholders
Under the 1980 Canada-U.S. Income Tax Convention ("the Treaty") and the
Code, the Canadian resident shareholders would only be taxable in the U.S. on
the disposition of the shares of the Company if the Company was a "U.S. real
property interest" for U.S. tax purposes. In general, a U.S. real property
interest is a private corporation, 50% of whose value is derived from U.S. real
property. As 50% or more of the Company's value is not derived from U.S. real
property and the Company is a public corporation, the Canadian resident
shareholders would not be subject to U.S. tax on the emigration of the Company
to Canada.
CANADIAN INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF CONTINUATION
This commentary will serve to summarize the Canadian income tax
consequences, for both shareholders and the Company, of the Continuation.
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This summary is based on the current provisions of the Canadian Income Tax
Act (the "Act") the regulations to the Act and any proposed amendments to the
Act publicly announced before the date of this Information Circular. It is
assumed that any proposed amendments will be enacted in their present form and
that no other relevant amendments will come into force. However, there can be no
certainty in this regard.
The summary does not take into account or anticipate any other changes in
law, whether by judicial, governmental or legislative decision or action, nor
does it take into account the tax legislation of any province, state or other
local jurisdiction. Tax law and regulations, the judicial interpretation of them
and the administrative practices of tax authorities are constantly changing. No
assurances can be provided that any of the foregoing will not be changed in a
manner that will fundamentally alter the tax consequences to the Company or to
any particular shareholder.
The tax summary is generally applicable to shareholders of the Company who
are individuals (except where expressly noted otherwise), who hold their shares
in the Company as capital property and who deal at arm's length with the
Company. This summary generally does not address the tax consequences of
entities subject to specific provisions of Canadian income tax law.
NO ADVANCE TAX RULING OR INTERPRETATION HAS BEEN SOUGHT FROM ANY TAX
AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS DISCUSSED HEREIN.
THIS SUMMARY IS OF A GENERAL NATURE ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE
ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR SHAREHOLDER. EACH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD SEEK INDEPENDENT
ADVICE BASED UPON THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF THAT SHAREHOLDER.
Summary
Several rules in Canadian tax legislation affecting corporations
immigrating to Canada are in the process of being changed. Several of these
changes will affect the Company and the effect of the proposed rules has been
incorporated in the discussion below as if they had the effect of law.
The Act requires a corporation to have a deemed year end immediately prior
to immigrating to Canada and a new year beginning immediately thereafter.
Therefore, the Company will have a deemed year end immediately before
immigrating and a new taxation period beginning immediately thereafter. The
Company will be able to choose any year end it desires as long as the year does
not exceed 53 weeks.
The Act requires that at the deemed year end noted above, the immigrating
company is deemed to dispose of all its property at fair market value on the day
of the immigration. The Company will be deemed to have disposed of all its
assets at the fair value at the day of immigration; however, management expects
that the Company will not be subject to significant gains as the cost amount of
its assets, namely the convertible debentures in BII, will have a fair value
close to its cost amount. If it is determined that a gain exists, the gain will
not be taxable in Canada except in certain circumstances. These circumstances
include the disposition of taxable Canadian property and assets used in a
business in Canada. Based on a review of the Company's balance sheet as at
September 30, 1998 it does not appear that the Company owns any assets that
would fall into these circumstances.
The Act states that a corporation is deemed to reacquire, at fair market
value, the assets deemed disposed as noted above. Therefore, the Company will
reacquire, at fair market value, all its assets owned at the date of
immigration. The cost amounts of these assets to the Company will equal the fair
market value at the date of immigration.
The Company is not currently a foreign affiliate of any resident of Canada
(i.e., no shareholder owns, either individually or as part of a related group,
10% or more of the shares of the Company). Based on this, the rules in the Act
relating to foreign affiliates will not apply to the Company.
Paid-up Capital
On immigrating to Canada, the Act requires that the paid-up capital ("PUC")
of a corporation be reviewed in order to determine whether or not it will need
to be adjusted for income tax purposes. The adjustment is required when there is
a difference between the PUC otherwise calculated and the net of the
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assets and liabilities of the company. The adjustment is calculated by taking
the deemed fair market value on the deemed disposition noted above less all the
debts owing by the corporation (the "Net Book Value") and subtracting from the
Net Book Value the PUC otherwise determined. When this amount is negative,
indicating that the Net Book Value is less than the PUC otherwise calculated,
the Act requires that the PUC otherwise calculated be reduced by the negative
amount. This will reduce the amount of capital that an immigrating company can
return tax-free to its shareholders.
If the calculated amount is positive, indicating that the Net Book Value
exceeds the PUC otherwise calculated, the Act allows a corporation to elect to
increase the PUC by the positive amount. Where a corporation chooses to increase
the PUC of the corporation, it must do so by notifying the Minister of its
intentions by electing within 90 days of immigrating. Where a corporation makes
this election, the shareholders of a corporation will be deemed to have received
a dividend equal to the positive amount. Depending on the particular taxpayer,
this deemed dividend may be taxable in Canada.
In the Company's case, a preliminary review of the balance sheet as at
September 30, 1998 would indicate that the Net Book Value minus the PUC
otherwise calculated would result in a negative adjustment of approximately
Cdn.$10 million. This would have the effect of reducing the PUC of the Company
from approximately Cdn.$12 million to Cdn.$2 million, thereby reducing the
amount of capital that can be returned to the shareholders on a tax-free basis
by approximately Cdn.$10 million. In order to determine the actual adjustment
required, it will be necessary to review financial information at the date of
immigration. A review by legal counsel of the PUC otherwise calculated may also
be required.
Continued Corporation
The Act states that where a corporation has incorporated in one
jurisdiction (the "Old Jurisdiction") and has been granted articles of
continuance in another jurisdiction (the "New Jurisdiction") the corporation
shall be deemed to have been incorporated in the New Jurisdiction and not have
been incorporated in the Old Jurisdiction. This rule allows foreign companies
that have been granted articles of continuance into Canada the ability to access
certain tax-free rollovers, wind-ups and amalgamations afforded to residents of
Canada. This provision will deem the Company to be incorporated in Canada and
not in Wyoming for the purposes of the Act. Consequently, the Company will, for
tax purposes, qualify as a Canadian corporation. However, the Company may not
need to rely on this provision as it was incorporated in Canada prior to
acquiring articles of continuance to Wyoming. The Company may be in the position
where its incorporation in Canada deems it to be a resident in any event.
CHANGE OF AUTHORIZED CAPITAL
The WBCA permits Wyoming corporations to have an authorized share capital
consisting of an unlimited number of shares. The BCCA requires a corporation to
have a stated authorized share capital. Therefore, in the context of effecting
the Continuation, management is also asking the shareholders to approve the
change in its authorized capital to one hundred million (100,000,000) common
shares without par value. To effect this change, the Special Resolution being
proposed for the Continuation incorporates the proposal for the change in the
Company's authorized share capital.
Management would also like the consent of the shareholders to not proceed
with the change in the authorized share capital in the event that the Special
Resolution for the Continuation is passed by the shareholders at the Meeting and
management subsequently concludes that it would not be in the best interests of
the Company to proceed with such matters.
See Appendix I attached to this Information Circular for the Special
Resolution entitled "Approval of Continuation and Change of Authorized Capital".
CHANGE OF NAME
Pursuant to the policies of the Vancouver Stock Exchange (the "VSE") (the
exchange on which the Company's shares are listed for trading), a corporation
must change its name concurrently with a consolidation of its issued share
capital. Therefore, in the context of effecting the Consolidation, the Company
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is required by the VSE to change its name. Administratively, the most efficient
and cost effective date for the Company to effect a change of name is at the
time of the proposed Continuation discussed above. Therefore, management is
asking shareholders to approve, by Ordinary Resolution, the change of the name
of the Company to "Safeguard Biometric Corp." which will be effective upon the
continuation of the Company into the Province of British Columbia.
Management would also like the consent of the shareholders to not proceed
with the name change in the event that the Ordinary Resolution for the change of
the Company's name is passed by the shareholders at the Meeting and management
subsequently concludes that it would not be in the best interests of the Company
to proceed with such matters.
See Appendix I attached to this Information Circular for the Ordinary
Resolution entitled "Approval of Name Change".
OTHER BUSINESS
Management is not aware of any matters to come before the Meeting other
than those set forth in the Notice of Meeting. If any other matter properly
comes before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the Proxy
to vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their best judgment on
such matter.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Patrick W. McCleery"
--------------------------------
PATRICK W. MCCLEERY
President
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APPENDIX I -- SPECIAL AND ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
TEXT OF SPECIAL AND ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
APPROVAL OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS
The following Ordinary Resolution authorizes the Company to, in the
absolute discretion of the directors, implement a stock option plan and to grant
incentive stock options to insiders of the Company, either individually or under
a stock option plan.
"WHEREAS the Company wishes to implement a stock option plan and grant to
directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company, who may be
insiders of the Company (as that term is defined in the Securities Act (British
Columbia) ("Insiders")), incentive stock options, either individually or under a
stock option plan;
RESOLVED, as Ordinary Resolutions that:
1. the directors are authorized in their absolute discretion to implement a
stock option plan and to grant to directors, officers, employees and
consultants of the Company, who may be Insiders of the Company, incentive
stock options, either individually or under a stock option plan,
exercisable into an aggregate number of common shares of the Company, not
to exceed the prescribed number of the outstanding capital of the Company,
from time to time, within the policy of the Vancouver Stock Exchange;
2. incentive stock options previously granted to Insiders of the Company be
ratified, approved and confirmed;
3. the directors be authorized to amend incentive stock options held by
Insiders of the Company during the ensuing year; and
4. no further shareholder approval will be required prior to the exercising of
these options or amended options by Insiders for the ensuing year."
APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATION OF SHARE CAPITAL (REVERSE STOCK SPLIT)
The following Ordinary Resolution authorizes the Company to consolidate its
issued share capital (sometimes referred to as a reverse stock split) on the
basis of one new common share without par value for every existing five common
shares without par value (the "Consolidation").
Management would like the consent of the shareholders to not proceed with
the Consolidation in the event that the Ordinary Resolution respecting the
consolidation of the Company's share capital is passed by the shareholders at
the Meeting and management subsequently concludes that it would not be in the
best interests of the Company to proceed with the Consolidation. In this regard,
management will ask the shareholders to approve the following Ordinary
Resolution:
"WHEREAS Management proposes that the Company consolidate its issued share
capital on the basis of one new common share without par value for every five
existing common shares without par value (the "Consolidation");
AND WHEREAS management proposes to present an Ordinary Resolution to the
shareholders at the Meeting with respect to the Consolidation and may
subsequently decide that it is not in the best interests of the Company to
proceed with such matters;
RESOLVED, as Ordinary Resolutions, that:
1. all of the issued common shares without par value be consolidated on the
basis of one new common share without par value for every five existing
common shares without par value;
2. the directors of the Company be hereby authorized, in their discretion, to
abandon the Consolidation without further approval of the shareholders; and
3. the directors and officers of the Company, or any one of them, be hereby
authorized and directed to perform all such acts, deeds and things and
execute, under the seal of the Company or otherwise, all such
I-1
<PAGE> 38
documents, agreements and other writings as may be required to give effect
to the true intent of this resolution."
APPROVAL OF CONTINUATION AND CHANGE OF AUTHORIZED CAPITAL
The following Special Resolution authorizes the Company to complete the
transfer of the Company out of Wyoming and the continuation of the Company into
British Columbia (the "Continuation").
"WHEREAS the Company proposes to transfer out of the State of Wyoming under
the jurisdiction of the Wyoming Business Corporations Act ("WBCA") and continue
into British Columbia (the "Continuation") under the jurisdiction of the British
Columbia Company Act (the "BCCA");
AND WHEREAS the management proposes to present a Special Resolution to the
shareholders at the Meeting with respect to the Continuation and may
subsequently decide that it is not in the best interests of the Company to
proceed with such matters;
RESOLVED, as Special Resolutions, that:
1. the Company be hereby authorized to make application to the Wyoming
Secretary of State (the "Wyoming Secretary") for approval of the proposed
transfer of the Company out of Wyoming and to the B.C. Registrar of
Companies (the "B.C. Registrar") for approval of the proposed continuation
of the Company into British Columbia continuing the Company as if it had
been incorporated under the BCCA;
2. the Company approve and, upon the Continuation, adopt the Memorandum (the
"British Columbia Memorandum") in the form approved by the directors of the
Company, having the effect, among other things, of changing the authorized
capital of the Company to one hundred million (100,000,000) common shares
without par value, in substitution for the existing Articles of
Incorporation of the Company and its existing authorized capital, the
British Columbia Memorandum to come into effect when the B.C. Registrar
issues a Certificate of Continuation continuing the Company as if it had
been incorporated under the BCCA and the Wyoming Secretary issues a
Certificate of Transfer to transfer the Company out of the State of
Wyoming;
3. the Company approve and, upon the Continuation, adopt the Articles (the
"British Columbia Articles") in the form approved by the directors of the
Company, the British Columbia Articles to come into effect when the B.C.
Registrar issues a Certificate of Continuation continuing the Company as if
it had been incorporated under BCCA and the Wyoming Secretary issues a
Certificate of Transfer to transfer the Company out of the State of
Wyoming;
4. the directors of the Company be hereby authorized, in their discretion, to
abandon or amend the application for continuation of the Company under the
BCCA and change in the authorized share capital without further approval of
the shareholders; and
5. the directors and officers of the Company, or any one of them, be hereby
authorized and directed to perform all such acts, deeds and things and
execute, under the seal of the Company or otherwise, all such documents,
agreements and other writings as may be required to give effect to the true
intent of this resolution."
APPROVAL OF NAME CHANGE
Pursuant to the proposed transfer of the Company out of Wyoming and the
continuation of the Company into British Columbia (the "Continuation"),
management proposes to change the name of the Company and, accordingly, the
following Ordinary Resolution will be presented to shareholders at the Meeting
for approval.
"WHEREAS the Company wishes to change its name to "Safeguard Biometric
Corp." upon continuation into the Province of British Columbia (the
"Continuation");
RESOLVED, as Ordinary Resolutions, that:
1. the Company change its name upon continuation of the Company into British
Columbia, to "Safeguard Biometric Corp." or such other name as may be
resolved by the board of directors of the Company in their absolute
discretion, and which may be acceptable to the regulatory authorities;
I-2
<PAGE> 39
2. the Company approve and, upon the Continuation, adopt the Memorandum (the
"British Columbia Memorandum") in the form approved by the directors of the
Company having the effect, among other things, of changing the name of the
Company to "Safeguard Biometric Corp.", or such other name as may be
approved by the B.C. Registrar of Companies (the "B.C. Registrar"), in
substitution for the existing Articles of Incorporation of the Company and
its existing name, the change of name to come into effect when the British
Columbia Memorandum is submitted to the B.C. Registrar and the B.C.
Registrar issues a Certificate of Continuation continuing the Company as if
it had been incorporated under the British Columbia Company Act and the
Wyoming Secretary of State releases a Certificate of Transfer to transfer
the Company out of the State of Wyoming;
3. the directors of the Company be hereby authorized, in their discretion, to
abandon the change of the Company's name without further approval of the
shareholders; and
4. the directors and officers of the Company, or any one of them, be hereby
authorized and directed to perform all such acts, deeds and things and
execute, under the seal of the Company or otherwise, all such documents,
agreements and other writings as may be required to give effect to the true
intent of this resolution."
I-3
<PAGE> 40
PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY MANAGEMENT OF BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP. (THE
"CORPORATION") FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS (THE
"MEETING") TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1999 AT 10:00 A.M. (LOCAL TIME IN
VANCOUVER, B.C.) AND ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
The undersigned shareholder of the Company hereby appoints PATRICK W. MCCLEERY,
the Chairman of the Board, President and a director of the Company, or failing
this person, SAUNDRA ZIMMER, the Secretary of the Company, or in the place of
both of the foregoing, ------------------------------------ (PLEASE PRINT NAME),
as proxyholder for and on behalf of the undersigned, with power of substitution,
to attend, act and vote for and in the name of the undersigned at the Meeting
and at every adjournment thereof, with respect to all or ------------------ of
the common shares of the Company registered in the name of the undersigned.
Unless otherwise expressly stated herein by the undersigned, receipt of this
proxy duly executed and dated, revokes any former proxy given to attend and vote
at the meeting and at any adjournment thereof. UNLESS THE UNDERSIGNED DIRECTS
OTHERWISE, THE NOMINEE IS HEREBY INSTRUCTED TO VOTE THE COMMON SHARES OF THE
COMPANY HELD BY THE UNDERSIGNED AS FOLLOWS:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
----- ------- -------
1. To fix the number of directors at four [ ] [ ] [ ]
FOR WITHHOLD
----- --------
2. To elect Patrick W. McCleery, Chester Idziszek,
William A. Rand and Wayne Johnstone
directors of the Company [ ] [ ]
3. To approve the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent
auditors for the year 1999 [ ] [ ]
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
----- -------- -------
4. To approve granting to the directors, officers,
employees and consultants of the Company of incentive
stock options to purchase common shares of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Company
5. To approve the consolidation (reverse stock split) of
the Company's issued share capital on the basis of
one new common share without par value for every five
existing common shares without par value [ ] [ ] [ ]
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
6. To approve the continuation (transfer) of the Company into the Province
of British Columbia and, upon the continuation, a reduction in the
Company's authorized capital to 100,000,000 common shares without par
value [ ] [ ] [ ]
7. To approve a change of the name of the Company, upon the continuation [ ] [ ] [ ]
8. To approve the transaction of other business [ ] [ ] [ ]
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER HEREBY REVOKES ANY PROXY PREVIOUSLY GIVEN TO
ATTEND AND VOTE AT THE MEETING.
SIGNATURE: ------------------------------- DATE: ------------------------
(PROXY MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED)
If someone other than the named shareholder signs this Proxy on behalf of
the named shareholder, documentation acceptable to the Chairman of the
Meeting must be deposited with this Proxy granting signing authority to
the person signing the proxy.
To be used at the Meeting, this Proxy must be received at the offices of
PACIFIC CORPORATE TRUST COMPANY by mail or by fax not less than 48 hours
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the Meeting or
delivered to the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting prior
to its commencement. The mailing address of PACIFIC CORPORATE TRUST
COMPANY, IS SUITE 830 - 625 HOWE STREET, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, V6C
3B8 and its fax number is (604) 689-8144.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 41
1. IF THE SHAREHOLDER'S SECURITIES ARE HELD BY AN INTERMEDIARY (E.G. A BROKER)
AND THE SHAREHOLDER WISHES TO ATTEND THE MEETING TO VOTE ON THE RESOLUTIONS,
please insert the shareholder's name in the blank space provided, do not
indicate a voting choice by any resolution, sign and date and return the
Proxy in accordance with the instructions provided by the intermediary.
Please contact the intermediary if there are any questions. At the Meeting a
vote will be taken on each of the resolutions as set out on this Proxy and
the shareholder's vote will be counted at that time.
2. IF THE SHAREHOLDER CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING BUT WISHES TO vote on the
resolutions, the shareholder can APPOINT ANOTHER PERSON, who need not be a
shareholder of the Company, to vote according to the shareholder's
instructions. To appoint someone other than the nominees named by management,
please insert your appointed proxyholder's name in the space provided, sign
and date and return the Proxy. Where no choice on a resolution is specified
by the shareholder, this Proxy confers discretionary authority upon the
shareholder's appointed proxyholder to vote for or against or withhold vote
with respect to that resolution, provided that with respect to a resolution
relating to a director nominee or auditor, the proxyholder only has the
discretion to vote or not vote for such nominee.
3. IF THE SHAREHOLDER CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING BUT WISHES TO vote on the
resolutions and to APPOINT ONE OF THE NOMINEES NAMED BY MANAGEMENT as
proxyholder, please leave the wording appointing a nominee as shown, sign and
date and return the Proxy. Where no choice is specified by a shareholder on a
resolution shown on the Proxy, a nominee of management acting as proxyholder
will vote the securities as if the shareholder had specified an affirmative
vote.
4. The securities represented by this Proxy will be voted or withheld from
voting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder on any ballot
of a resolution that may be called for and, if the shareholder specifies a
choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the securities will be
voted accordingly. With respect to any amendments or variations in any of
the resolutions shown on the Proxy, or matters which may properly come
before the Meeting, the securities will be voted by the nominee appointed as
the proxyholder, in its sole discretion, sees fit.
5. If the shareholder votes by completing and returning the Proxy, the
shareholder may still attend the Meeting and vote in person should the
shareholder later decide to do so. To vote in person at the Meeting, the
shareholder must revoke the Proxy in writing as set forth in the Information
Circular.
