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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10 - KSB
(Mark One)
/X/ Annual report under section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
OR
/ / Transition report under section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________
Commission file number 0-25159
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PLENUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
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(Name of Small Business Issuer in its charter)
Minnesota 91-1524747
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(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
3003 - 80th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(206) 236 - 1995
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(Issuers telephone number)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.001 par value
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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)
Check if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of
Regulation S-B is not contained in this form, and no disclosure will 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 -
KSB or any amendment to this Form 10 - KSB (X)
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Issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year $1,856,336
On February 28, 1999, approximately 24,848,355 shares of the Company's
common stock were outstanding.
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates
of the Company as of February 28, 1999 was approximately $22,460,000 based on
the closing price for shares of the Company's common stock as reported by the
OTC Bulletin Board for that date. Shares of common stock held by officers,
directors and affiliates thereof and holders of 10% or more of the outstanding
common stock have been excluded because these people may be deemed as
affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a
conclusive determination for other purposes.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
No documents are incorporated by reference.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one):
Yes ( ) No ( X )
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PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Company was founded in Minnesota in 1972 as Combined Enterprises,
Inc., changed its name to Assign, Inc. in 1987, and was reorganized into its
current structure in February 1989, by means of a change of control acquisition.
In March 1989 the name of the Company was changed to Mortgage Brokers Network,
Inc., and to Plenum Communications, Inc. in October 1991. The Company's
wholly-owned subsidiary, LION, Inc., formerly known as Infosytems, Inc., did
business as Mortgage Information Systems, Inc. ("MISI") from 1991 to 1995 and as
Lenders Interactive Online Network ("LION") from 1995 to 1998. Infosystems, Inc.
changed its name to LION, Inc. in 1998. The Company's principal executive
offices are located at 3003 80th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040, and its
telephone number is (206) 236-1995.
During 1991, the Company first offered a basic dial-in version of its
current service in the local Seattle, Washington area, organizing a subsidiary,
Infosystems, Inc. for this purpose. The Company's product was marketed under the
name MISI, and was launched to provide a solution to the frustrating
inefficiency of trying to keep up with wholesale lenders' loan programs and
daily rate changes using a pile of faxes that arrived at a mortgage broker's
office each morning. Because the Company operated over regular phone lines,
brokers outside the Seattle area incurred long distance charges making the
service uneconomical.
The advent of the Internet, with its flat monthly access rates, removed
the long distance cost as a barrier and created the opportunity to expand
nationwide. In 1995 the Company obtained the name Lenders Interactive Online
Network ("LION") and rewrote its software to enable its service to be delivered
over the Internet. By late 1995 an early Internet version of the LION service
was made available in Washington, Oregon and California. At that time few
brokers had Internet access. By mid 1996, a small telemarketing sales force of
three persons was adding about 20 new broker subscribers to LION per month.
During the second half of 1996, further enhancements were made to the LION
software and the service was expanded to other western states.
As the Company expanded its markets, and as the use of the Internet
steadily increased among the general population and among mortgage brokers,
brokers began signing up for LION at an accelerating rate. During the first half
of 1996, LION was adding approximately 20 new subscribers per month, increasing
to over 100 new subscribers per month by the end of 1996. The rate of new
subscriptions continued to rise during 1997, and exceeded 300 per month for the
first time in February 1998 and 400 per month by the fourth quarter of 1998.
Because lenders and their rates vary across the country, expanding the
Company's service nationally required the opening of new databases with relevant
data for each major market. During 1998, LION had made its service available in
22 of the largest markets in the nation and was effectively in front of over 75%
of its target market.
INDUSTRY INFORMATION
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE INDUSTRY STRUCTURE. Consumers who want to purchase
homes or refinance the mortgage on their existing homes can obtain a loan
through a retail lender who deals directly with the public, or through a
mortgage broker who places the loan with one of many wholesale lenders. Both
retail and wholesale lenders typically package the loans they originate and sell
them in the financial markets.
HYBRIDS. In practice there are many hybrid players. Some lenders have
both wholesale and retail operations, dealing with the public through their own
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branches and offices but at the same time offering "wholesale rates" to
mortgage brokers. There are also companies that act much like brokers in that
they deal directly with the public and may deal with multiple lenders, but
who arrange lines of credit that enable them to approve, close and fund
loans, and then "sell" the loans after closing. They tend to be referred to
as "mortgage bankers", although this term is used more generally to apply to
anyone who works for a lender.
GSEs. The government sponsored entities ("GSEs"), Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac, play a significant role in defining LION's business in that they
are the major purchasers of loans. Consequently, they set the rules and
guidelines for what has become known as "conforming loans," I.E. those loans
meeting GSE criteria for purchase. While the non-conforming segment is growing
as a percentage of total loans, conforming loans currently remain the majority
of loans closed, and it is the conforming loan programs that are the basis of
LION's key product, LION Loan Search, as explained below.
CUSTOMER BASE
Mortgage brokers, wholesale lenders and industry affiliates constitute
LION's principal subscriber base, and therefore, the Company's primary sources
of revenue. Each is discussed below in more detail.
MORTGAGE BROKERS. A 1994 study conducted for the National Association
of Mortgage Brokers ("NAMB") concluded that there were approximately 23,000
mortgage brokerage firms in the country as of December 31, 1994. The study
indicated that the figures were conservative, and that the actual number of
firms is likely to be higher. Data from both states that require both the
brokerage firm and the individual loan officers to be licensed, and the 1994
NAMB study, indicate that, on average, there are 6-7 loan officers per firm.
Assuming 23,000 firms and an average of 6-7 loan officers per firm, a total
market of 150,000 loan officers appears to be a conservative estimate of the
total market.
Mortgage brokerage firms include many sole practitioners and small
firms and a limited number of large firms. With the exception of a handful of
large firms who have 50-100 loan officers in one location, even the very large
firms tend to be spread out geographically, with no more than 10-25 loan
officers in a single office. In addition, many brokers associated with a firm
operate much like sole practitioners, paying a percentage of their commission in
return for use of the office facilities, advertising, and access to lenders with
whom the firm is approved to do business. Some work from their homes.
There has been a growing trend toward consolidation in the industry
through franchises and, more commonly, "net branch" arrangements. Under these
arrangements the central office handles compliance and administrative issues and
provides a brand name and professional marketing materials, allowing the small
brokerage operation to focus on dealing with clients. The Company believes this
trend favors LION because these firms tend to actively look for ways to use
technology to increase efficiency.
Retail lenders have their own staff of loan officers and loan
processors to deal with the consumer. When they quote mortgage rates, they quote
a "retail" rate that includes a fee up front which is intended to include enough
to cover the cost of supporting this staff. The fee is referred to as "points",
with each point equaling 1% of the loan amount. In contrast, wholesale lenders
do not incur these staffing costs, since they rely on brokers to interface with
the consumer. Hence, they quote a "wholesale" rate, which tends to be about
1-1.5 points less than the retail rate. This allows the mortgage broker to "mark
up" the loan by that amount as its fee and still compete with the retail
lenders. For instance, the retail rate might be 8% with two points, but the
wholesale rate might be 8% with one point. The mortgage broker shows his client
8% with two points, paying one point to the lender and keeping one point as his
fee.
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Brokers vary in how they decide how much to mark up the loan. Some use
a flat amount for most loans, such as 1%. Others may consider such factors as
loan size, price sensitivity of the client, difficulty of placing the loan,
and/or the extent to which price competitiveness is or is not part of their
strategy.
Brokers typically deal with a number of lenders. Most brokers report
that they concentrate most of their business with a few lenders, typically about
five, although they may be "approved" to do business with 20-30 or more, and may
receive daily rate information from 50 or more. One of the reasons they
typically concentrate their business with a few lenders is that keeping up with
lender program and pricing changes through daily faxes is so inefficient that,
as a practical matter, they can only monitor 3-5 lenders on a regular basis.
Rates are important to the broker for two reasons. First, to varying
degrees, their customer may be price sensitive. The broker needs to be
competitive relative to the retail lenders and other brokers. Second, the rate
can affect the amount of fee the broker earns. In some cases, if the broker
knows a customer is satisfied by a particular interest rate, the broker's fee
can be increased if a wholesale rate can be found that is lower than the one
which originally served as the basis for the quote. Alternatively, if a broker
cannot find a low enough rate, the broker's fee may have to be cut either to
compete with another loan the customer has been offered, or to bring the loan
down to a rate that will allow the customer to qualify.
Some brokers are very "price sensitive." They aggressively shop lenders
for price, and price will be the major factor in deciding which lender to select
for a given loan. In most cases they will choose from the lenders with whom they
are approved. Occasionally, if they find an attractive rate from a lender with
whom they are not currently approved, they will try to become approved in order
to place a particular loan. However, seeking a new lender relationship in the
midst of a loan placement is risky, because the loan may be delayed or may not
close at all as a result of the time required to obtain approval and the
possibility of not being approved.
The typical mortgage brokerage firm receives faxes each morning from
anywhere from 5 to as many as 50 or more lenders. Sometimes the most often used
faxes are posted on a wall or copied and distributed throughout the office. Many
are simply piled up or even discarded. When the broker provides a quote for a
particular client, he will check the faxes to determine the current rates for
the kind of program the client has requested or the broker is suggesting. For
many common conforming loans, every conforming lender offers the program and
brokers will typically check only their usual lenders. For loans that are done
by conforming lenders but are not as common, with issues making clients marginal
candidates for a conforming lender, or for loans that clearly are
non-conforming, brokers often have to consult the remaining fax information or
call lenders which provide a solution for the particular situation. Because each
lender's rate sheet is formatted differently from the others, finding programs
on rate sheets with which the loan officer is unfamiliar is time consuming.
Historically, the process of checking rates and fees and choosing a
lender has been a manual and inefficient one. LION's service is designed to make
this process dramatically more efficient, and to give the broker the best
opportunity to be competitive. Some rate information is now available elsewhere
on the Internet, but the Company believes the LION website is currently the only
place where all of the key indicators relevant to mortgage brokers appear
together in one, easily readable format.
WHOLESALE LENDERS. LION's lender customers are primarily "wholesale"
mortgage lenders, who operate through independent mortgage brokers. The mortgage
brokers work directly with the consumer seeking a mortgage loan, gather the
documentation needed to complete the application, and submit the application to
the lender for approval. If the loan is approved, the lender then funds the
mortgage at closing. Some of the wholesale lenders also have a separate "retail"
operation that works directly with the customer. In some cases, that retail
operation can operate as a broker and place loans with other wholesale lenders.
The wholesale lenders market to brokers by attending state and national broker
association trade shows, having their sales reps call on
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brokers, advertising in trade publications, and by direct mail and direct
broadcast fax solicitation.
In any given market, typically 50-75% of the wholesale lenders, and
probably a larger percentage of the loan volume, are either national or large
regional lenders who operate in many states. The remaining lenders are local or
limited to a few markets.
Lenders are further segmented into "conforming" and "non-conforming"
(also known as "sub prime"). Strictly defined, a "conforming loan" is one that
meets the requirements set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for loans these GSEs
will purchase from lenders. Conforming loans must meet GSE criteria for loan
size, credit standing of the borrower, borrower income relative to the loan
payment, loan amount to value of property, type of property, and with respect to
specific documentation required to prove they meet these requirements.
Conforming lenders deal primarily in conforming loans, but will also
offer programs for loans that meet most of these requirements but fail to meet
one or two. For instance, many will offer programs for "jumbo" loans, those that
exceed the maximum loan size for conforming loans (currently $240,000), and many
will accept less rigorous documentation. The lenders cannot sell these loans to
the GSEs . They can either keep these loans in their own portfolios or sell them
to entities other than the GSEs such as conduits who do purchase loans that have
these characteristics.
"Non-conforming lenders" deal in loans that do not meet the
requirements for purchase by the GSEs. These lenders work with borrowers who
have had some level of credit problems in the past (known as "A minus, B, C or
D" rated credit), with borrowers whose ratio of loan payment to income is higher
than allowed under conforming rules, or who may be purchasing a property type
that is not permitted under conforming rules, such as a log home or certain
condominiums. These non-conforming loans are considered to be higher risk, and
therefore command higher fees or rates.
Each lender typically offers many "programs." A program is a loan with
a particular set of terms. For example, typically there will be some 30-year
fixed rate programs, some 15-year fixed rate programs, and some adjustable rate
mortgage ("ARM") programs. The rates and terms for each of these may vary by
size of loan, kind of property, credit rating of the customer, loan amount
compared to property value, and other factors. The many combinations of these
variables result in lenders typically having 13-18 different programs, and some
having up to 50 programs, that they offer to the brokers. Furthermore, each
program typically has a "matrix", or array of rates available depending upon the
points the borrower pays. For instance, a 30 year fixed rate program might be
priced at 7% if the borrower pays one point up front, but at 6-3/4% if he pays
two points up front. The pricing matrix may also have standard amounts by which
the stated fees or rates increase or decrease based on certain factors. For
instance, for condominium loans, 1/4 point might be added to the fee; or for
loans over $125,000, 1/8 might be subtracted.
INDUSTRY AFFILIATES. Another potential market consists of companies who
sell services or advertising to lenders, brokers, or consumers seeking mortgage
loans. These companies, particularly the industry-specific ones who tend to
advertise in the industry print media to mortgage brokers or lenders, are
potential advertisers on the LION website. Examples include title insurance
companies, credit reporting agencies, escrow service companies, flood insurance
companies, mortgage insurance companies, appraisers, origination software
companies, mortgage associations, training companies, and other general vendors
to small businesses, such as cell phone companies, business insurance agencies,
pager companies, copier companies and general computer hardware and software
companies.
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SERVICES AND PRODUCTS
LION offers a number of products and services related to mortgage
brokers, wholesale lenders and industry affiliates. They are as follows:
MORTGAGE BROKER PRODUCTS.
The LION service is available to mortgage brokers over the Internet at
"www.lioninc.com". Monthly broker subscription fees are the Company's largest
source of revenue, and are expected to be the predominate source of revenue at
this point in time. The LION subscription service includes the following main
features:
AUTOMATED UNDERWRITING. On March 18, 1999, LION entered into a
contractual agreement with Fannie Mae to develop technology to deliver Fannie
Mae's Automated Underwriting services via the Internet. Desktop Originator and
Desktop Underwriter are the mortgage industry's leading automated origination
and underwriting systems. Desktop Originator when used in conjunction with
Desktop Underwriter delivers fast, objective loan recommendations and provides
lenders with access to many cost and time-saving benefits including streamlined
processing, documentation, and property valuation. Desktop Originator and
Desktop Underwriter also offer lenders access to products that can expand their
markets and help them reach out to more potential homebuyers.
In February 1999, nearly 40 lenders and 3,300 originators used Desktop
Originator to process nearly 46,000 transactions, record numbers in all three
instances. Fannie Mae is the nation's largest source for home mortgage funds
today. The technology will enable lenders to offer their sponsored brokers
access to Desktop Originator through LION's Web site. With this new integration
relationship, Desktop Originator lenders will for the first time be able to
offer originators the benefits of Desktop Originator over the Internet.
Separately, Fannie Mae and LION will co-develop and co-market a
marketing and training site for this new technology located on LION's servers.
LION LOAN SEARCH. "LION Loan Search" is the single most important
feature of the LION system. Instead of wading though a pile of rate sheets and
manually adding or subtracting adjustments, mortgage brokers simply pull up the
LION website on their personal computer and fill out a simple form. They enter
into the form any of up to 50 loan variables that describe the program they are
interested in locating for the client. LION Loan Search then conducts a search
of the programs in the LION database that fit the criteria that were entered and
provides a list of the suitable programs, ordered by rate, showing the lender,
the rate, and other key characteristics. The database is updated daily. This
feature is the foundation of the LION service, the key time saver for the
broker, and the primary reason most brokers currently subscribe. Over 150
conforming lenders participate, representing over 11 million pricing variants.
LOAN~LINK. Sub-Prime loans do not fit as readily into a search format
as "A" credit loans because lenders are not consistent in what they view as A-,
B, C or D credit ratings. Therefore, instead of a loan search, LION offers a
service called "Loan~Link" for brokers who do Sub-Prime loans. With Loan~Link,
brokers fill out a form containing basic borrower and transaction criteria. They
then select the lenders to whom they would like to send this information. LION
sends the completed form by email or by fax to the lenders selected by the
broker. The lenders who are interested in the transaction respond back to the
broker.
DAILY MARKET COMMENTARY. Updated twice daily, this is a concise but
comprehensive review of the Financial Market's rate activity, events and
upcoming economic indicator reports with commentary about implications for the
mortgage market. The summary is created early each morning and again at the
market close by condensing information from a variety of periodicals and online
service reports. Some subscribers purchase the LION service solely to have
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access to this feature.
