<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 27, 1998
Registration No. ______________
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
-----------------
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
-----------------
NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC.
(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 74-2830661
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. employer
of incorporation or organization) identification no.)
1900 West 47th Place, Suite 205, Westwood, Kansas 66205
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1996 EXECUTIVE AND NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR
STOCK OPTION PLAN (LAST AMENDED DECEMBER 6, 1996)
(Full title of the plan)
-----------------
Scott F. Hartman
Chairman of the Board, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
1900 West 47th Place, Suite 205
Westwood, Kansas 66205
(913) 362-1090
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
-----------------
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:
Phillip R. Pollock, Esq.
Tobin & Tobin
One Montgomery Street, 15th Floor
San Francisco, California 94014
-----------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
============================================================================================
Proposed maximum Proposed maximum
Title of securities Amount to be offering price per aggregate offering Amount of
to be registered registered share price registration fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock
par value $.01 782,617.00(1) $17.66(2) $13,821,016.22(2) $4,078.20(2)
per share
============================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) This Registration Statement also covers such additional number of shares of
Common Stock as may be issuable by reason of the operation of the anti-
dilution of the Plan
(2) Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h) based on the average of
the high and low prices, reported for the Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange on January 26, 1998 of $17.66 per share.
<PAGE>
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information required by Part I (plan
information and registrant information) will be sent or given to employees as
specified by Rule 428(b)(1). Such documents need not be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") either as part of this
Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to
Rule 424. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in the
registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this form, taken
together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
The following documents filed by NovaStar Financial, Inc. (the
"Company") with the Commission are incorporated in and made a part of this
Registration Statement by reference, except to the extent that any statement or
information therein is modified, superseded or replaced by a statement or
information contained in any other subsequently filed document incorporated
herein by reference:
(a) The Company's Prospectus, dated October 30, 1997, and filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act on October 31, 1997.
(b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended September 30, 1997.
(c) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed October 23, 1997 (Reg. No.
1-13533).
All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a post effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities
The Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company is
registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and, therefore, the
description of securities is omitted.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The Maryland General Corporation Law (the "Maryland GCL") permits the
charter of a Maryland corporation to include a provision limiting the liability
of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholder for money
damages, except to the extent that (i) it is proved that the person actually
received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services, or (ii) a
judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the person is entered in a
proceeding based on a finding that the person's action, or failure to act, was
the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of
action adjudicated in the proceeding. The Company's Charter contains a provision
1
<PAGE>
providing for elimination of the liability of its directors and officers to the
Company or its stockholders for money damages to the maximum extent permitted by
Maryland law as amended and interpreted.
The Company's Charter obligates the Company to indemnify its directors
and officers to pay or reimburse expenses for such individuals in advance of the
final disposition of a proceeding to the maximum extent permitted from time to
time by Maryland law. The Maryland GCL permits a corporation to indemnify its
present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments,
penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them
in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made a party by reason of
their service in those or other capacities, unless it is established that (a)
the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving
rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was a result
of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually
received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in
the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable
cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that its directors and
officers shall, and its agents in the discretion of the Board of Directors may,
be indemnified to the fullest extent required or permitted from time to time by
the laws of Maryland.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not applicable
Item 8. Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit # Description
- --------- -----------
<S> <C>
4.3* Specimen Common Stock Certificate
5.1 Opinion of Tobin & Tobin
5.2 Opinion of Piper & Marbury L.L.P.
8.1 Opinion of Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk LLP
10.1 1996 Executive And Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (Last Amended
December 6, 1996)
23.1 Consent of Tobin & Tobin (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2 Consent of Piper & Marbury L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.2)
23.3 Consent of Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)
23.4 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
24.1 Power of Attorney (included with signature page)
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------
* Previously filed and incorporated by reference to the correspondingly numbered
exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-11 (333-32327) filed by the
Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission
Item 9. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
2
<PAGE>
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities
offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3 and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed by, or furnished to the Commission by, the
registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof; and
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification of liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Westwood, State of Kansas, on January 26, 1998.
NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC.
By /s/ Scott F. Hartman
--------------------------------
Scott F. Hartman
(Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Scott F. Hartman, W. Lance Anderson, Mark
J. Kohlrus and Rodney E. Schwatken, and each of them, his or true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities including his or her capacity as a director and/or officer of
NovaStar Financial, Inc., to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
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:
Signature Position Date
--------- -------- ----
/s/ Scott F. Hartman
- ----------------------- Chairman of the Board, Chief January 26, 1998
Scott F. Hartman Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ W. Lance Anderson
- ----------------------- President, Chief Operating January 26, 1998
W. Lance Anderson Officer and Director
/s/ Mark J. Kohlrus
- ----------------------- Senior Vice President, Treasurer January 26, 1998
Mark J. Kohlrus and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Rodney E. Schwatken
- ----------------------- Vice President, Controller, January 26, 1998
Rodney E. Schwatken and Assistant Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Gregory T. Barmore
- ----------------------- Director January 26, 1998
Gregory T. Barmore
/s/ Edward W. Mehrer
- ----------------------- Director January 26, 1998
Edward W. Mehrer
- ----------------------- Director January [____], 1998
Jenne Britell
4
<PAGE>
Item 8. Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit # Description
- --------- -----------
<S> <C>
4.3* Specimen Common Stock Certificate
5.1 Opinion of Tobin & Tobin
5.2 Opinion of Piper & Marbury L.L.P.
8.1 Opinion of Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk LLP
10.1 1996 Executive And Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (Last Amended
December 6, 1996)
23.1 Consent of Tobin & Tobin (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2 Consent of Piper & Marbury L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.2)
23.3 Consent of Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)
23.4 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
24.1 Power of Attorney (included with signature page)
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------
* Previously filed and incorporated by reference to the correspondingly numbered
exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-11 (333-32327) filed by the
Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission
5
<PAGE>
TOBIN & TOBIN
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
500 SANSOME STREET RICHARD TOBIN (1852-1887)
PHILLIP R. POLLOCK EIGHTH FLOOR ROBERT TOBIN (1875-1889)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94111 CYRIL R. TOBIN (1905-1977)
FACSIMILE (415) 433-3883
(415) 433-1400
Exhibit 5.1
January 26, 1998
The Board of Directors
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
1900 West 47th Place
Suite 205
Westwood, KS 66205
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8 relative to the 1996
Executive and Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan,
most recently amended December 6, 1996
-------------------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as your counsel in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") of the 1996 Executive
and Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, last amended December 6, 1996 (the
"Plan"), by NovaStar Financial, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"),
covering an aggregate of up to ten percent (10%) of the Company's outstanding
shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock" or the
"Shares"), provided no more than 339,332 Shares shall be cumulatively available
for grants as Incentive Stock Options ("ISO's") at any given time.