6. This Proxy is not valid unless it is dated and signed by the shareholder or
by the shareholder's attorney duly authorized by the shareholder in writing,
or, in the case of a corporation, by its duly authorized officer or attorney
for the corporation. If the Proxy is executed by an attorney for an
individual shareholder or joint shareholders or by an officer or an attorney
of a corporate shareholder, the instrument so empowering the officer or the
attorney, as the case may be, or a notarial copy thereof, must accompany the
Proxy.
7. To be valid, this Proxy, duly dated and signed, must arrive at the office of
the Registrar and Transfer Agent of the Company not less than 48 hours
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the time for holding
the Meeting, or delivered to the Chairman of the Meeting prior to the
commencement of the Meeting.
[--- ---]
[--- ---]
<PAGE> 42
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of
the shareholders of Biometric Security Corp. (the "Company") will be held on
Friday, July 30, 1999 at Suite 1940 - 400 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada, at the hour of 10:00 a.m. (local time in Vancouver, B.C.) for
the following purposes:
1. To pass a resolution adopted by a majority (greater than 50%) of the shares
entitled to vote at the meeting (an "Ordinary Resolution") to fix the
number of directors at four;
2. To pass an Ordinary Resolution to elect four members of the Board of
Directors to hold office until the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
in 2000;
3. To pass an Ordinary Resolution to act upon the ratification of the
appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for the year 1999;
4. To pass an Ordinary Resolution to approve the granting to the directors,
officers and employees of the Company of incentive stock options to
purchase common shares of the Company;
5. To pass an Ordinary Resolution authorizing the consolidation of the issued
share capital of the Company on the basis of one new common share without
par value for every five existing common shares without par value;
6. To pass a resolution adopted by two thirds (2/3) or more of the shares
entitled to vote at the meeting (a "Special Resolution") authorizing the
Company to change its jurisdiction of incorporation from the State of
Wyoming to the Province of British Columbia by way of filing an Instrument
of Continuance and adopting a Memorandum and Articles prepared in
accordance with the British Columbia Company Act and, upon the
continuation, the reduction of the Company's authorized share capital to
one hundred million (100,000,000) common shares without par value;
7. To pass an Ordinary Resolution authorizing the Company to change the
Company's name to "Safeguard Biometric Corp." upon the Company's
continuation into British Columbia; and
8. To approve the transaction of such other business as may properly come
before the Meeting.
ACCOMPANYING THIS NOTICE IS A PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CONTAINING AN
INFORMATION CIRCULAR AND A FORM OF PROXY.
Shareholders unable to attend the Meeting in person should read the notes
to the enclosed Proxy and complete and return the Proxy to the Company's
Registrar and Transfer Agent, Pacific Corporate Trust Company, Suite 830, 625
Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6C 3B8, not less than 48 hours (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the Meeting or to the Chair of the
Meeting prior to the commencement of the Meeting.
The enclosed Proxy is solicited by management of the Company and you may
amend it, if you wish, by inserting in the space provided the name of the person
you wish to represent you as proxyholder at the Meeting.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, this day of , 1999.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
"Patrick W. McCleery"
--------------------------------
PATRICK W. MCCLEERY
President
<PAGE> 43
APPENDIX
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K/A
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<PAGE> 44
================================================================================
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM 10-K/A
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-26696
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY KNOWN AS SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
WYOMING PENDING
STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION IDENTIFICATION NO.)
SUITE 1940, 400 BURRARD STREET, V6C 3A6
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (ZIP CODE)
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
</TABLE>
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (604) 687-4144
SECURITIES REGISTERED OR TO BE REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
- ------------------- -----------------------------------------
<S> <C>
N/A N/A
</TABLE>
SECURITIES REGISTERED OR TO BE REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
COMMON SHARES WITH NO PAR VALUE
(TITLE OF CLASS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [ ] NO [X]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant on March 1, 1999, based upon the closing price of the common stock on
the Vancouver Stock Exchange for such date, was approximately $6,790,252. Shares
of common stock held by each officer and director and by each person who owns 5%
or more of the outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such persons
may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not
necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court. [ ]
Not Applicable
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS
The number of outstanding shares of the Registrant's common stock on March
15, 1999 was 32,501,078.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Not Applicable
================================================================================
<PAGE> 45
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE RATES
All dollar amounts set forth in this report are in Canadian dollars, except
where otherwise indicated. The following table sets forth (i) the rates of
exchange for the Canadian dollar, expressed in U.S. dollars, in effect at the
end of each of the periods indicated; (ii) the average of the exchange rates in
effect on the last day of each month during such periods; (iii) the high and low
exchange rate during such periods, in each case based on the noon buying rate in
New York City for cable transfers in Canadian dollars as certified for customs
purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Rate at End of Period.................... $0.6504 $0.6999 $0.7301 $0.7323 $0.7103
Average Rate During Period............... 0.6740 0.7197 0.7333 0.7285 0.7321
High Rate................................ 0.7105 0.7487 0.7513 0.7527 0.7632
Low Rate................................. 0.6341 0.6945 0.7245 0.7023 0.7103
</TABLE>
On March 12, 1999, the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer
in Canadian dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York was $0.6564 U.S. = $1.00 Canadian.
A-2
<PAGE> 46
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
PART I
Item 1.......... Business
Item 2.......... Properties
Item 3.......... Legal Proceedings
Item 4.......... Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
PART II
Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Item 5.......... Stockholder Matters
Item 6.......... Selected Financial Data
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
Item 7.......... and Results of Operations
Item 7A......... Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8.......... Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting
Item 9.......... and Financial Disclosure
PART III
Item 10......... Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Item 11......... Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Item 12......... Management
Item 13......... Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
PART IV
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form
Item 14......... 8-K
</TABLE>
A-3
<PAGE> 47
PART I
ITEM 1 BUSINESS
Certain of the information contained in this Form 10-K constitutes
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable laws or regulatory policies.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify
important factors, including those listed under "Risk Factors" below, that could
cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that can
cause actual results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can
be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results
and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW
Biometric Security Corp. (the "Company") was incorporated by registration
of its memorandum and articles under the Company Act (British Columbia) on
January 16, 1979 under the name "North American Power Petroleums Inc.". The
Company changed its name to "Sonoma Resource Corp." effective as of January 5,
1990. The Company's original articles were replaced with a new set of articles
effective as of July 19, 1996.
Effective as of November 10, 1998, the Company was continued to the State
of Wyoming, U.S.A., changed its name from "Sonoma Resource Corp." to "Biometric
Security Corp." and the Company's memorandum was replaced with new Wyoming
articles of continuance. Effective as of November 12, 1998, the Company
increased its authorized capital to an unlimited number of common shares.
(Please see Item 3 -- Legal Proceedings regarding certain U.S. securities
matters and the Company's current plans to continue back to British Columbia.)
The Company's head and principal office is located at Suite 1940, 400
Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 3A6. The Company's
registered office and address for service in British Columbia is care of its
solicitors, Catalyst Corporate Finance Lawyers, Suite 1100, 1055 West Hastings,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 2E9. The Company's registered office and
address for service in Wyoming is care of its Wyoming attorneys, Hathaway,
Speight & Kunz, LLC, 2515 Warren Avenue, P.O. Box 1208, Cheyenne, Wyoming,
U.S.A. 82003-1208.
As at December 31, 1998, the Company had a total of six subsidiaries
related to its Argentinean resource activities (see Business of the
Company -- Historical Operations). The Company plans to sell or otherwise
dispose of these subsidiaries. The particulars regarding these subsidiaries are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE OF JURISDICTION OF PERCENTAGE
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY INCORPORATION INCORPORATION OWNERSHIP(1)
- ------------------ ----------------- --------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Sonoma Resource de Argentina S.A............. November 30, 1995 Argentina 100%
Castano S.A.................................. August 7, 1996 Argentina 100%
Castano Mining (Barbados) Ltd................ June 6, 1996 Barbados 100%
Cerro Toro S.A............................... August 5, 1996 Argentina 100%
Cerro Toro Mining (Barbados) Ltd............. June 6, 1996 Barbados 100%
Sonoma Resource (Bermuda) Ltd................ June 5, 1996 Bermuda 100%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Represents the percentage of voting securities held. None of the
subsidiaries has any non-voting securities outstanding.
Of these subsidiaries, only Sonoma Resource de Argentina S.A. has assets. The
others have no operations and only insignificant assets, if any.
A-4
<PAGE> 48
In June, 1998, the Company made an investment in Biometric Identification,
Inc. ("BII"), a private California corporation. This purchase represents a
significant change for the Company, which is shifting from the resource business
into the technology industry. See Business of the Company below for a full
discussion of the BII investment.
BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY
Historical Operations
The Company, historically, had been in the mineral exploration business. As
at December 31, 1998, the Company still owned 100% of the Cerro Toro Project
located in the San Juan Province of Argentina and the Apeleg Claim Block located
in the Chubut Province of Argentina. In light of the state of the precious
metals markets, the Company made a strategic decision to leave the resource
sector. It significantly reduced its staff and overhead in Argentina and cut
back on its exploration activities in 1998.
In November 1998, the Company reached an agreement to sell up to a 100%
interest in 9 mineral properties comprising 93,709 hectares, located in the San
Juan, Chubut, and Santa Cruz provinces in Argentina to Inlet Resources Ltd.
("Inlet"). In order to acquire a 90% interest in the properties, Inlet must pay
US$750,000 and issue 300,000 shares to the Company over a three year period and
complete a US$2,150,000 work commitment. Inlet may acquire the remaining 10% by
the payment of US$2,000,000 to the Company. A formal agreement was signed by the
parties on January 21, 1999, and was approved as at February 15, 1999, by
Canadian regulatory authorities. To March 1, 1999, the Company received
US$150,000 and 100,000 common shares of Inlet in accordance with the terms of
the agreement. The Company does not anticipate acquiring any new resource
properties.
Current Activity
On June 12, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement (the "BII
Agreement") to acquire up to US$5,000,000 of convertible debentures to be issued
by Biometric Identification, Inc. ("BII"), a private California corporation. The
Company's principal business now consists of its investment in BII.
BII is currently controlled by Arete Associates ("Arete") which is also a
private California corporation. Arete has been a Department of Defense research
and development contractor for over 20 years specializing in sensor systems and
pattern recognition software development. Many of Arete's mathematicians and
physicists helped develop the BII fingerprint identification technology. This
technology has been exclusively licensed to BII by Arete. Pursuant to the BII
Agreement, the Company proposes to invest up to US$5,000,000 in convertible
debentures to be issued by BII. If all such convertible debentures are acquired
and all rights of conversion are exercised, the Company will hold approximately
45% of the issued shares of BII. Approximately 83% of the issued shares of BII
are currently held by Arete. The remaining shares are held primarily by
employees of BII and Arete.
As of March 15, 1999, the Company has purchased US$2,875,000 of the
convertible debentures of BII pursuant to the BII Agreement. Under the BII
Agreement, as amended, the Company can acquire another US$2,125,000 of
convertible debentures bringing the total investment in BII to US$5,000,000. If
the Company does not purchase all of the convertible debentures in a particular
tranche by the outside purchase
A-5
<PAGE> 49
date specified in the following table, the Company will lose its right to
purchase additional convertible debentures.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESIGNATION PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OUTSIDE PURCHASE DATE
- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Tranche A & B............................... US$ 350,000 Previously advanced
Tranche C................................... US$ 900,000 Advanced on June 12, 1998
Tranche D................................... US$ 500,000 Advanced on August 12, 1998
Tranche E:
First advance............................. US$ 75,000 Advanced on November 13, 1998
Second advance............................ US$ 250,000 Advanced on November 25, 1998
Third advance............................. US$ 250,000 Advanced on December 18, 1998
Fourth advance............................ US$ 550,000 Advanced on January 29, 1999
Fifth advance............................. US$ 125,000 April 16, 1999
Tranche F................................... US$ 500,000 April 16, 1999
Tranche G................................... US$ 1,500,000 May 12, 1999
-------------
Total:................................. US$ 5,000,000
=============
</TABLE>
The convertible debentures will bear interest at the lowest interest rate
imputed under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and, if not converted, will become
payable five years after the closing date of the first acquisition which was
June 12, 1998. Interest is payable annually, in arrears, on the unpaid balance.
The Company may exercise its rights of conversion at any time. The
convertible debentures will automatically be converted on the earlier of an
initial public offering by BII or the acquisition of BII by a third party. If
all rights of conversion are exercised, the Company will be entitled to receive
the percentages of issued common stock of BII specified in the following table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% UPON CONVERSION
DESIGNATION OF ENTIRE TRANCHE AGGREGATE %(1)
- ----------- ----------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Tranche A, B & C............................................ 20.00% 20.00%
Tranches D & E.............................................. 13.33% 33.33%
Tranches F & G.............................................. 11.67% 45.00%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Total percentage for the Tranche and all prior Tranches.
While the Company is not legally obligated to purchase additional
convertible debentures or to exercise its rights of conversion, the Company's
intention is to acquire all of the convertible debentures under the BII
Agreement and, in due course, if business conditions warrant, to exercise all of
the conversion rights. If all of the convertible debentures are purchased and
all rights of conversion are exercised, the Company will ultimately hold 45% of
the issued shares of the common stock of BII. The interest of the Company may be
subject to dilution resulting from the issuance of shares on exercise of options
granted under BII's stock incentive plan and may be subject to additional
dilution resulting from future grants of stock options or under certain
additional financings which may be undertaken by BII.
The parties have also agreed that BII may be merged into or acquired by the
Company. The parties have agreed to examine this from a tax, securities and
commercial perspective to determine the best structure for this potential
merger.
This acquisition was arranged by Rand Edgar Capital Corp. ("RECC"), a
private company controlled by the spouses of Brian Edgar and William Rand. Mr.
Rand is a director of the Company. RECC originally entered into a memorandum of
understanding with BII and with Arete dated March 18, 1998, amended and replaced
May 20, 1998 (collectively the "MoA"). RECC assigned its interest in the MoA to
the Company on May 21, 1998 in exchange for a fee of US$145,000, plus
reimbursement of its expenses. As of June 12, 1998, RECC had elected to take its
fee in the form of 715,575 common shares of the Company to be issued at a price
of $0.30 per share. These shares were to be issued in pro rata tranches in
accordance with the tranche
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advances being made by the Company to BII. These finders fee shares were
actually issued in the form of special warrants at a price of $0.30 per special
warrant. Each special warrant is exercisable without the payment of any
additional consideration into one common share of the Company. As at December
31, 1998, the Company had issued 250,450 shares to RECC under the terms of this
agreement. In addition, the Company has allotted (but not yet issued) an
aggregate of 161,005 shares for issuance to RECC in respect of debentures
purchased on November 13 and 25, 1998, December 18, 1998, and January 29, 1999.
Overview of BII's Operations
Biometrics is the science of identifying an individual through his/her own
unique personal physiology. Examples of the range of biometric-based products
are fingerprint readers, hand geometry, eye scanners and face-recognition.
Behavioral-based devices include voice response and keystroke systems.
BII is focusing on the commercial market for the supply and integration of
biometric fingerprint identification technology. Under a license agreement made
between BII and Arete, Arete's fingerprint recognition technology has been
exclusively licensed world-wide to BII. The license agreement provides that BII
will pay to Arete a license fee of US$0.10 per unit for the first 2,500,000
products and US$0.05 per unit for the next 20,000,000 products. Upon the payment
of US$1,250,000 of royalties having been made, Arete will transfer ownership of
the intellectual property outright to BII.
Fingerprint biometrics has specific applications within many different
markets, and includes both closed and open systems. Examples of a closed system
are time and attendance control and security access. Examples of open systems
are Internet security and electronic commerce. The Company has been informed
that BII's strategy has been to initially focus upon the time and attendance and
access control markets where a need exists.
BII's products allow the ability to register/enroll a fingerprint of an
individual, save a template of it, and then at a later time verify the identity
of the individual by retrieving the fingerprint template and performing a
comparison with a newly obtained fingerprint image. Generally, competitive
fingerprint identification systems are based on algorithms that read "minutia"
(imaging points of interest on the fingerprint) which can be fooled by temporary
alterations such as changes to the finger due to cuts or swelling. This could
result in a loss of accuracy, especially over time. BII's products utilize a
full finger Pattern Recognition fingerprint verification software system,
exclusive to BII. This system images the entire two-dimensional ridge pattern of
the fingerprint, and provides accuracy over time at the highest security level.
BII's products are generally not affected by temporary changes to the finger,
and provide a response time of less than one second, an enrollment time of less
than five seconds, and an accuracy rate of less than one per thousand of false
positive and less than one per thousand false negative.
BII's product line of biometric fingerprint identification products
includes products which can be deployed in stand-alone mode or as part of a
larger application. BII has recently begun marketing the Veriprint 2100 for
access control and time and attendance applications. This system has a variety
of applications and is being used by the Venezuelan Legislature in verification
terminals that allow members of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate, and their
authorized surrogates, to vote electronically from their desks.
Also recently introduced was the Veriprint 1100 Fingerprint Identification
System. The Veriprint 1100 is a silicon sensor based system incorporating BII
software. Applications include safeguarding Internet access, intranet access,
local area networks, electronic commerce and other sensitive data applications.
Many competitive products rely on Application Specific Integrated Circuit
("ASIC") technology which is less flexible than other technologies and can be
harder to integrate with external applications. BII has developed a fully
programmable device architecture which facilitates ease of integration with
external original equipment manufacturers ("OEM") and value added retailers
("VAR"). A complete application software development kit has been constructed so
that any VARs and integrators can easily interface their software with BII's
products. The software is Windows 95/NT compatible and is provided in the form
of a complete dynamic link library ("DLL"), allowing the user to customize all
aspects of the BII product line such as, for example, using BII's hardware and
alogrithms and the user's time and attendance software.
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BII was incorporated in 1995 as a subsidiary of Arete. To date, more than
US$4,000,000 has been invested by Arete in BII for research and development and
working capital. The audited Statement of Operations for BII's fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 shows revenues of US$494,000 and a net loss of US$1,332,000.
The unaudited Statement of Operations for the eleven month period ended November
30, 1998 shows revenues of US$1,066,051 and a net loss of US$3,288,441. With the
additional capital from the Company and from Arete, BII plans to increase its
marketing and engineering efforts.
BII has a total of 35 employees and consultants. (See Item 10 -- Management
of BII).
The Products
BII's fingerprint identification system is small, versatile and
inexpensive. To fully understand BII's products, BII's management has stated
that it is necessary to see the improvements BII has made in two areas:
verification (i.e., comparison and decision making) software and programmable
network interface (hardware). Management of BII believes that verification
software is the critical component in biometric devices. BII's software uses
sophisticated algorithms resulting in accuracy and reliability while utilizing
cost effective hardware.
Many fingerprint verification software techniques involve the use of
minutia points. The BII technique does not use individual points, but rather
images the entire two dimensional ridge structure of the fingerprint. The print
presented for comparison is processed so that differences between it and the
stored template are corrected mathematically within program parameters.
Distortion, dislocation, rotation, sensor noise, finger swelling and scarring
are all compensated for as much as possible in the algorithm. Only after all of
these compensatory techniques are performed, and the two print images still do
not match, is the candidate print declared dissimilar to the template.
Management of BII believes that BII's method of handling these potential
distortions in the fingerprint is a key aspect of its technology. Distortion
handling allows BII's products to identify and verify fingerprints over extended
time horizons. Minutia-based systems often have problems in this area, and over
time become increasingly unreliable as the minutia points on the fingerprint
change over time. This unreliability can cause a requirement to re-enroll and
also increase the probability of a false rejection.
BII has integrated its fingerprint algorithms and software with newly
introduced solid state technology and is presently working with the 5 major
vendors, Veridicom, Inc. ("Veridicom"), ST Micro, CSF Thomson, Siemens, and
Authentic. Management of BII believes that BII was the first company to complete
this integration into a self-contained system the size of a business card. BII's
management believes that many of the other biometric companies like Identix,
Inc., Identicator Technology ("Identicator"), and Sony Corp. ("Sony") may take
longer to integrate their products given their ASIC approach which typically
represents software frozen into silicon. Management of BII believes that the
flexibility and programmable design of its products is a key area of BII's
technology.
BII has also completed product integration with a number of other
manufacturers including Radionics, Inc. ("Radionics"), Westinghouse Security
Electronics ("Westinghouse"), Chubb Security, Simplex, Northern Computer and
Apollo. Management of BII is currently in discussion with many other companies
with the intention of integrating their products.