15-MINUTE KEY RATE UPDATES. The 15-Minute Financial Market Snapshot is
currently the only place where you can find all of the key financial market
indicators that are most relevant to the mortgage industry concisely presented
in one clear chart, updated every 15 minutes.
RATESHEETS ON DEMAND AND DOCUMENTS ON DEMAND. Brokers can pull up
lender ratesheets and other documents, view them on the screen, download them to
their PC to print, or have them sent directly to their fax machine.
Brokers have two choices when purchasing LION services. They may choose
an individual subscription for just one user; or a corporate account suitable
for multiple users. The corporate account is discounted at increasing
percentages in proportion to the number of users. To date most LION customers
are individual subscribers.
The Company is currently unable to prevent a user from sharing their
password with another. However, there are two ways in which LION can potentially
detect unauthorized use, one of which at least prevents broad abuse. The primary
method is monitoring the number of "hits" by password. An average user will have
about 100 website hits per month. The heaviest individual users will typically
not exceed 300 hits in a month. When numbers consistently above that are
detected, the subscriber receives a call from a LION sales rep informing the
subscriber that based on the usage, it appears that the password has been
compromised. The password is then changed, which typically resolves the problem.
The Company is also flagged when a customer submits a Loan~Link lender
request and asks that the lender response be directed to someone other than the
customer of record. In this case, the third party is informed that only the
owner of the password is authorized to use the service, but that LION stands
willing to provide the third party with its own individual subscription.
An alternative source of revenue for LION is derived from developing
Internet homepages for brokers. Until recently this has been a secondary product
generating modest incremental revenue. Increased emphasis in homepage
development for brokers is planned during 1999.
LENDER PRODUCTS
LENDER HOMEPAGES. After broker subscription fees, lender homepage fees
are the next largest source of revenue. The Company believes that in order to
have a LION Loan Search product that can replace faxed ratesheets and a product
that brokers view as useful and of high quality, LION Loan Search must contain
most of the lenders in the market. Accordingly, lenders are allowed to post up
to ten (10) loan programs in LION Loan Search at no cost. Some lenders are
content just to have the exposure of ten programs at no cost. Others see LION as
presenting a marketing opportunity to a desirable segment of the broker market,
and wish to maximize their exposure by either creating an Internet homepage or
linking to their pre-existing homepage. These lenders pay monthly fees, and a
setup fee for creation of a homepage or for any features they want added to
their homepage. See also "Automated Underwriting" in the Mortgage Broker
Products section on page 6.
LION has created websites for a number of lender wholesalers in the
country. A LION generated homepage will typically include a mission statement of
the lender, rolodex of contacts, ratesheets, a LION Loan Search that contains
only its own programs, documents and forms needed to submit loans, and a section
of current announcements or program promotional material.
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A button leading to the lender's homepage appears next to the lender's
name in the program details section of LION Loan Search, in the lender list in
Loan~Link, and in the LION rolodex. Rotating banners on various LION pages also
give additional links to lender homepages.
Lenders with pre-existing homepages have the same access to LION
customers as if their homepage had been created by LION. Additionally, they can
select any of the LION features, like LION Loan Search, and have it added to
their homepage.
Access to LION as a subscriber also has value to a lender. Lenders
frequently do "market surveys" to see how their rates compare to other lenders.
With LION, they simply do a search to see how they stack up against other
lenders. For a monthly flat fee, LION offers to lenders a "package" consisting
of posting the lender's ratesheet in its Ratesheets on Demand product, and login
and password access to the LION system.
RETAIL PRODUCTS
The mortgage broker and mortgage lender products described above
feature electronic posting and access of wholesale mortgage rates and fees. The
Company has recently released a retail version of its loan search capacity
wherein a mark up is added to the wholesale rate information.
The first targeted market for this retail priced database is the
professional real estate community. LION entered into an agreement with the
Middle Tennessee Multiple Listing Service in November 1998. This launch is
viewed by LION as a test market of the new product. Results are inconclusive at
this time, therefore, it is uncertain whether the same service will be offered
to other real estate multiple listing services nationwide. It is anticipated the
retail version of LION's database may be offered to other real estate multiple
listing services and may evolve into another retail version that will be offered
to the general population at a future date.
BANNER ADVERTISING
The current LION system has 15 rectangular banner locations that are
available as advertising spots. These can be linked to a homepage or other
marketing material. A monthly fee is charged for these sites, the amount of
which depends upon the frequency of the page hits and the location on the page.
Purchasers of LION advertising have included major lenders, industry affiliates
selling services to brokers, and Fannie Mae. As page hits rise with the growing
subscriber base, the value of the banner ads is expected to rise
proportionately.
SALES AND MARKETING
Of LION's principal subscriber base, consisting of mortgage brokers,
wholesale lenders and industry affiliates, mortgage brokers currently constitute
the largest source of revenue and the Company believes they represent the
largest potential source of future revenues. As the broker subscriber base
grows, it is expected that the lenders and affiliates seeking access to that
broker base will follow. Consequently, most of the marketing effort is devoted
to the broker group. LION seeks to focus its marketing efforts or increase its
visibility to this group in a number of ways:
TELEMARKETING. LION maintains a telephone sales force in two
telemarketing offices, one at the corporate offices in Mercer Island and another
in Spokane, Washington. The sales staff is compensated on a commission basis
after an initial three-month internship. Sales reps make telephone
solicitations, handle inbound phone inquiries and contact brokers who register
for the Company's service from the LION website.
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TRADE SHOWS. The larger state mortgage broker associations conduct
annual conventions or trade shows which include a schedule of speakers and/or
workshops, and an exhibition hall where lenders and industry affiliates promote
their products from booths. At many of these shows LION has been presented as a
speaker or panelist on topics related to mortgage technology or the Internet.
TRADE JOURNALS ADVERTISING AND ARTICLES. There are about a dozen
publications aimed at the mortgage industry, of which three focus most narrowly
on mortgage brokers and provide the broadest coverage of that segment,
ORIGINATION NEWS, MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR, and MORTGAGE PRESS. The first two are
national publications with approximately 19,000 and 9,000 subscribers
respectively. MORTGAGE PRESS publishes a state association periodical for 25
states, and distributes the issues at no cost very broadly to an estimated
audience of over 200,000. Starting in September and October 1997, LION began a
program of quarter to half-page ads in each publication. In addition, senior
managers of the Company have contributed articles on the use of the Internet by
brokers and lenders to industry trade journals such as SECONDARY MARKETING
EXECUTIVE, MORTGAGE PRESS and MORTGAGE MATTERS. For additional information on
advertising, see Note A (8) to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
PRESS RELEASES AND OTHER PRESS COVERAGE. The Company issues press
releases on product introductions and changes, upon entering new states with a
database, and upon achieving certain milestones, such as receiving 600,000 hits
per month on its websites. These appear without cost in various industry trade
journals. LION has also been the subject of published reviews of mortgage
technology products, quoted in trade journals and been the subject of articles
written about the Company.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS. Representatives of the Company from time to time
speak at other industry functions not connected to broker trade shows. As the
Company has become increasingly known for its Internet expertise, the
significance of these engagements has grown. As an example, in March 1999, the
Company's National Sales Manager was asked by the World Search Group to speak at
and participate in a panel discussion on mortgage aggregators on the Internet.
BROADCAST FAX ADVERTISING. Mortgage brokers are particularly accustomed
to receiving solicitations by fax in the form of daily ratesheet distributions
by lenders. The Company has developed a series of broadcast fax advertisements
for the mortgage broker industry.
LENDER REFERRALS. A number of the lenders for whom LION has made
websites have been actively promoting their websites to their approved brokers.
DATA FEED TO ORIGINATION SOFTWARE COMPANIES. In certain cases, LION
enables its loan program data information to feed directly to the LION member
via the member's processing software. Any third party agreements with the
processing software vendor will provide LION with a mechanism to market to the
vendor's customer. The four largest processing software vendors combined
represent approximately 23,000 broker companies. It is estimated that each of
these companies average between 5 and 7 broker sales reps. This functionality
was released in the 4th quarter of 1998 via an agreement with BYTE Software, a
processing software vendor in the local Seattle, WA area. As a result, the LION
service is displayed to those entities currently using the third party software,
provided they also subscribe to LION's services.
ORGANIZATION SOFTWARE VENDOR INTERFACE INTO LION LOAN SEARCH. LION is
participating in an agreement with Calyx Software which allows a Calyx user to
open a borrower file and perform a loan search. The interface extracts the
needed information from the borrower file, launches the user's browser and
accesses the LION loan search results page. This provides another entry point
for the mortgage broker into the LION site. Similar agreements are being
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pursued with other mortgage software vendors.
STATE ASSOCIATION MARKETING AGREEMENTS. LION has entered into
agreements with the state mortgage broker associations in five major broker
states, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland and New York. The agreements
vary, but generally LION receives membership lists of broker contacts, speaking
engagements and some form of official recognition or endorsement in return
either for paying to the association a percentage of LION revenues received from
state members, or for offering members a discount on their LION subscriptions,
and in some cases for maintaining an association website.
LISTING WITH SEARCH ENGINES. As is common with Internet sites, LION has
arranged to be listed in all of the major "search engines." The LION URL appears
as a search result if the user enters key words such as "mortgage" or "wholesale
mortgage rates." A significant number of brokers, who subscribe to the Company's
services, report finding the site while "surfing the Net."
NON-MEMBER SECTION AND ONLINE REGISTRATION. Most of the features of the
LION site are password protected, however a new broker visiting the website
without yet having a password is able to visit selected non-member sites. The
visitor is guided through various features, illustrated with "screen captures"
of LION Loan Search and Loan~Link, with explanations of the LION service,
testimonials of current subscribers, and a form that allows the broker to
register online.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
During 1998 and 1997, the Company did not incur costs related to
research and development activities.
COMPETITION
The market for Internet-based services and products is relatively new,
intensely competitive, rapidly evolving and subject to rapid technological
change. There are no substantial barriers to initial entry, and the Company
expects competition to persist, intensify and increase in the future.
The Company is aware of certain attempts to develop a searchable
database of wholesale loan programs, for example those developed by Alltel,
Fannie Mae and a local Southern California firm. To the Company's knowledge,
none of these have met with significant commercial success. The Fannie Mae loan
search program has been discontinued. One company offers a "bidding room"
service, by which lenders can bid on loans packaged by mortgage brokers. It is
unclear whether this service will become popular or whether it will be a
competitive service to LION. With limited exception, the primary competition
continues to be the traditional faxed ratesheet.
The Company believes that the need for the participation of a
significant majority of lenders in order to make a quality product for brokers
creates a barrier to entry for new competitors. Although the need for lender
participation was an obstacle to the Company's initial marketing efforts, LION
now has over 400 participating lenders. Management anticipates that new
competitors will face significant ramp-up times in making a competitive product
successful, and believes the Company will remain in a good competitive position
as long it continues to maintain the quality of its product and its
relationships with lenders, brokers and state associations. To the extent
competitors emerge, the Company intends to compete on the basis of product
performance, product features, quality, reliability, price and its unique
knowledge and experience in the mortgage broker industry.
Nevertheless, potential competitors include large industry players with
longer operating histories, substantially greater market presence and name
recognition, larger installed customer bases and significantly
11
<PAGE>
greater financial, technical and marketing resources than the Company. In
addition, the Company believes that new competitors, or those with the
ability to bundle services and products with Internet connectivity services
could enter the Company's market, resulting in even greater competition for
the Company. The Company's ability to compete successfully will depend, in
large part, on its ability to continually enhance and improve its existing
products and services, to adapt its products and services to the needs of its
customers and potential customers, to successfully develop and market new
products, and to continually improve its operating efficiencies and lower
costs. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete
successfully, that competitors will not develop technologies or products that
render the Company's products obsolete or less marketable, or that the
Company will be able to successfully enhance its products, develop new
products or lower costs, when and as needed. Increased competition, price or
otherwise, could result in erosion of the Company's market share, and may
require price reductions and increased spending on marketing and product
development. Increasing competition for the Company's services could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition.
With respect to its business of developing homepages for wholesale
lenders, the competition includes a broad universe of website makers. Because
developing homepages is an ancillary business for LION, providing modest
incremental revenue from an existing customer base, a competitive challenge in
this area is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business. However, to the Company's knowledge, LION is the only firm
specializing in creating wholesale lender homepages. Websites created by LION
include 20 of the country's top 25 wholesale lenders, ranked by total dollar
amount of their funded loans. LION is able to offer the lender links to its LION
Loan Search program, which already contains the lender's updated ratesheet
information and access to a mortgage broker audience.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company is not currently subject to direct regulation by any
government agency, other than regulations applicable to businesses generally,
and there are currently few laws or regulations directly applicable to access to
or commerce on the Internet. However, due to the increasing popularity of the
Internet, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted
with respect to the Internet, covering issues such as user privacy, pricing and
characteristics and quality of products and services. There can be no assurance
that the enactment of laws affecting telecommunications will not decrease the
growth of the Internet, which in turn could decrease the demand for the
Company's products and services, increase the cost of doing business, or
otherwise have an adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results or
financial condition. Moreover, the applicability to the Internet of existing
laws governing issues such as property ownership, libel and personal privacy is
uncertain. The Company cannot predict the impact, if any, that future regulation
or regulatory changes might have on its business.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
The Company relies on a combination of copyright and trademark laws,
trade secrets, software security measures, license agreements and nondisclosure
agreements to protect its proprietary technology and software products. The
Company has a variety of registered Internet domain names. The Company currently
has no federally registered trademarks or service marks, nor is it the owner or
assignee of any domestic or foreign patents. There are no trademark or service
mark applications or patent applications pending. The Company cannot be certain
that others will not develop substantially equivalent or superseding proprietary
technology, or that equivalent products will not be marketed in competition with
the Company's products, thereby substantially reducing the value of the
Company's proprietary rights. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that any
confidentiality agreements between the Company and its employees or any license
agreements with its customers will provide meaningful protection for the
Company's proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized
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<PAGE>
use or disclosure of such proprietary information.
Although the Company believes that its trademarks and proprietary
technology do not and will not infringe patents or violate proprietary rights of
others, it is possible that its trademark and proprietary rights may not be
valid or that infringement of existing or future patents, trademarks or
proprietary rights of others may occur. In the event the Company's products
infringe proprietary rights of others, the Company may be required to modify the
design of its products, change the name of its products or obtain a license.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so in a timely
manner, upon acceptable terms and conditions, or at all. The failure to do any
of the foregoing could have a material effect upon the Company. In addition,
there can be no assurance that the Company will have the financial or other
resources necessary to enforce or defend a patent infringement or proprietary
rights violation action. Moreover, if the Company's products infringe patents,
trademarks or proprietary rights of others, the Company could, under certain
circumstances, become liable for damages, which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company.
SUBSIDIARY
The Company conducts its operations through its wholly-owned
subsidiary, LION, Inc. LION employs personnel and markets, operates, maintains
and provides the technical and creative services for the Company's products and
services.
EMPLOYEES
At December 31, 1998, the Company had 57 full-time associates, which
included 25 commissioned marketing associates. The Company's future success will
depend, in part, on its ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate
highly qualified technical and management personnel, particularly highly skilled
technical engineers involved in new product development, for whom competition is
intense. From time to time, the Company may employ independent consultants or
contractors to support its research and development, marketing, customer service
and administrative organizations. The Company's employees are not represented by
any collective bargaining unit, and the Company has never experienced a work
stoppage. The Company believes its relations with its employees are good. See
"Investment Considerations--Proposed Expansion and Ability to Manage Growth."
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Statements in this annual report, and elsewhere, whether oral or
written, that look forward in time or include anything other than historical
information reflect current expectations and intentions, and involve risks and
uncertainties that may affect the Company's actual results of operations or its
stock price. The Company cautions shareholders, prospective investors and other
readers that the following factors, among others, should be considered carefully
in evaluating the forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company
and in evaluating the Company's business before making a decision concerning the
purchase of its securities.
NO ASSURANCE OF PROFITABILITY. The Company is experiencing increased
revenues but had not reached profitability as of December 31, 1998. For the year
ended December 31, 1998, the Company had a net loss of $1,227,718 and had a net
loss in the prior fiscal year. The Company's prospects must be considered in
light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by
companies in new and rapidly evolving markets. To address these risks, the
Company must, among other things, respond to competitive developments, continue
to attract, retain and motivate qualified persons, and continue to upgrade its
technologies and commercialize products and services incorporating such
technologies. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
addressing these risks or that the Company can be operated profitably, which
depends on many factors, including the success of the Company's marketing
program, the control of expense
13
<PAGE>
levels and the success of the Company's business activities.