This opinion is delivered in accordance with the requirements of Items 601(b)(5)
and (23) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined and are familiar with
originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of
(i) the Registration Statement on Form S-8, relating to the Shares, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities
Act on or about the date hereof (together with all exhibits thereto, the
"Registration Statement"), (ii) the Prospectus of the Plan to be given to
participants pursuant to the requirements of Part I of the Registration
Statement, (iii) the Charter of the Company, as amended and presently in effect,
(iv) the Bylaws of the Company in effect as of the date hereof, (v) resolutions
of the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the issuance of the Shares
and the filing and effectiveness of the Registration Statement, adopted at a
meeting on November 12, 1997, and (vi) a specimen of the certificates
representing the Shares. We have also examined such other documents,
certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis
for the opinion set forth below.
In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural
persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies, and the
authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts material to this
opinion which we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon
oral or written statements and representations of officers and other
representatives of the Company and others.
<PAGE>
TOBIN & TOBIN
Board of Directors
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
January 26, 1998
Page 2
Members of our firm are admitted to the practice of law in the State of
California and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any other
jurisdiction, except for those matters of Maryland law for which we have relied
solely upon the legal opinion of Piper & Marbury L.L.P., Baltimore, Maryland,
dated on or about the date hereof.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Shares to be issued by the Company pursuant to the Plan, as described in the
Registration Statement, have been duly and validly authorized for issuance, and,
upon issuance and delivery of the Shares in accordance with the terms of the
Plan, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as
Exhibit 5.1 to Form S-8 and its incorporation by reference as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we
are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act or under the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Tobin & Tobin
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5.2
PIPER & MARBURY
L.L.P.
CHARLES CENTER SOUTH WASHINGTON
36 SOUTH CHARLES STREET NEW YORK
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21201-3018 PHILADELPHIA
410-539-2530 EASTON
FAX: 410-539-0489
January 26, 1998
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
1900 West 47th Place, Suite 205
Westwood, Kansas 66205
Registration Statement on Form S-8
Gentlemen:
We have acted as Maryland counsel to NovaStar Financial, Inc., a Maryland
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of an aggregate of up to ten
percent of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share, of the Company (the "Shares") pursuant to a Registration Statement of the
Company on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Shares may be issued pursuant to
the Company's 1996 Executive and Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, as
amended (the "Plan"), provided, however, that no more than 339,332 Shares will
be cumulatively available for grants as Incentive Stock Options at any given
time.
In our capacity as Maryland counsel to the Company, we have reviewed the
Charter and By-Laws of the Company as in effect on the date hereof, minutes of
the proceedings of the Company's Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of
the Shares and authorizing the Plan, and such other documents as we have
considered necessary. We have also examined an Officer's Certificate of the
Company dated the date hereof (the "Certificate"). In such examination, we have
assumed, without independent investigation, the genuineness of all signatures,
the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the aforesaid
documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the
conformity with originals of all documents submitted to us as copies (and the
authenticity of the originals of such copies), and that all public records
reviewed are accurate and complete. As to factual matters we have relied on the
Certificate and have not independently verified the matters stated therein.
<PAGE>
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
January 26, 1998
Page 2
Based upon the foregoing and having regard for such legal considerations as
we deem relevant, we are of the opinion and so advise you that upon the issuance
and delivery of the Shares in accordance with the terms set forth in the Plan,
the Shares will have been duly and validly authorized and will be validly
issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not thereby admit that we
are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Piper & Marbury L.L.P.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.1
JEFFERS, WILSON, SHAFF & FALK, LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
18881 VON KARMAN AVENUE
SUITE 1400
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92612
TELEPHONE: (714) 660-7700
FACSIMILE: (714) 660-7799
January 26, 1998
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
1900 West 47th Place, Suite 205
Westwood, KS 66205
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8 relative to the 1996 Executive
and Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
Gentlemen:
This is an opinion (the "Opinion") which you have requested as to the
discussion entitled "Federal Income Tax Considerations" as set forth in the
Prospectus (the "Prospectus"), contained in the Registration Statement on Form
S-8 of the 1996 Executive and Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") of NovaStar Financial, Inc. (the "Company"), filed by the Company, in
connection with the issuance (the "Offering") of up to ten percent (10%) of
the Company's outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share
(the "Common Stock"), provided that no more than 339,332 shares of Common
Stock shall be cumulatively available for grants as incentive stock options at
any given time. The shares of Common Stock are sometimes referred to herein as
the "Shares" of the Company.
The Company is a Maryland corporation that is intended to qualify as a
real estate investment trust ("REIT") under the Code. Capitalized terms used
in this Opinion and not otherwise defined are as defined in the Prospectus.
Our Opinion is based on existing law, including the Code, existing Treasury
Regulations, Revenue Rulings, Revenue Procedures, U.S. Department of Labor
regulations and administrative interpretations, proposed regulations and case
law, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively.
No assurance can be given that such existing law may not change in a manner
that would modify the conclusions expressed in this Opinion. Moreover,
relevant laws could change in a manner that could adversely affect the Company
or its stockholders. We have no obligation to inform you of any such change in
the law. We have not been requested to opine, and we have not opined, as to
any issues other than those expressly set forth herein. This Opinion extends
only to questions under the Code. We express no opinion with respect to any
other law or the laws of any other jurisdiction.
Our Opinion is based upon certain statements, representations and
warranties made by the Company as to factual matters regarding the Company's
assets, business and Common Stock as set forth in the Prospectus of the Plan
to be given to participants in the Plan pursuant to the
<PAGE>
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
January 26, 1998
Page 2
requirements of Part I of the Registration Statement, and in the Company's
letter, dated January 26, 1998, to us, and we have assumed that such
statements, representations and warranties are true and accurate. As to such
factual matters material to our Opinion, we have relied solely upon such
statements, representations and warranties of the Company. We have assumed the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us, the genuineness of all
signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the conformity to the
originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the due execution and
delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are prerequisites
to the effectiveness thereof. Without any independent investigation, no facts
have come to our attention, however, that would cause us to question the
accuracy in a material way of any documents, letters, statements,
representations or warranties of the Company.
We are admitted to practice law in the State of California and our
Opinion is limited to federal law. As to matters of Maryland law, including
the formation and good standing of the Company as a Maryland corporation and
the validity and terms of the Shares, we have relied solely on the opinion of
Piper & Marbury L.L.P., special Maryland counsel to the Company. Our Opinion
is solely for the benefit of the Company in connection with the Offering, and
is not to be circulated or quoted or otherwise relied upon by the Company for
any other purpose without our prior written consent.