BII's Veriprint 2100 is a complete system consisting of a processor,
scanner, terminal and BII's proprietary patent pending software. The Veriprint
2100 is a self-contained system geared toward applications such as time and
attendance and access control. To date, over 2,000 Veriprint 2100's have been
installed in customer locations. This product sells for less than US$900 retail.
BII released its second product, the Veriprint 1100, in June 1998. The
Veriprint 1100 is a desktop fingerprint verification system that uses the
computer's processor/memory and is designed to integrate for PC or network
security applications. This product sells for less than US$340 retail.
BII hopes to introduce the Veriprint 1500 in the second quarter of 1999.
The Veriprint 1500 is to be a hybrid of the Veriprint 1100 and the Veriprint
2100. The Veriprint 1500 will contain a limited amount of
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storage for the fingerprint templates. Additionally, BII expects that it will
generate revenues from the license of its proprietary fingerprint algorithms to
large OEM's in such areas as: smart card technology, electronic commerce and
computer equipment.
BII has developed a fully programmable device architecture which
facilitates ease of integration with external OEM and VAR applications, in
contrast to competitive products which rely on ASIC technology. Again, BII's
management believes that ASIC technology is less flexible than other
technologies and can be harder to integrate with external applications. BII's
management believes that this is a significant advantage for BII in its
marketing efforts.
BII has developed a complete application software development kit so that
VARs and integrators can easily integrate their products with BII's products.
BII's software, which is Windows 95/NT compatible and is provided in the form of
a complete DLL, allows the user to customize a number of aspects of the BII
product lines.
Management of BII believes that its fingerprint verification software is
one of the best in the industry (less than 1 per thousand false positive and
less than 1 per thousand false negative). It has one touch enrollment (less than
5 seconds), relatively fast response time (less than 1 second), and has a
programmable architecture which allows rapid integration with the end
applications of OEMs and VARs.
In 1997, BII introduced its first Biometric fingerprint product based on
optical sensor technology, and recently introduced its second generation optical
device in October, 1998. There are over 2,000 units installed in various sites
around the world. Additionally, BII believes it has become an acknowledged
expert on "silicon chip" based fingerprint sensor technology which appears to be
the next generation sensor, replacing optics over time. BII has a "virtual
manufacturing" strategy pursuant to which BII utilizes sub-contractors to
assemble parts. BII has also established a strategic relationship with
PrimeTech, an ISO 9000 qualified manufacturer, and BII has developed three major
products:
1. Veriprint 2100 Optical Terminal ("V2100") -- Complete biometric
terminal with case, keypad and LED screen.
- The V2100 is presently an "optically based sensor" product. BII hopes to
achieve "silicon sensor" integration during 1999 which is superior to an
optically based sensor product because through the use of silicon, the
product can be made much smaller.
- The V2100 sells for approximately US$800 to US$900. The V2100 has been in
existence for over one year and there are approximately 2,000 already
deployed for time and attendance and access control applications.
2. Veriprint 1100 Silicon Sensor, Integration Component ("V1100").
- The V1100 integration component features what BII believes to be the
first ever use of "silicon sensor" technology in a self-contained
fingerprint system.
- The V1100 is very small and provides a form factor which can be easily
integrated into OEM products (readers, keyboards, etc.). This product is
smaller than a business card and no thicker than a half dollar.
- The V1100 features on-board verification and template storage for
fingerprint data from up to 1500 people and on-board Programmable Digital
Signal Processor.
3. BII Fingerprint Software Suite -- Crucial component, featuring a new
decision algorithm "Ridge Recognition" and a complete software suite for the
operation and management of a fingerprint biometric system. This suite features
the following:
- Ridge Recognition Algorithm -- BII's "patent pending" fingerprint
verification algorithm. BII believes that recognition algorithm is the
key decision engine for a biometric system and a crucial area of
competitive advantage for BII. BII has developed what it believes is an
entirely new approach to fingerprint recognition focusing on ridge
patterns instead of minutia.
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- Fake Finger Detection -- BII believes that a crucial issue for biometric
systems is their ability to respond to challenges to security. BII
believes it has developed a technology solution which can detect a
latex/rubber fake finger. To date, BII believes this program is unique
and will provide significant advantage in the field.
- Other Features of the Suite -- Encryption, "One to Many" (which utilizes
a data base search) and Application Software Interface.
Market for Products
Biometrics is the use of unique physiological traits or behaviors to
distinguish one person from another. The industry started with forensic
applications using fingerprints for law enforcement and government security
applications. In the last 30 years, electronic fingerprinting has evolved as an
alternative storage and retrieval medium to paper and ink.
Today, biometrics is a US$500 million industry (Yankee Group, 1995 Study),
and a US$1 billion market if one includes sales of related computer systems
(Benjamin Miller, Editor, Personal Identification News). The biometric industry
can be divided into the following major types: face recognition, hand geometry,
iris/retina scanning, voice print, signature recognition and fingerprint
scanning. Of these options, BII's management believes that the fingerprint
scanning option is the most widely accepted.
Face recognition is a relatively inexpensive option and is considered easy
to use. However, management of BII believes that face recognition can be
considered intrusive, may be subject to physical conditions such as available
light which affect function and usually has a large template size. Face
recognition has been used in governmental applications in the U.S., such as in
welfare agencies and the departments of motor vehicles. Historically, face
recognition has been a very small portion of the private biometric marketplace.
Hand geometry systems are moderately expensive biometric solutions. Hand
geometry was one of the earliest biometric approaches because it was considered
relatively easy to use. Conversely, BII's management believes that hand geometry
is generally considered slow and less accurate than fingerprint scanning. In
management's view, the equipment utilized in hand geometry systems is relatively
large and in many cases easily vandalized. Management of BII believes that over
time hand geometry will decrease in market importance as fingerprint technology
continues to improve.
BII's management believes that iris/retina scanning systems are accurate
biometric solutions and have been used in very high security applications such
as nuclear power plants. This option is fairly expensive to implement and
suffers from user acceptance issues. BII is aware of numerous banks which have
recently been evaluating this option for their automated teller machine ("ATM")
security. ATMs are an example of a system which, in BII's management's view,
could justify a high cost per installation. BII's management believes that
consumer acceptance is still a very open issue and that in the long run, this
biometric option is not anticipated to grow substantially.
Voice recognition systems are relatively inexpensive and have been applied
in remote access applications such as remote banking. However, BII's management
believes that voice recognition is slow in application and can be affected by
physical condition or emotional state.
Signature recognition systems are relatively inexpensive and have been used
primarily in document processing applications in both the financial and
insurance industries, as well as government applications. However, BII's
management believes that the accuracy of signature recognition systems can be
affected by emotional or physical condition and their overall accuracy has been
questioned.
BII's management believes that the fingerprint identification segment is
the largest and most widely accepted method of biometric identification. BII has
prepared its business plan on the assumption that the fingerprint identification
segment will experience considerable growth as applications are developed
(access control, network security, electronic commerce, etc.) which match up
well with the characteristics of this option. BII's management believes that
there is considerable investment being made in this area and, with chip options
becoming available, the ability of this segment to improve price and overall
function is being
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greatly increased. Fingerprint identification systems are considered by BII's
management to be very accurate and the cost to deploy the application is
believed to be decreasing in line with broad market needs. Management believes
that fingerprint identification technology has historically suffered from
inaccuracy and problems with false rejections and acceptances and that consumer
acceptance of this option is crucial to long term market growth.
BII's management believes that there are many biometric applications for
electronic fingerprint devices with long term prospects, including point of sale
devices, electronic commerce and inter/intranet security. BII's management
believes that certain of the major credit card companies are exploring the use
of fingerprint identification technology using "open systems" which require
complex solutions because there are many members and multiple locations. In
BII's management's view, closed systems, where there are a finite number of
users and the database can be stored locally, are more easily and affordably
solvable today. Therefore, BII's management is focusing on closed system
commercial applications which it believes have the most market potential in the
short term (one to two years). These include time and attendance, access control
and the network security markets.
Biometrics, specifically hand geometry and fingerprint, have been deployed
in the time and attendance market for several years. To date, the performance
errors of the early devices and relatively high price has limited the
introduction of biometrics in a major way into this market. Recent advances in
fingerprint biometrics have given this market a solution with price and
performance characteristics which are allowing players in the market to actively
launch biometrics applications in 1998/1999. Based on BII's discussion with some
of the largest time and attendance companies in the U.S., BII believes that a
significant portion of this market will begin using biometric products.
One of the primary motivators for the deployment of biometrics in this
market is the reduction of fraud associated with "buddy punching" (clocking in
and out for an absent co-worker). According to market researcher Frost and
Sullivan (1997, World Biometrics Market), companies lose over US$1 billion every
year because of this problem. Buddy punching is relatively easy because cards
and person identification numbers ("PINs") are not intrinsically linked to the
card holder. Biometric information can also be interfaced with a company's
payroll and productivity systems and can present data in a more accurate, secure
and efficient fashion.
The physical security market can be divided into three broad segments:
perimeter security, internal security and access control. According to Frost and
Sullivan (1997), in the U.S. this market generated revenues of over US$2 billion
in 1997. The largest segment of the physical security market is the "electronic
access control" segment which was estimated at US$750 million in 1997. To date,
the introduction of biometric devices in this market has been limited, given the
overall size of this marketplace, largely due to cost and functionality. The
electronic access control market is dominated by card and proximity reader
devices placed on entries to control and limit access.
Based upon BII's discussions at trade shows and with access control
companies, it appears that if biometric solutions could approach the cost level
of card and proximity reader devices, then a biometric solution might start to
become a primary application, rather than a niche application. BII has designed
its Veriprint 1500/2100 product line to meet these cost levels. Additionally,
the administration of card reader systems is more complicated than a biometric
solution due to the need to record and physically control the cards in card
reader systems.
The access control market is largely comprised of smaller regional access
control companies combined with a selected number of larger companies. The
larger companies include Card Key, Westinghouse, Amana Appliances and Radionics.
BII has completed, or is in the process of completing, product integration with
all of these companies except Card Key, which has not yet decided to adopt
biometrics. BII's management believes that biometrics makes sense in this market
segment as PIN codes, keys and slide cards can get lost or stolen and may be
problematic in the event of personnel turnover. Applications for access control
are diverse and include corporate offices, sensitive government locations, law
and other professional firms, hospitals, banks, correctional institutions,
airports and educational institutions.
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BII's management believes that U.S. companies spend large amounts of funds
annually on computer security for personal computers ("PCs"), networks and
databases. In a recent survey of management information systems administrators
by Frost and Sullivan (1997), 54% of the respondents said their company suffered
a loss related to information security and disaster recovery. More than 25% of
the respondents experienced losses of nearly US$250,000. Recent trends and
strategic decisions made by systems integrators and manufacturers in the
computer industry imply a growing potential security market.
A primary market application for biometrics is the protection of PC and
network access (NT or Novell) through a mouse-like device (or eventually, as an
integrated component into the computer/keyboard itself). This is a market
opportunity for biometrics where interest appears to be increasing. BII believes
that this is a market area where competitive products are surfacing.
There are a significant number of PCs installed in corporations worldwide
and connected to networks. As the network computer continues its penetration in
the marketplace, the number of "network" connected units is expected to grow.
These networked units include not only NT and/or Novell networks, but also units
tied to a company's intranet.
The network security market is expected by BII to be one of the largest of
the biometric markets. BII believes that the installed base is extensive and the
increasing reliance on computers, local and wide area networks,
internet/intranets and extranets creates a potential pool of customers. The new
network computer is geared for access to a central database (the 90's version of
the mainframe) and increasingly it will be important to know exactly who is on
the network.
There are estimated to be over 40 million PCs in U.S. households (home
offices, etc.), with approximately 7.5 million new PCs sold into the home market
each year (U.S. Consumer Electronic Association). BII does not expect the home
PC market to be as large a market as the corporate marketplace. However,
protection of the home PC and its information is expected to increase as people
become increasingly electronically focused. As with other new technologies, the
proving grounds for biometrics will be in the corporate marketplace. As these
devices achieve acceptance, BII believes that it is reasonable to expect that
over time these products will be deployed in the home market and that retail
distribution will be achieved.
BII is presently working with Radionics, integrating BII biometrics into
their access control and intrusion systems. Radionics is one of the largest home
security companies in the United States.
In U.S. government applications, public agencies use biometrics to verify
the identity of persons who wish to receive a service from the agency or pass
through an application process. Examples include welfare agencies, departments
of motor vehicles, and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. BII
believes that there is interest in this area from governments due to concerns
about fraud.
Marketing Plan
BII's goal is to become an industry leader in the market for
speed-dependent, closed system commercial verification applications such as time
and attendance and access control. BII intends to position itself strategically
to compete in the long term through strategic alliances with various companies
in the industry. By providing quality fingerprint technology in the time and
attendance and access control markets, BII intends to forge a solid reputation
and list of references which can be leveraged as it competes for longer term,
strategic markets.
BII has defined its target markets, being the time and attendance and
access control markets. In each of these markets, BII has focused on key
customers and actively sought alliances. In BII's view, the alliance process
involves one of validating technology. Once the alliance has been created, the
next step would be for BII to work together with its allies to integrate their
products. This integration process is time consuming and expensive.
In competitive comparisons, BII believes its product has performed
favorably. BII believes that this favorable performance, combined with
aggressive pricing, has enabled it to be effective in securing
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relationships with several large companies. Once the integration process is
complete, BII hopes that the OEMs will then introduce its products into their
distribution channels.
BII has been executing its sales strategy through its sales team and has
been actively marketing its product since September of 1997. In this time, it
has developed a list of alliances that includes Westinghouse, Panasonic
(Matsushita Electric Corporation of America), Radionics, Veridicom and Kronos
Incorporated ("Kronos").
BII is targeting both large and small companies. In its view, the larger
companies offer long term sales potential. By comparison, the innovative smaller
VARs and OEMs are more often the first to adopt new technologies and create
early stage demand from consumers. In BII's view, these early adopters take
business from industry leaders which creates incentive for the big companies to
follow suit. BII is also going to target systems integrators and large
consulting firms that thrive on introducing new technologies to their customers.
In BII's experience, the sales/adoption cycle for integration of a
biometric solution into VAR/OEM end applications varies, but is approximately
four to six months.
To date, BII has focused on the time and attendance and access control
markets where biometric solutions are actively being sought and the ability to
generate sales revenues is immediate. During 1999, it will expand its marketing
efforts to include direct contact with financial institutions, smart and credit
card companies, electronic commerce and computer equipment companies where
interest in biometrics is growing, but the creation of significant sales revenue
is not expected in the near future. BII would like to leverage relationships in
both Silicon Valley and financial markets to create a "business development"
approach which is respected and has impact. From BII's perspective, solutions in
the electronic commerce and financial transaction areas will occur in an
alliance situation with important players.
In June of 1998, BII introduced its Veriprint 1000 product line. This
product has a package size smaller than a computer mouse and is targeted at the
NT network security, electronic commerce and PC security marketplaces. BII has
received interest in this product line from VARs and OEMs such as Westinghouse,
Radionics and Kronos. BII hopes that this product will open up new marketplaces
for BII in the general computer/data network marketplace where corporations
and/or institutions want to increase the protection of confidential information.
Actual market applications which BII is presently pursuing with potential
customers include security for NT networks and patient record security at
hospitals.
BII intends to launch an aggressive marketing campaign focusing on landing
high profile accounts to generate more publicity. BII believes that it needs to
match its technological abilities with aggressive high level publicity and
marketing. Additionally, BII attends trade shows to showcase its products, such
as the Card Tech Security Trade Show.
BII has a website for general customer information at www.biometricID.com.
BII has retained a small marketing company located in the United Kingdom as
a representative for BII in the European market area. In BII's view, the
European market provides another marketing possibility for BII. BII would like
to secure several sales representatives to assist BII in introducing its
products into the European and Asian marketplaces.
Research and Development Plan
BII's management believes that the development of a self-contained
fingerprint verification unit requires expertise in three primary areas: signal
processing and detector development, software engineering and parallel
processing. The Veriprint research and development team at Arete is qualified in
all three of these technical fields. Arete is an applied research corporation
with over 20 years of experience and more than 140 staff members skilled in
electro-optics, image processing and analysis, algorithm design and software
development. Arete has obtained the recognition of the technical community
through an integration of scientific knowledge and advanced sensor systems
expertise. Arete's original focus was oceanographic research and remote sensing,
but expanded to encompass development and implementation of real-time
processors, design and analysis of active and passive optical sensors, and
formulation of sophisticated likelihood-based detection algorithms.
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The Tucson, Arizona office of Arete is Arete's primary location for active
and passive electro-optic remote sensing. This office has been involved in the
development, optimization and evaluation of advanced high resolution sensors for
shallow water imaging applications. BII has stated that particular areas of
expertise include receiver development, real-time processing, field test
evaluation, performance assessment, physical modeling and data analysis.
The staff scientists at Arete developed the fingerprint verification
algorithm. The algorithm was designed to exploit all of the significant
information contained within the fingerprint. Unlike the majority of algorithms
on the market which use only a small fraction of the image, referred to as the
minutia, the Veriprint algorithm exploits the entire ridge pattern. In BII's
view, the "full print" approach should be more accurate and more stable over
time.
Because of the overall sophistication of the algorithms and parallel
processing technologies used within the Veriprint unit, the software development
effort requires experience in real-time signal processing, digital signal
processor-based parallel processing methodologies, microprocessor-based coding
and stringent adherence to software engineering principles. Arete's experience
in implementation and assessment of real-time advanced sensor systems provides
the necessary background to perform this software development.
BII intends to aggressively develop a suite of fingerprint software
products leveraging its ridge recognition algorithms as the primary element.
This software suite will be marketed to large information technology companies
working to create a software standard. Future research and development work will
focus on:
- V-1100 -- the design and production of a new V-1100 chip which will have
template storage on the chip as well and the ability for the unit to
perform verification.
- V-1500 -- product development -- the unit will incorporate a second board
which will provide additional functions, such as ethernet connection,
multiple communication paths, additional memory and built-in Weigand
capability ("Weigand" is a primitive computer language used for
inter-computer communications). Weigand capability is important for the
access control market.
Competition
There appear to be dozens of biometric companies in the business or
publicizing that they are entering the biometric industry. BII believes that it
is only reasonable to expect that as market opportunities start to materialize,
competition will increase. In analyzing the current competitive landscape, BII
believes that the majority of the new companies entering the market are focused
in the areas of PC and NT network security and the financial transaction areas
(smart card and electronic commerce). BII believes that the majority of its
competitors are leveraging "minutia"-based algorithms, either of their own
creation or licensed from another company. BII believes that its two-dimensional
ridge approach with distortion handling is superior for this marketplace.
BII is developing a product line which will allow it to target several key
market segments. The Veriprint 2100 and the upcoming Veriprint 1500 will be
marketed to the access control and time and attendance markets. In BII's
experience, there is aggressive activity by participants in these markets and a
growing, forming marketplace.
There are also markets where an end consumer identity is not important as
BII integrates with OEM and VAR applications. BII believes that function, ease
of integration and price drive these markets. BII has developed its Veriprint
1100 to compete in the PC network, information technology and financial
transaction areas. BII expects that this is where it will face the bulk of its
competition.
The PC network security market is starting to develop and appears to be
ahead of the electronic commerce and point of sale/electronic commerce
transaction marketplace, which will take time to put together a solution which
works for all involved. In the early stage of electronic commerce, the
stand-alone mouse-like product will be a key component, adding functionality to
existing installed PCs. In the long run, electronic commerce and security
functionality could be integrated into a key board or a lap top and be as common
as a mouse is today. These markets appear to be wide open.
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To BII's knowledge, to date there are two companies, Identix, Inc. and
Recognition Systems, Inc., who have been the early players in the biometric
market area. It is against these companies that BII believes it will be
primarily competing in the time and attendance and access control marketplaces.
Identix, Inc. is a 15 year old company based in Sunnyvale, California, with
a strong presence in the law enforcement market, and a growing presence in
access/control. It is a public company with US$79 million in annual revenue and
uses fingerprint identification. Most of the business comes from the law
enforcement segment. Identix appears to have strong marketing ties and an
established track record, as reflected by its recent joint venture with Oracle,
the largest database company in the world.
Recognition Systems, Inc. is a private company based in Campbell,
California, that uses hand geometry and concentrates on the commercial market.
While this technology is less sophisticated than fingerprint technology (with
larger databases they will have duplication because hand geometry is less
unique), the company offers a solution that is considered flexible and
programmable. The ten year old company produced the biometric system for access
to the Olympic Village in Atlanta, Georgia.