PRODUCT QUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT. In order for LION to be perceived as a
viable replacement for the current manual and paper methods of monitoring rates
and fees and contacting lenders, the service must provide accurate and timely
information on a consistent basis, particularly in the LION Loan Search
database. Other measures of quality include the construction of each new
database so it has sufficient lender participation, continuing Loan~Link follow
up to assure high response rates from lenders, and timely posting of lender
ratesheets. These services need to be maintained at high levels for maximum
market penetration. To date, LION's quality control procedures in each of these
quality areas have been successful, and management intends to continue the
process of refining them on an ongoing basis.
The principal amount of the Company's future revenues in the near term
is expected to be derived from the sale of services to the mortgage brokerage
industry. Additional fees are expected to be generated from website development,
and from the sale of advertising services and other products through its
websites. The Company's success is dependent on continued end-user acceptance of
the Company's services and products, as well as the Company's ability to design,
develop, test and support new services, products and enhancements on a timely
basis that meet changing customer needs and respond to technological
developments and emerging industry standards. There can be no assurance that the
Company will continue to maintain adequate quality control procedures, develop
and market new products and enhancements that meet changing customer needs, or
respond to technological developments and emerging industry standards.
DEPENDENCE ON THE INTERNET; RISK OF TECHNOLOGY. Although the
performance of the Company's products and services is critical to the Company's
reputation, the Company is dependent on the Internet and third-parties for
access to its products and services, such as Internet service providers,
Internet backbone providers and Web browsers. Users may experience difficulties
due to system failures unrelated to the Company's systems, products and
services. The occasional Internet disruptions which occur for brief time periods
have not created a problem for the Company's services. If the Internet were to
become regularly unavailable for many hours at a time, or its ability to handle
traffic loads deteriorate enough to cause frequent unavailability or very slow
response times, there would be less traffic to the Company's website and the
perception of the quality of the LION product could suffer. To date, the
Internet has proven highly resilient and responsive to rapid growth in its use,
and many of the world's telecommunications, software and hardware companies are
continually investing in capacity and improvements.
Furthermore, the Company's current products and services are designed
around certain standards, including, for example, security standards, and
current and future sales of the Company's products and services may be dependent
on some industry standards. There may be additional costs of unknown proportions
in meeting and complying with software standards. In addition, there can be no
assurance that the Company will not experience difficulties that could delay or
prevent the successful development, introduction and marketing of new products
and enhancements, or that its new products and enhancements will adequately meet
the requirements of the marketplace and achieve market acceptance. As the
Internet develops, it is possible that incompatibility or lack of appropriate
features could impact the Company's business.
Sales of the Company's products are expected to depend in large part
upon a robust industry and infrastructure for providing Internet access and
carrying the rapidly increasing Internet traffic. Certain critical issues
concerning the commercial use of the Internet (including capacity to handle
projected increases in traffic, security, reliability, cost, ease of use,
access, and quality of service) remain unresolved and may impact the growth of
Internet use. The Internet may not prove to be a viable commercial marketplace
because of inadequate development of the necessary infrastructure, such as a
reliable network backbone or timely development of complementary products, such
as high speed modems. Because global commerce and on-line exchange of
14
<PAGE>
information on the Internet and other similar open wide area networks are new
and evolving, it is difficult to predict with any assurance whether the
infrastructure or complementary products necessary to make the Internet a viable
commercial marketplace will continue to be developed, or if developed, that the
Internet will remain a viable commercial marketplace. In addition, the
widespread adoption of new Internet or telecommuting technologies or standards,
could require substantial expenditures by the Company to modify or adapt its
products and services. In this case, the new Internet or telecommuting services
or enhancements offered by the Company could contain design flaws or other
defects. Although the Company expects to be responsive to changes in the
Internet or technology, there can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in achieving widespread acceptance of its services before competitors
offer products and services with speed and performance equal or greater than the
Company's current offerings. The growth or change of the Internet, or adoption
of new technologies could have a materially adverse affect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition.
DEPENDENCE ON MORTGAGE BROKERS AND MORTGAGE BROKERAGE INDUSTRY. LION's
most critical customer is the mortgage broker. Customer agreements are
short-term and renewable. There can be no assurance, however, that these
subscribers will continue to participate in the LION program, or that the
Company will be able to attract new mortgage brokers at rates sufficient to
maintain a stable or growing revenue base. Furthermore, market acceptance of the
Company's products and services by the mortgage broker community is currently
substantially dependent upon adoption and use of the Internet for commerce and
communications. The use of the Internet by those individuals and enterprises
which have historically relied upon faxed ratesheet information, generally
requires the acceptance of a new way of conducting business and exchanging
information. Ultimately, there can be no assurance that the market for the
Company's products and services will continue to develop as expected. If the
mortgage broker market develops more slowly than expected or becomes saturated
with competitors, or if the Company's products and services do not continue to
achieve market acceptance, the Company's business operating results and
financial conditions may be materially adversely affected.
During the last 15 years, the mortgage brokerage industry has grown
from infancy to capturing more than half of the mortgage origination market, and
the current trend shows continued gains. While there are no clear threats that
would cause one to conclude today that the industry will not continue to thrive,
the health of the industry is important to LION's future, and there are
potential risks. These include potential lawsuits over broker and wholesale
lender compensation systems, increased regulation that may add costs or limit
profitability, and possible changes in how consumers obtain mortgages, possibly
driven by technology or by efforts to standardize and automate the mortgage
process. Any of these may reduce the overall share of the market handled by
mortgage brokers, which could materially adversely affect the Company's
business.
POSSIBLE UNDERCAPITALIZATION AND NEED FOR FUTURE FINANCING. The Company
anticipates that a significant portion of its near-term capital resources will
be provided through the exercise of outstanding warrants issued in prior
securities offerings, which are exercisable at prices ranging from $.25 to $.50.
The perceived value of these warrants at any given time is related to the market
price of the Company's common shares, which trade over the counter through the
OTC Bulletin Board. If the Company is unable to obtain anticipated financing
through the exercise of warrants, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to successfully implement its business plan or meet its working
capital requirements. In addition, the Company may experience rapid growth and
may require additional funds to expand its operations or enlarge its
organization. While the Company intends to explore a number of options in order
to secure alternative financing in the event this anticipated financing is not
obtained or is insufficient, there can be no assurance that additional financing
will be available when needed or on terms favorable to the Company.
Warrants with expiration dates in 1998 totaled 3,204,083 shares of the
Company's common stock or
15
<PAGE>
$1,602,042 in potential funds to the Company. Of that total, the Company
received $1,343,490 of funds on the exercise of warrants representing
2,686,980 shares of common stock. Warrants that expired during 1998
represented 517,103 shares or $258,552 in funds not received. The value of
warrants not exercised represented 16.1% of the total value of warrants that
were due in 1998.
Warrants with expiration dates in 1999 total 3,425,876 shares of common
stock representing potential funds of $1,712,938. Warrants with expiration dates
in 2000 total 3,671,332 shares of common stock representing potential funds of
$1,785,518. The Company anticipates that the timing and amount of warrants
exercised during 1999 and 2000 should be adequate to meet its needs for capital.
DEPENDENCE ON MANAGEMENT AND CHIEF ENGINEER. Shareholders of the
Company are fully dependent on management to conduct the Company's business.
Success of the business depends on the skills and efforts of management and, to
a large extent, on the active participation of the Company's executive officers
and key employees. With respect to the Company's proprietary software, while
partial backup has been provided by the other full-time company engineers,
currently there are portions of the database management and development that
rely solely on Sam Ringer, who is the author of the LION software. The Company
is in the process of creating the engineering redundancy that will reduce the
reliance on one individual, but has not completed this task. Furthermore, the
Company has not entered into employment agreements with these officers and
significant employees. The Company provides stock options, which currently serve
to retain and motivate key employees. However, the inability to attract, retain
and motivate qualified engineers or other skilled employees could adversely
affect Company business.
SYSTEMS BACKUP; SECURITY RISKS. The Company has in place comprehensive
data tape backup procedures for its operational and administrative databases.
The Company's replication software provides a high level of hardware backup for
the database by duplicating the database across several powerful PCs. To provide
additional security, LION in 1998 contracted to move the servers to a separate
protected environment. Later, the Company intends to add a duplicate remote
location that would provide the ability to survive a natural disaster or other
event so severe that it could penetrate the protected environment. However, the
Company is dependent on hardware and other equipment and services used for its
system database. Despite protective measures, the system could be vulnerable to
damage from floods, fire, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures,
break-ins and similar events. There can be no assurance that a system failure
would not adversely affect the success of the Company's products and services.
Despite the implementation of security measures, the Company's systems
may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses and other disruptive
problems. The Company could experience interruptions in service as a result of
the accidental or intentional actions of Internet users, current and former
employees or others. Unauthorized access might lead to interruptions, delays or
cessation in service to subscribers or deter potential subscribers. Although the
Company intends to implement industry-standard security measures, these measures
have been circumvented in the past, and there can be no assurance that measures
adopted by the Company will not be circumvented in the future. Eliminating
computer viruses and alleviating other security problems may require
interruptions, delays or cessation of service to the Company's subscribers,
which could have a materially adverse affect on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition.
COMPETITION. As discussed above, the market for Internet-based services
and products is relatively new, intensely competitive, rapidly evolving and
subject to rapid technological change. There are no substantial barriers to
initial entry, and the Company expects competition to persist, intensify and
increase in the future. The Company believes that the more market penetration
LION achieves, the higher the barrier to entry will become for anyone
contemplating a similar system. However, there can be no assurance that
competitors will not develop
16
<PAGE>
technologies or products that render the Company's products obsolete or less
marketable, that the Company will be able to compete successfully, that the
Company will be able to successfully enhance its products, or develop new
products or lower costs, when and as needed.
LACK OF DIVERSIFICATION. The Company does not intend to invest at this
time in any other assets, businesses, or securities other than what is described
in this annual report. The Company will be subject to the risks associated with
lack of diversification.
PROPOSED EXPANSION AND ABILITY TO MANAGE GROWTH. The Company intends to
expand its current level of operations. Expansion of the Company's operations
will be dependent upon, among other things, its ability to: (i) achieve
significant market acceptance for the Company's products and services; (ii) hire
and retain skilled management, marketing, technical and other personnel; (iii)
successfully manage growth, if any (including monitoring operations, controlling
costs, and maintaining effective quality controls); and, (iv) obtain adequate
financing when needed. The Company's prospects for future growth will be largely
dependent upon its ability to achieve significant penetration of its products
and technologies in targeted mortgage broker markets, to successfully market its
concepts, to develop and commercialize applications of its technologies for the
market and to enter into strategic alliances with third-parties in connection
with the exploitation of its technologies. The Company could also seek to expand
its operations through acquisitions; although the Company has no current
intention, agreements, understandings or commitments and is not engaged in any
negotiations to acquire any company.
At this time the Company has no defined time frame for any of its
potential expansion plans. The Company's proposed expansion may result in new
and increased responsibilities for management personnel and may place an
increased strain upon the Company's management, operating, software, financial
systems, and resources. To compete effectively and to accommodate growth, if
any, the Company may be required to continue to implement and to improve its
management, operating and financial systems, procedures and controls on a timely
basis and to expand, train, motivate and manage its employees. There can be no
assurance that the Company's personnel, systems, procedures and controls will be
adequate to support the Company's existing and future operations.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The Company's executive offices are located in Mercer Island,
Washington, where the Company currently leases approximately 3,500 square feet.
The Company leases this space under an operating lease that expires on June 30,
2001. The lease provides that, after giving written request not less than three
months prior to the end of the term and obtaining written consent of lessor, the
lease will continue on a month-to-month tenancy until terminated in accordance
with Washington law. The Company has the right to use this space for its
computer information services and related business uses. The annual base rent is
$77,088 or $6,424 per month.
The Company also leases approximately 5,500 square feet of space in
Spokane, Washington to support its sales and marketing efforts. This is an
operating lease that expires December 31, 2001. The annual base rent in 1999
will be $57,000 or $4,750 per month. The monthly payment increases to $5,250 on
January 1, 2000 and to $5,750 on January 1, 2001.
The Company believes that its current facilities are adequate and
suitable for their current use, and that additional facilities will be
available, when needed, upon commercially reasonable terms. The Company also
believes that all of its leased space and all property maintained within are
adequately insured.
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<PAGE>
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
To the best of the Company's knowledge, there are no legal actions
pending, threatened or contemplated against the Company.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The annual meeting of the Company's shareholders was held December 18,
1998 in Bellevue, Washington. The Company's common stock was the only type of
security entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only shareholders of record at
the close of business on October 30, 1998 ("Record Date") were entitled to
receive notice of the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were
23,417,055 shares of common stock outstanding. There were 17,014,860 shares
represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy, each share entitled to
one vote on each matter to be voted upon. Various matters were submitted for a
vote by the shareholders and are presented below.
Approve an amendment to the articles of incorporation.
An amendment to change two sections to the Articles of Incorporation
was proposed.
Article 6.1 of the Articles of Incorporation was amended to authorize
the issuance of 55,000,000 shares of the Company's capital stock, which shall be
divided into two classes known as Common Stock and Preferred Stock,
respectively. No capital stock, after the amount of the subscription price or
par value has been paid, is subject to assessment to pay the debts of the
Company. The total number of shares of Common Stock which the Company is
authorized to issue is 50,000,000 with a par value of $.001 per share. The total
number of shares of Preferred Stock which the Company is authorized to issue is
5,000,000 with a par value of $.001 per share. The Preferred Stock may be issue
from time to time in one or more series at the discretion of the Board of
Directors within the limitations and restrictions prescribed by law or in the
Articles of Incorporation.
Article 7.2 of the Articles of Incorporation was amended to grant the
Board of Directors the authorization to make and alter bylaws of the corporation
subject to the power of the shareholders to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws;
provided, the Board of Directors shall not adopt, amend, or repeal a bylaw
fixing a quorum for meetings of shareholders, prescribing procedures for
removing directors or filling vacancies in the board, or fixing the number of
directors or their classifications, qualifications, or terms of office, but may
adopt or amend a bylaw to increase the number of directors.
The amendment was approved by a vote of 12,335,437 in favor,
413,712 against and 1,000 abstaining. There were 4,774,693 broker
non-votes.
Ratification and approval of the company's By-laws.
The Company's amended By-laws were approved and ratified by a vote
of 12,678,633 in favor, 75,896 against and 53,859 abstaining. There were
4,774,693 broker non-votes.
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Election of directors.
The Company's Board of Directors was increased from 7 to 8 members. The
following eight directors were elected to serve for the terms specified. No
other director's term of office continued after the meeting.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Positions and Offices Vote of the Stockholders
Held Within ---------------------------------------------------
Directors The Company Class (1) For Against Abstaining Non-Votes
--------- ----------- --------- --- ------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Billy Anders, Sr. Chairman of the II 16,996,169 18,591 0 568,321
Board
Allen C. Ringer CEO, President, I 16,996,169 18,591 0 568,321
Director
Alan S. Dernbach Chief Financial III 16,996,169 18,591 0 568,321
Officer, Director
Sam Ringer Director III 16,996,1699 18,591 0 568,321
Joe Ringer Director II 16,996,1699 18,591 0 568,321
Kurt Springman Director II 16,996,1699 18,591 0 568,321
Jacob L. Smith Director I 16,996,1699 18,591 0 568,321
Larry Dale Director III 16,996,1699 18,591 0 568,321
</TABLE>
- -------------------
(1) Directors are classified according to class. The terms for Class I
directors expire December 31, 1999, Class II directors expire December
31, 2000 and Class III directors expire December 31, 2001.
Ratification of 1998 Stock Option Plan.
The 1998 stock option plan and the specific awards already made under
the Plan were ratified by a vote of 12,539,183 in favor, 206,246 against and
62,959 abstaining. There were 4,774,693 broker non-votes.
Ratification of independent accounts.
Grant Thornton was ratified as the independent accountants for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 by a vote of 16,829,211 in
favor, 146,920 against and 38,729 abstaining. There were 568,321 broker
non-votes.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
MARKET INFORMATION
The Company's common stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the
symbol "PLNM." The range of high and low bid prices for the Company's common
stock for each quarter during the two most recent fiscal years is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998 1997
-------------------- -------------------
High Low High Low
------- ------- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First Quarter $0.6563 $0.2200 $0.1875 $0.0938
Second Quarter 2.7188 0.5000 0.2500 0.1250
Third Quarter 1.9375 0.6250 0.2500 0.1563
Fourth Quarter 1.0625 0.6875 0.2500 0.1700
</TABLE>
This table reflects the range of high and low bid prices for the
Company's common stock during the indicated periods, as published by the OTC
Bulletin Board. The quotations merely reflect the prices at which transactions
were proposed, and do not necessarily represent actual transactions. Prices do
not include retail markup, markdown or commissions.