We have acted as special tax counsel to the Company in connection with
the Company's Offering of the Shares. In that connection, we have reviewed the
section of the Prospectus entitled "Federal Income Tax Considerations" and in
our opinion such section identifies and fairly summarizes the federal income
tax considerations that are likely to be material to a holder of the Common
Stock and to the extent that such summaries involve matters of law, we are of
the opinion that such statements of law are correct under the Code. We
expressly confirm that all of the opinions attributed to Special Tax Counsel
in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Federal Income Tax Considerations"
accurately reflect our opinion on the outcome of each such issue if challenged
by the Service.
The Company's qualification as a REIT under the Code will depend upon
the Company's ability to meet, through actual operating results, distribution
levels, diversity of stock ownership and the various income and asset
qualification tests imposed under the Code. Such operating results may not be
reviewed by us as Counsel, and accordingly, no assurance can be given that the
actual results of the Company's operations for any one taxable year will
satisfy the requirements under the Code for REIT qualification. Moreover,
certain aspects of the Company's operations have not been considered by the
courts or the Service. There can be no assurance that the courts or the
Service will agree with this Opinion. In addition, qualification as a REIT
depends on future transactions and events that cannot be known at this time.
<PAGE>
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
January 26, 1998
Page 3
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to this firm under the captions
"Federal Income Tax Considerations," "ERISA Investors" and "Legal Matters" in
connection with this opinion.
Very truly yours,
JEFFERS, WILSON, SHAFF & FALK, LLP
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.1
NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC.
1996 EXECUTIVE AND NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR
STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Last Amended December 6, 1996)
1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF PLAN; DEFINITIONS.
The name of this plan is the NovaStar Financial, Inc. 1996 Executive
and Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan was adopted
by the Board on September 27, 1996, subject to the approval of the Company
stockholders, which approval was obtained on October 10, 1996. The purpose of
the Plan is to enable the Company and its Subsidiaries to obtain and retain
competent personnel who will contribute to the Company's success by their
ability, ingenuity and industry, to give the Company's non-employee directors a
proprietary interest in the Company and to provide incentives to the
participating directors, officers and other key employees, and agents and
consultants that are linked directly to increases in stockholder value and will
therefore inure to the benefit of all stockholders of the Company.
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set
forth below:
(1) "Accrued DERs" means dividend equivalent rights with the accrual
rights described in Section 5(11).
(2) "Administrator" means the Board, or if the Board does not
administer the Plan, the Committee in accordance with Section 2.
(3) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(4) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time, or any successor thereto.
(5) "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board, which
shall be composed entirely of individuals who meet the qualifications to be a
"Non-Employee Director" as defined in Rule 16b-3 ("Rule 16b-3") as promulgated
by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act"), and as such Rule may be amended
from time to time, or any successor definition adopted by the Commission, or any
other Committee the Board may subsequently appoint to administer the Plan. If at
any time the Board shall not administer the Plan, then the functions of the
Board specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Committee.
(6) "Company" means NovaStar Financial, Inc., a corporation organized
under the laws of the State of Maryland (or any successor corporation).
(7) "Current-pay DERs" means dividend equivalent rights with the
current-pay rights described in Section 5(11).
(8) "DERs" shall mean Accrued DERs and Current-pay DERs.
(9) "Deferred Stock" means an award granted pursuant to Section 7 of
the right to receive Stock at the end of a specified deferral period.
(10) "Disability" means permanent and total disability as determined
under the Company's disability program or policy.
1
<PAGE>
(11) "Effective Date" shall mean the date provided pursuant to Section
12.
(12) "Eligible Employee" means an employee of the Company or any
Subsidiary eligible to participate in the Plan pursuant to Section 4.
(13) "Eligible Non-Employee Director" means a member of the Board or
the board of directors of any Subsidiary who is not a bona fide employee of the
Company or any Subsidiary and who is eligible to participate in the Plan
pursuant to Section 5A.
(14) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any given date, with respect to
any awards granted hereunder, at the discretion of the Administrator and subject
to such limitations as the Administrator may impose, (A) the closing sale price
of the Stock on the next preceding business day as reported in the Western
Edition of the Wall Street Journal Composite Tape, or (B) the average of the
closing price of the Stock on each day on which the Stock was traded over a
period of up to twenty trading days immediately prior to such date, or (C) if
the Stock is not publicly traded, the fair market value of the Stock as
otherwise determined by the Administrator in the good faith exercise of its
discretion.
(15) "Incentive Stock Option" means any Stock Option intended to be
designated as an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Code.
(16) "Limited Stock Appreciation Right" means a Stock Appreciation
Right that can be exercised only in the event of a "Change of Control" (as
defined in Section 10 below).
(17) "Non-Employee Director" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule
16b-3.
(18) "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is not an
Incentive Stock Option, including any Stock Option that provides (as of the time
such option is granted) that it will not be treated as an Incentive Stock
Option.
(19) "Parent Corporation" means any corporation (other than the
Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each
of the corporations in the chain (other than the Company) owns stock possessing
50% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the
other corporations in the chain.
(20) "Participant" means any Eligible Employee or any consultant or
agent of the Company or any Subsidiary selected by the Committee, pursuant to
the Administrator's authority in Section 2, to receive grants of Stock Options,
DERs, Stock Appreciation Rights, Limited Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted
Stock awards, Deferred Stock awards, Performance Shares or any combination of
the foregoing, or any Eligible Non-Employee Director eligible to receive grants
of Non-Qualified Stock Options and DERs pursuant to Section 5A below.
(21) "Performance Share" means an award of shares of Stock granted
pursuant to Section 7 that is subject to restrictions based upon the attainment
of specified performance objectives.
(22) "Restricted Stock" means an award granted pursuant to Section 7 of
shares of Stock subject to restrictions that will lapse with the passage of
time.
(23) "Stock" means the common stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company.
(24) "Stock Appreciation Right" means the right pursuant to an award
granted under Section 6 to receive an amount equal to the difference between (A)
the Fair Market Value, as of the date such Stock Appreciation Right or portion
thereof is surrendered, of the shares of Stock covered by such right or such
portion thereof, and (B) the aggregate exercise price of such right or such
portion thereof.
(25) "Stock Option" means an option to purchase shares of Stock granted
pursuant to Section 5 or Section 5A.
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(26) "Subsidiary" means any corporation (other than the Company) either
(i) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of
the corporations (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns
stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes
of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain or (ii) organized to act
as the mortgage loan conduit for the Company.
2. ADMINISTRATION.
The Plan shall be administered by the Board or by a Committee appointed
by the Board, which shall serve at the pleasure of the Board; provided, however,
that at all times following the commencement of the Company's Private Placement
on October 15, 1996 the Plan shall be administered by the Committee appointed by
the Board.