Another fingerprint identification competitor is Mytec Technologies
("Mytec") based in Ontario, Canada. Mytec specializes in the access control
market. It is publicly held with annual sales to June, 1998 of more than $10
million, mostly in alarm monitoring and response. Its subsidiary, Counterforce,
monitors security alarms and has approximately 33,000 accounts. The company
focuses on niche markets such as database and medical record access, rather than
mainstream access markets, so that it can leverage its encryption technology.
Mytec has announced strategic alliances with Compaq Computer and Casinoworld.
A number of other competitors of BII largely focus on PC network security
and financial/electronic commerce marketplaces. One of these, The National
Registry, is a public company which has been in the news frequently and has
strategic alliances with Key Tronic Corp., which designs and manufactures
keyboards, and Unisys Corp. Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, The National
Registry is focusing on fingerprint technology for mass market computer station
applications.
Digital Personna is a privately-held relatively new company located in
Redwood City, California which will be introducing a unit focused on PC/NT and
electronic commerce marketplace. Digital Personna also appears to be focused on
the consumer marketplace.
American Biometric Company is a privately held company and has recently
introduced the "BioMouse". The BioMouse is a peripheral device which attaches to
the serial port and is focused on PC and NT security. It has been on the market
for only a short time. The BioMouse is optically based, utilizing a
minutia-based algorithm.
Sony has introduced a fingerprint identification unit focused on PC and NT
security. The Sony unit is optically based utilizing minutia-based algorithms.
BII understands from Veridicom that Sony may integrate with its chip.
Additionally, there are several other companies in the PC/NT security
market such as Identicator, Digital Biometrics, Inc., FingerMatrix, Inc., and
Printrak International, Inc. These companies are mostly start-ups or established
forensic companies now entering the commercial market.
Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
Arete has provided an exclusive license to BII for its five pending patents
in fingerprint sensing and algorithms. The patent applications have been filed
during the past three years with the U.S. patent office and three have proceeded
to filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Of these, one has proceeded to
national stage filings in Brazil, Japan and Canada, and with the European Patent
Office. Effective, January 8, 1999, a patent on key technology elements of ridge
recognition is in the process of being issued in the United States.
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RISK FACTORS
The Company's business now consists primarily of its investment in BII (See
"Business of the Company"). Therefore, an investment in the shares of the
Company is subject to, primarily, the risks associated with BII's business. The
risks inherent to BII's business may be summarized as follows:
Uncertainty of Market Acceptance and Development
Substantially all of BII's product revenues to date have been, and for the
foreseeable future are anticipated to be, derived from biometric identity
verification ("Bio-ID") products and biometric imaging products. These products
represent new technologies, which have not yet gained widespread commercial
acceptance. In particular, Bio-ID products represent a new approach to identity
verification, which has only been used in limited applications to date. The
expansion of the market for BII's products depends on a number of factors,
including the cost and reliability of BII's products and products of
competitors, customers' perception of the benefits of these products, public
perceptions of the intrusiveness of these products and the manner in which
agencies are using the fingerprint information collected, public confidence as
to protection of private information, customers' satisfaction with BII's
products and publicity regarding these products. Public objections have been
raised as to the use of biometric products for some applications on civil
liberties grounds.
BII's future success is dependent upon the development and expansion of
markets for Bio-ID products and biometric imaging products both domestically and
internationally. In addition, even if markets develop for Bio-ID products and
additional markets develop for biometric imaging products, there can be no
assurance that BII's products will gain wide market acceptance in these markets.
A number of factors may limit the market acceptance of BII's products, including
the performance and price of BII's products compared to competitive products or
technologies, the practicalities of developing the infrastructure necessary to
support certain Bio-ID applications such as ATMs and point-of-sale applications,
the nature of technological innovations and new product development activities
by BII and its competitors, and the extent of marketing efforts by BII's
collaborators or partners. If the markets for BII's products fail to develop or
develop more slowly than anticipated or if BII's Bio-ID products fail to gain
wide market acceptance, or biometric imaging products lose market share, BII's
business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and
adversely affected.
Risks of Competition and Rapid Technological Change
The markets for Bio-ID products and biometric imaging systems are extremely
competitive and are characterized by rapid technological change, as a result of
technical developments exploited by competitors, the changing technical needs of
customers, and frequent introductions of new features. BII expects competition
to increase as other companies introduce additional and more competitive
products. In order to compete effectively in this environment, BII must
continually be able to develop and market new and enhanced products and market
those products at competitive prices.
There can be no assurance that BII will be able to make the technological
advances necessary to compete successfully in its products business. Some of
BII's present and potential competitors have financial, marketing and research
resources substantially greater than those of BII. Existing and new competitors
may enter or expand their efforts in BII's product markets, or develop new
products to compete against BII products. No assurance can be given that BII's
competitors will not develop new technologies or enhancements to existing
products or introduce new products that will offer superior price or performance
features or that new products or technologies will not render obsolete the
products of BII.
Dependency on New Products and Risks of Rapid Innovation
BII's future success will depend upon its ability to address the needs of
the market by enhancing its current products and by developing and introducing
new products on a timely basis that keep pace with technological developments
and emerging industry standards, respond to evolving customer requirements and
achieve market acceptance. The development of new, technologically-advanced
products and product enhancements is a complex and uncertain process requiring
high levels of innovation, as well as the accurate
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anticipation of technological and market trends. Any failure by BII to
anticipate or adequately respond to technological developments or end user
requirements, or any significant delays in product development or introduction,
could result in a loss of competitiveness or revenue.
There can be no assurance that BII will be successful in developing and
marketing product enhancements or new products on a timely basis if at all, that
BII will not experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful
development, introduction and sale of these products, or that any of its new
products and product enhancements will adequately meet the requirements of the
marketplace and achieve market acceptance. If BII is unable, for technological
or any other reason, to develop, introduce and sell its products in a timely
manner, BII's business, financial condition and results of operations would be
materially and adversely affected.
Inability to Establish Strategic Relationships for Product Distribution
BII's strategy for the distribution of certain of its products requires
entering into various strategic relationships with OEMs, systems integrators and
resellers. Some of these relationships are formalized in agreements; however,
such agreements may often be terminated with little or no notice, and subject to
periodic amendment. Although BII believes that the OEMs, systems integrators and
resellers with which it works have an economic motivation to promote or use
BII's products, the amount and timing of resources to be devoted to these
activities are not within the control of BII. There can be no assurance that
such parties will actively promote BII's products or pursue installations which
use BII equipment, that any distribution or other arrangements with BII will not
be terminated or renegotiated or that BII will derive any revenues from such
arrangements. BII intends to continue to seek strategic relationships to
distribute and sell certain of its products. There can be no assurance that BII
will be able to negotiate acceptable strategic relationships in the future or
that current or future strategic relationships will be successful.
Risk of Product Defects and Failure to Meet Performance Criteria
Complex products such as those offered by BII may contain undetected or
unresolved defects or may fail initially to meet customers' performance criteria
when first introduced or as new versions are released. There can be no assurance
that, despite testing by BII, defects or performance flaws will not be found in
new products or new versions of products following commercial release or that
performance failures will not result, causing loss of market share, delay in or
loss of market acceptance, additional warranty expense or product recall. In
addition, the failure of products to meet performance criteria could result in
delays in recognition of revenue and higher operating expenses during the period
required to correct such defects. There is a risk that for unforeseen reasons
BII may be required to repair or replace a substantial number of products in use
or to reimburse persons for products that fail to work or meet strict
performance criteria. Any such occurrence could have a material adverse effect
on BII's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Uncertainty of Protection of Proprietary Technology
BII's ability to compete effectively will depend in part on its ability to
maintain the proprietary nature of its technology, products and manufacturing
processes. BII principally relies upon patent, copyright, trade secret and
contract law to establish and protect its proprietary rights. The success of
BII's products business will depend in part on its proprietary technology and
BII's protection of such technology. Arete holds United States and foreign
patents covering certain of its products and technologies and has other patent
applications pending. BII licenses its technology from Arete.
No assurance can be given that the claims allowed on any patents held by
BII will be sufficiently broad to protect BII's technology. In addition, no
assurance can be given that any patents issued to BII will not be challenged,
invalidated or circumvented or that the rights granted thereunder will provide
competitive advantages to BII. The loss of patent protection on BII's technology
or the circumvention of its patent protection by competitors could have a
material adverse effect on BII's ability to compete successfully in its products
business. There can be no assurance that any existing or future patent
applications by Arete or BII will result in issued patents with the scope of the
claims sought, or at all, that any current or future issued or
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licensed patents, trade secrets or know-how will afford sufficient protection
against competitors with similar technologies or processes, or that any patents
issued will not be infringed upon or designed around by others.
In addition, there can be no assurance that others will not independently
develop proprietary technologies and processes, which are the same as,
substantially equivalent or superior to those of BII. Further, there can be no
assurance that BII has not or will not infringe on prior or future patents owned
by others, that BII will not need to acquire licenses under patents belonging to
others for technology potentially useful or necessary to BII, or that such
licenses will be available to BII, if at all, on terms acceptable to BII.
Litigation, which could result in substantial cost to BII and diversion of
management attention, may also be necessary to enforce any patents issued to BII
or to determine the scope and validity, of other parties' proprietary rights.
BII also relies on trade secrets and proprietary know-how which it seeks to
protect by confidentiality agreements with its employees and consultants and
with third parties. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be
breached, that BII will have adequate remedies for any breach, or that its trade
secrets and proprietary know-how will not otherwise become known or be
independently discovered by others. See "Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights".
Dependence on Key Personnel
BII's success will depend upon its ability to retain its current senior
management team and key technical, marketing and sales personnel and its ability
to identify, attract and retain additional highly qualified personnel. BII's
employees may voluntarily terminate their employment with BII at any time, and
competition for qualified employees, especially engineers, is intense. The
process of locating additional personnel with the combination of skills and
attributes required to carry out BII's strategy is often lengthy. The loss of
the services of key personnel, or the inability to attract additional qualified
personnel, could have a material adverse effect on BII's business, financial
condition and results of operations. As BII is also dependent on relationships
it has developed with the staff of Arete Associates, including an agreement
between BII and Arete pursuant to which Arete is to provide BII with the
services of four full-time equivalent engineers, any breakdown of these
relationships could also have a similar material adverse effect.
Applicability of Company Management's Expertise
The expertise and experience of the Company's management is principally in
the resource exploration and development industry. As such, at least in the
immediate future, the Company's management must rely to a large extent upon the
expertise and experience of BII's management.
Risk of Year 2000 Noncompliant Systems
The year 2000 issue is a general term used to refer to certain business
implications of the arrival of the new millennium. In simple terms, these
implications arise largely because it has been normal practice for computer
hardware and software to use only two digits rather than four to record the year
in date fields. On January 1, 2000, when the year is designated as "00", many
computer systems could either fail completely or create erroneous data as a
result of misinterpretation of the year. In some cases, date sensitive systems
may begin to fail prior to January 1, 2000. The results of failures may range
from relatively minor processing inaccuracies to catastrophic system
malfunctions. Failures may affect not only hardware and software used to process
everyday business information but also the imbedded computers that control plant
machinery, robotics, office equipment, elevators and building climate and
security systems.
The Company does not anticipate that it will experience significant year
2000 issues, because it utilizes commercial programs and systems that are
standard, Year 2000 compliant, business products. The Company is in the process
of contacting its principal suppliers to make sure that they are also Year 2000
compliant and anticipates that it will have completed its assessment of
suppliers by the third quarter of 1999.
The Company has asked BII to evaluate the products and services that BII
offers, as well as its information technology infrastructure, to determine
whether BII or its customers may have exposure to
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Year 2000 problems, and to make inquiries of BII's key suppliers, to determine
their readiness with respect to Year 2000 problems.
The Year 2000 problem is pervasive and complex and there can be no
assurance that the Company and BII have been or will be able to identify all of
the Year 2000 issues that may affect their products, services or internal
computer systems, or that any remedial efforts undertaken by the Company and BII
will adequately address any potential Year 2000 problems.
Risk of Monetary Exchange Rate Fluctuation
The profitability of BII and the Company may be adversely affected by
fluctuations in the rate of exchange of Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars.
Neither BII nor the Company typically has the capital available to take steps to
hedge against currency fluctuations.
Credit Risks Related to Investment in Convertible Debentures of BII
The Company's business now consists only of its investment in convertible
debentures issued by BII, a U.S. development stage company. These convertible
debentures are unsecured and do not provide for regular payments of principal or
interest to the Company. Until the Company exercises its rights of conversion
under the convertible debentures, the Company will not have the voting and other
rights provided to the shareholders of BII through their shareholdings. The
Company does not have any control over the shareholders or the Board of
Directors of BII.
Risk of Failure to Meet Future Capital Needs
As growing businesses, both the Company and BII typically need more capital
than they have available to them or can expect to generate through the sale of
their products. In the past, both the Company and BII have had to raise, by way
of debt and equity financing, considerable funds to meet their capital needs.
BII has been operating at a substantial deficit and has substantial monthly
expenses which are expected to grow as BII expands. There is no guarantee that
the Company or BII will be able to continue to raise funds needed for their
business. Failure to raise the necessary funds in a timely fashion will limit
both the Company's and BII's growth. The initial funds advanced by the Company
to BII will not be sufficient to maintain BII's solvency for any significant
period of time. Further, if the Company is not able to provide additional
capital for BII, the Company's interest in BII may be diluted if BII seeks
additional equity financing from other sources.
Dividends
The Company has not paid dividends in the past and does not anticipate
paying dividends in the near future. See "Dividend Record and Policy".
Conflicts of Interest
Certain officers and directors of the Company may hereafter become
associated with other technology companies that acquire interests in various
technologies. Such associations could give rise to conflicts of interest from
time to time. The directors of the Company are required by law, however, to act
honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and
its shareholders, and to disclose any personal interest which they may have in
any material transaction which is proposed to be entered into with the Company
and to abstain from voting as a director for the approval of any such
transaction. Certain transactions may also require shareholder approval under
applicable law or the rules of the Vancouver Stock Exchange.
ITEM 2 PROPERTIES
The Company occupies approximately 2,300 square feet of leased space at
Suite 1940, 400 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia under a lease
expiring October 31, 2000. A total of four employees of the Company operate out
of its Vancouver, British Columbia office.
BII occupies two administration offices in California, an engineering
office in Tucson, Arizona and sales offices in Dayton, Ohio and London, England.
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BII's California offices occupy a total of approximately 4,200 square feet
and are located at 5000 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, California and 324 E-11th
Street, Tracy, California. A total of 25 employees and consultants operate out
of the California offices. A total of 10 employees and consultants operate out
of the Arizona, Ohio, and London offices.
ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Other than as disclosed below, no material legal proceedings are pending to
which the Company is a party or of which any of its properties is subject.
Effective as of November 10, 1998, in compliance with the "continuation"
procedure provided for under the Company Act (British Columbia), the Company
continued into the State of Wyoming (the "Continuation"), where it is now
governed by the Wyoming Business Corporations Act. The Company's management has
subsequently determined that the Company should continue back to British
Columbia. In order to solicit shareholder approval for such continuation, the
Company filed on March 5, 1999, as required by the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act"), a preliminary proxy statement with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") which was reviewed by the staff
(the "Staff") of the SEC in accordance with rules promulgated under the Exchange
Act. Based on such review, the Staff informally advised the Company that the
Staff believes that the original Continuation was an event that would have
required, under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), the filing of
a registration statement with the SEC. The Staff further advised that it would
consider arguments that registration was not so required. The Company requested
its special counsel for U.S. securities matters ("U.S. Counsel") to conduct
further analysis in response to the Staff's advice. Following such analysis U.S.
Counsel concluded that there are substantial arguments that under applicable law
the effectuation of the Continuation should not have required the filing of a
registration statement. Upon request of the Company, U.S. Counsel prepared a
written submission, dated March 19, 1999, to present these arguments to the
Staff.
In response to this submission, on March 25, 1999, the Staff orally advised
the Company's U.S. Counsel that the Staff was maintaining its original position
that the Continuation required registration under the Securities Act. The
Company has decided to resolve this matter by filing a registration statement
under the Securities Act for an "offer in rescission" (the "Registration
Statement") in connection with the shares deemed to have been offered in
connection with the Continuation. In that event, during the period between the
Continuation and the effective date of the Registration Statement (effectiveness
occurring only after the Company has successfully responded to all comments of
the Staff regarding the Registration Statement, including possibly in an
amendment thereto) persons who were shareholders of the Company at the time of
the Continuation may have common law remedies for a possible violation of the
registration requirement under the Securities Act. The exposure of the Company
in that event is difficult to quantify because such shareholders were, prior to
the Continuation, provided their statutory right of dissent under the Company
Act (British Columbia) to be paid the fair market value of their shares if they
dissented from the Continuation. No holder of Company shares exercised such
dissent right. Pursuant to the offer in rescission to be issued by the Company,
holders of Company shares at the time of the Continuation would be offered the
right to have their shares repurchased by the Company at their fair market value
at the time of the Continuation.
ITEM 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
On October 9, 1998, at an Extraordinary General Meeting, the shareholders
of the Company voted to continue the Company in the state of Wyoming, to change
the name of the Company to Biometric Security Corp., and to increase the
Company's authorized capital to an unlimited number of common shares. The
shareholder vote for the continuance was 4,883,862 votes in favor, 24,226 votes
against, and 440 abstentions. The shareholder vote for the name change was
4,895,524 votes in favor, 12,664 votes against, and 400 abstentions. The
shareholder vote for the increase in common shares was 4,901,744 votes in favor,
6,824 votes against, and zero abstentions.
Effective November 10, 1998, the change of name and continuance of the
Company in the state of Wyoming had been completed. Effective November 12, 1998,
the increase of the Company's authorized capital to an unlimited number of
common shares had taken place.
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PART II
ITEM 5 MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The common shares (the "Common Shares") of the Company are quoted for
trading on the Vancouver Stock Exchange (the "VSE") under the symbol "BMS". As
of March 15, 1999, there were 32,501,078 Common Shares issued and outstanding,
held by 2,203 shareholders of record. The following table sets out the range of
high and low closing prices as reported on the VSE for the fiscal periods
indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
(CDN. $) (CDN. $)
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1997
First Quarter............................................. 1.15 1.05
Second Quarter............................................ 0.86 0.50
Third Quarter............................................. 0.46 0.30
Fourth Quarter............................................ 0.33 0.27
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1998
First Quarter............................................. 0.27 0.16
Second Quarter............................................ 0.52 0.18
Third Quarter............................................. 0.36 0.16
Fourth Quarter............................................ 0.25 0.18
</TABLE>
On March 15, 1999, the closing price of the Common Shares on the VSE was
$0.25.
The Common Shares are also traded from time to time on the over-the-counter
market in the United States.
Dividend Record and Policy
The Company has not paid any dividends since incorporation and it has no
plans to pay dividends in the immediate future. The Company expects to retain
any earnings to finance further growth and, when appropriate, retire debt. The
directors of the Company will determine if and when dividends should be declared
and paid in the future based on the Company's financial position at the relevant
time. All of the common shares of the Company are entitled to an equal share in
any dividends declared and paid.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF SECURITIES DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS
For the Period Ended December 31, 1998
On December 29, 1998, the Company commenced a private placement of
11,666,666 units (the "Units") to qualified investors at a price of $0.15 per
Unit. Each Unit offered consisted of one common share and one non-transferable
share purchase warrant. Each warrant is exercisable for a period of two years
from closing and will entitle the holder to purchase one common share at a price
of $0.15 per share during the first year after closing and at a price of $0.17
per share during the second year after closing. For that offering, Goepel
McDermid Inc. (the "Agent") acted as agent and placed 6,666,666 Units. The
Company placed 5,000,000 Units directly. The Agent received a commission of 10%
of the gross proceeds raised from its portion of the offering, which was paid in
cash ($100,000). As additional compensation, the Agent was granted a warrant to
acquire up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company, which is that number of shares
equal to 15% of the number of Units placed by it for a period of two years at a
price of $0.15 per share during the first year after closing and at a price of
$0.17 per share during the second year after closing. The price of the Units was
determined by the Company and the Agent with reference to the recent trading
prices of the Company's common shares on the VSE.
The offering commenced on December 29, 1998 and closed on January 29, 1999.
The Company received $1,750,000 in total proceeds. This transaction was effected
in reliance upon the exemption from United States securities law registration
requirements provided by Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
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"Securities Act") because none of the securities were offered or sold in the
United States or to "U.S. persons" other than "distributors" (as such quoted
terms are defined in Regulation S).
On September 10, 1998, the Company completed a private placement of 660,000
units at $0.15 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one
non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each warrant is exercisable at a price
of $0.15 per share if purchased on or before September 10, 1999, or at a price
of $0.17 per share if purchased from and including September 11, 1999 to
September 10, 2000. The Company received $99,000 in cash proceeds.