There were approximately 692 holders of record of the Company's common
stock as of February 28, 1999.
DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company has not paid dividends on its common stock since its
inception. Dividends on common stock are within the discretion of the Board of
Directors and are payable from profits or capital legally available for that
purpose. It is the current policy of the Company to retain any future earnings
to finance the operations and growth of its business. Accordingly, the Company
does not anticipate paying any dividends on common stock in the foreseeable
future.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
In general, Rule 144 under the 1933 Act provides that securities may be
sold if there is current public information available regarding the Company and
the securities have been held at least one year. Rule 144 also includes
restrictions on the amount of securities sold, the manner of sale and requires
notice to be filed with the SEC. Under Rule 144 a minimum of one year must
elapse between the later of the date of the acquisition of the securities from
the issuer or from an affiliate of the issuer, and any resale under the Rule. If
a one-year period has elapsed since the date the securities were acquired, the
amount of restricted securities that may be sold for the account of any person
within any three-month period, including a person who is an affiliate of the
Company, may not exceed the greater of 1% of the then outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company or the average weekly trading volume in the
over-the-counter market during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on
which notice of sale is filed with the SEC. If a two-year period has elapsed
since the date the securities were acquired from the issuer or from an affiliate
of the issuer, a seller who is not an affiliate of the Company at any time
during the three months preceding a sale is entitled to sell the shares without
regard to volume limitations, manner of sale provisions or notice requirements.
20
<PAGE>
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET. As of
December 31, 1998 a substantial majority of the 24,671,355 outstanding shares of
common stock held by existing shareholders were issued and sold by the Company
in private transactions in reliance on exemptions from the registration
provisions of the Securities Act and are restricted securities within the
meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Of the outstanding shares,
including shares held by affiliates, 18,154,706 were issued on or before
December 31, 1997, and may be currently eligible for resale in the open market,
if any, in compliance with Rule 144. The sale in the public market of these
shares of restricted common stock under Rule 144 may depress prevailing market
prices of the common stock.
EFFECT OF OUTSTANDING OPTIONS AND WARRANTS. As of December 31, 1998,
there were outstanding stock options to purchase an aggregate of 7,127,500
shares of common stock at exercise prices ranging from $.01 to $3.00 per share,
and warrants to purchase 7,097,208 shares of common stock at exercise prices
ranging from $.25 to $.50. The options are subject to a restriction whereby
option holders have agreed to not sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of
shares of the Company's common stock issued upon exercise of options in an
amount which shall exceed 250,000 shares during any three-month period. See
"Principal Stockholders" and "Description of Capital Stock." The exercise of
these outstanding options and warrants will dilute the percentage ownership of
the Company's stockholders, and any sales in the public market of shares of
common stock underlying such securities may adversely affect prevailing market
prices for the common stock. Furthermore, the terms upon which the Company will
be able to obtain additional equity capital may be adversely affected since the
holders of these outstanding securities can be expected to exercise their
respective rights therein at a time when the Company would, in all likelihood,
be able to obtain any needed capital on terms more favorable to the Company than
those provided in such securities.
NO ASSURANCE OF ESTABLISHED PUBLIC TRADING MARKET. Although the common
stock of the Company trades on the OTC Bulletin Board, there can be no assurance
that a regular trading market for the securities will be sustained. The OTC
Bulletin Board is an unorganized, inter-dealer, over-the-counter market which
provides significantly less liquidity than The NASDAQ Stock Market. Quotes for
stocks included on the OTC Bulletin Board are not listed in the financial
sections of newspapers as are those for The NASDAQ Stock Market. Therefore,
prices for securities traded solely on the OTC Bulletin Board may be difficult
to obtain and holders of common stock may be unable to resell their securities
at or near their original offering price or at any price. Furthermore, the NASD
has adopted recent changes to the OTC Bulletin Board will affect both issuers
and market makers. The effect on the Bulletin Board can not be determined at
this time. In the event the Company's securities are not included on the OTC
Bulletin Board and do not qualify for NASDAQ, quotes for the securities may be
included in the "pink sheets" for the over-the-counter market.
"PENNY STOCK REGULATIONS MAY IMPOSE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON
MARKETABILITY OF SECURITIES. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
has adopted regulations which generally define "penny stock" to be any equity
security that is not traded on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ and that
has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less
than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. As long as the Company's
securities are trading at less than $5.00 per security on the OTC Bulletin
Board, the Company's securities are subject to rules that impose additional
sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell these securities to
persons other than established customers and accredited investors (generally,
investors with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or an individual annual
income exceeding $200,000, or, together with the investor's spouse, a joint
income of $300,000). For transactions covered by these rules, the broker-dealer
must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of such
securities and have received the purchaser's written consent to the transaction
prior to the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny
stock, unless exempt, the rules require, among other things, the delivery, prior
to the transaction, of a risk disclosure document mandated by the Commission
relating to the penny stock market and the risks associated therewith. The
broker-dealer must also disclose the
21
<PAGE>
commission payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered
representative, current quotations for the securities and, if the
broker-dealer is the sole market-maker, the broker-dealer must disclose this
fact and the broker-dealer's presumed control over the market. Finally,
monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the
penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in
penny stocks. Consequently, the penny stock rules may restrict the ability of
broker-dealers to sell the Company's securities and may affect the ability of
shareholders of the Company to sell their securities in the secondary market.
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of
operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the Financial
Statements and the related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this document.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
During 1998 the Company continued to experience significant growth in
its core products and services due to the on-going development of its base of
subscribing mortgage brokers and participating lenders. The Company's expansion
has been based on an organized and aggressive plan by region throughout the
United States. During 1999 the Company intends to take full advantage of the
synergy that is now becoming more apparent in order to solidify and expand its
market share.
REVENUES
Revenues increased to $1,856,000 from $892,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. This represents an increase of
approximately $964,000 or 108%. Total revenues of $1,856,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1998 were comprised of mortgage broker fees of $1,245,000 or 67.0%,
lender fees of $392,000 or 21.1%, ad banner revenues of $137,000 or 7.4%,
broadcast fax fees for $96,000 or 5.2% and all other fees and discounts for
$(14,000) or (.7)%. Total revenues of $892,000 for the year ended December 31,
1997 were comprised of broker fees of $441,000 or 49.5%, lender fees of $259,000
or 29.0%, ad banner revenues of $34,000 or 3.8%, broadcast fax fees of 157,000
or 17.6% and all other fees of $1,000 or .1%. The increase in revenues was due
mostly to the on-going development of the Company's growing base of subscribing
mortgage brokers and participating lenders by region throughout the United
States. The Company has aggressively expanded its sales force to take advantage
of the new demand for its products and services. While broadcast fax revenues
will continue to be a smaller part of total revenues, the Company will continue
to emphasize growth in its broker, lender and ad banner revenues as its core
products and services.
MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Marketing and administrative expenses are comprised of marketing and
advertising costs, outside consulting services, telecommunications expenses and
other marketing and administrative related expenses. Marketing and
administrative expenses increased to $1,234,000 from $678,000 for the years
ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. This represents an increase of
$556,000 or 82.1%. Marketing and administrative expenses were 66.5% and 76.0% of
revenues for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The
increase in these costs was due primarily to advertising of LION's products and
services in trade journals and publications, management consulting services,
accounting and legal expenses related to becoming a "reporting" company with the
SEC, investor relations, growth in internal and external telecommunications
infrastructure and costs related to increased occupancy and facilities
requirements. The Company anticipates marketing and administrative costs to grow
in absolute dollars as it continues to increase market share with LION's
products and services throughout the United States.
22
<PAGE>
SALARIES AND PAYROLL TAXES
Salaries and payroll tax expenses increased to $1,575,000 from
$1,224,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. This
represents an increase of $351,000 or 28.7%. Salaries and payroll tax expenses
were 84.9% and 137.2% of revenues for the years ended December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively. Growth in salaries and payroll taxes has been directly
related to development and support of the Company's growing base of mortgage
broker subscribers and participating lenders. The Company has grown to 57
associates at December 31, 1998 from a total of 33 associates at December 31,
1997. Most of the growth has been in the areas of sales, customer service, daily
database updating, and web site and internal information systems development.
Salaries and payroll taxes include a one-time charge to compensation expense of
$412,930 for the year ended December 31, 1998. This charge related to stock
options granted to a consultant for services rendered. The Company anticipates
salaries and payroll expenses will grow as it continues to increase market
share.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased to $81,000 from
$51,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. This
represents an increase of $30,000 or 58.8%. Depreciation and amortization
expenses were 4.4% and 5.7% of revenues for the years ended December 31, 1998
and 1997, respectively. The increase was due mostly to telecommunications
equipment and computer hardware needed to expand and improve the Company's
telecommunications and computer systems infrastructure. The Company expects
these capital expenditure requirements to continue to grow in the future in
order to provide its products and services in both a timely and efficient
manner.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense is comprised mostly of interest on convertible
debentures, related party debt and notes payable all accruing interest at 12%.
Interest expense increased to $204,000 from $103,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. This represents an increase of
$101,000. The increase was primarily due to $104,000 of additional interest
resulting from the conversion of convertible debentures to common stock of the
Company and $43,000 of additional interest resulting from outstanding
convertible debentures at December 31, 1998. This additional interest expense
was due to terms in the convertible debenture agreements that allows double the
number of shares to be purchased if the convertible debentures were held longer
than 365 days but less than 547 days. The increase was offset by the reduction
of convertible debentures, related party debt and notes payable to $111,000 from
$1,009,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company anticipates
convertible debentures and related party debt to be paid off in full during
1999.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Since its inception, the Company has financed its operations and
capital expenditure requirements through private placements , exercise of stock
warrants related to its private placements, issuance of convertible debentures
and borrowings from related parties and others. As a result, the Company has
successfully increased its cash and cash equivalents to $567,000 at December 31,
1998 from $105,000 at the beginning of 1998.
Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $749,000 in
1998 compared to $751,000 in 1997. During 1999 the Company anticipates the
monthly loss from operations to decrease steadily. This improvement will be
created by continued growth in LION's broker subscription services, increased
lender participation, a switch to regional ad banner advertising on LION's web
sites greatly increasing the number of
23
<PAGE>
available advertising slots and increased web site development for LION's
broker and lender customers.
Accounts receivable of the Company totaled $145,000 at December 31,
1998. Of this balance, accounts receivable greater than 90 days old totaled
approximately $6,800. Subsequent payments on the 90 day balance totaled
approximately $3,700 through mid-March 1999. Accounts receivable of the Company
totaled $136,000 at December 31, 1997. Of this balance accounts receivable
greater than 90 days old totaled approximately $16,000. Subsequent payments on
the 90 day balance totaled approximately $12,000. No customer balances exceed 10
percent of total receivables in either 1998 or 1997.
Net cash used in investing activities increased to $144,000 for the
year December 31, 1998 from $70,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997. The
increases were for the purchase of property and equipment. The company
anticipates similar capital expenditure requirements during 1999.
Net cash provided by financing activities increased to $1,355,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1998 from $906,000 for the year ended December 31,
1997. The increase was due primarily to the exercising of warrants related to
previous private placements. During 1998 the Company reduced related party debt,
other notes payable and convertible debentures from $1,009,000 at December 31,
1997 to $111,000 at December 31, 1998. The remaining $111,000 is comprised of
related party debt totaling $26,000 which will be paid off in the first quarter
of 1999 and convertible debt totaling $85,000 which will more than likely be
converted to common stock of the Company during the third quarter of 1999.
At December 31, 1998 the Company anticipates future funding of
operations and capital expenditure requirements to be adequately covered by
existing cash reserves and the exercise of stock warrants and stock options.
During 1999 warrants representing 3,425,876 shares of the Company's common stock
totaling $1,712,938 will reach their expiration dates. The Company anticipates a
high percentage of these warrants to be exercised. This assumption is based on
warrants exercised during 1998. Of the warrants expiring during 1998, which
represented 3,204,083 shares of the Company's common stock totaling $1,602,042,
only $258,522 or 16% were allowed to expire by the warrant holders. While the
exercise of warrants by themselves should be adequate to meet the Company's
funding requirements, stock options will be expiring during 1999 representing
3,677,000 shares or $1,137,500. It is anticipated that very few of these stock
options will be allowed to expire by the option holders. For additional
information on funding from operations, warrants and stock options, see Notes B,
K and L of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
The Company is aware of the issues associated with the programming code
in existing computer systems as the year 2000 approaches. The year 2000 problem
("Y2K") is pervasive and complex as virtually every computer operation will be
affected in some way by the rollover of the two-digit year value to 00. The
issue is whether computer systems will properly recognize date-sensitive
information when the year changes to 2000. Systems that do not properly
recognize such information could generate erroneous data or fail.
The Company has completed a thorough and extensive review of all
systems and has found them to be Y2K compliant. The monitoring for Y2K
compliance is also an on-going process for any new systems development performed
or contemplated by the Company. The areas of continual review include, but are
not limited to, all software developed for internal use (the Company develops no
software for external use), its operating systems and its databases. The
Company's systems do not interface at this time with any third party systems. If
they do interface at some point in time in the future, the Company will require
that the third party be Y2K compliant. The Company has purchased software for
internal use from outside suppliers who have certified that they are Y2K
compliant. To date, the Company's cost to ascertain and to maintain Y2K
compliance has been
24
<PAGE>
minimal. No increased cost exposure is anticipated at this time.
However, significant uncertainty exists concerning the potential costs
and effects associated with Y2K compliance outside of the Company's control.
Since the Company is reliant on the Internet as the source to provide its suite
of products and services, the real concern is whether the Internet itself will
fail. This would have a material adverse affect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition.