The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant to
Eligible Employees and consultants or agents of the Company or any Subsidiary,
pursuant to the terms of the Plan: (a) Stock Options (with or without DERs), (b)
Stock Appreciation Rights or Limited Stock Appreciation Rights, (c) Restricted
Stock, (d) Deferred Stock, (e) Performance Shares or (f) any combination of the
foregoing.
In particular, the Administrator shall have the authority:
(a) to select those employees of the Company or any Subsidiary who
shall be Eligible Employees;
(b) to determine whether and to what extent Stock Options (with or
without DERs), Stock Appreciation Rights, Limited Stock Appreciation Rights,
Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock, Performance Shares or a combination of the
foregoing, are to be granted to Eligible Employees or any consultant or agent of
the Company or any Subsidiary hereunder;
(c) to determine the number of shares to be covered by each such award
granted hereunder;
(d) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the
terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder (including, but not limited
to, (x) the restricted period applicable to Restricted or Deferred Stock awards
and the date or dates on which restrictions applicable to such Restricted or
Deferred Stock shall lapse during such period, and (y) the performance goals and
periods applicable to the award of Performance Shares); and
(e) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the
terms of the Plan, which shall govern all written instruments evidencing the
Stock Options, DERs, Stock Appreciation Rights, Limited Stock Appreciation
Rights, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock, Performance Shares or any combination
of the foregoing.
The Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion, to
adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices
governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable; to interpret
the terms and provisions of the Plan and any award issued under the Plan (and
any agreements relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration
of the Plan.
All decisions made by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of
the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Company, any
Subsidiaries and the Participants.
3. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.
The total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance
under the Plan shall be 339,332; provided, however, that from and after such
time as the number of outstanding shares of Stock as reflected on the Company's
quarterly or year-end balance sheet exceeds 3,393,320 (including treasury shares
but not including adjustments in the event of changes in the corporate structure
of the Company as provided below in this Section 3), the total number of shares
of Stock reserved and available for issuance (inclusive of shares already
issued) under the Plan shall automatically be increased so as to equal ten
percent (10%) of the number of then outstanding shares of Stock, and provided
further, that no more than 339,332 shares of Stock shall be cumulatively
available for Incentive Stock Options. At all times, the number of shares
reserved and available for issuance hereunder as so determined from time to time
shall be decreased by virtue of awards granted and outstanding or exercised
hereunder.
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To the extent that (i) a Stock Option or DER expires or is otherwise
terminated without being exercised, or (ii) any shares of Stock subject to any
Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock or Performance Share award granted hereunder
are forfeited, such shares shall again be available for issuance in connection
with future awards under the Plan. If any shares of Stock have been pledged as
collateral for indebtedness incurred by a Participant in connection with the
exercise of a Stock Option and such shares are returned to the Company in
satisfaction of such indebtedness, such shares shall again be available for
issuance in connection with future awards under the Plan.
In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation,
recapitalization, Stock dividend, or other change in corporate structure
affecting the Stock, a substitution or adjustment may be made in (i) the
aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, and (ii) the
kind, number and option price of shares subject to outstanding Stock Options and
DERs granted under the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator, in its
sole discretion, provided that the number of shares subject to any award shall
always be a whole number. Such other substitutions or adjustments shall be made
as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion; provided,
however, that with respect to Incentive Stock Options, such adjustment shall be
made in accordance with Section 424 of the Code. An adjusted option price shall
also be used to determine the amount payable by the Company upon the exercise of
any Stock Appreciation Right or Limited Stock Appreciation Right associated with
any Stock Option.
The aggregate number of shares of Stock for which Stock Options or
Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to any individual during any calendar
year may not, subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 3, exceed 75% of
the shares of Stock reserved for the purposes of the Plan in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 3.
4. ELIGIBILITY.
Officers and other key employees of the Company or Subsidiaries who are
responsible for or contribute to the management, growth and/or profitability of
the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries and consultants and agents of
the Company or its Subsidiaries, shall be eligible to be granted Stock Options,
DERs, Stock Appreciation Rights, Limited Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted
Stock awards, Deferred Stock awards or Performance Shares hereunder. The
Participants under the Plan shall be selected from time to time by the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, from among the Eligible Employees and
consultants and agents recommended by the senior management of the Company, and
the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, the number of shares
covered by each award; provided, however, that Eligible Non-Employee Directors
shall only be eligible to receive Stock Options as provided in Section 5A.
5. STOCK OPTIONS.
Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other awards
granted under the Plan, including DERs as described in Section 5(11). Any Stock
Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Administrator may
from time to time approve, and the provisions of Stock Option awards need not be
the same with respect to each optionee. Recipients of Stock Options shall enter
into a stock option agreement with the Company, in such form as the
Administrator shall determine, which agreement shall set forth, among other
things, the exercise price of the option, the term of the option and provisions
regarding exercisability of the option granted thereunder.
The Stock Options granted under the Plan may be of two types: (
i) Incentive Stock Options and (ii) Non-Qualified Stock Options.
The Administrator shall have the authority under this Section 5 to
grant any optionee (except Eligible Non-Employee Directors) Incentive Stock
Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock Options (in each
case with or without DERs, Stock Appreciation Rights or Limited Stock
Appreciation Rights), provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may not be
granted to any individual who is not an employee of the Company or its
Subsidiaries. To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option, it shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock
Option. More than one option may be granted to the same optionee and be
outstanding concurrently hereunder.
Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following
terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem
desirable:
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(1) Option Price. The option price per share of Stock purchasable under
------------
a Stock Option shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion
at the time of grant but shall not, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, be
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on such date, and shall
not, in any event, be less than the par value of the Stock. The option price per
share of Stock purchasable under a Non-Qualified Stock Option may be less than
100% of such Fair Market Value. If an employee owns or is deemed to own (by
reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 425(d) of the Code)
more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary and an Incentive Stock Option is
granted to such employee, the option price of such Incentive Stock Option (to
the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no less than 110%
of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date such Incentive Stock Option is
granted.
(2) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the
-----------
Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten years
after the date such Stock Option is granted; provided, however, that if an
employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section
425(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary and an Incentive
Stock Option is granted to such employee, the term of such Incentive Stock
Option (to the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no
more than five years from the date of grant.
(3) Exercisability. Stock Options shall be exercisable at such time or
--------------
times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the
Administrator at or after grant; provided, however, that, except as provided
herein or unless otherwise determined by the Administrator at or after grant,
Stock Options shall become exercisable as to 25% of the shares subject to such
Stock Option on the first anniversary of the date of grant of the Stock Option,
and as to an additional 25% on each of the next three anniversaries of the date
of grant. To the extent not exercised, installments shall accumulate and be
exercisable in whole or in part at any time after becoming exercisable but not
later than the date the Stock Option expires. The Administrator may provide, in
its discretion, that any Stock Option shall be exercisable only in installments,
and the Administrator may waive such installment exercise provisions at any time
in whole or in part based on such factors as the Administrator may determine, in
its sole discretion.