On May 15, 1998, the Company completed a private placement of 3,375,000
special warrants at a price of $0.15 per special warrant. Each special warrant
is exchangeable, at no additional cost, into one common share and one
non-transferable share purchase warrant that allows the holder to purchase one
common share at a price of $0.15 per share if exercised within the first year
and $0.17 per share if exercised within the second year. The Company received
$506,250 in cash proceeds.
For the Period Ended December 31, 1997
In January 1997, the Company issued the 5,000,000 shares and 5,000,000
one-half share purchase warrants upon exercise of the 5,000,000 Special Warrants
offered in October 1996 (and described below). 250,000 compensation options were
also issued to the underwriter upon the exercise of 250,000 special compensation
options. In addition, the net proceeds of $5,106,645 from the sale of Special
Warrants, together with $39,286 in interest earned thereon, were released to the
Company.
For the Period Ended December 31, 1996
On October 22, 1996, the Company completed the private placement of
5,000,000 Special Warrants at an issue price of $1.10 per Special Warrant. Each
Special Warrant entitled the holder to acquire, without further consideration,
one unit comprising one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant,
with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional share at
$1.30 per share for a two year period. The Company also granted the underwriters
250,000 special compensation options as partial compensation for the placement
of the Special Warrants. Each special compensation option entitled the
underwriter to acquire, without further consideration, one compensation option.
Each compensation option is exercisable for one unit at a price of $1.10 per
unit to January 31, 1999. Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of
a share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the underwriter to
purchase one additional share for $1.30 per share to January 31, 1999.
On August 21, 1996 the Company entered into subscription agreements for the
private placement of an aggregate of 1,400,000 units of the Company at a price
of $1.10 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share of the Company and
one non-transferable share purchase warrant entitling the holder to purchase an
additional common share of the Company for a period of two years at a price of
$1.25 per share. The Company received $1,540,000 in cash proceeds.
On January 26, 1996, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with
Federico Brown pursuant to which Mr. Brown purchased, by way of private
placement, a total of 37,000 units of the Company at a price of $1.28 per unit.
Each unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one non-transferable
share purchase warrant to purchase an additional share of the Company for a
period of two years at a price of $1.28 per share during the first year of the
term and $1.47 per share during the second term. At the time of the private
placement, Mr. Brown was an employee of the Company. The Company received
$47,360 in cash proceeds.
On February 20, 1996, the VSE approved a private placement, announced on
December 5, 1995, of 100,000 units of the Company at a price of $0.80 per unit.
Daniel J. Kunz, at the time the President and a director of the Company, was the
sole participant in the private placement. Each unit in the private placement
consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant
entitling Mr. Kunz to purchase a further common share of the Company for two
years at a price of $0.80 per share during the first year and $0.92 per share
during the second year.
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Except for the first transaction described above (which, as noted, was
effected in reliance on the exemption provided under Regulation S of the
Securities Act), the transactions above were effected in reliance upon the
exemption from registration requirements provided by Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act on the basis that such transactions did not involve any public
offering.
ITEM 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data set forth below with respect to
the Company's consolidated statements of operations for each of the three fiscal
years in the period ended December 31, 1998 and with respect to the consolidated
balance sheets at December 31, 1998 and 1997, are derived from the Company's
audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K. Consolidated statement of operations data for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, and balance sheet data at December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements
of the Company not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (These financial
statements, which included a note reconciling differences between U.S. and
Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), were filed with the
Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F.)
The following selected financial consolidated financial data should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the Company and
the notes thereto appearing in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Historical operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that
may be expected in any future period.
As a result of the Company's Continuation into the State of Wyoming, the
Company has adopted U.S. GAAP and restated prior years figures to be in
accordance with U.S. GAAP. As the functional currency of the Company is Canadian
dollars, all amounts are in Canadian dollars.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DEC. 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
(STATED IN THOUSANDS OF CANADIAN DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue............................. $ 159 $ 175 $ 102 $ 211 $ 36
Net income (loss)................... $ (5,684) $ (2,200) $ (1,259) $ (1,142) $ (406)
Net income (loss) per share......... $ (0.30) $ (0.13) $ (0.14) $ (0.20) $ (0.10)
Cash dividends declared per share... $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Working capital..................... $ 10 $ 3,072 $ 6,369 $ 1,936 $ 1,846
Total assets........................ $ 4,007 $ 8,274 $ 10,451 $ 2,721 $ 2,010
Total liabilities................... $ 299 $ 283 $ 571 $ 91 $ 143
Share capital....................... $ 13,789 $ 12,388 $ 12,077 $ 3,567 $ 1,662
Retained earnings (deficit)......... $ (10,080) $ (4,397) $ (2,197) $ (937) $ 204
</TABLE>
ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
As noted above, the statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that
relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements.
Actual results could differ materially due to a variety of factors, including
the factors described under "Risk Factors" and the other risks described in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after
the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Current Capital Resources and Liquidity
Since inception, the Company's capital resources have been limited. Since
cash generated from operations has been nominal, the Company has had to rely
upon the sale of equity and debt securities for cash required for investments
and operations, among other things. The Company has acquired the right to invest
up to US $5,000,000 into BII by way of the acquisition of convertible debentures
(see Item 1 -- Business of the Company). As at December 31, 1998, the Company
had invested US $2,325,000 into BII, and invested an
A-23
<PAGE> 67
additional US $550,000 on January 29, 1999, leaving another US $2,125,000 to
possibly be invested in the future. As at December 31, 1998, the Company had
working capital of approximately $10,478. In January 1999, the Company raised an
additional net proceeds of $1,650,000 by way of the sale of shares of the
Company, some of which was used to make the additional US$550,000 investment in
BII. The Company's current working capital is not sufficient to make the rest of
the investment in BII.
Since the Company is unlikely to have cash flow in the near future, the
Company will have to continue to rely upon equity and debt financing during such
period. There can be no assurance that financing, whether debt or equity, will
always be available to the Company in the amount required at any particular time
or for any particular period or, if available, that it can be obtained on terms
satisfactory to the Company. Other than in respect of the BII acquisition, the
Company does not have any commitments for material capital expenditures over
either the near or long term and none are presently contemplated over normal
operating requirements.
FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
Results of Operations
A $0.30 loss per share in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 resulted
from cash and short-term investment earnings of $159,118 less expenses of
$1,250,578 and mineral property write-offs of $4,592,237. This is compared to a
$0.13 loss per share in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 from cash and
short-term investment earnings of $175,185, expenses of $759,182, and mineral
property write-offs of $1,615,898.
Administrative costs in 1998 increased 67% over 1997, primarily as a result
of the Company incurring increased professional fees and finders fees.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flow from operations has not to date satisfied all of the Company's
operational requirements and cash commitments. The Company has not yet completed
its capital budget and therefore cannot project accurately capital expenditures;
however, with working capital of approximately $10,478 as at December 31, 1998,
the Company does not presently have sufficient financial resources to acquire
the remaining debentures in BII anticipated to be acquired pursuant to the
agreement with BII. In the past, the Company relied on sales of debt and equity
securities to meet its cash requirements to the extent that they exceeded cash
flow from operations. If the Company cannot raise the necessary financing
directly by way of debt, equity or other means, it may be forced to curtail its
purchase of debentures of BII and its operating activities. At this time, the
Company is seeking but does not have specific arrangements to obtain the
necessary financing. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful
in obtaining any such financing.
During 1998, the Company completed a 3,375,000 unit private placement that
raised proceeds of $506,250 and a 660,000 unit private placement that raised
proceeds of $99,000. In addition, the Company raised $23,000 from the exercise
of 100,000 stock options. The Company also issued 250,450 Common Shares at a
deemed value of $75,135 for finders fees in connection with the BII debentures.
Balance Sheets
Total cash and short-term investments at December 31, 1998 were $245,182 as
compared to $3,330,110 at December 31, 1997 and working capital decreased to
$10,478 as at December 31, 1998 compared to $3,072,259 as at December 31, 1997.
As at December 31, 1998, a total of $3,637,219 (US$2,325,000) including
accrued interest of $79,989 had been invested in debentures of BII.
A-24
<PAGE> 68
Subsequent Events
Subsequent to December 31, 1998, the Company:
a) Completed Private Placements commencing on December 29, 1998, which
consisted of:
i) a best efforts brokered private placement of 6,666,666 units at
$0.15 per unit for total proceeds of $1,000,000.
ii) a non-brokered private placement of 5,000,000 units at $0.15
per unit for total proceeds of $750,000.
Each unit consisted of one common share and one two-year,
non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each warrant is exercisable at
a price of $0.15 per share in the first year and $0.17 per share in the
second year. Remuneration paid to the broker for acting as agent
consisted of a 10% commission ($100,000) payable in cash and a two year
broker's warrant exercisable into 1,000,000 shares of the Company. The
broker's warrants are exercisable at a price of $0.15 per share in the
first year and $0.17 per share in the second year.
b) Announced a $1,750,000 Private Placement, which is awaiting
Canadian regulatory approval as of March 15, 1999. The private placement
will consist of 11,666,666 units, brokered on a best efforts basis, at a
price of $0.15 per unit for total proceeds of $1,750,000. Each unit will
consist of one common share and one two-year non-transferable share
purchase warrant. Each warrant will be exercisable at a price of $0.15 per
share in the first year and $0.17 per share in the second year.
Remuneration to be paid to the broker for acting as agent will consist of a
10% commission payable in cash and a two year broker's warrant exercisable
into shares of the Company not exceeding 15% of the number of units issued
to investors pursuant to the private placements. The broker's warrants will
be exercisable at a price of $0.15 per share in the first year and $0.17
per share in the second year.
c) Invested an additional US $550,000 in BII debentures.
d) Announced an extraordinary general meeting to the shareholders of
the Company to be held on April 12, 1999, at which time the shareholders
would vote on the Company's proposal to continue to the Province of British
Columbia and to consolidate the Company's share capital on the basis of one
post-consolidated share for each five pre-consolidated shares. The meeting
date was subsequently postponed and has not yet been rescheduled. (See Item
3 -- Legal Proceedings, regarding certain U.S. securities matters and the
Company's current plans to continue back to British Columbia.)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
Results of Operations
A $0.13 loss per share in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 resulted
from cash and short-term investment earnings of $175,185 less expenses of
$759,182 and mineral property write-offs of $1,615,898. This is compared to a
$0.14 loss per share in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 from cash and
short-term investment earnings of $102,147, expenses of $826,609 and mineral
property write-offs of $534,853.
Administrative costs in 1997 decreased 13% over 1996 as a result of the
Company cutting back promotional, travel, consultants and other costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
During 1997, the Company completed a special warrant placement of 5,000,000
units that raised net proceeds of $5,106,645 (see 1996 liquidity and capital
resources below) and raised $184,000 from the exercise of 200,000 warrants and
$126,400 from the exercise of 120,000 options.
A-25
<PAGE> 69
Balance Sheets
Total cash and short-term investments at December 31, 1997 were $3,330,110
as compared to $1,742,133 (excluding $5,106,645 of cash in escrow) at December
31, 1996 and working capital decreased to $3,072,259 as at December 31, 1997
compared to $6,369,429 as at December 31, 1996.
A total of $3,171,103 of mineral property costs were expended in Argentina
and initially capitalized during 1997.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995
Results of Operations
A $0.14 loss per share in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 resulted
from cash and short-term investment earnings of $102,147 less expenses of
$826,609 and mineral property write-offs of $534,853. This is compared to a
$0.20 loss per share in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 from cash and
short-term investment earnings of $210,620, expenses of $606,230 and resource
property write-downs of $746,371.
Administrative costs in 1996 increased 36.4% over 1995 as a result of the
Company's move to new office premises, the hiring of additional personnel,
advertising, promotional, exploration and travel costs incurred to support the
Company's mineral projects.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On October 22, 1996, the Company completed the private placement of
5,000,000 Special Warrants at an issue price of $1.10 per Special Warrant. Each
Special Warrant entitled the holder to acquire, without further consideration,
one unit comprising one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant,
with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional share at
$1.30 per share for a two year period. The proceeds from the sale of Special
Warrants of $5,106,645, net of commissions and other offering costs, were being
held in escrow at December 31, 1996, pending completion of a prospectus
qualifying the common shares and share purchase warrants for distribution.
The Company also granted the underwriters 250,000 special compensation
options as partial compensation for the placement of the Special Warrants. Each
special compensation option entitled the underwriter to acquire, without further
consideration, one compensation option. Each compensation option was exercisable
for one unit at a price of $1.10 per unit to January 31, 1999. Each unit
consists of one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each
whole warrant entitling the underwriter to purchase one additional share for
$1.30 per share to January 31, 1999.
In January 1997, the Company issued the 5,000,000 shares and 5,000,000
one-half share purchase warrants upon exercise of the 5,000,000 Special
Warrants. 250,000 compensation options were also issued to the underwriter upon
the exercise of 250,000 special compensation options. In addition, the net
proceeds from the sale of Special Warrants, together with interest earned
thereon, were released to the Company.
Additional financing during 1996 was received from the net proceeds of
$1,486,568 from three private placements during 1996 totaling 1,537,000 common
shares, $1,828,138 from the exercise of 2,022,250 warrants and $88,800 from the
exercise of 110,000 options granted to employees.
Balance Sheets
Total cash and short-term investments at December 31, 1996 were $1,742,133
(excluding $5,106,645 of cash in escrow) as compared to $1,796,691 at December
31, 1995 and working capital increased to $6,369,429 as at December 31, 1996
compared to $1,935,574 as at December 31, 1995.
A total of $2,998,691 in mineral property costs were expended in Argentina
and initially capitalized during 1996.
A-26
<PAGE> 70
ITEM 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
1. Auditors' Report to the Shareholders........................ F-2
2. Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 1998 and F-3
1997......................................................
3. Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit for the F-4
Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996..............
4. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended F-5
December 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996..................................................
5. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. F-6
</TABLE>
A-27
<PAGE> 71
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
F-1
<PAGE> 72
AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Biometric Security Corp.
(formerly Sonoma Resource Corp.) as at December 31, 1998 and 1997 and the
consolidated statements of operations and deficit and cash flows for each of the
years in the three year period ended December 31, 1998. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain
reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31,
1998 and 1997 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of
the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1998 in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
February 23, 1999
F-2
<PAGE> 73
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash................................................... $ 245,182 $3,330,110
Amounts receivable..................................... 55,076 19,002
Prepaid expenses....................................... 9,257 6,252
----------- ----------
309,515 3,355,364
Equipment and leasehold improvements (note 3)............... 60,758 248,213
Mineral properties (note 4)................................. -- 4,670,516
Investment (note 5)......................................... 3,637,219 --
----------- ----------
$ 4,007,492 $8,274,093
=========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities............... $ 148,262 $ 283,105
Loan payable (note 6).................................. 150,775 --
----------- ----------
299,037 283,105
Shareholders' equity:
Share capital (note 7):
Authorized:
Unlimited (1997 -- 100,000,000) common shares
Issued:
20,834,412 (1997 -- 16,448,962) common shares..... 13,128,263 12,387,691
Advances on share subscriptions (note 7(b))............ 660,592 --
Deficit................................................ (10,080,400) (4,396,703)
----------- ----------
3,708,455 7,990,988
Continuing operations (note 1)
Commitments and contingencies (notes 5 and 13)
Subsequent events (notes 5, 6, 7 and 14)....................
----------- ----------
$ 4,007,492 $8,274,093
=========== ==========
</TABLE>
On behalf of the Board:
Patrick W. McCleery, Director
Wayne D. Johnstone, Director
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 74
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND DEFICIT
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue:
Interest and other income......................... $ 159,118 $ 175,185 $ 62,670
Gain on disposal of marketable securities......... -- -- 39,477
------------ ----------- -----------
159,118 175,185 102,147
General and administrative expenses:
Business consultants.............................. 78,306 87,345 158,305
Depreciation and depletion........................ 9,858 67,100 8,500
Finder's fee (note 5)............................. 99,822 -- --
Foreign exchange gain............................. (80,041) (20,198) (20,630)
Interest and bank charges......................... 14,449 2,159 2,507
Legal, audit and accounting....................... 563,234 141,256 66,461
Management fees................................... 120,059 127,121 164,451
Office expense.................................... 113,851 113,570 136,891
Public listing.................................... 66,153 37,035 38,080
Salaries, wages and administration................ 56,129 61,979 68,841
Travel, accommodation and promotion............... 159,891 103,332 203,203
------------ ----------- -----------
1,201,711 720,699 826,609
------------ ----------- -----------
(1,042,593) (545,514) (724,462)
Other expenses:
Write-off of mineral properties (note 4).......... 4,592,237 1,615,898 534,853
Mineral exploration............................... -- 16,395 --
Loss on disposal of equipment..................... 48,867 22,088 --
------------ ----------- -----------
4,641,104 1,654,381 534,853
------------ ----------- -----------
Loss for the year...................................... (5,683,697) (2,199,895) (1,259,315)
Deficit, beginning of year............................. (4,396,703) (2,196,808) (937,493)
------------ ----------- -----------
Deficit, end of year................................... $(10,080,400) $(4,396,703) $(2,196,808)
============ =========== ===========
Loss per share......................................... $ (0.30) $ (0.13) $ (0.14)
============ =========== ===========
Weighted average number of shares...................... 18,825,977 16,170,395 8,933,410
============ =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 75
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Loss for the year..................................... $(5,683,697) $(2,199,895) $(1,259,315)
Adjustments to reconcile loss for the year to net cash
used in operating activities:
Write-off of mineral properties.................. 4,592,237 1,615,898 534,853
Loss on disposal of equipment.................... 48,867 22,088 --
Depreciation and depletion....................... 9,858 67,100 8,500
Accrued interest income on investment............ (79,989) -- --
Non-cash fees and expenses....................... 112,322 -- --
Gain on disposal of marketable securities........ -- -- (39,477)
Decrease (increase) in amounts receivable........ (36,074) 29,846 107,230
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses.......... (3,005) 36,303 31,331
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and
accrued liabilities........................... (134,844) (287,647) 479,671
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash used in operating activities................... (1,174,325) (716,307) (137,207)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds on sale of marketable securities............. -- -- 193,527
Equipment and leasehold improvements.................. (22,781) (79,658) (223,643)
Proceeds on disposal of equipment and leasehold
improvements....................................... 151,512 -- --
Mineral properties.................................... (145,306) (3,033,103) (2,998,691)
Security deposit (paid) recovered..................... 185,335 -- (138,000)
Proceeds on sale of mineral properties................ 38,250 -- --
Investment............................................ (3,557,230) -- --
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities................... (3,350,220) (3,112,761) (3,166,807)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Loan payable.......................................... 250,000 -- --
Repayment of loan payable............................. (99,225) -- --
Issuance of common shares............................. 628,250 5,417,045 3,403,506
Advances on share subscriptions....................... 660,592 -- --
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities............... 1,439,617 5,417,045 3,403,506
----------- ----------- -----------
Increase (decrease) in cash............................. (3,084,928) 1,587,977 99,492
Cash, beginning of year................................. 3,330,110 1,742,133 1,642,641
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash, end of year....................................... $ 245,182 $ 3,330,110 $ 1,742,133
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
Supplementary cash flow information (note 9)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 76
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
1. CONTINUING OPERATIONS:
The Company was incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada.
During 1998, the Company changed its principal business activity from the
exploration and development of resource properties to an investment holding
company, with its principal holding being its investment in Biometric
Identification Inc. ("BII") (note 5). BII's principal business activity is the
development, manufacture and marketing of fingerprint identification systems in
the United States. BII has not yet achieved profitable operations. In connection
with this change in business activity during 1998, the Company changed its name
from Sonoma Resource Corp. to Biometric Security Corp., and on November 10,
1998, the Company was continued under the laws of the State of Wyoming (also see
note 14(a)).
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles applicable to a going concern, which assumes that the Company will
realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the ordinary course of
business. At December 31, 1998, the Company has a net working capital position
of approximately $10,000, which is not sufficient to meet its commitments or
fund ongoing operations. The ability of the Company to settle its liabilities as
they come due and to fund its commitments and ongoing operations is dependent
upon the ability of the Company to obtain additional equity financing (also see
notes 7(b) and 14(b)). The recoverability of the Company's investment in BII is
dependent upon the establishment of profitable commercial operations in BII, the
ability of the Company to obtain additional debt or equity financing to complete
the acquisition of BII or the proceeds from the disposition of the Company's
interest in BII.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
(a) Basis of presentation:
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles and practices that are generally accepted in the
United States, which conform, in all material respects, with those generally
accepted in Canada, except as explained in note 15.