The Company has not yet developed a contingency plan to operate in the
event that any critical systems are not Y2K compliant, or if failure of vendors,
suppliers or third party systems have a material effect on the Company.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-KSB includes forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of
historical facts included in the preceding discussion regarding the Company's
financial position, business strategy and plans of management for future
operations are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that
the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it
can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The
Company cautions shareholders, prospective investors and other readers that the
factors set forth above in the section entitled "Investment Considerations,"
among others, should be considered carefully in evaluating the forward-looking
statements made by or on behalf of the Company and in evaluating the Company's
business before making a decision concerning the purchase of its securities.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following consolidated financial statements of Plenum
Communications, Inc. are included in Item 7:
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
25
<PAGE>
PLENUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 1998 and 1997
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants
Board of Directors
Plenum Communications, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Plenum
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash
flows for the years then ended. These 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 the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about 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 consolidated financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Plenum
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
consolidated results of its operations and their consolidated cash flows for the
years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
- ------------------------
Seattle, Washington
March 2, 1999
26
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 566,767 $ 104,604
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
of $23,350 and $15,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively 121,302 120,928
Prepaid expenses and other 12,705 45,048
-------------- --------------
Total current assets 700,774 270,580
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - AT COST, net 212,179 149,298
OTHER ASSETS 6,351 -
-------------- --------------
$ 919,304 $ 419,878
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 45,016 $ 34,398
Accrued liabilities 183,626 89,202
Deferred revenue 97,828 52,409
Related party payables 26,188 590,376
Notes payable - 181,480
Convertible debentures 85,032 -
-------------- --------------
Total current liabilities 437,690 947,865
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - 237,455
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - -
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Preferred stock, par value $.001 per share; authorized
5,000,000 shares; none outstanding - -
Common stock - authorized, 50,000,000 shares of $.001 par value; 24,671,355 and
18,154,706 shares issued and outstanding in 1998 and 1997, respectively 24,671 18,155
Treasury stock held, 700 shares - (350)
Additional contributed capital 5,879,970 3,204,250
Notes receivable from stockholders (207,812) -
Accumulated deficit (5,215,215) (3,987,497)
-------------- --------------
481,614 (765,442)
-------------- --------------
$ 919,304 $ 419,878
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
27
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year ended December 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues $ 1,856,336 $ 892,288
Expenses
Marketing and administrative 1,234,236 677,610
Salaries and payroll taxes 1,575,393 1,224,488
Depreciation and amortization 81,013 51,007
-------------- --------------
2,890,642 1,953,105
-------------- --------------
Operating loss (1,034,306) (1,060,817)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense (203,604) (102,980)
Interest income 10,192 -
-------------- --------------
NET LOSS $ (1,227,718) $ (1,163,797)
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
Loss per common share $ (.06) $ (.07)
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
28
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Additional
-------------------------- Treasury Contributed
Shares Amount Stock Capital
------------ --------- ---------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at January 1, 1997 16,078,172 $ 16,078 $ (350) $ 2,328,622
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with a Private 1,872,084 1,872 - 411,790
Placement Offering
Issuance of common stock for consulting and marketing services 196,000 196 - 48,804
received
Issuance of stock options for services received - - - 412,930
Issuance of common stock for drawings 8,450 9 - 2,104
Net loss for the year - - - -
------------ --------- ---------- -------------
Balance at December 31, 1997 18,154,706 18,155 (350) 3,204,250
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with a Private 577,000 577 - 143,673
Placement Offering
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with exercise of 2,670,980 2,671 - 1,304,069
warrants
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with exercise of stock 402,500 402 - 243,035
options
Issuance of common stock for consulting and marketing services 12,000 12 - 2,988
received
Issuance of stock options for consulting services received - - - 26,957
Issuance of common stock for drawings 1,600 2 - 398
Issuance of common stock for related party debt 1,790,309 1,790 - 445,787
Issuance of common stock for notes payable 730,429 730 - 202,651
Issuance of common stock for conversion of debentures 331,831 332 - 306,162
Notes receivable from stockholders - - - -
Retirement of treasury stock - - 350 -
Net loss for the year - - - -
------------ --------- ---------- -------------
Balance at December 31, 1998 24,671,355 $ 24,671 $ - $ 5,879,970
------------ --------- ---------- -------------
------------ --------- ---------- -------------
<CAPTION>
Notes
Receivable from Accumulated
Stockholders Deficit Total
----------------- -------------- --------------
<C> <C> <C>
Balance at January 1, 1997 $ - $ (2,823,700) $ (479,350)
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with a Private - - 413,662
Placement Offering
Issuance of common stock for consulting and marketing services - - 49,000
received
Issuance of stock options for services received - - 412,930
Issuance of common stock for drawings - - 2,113
Net loss for the year - (1,163,797) (1,163,797)
----------------- -------------- --------------
Balance at December 31, 1997 - (3,987,497) (765,442)
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with a Private - - 144,250
Placement Offering
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with exercise of - - 1,306,740
warrants
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with exercise of stock - - 243,437
options
Issuance of common stock for consulting and marketing services - - 3,000
received
Issuance of stock options for consulting services received - - 26,957
Issuance of common stock for drawings - - 400
Issuance of common stock for related party debt - - 447,577
Issuance of common stock for notes payable - - 203,381
Issuance of common stock for conversion of debentures - - 306,494
Notes receivable from stockholders (207,812) - (207,812)
Retirement of treasury stock - - 350
Net loss for the year - (1,227,718) (1,227,718)
----------------- -------------- --------------
Balance at December 31, 1998 $ (207,812) $ (5,215,215) $ 481,614
----------------- -------------- --------------
----------------- -------------- --------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.
29
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year ended December 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 1998 1997
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss $(1,227,718) $(1,163,797)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 81,013 51,007
Interest earned on notes receivable (6,351) -
Interest expense on notes payable 30,401 15,160
Interest expense on convertible debentures 160,633 12,753
Common stock and stock options issued for services received 29,957 461,930
Common stock issued for drawings 400 2,113
Retirement of treasury stock 350 -
Changes in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable (374) (76,806)
Prepaid expenses and other 32,343 (34,254)
Deferred revenue 45,419 52,010
Accounts payable 10,618 (14,445)
Accrued liabilities 94,424 (56,306)
------------- -------------
Net cash used in operating activities (748,885) (750,635)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment (143,894) (69,724)
------------- -------------
Net cash used in investing activities (143,894) (69,724)
Cash flows from financing activities
Payments on notes payable (8,500) (26,664)
(Payments) proceeds from convertible debentures (6,562) 224,702
(Payments) proceeds from related party payables (116,611) 119,922
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and exercise of stock options 179,875 413,662
Proceeds from exercise of warrants 1,306,740 -
Proceeds from borrowings under notes payable - 173,882
------------- -------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,354,942 905,504
------------- -------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 462,163 85,145
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 104,604 19,459
------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 566,767 $ 104,604
------------- -------------
------------- -------------
</TABLE>
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing
activities (note M)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statement.
30
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Plenum Communications, Inc. (the Company), a Minnesota corporation, does
business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, LION, Inc., formerly known as
Infosystems, Inc., a Washington corporation. LION provides its subscribers,
principally mortgage brokers and agents, electronic access to a database of
mortgage offerings by a multitude of lenders throughout the United States.
A summary of significant accounting polices consistently applied in the
preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows.
1. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions
have been eliminated.
2. CASH EQUIVALENTS
For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all
highly-liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less
to be cash equivalents.
3. REVENUE RECOGNITION
Subscription and service fees are recognized as revenue over the respective
subscription periods or at the time the services are provided.
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided for in amounts
sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their
estimated service lives, principally on a straight-line basis. Estimated service
lives of property and equipment range from three to five years. Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the lives of the respective leases or the
service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.
5. USE OF ESTIMATES
In preparing the Company's financial statements, management is required to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, the 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates
31
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
6. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 107 - "Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments", the
following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each
class of financial instruments.
- NOTES PAYABLE - The carrying amount approximates fair value
because of their short-term nature.
- RELATED PARTY PAYABLES AND CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - It was not
practicable to estimate the fair value due to the specific nature
of the payables and debentures.
7. LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128,
"Earnings per Share" which established standards for computing and presenting
earnings per share (EPS). Loss per share is based on the average number of
shares outstanding during each period and income available to common
stockholders. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding was
22,190,181 and 16,367,112 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. The computation for loss per common share assuming dilution for
the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 was anti-dilutive; and therefore, is
not included.
8. ADVERTISING COSTS
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was
approximately $69,700 and $24,200 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively.
NOTE B - MANAGEMENT PLANS
A major objective of the Company is to increase its market share with its core
products and services. In addition, the Company is focusing efforts on new
product development and expansion. Management believes that funding from
operations and the exercise of warrants and stock options during 1999 should be
adequate to meet its working capital and capital expenditure requirements. These
funding sources have enabled the Company to increase its cash and cash
equivalents from $104,604 at the beginning of 1998 to $566,767 at December 31,
1998. The Company also reduced related party debt, other notes payable and
convertible debentures from $1,009,311 at the beginning of 1998 to $111,220 at
December 31, 1998. During 1999, warrants representing 3,425,876 shares of the
Company's common stock totaling $1,712,938 will reach their expiration dates.
The Company anticipates a high percentage of these warrants will be exercised.
This assumption is based on warrants exercised during 1998. Of the warrants
expiring during 1998 representing 3,204,083 shares totaling $1,602,042, only
517,103 shares or 16% were allowed to expire by the warrant holders. Management
believes these plans provide for continuance of operations through December 31,
1999. However, there can be no assurance that the company will be able to obtain
sufficient additional funding, or be successful in its future operations.
32
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997
NOTE C - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - AT COST
Property and equipment consist of the following as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Computer equipment $ 360,042 $257,607
Computer software 166,325 164,743
Equipment 52,021 22,834
Leasehold improvements 10,690 -
Equipment under capital lease 11,720 11,720
---------- ----------
600,798 456,904
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 388,619 307,606
---------- ----------
$ 212,179 $ 149,298
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
</TABLE>
NOTE D - NOTES RECEIVABLE FROM STOCKHOLDERS
At December 31, 1998, the Company has notes receivable from stockholders
totaling $207,812 resulting from the exercise of stock options. Interest is
accrued at 10% annually. The notes and accrued interest are due on dates ranging
from March 1 to April 1, 2000. The underlying stock certificates are held by the
Company as collateral.
NOTE E - ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities consist of the following as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Salaries $ 68,129 $ 34,324
Payroll taxes 45,036 14,115
Vacation 33,223 10,214
Other 37,238 30,549
---------- ----------
$ 183,626 $ 89,202
---------- ----------
---------- -----------
</TABLE>
33
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997
NOTE F - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES
The Company had convertible debentures totaling $85,032 and $237,455 at December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, including accrued interest of $49,032 and
$12,455, respectively. Maturity dates range from July through August 1999.
Interest is compounded and accrued semi-annually at a rate of 12% and may be
paid monthly at the option of the holder. The agreement allows the registered
owner to convert the outstanding balance, both principal and accrued interest,
into shares of the Company's common stock. The shares are convertible as
follows: 1) at a credit equal to the principal plus any accrued interest after
180 days but before the end of the 365th day; 2) at a credit equal to the
principal plus any accrued interest times a factor of two after 365 days but
before the end of the 547th day; 3) at a credit equal to the principal plus any
accrued interest times a factor of three after 547 days but before the end of
the 730th day; and 4) at a credit equal to the principal plus any accrued
interest times a factor of four at maturity. Prior to December 31, 1997, no
debentures had been converted into shares of the Company's common stock. During
1998, $306,494 of principal and accrued interest was converted into shares of
the Company's common stock. Of this amount $103,534 represented additional
interest expense resulting from conversion after 365 days but before the 547th
day. In addition, accrued interest at December 31, 1998 includes $42,516
resulting from outstanding convertible debentures held longer than 365 days but
less than 547 days.
NOTE G - RELATED PARTY PAYABLES
Related party payables consist of the following as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Accounts payable $ - $ 90,585
Salaries payable, including interest at 12% 26,188 283,135
Notes payable, including interest
at 12%, due on demand - 216,656
---------- ----------
$ 26,188 $ 590,376
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
</TABLE>
During 1998, management elected to reduce the amount of outstanding related
party debt by cash payments of $142,799 and the issuance of 1,790,309 shares of
the Company's common stock totaling $447,577. Interest expense incurred under
related party agreements totaled $4,906 and $49,810 for the years ended December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
34
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997
NOTE H - NOTES PAYABLE
The Company had unsecured demand notes totaling $181,480 at December 31, 1997.
The notes are due on demand and accrue interest at 12% annually. During 1998,
notes payable totaling $182,607 were converted into 730,429 shares of the
Company's common stock. Interest expense incurred under notes payable agreements
totaled $30,401 and $15,160 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. For the year ended December 31, 1998, additional interest expense
totaling $20,774 was incurred due to the private placement cost of $.25 per
share being less than the market price per share at the time of conversion.
NOTE I - INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes on the liability method, as provided by
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes"
(SFAS 109).
The income tax provision reconciled to the tax computed at the statutory federal
rate was as follows for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Tax benefit at statutory rate $ 417,400 $ 395,700
Valuation allowance (417,400) (392,000)
Other - (3,700)
--------------- ---------------
Total $ - $ -
--------------- ---------------
--------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
The components of deferred taxes are as follows at December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax asset:
Liabilities not timely paid $ 10,800 $ 3,500
Depreciation - 3,800
Allowance for doubtful accounts 7,900 5,100
Net operating loss carryforward 1,317,500 985,900
Goodwill - 43,400
--------------- ---------------
1,336,200 1,041,700
Deferred tax liability:
Depreciation (9,000) -
Valuation allowance (1,327,200) (1,041,700)
--------------- ---------------
$ - $ -
--------------- ---------------
--------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
35
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997
NOTE I - INCOME TAXES - Continued
The Company has established a valuation allowance of $1,327,200 and $1,041,700
as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, due to the uncertainty of future
realization of the deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance was increased by
$285,500 and $392,000 during the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. At December 31, 1998, the Company had net operating loss
carryforwards for federal income tax reporting purposes of approximately
$3,875,000 available to offset future income which expire in 2004 through 2018.
Utilization of these carryforwards are dependent on future taxable income and
could further be limited due to a change of control in the Company's ownership
as defined by the Internal Revenue Code 382.
NOTE J - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
1. LEASES
The Company conducts a portion of its operations in leased facilities classified
as operating leases and under month-to-month agreements. The following is a
schedule by years of approximate minimum rental payments under such operating
leases, which expire at various dates through December 2001.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ending December 31,
<S> <C> <C>
1999 $ 134,100
2000 140,100
2001 107,500
----------
Total minimum payments required $ 381,700
----------
----------
</TABLE>
The leases provide for payment of taxes and other expenses by the Company.
Rent expense for leased facilities totaled approximately $118,900 and $91,100
for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
2. CONSULTING AGREEMENT
The Company has an Incentive Compensation Plan with a key consultant which
provides the option to purchase shares of common stock of the Company. The
purchase price of these optioned shares is as follows: 700,000 shares at $.01
per share, 800,000 shares at $.75 per share, 500,000 shares at $1.50 per share,
and 500,000 shares at $3.00 per share. The 700,000 shares at $.01 per share were
granted in February 1998 and are fully vested at December 31, 1998. Compensation
expense of $412,930 was recognized during the year ended December 31, 1997
related to these options based upon the services performed in 1997. Of the
800,000 shares at $.75 per share, 25,000 shares were granted in October 1998 and
are fully vested. Compensation expense of $16,825 was recognized during the year
ended December 31, 1998. The remaining options will be granted upon the
occurrence of certain events and will vest from January 1999 through December
2001.
36
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997
NOTE K - WARRANTS
The Company had the following warrants outstanding to purchase common shares as
of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
---------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Warrants issued in conjunction with the Private Placement whereby one warrant
entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a grant price
of $0.50, expiring through 1998 - 3,204,083
Warrants issued in conjunction with the Private Placement whereby one warrant
entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a grant price
of $0.25, expiring through 1999 - 115,000
Warrants issued in conjunction with the Private Placement whereby one warrant
entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a grant price
of $0.50, expiring through 1999 3,425,876 3,210,876
Warrants issued in conjunction with the Private Placement whereby one warrant
entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a grant price
of $0.25, expiring through 2000 200,591 -
Warrants issued in conjunction with the Private Placement whereby one warrant
entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a grant price
of $0.50, expiring through 2000 3,470,741 429,000
---------------- ------------------
Total 7,097,208 6,958,959
---------------- ------------------
---------------- ------------------
</TABLE>
NOTE L - STOCK OPTIONS
The Company has a stock option plan accounted for under APB Opinion No. 25 and
related Interpretations. The plan allows the Company to grant options to
employees for up to 50,000 shares of common stock per employee. Options
currently outstanding vest over a two to five-year period. The options are
exercisable at not less than the market value of the Company's common stock on
the date of grant. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the
plan. Had compensation cost for the plan been determined based on the fair value
of the options at the grant dates consistent with the method required by
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" (SFAS 123), the Company's net loss would have been increased to
the pro forma amounts indicated below for the years ended December 31. The fair
value of option grants is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model
with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in fiscal year
1998: expected volatility ranging from 140.59% to 156.05%; risk free interest
rate of 6.50%; expected lives ranging from 2 to 5 years; and a zero percent
dividend yield. The following weighted average assumptions were used for grants
in fiscal year 1997: expected volatility of 111.72%; risk free interest rate of
6.50%; expected lives ranging from 1 to 3 years; and a zero percent dividend
37
yield.
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997
NOTE L - STOCK OPTIONS - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net loss:
As reported $ (1,227,718) $ (1,163,797)
Pro forma $ (1,456,746) $ (1,352,473)
Net loss per common share:
As reported $ (.06) $ (.07)
Pro forma $ (.07) $ (.08)
</TABLE>
A summary of the Company's stock option plan's activity is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
--------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Weighted Weighted
average average
Stock options Shares exercise price Shares exercise price
-------------------------------------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year 6,195,000 $.43 5,535,000 $.40
Granted 1,820,000 .54 1,985,000 .61
Forfeited or exercised (887,500) .57 (1,325,000) .56
------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
Outstanding at end of year 7,127,500 $.44 6,195,000 $.43
------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
Options exercisable at end of year 6,181,705 $.39 5,598,875 $.42
------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
Weighted-average fair value of options
granted during the year $.64 $.10
--------------- ---------------
--------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
The following is a summary of stock options outstanding at December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Outstanding
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number Weighted-average remaining Number of options
Exercise price outstanding contractual life exercisable
--------------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$ .01 - $ .25 4,257,500 1.71 years 4,135,312
$ .26 - $ .50 905,000 2.26 years 771,062
$ .51 - $ .75 562,500 3.68 years 324,018
$ .76 - $1.00 1,327,500 3.66 years 941,938
$1.01 - $3.00 75,000 4.46 years 9,375
</TABLE>
38
<PAGE>
Plenum Communications, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997
NOTE M - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION AND NON-CASH INVESTING AND
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information and non-cash investing and
financing activities is as follows for December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
--------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for interest $ 22,966 $ 60,426
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Assets acquired under capital leases $ - $ 11,720
Exercise of stock options by note receivable $ 207,812 $ -
Related party debt converted to common stock $ 447,577 $ -
Debentures converted to common stock $ 306,494 $ -
Note payable converted to common stock $ 203,381 $ -
</TABLE>
39
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
Effective May 1, 1998, the Board of Directors selected Grant Thornton
LLP as its independent accountants for the fiscal years ending December 31, 1997
and 1996. The shareholders ratified the selection of Grant Thornton LLP at the
Company's annual meeting held December 18, 1998. Tom Harris CPA has audited the
Company's financial statements annually since fiscal 1991. The former accountant
was dismissed in favor of the new appointment. The reports of the former
accountant for prior fiscal years have not contained an adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion, nor were they modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or
accounting principles. There were no disagreements with the former accountant on
any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.
PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTORS AND CONTROL PERSONS,
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
The following table sets forth information concerning the directors and
executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME(1) AGE POSITION
------- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Billy Anders, Sr. (1) 55 Chairman of the Board
Allen C. Ringer 59 President, Chief Executive Officer, Director
Alan S. Dernbach (2) (3) 47 Director, Chief Financial Officer
Sam Ringer 38 Director
Joe Ringer 36 Director
Kurt Springman (2) (3) 38 Director
Jacob L. Smith 59 Director
Larry H. Dale (1) 53 Director
John A. McMillan (1) 67 Director
</TABLE>
(1) Member of the Executive Committee
(2) Member of the Audit Committee
(3) Member of the Compensation Committee
The Company's bylaws provide that the Board of Directors may adopt or
amend a bylaw to increase the number of directors. In January of 1999 John
McMillan was appointed to the Board of Directors which increased the membership
from eight to nine. Meetings of the Board are scheduled when and as deemed
necessary or appropriate. The Company is unaware of any legal proceedings
involving any members of the Board of Directors during the past 5 years.
Following is a discussion of the business background of each director
and executive officer. Sam Ringer and Joe Ringer are full-time employees of the
Company, and are sons of Allen Ringer. The other directors and executive
officers devote only such time as may be necessary to the Company's business and
affairs.
BILLY ANDERS, SR. joined the Company as a member of the Board of
Directors in 1995
40
<PAGE>
and has served as Chairman since January 1997. Mr. Anders served as the
President of the Mars Hotel Corporation in Spokane, Washington, from 1994
to 1997, and was Chairman of the board of directors of Pacific Marine &
Steel, Inc. in La Jolla, California, in 1995 and 1996. He was a member of
the board of directors of Output Technology, Spokane, Washington from
1989 through 1993, and served as its President and CEO during 1992 and
1993. Mr. Anders was President and CEO and served as Chairman of the board
of directors of Soricon Corporation, Boulder, Colorado, from 1986 through
1991. He also served as a business consultant and inaugural member of the
board of directors of International Pacific, Inc., Spokane, Washington,
from 1986 to 1992. From 1983 through 1986 he was Senior Vice-President and
General Manager of Key Tronic Corporation, Spokane, Washington. Mr.
Anders spent 16 years from 1967 through 1983 with the IBM Corporation in
several cities in various key management positions. He was Director of
Field Operations in the General Systems Division of IBM in 1980. Mr. Anders
graduated from Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1964 where
he completed the Advanced R.O.T.C. program and was commissioned as a 2nd
Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
ALLEN RINGER has served as President and CEO of Plenum since 1989. Mr.
Ringer is also the founder and President of PlenTech Electronics, Inc. a company
listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange; and he serves as a director of its
subsidiary, Consolidated Electronics, Inc., a Spokane manufacturing and
marketing firm serving primarily the utility and processing industries. From
1978 to 1986 Mr. Ringer operated United Farm Agency, a real estate brokerage
firm in Colville, Washington. From 1987 to February 1990, Mr. Ringer managed the
operations of Mortgage Brokers Network, Inc., an electronic mortgage brokerage
company which originated mortgage loan applications.
ALAN S. DERNBACH has been a director of the Company since 1997, and has
served as Chief Financial Officer since November 1998. Mr. Dernbach has over 17
years of senior financial and administrative experience with technology oriented
companies. Since 1993 he has been the principal owner of Engineered Control
Systems, Inc., a private company providing low voltage systems integration to
public facilities and Fortune 500 customers. During the period from 1983 to
1993, he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for
three Spokane, WA technology firms: Output Technology, Inc. from 1972 to 1993,
Pyrotek, Inc. from 1990 to 1992 and Key Tronic Corporation from 1983 to 1990.
Before entering private industry, Mr. Dernbach had five years of accounting
experience with Peat, Marwick & Main in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Dernbach received
a BBA degree in accounting from Gonzaga University in 1972, and has been a CPA
since 1974.
SAM RINGER has been a director of the Company since 1989. He has served
as President of LION since 1997 and during the period from 1991 through 1995. In
February 1999, he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of LION. Sam Ringer
was co-founder, co-architect and author of the LION software. He received his
training as a computer engineer and programmer in Spokane, WA at Spokane Falls
Community College and Gonzaga University. Prior to his tenure with the Company,
Sam served for two years as a mortgage broker at Mornet Mortgage, a Seattle
mortgage brokerage firm.
JOE RINGER has served as a director of the Company since 1989. He is
the other co-founder of LION, and has served as Executive Vice President since
1995. He is responsible for Company operations, including oversight of the data
entry, web development, network management and quality control. In addition, he
is responsible for a number of marketing functions, including ad banner sales,
press releases, writing the Daily Market Commentary that appears on the LION
site, articles for submission to trade journals, certain lender homepage sales
and negotiation with potential industry partners. Prior to co-founding LION, Joe
worked for three years at Mornet Mortgage in virtually every position of the
mortgage brokerage firm, including operations, as a mortgage broker and in the
management of the business.
41
<PAGE>
KURT SPRINGMAN has been a director of the Company since 1997. Since
1996, Mr. Springman has been Compaq Computer Corporation's (formerly Digital
Equipment Corporation) Senior Marketing Consultant for the Enterprise Solution
Center for Windows in Bellevue, WA. From 1991 to 1996, he was the principal
owner and CEO of Prestige Events, Inc., a firm specializing in high tech event
marketing. Customers of Prestige included major names like Microsoft, Intel,
Digital, and Paul Allen Group. From 1985 to 1991, he served with Merrill Lynch
Securities and JP Morgan in New York as an Associate Officer where he was
involved in creating and trading jumbo mortgage pools and derivative products,
and structuring real estate and corporate financings. From 1983 to 1986, Mr.
Springman was a CPA with Peat Marwick - KMPG in Denver, Colorado. He is an
elected Councilmember of the City of Bellevue (term 1996-1999), and is well
known in the Washington Software Alliance. Mr. Springman received an MS degree
in accounting from the University of Denver in 1983, and an MBA in Finance from
New York University in 1987. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional, a Compaq
Accredited Systems Engineer and a Citrix Certified Administrator.
JACOB L. SMITH has been a director of the Company since June 1998.
Mr. Smith has practiced business law in Washington State for the last
thirty-three years. Mr. Smith received a B.S. degree in Chemical
Engineering from the University of Washington in 1962. He received a J.D.
law degree from Willamette University Law School in Salem Oregon in 1965.
LARRY H. DALE has been a director of the Company since December
1998. Mr. Dale is a Managing Director of Newman & Associates, Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of GMAC Commercial Mortgage ("GMACCM") and a
leading investment banking firm specializing in financing affordable rental
housing. Mr. Dale is also Chairman of the Board of the National Equity Fund
and is on the Boards of the National Center for Lead-Safe Housing, the
Community Preservation and Development Corporation, the Denver
Enterprise Foundation and the National Housing Conference. From July
1987 to January 1997, Mr. Dale was a Senior Vice President of Fannie Mae.
From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Dale was the Executive Director of Fannie Mae's
National Housing Impact Division and a member of Fannie Mae's Operating
Committee. Mr. Dale is also a former Deputy to the Assistant Secretary for
Housing/FHA Commissioner. He held this position from 1979 to 1981, and was
responsible for HUD's multifamily housing activities during this period.
Mr. Dale holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Masters of
Public Administration form the Maxwell School, Syracuse University.
JOHN A. MCMILLAN has been a director of the Company since
January 1999. Mr. McMillan is a Director and member of the Executive
Committee of the Board of Directors for Nordstrom, Inc. Mr. McMillan has
been associated with Nordstrom for 40 years and has served as a member of
the office of chief executive officer since 1971. Mr. McMillan's business
and civic affiliations include sitting on the Board of Directors for
Vision Youth (Chairman), Follet Company, Seattle YMCA, Seattle
Foundation, ZION Preparatory Academy Capitol Campaign (Chairman), Crista
Ministries, World Concern, Urban Enterprise Council (Chairman), Bob Walsh
Enterprises, Global Partnerships, Catholic Fund, and Seattle Pacific
University.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The standing committees of the Board of Directors of the Company are
the Executive Committee, Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. The
Executive Committee, established in February 1999, consists of 3 members. The
committee will act as an advisory group for Sam Ringer, CEO of LION. The Audit
Committee, established in May 1998, is responsible for reviewing the results and
scope of audits and other services provided by the Company's independent
auditors, and the fees for related services performed during the year. The Audit
Committee also recommends to the Board of Directors the firm to be appointed as
independent auditors. At times, the Audit Committee may meet with
42
<PAGE>
representatives of the Company's independent auditors without any officers or
employees of the Company present. The Compensation Committee, established in
October 1998, makes recommendations concerning retirement and benefit plans and
salaries and incentive compensation of executive personnel, employees of, and
consultants to, the Company. The Compensation Committee administers the
Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan.
SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANT
The Company employs several finance, administrative, technical, sales
and support personnel who perform various day-to-day tasks and conduct
operations of LION. None of these employees are under a non-competition
agreement, nor covered by key-man life insurance. In addition, the Company has
from time to time utilized consultants to assist in the development of its
business plan and operations. The inability to attract, retain and motivate
additional skilled employees or consultants, or the termination of certain
significant employees, or termination of several employees as a group, could
have a material adverse affect on the Company. The following individuals are
significant employees or consultants of the Company:
STEVE THOMSON, 46, has served as Controller since joining LION in March
1998. From 1995 to 1998, as a consultant he worked with a number of software and
Internet related companies including Sierra On-Line, Inc. and N2H2, Inc. From
1988 to 1995, Mr. Thomson served as Controller and Division Manager with Vanier,
a $130 million subsidiary of American Business Products. From 1979 to 1986, he
was a public accountant with Price Waterhouse. Mr. Thomson received a B.A.
degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington in 1976, and
has been a CPA since 1981.
PAUL ECKERT, 38, has served as National Sales Manager of LION
since 1997, after joining the Company in 1995 as Lender Sales Manager.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Eckert held sales management positions in
the mortgage industry with North American Mortgage Company, Columbia
First Service, Inc. and General Electric Mortgage Insurance Company of
Bellevue, Washington. Mr. Eckert received a B.A. degree from Winona State
University in 1984.
ED HALLDA, 32, joined LION as Director of Internet Services in February
1997 and was promoted to Manager of Engineering in December 1998. From 1984 to
1990 he served in the Navy as an Electronics Technician, gaining experience
troubleshooting complex computerized weapon control systems. From 1991 to 1997,
Mr. Hallda was a Senior Technician and Computer Specialist with Vitro, Inc. From
1992 to 1997, he designed custom software applications for the U.S. Navy as a
consultant, graphical presentations using video conferencing, and designed
database-aware Intranet systems and Internet sites.
HOWARD BASKIN, 48, is a management consultant from Tampa, Florida, who
began working with LION in June 1996. During the period from January 1997 to
July 1998, Mr. Baskin relocated to Seattle and served as Managing Executive of
LION under a consulting agreement. He orchestrated LION's national expansion and
advised the management team in strategic and operating decisions. He has agreed
to continue to advise the Company on a month to month basis, focusing on
strategic alliances and product development. Mr. Baskin obtained an MBA from
Harvard Business School in 1980, and a law degree from the University of Miami
in 1978. Since 1991 he has worked with early stage and fast-growing companies
seeking to manage growth and improve profitability. From 1980 to 1991, Mr.
Baskin was employed by Citicorp in various assignments, the last of which was
Director of Strategic Planning for the $20 billion asset Commercial Real Estate
Division.
Companies subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), together with their
directors, executive officers, and any persons holding more than ten percent of
their common stock, are required to report their initial ownership of common
43
<PAGE>
stock and any subsequent changes in their ownership to the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Specific due dates have been established by the
SEC, and the Company is required to disclose in this report any failure to file
by those dates. However, the Company, together with its directors, executive
officers, and ten percent holders, became subject to the Exchange Act in
February 1999, after the close of the 1998 fiscal year. Consequently, no reports
were required to be filed during the 1998 fiscal year.
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth all compensation paid or earned for
services rendered to the Company in all capacities during the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 to the Company's President and Chief Executive
Officer (the "Named Officer"). No other executive officer received total annual
salary, bonus and other compensation in excess of $100,000 in the fiscal years
disclosed below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE*
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
OPTIONS/
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY OTHER STOCK AWARDS WARRANTS
- --------------------------- ---- ------ ----- ------------ ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allen Ringer(1) 1998 $60,000 - - -
President and CEO 1997 - $3,405(2) 236,593(2) 236,593(2)
</TABLE>
(*) Columns in the Summary Compensation Table that were not relevant to the
compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers were omitted.
(1) Mr. Ringer's cash compensation was paid to him by the Company through
American Management and Consulting, Inc., a consulting firm, of which Mr.
Ringer is Chief Executive Officer and President. See Item 12 "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions." As of December 31, 1998, the aggregate
value of all shares beneficially owned by Mr. Ringer was $2,990,430, valued at
$.8125 per share, the closing price of the Company's common stock on the OTC
Bulletin Board on that date.
(2) In January 1998, Mr. Ringer purchased 144,000 shares of common stock and
144,000 warrants, exercisable at $.50 per share, in exchange for 1997 deferred
compensation of $36,000. In addition, Mr. Ringer purchased 92,593 shares of
common stock and 92,594 warrants, exercisable at $.50 per share, in exchange
for interest earned of $23,148 on deferred compensation and loans to the
Company. Interest earned and paid in cash during 1997 to Mr. Ringer related to
deferred compensation and loans to the Company totaled $3,405.
OPTION GRANTS LAST FISCAL YEAR.
No stock options were granted to the Named Officer during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998.
44
<PAGE>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUE TABLE.
The following table provides information with respect to the Named
Officer regarding the exercise of options or warrants during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 and unexercised options or warrants held as of December
31, 1998. No stock appreciation rights were exercised during 1998 or were
outstanding at December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Value of Unexercised
Shares Number of Securities Underlying In-the-Money
Acquired on Value Unexercised Options/Warrants Options/Warrants
Exercise Realized at Fiscal Year-End (#) at Fiscal Year-End ($)
Name (#) ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- --- --- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allen Ringer (1)
Options - - 1,000,000 - $562,500 -
Warrants 83,500 $31,312 740,164 - $231,301 -
</TABLE>
(1) Includes 740,164 warrants owned by American Management and Consulting, Inc.,
a consulting firm, of which Mr. Ringer is Chief Executive Officer and President,
and deemed the beneficial owner because of his power to vote and dispose of
those securities.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan ("1998 Plan") is intended to serve
as an equity incentive program for management, qualified employees, non-employee
members of the Board of Directors, and independent advisors or consultants. The
1998 Plan became effective on October 30, 1998 upon adoption by the Board of
Directors, and was approved by the shareholders at the December 1998 annual
shareholders' meeting. Under the 1998 Plan, the total number of shares of common
stock reserved for issuance is 15,000,000, which may be Incentive Stock Options
("ISOs") within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, or nonqualified stock options.
The 1998 Plan contains two separate components: (i) a discretionary
option grant program under which eligible individuals in the Company's employ or
service (including officers and other employees, non-employee Board members and
independent advisors or consultants) may, at the discretion of the Plan
Administrator, be granted options to purchase shares of common stock; and (ii)
an automatic option grant program under which option grants will automatically
be made at periodic intervals to eligible non-employee Board members to purchase
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to their fair market value on
the grant date.
The discretionary option grant program will be administered by the
Board of Directors or a committee of two or more members of the Board. Plan
administrators have sole authority to prescribe the form, content and status of
options to be granted, select the eligible recipients, determine the timing of
option grants, determine the number of shares subject to each grant, the
exercise price, vesting schedule, and term for which any option will remain
outstanding. The Board of Directors have the authority to correct any defect,
supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, determine the
terms and restrictions on all restricted option awards granted under the Plan,
and in general, to construe and interpret any provision of the 1998 Plan or of
any option granted thereunder. The administration of the automatic option grant
program will be self-executing in accordance with the provisions of the 1998
Plan.