(4) Method of Exercise. Subject to Section 5(3), Stock Options may be
------------------
exercised in whole or in part at any time during the option period, by giving
written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares to be
purchased, accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price in cash or its
equivalent as determined by the Administrator. As determined by the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, payment in whole or in part may also be
made in the form of unrestricted Stock already owned by the optionee, or, in the
case of the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, Restricted Stock or
Performance Shares subject to an award hereunder (based, in each case, on the
Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the option is exercised); provided,
however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the right to make
payment in the form of already owned shares may be authorized only at the time
of grant. Any payment in the form of stock already owned by the optionee may be
effected by use of an attestation form approved by the Administrator. If payment
of the option exercise price of a Non-Qualified Stock Option is made in whole or
in part in the form of Restricted Stock or Performance Shares, the shares
received upon the exercise of such Stock Option (to the extent of the number of
shares of Restricted Stock or Performance Shares surrendered upon exercise of
such Stock Option) shall be restricted in accordance with the original terms of
the Restricted Stock or Performance Share award in question, except that the
Administrator may direct that such restrictions shall apply only to that number
of shares equal to the number of shares surrendered upon the exercise of such
option. An optionee shall generally have the rights to dividends and other
rights of a stockholder with respect to shares subject to the option only after
the optionee has given written notice of exercise, has paid in full for such
shares, and, if requested, has given the representation described in paragraph
(1) of Section 11.
The Administrator may require the voluntary surrender of all or a
portion of any Stock Option granted under the Plan as a condition precedent to a
grant of a new Stock Option. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, such new
Stock Option shall be exercisable at the price, during such period and on such
other terms and conditions as are specified by the Administrator at the time the
new Stock Option is granted; provided, however, that should the Administrator so
require, the number of shares subject to such new Stock Option shall not be
greater than the number of shares subject to the surrendered Stock Option. Upon
their surrender, Stock Options shall be canceled and the shares previously
subject to such canceled Stock Options shall again be available for grants of
Stock Options and other awards hereunder.
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<PAGE>
(5) Loans. The Company may make loans available to Stock Option holders
-----
in connection with the exercise of outstanding options granted under the Plan,
as the Administrator, in its discretion, may determine. Such loans shall (i) be
evidenced by promissory notes entered into by the Stock Option holders in favor
of the Company, (ii) be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Section 5(5) and such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the
Plan, as the Administrator shall determine, and (iii) bear interest, if any, at
such rate as the Administrator shall determine. In no event may the principal
amount of any such loan exceed the sum of (x) the exercise price less the par
value of the shares of Stock covered by the option, or portion thereof,
exercised by the holder, and (y) any federal, state, and local income tax
attributable to such exercise. The initial term of the loan, the schedule of
payments of principal and interest under the loan, the extent to which the loan
is to be with or without recourse against the holder with respect to principal
or interest and the conditions upon which the loan will become payable in the
event of the holder's termination of employment shall be determined by the
Administrator; provided, however, that the term of the loan, including
extensions, shall not exceed seven years. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, when a loan is made, shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value at
least equal to the principal amount of the loan shall be pledged by the holder
to the Company as security for payment of the unpaid balance of the loan, and
such pledge shall be evidenced by a pledge agreement, the terms of which shall
be determined by the Administrator, in its discretion; provided, however, that
each loan shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations and rules of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any other governmental
agency having jurisdiction.
(6) Limits on Transferability of Options.
------------------------------------
(a) Subject to Section 5(6)(b), no Stock Option shall be
transferable by the optionee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution or pursuant to a "qualified domestic relations order," as such
term is defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA"), and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the
optionee's lifetime, only by the optionee or in accordance with the terms of a
qualified domestic relations order.
(b) The Administrator may, in its discretion, authorize all or
a portion of the options to be granted to an optionee to be on terms which
permit transfer by such optionee to (i) the spouse, qualified domestic partner,
children or grandchildren of the optionee and any other persons related to the
optionee as may be approved by the Administrator ("Immediate Family Members"),
(ii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family
Members, (iii) a partnership or partnerships in which such Immediate Family
Members are the only partners, or (iv) any other persons or entities as may be
approved by the Administrator, provided that (x) there may be no consideration
for any transfer unless approved by the Administrator, (y) the stock option
agreement pursuant to which such options are granted must be approved by the
Administrator, and must expressly provide for transferability in a manner
consistent with this Section 5(6)(b), and (z) subsequent transfers of
transferred options shall be prohibited except those in accordance with Section
5(6)(a) or expressly approved by the Administrator. Following transfer, any such
options shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were
applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that, except for purposes of
Sections 5(7), (8) and (9) and 11(3) hereof, the terms "optionee," Stock Option
holder" and "Participant" shall be deemed to refer to the transferee. The events
of termination of employment under Sections 5(7), (8) and (9) hereof shall
continue to be applied with respect to the original optionee, following which
the options shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent, and for
the periods specified under such sections unless the option agreement governing
such options otherwise provides. Notwithstanding the transfer, the original
optionee will continue to be subject to the provisions of Section 11(3)
regarding payment of taxes, including the provisions entitling the Company to
deduct such taxes from amounts otherwise due to such optionee. Any transfer of a
Stock Option that was originally granted with DERs related thereto shall
automatically include the transfer of such DERs, any attempt to transfer such
Stock Option separately from such DERs shall be void, and such DERs shall
continue in effect according to their terms. "Qualified domestic partner" for
the purpose of this Section 5(6)(b) shall mean a domestic partner living in the
same household as the optionee and registered with, certified by or otherwise
acknowledged by the county or other applicable governmental body as a domestic
partner or otherwise establishing such status in any manner satisfactory to the
Administrator. Stock options granted prior to December 1, 1996 may be amended to
provide for their transferability, subject to the foregoing conditions.
(7) Termination by Death. If an optionee's employment with the Company
--------------------
or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of death, the Stock Option may thereafter
be immediately exercised, to the extent then exercisable (or on such accelerated
basis as the Administrator shall determine at or after grant), by the legal
representative of the estate or by the legatee of the optionee under the will of
the optionee, for a period of twelve months (or such shorter period as the
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Administrator shall specify at grant) from the date of such death or until the
expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is shorter.