(b) Basis of consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its subsidiaries, all of which are directly or indirectly wholly-owned, and
include (with the jurisdiction of incorporation in brackets):
Sonoma Resource de Argentina S.A. (Argentina)
Sonoma Resource (Bermuda) Ltd. (Bermuda)
Cerro Toro Mining (Barbados) Ltd. (Barbados)
Cerro Toro S.A. (Argentina)
Castano Mining (Barbados)
Castano S.A. (Argentina)
All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
(c) Equipment and leasehold improvements:
Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost and depreciated
over their estimated useful lives on a declining-balance basis at 15% per year.
F-6
<PAGE> 77
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
(d) Mineral properties:
Mineral property acquisition costs and related exploration and development
expenditures are deferred until the property is placed into production, sold or
abandoned. These costs will be amortized over the estimated life of the property
following commencement of commercial production or written off if the property
is sold, allowed to lapse or abandoned. Administration expenditures are expensed
in the period incurred.
Mineral property acquisition costs include the cash consideration and the
fair market value of common shares issued for mineral property interests. A
property acquired under an option agreement or by joint venture, where payments
are made at the sole discretion of the Company, is recorded in the accounts at
the time of payment.
On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates the status of its mineral
properties based on results to date to determine the nature of exploration and
development work that is warranted in the future. If there is little prospect of
further work on a property being carried out, the deferred costs related to that
property are written down to their estimated recoverable amount.
The amounts shown for mineral properties reflect costs incurred to date,
less write-offs and recoveries, and are not intended to reflect present or
future values.
(e) Investments:
The investment in BII (note 5) is classified by the Company as a
held-to-maturity investment, as BII is not a public company and the Company
intends to hold the debt securities until maturity, or until conversion.
Held-to-maturity investments are recorded at cost. A decline in value of
held-to-maturity investments that is deemed to be other than temporary results
in a reduction in the carrying amount to fair value. The impairment would be
charged to earnings in the period such determination is made and a new cost
basis for the investment is established. Dividend and interest income are
recognized when earned.
(f) Stock options:
The Company applies the intrinsic value-based method of accounting
prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, in accounting for its stock
options. As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant
only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise
price.
(g) Loss per share:
Basic loss per share is calculated using the weighted average number of
shares outstanding during the year. Diluted loss per share has not been
presented as the effect on basic loss per share would be anti-dilutive.
(h) Foreign currency translation:
Transactions of the Company and its subsidiaries that are denominated in
foreign currencies are recorded in Canadian dollars at exchange rates in effect
at the related transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies are adjusted to reflect exchange rates at the balance sheet
date. Exchange gains and losses arising on the translation of monetary assets
and liabilities are included in the determination of operations for the year.
F-7
<PAGE> 78
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
(i) Use of estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates
relate to the determination of impairment of mineral properties and equipment,
useful lives for depreciation and the carrying value of the investment in BII.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(j) Comparative figures:
Certain of the prior years' comparative figures have been reclassified to
conform with the presentation adopted for 1998.
3. EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Equipment................................................... $ 67,759 $ 71,320
Automotive equipment........................................ -- 209,179
Leasehold improvements...................................... 19,138 15,941
-------- --------
86,897 296,440
Accumulated depreciation.................................... (26,139) (48,227)
-------- --------
$ 60,758 $248,213
======== ========
</TABLE>
F-8
<PAGE> 79
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
4. MINERAL PROPERTIES:
The continuity of mineral property acquisition costs, exploration and
development expenditures, write-offs and deferred expenditures at year end is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CHUBUT AND
CERRO TORO CASTANO SAN LUIS
PROPERTIES(A) GROUP(B) PROPERTIES(C) OTHER(C) TOTAL
-------------- --------- -------------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1997........... $3,983,092 $ -- $687,424 $ -- $4,670,516
Exploration and development
expenditures:
Access costs.................. 772 -- -- -- 772
Assays........................ -- -- 2,882 -- 2,882
Communication................. -- -- 332 -- 332
Contract labour and
supervision................ 5,737 -- -- -- 5,737
Data acquisition and
analysis................... 941 -- 596 -- 1,537
Equipment and field
supplies................... 5,231 -- 259 -- 5,490
Field administration.......... 21,674 -- -- -- 21,674
Field car rental and
transportation............. 3,271 -- 389 -- 3,660
Geological and geophysical.... 40,471 -- 28,810 -- 69,281
Insurance..................... 5,762 -- -- -- 5,762
Legal and other............... 19,552 -- 6,687 -- 26,239
Travel and accommodation...... 1,669 -- 271 -- 1,940
---------- --------- -------- -------- ----------
105,080 -- 40,226 -- 145,306
---------- --------- -------- -------- ----------
4,088,172 -- 727,650 -- 4,815,822
Recovery of security deposit....... -- (185,335) -- -- (185,335)
Deposit received on option
agreement....................... -- -- -- (38,250) (38,250)
Write-offs......................... (4,088,172) 185,335 (727,650) 38,250 (4,592,237)
---------- --------- -------- -------- ----------
Balance, December 31, 1998......... $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
========== ========= ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
F-9
<PAGE> 80
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CHUBUT AND
CERRO TORO CASTANO SAN LUIS
PROPERTIES(A) GROUP(B) PROPERTIES(C) OTHER(C) TOTAL
-------------- ---------- -------------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1996.......... $1,591,602 $1,000,818 $217,877 $305,014 $3,115,311
Acquisition costs................... 7,610 165,308 55,726 31,637 260,281
Exploration and development
expenditures:
Access costs................... 66,273 -- 27,030 -- 93,303
Assays......................... 109,858 -- -- -- 109,858
Camp........................... 2,121 -- -- -- 2,121
Communication.................. 15,802 -- -- -- 15,802
Contract drilling.............. 1,203,985 -- -- -- 1,203,985
Contract labour and
supervision.................. 82,045 -- 16,685 -- 98,730
Data acquisition and
analysis..................... 19,512 -- 2,364 22,516 44,392
Equipment and field supplies... 156,120 -- 42,676 512 199,308
Field administration........... 149,318 -- 860 -- 150,178
Field car rental and
transportation............... 77,563 -- 15,021 364 92,948
Geological and geophysical..... 394,316 1,400 200,277 30,280 626,273
Insurance...................... 23,369 -- 1,308 707 25,384
Legal and other................ 19,852 -- 33,002 55,620 108,474
Travel and accommodation....... 63,746 -- 74,598 1,722 140,066
---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
2,383,880 1,400 413,821 111,721 2,910,822
---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
3,983,092 1,167,526 687,424 448,372 6,286,414
Write-offs.......................... -- (1,167,526) -- (448,372) (1,615,898)
---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
Balance, December 31, 1997.......... $3,983,092 $ -- $687,424 $ -- $4,670,516
========== ========== ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
A brief description of the Company's mineral properties is as follows:
(a) Cerro Toro Properties:
On February 15, 1995, the Company filed three exploration permits with the
regulatory authorities in San Juan Province, Argentina covering 1,845 hectares
located in San Juan Province. The Company was subsequently notified that 100% of
the rights of ownership established by the procedures of the Province belong to
the Company.
During 1998, all deferred expenditures relating to the Cerro Toro
Properties were written off.
(b) Castano Group:
In 1996, the Company entered into a purchase/option agreement to acquire
100% of the rights and interests in the Castano Group of mineral properties
located in San Juan Province, Argentina. In 1997, the Company terminated the
purchase/option agreement in accordance with the provisions provided therein and
wrote off the remaining deferred expenditures on the Castano Group. During 1998,
the Company recovered a security deposit that had previously been written off.
F-10
<PAGE> 81
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
(c) Other Argentina properties:
During 1995, the Company staked and applied for a number of cateos and
manifestaciones within Cordova, San Luis, Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces, all
of which were of a grass roots nature. At December 31, 1997, the Company had
staked and applied for 13 cateos and 20 manifestaciones in the San Luis and
Chubut provinces.
In 1997, the Company wrote-off costs incurred relating to properties in
provinces other than San Luis and Chubut that the Company did not intend to
pursue.
As the Cordova and San Luis cateos and manifestaciones were not renewed
during 1999, all deferred expenditures relating to these properties were written
off during 1998.
During 1998, the Company entered into a letter agreement to grant Inlet
Resources Ltd. ("Inlet") an option to purchase up to a 100% interest in the
Company's Argentine properties. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company
granted Inlet an option to purchase up to 90% of the properties, over a three
year period, with a buyout of the remaining 10% for U.S. $2,000,000. During the
first year, the agreement requires Inlet to pay the Company U.S. $150,000 in
stages, issue the Company 100,000 shares and complete a U.S. $650,000 work
program, to earn a 50% interest in the properties. During the second and third
years, the agreement provides that Inlet will pay the Company a total of U.S.
$600,000 in stages, issue 200,000 shares and complete work commitments totalling
U.S. $1,500,000 to earn an additional 40% interest in the properties. To
December 31, 1998, the Company received a cash deposit of U.S. $25,000 relating
to the option agreement.
5. INVESTMENT:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Investment, at cost......................................... $3,557,230
Accrued interest receivable............................... 79,989
----------
$3,637,219
==========
</TABLE>
During 1998, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase convertible
debentures entitling the Company to acquire up to a 45% interest in Biometric
Identification Inc. ("BII"), a private California-based company in the business
of developing, manufacturing and marketing fingerprint recognition technology.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has the right to acquire up to
U.S. $5,000,000 of convertible debentures to be issued by BII. If all such
debentures are acquired and converted into shares of BII, the Company will hold
approximately 45% of the issued shares of BII.
This investment was initiated by a related party which assigned its
interest to the Company in exchange for a fee up to U.S. $145,000, plus
reimbursement of its expenses. The related party elected to take this fee in the
form of 715,575 common shares at a deemed price of $0.30 per share. These shares
will be issued in pro-rata tranches on the same basis the debentures are
purchased by the Company.
The debentures have a term of five years from the date of the closing of
the first acquisition and bear interest at the lowest interest rate imputed
under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
At December 31, 1998, the Company had acquired debentures of BII totalling
U.S. $2,325,000 in accordance with the terms of the agreement and had issued
250,450 shares and allotted 82,292 shares, at a total value of $99,822, to the
related party. Additional debenture acquisitions and share issuances for finders
fees under the terms of the original agreement are scheduled as follows:
F-11
<PAGE> 82
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEBENTURE
DATES AMOUNTS (U.S. $) SHARES
- ----- ---------------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
February 1, 1999 (paid).............................. $ 550,000 78,713
February 22, 1999.................................... 125,000 17,889
March 12, 1999....................................... 500,000 71,558
May 12, 1999......................................... 1,500,000 214,673
---------- -------
$2,675,000 382,833
========== =======
</TABLE>
Subsequent to December 31, 1998, the debenture acquisitions scheduled to be
made on February 22, 1999 and March 12, 1999 were deferred, by mutual agreement,
until April 2, 1999.
6. LOAN PAYABLE:
During 1998, a company controlled by a director loaned the Company a total
of $250,000. The loan is unsecured, non-interest bearing and was due on December
26, 1998. A total of $99,225 of the loan was repaid on December 29, 1998, and
the balance of the loan of $150,775 was repaid subsequent to December 31, 1998.
The Company also allotted 65,789 shares at a deemed price of $0.19 per
share at December 31, 1998, as allowed for under the rules of the Vancouver
Stock Exchange, as consideration for the loan.
7. SHARE CAPITAL:
(a) Issued:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER
OF SHARES AMOUNT
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1996............................... 11,128,962 $ 6,970,646
Issued during the year for cash by way of:
Private placement of special warrants, net of issue
costs............................................... 5,000,000 5,106,645
Exercise of warrants.................................. 200,000 184,000
Exercise of options................................... 120,000 126,400
---------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1997............................... 16,448,962 12,387,691
Issued during the year for cash by way of:
Private placements.................................... 4,035,000 605,250
Exercise of options................................... 100,000 23,000
Issued during the year for finder's fee (note 5)........... 250,450 75,135
---------- -----------
20,834,412 13,091,076
Allotted during the year for:
Finder's fee (note 5)................................. 82,292 24,687
Carrying charges (note 6)............................. 65,789 12,500
---------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1998............................... 20,982,493 $13,128,263
========== ===========
</TABLE>
During 1997, the Company issued the 5,000,000 common shares and 5,000,000
one-half share purchase warrants upon exercise of 5,000,000 previously issued
special warrants. In addition, 250,000 compensation options were issued to the
underwriter upon the exercise of 250,000 special compensation options granted to
the underwriter in connection with this special warrant private placement. Each
compensation option entitles the underwriter to acquire a unit, consisting of
one share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, at an exercise price of
$1.10 per share prior to January 20, 1999. Each whole warrant entitles the
underwriter to
F-12
<PAGE> 83
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
acquire one share at an exercise price of $1.30 prior to January 20, 1999.
Subsequent to December 31, 1998, these compensation options expired unexercised.
During 1998, the Company completed a 3,375,000 unit private placement at a
price of $0.15 per unit and a 660,000 unit private placement at a price of $0.15
per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share
purchase warrant. Each warrant is exercisable for a period of two years and
entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.15
per share in the first year and $0.17 per share in the second year.
(b) Advances on share subscriptions:
At December 31, 1998, the Company had received advances on share
subscriptions for 4,403,950 units at $0.15 per unit in connection with:
- - a brokered private placement of 6,666,666 units at $0.15 per unit for total
proceeds of $1,000,000; and
- - a non-brokered private placement of 5,000,000 units at $0.15 per unit for
total proceeds of $750,000.
Each unit consists of one common share and one non-transferable share
purchase warrant exercisable for a period of two years. Each warrant will be
exercisable at a price of $0.15 per share in the first year and $0.17 per share
in the second year. The agent will be paid a 10% commission payable in cash and
brokers' warrants exercisable into shares of the Company for a period of two
years not exceeding 15% of the number of units issued to investors pursuant to
the private placements. The brokers' warrants will be exercisable at a price of
$0.15 per share the first year and $0.17 per share in the second year.
Subsequent to December 31, 1998, the Company received the additional
$1,089,408 of proceeds, paid the $100,000 commission, issued the 11,666,666
shares and share purchase warrants and issued the 1,000,000 brokers' warrants.
(c) Share purchase warrants:
The continuity of share purchase warrants during 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE, BALANCE,
EXERCISE DECEMBER 31, EXPIRED OR DECEMBER 31,
EXPIRY DATE PRICE 1997 GRANTED EXERCISED CANCELLED 1998
- ----------- -------- ------------ ------- --------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
January 26, 1998........... $ 1.47 37,000 -- -- (37,000) --
August 21, 1998............ 1.25 1,400,000 -- -- (1,400,000) --
October 22, 1998........... 1.30 2,500,000 -- -- (2,500,000) --
October 22, 1998/1999...... 0.15/0.17 -- 660,000 -- -- 660,000
March 31, 1999/2000........ 0.15/0.17 -- 3,375,000 -- -- 3,375,000
--------- --------- --- ---------- ---------
3,937,000 4,035,000 -- (3,937,000) 4,035,000
========= ========= === ========== =========
</TABLE>
F-13
<PAGE> 84
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
The continuity of share purchase warrants during 1997 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE, BALANCE,
EXERCISE DECEMBER 31, EXPIRED OR DECEMBER 31,
EXPIRY DATE PRICE 1996 GRANTED EXERCISED CANCELLED 1997
- ----------- -------- ------------ ------- --------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
January 26, 1997/1998..... $1.28/1.47 37,000 -- -- -- 37,000
June 22, 1997............. 0.92 700,000 -- (100,000) (600,000) --
June 29, 1997............. 0.92 300,000 -- -- (300,000) --
September 14, 1997........ 0.92 150,000 -- -- (150,000) --
December 5, 1997.......... 0.92 100,000 -- (100,000) -- --
August 21, 1998........... 1.25 1,400,000 -- -- -- 1,400,000
October 22, 1998.......... 1.30 -- 2,500,000 -- -- 2,500,000
--------- --------- -------- ---------- ---------
2,687,000 2,500,000 (200,000) (1,050,000) 3,937,000
========= ========= ======== ========== =========
</TABLE>
(d) Stock options:
(i) Continuity:
The continuity of stock options during 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE, BALANCE,
EXERCISE DECEMBER 31, EXPIRED OR DECEMBER 31,
EXPIRY DATE PRICE 1997 GRANTED EXERCISED CANCELLED 1998
- ----------- -------- ------------ ------- --------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
April 27, 1998............ $1.00 100,000 -- -- (100,000)(a) --
September 14, 1998........ 0.34 30,000 -- -- (30,000)(a) --
October 30, 1999.......... 1.33 387,261 -- -- (387,261)(a) --
January 21, 2000.......... 0.34 130,000 -- -- (130,000)(a) --
January 21, 2000.......... 1.36 390,000 -- -- (390,000)(a) --
July 6, 2000.............. 0.32 -- 50,000 -- -- 50,000
August 28, 2000........... 0.20 -- 100,000 -- -- 100,000
January 28, 2001.......... 0.23 -- 1,640,000(a)(100,000) (285,000) 1,255,000
--------- --------- -------- ---------- ---------
1,037,261 1,790,000 (100,000) (1,322,261) 1,405,000
========= ========= ======== ========== =========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) During 1998, these 1,037,261 outstanding options were cancelled and replaced
with the 1,640,000 options at $0.23 per share expiring January 28, 2001.
The continuity of stock options during 1997 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE, BALANCE,
EXERCISE DECEMBER 31, EXPIRED OR DECEMBER 31,
EXPIRY DATE PRICE 1996 GRANTED EXERCISED CANCELLED 1997
- ----------- -------- ------------ ------- --------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
February 16, 1997........... $0.90 40,000 -- (40,000) -- --
January 30, 1998............ 0.91 50,000 -- -- (50,000) --
April 27, 1998.............. 1.00 100,000 -- -- -- 100,000
September 14, 1998.......... 1.10 70,000 -- (40,000) (30,000)(b) --
September 14, 1998.......... 0.34 -- 30,000(b) -- -- 30,000
December 8, 1998............ 0.97 373,635 -- -- (373,635) --
July 31, 1999............... 1.12 10,000 -- -- (10,000) --
September 25, 1999.......... 1.16 50,000 -- (40,000) (10,000) --
October 30, 1999............ 1.33 387,261 -- -- -- 387,261
January 21, 2000............ 1.36 -- 620,000 -- (230,000)(b) 390,000
January 21, 2000............ 0.34 -- 230,000(b) -- (100,000) 130,000
--------- ------- -------- ---------- ---------
1,080,896 880,000 (120,000) (803,635) 1,037,261
========= ======= ======== ========== =========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(b) During 1997, these options were repriced to $0.34 per share.
F-14
<PAGE> 85
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
(ii) Compensation expense:
The Company's Board of Directors grants stock options to its officers,
directors and key employees in accordance with the rules prescribed by the
Vancouver Stock Exchange. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal
to the stock's quoted value on the Vancouver Stock Exchange at the date of
grant. Stock options granted generally have varying terms of up to three years
and vest and become fully exercisable from the date of grant.
The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during
1998, 1997 and 1996 was $0.16, $0.17 and $0.89 on the date of grant, using the
Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Expected dividend yield..................................... 0% 0% 0%
Risk-free interest rate..................................... 6.2% 5.0% 6.1%
Expected life (years)....................................... 2 2 2
Expected volatility over expected life...................... 139% 139% 139%
</TABLE>
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for granting stock
options and accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock
options in the financial statements. Had the Company determined compensation
cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation ("FAS 123"), the Company's loss for the year would have increased
to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Loss for the year:
As reported............................ $(5,683,697) $(2,199,895) $(1,259,315)
Compensation expense under FAS 123..... 286,558 152,888 458,384
----------- ----------- -----------
Pro forma loss for the year................. $(5,970,255) $(2,352,783) $(1,717,699)
=========== =========== ===========
Pro forma loss per share.................... $ (0.32) $ (0.15) $ (0.19)
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The fair values of the Company's cash, amounts receivable, accounts payable
and accrued liabilities and loan payable approximate their carrying amounts
because of the immediate or short term to maturity of these financial
instruments.
9. NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
The Company has the following non-cash financing and investing activities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Financing activities:
Shares issued and allotted for finders fee.... $ 99,822 $ -- $ --
Shares allotted as consideration for loan
payable..................................... 12,500 -- --
-------- -------- --------
$112,322 $ -- $ --
======== ======== ========
Investing activities:
Accrued interest income on investment......... $(79,989) $ -- $ --
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
F-15
<PAGE> 86
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
10. SEGMENTED INFORMATION:
During 1998, the Company adopted the accounting standards related to
segment disclosures recently approved by the accounting standard-setting bodies
in the United States and Canada. The information presented below is consistent
with these standards. The Company has not allocated general and administrative
expenses from the corporate segment.