The exercise price for outstanding option grants under the 1998 Plan
may be paid in cash or, upon approval of the Plan administrators, in shares of
common stock valued at fair market value on the exercise date. The option may
also be exercised through a same-day cashless exercise program or a
45
<PAGE>
reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the optionee. In
addition, the Plan administrator may provide financial assistance to one or
more optionees in the exercise of their outstanding options by allowing the
individuals to deliver a full-recourse, interest-bearing promissory note in
payment of the exercise price and any associated withholding taxes incurred
in connection with the exercise.
Under the automatic option grant program, immediately after each annual
meeting of shareholders, each elected non-employee director of the Company shall
automatically be granted a nonqualified stock option to purchase 15,000 shares
of common stock for each year included in the term for which such he or she was
elected, provided that individual has not previously received an option grant
from the Company in connection with his or her Board service which remains
unvested.
Under the 1998 Plan, no stock option can be granted for a period longer
than ten years or for a period longer than five years for ISOs granted to
optionees possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company. Following the effective date of any
registration of the Company's securities under the Exchange Act, the per share
exercise price for any option granted may not be less than the fair market value
of the Company's securities on the grant date. Unless extended by the Plan
administrators until a date not later than the expiration date of the option,
the right to exercise an option terminates thirty days after the termination of
an optionee's employment, contractual or director relationship with the Company.
If the optionee dies or is disabled, the option will remain exercisable for a
period of one year after the termination of employment or relationship with the
Company.
At the sole discretion of the Plan administrators, options granted
under the 1998 Plan may contain resale provisions pursuant to which the
purchaser of the common stock issued upon exercise of the option may be limited
to sales of common stock in an amount which may not exceed 250,000 shares during
any three-month period.
As of December 31, 1998, the Company had granted options to purchase an
aggregate of 9,415,000 shares of common stock, of which 7,127,500 were
outstanding at December 31, 1998. Of the options granted, 4,295,000 were issued
to directors of the Company, of which 4,195,000 were outstanding at December 31,
1998.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Except for grants of stock options and reimbursement of expenses,
directors of the Company do not receive compensation for services rendered as a
director. The Company does not compensate its directors for committee
participation or for performing special assignments for the Board of Directors.
Directors who are not officers or employees of the Company receive as an initial
retainer options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock, exercisable at not
less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the day of
grant. Thereafter, under the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, non-employee
directors will receive automatic option grants each year to purchase 15,000
shares of common stock upon their reelection at the annual meeting of
shareholders.
46
<PAGE>
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership as of December 31, 1998 of the Company's common stock by
(a) each person known by the Company to be a beneficial owner of more than five
percent of the outstanding common stock of the Company, (b) each director of the
Company, and (c) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares
Name and Address(1) Beneficially Percentage
of Beneficial Owner Owned(2) of Shares
- ------------------- ---------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Allen C. Ringer 3,680,529(3) 13.9%
Sam Ringer 2,831,974(4) 10.9%
Joe Ringer 2,832,535(5) 10.9%
Billy Anders, Sr. 2,340,242(6) 9.0%
Alan S. Dernbach 332,000(7) 1.3%
John A. McMillan 290,000(8) 1.2%
Kurt Springman 129,600(9) *
Jacob L. Smith 80,000(10) *
Larry H. Dale 150,000(11) *
All Officers and Directors 12,666,880 40.7%
As a Group (9 persons)
</TABLE>
* Less than one percent.
(1) Except as noted below, the business address of Mr. Ringer and all other
directors and executive officers is 3003 80th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island, WA
98040.
(2) Pursuant to applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
"beneficial ownership" as used in this table means the sole or shared power
to vote shares (voting power) or the sole or shared power to dispose of
shares (investment power). Unless otherwise indicated the named individual
has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as
beneficially owned. In addition, a person is deemed the beneficial owner of
those securities not outstanding which are subject to options, warrants,
rights or conversion privileges if that person has the right to acquire
beneficial ownership within sixty days.
(3) Includes 1,000,000 shares underlying stock options granted but not yet
exercised. Mr. Ringer is deemed the beneficially owner of the 1,927,529
shares of the Company's stock beneficially owned by American Management and
Consulting Inc. because of his power to vote and dispose of those shares.
Excludes 632,278 shares beneficially owned by Dutchman Irrevocable Trust, of
which his wife Marilyn K. Ringer is trustee, and 10,000 shares underlying
stock options owned by his wife, as to which Mr. Ringer disclaims beneficial
ownership.
(4) Includes 1,000,000 shares underlying stock options and 414,888 shares
underlying warrants granted but not yet exercised.
(5) Includes 1,000,000 shares underlying stock options and 416,568 shares
underlying warrants granted but not yet exercised.
(6) Includes 1,000,000 shares underlying stock options and 396,140
shares underlying warrants granted but not yet exercised. The address of
Mr. Anders is 2010 S. Overbluff Ct., Spokane, WA 99203.
47
<PAGE>
(7) Includes 65,000 shares underlying stock options and 40,000 shares
underlying warrants granted but not yet exercised.
(8) Includes 50,000 shares underlying stock options and 120,000 shares
underlying warrants granted but not yet exercised. The address of Mr.
McMillan is 500 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101.
(9) Includes 15,000 shares underlying stock options and 30,000 shares
underlying warrants granted but not yet exercised.
(10) Includes 65,000 shares underlying stock options granted but not yet
exercised. The address of Mr. Smith is 3800 Ft. Bellingham Rd., Bellingham,
WA 98225.
(11) Includes 50,000 shares underlying stock options and 50,000 shares
underlying warrants granted but not yet exercised. The address of Mr. Dale is
2521 Juniper Court, Golden, Colorado 80401.
ITEMS 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company has previously entered into certain transactions with
various parties, which had, at the time of the transaction, a material direct or
indirect relationship with the Company, its officers, directors, or principal
shareholders, their respective affiliates, or other persons associated with the
foregoing, as set forth below.
American Management and Consulting Inc. ("AMC") is a consulting firm of
which Allen Ringer serves as President and CEO. The Company receives management
consulting services from AMC, marketing and sales consulting services from Billy
Anders, Sr., Chairman of the Board, and administrative and clerical consulting
services from Marilyn Ringer, wife of the Company's president and CEO. At
December 31, 1998 the monthly consulting fee paid by the Company was $5,000 for
AMC, $6,000 for Billy Anders, Sr. and $1,800 for Mrs. Ringer. For the year ended
December 31, 1998, AMC, Billy Anders, Sr. and Mrs. Ringer were paid cash
compensation totaling $60,000, $66,830 and $31,550, respectively. During 1997
the Company paid only Mrs. Ringer cash compensation which totaled $13,395.
From time to time, AMC and members of Allen Ringer's family, including
children Sam Ringer, Joe Ringer and Shadda Lee, have deferred salaries and made
working capital advances and loans to the Company. At December 31, 1997 the
company owed this group a combined total of $538,162. With respect to AMC, the
Company owed $149,041 which was comprised of $36,000 of deferred compensation
and $113,041 of loans and interest. In January of 1998 the $149,041 was paid off
through the issuance of 596,164 shares of the Company's common stock at $.25 per
share and warrants representing 596,164 shares exercisable at $.50 per share.
Sam Ringer was owed $161,613 which was comprised of $103,722 of deferred
compensation and interest and $57,891 of loans to the Company. In January of
1998 the Company paid off the $103,722 of deferred compensation and interest by
the issuance of 414,888 shares of the Company's common stock at $.25 per share
and warrants representing 414,888 shares exercisable at $.50 per share. The
loans of $57,891 were paid off in cash in June 1998. Joe Ringer was owed
$121,449 which was comprised of $104,142 of deferred compensation and interest
and $17,307 of loans to the Company. In January of 1998 the Company paid off the
$104,142 of deferred compensation and interest by the issuance of 416,568 shares
of the Company's common stock at $.25 per share and warrants representing
416,568 shares exercisable at $.50 per share. The loans of $17,307 were paid off
in cash in June 1998. Shadda Lee was owed $106,059 which was comprised of
$47,720 of deferred compensation and interest and $57,891 of loans and interest
to the Company. In January of 1998 the Company paid off $90,672 of this balance
through the issuance of 362,689 shares of the Company's common stock at $.25 per
share and warrants representing 362,689 shares exercisable at $.50 per share.
The remaining $15,387 of debt was paid off in cash throughout the first six
months of 1998. At December 31, 1998 the Company owed a total of $26,188
which was comprised of $13,094 each to Sam and Joe Ringer for deferred
compensation and interest. In January of 1999 this debt was
48
<PAGE>
paid off in full through a cash payout.
In June 1996 the Company engaged Howard Baskin, a management
consultant, to help the Company grow its customer and revenue base and expand
nationally. See "Significant Employees and Consultant." In January 1997, the
Company entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Baskin under which he
agreed to temporarily relocate to Seattle and advise the Company on a full-time
basis. From January 1997 through July 1998 he served as "Managing Executive" of
LION under the consulting agreement, advising management on strategic and
operating decisions. In consideration for his services, the consulting agreement
entered into in January 1997 originally provided for incentive compensation
under a formula that would have created a cash bonus in the high six figures to
low seven figures upon achieving certain financial targets. In March 1998 the
consulting agreement was amended to replace this substantial potential cash
obligation by an option to purchase 700,000 shares of the Company's common stock
exercisable at $.01, which are now fully vested at December 31, 1998.
Compensation expense of $412,930 related to these options was recognized by the
Company during the year ended December 31, 1997. The consulting agreement also
provides for certain other options to purchase 1,800,000 shares of the Company's
common stock at prices ranging from $.75 to $3.00 per share which are to be
granted contingent upon the occurrence of certain events. Based on certain
events that did occur, options to purchase 25,000 shares at $.75 per share were
granted during 1998 and are fully vested. Compensation expense of $16,825 was
recognized for the year ended December 31, 1998. Under the consulting agreement
Mr. Baskin received cash compensation of $74,850 and $79,797 for the years ended
December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
In consideration for his consulting services rendered to the Company,
1,000,000 options exercisable at prices ranging from $.50 to $1.00 were issued
in July 1997 to Billy Anders, Sr., a director of the Company. During September
1998, the Company sold 62,500 shares of common stock to Mr. Anders, in
connection with the exercise of outstanding options for cash consideration of
$15,625. In addition, the Company sold 62,500 shares of common stock to Mr.
Anders at a purchase price of $.50 and 125,000 shares of common stock at a
purchase price of $1.00 in connection with the exercise of outstanding options.
The aggregate purchase price of $156,250 was payable by promissory note with
principal balance, together with interest at the rate of 10% per annum, due on
or before March 1, 2000. The 187,500 shares of common stock purchased by the
promissory note were pledged to the Company as collateral until the note is paid
in full. Mr. Anders is associated as a registered representative with Craig &
Associates, Inc., an NASD member broker-dealer. During the period from January
1996 to March 1998, the Company utilized Craig & Associates to assist in the
sales of three discrete offerings of securities. Placement agent fees were paid
to Craig & Associates in connection with these sales, consisting of 7% of the of
the offering price of the units sold, plus warrants exercisable at $.25 per
share with an aggregate offering price equaling 7% of the price of the units
sold.
At December 31, 1998, Allen Ringer, Sam Ringer and Joe Ringer
beneficially owned approximately 13.9%, 10.9% and 10.9%, respectively, for
aggregate holdings of approximately 35.7%, of the outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company (assuming exercise of their outstanding stock options and
not the options granted to Company employees and service providers). As a group,
the present executive officers and directors of the Company beneficially owned
approximately 40.1% of the outstanding shares. As a result, these shareholders
may be able to control or significantly influence all matters requiring
shareholder approval, including the election of the Company's directors and
approval of significant corporate transactions. As of December 31, 1998, the
Company had granted options to purchase an aggregate of 9,415,000 shares of
common stock, of which 7,127,500 were outstanding at December 31, 1998. Of the
options granted, 4,295,000 were issued to directors of the Company, of which
4,195,000 were outstanding at December 31, 1998.
The Company may be subject to various conflicts of interest arising out
of the relationship of the Company, its Board of Directors, affiliates and the
common shareholders. If conflicts do arise they will
49
<PAGE>
not be resolved through arms length negotiations but through the exercise of
management's judgment consistent with its fiduciary responsibility to the
shareholders and the Company's objectives and policies. The directors will
minimize and resolve conflicts by putting their fiduciary responsibility to
the shareholders ahead of personal interests. Certain directors of the
Company will only devote so much of their time to the business of the Company
as in their judgment is reasonably required and must decide how to allocate
their time and services among the Company and other entities with which they
are involved.
The Company intends that all future transactions, including loans,
between the Company and its officers, directors, principal stockholders and
their affiliates will be approved by a disinterested majority of the Board of
Directors, and will be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be
obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) EXHIBITS:
The following documents are filed herewith for informational purposes
not part of this Annual Report, except as otherwise indicated:
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation (1)
3.2 By-laws (1)
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (1)
10.1 1998 Stock Option Plan with Form of Option Agreement (1)
10.2 Consulting Agreement on H. Baskin (1)
10.3 Premises Lease Agreement (Mercer Island property) dated as of
May 1, 1998 (1)
10.4 Premises Lease Agreement (Spokane property) dated as of January 1, 1999
16.1 Letter on change in certifying accountant from Thomas J. Harris CPA
related to Form 10 - SB
16.2 Letter on change in certifying accountant from Thomas J. Harris CPA
related to this annual report
21.1 LION, Inc., a Washington corporation is the sole subsidiary of the
Company (1)
27.1 Financial Data Schedule December 31, 1998
(1) Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 10-SB (File No. 0-25159).
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
No Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended
December 31, 1998.
50
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Mercer Island, Washington, on March 30, 1999.
PLENUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
---------------------------
(Registrant)
By: /S/ ALLEN RINGER
----------------------------------
Allen Ringer
President and Chief Executive
Officer
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, this
report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant
and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Billy Anders, Sr. Chairman of the Board March 30, 1999
-------------------------
/s/ Allen C. Ringer Director, President and Chief March 30, 1999
------------------------- Executive Officer
/s/ Alan S. Dernbach Director, Chief Financial Officer March 30, 1999
-------------------------
/s/ Sam Ringer Director March 30, 1999
-------------------------
/s/ Joe Ringer Director March 30, 1999
-------------------------
/s/ Kurt Springman Director March 30, 1999
-------------------------
/s/ Steve Thomson Controller March 30, 1999
-------------------------
</TABLE>
51
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation (1)
3.2 By-laws (1)
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (1)
10.1 1998 Stock Option Plan with Form of Option Agreement (1)
10.2 Consulting Agreement on H. Baskin (1)
10.3 Premises Lease Agreement (Mercer Island property) dated as of
May 1, 1998 (1)
10.4 Premises Lease Agreement (Spokane property) dated as of
January 1, 1999
16.1 Letter on change in certifying accountant from Thomas J.
Harris CPA related to Form 10 - SB
16.2 Letter on change in certifying accountant from Thomas J.
Harris CPA related to this annual report
21.1 LION, Inc., a Washington corporation is the sole subsidiary
of the Company (1)
27.1 Financial Data Schedule December 31, 1998
(1) Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number to the Company's
Registration Statement of Form 10-SB (File No. 0-25159).
52
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.4
OFFICE RENTAL AGREEMENT
THIS Office Rental Agreement is made and entered into as of this 1st day of
January, 1999, by and between, Robert J. Tyson (hereinafter referred to as
Lessor), and Lenders Interactive Online Networking (LION) (hereinafter referred
to as Lessee).
WITNESSETH:
1. Premises. The Lessor does hereby Lease to Lessee, and Lessee does hereby
Lease from Lessor, those certain premises situated in the City of Spokane,
County of Spokane, State of Washington, described as follows:
Office space shown on Exhibit "A" consisting of approximately
5500 square feet net rentable area of the second floor, in the
Stonemark Office Building, located at North 1235 Post Street,
Spokane Washington 99201.
The Premises are located on the following property:
Lots One (1), Two (2), Three (3), Eleven (11), Twelve (12) and Thirteen
(13), Block Twenty-five (25), STRATTON'S ADDITION, all being situated in the
City of Spokane, County of Spokane, State of Washington.
2. Term. The term of this Lease shall be three (3) years, commencing on the
1st day of January, 1999 and terminating on the 31st day of December, 2001.