(8) Termination by Reason of Disability. If an optionee's employment
-----------------------------------
with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of Disability, any Stock
Option held by such optionee may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was
exercisable at the time of such termination (or on such accelerated basis as the
Administrator shall determine at the time of grant), for a period of twelve
months (or such shorter period as the Administrator shall specify at grant) from
the date of such termination of employment or until the expiration of the stated
term of such Stock Option, whichever period is shorter; provided, however, that,
if the optionee dies within such twelve-month period (or such shorter period as
the Administrator shall specify at grant) and prior to the expiration of the
stated term of such Stock Option, any unexercised Stock Option held by such
optionee shall thereafter be exercisable to the extent to which it was
exercisable at the time of termination for a period of twelve months (or such
shorter period as the Administrator shall specify at grant) from the time of
death or until the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever
period is shorter. In the event of a termination of employment by reason of
Disability, if an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of
the applicable exercise periods under Section 422 of the Code, such Stock Option
shall thereafter be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(9) Other Termination. Except as otherwise determined by the
-----------------
Administrator, if an optionee's employment with the Company or any Subsidiary
terminates for any reason other than death or Disability, the Stock Option may
be exercised for a period of three months from the date of such termination, or
until the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period
is shorter.
(10) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that the
---------------------------------------
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Incentive Stock
Option is granted) of shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock
Options granted to an Optionee under this Plan and all other option plans of the
Company, its Parent Corporation or any Subsidiary become exercisable for the
first time by the Optionee during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such Stock
Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options.
(11) DERs. The Administrator shall have the discretion to grant DERs in
----
conjunction with grants of Stock Options pursuant to this Section 5. DERs may be
granted in either of two forms, "Current-pay DERs" and "Accrued DERs" and the
Administrator may condition the payment or accrual of amounts in respect thereof
subject to satisfaction of such performance objectives as the Administrator may
specify at the time of grant. Assuming satisfaction of any applicable
conditions, Current-pay DERs shall be paid concurrently with any dividends or
distributions paid on the Stock during the time the related Stock Options are
outstanding in an amount equal to the cash dividend (or Stock or other property
hereby distributed) per share being paid on the Stock times the number of shares
subject to the related Stock Options. Current-pay DERs are payable in cash,
Stock or such other property in the same manner as may be distributed to
shareholders. Accrued DERs may be accrued in respect of cash dividends only or
cash dividends and the value of any Stock or other property distributed to
shareholders, as the Administrator shall determine at the time of grant.
Assuming satisfaction of any applicable conditions, Accrued DERs shall be
accrued with respect to the related Stock Options outstanding as of the date
dividends are declared on the Company's Stock in accordance with the following
formula:
(A x B) / C
under which "A" equals the number of shares subject to such Stock Options, "B"
equals the cash dividend per share or the value per share of the Stock or other
property being distributed, as the case may be, and "C" equals the Fair Market
Value per share of Stock on the dividend payment date. The Accrued DERs shall
represent shares of Stock which shall be issuable to the holder of the related
Stock Option proportionately as the holder exercises the Stock Option to which
the Accrued DERs relate, rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares.
DERs shall expire upon the expiration of the Stock Options to which they relate.
The Administrator shall specify at the time of grant whether dividends shall be
payable or credited on Accrued DERs. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
herein, Accrued DERs granted with respect to Stock Options shall be accrued only
to the extent of the number of shares of stock then reserved and available for
issuance under the Plan in excess of the number of shares subject to issuance
pursuant to outstanding Stock Option, Accrued DER, Stock Appreciation Right,
Limited Stock Appreciation Right, Deferred Stock or Performance Share awards.
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5A. STOCK OPTIONS FOR ELIGIBLE NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS.
This Section 5A shall apply only to automatic grants of Stock Options
to Eligible Non-Employee Directors.
(1) Each Eligible Non-Employee Director shall automatically be granted,
upon becoming a director of the Company or any Subsidiary, a Non-Qualified Stock
Option to purchase 5,000 shares of Stock. In addition, on the day after the
annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held in the calendar year
1997, and on the day after each annual stockholders' meeting of the Company
thereafter during the term of the Plan, each Eligible Non-Employee Director of
the Company shall be granted a Non-Qualified Stock Option to purchase 2,500
shares of Stock, together with accrued DERs with respect to such Non-Qualified
Stock Option. The option price per share of Stock purchasable under such Stock
Option shall be 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. Such Stock
Option shall become exercisable as to 25% of the shares subject to such Stock
Option on the first anniversary of the date of grant of the Stock Option, and as
to an additional 25% of the shares subject to such Stock Option on each of the
next three anniversaries of the date of grant. To the extent not exercised,
installments shall accumulate and be exercisable in whole or in part at any time
after becoming exercisable but not later than the date the Stock Option expires.
Exercise shall be by payment in full of the purchase price in cash and no stock
option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date of grant. The
aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be granted to Eligible Non-Employee
Directors pursuant to the Plan may not exceed 150,000 shares.
(2) Eligible Non-Employee Directors who receive grants of Stock Options
shall enter into a stock option agreement with the Company, which agreement
shall set forth, among other things, the exercise price of the option, the term
of the option and provisions regarding exercisability of the option granted
thereunder. The Stock Options granted under this section shall be Non-Qualified
Stock Options.
(3) Non-Qualified Stock Options granted to Eligible Non-Employee
Directors hereunder shall be transferable only to the extent provided in
Sections 5(6)(a) and (b).
(4) Accrued DERs shall be paid with respect to such Non-Qualified Stock
Options in accordance with the provisions of Section 5(11) above.
(5) The Board may not amend, alter or discontinue the provisions of
this Section 5A more than once every six months other than to comport with
changes in the Code, ERISA and the rules thereunder or the federal securities
laws and the rules thereunder.
6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS AND LIMITED STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(1) Grant and Exercise. Stock Appreciation Rights and Limited Stock
------------------
Appreciation Rights may be granted either alone ("Free Standing Rights") or in
conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option granted under the Plan
("Related Rights"). In the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, Related Rights
may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of such Stock Option. In
the case of an Incentive Stock Option, Related Rights may be granted only at the
time of the grant of the Incentive Stock Option.
A Related Right or applicable portion thereof granted in conjunction
with a given Stock Option shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the
termination or exercise of the related Stock Option, except that, unless
otherwise provided by the Administrator at the time of grant, a Related Right
granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by a related
Stock Option shall only be reduced if and to the extent that the number of
shares covered by the exercise or termination of the related Stock Option
exceeds the number of shares not covered by the Stock Appreciation Right.
A Related Right may be exercised by an optionee, in accordance with
paragraph (2) of this Section 6, by surrendering the applicable portion of the
related Stock Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the optionee shall be
entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed in paragraph
(2) of this Section 6. Stock Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or
in part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the Related Rights have
been so exercised.