(a) Operating segments:
The Company has determined its operating segments to be mineral exploration
and development, and corporate, which includes holding investments, based on the
way management organizes and manages its business.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MINERAL
EXPLORATION AND
1998 DEVELOPMENT CORPORATE TOTAL
- ---- --------------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue............................................ $ -- $ 159,118 $ 159,118
General and administrative expenses................ -- 1,201,711 1,201,711
Other expenses..................................... 4,592,237 48,867 4,641,104
----------- ----------- -----------
Loss for the year.................................. $(4,592,237) $(1,091,460) $(5,683,697)
=========== =========== ===========
Capital expenditures (recovered)................... $ (78,279) $ 3,428,299 $ 3,350,220
=========== =========== ===========
Identifiable assets................................ $ -- $ 4,007,492 $ 4,007,492
=========== =========== ===========
1997
Revenue............................................ $ -- $ 175,185 $ 175,185
General and administrative expenses................ -- 720,699 720,699
Other expenses..................................... 1,632,293 22,088 1,654,381
----------- ----------- -----------
Loss for the year.................................. $(1,632,293) $ (567,602) $(2,199,895)
=========== =========== ===========
Capital expenditures............................... $ 3,033,103 $ 79,658 $ 3,112,761
=========== =========== ===========
Identifiable assets................................ $ 4,670,516 $ 3,603,577 $ 8,274,093
=========== =========== ===========
1996
Revenue............................................ $ -- $ 102,147 $ 102,147
General and administrative expenses................ -- 826,609 826,609
Other expenses..................................... 534,853 -- 534,853
----------- ----------- -----------
Loss for the year.................................. $ (534,853) $ (724,462) $(1,259,315)
=========== =========== ===========
Capital expenditures............................... $ 3,136,691 $ 30,116 $ 3,166,807
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
(b) Geographic information:
As previously disclosed (note 4), all of the Company's mineral exploration
and development activities during 1996 through 1998 were in Argentina.
Except for the Company's investment in BII (note 5) and related accrued
interest income and foreign exchange gain, substantially all of the Company's
corporate activities during 1996 through 1998 were in Canada.
F-16
<PAGE> 87
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
During 1998, fees of $156,620 (1997 -- $233,348; 1996 -- $324,500) were
charged by certain directors or companies controlled by them for management,
consulting, accounting and administrative services. Management believes the
costs of related party services approximate amounts that would have been paid
for similar services rendered by unrelated parties.
Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 1998
is $15,044 (1997 -- $35,332) payable to a director and a company controlled by a
director related to the above fees.
12. INCOME TAXES:
As at December 31, 1998, the Company has approximately $3,000,000 of losses
for Canadian income tax purposes that expire between 2000 and 2005 and that may
be available to reduce taxable income in Canada in future years. In addition,
the Company had deducted approximately $8,000,000 for book purposes in excess of
amounts deducted for tax purposes, primarily for expenditures incurred on the
Company's mineral properties and equipment. The Company has taken a valuation
allowance of the full amount of the tax benefit thereon due to the uncertainty
of whether these deferred tax assets will be realized.
13. CONTINGENCIES:
(a) Uncertainty due to the Year 2000 Issue:
The Year 2000 Issue arises because many computerized systems use two digits
rather than four to identify a year. Date-sensitive systems may recognize the
year 2000 as 1900 or some other date, resulting in errors when information using
year 2000 dates is processed. In addition, similar problems may arise in some
systems which use certain dates in 1999 to represent something other than a
date. The effect of the Year 2000 Issue may be experienced before, on, or after
January 1, 2000, and, if not addressed, the impact on operations and financial
reporting may range from minor errors to significant systems failure which could
affect an entity's ability to conduct normal business operations. It is not
possible to be certain that all aspects of the Year 2000 Issue affecting the
Company, including those related to the efforts of investees, suppliers or other
third parties, will be fully resolved.
(b) Contingent liability:
As disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements (notes 1 and 14(a)),
the Company continued its jurisdiction of incorporation from British Columbia to
the State of Wyoming, effective November 10, 1998, and has proposed to continue
from Wyoming back into British Columbia in 1999. In the course of their review
of the Company's proposal, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") has advised the Company that they believe the original continuance
to Wyoming was an event that would have required the filing of a registration
statement with the SEC. As a result, the Company appears to have been in
technical violation of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") and United
States holders of shares of the Company, at the time of the original continuance
to Wyoming may have common law remedies under the Act. In addition, the Company
may be required to offer such United States holders of shares of the Company the
right to have their shares repurchased by the Company at their fair market value
at the time of the original continuance.
The Company is currently reviewing its options to resolve this matter. No
provision has been recorded in the accounts for any contingent loss, as the
outcome is not determinable at this time.
F-17
<PAGE> 88
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
(a) Corporate continuance:
Subsequent to December 31, 1998, the Company announced an extraordinary
general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held on April 12, 1999,
at which time the shareholders will vote on the Company's proposal to continue
the Company to the Province of British Columbia and to consolidate the Company's
share capital on the basis of one post-consolidated share for each five
pre-consolidated shares. The meeting date was subsequently postponed and has not
yet been rescheduled.
(b) Private placement:
Subsequent to December 31, 1998, the Company announced, subject to
regulatory approval, a best-efforts brokered private placement of up to
11,666,666 units at $0.15 per unit to raise gross proceeds of up to $1,750,000.
Each unit will consist of one common share and one non-transferable share
purchase warrant exercisable at $0.15 per share in the first year and $0.17 per
share in the second year. The agent will be paid a 10% commission, payable in
cash, and up to 1,750,000 brokers' warrants exercisable at $0.15 per share in
the first year and $0.17 per share in the second year.
15. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN GENERALLY ACCEPTED
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES:
Accounting practices under United States and Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP"), as they affect the Company, are substantially
the same, except for the following:
(a) Unrealized gains for trading securities:
Investments held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near
term are considered trading securities. Under Canadian GAAP, unrealized gains on
trading securities are not recorded in the accounts until realized. Under United
States GAAP, unrealized gains and losses for trading securities are included in
earnings. Accordingly, under Canadian GAAP, the gain on disposal of marketable
securities during 1996 would be recorded as $72,400, as under Canadian GAAP, the
$32,923 unrealized holding gain at December 31, 1995 would not have been
included in earnings in 1995.
(b) Stock-based compensation:
Canadian GAAP for stock-based compensation is similar to that provided in
APB Opinion No. 25 under United States GAAP (note 2(f)), although FAS 123
requires additional disclosure of the effects of accounting for stock-based
compensation using the fair value method (note 7(c)). Accordingly, under
Canadian GAAP, there would be no material differences in the consolidated
financial statements in respect of stock-based compensation.
(c) Foreign currency translation:
Canadian GAAP requires that non-current, foreign currency denominated
monetary items that have a fixed or ascertainable life extending beyond the end
of the following fiscal year should be translated into Canadian dollars at the
exchange rate in effect at the transaction date and adjusted to reflect the
current exchange rate at each balance sheet date, with any gain or loss relating
to the initial translation and balance sheet date adjustment being deferred and
amortized over the remaining life of the item. United States GAAP requires such
gains or losses to be included in operations in the period. Accordingly, under
Canadian GAAP, the foreign exchange gain of $85,875 relating to the revaluation
of the investment recorded at December 31,
F-18
<PAGE> 89
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
(FORMERLY SONOMA RESOURCE CORP.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(EXPRESSED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
1998 would initially be recorded as a deferred credit on the consolidated
balance sheet and amortization of $9,551 would be recorded for the 1998 fiscal
year.
A reconciliation of the effects of the differences between Canadian GAAP
and United States GAAP on the balance sheets and statements of operations and
deficit is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Total liabilities under United States GAAP.................. $299,037 $283,105
Deferred foreign exchange gain, net of amortization of
$9,551.................................................... 76,324 --
-------- --------
Total liabilities under Canadian GAAP....................... $375,361 $283,105
======== ========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Shareholders' equity under United States GAAP............... $3,708,455 $7,990,988
Adjustments:
Deferral of foreign exchange gain...................... (85,875) --
Amortization of deferred foreign exchange gain......... 9,551 --
---------- ----------
(76,324) --
---------- ----------
Shareholders' equity under Canadian GAAP.................... $3,632,131 $7,990,988
========== ==========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Loss for the year under United States
GAAP..................................... $ (5,683,697) $(2,199,895) $(1,259,315)
Adjustments:
Deferral of foreign exchange gain..... (85,875) -- --
Amortization of deferred foreign
exchange gain....................... 9,551 -- --
Realized gain on disposal of trading
securities.......................... -- -- 32,923
------------ ----------- -----------
(76,324) -- 32,923
------------ ----------- -----------
Loss for the year under Canadian GAAP...... (5,760,021) (2,199,895) (1,226,392)
Deficit, beginning of year under Canadian
GAAP..................................... (4,396,703) (2,196,808) (970,416)
------------ ----------- -----------
Deficit, end of year under Canadian GAAP... $(10,156,724) $(4,396,703) $(2,196,808)
------------ ----------- -----------
Loss per share under Canadian GAAP......... $ (0.31) $ (0.13) $ (0.14)
============ =========== ===========
</TABLE>
F-19
<PAGE> 90
ITEM 9 CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not Applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10 DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following table sets forth the names, ages, positions and offices of
directors and officers of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH THE COMPANY
---- --- --------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Patrick W. McCleery 59 Chairman, President and Director
Chester Idziszek 51 Director
William A. Rand 56 Director
Wayne Johnstone 44 Director
Saundra Zimmer 36 Corporate Secretary
</TABLE>
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
The Company has a total of five full and part-time employees and
consultants. The employees and consultants forming the management team and the
directors of the Company and their resumes are described briefly below.
Patrick W. McCleery, Chairman, President and Director
Mr. McCleery is the Chairman, President and a Director of the Company and
is employed by the Company on a full time basis. Mr. McCleery devotes
approximately 100% of his time to the Company. Mr. McCleery has served the
Company as President since September 11, 1997, as Chairman since November 1,
1995 and as a Director since February, 1984. Mr. McCleery has been a director
and/or senior officer of several publicly listed junior resource issuers (these
companies included International All-North Resources Ltd. (formerly, All-North
Resources Ltd.) and Medsana Medical Systems Inc. (formerly, Northfork Ventures
Inc.)).
Chester Idziszek, Director
Mr. Idziszek is a Director of the Company. Mr. Idziszek devotes
approximately 10% of his time to the Company. Mr. Idziszek has served the
Company in this capacity since March 1, 1995. Mr. Idziszek is also the President
and CEO and a director of Adrian Resources Ltd., and a director of: Oromine
Explorations Ltd., Braddick Resources Ltd., Cross Lake Minerals Ltd., Fresco
Developments Ltd. and Norcan Resources Ltd. He is also President and a director
of Madison Enterprises Corporation, Buffalo Diamonds Ltd., Hyperion Resources
Corp. and Maracote International Resources Inc. (formerly, Cherry Lane Fashion
Group). He was a director of Arequipa Resources Ltd. between July 1993 and
August 1996. In addition, from 1990 to 1992, he was the Chief Executive Officer,
President and a Director of Prime Equities International Corporation. Mr.
Idziszek was also President of Prime Explorations Ltd. from 1987 to 1990. In
addition, he has been a director and/or officer of numerous other junior mining
and resource companies trading on the Vancouver Stock Exchange (these companies
include Image Data International, La Plata Gold Corporation, Barrier Technology,
Haddington Resources Ltd., Arlo Resources Ltd., Minamerica Corporation and
Waseco Resources Inc. Of these companies, Adrian Resources Ltd., Madison
Enterprises Corporation and Maracote International Resources Inc. each have a
class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Mr. Idziszek has a B.Sc. (Geology) degree from
University of Waterloo (1971) and an M.Sc. (Appl. Min. Expl.) degree from the
University of Waterloo.
A-28
<PAGE> 91
William A. Rand, Director
Mr. Rand is a Director of the Company. Mr. Rand devotes approximately 10%
of his time to the Company. Mr. Rand has served the Company in this capacity
since November 1, 1995. Mr. Rand is a Director of Rand Edgar Investment Corp.,
an investment firm in Vancouver, B.C. which provides advisory services to the
Company. Prior to that, Mr. Rand was a partner in a law firm and practiced
securities law. Mr. Rand currently sits on the board of a number of publicly
traded resource companies (these companies include Citation Resources Inc.,
Consolidated Team Resources Corp., Dome Ventures, Inc., Broadlands Resources
Corp., International Curator Resources Ltd., International Uranium Corp.,
Lexacal Investment Corp., Lundin Oil AB, Red Sea Oil Corporation, Santa Catalina
Mining Corp., South Atlantic Resources Corp., Tanganyika Oil Co. Ltd., and Tenke
Mining Corp.). Of the companies for which Mr. Rand is a director, Broadlands
Resources Ltd., International Curator Resources Ltd., International Uranium
Corp., Lundin Oil AB and Tenke Mining Corp. each have a class of securities
registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. Mr. Rand has considerable
expertise in organizing and managing emerging public mineral resource
exploration companies. Mr. Rand has a B.Comm. degree from McGill University
(1963), an LLB degree from Dalhousie University (1966) and an LLM degree from
the London School of Economics (1977).
Wayne Johnstone, Director
Mr. Johnstone is a Director of the Company. Mr. Johnstone devotes
approximately 70% of his time to the Company. Mr. Johnstone has served the
Company in this capacity since June 30, 1998 and was a Director of the Company's
predecessor, Sonoma Resource Corp., from August, 1989 to November, 1995. Mr.
Johnstone is a self-employed chartered accountant providing consulting and
accounting services to various publicly traded companies. Prior to that Mr.
Johnstone served as a senior accountant for Viceroy Resource Corp. and
controller of Baja Gold Inc. (a company which merged with Viceroy Resource
Corp.) from February, 1994 to December, 1996. Prior to that Mr. Johnstone served
as an accountant for Weston Mineral Services Ltd., a private British Columbian
company. Mr. Johnstone has a B.Comm. degree from The University of British
Columbia (1978).
Saundra Zimmer, Secretary
Ms. Zimmer is the Secretary of the Company and is employed by the Company
on essentially a full time basis. Ms. Zimmer devotes approximately 75% of her
time to the Company. Ms. Zimmer has served the Company as Secretary since June
21, 1995 and was previously Secretary of the Company from August 1989 and May
1993. Ms. Zimmer has been the Administrative Assistant of the Company since
August 1, 1995 and before that from 1986 and 1990. From 1990 to 1995, she was
the Administrative Assistant of Rich Coast Resources Ltd. She has been a
director of Alantra Venture Corp. since March 1998, and Corporate Secretary of
Kaieteur Resource Corporation since November 1, 1995.
DIRECTORS AND SENIOR OFFICERS
The following is a list of the current directors and senior officers of the
Company, their municipalities of residence, their current positions with the
Company and their principal occupations during the past five years:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND MUNICIPALITY PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION FOR
OF RESIDENCE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS
--------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C>
Patrick W. McCleery(1).................... Director of the Company since February, 1984; Chairman of
Vancouver, B.C. the Company since November, 1995; President of the Company
Chairman, President, Director since September, 1997.
</TABLE>
A-29
<PAGE> 92
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND MUNICIPALITY PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION FOR
OF RESIDENCE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS
--------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C>
Chester Idziszek.......................... Director of the Company since March, 1995; President of
West Vancouver, B.C. Adrian Resources Ltd., a junior resource company located in
Director Vancouver, B.C. since April, 1993 and CEO since June, 1994;
prior to that he was CEO, President and Director of Prime
Equities International Corporation, an investment firm
located in Vancouver, B.C., from June 1990 to December 1992
and from February 1987 to June 1990 was President of Prime
Explorations Ltd., the exploration arm for the Prime Group
of Companies.
William A. Rand (1)....................... Director of the Company since November, 1995; he has been
Vancouver, B.C. an investment banker with Rand Edgar Capital Corp., an
Director investment banking firm located in Vancouver, B.C., since
October, 1992; prior to that he was a partner of Rand,
Edgar and Sedun, a law firm located in Vancouver.
Wayne Johnstone (1)....................... Director of the Company since June, 1998 (and was a
Bowen Island, B.C. Director of the Company's predecessor, Sonoma Resource
Director Corp., from August, 1989 to November, 1995); he has been a
self-employed chartered accountant since January, 1997.
Prior to that he was a senior accountant for Viceroy
Resource Corp. and controller of Baja Gold Inc. (a company
which merged with Viceroy Resource Corp.) from February,
1994 to December, 1996. Prior to that he was an accountant
for Weston Mineral Service Ltd. from January, 1990 to
January, 1994.
Saundra J. Zimmer......................... Secretary of the Company since June, 1995; prior to that
Langley, B.C. she was Administrative Assistant of Rich Coast Resources
Secretary Ltd., a junior resource company located in Vancouver, B.C.
from October, 1990 to August, 1995; prior to that she was
Administrative Assistant of the Company.
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Member of the Company's Audit Committee.
Other than receiving stock options from time to time, the directors of the
Company are not compensated for serving as directors (see Item 11 -- Executive
Compensation -- Compensation of Directors and Remuneration of Senior Officers).
See Item 12 -- Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
for particulars of the shares held by the directors and senior officers.
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS
The directors of the Company are elected by the shareholders at each annual
general meeting and typically hold office until the next annual general meeting
at which time they may be re-elected or replaced.
The articles of the Company permit the directors to appoint directors to
fill any casual vacancies that may occur on the board. The articles also permit
the directors to add additional directors to the board between successive annual
general meetings so long as the number appointed does not exceed more than
one-third of the number of directors appointed at the last annual general
meeting. Individuals appointed as directors to fill casual vacancies on the
board or added as additional directors hold office as does any other director
until the next annual general meeting at which time they may be re-elected or
replaced.
A-30
<PAGE> 93
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
On February 2, 1999, Forms 3 were filed late for Patrick W. McCleery,
President and Director; William A. Rand, Director; Chester Idziszek, Director;
Wayne D. Johnstone, Director, and Saundra J. Zimmer, Corporate Secretary. On
February 26, 1999, Forms 4 were filed late for Patrick W. McCleery, President
and Director (reporting periods -- November 1998; December 1998) and Wayne D.
Johnstone, Director (reporting periods -- November 1998; January 1999). On
February 26, 1999, Forms 5 were filed late for Patrick W. McCleery, President
and Director; William A. Rand, Director; Chester Idziszek, Director; Wayne D.
Johnstone, Director, and Saundra J. Zimmer, Corporate Secretary.
MANAGEMENT OF BII
As of March 1, 1998, BII had a total of 35 employees and consultants (See
"Personnel of BII" below). The directors and management team of BII and their
resumes are described briefly below.
Stephen Lubard, Chairman
Dr. Lubard is Chairman and founder of BII. He is also one of the founders
and Chief Executive Officer of Arete. It was Dr. Lubard's efforts that took the
Veriprint from concept to a manufactured product in less than one year. In
addition to BII, Dr. Lubard formed Arete Image Software in 1996, a commercial
software company marketing to the entertainment industry. Dr. Lubard brings over
20 years of experience in managing highly complex projects and development of
software and systems for solving complex image processing problems. Dr. Lubard
holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland.
Robert Kamm, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Kamm is an experienced technology entrepreneur and has started two
previous technology companies. In 1988, Mr. Kamm co-founded a value-added
software company called Online Mortgage Documents ("Online") as the company's
President. Online provided a mortgage document preparation service similar to
CompuTax's tax preparation service for certified public accountants. In 1996,
Mr. Kamm co-founded VideoActive Corp. ("VideoActive") and served as the
company's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. VideoActive was
formed to create a digital Pay Per View ("PPV") movie/video service for
implementation within the cable industry. VideoActive is a
technology/entertainment company whose PPV movie service relies on unique
Digital Video Server technology internally developed by VideoActive. Mr. Kamm is
co-author of a software-oriented patent which is currently pending. Mr. Kamm
left VideoActive when the company retained an individual with an extensive
cable/entertainment background to take the company to the next level. Mr. Kamm
has an MBA in Finance from UCLA.
Parker Eagerton
Mr. Eagerton is the Vice-President of Operations and has over 20 years
manufacturing experience. Mr. Eagerton's career includes experience with Alcatel
Corporation where he was responsible for establishing a plant location in Mexico
and most recently for Solectron Corporation, a turnkey manufacturer
("Solectron"). At Solectron, Mr. Eagerton was a Senior Manufacturing Advisor and
was responsible to Sun for the manufacturing strategy of its new fibre channel
product. Mr. Eagerton has expertise in the areas of devising cost effective
manufacturing strategies and assuring that products are engineered and designed
with manufacturing in mind.