3. Rent. The Lessee shall pay the monthly rent in advance and without notice
starting January 1, 1999 and on the first day of each subsequent calendar month
during the term of this Lease. The monthly rent shall be the sum of forty seven
hundred fifty and no/100 Dollars ($4,750.00) per month. In the event the monthly
rent is not paid within five (5) days of its due date, then there shall be due
in addition to the monthly rent, a late charge calculated at ten percent (10%)
of the delinquent monthly rent. The late charge for the month of January 1999
will be waived. The monthly rent will increase five hundred dollars ($500.00)
the first of January 2000 and another five hundred dollars ($500.00) the first
of January 2001.
4. Improvements. Lessee accepts the premises in their present condition on an
"as is" basis as of the commencement date of this Lease. Lessor shall not be
required to make any improvements whatsoever to the premises. Lessee shall be
responsible for the installation and cost to install all communication and/or
computer equipment, wiring and related expenses and indemnify the Lessor for any
charges therefore.
5. Use. The Lessee will use and occupy said premises for professional offices
and related purposes, and for no other purpose. Lessee agrees that in the
operation of the business to be conducted on said premises and in any occupancy
thereof the Lessee shall comply with all the laws, rules and regulations of the
government of the United States, State of Washington, County of Spokane, and
City of Spokane, and will do nothing volitional to increase the insurance rates
on the building. Lessee agrees not to use any machinery or equipment in the
leased premises which might be injurious to the building or which might cause
unreasonable noise or vibration which would be objectionable to other tenants.
Upon termination of the Lease, Lessee shall quit and surrender the leased
premises in as good a state and condition as
<PAGE>
reasonable use of wear and tear thereof will permit, damage by the elements
or fire excepted.
6. Alterations and Fixtures. Lessee agrees to make no alterations of the leased
premises without Lessor's written consent. Lessor's written consent for
alterations by Lessee shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. For the
purpose of this Lease, alterations shall be defined to mean any addition or
modification of the leased premises. Any alterations to the leased premises
shall be made at Lessee's expense. Alterations shall become the property of
Lessor at the termination of the Lease. Upon termination of the Lease, Lessee
shall have the right to remove all movable improvements, furnishings, and trade
fixtures placed therein by Lessee which can be removed without material injury
to the premises and will repair any damage to the premises occasioned by such
removal.
7. Liability. Lessee agrees to indemnify Lessor against and save Lessor harmless
from all demands or claims, of whatsoever nature, and all reasonable expenses
incurred in or resisting the same, for injury to person, loss of life, or
investigating damage to property occurring on the leased premises or any common
areas of the building either arising out of Lessee's use and occupancy, or due
to the act or neglect of Lessee, its agents or employees. Lessee shall maintain
liability insurance on the premises in an amount not less than One Million
Dollars ($1,000,000), single limit liability.
8. Subletting and Assignments. Lessee shall not sublet all or any portion of the
space leased pursuant to this Office Rental Agreement without lessors written
permission which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
9. Waiver of Subrogation. Lessor and Lessee each mutually release the other from
every right, claim, and demand which may hereafter arise in favor of either
arising out of or in connection with any loss occasioned by fire and such other
perils as are included in the provisions of the normal extended coverage clause
of fire insurance policies, and do hereby waive all rights of subrogation in
favor of insurance carriers arising out of any such losses and sustained by
either the Lessor or the Lessee in or to the premises or any property therein.
Lessee shall insure its furniture, fixtures and equipment for 100% of the
replacement value thereof.
10. Notices. All notices to be given by the parties hereto shall be in writing
and may either be served personally or may be deposited in the United States
mail, postage prepaid, by either registered or certified mail, and if to be
given to Lessor, may be addressed to Lessor at South 8904 Rose Road, Medical
Lake, Washington 99022, or if to be given Lessee, may be addressed to Lessee at
3003 80th Avenue southeast, Mercer Island, WA. 98040.
11. Services and Utilities. As long as Lessee is not in default under any of the
terms, covenants, conditions, provisions or agreements of this lease and Lessee
continue to occupy the property, Lessor shall:
(a) Provide manual or automatic elevator facilities on generally accepted
business days from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m., and have one elevator available at all other times.
(b) Provide to the premises, during the time specified in Paragraph (a) hereof
(and at other times for a reasonable additional charge to be fixed by Lessor),
heating ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), when in the judgment of Lessee
it may be required for the comfortable occupancy of premises for general office
purposes.
(c) Furnish to the premises, during the times specified in Paragraph (a)
hereof, sufficient electric current
<PAGE>
for lighting for general office use and the operation of copiers, computers,
computer support equipment, and related office machines.
(d) Furnish water for sinks, drinking fountains and restrooms provided by
Lessor.
(e) Provide janitorial services for the premises, three days per week,
including, but not limited to, refuse removal, dusting, vacuuming window
washing, as required, together with refuse removal, in order to keep the
premises clean and in order, provided the same are used exclusively as offices,
and are kept reasonably in order by Lessee.
(f) Lessee agrees to cooperate fully at all times with Lessor, and to abide by
all regulations and requirements which Lessor may prescribe for the proper
functioning and protection of the building HVAC, electrical and plumbing
systems.
(g) Lessor reserves the right to reduce, interrupt or cease service of the
heating, air conditioning, ventilation, elevator, plumbing, and electric
systems, when necessary, by reason of accident, emergency or governmental
regulations, or for repairs, alterations or improvements which, in the judgment
of Lessor are desirable or necessary to be made, until said repairs, alterations
or improvements shall have been completed. Lessor shall have no responsibility
for liability for any temporary failure to supply elevator facilities, plumbing,
ventilating, air conditioning or electric services, when prevented from
restoring the same by strike, lockout or accident, or by any cause whatever
beyond Lessor's reasonable control, or by laws, rules, orders, ordinances,
directions, regulations or requirements of any federal, state county or
municipal authority; provided, however Lessor shall proceed to diligently
complete such repairs, alterations and improvements, and, except when the same
must be dealt with immediately due to imminent hazard or emergency, such
repairs, alterations and improvements shall be done at a time reasonably
convenient to Lessee and shall not unreasonably interfere with Lessee's use and
enjoyment of the premises.
12. Access and Repairs. Lessor's agents shall have free access at any reasonable
time, after notice to the Lessee, for the purpose of inspection, or of making
repairs, additions or alterations to the leased premises or any property owned
by or under the control of the Lessor. When making such inspections, repairs or
alterations, Lessor shall not unreasonably interfere with Lessee's use and
enjoyment of the premises. Lessor shall maintain in good condition the
structural and exterior components of the office building. Lessor shall repair
and replace, when necessary, light fixtures (including replacement of bulbs and
fluorescent tubes) and shall maintain in good condition and repair draperies,
carpeting, windows, plumbing and the electrical systems. However, Lessor shall
not be obligated to repair or replace any fixtures or equipment installed by
Lessee, and Lessor shall not be obligated to make any repair or replacement
occasioned by any act or omission of the Lessee, its employees, agents, invitee
or licensees. The Lessor shall have ten (10) days after written notice from
Lessee to commence maintenance and repairs to the leased premises, except that
Lessor shall perform its obligations immediately if the nature of the problem
presents a hazard or emergency.
13. Default. In the event of default by the Lessee in the performance of any of
its covenants herein contained, and if such default is not cured within ten (10)
days, for a default involving failure to pay rent or thirty (30) days for other
default, after written notice to Lessee, Lessor shall have the right to re-enter
the demised premises and sublet the whole or any part thereof for the account of
the Lessee, upon such terms and conditions as Lessor may deem proper, or in the
alternative, Lessor may re-enter the premises and terminate this Lease.
Provided, however, no re-entry by the Lessor shall be deemed a termination of
this Lease until Lessor has given written notice to Lessee exercising its right
to terminate this lease.
<PAGE>
14. Attorney's Fees. In the event of any action at law or inequity between
Lessor and Lessee to enforce any of the provisions, rights, or obligations
hereunder, the unsuccessful party to such litigation agrees to pay to the
successful party all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees
incurred therein by the successful party, and if such successful party shall
recover judgment in any such action or proceeding, such costs and expenses and
attorney's fees shall be included in and as a part of such judgment.
15. No Waiver of Covenants. Time is and shall be of the essence of this
agreement and of each and every part thereof, and any waiver by the Lessor of
any breach of the Lessee shall not be construed or considered to be a waiver of
any future similar breach nor of any other breach hereof. None of the covenants,
terms, or conditions of this Lease required to be performed by Lessee shall be
in any manner altered, waived, modified or abandoned except by written
instrument duly signed and delivered by Lessor.
16. Holding Over. If Lessee, with the consent, express or implied, of the
Lessor, shall hold over after the expiration of the term of this Lease, the
Lessee shall remain bound by all the terms, conditions, and agreements hereof,
except the rent shall be increased and the tenancy shall be from month to month.
17. Heir and Assigns. The rights, liabilities, and remedies provided for herein
shall extend to their heirs, legal representatives successors and, so far as the
terms of this Lease permit, assigns of the parties hereto; and the words
"Lessor" and 'Lessee" and their accompanying verbs or pronouns, however used in
this Lease, shall apply equally to all persons, firms or corporations which may
be or become parties hereto.
18. Rules. Lessee agrees to abide by the reasonable rules and regulations
governing the building which are not inconsistent with Lessee's use and which
may be made by Lessor from time to time, and will use all reasonable methods to
induce customers, clients and all persons invited by Lessee into said building
to observe the same.
19. Taxes. The rent to be paid is exclusive of any sales tax, business and
occupation tax, or any taxes based on rents. Should any taxes based on rents
apply, or be enacted during the term of this Lease, the rent shall be increased
by a like amount.
20. Condemnation.
a) "Condemnation" means (1) the exercise of any governmental power, whether
by legal proceedings or otherwise, by a condemnor; and (2) a voluntary sale or
transfer by a Landlord to any condemnor, either under threat of condemnation or
while legal proceedings for condemnation are pending.
b) "Date of Taking" means the date condemnor has the right to possession
of the property being condemned.
c) "Award" means all compensation, sums or anything of value awarded,
paid or received on condemnation.
d) "Condemnor" means any public or quasi-public authority, or private
corporation or individual, having the power of condemnation.
If during the term or during the period of time between the execution
of this Lease and the date the term commences, there is any taking of all or any
part of the leased premises, other improvements or land of all or any part of
the premises are a part, or any interest in this Lease by condemnation, the
rights and obligations of the parties shall be determined as provided in the
following paragraphs. If the premises are totally taken by condemnation, this
Lease shall terminate on the day of taking. If only a portion of the
<PAGE>
premises is taken by condemnation, this Lease shall remain in effect except,
that Lessee can elect to terminate this Lease if the remaining portion of the
building or other improvements or the parking area that is part of the
premises is rendered unsuitable for Lessee's continued use of the premises.
If Lessee elects to terminate this Lease, Lessee must exercise its rights to
terminate pursuant to this paragraph by giving notice to Lessor within thirty
(30) days after the nature and the extent of the taking have been finally
determined. If Lessee elects to terminate this lease as provided in this
termination, which date shall not be earlier than thirty (30) days nor later
than ninety (90) days after Lessee has notified Lessor of its election to
terminate; except that this Lease shall terminate on the date of taking if
the date of taking falls on a date before the date of termination as
designated by Lessee. If Lessee does not terminate this Lease within the
thirty (30) day period, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect,
except that minimum monthly rental shall be reduced as provided by the
following paragraph. If any portion of the premises is taken by condemnation
and this lease remains in full force and effect, on the date of taking, the
minimum monthly rental shall be reduced by an amount that is in the same
ratio to minimum monthly rent as the value of the area of the portion of the
premises taken bears to the total value of the premises immediately before
the date of taking. Lessor shall be entitled to all awards paid in respect of
condemnation of the premises, and Lessee shall have no claim to any portion
thereof.
21. Severability. Any provision contained in this Lease Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such
prohibition and unenforceable without invalidating the remainder thereof.
22. Termination. Lessee may terminate the lease after the first year only in
the event the lessee purchases another building to place its offices. If
lessee terminates this lease lessee shall give lessor advanced written
notice of 180 days.
23. Parking. Lessee shall shave the free use of twenty (20) non-assigned parking
spaces in the parking lot which is adjacent to the leased premises. Lessee shall
respect the rights of the other tenants in the building in which the leased
premises are located and others who rent parking spaces to use the parking lot
adjacent to the building
24. Possession. Lessee will take full possession of the 2nd floor of premises on
1st of January 1999.
Lessee assumes the second floor remaining tenants' lease obligations
and will receive all rent due from such sublet tenants. Lessee is allowed to
continue subletting to Herb Fielder and Cherry Creek Mortgage or terminate those
leases at the expiration date of each separate lease.
Lessor will be allowed to occupy one office of the leased premises for
his personal use, until such time lessee notifies lessor that it is not
convenient to continue such occupancy. Then and only then the lease payment
called for in this lease will be increased by $100.00 per month.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Lease the day
and year first above written.
LESSOR: LESSEE:
LION Inc.
Robert J. Tyson Allen Ringer
By: By:
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Robert J. Tyson Allen Ringer
INDIVIDUAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
<PAGE>
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss.
COUNTY OF SPOKANE )
I certify that I know or have satisfactory evidence that ROBERT
J.TYSON, signed this instrument, on oath stated that he was authorized to
execute the instrument and acknowledged it to be his free and voluntary act for
the uses and purposes mentioned in the instrument.
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ____ day of January, 1999.
Notary Public in and for the State of
Washington, residing at Spokane
Commission Expires
-----------------
CORPORATE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss.
COUNTY OF SPOKANE )
I certify that I know or have satisfactory evidence that ALLEN RINGER,
signed this instrument, on oath stated that he was authorized to execute the
instrument and acknowledged it as the President of LION Inc., to be his free and
voluntary act of said corporation for the uses and purposes mentioned in the
instrument.
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this _____ day of January, 1999.
Notary Public in and for the State of
Washington, residing at Spokane
Commission Expires
------------------
<PAGE>
Personal Guaranty:
In consideration of Robert J. Tyson, (hereinafter referred to as Lessor),
entering into the foregoing certain office lease Stonemark Building with LION
Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Lessee) dated January ___ , 1999, for premises
located at North 1235 Post Street, Spokane, WA 99201, ALLEN RINGER does hereby
personally guaranty to Lessor, performance in full by Lessee of all of the
Lessee obligations, including payment of rents as contained in said Lease herein
referred to and all damages and expenses that may arise in consequence of any
default by Lessee, its successors and assigns under said Lease, including
reasonable attorney's fees and costs, resulting from any such default and/or by
the enforcement of this guaranty agreement, subject only to such defenses and
rights as Lessee may have.
---------------------
ALLEN RINGER
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss.
COUNTY OF SPOKANE )
On this day personally appeared before me ALLEN RINGER, to me known to
be the individual described in and who executed the within and foregoing
instrument, and acknowledged that he signed the same as his free and voluntary
act and deed, for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.
GIVEN under my hand and official seal this _____ day of January, 1999.
Notary Public in and for the State of
Washington, residing at Spokane
Commission Expires
------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 16.1
THOMAS J. HARRIS C.P.A.
3901 Stone Way North, Ste. 202
Seattle, WA 98103
March 17, 1999
Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Dear Sir/Madam:
We have read the section entitled "Changes in and Disagreements with
Accountants" included in the Form 10-SB of Plenum Communications, Inc. filed
with the Security and Exchange Commission on December 10, 1999, as amended, and
are in agreement with the statements contained therein.
Very truly yours,
THOMAS J. HARRIS C.P.A.
By: /s/ THOMAS J. HARRIS C.P.A.
----------------------------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 16.2
THOMAS J. HARRIS C.P.A.
3901 Stone Way North, Ste. 202
Seattle, WA 98103
March 17, 1999
Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Dear Sir/Madam:
We have read Item 8 of Part II included in the Form 10-KSB of Plenum
Communications, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1998 filed with the
Security and Exchange Commission, and are in agreement with the statements
contained therein.
Very truly yours,
THOMAS J. HARRIS C.P.A.
By: /s/ THOMAS J. HARRIS C.P.A.
--------------------------------------
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON
THE FORM 10-KSB FOR THE ANNUAL PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<CASH> 566,767
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 144,652
<ALLOWANCES> 23,350
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 700,774
<PP&E> 600,798
<DEPRECIATION> 388,619
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 919,304
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 437,690
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 24,671
<OTHER-SE> 456,943
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 919,304
<SALES> 1,856,336
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,856,336
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,890,642
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 203,604
<INCOME-PRETAX> (1,227,718)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,227,718)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (1,227,718)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.06)
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