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(2) Terms and Conditions. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to
--------------------
such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as
shall be determined from time to time by the Administrator, including the
following:
(a) Stock Appreciation Rights that are Related Rights
("Related Stock Appreciation Rights") shall be exercisable only at such time or
times and to the extent that the Stock Options to which they relate shall be
exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 and this Section 6;
provided, however, that no Related Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable
during the first six months of its term, except that this additional limitation
shall not apply in the event of death or Disability of the optionee prior to the
expiration of such six-month period.
(b) Upon the exercise of a Related Stock Appreciation Right,
an optionee shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, an amount in
cash or that number of shares of Stock (or in some combination of cash and
shares of Stock) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one
share of Stock as of the date of exercise over the option price per share
specified in the related Stock Option multiplied by the number of shares of
Stock in respect of which the Related Stock Appreciation Right is being
exercised, with the Administrator having the right to determine the form of
payment.
(c) Related Stock Appreciation Rights shall be transferable or
exercisable only when and to the extent that the underlying Stock Option would
be transferable or exercisable under paragraph (6) of Section 5.
(d) Upon the exercise of a Related Stock Appreciation Right,
the Stock Option or part thereof to which such Related Stock Appreciation Right
is related shall be deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of the
limitation set forth in Section 3 on the number of shares of Stock to be issued
under the Plan.
(e) A Related Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection
with an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only if and when the Fair Market
Value of the Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option exceeds the exercise
price of such Stock Option.
(f) Stock Appreciation Rights that are Free Standing Rights
("Free Standing Stock Appreciation Rights") shall be exercisable at such time or
times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the
Administrator at or after grant; provided, however, that no Free Standing Stock
Appreciation Right shall be exercisable during the first six months of its term,
except that this limitation shall not apply in the event of death or Disability
of the recipient of the Free Standing Stock Appreciation Right prior to the
expiration of such six-month period.
(g) The term of each Free Standing Stock Appreciation Right
shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Free Standing Stock Appreciation
Right shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date such right is
granted.
(h) Upon the exercise of a Free Standing Stock Appreciation
Right, a recipient shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, an
amount in cash or that number of shares of Stock (or any combination of cash or
shares of Stock) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one
share of Stock as of the date of exercise over the price per share specified in
the Free Standing Stock Appreciation Right (which price shall be no less than
100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant) multiplied by
the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the right is being
exercised, with the Administrator having the right to determine the form of
payment.
(i) Free Standing Stock Appreciation Rights shall be
transferable or exercisable subject to the provisions governing the
transferability and exercisability of Stock Options set forth in paragraphs (3)
and (6) of Section 5.
(j) In the event of the termination of an employee who has
been granted one or more Free Standing Stock Appreciation Rights, such rights
shall be exercisable to the same extent that a Stock Option would have been
exercisable in the event of the termination of the optionee.
(k) Limited Stock Appreciation Rights may only be exercised
within the 30-day period following a "Change of Control" (as defined in Section
10 below), and, with respect to Limited Stock Appreciation Rights that are
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Related Rights ("Related Limited Stock Appreciation Rights"), only to the extent
that the Stock Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance
with the provisions of Section 5 and this Section 6; provided, however, that no
Related Limited Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable during the first
six months of its term, except that this additional limitation shall not apply
in the event of death or Disability of the optionee prior to the expiration of
such six-month period.
(l) Upon the exercise of a Limited Stock Appreciation Right,
the recipient shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal in value to
the excess of the "Change of Control Price" (as defined in Section 10) of one
share of Stock as of the date of exercise over (A) the option price per share
specified in the related Stock Option, or (B) in the case of a Limited Stock
Appreciation Right which is a Free Standing Stock Appreciation Right, the price
per share specified in the Free Standing Stock Appreciation Right, such excess
to be multiplied by the number of shares in respect of which the Limited Stock
Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
(m) For the purpose of the limitation set forth in Section 3
on the number of shares to be issued under the Plan, the grant or exercise of
Free Standing Stock Appreciation Rights shall be deemed to constitute the grant
or exercise, respectively, of Stock Options with respect to the number of shares
of Stock with respect to which such Free Standing Stock Appreciation Rights were
so granted or exercised.
7. RESTRICTED STOCK, DEFERRED STOCK AND PERFORMANCE SHARES.
(1) General. Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock or Performance Share
-------
awards may be issued either alone or in addition to other awards granted under
the Plan. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Employees to whom, and
the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock or
Performance Share awards shall be made; the number of shares to be awarded; the
price, if any, to be paid by the recipient of Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock
or Performance Share awards; the Restricted Period (as defined in Section 7(3))
applicable to Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock awards; the performance
objectives applicable to Performance Share or Deferred Stock awards; the date or
dates on which restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock or Deferred
Stock awards shall lapse during such Restricted Period; and all other conditions
of the Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock and Performance Share awards. The
Administrator may also condition the grant of Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock
awards or Performance Shares upon the exercise of Stock Options, or upon such
other criteria as the Administrator may determine, in its sole discretion. The
provisions of Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock or Performance Share awards need
not be the same with respect to each recipient.
(2) Awards and Certificates. The prospective recipient of a Restricted
-----------------------
Stock, Deferred Stock or Performance Share award shall not have any rights with
respect to such award, unless and until such recipient has executed an agreement
evidencing the award (a "Restricted Stock Award Agreement," "Deferred Stock
Award Agreement," or "Performance Share Award Agreement," as appropriate) and
delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty
days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award
date. Except as otherwise provided below in this Section 7(2), (i) each
Participant who is awarded Restricted Stock or Performance Shares shall be
issued a stock certificate in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock or
Performance Shares; and (ii) such certificate shall be registered in the name of
the Participant, and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms,
conditions, and restrictions applicable to such award, substantially in the
following form:
"The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock
represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions
(including forfeiture) of the NovaStar Financial, Inc. 1996
Executive and Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan and a
Restricted Stock Award Agreement or Performance Share Award
Agreement entered into between the registered owner and NovaStar
Financial, Inc. Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file in
the offices of NovaStar Financial, Inc."
The Company shall require that the stock certificates evidencing such
shares be held in the custody of the Company until the restrictions thereon
shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any Restricted Stock award or
Performance Share award, the Participant shall have delivered a stock power,
endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock covered by such award.