David Gittelson
Mr. Gittelson is Vice-President of Sales for BII and has over ten years'
experience selling sophisticated electronics systems to major organizations in
the security and telecommunication fields. He has worked closely with major
companies such as MCI, Sprint, ADT, Ameritech and Wells Fargo to tailor large
orders to their specifications.
A-31
<PAGE> 94
Mel Wieting
Mr. Wieting is Vice-President of Engineering for BII and has 15 years of
experience in software and hardware engineering. He worked for 14 years at
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he worked on and managed projects
involving the design and development of complex computer based electronic
systems. Mr. Wieting specializes in overall systems design and is an experienced
programmer.
PERSONNEL OF BII
As of March 1, 1999, BII had a total of 35 full-time employees and
consultants. Of these, five (5) employees serve in a management and
administration capacity, thirteen (13) employees serve in a sales and marketing
capacity, sixteen (16) employees serve in an engineering and research and
development capacity, and one (1) employee serves in a manufacturing capacity.
These employees operate out of the following offices of BII:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENGINEERING,
MGMT. & SALES & RESEARCH &
OFFICE LOCATION ADMIN. MARKETING DEVELOPMENT MANUFACTURING TOTAL
- --------------- ------- --------- ------------ ------------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sherman Oaks, CA...................... 4 5 9 0 18
Tracy, CA............................. 1 2 3 1 7
Tucson, AZ............................ 0 0 4 0 4
Dayton, Ohio.......................... 0 1 0 0 1
London, England and other sales
staff............................... 0 5 0 0 5
----- ------ ------ ------ ------
Totals:............................... 5 13 16 1 35
===== ====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
ITEM 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Set out below are particulars of compensation paid to the following persons
(the "Named Executive Officers"):
(a) the Company's chief executive officer;
(b) each of the Company's four most highly compensated executive officers
who were serving as executive officers at the end of the most recently
completed fiscal year and whose total salary and bonus exceeds US
$100,000 per year; and
(c) any additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been
provided under (b) but for the fact that the individual was not
serving as an executive officer of the Company at the end of the most
recently completed fiscal year.
As at December 31, 1998, the end of the most recently completed fiscal year
of the Company, the Company had one Named Executive Officer, Patrick W.
McCleery, the Chairman of the Board, President and a Director of the Company.
A-32
<PAGE> 95
Summary Compensation Table
The following table is a summary of compensation paid to the Named
Executive Officer for each of the Company's three most recently completed fiscal
years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM COMPENSATION
----------------------------- ----------------------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
------------------------ -------
RESTRICTED
SHARES
OTHER SECURITIES OR
FISCAL ANNUAL UNDER RESTRICTED
NAME AND YEAR COMPENSATION OPTIONS SHARE LTIP ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION ENDED SALARY BONUS ($) GRANTED UNITS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
- ------------------ ------ ------ ----- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Patrick W. McCleery........... 1998 0 0 $120,059 420,000 0 N/A 0
Chairman of the Board and 1997 0 0 $127,122 0 0 N/A 0
President 1996 0 0 $117,196 359,761 0 N/A 0
</TABLE>
The Company has no long-term incentive plans in place and therefore there
were no awards made under any long-term incentive plan to the Named Executive
Officer during the Company's most recently completed fiscal year. A "Long-Term
Incentive Plan" is a plan under which awards are made based on performance over
a period longer than one fiscal year, other than a plan for options, SARs (stock
appreciation rights) or restricted share compensation.
Option Grants During the Most Recently Completed Fiscal Year
The table below shows information regarding grants of stock options made to
Patrick W. McCleery in his capacity as Chairman, President and Director of the
Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARKET VALUE POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
OF SECURITIES VALUE AT ASSUMED
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL UNDERLYING ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
UNDER OPTIONS/SARS OPTIONS/SARS PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
OPTIONS/SARS GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR ON THE DATE OPTION TERM
GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE OF GRANT EXPIRATION -----------------------
NAME (#) FISCAL YEAR ($/SECURITY) ($/SECURITY) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- ---- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Patrick W.
McCleery........... 420,000 23.5% $0.23 $0.23 Jan. 28, 2001 $9,950 $20,286
</TABLE>
Options Exercised During the Most Recently Completed Fiscal Year and Fiscal
Year End Option Values
The following table summarizes the number of underlying Common Shares
acquired by the Named Executive Officer, pursuant to exercises of stock options
during the 12 months ended December 31, 1998, and the aggregate value realized
upon exercise and the number of Common Shares of the Company covered by
unexercised options as at December 31, 1998. Value realized upon exercise is the
difference between the fair market value of the underlying stock on the exercise
date and the exercise or base price of the option.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN THE
SECURITIES AGGREGATE UNEXERCISED OPTIONS/SARS AT MONEY OPTIONS/SARS AT
ACQUIRED VALUE DEC. 31, 1998 (#) DEC. 31, 1998 ($)
ON REALIZED ------------------------------ ------------------------------
NAME EXERCISE ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ----------- -------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Patrick W. McCleery... 0 0 420,000 0 N/A 0
</TABLE>
There are no compensatory plans or arrangements with respect to the Named
Executive Officer resulting from the resignation, retirement or other
termination of employment or from a change of control of the Company.
The Company has no defined benefit or actuarial plans.
A-33
<PAGE> 96
Compensation of Directors
The Company has no standard arrangement pursuant to which Directors are
compensated by the Company for their services in their capacity as Directors
other than the unissued Treasury shares reserved for the grant of Directors'
Stock Options. There has been no other arrangement pursuant to which Directors
were compensated by the Company in their capacity as Directors or for services
rendered as consultants or experts during the Company's fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.
During the Company's most recently completed fiscal year, 665,000 incentive
stock options were granted to directors of the Company (this number does not
include the 420,000 options granted to Mr. McCleery, which are referenced above)
and no incentive stock options were exercised by directors of the Company who
are not executive officers.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Company currently has no compensation committee, nor any committee that
performs the function of a compensation committee. None of the Company's
officers or directors serves on a compensation committee, or a committee
performing similar functions, of another entity.
ITEM 12 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
To the knowledge of management of the Company as of March 1, 1999, no
person beneficially owns more than five percent (5%) of any class of the
Company's voting securities other than as set forth below. The following table
sets forth the total amount of any class of the Company's voting securities
owned by each of its executive officers and directors and by its executive
officers and directors, as a group, as of March 1, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL PERCENTAGE
NAME AND ADDRESS(1) OWNERSHIP(2) OF CLASS
- ------------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Patrick W. McCleery......................................... 4,335,958(3) 12.3%
Chester Idziszek............................................ 335,000(4) 1.0%
William A. Rand............................................. 2,148,450(5) 6.4%
Wayne Johnstone............................................. 479,700(6) 1.5%
Saundra J. Zimmer........................................... 95,000(7) *
--------- ----
All executive officers and directors as a group (5
persons).................................................. 7,394,108(2) 19.9%(2)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent.
(1) The address for each of these persons is Suite 1940, 400 Burrard Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3A6.
(2) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. In computing the number of shares owned
by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of Common
Stock subject to options and warrants held by that person that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 1999, are deemed
outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the
purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The
Company makes no representation that any of these options or warrants will
be exercised.
(3) Includes currently exercisable options and warrants, and options and
warrants exercisable within sixty days hereof to purchase an aggregate of
920,000 shares as to Mr. McCleery and 1,823,000 shares as to Mrs. McCleery,
with respect to which Mr. McCleery disclaims any beneficial ownership. Also
includes 933,000 shares beneficially owned by Mrs. McCleery, with respect to
which Mr. McCleery disclaims any beneficial ownership. The Company makes no
representation that any of these options or warrants will be exercised.
(4) Includes currently exercisable options and options exercisable within sixty
days hereof to purchase an aggregate of 285,000 shares. The Company makes no
representation that any of these options will be exercised.
A-34
<PAGE> 97
(5) Includes currently exercisable options and options exercisable within sixty
days hereof to purchase an aggregate of 285,000 shares. Also includes
901,950 shares and, in addition, warrants currently exercisable to purchase
961,500 shares, beneficially owned by Rand Edgar Capital Corp., a private
British Columbia company, which is owned by the wives of Mr. Rand and Brian
Edgar and of which Mr. Rand was a director, with respect to which Mr. Rand
disclaims any beneficial ownership. The Company makes no representation that
any of these options or warrants will be exercised.
(6) Includes currently exercisable options and warrants, and options and
warrants exercisable within sixty days hereof to purchase an aggregate of
291,050 shares. Also includes 10,000 shares owned by Mrs. Johnstone, with
respect to which Mr. Johnstone disclaims any beneficial ownership. The
Company makes no representation that any of these options or warrants will
be exercised.
(7) Includes currently exercisable options and options exercisable within sixty
days hereof to purchase an aggregate of 95,000 shares. Ms. Zimmer does not
own any shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Company makes no
representation that any of these options will be exercised.
To the knowledge of management of the Company, there are no arrangements
the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of
the Company.
ITEM 13 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Certain directors of the Company are officers and/or directors of, or are
associated with, other publicly traded companies and such associations could
give rise to conflicts of interest from time to time. Given that most of these
companies are natural resource companies, such conflicts seem unlikely.
Nevertheless, the directors are required by law to act honestly and in good
faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and
to disclose any personal interest which they may have in any material
transaction which is proposed to be entered into with the Company and to abstain
from voting as a director for the approval of any such transaction.
The only material transactions between the Company or any of its
subsidiaries and any director, senior officer, principal shareholder or any
associates or affiliates of the foregoing, within the past fiscal year, are as
follows:
December 29, 1998 Private Placement
Patrick W. McCleery, Wayne Johnstone, Rand Edgar Capital Corp.
("RECC") and Wendy McCleery, wife of Patrick W. McCleery, agreed to
participate in the offering which commenced on December 29, 1998 (see Item
5 above) as follows: Mr. McCleery subscribed for 500,000 Units, Mr.
Johnstone for 96,050 Units, Mrs. McCleery for 823,000 Units and RECC for
661,500 Units.
RECC Loan
During 1998, RECC loaned the Company a total of $250,000. The loan is
unsecured, non-interest bearing and was due on December 26, 1998. A total
of $99,225 of the loan was repaid on December 29, 1998, and the balance of
the loan of $150,775 was repaid subsequent to December 31, 1998.
The Company also allotted 65,789 shares at a deemed price of $0.19 per
share at December 31, 1998, as allowed for under the rules of the Vancouver
Stock Exchange, as consideration for the loan.
June 12, 1998 Acquisition of Interest in BII
The BII acquisition was arranged by RECC, a private company controlled
by the spouses of Brian Edgar and William Rand. Mr. Rand is a director of
the Company. RECC originally entered into a memorandum of understanding
with BII and with Arete dated March 18, 1998, amended and replaced May 20,
1998 (collectively the "MoA"). RECC assigned its interest in the MoA to the
Company on May 21, 1998 in exchange for a fee of US$145,000, plus
reimbursement of its expenses. As of June 12, 1998, RECC had elected to
take its fee in the form of 715,575 common shares of the Company to be
issued at a price of $0.30 per share. These shares were to be issued in pro
rata tranches in accordance with the tranche advances being made by the
Company to BII. These finders fee shares were actually issued in
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<PAGE> 98
the form of special warrants at a price of $0.30 per special warrant. Each
special warrant is exercisable without the payment of any additional
consideration into one common share of the Company. As at December 31,
1998, the Company had issued 250,450 shares to RECC under the terms of this
agreement.
May 15, 1998 Private Placement
Insiders of the Company who participated in the May 15, 1998 Private
Placement (see Item 5 above) were Wendy McCleery (as to 1,000,000 special
warrants), RECC (as to 300,000 special warrants) and Wayne Johnstone (as to
100,000 special warrants).
Consulting Fees
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, a total of $36,561 was
paid to Rand Edgar Investment Corp. and Wayne Johnstone for consulting
fees. Rand Edgar Investment Corp. is owned equally by William A. Rand, a
director of the Company, and Brian Edgar.
As of December 31, 1998, there were no management contracts between
the Company and any of its officers or directors, and no officer or
director was indebted to the Company.
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<PAGE> 99
PART IV
ITEM 14 EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)1. and (a)2. Financial Statements
This information is contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(a)3. Exhibits
*3.1 Registrant's Articles of Continuance into the State of Wyoming.
*3.2 Registrant's By-Laws, as amended.
*3.3 Registrant's Articles of Amendment re Authorized Stock.
*10.1 BII Agreement, dated June 12, 1998.
*10.2 Inlet Resources, Ltd. Agreement, dated January 21, 1999.
21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
*27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the three months
ended on December 31, 1998.
(c) Financial Data Schedule.
* Previously filed.
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<PAGE> 100
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this amended report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
By: /s/ PATRICK W. MCCLEERY
------------------------------------
Name: Patrick W. McCleery
Title: President
Date: May 3, 1999
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
amended report has been signed below by the following persons, being a majority
of the Directors of the registrant, on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
By: /s/ PATRICK W. MCCLEERY Patrick W. McCleery, Chairman, President, and
------------------------------------------------- Director
Date: May 3, 1999
By: /s/ CHESTER IDZISZEK Chester Idziszek, Director
-------------------------------------------------
Date: May 3, 1999
By: /s/ WAYNE JOHNSTONE Wayne Johnstone, Director
-------------------------------------------------
Date: May 3, 1999
By: /s/ WILLIAM A. RAND William A. Rand, Director
-------------------------------------------------
Date: May 3, 1999
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 101
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS
- --------
<C> <S>
*3.1 Registrant's Articles of Continuance into the State of
Wyoming.
*3.2 Registrant's By-Laws, as amended.
*3.3 Registrant's Articles of Amendment re Authorized Stock.
*10.1 BII Agreement, dated June 12, 1998.
*10.2 Inlet Resources, Ltd. Agreement, dated January 21, 1999.
21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
*27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Previously filed.
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<PAGE> 102
EXHIBIT 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JURISDICTION OF
SUBSIDIARY INCORPORATION
---------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Sonoma Resource de Argentina S.A. Argentina
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 103
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Upon its continuation to Wyoming in 1998, the Company retained its By-Laws
as then in effect. The Company's By-Laws provide that, subject to the provisions
of the British Columbia Company Act, the Directors may, with court approval,
cause the Company to indemnify a Director or former Director of the Company or a
director or former director of a corporation of which the Company is or was a
member, and the heirs and personal representatives of any such person, against
all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or
satisfy a judgment, actually and reasonably incurred by him, including an amount
paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment in a civil, criminal or
administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of
being or having been a Director of the Company or a director of such
corporation, including any action or proceeding brought by the Company or any
such corporation. Each Director of the Company on being elected or appointed
shall be deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the
foregoing indemnity.
The By-Laws also provide that, subject to the provisions of the British
Columbia Company Act, the Directors may cause the Company to indemnify any
officer, employee or agent of the Company or of a corporation of which the
Company is or was a member (notwithstanding that he is also a Director) and his
heirs and personal representatives against all costs, charges and expenses
whatsoever incurred by him and resulting from his actions as an officer,
employee or agent of the Company or of such corporation. In addition the Company
shall indemnify the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company (if he or
she shall not be a full time employee of the Company and notwithstanding that he
or she is also a Director) and his or her heirs and personal representatives
against all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever incurred by him or her and
arising out of the functions assigned to the Secretary by the British Columbia
Company Act or the Company's By-Laws. Each such Secretary and Assistant
Secretary on being appointed shall be deemed to have contracted with the Company
on the terms of the foregoing indemnity.
Relevant Wyoming statutory provisions are as follows:
Section 17-16-851 of the Wyoming Business Corporation Act ("WBCA") provides
that a corporation may indemnify an individual who is a party to a proceeding
because he is a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if, among
other factors: (i) he conducted himself in good faith; and (ii) he reasonably
believed that his conduct was in or at least not opposed to the corporation's
best interests; and (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification must
be authorized by directors, legal counsel or shareholders as provided in Section
17-16-855.
Unless ordered by a court under WBCA Section 17-16-854(a)(iii), a
corporation may not indemnify a director under Section 17-16-851: (i) in
connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, except for
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is
determined that the director has met the standard of conduct as set forth in the
preceding paragraph; or (ii) in connection with any proceeding with respect to
conduct for which he was adjudged liable on the basis that he received a
financial benefit to which he was not entitled.
Pursuant to Section 17-16-852 of the WBCA, a corporation is required to
indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in
the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party because he was a director
of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection
with the proceeding.
Pursuant to Section 17-16-853 of the WBCA, a corporation may, before final
disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse reasonable
expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding because he is a
director, if he delivers to the corporation: (i) a written affirmation of his
good
faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct described in WBCA Section
17-16-851; and (ii) his written undertaking to repay any funds advanced if he is
not entitled to mandatory indemnification under
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<PAGE> 104
Section 17-16-852 (above) and it is determined that he has not met the standard
of conduct described in WBCA Section 17-16-851.
Section 17-16-854 of the WBCA provides for a director who is a party to a
proceeding because he is a director to apply for indemnification or an advance
for expenses to the court conducting the proceeding or another court of
competent jurisdiction. If the court determines that the director is entitled to
indemnification or advance for expenses, it may also order the corporation to
pay the director's reasonable expenses incurred in connection with obtaining
court-ordered indemnification or advance for expenses.
Section 17-16-856 of the WBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify and
advance expenses to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding
because he is an officer of the corporation: (i) to the same extent as a
director; and (ii) if he is an officer but not a director, to such further
extent as may be provided by the articles of incorporation, the by-laws, a
resolution of the board of directors or contract, except for: (A) liability in
connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than
for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding; or (B)
liability arising out of conduct that constitutes: receipt by him of a financial
benefit to which he is not entitled; an intentional infliction of harm on the
corporation or the shareholders; or (C) an intentional violation of criminal
law; and (iii) a corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to a
current or former officer, employee or agent who is not a director to the
extent, consistent with public policy, that may be provided by its articles of
incorporation, by-laws, general or specific action of its board of directors or
contract. An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled to
mandatory indemnification under Section 17-16-852 of the WBCA, and may apply to
a court under Section 17-16-854 of the WBCA for indemnification or an advance
for expenses, in each case to the same extent to which a director may be
entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under those provisions.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Exhibits
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Registrant's Articles of Continuance into the State of
*3.1 Wyoming.
*3.2 Registrant's By-Laws, as amended.
*3.3 Registrant's Articles of Amendment re Authorized Stock.
*10.1 BII Agreement, dated June 12, 1998.
*10.2 Inlet Resources, Ltd. Agreement, dated January 21, 1999.
**21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23 Consent of KPMG LLP, independent auditors.
*27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998.
** Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the
year ended December 31, 1998.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules.
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes :
(1) to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by
reference into this proxy statement/prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11,
or 13 of Form S-4, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to
send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt
means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the
effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to
the request.
(2) to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information
concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that
was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became
effective.
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<PAGE> 105
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada, on May 3, 1999.
BIOMETRIC SECURITY CORP.
By: /s/ PATRICK W. MCCLEERY
----------------------------------
Patrick W. McCleery
Chairman, President and Director
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ PATRICK W. MCCLEERY Chairman, President and Director May 3, 1999
- ----------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
Patrick W. McCleery
/s/ CHESTER IDZISZEK Director May 3, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------
Chester Idziszek
/s/ WAYNE JOHNSTONE Director (Principal Financial and May 3, 1999
- ----------------------------------------------- Accounting Officer)
Wayne Johnstone
/s/ WILLIAM A. RAND Director May 3, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------
William A. Rand
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 106
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Registrant's Articles of Continuance into the State of
*3.1 Wyoming.
*3.2 Registrant's By-Laws, as amended.
*3.3 Registrant's Articles of Amendment re Authorized Stock.
*10.1 BII Agreement, dated June 12, 1998.
*10.2 Inlet Resources, Ltd. Agreement, dated January 21, 1999.
**21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23 Consent of KPMG LLP, independent auditors.
*27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998.
** Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the
year ended December 31, 1998.
II-4
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23
To the Board of Directors
Biometric Security Corp.:
We consent to the use of our report dated February 23, 1999, on the
consolidated balance sheets of Biometric Security Corp. as at December 31, 1998
and 1997, and the consolidated statements of operations and deficit and cash
flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1998,
included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333- ) and related
Proxy Statement/Prospectus of Biometric Security Corp., and to the reference to
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Registration Statement.
KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
May 6, 1999