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(3) Restrictions and Conditions. The Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock
---------------------------
and Performance Share awards granted pursuant to this Section 7 shall be subject
to the following restrictions and conditions:
(a) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the Restricted
Stock, Deferred Stock or Performance Share award agreement, during such period
as may be set by the Administrator commencing on the grant date (the "Restricted
Period"), the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge or
assign shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Shares or Deferred Stock awarded
under the Plan; provided, however, that the Administrator may, in its sole
discretion, provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments and may
accelerate or waive such restrictions in whole or in part based on such factors
and such circumstances as the Administrator may determine, in its sole
discretion, including, but not limited to, the attainment of certain performance
related goals, the Participant's termination, death or Disability or the
occurrence of a "Change of Control" as defined in Section 10.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (3)(a) of this Section 7,
the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock or
Performance Shares, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including
the right to vote the shares, and the right to receive any dividends thereon
during the Restricted Period. With respect to Deferred Stock awards, the
Participant shall generally not have the rights of a shareholder of the Company,
including the right to vote the shares during the Restricted Period; provided,
however, that dividends declared during the Restricted Period with respect to
the number of shares covered by a Deferred Stock award shall be paid to the
Participant. Certificates for shares of unrestricted Stock shall be delivered to
the Participant promptly after, and only after, the Restricted Period shall
expire without forfeiture in respect of such shares covered by the award of
Restricted Stock, Performance Shares or Deferred Stock, except as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall otherwise determine.
(c) Subject to the provisions of the Restricted Stock,
Deferred Stock or Performance Share award agreement and this Section 7, upon
termination of employment for any reason during the Restricted Period, all
shares subject to any restriction as of the date of such termination shall be
forfeited by the Participant, and the Participant shall only receive the amount,
if any, paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock or Performance Shares,
plus simple interest on such amount at the rate of 8% per year.
8. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.
Subject to the provisions of Section 5A(5), the Board may amend, alter
or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, or discontinuation shall
be made that would impair the rights of a Participant under any award
theretofore granted without such Participant's consent, or that without the
approval of the stockholders (as described below) would:
(1) except as provided in Section 3, increase the total number of
shares of Stock reserved for the purpose of the Plan;
(2) change the employees or class of employees eligible to participate
in the Plan; or
(3) extend the maximum option period under paragraph (2) of Section 5
of the Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, stockholder approval under this Section
8 shall only be required at such time and under such circumstances as
stockholder approval would be required under (a) Rule 16b-3 of the Act with
respect to any material amendment to any employee benefit plan of the Company or
(b) Sections 162(m), 280G or 422 of the Code.
The Administrator may amend the terms of any award theretofore granted,
prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Section 3, no such amendment
shall impair the rights of any holder without his or her consent.
9. UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN.
The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive
compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant or
optionee by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such
Participant or optionee any rights that are greater than those of a general
creditor of the Company.
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10. CHANGE OF CONTROL.
The following acceleration and valuation provisions shall apply in the
event of a "Change of Control" as defined in paragraph (2) of this Section 10:
(1) In the event of a "Change of Control," unless otherwise determined
by the Administrator or the Board in writing at or after grant (including under
any individual agreement), but prior to the occurrence of such Change of
Control:
(a) any Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding for at least six
months and any Stock Options, including Stock Options granted under Section 5A,
awarded under the Plan not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully
exercisable and vested;
(b) the restrictions applicable to any Restricted Stock,
Deferred Stock or Performance Share awards under the Plan shall lapse, and such
shares and awards shall be deemed fully vested; and
(c) the value of all outstanding Stock Options (except Stock
Options granted under Section 5A), DERs (except DERs granted in conjunction with
Stock Options granted under Section 5A), Stock Appreciation Rights, Limited
Stock Appreciation Rights, and Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock and Performance
Share awards shall, to the extent determined by the Administrator at or after
grant, be cashed out by a payment in cash or other property, as the
Administrator may determine, on the basis of the "Change of Control Price" (as
defined in paragraph (3) of this Section 10) as of the date the Change of
Control occurs or such other date as the Administrator may determine prior to
the Change of Control.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1) of this Section 10, a "Change of
Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if, at any time following an initial
public offering of Common Stock by the Company:
(a) any "person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Act (other than the Company; any trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company; or any company owned,
directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of Stock of the Company) is or becomes after
the Effective Date the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the
securities beneficially owned by such person any securities acquired directly
from the Company or its affiliates) representing 25% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or
(b) during any period of two consecutive years (not including
any period prior to the Effective Date), individuals who at the beginning of
such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director
designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to
effect a transaction described in clause (a), (c) or (d) of this Section 10(2))
whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the
period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved,
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; or
(c) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than (A) a merger
or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, at
least 75% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company
or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a
recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person
acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities; or
(d) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
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(3) For purposes of this Section 10, "Change of Control Price" means
the higher of (i) the highest price per share paid or offered in any transaction
related to a Change of Control of the Company or (ii) the highest price per
share paid in any transaction reported on the exchange or national market system
on which the Stock is listed, at any time during the preceding sixty day period
as determined by the Administrator, except that, in the case of Incentive Stock
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights or Limited Stock Appreciation Rights
relating to Incentive Stock Options, such price shall be based only on
transactions reported for the date on which the Administrator decides to cash
out such options.
11. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(1) The Administrator may require each person purchasing shares
pursuant to a Stock Option to represent to and agree with the Company in writing
that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.
The certificates for such shares may include any legend which the Administrator
deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.
All certificates for shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall be
subject to such stock-transfer orders and other restrictions as the
Administrator may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other
requirements of the Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then
listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the
Administrator may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such
certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(2) Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting
other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval
if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally
applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of the Plan shall
not confer upon any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary any right to
continued employment with the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, nor
shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to
terminate the employment of any of its employees at any time.
(3) Each Participant shall, no later than the date as of which the
value of an award first becomes includable in the gross income of the
Participant for federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make
arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any
federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with
respect to the award. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be
conditional on the making of such payments or arrangements, and the Company
(and, where applicable, its Subsidiaries) shall, to the extent permitted by law,
have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise
due to the Participant.
(4) No member of the Board or the Administrator, nor any officer or
employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Board or the Administrator,
shall be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation
taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the
Board or the Administrator and each and any officer or employee of the Company
acting on their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully
indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action,
determination or interpretation.
12. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan became effective (the "Effective Date") on October 10, 1996,
the date the Company's stockholders formally approved the Plan.
13. TERM OF PLAN.
No Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Limited Stock Appreciation
Right, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock or Performance Share award shall be
granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the Effective
Date, but awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.
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Exhibit 23.4
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the use of our reports on the financial statements of
NovaStar Financial, Inc. as of June 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 and for the
six months ended June 30, 1997 and the period from September 13, 1996
(inception) to December 31, 1996, and the consolidated financial statements of
NFI Holding Corporation and subsidiary as of June 30, 1997 and for the period
from February 6, 1997 (inception) to June 30, 1997, incorporated herein by
reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the
prospectus dated October 30, 1997.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
January 26, 1998
